Chapter 151
Chapter 151
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: The Omniscient One (4)
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Ouyang Jue understood why Liu Zhangming found the Omniscient One so distasteful.
Ever since the days of the old Demonic Cult, they had been taught that sorcerers were evil beings, fiends who went around disrupting the five elements. In a way, his reaction was only natural.
Therefore, Ouyang Jue figured that no matter how much he defended the Omniscient One, Liu Zhangming would never be able to break free from the common sense he had been taught since childhood.
‘It’s a relief he doesn’t outright despise him.’
At least the worst had been averted, but…
Ouyang Jue let out a small sigh.
An alarm bell was ringing in his head, warning him that he couldn't leave things as they were.
‘We’ll be seeing more of each other. If it starts like this, it’ll only get more awkward from here.’
Having organized his thoughts, Ouyang Jue forced an awkward smile.
“By the way, Omniscient One, how were you able to defeat the Heaven-Bearing Asura on your own?”
The Omniscient One was about to answer, but Liu Zhangming was faster.
“Jue, why do you ask the obvious? He must have subdued him through some unjust method, as a sorcerer would.”
“…”
The Omniscient One shot Liu Zhangming a fierce, silent glare. Not wanting to lose, Liu Zhangming shrugged his shoulders.
“Still, if the owner of this arm is indeed the man called the Heaven-Bearing Asura, I suppose I can acknowledge your skill to some extent.”
“I never asked for your acknowledgment.”
Frowning, the Omniscient One pointed a finger at Liu Zhangming.
“Why did you bring a person like that with you?”
“A person… like that?!”
As Liu Zhangming grit his teeth, unable to tolerate the remark, the Omniscient One smirked.
“You make a rude remark the moment you see a sorcerer you’ve only ever known through stories. How could you expect me to treat you kindly?”
“…That’s.”
Unlike his usual tendency to embrace and understand everyone, Liu Zhangming held a prejudice against those called sorcerers.
It was inevitable. Since he was a child, he had constantly heard that they caused droughts that brought great harm to the common people, or that they revived the dead.
Indeed, hadn't a man called the Blood Demon threatened the Central Plains with necromancy in the distant past?
Seeing the complex emotions swirling in Liu Zhangming's eyes, Ouyang Jue scratched the back of his head and stepped between them.
“As you can see, Senior Brother, the Omniscient One is in critical condition. Fighting any more will only worsen his injuries, wouldn't it?”
“My apologies.”
“Empty words.”
Despite the Omniscient One’s light taunt, Liu Zhangming humbly bowed his head low.
At that sight, the Omniscient One’s eyes flashed for a moment before the light died down.
“It seems you genuinely know how to be sorry. You’re a thousand times better than that narrow-minded old man.”
“Are you implying that you are now belittling the Taoists of our main sect as narrow-minded?”
“My, my, just as expected of Jue’s senior brother! You’d die for the Mount Hua Sect, wouldn’t you!”
As Liu Zhangming’s expression hardened once more, Ouyang Jue found it difficult to just stand by and watch.
“Senior Brother, and you too, Omniscient One, that’s enough…”
“Wasn’t he the one who brought up my sect first!”
As Liu Zhangming glared at the Omniscient One, Ouyang Jue sighed softly and thought.
‘They’re bound to clash eventually. It might be better to let them have it out once rather than me trying to mediate.’
Surely, Liu Zhangming wouldn’t resort to violence against an injured man.
As Ouyang Jue stepped back, Dae-ung, whose upper body was slathered in ointment, let out a long growl.
“Kuuuuuh…”
To Ouyang Jue, it sounded as if Dae-ung was telling them to knock it off.
But it seemed to have sounded quite different to the Omniscient One, who, disregarding his own body, shot up from his spot.
“Ung-ah, are you in pain?”
“Kuuung…”
“Yes, yes, your energy must be greatly depleted. I’ll prepare a talisman right away.”
*Rustle.*
While the Omniscient One was drawing the talisman, Liu Zhangming approached Dae-ung as if mesmerized by something.
Ouyang Jue watched him closely, wondering if some strange phenomenon was occurring, but that didn't seem to be the case.
After all, Liu Zhangming’s eyes were filled with excitement.
“Is it a spirit beast?”
“Don’t touch it. It doesn't like human hands.”
Despite the Omniscient One’s warning, Liu Zhangming cautiously reached out his hand.
Dae-ung’s throat rumbled.
“Kuuuung.”
Though it seemed highly alert, it didn't seem to be rejecting the touch.
Seeing this, the Omniscient One stopped drawing his talisman and smacked Dae-ung on the back.
“Ung, you rascal! Your master is right here, and you prefer another man’s touch?”
“Kuaaargh!”
Watching the scene, Liu Zhangming stepped back with a gentle smile.
An intelligent spirit beast, Dae-ung, and the Omniscient One, who effortlessly blocked its forepaw.
It was a sight that could not be seen without an extraordinary bond, and besides, weren't spirit beasts said to not associate with evil people?
As Dae-ung’s movements grew more aggressive, Liu Zhangming took a few more steps back and approached Ouyang Jue.
“It seems you were right. The Omniscient One does not appear to be an evil man.”
“…Is it just my imagination, or does it look like those two are fighting because of you, Senior Brother?”
“Haha, the wind is pleasant today.”
Wildflowers blooming among the mountain trees began to open one by one, and animals, fully awakened from hibernation, started to form an ecosystem.
Although these were the warmest and happiest days that came after the end of winter.
Ouyang Jue was once again reminded that he could not enjoy this daily life.
‘I learned through two fights that I can face the Eight Evils… but I need a martial art that makes it impossible for them to even escape.’
As long as the enemy that would one day come, the Eight Evils, still lurked in the martial world, he could not turn his attention elsewhere.
More importantly, he had no certainty that he could win.
No, even if he did, the Eight Evils were not an enemy to be taken lightly.
Hundreds of years of self-obsession, or malice.
Whatever you called it, they were a group that had survived for such a long time, each building their own power base.
Ouyang Jue did not know what their ultimate goal was.
But the thought that the annihilation of the Mount Hua Sect was merely a passing phase in their plans made him shudder.
Ouyang Jue forced a relaxed tone to calm his agitated heart.
“Now that you no longer seem to shun the Omniscient One, Senior Brother, I think it’s about time we head to our destination.”
“Destination?”
The Omniscient One turned his head and asked as if he hadn't heard a thing, and Ouyang Jue opened his mouth to answer.
“The Sword Immortal's Cave.”
“…You plan to go to the Forgetting Sword again?”
“This time, Senior Brother is coming with me.”
“Hmm…”
The Omniscient One frowned.
“I know what you’re thinking, but you know well that the Sword Immortal's Cave is no easy place, don't you?”
“Senior Brother will do better than me, if anything. He certainly won’t be pushed back.”
“Is he that skilled?”
The Omniscient One, startled, carefully observed Liu Zhangming before speaking.
“No matter how I look at him, he doesn't seem to have lost his mind like you have…”
When Ouyang Jue’s expression hardened for a moment, the Omniscient One laughed heartily and waved his hand.
“It was a joke, a joke.”
“…Will it be alright to leave after resting for a few days?”
At those words, the Omniscient One looked back and forth between his own body and Dae-ung, calculating the time it would take to heal.
“Three or four days?”
“Don’t lie!”
Startled, Liu Zhangming let out a cry of astonishment.
“There’s no way such wounds can heal in just three or four days! Enough with the empty bravado! I will wait for a sufficient period, so…”
“If he says he’s fine, what does it matter?”
As Ouyang Jue said so, the Omniscient One also nodded his head.
“My, my, Plum Blossom Cloud Dragon, have you lived your whole life being deceived? I’ll shorten it to two days, not three or four, so watch closely.”
The Omniscient One’s lips drew a deep curve.
“I’ll show you personally just how competent a sorcerer can be.”
“If that’s possible, I will bow my head to you and call you my elder brother!”
At those words, the Omniscient One clapped his hands in delight. Not long after, Liu Zhangming had to call him ‘Elder Brother’ for several days.
***
“Elder Brother.”
“What is it, younger brother?”
As the Omniscient One casually accepted the title, Liu Zhangming’s face scrunched into a deep frown.
But there was something he had to say.
“Some of us are moving about without even our sect’s pride, our uniforms, yet what are you doing on the back of a spirit beast, Elder Brother?”
“Ahem. Such insolence toward your elder brother! Is that what they teach you in your sect!”
“…”
Seeing Liu Zhangming’s hands tremble, Ouyang Jue swallowed a laugh.
“The plank roads are fine, but come down as soon as we reach the main road. And get Dae-ung out of sight immediately, too.”
“I know.”
The Omniscient One seemed to be only half-listening, busy bringing wild strawberries to Dae-ung’s mouth.
Watching him, one might feel all tension disappear, but the situation was not so relaxed.
‘The Martial Alliance’s power has grown tremendously of late.’
In particular, rumors were circulating that the White-Robed Division, under the Vice-Leader, Nangong Cheon, was solidifying a very firm position within the Martial Alliance.
Indeed, now that the era of conflict was over, it was time for Jeok Sa-goeng’s Black Wind Unit to step back.
But the White-Robed Division had taken its place far faster than expected.
Ouyang Jue briefly recalled his past life and quickly realized the difference.
‘The Hebei Peng Clan expanded around this time… Did the Martial Alliance take their place?’
One might simply assume the Martial Alliance was a vassal of the Eight Evils, but now that the identity of the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon was revealed, it was only natural for the Martial Alliance to gain trust.
No matter how much the Beggars' Sect tried to hide it, it would be difficult to escape the eyes of the Martial Alliance, the center of the Orthodox martial world.
Shaolin seemed a little resentful, but they too quickly conceded, knowing the danger of the Eight Evils.
The problem, however, was that it didn't end there.
‘We were able to get close to the government after numerous contacts, but for the ever-so-conservative Martial Alliance to win over the government…’
The White-Robed Division must have been involved.
Ouyang Jue recalled Nangong Cheon’s meticulous nature and fell into thought.
Could it be that even their current movements were being observed?
Considering the Martial Alliance’s current influence, it was not an overstatement.
There would be thousands willing to bow their heads to get on their good side, so it was entirely possible.
“Wait.”
As soon as the thought occurred to him, Ouyang Jue stopped the group, intending to voice his concerns and raise their vigilance.
Just then, the Omniscient One gave a strange smile.
“Actually, there’s a spell I haven’t used until now because I wanted to see you struggle.”
“…What?”
“To put it simply, I’ve been saving a talisman that blurs one’s presence.”
At those words, Ouyang Jue pushed Severing Manifestation up with his thumb.
The blade, reflecting the sunlight, shone with a particular sharpness today.
A cold sweat trickled down the side of the Omniscient One’s face.
“N-No… I was just saying we should take the easy way.”
“Let’s be careful from now on.”
As Ouyang Jue urged him on with a cool voice, the Omniscient One quickly nodded his head.
*Rustle.*
At the sound of rustling bushes, Ouyang Jue immediately glanced sideways.
But no further presence was felt.
He even went to check the surroundings just in case, but…
“What, was it a rabbit hole?”
Thinking he had been too sensitive, Ouyang Jue turned and left.
*Flap!*
A moment later, a carrier hawk flew out of the forest.
***
Meanwhile, at the same time.
Ha Jin-ak, who had belatedly heard the news, could not shake off his deep sense of disappointment.
“If he came, he could have at least said hello before leaving. How could he just leave like that?”
If he could have his way, he would have followed in Liu Zhangming’s footsteps, but he couldn't bring himself to do so.
The recent events he had heard from Bai Duanxian were clouding his mind.
‘The Eight Evils…’
Demons that have survived for hundreds, or perhaps even over a thousand years.
It was a story so close to myth that he initially thought Bai Duanxian was joking.
But he soon had to accept it.
‘My own revival is also something that makes no sense.’
Ha Jin-ak clenched his fists tightly.
The sensation of muscles pulling through his body, the warmth felt as flesh touched flesh.
The proof of being alive was embracing all five of his senses.
The past where his entire body had been burned by gunpowder seemed to have vanished without a trace.
A bitter smile spread across Ha Jin-ak’s face.
Then, his gaze shifted elsewhere.
The Plum Blossom Cave.
It was a place that had been on his mind ever since he woke up.
‘The Sect Leader told me not to worry about it, but…’
Ha Jin-ak slowly began to walk.
How many more steps had he taken?
*Crunch.*
A man who had stepped on a plum blossom leaf blocked Ha Jin-ak’s path.
Ha Jin-ak’s lips parted slightly.
“You are…”
“…”
“What in the world are you? Are you even human?”
At those words, the man, Jin Mu-wol, showed a cryptic smile before it quickly vanished.
Soon, his eyes half-closed, as if a wistful emotion was stirring within them.
“You can read my energy. What a curious child you are.”
“I asked you a question!”
“Well.”
Jin Mu-wol muttered in a self-deprecating voice.
“You could call me a ghost of the past.”
As if in response, the plum blossom tree planted in front of the Plum Blossom Cave shook violently.
Between the falling plum blossom petals.
An unidentifiable afterimage flickered past.