The Anchor of the Dao Heart
Han Yujin pondered how he should treat the worlds he could visit through his awakening ability, along with the connections he had forged there.
Since he could return to them later in a fully reset state, should he dismiss them as mere fakes? Were only the bonds formed in his original reality the ones that truly mattered?
But how can I claim with certainty that any of this is fake?
He viewed his awakening ability as something akin to a simulation, yet he was not entirely convinced that was all it was. This place could very well be a legitimate branch of possibility—a genuine world existing within a real universe. Perhaps he was simply able to traverse its spacetime with greater freedom than most.
It was precisely for this reason that he could not approach this world with pure efficiency in mind.
If everything here was truly fake, if every being was as insubstantial as air, then there was no reason to refrain from hiding away in the mountains, completing his Dragon Heart refinement, and sweeping everything aside with raw power. Why bother building a reputation or engaging in trade? He could simply charge in, slaughter them all, and seize their secret manuals.
Was there truly any need to limit himself to such calculated gains?
If irritation struck him while walking down the road, he could tear passing strangers into ten or a hundred pieces without consequence. He could threaten whomever he pleased and indulge in every earthly pleasure, and none of it would matter.
Because it was all fake anyway!
What difference would it hold from killing NPCs in a PC game and committing arson and plunder at will? The only distinction was a much higher degree of realism.
……If I behaved that way, it might feel exhilarating and efficient for a short time.
Yet everything except the benefits he could carry back to reality would turn hollow. He would never encounter another being like Mu-yong. The connections he shared with Eun Miryeong, Seogwang Gahu, and Dok Junseong would devolve into nothing more than pointless wastes of time.
He would be capable of nothing beyond the pursuit of momentary, instinctual pleasure and tangible profit.
Even with the long lifespan granted to a cultivator, he would have to toss all those countless experiences and opportunities for inner growth into the trash.
The moment one crossed that line, there was no turning back. The instant one tried, the sheer enormity of one’s own sins would rise up to be faced—and the odds were high that it would summon a heart demon more terrifying than any ordinary fear.
And if, in such a state, he later discovered that none of it had been fake, what then?
Even if it were proven false, what if much later—after reaching the True Immortal Stage and gaining the power to freely destroy and create worlds like Earth—he suddenly felt that Earth itself seemed fake? What if he eventually came to see the entire universe as fake?
What is deemed worthless becomes worthless. Even himself, who belonged to that universe.
In other words, he must never view his actions in these visited worlds—his efforts to protect cities and maintain order—as shackles.
They were not shackles.
They were an anchor, something that allowed him to withstand the storms.
If it is a fake that cannot be distinguished from reality in the slightest, then my experiences here possess clear value.
With that realization came another sudden thought.
If a dream is completely identical to reality, is it real or fake? What exactly can we point to and call “real”? Can there truly exist some absolute standard by which to judge it?
At that moment, Han Yujin slipped into a state of enlightenment so abrupt he had never anticipated it.
He remained utterly motionless for several days. When he finally regained his senses, he instinctively understood that the refinement of his Dragon Heart’s Mind Realm stage would now advance smoothly, without obstruction.
He had assumed the process would take a long time and grow increasingly difficult simply because the object’s rank was so high. Never had he imagined the obstacle could be resolved in this manner.
Simultaneously, he noticed that the oppressive sensation of the Heartless Tribulation—which had been growing heavier and thicker at an accelerating rate—had noticeably weakened.
This was an effect he had not achieved even after comprehending the Six Paths of Reincarnation, a divine ability inseparably tied to emotion.
“Hahaha……”
He laughed with a touch of wry exhaustion, yet the sound carried an incomparable sense of refreshment. With that, he rose from his seated meditation and left the room.
His steps carried the quiet certainty of a man who had found his path.
Externally, the matter created no stir at all. Inside the Golden Lotus Manor, however, something profoundly significant had occurred.
In truth, while it remained quiet for the moment, the news was explosive enough to send considerable ripples across the outside world if it ever leaked.
Han Yujin had accepted both Dok Junseong and Seogwang Gahu as his disciples. He had finally set aside the careful distance he had maintained even while freely bestowing favors.
Dok Junseong rejoiced as though his most cherished wish had been fulfilled, practically leaping with joy. Seogwang Gahu prostrated himself and wept, just as he had when first granted martial arts. Having comprehended the Six Paths of Reincarnation, Han Yujin could sense that neither man’s emotions contained the slightest trace of pretense. He could only smile.
Some might have wondered why he had not also taken Eun Miryeong as a disciple, yet none of the three found it strange.
Dok Junseong and Seogwang Gahu simply wore expressions that said, Of course it turned out this way. Eun Miryeong, for her part, forgot her frustration over her stalled cultivation and instead felt quietly pleased.
After all, romantic relationships between master and disciple were generally considered taboo.
It was all perfectly natural. Every human relationship existed within its own context.
A beauty like Eun Miryeong had remained at his side for a long time, meticulously caring for him and even sewing his clothes with devoted hands. It would have been difficult not to feel affection for her.
The affection simply had never escalated into uncontrollable passion. That was the only reason maintaining distance had been easy.
As a side note, Han Yujin had never once experienced such “fiery love” in his life. He had only known affection that began small and gradually deepened, making the other person increasingly precious. Emotions such as love at first sight, or the feeling that he might die if he could not see someone even for a moment, were things he believed his nature made impossible.
Regardless, Eun Miryeong was more than enough to earn his affection. Not because she possessed extraordinary ability or unique benefits, but simply because her beauty, her fondness for him, her considerate care, and the comfort of her presence made being together feel natural and unburdened.
What more could possibly be necessary?
Having decided to stop fearing future consequences and isolating himself in ambiguity, he began treating Eun Miryeong with a subtly but distinctly changed attitude.
When winter arrived once more, he completed the refinement of the Dragon Heart’s Mind Realm stage and moved on to the second Qi Realm stage. The speed was astonishing compared to before his enlightenment.
Yet along with the winter came news that was far from pleasant.
Before rumors—said to travel faster than a galloping horse—could spread widely, a handful of people in ragged, beggar-like states arrived at the Golden Lotus Manor. They begged for revenge with such desperation they seemed ready to cough blood at any moment.
The Iron Blood Gate had been annihilated by the Shadow Demon Cult.
The Shadow Demon Cult was situated deep within the Gangdong region, almost directly opposite the territory held by the Iron Blood Gate.
Perhaps that very distance was why the Iron Blood Gate had been chosen as their target. No one would have anticipated the attack, leaving them completely unprepared. It would also make denial far easier afterward.
The sudden destruction of the Iron Blood Gate—a sect with a rather long history for a medium-sized faction—was an event significant enough to shake the entire murim world.
While there was no clear physical evidence pointing to the culprit, a great many people suspected the Shadow Demon Cult.
Considering the Iron Blood Gate’s original circumstances, the various conditions involved, and above all their recent dealings with the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign, few factions possessed both sufficient motive and the capability to carry out such an act.
The hostile relationship between the Shadow Demon Cult and the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign was well known. From the cult’s perspective, trade was impossible and enmity already existed. They might have decided it didn’t matter if they devoured one of the weaker parties connected to him.
As rumors ran rampant, the Orthodox Alliance seethed with activity and the Heretical Alliance subtly extended its feelers to observe the situation.
By then, Han Yujin had already penetrated deep into the Gangdong region and was gazing upon the Shadow Demon Cult’s main headquarters.
Despite it being winter, the climate here was noticeably warm. There were no traces of snow, and one could easily imagine how scorching the summers must be.
Surprisingly, such regions were not particularly hospitable for human settlement. Perhaps that was why a group like the Shadow Demon Cult had been able to expand its power. Had it been a comfortable place to live, intense suppression would have come from the very beginning.
Regardless, the important point was that they had grown strong enough to threaten both the Orthodox Alliance and the Heretical Alliance simultaneously.
True to their reputation, the Shadow Demon Cult’s headquarters were magnificent. It resembled a castle as vast as a city, built from black stone. The majestic gate and the thick, solid walls stretching to either side seemed to crush anyone who looked upon them.
Nestled artfully between forest and mountain range, the fortress gave the impression it could withstand an army indefinitely. The carvings flanking the gate—entities that somehow embodied both piety and ferocity within the cult’s faith, whether divine spirits or monsters—were especially striking.
“So this is why they dared to throw filth on my face. Their gall has completely escaped their bellies.”
Jjik-! Jjijik!
Mu-yong in his embrace nodded vigorously, as though agreeing it was a most reasonable observation. She had been displaying such behavior often lately. It seemed she had learned it from watching Seogwang Gahu during his conversations with Han Yujin.
“I was planning to pay them a visit soon anyway… but since they’ve kindly provided justification, I suppose I can act a little more decisively.”
This was justified revenge. It was something he was obliged to do for those who had suffered harm because of their dealings with him. Especially since he had already made a promise.
The timing was excellent. Having completed the Dragon Heart’s Mind Realm refinement, his power had risen sharply even though he remained in the early Dharma Soul stage.
For a practitioner of dharma arts, strengthening the mind meant increasing the efficiency of all dharma power. The speed, force, and precision of techniques would improve, and divine abilities such as the Six Paths of Reincarnation would be especially enhanced.
Moreover, he had not spent all his time solely on Dragon Heart refinement. After testing the Golden Lotus Three Thousand Lightning and finding it highly satisfactory, he had steadily practiced several other intermediate Ohaeng dharma techniques.
“Let’s go.”
He stroked Mu-yong’s head, slowly dispelled his stealth technique, and advanced.
Soon, as expected, the guards on the gate and walls detected him. Yet they showed no particular wariness—likely because he approached alone and with open confidence.
That changed the moment he drew a little closer. The atmosphere flipped one hundred and eighty degrees.
“I-it’s the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign!”
Someone shouted the words infused with inner energy toward the interior of the fortress. Han Yujin, wondering how they had recognized him, glanced down at Mu-yong in his arms.
“It seems you’re more famous than I am.”
Jjik! Jjik-!
In the murim, very few people walked around carrying such a creature. The Shadow Demon Cult, possessing guilty consciences, might have circulated descriptions of the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign’s distinctive traits to prepare for unforeseen situations.
He had already used the Dream Illusion Mind Snatching Art and the Six Paths of Reincarnation on the Iron Blood Gate survivors to uncover the full truth.
There was no physical evidence whatsoever, yet it was painfully obvious these people were the culprits.
Destroying an entire sect while allowing no survivors to escape was inherently difficult. Nevertheless, they had acted with the attitude that everything would be fine as long as there was no clear proof…
In accordance with the natural order of karma, today had come for them to regret that decision.
Kiiiiiiiiiiiik……!
Merely because one man approached, the massive gate began closing at high speed. At the same time, reinforcements appeared atop the walls and gate. Men holding the blood-red longbows he had seen before in the ancient tomb drew their strings and took aim.
Han Yujin continued walking forward with perfect composure, as though he saw none of it.
“What business brings the renowned Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign to this place?!”
A voice rang out from above the gate. The sound echoed in all directions, revealing the speaker’s considerable skill. The aura emanating from him was at minimum at the Harmonization stage.
He was likely a high-ranking figure responsible for the symbolically important main gate.
At that moment, the Harmonization expert’s eyes met Han Yujin’s as the latter drew close enough below.
Within Han Yujin’s pupils, the Six Paths of Reincarnation manifested and began to circulate. Yet while the six paths turned, the world perceived by the expert struck by the divine ability consisted of only one realm.
The Realm of Hatred. The Qi Chung Path.
“Kill yourself.”
Han Yujin’s words were spoken softly, yet they rang with perfect clarity as though whispered directly beside every listener.
The Harmonization expert’s face twisted into an indescribably grotesque expression. Then, abruptly, he drew the sword at his waist and, without the slightest hesitation, slashed off his own head.
Blood gushed upward as the head that had been filled with fighting spirit only moments earlier flew through the air. The expression and eyes of the rolling head were filled with self-loathing so intense it seemed unbearable.
By then Han Yujin had drawn even closer. He raised his hand toward the sky.
Bwa-kwa-kwang—!!
Kurrrrrrung…!!
A sudden bolt of lightning struck from the clear sky, flashing the entire world black and white.
An intermediate Ohaeng dharma technique of the lightning category. Its power was in no way inferior to the Golden Lotus Three Thousand Lightning he had previously unleashed.
The lightning connected with Han Yujin’s raised hand, continuously erupting in roars and sparks of electricity as it gradually took the form of a massive dragon.
At the same time, fiercely swirling dark-gray clouds formed in the sky and rapidly expanded their reach.
Having roughly completed the technique, Han Yujin pointed toward the castle gate with his hand, as though issuing a command to the increasingly ferocious storm clouds.
In that instant, a flash and roar far more terrifying than anything before exploded outward, and calamity descended.