A Modern Man Who Got Transmigrated Into the Murim World

Chapter 68

Zhao Hui grinned and pulled out a ledger from his cloak.

“Wow, this is a lot. With this much, it’s almost like the amount heading to the North Jiang (Jiangbei), right? It’s more than what’s being distributed in Hefei!”

Zhao Hui spoke to the Evil Emperor, who stood frozen in shock, as if delivering a sentence.

“What’s so special about Hunan? Culture can’t be stopped, you know?”

“W-what do you mean by that?”

“Is the Zhao Ga Dae Sang Hui the only merchant group in the martial world? The goods we buy from them flow into the black market in massive quantities as well.”

Zhao Hui continued to smile meaningfully as he surveyed the subordinates of the Sichuan Association.

“Hunan, adjacent to the Poyang Lake, has long been one of the largest markets. I personally know more than twenty hidden shops there. Though expensive, you can taste the culture of Zhao Ga Dae Sang Hui anywhere if you pay two or three times the retail price. Hey, that dark stain looks like a Black Qing Water spill, doesn’t it?”

When Zhao Hui pointed, a man nervously covered his collar with his hand.

“No, that’s not it.”

“I think it is.”

The Evil Emperor’s face began to twitch in anger.

“These bastards…!”

Suddenly, the Evil Emperor ordered an inspection of personal belongings.

“All members of the Heavenly Corrupt Sect and their subordinates, immediately search their inner garments and pockets!”

The faces of the subordinates in the hall instantly turned pale.

What was this sudden thunderclap of misfortune?

Their leader, the Evil Emperor, had regarded Zhao Ga Dae Sang Hui as an enemy and was gathering outlaws to counter them.

If it were discovered that they were consuming goods from Zhao Ga Dae Sang Hui, what would happen?

This was undoubtedly an act of aiding the enemy, which would surely be punished under the harshest rules of their sect.

“Ah! No, please!”

“Please, spare us!”

“We have committed a grave sin!”

With screams, the subordinates of the Sichuan Association fell to their knees.

They had hidden bottles of Cold Ice Wine and Black Qing Water, wrapped delicately in paper to save them for later.

The goods from Zhao Ga Dae Sang Hui were spilling out from their pockets and garments.

In the midst of this surreal scene, the head of the assassins, Jin Seohan, stood frozen in astonishment.

The Evil Emperor, with his graying beard trembling as he fought to suppress his fury, glared at his subordinates.

And even Tian Guai, who had shut his eyes tightly in resignation.

Zhao Hui, seemingly expecting this, stood with a satisfied smile, his hands behind his back, and spoke again.

“I told you, culture can’t be stopped.”

His mischievous smile lingered.

“Now, do you understand the true intent behind my proposal? I simply wanted to consider the financial situation of your subordinates, who are buying expensive goods in the shadows. Wow, they’re buying all this from the black market? How much is it? I’d have to spend my entire monthly salary just to get a bottle of Cold Ice Wine!”

Tian Guai, feeling utterly defeated, could hardly keep his composure anymore.

The very thing he had feared most was unfolding before his eyes, and it weighed heavily on his heart like molten lead.

It was over.

No matter how much he presented rules and guidelines to his subordinates, the culture they had come to desire would no longer be suppressed.

Human desires for food and drink are not things that can be easily restrained.

From the moment Xiao Sword God had set foot in their world, everything had been bound to change. Tian Guai looked at him with a sense of inevitability. Xiao Sword God seemed to be gazing down at them with the eyes of an omnipotent being, as if orchestrating the chaos within the boundaries of the culture he had introduced.

The culture he had spread had even stolen the hearts of the enemy, causing internal strife among their ranks. The sense of spiritual fulfillment he must have felt was beyond words.

To Tian Guai, Xiao Sword God was clearly the victor.

At that moment, Zhao Hui stared at Tian Guai intently and extended three fingers.

“Thirty percent.”

“……”

The price of the silk, which had been agreed upon initially, had fallen to less than half of what was originally discussed.

It was even less than the amount he had first offered.

Jin Seohan bit his lip so hard it bled.

“No matter what, this is too much! I can’t accept this!”

“Then let’s stop dragging this out. Negotiation failed! It’s better to be clean and decisive. Gae-hee, knock him out quickly!”

“Okay, Oppa!”

At that moment, Heuk Cheon Dae-sal, whose energy and spiritual essence had almost been exhausted, was staring with blurry eyes at Jin Gae-hee, who was about to strike him on the neck.

“Wait!”

With a fierce shout, the Evil Emperor leaped forward, moving with lightning speed to block Zhao Hui’s path.

Zhao Hui’s indifferent eyes turned toward him.

“What now…?”

“I’ll accept it! Thirty percent!”

Jin Seohan screamed.

“No, Master! This is unacceptable!”

Of course, Jin Seohan wasn’t unaware of his leader’s intentions.

Though he desperately wanted to avoid losing such a deadly enemy in front of him, it was already clear that his subordinates—and the entire Hunan region—had been infiltrated by Zhao Ga Dae Sang Hui’s culture. He had no choice but to accept this.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but it seemed more beneficial to bring the goods distributed in the black market into the light rather than continue hiding them. This was the Evil Emperor’s reasoning.

It was better to at least lighten the burden on his subordinates’ pockets in the current situation.

What he feared most was that the crazy Xiao Sword God might go rogue.

So far, he had seemed to be cautious, not directly distributing goods from Zhao Ga Dae Sang Hui into the Hunan black market.

But if he turned hostile now?

Without going through the merchant groups, his profits would skyrocket.

If that happened, the Evil Emperor would be bedridden for at least six months.

Jin Seohan’s thoughts were confirmed through Zhao Hui’s words.

“I was actually planning to supply the goods directly to the underground merchants, but what a shame, I’ll have to give up on that now. I was really looking forward to this business of sweeping up silver with a hook.”

The Evil Emperor ground his teeth.

“Thirty percent! I’ll also give you the exclusive rights! You’re truly sincere in helping our association expand into Poyang Lake, right?”

“Why, have you been deceived all this time? Of course, I’ll help you. Naturally.”

Though the Evil Emperor felt a chill running through him, as if sticking his head into the mouth of hell, for now, there was no other choice but to trust Zhao Hui’s words.

At that moment, Tian Guai’s indifferent voice echoed.

“We know exactly how the Black Heaven Alliance fell.”

Zhao Hui smiled faintly.

“I’m sure you’re worried about suddenly being unable to distribute goods, but as long as the Sichuan Association doesn’t engage in backdoor deals like the Black Heaven Alliance did, there won’t be such a problem. We’ll specify that in the contract.”

“Good. From now on, discuss all matters regarding the pact with the chief assassin.”

And so, the long negotiation between Chief Assassin Jin Seohan and Xiao Sword God began.

Naturally, countless arguments broke out over the clauses of the contract.

Each side was fiercely defending their interests, using numerous justifications and logic.

Watching the back-and-forth, Tian Guai could only shake his head in disbelief.

The majority of the arguments were won by Xiao Sword God.

For the first time, Tian Guai realized how someone as sharp and brilliant as Jin Seohan could appear so foolish today.

‘The martial world will revolve around that guy from now on.’

Why do these genius types always appear in orthodox sects?

The secret assassin, who the Evil Emperor cherished, was a genius as well, but his talents were limited to martial arts.

But this Xiao Sword God seemed to be a completely different kind of being altogether.

Any person would surely have some weaknesses, but the arrogance on his face almost seemed like a tactic in itself…

“Looks like the draft is nearly finished.”

Zhao Hui pretended to wipe sweat from his brow as if he had undergone an immense struggle, but in reality, there wasn’t a single drop of sweat on his forehead.

“Bring it here.”

At the Evil Emperor’s command, Chief Assassin Jin Seohan respectfully presented the draft.

“Th… this…!”

As Jin Seohan read through the draft, the Evil Emperor couldn’t bring himself to speak.

“No, are you seriously calling this an agreement…?”

Jin Seohan, the chief assassin, lowered his head deeply and immediately prostrated himself on the floor, asking for forgiveness.

“I, Jin Seohan, the chief assassin of the Sichuan Association, humbly request to resign from my position and return to my leader.”

The Evil Emperor’s anger flared even more at Jin Seohan’s sudden action of resigning.

A stern voice from Tian Guai echoed.

“I’m not blaming the chief assassin. Stand up.”

Tian Guai looked indifferently at Zhao Hui.

“Well, now that everything’s settled, are you feeling satisfied?”

“Satisfied? On the contrary, I’m a bit disappointed. I’ve made a lot of concessions.”

The Evil Emperor’s face, already contorted in anger, grew even more twisted as he clenched the agreement draft tightly.

Damn it! This is what you call a concession?

If you didn’t make any concessions, how selfish could you possibly be?

However, the Evil Emperor couldn’t bring himself to say these thoughts aloud.

After all, it was still just a draft, and nothing was official until the seals were placed.

If that madman were to get upset and try to change the draft, it would only result in more losses.

Therefore, he had no choice but to be cautious with his words and actions.

And, he couldn’t act recklessly until he had fully secured Heuk Cheon Dae-sal.

“Hm. Though it’s regrettable, let’s proceed with this. After all, a deal needs to benefit both sides, doesn’t it?”

Ah, I really wish I could find a rough stone somewhere and smash that pale bastard’s face with it.

As Zhao Hui took the seal of the Zhao Ga Dae Sang Association from his chest and stamped the draft, the Evil Emperor glared at Heuk Cheon Dae-sal with a murderous look.

“Now, can I take that bastard with me?”

“Gae-hee, what are you doing? Hand over that ashes of a man.”

“Okay!”

Swooosh!

Jin Gae-hee’s blood-claw technique extended like a swift serpent, binding Heuk Cheon Dae-sal’s entire body.

He was dragged away pitifully, like a miserable beast.

For the leader of the Evil Emperor’s faction, comparable to the Eight Hands of Justice, this was a pathetic and humiliating end.

“Lock this bastard up in the underground prison immediately!”

Heuk Cheon Dae-sal, who had fallen from being a powerful figure in the Sichuan Association to the position of a mere prisoner, was now in the hands of the Evil Emperor.

As Gae-hee watched the end of the ashes of his former self, her mind wandered to the memories of the beautiful children she once knew, her eyes starting to redden.

The poor, pitiful children who never got to truly blossom before fading away from this world.

Ever since then, whenever she stood on the ridge of a mountain, the faces of those children would come to mind more often than her own parents’ faces.

So Yong-ah, Eun-ryeong-ah, Hee-yoon-ah…

And the most pitiful of all, our Mu-seol-ah.

“Kids, rest now.”

The deep sorrow that Gae-hee had carried her entire life was coming to an end, reaching its final chapter.

“I will return to the Zhao Ga Dae Sang Association and wait for news. Farewell.”

Zhao Hui respectfully made his exit, but was stopped by none other than Tian Guai.

“My business with you is not yet finished.”

Zhao Hui furrowed his brow and turned around.

“Why? The negotiations were clearly concluded cleanly.”

“I want to see your martial prowess.”

“Huh?”

An unexpected challenge!

Jin Gae-hee’s eyes widened in shock.

“Old man! You might die doing that!”

Tian Guai smirked.

“If I can end this tiresome life with a martial contest, that would truly be an honorable way to go.”

Zhao Hui looked troubled, his face filled with discomfort.

“No, I can’t.”

To be honest, with his current level of martial art, he wasn’t confident in defeating Tian Guai.

At best, he was at the edge of the Absolute Realm.

He was almost at the same level as Zaha Sword Saint, Dan Cheon-yang, from his past in Huashan.

If his abilities were in the early stages of the Natural Realm, he wouldn’t be able to defeat Tian Guai without using the Three Gods Convergence Technique.

The problem was that he couldn’t consistently use the Three Gods Convergence Technique.

Even if he recalled the state when he used his Black Hole technique, it was uncertain whether the same level of power would manifest now.

Using an incomplete martial art in battle was practically impossible, and Zhao Hui had no confidence in handling the destructive power it would unleash.

If Tian Guai couldn’t withstand it, the entire Sichuan Association, and even the entire Yue Lu Mountain, would be wiped out in a disaster.

“Is the great Xiao Sword God backing down?”

Zhao Hui scratched the back of his head.

“Well… it’s just that… I’m not confident. I really am not.”

“Not confident?”

Tian Guai’s expression was one of utter disbelief.

Xiao Jianxin, the legendary sword god’s disciple, was not only the leader of his faction but had even etched the divine calligraphy of the gods into his own body. He was considered the greatest swordsman of his time.

How could someone like him be so weak in spirit?

“No, that’s not what I meant. I’m saying I’m not confident I can defeat you without killing you.”

“What, what did you say?”

Of course, this madman would speak such nonsense!

That Xiao Jianxin—no, that little demon—was not the type to utter such weak words.

An overwhelming surge of power erupted from Tian Guai’s entire being.

“How dare you!”

RUMBLE—RUMBLE—

It was an enormous force emanating from him.

If we were to measure it purely by the level of inner energy, this power was more formidable than any martial artist Zhao Hui had encountered.

How much training would it take for a human to wield such strength?

“Damn!”

Just when he thought it was over, Tian Guai’s overwhelming shockwave grew even stronger.

Was this really the strength of a human?

This felt more like the energy wave one would sense from the mystical martial arts of a celestial being.

The Evil Emperor?

To hell with that!

That bastard felt like a child in comparison.

How could someone like him not have a reputation greater than that of the Evil Emperor?

If the Sichuan Association was this powerful, what about the Shaolin and Wudang?

He had heard there were countless monks and Taoists living in seclusion on Mount Wudang and Mount Shaolin, cutting off all ties to the secular world, practicing their teachings and meditations for life.

The same could be said for Mount Huashan!

Once again, Zhao Hui was struck by how truly frightening the strength of the martial world was.

“Look.”

The immense energy condensed by Tian Guai now loomed over the entire Sichuan Association headquarters.

“The one who dares to speak so arrogantly to me, someone who prides himself on being beyond human limits, must show me an equivalent level of power.”

Zhao Hui sighed deeply.

“Old men, really.”

From his left eye burned a violet flame.

From his right eye erupted a white radiance.

Zhao Hui’s body flickered like lightning.

His lips bled as he bit down, a sign of his immense concentration.

CRACK!

CLANG!

What he could feel was the overwhelming number of lightning strikes and fiery explosions in the air, along with the resonating sound of metal clashing.

The speed was beyond human comprehension.

Could this really be a battle between humans, made of flesh and blood?

It was a simple fact that the power of speed would normally diminish, but the duels of the great martial figures of the world didn’t seem to follow such common sense.

Each clash between them sent massive shockwaves rippling in all directions.

These shockwaves shattered everything in their path, tearing buildings apart.

Could any martial artists withstand this?

The leaders of the Sichuan Association were already gathering in one spot, bracing themselves with their defensive techniques.

Even those who had reached the Huajing realm would have their internal defenses shredded by the shockwaves unless they connected their inner energy to their defenses.

At that moment, an unsettling question flashed in Kang Biwu’s mind.

Why was I unaffected?

Looking around, he saw that Jin Gae-hee and Yeom Sang-rok were also unharmed.

Shivers ran down his spine as he quickly turned his head back toward the epicenter of the battle.

Was it possible that, despite the terrifying battle taking place, their companions were using their mental focus to negate the shockwaves?

That couldn’t be!

This guy… he’s really insane!

Just then, a crack formed in the battle as Zhao Hui and Tian Guai each took a step back, facing each other off.

Dozens of new figures slid through the air like illusory visions, and soon Tian Guai revealed his full form.

It was the *Huansha Youling Bu*, the legendary technique known as the First Step of the Evil Path.

Tian Guai frowned.

“This… this is what Xiao Jianxin is?”

When the people of the Jianghu praised Zhao Hui as a divine swordsman, it was with good reason, and his reputation was well-earned. But to Tian Guai, it was extremely disappointing.

“How can you be so relaxed while facing someone like me?”

Tian Guai couldn’t contain his anger as he observed Zhao Hui’s actions, who, despite being in such a tense situation, seemed to be surveying his surroundings and checking on his companions.

How dare you!

This was an insult to Tian Guai!

But Zhao Hui had no such intentions. His mind was purely focused on his exploration.

**Incredible!**

Zhao Hui was deep in thought, for the opponent’s sword techniques were far too mysterious. It was beyond anything he had ever encountered.

It was almost like a sense of bewilderment.

Nothing in the sword styles he had learned before was fundamentally like this one.

Even using his *Jian Tian Zhen Neng*—a method that granted him a clear view of the world—it didn’t help.

Every movement he saw in this world had its own value. But Tian Guai’s sword… it had no value.

The only result that existed was probability.

The *Jian Tian Zhen Neng* could not find any vectors in Tian Guai’s movements—it could only spit out probabilities.

This meant that Tian Guai’s sword was made up of infinite variables.

Zhao Hui had never experienced anything like this before, so it was only natural for him to be caught off guard.

Even the most complex of the famous sword styles—like the Meihua Swordplay of Huashan—was not like this. This felt more like an unsolvable riddle, like a martial god’s swordplay that couldn’t be understood.

Zhao Hui’s face stiffened as he marveled at the technique.

“What kind of swordplay is this?”

The Sword God, too, showed great curiosity upon hearing Zhao Hui’s thoughts.

“This is a sword style I’ve never seen before. Truly remarkable. Its complexity surpasses even the famed *Lan Pi Feng Jian Fa*, and its subtlety exceeds even the Meihua Swordplay. Moreover, it possesses a hardness greater than the *Tian He San Shi Liu Jian* and the encompassing power of the *Tai Chi Hui Jian*.”

“Especially the last move he performed—truly shocking. I saw the essence of all eight great demon families in his final strike.”

“This is like…”

It felt as though all martial arts in the world had merged into one.

The Three Gods had only felt this sensation once in their lives.

That was when they first encountered the legacy of the Divine Throne!

“This is not a martial technique that can be attained in a lifetime!”

“Really? Then what does this mean?”

Zhao Hui’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Are you saying this is the work of the Divine Throne?”

Zhao Hui’s entire aura shifted. His overwhelming presence, which had previously lacked killing intent, now exuded a powerful, rising killing intent.

“The Divine Throne? What nonsense is this?”

“What did you say?”

Followers of the Divine Throne all shared one trait: they blindly reverenced the name of the Divine Throne as something sacred.

But Tian Guai, upon hearing the name of the god, merely stared blankly.

His reaction meant only one thing.

Just as the Three Gods had failed to recognize it at first, Tian Guai had yet to realize that the power within his sword was actually the legacy of the Divine Throne.

“Old man, explain to me your sword style.”

How dare this young brat, from the blackened Jianghu, ask the veteran of the past for an explanation of his sword style?

The Evil Emperor, furious, slammed his hand on the ground and shouted.

“How dare a young pup, who hasn’t even had time for his blood to dry, question the greatness of the founding masters?!”

Zhao Hui smirked.

“Are you questioning me now, after I’ve been verified as the direct disciple of the Sword God and the leader of the Wulin Alliance?”

“What?!”

In truth, Zhao Hui had always respected the senior figures of the Jianghu, not because of any formal recognition but out of genuine reverence. If he had chosen to make a claim, however, there would have been no problem asserting his position without hesitation.

But the Evil Emperor was undeterred.

“The Wulin Alliance cannot encompass all of Jianghu! The Sword God died centuries ago—how can you claim to be his direct disciple and expect us to recognize you? We do not accept this!”

“That bastard!”

How dare he insult the great Sword God! Truly, the arrogance of the evil faction was unmatched.

“Then tell me. What school does this old man’s sword belong to? Which faction’s sword style is it?”

“You…!”

“Is it rude for both of us, the leaders of our factions, to ask this?”

However, this question was something the Evil Emperor had long been curious about.

Originally, Tian Guai was not from a renowned evil sword school.

He had disappeared for only five years, and then suddenly appeared, having reached the level of *Hua Jing* (화경), a realm of advanced martial arts.

Before that, he had been a wandering swordsman, and no one paid him any attention.

But the sword style he had mastered was so unique and unparalleled that it was almost impossible to find any precedent for it.

It was deeper than the orthodox sword styles, yet surpassed the *Mojian* in its destructive power.

Veteran experts from the orthodox sects who remembered Tian Guai once compared his mysterious swordsmanship to that of the Sword God.

Despite this, Tian Guai, who could have ruled the Jianghu for his whole life, left the position of the leader of the Four Heavens after less than ten years.

Even those within the Four Heavens did not understand what motivated his decision.

In fact, his reappearance in the Jianghu today was considered a major event for the orthodox factions who still remembered him.

*‘This is not the *Jian Chong* or the *Shepan*’*

Tian Guai’s sword felt even more complete than the Three Gods’ styles.

The Sword God, who left behind the *Jian Chong* (Sword Total), was still in the process of perfecting his swordsmanship at that time.

Likewise, the *Shepan* from the Three Demon Swords was still under development.

Zhao Hui felt that Tian Guai’s swordsmanship resembled the sword style of the Divine Throne, as if it was the result of completing long research and development.

When Zhao Hui observed his opponent’s trajectory with the *Jian Tian Zhen Neng* (Sword Heaven True Power), the only thing that appeared was probabilities.

This meant the variables were nearly infinite, and it was almost impossible to counteract them.

If Tian Guai had truly reached a natural state of perfection, Zhao Hui knew he would not even be able to stand there and face him.

Zhao Hui studied Tian Guai intently.

“Old man, this is really an important issue. Please, reveal the origin of your swordsmanship.”

The Evil Emperor, once again enraged, roared.

“How serious can it be for you to ask about the origin of your opponent’s martial arts during a life-and-death battle? Are you trying to break the rules of the Jianghu?”

“You can stand aside. This is a serious matter.”

Even Kang Biwu, the second in command of the Four Heavens, was curious.

The fact that someone like Tian Guai, a legendary figure from the past, still existed was something he hadn’t known about, even as a top figure in the Four Heavens.

“Since when has the head of the sect ever gotten angry over something like the origin of a sword style? You’re not even asking for a detailed explanation, you just want to know where it came from. Why get so upset?”

“You brat!”

As the Evil Emperor began to lose his temper again, Tian Guai stopped him with a low voice.

“Enough.”

Tian Guai slowly sheathed his sword and then turned his gaze back to Zhao Hui.

“Do you think you know the mind of the *Tian Wai*?”

*Tian Wai’s actions?*

Could someone possibly dominate the entire Jianghu in one lifetime? Could something like that really exist?

As Kang Biwu pondered this, Zhao Hui also sheathed his sword, his face now growing solemn.

“You know something about *Tian Wai*… It seems like you do. Let’s move.”

Zhao Hui swiftly vanished, using his mysterious technique. Tian Guai, his expression stern, followed closely behind.

They arrived at a secluded mountain valley.

Zhao Hui sat casually on a rock first.

“Now, speak.”

At that moment, Zhao Hui’s senses detected a powerful presence cloaking the area.

The opponent had mobilized all their mental power to cast a barrier of will around them.

Soon, the space where Zhao Hui and Tian Guai stood became completely cut off from the outside world. Then Tian Guai’s heavy, yet somewhat oppressive voice broke the silence.

“I was his slave.”

“Slave? Him?”

Zhao Hui tilted his head, and Tian Guai’s face grew darker.

“I don’t know his true identity. He only experimented on me.”

“Experiment? What kind of experiment?”

“I thought I had successfully escaped from him in the past… but that wasn’t the case. He simply let me go. Perhaps even that was part of his experiment.”

A growing sense of doubt filled the air.

“So, who is he? Is he a man or a woman? What’s his build? What does he look like?”

At Zhao Hui’s persistent questioning, Tian Guai smiled with a look of resignation.

“I have never seen his true form. All I ever heard was his voice.”

“His voice?”

Agh! It was like playing 20 Questions!

“There were others there too, not just me. Top martial artists from the orthodox factions, nameless foreign wanderers, even young disciples from the Heavenly Demon Sect. They were all just one of many test subjects, just like me. But not all of them escaped like I did.”

“Wait, wait a second.”

Zhao Hui’s mind started to connect the dots.

A secret experiment using the best talents from the world?

“Just one thing! One thing I need you to remember!”

“What is it?”

Zhao Hui stared intently into Tian Guai’s eyes, filled with questions.

“Were there any of the Zhuge family’s top disciples there?”

Tian Guai faintly smiled.

“Yes, the majority of the top disciples from the orthodox factions were there. Of course, the Five Great Sects were there as well.”

“The Five Great Sects? So, the Nine Great Families too?”

“Yes.”

In that moment, Zhao Hui’s eyes changed completely.

“If his ‘experiment’ is finished… what will happen to those top disciples? What mission will they be given?”

“I escaped, so I don’t know.”

At that moment…

*Crack!*

With a chilling sound of destruction, the mental barrier Tian Guai had created shattered.

Zhao Hui looked up, and a scene of the world cracking apart unfolded before him.

Tian Guai’s face turned pale.

This presence… it felt all too familiar.

Tian Guai, severely wounded, blood pouring from his seven orifices, let out a guttural, painful groan.

“Ugh… So, it’s finally here.”

Zhao Hui clenched his fist as he watched the cracking space, a familiar feeling washing over him.

*Liu Zhun Shen!*

A volcanic force surged from Zhao Hui’s entire body.

Tian Guai, the unshakable absolute ruler of the Jianghu, now trembled as if he were a leaf in the wind.

The five years that had felt like a hellish torment…

Though he had never seen the true form of his adversary, the moment Tian Guai faced him, he knew.

It had only been a short time, but the memory was still vivid, clearer than any other.

A voice, devoid of any emotion or color, had only told him what to do and what not to do. That was ‘it’.

That ‘it’ now hovered in the air, as if it belonged there.

The figure was humanoid but not human.

Ultimately, Tian Guai sank to his knees in despair.

Though he had tried to forget, he realized he had never truly escaped from that moment.

“Ugh…”

Zhao Hui let out a frustrated groan, overwhelmed by the immense presence of this being.

The spiritual pressure was so intense that it was nearly impossible to keep his bearings.

Even as he struggled under the weight of this immense force, Zhao Hui’s certainty grew.

There was no humanity in this being.

It was as though the person was no longer human, but instead, an entity of pure void, devoid of any emotion or warmth.

The Jin Tian Zong who had fled from him, the Hui Ying Zhun Shen he had destroyed, and the Gui Yan Zhun Shen in the spirit realm— they were all the same.

This was the common trait of those who had inherited the powers of the Divine Throne.

The laws of the universe had been broken, and the inherent qualities of human nature had vanished.

This was a crucial clue for Zhao Hui, one that would help him identify followers of the Divine Throne in the future.

If the Hui Ying Zhun Shen represented light and the Gui Yan Zhun Shen represented darkness, the being in front of him, likely another Liu Zhun Shen, possessed neither brilliant light nor pitch-black darkness.

It was as though everything was empty.

The most unbelievable part was that even though the body was not transparent, sunlight passed through it as if it were.

What could this phenomenon possibly be called?

In that moment, Zhao Hui recalled the words of the Gui Yan Zhun Shen.

– “As for his form, he can transform into anything. He could become an ordinary tree, or a stone at your feet. I’ve never seen him take a human form. I treated him as water.”

– It wasn’t a power like shapeshifting (Dunjia). He truly was water itself. He spoke to me in pure spiritual sound. To him, shape held no meaning.

If we were to take the words of Gui Yan Zhun Shen and Tian Guai at face value, then this colorless being in front of me must be the entity known as the Divine Throne itself, not one of the Six Honored Gods (Liu Zhun Shen), those who were directly taught by the Divine Throne, right?

Moreover, Gui Yan Zhun Shen had also referred to himself as a test subject of the Divine Throne, and Tian Guai had said the same, calling himself a slave to the experiment.

Zhao Hui then asked the great beings of the spirit realm.

*Is this entity the Divine Throne (Shen Zuo)?*

Gui Yan Zhun Shen—now returned to his true form, Gui Yan Zi—responded with a clear denial.

– No. Don’t you feel the spiritual pressure?

*What? What does that mean…?*

– The presence of spiritual pressure means that the being possesses a human soul (ling). A being who has ascended to godhood cannot possibly have human spiritual energy. Hmm… but it’s unclear.

If the other Six Honored Gods, who had also been taught by the Divine Throne, were present, they would have instantly recognized the entity’s true nature and informed Zhao Hui.

However, judging by Gui Yan Zi’s reaction, it seemed that even he had not yet figured out what they were facing.

At that moment, the immense spiritual energy emanating from the entity suddenly began to fade.

Instead, the being’s indifferent gaze turned toward Zhao Hui.

His pupils, entirely black, sent a chill down Zhao Hui’s spine, causing his hand to tighten around his sword.

– No! Wait! What… is this!?

Zhao Hui could clearly sense the emotional turmoil within Gui Yan Zi.

He quickly sought to understand the thoughts behind it.

*Why do you react this way?*

– Just now, the being’s existence shifted…! This is it, this is a god! He is the Divine Throne (Shen Zuo)!

“What? What did you say?”

Upon hearing those words, Zhao Hui’s eyes widened in shock, and he quickly turned his gaze toward the being.

However, the being’s still indifferent black pupils were directed at the Heavenly Blood Jade Zhao Hui wore.

“You’ve escaped and ended up in such a place?”

The being’s gaze soon shifted toward the vast sky above.

“Once one attains the Seat (Zuo), they are no longer hindered by space. To not have realized something so simple… Gui Yan, you are truly foolish.”

Gui Yan Zi was utterly flustered by the tone and words of the being.

– You are!

“That’s right. I have truly mastered the heavens.”

The Being of Heaven!

– Tong Tian Zhun Shen!

He was the first human disciple of the Divine Throne, the one with the greatest presence among the Six Honored Gods.

However, Gui Yan Zi knew that the Tong Tian Zhun Shen he was familiar with didn’t look like this.

At that moment, a hypothesis flashed through his mind like lightning.

– Could it be that you truly…

The way to reach the Seat (Zuo) was known only to the Divine Throne.

Even the Divine Throne had spent many years experimenting on the Six Honored Gods to discover the method of reaching the Seat.

But according to Tian Guai’s testimony!

If Tian Guai’s words were true, then the Tong Tian Zhun Shen had imitated the Divine Throne.

Had he also experimented on countless Jianghu’s top disciples to discover the way to attain the Seat?

But why?

Why would someone who had become a true deity and was destined to encompass the universe still be so involved in the human world?

“In the moment of choice, I purposely did not ascend to the Seat.”

What?

He gave up on the eternal immortality of the Seat?

The reason the Six Honored Gods longed for the Seat throughout their lives was not just admiration for the Divine Throne, but an insatiable desire for eternal immortality, the ultimate absoluteness.

But could there truly be something that would make one forsake the eternal, immutable value of that life?

“You do not understand. In the end, even the gods who fully attain the Seat will only live on in endless meaningless time.”

The indifferent gaze of the Tong Tian Zhun Shen sliced through the distant sky.

“For them, the endless cycle is a life of emptiness, of perpetual despair. All they can do is project the fragments of their will onto mortals and observe, delighting in their petty amusements. I would rather stay in this mortal realm and turn all of humanity into playthings for my will.”

– What are you talking about? The Divine Throne…! He…!

Gui Yan Zi tried to protest, but his voice grew quieter and quieter.

“Foolish Gui Yan, do you understand now? He has already become a being incapable of intervening in the world of mortals. The reason he manifested as water, fire, and wind to deliver his message is exactly that. He cannot manifest his true self in this world. That’s what the Seat is.”

– Then what about all those countless experiments you did on us?

“Gui Yan, you ignorant fool. Your foolishness knows no bounds. Could you not even think that the opposite is true?”

Gui Yan Zi was struck with astonishment.

*The opposite?* Could it be?!

“That’s right, foolish Gui Yan. Before our paths even crossed, he had already ascended to the Seat. Everything he did with us was not to attain the Seat but rather an experiment to manifest himself in this mortal realm. In truth, we were helping the Divine Throne descend.”

Zhao Hui furrowed his brows.

“Descend? What does a god want in the mortal world? What can he do here?”

The blackness in Tong Tian Zhun Shen’s eyes grew even darker.

“Humans can strengthen their existence through their own efforts, be it through spiritual power or by becoming untainted by the soul. That’s the greatest strength of mortals. But those who have received the ‘curse’ of immortality after reaching the Seat are different.”

Zhao Hui, now fully serious, listened intently to Tong Tian Zhun Shen’s words.

“Once one ascends to the Seat and becomes an eternal deity, they can only crave the admiration, respect, and veneration of mortals. Without the belief and following of those with souls, there is no way for a deity to strengthen their existence. Do you understand why the primordial Heavenly Lord, who became a god, spread Taoism to humans?”

Zhao Hui, who had been listening quietly, suddenly grew pale.

“Wait, you mean…”

“Yes. The other name for the god who ascends to the Seat is ‘Buddha’. He filled the Central Plains with monks who followed Dharma and with humans. As he gained respect and admiration from countless mortals, he also constantly experimented with them, hoping to descend again into this mortal realm.”

Zhao Hui was astonished not only by how well Tong Tian Zhun Shen understood the secrets of the Seat but also by the intent behind him so freely sharing such immense knowledge.

But soon, Zhao Hui understood his intent.

Tong Tian Zhun Shen pointed to the Heavenly Blood Jade around Zhao Hui’s neck.

“You, too, are like those three disciples of Dharma when he was human. You are of the same kind as me, representing the six disciples of Dharma after he ascended to the Seat.”

Tong Tian Zhun Shen suddenly showed a strange sense of camaraderie.

He spread his arms wide.

“Come into my world. We will share everything that can be enjoyed, and I will partake in all of it with you.”

Tian Guai, who had been watching in a daze, was taken aback. He had thought this absolute being had come to punish him, but instead, he was revealing something far beyond his understanding—something from a different dimension altogether.

Was there such an unimaginable secret in the world of humans?

This was not an issue of the martial world, but of a world beyond.

But what about that small sword god?

Was he already on the same level as such incredible beings?

If he could ally with such an existence, what in the world would he have to fear?

He could surely become an emperor or a hero, or anything else in the world.

But surprisingly, Zhao Hui was showing a strong hostility toward him.

Zhao Hui, who had a sneer on his face, spoke.

“Nice try, almost fooled me for a second, you bastard.”

Anyone who pretends to share a great secret, acting like a close ally, should always be treated with caution.

He had surely mixed half-truths with lies to make it seem convincing.

“You think I’m some fool? Do you really think I don’t know the history of the Central Plains?”

Despite Zhao Hui’s harsh words, Tong Tian Zhun Shen remained silent, keeping his mouth firmly shut.

“I already know from Gui Yan Zi that you have the greatest greed among the Six Honored Gods. Do you really think someone like you would give up on the path to the Divine Throne?”

Zhao Hui smiled meaningfully.

“Let me guess. You’re probably the only one among the Six Honored Gods who knows the secret of the Divine Throne, right? Back when the Tong Tian Sect was in full swing, their influence expanded at a speed far surpassing that of the Zen and Taoist sects of the Central Plains.”

– Exactly! That’s it!

Gui Yan Zi, as if reading Zhao Hui’s mind, marveled in admiration.

“This bastard is an absolute fool! If you gave up the eternal immortality of the Divine Throne and chose human amusement, then the Tong Tian Sect should’ve been destroyed long ago. You’ve gathered so many followers and still think you’re not trying to ascend to the Seat? What a madman.”

The Tong Tian Sect.

The doctrines of the Tong Tian Sect, which were still spreading secretly, were so dangerous and radical that even the imperial court of the time was nervous about it.

They operated as a tight-knit organization, making it difficult to locate their headquarters or origins.

“Hey, the god of the Tong Tian Sect is a living, active god, right? He has so many titles, too—Heavenly Emperor, Omnipotent, and… pfft!”

Zhao Hui chuckled briefly and then gave a look of disbelief.

“Ha, their naming sense is terrible, you bastard. What a ridiculous fool. What’s this? Heaven’s Hexagram and Numbers?”

The one who had mastered the heavenly hexagrams and numbers.

“You’re the one who’s a fraud from the start. The kind of guy who’s bound to betray you. You gathered tens of thousands of followers and are still diligently preparing to ascend to the Seat? And you call it ‘amusement’? Amusement?!”

A mischievous gleam flickered in Zhao Hui’s eyes.

“You still haven’t figured out the way to ascend to the Seat, have you?”

The martial world is full of the unexpected.

BUKDU NEO ORIENTAL FANTASY STORY

Cheongruyeon New Martial Arts Long Novel

Author: Cheongruyeon

Publisher: Gwak Dong-hyun / Publisher: Joeun Sesang Co., Ltd.

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ⓒCheongruyeon / Good World Co.,LTD

ISBN: 979-11-391-0714-2

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