A Modern Man Who Got Transmigrated Into the Murim World

Chapter 75

Jo Hwi froze in place.

He began to slowly examine the words.

Jang Sam Bong’s prophecy was about the destruction of the world and the time of its demise.

‘A war of the thrones?’

The beings who became the thrones.

They were the first to break the cosmic law that prevented them from intervening in the mortal world by joining forces.

The most direct and efficient means of increasing their existence was to devour the splendid spirit and flesh of humans, filled with fire and heat.

That was why they descended upon this land and waged a madness-filled battle for supremacy.

The final annihilation time.

For humans, it would only last two days.

For the thrones, it was but a fleeting moment, but in those two days, unimaginable absolute destruction would unfold.

The heavens wept endlessly, and the earth rose like a tsunami, destroying everything humans had built.

The entire crust would be exposed, and the entire world would be overturned in red lava, while millions of souls, screaming for mercy, would be devoured whole by the thrones.

It was a war of the thrones that lasted only two days, but it was an unthinkable series of catastrophes.

“No, this is just too…”

Shudder.

Jo Hwi’s body trembled.

He never imagined that the thrones would break the laws of the universe themselves.

He had believed that humans, though their lives were like moments, only had to burn their flames. That was the only power that could oppose the eternal boredom of the thrones, and as long as that brilliant flame endured, the order would remain eternal.

How he came to understand this, he couldn’t say for sure.

He just knew that it was information from the universe that naturally flowed into him as his spiritual level increased.

But after all the prophecies had been read, there were more words that would horrify Jo Hwi even further.

– My dear, I don’t know what to call you.

Jo Hwi instinctively realized that these words referred to him.

– Not yet, not yet. One day you will understand that all of this is a preparation for you. May the time of our people continue, and may you fulfill that purpose. O parent who protects humanity.

The last sentence.

Jo Hwi stood frozen, like a statue.

A parent who protects humanity?

When he read those words, an indescribable feeling welled up inside him.

It was an overwhelming sadness and longing.

He couldn’t understand why this emotion arose, nor who the object of his feelings was.

It wasn’t a complicated sentence, so why did his heart feel so heavy?

Suddenly, as Jo Hwi made such a pained expression, Saul Cheon cautiously opened his mouth.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Don’t mind me.”

Regaining his composure, Jo Hwi fell deep into thought again.

Although Jang Sam Bong’s prophecy, with the divine eye embedded in it, was detailed in its descriptions, it lacked any clues about when the time of annihilation would come, or where it would originate.

However, both Saul Cheon and Jo Hwi already believed that the disaster would undoubtedly happen.

‘Then…’

It was as if a knot that had been tangled in his mind for so long was gradually loosening.

Until now, Jo Hwi had no way of understanding the intentions of the Divine Throne.

What could such a mighty being, the Divine Throne, possibly need that would make them deceive humans and even send avatars to meddle in the martial world?

The Central Plains was a world of mortals, insignificant compared to their celestial realm.

There was no reason for such an extraordinary being to use someone like Jeok Galsega to control the Martial Alliance and scheme in the Dark Realm.

What was the purpose?

But Jo Hwi instinctively felt that the actions of the Divine Throne were related to the ‘time of annihilation.’

The Divine Throne must have a powerful motive for trying to manipulate the martial world through its followers.

If that motive was to prepare for a ‘festival of annihilation,’ a time to devour ‘human flames,’ then everything the Divine Throne had done up until now made sense.

But why the Martial Alliance?

Clearly, the Divine Throne’s goal was something that could only be accomplished through the Martial Alliance.

Jo Hwi started thinking about things only the Martial Alliance could do.

But no matter how much he thought about it, if the Martial Alliance could do it, then other powerful factions could do the same.

Naturally, doubt arose.

On the other hand, the Celestial Demon Sect, with its religion at its center, would be far easier to control than the Martial Alliance.

Why would the Divine Throne use the Martial Alliance, which is controlled by strong principles and ethics?

Jo Hwi continued to ponder deeply, but his thoughts could not be organized.

‘It can’t be helped.’

If he couldn’t figure it out, then he would have to force the enemy’s intentions to surface.

If he shook up the Martial Alliance even more, he was sure to find the answers.

He could invest all the enormous wealth gained from the Silk Road into Jo Ga Cheon Sang Bok Hap Ru, turning it into something more than a mere district—transforming it into a waterfront city, which would certainly make them even more confused and lead to greater chaos.

Having already stirred up the martial world, Jo Ga Cheon Sang Bok Ru’s success would ultimately shake them further.

Eventually, the power over the Central Plains, currently held by the Northern forces, would have to shift to the South.

With the influx of a tremendous number of people into the new city of Gangseo, it would become a major event that would shake not only the Northern forces but the Martial Alliance and even the Imperial family.

As Jo Ga Daesang’s fame spread across the Central Plains, when his actions began to become a variable or obstacle to the Divine Throne, the Divine Throne would inevitably have to reveal its intentions.

Without any information to go on, Jo Hwi knew that any actions would have to come after that.

Suddenly, a new curiosity arose in Jo Hwi, and he looked at Saul Cheon.

“How many people’s worth of provisions did Jang Sam Bong instruct us to prepare exactly?”

“Approximately six million four hundred eighty thousand servings.”

“Six million four hundred eighty thousand?”

It seemed like an enormous amount of food, but hearing the number made it feel almost unreal.

It was the population size of a small country.

Even though the underground complex here was vast, could it really accommodate such a huge crowd?

If it were packed tightly, like beans in a jar, it might be possible, but two days was a surprisingly long time.

As Jo Hwi continued to think, he looked at Saul Cheon again.

“I understand the purpose. Will you continue this work?”

There was still a long way to go.

The amount of food they had accumulated so far was only a quarter of the total goal.

This must be the result of Saul Cheon’s lifetime of hard work.

“I had no choice but to stop that work long ago.”

“Hmm?”

Wait, could it be…?

“After Jo Ga Daesang destroyed the Heukcheon Union, we could no longer rely on their support.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Please help me, Sogeomsin.”

“Ah, damn it!”

Jo Hwi realized that it wasn’t Saul Cheon who was being used, but himself.

No matter how he calculated it, he couldn’t even estimate how much the food they had stored so far would be worth in terms of silver.

And yet, they would need to accumulate three times that amount in the future.

Of course, controlling the remnants of Heukcheon Union and completing the Jo Ga Complex Sky Tower was important, but could that new support for Heukcheon Union really be worth such an enormous amount of food?

He should have realized when Saul Cheon suddenly started referring to him as his lord.

“This is for saving the Central Plains, the world of humans.”

“Ugh, please be quiet for a moment.”

Saving the world?

Sure, that was a noble goal, but it was too grandiose!

It just didn’t seem realistic!

There was so much to do, and he was already on the verge of going mad, and now suddenly he was faced with this enormous financial burden!

Just turning the Jo Ga Complex Sky Tower into something like a waterfront city would require pouring all the profits from Jo Ga Daesang into it.

“Well, let’s talk about this issue later.”

“Sogeomsin!”

“Did you approach me just for this?”

Did he approach me, or was it the other way around?

As Saul Cheon argued with an expression of grievance, Jo Hwi coldly lifted his iron sword, preparing to throw it into the air.

“First, let’s deal with the Black King’s forces and head to Jo Ga Daesang.”

“Wait a moment!”

Suddenly, Jo Hwi’s expression turned pale.

Upon reflection, the Ten Destroyers of the Black King’s faction were no ordinary warriors, were they?

They were like unnamed hermits from a remote mountain pass, living in seclusion from the orthodox sects.

“How many experts above the Hua Jing (Transcendence) level does the Black King’s faction have?”

“Are you curious about the true strength of our faction?”

“Yes. That’s what I’m asking.”

A sense of pride quickly appeared on Saul Cheon’s face.

“I could defeat the Sicheon Club in three days.”

“What, what did you say?”

Defeat the Sicheon Club, another powerful faction south of the Yangtze River, in three days?

If that were so easy, what was the Martial Alliance doing, acting like fools?

Saul Cheon smiled bitterly.

“I’m not saying that we have many experts. But please don’t forget who is standing before you, my lord.”

The Iron Lion, the number one fighter of his generation, who had mastered all of Jang Sam Bong’s lifelong secret techniques!

What he was implying was that, with just his martial abilities, defeating a faction like the Sicheon Club was nothing.

It was a chilling remark.

Jo Hwi too had toppled the once-powerful Heukcheon Union with his own martial abilities.

In this martial world, even absolute power like that was treated like a modern tactical nuke.

Moreover, a power like the one Saul Cheon wielded could be considered a level of catastrophe in terms of disaster.

Jo Hwi looked at Saul Cheon with a strange expression.

Countless calculations raced through his mind at lightning speed.

The conclusion was clear: if used properly, Saul Cheon could be a highly useful ally!

What if they brought a fighter of that level into Jo Ga Daesang’s fold?

Suddenly, Jo Hwi grabbed Saul Cheon’s hands tightly.

“No matter how difficult my circumstances, you wouldn’t refuse to cooperate with saving the world, would you? I was just testing you for a moment.”

“……”

Though Saul Cheon didn’t seem convinced, he didn’t dare to show any signs of disagreement, perhaps fearing Jo Hwi might retract his words.

“Ah, it seems my judgment was correct after all.”

“Right?”

He flashed a devilish smile.

Jo Hwi could already hear the wheels turning in his head, plotting how to use him.

However, if he could fulfill the wishes of the founder of the Original Path, a personal sacrifice would be nothing.

As Jo Hwi smiled in satisfaction, he suddenly heard a sharp voice.

“Ugh! How can anyone eat this?”

Yeom Sang Rok, chewing dried fruit with a grotesque expression, was complaining loudly, and Jo Hwi snapped at him.

“Let’s go! There’s too much to do!”

* * *

“……”

“……”

Representing the remnants of the Heukcheon Union, Ma Yeomrang, Wi Jiak, and Pa Yeomgwi arrived at Jo Hwi’s office.

They stood frozen, trembling as if petrified, their bodies shaking uncontrollably.

Beside Jo Hwi stood a group of elderly men. Their figures were wrapped in deep black, each wearing a sword that looked like it could drip with blood at any moment. Most striking of all were the silver-threaded characters embroidered on their chests—”Bu” (部), signifying their position within the Black King’s faction.

Just one of these men, if they were to appear in the Heukcheon Union, would be enough for their lord, Heukcheon Daesal, to personally come out and bow to them.

Each one of these men was stronger than even Heukcheon Daesal, from the legendary Black King’s faction, making them figures of immense power.

To have ten of them gathered in one place was a daunting presence that seemed to compress the air, making it hard to breathe.

Amid the tension, Jo Hwi’s bored voice cut through.

“Let’s get this over with quickly. We don’t have much time.”

Ma Yeomrang stared at Jo Hwi in disbelief. Was the Black King’s faction some lowly street gang?

They were the true and unchallenged rulers of the vast underworld, a group of absolute beings who controlled the shadowy underworld powers. Most people didn’t even recognize their existence.

To have found them so quickly was already an extraordinary feat, and now he was talking about recruiting them?

Was Jo Hwi insane?

“This Dark One will host the Black Night Festival.”

The Black Night Festival (黑夜祭典).

Anyone from the Heukcheon Union could participate, but they had to be prepared to die. It was a blood festival, where only one person could survive to claim the title of Daesal (Great Killer).

That survivor would then become the next Heukcheon Daesal.

“Tonight, the Black King’s faction will host the Black Night Festival. Gather all the members of the Union who wish to participate.”

In the end, the Black Night Festival was a war of the Celestial Killers (天殺).

The other factions, such as the Ghost Killers, the Human Killers, the Demon Killers, and the Black Killers, were simply spectators watching the grand blood-soaked festival unfold.

There were only nine Celestial Killers left in the Jo Ga Daesang.

If Ma Yeomrang and Pa Yeomgwi agreed to participate, the remaining Celestial Killers would have no choice but to give up their places in the festival.

After all, there was only one life to offer.

……

Ma Yeomrang bit his lip until it bled, glaring at Jo Hwi.

The cunning Sogeomsin (Jo Hwi) had to know what he was doing.

Essentially, Jo Hwi was forcing them into a situation where one of them would rise to the position of Daesal, or “Great Killer,” in this Black Night Festival.

Sure enough, the voice of the Dark One came, as if anticipating this outcome.

“If everyone else chooses to forfeit their participation in the Black Night Festival, the Buju (faction leader) will name the new Daesal according to the rules.”

“Buju?”

Ma Yeomrang knew that no one had ever seen the true face of the Buju of the Heukcheon Union.

This person didn’t belong to any of the factions in the underworld, but could exist anywhere. They were an incredibly mysterious figure, and even Heukcheon Daesal had wished for a lifetime to see their face.

“I already told you. Will you keep stalling?”

An old man, who appeared ordinary, with a demeanor like a typical street performer, was being scolded by Jo Hwi. But when he spoke, his voice was anything but ordinary.

“Are you Ma Yeomrang, Wi Jiak?”

“Wha-what? Yes, yes, that’s me!”

Saul Cheon smiled faintly and rolled up his sleeve.

He revealed the steel ring on his finger.

At the center of the ring was the Black King’s insignia, the mark of the Buju, engraved in relief.

“From today, you are the new Daesal. This is my decision as the host, and if you wish to deny it, you will have to answer through the Black Night Festival.”

Ma Yeomrang stared blankly at Jo Hwi’s face. The smile Jo Hwi wore was warmer than ever, as if he were a kind and understanding person.

—

A new extraordinary figure had appeared at the construction site of Jo Ga Cheonsang Complex.

Although not Sogeomsin, this person was leading the site with a presence almost equal to Jo Hwi’s.

His strength was such that he could easily carry enormous steel columns, something even a Vajra general would struggle with. He was on par with Sogeomsin in sheer might.

Everyone at the site was curious about him, but no one could figure out his true identity.

All they knew was that he was a frail-looking old man wrapped in deep black robes.

“Heh heh…”

Jo Hwi, strolling through the construction site with a satisfied smile, was pleased by the sound of steel pillars being hammered into the ground in the distance.

*Boom!*
*Boom!*

To extract that immense amount of money from this *Sogeomshin* (Little Sword God), they would have to work, work!

At that moment, as Jo Hwi was strolling through the garden, General Lee Yeosong approached him cautiously.

“Chairman, preparations are complete.”

“Is that so?”

Jo Hwi’s confidence in using the legendary Black King’s representative as nothing more than a construction supervisor left General Lee in awe.

“Then let’s go.”

The order given by Jo Hwi was none other than the Great Conference of the Jo Family’s Council.

The officials and guests summoned to the council, under Jo Hwi’s command, were extraordinarily prestigious.

From the orthodox factions, there were figures like *Sogeomju*, *So Jegal*, *Jang Ilryong*, and *Sama Jung*—Jo Hwi’s allies—along with *U Nae Sam Hyeop*, *Namgung Se Ga Ju* of *Chang Cheon Sword Sect*, the former Grand Master of *Mu Hwang* *Cheong Un Jin In*, *Man Bak Ja* *Je Galyu Un*, and *Gae Bang* *Bang Ju* *Chwi Seon Gae*.

On the side of the underworld, there were *Yeom Sang Rok*, *Jin Ga Hee*, *Baek Hwa Rin*, *Kang Bi Woo*, Jo Hwi’s allies, as well as *Wi Ji Ak*, who had ascended to the title of *Black Heavenly Destroyer*, *Sal Mak* from *Ammuk Gwi Rang*, and the newly joined *Black King’s Ten Destroyers*.

Additionally, from the upper realms, *So Cheon Hwa* *Dam Hee* of *Cheon Hwa Sang Dan* and *Nam Cheon Il* represented the Council’s upper echelons.

Entering the conference hall alongside General Lee, Jo Hwi couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride as he looked at the distinguished faces of the gathered members.

Now, with this kind of power, calling it a “force” would hardly do it justice.

In fact, wasn’t their level of power already enough to easily devour something like the *Sacheon Hui*?

The strength of the Jo Family’s Council had reached a level where even the *Wulin Alliance* couldn’t afford to disregard it.

What was most striking was that figures from both the orthodox and the underworld, even from the upper realms, had all gathered in one place.

Such a diverse and prestigious assembly was something no other faction could even dream of.

But, unsurprisingly, the glances exchanged between the factions were far from friendly.

In particular, *Mu Hwang* and *Namgung Soo* seemed to be the most uncomfortable. This was to be expected, as they were figures from the orthodox factions whom the underworld would dread.

Had it not been for *Sogeomshin* presiding over this meeting, there was no way the two sides would have come together like this.

When Jo Hwi took his seat, the first to reveal his discomfort was *Namgung Soo* of *Chang Cheon Sword Sect*.

“Jo Bonggong, what exactly is the purpose of this?”

Though one might expect a witty remark, Jo Hwi merely opened his mouth in a calm and indifferent manner.

“Of course, it wasn’t just to have a staring contest with each other.”

“Hmm! Hmph!”

As *Namgung Soo* cleared his throat in irritation, Jo Hwi closed his eyes for a moment before slowly scanning the room with a steady gaze.

“At first, I thought this was a fate I alone had to bear.”

*Mu Hwang* looked up in surprise at Jo Hwi.

“Could it be you?”

“Yes. It seems that now, this matter is no longer just mine. Everyone present here has now become part of it, and there’s no way to hide it any longer.”

As Jo Hwi’s eyes began to glow with intensity, he continued.

“There is something known as the *Shinjo* (Divine Seat).”

“The *Shinjo*?”

Aside from Jo Hwi’s allies and *Mu Hwang*, no one present knew of the *Shinjo*.

As everyone stared blankly at him, Jo Hwi calmly explained.

“The *Shinjo* is…”

At last, the mysteries of the martial world, or rather, of human existence, were about to be revealed.

The *Shinjo*, the greatest path that a human can reach, the Divine Seat.

It was the eternal, immortal path that could transcend the limitations of mortal existence, the most exalted life a human could dream of.

Before *Dalma* (Bodhidharma), there were others who had reached such a seat.

The gods worshiped by various religions.

However, these gods only existed to be revered by humans and never intended to directly interfere in the world.

*Dalma* was different.

Before becoming the *Shinjo*, *Dalma* created a powerful law artifact known as the *Yeong Ok* (Spirit Jade), which absorbed the flame of human souls and converted them into his divine power.

He was the first human to use this power to transcend the cycle of reincarnation.

*Dalma*’s journey ended there.

No one knew what he did or intended after taking the name *Shinjo*, or even what he sought to accomplish.

“Is it truly possible to become a god through martial arts?”

At *Namgung Soo*’s question, Jo Hwi gently shook his head.

“From a cosmic perspective, the most important factor is existence. To reach the *Shinjo*, a certain level of existence is indispensable. Martial arts can be one of the most important means of enhancing that existence, but it is not the only way. Other methods can work just as well.”

“Existence?”

Jo Hwi gestured toward the flowers outside the window.

“Yes. It is literally the power of being. Even the flowers fluttering in the wind have their own form of existence. Martial arts are just one of the fastest and easiest ways to enhance one’s existence. You could say it’s a shortcut.”

After taking a brief pause, Jo Hwi continued.

“Hmm. To put it another way, the fame that humans achieve also counts as existence. It’s more effective than just cultivating martial arts to enhance your power and existence. Most importantly, it is maximized when one is revered by many beings.”

Though Jo Hwi’s explanation was simple, the concept of existence he was talking about was abstract and difficult to grasp.

Sensing the confusion in the room, Jo Hwi continued to elaborate more clearly.

“Let me use the *Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors* as an example. Did they gain their fame through martial arts?”

Was that even possible?

The *Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors* were gods of China.

And now, Jo Hwi was saying that they were merely humans?

“They were also human. They were simply humans who became famous. They were revered by countless beings.”

*Namgung Soo* could no longer hold back his doubt.

“Then, does that mean they weren’t gods from the beginning, but became gods after gaining people’s worship and enhancing their existence?”

Was the *Shennong* (Divine Farmer) Emperor, who taught farming and the use of fire, really a human?

That was like denying the divinity of Jesus in front of Christians today.

“The *Shennong* Emperor was indeed the human who first discovered how to plant crops and use fire. But he only gained tremendous fame and reverence. He wasn’t a god, not a *Shinjo* from the start.”

In the central plains, there was no one who didn’t revere the *Shennong* Emperor.

The people gathered here felt the same way.

It was as if their values were being denied, and they couldn’t help but clear their throats and glare at Jo Hwi.

But Jo Hwi simply smiled and glanced around the room.

“Even now, he is still being worshiped by all of you, isn’t he?”

“No… this man…”

“Hah…”

Among the *Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors*, the position of the *Shennong* Emperor was particularly revered by the people of China.

He was the foundation of all civilization in the central plains.

Without him, the rise of Chinese civilization would not have been possible.

So it was no wonder that the others were displeased as Jo Hwi kept diminishing his divinity.

“This firm worship greatly enhances existence. When existence reaches a certain level, its status changes. *Yeong Gyeok* (Spirit Rank) becomes *Shin Gyeok* (Divine Rank). And at last, the *Shinjo* is born.”

“How does this relate to *Dalma*?”

*Namgung Soo* strongly protested, but then closed his mouth.

He recalled the numerous monks and followers of the *Shaolin Zen Buddhism* who revered *Dalma*.

“I believe what *Dalma* did was transcend even the cosmic laws, and through repeated reincarnations, he planted the roots of Zen in the central plains, secretly. You all have a *Dalma* painting in your homes, don’t you?”

With that final statement, the room fell into a long silence.

If true, it would reveal an enormous historical secret, but it felt so unreal.

As always, *Nam

gung Soo* couldn’t even deny the possibility.

“Then, what happens when someone like him ascends to the *Shinjo*?”

Jo Hwi looked at *Namgung Soo* and smiled softly.

“I’d like to ask you first. What happens when someone enters the *Shinjo*?”

It was a mysterious question, one that transcended all human understanding.

The response was too difficult to grasp.

Before they could even begin to fully comprehend this question, the room fell into complete silence.

Finally, General Lee, after waiting for a long time, spoke up.

“You mean, to join the ranks of gods?”

“There must be some means that only the Martial Alliance can employ. Through this method, he intends to descend directly onto this land and ‘consume’ the flames of human souls.”

*Bang!*

At that moment, Sa Eul Cheon wiped the sweat from his forehead and entered the conference hall.

“Master Jang Sam Bong once prophesied that time would be the ‘time of annihilation.’”

The Hwasan Grand Master, one of the Three Masters of the South, looked at him in shock and recognized him.

“Could it be… you are Cheol Saja?”

Cheol Saja, a figure who had lived in the same era as the Three Masters of the South.

Before the appearance of the Demon King, Cheol Saja’s name had been nothing short of a legend.

“Cheol Saja?”

“The leader of the Cheol Saja Sect?”

The eyes of the middle-aged figures widened in disbelief.

Cheol Saja, a legendary figure of the martial world, had a reputation far beyond that of the Three Masters of the South.

The remaining Nine of the Black King’s Ten Demons stood at attention, paying their respects to him.

“We bow before the Sovereign!”

“We greet the Sovereign!”

Namgung Soo, sitting across from them, had been on alert for the formidable presence of the Black King’s Ten Demons but had never imagined they were Cheol Saja’s subordinates.

Jo Hwi once again scanned the room.

“What I, the Little Sword God, seek from all of you is wisdom. What is it that only the Orthodox Factions, only the Martial Alliance, can accomplish?”

The gathered martial figures, who had convened in the grand hall, fell into deep thought upon hearing Jo Hwi’s question.

A task that the imperial court or the government could not accomplish—something that only the Martial Alliance could do.

Among them, the most brilliant strategist, Ma Bak Ja, who was famous throughout the land, spoke first.

“A great hero.”

“Excuse me?”

Jo Hwi raised an eyebrow, skeptical. Ma Bak Ja took a sip of tea and replied with an even more meaningful expression.

“Only they can create an artificial hero that will never again appear in the world. Not even that mighty demon king, Sam Pa Cheon, or the fallen Sacheon Hui can accomplish such a thing.”

Jo Hwi nodded, acknowledging his point, but then asked a counter-question.

“Hmm, if that’s the case, would it be better to focus on the ‘Gangho Fyunwunrok’ (Record of Heroes)?”

Ma Bak Ja shook his head slowly.

“It’s a bit difficult for me to say, but it’s true that the Gangho Fyunwunrok holds great authority. However, until now, the Gangho Fyunwunrok has only served as a secondary tool representing the will of the Martial Alliance. If the Martial Alliance does not publicly declare the hero written in the Gangho Fyunwunrok, I’ve never witnessed such an event before.”

Jo Hwi struggled to understand.

“But Ma Bak Ja, your fame is unmatched, and the loyalty of the readers to the Gangho Fyunwunrok is no joke. What influence can the Martial Alliance’s endorsement have?”

“Hahaha…!”

At Jo Hwi’s confusion, Mu Hwang chuckled dryly.

“Listen here, Little Sword God. The monks of the Shaolin Zen Sect number over ten million. What about Wudang? What about Hwasan? What about Aimi? In the Central Plains, is there anyone who does not offer rituals to the Taoist Immortals of Zhongyangjie? Their influence far exceeds that of the government or the imperial court by dozens, no, hundreds of times. These sects represent the faith of each region. The scope of the influence they have in the world of the martial arts is far-reaching. And what about the government?”

At these words, Jo Hwi’s chest tightened, realizing the gravity of the situation.

“Let me give you an example from Hubei. Ma Bak Ja, you used the Gangho Fyunwunrok to praise someone as a hero unrivaled throughout the ages. But what if Wudang, with its authority, denies it?”

“Hmm…”

“If Wudang, alongside countless Taoist sects, chooses to oppose this, what stance would the hundreds of small and medium-sized secular families take outside the sects? Most likely, all the martial artists operating under Wudang’s influence would rush to reject it, presenting their objections to the Wudang sect leader. Such rumors would quickly spread through their peripheral connections and dominate all of Hubei.”

“…So, in Hubei, at least, Ma Bak Ja’s Gangho Fyunwunrok would have no sway.”

Mu Hwang nodded gravely.

“Indeed. That is the power of the Nine Great Sects.”

The Nine Great Sects.

Their influence could be considered as vast as a small version of the Central Plains.

Shaolin in Henan, Wudang in Hubei, Hwasan and Zhongnan in Shanxi, Aimi and Qingsheng in Sichuan, Gongsun in Gansu, and even the distant Kunlun in Qinghai and Haenam in the South Sea.

All of these sects were regional powerhouses, deeply embedded in the lives and beliefs of the people.

The reason that the once-powerful Demon Sect was never able to conquer the Central Plains was because these Nine Great Sects, backed by the strength of the people, were an unshakable foundation.

And at the heart of all this was the Martial Alliance.

The power of the Martial Alliance stemmed from this very influence that encompassed the world.

“No matter how great the authority of the Gangho Fyunwunrok, it has always only served as a tool to support the will of the Martial Alliance. Thus, only the will of the Martial Alliance can create a true hero revered by all.”

At Ma Bak Ja’s conclusion, Mu Hwang’s expression hardened.

“Do you mean to say, Ma Bak Ja?”

“Indeed. If existence power is necessary, then there is no force more suitable than the Martial Alliance.”

But creating a great hero, gathering existence through fame, had its limits.

If that’s all it took, then the emperors of empires would have long since ascended to the highest seat.

And with religions being an even more effective means, why would one choose another path?

Jo Hwi’s doubts were met with Ma Bak Ja’s calm response.

“The problem is time. In the Central Plains, where Zen Buddhism and Taoism have firmly taken root, it is harder for a new sect to establish dominance than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. As you yourself said, even the great Dalma had to work through countless reincarnations to establish Zen. If the Shinjo does not have time, then the Martial Alliance would be the most efficient choice.”

With those words, the hall fell into silence once more.

Everyone had come to recognize that the Martial Alliance was the most suitable force for gathering the power of existence.

However, Jo Hwi’s thoughts were different.

“Your argument is certainly plausible, but it’s too simplistic. If the Martial Alliance creates a hero, that would mean the person is a Shinjo, a divine being. Why would someone who has already reached the level of a god reveal themselves so easily? Furthermore, once someone has achieved godhood, would they really need to gather more power of existence?”

“What if more power of existence is needed for the descent?” Ma Bak Ja countered. “Doesn’t that establish the cause and effect?”

Jo Hwi slowly shook his head in response to Ma Bak Ja’s rebuttal.

“No. If it’s just an incarnation, I can easily suppress it. They know that as well. But to reveal their identity so easily to gather fame? I would never do that myself.”

At that moment, the silent figure, Je Gal Un, spoke up for the first time.

“I just have one question.”

“Go ahead.”

Je Gal Un’s voice continued.

“The Three Gods have not yet reached godhood, have they?”

“That’s right. But why do you ask?”

Je Gal Un’s eyes lit up with a sharp gleam.

“It’s not about fame. If fame alone could gather enough power of existence, the Three Gods should already have ascended to godhood.”

“Hmm…”

The Martial God.

Even after several generations since the Great War, he still existed as a hero throughout the world.

The number of people who admired him over hundreds of years must be in the millions, if not billions.

How much fame and admiration had gathered around such a Martial God?

Of course, the Sword God and Demon God also enjoyed immense fame, being great martial artists on par with the Martial God.

“So what you’re saying is that no one really knows how much power of existence is needed to reach godhood, right? If fame alone can’t meet that threshold, then it would be impossible from the start.”

“Ho.”

Jo Hwi found Je Gal Un’s point quite convincing.

“Could the Martial Alliance really create a hero greater than the Three Gods? I don’t think it’s possible.”

Throughout human history, those who had reached godhood all chose religion for a reason.

Only religion could turn mere fame into reverence and respect for the divine.

“A hero is not the answer,” Je Gal Un declared firmly, then closed his mouth again.

At that moment, in the midst of this serious conversation, Jin Ga Hee spoke up.

“Heh, I have no idea what you’re all talking about. You say ‘gods’ come and devour human souls? Then that means more than one god is descending on the Central Plains, so why are we focusing only on the Shinjo?”

“Huh?”

Now that she mentioned it, it did seem that way.

“Damn, I was right. Originally, the act of devouring human souls would be part of a competition, not a celebration. So why are we assuming that the Shinjo is helping other gods descend? If it were me, I’d devour everything myself and become the leader of the heavens. Everyone, whether human or divine, wants to become the strongest.”

A very “heretical” thought indeed!

Despite being blunt, Jin Ga Hee and Yeom Sang Rok’s words hit the core of the issue.

Everyone was now frozen in shock, as if struck by a hammer.

This meant that the Martial Alliance may not have been controlled by the will of the Shinjo after all.

Could the Martial Alliance’s control actually be the result of an alliance of other gods?

No.

Jo Hwi was certain that he had witnessed the activities of the Shinjo’s avatar and its followers.

Then did that mean the god he had seen wasn’t the Shinjo, or rather, Dalma?

While Jo Hwi was in turmoil over this confusion, Ma Bak Ja’s voice cut through the air again.

“Could the gods ‘devour humans’ through their avatars?”

Jo Hwi shook his head firmly.

“If that were possible, there would be no human souls left on this land. It is absolutely impossible.”

Ma Bak Ja’s expression turned more perplexed.

Then, Jo Hwi’s eyes suddenly changed.

Wait, *consume*?

A single thought flashed through his mind like a bolt of lightning!

“Wait a minute!”

Jo Hwi’s eyes widened as he turned toward Cheol Saja Sa Eul Cheon.

“The underground cavern!”

The underground cavern, created by Jang Sam Bong with his lifetime of effort.

Sa Eul Cheon realized exactly what Jo Hwi was thinking.

“Then…?”

“That’s right! The underground cavern wasn’t created just to prepare for the gods’ fear or the humans’ resistance, was it?”

“Hmm!”

“It’s definitely a space created to protect people from the Shinjo’s consumption!”

As everyone heard about the underground cavern for the first time, they all looked at Jo Hwi with curious expressions. Jo Hwi began explaining in detail about Jang Sam Bong’s secret and the purpose of the underground cavern.

“Ha! I can’t believe it!”

“Truly, a master of the ancient way!”

Although the revelation that he was a disciple of the Shinjo was somewhat shocking, the fact that he had struggled to prevent the destruction of the world made everyone feel deeply moved.

Moreover, the underground cavern, where the breath of Jang Sam Bong still lingered, was located right in the Po Yang Lake area!

“What I’m curious about is why the capacity of that underground cavern was limited to 6,448,000 people. Wouldn’t the great Daoist Jang Sam Bong, renowned for his kindness and righteousness, want to save everyone in the world?”

“Well, it’s a matter of practicality…”

Filling that vast underground cavern with enough “food” for 6,448,000 people was a task that Sa Eul Cheon had spent his entire life preparing for.

Building such an enormous underground cavern was no small feat either.

Although Jang Sam Bong would have wanted to save everyone, it was practically impossible.

At that moment, Jo Hwi’s eyes began to gleam with a deeper understanding.

“The purpose of the underground cavern is clearly to prevent the consumption by the gods! The act of consumption is a necessary cause for their descent!”

But why did Jang Sam Bong say that they only needed to hold out for two days?

At that moment, Ma Bak Ja’s face turned pale, as an unsettling thought emerged.

He hesitated before cautiously asking Jo Hwi.

“Could it be that…?”

The ominous answer came from Je Gal Un.

“Those two days… are meant to prevent the critical amount of power from being gathered for their descent.”

“Yes. If we can protect the people in the underground cavern for just two days, even if the entire world is destroyed…”

Jo Hwi gritted his teeth and nodded.

“We can prevent the descent of the gods or the great war they’re about to wage!”

With that terrifying declaration, the faces of everyone in the room turned ashen.

In other words, everyone except for the 6,448,000 people in the cavern would be doomed to die.

Furthermore, according to Jo Hwi, souls consumed by the gods would be severed from the cycle of reincarnation and annihilated completely.

Even if they could prevent the end of the world, what was the use if millions of people had their souls stolen?

Jo Hwi suddenly jumped to his feet and shouted toward the crowd.

“There must be conditions within the Martial Alliance that favor the gods’ consumption! Find them! Right now!”

—

*Ha…*

Gwi Am Ja had also been obsessed with reaching the seat of the gods throughout his life, as he was also a member of the Six Realms.

He had always imagined that obtaining some ultimate truth would open the heavens and allow him to ascend to godhood.

Such a lifelong wish.

However, the secret to reaching godhood revealed by Jo Hwi was unexpectedly simple.

It was the enhancement of existence.

The method to increase one’s existence power through the worship of countless beings possessing souls.

Alternatively, accumulating martial power, magical power, or spiritual energy to increase existence power itself.

– Was that what you meant when you spoke to the Tongcheon Zhonshin?

Walking through the garden and gazing at the moon, Jo Hwi smiled bitterly.

“Yes, something like that.”

Jo Hwi had ridiculed Tongcheon Zhonshin, affirming that those who were never chosen could never reach the seat of the gods.

To establish oneself as the center of faith and root a religion was something impossible in one human lifetime.

Even the great Bodhidharma had to go through countless reincarnations, accumulating the necessary causes before he could reach that point.

Of course, Tongcheon Zhonshin had also founded the Tongcheon Sect to emulate Bodhidharma, but planting a religion deep within the existing ideologies and systems of the Central Plains, especially under the persecution of the royal family, was not an easy feat.

Thus, the Tongcheon Sect remained a secret religious group operating in the shadows, revealing the inherent limitations of expanding their power.

In the end, if one couldn’t enhance their existence power through the worship of others, the only option left was to strengthen their physical existence through martial or magical training.

However, even the greatest martial artists of the ages, the Three Gods, could only hear the voices of the gods’ blessings faintly, never reaching godhood and passing away without ever approaching it.

This meant that, as mortal beings, they could never reach the gods through ordinary means.

– But you, you are different…

Jo Hwi was different.

The one who had spent three thousand years in the cursed void, cultivating his mind.

Ultimately, his existence power reached the threshold for godhood.

However, whenever the moment came for his existence to transform into divinity, Jo Hwi rejected the path of the gods and chose the human way.

“From the beginning, that guy was never destined for the seat of the gods. Do you wonder why I had the opportunity to experience such a three-thousand-year fate? Even if you ask, I don’t know. It’s just that fate works the same way in this martial world—those who are destined will succeed, those who aren’t won’t. You just have to accept it.”

– “Destined will succeed? Those who aren’t won’t?”

“Oh, that’s what it’s called. It’s also known as ‘luck-dependent failure games.’”

Saying that, Jo Hwi laughed bitterly to himself, as if finding the situation absurd.

Back in the modern world, he had never believed in luck, but here, in this martial world, it seemed that every time he moved, fate would come crashing down like a giant opportunity.

“I never imagined that this kind of realm could be achieved through cultivating the mind,” Jo Hwi mused, slowly spreading his mind across the land.

The Sword God, who was sharing the same sensory experience, could only tremble in awe.

The mind expanded in spirals, stretching across the vast Po Yang Lake and beyond the borders of the Jiangxi region.

In the natural world, even the gods of this martial world, such as himself, could only extend their senses to about one thousand zhang at best.

How could this possibly be the power of a mere human?

If Jo Hwi, who hadn’t even reached godhood yet, could do this, then the gods’ realm must be even more vast.

The Sword God, overwhelmed by this realization, fell silent.

Jo Hwi didn’t know why he was able to sense the Sword God’s perplexed emotions, but he understood them well.

“I can’t believe it myself, but imagine how much more unbelievable it must be for the elders.”

When Jo Hwi had been in the void, he never realized how much his mind had grown. The space there was so confined that no matter how much he tried to expand his thoughts, there were always limitations to what he could feel.

“The most absurd thing was when I saw the underground complex. It was something that was universally believed to be impossible to construct with human strength… But, no. When I applied myself to it, it actually seemed like such an easy task.”

The present version of himself.

He could finish excavating such an enormous underground complex within a month.

By coating his willpower, manifested as the **Yi-hyeong-gang-gi** (意形罡氣), with a force of rotation, he could pierce the earth in a straight line like a giant drill.

There was no need to move the enormous amount of earth to the surface.

It would be possible to turn the soil into vapor using heat energy and expel it as gas.

As he pictured himself in such an imagined scenario, it felt as though he were looking at a monster.

It felt like the collapse of all the concepts he had built up until now.

On one hand, it was an overwhelming sense of omnipotence, as if he had become a god, but strangely, he did not feel happy at all.

Instead, an inexplicable fear surged in his heart.

A vague fear of becoming something completely different from a human.

That fear relentlessly tormented him.

—Is that the only reason you don’t want to become a **Zuo**?

A voice, tinged with reproach, came from **Gwi-amja**.

Despite being so close to reaching the realm of the **Zuo**, which he had admired his entire life, **Jo-hwi**’s repeated refusals were beyond **Gwi-amja**’s comprehension.

—If you become **Zuo** and are equal to the **Shin-Zuo**, wouldn’t it be much easier to stop him? There’s no need to refuse, is there?

The words seemed to carry agreement, as the spiritual words from **Geomsin** also echoed.

—If reaching the **Zuo** is your destiny, accepting it must be in line with the will of the heavens. After all, heaven’s will is something you cannot go against.

For a moment, **Jo-hwi**’s eyes sunk into an unfathomable depth.

“What are the chances that I would retain my true nature if I became **Zuo**?”

—…

—…

At **Jo-hwi**’s words, all the beings from the spirit realm fell into complete silence.

“To reach godhood after a human’s existence power has reached its limit… It sounds great and noble, but can such a god maintain their human nature? I don’t think so.”

None of the spiritual beings could offer advice or refutation on this matter, for none had ever reached the **Zuo**.

“Can an immortal being perceive life and death, good and evil, in the same way a human does? If I, as **Zuo**, were to ‘kill a human,’ how would I define that? Natural law? Logic? Would I still feel guilt for taking a life?”

What **Jo-hwi** feared was losing his humanity.

The immortal and the mortal cannot perceive life, death, good, and evil in the same way.

“I will remain human until the end! I will eat delicious food, wear nice clothes, work hard, have children, and live my life struggling until I die!”

This was more of a personal resolution than a statement to others.

Eternal life.

A desperate vow not to fall prey to the allure of immortality.

A steel-like will to conquer the instinct deep within the human heart that yearns for eternity.

And he truly believed that this path was the only way to defeat the mighty **Shin-Zuo**.

The flame of a person.

The limited life of a mortal is like a flame burning brightly before it flickers out, a fervor that only exists because of the fleeting nature of life.

He knew very well how precious that flame was in this empty universe.

—Hahaha…

**Geomsin** let out a satisfied laugh.

The ideal that **Jo-hwi** longed for was not corrupt; it was pure.

For righteousness, even though it may seem long and difficult compared to the quick and easy evil, always reaches the noble truth first.

**Geomsin** couldn’t help but deeply support **Jo-hwi**’s righteous heart.

“Indeed, my disciple.”

It was a simple remark from **Geomsin**, but at that moment, **Jo-hwi** felt an indescribable emotion fill him.

When someone recognizes you, even if they are an unknown person, a human cannot help but feel moved. How much more so for a master, who is the only one of their kind in the world?

“Thank you, Master.”

**Jo-hwi** bowed deeply.

A master’s mere presence is a powerful force.

Meeting **Geomsin** in the martial world was undoubtedly his greatest fortune.

—Haha, that kid…

As time passed, the morning mist began to settle around the shores of **Poyang Lake**.

And there, gazing at the moon in the sky, all of **Jo-hwi**’s comrades arrived.

The complex emotions they shared, not being able to sleep due to the sudden events, were no different from his own.

As **Jo-hwi** sensed his comrades’ presence, he relaxed and turned around.

“What is it? None of you are sleeping?”

However, his comrades simply gave him deep looks, saying nothing.

In the face of their terrifying stares, **Jo-hwi** felt an inexplicable discomfort and took a step back.

“What’s going on? Why are you all like this?”

**Nam-gung Jang-ho** stepped forward, and with a serious expression, spoke.

“Our realm is too low.”

“Not just low, it’s insignificant.”

“Damn it. At this rate, I can’t even brag about being your younger brother anywhere.”

As **Yeom Sang-rok** and **Jang Il-ryong** reacted, **Jo-hwi** could only freeze with a look of disbelief.

What are they saying?

**Nam-gung Jang-ho** had already surpassed the level of **Hwaseo-Dragon**, his former rival, and **Jin Ga-hee** had also reached **Hwakyung** through fate.

**Kang Bi-woo**, who had always been obsessed with martial arts, had also reached **Hwakyung**.

Despite being overshadowed by the legendary **Small Sword God**’s fame, these three were definitely contenders for the title of the greatest in the world.

Although **Baek Hwa-rin** wasn’t quite at **Hwakyung**, her progress was undeniable.

**Jang Il-ryong** and **Yeom Sang-rok** followed closely behind, and even they had achieved remarkable martial prowess on par with famous martial families.

“I know what you’re trying to say. You’ll say that we’re good enough now. After all, righteousness is like that. But that’s only until today.”

**Yeom Sang-rok** slumped down onto the ground with a sulky expression.

“So the world will be destroyed? Then the opponent we need to fight is no longer the martial world, is it? That **Shin-Zuo** guy could make us die tomorrow. We don’t have time to sit around leisurely.”

**Nam-gung Jang-ho**’s eyes glowed more fiercely.

“You’ve indeed reached an unprecedented level, but the truth is, you lack the qualities to be a true grandmaster.”

What is this supposed to mean?

**Jo-hwi** looked at **Nam-gung Jang-ho** in confusion.

“So what? Are you insulting me, or complimenting me?”

At that moment, **Kang Bi-woo** stepped forward and respectfully addressed **Jo-hwi**.

“What is it now?”

Kang Biwoo still shouts loudly with his head bowed.

“Junior from the Horse Academy, Kang Mo!” I dare to seek guidance from the God of the Central Plains’ Swordsmanship!

Jo Hwi hesitates and takes a step back.

Wait a minute?

This doesn’t seem like something directed at me, does it?

Jo Hwi’s intuition was spot on.

Wrapping his long arm around Jo Hwi’s shoulder, Namgoong Jangho eventually reveals his sinister intentions.

“If it’s difficult to pass on your martial arts to us… let’s borrow the Three Gods for a bit.”

“What?”

Yeom Sang-rok swaggered over and spat.

“Shit, we should learn good things together, right?”

In an instant, a deep shadow falls across Jo Hwi’s face.

It was a night when I deeply regretted revealing my secret.

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