NOVEL NEXT Chapter 493
00493 암천향(暗天鄕) ————————————————————————=
“This is a field that cannot be treated with medical techniques…”
I felt troubled. Contrary to Mangnyang’s bold claim of solving things himself, his condition looked dangerously perilous. If left as is, Mangnyang was on the brink of a fatal collapse, so I had to take some action. Unfortunately, my medical skills couldn’t remedy mystical phenomena like divine fever.
I asked Jang Sam-bong, “Master Jang, do you know how to resolve this phenomenon?”
[ I could forcibly summon a spirit into his body to control the divine power, but…]
“Is there a problem?”
[ In that case, his mental strength would falter, leading to a fatal shock.]
“Ugh! Why on earth…”
[ That’s because the presence of the Great Immortal is overwhelming.]
“Hmm…”
Upon hearing Jang Sam-bong’s words, I could understand. The divine fever was initially a remnant of the powers of the Great Immortal, and Mangnyang was precariously teetering between life and death because he couldn’t endure it. If a powerful spiritual entity like the Great Immortal were to infiltrate his body in that state, Mangnyang’s mind might burn out.
“Is there any other method to resolve this with different techniques?”
[ This is my first time encountering such a situation… and since I practiced Taoist arts, I’m not well-versed in other techniques.]
“Ugh.”
Then, it seemed I had no choice but to visit the Zhuge Clan.
“But the Zhuge Clan is a Demon Sorcerer faction…”
Would they be able to resolve the divine fever caused by the unique side effects of Sorcerers?
I still had to go to them. My current knowledge in martial arts—like the Heavenly Secret Technique—did not seem to help in curing divine fever. If I could employ Ji-seon Mangnyang’s martial knowledge, perhaps it could be resolved, but my understanding was far too inferior to even interpret it.
I swiftly moved to Jangryeong Valley. However, the Zhuge Clan was not in the usual place and seemed to have left. When I inquired with Sibi, he replied,
“The master has stepped out due to an urgent matter.”
Of all times…
I thought that if the Zhuge Clan were here, I could use the Soul Exchange Technique to transfer Mangnyang’s spirit into the Divine Portrait, but that would merely serve as a stopgap measure and post-processing. It wouldn’t fundamentally resolve the life-threatening phenomenon Mangnyang was experiencing.
As a next alternative, I considered seeking help from Master of the Twelve Joules. The sects under him specialize in sorcery; they should be able to assist in recovering from divine fever. I hurriedly made my way to the base of Haedong Milcheon.
Crack!
“Wait, what?”
Suddenly, upon arriving at the location of the Lord of Haedong Milcheon, the nearby Sorcerers appeared taken aback. The Lord, seated in a chair, glanced at me and said,
“… Who are you?”
“I am Baek Woong, who fought alongside you recently. Also, I am the Master of the Twelve Joules.”
“What’s this nonsense…?”
He smirked, then caressed the body of a half-naked woman next to him, saying,
“Leave me be. I need to rest after a significant battle.”
I almost began to explain Mangnyang’s situation but hesitated, feeling a second thought come over me.
There was no certainty that he would be willing to treat her, nor was I convinced he even had the ability.
But did I really want to waste time persuading him, revealing our secrets?
No matter how I thought about it, this back-and-forth with the Lord was pure waste of time. So, I took a bold stance and said,
“I don’t care whether you believe me or not. What I want to ask you is one thing.”
“You’ve come into our sect without knowing your place, so what is your question?”
“If there exists a shaman suffering from divine fever due to the continuous summoning of the Great Immortal, what method should be used to heal that fever?”
“Kukuku.”
The Lord of Haedong Milcheon responded as if amused.
“Why should I tell you that?”
“If you teach me, I shall repay you. Even if it means parting with what I have…”
“Hmph. Not that I particularly need anything… but more importantly, you really are ugly.”
“What?”
I was taken aback by his comment, and he laughed even more.
“Unless you present me with a pretty woman, I’ll consider it. If you have the ability…”
Seeing the Lord of Haedong Milcheon speak shamelessly, I gritted my teeth. This guy wasn’t serious in our conversation at all. Continuing this line of discussion would only leave me ridiculed. I glared at him and said,
“Do you not realize how much weight your words carry as the leader of a faction at your age? Why are you recklessly stirring up animosity with others?”
“Huh? An ugly guy talking? I can’t hear you!”
This guy…
I pressed down my irritation and warned,
“You may come to deeply regret the insults you’ve just hurled at me.”
“Ha ha! Do as you wish.”
“Alright.”
Crack!
I turned my back on the Lord of Haedong Milcheon and left.
I would ensure that he would regret this across both our lives.
But right now, my personal grudges were not what mattered. I lay on a boulder in Jinrang Valley, anxiously watching Mangnyang’s increasingly pale face. It felt suffocating to think that even medicine would be futile at this point.
Suddenly, a thought struck me.
‘Should I seek Cheon Woo-jin’s help?’
If my older brother was in danger of dying, wouldn’t he help? I hurriedly took Mangnyang with me to the village where Master Mangnyang resides.
“Cheon Woo-jin! Mangnyang is in urgent need! Please help!”
Swish!
Suddenly, Cheon Woo-jin appeared within the Illusion Barrier. He frowned and said,
“That divine fever is a consequence of your older brother’s own actions.”
I felt a pang of guilt. Indeed, on the surface, this was Mangnyang’s self-inflicted consequence. I couldn’t blame Cheon Woo-jin for being unable to stand the fever he couldn’t endure himself. But since I needed to save Mangnyang, I plastered a bold face and shouted,
“So you can’t treat him? Mangnyang is your older brother!”
“… Are you really that oblivious?”
Cheon Woo-jin sighed deeply.
“Average sorcerers might barely survive summoning a single Great Immortal. But to willingly endure nearly ten of them and amplify his abilities with that overwhelming divine fever… if 99% of sorcerers knew what your brother was thinking, they would call him crazy.”
“But you…”
“What about me?”
“……”
I had seen Cheon Woo-jin become stronger, overcoming divine fever myself. Mangnyang must have tried this risky gambit because he had seen Cheon Woo-jin endure the fever as well. However, voicing this to Cheon Woo-jin would be dismissed as nonsense. After all, he was indeed a substantially powerful sorcerer who could withstand divine fever.
I bit my lip and said,
“Please, I beg you. If this continues, Mangnyang will die. Are you just going to let him die?”
“… Your older brother chose to bear it himself. He must take responsibility for his own words.”
“Damn it! I’m aware I’m being unreasonable! But if Mangnyang dies, how can I repay the debt of his heart? Can you claim that your choice that led to Mangnyang’s death was correct without a pinch of hesitation?”
“Son of a bitch.”
What?
Out of nowhere, a curse slipped from Cheon Woo-jin’s mouth, and I looked at him in disbelief. He was glaring at me with a hardened expression.
“You led your older brother into a pointless venture that could end in death! You, who claimed you’d take responsibility for his life, come here and say you need help?! What kind of pathetic excuse are you?”
He started to openly insult me, abandoning any honorifics.
“So, being a Master of the Twelve Joules gives you a free pass? Your older brother isn’t someone you can toy with at will! You, who lack the ability to shoulder your responsibilities, are nothing but a careless fool wandering without purpose!”
“Geh…”
His tirade left me mentally muddled. I knew Cheon Woo-jin despised me, but I hadn’t realized he hated me this much. Moreover, being held accountable for Mangnyang acquiring the divine fever added to my speechlessness.
When I fell silent, Cheon Woo-jin declared,
“Fine. I will save Mangnyang.”
A fierce murderous intent flashed in Cheon Woo-jin’s eyes.
“But you must give me the Flame Elemental Sword!”
“What?!”
Cheon Woo-jin glared at me with disdain and taunted,
“Why don’t you want to? When you compare your older brother’s life with the Flame Elemental Sword, it seems quite logical to prioritize the latter, does it not? You need to save the world, after all.”
“Hey…”
“If you dislike this trade, leave right now! You foolish idiot.”
“……”
Hearing Cheon Woo-jin’s insults, I bit my lip hard.
‘This guy is venting his uncontainable wrath.’
Having faced constant bullying, even with Cheon Woo-jin slandering me, my mind remained icy. I recognized that he had lost control over his emotions. If I responded recklessly, it would only amplify Cheon Woo-jin’s fury.
If I handed over the Flame Elemental Sword, the Fire Dragon Incarnate recovering from Sea God’s magical power would fall into a more dire condition, significantly weakening my future power. Unless I forcibly released the Water Element, I would merely become a slightly stronger martial artist. Considering this, yielding the Flame Elemental Sword to Cheon Woo-jin was not an option.
Yet, I pulled the Flame Elemental Sword from my waist and offered it to him.
Right now, I chose Mangnyang over everything.
He responded with disbelief,
“… Are you serious?”
He seemed genuinely surprised by my sudden declaration.
“Yes.”
I gritted my teeth and said,
“I can regain the Flame Elemental Sword, but I cannot recover Mangnyang’s life. If you desire the Sword, take it!”
“……”
“But if you do not save Mangnyang, I will never forget today’s event.”
No matter how many lifetimes I had to repeat to meet Mangnyang, I could not let his life be a mere trivial matter. While objectively, comparing Mangnyang’s value against that of the Flame Elemental Sword might tip the scales toward the latter, I still had to save him. Because failing to uphold that value would lead me down a path forsaking my principles.
This life might become even more perilous due to this choice, but it was unavoidable. Still, I would protect the bonds around me.
Then Cheon Woo-jin clenched his fist, trembling with rage, and spoke,
“You crazy bastard… who the hell do you think you are… how arrogant can you be… damn it…”
He continued to shake with fury, emotions swirling within him. Then he took a deep breath, as if calming his emotions.
“Fine – okay.”
Cheon Woo-jin reached for Mangnyang’s body. He pressed his index and middle fingers against Mangnyang’s solar plexus, muttering some incantation, and soon a blue aura enveloped Mangnyang’s body. As the light faded, Mangnyang slowly opened his eyes.
“Ugh… Where is this…?”
Mangnyang seemed to have regained himself, rising as the divine fever subsided.
“I temporarily stabilized him using the power of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens,” Cheon Woo-jin said, looking at Mangnyang.
“What exactly do you want to do?”
“Priest.”
Cheon Woo-jin glared at me fiercely.
“To think being stronger through divine fever is madness. That isn’t something that can be overcome with mere will. You must know many shamans die trying to withstand divine fever.”
“……”
“I can’t comprehend why that idiot would make you entertain such an extreme idea.”
After sorting through his thoughts, Mangnyang replied,
“… Priest. The dream of the Priest is to reach divine status through sorcery and ultimately reach the Master.”
“Indeed.”
“I’m the same. On one hand, it’s about rectifying the world’s chaos and upholding justice. But the end of that path inevitably leads to the Old Ruler or a divine status that dominates the world. The paths you and I pursue are akin in that respect.”
“……”
“The Old Ruler governs everything of life and death in this world. We are but livestock, and even in death, we cannot escape a destiny of destruction. This is undeniably wrong.”
With conviction, Mangnyang declared,
“And Baek Woong defeated the Old Ruler. I believe that Baek Woong can offer a glimmer of hope to humanity, trapped in sorrow.”
“That’s impossible…”
Cheon Woo-jin remarked, seemingly incredulous.
“That being who fell at the hands of the Sea God is indeed mighty, but there are many divine beings among the Old Rulers that surpass him. It’s a stretch to assert such after defeating a single Sea God. More importantly, even if the Sea God was defeated, it would have no bearing at the end of days.”
“But it’s a fact that no one has accomplished that feat in history. Not any hero across thousands of years in Chinese history has even attempted it.”
“……”
Cheon Woo-jin could not retort. The achievement of defeating the Sea God was undoubtedly significant enough to silence even an Illusory God. Mangnyang capitalized on that moment to press his case.
“If Baek Woong sought wealth and fame, he would have achieved it long ago. I respect his will, and that’s why I wish to assist him without holding back.”
A silence engulfed the air.
“Give it to me.”
Out of the blue, Cheon Woo-jin snatched the Flame Elemental Sword from my grip. He stared at it silently for a while before throwing it back at me.
Clang!
As I caught the Flame Elemental Sword, Cheon Woo-jin said,
“I’m going with you.”
That was an unexpected declaration.
“What?”
“The Flame Elemental Sword is mine now, thanks to our previous deal. But I do have pressing matters to attend to, so you can keep it for now.”
Cheon Woo-jin growled,
“I can’t watch you go to your older brother’s death. If you recklessly wander and perish, then I’ll take the Flame Elemental Sword then.”
Regardless of the back-and-forth exchanges, I understood the intent behind his words.
So I smiled and replied,
“Come along.”
After all those years stuck in the village while safeguarding Master Mangnyang, Cheon Woo-jin had finally decided to lend me his assistance.