NOVEL NEXT Chapter 530
00530 Dark Heaven Village ————————————————————————
Yeodong-bin has faced the Martial God multiple times! Dozens of times, in fact! I stared at Yeodong-bin and asked, “Is that true?”
[Indeed, it is.]
“What about the others? They only had fleeting encounters, so why you…?”
[… ]
Yeodong-bin fell silent for a moment and then said, [I don’t know the reason. However, it’s a fact that I received help from him many times during my immature days.]
“What kind of help did you receive?”
[Various kinds…]
“What do you mean by various kinds?”
[It’s not something I can speak of here.]
Yeodong-bin clearly didn’t want to answer. It was unexpected, considering he had always been so confident and hardly ever hid anything from the questions of mortals. Was the presence of the Martial God truly something beyond his understanding?
Master Mangnyang spoke up.
[Are you curious about the Martial God?]
“I am! If possible, I want to contact him.”
I clenched my fists and said, “With human martial arts, there’s no way to reach a god… I know that!”
The Master of the White Lotus Sect was ruthlessly defeated by the ruler of the Imperial Palace, and Jang Sam-bong couldn’t stand against the old ruler either. Even Miyamoto Musashi, known as the strongest warrior of his time, was mercilessly crushed by Jeon Wook of the Three Sovereigns. Witnessing these cases, I couldn’t help but feel desperate.
[Oh.]
“But if the so-called Martial God’s power… ”
[Perhaps there’s a chance of reaching the divine.]
I nodded my head. Then there was a moment of silence in the hall, and after pondering for a while, Master Mangnyang leaped down from the roof. He walked slowly towards me and looked up, saying,
[I examined the law of cause and effect, and strangely enough, you have no connection to the Martial God. Even below that of an ordinary person.]
“Is that something you can do?”
[But you are not entirely devoid of connection. A prophecy showed that if you meet certain conditions, he may appear before you in the distant future.]
“Conditions, huh…”
[You should ask Yeodong-bin about those conditions. He knows.]
Swish.
I turned my head towards Yeodong-bin. He stared blankly at Master Mangnyang and then said,
[Master, it’s not knowing just because you claim you don’t know.]
[You might not know the identity or origin of the Martial God, but it’s clear you know the conditions for his appearance.]
[That’s true, but…]
[Do not discuss further with me. Speak with your own companion.]
[Understood.]
Master Mangnyang turned his back to me, slowly walking toward the other side of the path, saying,
[Only dreamers chase mirages…]
Paat.
As I opened my eyes, Mangnyang was already nearly done with the ritual preparations. I approached Mangnyang and said, “Mangnyang, this time…”
He nodded and replied, “It’s already been decided. Let’s execute what we discussed before coming here.”
“Understood.”
This time, Mangnyang could have taken the lead in the ceremony, but he deliberately entrusted the task to Cheon Woo-jin. Cheon Woo-jin chanted the incantation, the celestial energy shifted, and the spirits began to descend, ultimately revealing Tai Xu before us.
[The ritual was well performed, humans…]
At that moment, I quickly responded, “But isn’t something odd here? Right?”
This wasn’t the first time I had this conversation. I knew exactly what Tai Xu was going to say.
[Hmm?]
“I understand something is off, but let’s just let it go. It has nothing to do with the bloodline of the Three Sovereigns, and since it’s the first time doing this ritual, isn’t it fine?”
[… ]
[Ahem… I see. In that case, I’ll substitute the being granting the blessings.]
Paat.
Next, the Queen Mother of the West appeared. I pondered how to handle the moment when the splendid lady’s apparition descended upon Cheon Woo-jin.
‘Hmm… There is something I want to try.’
The Queen Mother was incredibly suspicious. There was a great relationship between her and Miho, from my conversation in Jinrang Valley with Mangnyang, it turned out the Queen Mother’s identity might be utterly absurd. Hence, I wanted to gather information from her while we had this chance. I steeled my heart and spoke before she could start the dialogue.
“O great Queen Mother! I have a question to ask.”
[What is it?]
“If the Three Sovereigns were to release the Seven Luminaries and seek to annihilate humanity, what would you do?”
[… What?]
The Queen Mother clearly looked taken aback. The fact that a divine being was so surprised indicated my question had completely taken her off guard. However, Mangnyang next to me wore an indifferent expression, meaning he thought my question was worth asking.
The Queen Mother, her eyes glinting, spoke,
[Why entertain such dangerous thoughts? And why inquire about it with me?]
“I’ve accidentally come to know that the Three Sovereigns don’t necessarily hold affection for humanity. Thus, I worry, if, by chance, those great figures sought to eliminate humanity, how we should act. Since you might have the opportunity to meet the Three Sovereigns, wouldn’t you offer an answer to this query?”
[…]
After contemplating, she said,
[The Three Sovereigns would not make such a foolish choice. They would have no reason to recklessly err when external threats loom. There would also be no reason to deliberately bring forth the Seven Luminaries for release.]
“But what if…?”
Suddenly, as I was about to mention ‘mask,’ Mangnyang grabbed my sleeve. Turning to look at him, he shook his head vehemently as if saying it was not permissible. Seeing his expression made me realize I was on the brink of making a major blunder. I swallowed my words and addressed the Queen Mother,
“I made a slip of the tongue.”
[What were you going to say?]
“I was just curious whether humanity would remain safe for generations to come.”
At that, the Queen Mother seemed to respond with a wry smile.
[At least you will not experience the hell of unending suffering.]
“The hell of unending suffering?”
In that instant, the Queen Mother’s demeanor shifted dramatically. She spoke slowly, emanating a mystical ancient light,
[Indeed, humans… are born, born, and born, yet they cannot know where their lives began… die, die, and die, yet cannot grasp the end of death. That is the unique blessing and divine destiny bestowed upon you.]
Not knowing the end of life and death is a blessing and a divine mandate?
If it were during my ignorant days, I might have just brushed it off as complex jargon, but I was not the same anymore. Through countless lives and deaths, suffering experienced during my rebirth, the Queen Mother’s words resonated deeply.
‘Isn’t that precisely describing me?’
Not remembering the start of my life and having no knowledge of the end of death seemed all too familiar. Surely, if I threw everything away, I might glimpse that end, but at least not now. I felt like I was endlessly walking on a wheel where life and death had completely fused into one.
What does it feel like to wander alone in the desert of immortality?
Where is the core of this life?
Yet, the Queen Mother wouldn’t know of my plight. She merely hinted at the impending doom that the human race would face. Realizing this truth, I fell into silence for a moment before letting out a sigh.
“It seems you speak true.”
[You are quite an unusual human. Already worrying about doom?]
“Not at all. I’m merely worried that the poor fox might not be saved on that day of reckoning.”
[…]
“Then please, let’s proceed to the next part.”
Next, the Southern Flower Immortal, Jang Sam-bong, Yeh, and others went ahead before finally, Tai Gong-mang appeared.
[I am Tai Gong-mang, Jiang Shang. Never in history have so many Great Immortals been summoned. While I wish to bless you, “you” extraordinary beings, I intend to give you a choice. You may receive my blessing or have another chance to receive the blessing of someone else. What say you?]
This wasn’t the first time I had heard of this tale. Tai Gong-mang’s blessing was to receive the Spirit Beast of the Four Great Spirits, and the other option was to have a chance to re-select by resetting the blessing. Generally, I’d be contemplating between either choice here.
‘Sorry, Cheon Woo-jin.’
However, I decided to make a different choice this time. Resolutely, I said, “I will not choose any. Please pass on to the next.”
In response, Tai Gong-mang said with surprise,
[The next? You claim to know of a greater blessing than those skilled Great Immortals? This is quite the audacious offer…]
“I can summon a Great Immortal as I desire, correct?”
[If you had said that earlier, I would have granted your request. Whom do you want?]
I finally realized this moment had come. And I spoke, “Please summon all Eight Immortals of China.”
[What?]
“Since Yeodong-bin and I are connected, I wish to receive the blessings of the remaining Seven Immortals.”
[Hmm… Wait a moment.]
Swoosh.
Tai Gong-mang’s divine form briefly disappeared before reappearing. He looked a bit troubled as he said,
[You seem to think they are a singular entity, but each one is a Great Immortal. It’s impossible to receive blessings from them simultaneously. I probed their intentions just now, and they agreed to a summons individually.]
“Understood.”
I felt a tinge of disappointment about not being able to receive the blessings of the Seven Luminaries simultaneously and continued, “Then please summon Zhongli Quan among the Eight Immortals.”
[Understood.]
Paat!
Finally, before me appeared Zhongli Quan, a plump, hearty-looking immortal with a boisterous demeanor. Though he looked rather unremarkable, the energy emanating from him undeniably confirmed his status as a Great Immortal.
Zhongli Quan chuckled,
[Ha ha ha! Am I to be summoned by this gallant one who startled the Queen Mother and rejected the affections of many Great Immortals? What an honor.]
His tone hinted at a mischievous nature, and he seemed to possess a lively personality. Describing the other Great Immortals’ apparitions as affections was quite bold indeed. I cautiously gazed at him and said,
“O great Immortal Zhongli Quan. Before I receive your blessing, there is something I wish to confirm.”
[Ha ha ha… A bold question aimed even at the Queen Mother is nothing to worry about! Feel free to ask anything.]
“Your blessing enhances martial talent, correct?”
[Oh? Was that what you were hoping for?]
“Yes.”
That’s right. My goal in this life is to elevate my strength to an absolute realm! While it’s said that even the absolute realm cannot contend with a god, achieving it will undoubtedly multiply my power when I release the Seven Luminaries.
However, with my current talent, it would take centuries just to advance beyond the peak expert realm, let alone reach that legendary stage, reached by only a very limited few in history. Therefore, relying on clues I obtained from a prophet during my past life, I aimed to enhance my martial talent with Zhongli Quan’s blessing.
Zhongli Quan, intrigued, asked,
[How did you know that my blessing is related to talent?]
“By my own means.”
Then, Zhongli Quan grumbled in a lighthearted tone,
[Hmph… If you don’t tell me, I won’t be inclined to grant you my blessing. I might just pass the turn to the next Immortal.]
What?!
This was the first time I experienced such a reaction during the ritual, and I felt a bit flustered. It seemed that Zhongli Quan was quite the free-spirited Great Immortal. I couldn’t imagine him being the teacher of the often stoic Yeodong-bin. With no other choice, I said,
“Though Yeodong-bin wasn’t naturally gifted in martial talent, I’ve heard that he reached the Great Immortal and Overlay Technique realm under your guidance. That’s why I thought your blessing might enhance talent.”
I knew that mentioning the prophet could make the atmosphere awkward. Hearing my vague response, Zhongli Quan nodded as if he understood.
[So that’s how it is. Well, you’re right.]
With earnest desire, I exclaimed,
“Then please enhance my talent!!”
How much I struggled due to my lacking capabilities until now! Receiving the talent enhancement from Zhongli Quan’s blessing would undoubtedly make my future easier.
Moreover, I desired to understand what it felt like to possess talent.
Zhongli Quan replied,
[But there’s something you’ve misunderstood. To clarify, my blessing and unique skills do not directly enhance talent. That’s the truth. Among the Great Immortals, my blessing might be among the less desirable.]
“Yes?”
[Enhancing talent, perhaps that might be the result, but… will you still accept it? Will there be no regret?]
His tone had a strangely deceiving quality, but without further thought, I nodded vigorously.
“Please!”
[Very well. I, Zhongli Quan of the Eight Immortals, shall grant you my blessing.]
“Oh, wait! Can you at least explain what it entails…”
[I’m busy!]
Paat.
However, Zhongli Quan left without providing any explanation, vanishing in a flash. The ritual had ended.
As the ceremony concluded, Mangnyang and I were drained, and we laid Cheon Woo-jin, who was close to death, in his residence.
‘Since Cheon Woo-jin also needs to enhance his divine fever, I intentionally didn’t summon Zhongli Quan at the start.’
This time, with Zhongli Quan’s turn added, it must’ve exerted additional pressure, but I believed Cheon Woo-jin could endure. Mangnyang placed a damp cloth on Cheon Woo-jin’s forehead and said,
“I will take care of the priest until he recovers. Baek Woong, please handle the remaining tasks.”
“Leave it to me. But was my talent truly enhanced?”
Mangnyang grinned,
“If you’re unsure, why not try training together with the Extreme Tiger before you start your tasks? As you train, you’ll be able to feel the fluctuations in your talent.”