NOVEL NEXT Chapter 535
Chapter 00535 – Dark Heaven Village
I took Miho to Dongyoung. As I piled platinum up in Miho’s room, she gazed at it with satisfaction and said,
“Baek Woong, leave this matter to me. I’ll mine a lot of obsidian for you.”
“Thank you in advance.”
Suddenly a thought struck me, and I asked,
“The Yin-Yang Masters or the assassins of the Shogunate might be a nuisance…”
“Don’t worry. They’ve avoided trouble up until now.”
Miho picked up a chunk of platinum and continued,
“With about five of these, I could hire the entire Kouga clan. If they become my guards, then I wouldn’t have to fear assassins or Yin-Yang techniques in the future.”
“Kouga? Aren’t they ninjas?”
“Yes, they are one of the greatest ninja forces alongside the Igaru. They say many are born with special abilities.”
If Miho is confident about that, it should be fine. After dropping her off, I returned straight to Jangryeong Valley. I could’ve tackled many things, but for now, I needed to focus on training to enhance my abilities rather than starting new endeavors. Upon my return, Zhuge Sa said,
“To reach the Absolute Realm, you need a master who has already reached it. So, let’s revive Lee Cheong-un in this life. It’s not the time to take on a Master of the White Lotus Sect or Musashi.”
I voiced my concerns,
“Will that be okay? The powers of the Dark Society can only be used once…”
Zhuge Sa retorted,
“When you have many possessions, your worries multiply. Right now, you have so many options that your judgment is clouded. If things go south, just resort to suicide; don’t fret too much.”
“……”
“You mentioned training as your goal, right? It’s already a foregone conclusion that this life won’t see an ending, so stop worrying about other things.”
Zhuge Sa’s cavalier stance about my life was unsettling, but since it was him saying it, I could accept it.
Pa-at!
I utilized the Golden Lamp technique to find my way to the village of Mount Tai. Then, I employed the Dark Society technique and ventured into the wilderness of Dark Heaven Village to confront him.
[Welcome… A special guest has arrived in the land of dream and illusion…]
“Ah.”
[Speak… With the power of reversal granted to me… I shall grant you one opportunity to exchange life for death… death for life… No one can escape this power…]
As I confronted that being for the umpteenth time, a complex feeling swelled within me. Although it was clearly a dreadfully unlucky and cruel deity that stirred my will for death, it was also one of my most powerful allies.
‘Tch. No other option, huh…’
Though I wished to repay the debts of my 19th reincarnation right away, it wasn’t the right time for such thoughts. I needed to make the most of this opportunity. Before asking for Lee Cheong-un’s revival, I decided to inquire about some questions that had piqued my curiosity.
“Great deity, I have a question. May I ask?”
[Ask…]
Looking at the being before me, I remembered that it was one of the most esteemed divine entities in the world. Directly asking could significantly shorten the process.
“I understand that the [Old Rulers] await the imminent end that will come in around 500 years, and that they will receive a revelation at that time. But why do they so desperately crave this revelation?”
[……]
Grrr…
The eyes sprouted across the bulk of the wilderness leader blinked and emitted strange sounds. It spoke in a peculiar tone.
[Human, what makes you curious about that…?]
“How can I not be curious? The [Old Rulers] possess vast powers that transcend all; it’s hard to imagine their greed tied to something. I simply want to know what motivates their yearning for the revelation.”
[Hehehe… To grasp such a divine secret… You’re indeed an interesting being…]
Duh!
The wilderness leader suddenly flapped its wings and rose slightly. This reaction was only something I had seen during the death at the end of the last cycle, so I was slightly startled. It approached me and continued,
[How intriguing… Hrrr.]
Every time it spoke, I felt overwhelming magical power and authority emanate from it, making it difficult for me to respond.
“It’s common knowledge among most beings that the end is approaching. Is it truly something to be amazed about?”
[There are two reasons for my astonishment…]
The being halted in the void and fixed its eyestalks firmly on me.
[First, you are conversing with me so naturally for such a long time… something that mere insect-like humans cannot achieve… No matter how much the blessing of the dark society aids you…]
“……”
[Second, while many know the end is near, only a very few are aware that the revelation will follow after it. The chains of fate tied to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors—or some grand secret… the [Old Rulers]… or that apostle… This is something a mortal cannot comprehend… even if they somehow did, they wouldn’t understand the extent of the [Old Rulers]’ desperation…]
After a moment, it spoke again,
[I liked you, mortal… I shall reveal what the revelation signifies…]
Although it had an air of benevolence, I had no luxury to care about that at the moment.
[Discovering what the revelation is truly significant!]
It could potentially overturn my previous life’s status!
Since I was close to this vital information, I stared intently at the wilderness leader.
“Please tell me.”
[Long ago… perhaps right after the universe was born… the record of the Void was inscribed in the core of time… The first Void record awoke with its own will and sublimated into the Outer God, becoming the wisest being in this universe…]
The wisest being.
Outer God.
As I processed this information in my mind, the wilderness leader continued speaking.
[That being knew the exact time and place of the greatest existence in this world’s return… because it is the Void record itself… So, for countless years, it has been informing and watching the [Old Rulers] about this fact. Thus we all awaited that return…]
“Awaited…?”
[But then, at a certain moment, it vanished. So we could no longer ascertain the precise moment… hence, we are forced to continue waiting on this planet…]
“……”
As I listened to the wilderness leader, I started to realize something.
“[The revelation] is an event that announces the time of the absolute being’s return, isn’t it?”
[That can be a point of view…]
I wanted to delve deeper, but the wilderness leader interrupted,
[Mortal… beyond this, try to discover for yourself…]
“… I understand. Please revive Lee Cheong-un.”
[Alright…]
Pa-at!
I was flung back into the outer world in a flash of white light. Without delay, I headed toward Lee Cheong-un’s burial site.
Upon arriving, I called out with a Lion’s Roar towards Lee Cheong-un,
[Dharma Guardian of the Thunder God lineage, Lee Cheong-un! Baek Woong of the Thunder God lineage seeks an audience with you.]
The response to the Lion’s Roar was immediate. Like blue mist gathering in the air, Lee Cheong-un suddenly materialized from the void that was once empty. Even with my heightened martial prowess, I couldn’t fathom what mental control techniques he might employ, and I swallowed hard.
Lee Cheong-un looked at me, intrigued, and said,
“What is it? Did I just revive thanks to you, Baek Woong?”
To show I meant no harm, I offered a martial authority gesture and replied,
“That’s correct.”
“I can hardly believe it.”
“Is there a reason to doubt your own existence? The Dharma Guardian exists because it thinks, right?”
Upon my question, Lee Cheong-un replied with a bitter smile,
“You are certainly from the Thunder God lineage.”
“The master of the Thunder God lineage, may I now address my purpose?”
For some reason, upon hearing “master,” it seemed that Lee Cheong-un’s tension eased slightly.
“Go ahead.”
Swoosh!
I presented Lee Cheong-un an obsidian stone and said,
“This is an obsidian that transmits memories. If you accept this, you will understand how I managed to revive the master.”
“You seem suspicious.”
“If you’re suspicious, feel free to knock me out or torture me. But I won’t go down easily.”
Lee Cheong-un then looked pleased and replied,
“Do you take me for a petty thief or scoundrel? Such acts are not the ways of the Thunder God lineage.”
“……”
“Indeed, it seems I need to hear your story for any progress to be made. Hand me that stone.”
“Here it is.”
Wuuuu…
Moments later, the memories were transmitted to Lee Cheong-un. A look of astonishment crossed his face before he looked at me and said,
“Goodness…? To think I had been through such long adventures, all while traversing through life and death…”
“The master engaged with me as well. The Eight Immortal Divine Art, which you advanced and evolved, is indeed your achievement.”
“Hmm… even if you say that, it doesn’t quite resonate with me.”
“Anyway, thank you for reviving me. I’ll do my utmost to assist your martial arts progression.”
“Thank you.”
“And, I’d like to test your skills right here and now. Is that alright?”
I nodded, a tense expression on my face.
“Please teach me a move.”
*Zzt!*
It was the very next moment. Lee Cheong-un unleashed the Thunder Spirit Technique and placed his index finger before my throat, and I couldn’t even draw my sword halfway. Trembling with horror at the insane speed of the Thunder Spirit Technique, my hands shook.
Extreme speed!
Even back when I trained, I felt the dreadful quickness of the Thunder Spirit Technique was incomparable. With a gap this wide, if I were to duel Lee Cheong-un, I wouldn’t even be able to last three seconds. No kidding, just a moment ago, in that second, my throat would have been pierced fatally.
Yet Lee Cheong-un said, astonished,
“Indeed… your skills have improved significantly from before. To be able to draw the sword even against the Thunder Spirit technique is something only a handful across the Central Plains can achieve. Most would fall without even a chance to react. You did at least manage to withstand it and leave a loophole for a counterattack, didn’t you? By the standards of the White Lotus Sect, your martial prowess is top-notch.”
“… Thank you for the compliment.”
“However, that is indeed a challenging part.”
Lee Cheong-un continued, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“It seems you have reached the brink of peak expertise. But taking a step into the Absolute Realm is the greatest barrier in martial arts philosophy. Even geniuses who have trained in martial arts their entire lives since infancy cannot easily surpass that wall and over 90% just collapse.”
“……”
“Hmm, considering how lacking you are in talent, I have doubts about taking you to the Absolute Realm…”
Lee Cheong-un genuinely appeared troubled, not in a playful manner. He pondered for a moment before stating,
“Well, let’s head back to Jangryeong Valley first and discuss this. This is not something I can handle alone.”
Pa-at!
I returned to Jangryeong Valley with Lee Cheong-un. I summoned my martial artist companions who were training and introduced them to Lee Cheong-un. Jin So-cheong and Guk-ho all showed him respect, and even the Sword Demon gazed at Lee Cheong-un with admiration. After the introductions were done, he said,
“Our goal, as you know, is to elevate Baek Woong to the Absolute Realm. However, I believe it is impossible through normal training methods even in a hundred years.”
The Sword Demon, who was listening from the side, raised an eyebrow.
“Isn’t that a rather pessimistic perspective…?”
“It is, in fact, the truth. Reaching the Absolute Realm is on a different level compared to moving from peak expertise to extreme peak expertise. I’ve faced near-death experiences several times in my endeavor to reach the Absolute Realm…”
Lee Cheong-un sighed as he spoke.
“Thus, there’s another perspective I wish to hear.”
“Whose perspective?”
“There’s a senior who is also a master of the Absolute Realm and far stronger than I am.”
Wuuuu…,
At that moment, I called upon Yeodong-bin while facing off against Lee Cheong-un in the training ground. I stated to Yeodong-bin,
“Yeodong-bin, I am willing to sacrifice ten years of my lifespan in exchange for a spar with Lee Cheong-un and to discuss martial philosophies with him so that he may guide me on my path to the Absolute Realm! Also, as a bonus, please mentor me in martial arts…”
[……]
Yeodong-bin seemed momentarily dumbfounded at my sudden proposal.
“Yeodong-bin?”
The apparition of Lee Dong-bin holding a sword spoke gravely,
[Revered one, your words sound as if you’re asking me to give you a sword while you face a hundred monsters and battle the Great Army before sealing the sword. That’s what it feels like.]
“……”
So my proposal sounded so shameless, huh?
Yeodong-bin momentarily erased his astonishment before saying,
[If I am to grant this request, even if you are a revered one, I must demand at least 70 years of your lifespan.]
“Seventy years.”
That seems excessively long, right?
Even if I had a penchant for dying frequently, my goal this life was training. Throwing away 70 years of lifespan would make it incredibly difficult to live past a century, even for a skilled warrior. I could very well end up dead after less than 20 years. It felt drastically different from when I was with Jang Sam-bong, so I protested,
“Even the likes of the previous Yagyu clans teach martial arts without demanding hefty costs when they engage with humans. Isn’t this a bit unreasonable?”
[How Jang Sam-bong conducts himself is none of my concern. He has no great ambitions and thus trades off his own spirit and energy for the sake of managing the law of cause and effect. I cannot do that.]
“Why not?”
[Because I have duties that require me to focus my powers in the Celestial Realm.]
“……?”
I had never heard anything like that before. While I was in shock, Lee Cheong-un next to me nonchalantly commented,
“Then Yeodong-bin, I’ll sacrifice about 20 years of my lifespan for Baek Woong. That should cover the deal for this spar.”
[… Understood.]
After negotiations concluded, Yeodong-bin and Lee Cheong-un faced each other.
“Please teach me, Sword Master.”
[The same goes for me, I look forward to your guidance.]
Finally, the two titans of the Thunder God lineage and immortality were set to clash!