NOVEL NEXT Chapter 553
Chapter 553 – Dark Heaven Village
The wind and clouds seemed to be swirling through the hall. With the three major powers facing off against each other, this situation could truly be described as the most dangerous moment in the world. The first to speak was the Master of the White Lotus Sect.
[So it was the Leader of the Bancheon Alliance? This is the first time I’ve seen you in person.]
Mangnyang bowed to the Master of the White Lotus Sect.
“Your esteemed presence, Master of the White Lotus Sect, is an honor.”
[What were you thinking, convening this summit?]
“……”
A very simple yet piercing remark! The Master of the White Lotus Sect was just as cunning and wouldn’t be an easy opponent. Not just the Master of the White Lotus Sect, but also the Master of the Twelve Joules and Zhuge Bu were keeping a close eye on Mangnyang. Mangnyang calmly answered the question.
“For the benefit of all the people.”
[For the benefit of all… ?]
“The Sect Leader has declared the intention to extend into the Central Plains, but as you can see, two forces in this world will not allow that. Even if I hadn’t gathered you all here today, a conflict would have occurred eventually. And the aftermath of an unforeseen clash would ultimately impact the powerless common folk.”
[… common folk.]
The Master of the White Lotus Sect stroked his chin in surprise.
[Are you saying that the Bancheon Alliance orchestrated this meeting to reduce the harm to the common folk?]
“That’s correct.”
[Hoo hoo… Quite the peculiar individual.]
He appeared to be amused at the remark. It was unclear what nuance lay hidden within those words, but the Master of the Twelve Joules, who was listening from across the table, chimed in.
“A rather interesting talent.”
It seemed the leaders of the two major forces held a rather high opinion of Mangnyang. Hearing this, Zhuge Bu interjected.
“I understand the intention of the Leader of the Bancheon Alliance. Then what conclusion do you hope to reach through this meeting today?”
“Why do you ask me?”
“You are the one who gathered the leaders of these major forces from all over the vast world. Naturally, we must inquire about your thoughts.”
Though his words sounded plausible, it was clear that he didn’t want to voice his own opinion directly; he wished to hear the opinion of the neutral Bancheon Alliance first before deciding on their own stance.
“Very well. Then let me first share the opinion of the Bancheon Alliance with the lords of the world.”
Mangnyang took a deep breath before speaking.
“Let the Imperial Palace permanently cede the provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, and Sichuan to the White Lotus Sect, granting them independence. Additionally, confer the title of State Master of the Great Ming Empire upon the Master of the White Lotus Sect to promote future friendship. In exchange, the White Lotus Sect should abandon its ambitions in the Central Plains and refrain from reckless conflicts for the next twenty years. Naturally, they would also need to give up on entering the Central Plains Martial World.”
“……!!”
Zhuge Bu’s expression contorted dramatically. His reaction indicated that Mangnyang’s proposal was shocking enough to throw him off balance. It wasn’t just Zhuge Bu who was taken aback; the Master of the Twelve Joules also seemed intrigued as he leaned his chin on his hand, and the Master of the White Lotus Sect did not drop his hand from his chin either.
Zhuge Bu spoke with a trembling voice.
“Do you… do you realize what you just said?”
“Of course I do.”
“You suggest that we partition the territory of the Great Ming Empire and grant it to the White Lotus Sect for independence! Moreover, the territory you mentioned exceeds what can be found in all of the Central Plains. Such an absurd proposal…”
At that moment, the Master of the White Lotus Sect spoke up.
[A reasonable proposal.]
The Master of the Twelve Joules also said,
“I’m quite favorable to this. If we concede that much to the White Lotus Sect and ensure peace in the Central Plains, it’s a favorable deal, isn’t it?”
“……”
Zhuge Bu bit his lip as the leaders of the two major forces displayed their support for the proposal. Regardless of it being a three-way summit, if the balance of power swiftly tipped past the majority, their right to speak would be diminished. However, that did not mean Zhuge Bu was a pushover, as he calmly voiced his opposition to Mangnyang’s suggestion.
“Such matters cannot be decided without the Emperor’s permission. Moreover, the territory of the Great Ming Empire was built upon countless sacrifices! Distributing its lands at our whim is tantamount to denying that history.”
Mangnyang looked at him condescendingly.
“It seems we’re not on the same page. You look intelligent, yet you either feign ignorance or genuinely don’t understand why my proposal is reasonable.”
“What…?!”
“Regardless, if the White Lotus Sect rises, it will be impossible to defend the three provinces I just mentioned with the current military strength of the Great Ming Empire. You surely understand this. After that, a bloody war will erupt between the top masters of the White Lotus Sect and the Great Ming Empire. How can one be so foolish as to not anticipate that?”
“……”
“I have simply suggested a reasonable compromise. I find it questionable if you truly are the one responsible for the Imperial Palace.”
“It seems I underestimated this meeting. Please excuse my rudeness.”
“What do you intend to do?”
Swish!!
In the next moment, a shadow appeared beside Zhuge Bu like smoke. He was a middle-aged man with a refined appearance, and I recognized his face well; I had seen it many times before. The newly appeared middle-aged man spoke with authority in the hall.
“Excuse me. From now on, I am Zhuque, representing the Lord of the Inner Imperial Pavilion to express the will of the Imperial Palace. You may consider what I say from now on as the intention of the Imperial Palace.”
[Hmmm… So it was you. I sensed something unusual lingering around since a while ago.]
The Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Master of the Twelve Joules seemed to have already picked up on the aura of his invisibility. Zhuque, Zhuge Yulong, sat down and looked at Mangnyang, saying,
“Indeed, the proposal of the Leader of the Bancheon Alliance considers both justification and practical benefits. You’ve prepared well.”
“Words of flattery. What do you intend to do?”
“I have to firmly reject it.”
The resolute words of Zhuque froze the hall in an instant. It was significant that Zhuque, who declared himself to be the voice of the Imperial Palace, would make such a statement. Perhaps because of this, the Master of the White Lotus Sect spoke with a chill in his voice.
[Are you suggesting we ignore mediation and go to war?]
“Master of the White Lotus Sect, do not rush. I will be speaking calmly from now on.”
Zhuque, skillfully deflecting the killing intent from the Master of the White Lotus Sect, continued.
“Ceding those three provinces is possible immediately. We can also grant you the position of State Master and recognize the status of the new kingdom. However, the problem lies with our inability to trust the Master of the White Lotus Sect.”
“What do you mean?”
“We can offer plenty from our side, but there’s no guarantee that the Master of the White Lotus Sect will uphold his promises. Engaging in an agreement without trust is meaningless.”
Mangnyang, seeming troubled, replied,
“Given so many forces are watching, who would dare to break a promise after making one? Doesn’t that underestimate the honor of the Master of the White Lotus Sect? If we fail to uphold the agreements made in this meeting, we’ll become the laughingstock of the world.”
“Ha ha ha…”
Zhuque let out a slight ominous laugh and said,
“I doubt the Master of the White Lotus Sect fears becoming a laughingstock. I sense a fanaticism that is ready to abandon everything for personal ultimate goals.”
“……”
Zhuque seemed to grasp the tendencies of the Master of the White Lotus Sect well. It appeared he understood to some extent the ‘certain purpose’ that drove the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s actions. Otherwise, there would be no need to continually mention trust.
[You…]
Before the Master of the White Lotus Sect could say anything, the Master of the Twelve Joules interjected bluntly.
“So what are you proposing? Should we all get tangled up and fight like crazy?”
“Of course not. I wish to suggest a different kind of truce with the Leader of the Bancheon Alliance.”
Zhuge Yulong calmly interlaced his fingers and began to speak.
“Promise to fully cooperate in searching for the Dharma Technique and, in return, establish a non-aggression pact with us for ten years.”
At that moment, a horrifying killing intent enveloped Zhuque.
As if time had been sliced away, it felt as if Zhuque’s neck was grasped by an invisible hand, akin to that of a demon beast. Before anyone realized it, the killing aura emitted by the Master of the White Lotus Sect had tightened around Zhuque’s neck. If he had wanted, he could have crushed not just Zhuque’s neck but his entire body.
“Enough already?”
Yet at that very moment, a chilling force surrounded the demonic grip, holding it in check. It was the Master of the Twelve Joules, who had utilized the Mind Control Technique to counter the offensive of the Master of the White Lotus Sect. In an instant, the experts that had reached the Absolute Realm displayed their might, creating an unimaginable tension in the air.
“……”
Mangnyang’s complexion had already turned pale. Given that both the Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Master of the Twelve Joules dominated the current flow of energy in the hall, even he, with his martial arts, could not endure. The fact that he hadn’t fainted was thanks to Lee Cheong-un neutralizing the pressure.
In this tense situation!
The Master of the White Lotus Sect withdrew his killing aura and said,
[Cooperation… I abhor mere token gestures of support.]
“Of course it’s not just a gesture.”
Zhuque, moments ago in a life-and-death situation, countered without the slightest change to his expression.
“We know the reality of the Non-Birth Mother’s Dharma Technique. I cannot fathom why you seek it, but our god is more than willing to cooperate in that matter. If you wish, I can inform you within a year regarding the location of ‘another’ piece of the Dharma Technique.”
[That’s hard to believe.]
“If I truly didn’t trust you, I would have already left this place. You know full well that I’m a priest serving the divine, don’t you? We’ve made an offer; now we’ll wait.”
[……]
I sensed that the Master of the White Lotus Sect was clearly pondering over this. What’s more, the Master of the Twelve Joules was observing without carelessly interrupting. I couldn’t help but admire Zhuque’s cleverness.
‘Impressive… He effortlessly turned the flow in his favor against those two.’
He accurately pinpointed what the Sect Leader most desired, then boldly struck at their weaknesses.
An incredible boldness and mindset!
Though Zhuque’s raw power may be among the weakest among the leaders of the three major forces, he was undoubtedly a genius and a hero capable of planning on a global scale. Just then, the Master of the Twelve Joules, who had been in the back, opened his mouth.
“Let’s say you do offer that Dharma Technique to the Master of the White Lotus Sect; what do you plan to give me? There’s no reason for me to remain passive.”
“Seriously, you don’t have to give me anything.”
“I’m just saying that it would significantly hinder your future.”
Although the expression behind the dog mask couldn’t be seen, it was likely that he was smiling slyly. It seemed the Master of the Twelve Joules was cleverly pressuring Zhuque. Zhuque replied,
“I cannot predict what you wish to achieve. Please state your desires first.”
“Preemptive offering~ That sounds good.”
The Master of the Twelve Joules said smoothly while crossing his arms.
“The Great Ming Empire must cease its domination of Goryeo as the Upper Kingdom and, from now on, pay an annual tribute equivalent to 500 guan of gold and treasures to Goryeo. Also, cede the Shandong region and all of Liaodong to become part of Goryeo’s territory.”
“……”
“Oh! And the Kingdom of Duke Du is ours too.”
Zhuque seemed momentarily astounded by that proposal. Then he downed a cup of wine from the banquet table and muttered,
“Now that’s insane.”
“Why? Isn’t that a quite reasonable suggestion?”
The Master of the Twelve Joules appeared to be grinning wildly.
“If you don’t want to, then just forget it. Unlike you, I can easily cause havoc.”
The Master of the White Lotus Sect, observing from the sidelines, intriguingly remarked,
[What an amusing person.]
“I hear that comment often.”
Zhuque seemed to be deep in thought for a moment. Then he addressed the Master of the Twelve Joules.
“Just what do you believe you’re drawing upon to act so presumptuously?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m aware that you don’t have a god backing you. Even if you are powerful, you’re simply a human force; how can you be so brazen? You still don’t realize that the further we go, the less chance you have of victory?”
While it seemed absurd, Zhuque’s words were true. No matter how powerful the Master of the Twelve Joules and the leaders of the Twelve Joules Sect might be, they could not measure up to the power of a divine entity. Unlike the White Lotus Sect, which had an indirect connection to the divine through the Heavenly Spirit Pill and Primordial Spirit, the Twelve Joules Sect was essentially disconnected from the heavens.
The Master of the Twelve Joules confidently responded,
“I trust in myself and act accordingly. Is that not sufficient?”
“……”
“And let me ask you something. You, or the Master of the White Lotus Sect, are both pouring your all into living in the present… So why are you all expending energy like this?”
The Master of the Twelve Joules’ words bore a subtle tone. The Master of the White Lotus Sect reacted even more strongly to that remark.
[Master of the Twelve Joules, what do you mean by that?]
“Oh, it’s nothing much; I merely thought that whatever we do in this era, there’s no way to escape the end.”
The Master of the Twelve Joules scratched his head.
“It seems like you all are thinking about the future of humanity, but wouldn’t that be a wasted effort?”
[……]
“……”
Everyone fell silent.
After a long pause, the Master of the White Lotus Sect finally spoke.
[We all know the time of reckoning that lies ahead for humanity. How amusing.]
Zhuque also spoke.
“Master of the Twelve Joules, do you know the end is coming yet remain indifferent?”
“Ha ha… Thoughts? What thoughts?”
“Are you implying that if the [Old Ruler] stands up, they will annihilate everything, leaving neither flesh nor spirit, plunged into that living hell?”
An undercurrent of rage was evident in Zhuque’s words. The Master of the White Lotus Sect glanced at Zhuque in surprise.
……
Silence fell once more.
And then, it was shattered by mad laughter.
“Ah ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!”
The Master of the Twelve Joules laughed.
It was a laugh that seemed to say no sound could be sillier than this.
While that laughter appeared boundlessly innocent, I could feel a chilling madness simmering beneath it.
After a while, the Master of the Twelve Joules slowly ceased his laughter and said,
“The night sky boiling with constellations is not far off, as you predict. That day when everything dries up in madness and despair… I have been preparing for that day from long ago.”
“……?”
It was an enigmatic statement. The Master of the Twelve Joules gradually drew attention to it, saying,
“Now, let’s stop the nonsense and come to an agreement. I have no energy to waste in a place like this.”