NOVEL NEXT Chapter 586
Chapter 586 – Dark Heaven Village
“That’s quite the chaos,” I muttered under my breath.
Accompanied by Lee Cheong-un, Mangnyang, and Jin So-cheong, we made our way to the White Lotus Sect. We chose to enter through the gate instead of directly into the interior because it was obvious the sudden appearance would raise alarms.
“We come from the Bancheon Alliance,” I stated firmly.
Upon hearing our affiliation, the gatekeeper and White Lotus members instructed us to wait for a moment before disappearing inside. Soon after, we began our inspection of the main hall of the White Lotus Sect, led by the guides. I noted the surroundings didn’t seem overly chaotic, just stable.
‘Looks like order is still upheld here,’ I thought.
The buildings were intact, and the White Lotus members seemed to live without fear, suggesting the hidden threat of the Old Ruler hadn’t activated yet. Eventually, we were guided to the Hall of the Sect Leader, where the Master of the White Lotus Sect awaited, flanked by the Three Great Dharma Protectors.
He sat on his throne and spoke, [What seems to be the matter?]
“I’ll get straight to the point, Sect Leader.”
Stepping forward, I tossed the Black and White Lotus towards him. As the Master received it with a move of Void Object Manipulation and gazed at it intently, I continued, “That is the Black and White Lotus, an elixir capable of healing the Young Master’s strange disease. I hope you will make good use of it.”
[……]
Beside him, Cheon Woo-jin looked bewildered. “What do you mean? What are you talking about?”
“It’s exactly as it sounds. It should be effective enough,” I replied confidently.
It wasn’t just Cheon Woo-jin who was shocked—Han Baek-ryeong, wearing a Fox Mask, and Dokgo Jun, donned in a Golden Dragon mask, had similar expressions. For them, it must have been incomprehensible that the shadowy figure of the Bancheon Alliance would bring a cure for the Young Master’s ailment out of nowhere.
An ominous energy began to swirl around us. It was clear the Three Great Dharma Protectors were prepared to suppress us by force if necessary. In response, the Sword Demon, Jin So-cheong, and Lee Cheong-un stepped forward, neutralizing the hostile energy, which caused a brief stillness.
The Master of the White Lotus Sect, still holding the Black and White Lotus, spoke again. [I cannot believe this. Even if you learned of the Young Master’s affliction through the Bancheon Alliance’s information network, how can I trust that this is truly a cure?]
“Because I know the source of this disease,” I stated calmly.
[What do you mean?]
“I mean the Sect Leader received a visitor from an ancient Western sorcerer in the past. You refused his proposal but were cursed as a result, and that curse was directed at your kin, the Young Master. Despite your attempts to mitigate and weaken that curse, you ultimately couldn’t prevent the disease from manifesting,” I explained.
[……]
“The curse was intended to implant the terminal of the [Old Ruler] within. The powerful energy from that terminal has inflicted the disease, and should the Young Master fall under its influence, she could become the vessel of the [Old Ruler]. Thus, to heal her, we must suppress the terminal with a potent elixir. Unfortunately, the Sacred Lotus you cultivate has lost its effectiveness.”
I pointed to the Black and White Lotus. “However, the Black and White Lotus is the original form, infused with the divine power from the enhancement bestowed by the Three Sovereigns and the sage of healing. Consuming this will significantly restore the Young Master’s health.”
The Sect Leader paused, contemplating. [Oh…]
After a moment of silence, he lifted his mask to fixate his gaze on me. [Baek Woong… what on earth are you? How do you know my secrets so well and have such insight into the mysteries of the [Old Ruler] as if you’ve been searching for decades?]
“I told you, I am the shadow of the Bancheon Alliance. Shadows are capable of many things,” I responded with a smirk, and the Sect Leader asked,
[So what is it you seek from us? If this truly is a solution to the disease, you must be expecting a great reward.]
Tension hung thick in the air; this was a critical juncture indeed. The Sect Leader would likely listen to anything I had to say. I replied, “I have no interest in petty gains from the White Lotus Sect. You know better than anyone that this is not the time for such matters. I merely wish to ensure that by consuming the Black and White Lotus, we can block the [Old Ruler]’s advance for good and forge an alliance to ensure the White Lotus Sect does not stand against us in the future.”
The Master of the White Lotus Sect seemed taken aback. [Is that really all?]
“Sect Leader, are you not aware that humanity stands on the brink of destruction?” I gazed upward as I continued. “Now is not the time for us to squabble among ourselves. We need to unite and find a way to survive against the encroaching darkness.”
[……!!]
The Sect Leader appeared visibly shaken, bending slightly at the waist. Beside him, Dokgo Jun crossed his arms, chiming in. [And what if the Black and White Lotus is a counterfeit, and you’re plotting to poison the Young Master?]
“If that were the case, why would we have shown up in person? We would have sent a mere messenger. Besides, what good would poisoning the Young Master do in this dire situation?” I retorted.
[……]
After a moment, the Master of the White Lotus Sect rose from his throne with a strained expression. [I will confirm if the disease is indeed curable, then decide our course of action.]
We all made our way towards the place where the Young Master was said to be healing. Entering the Heavenly Law Hall, I found her laid on a sacred Purple Bamboo, her body swathed in it. Half of her form resembled that of an Otherworldly Race, and she appeared unconscious.
I quickly noticed something was different in the Heavenly Law Hall compared to before. Thousands of Vajras surrounded the sacred Purple Bamboo in a circular formation, each exuding a mystical aura. Mangnyang, who had followed, marveled at the scene. “Incredible. You erected a barrier utilizing the power of the King of Hell to bolster the Yin energy, didn’t you…”
The Master of the White Lotus Sect, glancing back at us, remarked, [The Bancheon Leader is quite the sorcerer. Did you discern the essence of this formation at first glance?]
“Sect Leader, you’re astounding. Did you accumulate this level of sorcery alongside your world-class martial skill? Even for the notoriously formidable ancient secret techniques…”
[……]
While he offered no immediate response, it seemed the Sect Leader had indeed added additional barriers to combat the worsening disease amid the disruption of the Yin and Yang. Subsequently, he administered the Black and White Lotus to the Young Master, and moments later, her body began to twitch.
Sssss…
The Otherworldly features that clung to her gradually began to fade away. Soon after, they vanished completely, revealing the Young Master restored to her human form. Once she regained consciousness and propped herself up with a bewildered expression, the Master of the White Lotus Sect spoke with a trembling voice.
[Are you alright?]
“Father! My body…!!”
The Young Master rejoiced upon realizing her health had returned. I released a sigh of relief at the sight.
‘Phew, thank goodness…’
This felt like a gamble, after all. In a world where Evil Spirits could run rampant, the [Eternity’s Fetus] could conceivably struggle to assert its influence. In that scenario, the purifying capability of the Black and White Lotus would be rendered nearly useless.
Yet it seemed, as Zhuge Sa suggested, that wasn’t the case. I fetched Zhuge Sa’s advice from my memory.
[The entity that possessed the Young Master will likely refrain from meddling in this chaos.]
[What makes you so certain?]
[Under usual circumstances, perhaps. However, if the Evil Spirit achieved complete cause and effect and descended, they’d likely risk being struck by their own downfall. As you witnessed, they aren’t one to discriminate when wreaking havoc.]
[That’s true.]
[Aiming for some foolish greed could easily backfire, so they’d be unlikely to intervene here.]
Zhuge Sa’s words rang true. The ability of the Black and White Lotus to quietly withhold the terminal was proof the [Eternity’s Fetus] had no intent to intrude upon this world. Nonetheless, eliminating one pathway for the [Old Ruler] to descend was significant.
Once the Young Master was completely healed, the Master of the White Lotus Sect suddenly bowed deeply to me.
[You, Dokgo Uncheon. I owe you my sincerest gratitude.]
“Sect Leader!”
Cheon Woo-jin was taken aback. It seemed all the Dharma Protectors were equally shocked. No matter how much they appreciated the favor, seeing an authority figure of the White Lotus Sect bowing to a mere shadow of the Bancheon Alliance was unprecedented. Yet the Master of the White Lotus Sect continued, unfazed.
[The White Lotus Sect shall henceforth be an unwavering ally of the Bancheon Alliance, I swear it in my name, Dokgo Uncheon of the White Lotus Sect. I will also provide full support for your endeavors.]
“……!!”
Such a favor was nearly unheard of from the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Given his nature as a cunning individual, I expected he’d measure the situation delicately, but his words revealed he genuinely trusted me.
I smirked in response. “No need to mention it…”
Just then, a master from the Elder Council rushed in, bowing to the Sect Leader.
“Sect Leader! We have intruders!”
[What do you mean?]
“Three beggars stormed in, insisting they wanted to see the Sect Leader…”
[Did the Elder Council not intervene?]
In response to the Master’s question, I heard an unexpected reply.
“That… seems highly unlikely.”
[……]
“Quickly, respond to them…”
The hall was buzzing with murmurs. The Elder Council was a formidable group consisting of dozens of peak experts, akin to a personal guard to the Sect Leader, possessing immense power that even the Dharma Protectors would be cautious of. For three individuals to attempt to overwhelm them was absurd!
Kugung!
“Ugh!”
At that moment, screams echoed as the First Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder were flung inside. They appeared disoriented, as if they’d been struck by something, and notably the Third Elder seemed to have been beaten to the point of frothing at the mouth.
“What’s with blocking the entrance like that…”
“Ugh! You scoundrel!!”
A master of Half-Transition, the First Elder twisted his body to retaliate with a surge of power, but just then, a young master swung a club at him with terrifying force.
Kugugung!
“Ugh… this… you scoundrel… urgh!”
Unlike expected, the First Elder was caught off guard by the young expert’s sudden appearance and could not handle the force, ultimately being sent flying. I felt dumbfounded.
‘What? The power of the First Elder is being overwhelmed?!’
That was ridiculous! If a master of Half-Transition was that incomprehensibly strong, it defied all rational thought. Eventually, as the Elder Council members lay scattered, the mysterious figure turned their gaze toward the Master of the White Lotus Sect.
“Heh, it’s been a while, Uncheon. And look who’s here, Cheong-un.”
As soon as the Master of the White Lotus Sect and Lee Cheong-un focused on the enigmatic individual, the figure’s attire was that of a beggar, flanked by two other young individuals in similar clothing. Yet, I recognized this figure; I had seen them before.
The Master of the White Lotus Sect shot a glance at the figure’s face and spoke, [What brings you to my domain, wandering the world as if you own it?]
“Quite the question, indeed.” The figure retorted with a playful tone. “Well, I wouldn’t exactly say I was looking for trouble with you, Uncheon. We’ve just had another little chat recently, Cheong-un…”
[Then why cause a row here? You, Geol-seon.]
Indeed, the figure who revealed themselves was one of the Three Great Masters, Geol-seon! He was a prominent figure within the orthodox sect, known for his temperament, and known as the master of Gu Ik-hwan, the current Heavenly Dragon’s Envoy. It was said that Geol-seon rarely made an appearance in the world, yet his fame resonated throughout the martial world.
I recalled my last encounter with him, during which I witnessed the camaraderie between Lee Cheong-un and Geol-seon first-hand.
‘Wait… How did Geol-seon become this strong?!’
It wasn’t surprising that the Master of the White Lotus Sect knew Geol-seon, but what astonished me was that Geol-seon could stroll into the White Lotus Sect, clearing out the Elder Council with just two disciples. Moreover, he had done so without sustaining any injuries, showcasing overwhelming strength.
As I gawked at him in disbelief, our eyes met.
Geol-seon grinned, though his smile felt ominous.
“Heh, all thanks to that friend over there.”
[What do you mean?]
“We’ve been waiting for a long time, you see… and that friend has made a splendid opportunity for us. I simply couldn’t resist the urge to hear what the organizer behind this chaos has to say.”
As Geol-seon babbled on, he took a confident step forward and declared, “We wish to talk with Baek Woong. Everyone else can leave.”
Lee Cheong-un exclaimed, incredulous, “What do you mean by ‘we’? Who are you referring to?”
“……”
Geol-seon simply smiled in response.
Disbelieving, Lee Cheong-un sighed. “Geol-seon, you’re being overly reckless. Do you think you and your two disciples can take on everyone here?”
“Ha? These aren’t disciples at all. Just a fragment of my power.”
Swirling magic exploded around Geol-seon, transforming his two companions into mist that absorbed back into him! The astounding scene left everyone aghast—human forms morphing into smoke and melding into him?
While shock rippled through the gathered crowd, Geol-seon raised his hand.
“… ‘we’ are here now.”
Sssss…
Emerging behind Geol-seon were unidentified figures, seven in total, each embodying a human form yet exuding an unmeasurable presence. Be they martial artists or sorcerers, gauging their capabilities was nigh impossible.
The Master of the White Lotus Sect, recognizing the peculiar atmosphere, asked, [Who are you?]
“Hehe. Uncheon! How could you not know who we are? But, let’s properly introduce ourselves.”
Geol-seon grinned, “We are the will and part of the Eight Parts of the Divine. I am known as Gendapa.”