NOVEL NEXT Chapter 590
Chapter 590 – Dark Heaven Village
We arrived at a place near Guangdong Province. In this mountain region overlooking Guangdong, there was a secret stronghold of the Bancheon Alliance, sheltering many survivors. Not long ago, Guangdong had been ravaged by the Nine Lotus Sect’s attack, leaving the city in ruins and countless dead.
‘How many people must have died?’
At least tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, slaughtered or offered as human sacrifices. Knowing such a horrific situation made me sigh, but this was not the time for worries. As we entered the secret base, a figure wearing a bamboo hat awaited us.
Upon seeing me, the man with the hat visibly trembled as if in shock.
“Y-You’re exactly the same as before.”
“……?”
He then bowed low, showing his respect.
“Your Excellency! Sukha Yeon Jong-hwi greets you.”
“Gah!”
I was taken aback by the mention of Yeon Jong-hwi?!
But as he removed his hat, revealing the face of an older man, my surprise deepened. The passage of time was evident, yet his former visage was unmistakably intact. He had once been quite the handsome man, and even in aging, that impression lingered.
Tears streamed down Yeon Jong-hwi’s face as he spoke.
“Your Excellency. It’s been over fifty years… so long… During all this time, I’ve faithfully completed every mission.”
“Mission? What do you mean?”
“I received orders from Zhuge Sa. The command was to find traces of the Ten Great Masters of the World.”
What?!
This was the first I had heard of it. When I glanced back at Zhuge Sa, he said nonchalantly,
“At that time, Yeon Jong-hwi was too valuable to be unleashed fully, yet I couldn’t just keep him idle. So, I made use of his anonymity and employed him as an informant to gather intelligence on the Jianghu’s happenings, while also digging up information on the Ten Great Masters.”
“Why didn’t you let me know?”
“If you knew about Yeon Jong-hwi’s activities, needless worry would have plagued you. Knowing your personality, you would have rushed to his aid at the first sign of danger, which would only be a hindrance.”
“……”
“Yeon Jong-hwi was extremely capable. The quality and quantity of information obtained depend on the skill level of the informant, and he executed nearly every mission perfectly over the last fifty years. There wouldn’t have been anyone more skilled than Yeon Jong-hwi in the martial arts world.”
Yeon Jong-hwi wiped his tears, replying,
“Thank you for the praise.”
So that’s how it was.
I slowly began to understand the situation, nodding my head. Then, I posed a question to Yeon Jong-hwi.
“What do you mean by information about the Ten Great Masters of the World?”
“That refers to the information regarding them during the time you lived your ‘first life.’”
“Hmm.”
“Zhuge Sa predicted that regardless of historical flow, any expert capable of claiming a seat among the Ten Great Masters would eventually stand out over time. But just to be safe, he told me to gather all available information from Jianghu and search for clues about them. For fifty years, I have used every means to uncover their identities.”
“……!!”
Glancing at Zhuge Sa, who nodded slightly as if to give permission, Yeon Jong-hwi continued.
“I mainly gathered information about Kwon Sung, Cheonma, and Dokwang. The other seven, you seemed to know their identities or names, but for these three, you had little to no knowledge apart from their titles.”
“That’s true.”
“As a result, I managed to ascertain their names and sect affiliations to some extent.”
“Really?!”
This was indeed a major breakthrough!
As excitement bubbled within me, Yeon Jong-hwi continued.
“Kwon Sung is Li Hun from Goryeo.”
“Is he by chance from the Twelve Joules?”
“No. He appears to have attained mastery in martial arts independently. Currently, his whereabouts are unknown. His skills are undoubtedly superior to those of most subordinates. Whether he reached the Absolute Realm remains uncertain.”
“Hmm.”
I nodded thoughtfully. I had to commit this information to memory.
“Cheonma is believed to be currently fighting against the Nine Lotus Sect alone.”
“Alone?”
I asked, bewildered by the idea, to which Yeon Jong-hwi explained.
“Strangely, all forms of sorcery and magic deployed by the Nine Lotus Sect have no effect on Cheonma. In fact, it’s reported that each time he kills a member of the Nine Lotus Sect, his strength increases. He even… devoured a bishop to defeat him.”
“Devoured?”
“Rumors suggest that no kind of demon magic affects him.”
“Who on earth is that person?”
“Attempts to uncover his identity proved fruitless, the only solid fact being that his surname is Gongsun.”
“……”
“His ability is certainly at the Absolute Realm. I witnessed it from afar, and it was incredibly potent.”
The more I learned about Cheonma, the more of a puzzle he seemed. Perhaps it would be wise to uncover his identity later.
“Lastly, Dokwang, Tang San. He’s in his late fifties now and is a formidable figure. Like Cheonma, he operates independently, so his current whereabouts are ambiguous.”
In his fifties, would he have been a child or newly born around the time of my previous life?
Yeon Jong-hwi hesitated before speaking.
“He’s the greatest genius in the history of the Sichuan Tang Clan. He mastered the legendary secret technique, Mantaekhwa, and freely uses the Formless Poison, earning the title of Dokwang. Tang San annihilated tens of thousands of Nine Lotus Sect fanatics using Formless Poison in Sichuan.”
“Gah…!!”
Annihilating tens of thousands of fanatic demon beasts! To counter that many fanatics, even an army would struggle. Having experienced their sheer force firsthand, I couldn’t help but be awed by the numbers.
‘And Formless Poison…’
When I visited Tang Mugyeok, the clan leader, I heard information about Formless Poison while uncovering intelligence on Dongbang Mu-gyeol.
[It’s impossible with conventional poisons. Unlike other toxins, curse poison lacks material mediums or pathogens; therefore, it’s generally infeasible to create. But there exists a poison that can sever even the causal links of sorcery.]
[Formless Poison! The theoretically strongest poison.]
[That’s merely the extent of its existence. In our Sichuan Tang Clan, as well as at Wan Poison Gate or Forgotten Soul Valley, no one has historically produced Formless Poison. We merely strive towards the ultimate realm.]
[The principle of Formless Poison lies in the ability to dismantle the most fundamental links that exist within all things. It’s a given that toxic materials can be countered by other substances. However, if a poison exists that can exist without any material, then no means could ever create an antidote or defense against it.]
[Hehe. Thus, when honing poison arts, one feels almost as if dreaming. It parallels the martial artists’ pursuit of the ultimate in martial arts.]
“……”
According to Tang Mugyeok, no one in history has ever achieved Formless Poison. This is because Formless Poison transcends physical links and can destroy the ‘concept’ itself. It presents a contradiction that cannot be realized by human effort – yet, the future Ten Great Master, Dokwang Tang San, seemed to have surpassed that limit.
Afterward, I listened to more stories about the other Ten Great Masters from Yeon Jong-hwi. I already knew about the others, and regarding the Three Great Masters of the Orthodox Sect, aside from Shin Seung, the rest had gone missing.
Yeon Jong-hwi was a part of the Eight Parts of the Divine, and the Old Sage of Mount Tai was Zhuge Yulong, which made perfect sense.
After pondering, I said,
“I must meet with Cheonma and Dokwang.”
“Ha ha. If you had shown up a few nights earlier, I’d have recommended it right away.”
Zhuge Sa suddenly burst into laughter.
“But now, with less than two days until the Nine Lotus Bishop conducts the Evil Spirit Descent Ceremony, where would we find the time for that?”
“Damn…”
Just as I frowned, Jin So-cheong, who had been listening, spoke up.
“I can summon Dokwang Tang San.”
“Hmm?!”
“I owe him a favor from our past battle against the Nine Lotus Sect. If I use a marker, I can summon him in half a day.”
“Hmm… Then it’s worth a shot.”
In an instant, I took Jin So-cheong and moved with lightning speed to the area he mentioned near Sichuan Province. Upon arriving in the tranquil mountain area, Jin So-cheong carved what appeared to be a marker onto a large tree. Approximately two time intervals later, when we returned to that spot, someone stood beneath the tree.
The young man standing there wore an easy smile and looked at us saying,
“To think the Divine Spear Jin So-cheong would come looking for me, how intriguing. Even someone like you, a Fighting Spirit, seeks help from others?”
Jin So-cheong stepped forward and addressed him.
“Dokwang! Guangdong has fallen to the Nine Lotus Bishop.”
“……”
“When the Nine Lotus Bishop performs the Evil Spirit Descent Ceremony in Luoyang, all human life will be extinguished. I need your help.”
“That means you were defeated by the Nine Lotus Bishop as well?”
When Jin So-cheong hesitantly nodded, Dokwang Tang San shrugged.
“Well, then I’ll give up. If you can’t defeat such a monster, how could I?”
“He will be defenseless during the ceremony. What we need to breach is the bishops of the Nine Lotus Sect.”
“Ha ha ha! That isn’t entirely impossible, but… it’s still pretty much impossible.”
“With your strength, we will find a way.”
“……”
Dokwang Tang San seemed to be deep in thought for a moment before finally speaking.
“What’s with the ugly fellow standing there?”
I assumed he was referring to me.
Jin So-cheong lightly responded to Dokwang’s question,
“He’s the one who has greatly helped me to become this strong. If he joins us, perhaps you can even reach my level.”
“Ha ha ha! Are you being obvious in your baiting?”
“I’m not speaking falsely.”
“Fine… Let’s introduce ourselves, shall we?”
As Dokwang directed his attention towards me, I bowed respectfully and said,
“I am Baek Woong.”
“Very well, what relationship do you have with the Bancheon Alliance and Jin So-cheong?”
“We are partners striving for a common goal.”
I couldn’t help but feel that Dokwang Tang San seemed rather unpleasant, yet I recognized this opportunity to utilize his skills. Thus, I took out the obsidian from my pocket and presented it to him.
“Receiving this will clarify its significance.”
“Sorry, but I’ll decline.”
Tang San smirked and waved his hand dismissively.
“Ever since the Nine Lotus Sect emerged, their sorcery has been rampant in this world. You think I’d accept something suspicious like this?”
“Hmm…”
At that moment,
Crash!
“Ugh.”
In an instant, Jin So-cheong rushed forward to attack Tang San, who quickly countered. Watching as Tang San unleashed the Ultimate Technique of the Tang Clan – the Mind Control Technique, I recognized he was another expert at the Absolute Realm.
But to my amazement, Jin So-cheong quickly forced Tang San into a submissive position. Within just a brief fifteen seconds, Tang San was brought to his knees, overwhelmed.
Crash!
“Damn! What the hell is happening?”
Tang San bellowed, frustration evident, but Jin So-cheong remained silent as he seized the obsidian from my hand and placed it in Tang San’s grasp. He then looked at me, commanding,
“……”
Seeing Tang San, an incredibly capable individual, subdued so swiftly was shocking! I couldn’t even guess what Jin So-cheong’s abilities would be fifty years from now. After relaying my memories, Tang San trembled and looked at me with a bewildered expression.
“What… a reborn person… such a thing…”
“Apologies for forcibly conveying this, but the situation is urgent, and I need your assistance.”
I continued,
“Please share all information about the Formless Poison.”
“Hmm…”
Tang San appeared to be wearing a deep smile. After pondering for a moment, he spoke.
“Alright. If you’re trying to save humanity, helping you wouldn’t be an issue. And since you’re a reborn person, it’s pointless for me to refuse. However, there are a few conditions for sharing the secrets of the Formless Poison.”
“What conditions?”
“First, take in my younger self and teach me the Seven Great Techniques and Eight Immortal Divine Art. And…”
I felt utterly flabbergasted at the next condition.
“Kill the One-Handed Demon, Tang Mugyeok, and his wife, along with their children. Wipe out all the masters from the internal Tang Clan.”
“……”
The One-Handed Demon, Tang Mugyeok, was the former leader of the Tang Clan and highly renowned as a Peak Master during the timeframe of my previous life. I had no particular grudge against him, yet suddenly being given a death order was beyond comprehension!
Additionally, to demand the deaths of all masters from the Tang Clan is essentially asking me to destroy them entirely!
Just as I was taken aback by his outrageous proposal, Tang San spoke up.
“Back down if you dislike the terms. Regardless, I will accomplish what I just said by the time I hit my twenties anyway.”
Hearing this, Yeon Jong-hwi, who stood nearby, gasped in shock.
“C-Could it be that… fifty years ago, the Tang Clan’s masters were found dead in that incident?”
“Precisely. I did it. I severed all of the Tang Clan’s lives.”
“……”
The genius known as the Dokwang held such a desperate grudge towards his blood relations?
As I was lost in thought, Zhuge Sa spoke nonchalantly.
“Baek Woong. Just grant the request.”
“What?!”
“Is it really that big a deal to bring down the Tang Clan? Compared to the Formless Poison, it’s trivial. So just agree.”
Is this the right thing to do?
Yet I understood that acquiring the power of the Formless Poison was too crucial. If this poison could eliminate concepts in their entirety, it would undoubtedly be invaluable in the future. Realizing this, I reluctantly nodded.
“I understand.”
“Ha ha… Good.”
A short while later, Tang San, after being released from Jin So-cheong’s hold, began explaining the secrets and principles of Formless Poison to me. For about an hour, I absorbed the information alongside everyone else, and when he finished, Tang San said,
“Well then, whether you like it or not, it’s almost time to go, right?”
As I witnessed Tang San quickly accept the situation, I realized he too, as a future master, understood the larger picture. Regardless of the internal strife, he was destined to dominate the martial arts world. I inwardly thought,
‘As Dokwang stated, recklessly slaughtering would be unwise.’
I suppose I need to learn more about Tang Mugyeok and the Tang Clan.
“Oh, right.”
Before taking action, I decided to visit the prophet first.
Crash!
“Not here…”
Has the prophet also changed their location?
The original Astana was completely empty, with bitter winds blowing through the area.
Eventually, when I returned from Astana, we all used the Golden Lamp Technique to travel to near Luoyang.
Crash!
“Ugh.”
As soon as we arrived near the villages of Luoyang, a powerful wave of Evil Qi hit me, making my skin crawl. It felt as though I had stepped into a demon beast’s lair, with a thick layer of bloody shadows swirling, and unrecognizable figures slithering about. From the ground, demon beasts resembling plants breathed life, growing in abundance.
It was as if I had entered the sea of death at Aokigahara. This was clear evidence that this place had transformed into a realm of demons. There weren’t any signs of living humans, only the maddening silence that spread around.
“It seems that escape from the bishop’s detection lies within this boundary.”
Zhuge Sa muttered to himself.
“Baek Woong. Use the Palace Examination Technique to investigate within Luoyang.”
“Got it.”
Swoosh—
I activated the Palace Examination Technique and focused my gaze inside. I sensed six powerful auras lurking, and at the center of Luoyang stood a massive altar reminiscent of the one the Master of the White Lotus Sect had once built. Atop the altar, divine beings were skewered like shish kebabs, creating a macabre spectacle, and a few were even women suffering indignities.
Additionally, beneath the altar, grotesque scenes of demon beasts roasting or frying humans played out, alongside scenes of people being tied by tentacles to lay eggs. The visual assault alone could drain any human’s mental strength.
But even more striking was the figure atop the altar.
Clad in a Black Robe, this being’s power radiated more than any other! Perhaps even greater than all the bishops combined! That being seemed far beyond any apostle or demon king’s reach.
‘That must be the Nine Lotus Bishop.’
Could they indeed be considered the closest being to a god among mortals?
Incredible chaos exuded from this figure, rendering me unable to discern if this was indeed a human or a divine being. As my eyes grew painful, I ceased using the Palace Examination Technique to observe.
Then I spoke,
“He seems to be deeply focused on something. It’s accurate to say he is in a deep trance.”
“Great, then we should attack.”
Zhuge Sa ordered me.
“Baek Woong. Now is the time to utilize the power of the Tower of Muwang.”