NOVEL NEXT Chapter 705
Chapter 705: The Dark Heaven Village
As Seo Mun-hye stepped into the ruins, she knew she had entered a dark corridor adorned with mysterious ancient patterns. The long passageway, with a closed ceiling, stretched endlessly, revealing its nature less than an angle into her walk. However, as the path continued to shift, she soon realized she had stepped into a maze. A faint light emanated from the stone walls, granting her at least minimal visibility.
Being the successor of the Shadowless Gate, she was well-versed in various formation techniques and their countermeasures. Thus, she carefully examined whether this corridor was constructed according to the principles of the Eight Trigrams, but it did not seem to be the case. There was no malice embedded in this passage; rather, she felt a refreshing and pure aura flowing as she walked.
‘It doesn’t feel like a formation technique.’
Seo Mun-hye noticed that although the maze appeared complex, there were actually only one or two pathways, with a consistent direction. Additionally, she found it easy to backtrack and take a different route if she reached a dead end, realizing it was not meant to torment those who entered. And then, she grasped the true purpose of this maze.
The patterns inscribed on the walls and floor seemed to want to speak of ‘something.’
Thus, they were engaging those who inadvertently entered in the form of a maze.
… But what for?
However, since Mangnyang wasn’t present at the moment, she couldn’t properly explore the ruins with its ancient language. The language inscribed here was unfamiliar to her, forcing her to push forward to the end of the maze without a proper examination.
Step by step…
Emerging from the maze, she was greeted by a massive wall. Observing the wall, Seo Mun-hye muttered, “A mural?”
Indeed, the wall was etched with images. The size of this chamber was vast, and the many paintings seemed to depict an epic. Since they weren’t just text but pictures, Seo Mun-hye could make out some of the content and focused her attention on the engraved images.
The overall scene illustrated colossal waves battling against humans and a faceless entity descending from the heavens on a chariot of light.
‘Something about these pictures doesn’t add up…’
How peculiar that the contents of dozens of images seemed to not connect. Additionally, a blank space remained at the very end. While it appeared to signify a myth, Seo Mun-hye could not grasp the intricate details and instead relied on her memory to remember the murals.
She noticed a crystal emitting a bright blue light in the center of the mural and approached it.
“…….”
Just as she was about to touch the crystal, she hesitated and decided to survey the surroundings more. Still, this space seemed to be the end, a closed area only featuring the mural. With no exit in sight, she reluctantly placed her hand on the crystal.
Pa-at!!
Moments later, Seo Mun-hye found herself in an unknown mountain region.
‘So the crystal served as an exit, huh?’
Upon stepping out of the ruins, Seo Mun-hye checked where she stood and realized she was on the opposite side of the mountain. Therefore, she utilized her divine technique to return to where her party awaited.
The Sword Demon, upon hearing Seo Mun-hye’s story, remarked, “Indeed. So upon entering the ruins, you encountered corridors and the giant mural.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Yet it’s strange. The exit was provided by the blue crystal, yet why does the entrance remain unseen?”
They hadn’t entered through normal means but had been aided by Berus’s mystical sorcery. In other words, they still hadn’t found a proper entrance. However, since the exit was adequately established, they couldn’t help but suspect the intentions of those who left the ruins behind.
In response to the Sword Demon’s suspicion, Berus replied, “I’ve heard that the ancient giant gods originally possessed the ability to manipulate space at will. Being divine, such deeds were feasible, so I believe the one who left the ruins intentionally did not create a separate entrance.”
The Sword Demon frowned. “If they were giants or their descendants, one would naturally presume they possessed spatial manipulation abilities, wouldn’t they?”
“Perhaps so.”
“But then why create the blue crystal for the exit?”
“At the moment they entered the ruins, their lineage as giants was proven, so there’s no need for re-certification upon exit. It’s likely meant for convenience.”
It wasn’t without merit. This ‘Grave of the God’ could very well serve as a major clue, and it was clear that Seo Mun-hye could enter. However, the fact that only someone like Berus, a grand sorcerer, could unlock the entrance wasn’t the most favorable outcome.
Berus stated, “Fortunately, I had cast the sight-sharing technique on her beforehand, so I could get a rough idea of what the mural and patterns were about.”
“Do you know what the true content of that mural and patterns is?”
“Truthfully, I don’t know the particulars… but I believe it’s written in an ancient script. This script would be thousands of years old, regarded as a mystery in the demon path. Yet, I’m not familiar with Eastern interpretative methods.”
“Eastern, you say?”
“The giant gods split into Eastern and Western paths long ago. The specific reason is unknown, but thus, the Eastern and Western giants share a distant cousin-like relationship.”
“So you don’t know, then.”
“Correct.”
“Well, investigating such trivial details would be useless for me.”
The Sword Demon sighed, continuing his words. “What’s crucial now is a clue regarding the [Grave of the God]. We need a solution to the situation where clues are entwined with other clues.”
“… I believe the key lies in the mural.”
“The mural?”
Berus nodded. “The mural she saw seemed disjointed and chaotic. Moreover, it consisted of hundreds of stone slabs. That means…”
Hearing from the side, Tang San caught on and said, “It must be a puzzle.”
“What’s it called in Ming Dynasty language?” “Nonetheless… true.”
A puzzle.
In other words, a picture-matching game.
The Sword Demon quickly grasped the situation and turned to Seo Mun-hye. “Hyea.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Go back into the ruins and carefully inspect the seams of that mural. If it is indeed a puzzle, I’ll need you to restore the haphazardly scattered images.”
“Understood.”
At that moment, Berus, who had been listening, spoke with concern. “Wait!”
“What’s the matter?”
“I think even one slab that forms the mural will weigh significantly. Each one is as thick as a ledger and about the height of a regular person’s waist.”
“And?”
“It would require several strong men to move just one slab. As for aligning hundreds of slabs, it seems impossible for mere mortals.”
To move just a single slab aside would probably require an adult man to sweat profusely all day pushing it. This thought made the Sword Demon chuckle. “You need not worry about that. Hyea can manage it.”
“Well… then.”
Pa-at!
Berus sent Seo Mun-hye back into the inner ruins as worry engulfed him. Was it truly possible for that slender, white-haired woman to accomplish such a feat alone? But as he continued to share sight with her, he was astonished.
Boom!
“Gah!”
The moment Seo Mun-hye confirmed through the seams that the mural was indeed a puzzle, she effortlessly moved a few slabs into place, showing no signs of struggle. Rather than sweating, she merely flicked a finger, and a massive stone slab slid into position. Seeing Berus’ astonished expression, the Sword Demon regarded it as only natural.
Seo Mun-hye had consumed a spiritual pill and was an expert adept at freely wielding peak internal power. By enhancing her body with qi, she could display capabilities that transcended human limits, so this was nothing to her.
Crackle!
Seo Mun-hye concentrated, searching diligently to align the correct murals, and hesitated no longer as she began piecing them together. It was only after an entire half-moment that she completed the murals, and as she did, light erupted forth.
Pa-at!
Zing—
The light emanating from the mural shot toward the ceiling of the ruins. Upon once again exiting through the crystal, Seo Mun-hye noticed that the blue light had created a path of illumination in the void beyond. Looking at the light piercing through the mountain toward the sky, she returned to her party.
Berus remarked, “That light likely points toward the true location of the [Grave of the God].”
“Should we follow it?”
“Let’s go. We’re almost there.”
“Wait a moment.”
Though Berus urged, the Sword Demon suddenly glanced at Tang San nearby and said, “Tang San.”
“What is it?”
“I believe it’s time for you to part ways with us here.”
“……?”
As Tang San wore a puzzled expression, the Sword Demon continued, “There may be stronger guardians or otherworldly creatures at the Grave of the God. However, no matter how much of a genius you are, you’re still weak right now. You need more time to grow. Go find a suitable place to stay hidden and refine your martial arts.”
“… Thank you for saying so.”
“Then if we’re to meet again, let it be when we’re alive.”
“May your wishes come true.”
Tang San and the Sword Demon soon parted ways. Thoughtfully, the Sword Demon mused, ‘This should confirm things.’
And they began moving toward the blue light etched in the sky. The point where the light descended to the ground revealed a vast prairie, dotted with nomadic villages.
The Sword Demon muttered, “The boundary between the Central Plains and the northern tribes.”
In the northwestern part of Liaoning, although inhabited by nomadic peoples, the population density was considerably sparse. The Sword Demon reflected that had he lived normally, he would never have found himself in such a desolate place through decades of travel. While it certainly seemed a fitting location for ancient ruins, a tinge of suspicion lingered.
While this place was desolate, the northern tribes did wander about somewhat. Hence, wasn’t it strange that ruins thousands of years old had never been discovered? But as the brilliant blue light descended from the heavens, that question was immediately resolved.
Crackle…
Hehehe!
“What the…!!”
It was chaos. Nearby, the northern tribes and shepherds panicked, frantically pulling their reins in fear. The area around the falling blue light had transformed into an unrecognizable domain of dark chaos.
‘It seems we’ve strayed far from reality…’
That ‘chaos’, which resembled a vast pond or swamp, looked like an unfathomably deep whirlpool when peered into. Yet it was undoubtedly a structure, with stairs ascending into it.
Naturally, common northern tribesfolk would never dare venture into such a place unless driven mad. They seemed greatly disturbed by their patrol here. Moreover, some appeared to be engulfed in madness as well.
Berus appeared to be casting a translation sorcery on one of the nearby shepherds, speaking to him. Then he turned to the Sword Demon and said, “The point at which the blue light fell was precisely when we correctly aligned the puzzle of the mural.”
“Then this place is…”
“Yes. [Grave of the God].”
“……”
The act of correctly aligning the mural itself had been a catalyst to instantly open a path to the [Grave of the God]. This method made it possible for the entire structure to remain concealed underground for thousands of years without anyone knowing.
‘Is there perhaps some immense significance within the giant god mural? Something beyond my imagination…’
But that would be something to discover in another life. The Sword Demon firmly believed that Baek Woong would investigate that later and spoke with a stern face. “Let’s go.”
They entered the [Grave of the God] via the stairs. As they descended along the stairwell, they found themselves blocked halfway down. A sludgy darkness filled with tentacles surrounded them, resembling a hellish living nightmare.
Berus remarked, “Hmm. It seems the second layer of the abyss is blocking us… Shall I open it first?”
Bang!
As Berus summoned another fish, the sludgy chaos blocking the stairwell vanished. Rarely displaying excitement, Berus noted, “Somehow, now I’m intrigued to find out what lies at the end. Let’s go…”
Swoosh!
An unpleasant sound filled the air.
The dark blade sliced Berus’s neck off, and his head bobbed upward.
In an utterly incomprehensible turn of events, the Sword Demon remained calm like the expert he was.
He immediately entered a defensive stance, preparing to unleash all his mind control techniques. Simultaneously, he shouted at the top of his lungs, “Run, Hyea!”
Boom!
The mysterious assailant who had slain Berus dashed toward the Sword Demon, delivering a powerful strike.
‘Counterattack? Defense?’
No, this wasn’t something that could be endured.
I just have to avoid it!
Pa-at!
Utilizing all his strength, the Sword Demon dodged the attack. Despite how it seemed rough, he managed to evade it, avoiding being torn into countless pieces instantly. Moreover, it was challenging just to evade the attack, causing a sense of despair to wash over him.
Boom!
The chaotic realm behind him got shredded apart. Abyss or not, it felt as if that sword energy could tear through anything, and soon the overwhelming power sent hurricane-like winds swirling through the area.
‘How is this possible…’
An attack so fast and powerful as this felt unlike anything he had come across before. Even with the martial arts of Absolute Realm at his disposal, he couldn’t fathom whether he could withstand even a single thrust.
This was undoubtedly a force transcending humanity.
If the guardian of chaos were to confront the Great Master of the White Lotus Sect, would he feel this overwhelming sensation?
The Sword Demon could hardly conceive of defeating his opponent at this moment, and as this otherworldly powerful being made their entrance, his heart raced uncontrollably.
He felt the presence of the opponent’s feet in front of him, realizing they were intentionally allowing him to wait, even though they could strike him down with a single blow.
‘Could it be…’
With a hint of trepidation, the Sword Demon slowly lifted his gaze.
And upon recognizing the ‘enemy,’ his eyes widened in disbelief.
“Miyamoto Musashi…?”
The adversary standing before him was none other than Miyamoto Musashi.
Yet the reason for the Sword Demon’s incredulous tone was not merely the confusion over how Musashi could have risen from the dead. Beyond such matters, a far more instinctive question surged to mind as he took in Musashi’s appearance.
Crackle!
Miyamoto Musashi’s form was entirely enveloped in dark energy, emanating an aura akin to writhing tentacles of darkness. Moreover, his eyes bore a blood-red glow, and one arm resembled a mass of intertwining vegetation and had already lost its human shape. The only attributes he retained to identify him as Miyamoto Musashi were the remnants of his attire and his distinctive build.
Plot of writhing eyes protruded from various parts of his body, emitting shrill cries. Madness radiated from him, spreading like a curse, and just gazing upon Musashi drove the Sword Demon toward the brink of madness, as if undergoing involuntary mental corruption.
Is he still human?
Did this grotesquely moving ‘thing’ truly embody humanity?
In the face of his resurrection, questions fell short as he beheld such a ghastly visage.
Then [Musashi] uttered, in a strange voice, “Grab the sword…”
“……”
“Fight me.”
In that instant, the Sword Demon realized he had no choice but to give up on life.
To protect his daughter, he had to struggle as much as possible.
This moment marked the juncture of his final battlefield.
“I shall.”