NOVEL NEXT Chapter 711
Chapter 7: The Dark Heaven Village
“Cheon Woo-jin is on the moon?”
I hesitated, staring at the moon floating in the night sky. “Are you talking about that moon?”
[Indeed, Baek Woong.]
“That’s ridiculous… No humans can reach that place.”
The reason I was flustered wasn’t just random. While learning the demonic knowledge from the Zhuge Clan, I realized that this world’s geography and physics are far grander than what we currently understand. I also discovered that the distance from our celestial body to the moon was extraordinary—so vast that it would take thirty of our planets stacked side by side to reach it. I would have to travel hundreds of thousands of times the distance I covered going from the Central Plains to the Western Regions and the British Empire, and with the vacuum of space in between, it was utterly impossible to jump there. No device capable of flying such a distance could be invented with humanity’s current level of technology.
Then Mangnyang spoke.
[In physical terms, that’s true. Current science and mathematics would need hundreds of years more development to even attempt it.]
“So you’re saying Cheon Woo-jin got there?”
[My disciple used sorcery to travel there. With his level, it is entirely feasible. Traveling physical distance doesn’t have to be done through physical means.]
“Hmm.”
I couldn’t help but ponder. What level of skill must one possess to pierce through such an immense distance to arrive at the moon? I, who couldn’t even properly use intermediate sorcery, couldn’t even begin to imagine. Shaking my head to gather my thoughts, I asked, “Then why did Cheon Woo-jin go there after the Divine City decisive battle? Why did the Zhuge Clan send him on that task?”
[The moon is an extraordinarily suspicious place.]
“Hmm?”
[As you’ve learned demonic knowledge, you’d know that the moon is a celestial body formed by astronomical probabilities. The reason life can breathe properly on this planet is partly thanks to the moon blocking various external comets and harmful celestial bodies. Such odds are virtually impossible.]
“……?”
[Mangnyang continued,]
[From ancient times, the moon has been regarded as a symbol of supernatural importance… It became the source of all sorcery.]
“Mangnyang,” I recalled.
[Your Excellency. The Queen Mother of the West is indeed the greatest traitor of the Celestial Realm, having obliterated the Three Pure Ones. Moreover, she is accused of devouring countless innocent immortals. I can vouch for this with my honor.]
[I know!]
[Since ancient times, I’ve known this from seeking the altar of immortality in her palace. Yet, I still follow the Queen Mother!]
[The Queen Mother promised to return the amphora to me after all is said and done. There’s no way she’d just let you go.]
[Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens. I know you speak of justice; only by your words can the Celestial Realm and Human Realm coexist. Yet… my wife is more precious!!]
I recalled the time I almost died, storming the Celestial Mountain with the Heavenly Mysterious Woman and Son Goku to thwart the Queen Mother’s scheme to exterminate humanity. The one who stood in our way was the sorcerer, Ye, who, despite the Heavenly Mysterious Woman’s persuasion, refused to budge. He claimed to already know of the Queen Mother’s plot, but he joined her to save his wife. Because of that, Son Goku got injured unnecessarily, complicating our plan. Remembering that, I calmly spoke to Mangnyang, “That was then… But why’s the Moon Palace Vessel so important that they sent Cheon Woo-jin all the way to the moon to uncover it?”
[The Moon Palace Vessel. She is Ye’s wife, but she has yet another identity.]
“What identity is that?”
[When she was in the Celestial Realm, she was known as the “Lord of the Lunar Star,” and she held a rank so high that she wouldn’t bow her head to anyone but the Three Pure Ones. Despite her limited sorcery, this was due to her noble bloodline.]
When I sifted through my Taoist knowledge, it struck me. “…Jeogok!!”
[Exactly.]
Mangnyang’s eyes sparked with light.
“……!!”
Jeogok of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors! Known for wielding various divine statuses and governing birds while defending the East, he was one of the Three Sovereigns. Although he seldom revealed himself, his might must be staggering. And considering that Jeon Wook, the grandson of the Three Sovereigns, is already at the Great Immortal Level, the significance of an amphora belonging to someone of more exalted rank speaks for itself.
I took a breath to calm my shock. “So… you mean they sent Cheon Woo-jin to find the Moon Palace Vessel to recruit her?”
[No. What would we do bringing someone of her caliber to join us in a world that’s embroiled in a battle against the Three Sovereigns? Besides, being from the bloodline of the Three Sovereigns, she’s bound to side with them.]
“Then…”
[Think carefully… she is Jeogok’s daughter.]
“……”
I racked my brain, but I still couldn’t grasp what Mangnyang was thinking. While I was struggling, Seo Mun-hye, who had been listening beside me, seemed to catch on and spoke up.
“The Three Sovereigns wouldn’t abandon their kin, so the fact that she’s being imprisoned in the Palace of the Moon indicates a connection to Jeogok.”
[Right.]
Mangnyang nodded.
[The legendary Palace of the Moon is said to be on the moon. And from what we gather, each of the Three Sovereigns has their own otherworldly realm, like the Imperial Palace or the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace. So if… ]
I finally grasped the implications of Mangnyang’s words. “You mean the moon itself is Jeogok’s Imperial Palace?”
[That’s what my uncle believed. The Three Sovereigns effectively created their own Imperial Palace, covering an entire star with it.]
“Hmm…!!”
[Jeogok’s Imperial Palace is known as the Banwang Hall. And among our companions, only the Priest has the ability to explore Banwang Hall fully, which is why we entrusted him with the search mission for the moon.]
It was jaw-dropping. The moon being Jeogok’s Imperial Palace! I had no idea how far ahead the strategists were in their thinking. While I was just gathering information, they had seen far beyond. I would’ve needed to die at least ten more times to arrive at such a conclusion.
‘Thank goodness.’
I genuinely felt lucky to have met Mangnyang and the Zhuge Clan. Their teamwork had definitely saved countless hours compared to me working alone. While I was inwardly relieved, Mangnyang continued speaking.
[Please step outside, Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens.]
*Pa-at!*
The moment Mangnyang finished speaking, the spirit of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman appeared behind me. She had been accompanying me all this time, cloaked in invisibility in the dimension. As soon as she was summoned here, she spoke to Mangnyang.
[Impressive. For a mere human, you’ve made it all the way to the depths of the Underworld to seize the Solar King’s luminous mirror, discovering the truths of Banwang Hall and the Underworld?]
Mangnyang bowed respectfully.
[It wasn’t my doing alone; it was all thanks to Baek Woong and the companions. And I believe you will help us from now on, Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens.]
[……]
In a flash, an intense emotion flashed across Mangnyang’s otherwise calm face.
[Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens, you are a great divine being who has observed the history of the Central Plains from the ancient era to the present. You must know all the secrets of the mythical realm we are trying to uncover. Why have you sat idly by, watching the Three Sovereigns manipulate the cycle of life and death in this world at will? Such irresponsibility.]
[……]
[This world has long since turned into a living hell, devoid of even a shred of hope for humanity. Do you not feel any guilt?]
I was startled and glared at Mangnyang.
“M-Mangnyang!”
Could it be that he was openly criticizing the Heavenly Mysterious Woman? A person who once protected the essence of Taoism and pursued justice would never dare to condemn a being at the pinnacle of the Taoist hierarchy like her. Yet, Mangnyang looked uncharacteristically furious, his gaze filled with resolve. His upright heart was likely stirred by the dismal truth of the mythical realm.
The Heavenly Mysterious Woman sighed and finally responded.
[No matter how much you criticize me, I have no words to retort. As you’ve said, I could only observe everything. Watching as the Three Sovereigns manipulated everything freely…]
[You succumbed to the mighty powers of the Three Sovereigns?]
[… Not exactly. It was because of a promise made by ‘that person.’]
[What promise?]
[I cannot disclose yet.]
The Heavenly Mysterious Woman continued.
[I have been focusing on maintaining the lifeblood of humanity while minimizing their transgressions. I have always felt pain over how things have come to this point.]
Mangnyang didn’t respond much—he only maintained a cold expression. He stared at the Heavenly Mysterious Woman for a moment before speaking with resolve.
[Heavenly Mysterious Woman, do not betray Baek Woong. If you do, you will surely regret it.]
[Understood.]
Having casually extracted that promise from the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, Mangnyang turned his gaze toward me.
[Baek Woong. If the Priest can find the entrance to Banwang Hall and locate the Moon Palace Vessel, we will have already uncovered two of the Three Sovereigns’ strongholds.]
“Hmm.”
[We must uncover all the strongholds of the Three Sovereigns soon. Only then can we obliterate them all at once one day.]
Obliterate them all!
“I’m… not so sure.”
Hearing that made me feel slightly unreal. Even with all the strength of our party combined, we couldn’t handle even one of the Three Sovereigns, so what was the point of merely uncovering their strongholds? As I made a face full of powerlessness, Mangnyang chuckled.
[Baek Woong, you underestimate yourself too much. Though your strength may not have grown much, you’ve achieved a significant amount so far. I can assure you, take heart!]
“Thank you.”
[I’m sure that this life, we will accomplish something. Whatever it may be.]
With a tone filled with certainty, Mangnyang continued.
[Receiving the Heavenly Mysterious Woman’s help will allow us to reach the moon. Once we find the Priest there and return to the earth, you can contact me again.]
*Pa-at!*
Once Mangnyang finished speaking, he vanished. The surrounding dark void dissipated, returning to Lake Yonam as it originally was. Turning to the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, who had appeared beside me, I asked,
“Heavenly Mysterious Woman, do you have a way to reach the moon?”
[Yes. I will open a path with my sorcery right now.]
*Veee!*
As the Heavenly Mysterious Woman performed the Corpse Dissolution Technique, a shimmering silver path materialized. It was clear that just by taking a single step onto this path, I would reach the moon. While contemplating the versatility of the Corpse Dissolution Technique, I suddenly hesitated.
“Is it possible to use the Corpse Dissolution Technique to locate Cheon Woo-jin once we arrive at the moon?”
The Heavenly Mysterious Woman replied to my question.
[We can find him, but we must approach carefully. It’s best not to use sorcery if we can avoid it.]
“Why not?”
[As your companion Mangnyang suspected.]
The Heavenly Mysterious Woman’s gaze lingered on the distant moon.
The crescent moon in the sky shone with an eerie, blue light, as if harboring a hint of madness.
[That moon is Jeogok’s Banwang Hall. There, he can use his power without worrying about the law of cause and effect, so we must never draw attention to our presence.]
“……”
A chill ran through me at her words.
We were walking into a nightmare of an otherworldly realm where the Three Sovereigns could wield their powers freely.