NOVEL NEXT Chapter 799
Chapter 799: True Martial Home
Honestly, I had never really looked into ways to die. So, Zhuge Sa’s suggestion caught me off guard, but I soon realized it made a bizarre kind of sense. If I could simply die without the fear of getting captured, then challenging those absolute masters wouldn’t feel burdensome at all. However, I voiced my doubts to Zhuge Sa.
“Do I really need to study… like 21 ways to die?”
I held up the cursed vial Zhuge Sa had given me.
“I feel like just having this one would be enough. If I die cursed, who could possibly save me?”
“Hehe. You just haven’t grasped why I’ve spent half a year studying this.”
Zhuge Sa smirked sinisterly.
“Let’s say you used that vial to die from a curse. The Master of the Twelve Joules might be able to break that curse and revive you.”
“Ah….”
“Of course, I’m not sure if that guy has such sorcerous abilities, but based on his overall capabilities, it’s definitely possible. Plus, if he has the Wood Element nearby the Sacred Altar Tree, he might be able to use that insane recovery ability I’ve seen before.”
I hadn’t thought of that. I stood there dumbfounded for a moment before speaking up.
“Uh, what if I just concentrated my internal power into my head and smashed my Tianling Cap? It would hurt, but….”
The Tianling Cap!
Another name for the top of the skull, one of the most vital points of the human body. The reason I hadn’t considered different ways to commit suicide until now was that smashing my own Tianling Cap would undoubtedly be a fast and sure way to die. The problem was, according to the legacy passed down through the Hua Tuo Sect, the pain of destruction at that point would be several times worse than if you pressed a hundred needles into every inch of your skin, which is why I had never tried it.
Zhuge Sa chuckled.
“Sure. That’s the most common method of suicide among martial artists. If you smash your skull, even the best medical techniques won’t be able to save you. But….”
His eyes sharpened.
“What if there’s a technique that could bring you back the moment you die?”
“…….”
“If immediate revival is the premise, whether you smash your Tianling Cap or blow up your chakras doesn’t matter. In fact, sorcerers like me who wield ancient techniques might actually look forward to that.”
“T-That’s just wishful thinking. If I die, then…”
“Ah, right. We’ve been operating under that assumption until now. But if you think back, there were times when you received fatal injuries and lost consciousness only to come back to life. So, that risk is still present. Initially, it was always unclear what exactly your past life considered as ‘death’.”
Zhuge Sa continued.
“And, as you know, you can perform the Soul Exchange Technique. Moreover, you personally are compatible with it! Even if it’s not perfect, it works! Do you know why this is significant? Because in cases where you don’t have control over your physical form and are merely in a ‘spirit’ state, you wouldn’t definitively be classified as ‘dead’.”
“Ah….”
“You’ve switched bodies directly before, right? However, we’ve yet to experiment on what happens if the original owner of the body dies. And the outcome of the Soul Exchange Technique carries enormous implications… though Hyun likely won’t let you do this experiment due to morals.”
It was a convoluted conversation, but I could certainly understand the inherent risks. Then, as if to drive the point home, Zhuge Sa added,
“One more thing! This is only applicable in realms of absolute beings at the human level. If your opponent is on the level of a divine being or among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, things change significantly.”
“What?”
“Jeon Wook, the Sovereign of the Three Sovereigns, forbade death and the journey to the Underworld while torturing Gin Nara. Don’t you remember?”
“…….”
“When that happens, whether you smash your Tianling Cap or take the potion, it’s all useless.”
That was true.
I still remembered the trauma from Jeon Wook’s torturous methods, which haunted me. He had tried to make Gin Nara suffer thousands of times, all while preventing his death. Given his sadistic powers, Zhuge Sa’s worries began to seem justified.
As I fell silent, Zhuge Sa continued.
“Up until now, with the info up to the 25th moment, the plans have been too focused on gathering data from the Seven Luminaries, and it seems I thought you could get away with the ‘human methods’ of suicide against most opponents. But if you’re really diving into the Absolute Realm, it’s high time we had to do this research.”
“Um… so what 21 methods are we talking about?”
“Well, fundamentally, there’s the cursed vial I just gave you. Sure, I scared you earlier by saying it might not work, but since it’s a curse from a Demon King, you’d likely die pretty quickly. There’s also a method involving summoning a tentacled demon with mucous properties to devour your brain. And lastly, I’ve thought of a way to summon all the wounds you’ve ever received to induce a death by blood loss. I’m quite confident these three methods are highly effective.”
“…….”
Uh… they all sound like terribly gruesome ways to die….
Clink.
Zhuge Sa pulled out five vials from his bag and presented them to me.
“And I’ve also come up with a few more methods by tracking down some of the Five Great Physicians.”
“What are those?”
“These five vials can be consumed right before combat, you see.”
“What happens if I take them?”
“They’ll give you a pleasant buzz, enhance focus, and numb your pain. The effects vary slightly, but they’re generally the same.”
“…….”
“I won’t bother explaining the side effects. After you take them, you’ll die shortly thereafter.”
Yeah, that doesn’t sound good either….
Zhuge Sa continued.
“And I met with your medical master, Hwa Seong-myeong of Goryeo. He completed the Reverse Greater Circulation technique, so here’s this parchment for you.”
I took the parchment and read through it. It meticulously analyzed the acupoints and movements of the Greater Circulation, designed for outright ‘destruction.’ This wasn’t about cultivating power or improving health; it was literally something made expressly for dying. If there were an enemy I truly wanted to kill, it looked like I’d definitely need to learn this lunatic technique. Staring at it, I found Zhuge Sa grinning.
“By memorizing that flow and following the order when you break your chakras, you’ll find it easier and quicker to die without any chance of revival.”
“Uh, hearing all this about dying is making me feel a bit off!”
“You’re not even close. This is just the beginning. I’ve researched not just physical methods but a total compilation of ancient sorcery and techniques to create suicide methods!”
Zhuge Sa’s eyes gleamed with madness.
“From now on, I’ll explain the outcomes of my research so you can die superbly even in the presence of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors!”
“…….”
And thus, I spent a full day listening intently to Zhuge Sa’s 21 methods of suicide. His explanations were incredibly straightforward, and the methods were surprisingly impressive, but I couldn’t shake the lingering sense of unease and bitterness that filled my heart.
Is there really anyone else studying new methods of suicide like I am?
Am I really losing it?
Having more or less finished his explanation, Zhuge Sa gnawed on roasted legs as he said,
“Make sure to remember these 21 methods of suicide. Although I’ve come up with various arts and methods to enable suicide against beings wielding divine powers or authority, they don’t provide a fundamental solution. What’s the fundamental solution?”
“Becoming stronger!”
I confidently answered, and Zhuge Sa frowned.
“What nonsense are you spouting? I meant to quickly digest the Yin Spirit Power through repetitive practice to enhance your resistance against sorcery and abilities.”
“…….”
“Idiot. Who doesn’t know that getting stronger solves everything? Suicide methods are researched under the premise that simply becoming stronger won’t suffice against our opponents, and there are divine beings beyond the realm of despair lurking around.”
While munching on lamb, Zhuge Sa spat out a piece of meat as he continued.
“Yet, in the matters of the world, despair isn’t always about making a final effort. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice for a greater goal even when you can handle the opponent. You’ll encounter such scenarios more than you know in the future.”
“What do you mean? When would that ever happen?”
“Does it not happen? Sacrificing companions! Efficient development! Whenever you can easily progress by disregarding your allies or offerings, how often do you kick up a fuss about it?”
“…….”
“I’ve gone through this numerous times and will continue doing so. You will be forced to choose between sacrificing allies to advance or staying stagnant. Such situations abound. Up until now, you’ve somehow managed to keep things balanced, but you can’t count on luck forever.”
Zhuge Sa stared at me intently.
“That’s another reason I’ve been diligently studying suicide methods for half a year. From now on, instead of spending energy losing my mind over growing frustrations with my companions, just quickly die. In the long run, it’ll be much better for your mental management and will consume less energy. Though it’s more of a mindset, having the ability to choose death at any moment will make decisions easier.”
“…T-Thanks.”
“Well, you could say it’s because the mammoth task has been diminished? Now that the achievement of gathering the Seven Luminaries is off my plate, it’s easier for me to make suggestions to you, my lord.”
Is this Zhuge Sa’s strange way of showing consideration? But for consideration, it feels too pragmatic and cold. I began to understand the kind of feelings Zhuge Sa held while researching my suicide methods.
I am not the ideal lord to him.
Yet, Zhuge Sa chose me to alter his fate, and he’s working hard to make that choice the best possible one. That is the dedication of the strategist Zhuge Sa!
Despite being a wild lunatic, I also had an obligation to take responsibility for Zhuge Sa’s future.
‘Let’s do my best.’
Just as that resolve settled in my heart, Jin So-cheong, who had been listening beside me, spoke up.
“Zhuge Sa, what’s the situation outside? It’s been nearly a year since we locked ourselves away, so has anything significant happened in the world?”
“That’s why I came here personally to report back too.”
Zhuge Sa, finishing off his last piece of lamb, said,
“The Sword Demon has efficiently organized the Bancheon Alliance and has subjugated three factions of the Eight Demons of the Demon Path to himself. At the same time, he’s been pretending to be subservient to the White Lotus Sect while preparing to mingle with the Fire Spirit Techniques. Of course, he’s doing all this for the money.”
“With the astronomical wealth of the Han Clan backing him, he’s planning to further develop the Bancheon Alliance.”
“Of course. This was already a tactic originally attempted by the past Mangnyang as the leader of the Bancheon Alliance. It’s a brilliant strategy that doesn’t require any additions or subtractions, so he’s just pushing forward with it this time too. And one more thing….”
He crossed his arms and said.
“I have something I’d like you, Baek Woong, to assist me with.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about time to entice Master of Zen and seize that strange facility located in the Shaolin Temple. I’ve been observing until now, but I believe it’s time to get my hands on it.”
“Ah….”
“We need to quickly enhance the internal power of our martial artists, and there are quite a few capable individuals, including Yeon Jong-hwi, under the Sword Demon’s command. To strengthen the Bancheon Alliance, procuring that relic is absolutely essential.”
So that’s what he meant.
The ruins of Shaolin Temple that Master Mangnyang mentioned!
The place was incredibly efficient in its workings, and not a single other sorcery or magic could operate there. I first discovered it in the 24th moment, but I hadn’t recklessly attempted to acquire it until now because I couldn’t predict how the Law of Cause and Effect would shift when Master of Zen was involved. However, after hearing Zhuge Sa, it seemed he felt he could handle the situation well enough even if he persuaded Master of Zen.
I moved alongside Zhuge Sa to secretly meet with Master of Zen and handed over the obsidian. Upon receiving the memories, Master of Zen wore a stunned expression before speaking.
“Hmm… It’s hard to believe…. However, since your memory of Master Mangnyang and the ruins is so precise, I’ll trust Mr. Bin.”
“I apologize for the unnecessary pain suffered in the 24th moment.”
During that moment, Master of Zen had been summoned multiple times, enduring many deaths while being tortured by the Wind Spirit Sect. Even though he wasn’t directly tied to my past life, he suffered greatly, so I couldn’t help but apologize. But Master of Zen shook his head and said.
“It’s alright…. However, I do have one question.”
“What is it?”
“Have you decided who you will resurrect with the black mask in this life?”
I shook my head.
“I’ve just been focusing on practicing martial arts, so I haven’t delved deeply into that matter….”
“…Then may I suggest one thing?”
I glanced over at Zhuge Sa, who nodded. Sending a gaze of approval, Master Myung-ho declared,
“Baek Woong! Revive the founder, Master Dharma… or perhaps the Divine Maiden of the White Lotus Sect from a millennium ago! If you can bring them back, many of your curiosities may be resolved!”