NOVEL NEXT Chapter 824
Chapter 15: The True Martial Home
“What the heck is this nonsense?”
One thing was certain, though.
“Are you trying to steal my reincarnation abilities?”
Yulju slowly took his hand off my shoulder.
“That’s not how you should phrase it. We’re talking about ‘research.'”
“What do you mean?”
“Baek Woong, I’ve looked through your memories of the obsidian. And I’ve seen Changhil getting devoured by your Heavenly Secret. Do you think I would carelessly make such assumptions? I’m not stupid. I know that using ‘plundering’ to take your abilities would be a surefire way to self-destruction.”
“……”
“If it were possible, everything would have ended when Changhil imprisoned you for 50 years. But it didn’t end there, and after getting captured by a Three Sovereigns level divine being, you even mounted a counterattack. Your Heavenly Secret is theoretically invincible, and you can’t just take away your reincarnation abilities by force.”
With that, the Master of the Twelve Joules sat on a nearby rock and continued speaking.
“However, I realized one crucial fact while looking at your past memories.”
“What is it?”
“… ‘Qi’ is passed down intact through reincarnation. So, based on this research, it might be possible to extract your reincarnation abilities.”
“……?”
What does that even mean?
“‘Qi being passed down probably means that internal power is inherited along with it.’”
Of course, the abilities I’m inheriting through reincarnation aren’t limited to just Qi. Other skills and supernatural powers, like martial arts or Yin Spirit Power, also carry over. Hence, I couldn’t fathom why Yulju emphasized ‘Qi’ with such importance. Why would the inheritance of internal power relate to extracting reincarnation abilities?
Seeing my puzzled expression, Yulju spoke again.
“The fact that your internal power seamlessly continues into your next reincarnation has significant implications. It might even be a clue leading to the Primordial Void, which you’ve always questioned.”
“……!!”
“I’m confident. It can be extracted. If things go well, you and I could achieve a mutually beneficial relationship.”
I regarded Yulju with great suspicion, glaring at him.
“You’re way off base and incredibly arrogant. I haven’t agreed to your proposal yet.”
“What? Are you planning to kill yourself?”
“If I wanted to die, would you have any means to stop me?”
“Not really. I could probably seal you with my best effort, but then you would just hate me for it, right? From what I see, it looks like Yu Shun also tried to possess you and failed, but even if I go all out, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have a way right now.”
Shrugging as if holding a white flag, Yulju continued.
“But don’t you find my suggestion intriguing? I don’t think I’ve ever made such concessions to anyone else.”
“That attitude itself is arrogant.”
“Sorry about that. I may look like a jerk, but I’m the king of my clan.”
I exclaimed in irritation.
“What exactly are you? I need to know your identity before I consider your proposal. I can’t keep playing this back-and-forth game with someone whose identity I don’t even know. Do you have any idea how many times we’ve conversed like this?”
“It’s a bit tricky to explain. You’re a reincarnator, and if you manage to take information from me, you could skip on out whenever you want, right? If you promise to truly cooperate with me, then I’ll share my identity.”
“Forget it. I have nothing to lose.”
“……”
Honestly, I didn’t have anything to lose. Until now, I’ve refrained from using extreme measures for the sake of my companions, but if I chose not to care about the consequences, figuring out Yulju’s hidden background would not be that difficult. A few intense reincarnations could reveal sufficient information.
As I sharply dismissed him, Yulju seemed distressed.
“Hmm, I’m not used to being pushed around… By the way, you really don’t have the makings of a hero.”
“I don’t want to be a hero. I have no more to discuss with you, so please excuse yourself.”
“Hey, have you never thought about it?”
“What thought?”
“As a reincarnator, it wouldn’t be impossible to dig deep into my backstory with all your capabilities. In the end, all my secrets would be taken from me, and I would be forced to comply with you. But you’ll never gain my sincere cooperation, and once you’re familiar with this approach, you’ll lose the ability to use softer persuasion next time.”
I was left flabbergasted by Yulju’s words.
“What are you talking about? Right now, that sounds like baseless worry! You’re the one hiding everything and trying to use me, yet you have the nerve to say that?”
“Then I’ll ask. If you manage to overpower me, the Master of the White Lotus Sect, and Zhuge Yulong, will all the issues get resolved? You think you’ll just make the right conditions only to have to repeat this process dozens of times for them to stay obedient, right?”
“That’s… not likely.”
“The conclusion appears similar but is fundamentally different. It’s a waste. Instead of repeatedly dying and resurrecting while stirring up enmity, wouldn’t it be quicker to build a mutually beneficial relationship starting now? I’m not that bad of a guy, really. I might not make a trusted companion, but can’t we just cooperate a little?”
“……”
He might be right.
I thought of ultimately having them submitted to me, but inevitably, considerable enmity would build up along the way. It might just be better to let him act with hidden intent if it means we achieve mutual progress. If he helps voluntarily, it would be a golden opportunity.
‘Is it worth hearing him out…’
Yulju’s attitude felt different from any previous reincarnation experiences.
I stared at him skeptically and asked, “…How do you plan to extract these abilities?”
“Generally speaking, your reincarnation abilities surely stem from that Heavenly Secret. However, Changhil imprisoned you for 50 years and yet couldn’t even grasp your Heavenly Secret. Plus, reading has led to demise, so ‘reading’ is merely an action, while the reincarnation abilities might actually be interwoven into your soul.”
“And?”
“However… I’ve seen something similar before. So it might be possible to extract new reincarnation abilities without affecting your past life… using ‘that’ technology.”
“…What?!”
He’s seen something similar before?!
I blinked in surprise and stared at Yulju, who spoke with a bittersweet tone.
“It wasn’t the best situation, but I have seen it.”
“What did you see?”
“……”
In that moment, I felt a rush of indescribable emotions pouring from behind Yulju’s mask. Though his face was obscured, an amalgamation of resentment, fury, and despair radiated from him like a swirling mist. The atmosphere, dense with a ghostly haze, became suffocating.
“How could I explain this?”
He shuddered as if expelling darkness. It seemed like he was struggling against his own rage. I felt a chill as if I were peering into his chaotic mind.
After a moment, he calmed his emotions and spoke.
“Anyway, I promise, with my name and existence on the line. I have indeed seen something similar, and I’m planning to research your reincarnation abilities to extract their essence. If you help me just a little, we can achieve our common goal.”
“Hmm. How do you want me to help?”
“I will capture Yacha, so follow me to my research facility. We’ll conduct experiments there.”
“Experiments?”
“Not on living humans. That’s a promise too.”
He’s quite forceful.
Promising on his name and existence means if he lies, there are consequences. That level of promise felt trustworthy enough.
As I started to soften up, he said, “You probably don’t get it right now. From your perspective, I must seem like a scheming guy who betrays you every time, but I have my own purposes and reasons. There’s a great desire that can’t be solved with just my life…”
“If you reveal that, will you gain my trust?”
What followed in Yulju’s statement was unexpected.
“No, I can’t do that.”
“What do you mean?”
As I retorted in displeasure, he replied quietly.
“I could read the obsidian’s memories and sensed you’re far too unstable. You’re neither a hero nor a savior. Because of that, I can’t easily extend my trust to you. At the very least, you need to be on the same side as me before I can reveal my secrets.”
“Such a greedy request. You’re asking for everything without giving anything in return! And I’ve steadfastly pursued the goal of defeating gods through every hardship, so I have no reason to listen to you.”
“Really? Seems like cognitive dissonance. I will never acknowledge you as my lord.”
“……”
He was too resolute.
“It appears this is our final compromise point… Reborn person Baek Woong, I leave all choices to you. If you decide to trust me, I will become your strongest ally.”
Yulju seemed to have no intention of continuing the debate. He crossed his arms and stood firm while the Three Masters began to cast seals on the Yacha lying on the ground. I glared at him, deep in thought.
‘He seems genuine… Should I accept his proposal?’
Accepting Yulju’s proposal might allow me to quickly include him as one of my obsidian companions. If Yulju became an ally, my journey would accelerate like never before. Having one of the heads of the Three Great Powers would greatly increase my strength, depending on the level of secrets he possessed. But— what if he ends up backstabbing me?
Losing my reincarnation abilities would be bad enough, but worse would be enduring years of torture like with Changhil. No matter how powerful the Heavenly Secret is, I couldn’t carelessly place my fate in someone else’s hands.
I pondered over this and stealthily contacted Zhuge Sa with a suspicious fishing hook. Briefly explaining my current situation, I asked for his assistance, and Zhuge Sa replied.
[What are you worried about? It’s a good opportunity, so accept it. With all the suicide methods you’ve learned, what’s there to fear? I deem there’s nothing in this universe that could prevent your reincarnation abilities.]
[What if I get sealed or tortured…?]
[Then you endure it. Considering everything you’ve faced until now, your mental strength is definitely anything but ordinary. If you were a regular person, you should have gone insane by life eight.]
[Is that so?]
[Pain is just a signal from the brain. There’s no need to fear it like that.]
[……]
[Stop babbling and accept it already. You said time is short, so hurry up and team up with him to reach safety.]
[Got it.]
Nodding immediately after hearing Zhuge Sa’s advice, I declared.
“Alright. I’ll accept.”
“Good choice. No backtracking, alright?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then.”
Wiying!
At that moment, something invisible on Yulju’s shoulder emerged. It resembled a round object inscribed with intricate magical patterns, floating like a sorcery tool. Yulju caressed it with a grin.
“I’ve secured the command, hence the promise is all documented. You can’t commit suicide now.”
“……?!”
I felt a dizzying sensation wash over me. Panic surged as I instantly attempted to summon ants as part of my suicide method, but the incantation wouldn’t come to my mind. I tried to activate the Great Destruction technique, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. I couldn’t perform any of my methods, and shock rising inside me, I shouted.
“Cough, the binding spell…”
“I didn’t cast anything like that. You can move.”
And indeed, my body felt fine, but I was left utterly bewildered as Yulju smugly said.
“Hehehe, to fulfill my promise, the contract party can’t die. That’s just common sense, even if not explicitly stated in the contract, right? So, you can do everything else, but you’re bound not to [commit suicide]. I don’t carry any murderous intent against you, so the Heavenly Secret won’t do anything. Besides, the ban on suicide might even be what that document desires.”
Damn, it’s a trap!
“But I do have a last-resort suicide method for situations like this.”
Thank goodness, I’m not totally cornered. I had deliberately accepted his proposal with such scenarios in mind, so I regained my composure and asked.
“What’s that floating on your shoulder?”
“It’s a tool to document the promise and notarize it. I’ve embedded an artificial consciousness within it that’s set apart from a regular magical tool. As long as it exists, you cannot commit suicide.”
“……”
“If you act on impulse and try to off yourself, I’d appreciate you understanding just this much.”
I begrudgingly nodded and replied.
“Okay then…”
Kukwakwak!
At that moment, a thunderous crash filled the air, and colossal chunks of black jade began crashing down to the ground, a total of ten of them! Each one, likely packed with unimaginable magical power, seemed beyond the capabilities of any human to stop.
“Damn it! I wasted too much time on persuasion…”
Annoyed, Yulju summoned a phoenix and charged toward the black jade.
Kieeoo!
In the blink of an eye, the phoenix spat out a beam of light, colliding with the black jade, and it felt as though the entire earth was being pulverized. At the same time, a shockwave of an incomprehensible magnitude sent tremors across the surface, while a nearby snow mountain crumbled into the sky.
Thud thud!!
The force of the explosion hurled me backward wildly, but I felt someone grabbing my neck. It was Yun Sa from the Three Masters.
He spoke softly.
“It seems an Asura is trying to catch up. I’ll take you along as ordered by my lord.”
“Yulju…”
Pa-at!
In the next instant, I realized I was whisked away to an unknown location, with Yun Sa still holding my neck.
Yun Sa released me and said, “Yu, Wind Master.”
Swish!
The two from the Three Masters appeared in an instant via space transition. Yun Sa scanned them briefly before saying,
“I will guard this person as we go to the [Old Continent]. If the Asura comes to kill our lord, stop them.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll risk my life to guard this spot.”
The Three Masters remained silent for a moment.
“…I’m counting on you.”
Tydaht!
Following Yun Sa’s lead, I sprinted through a corridor whose destination I couldn’t identify. I turned to him, who was ahead, and asked,
“So, is the Asura hunting me down right now?! Where are we?”
“Reborn one. We’re on a pathway to the [Old Continent]. If you follow me, we’ll reach our destination.”
“You all can use space transition, so why not go directly instead of taking this detour?”
“The [Old Continent] is sealed. Even we can’t just enter at will. We need to go through defined procedures and verify qualifications…”
As he muttered that, Yun Sa continued,
“…I’m unsure if you have those qualifications.”