NOVEL NEXT Chapter 874
Chapter 15: True Martial Home
“What the heck?! That thing is super dangerous…”
I stared at Seimei in shock.
Seimei replied calmly, “I know. But at the same time, it’s a guardian’s duty to maintain the balance of the East. Since this guy has stolen the Moon Sovereign from the Celestial Emperor and buried him in Ganghwa, he has a responsibility to protect Dongyoung. If Dongyoung collapses and the Life Sea swallows the entire archipelago, the demonic energy will skyrocket, and he won’t stand a chance against the Sea God.”
That made sense. If the Master of the Twelve Joules had been holding out for thousands of years to prevent a looming disaster, then having the demonic forces grow stronger first so that he couldn’t even hold out wouldn’t be ideal. Plus, the power of demons concentrated in Dongyoung was among the strongest in this area, so it couldn’t be ignored.
“Hmm!”
“He probably doesn’t know about our alliance yet. If he genuinely needs power as the head of Dongyoung, he will likely provide appropriate support. Then, we can negotiate to extract as much precious treasure as we can.”
“Are you saying you want to create a divine being with the treasure we get from the Master of the Twelve Joules?”
“Exactly. If we create a divine being, then there’s no need for the Moon Mother to summon Miho to use as her spare life.”
“……”
It seemed like a reasonable plan. Rather than pushing too hard on our side, it was an operation to secretly draw upon the resources of the Master of the Twelve Joules. As I glanced at Zhuge Sa, he shrugged his shoulders, seemingly agreeing. I nodded and said to Seimei, “I’m counting on you, Seimei.”
Seimei, with a faint smile on his worn face, replied, “I’ll make sure to secure Miho with the strength of our Tsuchimikado clan. Don’t worry, she won’t get hurt. I’ll also do my best to preserve her character.”
“Thanks. Well…”
“Oh, and one more thing.”
“Hmm?”
Before I could finish, Seimei spoke sharply, “Get me the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line from your companion Mangnyang.”
The unexpected request left me flabbergasted.
“… What? We agreed to stay out of each other’s business.”
“This is a different issue. There’s definitely something secretive about the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line, and I want to study it with my Yin-Yang techniques.”
He had indeed said before in his past life that the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line concealed strange secrets. Although I didn’t get to learn what those secrets were due to the urgency of that life, it seemed Seimei was now planning to focus on studying the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line based on that memory.
“Umm. Alright.”
If Seimei, the greatest master of Yin-Yang arts, was involved, he could potentially unravel that secret.
After agreeing to Seimei’s request, I returned to the Central Plains with Zhuge Sa.
When Zhuge Sa heard the assignment Seimei had given him, he said, “So we just need to bring the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line. No need to contact Mangnyang directly, right?”
“I know. I’ll just get the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line.”
<Splash!>
I headed to Jinrang Valley, where Mangnyang was staying, and secretly entered his cabin. It looked like Mangnyang was absent, and traces of his daily life remained. As I waited quietly, Mangnyang returned home half a day later, lit a candle, and started reading a book. I thought he probably had the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line hidden on him, so I sprang into action and tackled him.
“Ugh, who…”
Thud!
Mangnyang was swiftly overpowered and fell. I searched through his belongings until I found the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line in his grasp. I gazed at the unconscious Mangnyang with a bittersweet look and muttered, “Sorry. I hope this at least pays you back…”
I left five gold bars and a few Black and White Lotuses by his bedside. If it didn’t concern me, this alone would help Mangnyang’s life greatly. But just as I was about to activate the technique using the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line—
Fwshhh!
Suddenly, five streams of flame burst forth from the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line, wrapping around my upper body like serpents in an instant!
“……?!”
Hooowww!!!
“Ugggh!!”
As the flames from the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line began to burn me, I was startled, but soon the Yin Spirit Power and the power of Amaterasu within me reacted, neutralizing the flames. I had reached a state where I could neutralize the technique’s flames even while standing still. I hurriedly tried to let go of the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line, but it stuck to my hand as if it had been glued on!
‘I’m… running out of energy.’
Furthermore, the pain from the flames grew increasingly intense, making it feel like they were gnawing at my internal divine power! It felt as if the forces of Yin Spirit and Amaterasu were withering away like a rope caught in flames! This fire seemed to possess the power to incinerate even divine energy!
Swoossh
“Gah!!”
At that moment, I felt a pair of sharp cat-like eyes glaring at me, causing my heart to drop. The pair of eyes enveloped my entire body.
Th-those eyes!
I sensed an overwhelming presence beyond the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line that transcended killing intent, and I collapsed to my knees, utterly drained. The flames from the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line had subsided, but fixating on those cat-like eyes made it hard for me to regain my sanity.
He is watching me.
Even though the gaze lasted only a brief moment, it sent chills through me. Once the gaze vanished, I quickly hurled the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line onto the ground, and only then did I return to my senses. My palm was damp with sweat as I gritted my teeth.
“Master Mangnyang…!!”
Could it be that Master Mangnyang would personally come to retrieve his disciple’s stolen items?!
I wondered if this was the secret hidden in the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line, but I wasn’t sure yet. Besides, since Master Mangnyang had seen me, I felt a higher chance that he would now take an interest in me.
“Ugh, was that a mistake?”
Feeling like I had stirred up unnecessary trouble, I couldn’t back down now, so I gritted my teeth and approached the still-sleeping Mangnyang to wake him up.
“Ugh, hmm… who are you?!”
“Mangnyang! I’m Baek Woong. As you can see, I’ve come to borrow your Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line and left a rental fee here.”
The bewildered Mangnyang glanced at the gold bars and Black and White Lotuses before bursting out angrily, “Don’t be ridiculous! Hand it over right now. That’s a gift from my master, and I can’t possibly give it up.”
“Ugh… alright. If I get direct permission from Master Mangnyang, will that be fine?”
“You can try it. In that case, I’ll let you borrow it… but how do you know my master?”
Swoosh!
Without answering Mangnyang, I immediately seized the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line again. Just like before, the fiery flames engulfed my body, but I paid no mind and focused on the mysterious eyes beyond time and space. Then I shouted with my will directed at Master Mangnyang.
[Master Mangnyang! I don’t have much time. I need to unravel all the secrets as fast as I can. So please allow me to borrow this!]
After a moment’s silence, a response from Master Mangnyang came.
[Very well. But there’s a condition.]
[Anything!]
With the situation escalated to this extent, I was ready to do anything. Besides, Master Mangnyang was one of my few allies, so I mentally prepared myself for what was to come.
And then his condition surprised me.
[Take Mangnyang on your journey with you.]
[……?! No! Using the obsidian will taint Mangnyang…]
As I began to express my concerns, Master Mangnyang replied knowingly.
[Don’t worry, I’ll prevent that. Even if he accepts your obsidian, he will not fall.]
Hmm.
If Master Mangnyang made that promise, it was enticing. I would absolutely welcome Mangnyang as a companion. However, I decided to be more cautious before I spoke up.
[I’ve heard that we shouldn’t increase the number of people who know about our previous lives.]
[The Demon Sorcerer’s concerns have already been read by me through the Law of Cause and Effect, so you don’t need to worry. Mangnyang will be an exception.]
It seemed that he was aware of my conversation with Zhuge Sa as well. Master Mangnyang appeared to be someone who acted as though he was doing nothing while grasping everything.
Still, I was surprised to see him pushing so hard this time.
[… Why are you so intent on having Mangnyang join my journey?]
Usually, he either stayed indifferent or tried to protect Mangnyang or Cheon Woo-jin from my Law of Cause and Effect. He had never explicitly encouraged me to include a disciple, so I found it curious.
[……]
There was no response from him. Instead, the flames from the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line subsided.
I hurriedly returned the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line to its rightful owner, Mangnyang. He took the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line and spoke, dazed.
“What on earth… what just happened?! How did this come to be?”
Feeling bittersweet, I replied, “Mangnyang. I don’t really know what’s going on either. But my name is Baek Woong, and as agreed with Master Mangnyang, I am here to deliver the obsidian to you.”
“What?!”
I placed the obsidian in Mangnyang’s hand and used the obsidian technique to transmit memories. This was a reckless action I would never have taken normally, but since Master Mangnyang vouched for it, I decided to go ahead. There was nothing more trustworthy than Master Mangnyang’s guarantee in this world.
<Pahh!>
Mangnyang received the memories and staggered for a moment. Then he clutched his head and pondered for a while before suddenly tears streamed down his face.
“… Baek Woong, this is an absolute betrayal of betrayals. How did it come to this…”
… Ugh.
Hearing the gravity of the situation straight from Mangnyang made me acutely aware of how dangerous it was. I felt downcast but didn’t show it and asked Mangnyang, “Mangnyang, did you receive the memories?”
“Phew… thankfully, my uncle was by your side. What a relief…”
Mangnyang, mumbling to himself, gathered his composure and said, “Baek Woong. I don’t completely understand the situation yet, but I will accompany you and keep you safe from danger.”
“… Thank you!”
I didn’t fully understand how we ended up here, but I smiled brightly.
Mangnyang, my support in heart, had joined my team!
I took Mangnyang with me to Jangryeong Valley. When Mangnyang faced Zhuge Sa, Zhuge Sa initially looked startled before speaking.
“Did Master Mangnyang get involved?”
Did he figure it out without us saying a word?
Truly, an insightful brain and perceptive senses. I couldn’t help but mentally admire his keen observation as Mangnyang spoke to Zhuge Sa.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Why is that?”
To Zhuge Sa’s cryptic question, Mangnyang calmly replied, “My master intends to use me as a pawn in your game.”
“That makes sense. Quite an objective viewpoint.”
Zhuge Sa muttered, looking at Mangnyang as if he were seeing a new side of him.
“You’ve grown.”
Zhuge Sa seemed to feel the flaws and pride that had once existed in Mangnyang had somewhat changed. I could relate to that feeling too, so I nodded in agreement.
“They said you formed an alliance with my father, but how exactly do you plan to strike the Celestial Realm?”
“As you know, I will offer the Seven Luminaries to Pangu.”
After some thought, Mangnyang added, “… but I think there’s something I need to do before that.”
“What is it?”
Mangnyang’s next plan made me skeptical.
“We must capture Jin So-cheong right now. And we need to seal him or prevent him from entering the world.”