NOVEL NEXT Chapter 257
Chapter 257: In the Prime of Life
Baekdusan.
The highest peak of the Korean Peninsula and the ancestral mountain, the starting point of the Baekdu daegan, a sacred mountain of the Korean people.
At the same time, Baekdusan was also a sacred mountain for the Manchu people. The stage of their founding myth was Baekdusan as well.
The peak of Baekdusan, visible far away, was as white as its name suggested.
It was snow.
Because it is such a cold place, the snow does not melt even now, in the season of spring.
At this moment, with Baekdusan in front of me, I had just entered my twenties, leaving my teens behind.
Normally, I should be rejoicing in my coming of age. Finally free from all restrictions, I should be enjoying the pleasures of “cloud and rain.” Moreover, at this age, I should be able to freely wield my body that has been trained through the three great exercises: Kegel, jerk, and hanging.
But I could not be happy.
Blood Demon.
Unless I eliminate him, nothing would matter. Only by taking him down could the Emperor’s realm find peace. Only in such a time of peace would I truly be able to enjoy the pleasures of “cloud and rain.”
Isn’t achieving peace in the world something worthy of a grown man?
“I will enter the mountain.”
The guide, Han Byeong-joo, said to us. His words were translated by Dongchang who relayed it back to us.
I looked around. The first person to meet my gaze was Sosumahu.
“Dad.”
She said that while grabbing the hem of my sleeve.
I patted Sosumahu on the head. Next, I spotted Saje.
[I’ll protect the disciple. You can rest easy, my disciple.]
Saje’s sweet telepathic voice echoed in my ears.
“Hmph. The other arm of Gaga is mine.”
“Who says so? Senior Yeomwang. The arm of Sangong belongs to me.”
Following that, voices of Geumhu and Jeoksawol could be heard fighting over the remaining left arm, excluding the one Sosumahu had occupied.
Even on the brink of battle, they were still like this. Truly the same as ever.
Thanks to that, I felt a bit of my tension ease.
“Amitabha.”
“······.”
Upon witnessing Geumhu and Jeoksawol, Sinseung recited a Buddhist incantation, while Cheonma pressed his temples.
“Hoho, I envy your youth!”
Finally, Cheonranggaek repeated the same words as last time, perhaps due to dementia.
Youth? What youth?
I gazed beyond them at the troops.
A small elite team from Dongchang had accompanied us from the Central Plains. Ten palace guards followed behind us. Following them were Han Byeong-joo and officers of the training department, along with the North Korean elite soldiers they commanded.
Our Blood Demon assault team totaled about five hundred men.
Swoosh.
One of the Joseon soldiers appeared from the bushes and quickly approached to report.
“We found a Jurchen outpost at the foot of the mountain, but only signs of it remaining. We do not see the enemy.”
Upon hearing the report from the archer with a bow slung over his shoulder, Han Byeong-joo’s expression twisted.
I glared at Baekdusan.
The white peaks of Baekdusan were now shrouded in ominous clouds, becoming hard to look at.
The weather in Baekdusan is unpredictable; I had known this fact through prior intel, as clear days are rare.
Therefore, seeing the Heavenly Pool on a clear day is said to be a blessed event. Sudden weather changes were a natural occurrence.
Yeah, that should be the case.
“I see Gaga felt it too.”
Jeoksawol, who had approached suddenly, spoke in a cold voice.
“I can sense an ominous energy. Sangong.”
Geumhu echoed that sentiment.
Right. There was indeed an ominous energy wafting from Baekdusan. The kind that prickles the skin.
It was so horrific that one could hardly believe it was a holy mountain filled with auspicious energy.
“······I thought it was suspicious that I couldn’t sense any defensive forces…” Saje said, crossing her arms as she looked ahead.
I expected Baekdusan to be a place not only for the Blood Demon but also the headquarters of the Blood Sect.
Therefore, I assumed the Blood Sect’s defensive forces would be deployed heavily. But according to the scout’s report, the troop positions had withdrawn, and it was as if once the report ended, the formation was activated, unleashing an ominous energy from Baekdusan.
“My eyes can see it too. Demonic energy, spiritual energy, no, all the energies between heaven and earth are concentrating on one point. The formation is amplifying that.”
Following Yujinhwi’s words, Cheonma added, “Amitabha. Beyond that should be the headquarters of the Blood Sect, hidden within a mechanism. That place is likely near Limgang, beyond Changbai Mountain.”
Sinseung received Cheonma’s words.
Golden anti-demon magic power faintly shimmered in Sinseung’s eyes. He was showing signs of manifesting his physical form.
Upon hearing Sinseung’s words through translation, Han Byeong-joo responded.
“If it’s Limgang, it was once the site of the ancient Balhae city known as Seogyeong Ayrokbu. I heard it was one of Balhae’s five capitals, that turned into ruins after the fall of Balhae…”
“That means the Blood Sect seized those ruins.”
Nodding at Han Byeong-joo’s words, I acknowledged.
After their defeat in the Battle of Payang Lake three hundred years ago, the remnants of the Blood Sect fled to Manchuria and occupied the ruins of the ancient Balhae metropolis to rebuild the sect. They had set up a mechanism in Limgang to hide the main body of the Blood Sect from the public eye and placed their supreme leader, the Blood Demon, in the Blood Demon Cave beyond Birong Waterfall.
This assumption connected the dots.
“······We’ve figured it all out.”
At that moment, as we were hesitating to enter the ominous aura-filled Baekdusan, Saje spoke up.
Swoosh.
She drew the dagger at her waist. A faint black aura rose from Saje’s dagger. With her aura raised, Saje began carving a map of Baekdusan on a nearby flat rock, depicting the terrain and the formation’s critical points.
“I’ve deciphered the whole formation set by the Blood Demon. This point is the entrance, and that point is the exit. Inside the formation, the density of energy is excessively high, and combined with the unpredictable weather of Changbai Mountain and the energy storm, average soldiers entering will be immediately caught up in the natural disaster and will be incapable of even moving properly.”
The sparkle in Saje’s eyes reflected from the map she carved on the rock was vivid.
As a Heavenly Body, Saje’s natural intuition for energy had been opened since birth.
She wouldn’t be wrong.
“······There are no defensive troops inside the mountain. I could sense not a single hint of them. This reveals the Blood Demon’s arrogance, believing he alone is sufficient, but the headquarters in Limgang likely still has leftovers of his faction. They are presumed to be reserve troops in case of an emergency to maintain the formation.”
“In that case, we can split our forces here. We’ll head towards Changbai Mountain to confront the Blood Demon, while the remainder will head to Limgang to attack the Blood Sect’s headquarters.”
Cheonranggaek summarized the course of action. Upon hearing his words through translation, Han Byeong-joo nodded.
“Understood. Although we couldn’t open the path as per the original mission, I am honored to accompany the legendary absolute masters of the Central Plains. Our army will head to Limgang to burn the Blood Sect headquarters. May fortune favor you.”
Han Byeong-joo saluted us with a sharp gaze.
We also returned the favor, thankful for the Joseon army’s cooperation that allowed us to comfortably reach Baekdusan.
“You all wait here. From here on, only our party will proceed.”
Cheonranggaek gestured to stop the Dongchang officers who were preparing to follow. They bowed to us.
The typical thin, effeminate voice of a eunuch echoed in my ears.
The atmosphere lightened, but it was a sincere show of feelings.
“May you achieve victory.”
Seeing those eunuchs sincerely sending me off like that was amusing.
Of course, in my past life, I was the greatest eunuch among eunuchs, and all of my confidants were also eunuchs, so I had heard such farewells before.
But in this life, it was my first time.
I thought I would never experience this again, but indeed, one cannot predict life.
Feeling mixed emotions, I nodded.
“Let’s go in.”
At my words, everyone nodded. I moved my feet into the formation enveloping Baekdusan.
“Ugh!?”
Inside Baekdusan, as Saje had stated, a blizzard raged that could render one blind. If it had been an ordinary blizzard, I could have seen through it with the Eye of Spiritual Perception, but unfortunately, the blizzard in Baekdusan was not ordinary.
The presence of the surrounding people had long since vanished. No, they hadn’t vanished; their presence was likely blocked.
It was a blizzard compounded by the formation’s energy. And the core of this formation was probably the Blood Demon. The formation was cast by a master of the Boundary of Life and Death. The diagram Saje had sketched in my mind sprang to life.
I activated the Joining and Parting Divine Skill. As I siphoned the flow of the formation’s energy and used my Eye of Spiritual Perception, I began to finally catch faint hints of presence around me.
I reached out and pulled one of the sensed people.
“Ah, Dad!”
It was Sosumahu.
“Don’t let go of my hand.”
“Okay! I’ll listen well to what Daddy says!”
With Jiyagi in tow, I walked toward the critical point on the map Saje had drawn. Driving snow and the treacherous terrain of Baekdusan obstructed us, but I paid it no mind and kept moving forward.
After a while, enveloped by the blizzard and frost mist, I felt a familiar presence ahead. I grabbed it with my other hand.
“Gaga!”
Hug.
With a familiar voice, Jeoksawol leaped into my embrace.
“Hmph. Old hag! Who says you can cling to Dad? Dad’s embrace belongs to Jiyagi!”
“How am I old? Hehe. Senior Sosumahu. Unlike you, who have crossed the age threshold, I’m still in my prime.”
Jeoksawol, embraced in my arms, glanced at Sosumahu and spoke.
In her prime, huh?
It’s not like we’re in a modern aging society; what nonsense is this in a medieval martial world?
I pulled Jeoksawol away from my embrace and made her hold hands with Sosumahu.
“Both of you, don’t let go of each other’s hands. Use this chance to get a bit closer.”
“Tch!”
“Hmph!”
Jeoksawol and Sosumahu, despite letting out noses in irritation, held hands.
I couldn’t understand why these grown-ups acted so childish.
Holding back a slight headache, I radiated the Joining and Parting Divine Skill with all my might. As I waved my hand, the surging storm of energy calmed, and the blizzard ceased.
Thanks to the extreme manipulation of the energy’s direction through the perfected Joining and Parting Divine Skill.
“Sangong!”
Next to join us was Geumhu. The silver-haired beauty, fitting the snowy landscape of Baekdusan, lightly landed in my embrace.
“Hmph. Get off, Geumhu. Who said you could cling to Gaga?”
“Right! Let go!”
Jeoksawol and Sosumahu echoed in unison from the side. As I separated Geumhu from me, I spoke.
“Nice to meet you. Seollan.”
Upon calling her name, Geumhu’s face turned scarlet. She patted her cheeks and said.
“I’m also pleased to meet you, Sangong.”
“Now that we’ve reunited, hold Senior Yeomwang’s hand. We’ll keep moving forward together.”
“If that’s Sangong’s command, I will follow as a good wife.”
Geumhu shyly blushed as she emphasized being a good wife while holding Jeoksawol’s hand.
A subtle glance exchanged between Jeoksawol and Geumhu, but I paid it no mind and continued forward. The deeper we climbed the mountain, the heavier the blizzard became, and the higher the density of energy grew.
Now, my skin tingled and felt prickly.
With each sensation, I deployed the perfected Joining and Parting Divine Skill again to nullify the blizzard and the storm of energy, continuing our advance.
“Disciple, there you are!”
Finally, the last to approach was Saje, followed closely by Sinseung, Cheonma, and Cheonranggaek.
Saje seized my empty right hand in a clasp as she spoke.
“I believed the disciple would make it up safely. I didn’t worry at all!”
It was a lie.
Saje’s cheek trembled. Clearly, she had worried a great deal.
“Did your seniors come together with you?”
“Yep! We met on the way. You led well, disciple.”
Saje surveyed Jeoksawol, Sosumahu, and Geumhu. In an instant, the warm gaze she had shown me shifted, ice-cold.
After the silent exchange of looks ended, Saje held my right hand.
[Disciple, now’s the time. Remember the Hongguk Formation?]
Saje’s telepathic voice resonated in my mind. I nodded.
[Yes, I remember the formation from the Demon Sect.]
[I modified the Hongguk Formation based on the Heavenly Martial Formation. I’ve given it a new name: Primordial Unity Energy Technique. The two of us will unfold it in the shape of the reverse Taiji. With that formation, we can break through the Blood Demon’s formation.]
Saje whispered the secrets of the formation telepathically.
When did she develop such a formation?
The chance to break through this troublesome formation was worth exploring. Saje recited the essence of the formation in my head.
I had practiced the Heavenly Martial Formation countless times. My talent may not match Saje’s, but it was sufficient to grasp this derivative, the Primordial Unity Energy Technique, in one go.
[Can you do it?]
[Yes.]
[Then let’s begin.]
I released Sosumahu’s hand, took Saje’s hand, and drew my sword with my right hand. Saje drew her sword with her left.
Geumhu, Jeoksawol, Sosumahu, Cheonma, Sinseung, and Cheonranggaek, without me saying a word, seemed to instinctively know our intentions and slightly distanced themselves.
This familiarity was understandable, given how many times we had practiced together and shared techniques.
Our quartet had now reached such a level that we could read each other’s intentions with mere glances and gestures without relying on the Heavenly Martial Formation.
Saje and I closed our eyes. Simultaneously, we summoned the Primordial Unity Energy Technique. An overwhelming inner strength surged up from within.
From the connection between Saje’s hand and mine, I could feel her warmth and inner energy. When our Primordial Unity Energy Techniques resonated, we swung our swords using the Demon Sword Technique.
In that moment.
Pachachachachachachachachachachachachach!
Sparks flew in the air, and a crack formed.
Gooooo!
The howling blizzard intensified, but Saje and I did not retreat. As our energies resonated, the entire flow of energy in Baekdusan began to stream toward us.
I looked at Saje. She looked back at me.
In her gaze, I could read Saje’s determination. Now. She seemed to be saying that to me. Hearing Saje’s thoughts, I swung the iron sword imbued with the Joining and Parting Divine Skill toward the sky.
Bwaa-waa-waa-waa!
With a thunderous roar, the energy wave shook Baekdusan. As a result, the formation encompassing Baekdusan crumbled away.
When the formation fell, the blizzard ceased. A clear blue sky revealed itself. Beneath the gleaming sunlight, cliffs came into view.
Waa-waa-waa-waa-waa-waa-waa-waa!
From the cliffs cascaded a beautiful waterfall adorned with rainbows.
Birong Waterfall.
Our destination.
I gazed at the waterfall. I looked around Baekdusan. It was so beautiful and auspicious that one could hardly imagine the Blood Demon lurking there.
The clear sky and the lush mountainous landscape harmonized into a picturesque view.
“It’s beautiful.”
Cheonranggaek muttered. Indeed, he was right.
Baekdusan’s scenery was unmatched even compared to the mountains of the Central Plains. It had gained fame in my past life as a renowned tourist spot for a reason. The scenery of Baekdusan was unparalleled.
Chirp chirp.
The sound of birds echoed. Soon, a mountain bird flew in and settled on my shoulder. As the bird looked at me with its sparkling eyes—
[You mere mayflies, passing the trial of my lord, shall be praised. Consider it the honor of a lifetime.]
A sinister voice boomed from the waterfall, echoing throughout Baekdusan. It was the voice of the Blood Demon. With that, dark clouds started to gather ominously in the once bright sky.
Thump.
My heart raced. Every hair on my body stood on end, and I broke out in a cold sweat. My instinct, no, all my senses screamed and rang alarm bells. The shadow of death loomed over me.
Even in broad daylight, the ominous crimson pillars of energy rose, shrouding the sky in darkness.
The crystal-clear water of Birong Waterfall was suddenly stained with an ominous red hue. The beautiful flora and fauna of Baekdusan began to wither horribly.
Screech… ■■■■!!
The bird that had perched on my shoulder lost its sparkling gaze in an instant. The bird screeched a twisted, horrendous sound. It wasn’t just the bird.
■■■■!!
Mountain beasts chimed in with twisted cries. The sound was many times more repulsive and horrific than nails scraping against steel.
Thud. The dead bird plummeted from my shoulder to the cracking ground. The corpse of the bird rapidly decayed, leaving only bones.
Every mountain beast collapsed in that gaunt thicket, their skeletal remains left behind.
I lifted my head.
What once teemed with life in Baekdusan was now consumed by death.
The paradise of my dreams transformed into hell.
The Blood Demon.
His true form was stretching awake beyond that waterfall.
Yes.
At last.
I had come before him.