Chapter 519
“Are you saying we should save the White Lotus Sect?”
I was momentarily dazed, unable to grasp the concept, but then it hit me.
“So that means the Sea God’s contract is voided?”
“Exactly.”
The Sea God’s contract – that was the deal between the Primordial Spirit and the Heavenly Spirit Pill!
Suddenly, fragments of a tale I once heard from a prophet surfaced in my mind: [It’s a slave contract.]
[Without even seeing the detailed contract, I can tell. Since I have knowledge of both the Spirit and the Path of Demons. That contract likely allows the Water God to channel the path to the Throne of Chaos, sending half of a soul to the throne while keeping the other half for himself. Normally, it’s utilized to make offerings for rare treasures, but it seems that guy replaced it with infinite internal power…]
[The soul devoured by the Water God ends with mere momentary pain, but… the beings absorbed by the Great Being, ‘Father,’ endure an eternity of despair in which even the Old Ruler would feel pity as they live to the ends of the universe… It’s a foolish and ignorant contract that not even a demon sorcerer would engage in.]
Back then, I paid a price to the prophet to uncover the secret of the Heavenly Spirit Pill. The prophet declared that it was indeed a slave contract made under the leadership of the Heavenly Spirit Pill and the Primordial Spirit. Despite the prophet denouncing it as foolish, it still stood that the White Lotus Sect wielded the greatest power in the martial world thanks to this contract.
But in this life, I had driven the Sea God into the valley of death. Because of this, all the Dharma Protectors including Yong Bi-cheon were gradually losing their infinite internal power. The evidence that the contract had become void was right before me.
Even now, after slaying Yong Bi-cheon, his soul did not head towards the throne or the Sea God. With the Soul Exchange Technique of the Zhuge Clan, I easily gathered Yong Bi-cheon’s soul. This meant that the souls of the Dharma Protectors previously bound by the slave contract had been freed. I gazed at Yong Bi-cheon’s corpse with suspicion.
“Zhuge Clan. But can we be sure? The Heavenly Spirit Pill still had some effect lingering on him…”
That’s why, despite the pure martial level where the Sword Demon or Jin So-cheong excelled, it took a considerable effort before we managed to restrain Yong Bi-cheon. After all, with my current internal power, Yong Bi-cheon could be considered top-notch.
“Yeah. We couldn’t be sure. Because even if you beheaded the Sea God, it doesn’t mean he’s dead yet.” Zhuge Sa chuckled softly.
“However, the fact that the Sea God can’t even exert a forced grabbing of souls means he’s trying to survive as long as possible by reverting all contracts made to him.”
“Ah!”
“He’s likely restoring the power he expended on all contracts to conserve the strength needed to survive. Therefore, it’s certain that the contract of the Heavenly Spirit Pill has become void.”
“Then why did that guy still have the effects of the Heavenly Spirit Pill?”
“To put it simply, the Heavenly Spirit Pill draws infinite power that floats near the throne of gods. Even if the channel was cut off, the power already drawn remains. That’s why it seemed that the Dharma Protectors were gradually losing the Heavenly Spirit Pill.”
“I see…”
Suddenly, something hit me.
“Then what happened to the soul of the Master of the White Lotus Sect?”
“Under normal circumstances, he should have been saved. He died after you dealt with the Sea God, so he would normally go to the afterlife or become a spirit bound to the land.” Zhuge Sa continued indifferently.
“…But now, the [Eternal Fetus] controlling the White Lotus Sect has said that they have taken upon themselves the fate of destruction that belonged to the Master.”
“Are you saying that guy made the soul of the Master of the White Lotus Sect his own?”
“Probably. A spirit with such strong will and magical power would be very useful…”
I frowned. ‘So the Master of the White Lotus Sect can’t be saved even after death…’
While he had avoided the fate of being pulled to the throne, becoming the possession of the [Old Ruler] hadn’t changed that fact. I had a certain admiration and attachment towards the Master, making it hard for me to shake off this bitter feeling. As I was lost in thought, the warrior Mangnyang, who had been listening, spoke up.
“The White Lotus Sect has suffered due to the Master’s solitary contract ever since. But now that it’s become clear we can eliminate the cruel eternity binding them by slaying the Sea God, it’ll be easier to make the White Lotus Sect our ally.”
“Hmm!”
“Especially when recruiting the Dharma Protectors, it’ll be quite simple…”
That’s true. Perhaps not Dokgo Jun, who was loyal to the Master, but Yong Bi-cheon and Han Baek-ryeong both held great doubt and mistrust towards him. Letting them know of this would certainly make it easier to bring them on our side than before.
Then Cheon Woo-jin stated incredulously, “What’s the use? Killing the Sea God would just mean that the Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Dharma Protectors lose the immense power they enjoy in this world.”
“Huh?”
“In whatever form the afterlife takes, would you give up infinite internal power and the strongest martial prowess overnight?”
“……”
“If you think about it, the current White Lotus Sect has fallen due to you slaying the Sea God.”
I hadn’t considered that. But Cheon Woo-jin was right. If I had already held the Heavenly Spirit Pill, I doubt I would willingly relinquish that powerful gift. Power carries the nature of being hard to let go once it’s grasped.
“Well, we’ve come up with an answer too, Priest. The seal of the Master of the Twelve Joules.” Mangnyang’s eyes sparkled.
“In this life’s Sea God hunt, we were left unlucky, getting tangled up while clashing with the main body. But if we’re fortunate, we could seal six major seals near the Goryeo Peninsula before the Sea God makes his appearance, significantly weakening his power. If we can manage to trap the Sea God within, the harm he poses would greatly diminish while the White Lotus Sect could maintain its strength—since it would be merely a half-death!”
“Hmm.”
“In the reverse, this means that we could control the White Lotus Sect with just this bit of information. Information is all about how you utilize it.”
After that, Zhuge Sa cast the Soul Exchange Technique on the elders of the Wind Spirit Sect to make them direct subordinates of the Sword Demon. Upon realizing he had fallen under the influence of the Soul Exchange Technique, they were surely frustrated but had no choice but to comply. The Soul Exchange Technique was that terrifyingly powerful.
The Sword Demon then said to me, “Leave the surface to me. I’ll do my best to prevent the books from being flowed in.”
“No.” I shook my head.
“Please just leave the command and come back to base.”
“Huh?”
“It’s too dangerous now. There’s a possibility the [Old Ruler] might directly invade…”
I trailed off, choosing my words carefully.
“In any case, we can’t entirely prevent the [Old Ruler]’s plan with our current strength.”
“Understood. I won’t push myself.”
Swoosh
The Sword Demon moved along with the elders of the Wind Spirit Sect through the technique. But Jin So-cheong, instead of following him, stared at me intently. With only the two of us in this location, I looked at Jin So-cheong with a puzzled expression.
“Is there something you want to say?”
“Baek Woong. I have a request.” He pleaded earnestly.
“We must rescue Cheongwol the Dharma Protector.”
“…!!”
“We need to save him, who is trapped in Aokigahara Life Sea.”
That was a fair point. Until now, I hadn’t felt the urgency to rescue him, but if Jin So-cheong was asking directly, I had to comply. However, I couldn’t help but question him, perplexed.
“Why now? Even if we rescue Cheongwol, there’s only a month until the Heavenly Sovereign arrives. What good will it do in the current situation?”
“It’s beneficial for both of us.”
“……?”
“Martial Soul.”
Upon hearing those two words, I widened my eyes. As a martial artist, and having trained in the Thunder God Lineage for centuries, it was only natural.
Martial Soul! The unfinished final technique of the Thunder God Lineage.
The legendary technique no one in history had ever mastered!
Martial Soul had such a complex condition that even a master of the Absolute Realm would doubt they could obtain it within a millennium. I looked at Jin So-cheong with suspicion.
“Cheongwol is indeed a master of the Thunder God Lineage… but he isn’t strictly necessary to fulfill the conditions for Martial Soul.” Cheongwol was adept in both spear and sword techniques, but his specialized talent lay in Divine Techniques. He was not on the same level as Lee Kwang or Dokgo Seong in those fields. This was further validation of why I hadn’t rescued Cheongwol until now.
Then Jin So-cheong shook his head.
“No. Recently, while practicing with the insights I gained from you, I stumbled upon something. The method for obtaining Martial Soul may not be as absolute as previously thought. It’s merely a vague intuition felt by the predecessors of the Thunder God Lineage.”
“……”
I gasped in surprise. “C-could it be that Jin So-cheong… has a grasp on what Martial Soul is?”
“I feel like I caught a glimpse of it, if only for a fleeting moment.”
“……!!”
No way! A person who hasn’t even reached the Absolute Realm sensed the Martial Soul, something far beyond that level?! No matter how talented Jin So-cheong was, at this moment, his words felt like a bluff. So I looked at him with skepticism and remarked.
“I can’t believe it.”
“I thought you would say that.”
Jin So-cheong wore a bittersweet expression as he continued, “I’ll explain in detail after we rescue him. For now, please grant my request.”
“……”
In any case, I had nothing else to do but train and wait until a month later. I reluctantly nodded.
“Alright.”
Swoosh!
I, along with Jin So-cheong, used our powers to enter the Third Sea of Aokigahara Life Sea, known as the Entry Sea. Unlike the First and Second Seas, this place was home to enormous demon beasts of a level that exceeds the norm, swarming the abyss of the ocean like minions. There were even colossal demons roaming about. Thus, even I would find it nearly impossible to fight effectively in the Entry Sea without the help of the Great Immortal.
We arrived at the exact spot where I had previously rescued Cheongwol. Cheongwol was hiding between the ruins, barely surviving in the abyss of the sea. As I reflected on how long it had been since I last came here, I focused my senses.
‘Hmm. He’s over there.’
I could feel Cheongwol curled up amidst the rubble. I sent him a secret message.
[Cheongwol the Dharma Protector. We are from the Thunder God Lineage. Come with us.]
Cheongwol hesitated at first, seemingly wary, but after some time, cautiously emerged from the ruins. He looked as if he had been hiding for ages, appearing shabby and battered. Stuttering, he said, “The Th…Thunder God Lineage?”
“Yes. We’ve come to rescue you, Cheongwol, to find the Lunar Kill Technique.”
“Goodness… how did you end up in this hell of the human world…” Cheongwol seemed dazed for a moment, then wiped his tears away, “Thank you so much! If I can survive from here, I will surely repay you.”
“Yes… but…” Just as I was about to inquire about something, suddenly—
CRACK!!
A sudden rupture split the abyss open, bursting out with light. A flash erupted, followed by the roar of a monstrous creature.
ROOOOARR!
Far away in the distance, I caught sight of flashes and blast sounds, indicating a fierce battle. It was too far off, and the red abyss obscured my view, but the sight left me dumbfounded, and I asked Cheongwol, “Cheongwol the Dharma Protector, what is that?”
“Ah… that… It’s something that just recently came up…” Cheongwol frowned as he spoke.
“Someone is fighting against the monsters of this Entry Sea without pause. It seems they’re trying to take down the beasts of the Entry Sea… But they seem to be struggling, likely having to retreat every time.”
“…Isn’t that an incredible master?”
“Not sure… but their swordplay looks unique.”
“……”
Jin So-cheong suggested, “Let’s go check it out.”
Swoosh
Together with Jin So-cheong, I leaped across the abyss, nearing the fierce battleground. As we got closer, the scene erupted into terrifying sword movements, waves, and explosions, sending chills down my spine. A battle between superhumans was happening right here.
‘Who on earth is it?’
We arrived after cutting through roughly ten li.
RRROOOOAAARR!
CRASH!
“AAAAH!”
Death cries echoed into the air. A massive demon with wings that spanned fifty feet unleashed a breath attack that sent the would-be slayer soaring away!
With hundreds of those explosive breaths crossing the horizon of the abyss, it looked impossible to evade. The slayer cried out in despair as they took flight, away from danger.
“Oh no!”
Cheongwol and I quickly raced towards the location we predicted he’d crash down into.
Fwoosh…
The nearby terrain billowed with smoke as the charred remains of the slayer lay crumpled in a pit. Having been immediately burned to a crisp by searing heat, the body was now a charcoal heap. At this point, there was no way any human could have survived.
……
Yet, he was still crouched by the pit, still clinging to life. Strangely enough, he wore Dong-young’s hat and grasped a long sword that belonged to him. With the large hat covering his face, it was impossible to see his features.
Heh…
“…?”
For a moment, was that just my imagination, or did he just smile at me? I could see his lips slowly moving beneath the charcoal mask he wore.
‘What is he saying?’
Suddenly—
THUD!
My thoughts were cut short as his body finally disintegrated into ash, leaving nothing but a sword crumbling into the great void. It seemed he had tried to slay the beasts of the Entry Sea and had perished in the attempt.
ROOOARR!
Jin So-cheong glanced back at the massive demon swooping in from behind and said, “That one looks like at least a Overlay Demon. As it stands, we wouldn’t stand a chance, so let’s focus on rescuing Cheongwol and get out of here.”
“Understood.”
Jin So-cheong was right. Back when Yeodong-bin descended and broke through the Entry Sea, he had also fought a fierce battle against the monsters here, so one could say the beasts possessing terrifying strength were naturally at the level of the Great Immortal or Overlay Demon. They were practically monsters, unrecognizable as traditional lifeforms.
Swoosh!
I used my power to escape that place with Cheongwol and returned to Jangryeong Valley. After spending a day replenishing his energy and treating his wounds, I was able finally to hear everything that had happened. Of course, I had already been informed of Cheongwol’s circumstances, so there was no surprise in the details.
Jin So-cheong then turned to Cheongwol and requested, “Teach me the essence of the Soul Removal Technique, the Heavenly Light.”
“As your benefactor, it is only natural.” Cheongwol performed the essence of the Soul Removal Technique and began to impart its secrets to us. Having already received training once before and aided by Dokgo Seong, I was able to learn it more easily this time.
‘Back then, I didn’t master it…’
However, my talent was insufficient, and I could not employ the Heavenly Light itself. Mastering this technique required training for several years at the very least. After finishing the transfer, Cheongwol sighed in relief.
“Now that we are complete.”
I asked Jin So-cheong, “What do you plan on doing by learning the Heavenly Light at this point?”
“Baek Woong, the memories of learning the Heavenly Light from your Obsidian recall are unclear and seem to be lacking. You likely failed to understand the essence, which is why you had mastered the Soul Removal Technique but couldn’t utilize the Heavenly Light.”
“Harmony?”
Jin So-cheong nodded.
“In truth, Martial Soul doesn’t simply require mastery in the three realms of spear, sword, and fist. It would necessitate mastery in five areas, incorporating divine techniques and miscellaneous skills.”
“……”
Why did the criteria keep getting steeper? I was bewildered, mouth agape, and Jin So-cheong said, “From today onward, you will train with me.”
His eyes gleamed brightly.
“One month will be enough. I will create a stepping stone for you to reach the Absolute Realm.”
