1050——————==

True Martial Home

The Great Monster Disturbance.

The first place this anomaly occurred was none other than the Haenam area. Now part of the Great Bear Empire, the Kingdom of Duke Du and the surrounding castles had all become monster infestation zones.

Brrrrrr

Monsters were howling from inside the broken castle gates. Hearing this, General Si Yeocheol of the Great Bear Empire frowned. He had brought over 20,000 elite troops to exterminate monsters in Haenam City, which was currently ravaged by the monster crisis.

‘Even just their cries seem to dampen the soldiers’ morale. A monster outbreak in this day and age…’

But General Si Yeocheol shook his head and waved his hand.

“Fire the Heat Cannon.”

BANG!!!

In the next moment, over a hundred cannons fired in unison. The heat cannon was the latest artillery, a product of continuous modifications and enhancements of the once dominant Man Gwangpo, which the Great Bear Empire had used to conquer the world. This latest model boasted a significantly increased rate of fire and doubled its power and stability, making it a truly formidable weapon.

Kiiieee!!!

As the cannons bombarded the monsters, hundreds of them were swept away in one go. However, despite the casualties among the weaker and medium-level monsters, some managed to withstand the barrage from the heat cannons and began to charge towards the troops. A large, bug-like monster with huge wings flew in and attacked the soldiers.

“Fire!!”

Tatata-tat! Tatang!

The bug monster writhed in pain as it was hit by rifle bullets, before finally collapsing like a rag doll. Watching from a distance, General Si Yeocheol muttered with a bitter smile.

“Did it die so easily because all the rounds hit? Though a higher-ranked monster, it seems it didn’t have damage immunity or spiritual transformation. What a waste of the sorcery rounds I deployed.”

While General Si Yeocheol disliked monsters as unscientific beings, he knew all too well their properties and how to deal with them as a general of the Great Bear Empire.

Having traveled the world fighting sorcerers and demon beasts, the Great Bear Army had a wealth of experience in handling monsters and had passed down their methods even decades later. Si Yeocheol had equipped his troops with specially manufactured sorcery rounds in case there were monsters or spirits resistant to bullets or cannons. Even if a bullet could not harm a demonic beast, the sorcery rounds would still deal damage, and special artillery shells could injure higher-ranked monsters.

With Si Yeocheol’s 20,000 elite troops easily recapturing Haenam City and advancing fifty miles, his plans to annihilate the monsters soon faced disappointment upon reaching the coastal area.

Kruuuff—

Having eliminated the lower-level monster hordes on the coast, what appeared next was a monster resembling a whale, its size reaching two hundred. Although described as two hundred, it felt as if a mountain was rising.

WHOOSH

Each movement created waves crashing down at the shore.

“What, what the heck is that?”

Even General Si Yeocheol, who had seen it all, stood agape, unable to believe his eyes. He had never seen a monster of such size before.

“General, what should we do? Should we attack?”

When his vice commander asked, Si Yeocheol replied in a hoarse voice.

“…We retreat. The lives of the soldiers are more important.”

They needed to flee while that monster showed no hostility. Though it seemed shameful for 20,000 troops to flee from a single monster, Si Yeocheol did not think so. He was certain that with their current forces, they could never bring down such a beast. If they fought, rather than conquering the monster, they would be annihilated.

‘Is that the so-called [Variant Type], the ultimate monster…!!’

Though there were martial artists among Si Yeocheol’s 20,000 troops supported by the martial platform, he did not trust them. Experience had taught him that even skilled cultivators become useless if there’s a considerable gap in strength.

Such events were unfolding all over the Great Bear Empire. The Great Bear Army easily repelled the monster hordes attacking each castle, but when the formidable variants appeared unexpectedly, they were left helpless. These monsters possessed a power that far surpassed even ordinary threats.

Especially the larger variants were somewhat less aggressive, but the smaller, human-like ones with insane strength and speed were often highly aggressive, causing significant casualties. It became commonplace for generals to be killed or massacred by higher-ranked monsters.

As reports poured in from various regions of the Central Plains, Zhuge Yulong addressed the leader of the White Lotus Sect in an emergency meeting.

“It seems these [Variant Types] have been created by the Eight Parts of the Divine injecting their power into them. They inherit some of the strength from the true bodies, making them fundamentally different from naturally occurring monsters.”

[Is that so…?]

The leader of the White Lotus Sect crossed his arms as he listened to the report.

[We must capture those variant types. If they harbor their strength, it’s akin to creating avatars. If we manage to eliminate the variant types, the power of the Eight Parts of the Divine will significantly decrease.]

“That makes sense. It’s certainly the logical countermeasure at this point. However….”

[However?]

Zhuge Yulong, sitting in his chair with his eyes closed, said,

“I have a hunch. I feel like this is the answer the Eight Parts of the Divine intended.”

[Are you saying it’s a trap…? Are you suggesting that capturing the variant types could lead us into a trap?]

“Exactly. The Eight Parts of the Divine aren’t stupid. They undoubtedly know that creating avatars without being divine comes with a heavy burden. It’s far better to hide away and patiently recover. Yet, if they’re willing to bear that burden and intentionally provoke us, there’s a reason behind it.”

[…….]

“It seems to be the work of Gin Nara. They often enjoy setting traps like this.”

[So what are you suggesting? We can’t just let the variants run amok.]

“No. Since it was a request from my brother, I’ll handle it. I’ll get the help of Seong Jin and Abe no Seimei.”

[Oh… I’ll trust you then.]

Soon after, Seong Jin and Abe no Seimei, alongside Cheon Woo-jin, gathered to hold a meeting. They were all at the Great Immortal Level in sorcery, rivaling each other for the title of the world’s best.

After a long discussion on how to tackle the variant types, they finally reached a conclusion.

Seong Jin said, “Cheon Woo-jin, you will mix reality with illusion. I will assist with my sorcery, and Seimei will use spirit puppets to spread it across the world.”

“That sounds like a good plan. But can you really provide that level of sorcery to me?”

Cheon Woo-jin looked at Seong Jin with skepticism. Theoretically, Seong Jin’s method seemed the best, and using it could minimize damage from the variants. However, such a good plan would require enormous sorcery and magical power. While calculating the needed amount in his mind, Cheon Woo-jin added,

“To target the entire continent of the Central Plains, we’d need at least over 900 years’ worth of sorcery. No matter how much you claim to have cultivated sorcery for over a thousand years, you couldn’t have spent all that time solely practicing the basics. Even if you wagered your life, that kind of sorcery can’t be supported.”

Sorcery did not simply grow in proportion to the time spent cultivating it. Unlike internal power, which incrementally builds up, sorcery was a power granted by the Three Sovereigns’ Fuxi, meaning that once a certain threshold was reached, further achievements became exceedingly slow. Because of this, sorcerers often specialized or developed unique sorcery techniques to become stronger, making it very difficult to exponentially grow their pure sorcery potential.

Seong Jin nodded, saying, “I would undoubtedly be insufficient alone. So I will combine forces with my wives.”

Cheon Woo-jin’s expression turned strange. “Wives?”

Swoosh

Moments later, Seong Jin’s nine wives appeared simultaneously through space-time movement. Seong Jin glanced at each of them before speaking.

“All my wives have delved deeply into sorcery, obtaining immortality and spending hundreds of years cultivating magic, creating a tight spiritual connection with me. If we combine our strengths, we could create sorcery equivalent to a thousand years.”

“…….”

“It might even be more.”

The first woman with white hair, dressed in silk, stepped forward. She was Baek Neung-pa, one of Seong Jin’s wives.

“If I use my magic pearl, it should be enough.”

Naturally, if the daughter of the Dragon King, Dongjeong-ho, had mastered the power of her pearl for hundreds of years, she could indeed provide sufficient power. However, Cheon Woo-jin couldn’t help but think, even as he internally agreed,

‘…Uncle Seong Jin, why do you have so many wives? And how did you charm a dragon…?’

Even more bizarre was how none of his wives seemed to harbor any resentment towards Seong Jin whatsoever. It was astonishing how Seong Jin could maintain such a harmonious marriage with them for nearly a thousand years. In some ways, it was just as mysterious as Baek Woong’s reincarnation secret. Nevertheless, since it didn’t concern him, Cheon Woo-jin brushed it off.

Abe no Seimei spoke up. “Seong Jin, while you’re at it, I would appreciate it if you could lend me that sorcery too.”

“Why?”

“I need to awaken Miho as a divine being.”

“Ah, you mean that thing you mentioned earlier. Understood.”

Shortly after, the three Great Immortal Level sorcerers combined their powers to build an altar and perform a ritual. On the day they conducted the ritual, strange five-color fog spread across the Central Plains.

Great Illusion Formation

In the Midst of Endless Reality

Sssss—

As the five-color fog enveloped the area, all the monsters rampaging across the continent suddenly vanished. Civilians who had been suffering from monster attacks rejoiced at the fog’s presence, only to soon realize that the monsters hadn’t disappeared but had merely turned translucent.

“W-what is this?”

A simple villager trying to escape the monsters reached out towards a translucent monster in front of him, only to find his hand passing through it completely. Additionally, the monsters seemed unable to recognize humans, aimlessly wandering about.

At that moment, Cheon Woo-jin focused his mind atop the altar and muttered,

“The effect of the Great Illusion Formation is to isolate the monsters in reality into illusion… Now that reality and illusion are mixed, even if it’s a variant, it can no longer affect reality.”

“How long can we maintain this sorcery?”

“As long as there’s sufficient magical power behind it!”

“Well then, it should last for three years.”

Seong Jin, assisting with the ritual, sighed in relief.

Without the [power] to merge reality and illusion, breaking free from the Midst of Endless Reality would be impossible. And that was a feat only possible for beings of the demon king level, hence Cheon Woo-jin and his allies’ counter plan was the best they could achieve.

Meanwhile, while the sorcerers held off and bought time, the Great Bear Empire prepared to repair damage caused by the monsters and ready themselves for battle with stronger monsters. They began training an abundance of sorcerers and gathering martial artists to elevate their levels and prepare a large stockpile of sorcery rounds.

Thus, two quiet years passed.

Around that time, someone visited Mangnyang, who was recuperating in the imperial capital Luoyang.

“How have you been?”

“Elder Sword Demon, what brings you here?”

Mangnyang was visited by Seo Mun-dae-ryong, the Sword Demon. Despite the time that had passed, he had reached the Absolute Realm, and his internal power had peaked. He looked almost unchanged from the time of Baek Woong’s disappearance thanks to his martial arts technique known as Rebirth of Flesh.

Removing his hat and placing it down, Seo Mun-dae-ryong glanced at Mangnyang, who was seated at the table.

“I heard you couldn’t move from your sickbed, but you seem to be doing quite well now.”

“I’ve been steadily practicing the Corpse Dissolution Technique. Also, thanks to the Philosopher’s Stone repairing my damaged spirit, these days I can move about a hundred paces a day.”

“Glad to hear that.”

“However, you don’t seem to be here just for small talk. What brings you?”

Noticing the unusual atmosphere, Seo Mun-dae-ryong stared at him for a moment before saying,

“I am leaving the Great Bear Empire.”

“…You’re serious.”

Mangnyang realized Seo Mun-dae-ryong’s earnestness.

“Are you planning to take Seo Mun-hye with you?”

“I would like to.”

“Why do you think that?”

At Mangnyang’s question, Seo Mun-dae-ryong calmly replied.

“I too received the obsidian from Baek Woong. I know all the memories of the Reborn Person Baek Woong, and thanks to that, I reached the Absolute Realm much more quickly and easily. However, as I train more, the energy of despair slowly wraps around my heart…”

At those words, Mangnyang flinched.

“Could it be that the Evil Qi from the obsidian…?”

“Most likely. I can sense the thick darkness radiating outward.”

“But the other comrades haven’t mentioned anything. I haven’t felt any significant changes either…”

Seo Mun-dae-ryong gazed at Mangnyang with clear eyes.

“Honestly speaking, is the current Great Bear Empire good or evil?”

“…….”

“I can’t say which, but I certainly can’t call it good. There’s been significant slaughter while waging world wars and conducting invasions. Even if it’s said to be for necessity, that justification doesn’t hold up to the results. We too have been consumed by the logic of hegemony, making it hard to feel discomfort with that Evil Qi.”

Mangnyang pondered deeply over his words, eventually realizing their truth.

“I see. The law of dominance and the path of wickedness are just a sheet of paper apart…. I may have unwittingly become accustomed to it.”

“I’ve grown weary seeing my daughter get injured in battles against transcendent beings. And having distanced myself from the Great Bear Empire, I’ve had numerous thoughts. As a result, I’ve come to realize that the obsidian’s Evil Qi is gradually changing our nature.”

“Hmm. I thought it wasn’t a big concern since the Evil Qi stemming from Baek Woong’s spirit was reduced to less than half due to the dilution of despair…”

Mangnyang let out a deep breath.

‘Seo Mun-dae-ryong might be right.’

As he was still consciously excluding evil deeds, if the Great Bear Empire were to find itself on the brink of extinction, would they really refrain from engaging in evil actions? Mangnyang would have steadfastly claimed that he wouldn’t, even if it meant the fall of the Great Bear Empire, but now he felt uncertain.

After all, all the effort he had put into building the Great Bear Empire was everything to Mangnyang, and to protect that tower of effort, he would likely resort to any means necessary. That was because the obsidian’s Evil Qi had oddly twisted his mind and character.

Noticing Mangnyang’s silence, Seo Mun-dae-ryong spoke.

“Like you said, the Evil Qi is weak enough that a Master’s mental strength can easily suppress it. However, the despair and madness that the Reborn Person Baek Woong harbored within are far more tenacious. To fundamentally overcome this, we must find the ‘Path of Humanity.’”

“What does the Path of Humanity mean?”

“…Each person has their own method. Yet, the method I’ve thought of is to challenge the Divine Realm.”

“……!!”

“Mangnyang, I ask you. Please let me go from the Great Bear Empire.”

Seo Mun-dae-ryong specifically came to plead with Mangnyang because he was aware that the current power dynamics of the Great Bear Empire revolved around him. There were others with stronger abilities, but no one rivaled Mangnyang’s capacity to read the overall situation and guide everyone, so they all relied on him. If Mangnyang spoke, even the Emperor or the White Lotus Sect Leader would likely accept it.

“If the Sword Demon leaves, we may be annihilated by the Eight Parts of the Divine. You know that no one can substitute for your capabilities within the Great Bear Empire. Regardless of our great teachings and Seven Great Techniques, how many can reach the Absolute Realm? For decades, we’ve been selecting martial arts geniuses across the continent, yet none have reached the Absolute Realm…”

Seo Mun-dae-ryong shook his head.

“I wish to live as my heart desires. And I don’t want to see Hyea being swayed by the fate of the reincarnated anymore.”

“Elder….”

“If you stop me… I will kill the White Lotus Sect Leader and anyone who stands in my way.”

That was the truth.

And the words of the currently determined Sword Demon were no empty threats. Even after reaching the Absolute Realm, Seo Mun-dae-ryong had undergone relentless training, making it so that even the current leader of the White Lotus Sect would have to give it his all to take him on.

Mangnyang realized he could no longer sway Seo Mun-dae-ryong’s heart. Reluctantly, he suggested a compromise.

“Alright then. I will release you from the Great Bear Empire. However, regarding Seo Mun-hye, I cannot guarantee anything. If she leaves, no matter what we try, we won’t be able to stop the Eight Parts of the Divine, so I will need to ask her will.”

“I understand. If she wants to stay, then so be it. But if she wishes to leave, I won’t stop her.”

Though Seo Mun-dae-ryong deeply wanted to take Seo Mun-hye with him, he knew he couldn’t force her, so he had to settle for a compromise. Mangnyang nodded.

“I understood. But Elder Sword Demon… I want to suggest another method rather than just retreating.”

“What method?”

“Originally, I planned to reveal this plan after establishing more than ten Absolute Realm cultivators in the Great Bear Empire, but circumstances have changed…”

Mangnyang spoke.

“An alternate path has been created, so proceed through it to reach the Celestial Realm. In the Celestial Realm, you should be able to train leisurely until Baek Woong returns. Also, you’ll have tasks to complete when you get there. It’s something that needs to be done anyway, so I’d appreciate your help.”

“…What do you mean? I’ve never heard of this before.”

“It’s a plan to return to this world when the time is right. Furthermore…”

Mangnyang spoke carefully, ensuring no one could overhear.

“It’s also a plan to find the Three Sovereigns Fuxi.”

Days later, Seo Mun-dae-ryong suddenly vanished from the Great Bear Empire. Everyone was bewildered and surprised at his disappearance, but soon quieted down. This was due to the fact that only a select few knew he had received a secret order from Mangnyang.

And one year later, the Midst of Endless Reality began to lift gradually. The three years of grace provided by the sorcerers came to an end, and the monster war truly began.

The elite forces of the Great Bear Empire, who had spent three years sharpening their blades, simultaneously engaged in war against the monster hordes. The ensuing battle was vastly different from the sudden ambush three years ago.

BANG!!!

“Grrr…!!”

Dokgo Seong grimaced. The claw attacks from the Blood Shadow Demon, a commanding figure among the [Variant Type] monsters, were overwhelming, making it hard for his Thunder Sword to hold its own. This humanoid monster surrounded by crimson mist was the mastermind behind the massacre of countless humans and the devastation of the western Central Plains.

But at that moment, Dokgo Seong seized the opportunity and lunged forward, decapitating the Blood Shadow Demon.

SWISH!

The Blood Shadow Demon didn’t let out a scream, its head falling instantly. Dokgo Seong sheathed his sword and murmured.

“Looks like we’ve killed all the variants.”

About three years had passed since the monster war began. During that time, the Great Bear Empire had trapped the monsters in the Midst of Endless Reality and continuously attacked them in surprise raids. With the support of sorcerers like Cheon Woo-jin, Seong Jin, and Abe no Seimei, even when danger arose, they used illusion techniques to minimize damage. As a result, the previously rampant monsters began to be steadily defeated, and the Great Bear Empire successfully captured the powerful [Variant Types] as well.

The monster Dokgo Seong had slain was the last of the notorious variant monsters. Breathing a sigh of relief, thinking peace would finally arrive, he suddenly heard a voice in his ear.

“I expected you to bring out the Seven Luminaries, yet you still haven’t. Figured you humans could repel the summoned monster legion without the Seven Luminaries… how interesting.”

Dokgo Seong turned around to see the fiery-eyed figure emerging.

“Yacha of the Eight Parts of the Divine!!”

Yacha wore a face of utter humiliation, unable to believe that a human empire could defeat his subordinates without the aid of the Seven Luminaries.

“Since it’s come to this, we shall personally deal with you now.”

WHOOSH

Yacha suddenly swept forward with his sickle. Dokgo Seong released his awareness of the Spirit Heavenly Pillar and defended himself against Yacha’s onslaught, but it was difficult to withstand Yacha’s sheer power alone, and he was quickly being overwhelmed. Yacha brandished his sickle and mocked Dokgo Seong.

“I’ve seized the chance when your comrades aren’t around, so don’t even think of surviving. I will hunt down every single one of your Absolute Realm members!”

CLANG!!

Having blocked Yacha’s fierce blow, Dokgo Seong grinned.

“No way…. That’s exactly what we were thinking as well!”

Boom!

Suddenly, Cheon Woo-jin, Abe no Seimei, and Seong Jin appeared from all directions, erecting a barrier, with ten spirit beings emerging to encircle Yacha, while the leader of the White Lotus Sect summoned the Spirit of Heaven’s Abundance’s mandala from above to attack.

“……?!”

BOOM!

Caught off guard by this unexpected joint attack, Yacha fought fervently, but swiftly transformed back into his true form and escaped. However, even in his true form, he sustained considerable injuries from their combined assault, scattering blue blood across the ground. The leader of the White Lotus Sect, who watched him flee from a distance, said,

“Zhuge Yulong. I see that the ruse of the Eight Parts of the Divine still holds true.”

Following him, Zhuge Yulong chuckled softly and replied.

“Although they appear to have a strong bond amongst themselves, the Yacha faction and the Gin Nara faction are actually split. Even now, they distrust each other, only uniting in special circumstances… This incident would have been known to Gin Nara, but Yacha was unaware, and I bet he’ll start arguing with his own faction upon returning.”

For decades, Zhuge Yulong had been covertly collaborating as a spy among the Eight Parts of the Divine while acting as a double agent to sow discord among them. Because of this, the Eight Parts of the Divine had been effectively divided, unable to share information with one another.

[Oh… I see.]

“However, this war will stretch on. Since they’ve not yet fully healed from their injuries, they’ll keep poking around, trying to gain the upper hand.”

[How tiresome. So they’re only hit-and-run tactics, huh?]

“We must continuously weaken them. The key is to ensure that every time the Eight Parts of the Divine reveal themselves, we can ensnare them all at once and eliminate them.”

[What could be the reason they still come at us despite being injured?]

Zhuge Yulong chuckled softly. “It’s likely that the damage done to the entities summoned by Hyun’s Sealing Blood of the Divine was greater than expected. They want to settle things before the impending [end] and [revelation] arrive, rather than wait for their full recovery.”

[That makes sense. Even if they fully recover, if the [end] approaches with the return of the old rulers, it could mean nothing.]

The leader of the White Lotus Sect crossed his arms.

[We have no choice but to proceed…. Even if it takes several decades, I will annihilate them all.]

“However, there’s one thing to be cautious about.”

[What is it?]

Zhuge Yulong replied with an air of concern.

“Ashura… that guy doesn’t listen to anyone. Though he’s never revealed himself, if he does, even my strategies won’t work.”

[Hmph. No matter—if we all attack in unison, he’ll surely die. What can he accomplish alone, especially without the power of Chi You?]

While the leader of the White Lotus Sect laughed derisively at Ashura, Zhuge Yulong remained unconvinced.

His instincts as a strategist deemed Ashura as the most dangerous existence.

‘Why…?’

It wasn’t merely because he lay outside the reach of his schemes.

He sensed that Ashura’s desires lay on a dimension he could not grasp.