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“So you’re telling me the Young Master’s strange disease is because of the Old Ruler?”

Mangnyang said something like that during the meeting with the Huashan Sect? When we looked at him in shock, he calmly responded.

“As I said, our main enemy is the Imperial Palace, but specifically, it’s the Otherworldly Race lurking within it. We uncovered this while investigating their dark dealings.”

“I see… I can relate to you on that.”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect sighed shortly and then continued.

“You mentioned a few days ago that there was something more important than curing the Young Master’s strange disease. What is it?”

“It’s about harnessing the power of the Seven Luminaries,” Mangnyang said, looking him straight in the eye.

“Currently, we have very little to work with regarding the strange disease. The clues from the Mythological Age are like a code— even if I told you about them, finding a solution would be incredibly difficult. So, I came all this way to advise you on the direction the White Lotus Sect should pursue as the leader of the Bancheon Alliance.”

“The Seven Luminaries… and direction…”

“Could you listen to me?”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect fell silent for a moment before finally speaking up.

“Before that, I’d like to hear more about this clue from the Mythological Age.”

“Yes. If we can find the Black and White Lotus, which is the original form of the Sacred Lotus, we could potentially heal the strange disease, but it’s said to be located in a mountain from the Primordial Age where Jeon Wook last left evidence of Qi control.”

“…that sounds really difficult to find.”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect looked a bit incredulous. But even if Dongbang Mu-gyeol had returned with this clue in perfect condition, I bet he would have reacted the same way. Calmly, Mangnyang continued.

“More importantly, if we can harness the power of the Seven Luminaries, we could lift the curse of the [Old Ruler] even without the Black and White Lotus. This power transcends perception, so I believe we should focus on the Seven Luminaries first.”

“The Seven Luminaries… I recall there’s one in Haedong.”

“Seems like you have something on your mind…”

Mangnyang teased, and the Master of the White Lotus Sect shot back.

“Leader of the Bancheon Alliance. What did you do with Dongbang Mu-gyeol?”

Out of nowhere, hitting the nail on the head!

It might just be a lucky guess, but it seemed the Master quickly figured out how we obtained our intel. Jin So-cheong and I exchanged nervous glances while Mangnyang surprisingly, without lying, answered honestly.

“Right now, he is being protected by our Bancheon Alliance.”

“Hmm… Well, I’m sure you have other information for me.”

“Regarding the Dragon Flower Tree, it’s said to be hidden in a continent at the southern tip of the world. It’s sleeping next to the secret treasure of the Fire Luminary.”

“I see. So it all leads back to the Seven Luminaries.”

I was struggling to keep up with their conversation.

In other words, the Master of the White Lotus Sect realized the Bancheon Alliance had kidnapped Dongbang Mu-gyeol, their envoy, but instead of being furious and ready to attack, both Mangnyang and we kept our cool. Mangnyang spoke as if he had predicted this all along.

The Master of the White Lotus Sect said,

“You must have been confident you could provide me with better information than that of Dongbang Mu-gyeol.”

“That’s right. While Dongbang Mu-gyeol went all the way to the Southern Kingdom for intel, we’re the only ones capable of organizing it and getting to the Old Ruler.”

“What do you want in return?”

“We’d like for you to entrust the overall mission of searching for the Seven Luminaries and finding a cure for the Young Master’s strange disease to our Bancheon Alliance. In exchange, we hope to establish a friendly alliance with the White Lotus Sect.”

“……”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect fell silent, lost in thought.

Finally, I began to understand what Mangnyang had called a “bet.” He was trying to negotiate with the Master of the White Lotus Sect to ignite a desire for searching for the Seven Luminaries while securing an alliance with the Sect in exchange for intelligence! Of course, if this all went well, the Bancheon Alliance would instantly back itself with the strongest force in the Martial Arts World. But if it failed, we three would meet our doom right here courtesy of the Master.

After quite a delay, the Master finally spoke up.

“Mangnyang… your name is the same as someone I know. What is your relationship with Master Mangnyang?”

“I am his disciple.”

“I thought so. This is quite interesting.”

It seemed like the Master was also familiar with Master Mangnyang. He had a faint smile as he continued speaking.

“As you probably know, there are two ways to lift a curse. One is acquiring a spiritual pill infused with the sacred powers like the Sacred Lotus of Primordial times, and the other is to eliminate the sorcerer casting the curse. Why do you think I couldn’t opt for the latter?”

“Hmm…”

Mangnyang looked a bit flummoxed but eventually gave the expected answer.

“Because I can’t kill the sorcerer casting the curse.”

“Correct.”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect leaned slightly to the side. He continued.

“This was decades ago… I had a conflict with a divine being, leading to a battle. To be accurate, I once defeated his physical form. He was powerful, but he was no match for me.”

“……!!”

In that moment, Mangnyang and I widened our eyes.

‘For real?!’

Could it be that the Master of the White Lotus Sect actually battled the Old Ruler?!

Against an unfathomably mighty evil god that even the Celestial Realm could not touch?!

It was something I had never even imagined, and I just gaped in disbelief.

“But that being suddenly vanished into thin air, and then my son, the Young Master, was afflicted with a terrible curse.”

“……”

“I wanted to track that entity down and destroy it, but there was no way to pursue someone who had already faded away with their soul.”

Mangnyang paused to think before answering.

“What you destroyed was probably just the avatar of the Old Ruler. The Old Ruler, after all, has transcended death, and when an avatar dies, the main body returns to the Otherworldly Realm known as Dark Heaven.”

“I’m aware. Since that incident, I’ve investigated a lot about the Otherworldly Race and the Old Ruler…”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect sighed.

“No matter how strong I am, it would have been impossible to traverse dimensions and travel to the Dark Heaven to find that being and kill it. That’s why I had no choice but to seek out a normal cure.”

Now I could see how things had unfolded. The Master of the White Lotus Sect had killed the Old Ruler, but because of the curse left behind by that being, the Young Master fell ill. I grasped most of the situation, but I felt there were many unresolved questions in my mind.

Then why was the curse that the Alchemist spread in the capital so similar to the Young Master’s disease?

Each person experiences a different progression of the disease, but what kind of variance was there?

Mangnyang said,

“I want to know the details. How did you end up fighting the Old Ruler?”

“It all started when a blue-eyed foreigner came to the Western Regions.”

“A foreigner?”

“That foreigner offered me a deal— that if I obtained the Nameless Ritual Book, I would gain dominion over the world. However, I had no interest, so I rejected him. Before dying, that man sacrificed himself to summon the Old Ruler.”

The Nameless Ritual Book!

I glanced at Mangnyang. He nodded back, seemingly in agreement.

That foreigner from the Western Regions was likely a sorcerer like the Alchemist, coming all the way to the Central Plains just to acquire the powerful Nameless Ritual Book. The Master of the White Lotus Sect didn’t mention it directly, but he probably saw that foreigner as a threat and dispatched an assassin squad to eliminate him. In a fit of rage just before his demise, the sorcerer seems to have sacrificed his soul to summon the Old Ruler.

Mangnyang asked.

“Are you aware that the Imperial Palace is utilizing the strength of the Otherworldly Race and that the Emperor is pursuing immortality with their help?”

“Of course. Until now, it didn’t concern us directly, so I ignored it.”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect was well aware of the dark dealings within the Imperial Palace. However, since the rituals of human sacrifice or the movements of the Golden Eagle Guards didn’t directly affect the White Lotus Sect, it seems he chose to overlook them. The urgency of finding a cure for the Young Master also played a significant role in that decision.

Mangnyang said,

“We can not only search for the Seven Luminaries but can also find the Nameless Ritual Book and the cure. Please trust us.”

“Then let’s proceed. I’m counting on you.”

“Thank you.”

“But, Dongbang Mu-gyeol, I want him sent over here. We owe him our gratitude for his efforts.”

“Understood.”

The conversation flowed smoothly. I was worried that I might get killed by the Master but, surprisingly, things went smoothly. Confused, I soon realized that Mangnyang had weighed his chances and made his bet. The Master likely preferred not to rely solely on the unexpected intel from Dongbang Mu-gyeol; he needed an organization like the Bancheon Alliance, which understood the Otherworldly Race and sorcery and could assist in the search process as well.

“Also, if you agree to form an alliance, I have a small request…”

“What is it?”

“It seems the Wind Spirit Sect is moving to restrain the Thunder God Lineage, which could deal a significant blow to our Bancheon Alliance that is collaborating with them. I’d appreciate it if you could help prevent that.”

“Our Dharma Protectors don’t engage in such petty acts.”

“Of course, but sometimes the lower ranks move out of their overly loyal whim, you know? I just wanted to mention it, as it might complicate our search for the cure for the Young Master.”

“Hmm… I suppose that could be the case.”

It was a distinctly political conversation.

Although the Master acted ignorant, he probably had a pretty good idea of what the Wind Spirit Sect was scheming. So Mangnyang subtly shifted the conversation to “matters the leadership remains unaware of,” and the Master pretended to accept that.

Once it seemed the discussions were wrapping up, I turned to the Master, who was standing beside me, and asked,

“Um… may I ask one more thing?”

“You are Baek Woong, correct? Go ahead.”

“It seems you sought the Dragon Flower Tree as a cure—why did you think that?”

The Dragon Flower Tree wasn’t just a plant; it was said to be the tree where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. In other words, it holds divine power. The Master of the White Lotus Sect might have considered this because of its connection to their origins, but I wanted to know more.

The Master stroked his chin as if thinking over my question. Then he replied,

“The Non-Birth Mother.”

“……?”

“It’s the name of the great divine we revere. Our Creator, the Non-Birth Mother, promised to send Maitreya to this world to gather her scattered children and lead them back to the True Martial Home, achieving a peaceful Millennium Kingdom in the human realm. Are you familiar with the teachings of the White Lotus Sect?”

“I’ve heard vague accounts of it in the past.”

“In fact, I once sought advice from the most powerful sorcerer I knew to cure the strange disease. That sorcerer said he could not assist me, but noted it was a divine blessing.”

“A divine blessing?”

“The Old Ruler’s magical power could have unleashed curses capable of destroying the entire White Lotus Sect, but thanks to the Non-Birth Mother’s blessing, he couldn’t do that. So I was pondering the best way to offer the grandest offering and merit to the Non-Birth Mother. I figured the Dragon Flower Tree, which embodies the might of legends, could serve that purpose.”

“Hmm…”

The blessing of the Non-Birth Mother!

I unconsciously let out a breath of disbelief. While the White Lotus Sect was a religious group, until now, I’d thought of them more like a cult disguised as a religious organization. They had actually defeated the original cult thriving in Gansu Province and established their territory. But listening to the Master, it seemed he genuinely believed in the Non-Birth Mother as a leader, feeling a great sense of identity with their faith.

At that moment, Mangnyang interjected.

“What do you believe Maitreya is?”

“The being that eliminates the cycle of reincarnation.”

“What do you mean?”

“When Maitreya is born under the Dragon Flower Tree, all beings in this world will gain enlightenment and ascend to the heavens. However, that also means shedding the fetters of flesh and the soul, allowing them to reach Upper Heaven… In that moment, all the pain of reincarnation will be vanquished.”

I was listening to the Master’s religious theories without much thought, but Mangnyang appeared quite serious, listening intently to the Master’s words. He rested his chin on his hand, pondering deeply before tackling his next question.

“So, you think Maitreya is not a god?”

“That’s correct. Maitreya is not a god. I believe it embodies the laws of the universe.”

“I’ve learned a lot, and it’s been very helpful.”

We were able to gather detailed information about the sorcerer from the Western Regions, alongside a few volumes of the White Lotus Sect’s scriptures. Once we wrapped up, the Master of the White Lotus Sect looked at Jin So-cheong and remarked,

“Lee Kwang’s disciple. Truly impressive achievements.”

“Thank you.”

“You should return to our Sect.”

He seemed a bit disappointed. It was striking to realize that the Master of the White Lotus Sect had such a high opinion of Jin So-cheong. To put it another way, even the top genius of the world recognized and coveted her talent.

Afterward, we were allowed to see the Young Master of the White Lotus Sect directly. He was recuperating in a building named the Heavenly Law Hall, draped in a divine Sacred Purple Bamboo. As Mangnyang gazed at the set-up surrounding the Young Master’s bed, he was awed.

“This place feels like a divine temple. The spiritual stability is profound, and that bed is constructed with a powerful spirit structure…”

Getting closer to the Young Master, it was as I expected—his body had partially transformed due to the strange disease, resembling the Otherworldly Race. However, his face remained unscathed. Compared to what I had imagined, the disease hadn’t advanced too far; he looked to be in a vegetative state, merely breathing. After assessing the Young Master’s condition, we bowed to the Master of the White Lotus Sect and exited the Sect.

We exited the White Lotus Sect and traveled several hundred li, reaching a nearby inn to hold a debate about our recent dealings.

I asked Mangnyang,

“So, can we put a stop to the Wind Spirit Sect’s schemes?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. We might prevent significant dangers, but minor setbacks could occur.”

“Even with the Master personally intervening?”

“You’re looking at this too optimistically.”

Mangnyang sighed briefly.

“The Master will send down orders to halt Yong Junil’s plans, but the White Lotus Sect doesn’t genuinely want to restrain the Thunder God Lineage too much. The issue lies in when the Master will let this stop. If the wait drags on too long, we might incur irreversible damage.”

“Hmm.”

“Well, at least we avoided the worst outcome, so let’s count that as a win. The Master’s reputation won’t allow him to act too mercilessly.”

As Mangnyang spoke, I addressed him.

“Mangnyang, by the way, why did you ask about Maitreya earlier?”

Every other question had practical implications, but Mangnyang’s inquiry about Maitreya felt oddly out of place. I was curious if that stemmed from his thirst for knowledge or if it was somehow genuinely related to our survival crisis. Jin So-cheong looked at Mangnyang with curiosity, and he scratched his head awkwardly before speaking up.

“It’s still just a hypothesis, but I thought it might be worth mentioning.”

“Please, do share.”

“In simple terms, the notion of the blessing from the Non-Birth Mother is quite suspicious.”

“……?”

With his next statement, I felt like I’d been hit in the head.

“I’ve heard from my master that the only beings capable of blocking the Old Ruler’s magical power are other Old Rulers or beings of divine status. Thus, if the blessing from the Non-Birth Mother truly exists and has weakened the Old Ruler’s curse, it suggests…”

Mangnyang didn’t finish his sentence, but I grasped what he was insinuating.

“…that the Non-Birth Mother, the deity of the White Lotus Sect, is likely another Old Ruler?”

“Just a hypothesis.”

But if the White Lotus Sect isn’t engaging in human sacrifice and is closer to a martial group than a religious one…

“Not all Old Rulers indulge in human sacrifices. They generally show indifference toward humans, and what they desire could sometimes be something intangible. If this hypothesis holds, then the White Lotus Sect may have obtained immense power at the expense of offering ‘something’.”

“……!!”

Mangnyang waved his hands in evident discomfort. He rarely appeared so anxious when he spoke.

“In any case, I couldn’t help but ask. If that’s the case, then what does the existence of Maitreya, who is said to lead the world to liberation, mean? There’s no one better versed in the teachings of the White Lotus Sect than the Master himself, which is why I needed to inquire.”

“The Master claimed Maitreya is not a god.”

“Seems so. Maitreya isn’t a god; rather, I believe it represents the principles of the universe.”

“That’s quite an answer, huh?”

What does that imply?

“That’s exactly what complicates the matter.”

“Why is that?”

“Because the Master’s interpretation of Maitreya contradicts the understanding of Buddhists across the Central Plains, all of Tianzhu, and beyond. His response implied that the Non-Birth Mother, as an entity, is real, manifesting a power able to wield the principles of the universe, Maitreya. Moreover, the notion of erasing the cycle of reincarnation… that’s practically heretical thinking.”

Mangnyang’s intent was murky.

As both Jin So-cheong and I gazed at him with curiosity, he heaved a sigh.

“Sigh… Anyway, it’s only a hypothesis for now. I believe I need to visit my Master to discuss this matter.”

“Is it that crucial?”

“Of course.”

Mangnyang murmured solemnly.

“Baek Woong, take me to my Master. I’ll return to Jinrang Valley later.”

 

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