Chapter 243
“Heavenly Realm?”
Docgo Seong looked pretty shocked by the Sword Demon’s words. The immense fog on the mountaintop began to lift, revealing a figure through the mist. Until now, it was just a vague silhouette, but now the reality became clearer.
Docgo Seong moved a bit closer and spoke up, “Sword Demon, how do you know about the Thunder God Lineage?”
Though the killing intent was palpable, it was mixed with a strong sense of confusion. If I could feel it clearly, there was no way the perceptive Sword Demon wouldn’t notice. The Sword Demon just chuckled and said, “I’m rather familiar with the Four Great Families of the White Lotus Sect. Especially since your Dharma Guardians have been flaunting their prowess among the experts of the Jianghu.”
“Dharma Guardians? What are you talking about?”
“Including the Dharma Guardian of the Su Shin Sect, there were three Dharma Guardians who engaged in battle against the Jianghu experts. You’ve never been defeated, and the fear of the White Lotus Sect has been imprinted in secrecy. If you’re someone from the Thunder God Lineage, you should know about this.”
Docgo Seong appeared even more flustered by the Sword Demon’s words and responded with a slightly anxious tone, “S… Su Shin… Is that so?”
“Please answer my question. Are you indeed an expert of the Thunder God Lineage?”
Docgo Seong had no choice but to respond, “Yes, I am Docgo Seong of the Thunder God Lineage.”
“I see. The sword technique you just executed—was that from the Thunder God Lineage?”
“No.”
“Then what was it?”
“……”
Docgo Seong fell silent for a moment then took a step forward and asked, “Before you pry into others’ martial origins, Sword Demon, don’t you have something to say? Why have you come to Dragon King’s Valley?”
It seemed he had regained his composure. I felt the pressure of his qi filling the air and swallowed hard, anticipating the Sword Demon’s reply.
“Naturally, I’m curious about the owner of the Dragon King’s Valley, whom even the peak experts of Sichuan revere, and came to meet you.”
“I’m merely here to train. I have no involvement in the matters of the Martial World.”
“That’s not my concern. Honestly, I just wanted to confirm you’re more than an average expert.”
Docgo Seong said, “Then I suggest you leave. I don’t want you interrupting my training.”
“…….”
The Sword Demon seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking again. “Docgo Seong, do you happen to know someone named Lee Kwang?”
“……!!”
Suddenly, the thick fog that had surrounded us burst out as if an explosion occurred. Docgo Seong’s overwhelming intent materialized, influencing the surroundings. In an instant, the foggy Dragon King’s Valley transformed into a clear sky with sunlight pouring down.
Docgo Seong’s true appearance was revealed. He looked middle-aged, and at a glance, he seemed to be around the same age as Lee Kwang. Unlike the refined bearing of Lee Kwang, who resembled a scholar, Docgo Seong had a rugged appearance, shaped by years of hard living, yet his features were distinctive. Surprisingly, he wore a neat white training outfit considering he lived in the mountains.
Docgo Seong let out a lion’s roar. [How do you know Lee Kwang?!]
It wasn’t just any roar. As his powerful voice echoed, it seemed to unleash a shockwave that reverberated throughout Dragon King’s Valley, causing distant landslides. Docgo Seong’s deep internal strength seemed to enable his roar to double as a mind control technique. His presence was truly awe-inspiring, even capable of changing nature itself.
The Sword Demon effortlessly absorbed Docgo Seong’s energy and said, “No need to shout. It won’t do you any good to make noise in this treacherous place.”
“Ugh… Answer me! How do you know this guy?”
“Because it’s common knowledge. Lee Kwang may not be very famous in the Martial World, but he’s definitely someone who can contend for a top position among the peak experts. How could I not know such a significant person?”
“You!” Docgo Seong gritted his teeth. “That’s not what I meant.”
His expression was one of fury as he demanded, “The fact that you brought up Lee Kwang means you’ve confirmed his martial abilities are part of the Thunder God Lineage, am I correct?”
“Of course. I already knew Lee Kwang belongs to the Thunder God Lineage.”
The Sword Demon chuckled lightly in response. “I know a lot more than you’d expect. I also possess information that might pique your interest.”
“……”
Docgo Seong seemed to be thinking hard. Finally, he asked, “What do you want?”
“Initially, I just intended to gauge the strength of the Dragon King. However, plans have changed. Since you are from the Thunder God Lineage, I see an opportunity to engage in a deeper conversation with my disciple.”
“What? Your disciple?”
Docgo Seong’s and the Sword Demon’s gazes fixed on me. I felt overwhelmed, yet I stood my ground against their aura. Docgo Seong’s eyes sparkled with intrigue as he said, “Could it be… that kid is also practicing the Thunder God Lineage’s techniques?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Now that I look at it, he’s harnessing the powerful Thunder Spirit Technique. Has he achieved mastery?”
Docgo Seong mumbled. “Could there be a successor…?”
The Sword Demon interjected, “This young man’s name is Baek Woong, and he has inherited the martial arts of the Thunder God Lineage. He is currently my disciple, training under my guidance.”
“Damn it…”
Docgo Seong glared at me with disdain. Yet, he didn’t say much more. It was indeed a transgression for a successor of the Thunder God Lineage to join another sect, but at that moment, it seemed he couldn’t afford to make a fuss. The Sword Demon’s prowess was sufficiently impressive to convince him otherwise.
“My disciple sought high-level martial arts and became my apprentice. However, no matter how much I teach, I cannot guide him to a higher level in the Thunder God Lineage’s arts, as I’m limited. Therefore, I hope you, Docgo Seong, can pass down the techniques of the Thunder God Lineage to my disciple.”
“Hmph!”
Docgo Seong scoffed, “I acknowledge that he’s worthy enough to gain the Thunder God Lineage’s approval. It seems he can handle mind control techniques. But why should I teach this kid?”
As Docgo Seong protested, the Sword Demon glanced at me and conveyed in secret, [It’s your turn to speak.]
[Pardon?]
[You need to demonstrate your worth to Docgo Seong yourself.]
I realized the Sword Demon was right; while he could advocate for me, that wouldn’t reflect well on Docgo Seong’s esteem. It was much better for me to step up and show my initiative.
I took a step forward confidently and declared, “I am Baek Woong, the successor of the Thunder God Lineage, and am currently a Dharma Guardian of the Shadowless Sect. It’s an honor to meet a senior of the Thunder God Lineage.”
“……”
“If you don’t mind, may I showcase the techniques of the Thunder God Lineage that I’ve been practicing?”
“Go ahead, show me.”
I nodded, quickly activating my martial arts. Up till now, under the Sword Demon’s guidance, I had focused on mastering the Shadowless Soul-Removing Sword Technique and gaining insights from the Heavenly Contraction Sword and Cave-Collapsing Sword. But using my will, I could easily apply my foundation in the Thunder God Lineage’s techniques.
I swiftly executed the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique and Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique, followed by as many powerful moves as I could muster — including the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms and Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear. I unleashed the Thunder Spirit Seal, Magnetism Ghost Blade, Nine Nether Qi, and Hell King’s Hand along with them. The latter techniques were taught to me by the Thunderbolt Three Saints, closely resembling the techniques they possessed.
As I demonstrated my martial arts on the narrow mountaintop, Docgo Seong’s eyes went wide in disbelief. After a moment, he finally snapped back to reality and asked, “W… What? Who did you learn this from? How can you know so many techniques… how do you even know the Ghostly Spirit Sect’s techniques?!”
“Did you recognize the Magnetism Ghost Blade and Nine Nether Qi?”
“Answer my question! Those techniques can only be mastered by a rare few in the Thunder God Lineage. Is your master from the Ghostly Spirit Sect?”
“No, he’s not. I’m merely familiar with these moves thanks to the teachings of the Thunderbolt Three Saints. However, I only learned them in passing and cannot practice them to the fullest extent.”
“Thunderbolt Three Saints… Ah… those guys…”
Upon hearing this, Docgo Seong seemed to be racking his brain for memories, finally coming to a realization. I was taken aback. “This guy is definitely from the Thunder God Lineage; I wonder what his connections and hierarchy are?”
And why does he react so strongly to Lee Kwang? While I was deep in thought, the Sword Demon interrupted.
“As you can see, my disciple possesses unmatched prowess as a successor of the Thunder God Lineage. If you help this kid, it would surely be a great assistance to the resurgence of the Thunder God Lineage.”
Docgo Seong’s expression turned puzzled. “Resurgence?”
“Your Thunder God Lineage was utterly demolished by the Master of the White Lotus Sect, right? I assumed you were here trying to revive it.”
“Ah… that…”
Docgo Seong appeared rather awkward. Unlike other experts I had met from the Thunder God Lineage who were fired up for the revival, he seemed less enthusiastic. After contemplating for a moment he said, “…That’s true, but Sword Demon, you’re quite sly. You knew this kid was from the Thunder God Lineage yet treated him so generously. The Thunder God Lineage isn’t the type to simply bow down and play nice under someone else’s roof.”
“Haha, maybe so. But I believe if it’s White Dharma Protector, there would be no harm in passing on the Shadowless Sect.”
“What the…?”
“Anyway, I hope you can respond positively to my proposal. Are you not interested in the White Dharma Protector?”
“That’s not the case.”
Docgo Seong hesitated before adding, “I just need some time to think. This is a lot to take in.”
“How much time do you need?”
“Come back tomorrow. I’ll give you my answer then.”
“Fine then.”
With that, I left the Dragon King’s Valley with the Sword Demon. As we departed, I glanced back, suspicious if Docgo Seong would attack us, but he didn’t move a muscle. It was clear that he was caught off guard and needed time to ponder.
The Sword Demon jogging next to me remarked, “That guy is quite unusual. He feels very different from the Thunder God experts you’ve met before.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“You need to stay sharp. I can’t earn Docgo Seong’s trust, so you’ll have to dig into his background. Otherwise, you’ll lose this rare opportunity.”
He was right. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Docgo Seong was currently taking a defensive stance. Although he was from the Thunder God Lineage, there was a hint of urgency about him, and he seemed to perceive things differently compared to other disciples. His gaze felt like one of a pure seeker taking a step back to observe.
“We shouldn’t waste any more time. Let’s set off using the Golden Lamp technique and head to Jangryeong Valley.”
“Urk… Are we really going?”
“We must go.”
With that, I and the Sword Demon activated the Golden Lamp technique, moving swiftly to Zhuge Sa’s residence in Jangryeong Valley. We arrived at the peaceful building I had visited with Mangnyang before. While on high alert for traps or formations, it appeared there were none.
The Sword Demon stopped a passing servant and inquired, “Excuse me, where is Zhuge Sa?”
“Hiiik!”
The servant jumped at our sudden appearance but quickly calmed down, realizing the Sword Demon meant no harm. “Zhuge Sa passed away several years ago… he is no longer with us.”
“He’s dead?”
“His grave is over there. Just go to the end of the path.”
The servant pointed toward the bamboo grove in the distance. It seemed Zhuge Sa was indeed dead.
“Is that so? But it’s strange.”
The Sword Demon looked around at the building and spoke, “This place is well-kept, and you’re here managing it, huh? Typically, if a leader like Zhuge Sa dies, the Jangryeong Valley would fall apart.”
“Ah… You weren’t aware.”
“Aware of what?”
“Jangryeong Valley is now under the control of someone else. I’ve been commanded by the new lord to maintain the building and gravesite, hence it looks so pristine.”
The odd pride in the servant’s tone didn’t escape us. The Sword Demon paused in thought before asking, “What is the name of the new lord?”
When the servant replied, I felt like I’d been hit by a brick. “It’s Biyeok Jang.”
“What?”
Even the Sword Demon was taken aback. The servant looked confused. “Why are you surprised? Our lord isn’t particularly famous in the Martial World…”
“……”
The Sword Demon and I exchanged looks, both realizing that this was a significant revelation.
Tao King Biyeok Jang! Not only is she the most prominent gambling queen in Sichuan, known for her icy charm and breathtaking beauty, but she also happens to be an ultimate expert herself, now established as the new lord of Jangryeong Valley.
