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“So, the training has begun!”

Jin So-cheong’s ‘training’ kicked off. When I was away for a few days, he must have been mastering his internal energy because his physical strength had noticeably improved, making his training intensity skyrocket. It looked like Jin So-cheong was endlessly pondering something while running through all sorts of techniques and basic moves. It was a common sight to see him practicing basics non-stop for an entire moment.

I thought it best not to interrupt his training and decided to keep a little distance from him.

‘What should I do?’

Just as I was pondering this, Hwang Yeon popped into my mind. It had been a while since I rescued Hwang Yeon and the survivors from Great Thunder Valley, so I figured it was about time to check on them. Plus, I needed to confirm the performance of the wooden armor. So, I stepped into the wooden armor.

Pa-at!

Inside the wooden armor, I spotted Hwang Yeon and the survivors. However, the place where they were didn’t have any of the fortuitous encounters or spiritual pills I had gathered. Thankfully, I could partition the interior of the wooden armor as per my will, so nobody inside could take my spiritual pills.

I approached General Hwang Yeon and asked, “General, how long do you think it’s been since you came in?”

Hwang Yeon glanced at me and said, “Felt like about half an hour. Why?”

“Hmm, I see. Is there an issue with your party?”

“It’s only been half an hour, what could possibly be wrong?”

Though it felt like over a month had passed since I rescued Hwang Yeon, he experienced only half an hour inside. Time was practically standing still. I quickly told Hwang Yeon, “Sorry, but I’ll go back out now. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Alright then.”

After exiting the wooden armor, I surveyed the surroundings and headed over to Jin So-cheong, who was sweaty and deeply immersed in his training.

Upon seeing me, he exclaimed, “Oh, you’re back!”

“How much time has passed since we last met?”

Jin So-cheong looked confused and replied, “How long? We just saw each other a moment ago!”

“Hmm! You’re saying not even a day has gone by?”

“A day? We just saw each other!”

It seemed my hypothesis was confirmed; I whispered to myself, ‘So, time flows slowly in the wooden armor compared to the outside, but that time difference doesn’t apply to me.’

My time in the wooden armor felt like just twenty breaths. It was short, but considering the time dilation, it should’ve been a few days out here. However, it seemed that the time dilation didn’t apply to me.

It was contradictory, but this might be a privilege that only I, the master of the artifact, could enjoy. I thought deeply, ‘Is there a way to utilize this characteristic?’

Somehow, I felt that this characteristic might come in handy later. While I was mulling it over, Jin So-cheong spoke up.

“Perfect timing! Baek Woong, I’ve discovered something significant, so listen up!”

“Huh?”

Had he really figured something monumental out after just a few days of training? I was astonished, my eyes wide, as Jin So-cheong quietly extended his spear forward, holding it perfectly still.

“Seong Kyu’s Movements.”

Swoosh!

“……!!”

Without any notice, I saw his form blur and he shifted three paces away. Normally, I would’ve thought he used the Soul Removal Technique for that rapid movement, but this wasn’t the case right now. I couldn’t grasp the move Jin So-cheong just executed.

“Baek Woong, you must have realized that this movement isn’t the Soul Removal Technique. So, what do you think it is?”

“I have no idea.”

“This is Seven Stars Shadow!”

“Seven Stars Shadow? Really?”

“Yes.”

Seven Stars Shadow!

That was one of Jang Sam-bong’s seven great techniques, a form of divine skill. While Seven Stars Shadow boasted considerable power, objectively speaking, the sheer speed of the Soul Removal Technique was still faster. That said, for combat use, techniques like Thunder Shadow Step and Heavenly Gathering Kill outperformed it, so I had shelved Seven Stars Shadow for the time being.

Jin So-cheong relaxed his stance and said, “Before it reaches its peak, Seven Stars Shadow is inferior to Thunder Shadow Step and Heavenly Gathering Kill. But as your level rises, it seems to maximize the potency of other techniques like Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword.”

“What do you mean? Are you saying you’ve already reached the peak of Seven Stars Shadow?”

“I’m not saying that. Just that I’ve discovered its hidden potential.”

Calmly, Jin So-cheong continued, “And somehow, I feel that to master the Seven Stars Shadow along with the other six great techniques harmoniously, that’s how you can enter the realm of the Peerless Technique.”

“Peerless Technique…”

I let out a whisper. The Peerless Technique was the ultimate mysterious art among Jang Sam-bong’s seven great techniques that I’d failed to grasp even after 17 lifetimes. Even the Sword Demon and Bright Dragon only chased the shadows of the Peerless Technique but never understood what it was. It was just too vague and full of abstract essence.

But somehow, it felt like Jin So-cheong was catching on to what the Peerless Technique was. I nodded, saying, “I got it. For now, I’ll wait for Mangnyang, so keep pushing yourself in training.”

Jin So-cheong again focused on his training, his eyes filled with a serious silence and a fervor unlike before. I could sense the emotions lurking within him and it overwhelmed me.

‘Jin So-cheong sees the misfortunes of women as his own.’

Normally, he could easily enjoy his martial arts training, thinking of his current situation as a kind of fortuitous encounter. But Jin So-cheong believed that for every day his training lagged, those women would suffer one day’s worth of misfortune. He seemed determined to keep to a ‘month’ deadline at all costs. This meant he considered their plight as intimately connected to his own.

How could he think this way?

Is that what they call a sense of chivalry?

Even as I fought through numerous lifetimes to thwart the misdeeds of the Old Ruler and the Imperial Palace, my struggle wasn’t solely for chivalry. It was more about finding a way to overcome the tyranny of an overwhelming absolute being that might repeat infinitely across life cycles. I didn’t have much of a sense of mission to save the world, so to speak. That motivation lay more with Mangnyang, while the Sword Demon or Dokgo Seong were likely just helping me while also gaining their own benefits simultaneously.

Because of this, even though I could rationally understand Jin So-cheong’s selfless devotion to others, I couldn’t fully empathize with it. I had no choice but to acknowledge that Jin So-cheong was inherently a great hero.

‘Hoo. No point in dwelling on it…’

I forced a bitter smile and decided to focus on what I could do.

‘What can I accomplish in a month?’

Training in martial arts wouldn’t come close to matching Jin So-cheong’s efficiency. And practicing techniques alone wouldn’t yield any meaning either. While I pondered this, I decided to make use of the Golden Lamp to visit the Prophet in Astana.

Pa-at!

Upon visiting the Prophet in Astana, I spoke candidly, “I want to make a deal!”

[Long time, no see, human… What’s up… Huh?]

The prophet was startled mid-sentence. He then regarded me with a wary expression.

[… Are you a reborn person?]

“……!!”

He figured it out immediately?!

But I recalled what the prophet had previously said.

[Now, scram. Just so you know, I’ve marked your ‘seal’ with info, so if you gamble again in your next lifetime, it won’t work. You scoundrel…]

In my 17th reincarnation, I used information he didn’t know to gamble, successfully obtaining rights to use the Tower of Muwang. Somehow that plan had gone awry and I returned the rights, but it was a successful gamble. Back then, the prophet had complained, vowing he wouldn’t fall for such tricks again.

He had ‘marked’ me with ‘information.’

When I returned the rights, I also returned the seal, so I thought it would be fine this time.

But apparently not?!

I thought for a moment and suddenly realized, “You inscribed a terminal on my soul.”

When he gave me the seal, he must have inscribed a terminal on my soul, much like how Yeodong-bin creates the ‘path’ for his descent! That’s why the prophet immediately recognized me as a reborn person upon seeing me.

[……]

Rolling his eyes, the prophet extended a tentacle.

[Reborn persons are rare across the universe. We hardly encounter any examples in our long history… So you’ve been trading with me through your rebirths, I see.]

“That’s right.”

As I spoke, I felt a wave of relief.

‘Looks like the terminal is just marking me as a reborn person.’

The prophet hadn’t marked any specific details regarding our deals because that would be too unfair and overly powerful, similar to the Heavenly Secret.

It seemed he simply noted, “Baek Woong is a reborn person.” Since he knew this, he wouldn’t easily comply with any gambles I propose.

I pulled out the Grimoire and said, “Let’s trade again. Will you accept?”

[Hmm… Nine Stars Main Capital. You’re eligible to trade, but it’s a touch awkward.]

“Because I’m a reborn person?”

[Give me a moment to think…]

The pondering prophet said, [State your trade conditions. Depending on that, I might accept.]

I wanted to ask him to remove the reborn person’s mark from my soul, but that would only put him at a disadvantage, so he would never agree. I felt a bit regretful but soon explained my purpose for being here.

“Prophet! Before we trade, please take this obsidian.”

Swish!

As I handed him the obsidian, he trembled his tentacle in irritation.

[What a nuisance… Have you already taken the obsidian’s technique from me?]

“I’m sorry. But you know this is worth more than a hundred words.”

[What memories does it contain?]

“My 17th reincarnation’s memories. I need you to understand that for our conversation to make sense.”

[…fine.]

The prophet accepted the obsidian and read the memories. After a moment, he spoke, shocked.

[Oh… two of the Seven Luminaries… Apostle Daji… Offering Ceremony… The Old Ruler likely descended… Very intriguing indeed…]

“This can’t just end in intrigue.”

I glared at him and said, “As you can see, with the curse orders I received from you, I managed to deal with Apostle Daji somehow. But it was useless against the summoned Old Ruler.”

[So what do you want…]

“I want to know an order that could also work against the Old Ruler. While eliminating it might be impossible, I need at least something to seal or restrain it!”

[……]

“Is there such an order?”

The prophet hesitated, his tentacles squirming in silence. His silence lasted quite a while, indicating the gravity of the matter. After deep contemplation, he finally spoke.

[It’s not impossible.]

“There is?! Really?!”

I cried out in surprise. Could there really be an order that can hold back that terrifying evil god?! I felt a flicker of hope. I stared at the prophet with eager eyes as he slowly continued,

[There are several orders to borrow the powers of the same Old Ruler… But to use them, you have to either be a follower or a priest who worships the god… And even if you use these orders, you can’t eliminate or seal the Old Ruler. All you can do is suppress it momentarily and create some time to avoid it or talk.]

“That’s convoluted.”

[Do you want to know those orders? But it seems you don’t have a god to worship… so it would be useless to find out…]

So, I needed to believe in a god to use orders of faith. But how do I believe in the Old Ruler? Engaging in human sacrifices and considering his followers as mere insects? One would have to be insane to follow such a supreme evil god!

While the requirements were stricter than I expected, I thought if Zhuge Sha knew about this order, he could use it effectively.

‘Zhuge Sha carries the faith of the Old Ruler.’

If Zhuge Sha became aware of the order, he would surely have the ability to temporarily suppress the Old Ruler. In the Central Plains, there would likely be no one with more expertise in the evil god’s cult than him. Yet, even knowing the solution, I couldn’t help but contemplate.

Could I genuinely control Zhuge Sha? That unpredictable character?

“……”

[Seems you’re in deep thought… If so, I can recommend another method.]

“What method?”

The prophet rolled his eyes and said, [I will grant you the authority to use the Tower of Muwang… I can lend you weapons from there once.]

“Huh? Isn’t that a privilege reserved for your royal clan?”

Eyes wide open at such an unexpected offer, I was taken aback.

The prophet retorted, [Firstly… considering the issue regarding the Primordial Void Ruler, I’ve acquired more information than expected from your past lifetime’s memories. I now have more tasks ahead of me, so your actions could affect my pursuits… thus, I feel a certain need for collaboration.]

“Hmm.”

Indeed, the prophet seemed to be a leader amongst the moderate otherworldly races. There could be a connection between the Primordial Void Ruler and the Old Ruler, and what he spoke about the Seven Luminaries would hold great significance. The prophet seemed to think of that information as a kind of debt.

[Previously, I granted you unlimited access, but now, you can only borrow once… so be cautious in your decision.]

“Wait, are you implying that if I use a weapon from the Tower of Muwang, I might be able to confront the Old Ruler?”

The prophet confirmed, [My kind is among the few powerful races that can survive without explicitly worshipping the Old Ruler… Of course, they have their own strength. While not as effective as the orders, weapons from the Tower of Muwang can momentarily suppress the Old Ruler.]

“……!!”

[Compared to our civilization, you humans are merely monkeys…]

With a somewhat arrogant retort, the prophet inscribed that mark upon my hand.

Swish, swish!

A gray symbol appeared on the back of my hand. As I stared vacantly at the mark, the prophet spoke, [The Tower of Muwang lies in the Southern Barbarian region… If you utilize it well, you could easily obtain the Fire Spirit.]

“The Fire Spirit?”

[You’ll find out what it means once you visit the Tower of Muwang.]

The moment the prophet finished speaking, he vanished. It seemed he had concluded our transaction.

I was somewhat stunned by the unexpected favor, yet I recognized this wasn’t purely kindness. After all, the prophet was the leader of the moderate otherworldly races, and my actions could ultimately benefit him. So, he had effectively lent me strength to counter the heavenly forces.

‘Seems like I have more to do ahead, and that’s good.’

I felt an excitement surge within me and exclaimed, “Let’s go!”

Having planned this, I decided to rush toward the Southern Barbarian area before Jin So-cheong finished his training. Running day and night, I hoped to reach my destination in time.

My target was the Southern Barbarian region!

First, I set my course southward, aiming for Sichuan, the southernmost place I had previously visited. I began racing down south. Moving from Sichuan, I would soon reach Yunnan, and getting there would require about a thousand miles. After reaching Yunnan, I expected it would take thousands of miles to continue on to the Southern Barbarian.

“Arghhhh!!”

Tada-taht!

I screamed while continuously sprinting for the sixth moment. Racing like the wind, I dashed over mountains and plains. The speed felt like a gust, and the scenery blurred past me like a line. Even I found it hard to believe the stamina I possessed; with the help of Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng and other spiritual pills, my internal power didn’t easily deplete. It was practically infinite stamina until my internal energy was completely drained, after which my physical strength would start to give out.

How long had I been running?

I arrived at what seemed to be a large city in Yunnan. The guards stationed there, startled by my cloud of dust and rapid approach, lined up in formation, on alert.

“Hah!”

“Halt!”

They seemed to consider me a threat given the dust cloud I was dragging along. However, I had no reason to stop, and so I leapt over them. With a swift motion, I bounded over more than twenty paces like a small creature cowering away. I effortlessly cleared the city wall and continued my dash.

I kept running!

Aiming not to disturb the people in the city, I alternated between jumping and sprinting, crossing Yunnan city and feeling a sense of accomplishment. I pressed forward, crossing rivers and mountains. Strangely, this region had an elevated topography from north to south, so I spent a long while just crossing mountains without a single plain. Only after traversing dozens of mountains did flat terrain finally come into view.

Tada-taht!

“Hah… Hah… I’m getting exhausted.”

How long had it been?

My running speed had begun to slow down a bit. I was slightly slower than a galloping horse. After all, I had been running nonstop.

Only once I reached a completely deserted area did my fatigue compel me to take a break. I found a cave and entered it to rest. There wasn’t even a village nearby, let alone the traces of people; it truly was a remote wilderness. Considering I had sprinted thousands of miles in one go, I wiped the sweat from my brow.

‘How much longer till the Southern Barbarian?’

I wasn’t sure, but it felt like I had nearly left the Central Plains behind. I decided to get up after resting for a bit and checked my surroundings.

Just then, a voice cut through the air.

“Who are you?”

Shiiik!

Suddenly, three figures appeared before the cave where I was resting.

“What the…”

I stared at them in shock. To my surprise, each of them radiated formidable strength. Two looked like peak experts, while one was unmistakably a peak secret expert. Despite the darkness, their presence as rare forces was apparent from their energy alone. Additionally, their recent speech carried a dialect from the north, indicating they weren’t locals.

‘What’s up with these guys?’

The one who seemed strongest stepped forward and said, “The young one possesses tremendous internal power. If you’re a White Lotus member, you should speak up now. We don’t want to clash with the White Lotus Sect.”

“……?”

White Lotus member?

Now that I thought about it, their voice sounded somewhat familiar. I tilted my head and suddenly a thought popped into my mind.

‘Could it be this guy…’

Calming myself, I gathered my energy to scan the darkness carefully. The figures became clearer and my suspicions were confirmed. It dawned on me that I had severely underestimated the enemy’s prowess. The two figures clad in black had lowered their strength, leading me to believe they were merely peak experts. But they were way stronger than I initially gauged. Feeling less pressured, I smiled lightly.

“I’m not a White Lotus member, but are you affiliated with the White Lotus Sect?”

“Hehehe… So you’re not one of them… then we’re fine.”

The powerful figures in the shadows chuckled, suddenly drawing their weapons. The two in black brandished their long swords while the one in white lifted his fist. They clearly seemed intent on exercising their strength against me.

I grinned smugly.

“Looks like you guys don’t wear monkey masks and stroll around outside the Central Plains, huh, Baek Won-sangma?”

“……!!”

The two figures in black were caught off guard. They were suddenly exposed, without any warning about their true identities. The white figure in the center narrowed his eyes and asked, “Who are you?”

“My identity isn’t something you need to know, but I certainly know yours.”

“Eh? What nonsense are you spouting?”

The figure in white snarled, but as I continued speaking, he widened his eyes in disbelief.

“Heavenly Doctor, Dongbang Mu-gyeol, what are you doing in this remote corner of the southern region?”

Indeed, the figure before me was none other than Dongbang Mu-gyeol, one of the five great physicians, and the two black figures beside him were Baek Won-sangma, peak experts of the Heretical Sect. They had set out towards the Southern Barbarian region looking for clues about the Dragon Flower Tree on the orders of the Master of the White Lotus Sect, and by pure chance, we had crossed paths.

 

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