Chapter 334
“Joining the White Lotus Sect!”
It was something I had to do to uncover the secrets of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, but due to all sorts of complications, I hadn’t been able to proceed. Now that all the talks with the Fire Spirit Techniques were over, it was smooth sailing to join the White Lotus Sect.
“Baek Woong. Han Baek-ryeong said she would give me a response within three months at the latest. But she’s someone who doesn’t delay, so we should hear from her soon.”
“Finally, it’s happening.”
“Hehe, are you excited?”
“Honestly, yes.”
Back when I first obtained the Heavenly Secret Artifact, the thought of joining the White Lotus Sect hadn’t even crossed my mind. Everyone was keeping their distance from it, and I was satisfied learning the Thunder God Lineage’s martial arts and roaming the Jianghu. However, as I faced tougher enemies, the amount of critical information I needed to gather in the heart of the White Lotus Sect increased dramatically.
I said to Mangnyang, “So, I should just train in Jinrang Valley for now?”
“Hmm. There’s something more urgent.”
“What is it?”
“Talking to Zhuge Sa.”
Zhuge Sa? I couldn’t understand why he was bringing that up. Isn’t he currently under house arrest in the Land and Earth Diagram? Mangnyang continued, “Acquiring the Namgung Clan’s Suspicious Fishhook has changed the situation. We will need Zhuge Sa’s help.”
“What kind of help are we talking about?”
“Remember when Zhuge Sa exchanged the Soul Exchange Technique with you?”
“Oh.”
I recalled past memories. “Surely, there was an exchange between Cheon Woo-jin, Zhuge Sa, and the Prophet in front of the altar.”
I quickly remembered the conversation back then. Zhuge Sa offered the Soul Exchange Technique as a price for the Crystal Stele.
[… I’ll give you this secret technique.]
[The Soul Exchange Technique?]
[It’s the best item among my secret techniques. I think that should suffice.]
Cheon Woo-jin had stated that the Soul Exchange Technique was a relic passed down only to the Heretical Sect Leader. Even though his tone was mocking, it was an established fact, so I accepted Zhuge Sa’s offer and gave him the Crystal Stele. Reflecting on it now, I said, “But I was so flustered then that I didn’t even manage to look into the Soul Exchange Technique properly.”
“That’s understandable.”
“Is it important that Zhuge Sa still has the Soul Exchange Technique?”
Mangnyang nodded at my question. “I had planned to further train you in the Heavenly Secret Technique, but then another strategy came to mind. It’s a plan to facilitate the search for the Fire Spirit among the Seven Luminaries.”
“……!!”
The Fire Spirit! Comparable to the Water Element Divine Sword I possessed! I had succeeded in getting to the legendary continent where the Fire Spirit exists, but I had run into troubles trying to figure out the Solar Eclipse and had ended up coming back. Jin So-cheong, who had been listening, popped a dumpling into her mouth and said, “It seems like we’ll be applying the Suspicious Fishhook and the Soul Exchange Technique together.”
Mangnyang seemed impressed by her comment. “Exactly.”
But how would they be applied? Looking at Mangnyang with curiosity, he explained, “First, to figure out when the Solar Eclipse occurs in the Southern Continent, we need astronomical observation equipment and data. Those materials and devices are stored in the Heavenly Imperial Pavilion, so anytime, you can use the Golden Lamp and Wooden Armor to retrieve them, Baek Woong. Do you understand so far?”
“Hmm. Got it.”
“However, that astronomical data can’t be used directly. As I explained before, this world is round.”
“……?”
Mangnyang pointed at the sky with his finger. “The land we stand on revolves around the sun. Therefore, there’s a time difference between east, west, south, and north, and the rising and setting of the sun and moon also vary significantly. You, who have traveled thousands of miles in an instant using the Golden Lamp, would know this best.”
I nodded. “That’s correct.”
When moving thousands of miles at once, the difference between day and night is quite pronounced. In the past, Mangnyang’s explanation seemed like nonsense, but having flown across the world using the Golden Lamp made the fact that the world is round vividly clear. Mangnyang continued speaking.
“So, based on the Central Plains’ astronomical data, we can roughly figure out when the Solar Eclipse will occur there, but we need to measure again for the Southern Continent since the locations differ.”
“Hmm!”
I pondered before asking, “When the Solar Eclipse happens in the Southern Continent, we won’t be able to see it from the Central Plains?”
“That’s right. The Solar Eclipse can only be measured at a specific localized point. If the continents are different, it won’t be visible, and even in the same region, the viewing locations are likely limited.”
“Wow!”
“In fact, the occurrence of the Solar Eclipse has been noted since ancient times. Using mathematical and physical calculations, we already know when it will appear in which year. Therefore, if it’s a different continent, we would need to calculate everything from scratch, as we won’t have any observational data…”
As Mangnyang muttered, he continued. “What’s worse is that total solar eclipses are extremely rare phenomena.”
“Is it a problem?”
“Rare means the cycles are quite long. In severe cases, it can occur once every few decades.”
When I realized what Mangnyang meant, I was taken aback. “So, are you saying that perhaps it won’t be until several decades from now that we can access the Fire Spirit’s ruins?”
“That’s just a guess and luck. If we’re fortunate, we could find the Fire Spirit soon, but if not, we may have to wait decades.”
“……”
“In any case, we need to measure the Southern Continent’s astronomy first to get started.”
Mangnyang gulped some water before continuing. “And for that astronomical measurement, we’ll use the Soul Exchange Technique and the Suspicious Fishhook.”
“Please tell me the specific plan.”
“It’s simple. We’ll use the Soul Exchange Technique to bind the souls of the locals to my body, compelling them to perform the astronomical measurements. Then, through the Suspicious Fishhook, I’ll receive the results they measure and compile the data.”
“……?”
“Astronomical measurements take considerable time and manpower, so there’s no better method. Later, after subduing the Imperial Palace, we could use the Portrait Immortal, but for now, the Soul Exchange Technique is essential.”
I felt a weird chill at his sudden words. I asked, “Binding their souls to your body? Is that the function of the Soul Exchange Technique?”
“That’s correct. That’s the reason why it’s said to be the strongest secret art of the Heretical Sect, and why it shouldn’t be belittled in Taoism.”
Mangnyang unfolded the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line and continued, “The Soul Exchange Technique fundamentally allows one’s soul to inhabit an empty body, but as you advance in skill, you get the ability to manipulate souls and bodies freely. This means you can control not just your own soul and spirit but also those of others.”
“I don’t get it. Please explain it simply.”
“Um… Simply put, a person possessed by the Soul Exchange Technique will seem normal in their daily life, but in reality, their soul is under the caster’s supervision. You can manipulate them freely whenever you want and know everything they see and hear. This applies not just to one person but can be cast on multiple targets.”
“……!!”
Both Jin So-cheong and I were shocked to hear that. Sharing all the senses of another while being able to control them at will! And the subject doesn’t even realize they’ve been affected by the technique! Having lived in the Martial Arts World for so long, both Jin So-cheong and I understood just how terrifying that was. Moreover, if Mangnyang was correct, the Soul Exchange Technique could be cast on several subjects at once. I trembled at the dreadful power of the Soul Exchange Technique.
“Wh-What a terrifying technique.”
“That’s why the Heretical Sect has been scorned by martial artists despite holding a history of nearly a thousand years.”
“Wait a minute. Then does this mean Zhuge Sa might have cast the Soul Exchange Technique on me in my previous life…”
As that image suddenly hit me, my face turned pale, and Mangnyang chuckled. “Think about Zhuge Sa’s personality. If he discovered you were a Reborn Person, would he just let you be? Of course, he’d try to suppress you and seize your soul, wanting that power for himself. Zhuge Sa is not the type to let a Reborn Person who might pose a threat go free.”
“Ah!”
That’s right. “The fact that Zhuge Sa has shown no movement until now is proof that he hasn’t used the Soul Exchange Technique on you. Well, putting aside that it’s a powerful art, using it comes with significant constraints.”
Jin So-cheong, who had been silently listening, asked, “Mangnyang, how do you know so much about the Soul Exchange Technique?”
“Hmm?”
“The Heretical Sect hasn’t been active in the Martial World lately, and there haven’t been any rumors about it for over a hundred years. Its existence is shrouded in mystery. Yet you seem to know quite a bit about the Soul Exchange Technique and the Heretical Sect.”
“Hmm…” Mangnyang stroked his chin and replied, “I am a direct disciple of the Guardian of Taoism, Master Mangnyang. Though lacking talent to cultivate martial power, I’ve studied all known techniques related to Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I know them all. Naturally, I’ve heard detailed accounts about the Heretical Sect and the Soul Exchange Technique. My master, Cheon Woo-jin, is the same.”
“So Mangnyang Seon-sa taught you?”
“His knowledge transcends humanity and touches upon the truths of the universe. No sage in this world could even compare to him.”
Mangnyang replied flatly. “Anyway, once we obtain the Soul Exchange Technique from Zhuge Sa, we can utilize it in various ways for astronomical measurements. So, we must persuade Zhuge Sa.”
“Persuade him… How do I do that?”
“That’s exactly why I need your help, Baek Woong.”
Mangnyang sighed and said, “Zhuge Sa’s intellect is on par with mine. He will never fall for a mediocre proposal or inducement. To persuade him, we’ll need to offer an equivalent price, and that’s something only you can deliver.”
“Hmm… So I need to offer treasure in exchange for the Soul Exchange Technique?”
“Baek Woong, what do you think would be suitable?”
“……”
At Mangnyang’s question, I rested my chin in thought. ‘What treasure could match the Soul Exchange Technique in exchange?’
Under normal circumstances, I would have proposed Obsidian or Gold Bars. However, I had nearly used up the Obsidian, and the Gold Bars were dwindling too. Plus, I doubted Zhuge Sa would care for either of them. The most certain way would be to exchange the Crystal Stele for the Soul Exchange Technique like in my previous life, but I wasn’t certain if retrieving the Crystal Stele was a good idea.
Right now, pulling the Crystal Stele from the Heart of the Forest would be simple, but I had no idea how the Imperial Palace would react to it. While it could throw a wrench in the Alchemist’s plans, I knew the Imperial Palace had various ways of increasing their influence over time. There was also a high chance they’d go to any lengths to mitigate their losses. Prodding them recklessly before confronting them head-on seemed like a foolish risk.
Then I was left with the Water Element Divine Sword, Golden Lamp, Wooden Armor, Obsidian, or possibly the Nameless Ritual Book that exists in the Imperial Palace. Still, each of those was priceless in its own right. Strictly speaking, the Obsidian or the Nameless Ritual Book remained, but compared to the terrifyingly powerful Soul Exchange Technique, the worth of the Obsidian was negligible.
After much contemplation, I said, “I should either steal the Nameless Ritual Book or the Crystal Stele from the Imperial Palace.”
“Exactly. And that’s something only you can accomplish.”
“Will it be alright?” I asked worriedly. “What if the Imperial Palace goes on a rampage over it…”
“That variable is beyond my measurement too. But don’t worry; you’ll be fine.” Mangnyang smiled broadly. “No matter how it plays out, the moment you acquire the Soul Exchange Technique, it’ll be worth it.”
“……”
I could now feel that Mangnyang’s approach to strategy was fundamentally shifting. It had transformed into a style pouring everything into me under the assumption that we wouldn’t know when we might die. But instead of feeling unpleasant or upset, I felt my fighting spirit surge.
‘I can’t keep living like this.’
There’s only so much life one can relive. Maybe I could endure fifty or a hundred cycles, but beyond that, my mental strength would not hold up. My companions, including Mangnyang, surely didn’t want to die either.
As quickly as possible, I had to end this cycle and return everything to normal.
With that resolve in my heart, I replied emphatically, “Then I’ll go do it right now!”
