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00337 Celestial Realm ————————————————————————=

At Lee Kwang’s suggestion to return to the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, Jin So-cheong replied,

“That’s not possible.”

Lee Kwang’s eyebrows twitched. After a moment of thought, he asked,

“Why not?”

“Because I’m planning to infiltrate the White Lotus Sect.”

“……”

Lee Kwang’s expression became strange. I realized Jin So-cheong was about to make a bold move and glanced at him, while Mangnyang had the same thought. What exactly was Jin So-cheong going to say?

Jin So-cheong continued,

“The reason I wiped out the Namgung Clan wasn’t just that they were like beasts, but because they were under the command of the Fire Spirit Sect.”

“Hmm!”

“With the help of the two next to me, I gathered more information, and recently I had a chance to meet Han Baek-ryeong, a disciple of the Fire Spirit Sect. After negotiating with her, I got the opportunity to join the White Lotus Sect.”

Normally, at this point, Lee Kwang would explode. For him, the White Lotus Sect, which expelled the Thunder God Lineage, was an absolute enemy. But unexpectedly, he fell silent, pondering deeply, and finally said,

“Go on.”

“Master. Realistically, it’s impossible for just you and me to revive the Thunder God Lineage. Even if we search for the Thunderbolt Three Saints or Dokgo Seong, it’s futile. The White Lotus Sect is currently the unshakeable absolute power of the martial world.”

“Hmm…”

“I plan to become the disciple of the Master of the White Lotus Sect to learn his martial arts and find his weaknesses.”

“……!!”

This time, Lee Kwang’s expression changed noticeably. I thought he was reaching his limit of patience. His left hand was clenched so tightly that veins were popping out. However, after a deep sigh, Lee Kwang tried to calm himself and said,

“So-cheong, that sounds far too unrealistic.”

“Why do you think so?”

“I heard you single-handedly annihilated the Namgung Clan and assessed your martial prowess. It seems you’ve gained some fortuitous encounter and grown stronger. Am I right?”

“Yes.”

Jin So-cheong nodded.

“I’ve acquired the Seven Great Techniques from the legendary Jang Sam-bong.”

“Jang Sam-bong! The founder of the Wudang Sect?”

“That’s right. As a result of my training, I’ve achieved some notable progress.”

At that, Lee Kwang grinned without any pretense. He smiled brightly and said,

“That’s great! It must be the Light of Your Great Technique.”

However, Lee Kwang’s smile vanished as he became serious again.

“But the sect leader is not to be underestimated. The last time I saw him, he shared no more than 30% of his secrets, even with his loyal Elder Council. Just because you become his disciple doesn’t guarantee you’ll discover his weaknesses; in fact, you’ll likely fall into a trap.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Lee Kwang stared intently at Jin So-cheong and said,

“When my master, Lee Cheong-un, was defeated by the sect leader, he told me he didn’t even know 10% of the sect leader’s true martial arts. At that time, my master was the second in command of the White Lotus Sect, close to Dokgo Jun, yet he was completely in the dark about the sect leader’s capabilities.”

“That’s…”

“Even if the Su Shin Sect and the Thunder God Lineage are different, my master was an incredibly brilliant individual. Do you think a sect leader who deceived such a master would easily outsmart you, So-cheong?”

“……”

This was all new information to me.

‘Lee Cheong-un was struck by a bolt from the blue.’

Regardless of the reasons for their duel, once it started, it seemed the sect leader fought using techniques unknown to Lee Cheong-un. While the sect leader’s prowess was undoubtedly superior, this suggested that he was shrewd enough to keep even allies wary and in the dark, demonstrating his cunning over centuries. He might very well be a hundred-year-old cunning serpent.

Above all, even the renowned strategist Zhuque of the Four Great Experts of the Imperial Palace failed to anticipate the sect leader’s next move. He clearly had a depth of mind beyond just martial skills. Therefore, Lee Kwang’s concerns were not merely meddling but very valid.

Yet, Jin So-cheong responded resolutely,

“The deal with the Fire Spirit Sect has already been made. I intend to go to the Main Hall of the White Lotus Sect.”

“That’s a death wish.”

“Master… then what other way do you propose to defeat the sect leader?”

“……”

Lee Kwang couldn’t respond. Jin So-cheong, feeling frustrated, continued,

“You intend to gather the successors of the Thunder God Lineage to fight, but that’s simply not realistic. You would be pulling together fragmented remnants without knowing how much the White Lotus Sect has changed over decades.”

“We won’t know until we try.”

“But there’s no Heavenly Spirit Pill, is there?”

“Hmm…”

Lee Kwang turned his head, uncomfortable. Had it been anyone else, Lee Kwang would have likely snapped at them or resorted to violence, but the person in question was Jin So-cheong. He not only surpassed Jin So-cheong in power but also couldn’t bear to vent his frustrations on him due to the affection he held for him, like a treasured son.

Jin So-cheong’s eyes sparkled.

“I’m confident I have talents as great as Lee Cheong-un. And the sect leader will likely want to use me. While we both aim to utilize each other, I will uncover as many secrets of the White Lotus Sect as possible and undermine it from within.”

“……”

Lee Kwang fell silent. However, he wore a rather pained expression, which resembled that of a parent worried over a troublesome child. After some time, he said,

“So-cheong, think it over again. You said going against the White Lotus Sect is unrealistic; however, it isn’t quite so. If we gather the successors and form a powerful faction, even the White Lotus Sect won’t be able to engage us so readily. Revenge can take a century, so don’t rush it.”

“A century? What nonsense is that?”

Jin So-cheong continued, incredulous.

“The vengeful spirits of the successors are not infinite. Their limits usually last until my generation or the next. The martial arts of the Thunder God Lineage are incredibly powerful, so the successors after me will likely seek their own paths rather than cling to unrealistic revenge. If we can’t resolve this quickly, the Thunder God Lineage will truly perish.”

“Any weak-minded people like that aren’t needed in our sect.”

“That’s contradictory. You still need to borrow help from others while refusing to extend your hand.”

“Ugh…”

I could clearly feel the beads of sweat forming on Lee Kwang’s forehead, as though he had met his match. It was the appearance of someone cornered by their natural enemy. I realized,

‘Lee Kwang, no matter if it’s the emperor or Zhuque, would confront them head-on but becomes immensely weak towards Jin So-cheong, whom he cherishes.’

Lee Kwang was not a man who would break under authority. He distinctly knew the difference between loyalty and authority, which allowed him to hold a patriot’s loyalty while discussing devotion to the homeland. Yet, even he had to pause in front of affection, not authority.

Flustered, Lee Kwang said,

“Alright. Let’s say you go to the sect leader and claim to become his disciple. Then do you plan to learn the Su Shin Lineage’s martial arts?”

“If necessary, I may learn them.”

Jin So-cheong replied and then added,

“But my main focus will be on uncovering the Heavenly Spirit Pill’s secret.”

“Hmm!”

“If I acquire that boundless internal power, then we’ll definitely have a chance.”

“……”

Unlike before, Lee Kwang began to genuinely ponder Jin So-cheong’s words. After being calmly refuted, he started considering the feasibility of Jin So-cheong’s plan. After contemplation, Lee Kwang said,

“So-cheong, I’ve understood your words. Now, could you calmly tell this master everything that has happened until now…?”

“Yes.”

Then, shortly afterward, we gathered around Lee Kwang, and Jin So-cheong introduced us. Mangnyang was a wandering sorcerer, while I was a successor of the Thunder God Lineage. As Jin So-cheong recounted the events in moderation, Lee Kwang’s expression changed dramatically.

Once the story concluded, Lee Kwang organized his thoughts and said,

“I understand. If that’s your will, I’ll do my utmost to assist you.”

“Will you understand?”

“Just…”

Lee Kwang stared at Jin So-cheong intently and said,

“Come with me. We’re going to pay respects at the tomb.”

“Excuse me?”

“Until now, I’ve refrained from going due to the fear of being watched by the White Lotus Sect and concerns for my master’s remains, but if that’s how your plan is, then it shouldn’t matter now. It’s only natural to offer blessings to my predecessors before executing a grand plan.”

With that said, Lee Kwang unmistakably exuded the dignity befitting a grand master of martial arts. Despite his rough personality, he was, after all, a figure leading a prestigious martial clan. Jin So-cheong nodded without hesitation at those words.

“I understand. It can be delayed by a few days. But where are we going?”

“To Wuwei in Gansu Province.”

Lee Kwang looked somewhat sorrowful as he gazed into the void while speaking.

“That was where my master took his last breath.”

The atmosphere turned somber for a moment at his words.

The legendary protector of the Thunder God Lineage, Lee Cheong-un!

He was said to have died from injuries inflicted by the sect leader in Wuwei’s region.

I felt vaguely uneasy about this sudden shift in circumstances, but Mangnyang sent me a secret message.

[It’s alright. This is a very favorable situation.]

[What do you mean?]

[This will yield significant benefits, so let’s just follow along quietly.]

[…Understood.]

As the conversation drew to a close, Mangnyang clapped his hands and said,

“Now, then, Lord Lee Kwang. Are you aware that there are members of the Fire Spirit Sect and Wind Spirit Sect nearby?”

“Of course.”

“We can’t attack them hastily, nor is it wise to head there while being monitored by them. I will assist you with some sorcery.”

“Sorcery?”

“Just watch.”

Mangnyang held up the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line and began chanting a spell. Shortly after, a talisman floated down upon us, and a ethereal light shimmered in seven colors around us. For a brief moment, the light lingered near our hearts before sinking away without a trace.

“We’re off.”

Then Mangnyang had us all hold hands and took a step forward.

Swish!

“……!!”

“Huh!”

We all gasped in surprise. The moment Mangnyang took that step, the surrounding scenery completely changed! This was something that couldn’t be achieved through normal sorcery, so we martial artists were left in shock. With every step he took, the landscape shifted to dizzying extents.

After Mangnyang had walked about twenty steps, he finally stopped. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said,

“I used the Great Forge Technique to move, so you won’t be able to track us with standard tracking arts.”

Lee Kwang, bewildered, asked Mangnyang,

“You’re quite the sorcerer, huh? Just how far have we moved?”

“Twenty li per step, so we’ve moved four hundred li.”

“Four… four hundred li?”

That’s impressive. If we moved four hundred li in such a short moment, it meant we passed through at least twenty villages or crossed over eight mountains. If we could move like this, there’d be no way any tracking technique could catch us unless they had the legendary Thousand Li Pursuit Fragrance.

Lee Kwang stood dazed for a moment before tightly grasping Jin So-cheong’s hand.

“You’ve found a good companion. I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you.”

“……”

Watching that scene from the side, I was swept up in conflicting emotions.

This wasn’t the usual duplicitous manipulation Lee Kwang engaged in. With Jin So-cheong as the recipient, this was a genuine, heartfelt compliment from him. What Jin So-cheong had done today would have provoked me to retaliate a hundred times, yet Lee Kwang never opposed him once. He was completely treating Jin So-cheong as a cherished child.

I felt a twinge of unfairness.

‘I never even thought to ask for such treatment. But if only Lee Kwang had extended that kind of consideration and trust to others, I…’

I had been struck harshly by Lee Kwang several times. It was hard to believe how skewed and disparate love and trust could be between people. Simultaneously, a fierce resentment rose within me, and I wanted to unleash my Sword Strength to slay Lee Kwang. With my current strength, I could easily have the upper hand against him.

Yet, in that instant, Mangnyang quickly placed a hand on my shoulder and sent me a secret message.

[Calm yourself!]

I snapped back to reality and repressed the faint killing intent. However, with how palpable that intent was, Mangnyang must have sensed it, and likely so did Lee Kwang. As expected, Lee Kwang glanced my way with a puzzled expression.

“Why are you giving off such killing intent toward me? Did I do something wrong?”

I couldn’t immediately respond. After accumulating countless enmities over my past life, how could I divulge that I had developed hatred? Moreover, in the present situation, Lee Kwang was merely a stranger I had recently met. I had no hidden grudges against him.

I bit my lip and finally replied,

“My apologies. I’m still inexperienced in martial arts, so I can’t suppress my killing intent properly. It just wells up uncontrollably…”

“Hmm… it seems to be related to the Ghostly Spirit Sect’s martial arts.”

Lee Kwang seemed to broadly accept this and turned away.

“From now on, be cautious.”

“Understood.”

Even as I responded, a certain discomfort lingered in my heart.

And in the rapid movement powered by Mangnyang’s Great Forge Technique, I finally realized the reason.

‘Ah.’

When Lee Kwang is not confronted with the Thunder God Lineage affair, he behaves quite normally.

So while secretly relieved not to clash with him, I also felt a tinge of disappointment that the opportunity to kill him had vanished.

 

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