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“So, I made my way to Seven Kills Village just like Zhuge Sa said.”

I already had the black card from the one-eyed old man since I’d rescued it from the Blood Blade Group. But just before stepping into the village, I hesitated while gazing at Mount Tai.

‘Surely the Vermilion Bird is up there right now.’

The Vermilion Bird. The worst opponent that I actually need to take down. If I topple it, it’ll be like obliterating the Imperial Palace! The Emperor is just a puppet, and the remaining Xuanwu and White Tiger aren’t that tough either. Bringing down the Vermilion Bird is akin to clearing out the palace itself.

As I was lost in thought, Zhuge Sa spoke up, “I’m just as curious why Zhuge Yulong teamed up with the otherworldly race. It’s one of the reasons I’m helping you now.”

“Your brother, right? And you got kicked out for dabbling in heretical arts…”

“…”

A silence followed before Zhuge Sa resumed, “Don’t stop at defeating Zhuge Yulong. If you don’t understand why he made that choice, you can’t move forward.”

“Sounds like it’ll be harder than I thought.”

Mumbling, I entered Seven Kills Village, and just like before, the villagers greeted me warmly, guiding me through the White Tree towards the Dark Heaven Village’s Old Ruler. The spirit guardian couldn’t venture there, so he remained in spirit form, waiting at the village.

Bang!

I approached the Old Ruler in the woods, who scrutinized me with hundreds of eyes embedded in his body.

“Speak… with the power of reversal granted to me… I bestow a single right to transform life into death… and death into life… no one can avoid this power…”

After he finished speaking, I urgently thought, “Please save the Dharma Guardian Lee Cheong-un!”

“Understood…”

From the Old Ruler’s body, tentacles began to writhe and reached out, touching a void in the air. Something like smoke flowed out from that point, which the Old Ruler blew away into the distance.

“Brought back to life…”

“Thank you!”

I politely bowed and was about to leave when the Old Ruler’s voice stopped me.

“You should speak to the one who serves the Black Goat… many transcendents are watching you… disaster is close.”

I tilted my head, trying to make sense of it, before suddenly understanding and nodding.

“Alright!”

Bang!

Upon returning to Seven Kills Village, I headed straight out. While riding atop the spirit guardian, Zhuge Sa’s words echoed in my mind.

“You really shouldn’t act recklessly; it’s funny.”

“That was a warning to the Fengshen War, right?”

“Correct. Right now, the Barren Lands are being consumed by Demon Ki, transforming it into the Black Goat’s territory. But that’s something none of the Old Rulers want. At least three or more of them would be watching him unfavorably.”

“Does the Black Goat refer to the Outer God?”

Zhuge Sa replied irritably, “How do you know so little about the Outer Gods or Old Rulers? With how much Grimoire you’ve collected, shouldn’t you have researched its content?”

“I can’t decipher it.”

“… The Black Goat is one of the Outer Gods, among the highest of ranks. Even the Old Rulers worship them; originally, they have no interest in this tiny world. They are gods of fertility and abundance.”

I was taken aback. “Fertility and abundance? I sure don’t feel that evil energy…”

“Don’t think in human terms. They’re just so transcendent that you can’t even comprehend them.”

“Anyway, since you’ll be monitored by other Old Rulers of the same level, you don’t need to worry about that for now. Go find Lee Cheong-un.”

“I was going to head there anyway.”

Bang!

I rode the spirit guardian toward the tomb of Lee Cheong-un, which wasn’t just overgrown; the place was an outright jungle! I swung my sword, slicing through the dense underbrush as I stepped closer to the tomb.

‘Where could he be?’ I thought. If Lee Cheong-un were alive, he’d definitely be around here somewhere. Just then…

“Boy. Where is this place?”

A sudden voice rang out. I was startled, gazing in the direction of the sound, only to find a figure standing on a tree branch. What shocked me was that it was a slender branch that didn’t seem strong enough to hold anybody’s weight! Yet there he was, standing completely still.

The man looked to be in his early twenties, with thick eyebrows and striking features; he had an ordinary build but radiated an aura that hinted at someone who trained in martial arts. If anyone else saw him, they’d probably think he was just a regular scholar.

But the moment I laid eyes on him, I realized he was an extraordinary expert. His aura reached the level of Return to Simplicity, enveloping me in a formless Qi that stifled my spirit. A cold sweat broke out in an instant!

In my life, the only person above me was none other than the Master of Shadowless Sword, Namgung Jo, yet even when he wielded his Shadowless Sword technique, I hadn’t felt this tense. Every fiber of my being screamed that I was bound to lose terribly if I fought. My body was barely able to hold still, as a gut feeling warned me that I’d face imminent doom.

This sensation closely resembled when I met the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Swallowing hard, I stole a glance at the man, who spoke softly.

“You’ve achieved Thunder Spirit mastery. High skill level. You must be a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage, yes?”

I quickly nodded my head. “Yes! And you are…”

“Strange. I thought I was done for, yet here I am, just fine. I was supposed to have been finished after they destroyed my Dantian…”

He was muttering to himself, resting his chin in thought, when he suddenly turned to look at me.

“Why are you here? Is my revival somehow related to you?”

“Um, well…”

As his gaze bore down on me, I felt as if I was shrinking away. ‘Why am I acting like this?’

It was just an ordinary gaze; his Qi didn’t even mix with the pressure, yet a feeling of mystifying weight crushed me, making it hard to stand tall. I had no idea why, but I felt instinctively that I couldn’t defy the man before me.

The guy was undoubtedly an incredible master! I trembled briefly, then barely mustered the courage to speak. “… I’m here to pay my respects. I am Baek Woong, the successor of the Thunder God Lineage.”

“Baek Woong… I’ve never heard that name before among the known successors.”

“As you said, I’m here for a reason. But before explaining, I need to confirm something.”

He looked at me with a steady gaze, and I stammered out, “Are you perhaps the Dharma Guardian, Lee Cheong-un?”

At my question, he nodded.

“That’s right. I am Lee Cheong-un.”

“……!!”

Upon confirmation, I involuntarily gasped. He was hailed as the strongest Dharma Guardian in the entire Thunder God Lineage, and revered as an unparalleled genius! Plus, he was the master of Lee Kwang, which meant he was practically a Grand Master to me. Now that I was face to face with Lee Cheong-un, I was at a complete loss for words.

Perhaps it was because his first impression differed from my expectations. I had pictured Lee Cheong-un as a robust middle-aged man, yet the young man in front of me was closer to being a bookish scholar. However, the overwhelming aura he exuded firmly established his great presence.

I took a moment to compose myself and said, “Lee Cheong-un, I brought you back to life using a sorcery technique.”

Lee Cheong-un raised an eyebrow.

“That means…”

“Yes. The Dharma Guardian had passed away in the past. But I brought him back.”

“Hmm… I can’t believe it.”

Lee Cheong-un appeared skeptical. A fair reaction, I figured, since who would believe such a claim outright? Nevertheless, he gave me the impression that he was willing to entertain the idea just once.

“Okay. Assuming that you did resurrect me, how long has it been since I died?”

“About fifty years.”

“Pfft!”

Lee Cheong-un burst into laughter, seemingly astonished. He waved his hand dismissively. “That’s ridiculous. Stop talking nonsense and get out of my way. I need to return to the Sect.”

“Wait a minute…”

In a split second,

“Huh!”

I felt something rush past my vision, realizing that my entire body had frozen, unable to move. Thankfully, I could still speak, but before I knew it, I had been completely subdued. I sensed Lee Cheong-un walking away without a care in the world.

‘No way…’

I had trained for over a hundred years in martial arts. I thought I had surpassed some of the greatest experts in the Central Plains, but faced with Lee Cheong-un, even my expectations fell short! His effortless subjugation of me was no mere child’s play. I’d often heard about his martial mastery, but I had never imagined he’d possess this level of power.

I couldn’t let him get away! If he returned to the White Lotus Sect, it would spell disaster!

I tried to shout, “Thun—”

That was when…

Suddenly, Zhuge Sa roared inside my head.

[You foolish brat! Don’t fall for it!]

[What?!]

[Does it even make sense for Lee Cheong-un to leave you here and return just like that? With the powerful torture techniques of the Thunder God, the Return to Simplicity method, and the Eight Trigram Seal at his disposal? Why let you speak while only suppressing your blood vessels?]

I realized suddenly what was happening.

[Ah!]

[He’s trying to confirm the information you have to prolong the torture, you idiot!]

[…!!]

[Call the spirit guardian and escape while you can! If he starts torturing you, it’s game over!]

In a moment’s notice, I grasped that Lee Cheong-un was engaging in psychological warfare against me. He could have already started his torture, yet he was waiting for me to say anything to gather clues to exploit. Otherwise, the entire situation made no sense.

My spine tingled with dread. ‘Yup, just like Lee Kwang’s master…!!’

No ordinary mind could execute the duties of a Dharma Guardian. And for a genius, it was even more astounding.

‘Crap!’

I hurriedly called the spirit guardian, then fled on his back toward the White Lotus Sect’s lodgings. There was no time to waste! Though my veins were restrained, I believed I’d find a way to conquer this hurdle eventually.

Bang!

As I took in the scenery surrounding the White Lotus Sect, a moment of peace washed over me.

“Hmm. Where am I now?”

“……!!”

That ghostly voice! Before I realized it, Lee Cheong-un had placed his hand on my shoulder. In a heartbeat, he had followed me into the spirit guardian’s spatial movement! A wave of fear washed over me, and I felt faint.

Helplessly unable to move, Lee Cheong-un said, “… Ah, I see. This is the abode of the Thunder God Lineage, but the interior has changed drastically. So, this must be the White Lotus Sect.”

“……”

“Since I’ve neglected to suppress your blood vessels, let’s have a conversation. I’d rather not torture a fellow disciple.”

He even mentioned the term torture casually!

Although Lee Cheong-un’s words were calm, I knew the true essence of the Thunder God Lineage. There was a good chance he harbored the qualities of a destructive demon and could enact violence without interference. I could be risking the chance of enduring direct torture by the Thunder God Lineage if I handled this wrong, which sent chills down my spine.

‘Should I just end it all?’

I was well aware of how agonizing the Thunder God lineage’s torture methods could be. I might manage to endure the first two stages, but beyond that… I could collapse completely under the pressure. It felt like my mental strength could dive into a bottomless pit, leaving me in a state of utter despair.

But I understood that I needed to remain calm in this scenario. Gritting my teeth, I regained my composure. “Please release my blood vessels. I will tell you everything.”

“Hmm. Can I trust you?”

“Yes. If there are lies, I’ll come clean myself.”

Upon hearing my response, Lee Cheong-un’s expression shifted in surprise.

“So you are indeed a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage. Quite impressive.”

“……”

In the next moment, my blood vessels were freed as if they had always been so. I was stricken with chills again as I hadn’t seen Lee Cheong-un make a single move. Among the many masters I had encountered, none exerted their power quite like him!

With a sigh, I said, “You might find it hard to believe. But now that you’re ready to hear my story, will you ride with the spirit guardian?”

“Since I decided to trust you, I will uphold my word.”

“Then…”

Bang!

I hurriedly made my way to the Obsidian mine in Dongyoung. There, I broke off a piece of obsidian, shaping it roughly into a fist-sized gem, and using the obsidian’s sorcery, I infused my memories into it. These memories briefly encapsulated everything I had experienced in this lifetime, including the resurrection of Lee Cheong-un.

‘There’s no alternative.’

I knew that while Lee Cheong-un might speak nicely, the moment I misspoke, he would immediately resort to torture. After all, a person capable of crafting psychological warfare wouldn’t waste time playing games; they’d aim for precision in extracting information. I, too, didn’t possess the skill to bluff him while trying to navigate this conversation, so I felt that showing him the obsidian’s memory would be my best bet.

In fact, I could take the route of just ending it all, but that didn’t sit well with me. I had gone through the trouble of bringing Lee Cheong-un back to life, and despite the risks, I wanted to hear what he had to say. This was my own gamble.

As I presented the obsidian, I noticed Lee Cheong-un fixing his gaze on it with intrigue.

“What’s this? You came to the mine and suddenly offer me obsidian?”

“This is my sorcery, the Sorcery of Obsidian. Using it allows one to convey their memories to another.”

Lee Cheong-un smirked.

“What would possess me to accept such a sketchy-looking gem? What guarantees do I have that it doesn’t have some mind control or hypnosis spell built into it?”

It was clear that Lee Cheong-un wasn’t just a simple-minded martial artist; he had experience with sorcery and mechanisms. Given that the Dharma Guardian’s position within the White Lotus Sect required some level of expertise, it made sense. I cautiously responded, “You followed me this far, didn’t you?”

“Hmm?”

“You must have thought that if I tried something underhanded, you’d be able to neutralize me in an instant.”

“……”

Lee Cheong-un remained silent but regarded me intently, silently affirming my words. His unnerving speed was incomprehensible, even by the standards of martial arts. If that were true, he could certainly strike me down in a blink before I even knew what happened!

I declared boldly, “I stake my name on it. There’s no deception within this obsidian. You’ll find the truth in it.”

“Factual or not, your attitude is commendable, worthy of a Thunder God disciple.”

Lee Cheong-un responded before accepting the obsidian from me.

Bang!

“Hmm!”

As Lee Cheong-un absorbed the memory, he looked mildly astonished. After about half a moment, he sighed in disbelief.

“What a preposterous tale… you mean I can begin my life from my youth if I die?”

“Yes.”

I intentionally left out the details about the Heavenly Secret in the obsidian, so he was unaware of it. That was a common practice for me whenever sharing the obsidian with others.

“And… oh… so it was true after all. Fifty years have passed, and now there’s a successor to my disciple…”

Lee Cheong-un’s expression shifted to one of exhaustion. He couldn’t help it, considering he’d been dead for fifty years, and everything I had been through during that time was an overwhelming shock for him. He was likely sifting through all my shared memories related to the Thunder God Lineage in his mind.

After a brief moment, he remarked, “So your goal is to attain the Thunder God’s ultimate technique, Thunder Spirit? Presently, you’re both a disciple of the White Lotus Sect and a Dharma Guardian of the Thunder God Lineage…”

“……”

“Hmm. How shall I put this?”

Lee Cheong-un wore a wry smile.

“For now… Baek Woong. How about you just give up on the Thunder Spirit?”

 

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