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Swish!

As soon as the battle ended, the Sect Leader shot towards the Imperial Palace with a terrifying speed that made my jaw drop. The Dharma Protectors followed closely behind, but when I tried to use my own martial skills, I felt completely at a loss.

‘I can’t fly, you know…’

Martial Arts skills, as it turns out, mean soaring through the sky like a bird, something I never grasped until I saw a Dharma Protector. I’d thought it was all fiction worthy of some cheap novel, and I bet 99% of martial artists would think the same. Spotting a Peak Expert like Cheon Sang-won or seeing someone using Void Steps is like snatching stars from the sky. How could anyone believe that a human could glide like a bird? Even top-tier experts like Lee Kwang or the Sword Demon could only dream of such feats — in real combat, they might occasionally use some modified versions of advanced techniques.

But the Dharma Protectors and the Sect Leader? They made it look easy. With Heavenly Spirit Pills and the Primordial Spirit on their side, flapping wings and flying high was no big deal. They could lounge in the heavenly skies all day if they felt like it.

The catch? I couldn’t use the martial arts they did. I once asked the Sect Leader if he could teach me, but he told me my internal power was fine but expected an advanced training period that would feel like eternity. According to him, to use martial arts like that, one needed to master techniques like Grass Skimming or Void Steps to a point where they could be thrown around like confetti.

Sure, I could use the Soul Removal Technique, which gave me impressive speed and ability, but that was only thanks to the unique properties of that technique. My time spent training pure flight skills was far too short to call me a master. I was more of an advanced learner at best. So, using martial arts skills was just out of the question.

Left with no other choice, I had to sprint to the Imperial Palace. The Royal Gate was technically in Luoyang, but it felt like it was in another universe; I needed to run at least fifty li to even reach the palace.

‘I could use Soul Removal, but I’d rather see for myself what’s going on as I go.’

Crash!

As I arrived at the Luoyang outer city and glanced towards the city gate, the guards stood there like statues, oblivious to the world passing by. Even after the Sect Leader and the Dharma Protectors had zipped by, the guards showed no signs of alarm and continued their regular patrol.

I had expected chaos and tighter security after the commotion, so I was left baffled.

Then Zhuge Sa chuckled.

[The speed of martial skills is absurdly fast. Who would think that a faceless shadow flying in from dozens of li away and passing through the palace gates is even real? It’s perfectly reasonable.]

[That’s true, but…]

[The Sect Leader and the Dharma Protectors are not even human-level. You’ve been in the White Lotus Sect for too long; you’ve raised your standards too high; they’re all experts beyond mere humans.]

[…]

I shook my head in disbelief and quickly activated the Soul Removal Technique. Taking advantage of the moment when the guards’ gazes shifted, I leaped over dozens of walls and into the Inner Palace. I swiftly sensed the aura inside the Imperial Palace and found something strange — the Golden Eagle Guard’s presence was completely absent.

‘Hmm. Though the leader of the Golden Eagle Guard and his team were said to have been wiped out by the Su Shin Sect, they could’ve been replaced quickly… then again, maybe they thought mere numbers wouldn’t matter.’

Under normal circumstances, the Inner Palace would be crawling with warriors and the Golden Eagle Guard to boot, but currently, there were no proper Peak Experts around. I easily slipped past the crowds and approached the emperor’s quarters.

Swish!

Upon reaching the palace, I spotted warriors of the Su Shin Sect lined up, their straw hats making them look even more mystifying. It appeared the Sect Leader had already summoned them.

‘Has the Sect Leader already gone inside?’

As I glanced at them, the one in front spoke up.

[Dharma Protector Baek Woong. The Sect Leader requests your presence inside.]

“What do you plan to do?”

[What else? We’re here to clean the inside, as per the Sect Leader’s orders.]

Cleaning inside? That could only mean one thing: a thorough massacre of everyone living and breathing in the Imperial Palace. That clearly meant countless lives would be lost in vain.

Twenty of the Su Shin Sect experts were right before me. Yet, there was no way to stop them inside the Imperial Palace. Honestly, even if the True Heaven Alliance’s combat units showed up, would they be able to handle those twenty?

I frowned and said, “Stop this.”

[What do you mean? This is the Sect Leader’s command. How dare you defy…]

I ground my teeth as I retorted, “I’ll take full responsibility. Stop this. If you’re planning to slaughter the innocent people of the Imperial Palace, I will not let it slide.”

There was no way I could just stand by. Though the people in the Imperial Palace definitely led the human sacrifices and were the source of evil, the actions had been taken by the Golden Eagle Guard and the upper echelon of the Four Great Experts. Most left in the palace were innocent souls unaware of the unfolding horrors. There was no reason for them to be slaughtered so randomly.

[…]

His eyes glimmered dangerously. In that moment, I could sense something fundamentally ‘different’ about him that wasn’t human. No ordinary killing intent; a chilling aura swept over me. He stepped forward and sent Six Harmonies Assembly energy towards me.

[I am Dokgo Woo, elder of the Su Shin Sect and ranked 5th among them. Recently, I and other elders suppressed Yongbi Cheon. I believe the Dharma Protector was also present there.]

“Hmm…”

I hummed thoughtfully.

Right. The elder standing in front of me, Dokgo Woo, was one of the three possessing the Heavenly Spirit Pill. Obviously, he was only a nominal elder; he was an expert on the level of a Dharma Protector himself.

If I were to face off against Dokgo Woo one-on-one, the odds would certainly be against me. What a pain it was, and now he also possessed infinite internal power.

‘Damn it. How many more of these monsters does the Su Shin Sect have?’

I grumbled inwardly. Then Zhuge Sa spoke up, sounding irritated.

[Quit trying to act all high and mighty. What do you think the Imperial Palace guards care about you? If you get your butt kicked by Dokgo Woo, you won’t be able to show your face around the Sect anymore.]

He had a point. Even if I was a so-called Dharma Protector, getting humbled by the elder of the Su Shin Sect would ruin my reputation. But I took a deep breath and addressed Dokgo Woo instead.

“Dokgo Woo. This is not a matter to be taken lightly. I aim to benefit our White Lotus Sect.”

[Benefit? What exactly are you talking about?]

Racking my brain for the right words, I continued, “Among the beings in the Imperial Palace are likely those with intricate connections to otherworldly races, clans, or nobles. They might have information that could be quite beneficial for us. Particularly the… uh, what was it? The Shangguan Family?”

My mention of the Shangguan Family felt somewhat haphazard, since I had just pulled it out of nowhere.

‘Oh crap! Was that too careless?’

I watched with bated breath as Dokgo Woo’s expression shifted; oddly enough, he seemed to freeze for a moment.

[How much do you know about the Shangguan Family?]

“Um… that is…”

As I scrambled to respond, Zhuge Sa quickly interjected.

[Hey, hey! Just say what I tell you.]

[Huh? Are you going to help me?]

[It seemed like we might not be able to salvage this situation, so I’ll help you out. Damn it.]

Despite the insults, I had no choice but to parrot back what Zhuge Sa suggested.

“I understand that the Shangguan Family plays a significant role as an unofficial line for the Sect Leader. Is there any chance of identifying anyone from the Shangguan Family within the Imperial Palace? Losing that information could be detrimental.”

[Hmm… This is a predicament. Why did I come all the way here just to be…]

“Think it through!”

[P-Please wait.]

Upon hearing my outburst, Dokgo Woo seemed flustered, as though struck by lightning.

‘Huh?’

I was taken aback. What Zhuge Sa had said seemed like a shot in the dark, but Dokgo Woo was absurdly shaken. After much hesitation, he finally responded.

[Fine… quickly go inside and let the Sect Leader know about that information. Just remember, our delay is entirely your responsibility.]

“Don’t worry.”

[You have half a moment. If the orders inside change by then, we’ll do what we need to do.]

Dokgo Woo turned away. Feeling a sigh of relief wash over me, I dashed inside the palace.

Crash!

Charging into the palace, I couldn’t resist asking Zhuge Sa.

[Zhuge Sa! I’ve been curious since last time— is the Shangguan Family really a close unofficial line to the Sect Leader?]

[Ha… I have no clue. I just went along with your nonsense. There’s no solid evidence they are, just a hunch.]

[Huh? Then why did you suddenly jump in…]

[I could see you rapidly losing confidence.]

Zhuge Sa continued brusquely.

[What you say has a massive impact. If you fumble and hesitate while trying to think of what to say, there’s no way Dokgo Woo would believe you. You need to be brazen and speak with certainty.]

[Ah…]

[Damn it. Get into the habit of thinking on your feet. If it had been Hyun, he would have tricked Dokgo Woo twice as smoothly as you just did.]

Did this guy actually care about me in his own twisted way? I couldn’t tell what Zhuge Sa was really aiming for. Just then, I reached the innermost area where the Emperor’s throne awaited.

Atop the throne sat the Master of the White Lotus Sect, flanked by Han Baek-ryeong and Dokgo Jun. And before the Sect Leader, the Emperor was gruesomely dismembered; his body lay lifeless, and a grizzly silhouette remained etched into the wall, with tentacles writhing ominously.

‘That must be the Alchemist. He was nailed to the wall with sheer force.’

From the look of things, I could guess what had transpired. I said regretfully to the Sect Leader, “It would have been better if you had spared them for information.”

[I wished to, but they were attempting something suspicious that left me no choice. They couldn’t be restrained without eliminating them…]

The Sect Leader glanced at me and asked, [Baek Woong. Why did you stop them?]

I was surprised that he could detect what was happening so deeply inside the palace. It seemed the Primordial Spirit’s sensory powers truly surpassed those of normal humans. I didn’t feel peculiar about it anymore, replying instead, “Sect Leader, there might be individuals within the Imperial Palace who possess valuable information. If we mindlessly unleash a massacre, we could easily lose that intel.”

[Do you mean for us to proceed cautiously?]

“Yes. Unnecessary bloodshed is not ideal.”

To my surprise, the Sect Leader suddenly laughed.

[Hahaha… You’re quite the amusing fellow. While most people fear me and think twice before going against my will, you show up right here trying to persuade me?]

I maintained my posture confidently, recalling something Zhuge Sa had recently said.

“If you’re going to kill me, do it. I already told you once.”

[Hahaha.]

The Sect Leader burst into laughter, clearly enjoying himself. Once his laughter subsided, he waved his hand dismissively.

[You can do as you like. If that’s how it is, I might as well create a puppet to control things behind the scenes.]

Apparently, he had intentions of becoming Emperor himself. I let out an inward sigh, preparing myself.

“Thank you.”

The Sect Leader turned to Dokgo Jun.

[Jun, lead the troops outside.]

[Yes, my lord.]

[Also, you’ll need to select a suitable member from the Imperial Clan in Luoyang to sit upon the throne. I will entrust that to you.]

Hearing the Sect Leader’s command, Dokgo Jun nodded humbly.

[Understood.]

[There’s a strong aura of magic emanating from inside. Shall we delve deeper?]

The Sect Leader stood up and, in the blink of an eye, the Sword Form vanished. I was left standing awkwardly, unsure of what to do, when Dokgo Jun passed by me.

[Dharma Protector Baek Woong.]

“What is it?”

[I too find you an interesting person.]

“……”

[Follow the Sect Leader. Somehow, I feel you’ll be helpful along the way.]

Clap!

With Dokgo Jun gone, I had no choice but to follow after the Sect Leader, since Han Baek-ryeong seemed to have concluded there was nothing to discuss with me.

Zhuge Sa chimed in with a piece of advice while I jogged along.

[Now the White Lotus Sect should be able to scavenge the Crystal Stele, create the Portrait Immortal facilities, and retrieve the National Seal. If only an Alchemist were around, we could potentially maximize our gains.]

[The Sect Leader can handle the Crystal Stele and the Portrait Immortal projects by himself. But do you think I should inform him about the National Seal?]

Zhuge Sa responded disinterestedly, [Why tell him? Just keep it for yourself.]

[I have no way to break the barrier at the moment.]

I said this honestly, as I’d heard that the labyrinthine seals ensnaring the National Seal were created not by humans, but by a god themselves. Only a demon-like sorcerer, like Hyun Woo-jin or Ji-seon Mang-nyang, could break through such defenses. Zhuge Sa chuckled ominously.

[You fool. That seal hides in the depths, and even the Sect Leader couldn’t find it today. And with the Emperor and the Alchemist both dead? So just play it cool. The Sect Leader will be blown away just seeing the Crystal Stele.]

And sure enough, as I meandered along, I spotted the Sect Leader ahead transfixed by the sight of the Crystal Stele. He looked incredibly satisfied and had no intention of continuing to search the Imperial Palace.

‘Well, it was only after I heard rumors of the National Seal that I understood about the obstacles in the depths…’

Since the Sect Leader hadn’t caught on yet, I could always find an opportunity later to break through the barrier and reclaim the National Seal. With his mood evidently lifted after discovering the Crystal Stele and the Portrait Immortal facilities, he summoned the Dharma Protectors to the inside of the palace, declaring, [The Imperial Palace is now within our grasp. Within a year, the entire Central Plains will fall under the White Lotus Sect’s influence.]

“Congratulations!”

[It seems Vermilion Bird Zhuge Yulong didn’t expect to lose the fight, which is why he summoned an Apostle, yet couldn’t summon a God…]

As he muttered to himself, he continued, [I won’t hesitate any longer. I’ll take down the Twelve Joules and uncover all the teachings of the Non-Birth Mother myself.]

Out of sheer curiosity, I asked, “Sect Leader, why are you trying to find all teachings?”

[Want to know?]

“Yes.”

[Why would I want to find them, do you think?]

It seemed obvious, so I replied, “To gain unstoppable power, right?”

The Sect Leader chuckled.

[Hehehe… That’s just the end result, not the process.]

“What do you mean…”

Reclining against the throne, the Sect Leader replied leisurely, [When all the teachings converge, the principle of brightness will manifest the True Martial Home. And the True Martial Home cannot be realized in the current world. For that, the teachings need to be realized, and the world must go through a cycle before reaching a singular moment.]

A singular moment? This was something I hadn’t heard when learning about the principles of the White Lotus Sect from Mang-nyang. It seemed he was starting to trust me a little by confiding these thoughts after all we shared together. Feeling confused, I posed another question.

“Why is the True Martial Home even necessary? If the Sect Leader surpasses the Primordial Spirit and becomes invincible, won’t you gain immortality? Why gather teachings when it seems so close to impossible?”

[No matter how god-like one becomes, there’s always a higher level to strive towards. Baek Woong, it seems like you still don’t understand a thing.]

As the Sect Leader replied casually, I felt a wave of realization wash over me.

[Do not doubt; simply follow. The future of humanity lies in the True Martial Home, at the moment when Maitreya abolishes the cycle of reincarnation.]

At that moment, I truly understood. The Sect Leader was undoubtedly never going to be content with simply conquering the Central Plains.

 

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