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When I crossed the borders of the country and arrived not too far inland from the British Empire, I stumbled upon a bizarre procession of people wearing strange masks. These weren’t just any masks; they were crudely fashioned leather faces with long, pointed noses that made them look like crows.

All dressed in black, these folks sparked an unusual curiosity in me, prompting me to summon a powerful spirit using the Heavenly Secret Technique to inquire about their identity.

[Those are doctors curing the Black Plague.]

The spirit, confidently claiming to be the creator of Tercios, introduced himself with a peculiar name: Gonzalo de Córdoba. Apparently, he was a famous Western general who had fought and died in this very region.

“The Black Plague?” I asked.

[It was a terrifying disease that ravaged this continent. I’ve seen it since I was a child.]

“Is the Black Plague still present on this continent?”

[I believe it was recently dealt with, thanks to the doctors you see before you.]

“So, those people cured the Black Plague?”

[That’s what they say. However, they’re mysterious beings, and I’m not sure how they heal patients. Even now, they wander across the continent seeking traces of the plague that lasted for nearly a century.]

“Hmm…” I pondered, intrigued by Gonzalo’s words. Noting that he had recently died, I pressed further.

“Gonzalo, what’s the state of affairs on this continent? Can you tell me more about the country known as the British Empire?”

[Well, things may have changed since my time, but here goes.]

He hesitated before continuing.

[As of now, the continent is divided between two major powers: the British Empire and the Holy Roman Empire, with the remaining nations caught in a power struggle between the two. The British Empire is small but possesses superior technology, while the Holy Roman Empire has vast territories under the rule of Charles V.]

“Charles V?”

[He is the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.]

“So, he’s the top power in the West.”

This indicated that two empires dominated the western world. I glanced at a world map but couldn’t wrap my head around it and asked Gonzalo another question.

“Even though it’s called the British Empire, isn’t this just a little island country? It’s barely the size of a province in the Central Plains! How could they claim to be an empire?”

[I take it the British Empire has not made its way to the East where you’re from?]

Gonzalo replied.

[Though the Empire’s land is small, they are currently establishing colonies all over the world thanks to extraordinary naval power and technology. The immense wealth and resources they extract from various small nations and foreign peoples allow them to influence the entire continent’s economy and politics. They also possess a formidable military, hence the title of Empire.]

“Colonies…”

His words reminded me of the southern continent. Indeed, the ones slaughtering the indigenous people down south were part of the British military. If their fleets were proliferating and engaging in expansionist wars, it made sense that their territories could grow significantly. I probed further.

“Gonzalo, how advanced is firearm technology on this continent?”

[How much do you know about firearms?]

I answered him as best I could, and he chuckled.

[Flintlocks and gunpowder are a thing of the past. Here, weapons use a firing mechanism that ignites the charge in the chamber, forming the breech-loading rifle. The firing delay is minimal, and the reloading time is probably less than half.]

“……”

As I began to grasp the technological gap, I realized, ‘The British Empire possesses the world’s most advanced firearm technology! Right behind them are the Western powers.’

Comparatively, the British Empire was ahead by several decades, while the nearby continental powers were trailing closely behind. This cutting-edge technology was being imported to the southern continent of Ayutthaya, where the major nations of the Central Plains had basic knowledge of firearms but struggled to cultivate competent gunners.

The British Empire held its title chiefly for developing breech-loading weapons with cartridges. According to Mangnyang, there was a world of difference between guns with cartridges and those without, meaning the British Empire truly possessed the foremost technological prowess at that moment.

After absorbing a rough summary of knowledge from Gonzalo, I sent him back and pushed on once more. Although I was curious about the doctors curing the Black Plague, I was wary of their connection to disease.

Whoosh—

After about two days of running like a madman, I found myself on the beach. I figured the crowded port would draw unwanted attention, so I sought out an isolated stretch of coastline. Staring out at the horizon, I murmured.

“Damn… it’s hard to decide.”

With plenty of internal power, I had no issue crossing the sea on the water surface. Geographically, I was not far from Le Havre. However, the real problem was that the British Empire was a den for demons, and I had heard their naval power was formidable, so carelessly entering could lead to serious trouble.

Then again, entering directly posed a problem too. An oriental man with black hair and eyes stood out like a sore thumb on this continent. Furthermore, trade between the British Empire and the mainland was strictly limited, so trying to slip in would be akin to threading a needle.

After much deliberation, I ultimately decided to go for it. I could rely on shadow skills or concealment techniques to find an alternative route, but that felt too tedious. It was unlikely anyone would suspect a person crossing the sea without a vessel!

Tap-tap-tap

I surged forward on the water’s surface, utilizing Light Body Technique. It required significantly more internal power than ordinary techniques, and after about fifty li, I felt my legs cramping. My physical limits were quickly approaching, and my internal energy was depleting rapidly. Taking deep breaths, I focused, channeling my internal power and unleashing my potential, eventually recovering enough to keep running.

Whoosh

I grew accustomed to the blue waves lapping against my feet.

After about four hundred li, I noticed my breaths becoming shallow and sweat streaming down my forehead.

‘Indeed… running on water is much more challenging than on land.’

Though I couldn’t see land yet, at this pace, I felt I’d collapse into the sea, drowning before long. I glanced around, searching for a resting spot, but the vast ocean revealed no signs of emerging islands, forcing me to toughen my resolve.

“Aaaah!!”

Feeling my strength plummet, I unleashed a scream, grabbing hold of all my willpower to transform my internal power into physical strength. Imagining a full lap around the sea to hold out until I regained my energy, I bolted as the footing grew tumultuous, sometimes plunging ankle-deep into the water.

Five hundred li…

Six hundred li!!

“Land!!”

As soon as I spotted the dark ground, I shouted in joy. Although I could see ships nearby and clear signs of habitation, it was still a place I could finally rest. Summoning my last reserves of strength, I dashed onto land and collapsed.

Thud

“Huff… huff…”

Clang!

As I lay there panting, I suddenly felt a blade near my body. Sneaking a glance around, I found a dozen soldiers with colorful eyes pointing their weapons at me. The commander among them shouted something I couldn’t quite make out.

“@^&@!!!”

How did they notice me coming?

Curiosity bit at me until I realized it was because of my wild approach—my water-surfing style had kicked up a blue spray as I neared the shore, making me an easy target to spot. I felt frustrated about the careless mistake but shook it off, muttering to myself.

“What does it matter? I made it here. So, I’ve won.”

Thud!

As soon as I finished my thought, I activated the Soul Removal Technique and bolted. Although I had collapsed from fatigue, my body was accustomed to pushing limits, retaining enough potential. As I unleashed the technique, the soldiers panicked, firing their guns in all directions, but I was long gone.

I slipped through the encirclement effortlessly, fleeing to a deserted area. Avoiding the soldiers was easy, but this place was a nest of demons. Getting caught by some oddball could end up badly.

‘Should I rest for a bit?’

The shelter I chose was a structure adorned with a cross pattern. It looked deserted and quiet, so I snuck in using the Soul Removal Technique, scanning for an empty room to cool off and catch my breath.

“Phew… phew…”

As I sat to recover, I thought, ‘I don’t think I’ll be able to circumnavigate the ocean this way…’ Even covering this distance on the water left me exhausted; there was no way I could cross over without a ship. My travel plan itself had already been demanding, but human limitations are real. I lounged and took my time for about a meal before attempting to summon a spirit with the Heavenly Secret Technique.

“……?”

Nothing. There weren’t any powerful spirits nearby? As I sat there slightly flustered, I heard a voice from outside the door.

[A distinguished guest has arrived. Please come this way.]

I followed the mysterious voice to its source in a grand hall, where a middle-aged man knelt before a cross decoration, praying. He fiddled with a round glass orb and sent waves of energy toward me.

[You must not understand our language, having come from afar.]

This man appeared to be a sorcerer of considerable ability, given that the energy waves themselves were a high-tier magic technique.

I cautiously thought to myself.

[Who are you?]

[I am the owner of this church. I received prior notice from Master Mangnyang.]

[What?!]

[It seems he was concerned about you visiting the land of utmost chaos, so he bestowed a faint blessing to guide and protect your journey.]

What on earth is this? Why is Master Mangnyang coming up here? And he manipulated my travel route?

I stared at him, perplexed, and he gestured for me to sit at a table.

[His blessings extend beyond the East. He is a cosmic being.]

[……]

[I don’t know what purpose you have for coming here, but please complete your business and leave quickly. This area has become a demon realm.]

I organized my thoughts and replied, [I came knowing it is a demon realm. I need to go underground to the governor’s mansion.]

He gasped.

[Good heavens!! You must not go there. Abandon this plan.]

[I have the capability to take care of myself.]

[That place is the headquarters of the Black Brotherhood. You’ll likely meet your demise.]

[The Black Brotherhood?]

He nodded.

[It’s a gathering of demon sorcerers and Fallen Existences who worship outer gods, and the boundaries of the human world have become hazy there.]

[……]

So, the governor’s mansion is the stronghold of the Black Brotherhood. I paused to reflect and then asked.

[I heard there’s a guardian in the West who protects humans like Master Mangnyang. Where is he?]

He responded with a pained expression.

[He has sealed himself in a sacred place to defend the last bastion.]

[The sacred place, you mean Paliyas?]

[You know of it? If that place falls, humanity will be completely subjugated, so he sacrificed everything.]

[Hmm…]

This situation was more serious than I had thought. Unlike the East, this western continent could collapse at any moment. Technological development was astounding, but in stark contrast, human rights and dignity had hit rock bottom.

‘I can’t just force my way to the governor’s mansion in this situation…’

It’d be possible to reach London by hook or by crook. Yet, there was a high chance of encountering traps or a special barrier so powerful that even the best techniques couldn’t work. It would be like sticking my head into a tiger’s mouth. From the moment I’d been found by Pang Zuo, infiltrating the British Empire had become a nearly impossible task.

After long contemplation, I asked, [What’s your name?]

[Thomas More.]

[I shall return. Until then, take care of yourself.]

Whoosh!

I employed the Golden Lamp technique to return to Jangryeong Valley and relayed everything that had occurred to Zhuge Sa. After listening for a while, he remarked, “You made a good call. Knowing when to retreat is important.”

“Zhuge Sa, do you think the Golden Crow and Paliyas are indeed there?”

“Most likely.”

Zhuge Sa chuckled softly. “To obtain the Golden Crow, we’ll need to breach the headquarters of the Black Brotherhood in the British Empire. Considering the amount of magic power there, even a human demon sorcerer would be quite formidable.”

“What should we do?”

“What can we do? We lack the capability and justification to attack that place right now.”

Zhuge continued, “First, let’s halt the western reconnaissance and conduct the Offering Ceremony for the Celestial Realm once more.”

“I see.”

It became clear; we would summon the Great Immortal through the ritual to call forth Pang Zuo.

 

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