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Mount Penglai!

It’s one of the legendary Three Great Spiritual Mountains and was known alongside Yongju Mountain and Bangjang Mountain as an otherworldly existence. There are many places named Mount Penglai in the world, but according to Ji-seon Mang-nyang’s knowledge, the real Mount Penglai does not exist in the human world; it lies in a different dimension. Mang-nyang explained calmly.

“Baek Woong, as you know, the concept of this world stems from the idea of a round heaven and square earth, which is rooted in ancient theories. You’re aware that the vertical axis is called Ja-o and the horizontal axis is called Myeo-yu?”

“I understand.”

Mang-nyang nodded his head.

“Also, the four directions are fixed by the string of the heavens, symbolized in the models of a heavenly plate or a wiping plate. So when this world and the four directions converge at Jin, it means the place where the energy representing the East, Jin, is the strongest.”

Without taking a breath, Mang-nyang stated firmly, “Moreover, the Celestial Realm sits at the center of the heavenly plate, and to the east of it is Mount Penglai, the only place that can possibly be the entrance to the Five Demon Gate.”

“Hmm…but Mount Penglai isn’t in the material world. It’s in the Otherworldly Realm, just like Golden Crow Island. It must be protected by a barrier.”

I made a troubled expression.

“That’s why neither the Power of the Dark Arts nor divine abilities can take us there. The Power of the Dark Arts can’t cross the sealed dimensional border, and since I’ve never been to Mount Penglai, I can’t use any divine abilities.”

At that moment, Cheon Woo-jin, who had been listening beside us, spoke bluntly.

“There is a way to go. A sufficient one.”

“How?”

Cheon Woo-jin glanced at Zhuge Sa.

“Zhuge Sa, you must have an idea as well. Now…”

Zhuge Sa responded with annoyance to Cheon Woo-jin’s words.

“I know without being told. Let’s give up on the Nameless Ritual Book.”

“Good thinking.”

Crack crack!

“Ugh…”

The flesh near Zhuge Sa’s heart bulged out significantly. He looked like he was in pain, veins popping out all over his body. Suddenly, his chest muscles began to tear apart in a book shape. I was shocked to see this.

“Huh!?”

What the?! No way!

As expected, with a thunk, a dark energy in the shape of the Nameless Ritual Book burst from his chest, causing a massive gush of blood. Zhuge Sa wobbled on his feet as if his chest had exploded. Blood was flowing out abundantly. A normal person would have died from such an injury.

‘No!’

I quickly reached out to Zhuge Sa and used my power.

[Time, turn back Zhuge Sa’s body to the past!]

Whoooosh!

Zhuge Sa’s fatal wound was restored as if time had reversed. It wasn’t healing; it was a restoration of time, so Zhuge Sa quickly wore a look of forgetfulness about the pain. He picked up the energy of the Nameless Ritual Book and handed it to me.

“Here.”

Thwoop!

The dark energy manifested into the form of the Nameless Ritual Book and fell to the ground. The Nameless Ritual Book that had been absorbed by Zhuge Sa had now slipped out.

“You madman! If that’s how you’re going to take it out of your body, at least say something! If I didn’t have powers, the Five Great Physicians would have been here, and you would have been dead!”

As I yelled in panic, Zhuge Sa replied nonchalantly.

“Stop the chatter and take it. I’m going to take a nap on the Land and Earth Diagram.”

“……”

“And just a piece of advice, don’t confront the Blood Demons in Blood Ridge directly. If you do, you’ll all be dead, so avoid clashes as much as possible.”

“What? Are they that strong?”

“They’ve been greatly enhanced through the Demon King’s dark techniques and they’re capable of self-destruction. If a fight breaks out recklessly, no matter if it’s Jin So-cheong or the Sword Demon, they’ll die in blood. The curse of blood is not something ordinary spirits can heal, and it’ll cause the affected area to rot away.”

“……”

“The Demon King’s military forces are no joke. Avoid them as much as you can.”

Swoosh!

After saying that, Zhuge Sa entered the Land and Earth Diagram, and Cheon Woo-jin, who had sealed Zhuge Sa again, sighed.

“That was a sigh of relief. As it stands, the power is low, meaning it could be sealed for 10 or even 20 years.”

“Is this the right way?”

“Instead of worrying about that, we need to come up with a plan and act quickly.”

Cheon Woo-jin replied coldly, continuing.

“A simple way to get to Mount Penglai is to find Xu Fu’s trail.”

“Xu Fu?”

“The First Emperor of Qin sent ships filled with young men and women eastward to look for the elixir of immortality. The goal was to find at least one of the Three Divine Mountains to learn the secrets of immortality from an immortal. The one responsible for that plan was Xu Fu.”

So there was someone like that.

While I stored Xu Fu’s information in my mind, Mang-nyang spoke up.

“Baek Woong, whether Xu Fu succeeded or failed remains unknown, but we already know the truth about the First Emperor of Qin. Unable to wait for Xu Fu, he accepted the Demon through an Offering Ceremony and went to Dark Heaven Village. In other words, Xu Fu never returned to Qin.”

“Did Xu Fu find the Three Divine Mountains and the elixir?”

“That’s uncertain, but Xu Fu was human, and he went eastward toward Shandong. So the method to find Xu Fu is clear.”

As I heard Mang-nyang’s words, I suddenly remembered and shouted, “The Heavenly Secret Technique!”

“That’s right. It’s known that the entrance to the Three Divine Mountains overlaps with the material world, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

By using the Heavenly Secret Technique to summon his spirit and track his path, we would surely be able to find Xu Fu.

“Baek Woong. You won’t have many chances left.”

“That’s right.”

“Use them wisely.”

It was initially a technique I hadn’t used often, but in this life, I’d been using it extensively to learn wisdom here and there. I’ve used it six times already, and now only four more times remain. Though the Heavenly Secret Technique was powerful, once all ten uses were expended, there was no way to recharge it, so I had to conserve it.

Swish!

I first headed to the far edge of Shandong. While searching for a strong spirit near the sea, I called forth a mighty spirit. He was armed with a giant sword and had a strong, imposing presence, with a distinct sense of being quite ancient.

[My name is Zi Lu Zhong You. Why have you summoned me?]

“Zi Lu? Could you be one of Confucius’ disciples?”

[Indeed.]

Zi Lu!

He was famously known as a disciple of Confucius and was celebrated for his bravery. Though his later years weren’t outstanding, he was respected by many Confucian scholars for upholding loyalty and courage in life, maintaining strictness toward himself. I felt a sense of awe and asked him.

“I’m looking for the Three Divine Mountains or Xu Fu near the Shandong sea. Have you seen or heard anything?”

Zi Lu was far older than Xu Fu. If he had been around this area like a fixture, he must have seen and heard things for hundreds of years. I glanced at him expectantly as he pondered.

[It would be best to ask the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, Guang De Wang. I don’t know much about such matters.]

“Ugh…”

I frowned.

‘Do you think I used the Heavenly Secret Technique not knowing that?’

The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas!

They were divine beings of ancient times that governed the waters of China, belonging to the dragon clan. They were also classified as Great Immortals of the Celestial Realm and were said to possess tremendous divine abilities like dragon people. However, according to Cheon Woo-jin, the Four Sea Dragon Kings had significantly reduced their influence since the Sea God’s powers had strengthened, leading them to live concealed lives. Consequently, it would be even harder to find Xu Fu than them. Furthermore, a being like the Four Sea Dragon Kings could probably refuse the Heavenly Secret Technique, making it a risky option to give information to the Celestial Realm, which is why I didn’t even try. Thus, it utterly wasted my opportunity when Zi Lu said he didn’t know.

“Don’t brush me off. Is there nowhere here that’s a miraculous place or an entrance to a dimension…?”

[Hmm… I don’t know such things.]

Zi Lu, looking troubled, suddenly seemed to recall something.

[Yes! I think a certain Heaven-Supplying General had a keen interest in this area. Ask him.]

“Who is that?”

[I don’t know him well. But he’s famous for being quite knowledgeable about history in a spirit form.]

“Bring him here.”

[Understood.]

Swish!

After that, Zi Lu summoned a spirit and left. The newly appeared spirit seemed weak and unimpressive, but was wearing a white hood and had a somewhat dignified presence. I cautiously asked him.

“Who are you?”

[I am the Heaven-Supplying General.]

“Not that, your name in life.”

[… Wang Xianzhi.]

“I see.”

Finally, I realized his identity.

‘This guy was the leader of the rebel group that acted during the Huang Chao Rebellion in the Tang Dynasty.’

Though he was indeed a person, could someone like this really be summoned by the Heavenly Secret Technique? No matter how I looked at it, he was just a bandit leader and a smuggler. Anyway, I asked him questions that piqued my curiosity, and Wang Xianzhi responded affirmatively.

[I’m not sure, but there’s someone in Silla who might know the answer.]

“Who?”

[A fellow named Go Un. He’s been known for mastering sorcery since his life, possessing outstanding abilities. I believe he knows well about Mount Penglai or Xu Fu’s location. Furthermore, I directly witnessed him investigating about Mount Penglai near this Shandong.]”

“Bring Go Un here.”

[That guy is in a nation to the east. I hear he’s in the southern region; why don’t you try tracking him down?]

Silla. A nation to the east.

‘Hmm… you mean the nation that existed before Goryeo.’

I learned a bit about Goryeo’s history while being there, so I knew of Silla’s existence. After taking a stab at my guess, I sent Wang Xianzhi away.

“Alright, return now.”

After gathering information, I returned to Jangryeong Valley and said, “So, the Go Un you mentioned must be Choi Chi-won.”

“Miho, you know?”

Miho nodded.

“He is renowned as one of the greatest sorcerers, Taoists, and scholars from Silla. He’s quite famous throughout the peninsula. After his death, folklore states he ascended or became a deity, but it seems he just remained on earth.”

“Is it common for such capable beings to stay on earth instead of ascending to the Celestial Realm?”

“That happens often. If they have many lingering attachments to tasks left unfinished…”

I felt like I was almost done piecing everything together. I propped my chin and muttered.

“Hmm. They said to the south, but where could it be?”

“I have a hunch. Would you come with me to check?”

“I’m in.”

Miho, who had lived on the peninsula and Dongyoung for a long time, seemed to have a hunch about Choi Chi-won’s whereabouts. I moved to Goryeo with Miho and headed south from there. Of course, this was the southernmost region I had visited when crossing from the peninsula over to Dongyoung. Miho came to a secluded coastal area and said.

“Haeundae. The last known activities of Choi Chi-won that I know of are around here.”

“There’s a pavilion.”

“Using the Heavenly Secret Technique here might just bring him forth…”

Thwoosh!

Following Miho’s words, I cast the Heavenly Secret Technique. While searching for a strong spirit nearby, I called forth Go Un Choi Chi-won to appear before me. Then a handsome scholarly man with a refined demeanor appeared before me.

[What brings you to summon me?]

“Are you Go Un Choi Chi-won?”

[Indeed.]

He’s undoubtedly a powerful spirit. It was clear that he possessed great abilities when alive, as evident in his outstanding potential. He must have mastered techniques rivaling those of an Earth Immortal in life.

‘With such prowess, it’s strange that he hasn’t ascended…’

I questioned Go Un Choi Chi-won.

“I’m seeking the entrance to Mount Penglai. Also, I wish to know the location where Xu Fu searched for the elixir of immortality.”

[……]

“I’ve heard from Wang Xianzhi that you had a keen interest in that pursuit during your lifetime.”

Then Choi Chi-won sighed and said, [Ahh… You’ve wasted your time investing in an ephemeral illusion.]

“What do you mean?”

[I tried searching for the legendary Three Divine Mountains in my later years, utilizing all my techniques and wisdom. I also uncovered the footprints of Xu Fu and learned about the elixir. However, everything was just an illusion…]

“You mean Mount Penglai doesn’t exist?”

Choi Chi-won shook his head.

[The elixir and Mount Penglai do exist. However, they are vastly different from what people in the world conceive.]

“How so?”

The next words from Choi Chi-won left me in shock.

[The elixir is a bizarre grass that transforms the body into that of an Otherworldly Race. Mount Penglai has long been invaded by the Sea God and demons, where all the immortals became slaves to the Sea God, now turned into a hell where evil beings roam.]

“……!!”

[Xu Fu learned of this, returned to the First Emperor of Qin, and revealed the truth of immortality. The First Emperor then conspired with the demon and dreamt of becoming a god through an Offering Ceremony.]

That’s a shocking revelation.

Could it be that the background of the First Emperor conducting the Offering Ceremony led back to this place?

Yet, I couldn’t afford to be stunned; I calmly said, “…I must head to Mount Penglai immediately. Please tell me the location of the entrance.”

[Understood. I will inform you.]

Choi Chi-won spoke to me with a grave voice.

[But be cautious. That place is a hell in the current world.]

 

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