Chapter 518
“So, you’re just throwing that out there, huh?”
In a twist, Tuma made a sudden suggestion, and the Sword Demon didn’t even flinch.
“Fine then. Will the rest follow my orders?”
“Of course!”
After waking the unconscious Black Horse and getting the thumbs up from the Seven Warriors, the Sword Demon followed Tuma into the unknown. Once they were in some secluded spot, Tuma turned to the Sword Demon.
“The master I serve is the leader of the White Lotus Sect’s Wind Spirit Sect, Lord Yong Bi-cheon.”
The Sword Demon didn’t care much because he already knew that through the Obsidian. “Got it,” he replied with a shrug.
“Right now, my master Yong Bi-cheon is in deep trouble. If the Shadowless Leader helps him out, I’ll offer everything from my Shura Sect, and a huge force will ally with Shadowless!”
If he didn’t know better, he might just bite. But the Sword Demon was well aware of the tides and simply scoffed, “Nah.”
“……”
“I’m not in the mood for expanding my power via this Yong Bi-cheon character. Didn’t you hear? I’m just here to stop the routes leading to the Heavenly Stronghold.”
“Why block it?”
“Not that I owe you an explanation.”
The Sword Demon shot him a glare as he continued, “I’m not in a position to entertain your petty schemes. You might have two lives, right?”
“Th-That…” Tuma was losing his cool.
“Looks like Tuma’s gonna take a dirt nap here.”
Swish!
As the Sword Demon drew his sword, Tuma’s eyes went wide. He probably never expected it would go downhill so fast. Tuma instinctively dropped to his knees and shouted, “I-I’m so sorry! It was wrong to test you! Please spare my life!”
“Hmm…”
“I’ll tell you everything! Just please let me go!”
Reluctantly, the Sword Demon seemed to back off a bit. “Alright, spill.”
“My master Yong Bi-cheon just learned that the Main Hall of the White Lotus Sect collapsed and the previous leader died. So, he tried to gather the Wind Spirit Sect in the Central Plains to hide, but he felt vulnerable without enough power. Meanwhile, the Leader of the Shadowless called for the Eight Demons of the Demon Path, and that’s why I’ve come this far.”
“Wanna play nice with the leader, huh? Quite the smooth talker you are,” the Sword Demon chuckled sarcastically.
“Okay. Take me to Yong Bi-cheon right now.”
“W-Why?”
“I just want to see the face of someone who’s desperately trying to buddy up with me.”
“Understood.”
Swish!
Finally, the Sword Demon started moving with Tuma, while Jin So-cheong’s foresight ended there. Suddenly, through the Suspicious Fishhook, the Sword Demon’s voice buzzed in.
[ Baek Woong. Jin So-cheong and I are going to meet Yong Bi-cheon now.]
[ Is that okay?]
[ Sure is. You know why the Zhuge Clan tested us.]
[ If it’s risky, call for me anytime.]
[ Got it.]
Bang!
As the communication ended, I looked worriedly at Zhuge Sa.
“Shouldn’t we go help?”
“Not necessary,” he shot back.
“……”
Way too firm, don’t you think?
“But the Sword Demon is really something. Seems like the supreme being of the heretical sects, huh? Sharp wit, good judgment, and insane strength… I see why I wanted him as my lord back in the day,” Zhuge Sa marveled and turned to Mangnyang.
“Hyun Ah, why haven’t you thrown yourself into the martial world?”
“I didn’t really care for it,” Mangnyang replied.
“But you have pretty solid martial talent, not to mention being a genius in Qimen Dunjia. You could have toyed with those martial dimwits! If you’d been a part of the True Heaven Alliance, you could have skyrocketed your career, mobilizing their experts to obliterate the Eight Demons of Martial Daos.”
“Stop joking, uncle,” Mangnyang sighed.
“If you catch a glimpse of this world’s wicked and dark underbelly, how can you possibly turn your gaze to the martial world?”
“But until Baek Woong showed up, I was stuck just playing nice. I was merely managing those buffoons and stacking money through the wisdom of the skies. Do you think that was better than being part of the True Heaven Alliance?”
“……”
“I’m in the same boat. This world’s a wreck, so I had zero expectations. It’s an old mindset.” Zhuge Sa stated decisively, then looked directly into my eyes.
“Just so you know, up until now, you lot wasted your innate talent and time despite being born prodigies. So when that dimwit asks for help, just help him without being selfish, got it?”
Stunned by Zhuge Sa’s outburst, I replied, “Zhuge Sa, what the heck? Why are you throwing that at me?”
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
“Huh?”
Then Mangnyang, nearby, let out a bitter smile.
“Uncle just delivered a lifetime advice aimed at our future selves should we meet in the next reincarnation.”
“… Oh!”
“It’s tough to accept the Obsidian right off the bat. We’ve got to ease into it somehow.”
“I see…”
With a smirk, Zhuge Sa added, “In this life, Hyun, you’ve lagged behind me in strategy, haven’t you? Admit it.”
“I’ll admit.”
“But that’s not because your capability or wisdom lacks; it’s that the original ‘Mangnyang’ was trying to forcibly drag the past life of Baek Woong along, so you couldn’t adapt to the given situation properly.”
“I get it. While you had no attachment to yourself from the start, you seamlessly flipped on the idea of ‘sacrificing everything for victory’.” I responded. “I couldn’t do that because I was preoccupied with my future since leaving the Imperial Palace.”
“Haha! The current Baek Woong isn’t something the early Mangnyang could control anymore!”
As Zhuge Sa chuckled, Mangnyang spoke with a tone of resolve, “Even if I don’t see the end this lifetime, I’ll definitely achieve greater results next time.”
“I hope so.”
Next to us, Miho piped up, sounding a bit put off, “Look at you weirdos making all these jokes while nothing’s resolved yet. What are you acting like this is the end of the world?”
Zhuge Sa grinned, “You should probably express some affection to Baek Woong while you’re at it, huh?”
“What?”
“From here on, we genuinely have no clue what’s coming, so you should leave behind your last words.”
Miho looked like she got it, rolling her eyes. “Crazy jerk! You’ve earned that nickname ‘Guangsheng’.”
“Thank you!”
Miho turned to me, saying, “Baek Woong, don’t pay attention to his nonsense. It’s best to steer clear of idiots who leave behind last words like that.”
Hahaha!
“……”
But I couldn’t laugh at their jokes for a second.
Last Words.
‘Yeah. Just now, Mangnyang and Zhuge Sa left last words for me.’
Neither Mangnyang nor Zhuge Sa was kidding. They were serious. Tomorrow is uncertain; I might die and be reborn into my next life, so they were likely preparing me to stay composed for a sudden departure. If I don’t lose focus, I can aim closer to my goal faster because the deaths of my companions would become meaningless if I falter.
Is this path the right one?
Is it right to pursue the salvation of humanity, knowing my allies will likely die?
Even though it’s the path I chose, a sudden surge of fear gripped me.
This feeling was different from the dread faced when confronting the “Old Ruler” or powerful beings. It was the fear of falling into despair at any moment.
“……”
No. I can’t achieve anything with these weak thoughts.
Since I’ve started, I must see it through to the end. As I build onto this reincarnation, new truths will still appear, and through those results, I’ll uncover the best method available. If I stop now, the deaths of allies who have sacrificed for me will all be in vain.
‘I won’t give up.’
I renewed my resolve. I’ll make sure to uphold the oath to thwart the annihilation of the deities.
About two moments later, the communication from the Sword Demon came in again.
[ Baek Woong. Can you hear me?]
[ What happened?]
[ Hmm… I’d call it an unexpected outcome. We’re heading over now.]
The Sword Demon sounded a bit embarrassed. I started to worry that maybe he was caught by Yong Bi-cheon’s schemes.
‘Are you alright?’
Noticing my anxiety, Zhuge Sa chuckled.
“Hehe. Did you settle it?”
“They’re on their way.”
“Sounds like it’ll be quite the spectacle.”
The spectacle? I realized Zhuge Sa’s words had significance a moment later.
Boom!
“Ugh… what are you gonna do with me!?”
“……”
My heart sank as I looked at the figure before me, tied up, kneeling on the ground. I couldn’t find the words, and I glanced doubtfully at the Sword Demon and Jin So-cheong, face not believing what I saw.
“Is this… for real? Did you actually defeat him?”
Jin So-cheong slung her spear over her shoulder, replying, “Baek Woong, it wasn’t a one-on-one; we caught him within five hundred heartbeats using a joint attack. A bit dishonorable, though.”
“But that’s not what’s concerning…”
The Sword Demon laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! I’ve felt like a freeloader at Jangryeong Valley, but now it seems I’ve paid my dues!”
“That’s more than enough! No, it’s beyond.” I mumbled while gazing at the captive.
“You can’t seriously be saying you caught Yong Bi-cheon.”
The person kneeling in front of me was indeed the Dharma Guardian, Yong Bi-cheon of the Wind Spirit Sect. Not only that, but a few elder-looking folks from the Wind Spirit Sect were also caught alongside him. I confirmed their identities and turned to the Sword Demon, “What about Yong Junil?”
“Oh, he seems to have moved separately.”
Upon hearing this, Yong Bi-cheon erupted, “You!! Don’t you dare touch that boy!!”
“Hmm.” I could only stare in disbelief at Yong Bi-cheon’s furious face.
Who could’ve predicted this day would come?
How could this once terrifying force—a figure of sheer dread—now be kneeling before me in submission?
‘Looks like I’ve got a long life ahead of me.’
Suddenly, I began to suspect that the ropes binding Yong Bi-cheon might be made of some special material. So I asked the Sword Demon, “Is this… the legendary ‘Dragon Binding Rope’ I’ve only heard of?”
“You mean the mythical rope that claims to ensnare even dragons? Haha… this isn’t one of those legendary artifacts; it’s just a pretty sturdy rope.”
“Really? But then this guy is…”
“Huh.”
The Sword Demon smirked wryly. “To be honest, we didn’t defeat him at his prime. He showcased considerable internal power and mind control techniques, but that was it… he couldn’t fully use his internal abilities. The same goes for the mind control technique.”
“What?!”
“We were right; that’s why we decided to take a gamble and capture him. If you want, I’ve sealed off Yong Bi-cheon’s vital energy using my unique blood technique.”
If that were true, could it possibly mean what I thought it did? I blinked in disbelief and cautiously asked Yong Bi-cheon, “Yong Bi-cheon. Has the Heavenly Spirit Pill… disappeared?”
“……”
Yong Bi-cheon appeared to shut his eyes tight and lowered his head.
“Kill me.”
“Um…”
I let out an involuntary sound.
‘I suspected as much after seeing Han Baek-ryeong…’
Yes, our assumption—facing a Dharma Guardian and sending just two people into the world—was bold. The way Yong Bi-cheon knelt before me confirmed one thing; the current Nine Lotus Sect members, former White Lotus Sect Dharma Guardians, had all lost the infinite internal power bestowed by the Heavenly Spirit Pill.
Han Baek-ryeong had once confessed to me that her strength dipped after defeating the Sea God. It meant that the moment the Sea God fell, their contract was severed, causing the infinite internal power to gradually fade away. If the Heavenly Spirit Pill no longer supplied infinite internal power, then Yong Bi-cheon was just another Peak Expert from the Wind Spirit Sect, easy prey for Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon to catch.
But my concerns lay elsewhere; I was unsure if Han Baek-ryeong was the only one impacted or if other Dharma Guardians faced the same issue. If Dokgo Jun or Yong Bi-cheon’s Heavenly Spirit Pill remained intact, we’d be putting our allies in jeopardy; hence my relentless checks. No matter how much Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon had fortified themselves, taking on a Dharma Guardian head-on was still a risky gamble.
Zhuge Sa chuckled loudly.
“Great job, Sword Demon! Now we can test one more thing.”
“Test?”
“Hehe. Let’s start with an interrogation first.” Zhuge Sa began to cast the Soul Exchange Technique on Yong Bi-cheon and the Wind Spirit elders, delving into the events following the collapse of the Main Hall of the White Lotus Sect.
Zhuge Sa queried, “So the Heavenly Spirit Pill is completely gone?”
“No… it’s… still…” Yong Bi-cheon replied, looking dazed.
“I still possess about 20% of the original Heavenly Spirit Pill’s power… but it’s no longer infinite… and I can’t draw upon my original strength anymore…”
“Did you know why?”
“Not at all… But I assumed the other Dharma Guardians would face the same fate… we lost our will to protect the Wind Spirit Sect… and we tried to hide among the darkness of the martial world…”
“Hmm. So with time, the Heavenly Spirit Pill’s powers diminish…” Zhuge Sa pondered.
Swish!
After squeezing out a few more bits of information, Zhuge Sa drew his sword.
“Good. Thanks for your cooperation.”
Swish!
“Zhuge Sa!” I shouted in shock.
Without hesitation, Zhuge Sa beheaded him with his sword! But it seemed I wasn’t the only one shocked; everyone else was watching the scene with eyes feigning surprise. They could have intervened, but anticipated Zhuge Sa had his reasons behind it.
Thud!
Yong Bi-cheon’s head rolled away, blood splattering like a fountain. Even witnessing this gruesome sight, Zhuge Sa carried an indifferent expression.
“The soul isn’t going anywhere. It’s mine now.”
A white soul piece floated above Zhuge Sa’s hand.
Mangnyang commented, slightly in awe, “That’s quite the accomplishment.”
“Indeed.” Zhuge Sa wiped the blood off his face with his sleeve.
“Baek Woong, this means we can begin to save the White Lotus Sect.”
