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The White Lotus Sect’s leader gathered the Dharma Protectors at Dark Heaven Village as they planned to request an alliance with the Twelve Joules. The deal? The Master of the White Lotus Sect would hand over half of the Central Plains and share ownership of the Four Great Artifacts, while also passing on the Su Shin Sect’s martial arts techniques.

They received a response in about three days, with the Master of the Twelve Joules showing up in person, accompanied by the Three Masters.

“I thought you’d bring some trivial terms, but you’ve actually put something decent on the table. Let’s formalize this alliance.”

Do they really believe there’s a Four Great Artifacts? What a bunch of gullible fools…

“Hehe! Well, who knows?”

Though the Master of the Twelve Joules dismissed the leader’s concerns, everyone present sensed it right away.

The Master of the Twelve Joules definitely knew what the Four Great Artifacts were!

If that wasn’t the case, he wouldn’t have rushed here himself with the Three Masters.

Also, he probably knows the value of those artifacts well enough to read my intentions…

Unbeknownst to others, Zhuge Sa frowned. He was an enemy, but the Master of the Twelve Joules was indeed a mysterious man with concealed capabilities. If only they could capture him for information, Baek Woong’s journey could be shortened by more than half—he was a unique force on the martial continent embroiled in this conspiracy.

Suddenly, Zhuge Sa pondered if the enemy experts, including Baek Woong using the Great Destruction technique, could ambush the Master of the Twelve Joules here. But he soon dismissed the idea. Without knowing what techniques the Master had, they could easily end up failing spectacularly.

Eventually, the Master of the White Lotus Sect explained the dire situation, mentioning the threat of the Dharma Protectors. Hearing this, the Master of the Twelve Joules replied,

“Against such a powerful divine being, I doubt I can be of much help. Moreover, the majority of the Twelve Joules aren’t capable of fighting such foes.”

If you want the price of an alliance, take it seriously. Do you think they’ll just sit back and relax after smashing your sect?

“Well… I see that now.”

After a moment’s thought, the Master of the Twelve Joules spoke again.

“Let’s cooperate fully. If you have anything I can do, just say it.”

Zhuge Sa stepped forward and stated,

“I wish to cast a major spell using the Wood Element’s power.”

“Hehe. So you know I possess the Wood Element?”

“In this situation, there’s no reason to be wary of each other anymore. If we lose to the divine beings, we’ll all be dead.”

Calmly, Zhuge Sa outlined his plan. With each explanation, the faces of the Three Masters behind the Master of the Twelve Joules shifted to expressions of astonishment, and the Master remained silent as he listened. After Zhuge Sa finished, the Master of the Twelve Joules clasped his hands.

“… Impressive. I didn’t expect to find someone like you still alive in these lands.”

“Will you go along with the plan?”

“Of course, I will. If we can get rid of the divine beings, it would make my plans much easier. But before that, I’d like to know what kind of lord you’re serving?”

“I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

The Master of the Twelve Joules leaned forward.

“It doesn’t seem like you’re working for the Master of the White Lotus Sect. What kind of lord would a strategist and powerful demon sorcerer like you serve?”

“Let’s just say I have the most foolish lord in the world.”

As soon as the meeting wrapped up, they began preparing the plan. The battlefield would have to be the White Lotus Sect, but they’d need to be ready to fight hard before the divine beings arrived again.

Looking down from a high building, the Master of the White Lotus Sect observed the experts of the Elder Council training vigorously.

These guys are peak experts in the Central Plains Martial World, but they won’t stand a chance against the divine beings.

“…”

I’ve been lost in despair while deciphering ancient secrets in that library. The martial world seems nothing more than a small village, just a lid on a deeper mystery… even reaching the Absolute Realm means nothing compared to being a mere servant of the Celestial Realm.

Listening to this, Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“Is saying such an obvious thing really necessary for a busy person?”

Yong Junil has arrived.

The Master of the White Lotus Sect turned to Zhuge Sa.

Why did I call him? I did request him, but still.

“Well, we need a new successor for the Heavenly Spirit Pill, don’t we? After our side killed Yong Bi-cheon, the position for the Wind Spirit Sect’s Dharma Guardian must be vacant now.

Zhuge Sa’s eyes suddenly glimmered.

“I’m actually curious why Yong Junil hasn’t succeeded Yong Bi-cheon until now. Why was the position left empty for so long?”

…

“Isn’t one Heavenly Spirit Pill not that significant?”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect remained silent for a moment before answering.

Yong Junil is at the guest hall. Go meet him.

“Sure.”

Zhuge Sa stepped away from the Master of the White Lotus Sect and approached Yong Junil in the guest hall. Naturally, he didn’t dare go alone, so he brought Jin So-cheong along.

As Zhuge Sa came face-to-face with Yong Junil, their eyes met, and the air around them turned icy cold. Zhuge Sa, not being one of the peak experts, couldn’t quite tell, but it seemed like the two powerful beings were sizing each other up. Zhuge Sa greeted Yong Junil with a smile.

“Hey there, good to see you.”

“Likewise. You’re Zhuge Sa, the heretical sect’s leader?”

Yong Junil nodded.

“That’s right. What brings you to summon me?”

Clearly, there was some bad blood between them.

It was Baek Woong’s group that messed everything up for Yong Junil and the Wind Spirit Sect.

So even facing the avenger of his father, Yong Junil showed no change in demeanor.

“Hehe.”

Zhuge Sa eyed him and said,

“It’s nothing serious. I was hoping you’d become the Dharma Guardian of the Wind Spirit Sect soon. We have a formidable foe ahead of us.”

“……”

“It seems you’ve been avoiding the Heavenly Spirit Pill for various excuses. Even though the Master has noticed your intentions, he allowed it to slide for a reason…”

“I don’t see any reason to explain myself to an outsider like you.”

“Yeah, you’re right about that. But can I take a guess?”

Yong Junil closed his eyes as if to ignore him. However, Zhuge Sa pressed on without regard.

“You know what the Heavenly Spirit Pill truly is—what you gain and what you lose from receiving infinite internal power. That’s why you’re refusing it, right?”

“……”

“The Master probably noticed what you figured out. But he’s deliberately leaving you alone because you’re significantly more capable than someone like Yong Bi-cheon.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“To even know the identity of the Heavenly Spirit Pill means you’re standing on the edge of the world’s mysteries…”

Zhuge Sa smirked.

“You were once an elite member of the scholars, exploring every logic, while establishing the Huashan Sect and becoming the leader of the Nine Great Sects. And even without the Heavenly Spirit Pill, you’ve surpassed the Wind Spirit Sect’s martial arts to have strength comparable to one who possesses it. As the Master, I wouldn’t grant the Heavenly Spirit Pill to you either, as the Master wouldn’t be able to control Yong Junil who’s obtained it.”

“……”

“Surely the Master wouldn’t want to face a second Lee Cheong-un after half a century.”

At that moment, Yong Junil slowly opened his eyes. Zhuge Sa’s exposure of his secrets changed his demeanor.

“You didn’t come just to persuade me to receive the Heavenly Spirit Pill, did you?”

“Smart as ever, Master of the Nine Great Sects.”

“Tell me what you want, and I might consider talking.”

Zhuge Sa didn’t scoff at the notion that they hadn’t been talking all along, knowing that Yong Junil acknowledging him as a true trading partner meant something significant.

Zhuge Sa said,

“It’s nothing major. The White Lotus Sect will probably collapse soon, and afterward, I figured we’d make good trading partners.”

“You speak so carelessly in front of the successor to the Wind Spirit Sect.”

“Hehe! The identity of being the successor of the Wind Spirit Sect isn’t all that grand, is it? If you truly cared for the sect, you would have taken on the Heavenly Spirit Pill’s restraints regardless of what they are to prevent its decline, right?”

“… Why should I help a collapsing White Lotus Sect?”

“It’s mutual cooperation, plus we both need each other. But for me, this isn’t the end; I have to consider the future, and I thought you would be a good trading partner.”

“Hmm…”

Yong Junil rested his chin on his hand. Suddenly, he threw out his sword.

Swish!!

Within an instant, three blood shadows surrounded them like fog. They were elite peak experts from the Su Shin Sect monitoring their conversation on the Master’s orders—and they were swiftly murdered.

Seeing this, Zhuge Sa exclaimed in admiration,

“Incredible!! The Huashan Sect’s leader is way too strong! Each of those guys was a core expert directly under the Master; they’re stronger than the Nine Great Sects’ leader!”

He sighed and continued,

“Really a nasty personality. He could have dealt with the listening ears, but he’s making me do his dirty work till the end.”

“C’mon, what’s the matter? Are you getting a bit anxious since those listeners are moving to report?”

“Just say what you need to say.”

“Fine, let’s see. In a while, my Lord will return. I hope you can fight alongside my Lord even after the White Lotus Sect falls. You should have the capability to do that.”

“I don’t see a reason to do that.”

“I’ll create that reason for you. If you agree to our proposal…”

As Zhuge Sa made a devilishly sweet proposal, Yong Junil was taken aback, deep in thought before nodding reluctantly.

“Alright. I’ll join forces with you.”

“Smart choice.”

“Just make sure to smooth over the discussion about the Heavenly Spirit Pill.”

Whoosh!

Yong Junil vanished on the spot using a divine technique. He figured staying in the main hall wouldn’t yield any good, so he returned to Mount Huang. Zhuge Sa swung his arms wildly as he said,

“Let’s see, now I’ll clean up after that guy, and hey, wouldn’t it be the best if I also get all the secrets?”

After that internal monologue, Zhuge Sa addressed Jin So-cheong behind him.

“Jin So-cheong, what do you think? How powerful is Yong Junil right now?”

“Strong.”

“Don’t make me have to carry that nickname of Baek Woong. You need to explain just how strong he really is!”

Under Zhuge Sa’s urging, Jin So-cheong glanced at the remains of the Su Shin Sect’s elite scattered around and remarked,

“He stands on par with me.”

“Just as I thought? That means he’s probably at the threshold of the Absolute Realm.”

“Most likely. If the two of us exchanged attacks, it would depend on luck.”

“I remember him not being that strong. What changed?”

“He likely didn’t reveal his full strength even when his clan was destroyed. Today would mark the first time he’s truly shown what he can do.”

Zhuge Sa clicked his tongue.

“Tch! What a secretive guy! There’s a chance he could be as strong as Miyamoto Musashi or even the Master!”

“Absolutely not. If that were the case, he would have taken matters into his own hands and annihilated us right here. Or he would have taken the Heavenly Spirit Pill and dealt with the Master directly.”

“Hmm, that’s a good point. Do you have any guesses about the martial arts technique he possesses, known as the Sword Form?”

“None. That’s something we’ll only learn through actual combat.”

Jin So-cheong glanced at Zhuge Sa.

“What’s your next move?”

“What about my next move?”

Zhuge Sa replied,

“Winning comes down to a single moment. If we can’t land a hit on the divine beings with the power of the Wood Element, it’ll all be over.”

“So everything relies on Cheon Woo-jin.”

“Exactly.”

Zhuge Sa looked up at the sky.

“… Ultimately, it all lies in the hands of Master Mangnyang.”

 

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