Chapter 711
“Chun Woo-jin is on the moon, huh?”
I hesitated for a moment, staring at the moon in the night sky, and said, “You mean that moon?”
“That’s impossible… We can’t even reach it with human power!”
The reason I was flustered wasn’t just because of that. While learning from the Zhuge Clan, I discovered that the geography and physics of this world were vastly wider than what we know. I learned that the distance from our world to the moon would require more than thirty of our realms piled on top of each other. It was a distance that would take hundreds or thousands of trips from the Central Plains to the Western Regions of the British Empire, and with the vacuum of space in between, it was simply impossible to make the jump. No machine we currently have could possibly fly that far.
Then Mangnyang spoke up.
“In terms of physical distance, yes. But our science and mathematics would need centuries more development to even try.”
“So, you’re saying Chun Woo-jin got there?”
“My disciple used sorcery to get there. With his level, it’s entirely possible. There’s more than one way to cover physical distances.”
“Hmm…”
I hummed, contemplating just how high his sorcery level must be to navigate such an immense distance. Being unable to even use middle-level techniques, any visualization was beyond me. I collected my thoughts and asked, “Then why did Chun Woo-jin go there after the Divine City Battle? Why did the Zhuge Clan send him?”
“Because the moon is a very suspicious place.”
“Huh?”
“As you learned from studying sorcery, that moon is an object created against astronomical odds. The reason life can breathe properly on this planet is that the moon protects us from comets and harmful celestial bodies. Such a coincidence is nearly impossible.”
“…?”
“Since ancient times, the moon has been viewed as a very important symbol in sorcery… it’s considered the source of all magic.”
Then Mangnyang continued. “Uncle Zhuge believed that the Moon Palace Amphora might actually be imprisoned on that moon.”
“The Moon Palace Amphora… you mean the wife of Yu, The Archer?”
“Yes. She was known as the most beautiful woman in the world and became the wife of Yu. Legend says she’s the goddess of immortality sealed in the Palace of the Moon…”
“Hmm.”
I reminisced about that past. “Yu is indeed the greatest rebel in the Celestial Realm and the one who destroyed the Three Pure Ones. Not to mention he has accusations of devouring innocent immortals. I can assure you, that is the truth, based on my honor.”
“I know!”
“I knew about that even when I went to his palace seeking the altar of immortality. Yet I still follow him.”
“He told me he would return the Amphora after everything is over. I won’t let you go just like that.”
“Heavenly Mysterious Woman, I know you’re just and that following your words would help both realms survive. But… my wife’s safety is more important!”
Right before I died last time, I charged into the Celestial Realm’s Mount Tai with the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, Monkey King, and others to stop Yu’s conspiracy to annihilate the human world. At that time, it was Yu who single-handedly stood against us, refusing to change his mind, even after the Heavenly Mysterious Woman’s persuasion. He was well aware of Yu’s plot but chose to side with him to save his wife, which caused unnecessary injuries for Monkey King, complicating our plans.
I recalled that time calmly and said to Mangnyang, “That’s how it was… But why is retrieving the Moon Palace Amphora so important that they sent Chun Woo-jin to the moon?”
“The Moon Palace Amphora. She might be Yu’s wife, but she has another identity.”
“What is that?”
“While in the Celestial Realm, she was called the Lunar Sovereign and held such a high status that she wouldn’t bow to anyone outside the Three Pure Ones. Even with her not-so-high sorcery ability, that was possible because of her background.”
I brushed through my Taoist knowledge and realized the hidden meaning.
“… The Emperor?!”
“Exactly.”
Mangnyang’s eyes lit up. “She is the daughter of Emperor Zhuge of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors! In terms of lineage, she was originally even more noble and dignified than Peng Zuo or Chi You.”
Three Sovereigns’ Emperor Zhuge! He employed various divine beings and was known to govern birds and safeguard the East. He has shown little of himself so far, but being one of the Three Sovereigns, his powers must be formidable. And with the granddaughter of Emperor Zhuge being a Great Immortal, no need to mention the Amphora’s status either.
I composed my surprise and said, “So, they sent Chun Woo-jin to find the Moon Palace Amphora to recruit her?”
“No, sending him to recruit her amidst the chaos of the Three Sovereigns would be pointless. Plus, since she’s of their blood, it’s obvious she’d side with them.”
“Then…”
“Think carefully… She is the daughter of the Emperor.”
“……”
I racked my brain, but couldn’t grasp what Mangnyang was thinking. While I was struggling, Seo Mun-hye, who was listening beside us, seemed to catch on and said, “The Three Sovereigns won’t leave their kin careless, so the fact that she’s sealed in the Palace of the Moon itself connects her with Emperor Zhuge.”
“That’s right.”
Mangnyang nodded. “The legendary Palace of the Moon is said to be on the moon. And according to what we gathered, the Three Sovereigns each have their own Otherworldly Realm, and examples include the Divine Temple and the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace. So…”
At that moment, it finally clicked for me.
“You’re saying the moon itself is the Divine Temple of Emperor Zhuge?”
“Uncle believes it’s highly probable. It’s as if the Three Sovereigns artificially created their Divine Temples, covering an entire star.”
“Hmm…!!”
“Emperor Zhuge’s Divine Temple is known as Banwang Hall. And the only one in our group capable of exploring Banwang Hall is the Priest, which is why he was tasked with the mission to investigate the moon.”
That was shocking news. The moon was the Divine Temple of Emperor Zhuge! I had no idea how far ahead the strategists were thinking compared to me. While I was gathering intel, they were exploring much further ahead. If I were to reach such a conclusion on my own, I’d have to die at least ten more times.
“Thank goodness.” I genuinely felt relieved to meet Mangnyang and Zhuge Clan. Compared to acting alone, their collaboration obviously saved tremendous time. As I mentally calmed myself, Mangnyang continued.
“The Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace of Emperor Zhuge can be accessed through the Five Demon Gate on Mount Penglai. Similarly, it’s highly likely that entering Emperor Zhuge’s Banwang Hall requires passing through the corresponding ‘gate.’ And that ‘gate’ will definitely be on the moon, and the Priest is currently searching for it.”
“By the way, Mangnyang, can you contact Chun Woo-jin?”
“Not yet. The place is too far, and if Banwang Hall exists, then it’s within the dominion of the Three Sovereigns, so the Mirror of Clarity’s reach won’t extend there.”
“Hmm.”
As I processed the current situation, Mangnyang said, “Please step out now, Heavenly Mysterious Woman.”
Pow!
The moment Mangnyang finished speaking, a spirit materialized behind me; it was the spirit of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman. She was currently accompanying me but usually hid her body in the dimension, transparent. Once summoned, she immediately spoke to Mangnyang.
“Impressive. As a human, you managed to reach the depths of the Underworld and obtain the Mirror of Clarity from the Wheel King, uncovering the truths of Banwang Hall and the Underworld?”
Mangnyang bowed respectfully and said, “I couldn’t have done it alone; it’s thanks to Baek Woong and the companions. And I believe starting from now, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman will assist us as well.”
“……”
In a moment of seriousness, an intense emotion rushed through the usually stoic expression of Mangnyang. “Heavenly Mysterious Woman, do not betray Baek Woong. If that happens, you’ll regret it.”
“Understood.”
Mangnyang, having casually obtained her vow, turned his gaze back to me and said, “Baek Woong. If the Priest finds the entrance to Banwang Hall and reaches the Moon Palace Amphora, then we would have already discovered two of the Three Sovereigns’ strongholds.”
“Hmm.”
“We need to uncover all the strongholds of the Three Sovereigns soon. Only then can we completely eradicate them someday.”
Eradicate them all! “I feel a bit… unconfident.”
When I heard that, I felt a tad unrealistic. Even if we pooled all of our resources and efforts, we wouldn’t be able to handle even one of the Three Sovereigns. What good would it do to merely discover their strongholds? As I put on a face that expressed helplessness, Mangnyang chuckled softly.
“Baek Woong, you underestimate yourself too much. Though your power may not have grown much, you’ve achieved significant results up till now. I can assure you, be confident.”
“Thank you.”
“Surely, in this life, we will achieve something. Whatever it may be.”
With a resolute tone, Mangnyang continued, “With the help of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, we will reach the moon. Once there, find the Priest, and after returning to the ground, notify me again.”
Pow!
Once he finished speaking, Mangnyang vanished. The dark Void Space around us disappeared, restoring us to the ordinary Yu Nam Lake.
I turned to the summoned Heavenly Mysterious Woman and asked, “Heavenly Mysterious Woman, is there a way to get to the moon?”
[There is. Let me open a path with sorcery now.]
Wiiiing!
As she cast the Corpse Dissolution Technique, a silver passage appeared immediately. Taking just a step into this passage, I would surely reach the moon. I thought the Corpse Dissolution Technique was versatile, but then I hesitated for a moment.
“Can we not use the Corpse Dissolution Technique to find Chun Woo-jin after we arrive on the moon?”
In response, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman said, “We could, but we need to tread cautiously. It would be best to avoid using sorcery as much as possible.”
“What?”
“Just as your companion Mangnyang guessed.”
Her gaze lingered on the distant moon.
The crescent moon in the sky seemed to glow a manic blue light.
“That moon is the Divine Temple of Emperor Zhuge. There, he can utilize his powers without regard for the Law of Cause and Effect, so we must not reveal our existence.”
“……”
I felt a shiver run down my spine. It was as if I was walking into a nightmare realm where the Three Sovereigns could unleash their powers without restraint.
