824——————==

True Martial Home

What the heck is this nonsense?

But one thing was definitely clear.

“Are you trying to steal my rebirth ability?”

Yulju slowly let his hand slide off my shoulder.

“You shouldn’t phrase it that way. Let’s just say I want to ‘research’ it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Baek Woong, I’ve seen the memories of your obsidian. And after witnessing Chi You getting devoured by your Heavenly Secret, do you think I would just jump to conclusions? I’m not an idiot; I know that using ‘theft’ would lead to self-destruction.”

“…….”

“If it were possible, then when Chi You imprisoned you for 50 years, it would all have been over. But it didn’t end there, and after being captured by a Three Sovereigns-level divine being, you even managed to fight back. The Heavenly Secret is theoretically invincible, and I believe that taking your rebirth ability by force is impossible.”

Saying this, Yulju sat on a nearby rock and continued talking.

“However, while reviewing your memories, I realized something significant.”

“What is it?”

“…’Qi’ is fully inherited through rebirth. So, according to our research findings, it might be possible to extract your rebirth ability.”

“……?”

What do you mean?

“The fact that ‘Qi’ is inherited probably refers to internal power being passed down.”

Of course, the abilities inherited from my past lives are not limited to just Qi. Other skills and supernatural powers like martial arts achievements or spirit power also carry over. So why was Yulju emphasizing ‘Qi’ so much in relation to extracting my rebirth ability?

When I looked at him with a puzzled expression, Yulju said,

“The fact that your internal power directly carries over to your future rebirth has greater implications than you think. It could be a clue leading to the ‘Primordial Void’ you’ve always wondered about.”

“……!!”

“I’m confident. Extraction is possible. If we do this right, you and I can create a symbiotic relationship.”

I stared warily at Yulju, feeling a strong sense of caution.

“You’re being presumptuous and ridiculously arrogant. I’m not in agreement with you yet.”

“What, are you looking for a way to commit suicide?”

“If I wanted to, would you have a method to stop me?”

“No, not really. If I tried my best, I could seal you, but that would only earn your hatred. From what I see, Shun seems to have failed trying to possess you and eat you. Unless I completely commit, there’s not much I can do right now.”

With a shrug, as if raising a white flag, Yulju said,

“By the way, aren’t you a bit intrigued? I don’t usually let anyone off this easily.”

“That attitude itself is arrogant.”

“My bad. I may be a clan king, you know.”

I couldn’t help but shout out in irritation.

“What exactly are you? I can’t agree to your proposal without knowing your true identity. I can’t keep pushing and pulling back with someone whose identity I don’t even know. Do you have any idea how many times we’ve had this conversation?”

“It’s a bit tough to say. You’re a Reborn Person, so if you get information from me, you could just leave whenever you want, right? If you promise to sincerely cooperate, I’ll tell you.”

“Forget it. I have nothing to lose.”

“…….”

I truly had nothing to lose. I had refrained from using extreme methods while considering my companions, but if I didn’t care about the consequences, finding out about Yulju’s background wouldn’t be too hard. Probably just four or five more reincarnations would be enough to figure it out.

After I firmly concluded that, Yulju seemed taken aback.

“Hmm, I’m not really used to being pushed around by others… but it seems you really aren’t cut out to be a hero.”

“I don’t want to be one. Let’s stop talking and you should leave.”

“Hey, you’ve never thought about it?”

“What thought?”

“As a Reborn Person, with all your power, digging into my past and robbing me wouldn’t be impossible. In the end, I’d have to yield all my secrets and become obedient to you. However, you’ll never get sincere cooperation from me, and once you get used to this method, you won’t be able to use gentle tactics next time.”

Astounded by Yulju’s words, I retorted,

“What nonsense is this? What wild paranoia are you conjuring? You are the one who is hiding everything and trying to take advantage of me. You have no right to say such things.”

“Then let me ask. If you subdue me and the Master of the White Lotus Sect and Zhuge Yulong by force, would all problems be solved immediately? You’d probably have to go through dozens of rounds to create such a situation, do you really think those who kneel down like that would be compliant?”

“That’s… no.”

“The conclusion may seem similar, but it’s different. It’s a waste. Rather than earning a grudge by going through death and resurrection multiple times, isn’t it faster to build a symbiotic relationship from now on? I’m actually not that bad of a guy. While I may not become a trustworthy companion, can’t we at least collaborate?”

“……”

It does seem right in some way.

I thought I’d make them submit one day, but a substantial grudge would inevitably pile up in the process. It might be better to let him act as if he were putting on a friendly face for now if it meant establishing a symbiotic relationship. If he helps me of his own accord, that would be the best outcome.

‘Is it worth hearing him out…’

Yulju’s demeanor felt a bit different from the past lives.

As I gazed at him suspiciously, I asked,

“…How do you plan to extract it?”

“Logically speaking, your rebirth ability must fundamentally come from that Heavenly Secret. But even though Chi You locked you away for 50 years, he couldn’t even comprehend the Heavenly Secret, let alone do anything about it. Moreover, he even died from reading it, so reading is simply an act; your rebirth ability could be considered as embedded within your soul.”

“And so?”

“However… I’ve seen something similar before. So it might be possible to extract new rebirth abilities without affecting your previous life with ‘this’ technology.”

“…Wait, what?!”

You’ve seen something similar?!

I looked at Yulju in shock. He spoke with a bitter tone.

“It wasn’t exactly a good situation, but I’ve seen it.”

“What did you see?”

“…….”

In an instant, I felt an indescribable emotion pouring out from behind Yulju’s mask. Though I couldn’t see his face, emotions of resentment, rage, and despair were bubbling out of him in a complex mix. The air felt suffocating as if a ghostly white essence was floating around.

“How can I explain that?”

He seemed to writhe slightly as if he couldn’t overcome his own fury. It gave me a chill, as I felt I was peeking into his anguished memories.

After a moment, he managed to compose himself and said,

“Anyway, I can promise on my name and existence that it’s true that I’ve seen something similar, and I intend to research your rebirth abilities to extract only their essence. If you just help me a little, our shared goal will be achieved.”

“Hmm. How do you want me to help?”

“I’ll capture Yacha, so come follow me to my research facility. We’ll perform the experiment there.”

“Experiment?”

“Don’t worry, it’s not human experimentation. I promise that.”

He’s really pushing it.

Saying he’d stake his name and existence means he’s willing to make a promise that comes with restrictions if he lies. If he’s willing to make such a promise, he seems trustworthy enough.

As my heart began to shift a little, Yulju said,

“You probably don’t understand me now. From your perspective, I must seem like a shady guy who constantly stabs you in the back, but I have reasons and goals of my own. Just like you, I also have a great purpose that can’t be solved with just my life…”

“And if you reveal that, you think I’d believe you?”

What followed from Yulju was unexpected.

“No, I can’t trust that.”

“What do you mean?”

Feeling offended, I replied, and he spoke quietly.

“I felt you were too unstable as I read your obsidian’s memories. You are certainly neither a hero nor a savior. I can’t readily trust someone like you. At the very least, you need to be on the same boat as me in order for me to share my secrets with you.”

“Really greedy, aren’t you? You haven’t given an inch, have you? And I’ve been unwavering, determined to take down gods, so there’s no reason I should listen to you.”

“Oh really? You seem to have cognitive dissonance. I will never recognize you as my lord.”

“……”

So firm.

“It seems this is our last point of compromise… Baek Woong, the Reborn Person, I’ll leave all choices up to you. If you decide to trust me, I will become your most powerful ally.”

Yulju appeared to have no intention of budging any further. He crossed his arms and stood firm, while the Three Masters began placing some kind of sealing spell on the fallen Yacha. As I stared directly at him, I thought,

‘He seems sincere… should I accept his proposal?’

Accepting Yulju’s proposal could allow me to quickly recruit him as one of my obsidian companions, even if it might be a stretch initially. If he becomes an ally, my journey ahead would accelerate beyond measure. With one of the heads of the Three Great Powers at my disposal and depending on the level of secrets he holds, my power could drastically increase overnight. But— what if he ends up backstabbing me?

Losing my rebirth abilities would be the least of my worries; I could end up tortured for decades without death like with Chi You. No matter how formidable the Heavenly Secret is, I couldn’t rashly entrust my fate to someone without knowing their true intentions.

As I contemplated, I stealthily contacted Zhuge Sa using the Suspicious Fishhook. When I briefly explained my current situation and asked for help, Zhuge Sa replied,

[What are you hesitating for? This is a good turn of events— accept it. You already know numerous ways to commit suicide; what are you worried about? I don’t think there’s anything in this universe that can stop your rebirth ability.]

[But if I’m sealed or tortured…]

[You will be. Considering what you’ve gone through up to now, your mental strength is anything but ordinary, so don’t be scared about weird things. If you were an ordinary human, you should have gone mad around your 8th life.]

[Is that so?]

[Pain is just signals from the brain, so it’s nothing to be afraid of.]

[……]

[Stop talking nonsense and accept it quickly. As you said, time and leisure are not on your side right now. Hurry up and join forces with him and retreat to safety.]

[Got it.]

As soon as I heard Zhuge Sa’s advice, I nodded.

“I’ll do it. I’m accepting your proposal.”

“Good thinking. No backtracking, right?”

“No.”

“Then.”

Wiying

At that moment, something that had been invisible on Yulju’s shoulder revealed itself. It looked like some kind of magical tool with a round surface, engraved with strange spell patterns, floating above. Yulju stroked it and said,

“Securing the command, I’ve documented the promise. You can no longer commit suicide.”

“……?!”

A dizzying feeling hit me. I felt my survival instinct kick in and tried to cast the ant summon suicide technique, but the spell wouldn’t come out. I attempted the Great Destruction but my body wouldn’t move. Without options, I focused on bursting my bloodline, but that wouldn’t work either. Shocked, I shouted,

“Ugh, a binding spell…?”

“I didn’t cast one. You can move.”

He was right. My body moved perfectly fine, and I felt ridiculous, but at that moment, Yulju chuckled.

“Hehe, to keep the promise, the contract party can’t die. That’s just basic— even if it’s not stated in the contract, right? So, you can do everything except for [suicide]. I don’t particularly mean any ill will towards you, so the Heavenly Secret won’t do anything either. Plus, the prevention of suicide might just be what that book desires.”

Damn, it’s a trap!

‘But I’m not cornered yet— I have contingency plans for this sort of situation.’

Fortunately, I had not put myself entirely in a corner. I decided to accept the proposal mindful of this possibility, so I regained my composure and asked.

“What’s that floating on your shoulder?”

“It’s an artificial treasure securing the promise and notarizing it. It’s embedded with an artificial consciousness that will be made in the future, so it’s different from a regular treasure. As long as it exists, you will not be able to commit suicide.”

“…….”

“Don’t just go around committing suicide without my permission, okay?”

Reluctantly, I nodded.

“Okay….”

Kukwawang

That was when I heard a thunderous sound as if the sky was shattering, and giant chunks of black jade began falling to the ground— ten of them! Each one seemed to contain immense magical power, so there was no way humans could block it.

“Dammit! I wasted too much time persuading you….”

Yulju, getting irritated, summoned a phoenix and charged at the black jade.

Kkiiiiiooo

In that split second, the light emitted from the phoenix’s mouth collided with the black jade, as if the entire ground was being crushed. At the same time, the shock from the explosion was so immense it sent waves of earth flying, and a nearby snowy mountain overwhelmingly collapsed and soared into the sky.

Huddududuk!!

I was thrown backward by the explosion’s force and felt a grip on my neck — it was Yun Sa from the Three Masters.

Yun Sa quietly said,

“It seems Asura is trying to chase after you. I’ll take you away per the lord’s command.”

“What about Yulju….”

Pa-at!

In the next moment, I realized I had been teleported by Yun Sa, who was still holding my neck. He released me and said,

“Yu Sa, Wind Master.”

Shhhuuh

As the two three masters called out their titles, they appeared using their space-transmission skill. Yun Sa scanned them and said,

“I’ll protect this one to the [Old Continent]. If Asura comes to kill the lord, stop him.”

“Understood.”

“I will stake my life to defend this spot.”

At their words, Yun Sa fell silent for a moment.

“…I ask for this.”

Tydaht

I fled down a corridor, not knowing where I was going, guided by Yun Sa. I asked him, who was leading the way,

“Is Asura targeting me and chasing me right now?! Where are we?”

“Reborn Person, this is a midway passage towards the [Old Continent]. If you follow me, you should reach your destination.”

“You guys can use space-transmission magic, so why not go straight there instead of taking this middle passage…?”

“The [Old Continent] is sealed. Even for us, we cannot enter directly. We must follow a predetermined process and prove our qualifications first….”

As Yun Sa muttered, he continued,

“…but I can’t say if you have those qualifications.”