876——————==

True Martial Home

The moment Jin So-cheong was attacked, I thought, ‘Of course, I have to block this.’ I had already switched to the White Tiger mask just in case.

‘I’ve got to save Jin So-cheong…!!’

Pause.

But at the same time, the hesitation hit me because of the negative views from the strategists about Jin So-cheong. Mangnyang and Zhuge Sa were both convinced that Jin So-cheong would be a future troublemaker, and while they didn’t want to kill her, they insisted she had to be sealed. So, wasn’t my act of trying to forcibly save Jin So-cheong likely to ruin all their plans? In fact, it might be better to let the Sect Leader finish off this reckless Jin So-cheong.

But my hesitation didn’t last long. As I watched Jin So-cheong deflect the Sect Leader’s palm strike with the spear imbued with Thunder Spirit, my mind snapped back into focus.

‘That’s right, Jin So-cheong is my companion! Who cares about efficiency when saving a companion?!’

Boom!

I saw the torrent of palm strikes flying at Jin So-cheong, who had just defended against the first strike. She was doing her best to dodge, but it didn’t take long before I recognized she was getting seriously hurt. Jin So-cheong had an instinctive grasp of the Sect Leader’s attacks, but due to insufficient skill and experience, she couldn’t execute her intent, meaning she could never win against the Sect Leader.

I had to stop that. I rushed in and ambushed the Sect Leader.

Boom!!

With an overwhelming protection energy created by Won Yeong-shin near the Sect Leader, I unleashed my full power in an attempt to strike. But my attack was not easily brushed off, and the Sect Leader staggered back, allowing Jin So-cheong to evade his assault more easily.

The Sect Leader shot a glance at me almost instantaneously. He pointed a finger and unleashed his finger strike, which contained the destructive force of Mountain Breaking. It goes without saying that with the infinite power of Won Yeong-shin behind that attack, facing it head-on would mean disaster for me. But if I used my Peerless Technique on each basic attack, it would ultimately put me at a disadvantage, so I called forth the full force of the Soul Removal Technique to evade as much as I could.

Phew!

[Hmm!]

As my Soul Removal Technique’s phantom closed in on him, the Sect Leader looked slightly startled. However, unlike Yong Junil, I swung my struck spear from close range, yet he remained unperturbed, activating his ultimate technique. He was an expert of a different caliber compared to Yong Junil.

Heart of Heaven’s Abundance

At that moment, as the Mandala warped, beams of immense strength rained down from every direction around me. In that split second, I executed the Three Treasure Technique to secure the space, and immediately afterward, I barely tore myself away from the Heart of Heaven’s Abundance using the Soul Removal Technique.

Whoosh!

At the same time, I wiped the sweat from my brow.

‘Huh! I managed to escape, but it was fifty-fifty.’

Had it not been for the force of the Soul Removal Technique, I might have just barely held on using the Three Treasure Technique at such close distance, but ultimately, I would have been mercilessly bombarded by the thousands of Mandalas without my protection energy to rely on. I was lucky to escape half the time. Once I successfully finished my skirmish with the Sect Leader, the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s eyes shone with passion.

[Hoho… Are you an expert of the Beyond Heaven level? Interesting!]

“That’s quite an overstatement… Anyway.”

I stammered a little, then glanced at Jin So-cheong before speaking.

“I have to take that little tiger away with me. It’s not the place of the strongest in the Central Plains to kill a potential genius just because they’ve acted recklessly, is it?”

[You being the strongest in the Central Plains… I can’t say that while you’re here.]

“What are you saying?”

It seemed for a moment that he was humbly acknowledging me, but in reality, he had an earnest desire to use any means necessary to kill Jin So-cheong and me today, so I quickly waved my hands. Then I spoke.

“Aren’t there far more important matters for you than snuffing out the potential of a disciple? Like perhaps stopping the end of the world?”

Oh, I’ve messed up.

I hadn’t even discussed this with Zhuge Sa yet, but now I had no choice but to involve the Sect Leader. If I didn’t dangle such a big carrot, the Sect Leader would undoubtedly mobilize the White Lotus Sect to hunt down Lee Kwang, and I feared an unexpected destruction of the Thunder God Lineage could occur. I needed to divert the Sect Leader’s attention by providing him with greater intrigue.

Naturally, upon mentioning the end of the world, the Master of the White Lotus Sect flinched. Then he asked.

[Are you someone who touches upon the hidden world?]

“Maybe.”

Thwack!

“Those bastards!”

“How dare you defy the Sect Leader… You’ll only find death!”

At that moment, the Council of Elders’ experts, who had been waiting in the wings, surrounded us. As I stood protectively in front of Jin So-cheong, dozens of Peak Experts simultaneously unleashed their killing intent at me. I lightly deflected their killing intent using the movements of Tai Chi, fixing my eyes back on the Master of the White Lotus Sect. One of them was less threatening than the Sect Leader, who posed a vastly greater danger than all of them combined.

I picked up Jin So-cheong, who looked drained.

“You must know that countless changes are taking place in places you do not see. You may not be aware of the details. However, we are preparing for the age of chaos, so I hope you will join us if you’re interested in gathering information.”

The Sect Leader’s interest was piqued.

[‘We,’ huh… What organization do you belong to?]

“…I’ll visit again soon. Until then, don’t touch the Thunder God Lineage. If you do, you won’t get anything that you desire.”

Just then, an Elder exploded in anger.

“You arrogant brat! How dare you threaten the Sect Leader? With your meager martial arts, you won’t live to see another day!”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect stopped him.

[Enough, Il-ro. This will only make me more embarrassed.]

“S-Sect Leader.”

[That one, even if I were to stop him, has the power to escape. An absolute expert that has never appeared within the surface martial world. Not someone you can contend with.]

“……!!”

The Sect Leader seemed to have discerned my abilities after just a few exchanges. Despite using the full force of the Soul Removal Technique to break through to his side, I managed to slip away from the Heart of Heaven’s Abundance, which opened his eyes. The Sect Leader calmly spared me another word.

[Very well. Let him go. But tell me your name and when you plan to return. Otherwise, you will not leave peacefully.]

“Of course. My name is Baek Woong, and I shall return within ten days.”

[In the organization you belong to, are you the strongest?]

“I can’t disclose that…”

[Understood. Now go.]

Thud!

Boom!

I carried Jin So-cheong and exited the Main Hall of the White Lotus Sect. Naturally, I unleashed the full force of the Soul Removal Technique, making my movements reminiscent of starlight. Occasionally, using my skill of Empty Kung Fu, it felt like I was slicing through the clouds in two straight lines. Initially, the elder council experts who chased after me couldn’t keep up and gave up after following me for about five miles, while I continued running for over one hundred and fifty miles before stopping.

At this speed, there was no need to show my cards by using the Peerless Technique right there. I was going to use it out of sight.

Boom!

“Get it together, Jin So-cheong!”

I halted the deployment of the Soul Removal Technique and pumped my energy into Jin So-cheong to snap her back to reality. After facing the full brunt of the Sect Leader’s attack, she looked half-conscious. Eventually, as she opened her eyes, she asked.

“Did you save my life?”

“Yes. My name is Baek Woong.”

“…We’ve never met… No… I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere…”

Oh no.

Realizing that I still had the White Tiger mask on, I quickly took it off to reveal my true form. When I returned to my boyish appearance, Jin So-cheong looked quite surprised, and I calmly stated.

“This is my true form.”

“Hmm, thank you for saving me… But why did you save me?”

“Well… It’s a long story to explain…”

While handing her the obsidian might simplify things, mixing in the memory might corrupt or drive her mad. Plus, I couldn’t inform anyone else of my past life anymore. And since I couldn’t summarize this situation in just a few words, I decided to speak frankly.

“Honestly, I was planning to seal you.”

“Seal me? Why?”

“I can only say it’s a situation on our end. But I think it’s too much to let you die; that’s why I saved you.”

“That’s ridiculous. You save me on a whim and want to seal me at the same time… Do I really look that easy to deal with?”

Jin So-cheong seemed pretty angry. I bit my lip and responded.

“I know I’m being selfish and arbitrary. But I promise to atone later and give you a great reward.”

“Stop talking nonsense and let’s part ways. I’ll repay the favor next time.”

“Wait, just a second.”

I stopped her and thought for a moment before asking.

“Why did you go to the Master of the White Lotus Sect and ask to become his disciple? Was there a reason for that impulsive action?”

I needed to understand this. Jin So-cheong’s recent actions were unprecedented, and surely there was some variable at play. However, given the disappearance of Chi You and Yu Shun, it was hard to gauge how twisted the Law of Cause and Effect had become, so I had to infer from her words and actions.

Then Jin So-cheong replied.

“I suddenly felt the need to get stronger. I hit a limit and wanted to see a broader world. During that time, it occurred to me that if anyone was the strongest martial artist in the world, it would be the Master of the White Lotus Sect, so I resolved to gamble my life to become his disciple.”

“……”

“You look puzzled.”

I hesitated a bit before speaking.

“It somehow doesn’t sound like the you I know.”

“What do you mean? We’ve only just met; how could you possibly know anything about me?”

“……”

Jin So-cheong seemed irritated, but I remained silent while feeling discomfort.

Sure, you and I are just acquaintances now, yet I’ve closely observed you, Jin So-cheong, dozens of times. I might know you better than a real brother. The Jin So-cheong I know wouldn’t make a reckless decision to ask a mere master to accept him as a disciple solely for the sake of wanting to get stronger. She has the pride of the Thunder God Lineage and the confidence that comes with her talent, so I was certain she wouldn’t make such a foolish choice.

Now, the Jin So-cheong before me is strange.

I felt a necessity to forcefully subdue her. I genuinely resonated with what the strategists warned: if I let her roam free any longer, she’d become a significant threat.

“I’m sorry.”

“Hmph!”

Thwak!

I rushed towards Jin So-cheong. She seemed to anticipate my ambush and reacted quickly, but I skillfully targeted her lack of mastery by using everything I had learned thus far. Although Jin So-cheong possessed top-tier skills among Peak Experts, she still had many minor flaws and weaknesses that were not suitable for a perfect master. It would be easy for me, who had survived countless life-and-death battles, to exploit her inexperience.

Thud!

In about thirty seconds, I managed to subdue Jin So-cheong and force her to kneel. As I suppressed her bloodline, she bit her lip in frustration.

“Ugh… How infuriating.”

“……”

I put her inside the Wooden Armor.

‘Why have you changed so much?’

I couldn’t figure it out. I never thought I would end up subduing my companion this way, so I felt deeply uneasy and conflicted. I had always maintained a friendly relationship with Jin So-cheong, yet here I was, facing such a bitter outcome! But since the deed was done, I returned to Zhuge Sa and shared what had happened.

“Well done. We needed to involve the Master of the White Lotus Sect anyway; it wasn’t a bad move.”

“What do we do now?”

“I sent Zhuge Yulong to Zhuge Bu, and we received a reply. They said to meet at Mount Heng in three days for Pangu’s offering. We need to prepare the Seven Luminaries by then.”

“Got it.”

“And Mangnyang will also participate that day.”

“Mangnyang hasn’t had much experience yet since he just received his memories.”

I had planned to pass the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line to Seimei, but Mangnyang refused it. He said he wanted to keep the line for himself.

“I thought so too, but he seems quite adamant about it. He feels that if he’s not there, it will cause trouble during the offering ceremony.”

“… There’s no help for that then.”

Mangnyang also showed great potential. He might seem a bit overshadowed by Cheon Woo-jin and the others, but he quickly understood the experience and knowledge of an Earth Immortal and passed through this portal. He was a genius when it came to the Corpse Dissolution Technique. However, he needed time to grow, so even though I was concerned about his capabilities for the offering in three days, if he was okay with it, I should respect his decision.

Then, three days later, I headed to Mount Heng with my companions. Zhuge Yulong and Zhuge Bu were already waiting for us there.

Zhuge Yulong said.

“I didn’t expect you to come.”

At the end of his gaze was Mangnyang, who was covering his face with the slightly darkened Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line.

“I’m not here to have pointless conversations with my father. The same goes for you, brother. Let’s stick to our tasks and part ways today.”

“You’re cold.”

“The one who is truly cold is you, who has orchestrated everything while isolating me.”

“… There was a reason.”

Ignoring Zhuge Yulong’s reply, Mangnyang asked.

“Is this Mount Heng truly an altar where we offer to the Pangu?”

“Yes.”

“Please explain in detail about the offering ceremony.”

Zhuge Yulong began to explain.

“Pangu is not an ordinary sacred being. Unlike the Old Ruler or a Divine Being, he does not directly receive offerings or communicate with mortals. His existence is so far removed that it’s hard to be certain of it. However, there is a reason why I’m confident I can offer to Pangu.”

“It’s because of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens.”

Mangnyang replied immediately, and Zhuge Yulong looked at him.

“That’s right. The Heavenly Mysterious Woman recognizes herself as Pangu’s avatar. If there’s an avatar, then the original must surely exist too. It was hard to explain before, but…”

“If the Heavenly Mysterious Woman is the king of spirits on this planet, then Pangu is a being that surpasses that—a manifestation of the cosmic law, perhaps, or infused in everything of this world.”

“If he’s a universal being, he wouldn’t be summoned with just one shrine. However, the reason for choosing this Mount Heng for the offering is…”

Zhuge Yulong took Pangu’s statue out from his robe. The statue depicted Pangu, and everyone’s eyes were drawn towards it as Zhuge Yulong continued.

“This statue of Pangu has been deliberately placed on the Heavenly Altar of Mount Heng since ancient times. After arriving at Mount Heng and using every means to investigate its origins, I found that it was carved at least thousands of years ago. Meaning, this too connects to the causality with a divine being.”

“Are you saying we will perform the offering ceremony to Pangu through this statue?”

“It’s not that simple. If it were simple, we would have done it back in the time of the Old Sage of Mount Tai. No matter how much causality is tied, a universal being can’t just be summoned with a single statue. This is a lengthier story…”

Pausing for a moment, Zhuge Yulong gazed at the statue before continuing.

“When Pangu split the primordial chaos, he used an axe that created a rift in the world. After his death, Nüwa and Fuxi were born from his body, and only after that did defenses in the world begin. In light of this legend, Pangu himself is distinct from the chaos that existed before defenses; he is the cosmic order itself.”