Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
Entering Dragon King Valley, I soon encountered Dokgo Seong. At first, he unleashed a fierce killing intent at me from within the mists, but now I could easily withstand his aura. My internal energy output had far surpassed its previous limits thanks to the Earth Lord's inner core and the like, and my training in the Three Treasures Absolute Arts along with my strengthened mental fortitude had provided immense help.
Realizing his pressure wasn't working, Dokgo Seong cautiously revealed himself, seemingly grasping my level. With my arms crossed, I stared silently at him, standing about thirty feet away, then spoke.
"Dokgo Seong. I am Baek Woong of the White Lotus Cult."
Dokgo Seong did not reply. I continued.
"The Cult Leader seeks you. Return to the White Lotus Cult with me."
"Who are you?"
"I told you, Baek Woong."
"I'm asking what you do."
"You've mastered the Thunder God Style's Thunder Spirit realm, and that terrifying internal energy... Just who the hell are you? Who are you to receive the Cult Leader's orders as a disciple of the Thunder God Style?"
"Hmm..."
I paused briefly to choose my words, then opened my mouth.
"First, let me explain my purpose in more detail. You can learn about my identity afterward."
"What?"
"The Cult Leader has recently acquired the legacy of the Seven Great Absolute Arts left by Wudang Sect founder Zhang Sanfeng in his later years. He's diligently training in them within the cult, and he's enlisted Dharma Protectors Dokgo Jun and Han Baekryeong to join the research."
".......!!"
Dokgo Seong's face showed clear shock at the sudden revelation. And rightly so—Zhang Sanfeng was a legendary figure of the Wudang Sect and a myth of the martial world. He knew full well the significance of those Seven Great Absolute Arts. Struggling to maintain his composure, Dokgo Seong said.
"Dokgo Jun and Han Baekryeong? What happened to Yong Bitian?"
"He's dead."
"What?!"
"The entire Wind God Style has been demoted to the lowest rank, and Dharma Protector Yong Bitian was executed for treason and rebellion. That's why he can't participate in the research."
"......"
Dokgo Seong's hands trembled visibly. No wonder—the Wind God Style had been one of the Four Great Martial Styles for a thousand years, a pillar of the cult and one of the Thunder God Style's mortal enemies. One could imagine his feelings. He must have instinctively sensed that some absurd upheaval had occurred.
'And the more I shake him, the easier it will be to achieve my goal.'
As I calmly waited for his reaction, Dokgo Seong spoke in a trembling voice.
"The Cult Leader... destroyed the Wind God Style?"
"Not destroyed. Just crippled their martial arts and turned them into menial laborers under me. Only Dharma Protector Yong Bitian died."
"Isn't that the same thing? Dissolving the Wind God Style... What is the Cult Leader thinking?"
"The Wind God Style colluded with the imperial Golden Guards to run a slave market and amassed great wealth. We've also uncovered evidence of them selling White Lotus Cult intelligence to the palace. Punishing them severely is only natural, isn't it?"
Isn't that the same thing? Dissolving the Wind God Style... What is the Cult Leader thinking?
"The Wind God Style colluded with the imperial Golden Guards to run a slave market and amassed great wealth. We've also uncovered evidence of them selling White Lotus Cult intelligence to the palace. Punishing them severely is only natural, isn't it?"
"Hmm."
"It's good news for you in the Thunder God Style. One enemy fewer..."
At my sarcastic remark, Dokgo Seong furrowed his brow. Rather than getting angry at my light provocation, his expression seemed to probe for my true intentions.
"How do you know so much about internal cult affairs? And turning the Wind God Style into slaves and laborers... Just who are you...?"
"Think simply. Who else but a Dharma Protector would reduce one of the Four Great Martial Styles to personal property? And who else would know cult affairs this deeply and even be tasked directly by the Cult Leader to fetch his nephew?"
".......!!"
Dokgo Seong's face hardened.
Whooooom
Intense sword lightning surged from the longsword in Dokgo Seong's hand. I wasn't yet at a level to frontal repel his sword lightning, so I flinched instinctively. In a real fight, my superior internal energy would give me an edge, but his sword lightning could pierce my protective aura at any moment and inflict fatal wounds with terrifying speed. I couldn't guarantee victory.
Dokgo Seong shouted.
"You're claiming to be the Thunder God Style's Dharma Protector?!"
Flash!
In the next instant, Dokgo Seong shot forward like lightning, unleashing a single strike. I dodged simultaneously with Shadowless Soul Step, but the sword lightning in range danced like a serpent's tongue, rampaging wildly. I gritted my teeth.
'As expected, it's wide!'
It was something I'd often felt in past spars with Dokgo Seong. Sword lightning's effective range was far broader than it appeared, with a wide angle to boot. Even when I thought I'd dodged, I'd often end up slashed. If Shadowless Soul Sword hid its true strikes in shadows, sword lightning felt like unpredictable bolts zigzagging everywhere.
Shwick
Even though I'd dodged to the best of my ability, my collar was sliced open, and I felt my skin cut as thin as paper. Fortunately, my internal energy allowed minimal defense, averting a gut-spilling disaster, but Dokgo Seong's attack power had clearly reached a fearsome realm.
Boom!
I channeled internal energy into a powerful Thunder Spirit Seal, and Dokgo Seong flipped backward in midair to evade. Yet the momentum in his sword lightning grew even fiercer—he was gearing up to settle things within ten exchanges.
I hurriedly knit the sliced flesh with internal energy and shouted.
"Calm down! If I planned to drag you back by force, I wouldn't have come alone."
"What?!"
"You're from the Water God Style, so you know their power well! If I'd brought just two Water
I hurriedly knit the sliced flesh with internal energy and shouted.
"Calm down! If I planned to drag you back by force, I wouldn't have come alone."
"What?!"
"You're from the Water God Style, so you know their power well! If I'd brought just two Water God Style elders here, this spot would be your grave."
"......"
Swoosh
Dokgo Seong, poised for a follow-up attack, returned to his position with effortless lightness skill and lowered his killing intent. He recognized the logic in my words. Without relaxing his guard, he said to me.
"What's your scheme? You expect me to believe you just came to talk?"
"You struck first. Cool that hot blood of yours."
"State your intentions."
As Dokgo Seong bellowed, I stared at him and slowly said.
"As I said, I hold the Thunder God Style Dharma Protector position. But there are circumstances."
"What circumstances? I don't care what successor you are—have you forgotten that humiliation fifty years ago?! To crawl under the enemy Cult Leader like that!!"
Dokgo Seong roared in genuine fury, but I replied calmly.
"Listen well. Think deeply about what it means that the Cult Leader purged the Wind God Style. He's essentially declared he can conquer the Central Plains without their power or other Dharma Protectors. He's even absorbed Yong Bitian's Heaven Spirit Pill for himself."
"......!!"
Dokgo Seong flinched at my words. For his fiery temper to cool in an instant meant I'd struck at his heart. With a suddenly cold gaze, he pondered deeply before speaking.
"He recovered the Heaven Spirit Pill? Is that possible?"
"The one who distributed the Heaven Spirit Pills to each style was the White Lotus Cult Leader himself. It's no surprise he can reclaim them."
"Then... that's truly terrifying."
"Exactly. So don't narrow your view with grudges against the Thunder God Style—think carefully. What do you think will happen if you don't go to the Cult Leader's side now?"
"......"
Dokgo Seong pondered long and hard. Then he looked up and said.
"After the Cult Leader conquers the Central Plains, the Thunder God Style will be hunted down."
"Right. That's precisely why I became the Thunder God Style's Dharma Protector. Not to oppose the Cult Leader, but to earn his favor and preserve the Thunder God Style's lineage."
It was a well-spun lie, but my face burned anyway. In truth, I'd been forced into the White Lotus Cult because of the Cult Leader—it wasn't by choice.
"Hmm... Hard to believe."
"This is the courtesy information I can offer you."
I warned Dokgo Seong like a threat.
"If you obediently follow me back to the White Lotus Cult, I can give you much more."
"I have a question."
"Ask."
"You're saying you know Zhang Sanfeng's Seven Great Absolute Arts too?"
I nodded.
"Of course."
"What level of martial arts are the Seven Great Absolute Arts? I can't believe the Cult Leader decided to purge the entire Wind God Style over just one such art."
I agonized over what to do. So far, I'd followed Zhuge Sa's advice and steered the conversation perfectly—Dokgo Seong was on the verge of biting. But should I reveal and demonstrate the Wudang Seven Great Absolute Arts?
As I hesitated, Zhuge Sa spoke.
[What's the big deal? Just show him.]
[Is that okay?]
[At this point, it doesn't matter if Dokgo Seong learns about them—the big picture won't change. He'll study them upon returning to the cult anyway. Think of it as charity.]
[Got it.]
I took a deep breath and said to Dokgo Seong.
"Watch closely. I'll show you not just the forms of the Seven Great Absolute Arts, but the foundation of the derived Three Treasures Absolute Arts as well."
Whoooosh!
I then unleashed the Seven Great Absolute Arts to the best of my ability, including the Three Treasures Absolute Arts I'd comprehended. Since I'd honed Dragon Coiling Sword and Heavenly Bamboo Sword for real combat, Dokgo Seong seemed to grasp their power the moment he saw them. Once the demonstration of the Seven Great Absolute Arts and Three Treasures ended, Dokgo Seong stood trembling in awe.
"Th... That's incredible martial arts. Uncle obtained this!"
"It's extremely profound too. That's why the Cult Leader calls upon you, expecting your talent to join the research."
I subtly tempted Dokgo Seong.
"Think it over. This martial art is as close to the pinnacle of the world as it gets. It's a golden opportunity to cultivate it alongside the era's greatest experts."
"I... I..."
"What will you do?"
"......"
Dokgo Seong seemed truly shaken this time. He stood in place agonizing for a long while, then let out a deep sigh.
"Give me time. I can't decide right now."
"Fine. But I can only give you one day."
"Understood. Come back here tomorrow."
I spoke as if laying down the law.
"Fleeing won't help. You know better than anyone that avoiding this spot won't let you escape the Cult Leader's will."
Flash!
I vanished from in front of the conflicted Dokgo Seong. I'd had no real expectations at first, but surprisingly, things had gone smoothly. Dokgo Seong was mostly swayed, with only the final choice left—so over half successful.
In a quiet forest, I muttered in disbelief.
"It actually worked. Dokgo Seong is wavering..."
[Heh heh. You thought he wouldn't budge. I know you had no expectations for 80% of it. But in the end, doing as I said worked, didn't it?]
"Dokgo Seong always emphasized the Thunder God Style's grudge and revenge—his resolve shakes this easily?"
[Why ask me? What answer do you want?]
"......"
[Disappointed, huh?]
Zhuge Sa chuckled.
[From what I see, among the Thunder God Style, Geuk Ho has the firmest will for revenge. The others want it too, but personal circumstances tangle them up—it's uncertain. Geuk Ho suits revenge best.]
"Geuk Ho..."
[Remember that. Human will isn't that strong. It's different from the endurance and resolve demanded of martial artists. Humans are all too easy to corrupt and topple.]
Zhuge Sa continued definitively.
[Dokgo Seong will accept tomorrow's offer, whether he fools himself or makes excuses. So forget it and head straight to the palace.]
"Shouldn't I share memories with Dokgo Seong via the black obsidian?"
Dokgo Seong's sword lightning and swordsmanship could be a huge help. But Zhuge Sa said to just shake him off this time, so I'd held back.
[I don't get why you're the one wanting to share memories with Dokgo Seong.]
"Why?"
just shake him off this time, so I'd held back.
[I don't get why you're the one wanting to share memories with Dokgo Seong.]
"Why?"
Zhuge Sa spoke irritably.
[Dokgo Seong isn't evil, but he's not trustworthy either. That you shared the black obsidian with him and didn't get backstabbed was pure heavenly luck. In unfavorable situations, he's the type who could betray you. Yi Cheongun aside, why share memories with him?]
I smirked and retorted.
"I'm sharing with you too."
"Crazy bastard. You nuts?"
"Anyway, let's plan the strategy before heading to the palace. How should I talk to Zhuge Bu?"
"Talk? What talk?"
"Huh?"
Zhuge Sa laughed slyly.
[Kekeke... Talking is for humans.]
Flash!
I soon used the Four Non-Images to teleport to the palace. My destination was the top floor of the Inner Palace Pavilion, Zhuge Bu's office. Zhuge Bu was sitting at a desk piled high with documents, handling Inner Palace Pavilion Master duties.
Zhuge Bu twitched his brows and said. On guard, he gripped the command tablet White Cloud Thread in one hand.
the Inner Palace Pavilion, Zhuge Bu's office. Zhuge Bu was sitting at a desk piled high with documents, handling Inner Palace Pavilion Master duties.
Zhuge Bu twitched his brows and said. On guard, he gripped the command tablet White Cloud Thread in one hand.
"What? Who are you..."
I silently raised a finger toward him. And said.
"Wail, Gu."
Crackle!
"Gaaahhh!!"
Zhuge Bu let out an agonized scream, convulsing violently like he had malaria as he rolled on the floor. He dropped the command tablet and could use no spells, reduced to writhing like a maggot. The pain must have been unimaginable to cause that.
Zhuge Sa sneered from within.
[Heh heh. Detonating Yin-Yang Heaven Gu is a last resort. Torturing with it like this is the norm.]
"......"
[What are you doing? Grab his hair.]
Crunch
I strode over and seized Zhuge Bu's hair, his eyes clouded by pain. Then I pressed my palm to his forehead and activated the Soul Separation Great Law. Moments later, pure white soul energy and his soul emerged, allowing me to easily acquire Zhuge Bu's soul.
I released the dazed Zhuge Bu's hair and said.
"I just applied the Soul Separation Great Law. You're now under my complete control."
"You... who... are you..."
The immense pain had left him unable even to think of resisting.
I pulled out the red letter the White Lotus Cult Leader had given me and handed it to Zhuge Bu. As he tremblingly took it, I stared at him and said.
"Read it."
I could have torn it open myself, but the spell-proficient White Lotus Cult Leader likely prepared for that. Zhuge Bu eventually broke the seal and read in a quavering voice.
"Inner Palace Pavilion Master personal decree... Our White Lotus Cult... feels the need for... a sincere conversation with you and your comrades... Thus, we desire to exchange the Demonic Scripture... By next month's full moon... give your reply..."
"Exchange the Demonic Scripture?"
"The Water God's... Demonic Scripture... for the Nameless Sacrificial Scripture..."
Zhuge Bu drooled and shuddered from agony even as he answered. It was pitiful to watch. Yet he forced himself to reply, instinctively knowing defiance here meant instant death.
I soon said.
"As you know, a Yin-Yang Heaven Gu is embedded in your heart, and I control it at will."
".......!!"
"See you later."
Leaving Zhuge Bu, I also took the Nameless Sacrificial Scripture from the third floor. It normally had tracking spells preventing removal, but now that I controlled Zhuge Bu completely, it didn't matter.
With things mostly wrapped up, Zhuge Sa said.
[Still some time left.]
"More to do?"
[Obviously.]
Zhuge Sa grinned.
[Go back to the prophet. Use the Nameless Sacrificial Scripture to find out Chil Yo's whereabouts.]
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter