Uncheong Blue Gate seemed quite surprised that I emerged unscathed, but it was easy to sort things out after a brief “conversation.”
First, we agreed to divide Unryusan precisely in half, ensuring we wouldn’t encroach on each other’s territories.
Of course, there was some initial resistance, but as the discussion progressed, they kept bowing their heads in agreement.
After sorting out Uncheong Blue Gate, I headed straight to Red Thunder God’s Gate…
“What’s been unleashed?”
“The essence of Spirit Separation. It’s a magic technique that separates the flesh and spirit of the practitioner.”
Nua Hyogyeom said this with a rather tense expression.
Above Lord Jeokmu-hyang.
From a height where the average practitioner wouldn’t even perceive, a sinister energy was palpable.
It wasn’t an immediate threat, but it certainly felt ominous.
That ominous presence was currently engulfing the entirety of Lord Jeokmu-hyang’s surroundings.
[???]
[What?]
[What is that?]
[Why are you separating it, you crazy person?]
[Are they trying to kill?]
[Who unleashed it?]
[So cocky.]
[Classic Sword Master style, lol.]
“Spirit Separation is a dangerous technique. If one wishes to do it, they must possess the resolve of a practitioner and the power to separate the Origin Spirit. It is strictly prohibited within Lord Jeokmu-hyang, but…”
“Who cast it?”
“It’s a technique anyone familiar with the Magical Path can use. It’s so famous that casting it isn’t hard at all.”
Nua Hyogyeom looked up at the sky.
An ominously wretched sky.
If one could read fortunes, the future of the practitioners about to unfold would surely be disastrous.
“…However, a technique of that size is likely impossible unless the caster is quite skilled. At least at the initial level of a display case, I’d say.”
“It is indeed dangerous.”
“Yes. Although there’s no movement at the moment, if the caster wants to, they could extract it at any time.”
“Do you have any hunch about who it might be?”
“There are very few practitioners capable of such a technique. Well, it feels odd to say this, but…”
“But?”
“I dare to speculate that it might not be another Archlord…”
Another Archlord.
If the technique was indeed aimed at Lord Jeokmu-hyang, the person involved wouldn’t be unrelated.
Judging by the size and power of the technique, once it’s cast, it would likely result in an immense casualty.
If the Lord Jeokmu-hyang is glaring with such intensity, anyone capable of using this technique must possess adequate strength.
The most plausible candidate could be Lord Cheongmuhyang, who might be viewed as an adversary, but…
“I’m not so sure.”
“Really?”
“I don’t think it’s another Archlord.”
For some reason, my intuition pointed in an entirely different direction.
“In Jangmugye, there is the Marriage Device, namely Junseon. According to Junseon’s laws, all Display Case Practitioners must maintain their positions.”
These were the words spoken by the Display Case Practitioner Uncheong, who had died long ago.
Since Archlords must keep their positions, they cannot recklessly meddle in other territories.
If they could act on their own, they wouldn’t have sent their sects to handle things; they would have taken matters into their own hands.
If the strength of a Display Case Practitioner is what it claims to be, then it could easily dominate the entire Unryusan.
However, what if an Archlord from another area suddenly set up magic techniques in the middle of an opposing territory?
‘That can’t be.’
“I don’t believe there’s any possibility that Junseon would allow a war in which the Display Case Practitioners directly participate, beyond just a Declaration of War. Rather, the other Archlords would be even less likely to be the culprits.”
“T-then who are you talking about? There’s no other Display Case Practitioner of this caliber besides Archlords in Jangmugye!”
“……”
“Could it be…”
Nua Hyogyeom looks at me with wide eyes, trembling in surprise.
Could he really think it’s me?
That would be a bit disappointing.
[Hahahahaha]
[So who is it for real?]
[The mastermind is Lily]
[Huh?]
[Sir Seonpyeong, lol]
[What if it turns out to be Junseon?]
[What?!]
“Are you thinking it’s me?”
“……”
“It’s not me. If it were me, why would I come all the way here to do that?”
I’m not one to petty around, and if I were going to do something, I wouldn’t have gone about spreading peace.
Nua Hyogyeom still shook his head with a confused expression.
“Surely, it wouldn’t be Junseon?”
“If it were Junseon, wouldn’t everyone be dead by now?”
If the strength level of Junseon equates to what I’m thinking, then not only the Lord Jeokmu-hyang but the entire region would be under magic techniques.
No, going beyond just setting up magic techniques, he could wipe everything clean with just a gesture.
If every Archlord is like a god in their respective territories, then Junseon is the god of the entire ‘Jangmugye’ where those regions converge.
“Not Junseon nor any Archlords? Then who could it be? Who would do something this absurd…?”
“There’s one person left.”
“…Huh?”
“You seem to be unconsciously excluding him. Think carefully.”
A Display Case level practitioner who operates without violating Junseon’s designated laws, does not encroach on other territories, and maintains their respective positions—there’s only one person like that in Jangmugye.
Nua Hyogyeom froze for a moment, his mouth agape in disbelief.
[Who?]
[Don’t tell me]
[???]
[Who is it?]
[No way]
[Huh?]
[Is it an Archlord?]
“…That can’t be. Why on earth would that person?”
“Why would that person do such a thing?”
“Lord Jeokmuhyang is in the palace, right?”
“There’s no way Lord Jeokmuhyang would do that!! Why would they commit such an act?!”
“Well, I wouldn’t know.”
Lord Jeokmuhyang.
The leader of Jeokmuhyang and the one who created an utterly peaceful era.
Such a being spread a death trap over their own land.
The reason might be…
“Maybe they suddenly craved power. Or perhaps it was part of a plan all along. The important thing is that the trap is already laid.”
Regardless of who did it, the magic has been unleashed, and the lives of all the practitioners of Jeokmuhyang hang by a thread like candles in the wind.
A powerhouse of Record Phase can resist to some extent, but for those below that level, it wouldn’t be strange if they died right away.
I floated up, leaving behind the entranced Nua Hyogyeom.
“Anyway, we need to meet Lord Jeokmuhyang. Even if they aren’t the culprit, this land is still within Lord Jeokmuhyang’s territory, right? So they should be preparing a response to that magic.”
“……”
Whether Lord Jeokmuhyang is the culprit or not, we need to meet them.
“Just in case, everyone should evacuate toward Unryusan. It’s outside the jurisdiction of Jeokmuhyang, so it shouldn’t be greatly affected. I’ve already informed Uncheong Blue Gate, so don’t worry.”
“…Understood.”
■
Passing through the turbulent area between the human territory and Jeokmuhyang, I quickly entered Jeokmuhyang.
The interior of Jeokmuhyang was quite chaotic.
While the lower-level practitioners were unaware of the trap, those at the Avatar Phase and above had already sensed the gravity of the situation.
They were all looking up at the sky with serious expressions, and some had even boarded flying devices to escape Jeokmuhyang.
However, there were still more people staying put than those trying to leave.
People who were scared but firmly believed it would soon be resolved.
It seems they trust the owner of this place, ‘Lord Jeokmuhyang.’
All the previous peace stemmed from Lord Jeokmuhyang, and they probably believe that this incident will also be resolved by them.
‘A rather complacent thought for a realm of swords and magic.’
[OMG, is Lord Jeokmuhyang the culprit?]
[Seriously, what are they all doing if not evacuating?]
[Are they really going to eat it all up?]
[Safety ignorance, lol]
[Let’s just kill everyone]
[So, is the Lord really the bad guy?]
“Well… I’m about 90% sure.”
I don’t know why Lord Jeokmuhyang suddenly did this, but sacrificing someone to seek power is a very common thing.
‘Especially among the demon race.’
The demon race is a tribe obsessed with experiments.
The demon race is a species insane with experiments.
Amidst the war, the celestial race and even other races were mercilessly thrown in by the demons, who would toss in even fellow demons if the need arose.
“Maybe it was all part of the plan from the beginning. Even the kindest of people rarely consider everyone at once.”
Furthermore, thinking about the ‘price’ for upgrading the display case I saw makes it even more…
“Hayoung?”
“Why are you responding… Lily?”
Hayoung, who had been gazing longingly at Lord Jeokmu-hyang’s Palace, looked at me with her red hair fluttering.
Opposite Hayoung were the practitioners I had encountered just after ascension, all of whom wear serious expressions as they knocked on the palace door.
Though they were knocking cautiously, the palace gave no response whatsoever.
“Uh, when did you ascend to the Avatar Phase?”
“It wasn’t hard, really. But is everyone trying to get into the palace?”
“Exactly. Since you’ve ascended, you must know. We’re trying to ask Lord Jeokmu-hyang for assistance against the magic technique spread across the sky.”
“Assistance… you say.”
“Yes. However, there’s been no response, so we’re just waiting. The Dragon King is trying to contact as much as possible, but…”
[The Archlord is the culprit, isn’t he?]
[Hayoung is watching.]
[Lol.]
[Aren’t we just going to get annihilated if we stay like this?]
[Move aside.]
[Asking the culprit to save us.]
“……”
“First, just wait. The Dragon King and I will report. You should go to the human territory and wait—”
“I must go in.”
“What? No way. You need permission to meet the Lord Hyangju. You can’t go in without permission.”
“Is that so?”
“Absolutely. More importantly, that door is reinforced with magic so strong that even the Axis of Transition Device Practitioners cannot open it carelessly. Even the Dragon King, an Axis of Transition Device Practitioner, can’t touch it for a reason…”
Crackle!!!
The blue Infinite Completion trembles.
Several lightning strands extending from the Dragon Heart struck the door with force.
The palace’s door ripped apart like paper.
Hayoung’s eyes widened, and the practitioners standing in front of the door recoiled in shock.
“It opens quite well, doesn’t it?”
“……”
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
