Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
According to Mangnyang, I was to use the blessings of Jang Sam-bong obtained through my ritual offerings to take over the Wudang Sect. This left me bewildered as I asked,
“Is that even possible?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Well, I constantly practice Jang Sam-bong‘s ultimate insights, but I haven’t even reached 20% of its potential. I barely manage to use the effects of its sword techniques—how could I possibly aim to become the Leader of the Orthodox Sect (정파태두) of the Wudang Sect?”
“……”
“Moreover, I doubt they will acknowledge me.”
That was my honest opinion.
Of course, after gaining insights from Jang Sam-bong, my sword skills had advanced tremendously, and I reached realms I could never have touched with my raw talent alone. However, knowing supreme sword techniques and actually wielding them was a whole different ballgame. I understood that the limitations of Jang Sam-bong‘s martial arts were inconceivably high given my current level, and even reaching half of that was a daunting task. It would take decades of rigorous training just to properly master Gul Gong Cham or Cheon Chuk Geom.
Then, Mangnyang chuckled lightly.
“Of course, I’m not saying you should go right now. But you will eventually, so until then, practice your swordsmanship as much as you can.”
“Soon? There’s no way I could achieve mastery that quickly.”
“Hahaha. How do you feel about becoming the leader of the Wudang Sect?”
“Well, I suppose that means becoming the Sect Leader (장문인)?”
“Hmm. You see, people are mistaken about what a Sect Leader really means in the orthodox sect.”
“What do you mean?”
With a smile, Mangnyang settled down comfortably. He seemed ready to elaborate as he gestured dramatically.
“Listen carefully. A Sect Leader isn’t at the pinnacle; rather, they’re more like a mid-level manager.”
“W-What?”
I responded in disbelief.
A Sect Leader!
Wasn’t that what referred to the leaders of the Nine Great Sects (구파일방), the highest-ranking orthodox factions? As I looked at Mangnyang, he continued to explain, waving his hands to emphasize his point.
“What do you think the origin of the Nine Great Sects is?”
“I thought it was where Taoists and monks gathered from various places to form sects by legendary figures renowned across the land.”
“Exactly. In the beginning, the position of Sect Leader was almost non-existent. It was created over time as the Nine Great Sects became involved in the secular world and faced increased external conflicts. They needed a unifying figure. Furthermore, in the current martial world where sectarian struggles have completely morphed into power politics, Sect Leaders are naturally composed of the top martial artists from each sect.”
As he described, Mangnyang continued with an easygoing demeanor.
“Then could the Sect Leaders be called the supreme beings of the Nine Great Sects too? Do you think they wield the same kind of strong leadership as the leaders in other factions?”
“Of course, not!”
“Not at all. The title of Sect Leader has morphed into a position that powerful martial artists rotate through during their careers. Naturally, political power is shared among the elders or those who have greater authority above them.”
“……!!”
“If a Sect Leader tries to show strong leadership like the supreme beings of other sects, internal strife will break out at that moment. That’s the peculiar nature of the current Nine Great Sects.”
I was left speechless. I had a general idea about the structure of the Nine Great Sects, but I had no idea about the inner workings of the position of Sect Leader. I had taken it for granted that a Sect Leader was the most powerful member. Looking at Mangnyang, his explanation continued.
“In other words, the title of Sect Leader no longer means the head of a sect but is more akin to a commander who leads the charge during conflicts with other forces. That’s why Sect Leaders are composed solely of the strongest fighters from the Nine Great Sects. Understand?”
“Oh… I see.”
“Well, it seems the newly entered Hwangsan Sect might be slightly different.”
As Mangnyang muttered this, he added,
“Ultimately, the real apex of the Nine Great Sects lies in the backgrounds of the previous generation of ultra-powerful beings. Notably, the Three Great Masters of the Orthodox Sect (정파 삼대기인) are key figures.”
“The Three Great Masters…?”
“The Old Sage of Mount Tai (태산노옹), Qi Xian (걸선), and the Shaolin Divine Monk (소림신승).”
Hearing those names made me gasp in shock.
Three Great Masters of the Orthodox Sect!
These were names I had frequently heard during my previous life, and their fame reached the heavens. With the neutrality of The Old Sage of Mount Tai, the openness of Qi Xian, and the divine prowess of the Shaolin Divine Monk, the heretical factions always had to be mindful of the Nine Great Sects. Also, since The Old Sage of Mount Tai had once mentored Sagong Rin, it made the situation even more concerning for me.
Mangnyang’s words continued.
“In short, you don’t need to defeat the top members of the Nine Great Sects. You only need to prove to the hidden elite that your martial arts are the insights of Jang Sam-bong. Just that will ensure the Nine Great Sects look favorably upon the actions of the Thunder God Lineage in the future.”
“Hmm.”
“The past masters of the Wudang Sect won’t fail to recognize great techniques like Cheon Chuk Geom or Gul Gong Cham. They are particularly sensitive to legendary lore of the past.”
It was just about proving my worth. That certainly felt less insane compared to the ridiculous difficulty of potentially facing off against top martial artists everyone, including Lee Kwang, feared. As I mulled over Mangnyang‘s words, I replied,
“That’s easier said than done… But as I mentioned earlier, I’m still not even 20% there in mastering those exquisite sword arts. How could I possibly catch their attention?”
“Hmm. I see that’s a concern…”
Mangnyang pondered for a moment before saying,
“Under normal circumstances, I would want to resolve matters with the Imperial Palace first to carve out some time for your training, but that seems impossible. We have no choice but to forcibly make you learn it, even if we borrow talent.”
“Borrowing talent?”
Mangnyang grinned.
“Just wait. I’ll create the necessary conditions for you.”
Following Mangnyang’s instructions, I spent a few days waiting in Jinlang Valley. During that time, Mi-ho came over to tease me, making it hard for me to focus on my training. Yet, the time spent laughing and playing with Mi-ho was enjoyable enough that I didn’t mind.
While we were playing around, Mi-ho asked about my recent situation.
“Hmm, borrowing talent… I think I can guess what he’s planning.”
“What do you mean?”
“It would be pointless for me to say without confirmation, so I won’t. But what about that—”
“What about what?”
“About Huang Wu’s Blessing.”
Feeling a cold sweat trickle down my back, I suddenly shivered. I had spent so long trying to forget about it until Mi-ho brought it up again.
I had acquired Huang Wu’s Blessing during this life after cautious deliberation. Huang Wu was the most notorious, strongest, and cruel general in history, infamous for his brutality. I could only imagine what kind of blessing such a figure would confer, and the fact that I had been killed once due to the unexpected rampage of someone I believed to be an ally, Yeodong-Bin, made me even more anxious.
Mi-ho tilted her head curiously.
“Don’t you feel the presence of Huang Wu’s spirit like you do with Yeodong-Bin? Or does he just suddenly descend during battles?”
“Nothing like that.”
“How strange. Huang Wu seemed like the type that would always be itching for a fight, so there must be some sort of special condition attached.”
“Conditions?”
Mi-ho teased as she casually stroked my collarbone with her tail.
“It’s odd to think that the notorious Huang Wu was summoned as a celestial spirit to receive Ritual Offerings.”
“Honestly, it’s baffling.”
I agreed with Mi-ho on that. It was hard to believe that a person who struggled their whole life to accumulate merit and achieve enlightenment could have a cruel entity like Huang Wu reach the level of a great celestial spirit.
“If you look at Huang Wu‘s deeds, it wouldn’t be odd for him to end up in hell as a vengeful spirit, yet he exists up in heaven due to a different reason.”
“What reason?”
“He was a human who wielded the fate of the world fiercely and committed wrongdoings, but all due to a destiny granted to him by the constellations.”
“Constellations?”
“Yes… They grant the most bizarre, ultimate, and terrifying fates.”
Mi-ho, as she murmured softly, leaned closer to me and pointed at the starry sky.
“Look. The stars shine so brightly, don’t they?”
“Yes, they are numerous.”
“Out of those stars, there are certain constellations with powerful, magical abilities. Sometimes, the magical power of those constellations influences the world, causing disasters or allowing for the emergence of humans born with unbelievable powers.”
I tried to wrap my head around Mi-ho‘s words and coordinated that with my own knowledge about martial arts and practices before replying,
“Are you talking about the 36 Heavenly Stars and the 72 Earth Stars?”
“Exactly. Huang Wu is a being born with the powers of a remarkable twelve stars. That’s why he was superhuman from a young age, and his abilities only strengthened as he grew. It wouldn’t be surprising that he stained the world with blood.”
“……”
The thought of a being born with the powers of multiple constellations left me flabbergasted!
I fell silent for a moment before uttering,
“So, you’re suggesting he was never human to begin with?”
“He was human on the outside. However, his innate powers were so overwhelming that he forcibly cheated death and remained in the celestial realm after his demise. He’s the kind of being referred to as a heretic even in heaven.”
“Wow… to think such a person existed.”
I couldn’t help but exhale in disbelief. If that were true, then he must have been an extraordinarily strong human before he even perished! As I muttered in shock, Mi-ho continued,
“You’ve probably guessed it, but the celestial realm isn’t just for those who have accumulated merits. Instead, it’s a special, unique world that manages the universe, acting as the intermediary between the constellations and the earth. You shouldn’t hold any romantic notions about the celestial realm.”
It felt like Mi-ho‘s advice was more than helpful, so I nodded appreciatively.
“Understood.”
“Anyway, being an existence forced into the celestial realm as a Great Celestial Spirit surely comes with significant restrictions when wielding their power. Given that they haven’t revealed the conditions themselves, it’s highly likely that those conditions are unfavorable to you.”
“Ugh, I don’t even want to think about that.”
Mi-ho burst into laughter and patted me on the back.
“Hahaha, cheer up. What’s the worst that can happen? You’ll just die!”
I made a face that clearly said that was no comfort.
“That is hardly a reassuring thought for me.”
“I know that’s what you mean, but perhaps feeling more pressure might help you stay on task.”
“Ugh… you’re a mischievous fox.”
“Hahaha!”
Time passed as I continued resting in Jinlang Valley while occasionally playing with Mi-ho. After about a month, Mangnyang called for me.
“Everything’s ready, so follow me.”
“Is this about borrowing talent, as you mentioned before?”
“Indeed.”
I followed Mangnyang to an undisclosed location, and as we delved deeper into the mountains, we finally arrived at an ancient temple. The temple looked old but had recently undergone renovation, providing a viable place for people to stay.
In front of the temple stood five men and women. As I recognized their faces, I was taken aback.
“No way?!”
“Sorry to keep you waiting, junior apprentice.”
It was none other than Jin So-cheong, a powerful master from the Thunder God Lineage and my senior apprentice brother. Alongside him was Gyeok Ho, and waiting with arms crossed was Lee Kwang. The three individuals were all well-known figures from the Thunder God Lineage, but the other two were unfamiliar to me.
Among them, I immediately recognized one young woman with a strikingly beautiful appearance akin to a goddess descended from the heavens. Despite the time since I had last seen her, her face remained etched in my memory. Staring at her in a daze, I muttered,
“… Sagong Rin…”
She was the leader of the Sagong Escort Agency and the greatest prodigy of the Sagong Clan. She nods lightly at me and said,
“Nice to meet you, Baek Woong.”
“Sa… Senior Apprentice Brother?”
Taken aback, I looked around, unsure what to make of the situation, and Lee Kwang quietly explained,
“Baek Woong, from today onward, this is your senior apprentice brother, Sagong Rin. You should greet her properly.”
“O-Of course. Thank you, Senior Apprentice Sister.”
“Yes.”
I answered, slightly flustered as my heart raced. Why was my first love, who drifted away with time, suddenly here? Moreover, how come she had joined the Thunder God Lineage, even though she was older?
The remaining person was a sleepy-looking young boy. He blinked at me and, using a wooden sword, performed a greeting.
“I’m Jai Hu, who recently joined the Thunder God Lineage. I look forward to working with you, Senior Apprentice Brother.”
“Pleasure is mine, Senior Apprentice Brother.”
I responded while mentally asking Mangnyang what was going on. He merely smirked and replied,
“Lee Kwang will explain.”
As I turned to Lee Kwang, he slowly uncrossed his arms and said,
“Bancheon Alliance’s Leader came to discuss your situation with me. He offered me a proposition, which I revised and supplemented as needed, and together we have brought excellent talents.”
“S-Sir, I’m still confused about my status.”
“It’s simple. The Leader of Bancheon Alliance has provided excellent talents to amplify the Thunder God Lineage, and from now on, we’ll research Gul Gong Cham and Cheon Chuk Geom together.”
“……!!”
My expression changed to one of shock as I stared at Lee Kwang. He continued,
“Although Sagong Rin and Jai Hu may not be on the same level as So-cheong, they possess innate martial talent on par with being world-class. Within ten years, I believe they will grow into formidable experts.”
“Is that…?”
“Do you still not understand? What I’m saying is to utilize the talents of the Thunder God Lineage to the fullest.”
Now the strategy of Mangnyang was becoming clear.
Ultimate collaboration!
Adding further exceptional talents to the already gifted makeup of the Thunder God Lineage would undoubtedly ensure rapid advancement in martial arts, especially with the backing of their exceptional techniques.
Mangnyang patted my shoulder while transmitting thoughts,
“Sagong Rin was someone I thought was a wasted talent when I overheard your past. A talent recognized even by The Old Sage of Mount Tai should not just lie dormant. If she learns from Thunder God Lineage and Jang Sam-bong’s philosophies, she’ll become a widow-level martial artist in the next five years.”
“W-Who is Jai Hu?”
“He is my trump card that I’ve kept hidden until now. I’ll tell you about his real identity later, but know that his talent is comparable to Sagong Rin’s.”
While I was curious about Jai Hu’s true identity, I decided to let it go for now. Mangnyang would tell me when the time came. As I steeled myself, Lee Kwang smiled slowly and added,
“Knowing that ancient hag’s temperament, she’ll probably take her sweet time negotiating, so we should have at least three months. During that time, we’ll focus on honing our martial arts.”
“Are we going to stay and eat and sleep in this temple just to practice martial arts?”
“Exactly. From this moment on, save every moment you can for training.”
Lee Kwang then issued a stern warning,
“And especially Baek Woong! Being the one delivering core teachings, you must remain vigilant. Otherwise, I won’t let you off easily.”
“Ugh… Understood.”
I quickly glanced at Mangnyang for help, but he had already vanished using his short-distance teleportation technique, leaving me in the dark about this impending hellish training.
There was no doubt it would be a torturous experience, especially for me.
Now I realized that Lee Kwang decided not to remind me ahead of time to avoid scaring me with the arduous training expectations he had in mind.
‘Ugh…’
While I have the grit to endure rigorous training, I was acutely aware of how unbelievably drastic the difficulty would be under such a relentless regimen. Shivering, I shook my head vehemently.
“Alright, I’ll do my best, Senior Master!”
Then the intense training began until the negotiation message arrived.
