Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
Mangnyang spoke to Jin So-cheong and me.
“Listen well. First, we will move to Gansu Province and head toward the main gate of the White Lotus Sect. Once we pass through the gate, we will reach the Master of the White Lotus Sect.”
“That sounds treacherous…”
It’s the most perilous journey in the world. While getting to Gansu itself might be manageable, what kind of trials await at the main gate of the White Lotus Sect? One thing is certain: no martial master anywhere dares claim survival on this thorny path.
Mangnyang continued,
“We’re short on time. Yong Junil is not just starting to move now; he must have initiated his behind-the-scenes operations as soon as the faction discussions began. By now, his schemes are probably well-developed, and stopping them is out of the question. We have no choice but to persuade the Master of the White Lotus Sect.”
“……!!”
So that’s why!
It dawned on me why Mangnyang was in such a rush. If Yong Junil has the cunning of a strategist, he would definitely be the type to ‘secure victory before the fight’—casting his plans ahead and revealing them later. And as a fellow strategist, Mangnyang must have realized blocking Yong Junil’s plans was impossible and was now resorting to a desperate move.
“Then couldn’t you have explained this to Master Lee Kwang earlier?”
“Regardless, when persuading the Master of the White Lotus Sect, the matter of the Imperial Palace cannot be overlooked. It forms an insurmountable wall between Lee Kwang and me.”
“Uh-huh.”
“But know this: I have no intention of killing the emperor. The emperor is meant to be used, not eliminated. I believe my strategy will ultimately prove correct.”
“I trust you enough to come this far. Don’t worry.”
After nodding in understanding, Mangnyang said,
“First, we need to completely seal Lee Kwang’s internal energy.”
A short while later, we performed the internal energy sealing technique on the unconscious Lee Kwang. The disciples of the Thunder God Lineage, especially Geuk Ho, showed fierce resistance.
“You crazy… Jin So-cheong, are you out of your mind? You’re defying our master’s orders over some bones of the Bancheon Alliance? And now you want to seal Master?”
“Step aside, or are you planning to stop me?”
“Go ahead, try to crush me in one punch, you bastard!”
Pabah!
Geuk Ho lunged in a fit of fury, but was subdued by Jin So-cheong in just three seconds. With Geuk Ho knocked out, Jin So-cheong sighed.
“My sins are piling up!”
Sa Gong Rin and Jae Hu seemed to understand and stayed quiet. However, Sa Gong Rin shot Jin So-cheong a scornful glare.
“So this is what my sworn brother has become, betraying loyalty to our master.”
“I expect to face any punishment later. But for now, follow my will.”
“Do as you please. Aren’t you the king of strong?”
“……”
Seeing Jin So-cheong’s increasingly heavy expression made me feel guilty. After all, if he had just stayed still, he wouldn’t face any loss, yet by stepping forward for us, he became a traitor of the sect. I quickly used my internal technique to seal Lee Kwang and stepped outside.
“Let’s go, sworn brother.”
“Right.”
We headed towards the area closest to Gansu that I had visited before, riding the tides.
Utilizing Lightness Skill, we swiftly oriented ourselves toward the White Lotus Sect. We aimed to arrive within four days, maintaining a relentless pace. I conserved my voice to save energy, leaping as if to fly with the Myeolhon Pill in hand.
About three days into our journey, we reached the northernmost region of Gansu Province. It was only natural to arrive at such speed, moving far quicker than on horseback. Now that we only had half a day left to the White Lotus Sect, we slowed down a bit to rest. Mangnyang had become exhausted from the running, so I carried the fainted Mangnyang.
As we rested under a large tree, I asked Jin So-cheong,
“Sworn brother, it’s a strange time to ask, but why did you decide to save Mangnyang?”
“I believed it was the right thing to do, as I said.”
“But surely there must be reasons behind that belief.”
As I pressed on, Jin So-cheong faintly smiled.
“… That’s because the sect master is risking his life for Mangnyang.”
“Eh?”
What does that mean?
I stared at Jin So-cheong, who briefly quenched his thirst with water from a nearby stream before continuing.
“If it weren’t for the sect master, I would have been training in obscurity under the radar with my master for a lifetime. Of course, once I reached a certain level, I would have left to wander Jianghu, but revenge against the Thunder God Lineage or the White Lotus Sect would have never crossed my mind.”
“……”
I couldn’t deny that. I’ve witnessed the fate of that Thunder God Lineage repeatedly.
“Then the sect master arrived. At first, I was quite skeptical of him, but with the insights he shared and the visions for our future… and the Bancheon Alliance that helps realize dreams… I cannot express how thrilled I felt.”
Jin So-cheong leaned back against a tree stump, gazing up at the blue sky.
“You gave us dreams. Although the sect master would rather not acknowledge it because of his personality, you are the benefactor who brought us dreams and goals.”
“Uh-huh.”
“That’s why I want to place my trust in you and your life-and-death bond with Mangnyang.”
“I… I appreciate the kindness, but isn’t that a bit too much flattery?”
As I listened, I felt embarrassed and scratched my head. To hear such words from the exceptional Jin So-cheong, who even subdued Master Lee Kwang, felt overwhelming. Jin So-cheong then smiled brightly and said,
“Don’t you two get to act all heroic now. I also have my own ambitions and plans!”
“If you say so.”
“Haha, finally back to your usual self.”
We shared a light laugh. With our conversation, some of my unnecessary worries began to dissolve. Of course, the problem wasn’t really resolved, so I eventually broached a serious topic.
“Sworn brother, if we both charge the Dharma Protector, can we win?”
“Well, I don’t know.”
“But Master Lee Kwang managed to gain the upper hand against Yong Bicun, so surely we can win, right?”
At my question, Jin So-cheong wore a wry smile.
“Um… my disciple, there seems to be a misconception here. However, even if my master and I team up, defeating Yong Bicun at full power will be hard.”
“What? Why is that?”
“Because that was merely a short engagement.”
Jin So-cheong’s tone turned firm as he continued,
“The Heavenly Spirit Pill‘s infinite internal power shouldn’t be taken lightly. What if he continues to soar above and launches Wind Slash?”
“Well… then we’d have to keep dodging or spring at him, breaking his protection techniques like last time.”
“Then Yong Bicun would simply fly around and avoid us. We wouldn’t have enough internal power to keep up and breach his defenses.”
“Uh-huh.”
“What’s fearsome about the Heavenly Spirit Pill is its ability to manipulate nature’s energy permanently. If Yong Bicun aims for a long battle while evading fatal blows, no matter what tricks we pull, defeating him will be challenging. The best chance lies in a short confrontation like before, ending it quickly in a confined space where he can’t escape.”
I realized it was a complicated problem. While in a short fight, both Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong could certainly surpass Yong Bicun’s powers, Yong Bicun was now aware of this fact. Moving forward, if he encounters the Thunder God Lineage masters, he will openly utilize the advantages of the Heavenly Spirit Pill for area obliteration. Facing such tactics would be an uphill battle for us.
I inquired further,
“What exactly is this Heavenly Spirit Pill? It’s said to represent infinite internal power and the state of defying reality, yet it seems no one else in the Central Plains has been able to obtain this besides the Dharma Protectors of the White Lotus Sect.”
“From what I heard from the sect master, the Heavenly Spirit Pill is something acquired through a special process. It’s quite different from martial realms that are naturally attained. Unfortunately, before the method of entry was completed, the inheritance was lost, forcing the sect master to learn most of the realm on his own.”
“Hmm…”
“That’s why I share your thoughts, sworn brother, and the Bancheon Alliance leader’s observations as well. If the sect master is in the dark, perhaps the scattered descendants of the Thunder God Lineage might possess knowledge about the Heavenly Spirit Pill or how to acquire it.”
Indeed, this was the very reason I aimed to gather the descendants of the Thunder God Lineage.
While it was crucial to gather the scattered descendants, there was a chance that someone among them might know the closely guarded secret of the Heavenly Spirit Pill. If we could extract that information, it would be worth it.
As soon as we revitalized Mangnyang, we headed towards the White Lotus Sect once again. Approaching the vicinity of the White Lotus Sect, we easily learned the way from a nearby village. It didn’t take long for us to reach the main gate of the White Lotus Sect.
Duung –
The main gate of the White Lotus Sect resembled a gigantic fortress. Indeed, it was a heavily fortified gate that looked as if it had been constructed like a castle itself. Surely, the government wouldn’t allow such a thing, but considering it was the White Lotus Sect, they must have let it slide. If the Master of the White Lotus Sect set his mind to it, he could probably breach an entire army and assassinate the emperor.
Standing before the fortress were a group of young men. They looked like they just crossed the age of twenty and possessed an air of nobility. However, I quickly discerned their levels of internal energy just by glancing at them, letting out a soft “Hmmm…”
Their internal power was far beyond their years. It matched what I had when I had consumed the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng once or twice. In other words, each of them possessed internal energy comparable to senior martial artists from the Central Plains or even surpassed that level.
In short – these were the martial artists of the White Lotus Sect who had consumed Snow Ginseng!
Perhaps that’s why they approached slowly on horseback, speaking to us.
“You really are suspicious characters! Who are you?”
Mangnyang stepped forward to reply.
“I am Mangnyang, Master of the Bancheon Alliance, and these are my companions.”
“Master of the Bancheon Alliance? Why have you come all this way?”
“I have come as per the invitation of the Master of the White Lotus Sect.”
“……”
At that, the leading youth frowned and said,
“If that claim turns out to be false, you won’t be returning alive.”
“There’s a simple way to confirm it instead of resorting to threats and violence. Wasn’t the doctrine of the White Lotus Sect supposed to be compassion and enlightenment?”
“Your mouth is still intact. Follow us.”
Dak dak dak!
We followed those young men into the fortress of the White Lotus Sect. After walking a while down the main road, we entered an unexpectedly bustling village that rivaled a large town. It looked like the residence of White Lotus Sect members.
As the White Lotus Sect members saw the youths, they welcomed them warmly.
“Whoa, who are those guys?”
“Don’t know, let’s step aside for now.”
“Hmm… Okay.”
Though the youth responded curtly, the villagers did not take offense and gladly made room for them. From this, it was evident they enjoyed a certain respect from the villagers. As I trailed behind, I grew curious and asked,
“My name is Baek Woong. And you are?”
“Does it matter?”
The strong rejection made it clear they regarded us with a fair amount of caution. Though they appeared rather unfriendly, I sensed they were maintaining a level of politeness, as they didn’t immediately bind us or seal our internal energy.
Instead, Mangnyang glanced around and murmured,
“The people here seem happy. It’s a stark contrast to those in other regions of Gansu.”
The youth seemed to swell with pride and replied with a smirk,
“Of course! The folks here aren’t being exploited by landlords and share their harvests and wealth equally. They’ve escaped the endless cycle of oppression!”
“Equality… Fate…”
Mangnyang pondered the youth’s words. I too surveyed my surroundings, and it was clear these residents brimmed with vitality. The commoners and serfs in other towns of Gansu often starved and struggled to survive, which made this place feel like a different world.
‘Well, overcoming the fate tied to one’s birth is nearly impossible.’
I recalled my previous trips around Shandong. The people there seemed to struggle far more than those in Gansu, perpetually tormented by exploitation, sometimes leading to banditry. Quite a few who had nothing left to their names turned to banditry in Guangdong. Yet here, the people appeared unreasonably content with their lives.
After some time passing through the sizable village, we reached another gate. Upon our arrival, the youth spoke to a middle-aged man dressed in white standing at the entrance.
“We’ve brought outsiders. They claim to be the Master of the Bancheon Alliance, wishing to see the Master.”
“The Master of the Bancheon Alliance… I’ve heard of it.”
The middle-aged man, mumbling to himself, scanned us with his deep-set eyes before continuing.
“That man is truly exceptional. Who exactly is he?”
His gaze fixed on Jin So-cheong. Despite Jin So-cheong blending in and appearing simple, the man quickly recognized his prowess. Jin So-cheong replied to him,
“I am here to escort the Master of the Bancheon Alliance.”
“Hmm… indeed remarkable. At your age, such absolute mastery… it feels like I’m witnessing a martial genius.”
After multiple expressions of admiration, the middle-aged man said,
“Follow me; we can see the Master now.”
“Excuse me, but who might you be?”
“How rude!”
The youth shot Mangnyang an angry glare. Just inquiring about someone’s identity seemed like a blasphemy. It was clear that the thought of revealing his identity danced perilously on a knife’s edge, considering the middle-aged man’s fascinating gaze.
The middle-aged man replied to Mangnyang’s question,
“I am Third Elder.”
“Third Elder?”
“The third elder residing in the back room, hehe.”
While chuckling, Third Elder waved his hand, nudging the iron gate of the entrance open.
Ku-gu-gu-gung!
In that instant, a massive door that could easily weigh thousands of pounds opened like a regular door, clearly showcasing the elder’s formidable prowess.
“……!!”
At that moment, I thought I understood Third Elder’s true identity. Mangnyang and Jin So-cheong seemed to have suspected it long before I did.
‘The Elders Council of the White Lotus Sect…!!’
I understood why the youths didn’t dare bind us. Not only did they have confidence in their martial prowess, but they also felt assured that Elders or super-strong masters were nearby, considering no one would even dream of causing trouble here. Imagining a powerhouse like Third Elder lurking everywhere sent chills down my spine.
This power belongs to the White Lotus Sect!
The capability that allowed them to dominate the entire martial world of the Central Plains in just years of existence in my tenth reincarnation comes with no small feat. I could see that Mangnyang, walking beside me, was likewise on high alert; the only calm one among us was Jin So-cheong.
[Miho. Are you alright?]
As I subtly touched the jade pendant I was carrying, I sent a message to Miho.
[There are just too many monstrous people here. Remember your promise to save your own skin and get out, okay?]
[Okay, got it.]
Currently, Miho was transformed into a jade pendant to protect me. Changing from a living creature to an inanimate object was quite easy, allowing Miho to stay this way for a considerable time. Of course, she could revert to her original state anytime she wanted.
After following Third Elder for some time, we reached an elegantly designed building. The plaque on the building read: Master Hall. As we stepped inside the Master Hall, a host of people began greeting Third Elder.
“Yo!”
“Yo!”
“Welcome!”
“Right!”
As Third Elder greeted them one by one, various aged elders and even youthful juniors, some with wizened skin and others appearing as mere boys, filled the Master Hall. However, the certainty remained: they were all powerful masters of the Elders Council, each emanating tremendous internal energy.
‘What the heck… Are the masters from the Elders Council always casually roaming around the Master Hall like this?’
I clenched my teeth. I could remember this place for a future visit, but frankly, I had no desire to come back here.
It’s begging for disaster!
What would happen if I ran amok here alone was as clear as day. I’d probably be torn apart before even half a meal had passed. Straining to keep calm, I walked on as Third Elder reached a room.
“Master, it’s Third Elder.”
[What is it?]
“Master, the Master of the Bancheon Alliance has come.”
[Let them in.]
Creeeak!
As the door opened and we entered, I caught sight of the figure of the Master of the White Lotus Sect across the threshold. As the elder beside him spoke softly, he instructed us as well.
“Prepare yourselves to meet the Master of the White Lotus Sect.”
We all bowed in respect. Under normal circumstances, I might have felt a little hesitant, but given what I knew of the Master, I sensed no reluctance. With our introductions concluded, the Master of the White Lotus Sect spoke again.
[It seems like it was only days ago when we last met. You came quickly.]
“I was eager to see you, so I couldn’t wait for someone to come looking.”
[Indeed. I found your words about the Bancheon Alliance very intriguing.]
As that followed, my thoughts briefly froze.
[…the curse of the ‘former rulers’ that you’ve speculated on. My son’s ailment originated from that monster.]
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