Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
When I returned to Jangling Valley with Seo Moon-hye, everyone from the Thunder God Lineage was already there, including Mangnyang. Miho wore a sulky expression, while Mangnyang laughed awkwardly, saying,
“Your popularity is at its peak.”
Normally, I would have brushed off Mangnyang‘s joke, but now I felt the heavy gaze of everyone around, especially Lee Kwang’s indifferent expression, which made me wary of saying anything. After some silence, Lee Kwang finally spoke.
“Explain what happened.”
I recounted the events leading to Seo Moon-hye‘s arrival. Of course, I didn’t mention that I went to seek the Sword Demon‘s guidance but rather made it sound like I was coaxed back to Shadowless Gate. The mere act of asking for teachings could easily rub Lee Kwang the wrong way. Though a bit skeptical, Lee Kwang addressed Seo Moon-hye.
“Seo Moon-hye, do you truly seek to join the Thunder God Lineage?”
Seo Moon-hye answered calmly and without hesitation,
“Yes. My father said I could contribute to the Eight Devils of Martial Daos.”
“Hmm…”
Lee Kwang seemed deep in thought about the unexpected alliance proposal. Then, Mangnyang, who was listening, interjected,
“That aside, did Seo Moon-hye come merely as an envoy?”
“No. I’ve come to join the Thunder God Lineage.”
The room suddenly froze.
The most celebrated genius of Shadowless Gate and a potential successor to the sect, Seo Moon-hye, was aiming to join the Thunder God Lineage! That was no ordinary choice. I stared at Seo Moon-hye in shock, and she flashed a bright smile.
“Three Cuts Lee Kwang, may I have your permission?”
Lee Kwang paused but then answered.
“There’s no reason to refuse. The Thunder God Lineage doesn’t stop those who wish to join.”
“Thank goodness.”
“However, the martial arts of the Thunder God Lineage and those of Shadowless Gate might clash and result in harm for you…”
“I’m prepared for that. I’ll have to work hard on my own.”
“If there comes a moment when your Shadowless Gate teachings conflict with our Thunder God Lineage, will you not hesitate?”
“Of course not.”
Her answers flowed without interruption. Lee Kwang seemed quite pleased with her resolute attitude, nodding in agreement.
“If it’s what you desire so much, I, Lee Kwang, will accept Seo Moon-hye into the Thunder God Lineage.”
Then, Lee Kwang received a bow from Seo Moon-hye and established the formal bond of master and disciple. Thus, Seo Moon-hye cast aside her identity with Shadowless Gate and became the youngest disciple of the Thunder God Lineage. It was a surprisingly humble choice for someone with her level of prowess, as she could have easily founded her own small sect within the Jianghu.
After the initiation ceremony, Lee Kwang spoke to Seo Moon-hye.
“I will respond to the Sword Demon‘s proposal within three days.”
“Understood.”
“And since I currently lack the capacity to teach the martial arts of the Thunder God Lineage, you will practice independently for the time being.”
“Yes.”
Lee Kwang’s tone might have felt condescending, but it was only natural. Just moments ago, Seo Moon-hye was a powerful exile from Shadowless Gate, but now, she was merely the youngest disciple of the Thunder God Lineage.
Once the discussions wrapped up, Lee Kwang called Mangnyang and me into a quiet room.
Seated around a table, Mangnyang began the conversation.
“Lee Kwang. I’d like to explain the situation to Baek Woong first.”
“Go ahead.”
“Baek Woong. As you might have heard, thanks to the efforts of our Thunder God Lineage disciples, we achieved a massive victory against the Huashan Sect, effectively obliterating them. Following that, I joined up with our Thunder God Lineage masters at Jangling Valley before heading straight to Zhangling Valley.”
Feigning ignorance, I tilted my head.
“Why did you go to Zhangling Valley?”
“To invite my uncle, Guang Sheng Zhuge Sa, to the Thunder God Lineage.”
“Guang Sheng Zhuge Sa…? So, he is the lord of Zhangling Valley?”
“That’s right.”
“Then why invite him? You could easily handle that yourself.”
With a bittersweet smile, Mangnyang replied,
“You might have learned this recently. The Bancheon Alliance and the Thunder God Lineage are working together for mutual benefits. However, there’s a chance that could backfire long-term. If conflicts arise, fighting among ourselves would be exceedingly inefficient and lead to mutual destruction. But without sufficient intelligence and strategic planning from the Thunder God Lineage, survival is uncertain.”
Thus, I realized that Mangnyang sought to appoint Guang Sheng Zhuge Sa as the vice-general for ensuring safety within the Thunder God Lineage. The size of both the Thunder God Lineage and Bancheon Alliance would only continue to grow; it was indeed essential.
“……”
I also recognized unspoken fears lingering in Mangnyang‘s words—he clearly thought of himself as having a two-year lifespan left, seeking a wise figure to lead the organization after his passing.
I had my suspicions but hesitated to pry. However, hearing Mangnyang mention it aligned my thoughts, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
‘Fear not, Mangnyang. I will find a way to extend your life.’
With those thoughts in mind, I asked Mangnyang,
“So, you went to bring Guang Sheng Zhuge Sa?”
“……”
Mangnyang’s expression soured a little. Just as he hesitated to answer, Lee Kwang spoke up nonchalantly.
“That man is dead.”
“Whaaat?!”
What kind of nonsense was this?
I had assumed he had brought him back, only to find out he was dead!
I stared at Lee Kwang in shock, who calmly poured warm tea into his cup as he continued,
“When we arrived, he had been deceased for quite some time. Zhangling Valley had already held his funeral.”
“W-What happened?”
“They said it was suicide.”
“Suicide…!!”
I muttered in disbelief as Mangnyang added,
“I cannot fathom it either. I don’t understand why my uncle chose to end his own life. But if he reached such a resolution, there must have been a compelling reason.”
“What kind of person was Zhuge Sa? Given his stature as the lord of Zhangling Valley, it’s startling he would kill himself suddenly…”
“It seems wealth and fame held no meaning for him.”
Mangnyang murmured as if reminiscing.
“There’s no doubt he was a formidable genius, but he lived in extreme pessimism, only enjoying mocking and ridiculing the world. So, his suicide doesn’t seem too surprising…”
“……”
Even after hearing Mangnyang’s words, I could only guess what kind of person Zhuge Sa might have been.
Just as I was confused, Lee Kwang interjected.
“Baek Woong. There’s no need to linger on dead people. We returned from Zhangling Valley empty-handed. Speaking of which, what do you think of the Sword Demon‘s proposal?”
“Hmm…”
Lee Kwang had shifted the topic. This was indeed a burning issue—should the Thunder God Lineage join hands with the Eight Devils of Martial Daos? I had been contemplating this ever since I brought Seo Moon-hye here, but I still didn’t have an answer.
So, I subtly directed the conversation back to Mangnyang.
“I believe Bancheon Alliance‘s judgment might hold more weight.”
At that, Mangnyang chuckled mischievously.
“Hey now, Baek Woong. If you’ve brought a fiancée, shouldn’t you take responsibility?”
“W-Who said fiancée?”
“Isn’t Seo Moon-hye known as a blooming flower among the Jianghu‘s most beautiful female geniuses? To have captured her heart, what kind of trickery did you employ? Ha ha.”
“……”
I hesitated, struggling to respond, as Lee Kwang burst into laughter.
“Indeed, Bancheon Alliance Leader. If you were to ask for my personal opinion, I would seriously consider rejecting the proposal.”
“I thought you might think that.”
“The Eight Devils of Martial Daos are a gang without any sense of loyalty. If we join forces with them now, it could be used against us by the Zheng Tian Alliance later.”
Swish!
Mangnyang unfurled the Seven Illusions. The playfulness in his eyes had vanished, and a serious expression took hold.
“Lee Kwang‘s words are accurate. At least until the Thunder God Lineage stabilizes, we should avoid associations with the Eight Devils of Martial Daos. Moreover, since Douma is affiliated with the Feng God Lineage…”
“Hmm, that’s a valid concern.”
Lee Kwang furrowed his brows as he inquired of Mangnyang.
“Bancheon Alliance Leader. It’s not just Douma, but the Feng God Lineage likely has influence spread across the Jianghu. How extensive do you think that reach is?”
“On the surface, it’s just Huashan Sect and Douma, but I suspect there are at least double the hidden forces working behind the scenes. Perhaps there are even subordinates of the Hua God Lineage or Shu God Lineage among them.”
“Annoying.”
“The White Lotus Sect fails to unify the Central Plains not because they’re unable to, but because they won’t. They’re truly formidable individuals.”
Mangnyang continued,
“Now we must focus on negotiating with the Zheng Tian Alliance.”
“Isn’t it too soon for that? They must be furious right now.”
“No, now is the prime opportunity. The deeper the grudge festers, the more unyielding they become by their nature as righteous sects. If we extend a hand now, they’ll accept it just to save face.”
Lee Kwang smirked coldly.
“I can already imagine the scenario; it sounds entertaining.”
Mangnyang glanced at me.
“With your help, Baek Woong, that effort should proceed smoothly. But first, there’s something I’d like to inquire.”
“What is it?”
“Do you know anything about other disciples of the Thunder God Lineage?”
“……”
Lee Kwang fell silent before speaking again.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I apologize for prying into your sect’s secrets, but if the other disciples of the Thunder God Lineage can’t hold their own in battle, we will run into trouble later.”
“Ah, I see. In that case, don’t worry. There will definitely be some monstrous talents showing up.”
Lee Kwang leaned back in his chair leisurely.
“Especially… the Thunderbolt Three Saints. They are likely still alive. If they and their disciples join us, it would be formidable.”
“Thunderbolt Three Saints?”
“They’re the legendary masters of the Thunder God Lineage, on par with my own master.”
“Are they strong?”
“Why ask such a question? They reached the zenith of power long before I was even born, so if they’re still around, they’d be indomitable.”
Thunderbolt Three Saints!
Legendary figures of the Thunder God Lineage!
Seeing Lee Kwang so confident made it clear that they were notable forces in terms of combat. However, they certainly weren’t the only ones who had survived, and if the Thunder God Lineage managed to unite the scattered members across the continent, they could form an incredibly powerful sect.
Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind, and I spoke up to Lee Kwang.
“But wouldn’t such formidable individuals be too prideful to cooperate?”
“Of course, they probably would. They’d likely assert themselves as the leaders the moment they arrive.”
“Then…”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Lee Kwang firmly drew the line. From that answer, I understood that he already had countermeasures prepared for the Thunderbolt Three Saints. Wrapping up the discussion, Mangnyang summarized,
“Then we’ll leave it at that.”
After discussing the remaining details, we dispersed. After parting with Lee Kwang, Mangnyang called me aside to speak in a secluded area.
“Baek Woong. The reason I insisted on bringing you to the meeting today was my own decision.”
“……?”
“Although I haven’t mentioned it until now, General Huang Yuan and his clan are currently gathering troops, including North Dragon Platform, supported by the Bancheon Alliance. They plan to launch a significant operation shortly, which means I can no longer focus solely on the Thunder God Lineage.”
“Whaaat…!!”
I gasped softly.
‘Right, that incident did happen.’
General Huang Yuan had been abducted and imprisoned by the Golden Guard. While I had consistently managed to save him in previous lives through various methods, this time, I had been too busy with Thunder God Lineage matters to think of helping him. However, it seemed that Mangnyang had taken some initiative himself. I looked at Mangnyang and said,
“So, you mean I need to keep Lee Kwang in check moving forward?”
“There’s no need to think too far into it. Just know that you’re not only a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage, but also in a crucial bridge position within the Bancheon Alliance.”
“I see.”
“Put simply, this means that when something serious happens, Lee Kwang will share important information with you. However, that information will be filtered based on necessity, so you must not blindly trust Lee Kwang. You’ll need to build your own experiences in discerning the truth from these discussions.”
“I understand.”
Lee Kwang would treat me not with the status of a mere disciple moving forward but as a messenger for the Bancheon Alliance. However, that also meant Lee Kwang would never fully trust me. Instead, I would likely hold a standout position amongst his disciples, making it crucial to sift through valuable information to pass on to Mangnyang. As the weight of responsibility sank in, I steeled myself inwardly.
“Certainly, the Thunder God Lineage will flourish. Should it succeed in standing independently, it’ll surpass the Zheng Tian Alliance, which is a coalition of the Nine Great Sects. But we need to think carefully now.”
“What do we need to think about?”
“Whether that is truly the right path.”
“……?”
“Consider this: You are overlooking a significant fact.”
What fact could I possibly be missing?
I pondered over this again and again. The prospect of the Thunder God Lineage flourishing aligned perfectly with my intention to eradicate the Imperial Court, leading me to focus solely on its growth without doubts. Yet, I sensed there had to be a reason Mangnyang raised this concern right now.
Suddenly, a realization struck me.
“… The reason Zhuge Sa was purged by the previous leader of the Thunder God Lineage!”
“Exactly.”
Mangnyang was impressed.
“You’ve gained quite a bit of wisdom. A little refinement, and you’d make a fine strategist.”
“Are you suggesting that the Thunder God Lineage harbors some darkness?”
“Hmm, it’s difficult to express just like that. But perhaps you’ve sensed their exceptionally domineering conduct as they sweep everything in their path?”
“……”
Indeed, while the Thunder God Lineage excelling in taking down all obstacles was thrilling, it was equally true that they were ignoring the circumstances of their opponents. I had actually pleaded with Lee Kwang for mercy at the Huashan Sect massacre. Letting Mangnyang wrap the conversation up, he remarked,
“The Thunder God Lineage is strong, but it isn’t a righteous sect. If it hadn’t been purged, it would have undoubtedly reigned supreme in the Wulin. Therefore, the ramifications of the Thunder God Lineage’s rebirth on the Wulin deserve our contemplation.”
“Lee Kwang isn’t someone who bullies the weak for no reason.”
“Yet, he’s able to compromise his morals for the sake of the organization.”
“Hmm.”
Mangnyang sighed heavily.
“Ahh, if only Zhuge Sa were alive, we could entrust the Thunder God Lineage to him. What a pity…”
“Are you saying that means the Thunder God Lineage could be in danger?”
“What do you suppose that means?”
“Doesn’t that imply being overly powerful could create trouble?”
“Taigang Jizhe. When something is too strong, it can break. I can’t guarantee how far Lee Kwang is willing to compromise with the Zheng Tian Alliance. Especially now that the Feng God Lineage lurks everywhere.”
“That would lead to overly rash actions.”
I exclaimed, startled. Indeed, while the current strength of the Thunder God Lineage could sweep away one or two of the Nine Great Sects, fighting a massive organization like the Zheng Tian Alliance was a different arena altogether. The most elite masters among the Zheng Tian Alliance were bound to swarm thick. Surely, Lee Kwang couldn’t be foolish enough to choose that.
Yet, Mangnyang firmly stated,
“Keep your eyes open and ensure that the Thunder God Lineage doesn’t become overconfident. Otherwise, they may find themselves destroyed.”
“I understand. I will proceed as you suggest.”
After finishing up my conversation with Mangnyang, I visited Miho. To my surprise, she was chatting with Seo Moon-hye. As soon as Miho spotted me, she pouted.
“Hmph! The popular guy has arrived.”
