Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
I returned to the Central Plains after receiving a large Obsidian roughly two feet long from Miho. It was so big that I had to embrace it with both arms.
‘With an Obsidian this size, I might be able to store even the finer details.’
The Obsidian I used to transfer memories to Mangnyang and Miho was barely the size of my palm, which meant I could only convey the rough outlines of my 14 past lives. Mangnyang and Miho absorbed my memories as if reading a book, but only catching fragments of the emotions intertwined within.
Thus, while they could read my memories, they couldn’t acquire the techniques, spells, or martial arts I had mastered.
However, the larger the Obsidian, the more memories it can hold compressed within. With an Obsidian this size, I might be able to directly transmit techniques and martial skills too. I first tucked the Obsidian into my breastplate and headed towards Mangnyang.
Upon hearing my explanation about the Obsidian, Mangnyang stated,
“From what I can see, the techniques surrounding Obsidian are indeed quite overpowered.”
“Is that so?”
“There are existing techniques in Daoist sorcery that allow the transmission of memories. However, using those techniques requires exceptional innate ability and an understanding of the arts. At a minimum, one must be a top-tier sorcerer, and such individuals are quite rare across the Central Plains.
Your method of simply using a stone as a medium with no restrictions is incredibly efficient.”
After explaining that, Mangnyang continued.
“Baek Woong, I think it’s crucial to gather as many Books of Demon Arts as possible. The more spells you obtain from the Astana prophet, the easier your future journeys will become.”
“That does make sense.”
I could trade for spells with the Astana prophet by offering Books of Demon Arts. Since I had just acquired techniques from the Obsidian, I could expect to receive another spell in my next reincarnation. While I was keeping Mangnyang’s words in mind, a thought suddenly struck me and I asked,
“By the way, Mangnyang, hasn’t it been some time since we heard that the White Lotus Sect was going to raid the Imperial Palace?”
“I was just about to discuss that.”
With a sigh, Mangnyang spoke.
“It’s quite odd, but the White Lotus Sect has suddenly started to hesitate. They seemed poised to strike the Imperial Palace, leading Dharma Protector Seo Mun-hye right in, but out of nowhere, they’ve ceased all actions. Instead, it looks like they’re opting to extend their influence over the Central Plains using the funds from the Wind Spirit Sect Han Clan.”
“……!!”
What on earth does this mean!?
I had been anticipating the White Lotus Sect to sweep through the Imperial Palace, and the entirety of my plans hinged on that premise! If the White Lotus Sect fails to subdue the Imperial Palace soon, it would undoubtedly throw all of my future plans into disarray. I thought deeply and murmured,
“Is it possible that the White Lotus Sect leader feels pressure about attacking the Imperial Palace?”
“… I’m not sure. However, the last time I saw the White Lotus Sect leader, they seemed utterly unconcerned. In my opinion, if the leader is hesitating to attack the Imperial Palace, it’s likely due to some other factor besides just ‘power.’”
“Some other factor…”
Mangnyang confidently replied,
“Baek Woong, don’t worry. I’ll speak with the White Lotus Sect leader again to ascertain their true intentions.”
“Just don’t overextend yourself…”
“Haha! Don’t worry, just go to Shadowless Gate.”
I found myself a bit anxious. Considering the future developments, I’m following Mangnyang’s advice to keep my identity hidden from the White Lotus Sect, but is it really okay to go on like this? Shouldn’t I help Mangnyang now and assist the White Lotus Sect in conquering the Jianghu day and night? But even with my concerns, I had no choice but to trust Mangnyang’s plan, as it was clearly superior to my own thoughts.
Paaaat
I headed back to Hanan Shadowless Gate once more. Upon arrival, the gatekeepers seemed familiar with my face, showing no signs of suspicion. I announced,
“Please inform them that I have returned for training.”
“Young Master, wait a moment…”
Suddenly, the head of the guards stepped forward. Approaching me, he whispered,
“Seo Mun-hye, the Young Master of the Sect, wishes to see you.”
“……?”
“Please follow me for a moment.”
Though puzzled, I followed him.
‘The Young Master of the Sect must be Seo Mun-hye. Why would she want to see me? Isn’t my appearance disguised enough so that I don’t appear to be Baek Woong?’
Upon reaching Seo Mun-hye’s chamber, I found her waiting, graciously welcoming me as she sat down.
“So Woong, it’s so nice to see you again.”
“It’s a pleasure to see you once more.”
We had exchanged greetings several times during my month of martial training as So Woong, so we set a cordial tone. Seo Mun-hye blinked for a moment while looking at me, then gently took my hand.
“Aren’t you Baek Woong?”
So she surely has doubts!
It felt like I was under an unexpected frontal assault. I controlled my emotions and replied with an unaffected expression,
“I am not your brother.”
“If what you said were true, may I touch your face to confirm?”
“Go ahead.”
A moment later, Seo Mun-hye tentatively examined my face, breathing out her Qi as she began to touch and feel it. She was likely trying to find irregularities in my appearance, skin formation, or skeletal misalignments with her energy.
However, after probing for nearly half an hour, Seo Mun-hye let out a sigh.
“Hah… It isn’t you.”
“Didn’t I tell you?”
I replied while admiring Hwa Seo-myung’s remarkable skills in my mind. I had fully trusted Hwa Seo-myung’s cosmetic surgery skills by confronting Seo Mun-hye. Remarkably, Hwa Seo-myung had mastered the art to such a degree that there was not a single imperfection to be felt. Even with Qi penetrating my façade, no unnatural feeling could be discerned—truly a divine physician at work.
‘If someone of Seo Mun-hye’s caliber can’t detect the difference, no one else should be able to either.’
Seo Mun-hye continued to touch my cheek and said,
“You truly are beautiful. If you grow up like this, you’ll become an unparalleled beauty in the world.”
“Are you mocking me?”
“Uhoohoo… Half of it is sincere.”
Seo Mun-hye wore a cheerful smile, so bright that I felt I couldn’t possibly be angry. She seemed to gaze longingly into the distance as she continued,
“Though your brother may lack good looks, he possesses the aura of a true hero. I hold fond feelings for him…”
“……”
“Forgive my rudeness for asking so boldly. Allow me to grant you a favor as an offer of gratitude.”
A favor indeed.
Upon hearing Seo Mun-hye’s words, I immediately spoke,
“I want to know why you ended up on that pirate island. Please tell me the reason.”
Upon hearing my question, Seo Mun-hye flinched in surprise.
“Ah!”
Then she replied,
“I suppose I owe you that much… I entered the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament and lost, leading to my body and mind being subdued. I remember being shoved off to the pirate island from there.”
“Why would you enter the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament? As the Young Master of the Sect of Shadowless Gate, there’s certainly no lack of qualifications as one of Jianghu’s top masters.”
“……”
Seo Mun-hye hesitated.
Having rescued her several times from the pirate island as Baek Woong, she seemed reluctant to discuss this part. I also didn’t want to force her to reveal anything, so I had let it go until now. But given the situation, I thought of checking through this ‘transaction.’
“… I hoped to obtain the Purple Spirit Moon Blade.”
“The Purple Spirit Moon Blade?”
Come to think of it, I did hear something like that. When Hwang So-myung explained the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament, he mentioned that the previous champion received the Revolving Blade Technique, the Silver Blossom Fruit, and the Purple Spirit Moon Blade as prizes.
“Your primary martial art is the sword, right? So why would you aim for a crescent blade?”
“I received intelligence that the Purple Spirit Moon Blade conceals the world’s supreme martial art.”
“……!!”
“That secret was known even to Douma, the organizer of the tournament. If he had known of its existence, he would never have offered it as a prize. He must have thought of the Purple Spirit Moon Blade merely as a weapon.”
“How did you learn about that?”
“That’s something I can’t disclose.”
Seo Mun-hye sighed.
“I’m the Young Master of the Sect, but in terms of martial materials, I fall drastically short compared to my father. In the future, to inherit Shadowless Gate, I will need stronger power. Thus, I planned to decipher the secret of the Purple Spirit Moon Blade to grow stronger.”
From her words, one might perceive Seo Mun-hye as a dullard, yet that could not be further from the truth. Having reached the pinnacle of mastery in her twenties, she was likely a prodigy with a promising future. It was just that So Mun-dae-ryong was an astoundingly gifted genius, which made her feel inadequate.
The Purple Spirit Moon Blade!
The world’s supreme martial art!
Just hearing that phrase is enough to stir desire. I pondered for a moment before responding,
“This is strange. My brother said he had never heard of such a story from you.”
“It wasn’t something I could bear to say. Moreover, I didn’t want to put him in harm’s way.”
“What do you mean?”
Seo Mun-hye wore a saddened expression.
“If anyone hears my tale, they would undoubtedly seek out and challenge the current owner of the Purple Spirit Moon Blade. However, that person is an avid martial artist, and how can I put a benefactor in danger?”
Her words seemed genuine.
Upon hearing this, my eyes lit up.
“You know who the current owner of the Purple Spirit Moon Blade is, don’t you?”
“I have no obligation to reveal that.”
“Why not?”
“As I stated, I’ll only share the cause. I cannot put my benefactor’s brother in danger.”
“……”
By her current demeanor, it seemed she wouldn’t divulge that piece of information. Even if I offered her treasures or some gold, she wouldn’t part with it. However, this was unexpectedly valuable information, and I wanted to secure it as soon as possible. I thought for a moment before saying,
“Regardless, now that I’ve heard this story, I will seek out who the owner of the Purple Spirit Moon Blade is one way or another. And the method is simple: either charm the Black Society Lord, who is under Douma, to extract the information, or go confront Douma himself.”
“Don’t do anything reckless. They are not easy opponents to deal with.”
“In that case, just tell me. Whether to challenge the owner of the Purple Spirit Moon Blade is something I can decide for myself.”
“Uhmm…”
“If you think of my brother’s saved life as a debt repaid, then consider this a favor.”
Upon hearing my words, Seo Mun-hye looked dumbfounded.
“How brazen!”
“I will do my best.”
“Fine, your life is your own concern.”
Seo Mun-hye spoke as if half conceding.
“The current owner of the Purple Spirit Moon Blade is the former champion of the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament known as Lord of Twelve Rat Clan.”
“Don’t tell me…”
Seo Mun-hye’s words caused me to widen my eyes.
“The Lord of Twelve Rat Clan. He possesses the Purple Spirit Moon Blade.”
To think the very essence of the Eastern Martial World itself—the Lord of Twelve Rat Clan, the supreme being among them—now had the Purple Spirit Moon Blade!
I was astonished and countered her with disbelief,
“The Lord of Twelve Rat Clan? How did such a person—the one rumored to be dormant—end up at the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament in Luoyang with the Purple Spirit Moon Blade?”
“I know little of details. I only heard that the champion of the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament was decided to be the Lord of Twelve Rat Clan.”
“……!!”
“So I was able to let go of my thoughts about the Purple Spirit Moon Blade.”
“I see…”
Now I understood what Seo Mun-hye meant.
Who could possibly seize the Purple Spirit Moon Blade from the Lord of Twelve Rat Clan?
Not even So Mun-dae-ryong would probably stand a chance against him. Thoughts raced through my mind.
‘This is troublesome. Even if the Purple Spirit Moon Blade is said to harbor the world’s supreme martial art, if it’s in the hands of the Lord of Twelve Rat Clan, then it’s entirely futile!’
Now, I might as well have all this information for naught.
“Anyway, thank you.”
“Of course.”
Parting ways with Seo Mun-hye, I headed toward the place where So Mun-dae-ryong was waiting. So Mun-dae-ryong sat calmly in a chair, seemingly having acted nonchalantly as if he already knew where I had been.
“It seems you had quite a lengthy conversation with the girl.”
“I apologize for keeping you waiting.”
“It’s not an issue. I simply hoped that you’d have a deep conversation with her at some point.”
So Mun-dae-ryong paused for a moment before saying,
“I don’t care whether you’re Baek Woong or So Woong. What matters is that you possess the heart of a true martial artist; I’ll do my best to teach you.”
“Thank you.”
“However, there are conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“As much as I appreciate your dedication, I am the head of the sect. It’s against the regulations for me to teach outsiders to a certain extent. Do you understand what I mean?”
I scratched my temple, puzzled.
“Are you suggesting I should join Shadowless Gate?”
So Mun-dae-ryong nodded.
“Precisely. In that case, I am willing to teach you the Shadowless Gate’s secret techniques. You’ll gain a status as a Dharma Protector, equal to that of the Young Master of the Sect immediately.”
“……!!”
So Mun-dae-ryong’s proposal was astonishing.
If I just joined Shadowless Gate, I’m not only taught secret techniques, but also given the rank of Dharma Protector, which is just below the leader! Momentarily, my allegiance to Neomryeong crossed my mind, and I hesitated, but ultimately brushed off that thought and responded,
“I will do so.”
This life, I had resolved to learn the martial arts of Shadowless Gate.
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