0088 ———————————————-
Dark Heaven Village
After that, Mi-ho released the barrier of Naseng Gate and allowed the Twelve Righteous’ punitive squad to leave. The sound of her laughter as she watched their retreat from the fourth-floor pavilion sent chills down my spine.
“Haha. It would have been so much fun to capture them and roll around here.”
I waved my hand dismissively, still feeling bitter from being betrayed by Ji-yool just moments before.
“That’s enough of that. What’s your plan now?”
“Hmmm… Where do you live, Baek Woong?”
“I’m currently a guard for the Jeong Clan.”
Mi-ho tilted her head at my response.
“The Jeong Clan? You’ve entered a strange place.”
“I got introduced to them.”
“Oho… It seems you’ve had quite the adventure.”
“Well, something like that.”
As I vague in my answer, Mi-ho chuckled lightly, and then spoke.
“Since we’ve come this far by fate, would you like to see what Myo Cheong is like?”
Myo Cheong!
The malevolent spirit of the Western Capital!
A being so formidable that even Great Demons hesitated to absorb its power. I couldn’t help but shake my head at the thought of encountering such a creature.
“No thanks. I haven’t mastered sorcery, so I wouldn’t be able to resist such a malevolent spirit.”
“Uhuhuh. You seem to have learned some Taoist prowess, but if Myo Cheong, a spirit of that level, possesses you, there would be no way out.”
“Why do you ask if you already know?”
“Hahaha, it’s amusing!”
“……”
Mi-ho truly did seem like a wild spirit. With a snap of her fingers, she summoned the Front Demon and Back Demon once more.
“The yard is in disarray; clean up the remains of the Spiritual Puppet.”
Boom boom!
The Front Demon and Back Demon soon vanished to the lower floor. I was left speechless witnessing the same demons I had just fought with being summoned back in an instant. The punitive squad had gone through hell to bring them down, yet they could be easily re-summoned like this?
Realizing my bewilderment, Mi-ho said,
“Uhuhuh. There aren’t many sorcerers stronger than me. Especially when it comes to illusion arts; unless someone can break the boundary between reality and illusion, they cannot challenge me!”
“Hmm?”
“What’s with the hesitation?”
Unintentionally, I had asked a question that matched perfectly with her explanation because I knew of an existing individual. Someone I had always sought out across my reincarnations. With curiosity shining on the Nine-Tailed Fox’s face, I felt compelled to reveal my thoughts.
“It seems that Cheon U-jin, a disciple of Master Mangnyang, is at the level you described.”
I expected the Nine-Tailed Fox to be greatly surprised, but instead, she merely nodded at the mention of Master Mangnyang.
“Ah, so it is Master Mangnyang. To think a human disciple would reach the realm of the Illusory God.”
“The Illusory God?”
“It’s the peak of illusion arts. The boundary between ‘you’ and ‘me’ disappears, making it impossible for anyone to guard against that person’s illusions. Even This Maiden, who has lived for over seven hundred years, has not yet reached this realm.”
“……”
I was struck by the realization of Cheon U-jin’s incredible talent. Even a Great Demon like the Nine-Tailed Fox hadn’t reached that standard! Considering that my fellow disciple Mangnyang couldn’t even properly wield basic sorcery, it truly made Cheon U-jin a peerless figure in the realm of sorcery.
‘No wonder the Golden Eagle Guards, led by the commander, could hold back the entire military with just one illusion barrier…’
Suddenly, that event came to mind, casting a shadow over my mood.
I shook my head and said,
“Anyway, I see. I would be truly grateful if you helped me find the Sea Seal.”
“Uhuhuh, don’t worry. I know the exact location.”
“Really?”
“Indeed.”
“How do you know that?”
As I kept questioning, Mi-ho’s expression turned displeased. She spoke curtly,
“Why do you continually ask me such aggressive questions? Do you always treat your companions this way?”
“Oh, no.”
“Hmph! I will be at the Baekhwa Inn in the Western Capital, so come find me.”
Whoosh!
Mi-ho suddenly vanished with a teleportation technique. Her personality was unlike anyone I had ever encountered, making it difficult to understand her. One thing was clear: she had a very fussy and capricious nature. I realized I would have to read her moods carefully, much like when I used to work for the dung beetle.
‘Ugh, how tiresome… what can I do?’
Having such a Great Demon offer to help me is still a significant advantage. Furthermore, she even told me the location of the Sea Seal, leaving no reason to refuse. Of course, I had to keep in mind that she might betray me at any moment due to her unpredictable nature, but if I could find out the location of the Sea Seal, I would be the one gaining the upper hand in the end.
I exited the ruined Dongnyeongbu and entered the city of the Western Capital. Until moments ago, I had been fighting for my life, yet now the Western Capital appeared peaceful. I asked passersby where the Baekhwa Inn was located and soon arrived at the three-story Baekhwa Inn.
Mi-ho was seated at a table on the first floor, eating side dishes. She still looked like a girl, but there was a subtle charm about her different from her adult form. Perhaps because she was fundamentally pretty, she looked good in the attire of a Goryeo woman. Maybe that was why, despite her youthful appearance, men were glancing at her eating from various corners.
As I sat down at the table, Mi-ho spoke.
“Hmph. Have you reflected on your actions?”
“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful with my words from now on.”
“That’s all I needed to hear.”
With a bright smile, Mi-ho engaged in conversation.
“Are you going to order something to eat too?”
“I’ll have some side dishes as well.”
Mi-ho raised her hand happily and called out,
“One order of side dishes, please!”
“Sure!”
After a short while, I ordered and began eating the side dishes while absentmindedly watching Mi-ho. From this angle, she really looked like an ordinary human girl, completely different from the powerful Spiritual Puppet summoner she had just been, exuding a lascivious aura. If I shouted from the rooftops that Mi-ho was a Nine-Tailed Fox, I would be the only one seen as insane.
After finishing her side dishes, Mi-ho said,
“The Sea Seal is held by the Twelve Righteous Leader.”
“Twelve Righteous Leader…!!”
“That person belongs to the Clan of Dan, so it’s only natural.”
I let out a groan at Mi-ho’s information.
The Twelve Righteous Leader!
This referred to the head of the Twelve Righteous governing the Haedong Gate. With twelve factions, coordination of opinions was essential, as was the need for a leader. It was akin to the head of the Jeongcheon Alliance leading a vast sect in Central Plains martial arts.
However, there was no information about the Twelve Righteous Leader’s appearance, martial arts, or aliases available to the public. In stark contrast to the fame and looks of the head of the Jeongcheon Alliance, the identity of the Twelve Righteous Leader remained obscured. It would be quite efficient to conceal one’s identity when leading a coalition in a narrow land such as Goryeo.
I asked about the new information I’d just learned.
“What does the Clan of Dan mean?”
“As I mentioned earlier, they are the Guardian Clan that protects this peninsula. They do not come to the fore, but they serve to protect humans from gods or outsiders.”
“Like Master Mangnyang from the Central Plains.”
“Quite similar. One might consider it nearly the same role.”
It seemed there were many hidden guardians in this world. While I pondered this, Mi-ho spoke again.
“By the way, Baek Woong, there’s something you should tell This Maiden.”
“What should I say?”
“Why you’re searching for the Sea Seal!”
“Hmm.”
Mi-ho rested her chin on her hand, looking at me with curiosity.
“How could a clueless person like you, who knows nothing about sorcery, be searching for the Sea Seal, which is rumored to be one of the greatest secrets among sorcerers? Moreover, coming all the way here to Goryeo from the distant Central Plains?”
After considering for a moment, I decided to just be honest. There wasn’t really anything to hide.
“In fact, I don’t know much about the Sea Seal. However, according to my companions, it is highly likely that the Sea Seal is indeed one of the Seven Stars’ treasures, which is why I’m searching for it.”
“The Seven Stars’ treasure? Are you saying that you are on a quest to collect the treasures of the Seven Stars?”
“Yes.”
At my answer, Mi-ho first seemed utterly incredulous. It was as if she were taken aback.
“You… you must be crazy. To seek the divine treasures of the Divine Age, something even immortals dare not attempt, with a human’s lifespan?”
“Fortunately, I received a blessing from the Queen Mother of the West, so my lifespan has greatly increased. I figure I might as well try as far as it goes.”
“Queen Mother of the West?!”
Upon hearing my words, Mi-ho’s expression turned as if struck by lightning. I felt an unexpected thrill as I saw her usually carefree demeanor turn serious. However, Mi-ho seemed too consumed by her thoughts to pay attention to my reaction.
“Now I understand why I feel favorably towards this human… It’s because you were blessed by the Queen Mother… But now I…”
Suddenly, her expression shifted to one of seriousness.
“How did you receive the blessing of the Queen Mother? Answer me clearly.”
“Is that really that important?”
“It’s at least extremely important for This Maiden. Please, tell me!”
Mi-ho’s expression was earnest, and I realized that if I joked or spoke nonsense here, I might find myself in trouble. Perhaps, having died so often, I had developed this intuition. I calmly responded.
“I already obtained one of the treasures of the Seven Stars. While I was doing so, I offered the energy I gained to the Queen Mother and received her blessing. I didn’t perform the rites myself; Cheon U-jin helped me.”
“You… obtained one of the Seven Stars…!!”
Upon my answer, Mi-ho seemed to lose all semblance of composure. She hurriedly moved closer and sat next to me, leaning in as she spoke,
“Tell me more about that! I want to know.”
“Wait, wait a moment!”
I gently pushed Mi-ho away and continued,
“Mi-ho! I’ve been talking this whole time, but if you’re my companion, you should share some information too.”
Realizing her own impatience, Mi-ho pulled back slightly.
“What kind of information are you referring to?”
“Now, I need to know how I can acquire the Sea Seal from the Twelve Righteous Leader.”
“Hmm…”
Mi-ho looked thoughtful.
After ordering a cup of tea, she answered after a moment of contemplation.
“There are two methods.”
“What methods?”
“The first is to take it by force from the Twelve Righteous Leader, and the second is to receive it by voluntary transfer.”
“… That sounds like something even a child could think of.”
I teased her, and Mi-ho turned her head away in annoyance.
“Hmph! It’s your responsibility to think about how to take it. In other words, once you find the location of the Twelve Righteous Leader, the rest is up to your planning, isn’t it?”
“So how do I find the location of this Twelve Righteous Leader?”
“I’m not sure either, but if you take down the leaders of the Twelve Righteous one by one, you’ll figure it out. They must have had some encounters with the Twelve Righteous Leader.”
“I see.”
“Now, let’s talk about the Seven Stars.”
I explained how I obtained Makiya from the Seven Stars and how I offered the energy. However, I fabricated details about its whereabouts.
“… After that, I offered Makiya at the shrine where Cheon U-jin serves Master Mangnyang.”
“Ugh, that makes sense. Master Mangnyang must be managing it. Ugh…”
Mi-ho, seemingly distressed about something, bit her sleeve in dismay. From this, I realized her desire to possess the Seven Stars was incredibly strong. I was left quite perplexed and asked Mi-ho,
“Is Makiya really such an extraordinary treasure that it feels a shame to use it for combat? Of course, it awakens the upper body and grants talent in sorcery, but that alone seems a bit lacking for a treasure of the Divine Age…”
“Hmph, you foolish boy! Don’t you dare say such things elsewhere.”
With a tone of disdain, Mi-ho continued,
“Since Master Mangnyang has claimed it, it’s not like you could obtain it anyway, so I’ll tell you. The true power of Makiya is Heavenly Ice, and it can even destroy the Great Immortal. Moreover, once you acquire Makiya’s supernatural abilities, a mere Earth Immortal can quickly ascend to the Celestial Realm and become a higher-level immortal. If others were to know of its existence, all demons and immortals of the universe would covet it.”
“……”
Heavenly Ice, a power that even the Great Immortal can destroy!
I could only be shocked to hear such unexpected news. Stunned, I asked,
“Wait a moment. Isn’t Makiya a treasure from the Mythical Age? How do you know its powers?”
“This Maiden served the Queen Mother of the West in the Celestial Realm before coming down to the mortal world. Such facts are well known among the Upper Immortals and Great Beings in the Celestial Realm, so I was able to learn about it too.”
“Then you are… the Queen Mother’s…”
Suddenly, Mi-ho glared at me and cut me off.
“Enough! You really have a talent for prying into other people’s feelings.”
That was said ironically.
“Um…”
“Sigh, haven’t you learned the art of conversation? How can you expect to extract only the information you want when speaking, without considering the dialogue flow with the other person? It’s truly the first time I’ve experienced such frustrating conversation in my life.”
“……”
Even though Mi-ho reproached me, I had no retort. In truth, after going through multiple reincarnations, my emotions had become desolate, and living in fear of when I might die if I didn’t acquire the needed information became inevitable. It was natural for me to develop such speech habits. Mi-ho sighed as if she had no choice but to shake her head.
“Anyway, thank you for the story about the Seven Stars. Given the circumstances, This Maiden will do my utmost to assist you.”
“Are you planning to acquire the Sea Seal?”
“If not, that would be a lie.”
I proposed to Mi-ho,
“If that’s the case, how about this?”
“What do you mean?”
“If the Sea Seal happens to be one of the Seven Stars, and you acquire it, then you can use it as much as you need. I only need to know its location, and later, you can lend it to me when I need it.”
Mi-ho’s eyes widened in surprise, definitely because my suggestion was unexpected. Then, she smiled widely and took my hand.
“Let’s do it that way. It’s a brilliant proposal.”
With this, Mi-ho would help me in my quest for the Sea Seal without much suspicion. It might have been uncomfortable for me to backstab her in pursuit of the Sea Seal, but since I offered this proposal, it made it seem much more agreeable. My proposal was indeed quite gullible.
However, for now, this was the best I could do. There was no way to subdue Mi-ho by force, and even without my help, she would now start to make moves to acquire the Sea Seal, assumed as one of the Seven Stars.
‘I just need to know the location and how to obtain it.’
Once I knew that, I might later acquire it independently using reincarnation, without depending on Mi-ho’s help.
Having established an alliance with Mi-ho, she said,
“Haah… But your skills are rather lacking. At this rate, acquiring the Sea Seal will be quite beyond your abilities.”
Earlier, she praised my skills as decent, and now she was changing her words! However, it was understandable since the criteria for success in this venture would differ, leading to varying evaluations. I gruffly retorted,
“Isn’t it fine since you are strong?”
“That’s not it. The Clan of Dan consists of beings so powerful they can hardly be regarded as human. Even if I am This Maiden, facing them head-on would result in being sealed away.”
As Mi-ho said this, she pointed at me with her finger.
“I’ll give you ten years. Become strong enough to assist This Maiden within that time.”
“I can’t really imagine how to get strong. Should I just focus on training martial arts?”
“Uh-huh, I figured you would say that. This Maiden will assist you.”
With a swift motion, Mi-ho handed me a small mirror.
“Take this.”
“What is this?”
“This is one of the three sacred treasures from Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, known as the Yata no Kagami.”
The mirror called Yata no Kagami emitted an unusual light as it lay on my palm. As I gazed at it, Mi-ho explained,
“This is a type of Shizuishi stone, possessing the power to activate the soul and life force. While it would have stronger effects in the hands of a sorcerer, it will certainly aid you in becoming stronger. If you meditate in front of the mirror once a day at dawn and dusk, it should be effective.”
“Effective, huh…”
“Uh-huh, if I’m disappointed ten years from now, I might just enchant you.”
Although Mi-ho spoke playfully, it didn’t feel playful at all. This Yata no Kagami was undoubtedly a treasure from Dongyoung, and there was no way it could be given to me for free. If ten years later, I hadn’t reached a satisfactory level, she might kill me.
Mi-ho smiled brightly.
“When the time comes, This Maiden will come to find you. Now, have sweet dreams tonight.”
Swish!
With that, Mi-ho vanished using a teleportation spell. I quickly looked around to ensure no one felt uneasy, but surprisingly, no one seemed to be questioning the sudden absence. Perhaps she had set up a barrier to manipulate perceptions in advance. Though I let out a sigh of relief, a bitter feeling settled in my chest.
‘No matter how great a demon she is, her magical powers are astonishing. Is it really possible to confront such a being with martial arts?’
However, speaking of martial arts from a position where I hadn’t even reached its pinnacle might be a bit presumptuous. I had to trudge back to the Jeong Clan after ending the campaign in the Western Capital via an alliance with the Nine-Tailed Fox. Regardless of what had transpired with the Twelve Righteous, I planned to play it off as if I had been enchanted by the Nine-Tailed Fox and knew nothing of the event.
That night, I set up camp and tried to sleep.
Huff… huff…
I wandered through a dreamlike state. In that dream, I found myself naked, my well-toned body glistening with sweat. I was writhing on a silken mattress, experiencing boundless pleasure.
Thud thud thud
I could feel the soft and voluptuous body of a woman against me. I sensed silky hair brushing against my buttocks. A white hand began to caress my dazed face, which had lost its vitality as I indulged in the act.
Ahh… aah…
It felt as though I was watching my actions from a distance, with consciousness sealed and my body acting solely on instinct.
It felt like I was about to explode with desire. In the next moment, my body convulsed violently as I released my passions while our bodies intertwined.
Haah… aah…
Satisfaction was fleeting, and I found myself roughly touching the woman before me, kissing her beautiful lips as she eagerly reciprocated by caressing my firm chest.
I then flipped her body and took a dominant position, slowly pushing myself inside her. Another bout of fervent ecstasy ensued, accompanied by the woman’s moans tickling my ears. I indulged in passionate pleasure, eventually reaching the peak.
“Ughhh!!”
I woke up, letting out a groan, only to realize my lower body was damp. Grabbing my hair in frustration, I cursed out loud.
“Damn fox…”
Was this what she meant by sweet dreams?
I had unexpectedly experienced a wet dream after decades of suppressing myself with my profound cultivation.
Upon returning to the Jeong Clan, Jeong Cheol-wook called for me.
I thought I was going to be reprimanded for my absence as I approached him.
“Baek Woong, a great event has occurred in the Western Capital.”
“Yes.”
Instead of discussing the chase of the tiger, he jumped straight into the details of the campaign. It seemed that even someone with Jeong Cheol-wook’s influence was aware of such significant news. With a serious expression, he gazed at me and said,
“Tell me what happened.”
I omitted the details of my negotiation with Mi-ho and claimed I had been bewitched by the Nine-Tailed Fox, wandering aimlessly until I found myself in front of the Jeong Clan. When I asserted that I had fallen victim to an illusion spell, Jeong Cheol-wook adjusted his seat.
Creak
“Actually, it’s caused quite a stir. Rumors have spread that the campaign was unable to withstand the Nine-Tailed Fox’s power, resulting in chaos in the Western Capital and causing unrest among regional aristocrats. If we don’t resolve this swiftly, my position will become precarious.”
“……”
“Baek Woong, could you possibly join the campaign one more time? Although you fell prey to the Nine-Tailed Fox’s illusion, the Twelve Righteous are actually requesting your presence. This time, a very skilled sorcerer and the leader of the Twelve Righteous will accompany you, so I urge you to join.”
Despite his words, I shook my head.
“I’m sorry. I do not wish to encounter that demon again. I would rather die than face her once more.”
“Hmm…”
“It’s just too distressing for me. Please understand.”
Seeing my genuinely pained expression, Jeong Cheol-wook seemed to relent.
“Hmm, it cannot be helped. Then I will grant you leave; you may rest in the annex for the next three months. If you wish, I can even arrange for a woman to accompany you.”
“Thank you for your consideration, but I prefer to be alone.”
“Is that so? Then take your time to rest.”
“May you also rest well, leader.”
Creak…
As I closed the door behind me, I released a sigh.
“Sigh.”
The real challenge lay ahead. I needed to build sufficient strength over the next ten years. If not, I would surely perish, drained of my essence by the Nine-Tailed Fox. Once a lewd dream manifests into reality, even my inner strength and vitality would stand no chance. I could end up exhausted after countless releases in a single night, with all my hair falling out until I withered away.
I clenched my fist.
“I must survive!”
For the next ten years, I had no choice but to train relentlessly.
—————————= Author’s Note —————————=
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