1237——————==

Soul of the Evil God

While I was caught off guard, Asura jumped up onto the Buddha statue. He stared intently at the Corpse of the Zen Master, then looked up at the ceiling. There were marks on the ceiling too—likely remnants of a martial arts duel. After a moment’s thought, Asura leaped down to stand opposite the corpse of Bright Dragon, extending his hand and striking a pose as if preparing for some basic technique.

Having finished his actions, Asura spoke.

“I have a rough idea who did this.”

“What?! Who is it?”

“I want you to guess.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, you should figure it out yourself.”

“Damn… making the sick person do all this.”

Grumbling, I climbed up to inspect the Corpse of the Zen Master. Asura’s comment clearly meant to deduce how and why the Zen Master and Bright Dragon were killed based on the martial arts marks. It was a reasonable expectation, but it made no sense that a Peak Expert wouldn’t be able to do that.

“The staff pierced the Zen Master’s chest. This staff is from the Shaolin Temple. However, it’s more of a decorative piece than a practical weapon. The Zen Master’s martial arts are limited and he wouldn’t use something like this against a formidable opponent… Did an evil being deliberately use the staff to kill the Zen Master?”

I scrutinized the angle and trajectory of the staff’s entry and examined the minor wounds on the Zen Master’s body. Just as an experienced hunter can tell the escape route of their prey just from the direction in the thicket, martial artists can do the same. The wounds were clear indicators of martial arts expertise and even hinted at the skill level of the attacker.

I then realized the staff was not the direct cause of death for the Zen Master. He was already dead before the staff pierced his chest; the evil being merely positioned the staff there as a display. The nature of the killer was likely sadistic and brutal.

“Could it be…?”

I cautiously inspected the martial arts remnants, much like Asura had observed the ceiling before. Now I understood why Asura was focused there. Finally, I approached the area around Bright Dragon’s corpse and comprehended everything.

I spoke.

“The Zen Master and Bright Dragon were attacked in a joint effort. They were killed by at least three times their number.”

“That’s correct. I’d say seventeen people ganged up on the Zen Master and Bright Dragon.”

“What? You’re that accurate…?”

Asura chuckled lightly.

“You still struggle with reading martial arts traces. It’s natural that, even with lots of sparring experience, you lack experience in Jianghu. Work on broadening your perspective.”

“Tch.”

True.

The fierce remnants of battle left here were not from a single peerless master overpowering the Zen Master and Bright Dragon. Instead, many formidable experts banded together to terrorize the top martial artists in Jianghu—Zen Master and Bright Dragon. Initially, I was puzzled by the chaotic martial arts traces on their bodies, but gradually it made sense; one by one, the collective finally struck when they were running low on energy.

I peered down at Bright Dragon’s corpse.

“Bright Dragon’s death was due to being fatally wounded by ribs cracking while exhausted. Was that a spear technique? Were the cuts on the neck and arms just for show?”

“Seems likely.”

“Damn… such brutal bastards. Killing him is one thing, but to desecrate the corpse?”

I hardly ever witnessed a death as horrific as this one from a gang attack. Grinding my teeth in anger, Asura said,

“All seventeen were considerable experts even among peak martial artists. They can be numbered among the most formidable in the Central Plains Jianghu. So even if the Zen Master and Bright Dragon allied, they couldn’t withstand it.”

“Hmph.”

“Individually, their martial arts are lesser than either Bright Dragon or the Zen Master. But a pack of wolves can overpower even a lion or tiger.”

Asura was right. I also noted that the attackers had smoothly employed sword techniques and counters with ease, just as he described. For Asura to label them as ‘considerable,’ they likely comprised the rulers of various sects in the Central Plains, experts aiming for supremacy in Jianghu.

“Hmm… if such people exist in a group today, there’s only one possibility.”

“The Elder Council of the White Lotus Sect. Do you think they’re the culprits?”

“…”

After a moment’s thought, I shook my head.

“…No. The martial arts used to kill the Zen Master and Bright Dragon weren’t from the White Lotus Sect. Especially the combat styles of the Elder Council would make them instantly recognizable, and they’re not the culprits here.”

“Good. You’re piecing things together nicely. While the White Lotus Sect raises suspicion when limited to Jianghu, there’s another possibility.”

I sensed Asura was nudging me toward a conclusion without directly stating it; he wanted me to think it through on my own. After some contemplation, I spoke up.

“The Twelve Joules.”

“You think the Twelve Joules are the culprits?”

“No… definitely not. I know their martial arts well. They actually exhibit stronger characteristics in martial arts here than in the Central Plains, so I’d recognize them immediately, but this is…”

I felt slightly puzzled as I looked at the clean cut on Bright Dragon’s severed neck. The wound was so clear and clean that it had been a long time since death, and there wasn’t even any blood left. I hadn’t seen any martial arts techniques in the martial world with such characteristics.

“Who the hell are they?”

“May I share my speculation now?”

“Ugh… just say it! I’m not in peak condition. We’ve got to find the Daehwandan and recover soon.”

Asura pointed to a large wound on Bright Dragon’s arm.

“This is part of the small thunder temple’s signature technique, the Mara Ten Wheel Technique. Achieving the ninth wheel means that the one who dealt this blow must be the abbot of the small thunder temple. He’s the only one who has achieved over the ninth wheel.”

“……?!”

The Small Thunder Temple?!

I was shocked and blurted out.

“You mean the branch that split off from the Thunder Temple, the greatest sect in Tianzhu, has its leader in the Central Plains causing a blood incident at the Shaolin Temple?!”

“That’s not all. It seems influential leaders from prominent sects in Tianzhu are involved too. The gods of the Assassins from the Guru Kali Sect, the followers of Jainism, Sikhs—all high-ranking members of elite sects in Tianzhu.”

“……!!”

“In simple terms, a total of seventeen top experts from Tianzhu have collectively descended upon the Shaolin Temple to destroy it while executing a joint `attack` on the Zen Master and Bright Dragon. That’s my conclusion.”

What in the world is happening?!

However, I couldn’t dismiss Asura’s conclusion. He was the person who truly knew the essence of Tianzhu’s martial world since he was the top expert there.

“Damn it…!! What in the hell is going on?!”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask the dead directly?”

“What?”

“You can do that, right? Since you’re the Wheel King.”

At Asura’s casual comment, I suddenly realized what he meant and promptly activated my abilities.

“I command, as the Wheel King, let the soul of the deceased appear before me!”

I decided to use the soul-calling ability from the Wheel King’s powers. But even after invoking the spell, nothing happened. Instead, I felt a dark voice rumbling in my mind.

[…I am Chulu Dragon…. Who are you to claim to be the Wheel King….]

Wait, why is he here?!

‘Chulu Dragon…. The Old Ruler who’s been devouring human souls in the Underworld!’

This was not the right opponent for a clash now. No, maybe just the fact that he recognized my presence was a bad sign.

Caught off guard by the sudden threat, I widened my eyes but quickly answered.

[Oh, wait, I guess I’m not actually the Wheel King yet! I thought I was, though! People can make mistakes, right? Let’s just have a chat later when I really become the Wheel King, Chulu!]

[What… wait….]

[Sorry for the misunderstanding! Just forget about me! See ya!]

Pa-at

I quickly cut off Chulu Dragon’s voice. Wiping the cold sweat from my brow, I sighed.

“Phew…. That was close.”

At this rate, it seemed that if I tried to channel the Wheel King’s powers without having rightfully obtained them, Chulu Dragon—who was hungrily consuming souls in the Underworld—would sense me and thwart any manifestation of abilities. Unless I went to the Underworld again and reacquired the Wheel King’s authority, I couldn’t really use those powers effectively.

Asura commented.

“Was the Wheel King’s power blocked? It seems you’ll need substantial effort from the very beginning to recover such powers.”

“Damn…. What should I do about those bastards?”

I simply couldn’t suppress my anger. While it was crucial to find the Daehwandan, the Zen Master and Bright Dragon had also aided me in my previous life. They had even contributed their lives during a 500-year hunt in the Tower of Heaven.

The very thought that such companions were brutally murdered by numbers too overwhelming for a fair fight ignited my rage. If possible, I wanted revenge.

‘But… this incident comes after many other priorities. If I delay finding Zhuge Sa, it might mess up everything.’

Judging coldly, this wasn’t the time for vengeance amidst so many pressing matters. Additionally, I had yet to even meet Zen Master and Bright Dragon in this life. While I mulled over this, I clenched my teeth and turned to Asura after some time.

“Asura. What significance does it hold that the Tianzhu bunch are the culprits behind this bloodshed? My head isn’t working well enough to understand.”

“Well, meaning varies from person to person. However, what I want to emphasize is… why did the seventeen top experts from Tianzhu ally?”

“Is that important?”

“Very important. As you know, the leaders of major martial sects in Jianghu carry both proud dignity and sinister schemes. The Tianzhu martial arts world is no different; dominating them isn’t easy. And for those leaders to unite to attack the Shaolin Temple, which is the apex of Jianghu, basically signifies a war between the Central Plains and Tianzhu martial worlds. And typically, even a martial artist wouldn’t want a confrontation.”

“…….”

“…This implies the presence of a third party that can overlook their reluctance and blind them into cooperation. They acted because this third party commanded it. The strength and intellect of this person must be immense.”

I grasped Asura’s point. I recognized that things were getting simpler to unravel.

“That means we need to find this third-party figure if we ever want to exact revenge for Bright Dragon and the Zen Master!”

“Exactly. However, there’s something puzzling.”

“What is it?”

“You’ve only been reborn again for just over a year and three months. For a new powerhouse to emerge occurs when you’ve already lived through nearly thirty reincarnations, during which time you’ve encountered most martial artists from Jianghu. Anyone with peak expertise should be recognizable to you. So, how could such a significant figure that commands the allegiance of seventeen leaders suddenly emerge?”

“……!!”

I flinched. Asura’s reasoning was incredibly valid.

If all seventeen were top champions from Tianzhu who were also leaders of prestigious sects, the force that could command their loyalty must be at least on the level of the Absolute Realm. But where on earth would such a powerful person have been hiding? If I hadn’t reincarnated this many times, I wouldn’t have entertained such questions at all, but having lived through thirty lives now felt off.

“Could an absolute master in hiding have existed in Tianzhu?”

“Not likely…. As the top expert, Chulu Dragon, I’ve lived quite a while. And until recently, I haven’t heard of anyone with that level of prestige. No matter how much a master tries to conceal themselves, great strength often manifests through rumors or disclosures in the world…”

“…….”

“This feels like a riddle, a clue of some significant conspiracy.”

“Yeah….”

I realized Asura wasn’t indulging in a riddle for fun but was genuinely trying to offer me a substantial lead. While, as I thought earlier, it wasn’t something I needed to address right away, it could become a valuable lead to a significant incident later on.

I turned to Asura.

“Do you know the whereabouts of the Small Thunder Temple or the other sects you mentioned?”

“Of course.”

“Good. I’ll seek them out later. For now, I need to find the Daehwandan first.”

It’s best to prioritize and execute matters in their proper order.

I knew the location of the Daehwandan due to my previous life. I could lead us there seamlessly.

Tydaht

As I ran with Asura, he asked me a question.

“Are you not using Spirit Power to heal yourself? If you use a technique like Spirit Power, you could restore your internal organs.”

“Eh?”

I was slightly thrown off. Asura’s question was unexpectedly clever.

‘Damn. I never thought of that…’

But if I said no here, it would be utterly embarrassing. So, I calmly replied to Asura.

“The Emperor is sealed, and numerous troubles are unfolding. My magical power is already beyond control. If I recklessly try to recover with abilities, what if it leads to disaster?”

“Hmm, fair point.”

“If my power spirals out of control, I’d be done for. There’s no winning from that.”

“Indeed. Even if it’s slow, advancing cautiously to minimize side effects is a good strategy. You may seem dim-witted, but you’ve got a broader vision than most… a true reincarnator indeed…”

“Ha.”

I smirked, inwardly proud.

‘Nailed it!’

With things progressing this way, I had to keep this up! I gave up on recovering using Spirit Power and headed toward the secret passage of the Shaolin Temple. At this point, I was left with no option but to recover in the Daehwandan.

In a deep mountain valley, thirty miles from the Shaolin Temple.

‘This is the Ark.’

By placing my hand on the rock, it would recognize the Zen Master’s fingerprints to open the door to the secret space known as the Ark. Of course, knowing this, I considered cutting off one of the Zen Master’s fingers just a moment ago, but since Mangnyang once said a corpse’s fingerprints wouldn’t register, I decided against it.

Instead, I cast the secret technique of the one and only Baimyeonsimun—transformation technique.

“Ha-ap! Transformation!!”

Wooddoodeuk

As I executed the transformation, my entire body underwent a colossal change as I momentarily transformed into the Zen Master. Unlike simple transformation techniques, this method doesn’t last long, so I hurriedly pressed my fingerprint onto the rock, and then the rock shook and started to rumble.

“I did it!”

“…Incredible. The transformation technique can even replicate fingerprints?”

“Changing my entire skeletal frame, of course!”

“Haha. Having lived for thousands of years, the martial world is indeed vast…”

As I stepped inside, nothing significant changed. It seemed that the powerful figures who had harmed the Zen Master and Bright Dragon couldn’t reach this point. I delved deeper, grabbed the Daehwandan, and consumed it while performing the Qi Regulation Technique.

Whooosh

As I executed the Qi Regulation Technique, transforming all of my martial energy into healing energy, I felt my body recovering at a tremendous pace. My shattered internal organs were regenerating, and the flow of blood stabilized. By the time I completed the Qi Regulation Technique, I realized from the condition of my body that my injuries had been reduced to mere scratches.

“Phew, I can finally breathe again.”

“You’re the only one who treats the legendary spiritual pill, the Daehwandan, as a one-off healing item.”

“So what? Tools are only as valuable as their use!”

At least, that’s how I’ve lived so far!

I casually retorted and then added, “Now, I should start tracking Zhuge Sa. You’re coming with me, right?”

“Of course. Although there’s something weighing on my mind.”

I took out the National Seal to search for Zhuge Sa’s location but hesitated.

“What is it?”

Asura crossed his arms and responded.

“Doesn’t it seem there’s something hidden inside this facility? It feels like whatever we see isn’t the whole picture.”

“Hmm…?”

“The visible area and the range of Qi Sense don’t match up.”

“Hold on a sec.”

I closed my eyes and extended my Qi based on Asura’s remarks to feel around the Ark. After focusing for a while, I understood that, indeed, there was something odd about the space perception. The visible area likely differed from the actual dimensions.

“It’s worth investigating. Let’s take a look.”

I started rummaging through the Ark, filled with mysterious machinery. Previously, I hadn’t paid much attention since it was used merely as a training space, but this was my first thorough search. After about half a moment, I heard Asura shout.

“Here!”

I ran over to where Asura was. He was standing in front of an ordinary-looking steel wall. Asura reached out to touch the wall and said,

“I can feel that something’s hidden behind here.”

“Should we break it?”

“Not sure. Look at this.”

Asura lit up his eyes and unleashed the ultimate technique of the Absolute Realm.

Moon Blade Spirit Wave!

Duo Woooo

The advanced technique from Tianzhu was unleashed, but the steel wall remained unscathed. Instead, formless circular waves emanated outward, as if a droplet hit a lake. It didn’t even deform, and I was taken aback.

“No way!!”

If Asura was using the Moon Blade Spirit Wave, it should’ve been able to demolish a small mountain, right?!

Asura tapped the wall with his knuckles and said,

“As you can see, the Mind Control Technique doesn’t work. It feels like the energy disperses before solidifying under intent.”

I couldn’t help but be startled.

“Is something like that even possible? That a technological construct could counter intent…”

“I don’t know the specifics, but the architect of this structure must possess extensive knowledge about martial principles and mental strategies. They seem to be quite familiar with how intent operates. It doesn’t appear to be something that can simply be broken with brute force.”

“Hmm.”

Intrigued, I pondered.

‘If brute force won’t break through, there must be an alternative means of access. The entrance to the Ark opened with a fingerprint…’

I decided to try pressing my transformed fingerprint as the Zen Master against the steel wall. However, there was no response, confirming that a fingerprint alone wasn’t the way in. After all, if entering by fingerprint was all it took, the Zen Master, who had spent decades here, would’ve entered it by sheer coincidence.

I glanced at Asura, thinking.

‘If Asura wielded the Nirvana of the Absolute, he might be able to break through.’

But with that level of power, the entire Ark might collapse. It would be akin to burning down a thatched cottage, so I felt I needed a smarter approach.

Damn it. If I could access Zhuge Sa via the Soul Exchange Technique, this would be a piece of cake. If I had Zhuge Sa’s wisdom…

I was thinking hard when I let out a frustrated sigh.

“Damn… Why do I have to go in here anyway? Let’s just bail.”

“Really? Are you planning to come back later?”

“Well, there’s nothing worth stealing, is there?”

I muttered irritably, but suddenly a thought struck me.

“…Stealing? That’s it!”

“Oh, wait….”

As Asura looked at me with hope, my eyes lit up.

“Let’s do this!”

As soon as I had my revelation, I charged at the steel wall to draw my sword.

Ultimate Technique

Technique of All Things

‘If the nature of this steel wall prevents destruction…’

I’ll steal the very property that disperses intent!

In the next moment, countless geometric electronic circuits came into view before my eyes. These circuits interconnected in a complexity far beyond mere spider webs, and I felt they were being coordinated by an unseen ‘brain’. Moreover, that ‘brain’ had bestowed the property of intent dispersal to the steel wall somehow.

Alright. This connection seems just right!

As I swiftly seized the connection between the ‘brain’ and the wall using the Technique of All Things.

Thud!

Krrr

“Gwaaaah!”

I let out an embarrassing yelp, clutching my palm which was now drenched in blood.

‘Damn that hurts!!’

It felt like I’d struck the steel wall with my bare hands and my bones shattering in the process. As I writhed on the ground in pain, Asura gazed at the wall with a blank stare, then spoke.

“…Impressive. I can’t help but acknowledge it upon seeing it firsthand.”

Crack

Asura extended an arm and unleashed one swift palm strike, and this time the steel wall was easily broken. As I endured the pain and got up, I saw Asura on the opposite side say,

“Hurry up and cross over. The wall is regenerating.”

Seet

Just as he said, the wall began to extend like a living obstacle, visibly regenerating before my eyes. I gritted my teeth through the pain, wiping the involuntary tears streaming down my face.

“I won’t break it like this next time. Damn it…”

“The inner space is surprisingly expansive.”

Asura was right. Beyond the steel wall lay an entirely different space. Outside was chaotic, with intricate machinery scattered all around and wires sprawling across the floor in disorder, while inside was neat, with pure white walls and floors. After walking along a short passage, we soon entered a large chamber where a round, floating machine of the sky approached us.

Whirring

“What kind of thing are you?”

I asked, and the machine flashed a light resembling eyes before replying in a mechanical voice.

[#&%^&%@%@…. Language translation complete. Converting Middle Ages Chinese…. Translation system activated.]

“……?”

[Welcome to the Ark.]

Suddenly, a memory resurfaced.

‘Oh right!! When I followed Yun Sa to the [Old Continent], this had happened! That was also an Ark, and so is this one, right?!’

Back then, it passed through when Yun Sa presented his arm!

Well, should I give it a shot!

“Here, watch closely!!”

I raised my arm high. But there was no response whatsoever.

“…….”

[…….]

What am I even doing here….

Feeling slightly embarrassed, I lowered my arm as Asura asked,

“Does the chaotic infection not get checked?”

In response to Asura’s question, the floating round machine spoke again.

[This Ark does not belong to the Human Alliance. There is no owner, so the chaotic infection detection system is disabled.]

“Hmm….”

[Please state your purpose of visit and provide your name.]

Asura remained silent, deep in thought, before turning to me and saying,

“Baek Woong.”

“Yeah?”

Asura smiled wryly.

“I think we might just get a free pass to wander around if we handle this well.”