1280——————==

Soul of the Evil God

Starting the next day, I split my time between training Bangil and Jin So-cheong in half. After about three days of this, I found myself devoting most of my time to Bangil, barely teaching Jin So-cheong at all. This was because Jin So-cheong had memorized all the techniques I taught her during those first three days and seemed to grasp her own unique way of applying them.

‘No need to teach her more….’

I felt an odd mix of relief and fear. Was there really anything left for me to teach such a prodigy?

But I figured it was in my best interest to focus on Bangil for now, as Jin So-cheong’s impressive grasp meant that I wasn’t really helping her by spending more time on her.

“Chief! Can I get some guidance?”

“Hmm, sure.”

Now and then, Seo Mun-hye came to me asking for martial arts training. Jin So-cheong, who used to spar with her, was too busy perfecting the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique, leaving Seo Mun-hye with a training gap. Seo Mun-hye had exceptional talent, making it easy for me to teach her.

‘…Every time I teach such outstanding students, Bangil’s lack of talent stands out even more….’

While Seo Mun-hye could leap ten steps ahead, Bangil struggled to barely take one or two. If the talent gap between Seo Mun-hye and Bangil was this stark, the difference between her and Jin So-cheong was unsurprisingly huge. After all, Seo Mun-hye wasn’t just any young prodigy; she was a talent recognized throughout the Central Plains Martial World. Comparing Bangil to her was practically an insult!

Teaching Bangil started to feel like a waste of time. I realized it wouldn’t be easy to even elevate him to the level of a peak expert, no matter how hard I tried for a decade. Nevertheless, I shook off that grim feeling.

‘I want to show those who scorn my talent that efficiency isn’t everything.’

It was pure self-satisfaction, but that was why I worked hard to nurture Bangil.

In this 30th life meant to heal my wounded heart, no one could tell me otherwise about what I wanted to do.

Hey, saving the world is nice, but right now, my self-satisfaction is what mattered!

About a month passed, and then an unexpected guest arrived in Soeul Village.

“Where can I find Chief Baek Woong?”

A little kid came announcing loudly, shaking the village. Hearing his shout, I rushed outside, and when I finally spotted him, I was shocked.

“Is that… Bright Dragon?”

What on earth was he doing here?

Upon recognizing me, Bright Dragon raised his huge long sword toward me, his eyebrow twitching.

“I heard from Master Hyuncheon that you’re an extraordinary martial artist. But I’m the kind of guy who won’t believe it until I see it for myself, so can we spar a little?”

“……”

Master Hyuncheon, huh….

I felt something stirring inside me and grabbed my sword.

“Sure.”

Bright Dragon and I faced each other, standing three paces apart. In the short silence, we could both sense each other’s abilities. Although he stood as a top-level master on the cusp of the Absolute Realm, his expression soured when he noticed my Intent Heavenly Pillar, and he struck first.

Kaang!!

Bright Dragon’s Bowing Sky Slash clashed with my basic Thunder God lineage sword technique. Sure, I got caught up a little due to the space manipulation of his Bowing Sky Slash, sustaining minor damage, but I recovered through a series of intents and counterattacked.

Shuook!

He evaded my counter remarkably, but not without sustaining a scratch on his arm. My sword technique was so quick that I enveloped his escape path with my intent, so he couldn’t completely avoid it. Amidst that exchange, Bright Dragon seemed to realize something.

“Indeed, you’ve reached the Absolute Realm. So, are you at the Half-Transition Master level like me…?”

I casually brushed off his comment.

“Not telling.”

I figured that if I answered, I’d be in for a hassle. I had no intention of sharing too much information with Bright Dragon.

‘If I had just used the Bowing Sky Slash to counterattack as he did, it would’ve been in my favor… but revealing that I know the Seven Great Techniques will just invite trouble.’

No doubt, he’d stubbornly pursue learning the Seven Great Techniques from me. For now, playing it dumb about what Bright Dragon might want here in Soeul Village seemed like the best strategy.

He sheathed his sword and spoke.

“Apologies for being rude and drawing swords on our first meeting. Please accept my apology.”

“It’s fine. May I ask why a martial master of Wudang is looking for me?”

“Hmm… Well, actually, I came here because I have a favor to ask.”

Then, Bright Dragon bowed his head.

“Please! Help our Wudang Sect!”

“……?!”

I took Bright Dragon back to the chief’s house to hear the details. His demeanor was heavy as he began to explain.

“Not long ago, a challenge letter was sent to our Wudang Sect, declaring war. The sender was none other than the Brahman sect from Tianzhu.”

“The Brahman sect? Isn’t that the strongest sect in Tianzhu?”

“…Well informed, I see.”

With a grim look, he continued.

“…Are you aware of the rumors regarding Master Hyuncheon?”

“…….”

“Right, so I thought it wasn’t just a coincidence. Our Wudang Sect has unintentionally made many enemies, so how could we have a peaceful day? But the Brahman sect is still so far away; I can’t fathom why they would declare war on us. What’s worse, the prowess of the one who brought the challenge was… remarkable.”

“How remarkable?”

“…That guy….”

Bright Dragon hesitated before continuing.

“Even when three of us — myself, Master Hyuncheon, and Cheong Ja-bae — attacked at once, we were still pushed back. Clearly a master at the Absolute Realm.”

“……!!”

I was taken aback.

‘What? There was another Absolute Realm master in Tianzhu?’

That could only mean Cheong Ja-bae was the current leader of the Wudang sect, Cheong Pung-ja, along with his disciples, Cheong Il-ja and Cheong Gyun-ja. All of them were peak experts and if Bright Dragon fought alongside them, nobody could stand a chance in the current Martial World. So, it stood to reason that Bright Dragon was correct; the person behind the challenge must be of the Absolute Realm.

But another one existed?

Another Absolute Realm master besides Asura in Tianzhu?

‘No matter how strong the Brahman sect is, the pinnacle of the Martial World….’

At that moment, I felt how vast the martial world truly was.

‘Hmm… But something feels off… If a master like that existed, why didn’t we hear about them during the Great Bear Empire’s reign…?’

While I was lost in thought, Bright Dragon spoke up.

“He claimed to be the Great Protector of the Brahman sect, serving Parvati. He also vowed to come to punish our Wudang Sect three months from now, bringing the elite of both the Brahman sect and the entire Tianzhu Martial World with him.”

“…….”

“With just one Great Protector from the Brahman sect, it would be difficult for us to handle. That’s why I sought advice from Master Hyuncheon, who suggested that you might be the only one who could resolve our problem.”

“Hmm.”

I could guess what Master Hyuncheon likely said. He probably spoke about how my martial prowess had reached the Absolute Realm and that I knew about the hidden matters surrounding this. Certainly, as Master Hyuncheon said, I could potentially help Bright Dragon with his issue, but it brought a bit of a headache.

‘…No doubt. The abbot of the Small Thunder Temple and the Lord of Asuhyeol are currently trapped in the Shaolin Temple’s Thunder Pearl, stalling for time. However, feeling suspicious, the Brahman sect wanted to take out the Wudang Sect first, thinking they might get to us that way.’

The wisdom of the divine Parvati could be questioned, but these folks seemed confident in their power and were likely planning to strike first in the Martial World. Why wouldn’t they, with the Divine Being of the Divine Temple backing them?

‘If that were the case, Parvati may have once doubted me. If she felt suspicious, she might have sent additional forces to Soeul Village instead of just targeting the Wudang Sect, which makes this whole situation odd.’

In other words… if I decided to help Bright Dragon, I was heightening the chances of attracting Parvati’s suspicion again.

“…….”

While I was deep in thought, Bright Dragon implored.

“Isn’t there any way you can help? If the Wudang Sect falls, the other clans in the Central Plains will only be left as food for the Brahman sect.”

“Let me think about it for a moment.”

I pondered deeply.

To preserve my peaceful life, it might be best to let Bright Dragon and the Wudang Sect fall apart. Engaging with the Divine Temple right now would cost me that peaceful life. Yet at the same time, the Wudang Sect would inevitably get dragged into the troubles that I had started.

‘Damn it. Looks like I have no choice!’

What does a peaceful life even mean?

If these guys were crushed because of me, it wouldn’t sit right with my conscience! It would only make sense for me to resolve any conflict stemming from my actions.

Gritting my teeth, I said.

“Bright Dragon. Is that Great Protector still among the Wudang Sect? Or has he returned to his own sect?”

“The nerve! He’s staying three ri away from the Wudang Sect, thinking that no matter how we attack, he can’t be killed.”

“Figured as much.”

An Absolute Realm master would certainly have that kind of confidence. I clenched my fist tightly and said.

“Lead the way.”

“You mean… you’ll help us?!”

“Yes.”

My reply was curt.

“Since I’m helping, I’ll wipe them all out without any afterthought!”

Bright Dragon’s face lit up with joy.

“Thank you so much!”

There was no turning back now.

‘You bastards… you think I’m just gonna sit here and watch while you threaten my peace?!’

Whoosh—

I immediately followed Bright Dragon as we rushed toward Hoham Province. After quite a run, we finally reached the village where the Great Protector of the Brahman sect was said to be staying. Bright Dragon looked down at the village from behind some thickets three ri away.

“You don’t need me to say it, right? Sense his aura….”

My goodness!

Even from this distance, I could feel the immense pressure radiating from him. He was clearly beyond human. While I recognized that he was a formidable opponent, the anger inside me only seemed to swell. Without wasting a moment’s breath, I dashed into the village.

Whoosh—

The guy sat near a well, seeking shade from the sun. As I drew closer, he locked his chilling gaze on me and said.

“So, it’s you. The one destined to disrupt the predictions of the Sect Leader and block the path of our sect.”

“Uh….”

“I’ve been waiting for you from afar as well.”

“Wait a minute… what?!”

I halted, noticing the absurdity which made my fists loosen in disbelief. I had expected an unexpected new enemy, but instead, a familiar face was right before me. I couldn’t hide my shock as I exclaimed.

“Wait… why are you the Great Protector of the Brahman sect?!”

What a shock! The Great Protector frowned, clearly displeased.

“It seems you know me. But I have never met you.”

“…….”

I recognized his tawny skin and muscular build. His face was unmistakable, just as I remembered. I stammered out.

“Jin Guk-jun! Why have you become the Great Protector of the Brahman sect from Tianzhu?!”

It was him!

The Jin Guk-jun, the Absolute Realm master protecting the Southern Barbarian Great Moon Kingdom! The martial genius I couldn’t mistake, he had been my companion when we invaded the Celestial Realm in my 28th life!

Brightening, he regarded me with a twinkle in his eye.

“What? So you knew my real host after all.”

“What?”

“Haha… ha ha ha.”

He, or rather the entity possessing Jin Guk-jun, let out a bright laugh before saying.

“What’s your name?”

“As if I’d tell you.”

“Hehe…. You must be a special existence too. Allow me to pay my respects and reveal my name.”

He slowly rose and bowed with a flourish, according to the customs of Tianzhu.

“My name, borrowed from this body, is Shiva. I came here with the avatar technique to assist my partner Parvati.”

“……!!”

Shiva?!

‘No way…’

He’s the destroyer god, Shiva, who had revealed himself at the end of my 28th life while we were conquering the Celestial Realm!

Right now he was in front of me, possessing Jin Guk-jun’s body!

Though the situation stunned me, I replied bluntly.

“What do you want? I didn’t ask you to talk.”

“Hmm… you’re playing dumb, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

Shiva pointed towards Jin Guk-jun’s body.

“I made a contract with this one, governing his body as an avatar in exchange for protecting the Great Moon Kingdom. Thus, I can intervene in this world while avoiding the backlash of the Law of Cause and Effect. You can’t be any different, right?”

“What?”

“Ha ha…. I know that you too have possessed someone. The divine power resonating from that body is something no ordinary human can possess.”

At his continued words, I felt my face hardening.

“Where did you find the [Old Ruler]?”

“`

 

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