전생검신 91권 05화

I stared at the choice window in front of me.

‘No way… I have no idea how much chaos changing the past could cause!’

Having lived through many adventures in my past life, I knew: even the slightest difference in choice can lead to wildly different outcomes! The more inevitable that choice, the greater the changes! The countless possibilities derived from that are just beyond human comprehension.

In this trial of the Outer God, choosing to “change” was bound to bring failure. Even if the Outer God said it didn’t matter, I couldn’t take that at face value.

But…

“……”

Without realizing it, I found myself looking at Miho behind me. For just a split second, when our eyes met, my heart felt like it was being shaken violently.

It was truly Miho.

The Miho from back then.

The one I couldn’t save and had to watch die…

‘Ah…’

My stomach churned. My mind insisted that it’s just the past and I should move on, but I already knew what was going to happen next. With my current power, I could never handle things, so Miho would sacrifice herself to block the wind bomb. Suddenly, I vividly remembered her tragic last moments.

…Should I really not change it?

Am I not allowed to change the past?

Just then—

Sizzle… sizzle

I saw the choice window slowly starting to fade. Its contours and letters quickly dimming while emitting strange sounds.

“Ah!!”

I jumped, instinctively reaching towards “Don’t change,” but at that moment, the choice window disappeared.

‘What?! Was there a time limit on the choice…?!’

As I was bewildered, the very moment happened.

“Die!!”

Whoosh…!!

A massive wind bomb, the size of dozens of pages, hurtled towards me directly, and at the same time, I could feel Miho behind me trying to jump in front of it. In that instant, I unconsciously leaped forward towards the incoming bomb.

Soul Removal Technique

Boom!!

“Ah…!!”

“Whoa!!”

I heard Miho and Seo San’s cries of panic. Naturally, I didn’t dodge the bomb; I just charged straight at it. A tremendous explosion echoed, vibrating the entire hall.

Kugugu…

“Ow, my hand stings.”

But I emerged completely unscathed from the smoke. I hadn’t been hurt in the first place.

“……”

“……?”

Both my companions and even Yong Bi Cheon, who launched the bomb, were wide-eyed in surprise. Yong Bi Cheon, shuddering, shouted at me.

“What the hell?! How did you withstand my full-powered attack…!!”

“……”

I didn’t respond to Yong Bi Cheon’s words.

‘I just used Protection Energy…’

In reality, blocking a wind bomb from someone like Yong Bi Cheon with merely Protection Energy is impossible. Only a select few peak experts could use it, but that was solely to prevent serious injuries from the enemy’s attack, not to withstand such power directly. The exceptions were the Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Dharma Guardian, who could pour out excessive internal power into Protection Energy for powerful defense. Under normal circumstances, I should have either blocked Yong Bi Cheon’s attack with the Thunder God’s ultimate technique or dodged it.

However, all I did was build up my internal power and casually unfolded Protection Energy. That alone caused the attack to feel like a mere sting akin to a balloon popping in front of my hand. I had only drawn out a fraction of my Qi, and if I had focused just a bit more, I wouldn’t have felt even that sting.

‘Wait, does this mean… did I just choose to change history? Since I didn’t choose not to change in time…?!’

So, did I just make a choice that guarantees my defeat against the Outer God?!

I was at a loss, groaning inwardly.

“Damn it… this is bad…”

Seeing me troubled, Yong Bi Cheon suddenly looked triumphant and began to channel energy throughout his body.

“Ha ha ha!! So you did have a hidden move, but now you’ve got nothing left! You were surprised, weren’t you, rookie…!!”

“……”

“Look at me. I recover my infinite internal power just from resting for a moment!”

Kugugu

Massive energy gathered in Yong Bi Cheon’s arms once again. That aura, charged with the essence of the Wind Spirit Sect, would pulverize any ordinary martial artist just by passing close to them! A fierce light flickered in Yong Bi Cheon’s eyes.

“This time, I’ll definitely finish you off!”

What was that technique’s name…?

‘Oh whatever.’

I might have learned a lot about the Wind Spirit Sect’s martial arts, but it’s been ages, so I’ve forgotten much. Why should I care about Yong Bi Cheon’s martial arts?

“Finish me off?”

I shook my head and balled my fists.

“Come on… I’m not even sure if the situation has changed, but since we’re here, let me repay some old debts.”

It felt awkward to just be panicking.

Seeing his unpleasant face in front of me, I thought it better to spill my guts.

Yong Bi Cheon sneered at me.

“Ha ha… You think you’re paying your debts? Just because you managed to block my attack once through luck doesn’t mean you can act tough!”

“Is this how it’s done?”

Whoosh!

In the next instant, I surged with Qi and formed a sword stance. As I slowly took my position aiming at Yong Bi Cheon, he flinched and appeared startled.

“The stance of Butterfly Dance? How did you…”

Exactly. The stance I had just taken was the supreme technique passed down only to direct descendants of the Wind Spirit Sect!

‘I learned it from the peak experts and found some materials from the Terrifying One… but what’s the point of explaining it…’

Actually, it wasn’t the stance that mattered; what was crucial was that the sword form I created was the Four Divine Sword Form’s Wind Spirit Sword Form, allowing me to easily counter whatever techniques Yong Bi Cheon unleashed! While in the training world, I pursued this technique in my spare time.

But I didn’t need to explain that to Yong Bi Cheon.

Let’s just beat him down.

Three Steps Technique

Without further ado, I charged at Yong Bi Cheon. In just one step, I found myself in front of him, and in two steps, I initiated the Butterfly Dance. Once it unfolded, it became an ultrafast technique akin to a dancing butterfly, impossible for the opponent to counter, leaving him bewildered just before me.

Boom!!

In an instant, when Yong Bi Cheon attempted to defend with his energy, it clashed against the path of my Butterfly Dance, causing an explosion. Despite relying on his infinite internal power, he couldn’t push through; he faltered as I grinned and spun my body. Then, I cleverly set up the final third step of the Three Steps Technique, creating an opening for my attack to land easily.

Ultimate Technique!

Sixteen Butterfly Dance!

Boom!

I cut through Yong Bi Cheon’s defenses in one swift motion, slashing across his body.

“Gah!”

Within moments, sixteen slashes appeared all over Yong Bi Cheon, and he screamed; a moment later, he stepped back in shock. He expected to be severely injured but found just light cuts remaining on his body.

Chiri-ling

I withdrew the sword stance I had made with my energy, grinning widely.

“If I had used the Transparent Butterfly Dance, you’d be dead by now.”

“……!!”

Of course, I couldn’t use that technique because it was one reserved for the throne’s guardian, but I wanted to say it just this once!

In fact, just now, I could’ve ended it with the Sixteen Butterfly Dance, but I let him off lightly, so I figured that was enough acting for me.

I said that while Yong Bi Cheon gazed at me in disbelief.

“Wanna use your clone technique? You should use all the techniques you want so you won’t have regrets before you die.”

“Y-You cocky brat…!! Gah!”

Unwilling to believe I had overwhelmingly overpowered him, Yong Bi Cheon then channeled massive energy, creating numerous clones.

Whoosh!!

He produced twelve clones, bloodlight shining from his eyes as he shouted.

“I don’t know how you’re using the techniques from the Wind Spirit Sect, but now that I’m serious, you’re a dead man!!”

“Hmm!!”

“Die!”

Boom

I couldn’t help but let out a sound of surprise seeing the swarm of Yong Bi Cheon’s twelve clones charging at me.

‘W-What… this is really…!!’

Eventually, I blurted out my genuine thoughts.

“You really suck!!”

“What…?!”

Crash!!

Boom

A moment later, the assault of Yong Bi Cheon’s clones rushed at me. Dozens of strikes landed, some of their techniques even attempted to cut me.

However, I stood there with my arms crossed, letting them hit me.

No need to dodge this!

Boom

Crash

Thus, Yong Bi Cheon and his clones battered me mercilessly for over a while. Even with his main body joining in, I remained unscathed, still standing there with my arms crossed until Yong Bi Cheon finally stepped back in shock.

“Ah… ah… no?!”

“……”

“R-the legendary… Golden Hall of Immortality…”

Yong Bi Cheon stammered as if realizing what had happened, and I shouted.

“No, you fool!! I just used Protection Energy!!”

“……?!”

That was a no-brainer. In terms of internal power, the Dharma Guardian’s was astonishing, but mine wasn’t too far behind. And since he was human, there was a limit to the amount of internal power he could draw at once, but due to years of training and breakthroughs, I had at least several times more output and explosive power than Yong Bi Cheon. Plus, with my use of intent, minimizing damage during strikes was a cinch.

In other words, there’s no way Yong Bi Cheon could land a solid hit on me as long as I didn’t want to die! Unless I purposely let him, I could effortlessly take him out!

Of course, if the Master of the White Lotus Sect fought me this way, I’d have to block or dodge, but frankly, the level difference between the Master and Yong Bi Cheon was too great to even consider that.

‘What the heck is this…?’

I was astonished at how much weaker Yong Bi Cheon was than I expected. In truth, I had yet to use any of my true abilities like the Trimurti, Heuk Woong, Divine Power, Kabbalah, the techniques of the Celestial Realm, treasures, the Four Great Spirit Deities, or the martial arts of the Divine Realm, yet he was laughably weak even with only my human martial arts.

‘Am I really saying I got beaten so badly by this loser?’

Having fought Yong Bi Cheon in my past life and gradually felt my own growing strength, I had always been surrounded by stronger figures, so I hadn’t fully experienced that growth. But now, actually fighting Yong Bi Cheon, I realized.

I was too strong.

No, I had gotten way too strong.

“Taking this seriously is just foolish.”

Finding myself drained, I tore out a handful of my hair and blew it away.

Boom

And in that moment, over thirty-six clones appeared. The clone technique Subori taught me was way more powerful than Yong Bi Cheon’s clones. I told my newly summoned clones.

“Go take him out. Don’t kill him, just mess him up.”

They stared at me as if to imply, “What are you talking about?”

“Ugh, why should we?”

“Why should we do this?”

Great… these guys were more annoying than Yong Bi Cheon!

I coaxed my clones.

“Honestly, kicking his butt would feel great, wouldn’t it?”

“Hmmm…”

“That’s true.”

As the clones gazed at Yong Bi Cheon in anticipation, he suddenly yelled and charged at one of them.

“No matter how strong you are, clones are always weaker than the original!! You’ve underestimated me!”

Boom

As Yong Bi Cheon unleashed his tremendous Wind Spirit Sect technique, the ground trembled and echoed, but in that moment, my clone generated dense Qi, wielded the Soul Removal Technique, swiftly circled behind Yong Bi Cheon, and launched a Thunder God’s strike.

Crash!

“Gah!!”

Yong Bi Cheon was hit squarely in the back, blood gushing from his mouth as he flew forward, while my clone quickly followed up with the Grass Skimming Technique and started pounding him repeatedly.

Zoom

Boom

Crash!

Yong Bi Cheon attempted to counter, but my clone clearly had the upper hand in technique, continuously beating him through the air! For every ten strikes Yong Bi Cheon landed, my clone received barely one in return, which were all deflected, reducing the damage significantly. I thought to myself.

‘Hmmm… Actually allowing him to retaliate means even my clone isn’t strong enough.’

Perhaps it was because they couldn’t use the martial arts of the Divine Realm? In the Divine Realm, permitting a counterattack wouldn’t happen.

“I’m sorry for being weaker than the original! But I can still take you down…”

Yong Bi Cheon’s face was getting messily bruised, his body beginning to tremble, when my clone slapped his face hard.

“Don’t mess with me!”

“Gah…!!”

Crash!

Two of his teeth flew out as my clone grabbed Yong Bi Cheon by the collar and hurled him into a pack of clones.

“Let’s finish him!”

“Let’s go!”

“You cocky brat!”

Bam!

Crash!

Moments later, overwhelmed by thirty-six combined strikes, Yong Bi Cheon couldn’t even say a word before collapsing, drenched in blood and knocked out. After subduing Yong Bi Cheon, I recalled my clones and mused.

‘Wow. I expected him to be weaker, but not like this…’

Of course, I had softened him up beforehand, but even so, I never thought he wouldn’t be able to handle even a single clone. While Subori’s clone technique was incredibly impressive, it was already meaningless; Yong Bi Cheon was simply too weak.

I spent my time playing with Yong Bi Cheon, feeling pretty good.

Then, I clenched my fists.

‘Yeah… I had thought about seeking revenge against Yong Bi Cheon in my next life, but somehow it always felt pointless, so I hesitated… Maybe this moment matters after all.’

Trying to take revenge on someone who knows nothing would only leave me feeling empty inside.

Overcoming that emptiness, this might be my first true retribution, wouldn’t it?

Feeling a thrill from genuine revenge made my hands and feet tremble.

Smack

I struck Yong Bi Cheon’s cheek to wake him up and said.

“Yong Bi Cheon. Do you want to live?”

“Uh… w-uh… yes… please… spare me… I didn’t recognize you…”

Finally, he seemed to understand, tears streaming down his face as he begged me. It seemed he finally recognized he couldn’t win against me even if he died and came back. I smiled and said.

“I’ll let you live. But I don’t know about Miho.”

“W-what?…. Gah!”

Boom!

I instantly struck him in the Dantian, shattering it, and he writhed in agony. While it would heal in due time, for a moment, Yong Bi Cheon became helpless, unable to channel any power. Presenting the flaccid Yong Bi Cheon before Miho caused her to comprehend what was happening, and she promptly sharpened her nails to gut him.

Splash…!!

“Gahhh.”

Moments later, Yong Bi Cheon was vivisected, dying in the process. Miho held his liver in one hand, bursting into laughter.

“Ha ha! How did you get so strong? You have the power of a heavenly spirit now!”

“The heavenly spirit, huh…”

I suppose that wasn’t entirely wrong.

If I willed it, I could wield power that rivals the divine in this world.

I repeated that thought for a moment before speaking to Miho.

“Miho. Would you like to be with me?”

At first taken aback, Miho blinked and then said.

“Of course!! Why wouldn’t I?”

“Miho…”

I love Miho.

If things progress as they are… I could unite with Miho and become the conqueror of the world, leading a happy life.

Happiness was right before my eyes.

“……”

I quietly parted my lips.

After a long moment of silence, I slowly spoke.

“…But I won’t change it.”

*

Boom!!

In the next instant, I found myself sitting in front of a Go board.

And across from me sat the cold-faced Outer God Al Karda, his gaze finally directed at me instead of the board.

A moment later, Al Karda spoke up.

“Did you doubt a world that flows with convenience?”

“……”

As expected…

I bit my lips tightly and glared at Al Karda.

“You were trying to deceive me, huh? Making it look like my choice had already failed… just enough to tempt me into changing the past.”

“Yet you weren’t deceived.”

Clack

As Al Karda made his next move, I felt that strange sensation of history replaying in my mind, making my stomach churn again. Fortunately, it appeared that nothing had changed; there were no anomalies.

I addressed Al Karda.

“Why are you trying to trick me? This isn’t a fair match!”

“There truly is nothing fair in this world. Haven’t you ever felt this principle?”

“But this is…!!”

As I lowered my anger, I realized its futility and spat out.

“…Well, I’ve seen enough fantasies to know a thing or two; I didn’t expect someone like you to resort to such childish tricks.”

“It’s not an illusion.”

“So, if it’s not an illusion, are you saying it was real?”

“Indeed. You wielded power in that past. Only, it hasn’t reflected in history.”

“……”

Is that really possible?

So you’re saying I actually just defeated Yong Bi Cheon a moment ago?

While I was still perplexed, Al Karda remarked.

“Did it feel good?”

“What do you mean?”

“To ravage like a mortal with power beyond imagination… how does it feel to truly experience that thrill?”

“……”

“Perhaps now you can somewhat understand those you call ‘Old Rulers.’”

“I have no clue what you’re trying to say.”

A brief, heavy silence followed.

“Make your next move.”

Al Karda, with an emotionless gaze, returned to the Go board.

“I want to see what truly exists within you.”

The moment his words ended, I made my move.

I no longer wanted to hesitate.

‘This game… let’s end it quickly!’

If it drags on too long, my mental strength will wear out!

Clack

As I placed the piece, I felt the scenery around me shift.

*

[You’ve resorted to cunning, haven’t you?]

The vision of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman appeared before me.

And beside me stood Cheon Gong-pyo, the Celestial Sage, and Zhuge Bu.

At that moment, I knew exactly what time it was.

‘The Trial of the Seven Luminaries…’

The last trial, the Trial of the Sun.