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Celestial Realm

Lee Kwang showed the pass to the Gate Soldier at the checkpoint, and soon a military officer overseeing a hundred or so troops appeared. It didn’t take long before the Gate Supervisor, who claimed to be in charge of Mount Tai’s entrance, made his grand entrance. Though not a general, he strutted around with a commanding presence.

“Hmph! I am Bae Jin-bong. You say you hold a letter and a pass from General Jang Gyeong-ik?”

“That’s right.”

In response to Lee Kwang’s curt answer, Bae Jin-bong squinted and scrutinized our party.

“The pass is genuine, but…”

He then started slowly reading the letter aloud. After a while, Bae Jin-bong suddenly trembled and shouted,

“C-C-Celestial Dragon!!”

Thud! The letter fell from his hands, and Bae Jin-bong began to shake uncontrollably, color draining from his lips.

Whispers

As Bae Jin-bong became flustered and lost his composure, the surrounding soldiers started murmuring. Most wore expressions of confusion, while some higher-ranking officials who recognized the term “Celestial Dragon” went pale, mirroring Bae Jin-bong’s reaction. Observing their responses, Lee Kwang calmly stated,

“As mentioned in the letter, we have not just come to pass through this checkpoint but have been tasked to explore the area around Mount Tai. So, please prepare accommodations for a few days.”

“Of course! Absolutely!!”

Bae Jin-bong hurriedly commanded the nearby officers,

“Hey! Clean the VIP room immediately and call for the top chefs!”

“Understood.”

After issuing the orders, Bae Jin-bong looked surprisingly sheepish as he spoke to Lee Kwang,

“While you are here, I will ensure your comfort. Just let me know if you need anything.”

“Hmm… We won’t be staying long.”

Lee Kwang replied gruffly.

Seeing his demeanor, I was reminded of Lee Kwang’s influence within the military.

‘Impressive, indeed.’

An individual who once commanded 100,000 Imperial Guards, holding one of the highest positions near the Imperial Palace itself! During his prime, even the high-ranking generals would barely breathe in his presence, and leery officials across the land would easily cower before him. Even now, his connections and influence remained formidable, making a mere commander like Bae Jin-bong scrunch submissively. Even General Jang Gyeong-ik, who currently held his position in Shandong, likely had to tiptoe around Lee Kwang!

Lee Kwang didn’t dive straight into the matter. After our group settled in and enjoyed some delicious food, he finally set up a simple gathering and subtly broached the subject with Bae Jin-bong.

“We are actually looking for the Old Sage of Mount Tai, known as a talent in the martial world.”

Once soldiers weren’t in earshot, Lee Kwang softened his tone. To my surprise, Bae Jin-bong seemed unfazed by this shift.

“Oh, the Old Sage of Mount Tai!”

“Do you know him?”

Bae Jin-bong vigorously nodded his head.

“He is the greatest figure of Mount Tai, how could I not know?”

“That’s a vague response. Has the Old Sage ever visited this fortress?”

“That is…”

Bae Jin-bong turned away, looking troubled. Lee Kwang continued to glance at him before saying,

“As you know, we are not investigating on behalf of General Jang Gyeong-ik. Indeed, we have higher-ups supporting us. So there’s no benefit in hiding any confidential matters from us.”

“……”

With Lee Kwang’s coaxing, Bae Jin-bong crossed his arms and seemed to ponder the situation. Eventually, he spoke,

“The Old Sage is currently at this checkpoint.”

“Where is he?”

“Before I tell you that, I need one thing confirmed.”

“Go ahead.”

Bae Jin-bong said carefully,

“If they find out I leaked any secrets, the Golden Eagle Guards will not let me off easy. Please ensure my safety.”

Lee Kwang nodded and assured him,

“Of course. I have been a long-time acquaintance with the White Tiger of the Golden Eagle Guards. You will not face any repercussions due to this matter. I will use my connections within the army to support you.”

“Thank you.”

He visibly relaxed and then added,

“He is currently staying at the Heavenly Altar within the checkpoint.”

“What do you mean? The Heavenly Altar?”

“As you can see, this checkpoint is massive for an ordinary one—over twenty times the size. Close to Mount Tai lies the Heavenly Altar, said to exist since ancient times, where the Old Sage stays all day.”

Lee Kwang frowned.

“Why might that be? The Old Sage is but a hermit of the martial world, so why are the soldiers allowing such a person to remain?”

Bae Jin-bong lowered his voice and cautiously explained. Fear was evident on his face.

“I cannot say for certain. But the one in charge of the main checkpoint on Mount Tai has historically provided full support to the Old Sage. The fact that he’s here must remain strictly secret.”

“Strange.”

Bae Jin-bong stood up.

“I must take my leave now; you handle the rest.”

“Understood.”

“Whatever happens today, I am not aware of it.”

Bae Jin-bong seemed like he had calculated everything thoroughly. Trying to conceal secrets in front of someone like Lee Kwang would only end up harming himself. Thus, it seemed he believed it was far better to disclose everything and trust Lee Kwang’s protection. Lee Kwang, understanding his calculations, offered a cold smile,

“Worry not.”

We immediately began making our way to the Heavenly Altar on Mount Tai. Before Dokgo Seong could move, he gathered us and urged,

“The opponent may utilize mystic arts, so keep your mental strength heightened and focused! Utilize the Will of the Mind as much as possible to withstand it.”

“Understood.”

Crackle!

When we reached the peak where the Heavenly Altar was believed to be located, suddenly a hazy fog rolled in, blocking visibility in all directions. Dokgo Seong shouted,

“It’s an illusion! Focus your thoughts!”

In that moment, the masters of the Thunder God lineage gathered their spirits and released their energies. With each of us skilled in the Will of the Mind, an immense force surged forth. It was as if the mystical powers that clouded human perceptions and manipulated the senses were shaken off by the intangible waves.

I, surprised, asked Dokgo Seong,

“How did you know to respond this way?”

Normally, illusions were dispelled using powerful artifacts like the “Void Barrier,” or one would have to counter them with similar mystical arts. Yet, Dokgo Seong countered as if it was second nature with the Will of the Mind. While it appeared obvious, such a natural reaction was impossible without experience.

Dokgo Seong chuckled.

“There are plenty of sorcerers and mystic practitioners in the White Lotus Sect. To be surprised by something like this would mean I couldn’t survive in the Thunder God lineage.”

“……”

It seemed Dokgo Seong was well-acquainted with magical arts; he might even have taken down several sorcerers in the past. The more I thought about it, the more I felt I couldn’t let my guard down around him. Just then, Lee Kwang lowered his spear and said to Dokgo Seong,

“Elder, a formation spell has been laid out.”

“Really?”

“It hasn’t fully penetrated yet, and having just repelled the illusion, we are alright for now.”

Lee Kwang assessed the situation and proposed,

“We might be able to escape now, what shall we do?”

His tone was clearly laced with discomfort. It seemed Lee Kwang, blessed with ample combat experience and knowledge, had picked up on the setup of the trap ahead and was reluctant to proceed recklessly. But since Dokgo Seong wasn’t one to heed such warnings, he had to present it more as a suggestion.

After a brief thought, Dokgo Seong asked,

“Can you break the formation?”

Lee Kwang glanced at the hills beyond the fog and replied,

“It would be tough. While I’ve heard some stories, it’s an exceedingly sophisticated formation that even an expert in formations or mystic arts wouldn’t handle lightly.”

“Isn’t it only a short distance to that hill?”

“Once mystical arts begin to influence the mind, all five senses become unreliable. In formations, a single misstep can lead to disaster.”

“Hmm… It seems there’s no way around it.”

Dokgo Seong sighed as if extinguished, then sent me a mental transmission,

[There’s no doubt the Old Sage is present there. Let’s return, and then come back with your companions.]

[Understood.]

Just as Dokgo Seong expected. If they were employing such powerful mystical arts for defense, there was surely someone at the Heavenly Altar on the peak of Mount Tai. However, with the martial practitioners present, there was no way to breach such a formidable formation, so retreat became the only viable option. Dokgo Seong likely believed we would need assistance from my comrades Mangnyang or Cheon Woo-jin.

‘Mangnyang should be able to break it.’

A step backward for a forward leap.

I thought this to myself as I prepared to retreat.

At that moment,

[A familiar face, I see. Lee Kwang, what brings you here?]

A voice resonated from beyond the illusions. We initially tensed, suspecting it was a mental attack, but felt no threat from it. As the mysterious voice acknowledged Lee Kwang, everyone turned their attention to him, and he displayed a strange expression before bellowing,

“I don’t know who you are! State your name!”

[Hehe… You know who I am. The feeling is mutual. But even if I show myself, you wouldn’t believe it. Even though we worked together for over ten years…]

“What nonsense is this?”

Lee Kwang, smirking, suddenly grew serious as he seemed to recognize something, and his expression hardened.

He glared past the mist and spoke,

“… Why are you here?”

[Looks like you caught on. You’ve always been sharp.]

Lee Kwang appeared tense, but despite this, he was gripping his spear tightly, indicating he wasn’t feeling relaxed. This made it clear that he suspected the voice belonged to a rather ominous and dangerous entity.

“If you are who I think you are, then you shouldn’t be here. Aren’t you meant to be by His Majesty’s side?”

In response to Lee Kwang’s question, the voice from the fog replied,

[I am fulfilling my duties just fine. More faithfully than anyone in the palace could. Are you not the one failing to fulfill your obligations, Lee Kwang?]

“What do you mean?”

[You abandoned your position in the Celestial Dragon Guard due to your inner conflicts. You cannot walk the great road of life ensnared by resentment. The only one who can resolve your contradictions is His Majesty.]

“……”

The voice continued,

[Return to the Celestial Dragon Guard, Lee Kwang. If you do, the palace will grant you the strength to exterminate the White Lotus Sect whenever you wish.]

“……!!”

The unexpected proclamation startled not only me but also the masters of the Thunder God lineage. The voice from the mist appeared to know everything about the Thunder God lineage, the White Lotus Sect, and Lee Kwang’s circumstances! Moreover, the way it referred to Lee Kwang as an acquaintance raised more eyebrows. To add to the mystery, it appeared that this entity had knowledge of dark powers hidden within the palace.

‘Who on earth could this be?’

Lee Kwang stood frozen in silence for a while.

Eventually, he replied,

“Sorry, but I cannot accept that answer. I appreciate the good intentions.”

[Is that so…? Then I shall take my leave. This place is important, and I cannot tolerate any more uninvited guests.]

“Very well.”

Rustle!

As Lee Kwang turned away, the others followed suit, leaving the peak of Mount Tai as if a pact had been made. At this moment, there was no method to break through the illusionary formation, and the interaction had left an ominous atmosphere. One couldn’t help but feel that the entity behind the fog had refrained from attacking us because of Lee Kwang.

After reaching the checkpoint and entering our lodging, Lee Kwang finally spoke.

“Elder, that was close. We cannot recklessly attack that location.”

It was extremely rare for the once fearless Lee Kwang to say something like this. The masters of the Thunder God lineage looked at him with newfound respect. Responding to Lee Kwang’s statement, Dokgo Seong rested his chin thoughtfully before querying,

“Who was that? You must know the identity of that person.”

“Indeed. But if I’m right, it’s a dangerous matter.”

“Who is it? Another sorcerer?”

Lee Kwang smiled bitterly in response to Dokgo Seong’s brusque inquiry.

“Not just any sorcerer, but perhaps someone even more dangerous.”

“Just tell me already. I’m not a fan of riddles.”

Lee Kwang nodded and continued,

“That person is a member of the Imperial Palace’s Divine Guardians, Zhuque. He is the most powerful sorcerer within the palace—truly a guardian of the Emperor, rarely revealing himself even to his fellow Divine Guardians.”

“A strong figure shrouded in darkness?”

“Indeed.”

“Considering you, who would be stronger?”

Cheongwol muttered incredulously.

“Elder, that’s such a childish question…”

“Shut it, foolish one. How can we proceed without knowing this?”

After scolding Cheongwol, Dokgo Seong turned to Lee Kwang again.

“Without a doubt, I may have a fighting chance against him with martial arts. However, once he employs sorcery, I hold no confidence.”

“He’s that powerful? One who has mastered both martial arts and sorcery to such an extent?”

Dokgo Seong looked astonished. This made sense; it was exceedingly rare for anyone to master both as Lee Kwang had simultaneously achieved such a high level in either. Most individuals struggled to reach such heights with even one path, so I knew all too well the effort it took to match Lee Kwang’s caliber after seventeen lifetimes of hard work.

Lee Kwang shook his head.

“Originally, there was only Zhuque in the Divine Guardians. The previous emperor established the Divine Guardians to strengthen imperial authority, and that being has been a silent protector of the royal lineage for generations.”

Dokgo Seong released a low hum.

“It’s a different league, I see…”

“……”

Lee Kwang appeared to be deep in thought for quite a while, and then suddenly turned to me,

“Baek Woong. Let’s talk outside for a moment.”

“Can’t we just talk here?”

“Just come with me.”

Lee Kwang abruptly stood and strode outside. Looking around, it seemed the others were giving me a hint to follow. Despite Lee Kwang exhibiting courtesy, he undoubtedly retained a commanding presence due to his long-established reputation, which even Dokgo Seong seemed to respect, albeit grudgingly.

With no choice, I followed Lee Kwang to a secluded area where he had been waiting. He pierced me with a sharp gaze and said,

“Do you already know that Zhuque is the Old Sage of Mount Tai?”

It seemed he suspected the Old Sage and Zhuque to be one and the same.

“I didn’t suggest we search for the Old Sage; it was Cheongwol and Dokgo Seong who did.”

“But you’ve been scouring the Heavenly Altar and likely harboring some agenda. I don’t believe your presence here is coincidence.”

Lee Kwang appeared rather suspicious of me.

In a flash, my recent encounter with Sagong Rin resurfaced in my mind when she had shared her insights.

[Master has always roamed the world, but he especially stays often at Mount Tai. That’s why martial artists refer to him as the Old Sage of Mount Tai. However, he frequently travels across the Five Great Mountains.]

[Master gave me this silver token when we parted.]

“……”

I pulled out the silver token given by Sagong Rin, which bore an intricate engraving of Zhuque.

There was no doubt; the Old Sage was indeed the Zhuque of the Imperial Palace.

I tossed the Zhuque token to Lee Kwang and said,

“I received this token from Sagong Rin, a disciple of the Old Sage while searching for information. The pieces connect.”

Lee Kwang took the token and examined it before replying with a stoic expression,

“I asked you—were you aware of this fact?”

“I didn’t know. If I did, I would have shown the token to Zhuque earlier, and certainly wouldn’t have handed it over to you now.”

“……”

“Now isn’t the time for us to be bickering amongst ourselves. We need to figure out what the truth behind the Old Sage and Zhuque is.”

“Why must we?”

Clang!

Lee Kwang threw the Zhuque token underfoot.

“What’s crucial for us is the revival and growth of the Thunder God lineage. If the Old Sage is Zhuque, confronting him means confronting imperial forces head-on. I am questioning why we would be compelled to take such risks.”

Just as I had expected.

After pondering briefly, I replied,

“Then why did you reject Zhuque’s suggestion for reinstatement to the palace?”

“Because currently, the Thunder God lineage is more valuable to me.”

I scoffed.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You just learned about Zhuque’s identity, became flustered, and started suspecting him. You’re someone who enjoys using others, but despises being used yourself.”

“……”

“To fulfill your ambitions, I’m certain you would return to the palace at once if there was any certainty.”

“That’s not true.”

As Lee Kwang denied my assertion, I stared directly at him, insisting,

“Then let’s think rationally. Why is Zhuque, a protector of the palace, here at Mount Tai? And what connection does that have with the Emperor? We need to uncover that.”

“So why should it be my responsibility?”

“Because…”

I smirked,

“You carry the burden of patriotism.”

“What?”

“Isn’t loyalty to the nation your life’s creed?”

“……”

I felt the mask on Lee Kwang’s face crumble in that instant. His expression showed the strain of holding himself together, revealing his inner conflict. Seizing this chance, I pressed him,

“How can you profess loyalty to the Emperor without understanding what ulterior motives Zhuque may have? You need to discern how his actions contribute to the stability of the royal line, too. That’s the duty of a loyal subject.”

“Zhuque is to protect His Majesty. I have no need to worry about that…”

In that moment, I knew exactly which lever to pull. After observing Lee Kwang’s behavior over the past decades, I had developed an instinct for this.

“Have you forgotten who General Jin Cheon-hwi was killed by?”

“……!!”

“Do you know what the Emperor is thinking right now? And still claim loyalty as his subject?”

Crack!

At that moment, blood leaked from Lee Kwang’s clenched fists. He was trying hard to suppress a swell of emotion, but the stranglehold of his thoughts was too intense, causing blood to drip onto the ground. While other matters may not have weighed heavily on him, his vulnerability to my words struck hard.

“If you think what’s happening does not tie into the Thunder God lineage—then feel free to take everyone and withdraw. I’ll make my own effort to reach the Old Sage.”

I continued,

“But I’ll be disappointed in you. It seems your conviction is but an empty shell.”

Lee Kwang fell silent. Seeing his lack of response, I turned my back, prepared to leave.

But at that moment, Lee Kwang shouted.

“Stop!”

I stopped mid-step, and he bore an expression that appeared as though he was battling with the fanged beasts of rage within him. Releasing a lengthy sigh to calm himself, he finally relented,

“I’ll proceed as you suggest. But if I sense you trying to manipulate us…”

“Do as you wish.”

I felt certain of this moment. Even though Lee Kwang was seething with hatred towards me, he would ultimately participate in the struggle against the palace. This was partly due to a fight ignited within him—a reason to confront it.

That’s right.

Lee Kwang had been deeply loyal, but upon witnessing the death of his close friend General Jin Cheon-hwi at the hands of the Emperor, he must have wrestled with a harsh internal conflict. It left him musing about whether he ought to prioritize the country or the Emperor.

Ultimately, he turned away from the predicaments of the White Lotus Sect only to retreat into the martial world, becoming the Celestial Dragon Guardian Lee Kwang. Exploiting the vulnerabilities of such an already conflicted human being was remarkably simple.

Once back inside, Dokgo Seong inquired,

“Have you reached a conclusion? In that case, let’s speak about future plans.”

“Yes.”

“Cheongwol and I will search for the forces of the Red Moon and Green Moon. I have some inkling where to start, and we should be able to make progress within a year. After uniting those forces, we’ll gather the Thunder God lineage’s successors while avoiding the eyes of the White Lotus Sect.”

“Isn’t that too dangerous?”

Dokgo Seong chuckled lightly.

“Not at all. Knowing my uncle, he won’t rush to pluck the fruit before it ripens. As long as he doesn’t reach out first, we can safely grow our strength.”

“What about the Wind God lineage?”

“You need to manage that yourself.”

“Me?”

When I caught the deep look in Dokgo Seong’s eyes, the meaning hit me.

‘As a disciple of the White Lotus Sect, I’m responsible for keeping the Wind God lineage in line!’

Then, when the Thunder God lineage had grown sufficiently, I could utilize the assassination rights from Chilsal Village to eliminate the leader of the White Lotus Sect. In the chaos that followed, while the White Lotus Sect floundered, the Thunder God lineage would then become a fully independent entity.

It was an excellent strategy, and I admired Dokgo Seong all over again. How had such a mind not ascended to the rank of Sorcerer?

Finally, Dokgo Seong turned to Jin So-cheong and pronounced,

“And you, Jin So-cheong, will start receiving the training of Baek Woong from today.”

“What?”

“What?!”

Both Jin So-cheong and I were taken aback. But Dokgo Seong spoke as if it was only natural,

“Baek Woong is already a master of the Thunder God lineage’s martial arts. With his teachings, you’ll progress rapidly.”

“Uh… I understand.”

While Jin So-cheong seemed to accept it readily, I felt as though a boulder had dropped into my stomach.

‘Oh no…’

If I ended up teaching Jin So-cheong, it could lead to significant consequences.

If he were to learn all of Zhang Sanfeng’s wisdom or insights, I couldn’t fathom the grand extent to which he might grow. However, refusing to instruct Jin So-cheong here would also be illogical, so I reluctantly nodded,

“Understood.”