Chapter 300
“At the Heavenly Realm, I found Dokgo Seong waiting for me.”
“I guess there’s a lot to discuss. Let’s talk inside.”
“Sure.”
His steps looked somewhat hasty, hinting he might have been eagerly waiting for my arrival. Once we entered the inner room of Waryong Hall at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, I found Lee Kwang, Jin So-cheong, and Cheongwol there too. It seemed they were planning to hang around unless something urgent came up.
After settling down, Dokgo Seong spoke up.
“First, tell me about what’s happened so far.”
“Of course.”
I assumed he already knew about my time spent with Jin So-cheong, so I briefly summarized my negotiations with the White Lotus Sect and the offering ceremony after parting ways with her. When I mentioned I gained approval from the Emperor to stand against the incomprehensible sorcery, Dokgo Seong seemed pleased.
“Good, if you can handle that bizarre sorcery, taking down the Imperial Palace shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“However, I have to mention something…”
“What is it?”
I glanced around the room, took a deep breath, and spoke.
“Please, let’s ally with the White Lotus Sect.”
“……!!”
In that moment, killing intent erupted from Cheongwol and Lee Kwang. Cheongwol looked incredulous, clearly struggling to believe my words, and suppressing his instinct to lash out. That twisted expression would soon morph into one of brutal malice. Lee Kwang’s icy demeanor revealed undercurrents of deep rage.
Jin So-cheong appeared unflappable, her eyes closed in contemplation. Dokgo Seong, however, looked contemplative, resting his chin in hand. In this tense atmosphere, he appeared most placid, and indeed he was.
Slowly, he spoke.
“Explain the situation. You didn’t bring up something so absurd without a reason.”
“The Master of the White Lotus Sect wishes for the Thunder God Lineage to return to their fold and has appointed me as the Dharma Guardian of the Thunder God Lineage, taking me on as his disciple.”
“Hehehe… the Dharma Guardian, huh?”
Dokgo Seong chuckled, but his eyes were ice-cold, indicating he was holding back significant anger. It was the response I expected, so I pressed on before his emotions turned turbulent.
“And that’s why I believe we must unite with the White Lotus Sect.”
“Why? You think just because you got the title of Dharma Guardian from the Thunder God Lineage, plus the Heavenly Spirit Pill, and the Master of the Sect’s world-class martial skill, you can just be on cloud nine?”
His blunt sarcasm made me respond slowly.
“You know that’s not it, right? If I truly aimed for that, I would have twisted my words. I want to use the Master’s proposal as a stepping stone to revitalize the Thunder God Lineage.”
“What do you mean?”
I clenched my fist.
“Think about it. The Master of the White Lotus Sect has already sent the Wind Spirit Sect’s Cheon Woo-jin to the Elder Council. This is a clear sign of an imminent war against the Imperial Palace. He has publicly declared it. It’s been five days since then, so current status suggests most of the White Lotus Sect’s experts are likely positioned near Luoyang.”
“That makes sense.”
“And if the White Lotus Sect wins this fight against the Imperial Palace, then from that moment on, they’ll be in control of the world.”
As I gazed intently at Dokgo Seong, he seemed to realize something.
“Wait… are you suggesting that once the White Lotus Sect takes over, we should assassinate the Master of the White Lotus Sect?”
“Exactly.”
I nodded.
“If we seize the opportunity and use the reverse powers to take out the Master of the White Lotus Sect, chaos will ensue within their ranks. When the Thunder God Lineage has built enough strength, it will surely rise again.”
“Hmm… Are you suggesting we execute the plan even if it’s a bit convoluted?”
“After all, wasn’t the plan from the beginning to assassinate the Master? Why not let the White Lotus Sect handle the Imperial Palace too?”
“……”
Throughout the discussion, I noticed the killing intent that previously emanated from Cheongwol and Lee Kwang had subsided. Cheongwol appeared tormented, trying to discern the truth of my narrative, while Lee Kwang maintained his icy demeanor.
Dokgo Seong pondered for a while then sighed.
“So you’re saying we’ll control barbarians with barbarians? If carried out correctly, the Thunder God Lineage could indeed rise in ten years.”
“It will take time to gather the successors and procure the secrets of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, so it won’t happen overnight.”
“That’s reasonable. Hehe… it’s quite a good strategy.”
Dokgo Seong chuckled a bit more, seemingly lightened up. But then Cheongwol chimed in with a worried tone.
“Elder, I still don’t understand—how do we assassinate the Master? Is there even a way to do that?”
Dokgo Seong, firm in his tone, replied.
“Cheongwol, I can’t elaborate now, but Baek Woong has the capability to perfectly assassinate the Master of the White Lotus Sect. I can stake my name on it, so don’t fret.”
“Hmm…”
Cheongwol crossed his arms, reluctantly reassessing. He acknowledged my skills but was still grappling with the idea.
Dokgo Seong continued.
“That’s true. Normally, it’d make sense for me to become the Dharma Guardian. In my rivalry with Lee Cheong-un, I only yielded because his talents are extraordinary. Originally, it was my place.”
“Of course.”
“But right now, the circumstances are skewed. The Master wants Baek Woong to be the Dharma Guardian, which means he wants to effectively control the Thunder God Lineage by putting Baek Woong at the helm. If we accept the White Lotus Sect’s proposal and bow down, opposing that would be futile.”
“But why would that be futile?”
Dokgo Seong sighed again.
“It’s clear, I can see it.”
“Why?”
“Because… the Master is that way. He’s been stubborn since childhood! He’s never once bent his will.”
“……”
Cheongwol fell silent, realizing none amongst us knew the Master better than Dokgo Seong, his older relative. It was likely that Dokgo Seong’s judgement was indeed accurate based on past observations that revealed the Master’s extreme stubbornness.
Dokgo Seong continued.
“Fortunately, Baek Woong isn’t wholly unqualified as the Dharma Guardian. He’s mastered all three laws of the Thunder God Lineage’s signature techniques to a considerable extent, most importantly, he has grasped the Thunder God Sword Dance. Moreover, he knows a vast array of techniques from the Thunder God Lineage. I wouldn’t dispute Baek Woong’s qualifications.”
“……!!”
Cheongwol showed a shocked expression. His eyes held suspicion, but I chose not to respond to his scrutinizing gaze. Eventually, he conceded.
“Hmm… If that’s the Elder’s intention, then there’s nothing I can do.”
“Exactly. That’s for the best.”
Just then.
“Are you kidding me?”
Lee Kwang, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, freezing the atmosphere in the room. Both Dokgo Seong and Cheongwol grew rigid at the unexpected interruption. Cheongwol’s killing intent flared up again, but he restrained himself as he asked.
“What did you say? Am I hearing things, Lee Kwang?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. This situation is just too ridiculous; I couldn’t hold back a word.”
“You miserable wretch! Looks like you need a wake-up call!”
With that, Cheongwol shot to his feet.
Krugugugu…
A fierce aura erupted from his hands as the Thunder God Fist’s might gathered. If he wanted, he could easily wipe out a three-length radius in an instant. Cheongwol’s martial skills reached a pinnacle of excellence with the Thunderbolt Three Saints, making success against him uncertain for Lee Kwang in this moment.
Lee Kwang calmly spoke again, “Could you listen to me for a second? I have a right to voice my thoughts as the direct disciple of the previous Dharma Guardian.”
“Hmph.”
Cheongwol hesitated. Though anger coursed through him, Lee Kwang, as the sole direct disciple of the previous Dharma Guardian Lee Cheong-un, had a stronger voice on the matter of selecting a Dharma Guardian. Cheongwol ultimately decided to suppress his rage and said, “If you have something to say, go ahead.”
“Thanks.”
Lee Kwang took a moment to collect himself, continuing, “I have two questions regarding this matter.”
“Questions?”
“The first is the Master’s true intent.”
With an unyielding gaze, Lee Kwang continued, “He commanded me to rally the Thunder God Lineage. But if I follow his command and go to the main branch of the White Lotus Sect, how can I be sure it isn’t a trap?”
“Hmm…”
“There’s a strong chance he’s plotting to wipe us out. That’s why I can’t wholeheartedly agree. Trusting just his word and heading over there seems impractical.”
After hearing Lee Kwang’s words, Dokgo Seong appeared contemplative again, resting his chin in hand.
“What’s the second?”
“It connects to the first. It’s the possibility that the Master has struck a deal with Baek Woong.”
“What are you getting at?”
“If we go along with Baek Woong’s words and head to the main branch of the White Lotus Sect, the worst-case scenario is that we’ll be wiped out. After which, Baek Woong will gain the title of Dharma Guardian, the Master’s world-class skills, and even the Heavenly Spirit Pill—all without anyone opposing him. An utterly perfect plan.”
“……!!”
“Then he might go on to cultivate disciples who fit his tastes, effectively subjugating the Thunder God Lineage to his will.”
Lee Kwang’s calm words seemed to stir something in both Dokgo Seong and Cheongwol, leaving Cheongwol restless and unable to find his footing. It was clear Lee Kwang’s persuasive powers were effective. While Dokgo Seong hid his turmoil well, he too looked baffled.
Lee Kwang continued, “Think practically. Can we really put the lives of the Thunder God Lineage in Baek Woong’s hands? I could never do that.”
“Hmm.”
I was astonished.
‘Is his rhetoric really this sharp?’
Lee Kwang didn’t utter a word about his desire to be the Dharma Guardian, yet he had stirred the well-contained anxieties of the elder experts in the Thunder God Lineage, directly attacking the trust they placed in me. By using the term ‘practical,’ he completely deflated the vision I’d painted for the future of the Thunder God Lineage.
How cunning and clever!
This wasn’t just a fight of martial arts; it was an entirely different battle one I was now drawn into.
But I couldn’t afford to act recklessly here.
What was the best course of action I could take now?
I locked eyes with Dokgo Seong.
“Elder.”
“……”
“You know the reasons you can trust me. And you’re also aware I can’t be lying.”
I subtly reminded him of the Black Obsidian secret we shared from my past life. Dokgo Seong let out a low, contemplative noise before speaking.
“I know that. But…”
“Yes?”
“With Mangnyang’s abduction and the recent complications, that all raises alarms, right? Today, I tried to contact the Sword Demon through the Divine Maiden Sect, but it didn’t add up.
“What do you mean?”
“I know the Sword Demon is trustworthy, but it’s also true he’s essentially a stranger to me.”
“……”
“I feel uneasy.”
In that moment, I understood where Dokgo Seong’s apprehension came from.
It stemmed from the uncertainty of the Black Obsidian’s memories!
The Black Obsidian replayed my memories like a flash of lantern light, leaving little room to doubt their reality. However, while Dokgo Seong had read my memories and accepted them, applying them to reality posed difficulties. Considering the vast range of my adventures filled with bizarre experiences, he could only be skeptical that it might all be just fiction.
After a few moments, Dokgo Seong said, “Perhaps we should put this matter on hold…”
He gestured negatively, continuing, “Baek Woong, you can join if you want, but I prefer to conserve our strength and assess the situation further.”
“You’re right, Elder.”
Cheongwol quickly agreed by my side. He’s had reservations about granting the title of Dharma Guardian to someone so inexperienced from the start. Lee Kwang wore a faint smile, undoubtedly pleased with how things were unfolding in his favor.
I felt frustrated.
‘That’s not it!’
The only real rival the White Lotus Sect had at present was the Imperial Palace, and the Master knew it, thus boldly attacking the Imperial Palace. Once the White Lotus Sect overthrew the Imperial Palace, they would rise as the unrivaled power in China, unable to be challenged.
But then the troubling issue arose. If the Thunder God Lineage did not participate in the attack against the Imperial Palace, when they eventually returned to the White Lotus Sect, they would be overshadowed by merit. It was undeniable that this would be an extremely formidable battle for the White Lotus Sect. Even if the Thunder God Lineage were to join later, there wouldn’t be any opportunities left for recognition. The hope for the Thunder God Lineage’s resurgence would undoubtedly fade away.
Yet, despite this realization swirling in my mind, explaining it in this moment would be tough. Each of these calculations relied entirely on the assumption that the Thunder God Lineage would operate according to my plan. With Lee Kwang’s rhetoric now sowing doubt in both Dokgo Seong and Cheongwol’s minds, no explanation I offered would be more than mere empty words.
‘What to do?’
Before arriving at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, Zhuge Sa had warned me to devise a strategy to persuade the Thunder God Lineage.
[But be cautious of one person. He’s unpredictable.]
[I know.]
[If Lee Kwang becomes a real obstruction, there’s no choice but to face him in a life-and-death struggle.]
[It seems I’ll have to duel for my life against him.]
After saying that, Zhuge Sa had grown frustrated, smacking his chest in exasperation.
[You dumb idiot! Is that the only way you can think? Not every warrior survives solely by swinging blades!]
[So what should I do?]
[Lee Kwang is far too clever and will try to meddle from the sidelines, sowing discord. To dissolve his tactics, you must establish a dialogue with the perpetrator, luring him into the chaos instead. You need to involve him in your intent and convince him first.]
[That sounds tough.]
[Geez… if only Hyun were here, I wouldn’t have to explain this to you.]
Now that I was in this situation, I felt I grasped the meaning behind Zhuge Sa’s advice. Since Lee Kwang was clearly ready to cause trouble, no matter how much I tried to calm the anxieties of Dokgo Seong and Cheongwol, it would backfire. When it came to manipulating human emotion, I couldn’t hope to match Lee Kwang. He had solidified his position in the political sphere for decades within the chaotic Imperial Palace.
Thus, I decided to persuade Lee Kwang.
If that didn’t work, I’d have to deliver a shocking blow.
This was a battle of wits altogether different from the art of sword fighting now looming before me.
Desperately racking my brain, I sent a secret message to Lee Kwang.
[Lee Kwang.]
Lee Kwang ignored my message, instead preparing to seize the opportunity to counter anything I said. I bit my lip and spoke.
[Your disruption will be futile. This matter is directly tied to you.]
[Say one more word, and I’ll ensure you never set foot in the Thunder God Lineage again.]
Lee Kwang’s response wasn’t a threat. He was patiently waiting for me to slip up, ready to stoke Dokgo Seong’s suspicions and drive me out. I was acutely aware of the risks, so I took a deep breath and gambled.
[General Hwang Yeon told me that during the Emperor’s passing, the Crown Prince was present alongside the Vermilion Bird, Mount Tai’s Old Sage.]
[W-what?]
Lee Kwang’s eyes flickered with surprise. Seizing the moment, I continued.
[General Hwang Yeon believed you wouldn’t know this. After all, the political landscape shifted drastically post-event, and the Vermilion Bird’s presence faded from the political stage, leaving you too preoccupied with the Martial Arts world to notice.]
[Is that really the case? Did the Vermilion Bird attend the Emperor’s passing?]
[You should deeply question that. With both the Emperor and Vermilion Bird showing up, you can’t possibly think there wouldn’t be a connection to the Emperor’s death, right?]
I ended with a taunting note.
[Amidst all the doubt swirling around you, doubting even your last bastion of loyalty.]
“……”
Lee Kwang appeared taken aback. The cold mask he wore while managing the situation seemed to slip. After a moment, he let out a deep, resigned sigh.
“…Elder, I think Baek Woong’s words may hold some truth.”
Dokgo Seong looked bemused.
“What do you mean?”
“The Master isn’t the type to orchestrate shallow schemes. Moreover, I need to observe his skills more closely to realize any counters.”
“Hmm… that’s a valid point.”
“Following Baek Woong’s advice sounds prudent for now. We can discuss the Dharma Guardian title later.”
“All right. If you say so, then let’s follow Baek Woong’s guidance.”
Dokgo Seong swiftly changed his stance. I briefly thought he was too easily swayed, but it became clear he respected Lee Kwang far more than he let on. Perhaps he even sensed that the privilege of the Dharma Guardian should belong to Lee Kwang rather than himself. Caught in my narrative and Lee Kwang’s, he opted to support Lee Kwang’s perspective as soon as it aligned with mine.
‘Did I overcome this hurdle?’
As I exhaled in relief internally, Jin So-cheong sent me a message.
[Baek Woong. I have something to say.]
[What is it?]
[Please allow me to also share the insights of the Wudang Sect with our Master. Improving his skills will greatly aid future plans.]
I shook my head.
[Don’t talk nonsense. You know the bad blood between me and him?]
[I know you convinced the Master in some form, just now.]
Jin So-cheong spoke urgently.
[I have a strong feeling. The Master you’ve met in this life differs from the one you encountered in your past. You may not realize it yet, but the Master has changed significantly. Even if it’s the last hope from your past life, please summon your trust just this once.]
[……]
Trust him, you say?
Trust Lee Kwang?
I nearly exploded with frustration. However, knowing just how outrageous Jin So-cheong’s intuition could be, a trait I witnessed throughout our time, I couldn’t easily dismiss her insight. After wracking my brain repeatedly, I finally gritted my teeth.
[… Fine.]
[Thank you.]
That was my final concession.
There wouldn’t be another chance for me to convey anything to Lee Kwang again.
