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“I can’t believe I’m the master of the Moon Sovereign!”

I blinked in disbelief for a moment. Persuading Nüwa had felt like walking a tightrope, draining all my mental energy. Just then, I noticed the Three Divine Tools of Dongyoung buzzing around me, bringing me back to reality.

“That’s great!”

Being liberated from the Seven Luminaries meant my strength had skyrocketed. I had already tasted that power after freeing Xuyou, and I could safely say that my current abilities were no less impressive.

As I maneuvered the Moon Sovereign around, I asked Cheon Woo-jin, “Hey, do you have any idea what the special ability of the Moon Sovereign is?”

“I wouldn’t know! This is the first time I’m seeing the Moon Sovereign too…”

Cheon Woo-jin stared at my Moon Sovereign with curiosity. Then he added, “Considering the creator is the goddess Nüwa, it’s probably related to the moon’s shadow. I suspect it has some abilities pertaining to darkness.”

“Hmm…”

“You should just ask God through an Offering Ceremony later. That’ll be better.”

I nodded. Hosting an Offering Ceremony was awkward, but understanding the Moon Sovereign’s abilities wasn’t a bad idea. I thought it would have been wiser to ask Nüwa about it when I first received the powers, but her imposing presence had totally petrified me.

[Hey, Zhuge Sha. By the way, why were you silent when Nüwa first appeared?]

As I asked my burning question, Zhuge Sha replied bluntly, [You crazy guy. Is that even a question? I’m just a drifting spirit living on your body. No matter how much I squawk, that won’t change. What do you think would happen if I faced the overwhelming divine energy of the goddess Nüwa, who directly descended to the mortal realm?]

[I see.]

[You should be thankful I didn’t ascend right then. If an ordinary person or sorcerer had been in that spot, they could have dropped dead from sheer madness the moment they encountered Nüwa.]

[Seriously?]

[Just look around. Many soldiers stationed in this fortress on Mount Tai are probably insane now.]

I realized that summoning Nüwa had inadvertently caused some misfortune around us. Of course, I didn’t feel particularly sympathetic, considering those soldiers had kidnapped innocent commoners for human sacrifice following the Vermilion Bird’s orders.

Suddenly, a strange thought hit me. For Zhuge Sha, known for his nasty personality, to acknowledge the overwhelming power of Nüwa’s abilities indicated that it was indeed profoundly formidable. She was indeed one of the higher-ranked Three Sovereigns. Yet here I stood, having faced her without any noticeable repercussions. Why was that?

‘Hmm… Was it thanks to my mental training in martial arts?’ I brushed the thought aside.

Zhuge Sha chimed in, [Let’s move on to the next step.]

[Got it.]

I nodded and turned to Cheon Woo-jin. “Cheon Woo-jin! Let’s go and unseal the National Seal!”

“……”

“Cheon Woo-jin?”

“I thought about it and changed my mind.”

What suddenly brought this up?

Cheon Woo-jin crossed his arms and said, “Like I said before, there should be something in it for me.”

“Ugh…”

“Liberating the Moon Sovereign is a necessary task for a messenger of the Celestial Realm, but unsealing the National Seal is purely your greed. I can’t do it without extra pay.”

“We can’t let the Master of the White Lotus Sect get the National Seal! That’s unreasonable.”

“Hmph. Whatever, just cough up the extra pay.”

Glaring at Cheon Woo-jin, I said, “Be honest. You’re just being stubborn, aren’t you?”

In response, Cheon Woo-jin grinned. “Of course! Why should you get all the good stuff? I’m doing all the work here.”

“Hmm.”

“I’m not your servant, so do your own thing.”

With that, Cheon Woo-jin slumped down.

I scratched my head. Although Cheon Woo-jin had a twisted personality, he made a valid point. Whether it was hunting the Vermilion Bird or unsealing the National Seal, both tasks required Cheon Woo-jin, making it impossible to disregard his demands. Honestly, I had plans for sneaking by without giving anything, but given his stance, I felt I had to offer something.

Zhuge Sha chimed in from within. [I guess there’s no helping it. Give him the knowledge of Ji-seon Mang-nyang packed within the Obsidian.]

[Huh? That?]

I had the knowledge and experience of Ji-seon Mang-nyang, plus the techniques of the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate, like the Heavenly Secret Technique. Zhuge Sha was suggesting I give those to him.

[It’s probably worth something substantial, so he’ll likely accept it.]

[Ugh… I have no choice.]

I sighed and said, “Fine, I’ll share the techniques of the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate with you.”

“……!!”

Cheon Woo-jin looked genuinely surprised. “Really?”

“I’ll imprint the memories into the Obsidian, so don’t argue.”

With that, I traveled with Cheon Woo-jin on the Four Great Spirits to the Obsidian mine in Dongyoung. It was about time to collect more Obsidian anyway, so I worked for a while, mining, and once I had a sizeable chunk, I condensed Ji-seon Mang-nyang’s techniques into the large piece of Obsidian before handing it over to Cheon Woo-jin.

Cheon Woo-jin received the Obsidian with a doubtful look, but as the memory transfer began, his eyes widened.

“Hmm!”

After a long spell of absorbing the memories, Cheon Woo-jin sighed. “Wow… you’re more impressive than I thought.”

“Does that settle it?”

“Of course! I’ll unseal the National Seal without hesitation.”

Cheon Woo-jin said with renewed enthusiasm. It seemed the techniques I had given him held much more value than I realized. For me, with my lack of understanding of the arts, those techniques felt like hard-to-handle junk, but for him, they must have had a different significance.

Zhuge Sha cautioned me. [Of course. From now on, be careful not to become an enemy of Cheon Woo-jin.]

[What will happen if I do?]

[If Cheon Woo-jin starts cultivating with that knowledge, he’ll soon reach the Great Immortal Level of the mortal realm. You won’t stand a chance with just the Moon Sovereign.]

[……]

I found that rather disheartening.

Pa-at!

Before long, I arrived with Cheon Woo-jin at the hidden barrier of the National Seal beneath the Imperial Palace. The sect leader must have returned to the main lodge, making it easier for us to access it. Cheon Woo-jin, glancing around like a lookout in front of the barrier, quickly unleashed a One Palm strike.

“Yap!”

Bang!

The barrier crumbled at once. I was left flabbergasted by the scene before me.

In the past, I would summon the Eight Trigrams with both hands and chant the incantation of the raging storm to break through the barrier, but now Cheon Woo-jin shattered it without a second thought like it was nothing? I was dumbfounded and asked him, “Wasn’t this a barrier built by the gods?”

In response, Cheon Woo-jin strolled forward casually, “This barrier was created during the Mantang era by human sorcerers praying to the divine Empress Wu Zetian. So it’s not technically built by a god. Obviously, I can break it.”

“But…it was so easy to break…”

“Who cares? You broke it, and that’s what matters.”

Cheon Woo-jin said it with a dull attitude, showing no signs of pride or arrogance. It felt like he was genuinely unfazed. At that moment, I realized just how absurdly high-tier Cheon Woo-jin had reached in his sorcery.

‘Is that how unbeatable one becomes when the best sorcery techniques in the Central Plains coincide with a series of fortuitous encounters?’ Despite not being directly made by a god, it had still been a barrier blessed by one. Naturally, it would have been the most powerful sorcerers of the time who put their all into its creation. That’s why I had been too intimidated to try anything until now. Cheon Woo-jin’s ability to wipe out such a barrier with just the right kind of spirit call surpassed all reasoning.

Finally, we stepped inside and reached the burial site of the National Seal. In one corner, illuminated radiantly, was a square object. Emitting a divine light with a dragon embossed on it, it was the National Seal I had once obtained!

I glanced at Cheon Woo-jin before approaching the National Seal. Just then, he grunted, “You’re quite perceptive. I got it.”

With a wave of his hand, the energies surrounding the National Seal dispersed. Previously, he had warned that there might be traps or additional barriers around it, so I had silently asked him to seal it preemptively using the Eight Trigrams.

I cautiously approached the National Seal and picked it up with trembling hands.

Whoosh!

At that moment, I felt myself being thrown into an enormous space of illusion, and my soul melded into it. The heavens and the earth were engulfed in darkness with rays of light shimmering like the Milky Way! I had been in this place before. As I reached out toward the luminous orb at the center of that universe, a voice spoke.

[I am the artifact left behind by the Sovereign Shao Hao Jin Tian. Do you qualify to become the master of the National Seal of the Three Sovereigns?]

With confidence, I replied immediately, [Of course! I am Baek Woong! The master of the Moon Sovereign among the Seven Luminaries, recognized by the Celestial Realm and Nüwa herself.]

[No…!!]

The artifact’s voice seemed taken aback. It scanned my soul and then said in admiration, [I see… you are indeed worthy to become the master of the National Seal. Exceedingly so. You truly manifest the essence of the Original Night… A massive presence can be sensed…]

Suddenly, the artifact’s tone shifted to a more formal address.

[Now recognizing you as the master of the National Seal, I shall grant you the Full Vision of the Earth and Ocean. May it be of great assistance to you.]

[Wait!]

I interrupted before the artifact could bestow the abilities upon me. I quickly asked, [I have a question! What exactly is the Full Vision? If you’re going to give it to me, at least explain it first.]

[Ah… Of course.]

The artifact began explaining, [The Full Vision is a third eye that can see everything.]

[You mean ocular techniques?]

[It’s on a whole different level than mere sorcery. With the Full Vision, you can see anywhere in this world and read the information there. As you become more proficient, you will acquire the knowledge of the Great Beings.]

I tilted my head in confusion. [Great Beings? Are you talking about the Sovereign Shao Hao Jin Tian?]

[I don’t know that either. Such knowledge isn’t bestowed upon a mere artificial spirit like me. What’s certain is that the knowledge of the Great Beings was to be treated cautiously even by the Three Sovereigns.]

[Hmm… So it doesn’t enhance my power?]

[You’ll find out for yourself once you use it. It feels pointless to explain further…]

[I get it.]

Whoosh!

Shortly after, my perspective shifted back to reality. I noticed not only the dragon engraving but also the phoenix etching added onto the National Seal. It was the mark of being recognized as its master. I knew that telling Cheon Woo-jin that I had gained the Full Vision would set him off, so I pretended everything was cool and said, “It’s all done. Let’s head back.”

“……”

Cheon Woo-jin fixed me with a discontented look, saying, “I thought as much, but you’re really being a pain!”

What a sore loser!!

At this point, I felt achingly wonderful and replied with a feigned grin, “Heavens. I did what you asked, and this is what I get? Come on…”

“Ugh… If your sorcery level was even decent, I wouldn’t feel this way.”

This time, perhaps because I had given him something, he didn’t go all in with his insults. Zhuge Sha, who had been watching this unfold from within, chuckled.

[For him, you being a pearl on a pig’s neck is bound to brew those feelings.]

[What am I supposed to do about it!!]

[That’s why I’m telling you to sharpen your sorcery skills. Then you’ll be able to find the National Seal by yourself.]

[Damn it. Sorcery is really hard.]

[Haha.]

I grumbled inwardly.

Master Mangnyang said that I had less talent in sorcery than in martial arts. And that evaluation was quite objective, given that despite going through multiple self-created offerings and spending ten years cultivating an artifact with Miho, my sorcery skills barely hit the low levels. With my current abilities, I could barely keep pace with one person.

My talent in sorcery was clearly pathetic. Even with the 200 years of experience and knowledge that Ji-seon Mang-nyang had in his training, I could neither comprehend nor utilize it effectively. Techniques like Heavenly Secret or the Soul Exchange Technique were simply a nightmare for me to master. Thankfully, with Zhuge Sha’s help in this life, my talents seemed to have improved as a heretical sect master. So hopefully, I’d be slightly better moving forward.

After a while, I dropped Cheon Woo-jin off in front of Ji-seon Mang-nyang’s village. Before parting ways, I asked him, “Cheon Woo-jin, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Have you heard any news or traces of Mangnyang? Anything small would be fine…”

To that, Cheon Woo-jin’s eyes brightened. “My older brother has been in seclusion to gather strength. I can’t tell you where he is.”

“So you do know something.”

“Just let it go. My older brother said he wants to strengthen himself until it’s beneficial to you. He will come to you when the time is right.”

“Hmm…”

“Since this encounter itself is a fate, let’s ask one more question. I’ll share what I know.”

It seems that asking about Mangnyang had earned me some favor with him. After some thought, I finally asked, “Have you seen a nine-tailed fox named Miho?”

“Ah, of course.”

“……!!”

He answered right away!

Startled, I looked at him, and Cheon Woo-jin said, “That demon came to the village looking for you. She asked the Master for offerings to gather information about your whereabouts, then left and I haven’t heard from her since.”

“So she offered to Master Mangnyang?”

Cheon Woo-jin let out a dry laugh. “Hah! Riding the Four Great Spirits around the Central Plains, no matter how powerful a nine-tailed fox is, she could never keep up with you. And if she’s with the White Lotus Sect now, there’s no way she’d approach, given the dangerous humans around.”

“……”

I was dumbfounded. Even as I stood, Miho’s face flashed through my mind. I had expected it, but thinking that Miho might be struggling stirred my heart. I also regretted mentioning her to the Queen Mother of the West.

“That nine-tailed fox left after receiving training from the Master. She can manage herself, so don’t worry about her.”

“Master Mangnyang taught her…?”

“The abilities of a nine-tailed fox far surpass those of a human. Plus, you’ve caught his eye…”

Cheon Woo-jin muttered as he wrapped up, “Baek Woong, you are in the eye of the storm right now. Every step you take sends ripples through the world, so please proceed with caution.”

With that, Cheon Woo-jin turned and entered the village in a flash.

As I mulled over his words, Zhuge Sha spoke up.

[Baek Woong. The time has come.]

[What do you mean?]

With Zhuge Sha’s following words, I realized I was about to head into a decisive showdown.

[It’s time to negotiate with the Master of the White Lotus Sect.]

 

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