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I returned to the sealed place beneath the Shangguan family after recovering my body while riding the Four Great Spirits. There, Zhuge Sa was still lying there in a state of oblivion, and I couldn’t spot Miho anywhere. I slapped Zhuge Sa’s cheek in an attempt to wake him up, but he showed no sign of stirring.

“Why won’t you wake up?”

Even with a slap that could send an ordinary human into shock, there was no response. I couldn’t hit him any harder for fear of losing teeth as his cheeks turned a rosy red. I infused my body’s meridians with mysterious energy, and even tried torturing him with Thunder God techniques, but he just shivered from the pain without any hint of waking. It seemed like I could stab him with a hot skewer while he was asleep and still get no reaction. This was way beyond normal.

“If I keep this Eight Trigram Seal open, it will damage his nervous system. I have to pull back.”

Reluctantly, I had no choice but to summon Yeodong-bin again, the one responsible for putting Zhuge Sa in this state.

[ Yeodong-bin. What happened? Zhuge Sa isn’t waking up.]

Yeodong-bin replied nonchalantly, as if it were nothing.

[ I completely severed his spirit with my Spirit Sword.]

[ What?! You mean you’ve killed him?!]

[ Not at all. He’s just in that state until I withdraw the influence of the Spirit Sword.]

I hastily spoke up.

[ Please wake him up. Without his brilliance, we can’t get through this situation.]

Yeodong-bin seemed to sense the magical power surrounding Zhuge Sa and said with an annoyed tone,

[ That guy is a notorious Demon Sorcerer… you’re really trusting someone you can’t trust at all.]

[ You’re right, but that’s exactly why he might be able to do something.]

[ Hmph…]

Seeing my firm determination, Yeodong-bin, with no other option, waved his fingers from left to right.

Pa-at!

“Gack!”

Suddenly, Zhuge Sa, who had been bleeding from the mouth, started shaking and woke up. He looked confused at the sudden pain but managed to tolerate it easily. Then, with a grin, he spoke to Yeodong-bin, who was still floating by.

“Heh, that was intense, Sword Saint.”

Yeodong-bin replied coldly.

[ If you try to harm the Dharma Protector, I won’t let you off easily.]

“Hehe… I understand.”

As Yeodong-bin’s spirit release faded, Zhuge Sa wiped the blood from his nose and said to me,

“It seems the Soul Exchange Technique will soon be undone. Before that, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Return the Sacred Relic that was used for the seal to me now.”

‘……’

I glanced toward the direction of the seal. I guessed there would be absorbed Sacred Relics hidden among the shattered remnants of the seal. It seemed Shangguan Hyuk hadn’t had a chance to retrieve the absorbed Sacred Relics and had rushed back to the surface. I instinctively knew that I could use the Palace Examination Technique to recover the Sacred Relic, but I responded to Zhuge Sa’s words bluntly.

“What are you going to do with it?”

“Are you really asking that? I’m tired of just being in your head.”

“Hmmm…”

“If I have the Sacred Relic, even if your Soul Exchange Technique is inadequate, I can stabilize my spirit as a Portrait Immortal.”

Zhuge Sa explained with a sly grin.

“That sounds like a great proposal, doesn’t it?”

Of course, it was a good proposal. I also found it unbearable that Zhuge Sa was constantly peering into my head, mocking me at every turn. Having him regain a physical form made me feel like I would want to beat him up just once for all the hassle he caused.

His independence was a welcome thought. But as I started to avoid simplifying things, I contemplated Zhuge Sa’s proposal.

After a moment of thought, I replied.

“What do you really want?”

“I told you. Give me my body.”

“You wouldn’t be satisfied with just that. What are your true intentions?”

“Hehehe… So you do know how to be suspicious.”

Zhuge Sa, chuckling, patted his swollen cheeks with his palm and continued.

“Put simply, even if I have two bodies, it isn’t enough. No matter how well you heed my schemes, there are limits on what we can do in this urgent situation. I calculated that we overwhelmingly lack opportunities to act. So it’s much more efficient if I act directly.”

“……”

“Stopping the Heavenly Sovereign Initiative in just 49 days is almost impossible. If you want to increase our chances even a little, then bet on me.”

“You really are good at speaking in circles! How can I trust you when you might stab me in the back anytime?”

Initially, I was fully intent on getting Zhuge Sa’s independence as soon as possible due to the side effects of the Soul Exchange Technique. However, as I shared thoughts with him, I realized how formidable his strategies were, and I understood that letting him act freely would be extremely dangerous.

Reluctantly, I had to admit that he was undoubtedly one of the best strategists in the current Central Plains. Moreover, Zhuge Sa possessed most of my past life’s memories, making it easy for him to catch me off guard. Perhaps keeping him sealed in my head was the best option.

Then, Zhuge Sa shrugged his shoulders and said,

“Alright, do as you wish. I just doubt whether you can fulfill all the requests I make.”

“Shut it. If you can’t do it, then just die. You’ll leave me in a state where I can’t live or die.”

Hahaha!

After a while, Zhuge Sa’s voice faded. The duration of the Soul Exchange Technique had ended. At the same time, I felt his spirit being drawn back into me. As Zhuge Sa reclaimed a corner of my mind, I could hear him chuckling.

[ Look at you, Baek Woong. Let’s see how far you can go on your own.]

“Be quiet. I’m going to recover the Sacred Relic first.”

Palace Examination Technique activated!

I used the technique to pull out the original form of the absorbed Sacred Relic from the sealing barrier and held it in my hand. Even though it was a Sacred Relic obtained from the West, its actual power was no different from a treasure, and having it would provide endless uses in the future.

‘My spirit power has risen.’

Then I headed upstairs to find Shangguan Hyuk. He was staring blankly at the sky from the uppermost floor, his complexion slightly pale and looking as if he had lost all strength. I spoke to him from behind.

“I’ll be taking the Sacred Relic.”

“Do as you wish. My mission is complete, and I no longer need the Sacred Relic.”

“Then…”

As I turned my head, Shangguan Hyuk suddenly spoke up.

“Baek Woong, do you know the real reason why the Heavenly Realm can’t give up Luoyang?”

I shifted my gaze back to him, stopping in my tracks. Shangguan Hyuk continued, still staring blankly at the sky.

“In Luoyang, there are two deities.”

“Two?”

I looked confused.

“Why would there be two? The ruler who secretly manipulated the Imperial Palace was definitely only one…”

Was it the Sleeper of Enkai, known as the Old Ruler? That being controlled the darkness of the Imperial Palace, continually demanded human sacrifices, and rewarded the palace forces like the Vermilion Bird with power. Depending on the circumstances, it would even summon Apostles and had nearly led the Master of the White Lotus Sect to murder. Its presence was so strong it couldn’t ever be forgotten.

But I’ve never heard of two masters in the Demon Subduing Hall. Upon gazing at Shangguan Hyuk, I could see him groan in pain.

“…Ugh, I can’t tell you anymore. My mental strength can’t take it.”

“Huh? It’s just information, why would your mental strength…”

I asked in disbelief, but Shangguan Hyuk looked genuinely pained, his expression contorted, while his eyes were filled with blood.

“The myths and knowledge of darkness consume the reason and mental strength of humans with the mere knowledge of them! Just knowing may even lead to feeling the summons of the Old Ruler. Right now, I can only give you a clue; I can’t say any more…!!”

‘……’

Is just knowing enough to go crazy?

I found it stranger and asked Shangguan Hyuk.

“I feel like I know quite a bit already, but I haven’t felt any signs…”

“Of course you would. The madness of ancient knowledge is a fate that even the most powerful otherworldly beings cannot escape.”

Determinedly, he gave me a ‘clue’.

“…Baek Woong, this Luoyang city… is a strange city. Do you know why…?”

He seemed to be avoiding direct references to stay sane.

‘……’

“Originally, this city doesn’t suit a huge empire’s capital. Because when surrounded by outsiders, it becomes difficult to defend, and there are major weaknesses to the southern terrain, along with numerous places that need securing despite convenient transportation. That’s why, ever since the Warring States era, many emperors and high officials chose Luoyang as the capital but grew painfully aware of its issues and pondered over countermeasures. Additionally, when the northern barbarians formed their dynasty, there was serious discussion about relocating the capital to Yan Jing due to geographical conditions, and that was precisely what the Yongle Emperor strongly pushed for.”

This was the first I’d heard of such a story. It was something not mentioned in simple records. As I listened carefully to Shangguan Hyuk, he continued.

“However, the Yongle Emperor chose not to move the capital, even though he had his base as a prince in Yan Jing.”

Shangguan Hyuk, as if realizing something, continued.

“No… wait. Perhaps this issue precedes even that. Even Zhu Yuanzhang, who founded the Ming Dynasty, chose not to change the capital from Luoyang. Literally, he endured inefficiency, and Ming emperors maintained the capital there. For Zhu Yuanzhang, who experienced the painful reality of invasions from the Yuan Dynasty, maintaining Luoyang, which is disadvantageous for defense, was rather unusual. Ideally, Nanjing should have been more appropriate.”

“What does that mean?”

“Both Zhu Yuanzhang and the Yongle Emperor wanted to move the capital from Luoyang. But there was a reason they had to give up on it. The absolute sovereigns who conquered the world were forced to give up on it… precisely because of Luoyang.”

After a moment of silence, Shangguan Hyuk spoke.

“Baek Woong… right now, you’re filled with thoughts of stopping the Heavenly Sovereign Initiative… but think about what the Heavenly Realm is trying so desperately to protect… the only advice I can give you right now is that.”

I couldn’t help but grumble at Shangguan Hyuk, who was dragging the conversation on.

“Honestly… why beat around the bush when you could just say it?”

“Ugh. I actually don’t understand you. With the amount of demonic knowledge you’ve amassed, how can you still be sane…? And you claim to be a successor of the Heavenly Sovereign’s successors…”

Shangguan Hyuk stared at me in disbelief as he sighed.

“Baek Woong, keep in mind that there may be an even darker and more despairing possibility that could exist…”

With a whoosh, Shangguan Hyuk’s figure vanished into the shadows. It seemed he used one of the magic arts he knew. I thought that with the Palace Examination Technique and the Four Great Spirits, I could easily chase after him, but it felt meaningless, so I let it go. Somehow, I had a premonition that even if I captured Shangguan Hyuk and tortured him, he would go crazy before I got any useful information from him.

Instead, I left the Shangguan family and moved to a quieter location, where I asked Zhuge Sa.

[ Hey. Explain what Shangguan Hyuk just said.]

[ Hmmm… It’s a simple thing. He metaphorically warned me about what would happen if the Master of the White Lotus Sect broke the ‘Battle Ground’ of Luoyang.]

[ Battle Ground…]

I suddenly recalled a memory I had heard from Zhuge Sa before.

[ It refers to the mythic-level seal from the time of the Great Yu.]

[ Great Yu divided the Nine Continents and introduced the concept of dividing the world for the first time. While it’s not commonly known, the concept of the Nine Continents has profound significance in Daoism. The reason is that the royal territories of the Nine Continents essentially represented the operational sphere of the Three Sovereigns.]

[ A strong seal dating back to the mythological age exists in Luoyang. Most sorcerers are well aware of it. It’s just that it has perfectly merged with the earth, so there are hardly any signs of it.]

[ Alchemists work for the otherworldly races. So, what do you think is the reason that he is trying to break the Battle Ground using the Portrait Immortal? It means that [something] is sealed in Luoyang.]

‘……’

As I recalled the past, my face contorted in fear. I pressed Zhuge Sa.

“Zhuge Sa, you knew about the Battle Ground, didn’t you!”

[ Did I ever say I didn’t?]

I flared up in anger.

“Geez! Why did you say you were busy while never telling me that fact? What’s your real agenda?”

[ Hmph… It was meaningless to mention a barrier I can’t do anything about.]

“What?”

[ I don’t even know who created that Battle Ground or what’s sealed there. The only certainty is that it’s not a barrier created by humans, and thus, no sorcerer can do anything about it. Paying attention to such a mysterious barrier is pointless; it only adds wrinkles to your forehead. Countless sorcerers have tried to meddle with the Battle Ground over a millennium while Luoyang remained the center of the empire, but it was all in vain.]

“But you knew something was sealed in Luoyang. I thought it was a seal that Shangguan Hyuk was protecting, but Yeodong-bin said otherwise. So, what is it?”

When I shot a sharp question, Zhuge Sa responded bluntly.

[ Do I look like someone who knows? Isn’t it weird to think I would know what it is?]

‘……’

[ It seems you’re under the impression that I’m your servant. The one refusing to grant independence is you. As long as I’m in your head, you can’t ask me anything. Stop your nonsense and just get to work.]

“Ugh…”

Something felt off; Zhuge Sa was acting strangely different from before. But I couldn’t pinpoint why this discomfort was arising, so I just scratched my head and said,

“Are you losing your mental strength over this knowledge too?”

[ Hehe… Something like that.]

Zhuge Sa, grinning ominously, continued speaking.

[ Anyway, it’s true that the Master of the White Lotus Sect may break the Battle Ground using means other than sorcery. You need to recognize that possibility.]

“So, I guess the only thing left is to talk to the Master again?”

The Master had told me to find a solution and send me off, but it seemed like discussing the matter in depth with him was unavoidable. I returned to the Master to inquire about my suspicions, and upon hearing about the Battle Ground, the Master was shocked and said,

[ What? Such a thing exists?]

“Yes… It seems the Heavenly Realm is concerned about it…”

[ I don’t know. But I have no idea how to break that barrier… I didn’t seize Luoyang with that intention. I just learned about the barrier now.]

The Master seemed genuinely perplexed.

‘……’

He didn’t even know, yet the Master of the White Lotus Sect was planning to break the Battle Ground? Why would the Heavenly Realm think that?

It felt like a strange situation, leaving me puzzled. But no matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t come up with an answer, and the Master of the White Lotus Sect declared,

[ Well then. For now, I guess I should wait for the reply from the Twelve Joules Alliance.]

A sense of unease washed over me, as I felt like something I could potentially do was slipping away. This unsettling feeling felt all too familiar, casting a shadow of anxiety over me.

 

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