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Dark Heaven Village

I arrived at Guizhou Longchang using the Golden Lamp technique. This place was a rugged area located slightly south of Sichuan Province and had relatively underdeveloped features. It was known for having many ethnic minorities living in the vicinity, suggesting that the Ming Dynasty’s control was rather weak here.

‘Is someone living a life of nobility in such a place?’

Wang Shouren, also known as Yangming. According to Zhuge Sa, he was now an elderly scholar who had been studying Confucianism for a very long time. He had also played a role in quelling a rebellion against the Prince Consort and was reputed to have quite an impressive martial arts foundation. But honestly, I didn’t care much about his past; I was more curious about why he spoke of the Primordial Void.

As Gekho surveyed the city of Guizhou Longchang, he remarked, “Master, we should see Wang Shouren’s house if we go another five miles or so.”

Lee Cheong-un then spoke up. “Baek Woong, I’m sorry, but let me handle the conversation with him.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

Lee Cheong-un had reached the Absolute Realm and was the one who knew Wang Shouren best. He claimed to have studied for a year in his spare time, so communicating with him should go smoothly. Soon enough, we arrived in front of Wang Shouren’s residence and handed a letter to the servant.

The letter issued in the name of the Bancheon Alliance from Zhuge Sa served as a letter of introduction from a high official. For an intermediate official like Wang Shouren, it was impossible to refuse. A moment later, the servant came back and said, “The master has summoned you.”

We entered the house and saw Wang Shouren seated, waiting for us.

Wang Shouren’s first impression was of a man in his seventies, with his hair bleached white around his temples, though plenty of black strands remained. He was quite tall and appeared more like a martial artist than a scholar. However, his warm and friendly demeanor didn’t give off any intimidating vibes.

Wang Shouren stood up and said, “I hear you are the ones introduced by the Inspector General. It’s a pleasure.”

Master Mangnyang, the leader of the Bancheon Alliance, had already allied himself with Gyeonggak, making it easy to borrow the Inspector General’s name. As Lee Cheong-un took a seat, he introduced himself with a pseudonym. “Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Geum-do, serving the esteemed Inspector General. We are here to seek a bit of assistance before we take our leave.”

“Hmm… Lee Geum-do. What kind of help would be appreciated? I’m just a mere low-ranking official.”

“We did not come looking for your title, but rather to learn about the teachings of your Yangming philosophy.”

“Ha ha! That’s quite delightful to hear.”

Wang Shouren seemed genuinely excited. Lee Cheong-un, who called himself Lee Geum-do, then asked, “First… I understand you are mentally inheriting the heart philosophy from the Lushan School?”

“Indeed.”

“You spoke of the heart as the essence of reason. You also refer to the nature as virtue, while virtue is reason itself. So, did I come correctly in understanding your heart philosophy?”

Wang Shouren chuckled. “Ha ha ha! My writings aren’t that famous, yet you’ve read them well. While explaining it all in detail might complicate things, it does seem you have a decent grasp of my theories.”

“That’s a relief.”

“So, what I must do is expound upon the relationship between heart, reason, virtue, and the attainment of knowledge?”

It appeared he thought we came to hear lectures on philosophy and heart studies, and he looked quite thrilled. Well, given that he was a Confucian scholar at heart, it was natural for him to think that way. However, that wasn’t our purpose, so Lee Cheong-un shook his head.

“I, Lee Geum-do, didn’t come here just to hear about that.”

“Please reveal your purpose.”

“I found an intriguing quote in your writings: [Heavenly Reason exists eternally; a clear and enlightened essence lacks neither deficiency nor bias].”

“Hmm… You seem to have read it quite thoroughly.”

“Let me ask you: [The energies of Heaven and Earth differ in the gathering and dispersing, yet the Primordial Harmony interacts with each other]. How can your theory be interpreted?”

“……”

Wang Shouren’s face hardened upon hearing the question about the philosophy. His previous cheerful demeanor vanished and was replaced by an intense expression. He glared at the person disguised as Lee Geum-do and said, “Are you from the [other side]?”

“The other side? What do you mean?”

“Reveal your true identity. Tell me you didn’t kill the Inspector General and disguise yourself to come to me…!!”

Wang Shouren’s reaction grew more extreme. Yet, from his response, we realized one significant fact.

‘Wang Shouren knows about the hidden world!’

Lee Cheong-un, with no change in expression, slowly spoke. “If that were the case, I wouldn’t be having such a dialogue with you. Both I and the friends behind me are definitely human. We aren’t some minions colluding with demons.”

“……!!”

“There’s no need to panic. We merely wish to know your thoughts. The Inspector General and we have an alliance, so don’t be uneasy. We also know about his backing.”

“…Just what is your identity?”

“That’s the question we wish to ask. Aren’t you also a member of the Confucian Scholars?”

“Ha ha…”

Wang Shouren seemed to admit something and lowered his head. “I am part of the Confucian Scholars.”

The Confucian Scholars! It was a group that countless Confucian scholars have belonged to since the time of Gyeonggak. They practiced martial arts and techniques dedicated to countering the manifestation of demons. Wang Shouren too was a scholar affiliated with them.

“I want to know why you reacted so sensitively to my question.”

“Well… it’s because your words struck right at what I’ve always regarded as a thorn in my heart.”

Wang Shouren continued with a displeased look. “In truth, that saying has been a secret passage shared with me directly since ancient times.”

“So that’s how it is.”

“You guessed and came here?”

“If not, we wouldn’t have traveled all the way to hear about philosophy.”

Lee Cheong-un crossed his arms and said, “Take it easy. We know enough about the hidden world, so today we merely aim to remove your thorn in the heart.”

“Ha ha… Understood.”

Wang Shouren’s mood returned to normal. After taking a deep breath, he began to speak. “In my view, whoever stated that had a precise grasp of chaos and the Primordial Void. This implies that the originator of our scholar’s teachings passed down an ancient secret to humanity. I’m surprised to see someone directly understanding and utilizing that principle…”

“The originator of the Confucian Scholars?”

Wang Shouren nodded. “As you might have guessed, the one known as Master Mangnyang is said to be the highest sorcerer of the Left Taoist faction.”

Upon hearing this reply, Lee Cheong-un maintained a rather expressionless demeanor. It was simply a matter of confirming what was already suspected. The fact that Master Mangnyang was the creator of the Confucian Scholars wasn’t news to him.

“Now, let’s get to the main point. How would you interpret the quote I mentioned earlier? Not from the common confucian or heart philosophy standpoint, but from the [perspective of the universe].”

Wang Shouren pondered for a moment before responding. “That would be… reincarnation.”

Lee Cheong-un flinched upon hearing the unexpected term. “Reincarnation? What does that mean?”

“I’m not entirely sure. However, the phrase about Primordial Harmony interacting refers to the idea that the Primordial Void gradually returns and merges with chaos. And as for when this reincarnation phenomena occurs, I believe it is only at the [end] of this world.”

“The end of this world?”

“According to the ancient teachings passed down by the [God], at the world’s conclusion, all will meet their reincarnation. Hmm… So that particular quote…”

Wang Shouren faltered in thought and continued, “At the moment of Genealogical Reincarnation, chaos and the Primordial Void fuse into emptiness, affecting the entire universe. Furthermore, that immense power turns the [Great Cycle].”

“Are you sure? Claiming the universe ends in reincarnation sounds a bit far-fetched…”

Lee Cheong-un let out a chuckle. “Furthermore, weren’t you critical of Buddhist and Taoist ideas personally?”

Wang Shouren blushed, looking embarrassed. “That was merely to solidify my stance as a Confucian scholar. I am aware that the sages of Buddhism and Taoism also strive to protect the people from demons.”

“Hmm… Reincarnation… does that mean everything in this world goes around in a cycle?”

“I don’t truly know.”

Lee Cheong-un rested his chin on his hand, as if thinking deeply. Then he spoke, “I wish to understand how to obtain that Primordial Void or chaos. Do you have any insight?”

“Ugh… How would I know such things? That’s entirely mythological! Until I heard you, I never considered that someone could directly manipulate the Primordial Void and chaos.”

“And one more thing, have you ever heard of the Four Calamities?”

“Four Calamities? That’s a completely Buddhist worldview. I don’t know.”

Wang Shouren looked bewildered as he continued, “Well then, I shall take my leave…”

Just then, Wang Shouren seemed to recall something. “Ah, now that I think about it, I remember receiving a similar question once…”

“A similar question?”

“Hmm, let’s see… where was it… hmm…”

As deep in thought as Wang Shouren was, he suddenly remembered. “Oh! I believe a youth from the Yungu family asked me a question.”

“Yungu? What are you talking about?”

“It must have been about twenty years ago… There was a new member who joined the Confucian Scholars, and the only thing I knew about him was his last name was Yungu. He quickly absorbed teachings and began taking on significant tasks. I once taught him the teachings of the Confucian scholars, and he posed questions similar to yours.”

“……”

“He even mentioned the Four Calamities.”

Lee Cheong-un’s expression hardened slightly. Then he said, “Intriguing. Was that person’s name Yong Junil?”

Wang Shouren’s face lit up with recognition. “Ah, yes! That was the name! Do you know him?”

“Well… I think I’ve heard it a few times.”

“Regardless, did you give that Yong Junil similar answers as you did me?”

“I believe so.”

“I see.”

After a few more exchanges with Wang Shouren, we soon left him and emerged outside. Wang Shouren turned to us and said, “That Yong Junil fellow is quite the character.”

Lee Cheong-un seemed genuinely perplexed. “Why is the subordinate lord of the White Lotus Sect now an elite member of the Confucian Scholars?”

“That’s genuinely unexpected.”

Indeed, the information acquired from the conversation with Wang Shouren revealed that Yong Junil, the leader of the Huashan Sect, was affiliated with the Confucian Scholars. It was a possibility I had never considered in my reincarnations, leaving me bewildered.

Then Gekho blurted out, “Master! Let’s head to the Huashan Sect and catch Yong Junil right now. While we’re at it, let’s squash the Wind Spirit Sect too!”

I looked at Gekho in surprise. ‘What’s got him all worked up?’

Lee Cheong-un replied dryly to Gekho’s suggestion. “Shall we?”

“Leaving such prickly business unresolved while promising tomorrow is nonsense. If we catch Yong Junil and interrogate him, we could find out about that Taiheon or whatever right away!”

“That’s a decent thought.”

Lee Cheong-un chuckled softly. “But there’s no need for that, Gekho. No, it’s more accurate to say we must not do it. You, of all people, should know why.”

Gekho wore a sulky expression. “I know well enough. If we act hastily, things could escalate, and we would all be as good as dead.”

“Then why bring it up?”

“……”

“While I understand your strong feelings about the Wind Spirit Sect, it’s best to set that aside for now.”

After issuing a brief warning to Gekho, Lee Cheong-un turned to me and said, “Baek Woong, this has become clear.”

“You’ve discovered how to merge the Primordial Void and chaos?!”

Gazing at Lee Cheong-un with wide eyes, I was met with a look of confusion. “Do you think I’d figure that out from just a few words with the scholar? Currently, the only person who knows that method is the Master of the White Lotus Sect.”

“So the certainty is…?”

“That I now know where to obtain the method. While only the Master of the White Lotus Sect knows it, there is also [God] involved.”

I grasped the meaning behind Lee Cheong-un’s words, and my expression soured. “Is that the only way?”

“That’s the only way. I can’t guarantee I’ll discover it through research. To be frank, I still don’t fully understand what obtaining the Primordial Void entails.”

“……”

Master Mangnyang! The only option left was to offer tributes to that accursed cat to learn the method of merging the Primordial Void and chaos.

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