Chapter 647
“Assassinate the Sect Leader?!”
I’d thought about it at least once, but had never dared to entertain such an idea. I gawked at Zhuge Sa for a moment, then blurted, “You’re telling me that just the two of us, Zhuge Bu and I, can take out the Sect Leader?”
What an unexpected plot twist this was! Zhuge Sa replied, seemingly unfazed, “Honestly, it won’t be that hard. I know enough of the Sect Leader’s weaknesses, so it would be absurd to think we can’t pull it off.”
“But how exactly do you suggest we go about this?”
“Before I explain, I want to hear your thoughts first.” Zhuge Sa stared at me calmly.
“If we could definitely take out the Sect Leader, would you follow my plan without a second thought?”
“……”
“This is more important than the plan itself, you know.”
I fell silent, contemplating.
Can I actually kill the Sect Leader? Even if I want to, will I be able to do it?
Zhuge Sa clearly knew about the pity I felt for the Sect Leader. If I didn’t clarify that point, it was like he wouldn’t share the plan with me. I wasn’t stupid enough to overlook that, so I mulled it over before asking, “… Is there really no chance of accepting the Sect Leader as an ally?”
“Why are you asking me?”
“Huh?”
“Baek Woong, you are a king.” Zhuge Sa’s gaze turned serious.
“You can be said to be freer and more powerful than the emperor of the Great Ming Empire. No one in history has monopolized all knowledge, treasures, and martial arts using reincarnation abilities while standing against the gods. There are almost no mortals who can hinder your path going forward. Both Mangnyang and I regard you as our actual king, and we are plotting accordingly. Haven’t you heard it from Hyun Ah before?”
“……”
I had heard it.
“Ultimately, it’s your will and choice. I can warn you that accepting the Sect Leader as an ally could be perilous, but I can’t predict the outcome. Your luck can be fickle, and human wisdom may never grasp it. Hasn’t it always been like this?”
After a brief sigh, Zhuge Sa continued, “Baek Woong, what do you want to do about the Sect Leader? That’s the most important part. It’s beyond my ability to answer.”
I pondered for a moment, then reached a conclusion.
“I don’t want to kill him, but I can’t just stand by if he threatens my companions.”
Knowing the Sect Leader harbored ideals of his own and sought to save humanity certainly weighed on my mind. However, if he reached out to harm my companions, I couldn’t just sit back and let it happen. My personal sympathy has limits, and I have a duty to protect my comrades.
Zhuge Sa nodded. “So you wish to choose a moderate path.”
“Yeah.”
“Then let’s do that. We’ll focus on the challenge in Dark Heaven Village without clashing with the Sect Leader anymore. Leave the preparations for relocating our base to me and Hyun Ah.”
Though Zhuge Sa seemed to have nothing more to add, I couldn’t help but be curious and asked, “Wait… was it really possible to assassinate the Sect Leader with the best plan?”
Zhuge Sa looked at me with wide eyes. “Dude, why do you keep dragging your feet? Didn’t you just make a choice?”
“I’m curious! I need to know for future plans.”
“Hehe. Even as a king, you’re definitely not cut out to be a hero.”
With a chuckle, Zhuge Sa continued, “The method is simple. Just kill the Young Master.”
“I thought of that too.” I shook my head. “But the Heavenly Law Hall, where the Young Master is, is no easy target.”
“I know.”
“At first, I thought it was a completely unguarded area. But they have sorcerers staying there, constantly maintaining barriers, and even though they don’t stand out much, there are always experts from the Su Shin Sect guarding it. Some of them might be from the Water God Team or the Elder of Su Shin Sect.”
“Heh. So it means fighting against a Dharma Guardian-level monster.”
“Exactly.”
The Elder of Su Shin Sect! I hadn’t realized it before, but among them were owners of the Heavenly Spirit Pill unknown to the other Four Great Families. Naturally, that place was one of the Sect Leader’s major weaknesses, meaning one holding the Heavenly Spirit Pill would be vigilantly guarding it, implying we’d have to clash with a Dharma Guardian-level expert.
‘If there are two or more possessing the Heavenly Spirit Pill, it’s hell…’
Zhuge Sa continued, “Moreover, there’s likely a device in the Heavenly Law Hall that allows for the immediate summoning of the Sect Leader.”
“… I haven’t noticed it, but it’s quite likely.”
It would have to be; if the Young Master were taken down, it would reveal a significant weakness that could incapacitate the Sect Leader, and it’d be silly to think the sorcerer wouldn’t set up a summoning device.
“So… you’re wondering why the probability of killing the Sect Leader exceeds 80%, right?”
“Exactly.”
“It’s simple. If you and Zhuge Bu team up, even if the Sect Leader is summoned to the Heavenly Law Hall, you two can kill him at once. Or cause him serious injury.”
“What?”
“You don’t need any other absolute realm martial artists. In fact, they’d just be a hindrance. It’s exactly because it’s just you and Zhuge Bu that this strategy is possible.”
What on earth was he talking about? As I stared incredulously at Zhuge Sa, he said slowly, “You’ve already chosen the moderate path. Hearing my strategy would only waver your already indecisive mind. So stop and start preparing to relocate.”
“… Understood.”
I realized that Zhuge Sa’s idea of ‘the best plan’ was anything but conventional—truly unethical tactics, something I knew he’d be reluctant to share. I decided to start moving the base, expecting that Zhuge Sa would eventually spill the beans later.
First, I stored my wealth and the experts from the Shadowless Gate in the wooden armor and headed south. I considered visiting the Ayutthaya Kingdom at first, but since the Southern Barbarians could launch an attack on a whim, I instead decided to relocate far into the countryside.
Then we gathered to discuss how to handle the prisoners.
Mangnyang said, “Let’s reveal the situation clearly to the Bright Dragon and Master of Zen and win them over. Transmitting memories would work too.”
Zhuge Sa replied bluntly from across the table, “Hyun Ah, aren’t you being a bit too soft? Just brainwash them and turn them into minions.”
“They’re not that vicious and are noble sages. Turning them into puppets is too much.”
“They might not be evil, but they’re leaders of a sect. You’re busy with other matters, so why complicate things by managing these guys one by one?”
“If they can’t even understand human speech, then so be it.”
“Then what about Lee Kwang?”
“……”
Mangnyang fell silent for a moment, then glanced at Jin So-cheong. “I think Jin So-cheong should keep monitoring Lee Kwang until Baek Woong’s exploration of Dark Heaven Village is over.”
“That’s a waste of resources and time. Jin So-cheong shouldn’t be distracted when she should be focusing on her training.”
“That’s not the point.” Mangnyang continued, “We should also make Lee Kwang part of our strength.”
“Oh… so that’s the route we’re taking.”
“He’s also a genius in martial arts.”
Zhuge Sa shook his head. “I disagree! I’ve seen enough through Baek Woong’s memories to know what kind of guy Lee Kwang is. He’s too cunning to trust. Let’s just chop his head off.”
Suddenly, Jin So-cheong interjected, “I won’t allow you to harm my master.”
Upon hearing that, Zhuge Sa shot a crazed look at Jin So-cheong. “Really? What if your master betrays you at any point?”
“I will atone for my sins with my death.”
“Ha! Your demise means nothing to a reborn person like Baek Woong.”
“……”
I watched the atmosphere grow increasingly tense and decided to step in. “I’ll transmit memories to the Bright Dragon and Master of Zen. I trust them. As for Lee Kwang… Jin So-cheong, please decide whether he can be accepted as an ally after receiving memories.”
As I stared intently at Jin So-cheong, he shook his head with a sorrowful look. “I can’t accept that.”
“Then we’ll just keep suppressing and imprisoning Lee Kwang. I’ll restrain all his bloodline powers and suppress his internal energy, so a senior expert from the Shadowless Gate can keep watch.”
“Understood.”
“Hehe, truly…”
As Zhuge Sa was about to mock Jin So-cheong, I quickly interrupted him. “That’s enough! We’re out of time, so let’s move.”
It seemed like Zhuge Sa had a deep-seated issue with Jin So-cheong, and the latter wouldn’t tolerate being disrespected, making a fight inevitable.
With a whoosh, I transmitted memories to Master of Zen and the Bright Dragon. They trembled and were taken aback by what they received.
“What…”
“No way.”
Especially the Bright Dragon’s reaction was explosive. He shot an indignant look at me, his youthful face twisting in disbelief as he roared, “You bastard!! You’ve been indiscriminately spreading the Seven Great Techniques to just anyone! Haven’t you received help from me and the Wudang Sect during your reincarnations? And yet you haven’t returned a single favor to us?”
“……”
I had no retort. It was true—I owed both the Bright Dragon and the Wudang Sect and hadn’t exactly been good about reciprocating. Letting out a sigh, I bowed my head in apology. “I’m truly sorry.”
“Damn it, saying sorry doesn’t just close this matter…”
“But the way I acquired the Seven Great Techniques was entirely due to using my reincarnation abilities to obtain them from the legendary Jang Sam-bong. I don’t see how I should be blamed for that. If I hadn’t used my reincarnation abilities, it would have been impossible for you to obtain the complete version of the Seven Great Techniques yourself.”
“… That’s true…”
After calmly-retorting, I continued, “My goal is to gather the strength of humanity and break free from the cruel claws of the gods that aim to dominate this world. However, in reality, I haven’t even found a plausible method to topple the gods yet. I’ve had no room to spare, which is why I haven’t repaid the Wudang Sect until now. I truly regret that.”
“Hmm…”
The Bright Dragon pondered for a moment before saying, “Alright. I admit I was too focused on my own feelings. I acknowledge that you’re someone capable of saving the world. Make sure to repay your debt to the Wudang Sect later.”
“I will. Thank you for your understanding.”
Just then, Master of Zen softly spoken, “Baek Woong, you walk the endless path of reincarnation while maintaining righteousness. I’m touched by your heart.”
“You don’t need to flatter me, Master.”
“No…” Master of Zen paused before adding, “To shorten your journey, I must do my best to assist you. Would you join me for a brief visit to the Shaolin Temple?”
“Why to the Shaolin Temple?”
“I need to organize a few things and deliver you a gift.”
“Understood.”
A short while later, I moved to the Shaolin Temple alongside Master of Zen and the Bright Dragon. Master of Zen then declared he would seal off the entire Shaolin Temple and led me to a secret place deep within.
After traveling for a while, we arrived in the deep, hidden valleys about thirty miles from the main Shaolin Temple. Master of Zen casually placed his hand on a rock, and a moment later, the rock emitted a strange noise.
[User fingerprint authentication complete. Opening the door.]
With a whirr, the rock suddenly produced a strange mechanical sound and slid aside, revealing an extraordinarily vast space.
“……!!”
What the heck is this?!
Oddly enough, the interior was filled with all sorts of unknown mechanical devices, and it seemed to have some bizarre space for storage. As I gazed in awe, Master of Zen spoke.
“This is a gift bestowed upon the Shaolin Temple by Master Mangnyang.”
“What do you mean?”
“Master Mangnyang contracted with ‘someone’ to receive offerings, and this mysterious place is one of those offerings. I’ve heard that the ‘someone’ used this area as an important fortress but had no choice but to donate it to Master Mangnyang.”
Master of Zen casually touched the peculiar blue walls around us. “Nothing here rots, filled with divine spirit energy, and contains unidentifiable technologies from another realm. I don’t know the specific uses, but I’ve been cultivating here, allowing me to build internal energy at a pace several times faster than outside.”
Could this be the secret to how Master of Zen acquired the world’s strongest internal energy?
I was flabbergasted. “What on earth is this place? Unlike the ruins of the otherworldly race, I don’t sense any evil energy.”
“I really don’t know either. However, it will be beneficial for you as a reincarnated being moving forward. You may not need internal energy anymore, but…”
Master of Zen moved deeper inside, opening a box and retrieving something. It was a small, round, yellow object glowing brightly. “The best spirit pill from our base, the Daehwandan. Please use it wisely.”
“Understood.”
“I believe it’ll be more effective for treating internal injuries than Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.”
For now, I was satisfied having received the Daehwandan.
Next, I accompanied the Bright Dragon to the Wudang Sect to observe them proclaiming the sealing of the temple.
The Bright Dragon opened a secret door behind the Sect Leader’s chamber and confidently said, “I don’t have any grand relics like Master of Zen, but…”
With a creak, he proudly gestured to the inside of the secret room. “You can take this with you from now on.”
With a clink, a refined long sword glimmering with divine light was stuck inside the secret room!
As soon as I saw the sword, I knew it was something extraordinary. I had seen many legendary swords in my time, but this one radiated a majestic aura that could captivate any swordsman’s heart. Even the legendary Yongyeon seemed somewhat outclassed by it.
I gulped and asked, “What sword is that?”
“There’s a saying: ‘To make a square ground for the cart and a round sky for the lid, the long sword gleamed, resting against the heavens.’”
“……!!”
Hearing that phrase, my eyes widened in shock. “Are you saying that’s the Divine Sword?!”
The Bright Dragon nodded. “It’s one of the top swords in Central Plains, obtained by our fallen leader Jang Sam-bong when he defeated the Major Evil.”
The Divine Sword! It was a legendary sword spoken of in tales, said to be able to cut through anything, long sought after by every swordsman and martial artist since ancient times. Seeing the Divine Sword with my very own eyes filled my heart with joy.
I tried to pull the Divine Sword from its sheath, but suddenly my arm felt weighed down. Turning to the Bright Dragon, he said, “No one has managed to draw that sword so far. No one, since the time of the investigation.”
“……”
“If you’re capable, be my guest and draw it.”
“But why can’t it be drawn?”
“Well… I honestly don’t know. If I could’ve drawn it, I would’ve brought it to fight the Sect Leader ages ago.”
I bolstered my internal energy and focused it into the Divine Sword.
Kugugugugu…!!
‘Ugh, this isn’t working!’
I felt the Divine Sword slightly shift, but as I tried too hard to pull it out, I realized it was straining against me. Forcing it out could damage the sword; I had no choice but to stop.
“Anyway, thank you.”
I thought I’d have to ask Jang Sam-bong how to draw the Divine Sword later.
