Chapter 656
“We need to figure out the identity of the Lord of Mount Tai before heading to Northern Mourning Mountain!”
As soon as the plan was set, I started contemplating what to do. There’s no way I could barge directly into the Celestial Realm and question them about the Lord of Mount Tai while begging for access to the Underworld. After some deep thought, I exclaimed, “We can summon the Lord of Mount Tai with an Offering Ceremony!“
“Sounds good. But we need to present a sacrifice to gain access to the Underworld. What do you propose to offer as the sacrifice?”
“Hmm…” I pondered. What would be an appropriate offering?
Since the Supreme Master Jang Sam-bong had returned offerings to me, I actually had plenty. After thinking hard, I declared, “I’ll use that!“
Upon hearing what I intended to offer, Mangnyang replied, “Baek Woong, you might want to research that further. Getting what’s hidden in the hands of the Southern Dipper Monk isn’t going to be easy, is it?“
“What do you mean?”
“Just a guess, but I think there’s something worth trying with the stuff you already have.”
I decided to take Mangnyang’s advice.
Slowly, I took out the mysterious silver spear I received from the Southern Dipper Monk from my wooden armor and focused my strength into it. As I did, Yin Energy surged into my hand and seeped into the spear, and I poured my energy into it.
Suddenly, the silver spear responded with a wave. Mangnyang, watching from the side, remarked, “Just as I thought… this spear has a story behind it. It’s quite a masterpiece.“
“It’s tough. Do I need to keep channeling my energy?”
“There’s no other choice.”
I frowned. Even though I was directing my Yin Energy, unlike during my time with Yodo Muramasa, I felt a resistance from the spear. It didn’t respond like the Muramasa, which felt like savoring a delicious meal, but this spear seemed to have an aversion to the energy.
‘So picky…’
After a while, I was sweating profusely from my forehead, realizing I might lose the accumulated Yin Energy if I pushed any further. Eventually, I decided to stop.
Mangnyang, sensing my feelings, sighed, “I thought that infusing Yin Energy might vivify the strength and memories contained within the spear into a spirit… what a shame.“
The method proposed by Mangnyang was to awaken the weapon’s ego by infusing it with Yin Energy!
Although Yodo Muramasa wasn’t originally a weapon with an ego, it responded when infused heavily with Yin Energy, awakening its madness-infused self. Moreover, once awakened, it could utilize previously non-existent techniques and enter a state of frenzy. I thought this method could work on other weapons too.
At this moment, Cheon Woo-jin, who was observing, interjected, “Let me try that spear for a second.“
As I willingly handed the spear to Cheon Woo-jin, he chanted a rapid incantation and opened his spirit eye, revealing something as he inspected the spear. Then he said, “It wasn’t for nothing. This spear is on the brink of awakening its spirit.“
“Due to the influence of the Yin Energy?”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded and replied, “It’s part of the powers of the Three Sovereigns, so it would be odd if it didn’t respond. But from what I see, it seems like it lacks the strength to awaken.“
“That’s nonsense! No one has more Yin Energy than me on this earth!”
“I’d say it’s due to the weapon’s intrinsic characteristics. The Yodo Muramasa intrinsically harbored a specific aura and had a high affinity for Yin Energy. Meanwhile, this silver spear is the opposite; it is embedded with holy power and has traces of dragon slaying within it. It probably despises Yin Energy as a form of evil god power.”
I was taken aback by Cheon Woo-jin’s words. “Dragon slaying?! So someone killed a dragon with this spear?“
“A dragon’s curse clings to it. Though it’s of decorative quality, its resentment likely stayed when the dragon was slain. Using this silver spear when hunting dragons would yield great effectiveness.”
“Then if I infuse more Yin Energy, will this spear awaken?”
After thinking for a moment, Cheon Woo-jin responded, “You could, but I recommend against it.“
“Why’s that?”
“It’s inefficient. From what I can tell, you’d need to expend at least ten years’ worth of Yin Energy to awaken this spear. Your goal is to elevate your Yin Energy as quickly as possible, wasting it just to awaken one spirit isn’t wise…”
“Oh, right.”
Listening to Cheon Woo-jin made me cautious. Clearly, I was in the process of accumulating Yin Energy by using Jeon Wook’s statue in my reincarnation, and wasting it was not an option. Mangnyang added, “But Baek Woong, it seems that the more Yin Energy accumulates, the more its fundamental power level changes. Once enough Yin Energy is amassed, awakening a weapon’s spirit without losing power might become possible.“
“Hmm.”
After hearing Mangnyang’s words, I thought, ‘Then I’d better save at least a hundred more years’ worth of Yin Energy before attempting to awaken it.’
Mangnyang’s scheme seemed quite useful. Since Yin Energy is a divine power, noteworthy or exceptional treasures would react to it, awakening their spirits. Later on, as I stack more Yin Energy, I could awaken the spirits of the gathered exceptional treasures or peerless weapons to create something on a higher plane! And the enhanced items would surely be treated as offerings of a higher rank when presented as tributes.
Suddenly I recalled, “What would happen if I infused powerful great-level Yin Energy into the Seven Luminaries?“
“Hmm… I can only say we wouldn’t know without trying,” Mangnyang mumbled.
“But I can assume it could lead to self-destruction. Though the Water Spirit might be different.”
“Is that because the Seven Luminaries were created with the powers of the Three Sovereigns?”
“That is part of it… but just a thought.” Mangnyang fanned himself.
“If the spirits of the Seven Luminaries awaken, a catastrophe could ensue.”
“Hmm?”
“These spirits would be on a different level. They’d be divine beings, possessing the power to potentially destroy the world.”
“I share similar thoughts with your older brother.” Cheon Woo-jin chimed in.
“It’s better not to pursue that.”
“……”
“Since Jeon Wook was a deity, he could control the powers of the Seven Luminaries, but you’re not him, are you?”
A catastrophe. I was about to master the ability to awaken a weapon’s spirit, but couldn’t touch the ultimate weapon, the Seven Luminaries. A sense of regret washed over me. As I was pondering, Mangnyang spoke up, “Then let’s go. We’re just wasting time here.“
“Understood.” I replied, and together with Mangnyang and Cheon Woo-jin, we proceeded to conduct the Offering Ceremony. After placing the silver spear as an offering and erecting a flag, shortly after, Cheon Woo-jin began chanting the incantation to summon the Heavenly Spirits.
As the spell was cast, Cheon Woo-jin’s gaze changed. He became possessed by the Great Immortal. The being enhanced within Cheon Woo-jin gazed at me and spoke.
[Are you the one who summoned the Lord of Mount Tai?]
I bowed respectfully and replied, “Yes, are you the Lord of Mount Tai?“
[……]
A moment of silence stretched out, and after what felt like an eternity, the voice finally answered.
[I hold the title of Lord of Mount Tai, but the Lord of Mount Tai does not exist.]
“Then you are…”
[I am the Northern Dipper Star Lord. I also hold the title of Lord of Mount Tai.]
As expected! Cheon Woo-jin’s predictions were right. The hypothesis that the Northern Dipper and Southern Dipper Star Lords were actually pretending to be the Lord of Mount Tai, when they were originally from the Underworld, was correct. I masked my surprise with a slightly startled expression and said, “… Whatever, I’ve made my offering, now please grant me access to the Underworld!“
[Access to the Underworld… is that what you desire.]
“Yes!”
The Northern Dipper Star Lord looked somewhat displeased and said, “[Why do you wish to go to the Underworld? It’s merely a place anyone goes upon death.]
“What good is it to know after I’m dead? I simply want to learn what lies beyond firsthand.”
[Is this the folly of insatiable curiosity… hmmm…]
At that moment, something misty appeared next to the Northern Dipper Star Lord. The figure transformed into someone wearing a ceremonial outfit and spoke to the Northern Dipper Star Lord.
[Northern Dipper Star Lord. I’ve learned that this person wields the sword of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens and is quite renowned. Furthermore, they recently presented an offering to that monkey.]
[What…? Southern Dipper Star Lord, is that true?]
[Why would I lie?]
[Hmm…]
Suspicion mixed in the gaze of the Northern Dipper Star Lord. He then said, “[This looks suspicious indeed. What are you after, repeatedly making offerings to the great beings of the Celestial Realm?]
“There’s nothing suspicious here. If you’re truly unwilling, I shall withdraw the ceremony right now.”
I adopted a straightforward retreating posture as suggested by Mangnyang. The Northern Dipper Star Lord replied, “[In the past, there were sorcerers who accessed the King of Hell using our powers. That individual significantly prolonged their lifespan and returned to the earthly realm… However, we allowed their lifespan due to their reasonable skills and heavenly mandate.]
“……”
[Are you seeking to extend your lifespan by going to the Underworld?]
“Indeed.”
[Hahaha… how foolish. I will grant you passage to the Underworld, so do as you please.]
Suddenly, Cheon Woo-jin’s possession lifted, and the Northern Dipper and Southern Dipper Star Lords vanished simultaneously. Mangnyang, who had been observing the ceremony, supported Cheon Woo-jin and said to me, “In any case, the ceremony succeeded.“
“Now let’s head to Northern Mourning Mountain to pass through the Gate of the Underworld.”
We moved towards Northern Mourning Mountain. Upon reaching the base of the mountain, Cheon Woo-jin instructed, “Baek Woong, use the Fire Eye Golden Spirit technique.“
“Understood.”
“The darkest realm is the Underworld.”
As I focused and activated the Fire Eye Golden Spirit, I became aware of seeing the underlying world. Cautiously shifting my gaze, I noticed various shades in the landscape, and I selected the darkest and most ominous hue among them.
‘The Fire Eye Golden Spirit lets me glimpse the overlaying worlds…’
As I looked through the Fire Eye Golden Spirit at the Northern Mourning Mountain, I could see the terrain held steady, but there were grim reapers, judges, and underworld warriors loitering about. Surprisingly, many grim reapers were gathered around the Northern Mourning Mountain, appearing to protect a massive ‘gate’ atop the mountain, undoubtedly the passage to the Underworld.
As I scrutinized the Northern Mourning Mountain, Cheon Woo-jin remarked, “Now, you can see the Underworld easily. Although it can also be done through palace examination, the Fire Eye Golden Spirit will likely carry over even in future lifetimes, broadened the options early on.“
“Hmm… Now that I’ve received access to the Underworld, can I just go straight through?”
“No… that would be foolish. If it were that easy, there wouldn’t be such elaborate preparations for the Lord of Mount Tai ceremony.”
“Then what should we do?”
Cheon Woo-jin replied curtly, “It’s obvious that the access we received is merely permission to pass through that gate, and it’s clear the beings of the Underworld will try to stop us.“
“……”
“And look at those brazen fools over there.”
“Where?”
“Those standing right in front of the Underworld gate.”
I increased the strength of the Fire Eye Golden Spirit to get a better look at the figures standing before the gate of the Underworld.
And there stood two fully armed shapes.
“……”
It was the Northern Dipper and Southern Dipper Star Lords.
Seeing them, I couldn’t help but shout, “Wait, they gave us access but are blocking us directly?!“
“Aren’t those guys sneaky? We should’ve seen this coming since they acted like lackeys to the Queen Mother of the West last time!”
“What should we do?”
“There are two options. We can either beat the living daylights out of these underworld beings or give up on going to the Underworld.”
“Damn it!”
Neither option seemed appealing. Above all, I felt uneasy about surrendering to the Underworld now, leaving me restless for sleep. While I was fuming, Mangnyang said, “Something feels off.“
“What do you mean?”
“……”
Mangnyang pondered for a moment before speaking, “With such a large gathering of Underworld beings near Luoyang, it doesn’t make sense they wouldn’t be aware of Zhuge Yulong’s evil deeds. He must have been practicing human sacrifice or forbidden law often.“
“Hmm…”
“Baek Woong, this is a grave issue. Perhaps…”
Just then.
Whizzz
Time seemed to freeze. Mangnyang halted mid-sentence as if caught in the time stop, while Cheon Woo-jin appeared to counteract the effect with a barrier.
And then, I heard a voice nearby, one I had heard before.
“Looks like you’ve figured everything out.”
“You…”
“Should I lend a hand to the supplicants?”
A figure clad in ancient robes, appearing as if time were frozen, emerged from the grass—
It was the Celestial Sage Tripitaka, part of the Eight Parts of the Divine!
