813——————==

True Martial Home

Peng Zuo, right after his hand got chopped off, started mumbling some weird ancient spell. At the same moment, six pillars appeared around him, deflecting attacks not just from the White Lotus Sect’s master but also the Three Great Dharma Protectors. Peng Zuo roared in rage.

[ I was going to make this my base, but it’s useless now! I’ll just kill all of you!]

Wiiiiiing

Ancient characters burst from the pillars, scattering everywhere. Normally, I would’ve thought of dodging that attack using the Three Treasure Technique, but for some reason, I felt like I could cut those letters. It’s usually impossible to slice through a sorcery attack with sword techniques or Qi strength, but I just had a hunch that I could pull it off right now.

One Slash!

Gathering my focus, I brought down my sword like I was squeezing all the muscles in my body. My strike went right through everything in front of me and hit the pillar, which erupted with a loud sound. Amazingly, I had actually succeeded in slicing through a sorcery!

At that moment, Peng Zuo’s gaze turned toward me as I advanced right up to him and slashed.

Shoooom

With a strange sound, time and space twisted significantly. This distortion was unlike the space distortion from the Bowing Sky Slash; it was the power of the godborn Peng Zuo warping space itself. Unlike the minor distortions created by martial arts, Peng Zuo’s power aimed to obliterate my attack entirely and crush my head with a forceful strike.

‘ Last time, I was completely overpowered by this move from Peng Zuo.’

I had aimed for a perfect opportunity, but he countered in an instant! What absurd divine power! But I wasn’t in a position to flail around and dodge this time. I steadied my mind and recalled the efforts I’d made over the last ten years.

Boom

Even though my cheek felt like it’d been slapped, I remained steady and could still channel my strength. I didn’t even feel the ringing impact on my head; I had let the immense power of Peng Zuo flow past me. This was the peak state of the legendary Jianghu people, called “Transformation of the Void,” specifically the “Non-Impact Transformation,” a technique that significantly reduced the necessary elements for achieving that state.

Zijijing

Without a break in momentum, I swung the Cheongun Blade again, leaving behind a remarkable ten afterimages of sword strength. The Cheongun Blade was an attack treasure capable of leaving behind images that mirrored actual hits, so no matter how strong Peng Zuo was, he was bound to get cut.

[ Huh… no way..]

Bang!!

Peng Zuo floundered, seemingly in shock, but it was too late; my attack struck him hard. I aimed for the part of his neck that the Eight Trigrams Garment couldn’t defend, but even that area felt like it was muffled and echoed with a deep thud.

However, as if the defense had broken, a transparent sphere floated above Peng Zuo’s neck and shattered like glass. Thanks to the combined effects of my internal power and Spirit Power, the Eight Trigrams Garment’s defenses weren’t enough to hold out. I probably also weakened due to the onslaught from the White Lotus Sect Master and the Dharma Protectors.

Staggering, Peng Zuo was wide open. I aimed to slash at his neck again and swung my sword, just as he shouted in desperation.

[ Wait!! I will surrender…!]

Puk!!

I didn’t stop; I beheaded Peng Zuo cleanly. His head rose into the air for a moment before rolling on the ground.

‘ Great, I won.’

Though I got him by surprise, it turned out that once I broke the Eight Trigrams Garment, Peng Zuo wasn’t all that impressive. If he had been fully utilizing the power of the Golden Crow, facing him head-on would have been extremely difficult, but navigating the situation effectively was a skill in itself.

Snap

As soon as I executed Peng Zuo, I snatched his head and stuffed it into the wooden armor. Behind me, the sight of Peng Zuo’s decapitated body squirting blood and writhing was undeniably bizarre, but I didn’t let it bother me.

After all, Peng Zuo was a descendant of the gods and a Great Immortal, so he wouldn’t die right away from a beheading. He’d probably remain alive for a day after the cut. Plus, we had Zhuge Sa, a master of the Soul Exchange Technique on our side, so it would be feasible to keep him alive and torture him just by having his head.

All that was left was to retrieve the Eight Trigrams Garment and the Golden Crow and sort out the situation in the Southern Seas. Just as I turned my head after inserting Peng Zuo’s head into the wooden armor, the White Lotus Sect Master started speaking to me.

[ Impressive skills, indeed. I can hardly believe this isn’t yet the Absolute Realm…]

” I can’t tell if that’s a compliment or mockery.”

[ … Is that your kind of insecurities? I find that rather charming.]

” Master. The fight against Peng Zuo is primarily over now. Please help me wrap things up.”

[ No. I think the end is not yet in sight… ]

” Huh?”

Kugugugu…

At that moment, black droplets began bubbling up from beneath the sea like they were boiling. Weird sounds erupted from the ocean floor, and shortly after, something leaped out of the water with a massive wave.

Kururung!!

” Ah, the Flower Fire Grass!!”

I gasped in shock.

The treasure Flower Fire Grass was completely destroyed!! Plus, something was shooting up from the water carrying the broken Flower Fire Grass—an entity that looked human but clearly wasn’t. It had six arms and three heads. This monster extended one of its six arms to pick up the Flower Fire Grass, showing off some serious strength, as its size and weight surpassed even that of a massive ship.

[ Hmm…]

Kurung…

The being hovered in the air and tossed the Flower Fire Grass back into the sea, causing the waves to thrash wildly again. It seemed to have grabbed the golden-winged human and was likely overpowering the creature summoned from the Golden Crow beneath the sea. Naturally, since I knew the identity of this formidable being, I looked up at it and said,

” Asura!! Peng Zuo has been subdued! Now is the time for all of us to retreat!”

That was the true identity of Peng Zuo, who had blocked us earlier—the Asura of the Eight Parts of the Divine. The being had shed its human form, returning to its true nature in an instant, completely obliterating the Flower Fire Grass and taking out the Golden Crow summoned at dawn.

Of course, its combat power was on an entirely different level from Peng Zuo, so I really didn’t want to fight the Asura if I could avoid it. There was no way to crush a robust treasure like the Flower Fire Grass in an instant, nor could it easily take down an apostle-level being. It was among the most powerful divine beings I could encounter on Earth, aside from the Three Sovereigns.

‘ That jerk is a monster. Please…’

Facing one of the Eight Parts of the Divine, particularly the Martial God, would end me for sure.

The Asura looked down at me and spoke.

[ With Peng Zuo dead, the question remains of who will take the Golden Crow, huh? Isn’t that right?]

” ……!!”

Is he coveting the Seven Luminaries too?!

I felt the darkness settling in as it seemed like there was no escaping confrontation, but then the Asura continued.

[ But I have no interest in that. If you want it, Baek Woong, take it.]

” Huh!”

Wait, is he serious?!

‘ Whoa!’

Not just any Seven Luminaries, but the liberated ones—he’s outright willing to give up ownership?!

It’s hard to believe he lacks desire for it?!

I was excited at the surprise turn of events, but my blood ran cold with what the Asura said next.

[ … But even if I can forgo the Golden Crow, I cannot give up the path toward the Martial God.]

” ……”

[ Baek Woong, if you want the Golden Crow, I can assist you. But in exchange, you must tell me how to meet the Martial God right here and now.]

No…!!

I desperately tried to change the topic.

” Th-that’s something I can tell you later.”

[ Why must we push it to later? Isn’t it a good deal to help you obtain the liberated Seven Luminaries?]

It was a good deal indeed.

But offering a means to meet the Martial God could be a lie!

I had initially planned to come up with a scheme to outsmart the Asura after getting through this moment, but I never thought he would outright demand a straightforward solution. I desperately racked my brain and said.

” Right! I mentioned I have rewards to collect from Peng Zuo. I can track them down and deliver them to you.”

[ I’ve already received the rewards.]

The Asura casually replied while shaking the golden-winged human held by its grasp.

[ This is a powerful ancient entity known as ‘Dawn’s Fame.’ It was famous throughout heaven and earth. Right now, it can’t even use two-tenths of its true power due to the confinement, but it might even surpass me as a high-level existence. I will consume it to become even stronger.]

” ……”

[ Peng Zuo had originally intended to feed me this thing as a reward.]

So that’s why he jumped in to destroy the Flower Fire Grass?!

With his arms crossed, the Asura said.

[ If I can acquire the liberated Seven Luminaries, I’ll become invincible, but since you know the way to meet the Martial God, I’ll graciously grant you the Seven Luminaries. So now, quickly tell me how!]

The Asura genuinely seemed to be making a concession. Normally, such a favorable trade wouldn’t even be possible! It’s the first time I’ve seen a being of high level relinquishing the liberated Seven Luminaries to a mortal! Even the Three Sovereigns would be eager for that!

However, since I had initially made a false claim, I couldn’t possibly accept the Asura’s terms.

Ugh, I want to cry!!

Isn’t there a way to stall here?

‘ Ah, wait!!’

While I was frantically turning my thoughts, a good idea suddenly popped into my mind, and I spoke.

” The way to meet the Martial God… is to gather all the Four Great Artifacts of the White Lotus Sect!!”

Since it came to this, I had to push it all the way!

[ ……?!]

Gulp

At that moment, both the Asura and the White Lotus Sect Master seemed visibly taken aback. The Asura then spoke in a perplexed tone.

[ No… that was clearly Yacha’s mission. I can’t just meddle in her affairs at this point… ]

” Yacha’s mission, eh? She was involved with the Four Great Artifacts of the White Lotus Sect?”

[ ……]

The Asura fell silent. Seeing that reaction, I felt a surge of confidence.

‘ The Asura knows something about the Four Great Artifacts! Perhaps he even knows their whereabouts!’

If he had no clue, he wouldn’t have reacted like that. It seems that Yacha, given orders from Chang Hiel, devised some elaborate conspiracy regarding the Four Great Artifacts of the White Lotus Sect, and as a colleague, the Asura would certainly be aware of it.

The Asura spoke.

[ Are you certain? If I gather the Four Great Artifacts, will I really be able to meet the Martial God?]

” Indeed!”

To make my lie believable, I brainstormed for a more plausible angle and continued speaking.

” The conditions for meeting the Martial God are unclear. It often appears before those with exceptional talent, but that’s not a hard and fast rule. Thus, if you wish to meet the Martial God, you might need to seek him out differently—through my research, I’ve found that there’s a close connection between the White Lotus Sect and the Martial God!! There’s information suggesting that the Martial God left clues regarding meeting him hidden in the Four Great Artifacts.”

All of that was a complete farce!

I just made it all up!

Please, let him be fooled!

[ Oooh…!!]

The Asura couldn’t hide his excitement, clenching his fists tightly. At that moment, the White Lotus Sect Master, who had been listening, couldn’t hold back and quickly interjected.

[ … Baek Woong!! This is the first I’ve heard of this! Could it be the Divine Maiden’s prophecy?!]

” ……”

[ How much do you know about Maitreya and True Martial Home?]

Eek!

If the White Lotus Sect Master starts blabbering unnecessary details, everything will get exposed!!

My insides shrank in fear while I maintained a calm facade.

” Master! I was just about to share that with you. Please continue listening.”

[ Hmmm…!!]

” Asura. If you grant me ownership of the Golden Crow right now, we can build a more collaborative relationship moving forward. The Four Great Artifacts seem to have vanished into the chaos of the outer universe, so their whereabouts are currently shrouded in mystery! But if you and we join forces, we can save time and effort to swiftly recover the Four Great Artifacts.”

[ …….]

The Asura fell silent, showing a contemplative expression.

It was at that moment.

” Hey! Don’t be fooled, everyone.”

A familiar voice rang out. Suddenly appearing from across the harbor, he was quickly joined by the Three Masters. A man dressed in a wolf mask appeared in the hall, emanating a vicious aura while holding the Cosmic Fragment.

” Baek Woong. You’re the avatar of [Coming Chaos], aren’t you?”

It was the Master of the Twelve Joules, Ha Eun-cheon, stepping into the scene.