Chapter 815
Chapter 815: The Method of True Vacuum Home
One method?
“To repay Master Mangnyang for the law of cause and effect again.”
“What the!”
“You sacrificed the law of cause and effect to Master Mangnyang at the end of your 24th life, and in return, your [Singularity] became even stronger. That’s why the anomalies of the Celestial Sage are happening now, and the ‘enemy’ is facing a crisis. You could say you’re in the process of repaying the debt to Master Mangnyang, so I think it’s best to repay that debt as quickly as possible by another means. While we can’t stop the inevitable approach of the [Singularity], we can slow it down.”
“What are you talking about? I already gave it to him; how’s it possible to repay it?”
As I was confused by Zhuge Bu’s words, he replied.
“I don’t know if it’s possible, but… it wouldn’t hurt to try.”
“……”
Zhuge Sa chuckled.
“So, you’re holding onto a straw. You’re also trying to learn more about the enigmatic Master Mangnyang. Whether you embrace this or not, it’s beneficial for us to gain some advantage or a clue.”
Zhuge Bu shot a sidelong glance at Zhuge Sa.
“You must have thought of this too?”
“I did. However, since Baek Woong aims to strengthen himself and reach the Absolute Realm in this life, I thought it wouldn’t be wise to waste time gathering treasures again. In fact, it could be seen as a waste of time for Baek Woong right now. While your straw grasping looks good at first glance, it’s probably meaninglessly ineffective in the end.”
Zhuge Bu flinched slightly, considering Zhuge Sa’s words, then retorted.
“…But still, it’s a strategy worth trying now.”
“That’s true. Since we have the released Golden Crow in our hands.”
Zhuge Sa thought for a moment and then turned to me.
“Baek Woong, your will is the most important. Will you accept Zhuge Bu’s plan?”
“Hmm…”
“Zhuge Bu’s plan hinges on using the released Seven Luminaries to repay the law of cause and effect. Keep that in mind and decide. Personally, I don’t care either way, whether you agree or disagree.”
“……”
It doesn’t matter either way.
That remark indicated that Zhuge Sa didn’t consider the repayment of the law of cause and effect itself as important. His perspective was still focused on my attainment of the Absolute Realm. In truth, when it comes to tricks, Zhuge Sa might be better than Zhuge Bu, but this was an effort to maintain the existing stance. And that could be seen as his consideration to prevent me from being confused.
I mulled over it and said.
“I think it’s worth a try. But I won’t do it right now.”
“Why not?”
“If the plan succeeds and the repayment of the law of cause and effect is successful, I’ll lose the released Golden Crow. That would put me at a disadvantage against the two demon king-level beings who will fight in the Arasa Empire.”
“You don’t want to lose your companions, then.”
“Exactly.”
Overall, succeeding in Zhuge Bu’s plan would actually be much better for reducing my previous life’s cycles. Even if I were to fight and lose against the Imperial Palace’s Eight Parts of the Divine, I could accumulate power more leisurely by repeating death and life, assuming the repayment of the law of cause and effect succeeded. However, that would mean putting my current companions at greater risk for my sake as a reborn person, so I didn’t want that choice. If I had the released Golden Crow, perhaps I could defeat the enemy without casualties.
“I think it’s not too late to attempt it after the battle in the Arasa Empire.”
“Really? Not late, huh? Who can guarantee that? We don’t even know who the enemy is or when they’ll invade. The Singularity could come tomorrow and tear you apart!”
That was a valid point, and I winced, but I didn’t bend my argument.
“Ugh… but somehow it feels like it won’t come right away. Won’t they come thoroughly prepared?”
“That’s uncertain. How strong is that enemy? They might already possess that level of power.”
“……”
“It’s just a hunch. Heh heh. Very nice.”
Zhuge Sa chuckled and said.
“Then let’s adjust our plan according to the Lord’s intentions.”
We felt the necessity of collecting more treasures for now. After all, we had to strengthen our overall power, and the gathered treasures could be used to repay the law of cause and effect to Master Mangnyang after the battle in the Arasa Empire according to Zhuge Bu’s plan.
“First, let’s go for the Flame Elemental Sword. With the power of the released Golden Crow, we’ll break the barrier of the Flame Elemental Sword and obtain it, and while we’re at it, we should also grab all the treasures from the Imperial Palace like the National Seal.”
“Won’t acquiring the Seven Luminaries stir up the attention of the divine entities?”
“Since the evil spirits are certain to come out, what’s the concern? Unless they are wary of directly collecting the Seven Luminaries and challenging the trials, the Seven Luminaries itself holds no significance other than the truce agreement of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. If the ancient rulers from the West, led by the evil spirit, intend to break the treaty, the Celestial Realm or the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors don’t have the spare power to worry about the Seven Luminaries now.”
“Hmm.”
“If we just possess it without releasing it, then the chances of interference will further decrease. If we assume you’re giving up this life, it might even be possible to release them all at once.”
“The Celestial Sage is a problem.”
“Right, that monkey is the Celestial Realm’s Exalted One, so he’ll likely appear as soon as the barrier of the Flame Elemental Sword is broken by external force, just like before. Plus, since he’s a Seven Luminaries enthusiast, it’ll be even more annoying.”
Zhuge Sa grinned and patted my shoulder.
“That guy, just let the Lord’s eloquence bake him. Or give him obsidian like a madman. There’s no other option.”
“……”
“We did it once, so twice won’t hurt, right? If all else fails, just do whatever it takes to take him down.”
“Damn, it’s easy to say….”
Accepting the Celestial Sage as our ally back then was pure luck. I had put my life on the line trying to persuade him sincerely, and by chance, the Celestial Sage had decided to help me. There was no guarantee that persuading him again would work; I might just end up getting hit in the head by the Ruyi Staff again.
Zhuge Sa glanced at Cheon Woo-jin and continued.
“And the Moon Sovereign is also a concern. We need to move now and investigate the whereabouts and nearby movements of the Moon Sovereign at the Muni Mountain Observatory; Cheon Woo-jin, you need to find out.”
“Do you think the Master of the Twelve Joules has moved?”
Normally, Cheon Woo-jin would have been irritated, but he merely responded flatly. It seemed like an effort to avoid getting agitated over trivial matters.
“If I were the Master of the Twelve Joules, I would’ve moved. If the ownership of the Moon Sovereign hasn’t passed to someone else yet, I would prioritize obtaining the Moon Sovereign over the Flame Elemental Sword.”
“Wait a moment. It shouldn’t take long to confirm.”
*Smash*
Cheon Woo-jin vanished from his spot and returned to the scene after a brief period.
“Nothing. And the area around Ganghwa is already in ruins.”
“The [Guardian]?”
“No signs. They seem to have been destroyed.”
“Indeed… after I went back, the Master of the Twelve Joules pulled the Moon Sovereign back. Then there’s nothing we can do.”
Zhuge Sa shook his head and said.
“Let’s move. Time is critical.”
*Boom!!*
We gathered our forces and headed first to the Imperial Palace to retrieve all the treasures we could. Since Zhuge Bu had initially been an officer in the Imperial Palace, we didn’t need to sneak in this time and leisurely obtained the National Seal and the Divine Portrait among other treasures. I asked Zhuge Bu.
“Why isn’t the alchemist here?”
Zhuge Bu gave an unexpected answer.
“He left the Imperial Palace several years ago in response to my father’s summons. I’m not aware of his whereabouts after that.”
“…Isn’t that dangerous? The alchemist never did something like that in the past….”
“Maybe my father, Zhuge Yulong, is up to something behind the scenes without my knowledge.”
“Any guesses?”
“None. If I had any, I wouldn’t have sought you out to get the obsidian intentionally. My distrust toward my father was one of the reasons I came to see you.”
That made sense.
I nodded and then obtained the National Seal that was hidden in the Imperial Palace’s underground. After becoming its owner, I said.
“O National Seal, where is Zhuge Yulong?”
Using the search function of the National Seal to look for the hidden dark figure, Zhuge Yulong!
[Searching….]
After a moment, the National Seal responded.
[1,283 identical entities have been detected. Would you like to search further?]
“……”
As expected, there were too many replica bodies created with the knowledge of the Eight Trigrams to determine Zhuge Yulong’s specific location. I asked the National Seal, just in case.
“Can’t you find the main body, I mean, the one with the soul?”
[Identification impossible. All identical entities contain artificial souls.]
“Damn… then please mark the places where his identical bodies exist on the Central Plains map.”
[Please wait a moment.]
*Beep!*
A moment later, Zhuge Yulong’s bodies were marked as dots on the translucent Central Plains map in front of me. I contemplated, carefully gazing at the dots.
‘As expected, the marked locations for Zhuge Yulong’s bases are no different from before….’
Additionally, there were no separate dots outside the bases. Zhuge Yulong was likely hiding in one of the bases. I could move now and smash the locations one by one to decapitate Zhuge Yulong, but unless I completely annihilated him, it would be meaningless. After thinking it over, I said.
“Search again. Find the location of the alchemist, Saint Germain.”
*Ping!*
Just as I had searched before, two Saint Germains showed up in the results. I knew one was the ‘human’ and the real Saint Germain, while the other was the alchemist of the Imperial Palace, a ‘Homunculus’ named Saint Germain. Naturally, the real Saint Germain was in the West, and the fake was believed to be residing in one of Zhuge Yulong’s bases.
‘The main body, Zhuge Yulong, must obviously be with the fake Saint Germain.’
It seemed certain Zhuge Yulong and the alchemist were up to something together.
When I informed Zhuge Sa about what I had learned from the National Seal, Zhuge Sa, whose body had transformed into the Divine Portrait, said.
“There’s no need to hesitate. Let’s destroy all of Zhuge Yulong’s bases today and capture the alchemist.”
“Is that okay? We wouldn’t want to provoke Zhuge Yulong unnecessarily…”
Zhuge Sa picked at his ear as if frustrated.
“Now that we’ve seized the Imperial Palace forces, there’s no reason to be concerned about his movements. Besides, Zhuge Yulong, a powerful officer of the enemy, has now become our ally, so compared to the evil spirits, Zhuge Yulong is just a small fry. Letting him meddle for no reason will be even more troublesome, right? If he wants to resurrect, let him. We have to go for the Flame Elemental Sword as well, so let’s head out with full force.”
“Got it.”
*Bang!!*
We immediately stormed into the location where the alchemist was believed to be, one of Zhuge Yulong’s bases.
“What?!”
And while the alchemist was startled, Jin So-cheong rushed in and swiftly bloodied the alchemist’s entire body. The rest of us smashed through Zhuge Yulong’s cloned bodies scattered all over, and I used the National Seal to check the remaining entity count, doing my best to eliminate every last one.
‘No counterattack.’
Though Zhuge Yulong might have moved the clones to counterattack at some point, the dolls merely closed their eyes and accepted the destruction. Some might not have the capability to retaliate, but it seemed more likely they chose not to since the main body wasn’t present.
“Looks like he escaped….”
It was a much more agile and swift escape than before. It seemed that when I had barged in the past with just Cheon Woo-jin, he had thought he could retaliate and win, but this time he realized how powerful our forces were and completely gave up and fled.
“Didn’t you expect this? Pass me the alchemist.”
As I handed the limp alchemist to Zhuge Sa, he said.
“I’ll torture both the alchemist and Peng Zuo to extract information from them. For now, let’s smash the rest of the bases.”
“Sure.”
*Crack!*
We smashed through all of Zhuge Yulong’s bases in a single day. Though we didn’t capture the main body, Zhuge Yulong had effectively lost a significant amount of his foundation. He would clearly be too weakened to meddle in our affairs recklessly from now on.
After we finished destroying Zhuge Yulong’s bases, I headed into the underground of the Zhuge clan to cast the Palace Examination Technique. Upon casting it, the Fire Dragon Sword, fragmented like a leaf within the sealing barrier of Dark Heaven Village, came into view, and with the power of the Palace Examination, I was able to contact the Fire Dragon Sword and retrieve it.
‘Has my Yin Spirit Power become stronger? It’s not nearly as painful as before….’
After acquiring the Fire Dragon Sword, we headed to the southern continent. I focused my Yin Spirit Power, holding the released Golden Crow to draw out its tremendous strength.
*Vuuuuuuum!!*
“Uugh…!!”
It feels like my hand is burning!
Even though I was controlling it with Yin Spirit Power, the Golden Crow was emitting its power magnificently, and I couldn’t bear it at all. As I found it increasingly unbearable, I released the power concentrated within the Golden Crow directly into the barrier of the Flame Elemental Sword.
*Ka-boom!!*
It wasn’t completely destroyed, but it was visibly clear that a large crack had formed in the barrier. Realizing that one shot wouldn’t be enough, I gritted my teeth and drew out my Yin Spirit Power again to launch another beam from the Golden Crow.
*Ra-ta-tat….*
“Got it. A gap big enough for a person to enter has appeared. Quickly, let’s enter using the Golden Lamp to retrieve both the Flame Elemental Sword and the Dragon Flower Water.”
“Understood.”
*Zoom!*
I moved into the inner barrier of the Flame Elemental Sword and immediately cut down the trunk of a peach tree to collect the seeds of the Dragon Flower Water. Then I touched the Flame Elemental Sword and called out to Yeodong-bin, asking him to use the condensed fire energy to help restore the Flame Dragon Sword.
*Vuuuum!*
As soon as that task was done, I found myself able to hold the Flame Elemental Sword. But soon, an expected obstacle appeared.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!!*
Suddenly, a massive giant emerged, breaking through the wall, wielding a great sword while exuding a fierce aura. The giant roared.
[You dare to come up with tricks and steal the secret treasure! I, Gong Gong, as the Guardian of the Flame Elemental Sword, consider you an intruder and will execute you!!]
As expected!
I had used this same method before, and at that time, I was a Messenger of Jeon Wook and had obtained all prior permissions, so Gong Gong hadn’t put up any resistance. However, this time I approached the barrier of the Flame Elemental Sword in a regular human body, which enraged Gong Gong!
‘The Golden Lamp won’t work.’
It was clear that Gong Gong had used his powers to block our teleportation abilities.
*Swish!*
I took a deep breath and slowly drew out my sword. And mumbled.
“…If I were to fight that guy, would I be able to include that battle in a Ten-Year Plan?”
At my mumbling, the Exalted One, who had already descended and was behind me, crossed his arms and said.
[That’s acknowledged… Shall we have a duel?]
“No. I can’t afford to fight right now. It’s not a situation where I can gamble my life. Just asking, you know.”
[…That makes sense.]
“Will you help me?”
[I am the Exalted One of the Celestial Realm, and that guy is the Gatekeeper of the Seven Luminaries, following the orders of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Broadly speaking, we belong to the same faction, so there’s no justification for me to help you fight him.]
As expected, that would be the case.
Just like the previous time with the Red Bow where I tried to break the barrier and ended up being executed upon encountering the Celestial Sage. I recalled that event and asked the Exalted One.
“Do you think my actions are treason against the Celestial Realm? Will you kill me for it?”
[No, there’s no need for that.]
“……”
[You, do not summon Jang Sam-bong. Do not trouble him for no reason. He is a pure martial artist.]
“I had no such intentions.”
*Hiss*
I sighed and sent the Exalted One back. I was curious to see how he would react, but he displayed no intent to. I figured that, like the previous Exalted One I encountered, he wouldn’t show anger and attempt to kill human intruders in the forbidden area of the Celestial Realm. At least, the Exalted One did not seem to show that level of loyalty.
‘This confirms it.’
The Exalted One has no loyalty to the Celestial Realm.
He was merely pretending to be loyal for his own objectives.
‘What could his motives be…?’
To understand the Exalted One’s grand design, I would have to make contact with a Martial God at least once. I contemplated and then said to Gong Gong.
“Wait a moment, Gong Gong!!”
[Do you wish to leave a last word?]
With casual indifference, I smiled at him.
“I can lift the curse of the trapping seal inscribed on you. In exchange, join my side.”
[……?!]
Moments later, I managed to persuade Gong Gong using the power of the Fire Dragon Incarnate infused in the Flame Dragon Sword, thereby lifting the curse sealing him. Now freed, Gong Gong inspected his body in amazement and said.
[Th-thank you.]
“Don’t forget the promise you just made.”
[Of course. I’ll help you fight against the Eight Parts of the Divine.]
“Much appreciated. Now please, could you step outside with me…?”
[I am busy!! I will visit Lord Yan Emperor!]
*Boom!*
“……”
Gong Gong didn’t even pretend to listen to me and vanished right on the spot. I inwardly cursed him.
‘You bastard… you really don’t listen!’
The planned strategy fell through. But there was nothing I could do about it.
I hurriedly stepped outside.
And, as expected, outside the barrier, my companions were surrounding a presence, with the well-known Celestial Sage standing at the center. As the barrier of the Flame Elemental Sword shattered, the Celestial Realm summoned the Celestial Sage to eliminate the intruder.
“Oh, there….”
Upon spotting me emerging from the barrier, the Celestial Sage smiled broadly and said.
“Hey, good to see you! And die, you thieving bastard!”
*Bang!*
Without hesitation, the Ruyi Staff struck my side with incredible speed and destructive force. I hurriedly activated the Martial Art of Non-Attack to redirect that force while mobilizing the Three Treasure Technique and every technique I could muster, yet despite that, I couldn’t withstand the devastating force and crashed into a nearby rocky mountain.
“Guhhh…!!”
In an instant, I was seeing stars and felt my consciousness fading.
‘This is the worst-case scenario! Ugh….’
It was truly the worst situation I could have imagined. If he gave me even a moment to talk, I might save myself through persuasion, but the Celestial Sage was set on killing me first, believing me to be the main culprit!
The attack was incomparably fast and powerful compared to fighting against the Peng Zuo, and my whole body felt as if it was made of lead and wouldn’t budge. The overwhelming physical force contained within the Ruyi Staff had dealt devastating damage even with the martial arts practiced to let go of one million quin inside me. I felt every bone and flesh scream in agony.
‘Damn it! I was too late to use the Peerless Technique.’
I had thought the Celestial Sage would listen to my few words, but reality proved otherwise. Moreover, I still wasn’t proficient enough in the Peerless Technique, making it a risk to utilize in unexpected situations. While I could use it in a hurry, it was a double-edged sword, and using it itself was akin to venturing into death.
‘Gong Gong, you bastard… I wish you’d come out with me….’
If only he had been here, I would have at least managed to find a way to stall for time! As I coughed up blood, the Celestial Sage leapt into the air, trying to attack me again.
“Block him!!”
My companions put their all into opposing the Celestial Sage.
“Oh? A joint attack? I can do that too!”
With a smirk, the Celestial Sage grabbed a handful of his own hair and puffed it out in a single breath, instantly casting the Clone Technique.
*Puh puh puh!*
The Celestial Sage’s clones immediately rushed at my companions in pairs. Among my allies, the strongest, Jin So-cheong and Cheon Woo-jin, were doing their best to hold the line, but the others were quickly overwhelmed and brought to the brink of death.
“Cough.”
“Shit.”
While the Master of Shadowless Sword and Dokgo Seong unleashed their incredible sword strength and struck back against the clones, they also found themselves trapped in a dire situation within three seconds. Surprisingly, Miho was the best fighter among us, as her fox flames seemed to be especially lethal against clones, quickly incinerating them and assisting others.
*Smash*
“Ugh….”
Eventually, I witnessed the Master of Shadowless Sword getting hit in the ribs by a monkey clone and crumbling to the ground.
*Slap, slap!*
A short while after, he could be seen being slapped on the cheek by the monkey, incapable of responding to the assault. The Master of Shadowless Sword was renowned as an exceptional expert within Jianghu, but against the Celestial Sage’s Clone Technique, he was as good as nothing.
“……!!”
This Clone Technique of the Celestial Sage is too powerful!
I had seen some using Clone Techniques before, but his was on another tier. It produced a number of clones, each bearing remarkably high strength.
Knowing that the clones themselves weren’t even his full power, I felt overwhelmed. I realized just how terrifying he could be as a foe, the so-called most powerful Exalted One living up to his reputation, which was a bitter realization at that moment.
I gritted my teeth and rose from the rocky ground, taking my position for Tai Chi.
‘I have no choice!’
This isn’t a situation where communication is possible.
I can only endure and try to get the Celestial Sage to acknowledge me!
Seeing my stance, the Celestial Sage chuckled and strolled over to me.
“Haha, trying to use Elder Jang Sam-bong’s techniques? This should be fun.”
He raised his arm, and a fierce light flickered in his eyes. His muscles rippled ominously, almost alive, as his fist began to radiate a fearsome aura like the Iron Fist!
“I’ve been wanting to try shattering that head-on at least once!!”
