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**True Martial Home**

Mangnyang is dead…?

” ……”

I was momentarily shocked by Zhuge Yulong’s words.

That means Mangnyang had reached his limit by sending me to this heart of Golden Crow Island, and he died immediately after sending me off. According to Mangnyang himself, he said he would die in a few days, so I couldn’t help but be taken aback by his death.

However, I soon replied to Zhuge Yulong.

[I won’t go back.]

[Don’t do something reckless. Right now, you are in the very heart of Golden Crow Island. Just returning would cost you your life, and if you take on even more dangerous challenges inside, you’ll definitely not survive.]

[ ……]

[Get out of the fortress of Golden Crow Island right away. Quickly.]

Zhuge Yulong’s reasoning was sound. Originally, I had planned to return with the power of Mangnyang’s Sky-Destruction Sun and Moon Fan, but now that Mangnyang has died, I could be said to be trapped in Golden Crow Island. Just returning home would clearly be a life-threatening adventure, so from Zhuge Yulong’s viewpoint as a strategist, he advised me to abandon obtaining the egg of Golden Crow Island to reduce danger further.

I understood Zhuge Yulong’s words, but that didn’t mean I would change my mind.

[Mangnyang said to bring back the egg of Golden Crow Island.]

[He wouldn’t have told you to bring it back at the risk of your life.]

I gritted my teeth.

[That might be true. But… if what I heard last was Mangnyang’s dying wish, then I must honor his words.]

[That’s a foolish action. Come back immediately.]

[I won’t.]

[ ……]

Seeing that my will wasn’t changing, Zhuge Yulong spoke after a moment.

[Fine. Then I’ll craft a plan that aligns with your wishes.]

[Really?]

[But promise me. No matter if you get the egg or not, you will definitely execute this plan and escape the fortress.]

[Got it. What should I do?]

[If the egg of Golden Crow Island is within the territory of the Golden Light Saint, then the Saint will move aside naturally. The method is…]

I listened to Zhuge Yulong’s plan slowly and mulled it over.

[Indeed.]

I had only thought of pushing through with force, but there was such a method!

Zhuge Yulong was undoubtedly one of the greatest strategists in the world.

I began to move according to Zhuge Yulong’s strategy.

I left the area where the Golden Light Saint was and returned to the location where I had first arrived, calling out loudly for Dong Tian-Jun.

“Dong Tian-Jun, Dong Tian-Jun!! Come out quickly!!”

After a moment, Dong Tian-Jun appeared using space-moving technique, his eyes wide as he spoke.

[What is it, Yuan Tian-Jun? Did you discover something?]

“Yeah. I found the place where that rat disappeared before. But there’s a problem…”

[What problem?]

“It seems that place is the territory of the Golden Light Saint. She told me to return, and I can no longer search.”

[Hmm…]

Dong Tian-Jun hummed, then said.

[Well, it can’t be helped. It might not be worth delving into her territory to find her…]

“But, you see, I have a brilliant idea.”

[Oh? A brilliant idea?]

“I picked up something that little punk dropped. Look at this.”

I subtly pulled out the Divine Sword and held it up. Upon seeing the sword light of the Divine Sword, Dong Tian-Jun was taken aback, eyes wide.

[Oh… ohh…!! What an incredible sword!! What is that?]

“I don’t know much about it, but I heard that punk call it the Divine Sword.”

[The Divine Sword!! The Greatest Sword under Heaven!! I can’t believe it actually exists…]

[Do you know it well?]

[Haven’t you lived in the human world long enough to pretend you don’t know? Hmph… You seem to covet that sword quite a bit.]

Dong Tian-Jun’s gaze turned interested. I smiled back slyly.

“Yeah… In fact, I know it all. That punk probably has many treasures as well. That’s why I have to obtain it even if the Golden Light Saint gets in the way.”

[Is there a way?]

“It’s to push through by force. If you and I bring along two or three more people and demand the Golden Light Saint to step aside, there’s no way she can refuse.”

[Do we really have to go that far…?]

Seeing Dong Tian-Jun’s eyes waver, I cemented my point by saying.

“How foolish. Why do you think the Golden Light Saint is steadfast and not even looking for humans? Obviously, she wants to monopolize that punk and the treasures!”

[Is that really it?]

“I’m sure she’s pretending not to know. I’d do the same.”

[Hmm! Okay. Then I will call Son Tian-Jun and Zhang Tian-Jun.]

Peep—

Dong Tian-Jun let out a strange whistling sound, and soon after, Son Tian-Jun and Zhang Tian-Jun appeared in the hall. Dong Tian-Jun explained the situation to them, and upon seeing the Divine Sword I held, they also showed great greed.

[What an incredible sword…]

[Yuan Tian-Jun. You’re not thinking of keeping that sword to yourself, are you?]

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Of course not. That punk must have more treasures; I’ll help divide them fairly after killing him. And later, I’ll even return the Divine Sword.”

[Ooooh…]

[How impressive, Yuan Tian-Jun.]

They praised me, and I walked ahead, saying.

“Alright, let’s go!!”

I led the three Tian-Jun back to the Golden Light Saint. Upon seeing us, the Golden Light Saint frowned.

[You guys… What do you think you’re doing? Why have you gathered here?]

I winked at Dong Tian-Jun, who shouted out.

[Golden Light Saint! You must be hiding the human punk! Step aside immediately! Don’t monopolize his treasures!]

[……]

The Golden Light Saint seemed baffled, but soon after, Son Tian-Jun and Zhang Tian-Jun also raised their voices.

[If you don’t have anything to hide, then step aside!]

[You’re suspicious!! Golden Light Saint!]

[W-What?]

The Golden Light Saint appeared to grow increasingly flustered. After a moment, with a calm gaze, she surveyed the surroundings and spoke.

[Do you know why I am guarding this area?]

[I don’t know!]

[It’s because of an order from the previous Tang Tian Sect Leader! If you intimidate me into retreating, it would be no different from going against the previous leader’s wishes. If you are still persistent, I will gladly accept the challenge.]

Gulp.

Everyone seemed startled at the mention of the previous leader’s orders. Simultaneously, lacking a proper justification and simply approaching for treasure, the Tian-Jun looked more hesitant. Feeling the atmosphere turning sour, I quickly intervened.

“Golden Light Saint! If that is the case, then let’s do this. I will accompany you to take a quick look inside, and if that human is not there, I’ll leave cleanly. How about that?”

[Must you really go that far? I swear, I have not felt anyone hiding in here.]

“If you can’t accept that, we will have no choice but to remain suspicious of you… But you will be isolated from us for thousands of years to come.”

[Ugh…]

The Golden Light Saint looked greatly troubled. It seemed she was ready to fight to the death if we assaulted her head-on, but excluding the worst-case scenario, being hated by nearly half of the Tian-Jun would be a significant loss for her.

Since the Tian-Jun were Monster Sages, they were inherently malicious, ready to stab each other in the back if the opportunity arose. This directly related to her survival.

The Golden Light Saint reluctantly nodded.

[Fine, Yuan Tian-Jun… Follow me.]

“Alright.”

I began to explore her territory alone with her. Once I got to a distance far enough that the other Tian-Jun couldn’t see, I asked her.

“I don’t understand. As Tian-Jun, we can act freely, but you say the previous sect leader has bound you with such an order?”

[That’s correct.]

“What was the reason the leader gave such orders?”

[I don’t know either. All I know is that no one can enter this place.]

“……”

It seems that the incident where Jin So-cheong obtained the egg was driven by a stroke of greater luck than I initially thought. Although it was an item obtained by chance, if one of the Tian-Jun was fighting to protect it with their life, it couldn’t just be obtained as mere luck.

I entered a secret corridor with the Golden Light Saint, and after a while, I realized that the passage had been blocked. I asked in confusion.

“What is this? Did the path end?”

[From here on, I cannot go any further. This is an area personally sealed by the leader. If you look closely, you will see the seals placed by him.]

Using the Fire Eye Golden Spirit, I examined the wall. Indeed, I saw an unexpected number of sorcery languages densely engraved, indicating that a powerful barrier was placed multiple times. I thought to myself as I contemplated the scene.

‘It seems that Jin So-cheong must have forced his way through this seal to obtain the egg back then.’

After some deliberation, I said.

“I see. It’s the previous leader’s seal, so there’s no choice but to turn back now.”

[Have you come to terms with it?]

“Yeah. I won’t press further. I’ll convince the others properly.”

[Good… Don’t bother me any further.]

Just as the Golden Light Saint turned her head sharply to leave, I thought, ‘Now’s my chance!’

I realized she had let her guard down and quickly brandished the Divine Sword right beside her, swiftly stabbing it into her back infused with intent.

Thud!

[……!!]

The Golden Light Saint trembled violently, clearly wounded. I swung the Divine Sword horizontally to finish her off, but I felt no resistance at the tip of the sword. She had already activated her technique automatically and teleported away, her furious voice echoing from a distance.

[You! Yuan Tian-Jun!! How dare you ambush a fellow Tian-Jun! I will not let you go… Cough.]

Zzziiiing!

The Golden Light Saint’s Golden Light Formation attempted to activate but only flickered slightly before failing to work. The hit I dealt had severely injured her, and ultimately, she was unable to summon the will to fight back and fled in haste.

Swish!

As the Golden Light Saint’s aura disappeared, I stared coldly at the wall before me.

Then, I poured all my Spirit Power into the Divine Sword and swung it like a hammer.

KA-BOOM!

With a shattering sound, the wall of the passage crumbled, glass shattering loudly. Beyond the broken glass wall was a space of darkness, and I stepped in with determination. With no light to see, I fumbled around for what felt like a round object.

“This must be it.”

I picked up the egg. It seems that when Jin So-cheong said he “picked it up,” it was because he found it while groping around in the darkness just as I had now. Immediately after obtaining the egg of Golden Crow Island, I placed it into my wooden armor and thought.

‘It has gone well so far…’

Now the problem was escaping. However, since Zhuge Yulong had planned a path for me, I wasn’t worried and began the next action.

“I offer my Spirit Power as bait.”

Muttering it, I cast the Summoning Technique.

“Come forth, magical beast of the Otherworldly Realm!”

Poof!!

The summoned magical beast to which I had initially contracted when learning the Demon Path from Zhuge Sa appeared instantly. The moment I summoned it, I jumped onto its back and commanded.

“Take me to the real world!”

Screech!!

“Waahhhhhh!!”

KA-BOOM!

Moments later, I fell from the sky with horrendous pain, landing violently on the ground. Since I hadn’t drunk any medicine, the shock of transcending dimensions hit me full force, and even though my body was protected by Spirit Power and Protection Energy Technique, it all shattered. It felt as though a giant had stomped on me hundreds of times, leaving me trembling in pain.

“Ugh, cough, cough…”

Damn it… I didn’t want to use this method!

Originally, to withstand the shock of transcending dimensions while riding this magical beast, one had to consume liquor, but since I had none, I had bypassed the boundary of dimensions purely on guts. Had it not been for that, I would have died, which is why I initially planned to return stably with Mangnyang’s help.

However, upon seeing the real world’s blue sky instead of the bloody sky of Golden Crow Island, I felt a bit calmer. I had somehow returned to reality after obtaining the egg of Golden Crow Island. After barely managing to get up, I used the Golden Lamp technique to return to my base.

“I’m back.”

Zhuge Yulong and a few companions were waiting for me. On the large bed surrounded by them lay Mangnyang’s corpse.

” ……”

He’s really dead…

I couldn’t grasp the reality. I felt like tears were about to burst out, but I managed to hold it back as I spoke.

“Mangnyang. I brought the egg…”

Silence answered me. Then, Zhuge Yulong, who was sitting next to me, spoke in a calm voice.

“This concludes the treasure gathering. Now, what we need to do is offer all this to obtain the Law of Cause and Effect and overcome the Life Sea.”

In that moment, I couldn’t hold back any longer and called out to him.

“Zhuge Yulong.”

“What is it?”

“Isn’t it sad? Your son just died…”

At my question, Zhuge Yulong’s expression didn’t change at all. With a composed face, he replied.

“We both knew that such a day would eventually come. Being your strategist, it’s an unavoidable fate. If it were an unexpected death, that would be different, but if you’ve always been prepared, then showing weak sorrow would be an insult to him.”

“… That’s not what I meant. Mangnyang died…”

I bit my lip as I spoke.

“Don’t you harbor hatred for me? Don’t you have any resentment to voice?”

I had come here prepared to hear hostility and resentment from either Zhuge Yulong or Zhuge Bu. After all, Mangnyang had died fighting with everything for me, so it would have been justifiable for them to blame me. However, to my surprise, both Zhuge Yulong and the calm Zhuge Bu beside him showed no emotional changes, leaving me dumbfounded instead.

Then, Zhuge Bu, who had taken the form of a woman, spoke in a slightly firmer voice, almost self-mockingly.

“Hate and resentment. You already took that from us. Who in this world could argue about death in front of you, let alone express anger?”

” ……”

“I honestly didn’t care for Hyun that much. I disliked and hated him. But that doesn’t mean that his death doesn’t affect me. After all, we were brothers…”

“Zhuge Bu.”

“Do you think that insulting you would ease my feelings? Not at all… Because reality will not change, no matter what.”

After saying this, Zhuge Bu caressed Mangnyang’s hand, continuing.

“Don’t seek forgiveness from us just to feel comfortable. That’s cowardly.”

“……!!”

I wanted to retort but found myself at a loss for words, so I remained silent again, until Seo Mun-hye spoke.

“Baek Woong.”

She slowly approached me and hugged me, saying.

“Overcome your fate. That’s all we expect from you…”

Fate…

I couldn’t help but mull over those words.

‘Does fate really exist?’

If fate exists—was it from the very beginning of my destiny to confront God?

Is that really true?

Was Mangnyang’s death also fate?

But I no longer thought any further and stood up. Then, holding the Sky-Destruction Sun and Moon Fan that lay on top of Mangnyang’s corpse, I said.

“I’m going to see Cheon Woo-jin.”

Eliminating the unstable factor of my fate, as Mangnyang desired, was the only action I could take for him.

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