Chapter 990
I didn’t really get what Mangnyang was on about, so I asked back.
“I don’t quite follow… what do you mean?”
“Hmm. It might sound obvious, but it’s actually important.”
Mangnyang glanced at Seo Mun-hye and said, “The gratitude that Seo Mun-hye holds for you, Baek Woong, is immense. You saved her in a hellish situation, perhaps even more than the feelings she has for her parents. But even that overwhelming sense of gratitude isn’t what grants you a wish.”
“Uh… so what are you saying?”
“Simply put, just doing anonymous good deeds and heroic saves like in your past life won’t accumulate cause and effect. Even if you keep rescuing other companions besides Seo Mun-hye, it will only mean more companions but no real gain for you.”
“…!”
Wait, is that how it is?!
If Mangnyang hadn’t pointed it out, I wouldn’t have realized it; it felt like I just got smacked in the head. Even if he has less experience than me, it’s clear his pure brain is sharper than mine. I said to Mangnyang, “Then what should I do?”
“I have a hunch. Let’s go meet the Sword Demon.”
“Got it.”
Pa-at!
After gathering all the treasures and prisoners I got from Pirate Island and using the Golden Lamp technique, I headed toward the Shadowless Gate. That’s where Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong, Seo Mun-hye’s father, was.
As I approached the main gate of the Shadowless Gate, I tried to move forward, but Mangnyang held me back.
“Wait a second.”
“Huh?”
“Can you trust me and follow my plan?”
“Hmm….”
It’s just returning Seo Mun-hye and casually chatting with the Sword Demon; do we need a plan for that?
“Alright.”
I was a bit confused, but I decided to give his plan a try. Then Mangnyang’s next words shocked me.
“Alright. So, put Seo Mun-hye back in the pouch.”
“…What? Why?”
“That’s….”
After listening to Mangnyang’s explanation, I was taken aback. Wait, are we going to test like this?
‘It might be worth a shot…’
But if I mess it up, I could leave a bad impression on the Sword Demon. Not being able to recruit him as an ally in this life would be a huge risk! I pondered and then nodded.
“I’ll give it a shot.”
Pa-bat!
Taking Mangnyang with me, I used the Divine Thief’s Light Body Technique to leap over the wall of the Shadowless Gate.
Wall Lizard Technique!
As recorded in the Book of the Hundred Transformations, this was a technique I had learned but had never used until now!
The Wall Lizard Technique had specific guidance that made it not just about moving quickly but also good for scaling tough walls. Mixing it with the Stealth Technique known as Mencius Said, I could sneak in without leaving a trace. Normally, I wouldn’t need to use these techniques if I were alone, but since I had to bring Mangnyang with me, I had no choice.
As I crept inside, I finally felt the presence of peak experts as I reached the inner courtyard. After confirming the presence of four peak experts waiting there, I thought, ‘They are the Elders of the Shadowless Gate.’
The Elders were experts at the peak stage and were about to break through to the next level; they were high-ranking martial artists known in the world. For most martial artists, even thinking about sneaking into a place filled with such experts would be insane!
But I decided to be clever here and pulled a few strands of my hair, blowing gently.
Clone Technique!
Ba-rung!
Using the technique I learned from Subori, two identical clones of me appeared. I ordered them, “Lure those four outside. Don’t kill or seriously injure them.”
“Why even make us do this? You could just take them out yourself.”
“…Can’t you just follow orders for once?”
I mean, I’m trying to recruit the Sword Demon here; what good would strong-arming do?!
“Ugh, you suck.”
“Quit acting ugly.”
….
Pa-bat!
Though my clones grumbled, they dashed out quickly to draw attention.
“Ah!”
“An intruder!”
The four Elders split up to chase my clones, and it seemed like twenty or so top martial artists followed them like shadows.
‘I knew that would happen. Taking them down wouldn’t be too hard, but since I had to take Mangnyang in…’
I walked with Mangnyang toward the Sword Demon’s location. As soon as I faced Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong, he stared at me blankly and said, “Was the ruckus outside caused by you?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t get it. I don’t sense any of your Qi… You must be an expert beyond even Return to Simplicity, and with no trace of you, you must be an absolute master beyond imagination. Why bother with such troublesome antics?”
“….”
That caught me off guard. Although in my past life, the Sword Demon was one of the top peak experts, he still hadn’t mastered the Absolute Realm, so his abilities had clear limits. Yet, even now, he could vaguely guess my level of skill; it hinted at how phenomenal his talent was, worthy of mention in the annals of the martial arts world.
I replied calmly, “Please forgive my rudeness. I came to speak with you, so I didn’t want any pointless bloodshed.”
“Hmm… If you have something to say, then speak.”
“…I hope you can accept what I’m about to say without suspicion.”
I glanced at Mangnyang, who nodded as if urging me onward. There was no backing out now, so I steeled myself and opened my mouth.
“Sword Demon. You have a strong desire to reclaim your daughter, Seo Mun-hye, don’t you?”
“…!”
Crunch!
At that moment, the handle of the chair the Sword Demon sat in broke under his grip. He was clearly infuriated. With bloodshot eyes, he spoke in a slightly furious tone, “Are you saying… that my daughter is being held hostage?”
“Uh….”
No, that’s not what I meant… but I can see how that might be interpreted!
‘Oh crap…’
Just as I was panicking over my misunderstood intent, Mangnyang spoke up.
“This Baek Woong is my lord, known to be the greatest of the martial artists. He heard the rumors of your daughter being kidnapped while traveling the Jianghu and had resolved to perform an act of righteousness.”
The Sword Demon paused for a moment before responding, “Are you saying you want to rescue my daughter? Where is she now?”
“Before I say that, my lord would like to hear it directly from you.”
Mangnyang’s eyes locked onto the Sword Demon.
“Are you prepared to make a wish in order to rescue your daughter?”
“Hmm….”
The Sword Demon seemed confused, clearly not trusting two strangers who had suddenly burst in. However, with his love for his daughter and a desperate need to catch onto any straw, I could see he was torn.
After a while, the Sword Demon spoke.
“Of course, I would wish for that. If you can truly ensure my daughter’s safety.”
“Then wish away. If you sincerely wish it, my lord will stake his name on it and absolutely fulfill your desire!”
“…! This… you truly defy common sense.”
“We have no ulterior motives. We just want to hear you say that.”
“….”
The Sword Demon looked bewildered. Clearly, grasping our intentions is harder than expected.
I mean, we’re not using her as leverage or asking for anything absurd, so no matter how wise he is, figuring out what we want is a tall order.
After moments of confusion, the Sword Demon nodded.
“I am desperate right now. Baek Woong, I wish for you to rescue my daughter safely!”
Mangnyang, like a hawk waiting for his prey, shouted, “Now!”
“Got it!”
I immediately took Seo Mun-hye out of the pouch.
Ba-rung!
“Father!”
As soon as Seo Mun-hye appeared, she ran to the Sword Demon in tears and hugged him. Taken aback, Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong examined her face as if in disbelief, then spoke.
“W-what is going on here? Is it really you?”
“Wahhhh… these people saved me!”
Seo Mun-hye sobbed as she recounted her experiences on Pirate Island. After a while of listening intently, Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong bowed deeply to me.
“I sincerely thank you for your kindness!”
“It was nothing.”
Then Mangnyang said to me, “How about now? You should check.”
“Uh…!”
I closed my eyes and focused inward, sensing that something had changed in that very moment.
Shwah!
An almost infinite connection of circles and lines! My gaze was fixed on the very center of that connection, and a moment later, I could see warm energy overflowing within, fully filling the circle.
Tsszzz
As the circle filled up, the several lines connected to it activated, leading to another circle. I realized what this structure was called in the future Great Bear Empire’s knowledge.
‘Mind map?’
Testing it out, I tried to infuse my will into another circle connected by those lines. Warm energy surged up again, and that circle filled, creating further flow toward another line and circle.
Tsszzz
‘Nice. This warm energy is surely the cause and effect. Should I try to fill all these circles…’
In that way, I managed to fill about ten circles. When I flipped my mind back to reality, I could feel a remarkable change.
Wooom!
Suddenly, an overwhelming energy burst forth from my body, and the energy filling the Eight Extraordinary Vessels seemed to thin out a bit. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but it felt like I had become a bit stronger!
“Definitely a change.”
“Phew… as expected.”
Mangnyang grinned and said, “You can only obtain cause and effect when the form of granting wishes is in place.”
“Hmm.”
I frowned at Mangnyang’s words.
“So, it means I have to grant wishes for others to gain strength?”
“That’s how it is.”
Hearing our conversation, the Sword Demon seemed to catch on to something.
“Could it be that you two deliberately caused this situation just to hear me wish for my daughter despite already having rescued her?”
“Oh snap.”
Got caught!
Seeing my panic, Mangnyang brazenly said, “I apologize. But for the sake of my lord Baek Woong’s grand aspirations, it was something that had to be done, so I hope you understand. It wasn’t unfavorable for you either, right?”
“Hmm. Well, I suppose… but still, what are you two even doing this for? Why did you help rescue my daughter?”
“We need to be given a room.”
Mangnyang sighed almost unconsciously as he said, “It’s going to be a long story. It would be best if Seo Mun-hye joins us.”
“…?”
I understood why Mangnyang was sighing.
It was about to be a long tale of over two half-moments’ worth of past events. Having to explain that while also involving Mangnyang would be a challenge.
Somehow, we managed to explain the situation for over two half-moments to make the Sword Demon and his daughter understand.
After hearing all of it, Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong said in astonishment, “So, one has to grant others’ wishes to grow stronger… If one becomes like the World Tree, that’s how growth should work.”
“You’d understand.”
“I do. If you just return my daughter to me, it’ll be an anonymous good deed, but I can’t miss the perfect opportunity to accumulate cause and effect by wishing for it.”
Having said that, the Sword Demon pondered for a moment and then spoke.
“So, does this mean there are more reincarnation companions out there, and you plan to seek others?”
Mangnyang replied, “That’s right.”
“In that case… I will strategically contact them, just as you did with me.”
“You’re quite clever.”
Huh? Strategically?
I got lost in thought while listening to their conversation.
“Baek Woong, you should roughly understand by now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Every time you recruit companions, by granting their hidden wishes as well, you’ll be highly efficient in both recruitment and strengthening! Isn’t that right?”
“Ah!”
So it’s like what I did with the Sword Demon!
I belatedly grasped it and said to Mangnyang, “So when we go to the Master of the White Lotus Sect….”
“Not now.”
“Why not?”
“His wish is for True Martial Home; are you able to grant that?”
“….”
Whoa, that’s a bit…
When I hesitated, Mangnyang pointed out the crucial point.
“The Master of the White Lotus Sect, my father the Vermilion Bird, and the Master of the Twelve Joules have wishes so grand that no matter how capable you are now, you can’t fulfill them. So, isn’t it best to start by recruiting reincarnation partners whose wishes are definite but easier to grant?”
“Hmm, that makes sense….”
“Then the next course of action is clear.”
From Mangnyang’s explanation, I finally understood what we had to do next.
“Let’s go to Miho. Her current wish is to return to the Celestial Realm, which should be quite easy to fulfill!”
