"Hmm..."
Rustling
I extract my upper body from the shattered drum and dust myself off.
"Indeed, quite a formidable force."
It wasn't the crimson river that had repelled me.
As soon as I touched the crimson river, it was not my body, but rather the Pure Spiritual Force flowing within me that automatically reacted and repelled me.
In other words, the crimson river merely touched my body.
The fact that I was flung and crashed was entirely thanks to the power flowing within me.
"Hmm, it seems you're in the same situation."
The spider woman.
Yu Hwa, as she is called, raises her arm while keeping her eyes closed.
There is a sword scar left by my Formless Sword on her arm, from which blood is flowing.
"I didn't expect you to penetrate my defense just like that."
"I didn't know my internal spiritual power could move according to someone else's will... How did you do it?"
"Do you really think I'd willingly teach you my technique? Try to figure it out on your own. I'll do my best to understand the ability of that sword as well."
"Oh, you recognized it as a sword?"
How did she recognize the Formless Sword, which has no shape?
"Even if it has no form, the intent is so clear, how could I not know what you're wielding?"
"It was a foolish question I see."
I attack her with the Formless Sword again.
But every time the crimson river touches my body, I am repelled this way and that.
Its as if my body is not my own.
Wo-woong!
Feeling as if I am floating, I try to approach her, but the problem is the crimson river.
Wo-woong, bang, bang, bang, bang!
As the Formless Sword whirls around, the dressing room turns into a mess, but I focus solely on getting closer to her.
After exchanging blows with her for who knows how long.
"Wait..."
Suddenly, she smiles and says.
"Perhaps this is a good time to stop?"
"Hm?"
She detaches her hands from the zither and raises them.
"There's no need for us to continue fighting."
"What are you talking about? When martial artists meet..."
Suddenly, it dawns on me that Im unsure whether Yu Hwa is a martial artist or not.
"I understand what you want. There are many like you within the Heart Tribe Territory. Those who wish to prove themselves by comparing their Manifestations with others, or simply those who genuinely enjoy sparring. Our Esteemed One also has such tastes."
"...Then why refuse to fight?"
"Because I am not of that kind of Heart Tribe. While I am interested in your sword, I am more suited for infiltration, espionage, and inciting rebellion."
"Hmm..."
"Instead of this meaningless act, how about we exchange information more constructively?"
I look at her and smile.
"Is 'fabrication' also one of your specialties?"
"Excuse me?"
Wo-woong!
Holding the Formless Sword in a reverse grip, I swing it towards my head.
The Formless Sword grazes my skull, cutting out strange sound waves affecting my mind from the plane of Soul.
Shuk!
I feel something break, bringing my consciousness back to 'reality.'
The situation is not much different from before.
I am confronting her.
But from the moment I was repelled into the drum, shattering it, to the traces of our exchange of blows, all have disappeared.
"Quite an impressive illusion technique."
The feeling that my body is not my own, the sensation of floating.
Its all because it wasn't real, happening in my dream.
"Fighting in an illusion was interesting... but since you openly tried to extract information without wanting to fight me, I came out."
She suggested exchanging information, but theres no guarantee that the information exchanged in the illusion is real.
She still speaks calmly, with her eyes closed, turning her head towards me.
"Strictly speaking, what I showed you was not an illusion. I put you to sleep and made you dream, guiding the dream in the direction you desired."
I retort.
"In the process, you meddled a bit, asking questions you were curious about."
"I won't deny it."
"Your way of speaking has changed quite a bit since we last met."
"As a Heart Tribe intelligence agent, would I use a manner of speech that easily identifies me? I've practiced changing both my voice and manner of speech as needed."
"Changing the tone at will, is that your Treading Heavens... no, your second stage of Manifestation?"
Wo-woong!
Shuk!
I swiftly launch a Formless Sword attack at her hand as she subtly reaches for the zither, causing a wound. It seems she was attempting to engage me in conversation while stealthily using the zither to put me to sleep with her scheming.
She looks at the wound on her arm and laughs.
"It's not easy to share, especially when I can't quite tell if you're from the Heaven Tribe or the Earth Tribe, or one of ours."
"Figures... Well, forget that. Are you really not going to fight me? Itd be advantageous for your side to obtain my information, wouldn't it?"
"That's true."
However, she smiles subtly.
"But, do you suggest we go all out when there are two Four-Axis stage Earth Tribe members just a few floors above us? We'd surely get caught. There's no benefit in sparring right now."
I catch her drift.
"If there's a benefit for you, you'd spar with me?"
"If that's the case, I see no reason why not."
"Alright, tell me what you want."
"You're currently staying at the palace of the Sea Dragon Race, correct?"
"Yes."
"In the palace of the Sea Dragon Race, I'm aware that a member of the White Goat Race, Baek Nyeong, whom I had previously rescued and attempted to escape to the Heart Tribe Territory, is being imprisoned. If you promise to help me rescue him, I see no reason why I can't spar with you."
"...Hmm..."
Imprisoned...
Should that be described as imprisoned?
Noticing my serious expression while I conceal my heart essence with the Treading Heavens realm, she misunderstands it for something else and clicks her tongue.
"Perhaps I've asked too much of you. If you truly feel a sense of belonging to the Sea Dragon Race..."
"No, that's not it."
I think of the White Goat Race who have become the ruling class near the Cloud Heart Lake and their leader, Baek Nyeong, feeling a mix of emotions.
"...Seo Hweol will be leaving the True Dragon Alliance in a day or two for his Axis Foundation Practice. I'll arrange a time for you and Baek Nyeong to meet after that."
"Ah...!"
"However... Hmm. I'm not sure about helping with the rescue. I'll ensure you can enter and exit the dwelling of the White Goat Race near Cloud Heart Lake by holding off the Sea Dragon Race patrol, but escaping with him will be up to you."
"Thank you. That will be a great help."
I smile brightly at her enthusiastic response and then ask out of curiosity,
"What if Im lying? Were both at the Treading Heavens... no, the second stage of Manifestation, so I should be able to lie too, right?"
"Hehe... Have you never sparred with someone of the same realm from the Heart Tribe?"
"...No."
"Well, that's even better. I can teach you."
"...?"
As she touches the zither, she says,
"Let's control our power while sparring. As I mentioned, with two Four-Axis stage Earth Tribe members above us... and a barrier set up in the dressing room, not to mention the Immortal Demon Tower's restrictions suppressing our consciousness, we can easily get caught if we're not careful. Let's keep our power at the early stage of Qi Refining and compete using only our Manifestations."
"Fine."
A pure competition of capabilities and enlightenment is something I welcome.
The next moment.
Thwoong!
Her zither sounds, and my sword surge through the air.
However, just as Im about to adopt a stance and employ a technique, I struggle to keep my body from collapsing.
Sleepy!
A drowsiness demon attacks me.
With this level of sleepiness even when restricting our power to the Qi Refining stage
If we were to fight without restraining our power, fully employing Treading Heavens, I would have fallen into a dream without even realizing it, just like before.
Thump, thwoong, thump!
But her performance is just beginning.
As her zither plays and melodies emerge, my entire body's strength disperses, and my eyelids feel unbearably heavy.
"Ugh!"
Thump!
I force myself up and glare at her.
Wo-woong!
Gradually, a faint light of the crimson river begins to swirl around her.
"This is my Last Quarter (Moon phase), Illusory Play under the Rosy Afterglow. Please enjoy."
It isn't the crimson river.
Its the evening glow.
The time when those who have finished their day start to prepare for bed, the sunset!
Teeing!
I exert all my strength, barely managing to fend off the sleepiness using Mountain Echoes Valley Responds.
The Formless Sword transforms into vibrations, striking my soul across planes, bringing me back to my senses.
But the clarity is fleeting.
As her performance continues, I realize I am succumbing to sleepiness again.
"A fearsome technique."
Even using only Qi Refining stage power, she brought me to the brink of unconsciousness with sleepiness.
Even a Heavenly Being stage cultivator, if caught off guard by her determined performance, would end up sprawled on the floor, asleep.
Moving even a single finger became difficult.
'This is especially lethal for me.'
I'm sleepy.
I want to rest right now.
If I were to lay down and sleep right now, it feels like I can finally sleep peacefully for the first time in ages.
'After joining Seo Hweol 7 years ago... I havent slept properly even once.'
Not just that.
In my previous life, when I was a governor in the Devil Realm.
Before that, when I was beaten all over at the Azure Heaven Creation Sect.
Even before that, when I was captured by the Mad Lord and underwent modification, enduring for a thousand years.
I never really rested.
'No, was there ever a time I properly rested before that?'
Excluding the times when I relaxed my heart with Hyang-hwa, its hard to remember when I last truly rested.
I want to rest.
I really want to sleep deeply.
The Heavenly Treading realm manifested by Yuhwa is stirring up an intrinsic desire I've had all this time.
'Maybe it's okay to rest a bit.'
But then.
Smirk...
"Resting is something..."
Crack!
I drive the Formless Sword into my shoulder.
A jolt of pain snaps my eyes open.
"I can do after death."
I hold the Formless Sword with a grin.
"If I gain enlightenment in the morning, Im content with death in the evening. Endure, Seo Eun-hyun! Are you going to miss this great opportunity? I'll let you rest in death, so open your eyes!
I scream, twisting the Formless Sword embedded in my shoulder.
Ssh, ssh!
Tremendous pain radiates from my shoulder.
But with bloodshot eyes, I twist and pulled out the Formless Sword, aiming it at Yu Hwa.
"Good. Shall we continue?"
"...Let's do so."
In the next moment, I dart towards her, slashing down with the Formless Sword.
For a moment, the sword takes on a shape similar to an axe and strikes her.
Yet, her crimson afterglow river effectively blocks my Formless Sword again.
But.
'She can't block it.'
Swoosh!
My Formless Sword pierces through the afterglow, charging towards her.
Wo-woong!
She, holding the zither, leaps back like a grasshopper, and I change stance right after swinging down.
Along with my stance, the Formless Sword elongates, transforming into a spear-like form.
'Shoot!'
In the next moment.
The colorless spear in my hand fires off like a cannonball, embedding three gusts of wind around her.
Thwoong, thud, thwoong!
Yet, she continues to strum the zither.
The afterglow swirl around her, dissipating the Formless Sword strikes.
'That's...'
I am astonished to realize the principle behind her defense.
'She's treating my Formless Sword as a living entity and [putting it to sleep]?'
It isn't merely dispersing.
My Formless Sword is falling asleep as it touches her afterglow.
Gradually, the energy of the Formless Sword I hold is dropping below the Qi Refining stage.
If this continues, it will become less effective than simple sword energy.
'Interesting.'
Memories of a long time ago surface.
When I had not yet reached the pinnacle realm and followed Kim Young-hoon around.
Kim Young-hoon wandered through various factions in Yanguo, challenging their banners.
The result was naturally a hundred victories in a hundred battles.
Among the factions he challenged, there was one that specialized in Sound Arts.
Back then, Kim Young-hoon definitely said that defeating the leader of that Sound Arts faction was the most challenging, describing them as the trickiest opponent.
Those memories vividly came back.
[Phew, it was the most not easy opponent.]
[So even the words not easy come out of your mouth, Hyung-nim.]
[Well, it's because Sound Art masters are hard to come by. Those who are mediocre in Sound Arts are as good as useless, but when someone who has mastered Sound Arts to the level of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit and has our vision uses it, it becomes incredibly formidable.]
[I don't understand what you mean by 'our vision.']
[Ah, right. I was meaning to tell you about this.]
I remember the advice Kim Young-hoon had given me.
[Sound Arts, after all, are about sound. But how does mere sound harm the opponent? It's like the poison you study.]
[Poison, you say?]
[Yes, poison. From the moment you first hear the opponent's melody, their Qi begins to mix with the sound entering your body. When the opponent's sound waves resonate with the ones inside you, your body starts to break down according to the resonance frequency.]
[Terrifying.]
[Yes, so ultimately, if you meet a master who uses sound-based martial arts, you should suppress and kill them before they can shoot their sound waves. If you fail and allow the opponent to shoot their sound waves...]
[You'll need to find a way to detoxify.]
[A physician-like approach, indeed. Well, since I compared it to poison... But my solution is a bit different.]
Waves of sunset rush towards me.
What Yu Hwa is using is no different from sound-based martial arts.
No, it could be said to be an evolved version of sound-based martial arts, evolved by several stages.
Perhaps from the moment I first heard her sound at the Immortan Demon Tower today,
I was under the influence of her poison.
The poison of her 'wanting to sleep' heart essence.
'Preemptive strike is no longer possible, and what she has infused into me is her heart essence itself, so detoxification won't work.'
Then, there's only one method left.
[Make the poison your own. If you perfectly control the Qi throughout your body, you can also control the vibrations within. While sparring with the opponent, continuously circulate and move the Qi, altering the vibration itself to be different from what the opponent has infused!]
I begin to accelerate my thoughts through the Formless Sword connected to my body.
Time slows down, while I accelerate.
Kwang, kwang, kwang!
Cutting horizontally with Transcending Peaks.
Then, accelerating again to thrust into her side with Flowing Ridge.
All blocked.
But then, accelerating once more, I cut down from above with Dragon Vein
Kugugugu!
As I cut down, my Formless Sword is blocked again by her sunset-colored river.
Touching that river, the force itself will "dissolve," making permeation impossible.
But the next moment.
Pssht!
A small wound appears on her cheek.
Even though it was "dissolved," my Formless Sword that permeated her river caused a wound on Yu Hwa's face.
Chalak!
The next moment, a crimson wave rushes towards me, forcing me to retreat.
I'm sleepy.
I feel like I will fall asleep at any moment.
This is both my heart essence and the poison she subtly infused into me through her Treading Heavens.
Then, make this poison my own!
'It's not sleepiness, but facing a limit.'
And if you face a limit.
You can also surpass it!
Boong, boong, boong boong boong!
Gradually, the speed at which I swing my Formless Sword begins to increase.
'Every time I endure sleepiness, a limit comes.'
Yu Hwa also plays her instrument, continuously attacking me with her river.
'Every time I face a limit and overcome sleepiness, I break through the limit.'
My inner heart essence transforms, changing from sleepiness to a leap in spirit.
'Therefore, every time I overcome sleepiness, I become stronger!'
It doesn't literally increase my spiritual power or teach me unknown sword techniques.
But isn't martial arts about defining oneself?
Then.
'I am indeed growing!'
Although I am restraining my power to Qi Refining, my speed gradually increases.
I find ways to more perfectly control and maximize the application of force.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Joy of Mountains and Peaks!
The Formless Sword Energy shoots out, crisscrossing like a Go board toward the opponent.
Yu Hwa plucks her instrument again, and the sunset-colored waves surge, blocking my Formless Sword.
My move seems to dissolve, but that's not the end.
Pssht, pssht!
Streaks of blood appear on Yu Hwa's body.
Gradually, the 'sleepiness' heart essence she plays is no longer consumed by my Formless Ssword.
For I am transforming her sleepiness into an 'opportunity for growth' within me, fighting against her.
'If this continues, I will win!'
When I think so.
Ssss....
"It's been a while since I've fought a fellow from the same realm... It seems it won't work."
A deep smile leaks from Yu Hwa's lips.
Its pleasure.
The emotion of finding it too enjoyable to exchange moves with me!
"Perhaps I can be a bit rougher?"
The next moment.
Countless white spider webs spew out from her rear.
Her spider legs attached to her lower body moves, weaving and throwing spider webs in all directions.
Soon, the entire waiting room is engulfed in spider webs.
And then.
Twung!
When she plucks one of the spider webs with her spider legs.
Ziiing!
"!!!"
The spider webs she had spread around the waiting room vibrate all at once.
The entire space around starts to fill with a sunset glow.
'Ugh...!'
Even as I try to distort her heart essence within my own, new poison continually seeps in from outside.
'Damn...!'
I'm sleepy.
Insanely sleepy.
'Everything before me is becoming blurry.'
Before I know it, I'm drifting in and out of consciousness, teetering on the boundary between dreams and reality.
Yet, even so, my body faithfully swings the Formless Sword as it has always done.
At the same time, I see the waiting room before me disappear, transforming into a mystically eerie mountainous ravine.
'At the boundary between dreams and reality, is it trying to suppress my mind through dreams?'
Swoosh!
The fog in the mystical mountainous ravine seems alive as it envelops me.
Simultaneously, in reality, the river engulfs me.
Though I am in a dazed state, I manage to split my focus, cutting through the fog in the mountainous ravine, then use my half-conscious body to dodge the sunset glow.
Her massive counterattack follows.
Before me, the profound ravine suddenly becomes a sea surrounding me, and waves crash over me.
Then, before I know it, I am swallowed by a sandstorm above the scorching desert.
However, in reality, my body constantly moves around, and contrary to myself in the heart essence, I keep landing different attacks on her.
Forced to fight in different environments, with my mind split between them.
'How formidable.'
With the right compatibility, its a technique capable of assassinating a Heavenly Being stage cultivator in a one-on-one fight.
Of course, with a surprise attack, compatibility wouldn't matter, and a fatal blow could be dealt regardless.
Juggling my view between reality and the illusory I continue to exchange blows with her, enduring the sleepiness.
'The crimson river is the physical manifestation of her melody.'
Touching that river puts my 'power' to sleep, and the heart essence of sleepiness is infused into my body, eventually putting me to sleep.
Although I barely managed to distort the heart essence to the parallel state of dream and reality, a direct hit would undoubtedly knock me out.
'The river itself possesses physical force, and while not strong in force, the terrifying part is falling asleep upon contact... By laying down her strings like spider webs everywhere, she ensures her tune can be played from any location...'
The entire waiting room was filled with a sunset glow
I have to find a crack within the sunset glow to sneak through and exploit her openings, while she bombards me from all directions.
'This is fun.'
However, each of the crimson rays she fires is optimized to read each other's intent and heart essence, shooting in the best path possible.
My Formless Sword is no different, and exchanging moves with her, I gradually feel exhilarated.
Our exchange of blows intensify.
And then, I can feel a golden intent emanating from her.
Joy
Fun
And at some point.
In the world of dreams, I find myself in a world filled with crimson rivers.
'This place is...'
Swoosh...
Every time I dip my foot into the river, overwhelming fatigue assaults my mind.
I'm tired.
I want to rest....
Please, just a little...
'This is...'
When cultivators of the same Treading Heavens clash, it seems they not only exchange intents but also share each other's heart essence.
Navigating through Yu Hwa's heart essence, I feel her fatigue.
Fatigue.
That is the essence of the enlightenment she has reached.
'This is...'
Not just the vision of Treading Heavens but also with the vision of the Earth Tribe, the flow of Yin and Yang within this heart essence shows me fleeting scenes.
Its Yu Hwa's life.
She was born into a species known as half-human half-spider.
Her race was famous for producing webs and creating pleasant sounds by plucking their webs.
Of course, they had no other abilities and, congenitally unable to withstand the violent flow of spiritual power, couldn't learn demon beast methods.
Thus, her race was treated as slaves and sold across the Bright Cold Realm.
Yu Hwa was sold from place to place, learning to play the instrument, forced to play without a moment's rest.
Her skill at playing was indeed excellent, and for her owners, having her perform was directly equivalent to wealth.
They never allowed her to rest.
If she was tired, they gave her spirit fluids to eliminate fatigue, and if she showed any laziness, they threatened to grind her up into medicine, forcing her to perform incessantly for five years.
Yu Hwa began to go mad.
Who could endlessly draw upon their talent, playing without rest, and not grow tired?
I want to sleep.
Not just dozing off while being transported to another venue but to properly, deeply sleep.
She hoped, and hoped, and hoped again.
The rest she longed for did not come easily.
If she were to fall asleep during a performance, her owner would immediately grind her up into medicine.
Since they forced spirit fluids on her to eliminate fatigue, excuses of being tired were not accepted.
But having not slept for years, she felt like she would lose her mind if she did not sleep, and thus, she found a solution.
The solution she found was to immerse herself in something else.
She immersed herself in her music, pouring all her madness about wanting to sleep into playing her instrument.
Her playing skills eventually grew to be unparalleled among her half-spider peers.
She craved more perfect performances, more perfect tones.
Then, one day, she discovered how to imbue her music with Qi.
And then, another day.
She realized while playing music that she could see the colors of emotion in the sound. From that day, she could see the intent of the guests who came to listen to her play.
Again, one day, she saw countless colors of emotions merge into one, forming a single field of consciousness.
From then, she realized her music had a direction.
And to reach that direction, she continued to practice, even if it meant her hands and feet bled.
Finally.
On the day when her playing reached perfection, adding perfection to perfection and ultimately reaching the pinnacle of understanding.
She succeeded in combining the basic Qi she had with the intent flowing from her playing, achieving what she had longed for years.
She wanted to sleep.
Her performance, which actualized the 'rest' she had never properly obtained in her lifetime, put all the guests who came that day, her owner, and even herself to sleep.
While asleep, she continued to play and killed the malicious brothel owner who never gave her a moment's rest.
Thus, she awakened as a member of the Heart Tribe.
Later, she fled to the territory of the Heart Tribe and joined them.
That is her story.
Boom!
In a flash!
I open my eyes.
My Formless Sword is already at Yu Hwa's throat, and her instrument is split into two.
"You've lived a tumultuous life."
Only now can I understand why she had agreed to spar with me.
When members of the same Heart Tribe spar with others of the same realm, it's possible to see the opponent's heart essence and the essence embedded within that heart essence.
After receiving a promise from me to meet Baek Nyeong, she sparred with me to see if I am trustworthy.
Whether I was lying or not.
'It wasn't about whether to accept the spar or not. From the moment she saw me, the spar was inevitable.'
Quite an audacious woman.
As I look down at her, she chuckles.
"It seems you, too, have lived a life no less eventful than mine. Really... I thought I was going to die entering your heart essence."
"My heart essence is indeed not easy."
Certainly.
The reason I was able to emerge from her dream and heart essence and defeat her is because she had entered my heart essence as well.
Entering my transparent hell of agony and feeling like her entire body is being pierced must have distracted her.
"How curious."
I say, looking at her with her eyes closed.
I had thought she was just closing her eyes, but having briefly read her heart essence and memories, I became certain.
"Have you been sleeping all this time, not just closing your eyes?"
Yes.
She wasn't just closing her eyes; she has been sleeping all along.
From the day she became a Heart Tribe, she has never woken up from her sleep.
Continuously sleeping, she controls her body through her dreams a remarkable yet peculiar being.
"Oh, deep sleep is really important. If you never slept properly in your childhood, it's only natural to keep sleeping to make up for it, right?"
"No, that's not the issue... Never mind."
How is it possible to control one's body in a dream while sleeping?
"By the way... You've read my memories, haven't you? I felt the sticky gaze of the Earth Tribe scanning through my head..."
"Sorry about that. The vision isn't something I can control."
"Well, it's okay. Although your heart essence is that of a madman, I clearly felt that you are not a wicked person. Just your transparent Last Quarter alone."
"Last Quarter... what's that?"
"It means Manifestation. Heart Tribe members, when meeting each other, try to maintain some uniformity by calling it Manifestation 1, 2, 3 stages, etc. But honestly, every Heart Tribe member calls 'Manifestation' by a different term. I prefer to call it Last Quarter"
'I see...'
It's similar to my Treading Heavens.
Then she asks me with her eyes still closed.
"So, what do you think of me as a being?"
"Ah..."
That's right.
I look at her, organizing my thoughts.
This time, using both the vision of the Heart Tribe and the Earth Tribe simultaneously, I discovered something new.
The Treading Heavens vision that reads the opponent's heart essence.
And the Earth Tribe's vision that reads the trajectory of spiritual energy.
When these two visions combine, it was like seeing the flashbacks of my life through the trajectory of Yin and Yang when I reached the Nascent Soul stage.
I realized that I could briefly see another's life.
"It was a life full of hardships."
I continue, looking at Yu Hwa.
"After all the hardships, you obtained what you wished for, so it's also a life to be celebrated."
At my words, she beams.
"Thank you for the compliment."
And what she says next takes me by surprise.
"After my current mission ends,
If you wish, I will formally invite you to the Heart Tribe Territory and make you a member of the Heart Tribe."
-x-X-x-
"...Ha!"
I am momentarily taken aback by her words.
"To accept someone you've only met twice into your faction?"
Isn't that a bit too reckless?
"Oh my, what would you do if you were in my position?"
"Well..."
"Wouldn't you know after fighting with a fellow Heart Tribe member?"
"..."
Although it sounds ridiculous, it makes sense upon reflection.
Heart Tribe members can read each other's heart essence by competing in skills.
Of course, in my case, with the addition of the Earth Tribe's vision, I even read into the past.
Yu Hwa only somewhat understood what kind of being I am by encountering my heart essence.
Yet, I can't easily refute her words.
We touched each other's essence.
Just that has already given us enough knowledge about each other.
"...Well, I guess I understand the feeling."
"Hehe, since I know you are an upright person, I trust you will keep your promise."
"I will keep it. I'll arrange a place after Seo Hweol leaves the Sea Dragon Palace."
"Thank you."
Chalak, chalak!
She begins to retract the spider webs she had spread around and starts cleaning the disordered waiting room.
I watch her, lost in thought for a moment.
'I didn't read her past perfectly.'
I only briefly skimmed through the flashback that passed by in the blink of an eye during the Nascent Soul stage.
That alone was enough to roughly understand how she reached the realm of the Heart Tribe,
But in other words, reading how she became a Heart Tribe was all I did.
Reading a few fragments of memories was truly all there was to it.
'However, it's certainly possible to read the moments of intense emotion someone has felt throughout their life.'
Then.
I look up, lost in thought.
'Maybe, if I look at Seo Hweol with this vision, I can also know about Seo Hweol's past.'
Thud.
Yu Hwa and I exit from the third basement level waiting room.
When we head up to the second basement floor, I see Yu Hwa's fellow musicians there.
Out of curiosity, I read their heart essences as well, and apart from the clam demon, they seem to be just ordinary slave races.
"Ah, Yu Hwa, you're here."
"Yes. Phew, it's hot."
As she enters the second floor, wiping off her sweat, the eyes of her colleagues strangely change.
They look back and forth between her and me, and seeing both of us sweating, they exchange peculiar glances with each other.
'...? Why are they acting like that...'
Puzzled, I decide to head back up to the Immortal Demon Tower.
"Today was good. Let's meet again if there's a chance."
"Yes, I look forward to it."
I nod to Yu Hwa, expecting the day we will spar again, and she also bows her half-spider lower body to me in respect.
Somehow, there is a lot of murmuring among her fellow musicians, but I ignore it and concentrate on other thoughts as I climb the stairs.
'The vision of reading memories is something I glimpsed during our intense spar.'
She is of the same Heart Tribe, and Heart Tribe members of the Treading Heavens realm or higher intertwine their heart essences when sparring.
Thanks to that phenomenon, I was able to read a few fragments of her memories.
'If I want to enter the heart essence of someone who is not of the Heart Tribe and see their inner thoughts and memories, what should I do?'
The first thing that comes to mind is the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace.
If I were to thrust Seo Hweol's head with the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace, my Nascent Soul can directly enter his consciousness and peek into his heart essence and memories.
But I immediately dismiss that plan.
'My soul might rot away instantly.'
The Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace can be used on someone manageable, but if I were to immerse my Nascent Soul into Seo Hweol's heart essence, it's no joke that my Nascent Soul might corrode.
'The Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace... let's not think about it.'
Then, what other methods could there be?
As I ponder over and over, my thoughts reach the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
'Hmm, maybe with the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon...'
Using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon to momentarily connect my consciousness with Seo Hweol's, and during that time, peeking into his memories through the heart essence might be an option.
'It might rot my consciousness as well, but it's a bit better than Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace.'
Maybe if I can get the Mad Lord's help, a more proper investigation of Seo Hweol's memories might be possible.
'Joining hands with the Mad Lord to kidnap Seo Hweol and then remodel him into a puppet, investigating Seo Hweol's consciousness trapped in the puppet...'
But this is too much like something Seo Hweol would do, so I dismiss it.
If I suggest kidnapping Seo Hweol to the Mad Lord, he will probably try to remodel me first.
'It's futile to expect common sense from someone you cant reason with.'
Step, step...
Before I know it, I have returned to the first floor of the Immortal Demon Tower, recalling Seo Hweol and Gyu-ryeon on the fourth floor.
'Come to think of it, this building is under a restraint that even controls the consciousness of cultivators at the Four-Axis stage.'
Of course, cultivators at the Four-Axis stage aren't really restrained by the restraint but 'allow themselves to be restrained' for the sake of the performance, and they can break free at any time.
But anyway, their consciousness is clearly restrained.
'Maybe this moment, with Seo Hweol and Gyu-ryeon together, is when they're most vulnerable.'
Then, let's try out this newly discovered vision today.
If it's possible to see fragments of memories just by looking from the outside without mixing with the heart essence, that alone will be a great gain.
'I'll wait for the performance to start again.'
The consciousness inside the building is slightly restrained now, but not as much as during a performance.
I decide to wait for the right moment.
Soon.
The lights in the building go out again, and Yu Hwa and the musicians once again come up to prepare for their performance. Everyone's consciousness is restrained once more.
Ordinary cultivators, if their consciousness is restrained, are practically unable to act properly, as if their senses were restrained.
But I am different.
I had lived well even before I had a realm of consciousness as a mortal.
'Let's see...'
Swish!
I use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, entering the gaps in the perception of many within the darkness.
Then, with the Earth Tribe's vision and my Nascent Soul's vision, I cut through the flow of Qi itself, making my body invisible to anyone.
'And, I also hide the flow of my life.'
If there is something I realized after reaching the Nascent Soul stage with the Earth Tribe's method, it is the enlightenment about 'life.'
'Those at the Four-Axis stage have gained enlightenment of life...'
I cut through my own flow of life, momentarily ensuring that those who have gained enlightenment of life can't detect me...!
Swish!
Finally, cutting myself off and completely hiding in the crevice of perception, spiritual energy, and the flow of life, I begin to ascend to the fourth floor.
Just in case, I even use a technique to silence my footsteps as I ascend to the fourth floor.
Woong!
Although restrained, Seo Hweol and Gyu-ryeon's consciousness nearly fills the entire fourth floor.
Of course, considering the original size of their consciousness, this is also a significantly restrained level, but I tense up and carefully make my way through the gaps in their consciousness.
"...?"
I see Gyu-ryeon and Seo Hweol not sitting and listening to the musicians but standing and arguing with each other.
'...?'
What's going on?
Gyu-ryeon cast a soundproofing spell, and since the entire fourth floor is dark, I can't tell why they are fighting.
But clearly, Gyu-ryeon is feeling strong jealousy, pity, obsession and love towards Seo Hweol.
Of course, Seo Hweol seems to be flustered on the outside, but as usual, he feels no emotion on the inside.
Just then.
Wo-woong!
Inside the dark fourth floor.
Gyu-ryeon begins to use a strange, pinkish spell.
As she forms a hand seal, something metaphysical begins happening around them.
Seo Hweol's normally calm heart essence shows slight turmoil.
Seo Hweol is flustered.
And the next moment.
'Hoh...'
Filled with grief, jealousy, and love, Gyu-ryeon grabs Seo Hweol by the collar.
She pulls his face towards hers and kisses him.
Seo Hweol, caught off guard by Gyu-ryeon's sudden kiss, is flustered but soon calms his emotions.
'What exactly is happening...'
But this is good.
If Seo Hweol is even slightly flustered now, maybe I can delve into his heart essence and read his memories.
That's when.
"...!"
As Gyu-ryeon kisses Seo Hweol, something metaphysical seems to happen between them, and I, too, feel caught up in that change while observing.
'What is this...!'
Wo-woong!
Gyu-ryeon detaches her lips from Seo Hweol and, after dispelling the soundproofing spell, looks this way.
"Who is it! Who is spying on us!?"
'This...!'
It isn't so much a problem with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, but it seems I was caught because of observing Gyu-ryeon's spell as a third party.
I hurriedly descend from the fourth floor, and Gyu-ryeon's roar echoes behind me.
"Who dares...!"
Kugugugu!
Her restrained consciousness shatters the constraints around her, expanding in all directions.
But, just in time!
Whoosh!
I successfully leave her consciousness domain and reach my original place on the first floor of the Immortal Demon Tower before she can find me.
'Phew...'
Just as I sit down and normalize my bodily reactions, taking a sip of White-Red Wine,
Gyu-ryeon's consciousness sweeps through the entire Immortal Demon Tower.
'She used some spell on Seo Hweol.'
And, seeing Seo Hweol's flustered appearance caused by Gyu-ryeon's actions,
'It seems like it was some kind of curse that takes effect through a kiss...'
Did she use some kind of spell to force marriage?
I can't help but feel pleased at the thought of Seo Hweol being flustered.
'At least Senior Gyu got one over on Seo Hweol.'
But upon further thought, before Gyu-ryeon forcibly used that spell on Seo Hweol, their relationship seemed to be on the verge of turning sour.
Gyu-ryeon appeared to be boiling with feelings of injustice, jealousy, obsession, and love.
No, even now.
Kugugugu!
Her consciousness thoroughly scans the vicinity, and I can observe the irritation, jealousy, and love carried within her entire consciousness domain.
Pretending nothing is amiss, Yu Hwa too must have noticed Gyu-ryeon's jealousy, as she momentarily falters in her performance.
Of course, like a first-class musician, she quickly calms her mind and continues playing.
'...A lot of interesting things are happening tonight.'
I finish my White-Red Wine, comfortably settling into Yu Hwa's performance.
Finally, even comes at the Immortal Demon Tower and Seo Hweol's farewell party comes to an end.
Now it is Seo Hweol's turn to return to the Sea Dragon Palace and prepare for departure.
As the Sea Dragon Palace party and Gyu-ryeon are saying their goodbyes outside the Immortal Demon Tower,
"Seo Eun-hyun, stay back for a moment."
"Yes?"
Gyu-ryeon suddenly calls me to stop.
Seo Hweol, looking puzzled, glances back and forth between her and me.
"There's something I need to say to this kid for a moment, so Grand Prince Seo, please go ahead."
"Yes, understood."
Seo Hweol, appearing embarrassed, can't meet her eyes and coughs awkwardly before quickly flying away from the Immortal Demon Tower.
'What a spine-chilling performance.'
I inwardly click my tongue, comparing Seo Hweol's demeanor to his heart essence.
That's when.
"Was it you, Seo Eun-hyun?"
"Yes?"
"The one who was spying on us."
"..."
Gyu-ryeon asks me with a cold expression.
After a moment of silence, I slowly nod.
'I was drawn into the change caused by the spell Gyu-ryeon used.'
Perhaps Gyu-ryeon detected that change and is addressing it to me.
Denying it seems pointless.
As I nod, Gyu-ryeon sighs and looks up at the sky.
"...From where did you watch?"
"...When Senior Gyu, you... kissed... the Grand Prince."
"Yes, I see. Sigh..."
She presses her temples.
"...Why were you spying on us?"
"My apologies.There was something I needed to report to the Grand Prince..."
"Well, Grand Princel Seo has a lot on his plate, so I understand. Maybe... it's better it was you."
She glances at me briefly before sighing again.
"...I used an ancient spell known as the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement, also called the Vast Cold Oath."
Gyu-ryeon's story begins.
"Long, long ago, in a time unimaginably distant, before the rituals involving White-Red Wine, there was the Vast Cold Oath to prove marriage between two people."
Yet, despite using the spell she so desired to bind herself to Seo Hweol, she appears somewhat bitter.
"Congratulations... Didn't you wish to be bonded with Grand Prince Seo?"
"Well... I did want to be bonded with him. Not forcibly like this, but naturally, with everyone's blessings...""
I ask her the question she seems to want to answer, reading her intent.
"What happened...?"
Gyu-ryeon seems to want to unburden her heart to someone.
"...Last time, I saw Seo Hweol with someone else."
"Who was it?"
"It was a woman of the human race, dressed in white. I saw her walking down the streets of the Serving Command Ark, holding hands with Seo Hweol. They were... smiling as if they were extremely happy."
"..."
"Once could be overlooked. But after following Seo Hweol several times... they met regularly, becoming even closer."
I am startled by her story about the human woman accompanying Seo Hweol.
"How could... How could he do that? He said he loved me... said he wanted to be with me...! Why is he with another woman, and a human at that...!!"
She vents her frustration.
"I took this opportunity to ask him who she was. Seo Hweol said it was nothing, but I could tell. He was thinking of her more than me! I mean, I could understand if he wanted to take a human concubine. But shouldn't he have discussed it with me first!?"
"..."
"I... So, I used the Vast Cold Oath on Seo Hweol by force this time. I wanted to swear to the world that he is mine."
She suddenly covers her face with a hand, sighing as if feeling self-loathing.
"If it weren't for that woman, I wouldn't have been so desperate to do something about him. Do you think I was wrong...?"
"...I know Grand Prince Seo well."
I start to advise her to keep her distance from Seo Hweol.
"Grand Prince Seo's history with women is quite severe. As you know, some of the Sea Dragon Palace's people are his descendants. From the Lower Realm, he has taken countless wives and concubines."
"...Is that so."
"Yes... So perhaps not expecting much from Grand Prince Seo might be..."
"Well... Fine."
After hearing my words, her golden eyes begin to shine brightly.
Her golden pupils, along with her golden horns, split vertically as they blaze.
"Then, while Seo Hweol is away on his Axis Foundation Practice, I will definitely reach the Integration stage."
"...?"
"As an Integration stage Demon King, I will take Seo Hweol under my wing. Then, he wouldn't dare take any more concubines."
"..."
I am at a loss for words for a moment, but then the thought crosses my mind that perhaps this is for the best.
'Gyu-ryeon possesses the cultivation of the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage.'
Continuously cultivating will naturally lead to her becoming an Integration stage Dragon King.
That is Gyu-ryeon of the Golden Dragon Race.
'If Gyu-ryeon takes Seo Hweol as her husband and becomes obsessed with him, constantly doubting him, with her higher cultivation level...'
Perhaps Seo Hweol's freedom of movement can be greatly reduced.
'I'm sorry for supporting you with ulterior motives but...'
"I support you. In fact, I wasnt pleased with the Grand Princes philandering ways."
"Thank you for your support."
"And about the human woman you mentioned seeing with the Grand Prince..."
"Yes, that displeasing woman?"
"Yes, that lady was originally meant to accompany me as per Grand Prince Seos plans. It's just that the Grand Prince has been taking her around. So, if Senior Gyu achieves her realm and forms a marital bond with the Grand Prince, could you possibly leave that woman to me? Considering you might be concerned about the Grand Prince meeting other women."
"Yes, that sounds good."
Of course, the human woman mentioned to be accompanying Seo Hweol is likely Oh Hye-seo, who was supposed to 'accompany me,' a term with a double meaning.
Not implying a matrimonial bond but literally meaning that if not for being trapped in this world, she would have continued to accompany me as a colleague and comrade.
'Anyway, if I can, through Gyu-ryeon, separate Oh Hye-seo and Seo Hweol...'
Gyu-ryeon said she saw them happily walking the streets together, but honestly, I am anxious just by not knowing what Seo Hweol might be doing to her.
"Hmm!"
Suddenly, she shakes her head vigorously and exhales a faint energy.
'Ah...'
Its drunkenness.
It seems she was a bit intoxicated from drinking the spirit wine.
"...Sorry for showing you such an unsightly state."
"Not at all. I sincerely support the relationship between Senior Gyu and Grand Prince Seo."
"Thank you. ...I might have babbled some strange things in my drunken state... but I actually have something else to say."
"Please, go ahead."
"The Vast Cold Oath I bound with Seo Hweol should originally be formed in front of many witnesses, or in complete privacy."
"...Did my presence cause a significant issue?"
"No, there's no major issue. The reason people must witness the Vast Cold Oath is to serve as 'witnesses' to prove our marital bond."
"Ah..."
"In other words, you are the sole witness to the marital bond between me and Seo Hweol. However, the Vast Cold Oath formed today wasn't proper, as it was forced upon Seo Hweol in my moment of drunkenness and jealousy..."
She asks me, fiddling with her hair somewhat embarrassedly.
"When I become an Integration stage Demon King and have a proper wedding with Seo Hweol, as the sole witness of the Vast Cold Oath, would you be able to witness our marital progression?"
'So that's why she recognized me right away.'
I inwardly sigh softly.
Nevertheless, Gyu-ryeon's proposal holds no downsides for me.
"Yes. On the day when your Vast Cold Oath with the Grand Prince is properly formed, I will definitely... oversee the progression of your bond."
"Thank you."
Gyu-ryeon beams, expressing her gratitude.
'It seems I'm starting to see a way to deal with Seo Hweol.'
I had been frustrated, not knowing how to escape or follow Seo Hweol, who schemes all sorts of wicked plans.
But today, after hearing Gyu-ryeon's inner thoughts, I found an answer.
'Marry Seo Hweol off!'
After Gyu-ryeon becomes an Integration Stage Demon King and marries Seo Hweol, he will be caught by her strong obsession for hundreds of years, limiting his freedom of action.
This will greatly increase the chances of achieving the goals I've set in this life.
Of course, this means the Heavenly Lightning Banner should not be placed in the mouth of the newlywed Seo Hweol, but rather in the mouth of the Black Dragon King Hyeon-eum.
'While Seo Hweol is away, I'll meticulously prepare everything necessary for Seo Hweol to marry Gyu-ryeon upon his return!'
I revise the goals of this life with determination.
Author's note: Teaming up to forcefully marry the villainous lady Gyu-ryeon to the romantic fantasys male lead and taking the heroine for himself is the wicked mastermind, Seo Eun-hyun.
-x-X-x-
The next day.
I bid farewell to Seo Hweol, who transforms into his true form and flies away to another realm, from in front of the Sea Dragon Palace.
[Then, I shall take my leave. Please, take good care of the Sea Dragon Palace in my absence.]
Whoosh!
Immediately afterward, Seo Hweol rides the dark clouds and quickly flies far away.
'It's done.'
Finally, I exhale deeply and smile.
Seo Hweol has finally left.
Realizing this fact made me feel like I can finally breathe.
The past seven years have been days when it was hard to even breathe properly.
'Now, I've finally got some breathing space.'
Of course, just because I've got some breathing space doesn't mean I'm going to stupidly just breathe.
'Seo Hweol might not have left any schemes against me, but who knows what he's left behind in the Sea Dragon Palace.'
Not just the Sea Dragon Palace but also the Sea Dragon Race and even the surrounding aquatic demon race are all subjects of concern.
Everything under Seo Hweol's influence is not to be trusted.
"Upon his departure, the Grand Prince instructed to leave his true blood with Seo Eun-hyun and bestow an official title."
After Seo Hweol left, the elders of the Sea Dragon Palace summoned me.
"Now that you have received the true blood of both the Grand Prince and an Immortal Beast, having reached the Nascent Soul stage, you will be granted the title of Great Leader of Many according to tradition. This is the Grand Prince's command, and refusal is not permitted."
"I accept the Grand Prince's decree."
"Thank you, Great Leader."
Following Seo Hweol's command, I receive an official title from the Sea Dragon Palace.
And, as expected, what Seo Hweol left behind isn't just his blood.
"Since you are now of noble status, Sea Dragon Palace warriors will be assigned to guard you at all times."
Ten Nascent Soul stage Sea Dragon warriors are assigned to monitor me around the clock.
"Additionally, as you have received an official title from the Grand Prince, you must fulfill the duties laid out in the decree he left behind."
"What duties?"
"Primarily, it involves internal management of the Sea Dragon Palace, as well as assisting in several rituals."
"How should I proceed?"
"First, we will provide you with the techniques needed for the rituals. Learn these techniques and follow their flow during the rituals."
""
Now, instead of dealing with Seo Hweol's tactics, I have to learn the techniques provided by the elders of the Sea Dragon Palace.
"Also, the Sea Dragon Palace's sea ritual is in a month, so please quickly master the Sea Moon True Dragon Transformation we provided within a month."
"Understood."
Seo Hweol didn't just stop there. He imposed all sorts of social restrictions on me, making it impossible for me to step outside the Sea Dragon Palace while he is away.
'Heinous indeed.'
But, amusing.
Kee-ing
I fiddle with the circuits of the Mad Lord laid out in the Sea Dragon Palace.
The Mad Lord's circuitry isn't merely for creating puppets.
The circuitry spread throughout the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, interconnected with his Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
In other words, the amalgamation of all puppeteering technologies utilized throughout the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress is the Mad Lord's circuitry I control.
With the Mad Lord's circuitry installed.
This Sea Dragon Palace is no different from my own puppet.
'Of course, to use it as a real puppet, it will need much more modification, but for now, I'm satisfied with having control over the Sea Dragon Palace's seals, barriers, and various enchantments placed around it.'
The greatest utility of the Mad Lord's circuitry is its ability to forcibly convert the opponent's magic artifacts or dharma treasures into puppets of the Mad Lord.
Therefore, I freely manipulate the entire Sea Dragon Palace, now virtually a puppet, and secretly send a message to someone without the other elders of the Sea Dragon Palace knowing.
'A ritual in a month?'
Surely, there will be more than one or two constraints prepared by Seo Hweol for me.
But whatever scehmes he prepared will be futile.
Because, in a few days, not even a month, the Sea Dragon Palace will be in chaos.
Three days after I sent the message.
I use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts to evade the 10 guards assigned to me and arrive at a certain location in the Sea Dragon Palace.
It's been a while since we last met.
What do you mean a while? It's only been a few days.
I welcome Yu Hwa, who has entered the Sea Dragon Palace by bypassing all its seals with my help.
By the way, this time of day would be the peak of activity at the Immortal Demon Tower. Is it really okay for you to come?
Well My colleagues willingly let me go when I said I was meeting you.
? Why would they let you go to meet me? Did they figure something out?
Hmm I'm not sure. It didn't seem like they figured out we're from the Heart Tribe. Rather, they even encouraged me, saying to do my best. Hmm. Perhaps it's because you generously donated spirit stones last time. Maybe they think you might donate more?
Ah, it must have been that.
Well, those kinds of matters aren't really important. After all, my main job isn't as a musician at the Immortal Demon Tower, but as a Heart Tribe espionage agent.
She says with a light smile.
Then, will you lead me to Baek Nyeong now?
Let's do that.
I nod with a reluctant face.
As I said, I'll control the Sea Dragon Palace's seals to help you get out. But taking Baek Nyeong with you is purely your responsibility.
Yes, of course.
I lead her, undetected by the elders of the Sea Dragon Race, to a village spread with corals where Baek Nyeong and his White Goat Race are living.
Baek Nyeong and the White Goat Race reside in a village made of coral reefs next to the Sea Dragon Palace.
The corals serve as pillars for the barrier, covering the entire village with a large bubble of air, and most of the White Goat Race adorn themselves with expensive corals and live luxuriously.
Yu Hwa seems startled by their opulent and peaceful appearance.
What is this.
Currently, Baek Nyeong and his White Goat Race are living well... under whatever Seo Hweol has cooked up.
Yu Hwa looks bewildered as she observes the luxurious and affluent White Goat Race and the other enslaved races being exploited throughout the village.
Is Baek Nyeong here?
Yes. The most luxurious estate over there belongs to Baek Nyeong.
I point towards a grand estate within the coral village.
She then strums her zither.
Woong!
Crimson rivers swirl around her.
Soon after, she completely merges with the sunset, becoming one with the sunset herself.
It's like she fuses with her own melody, similar to my Treading Heavens.
Transformed into a river of twilight, she swiftly infiltrates Baek Nyeong's estate.
I also follow her.
What greets me and Yu Hwa is Baek Nyeong, standing in the estate clad in blue attire, wielding a whip made of dragon scales.
Welcome, Miss Yu Hwa. And Great Leader.
The yin and yang flow emanating from the collar around his neck naturally translates his speech into the demon language.
Yu Hwa, appearing bewildered and in the form of a crimson river, swirls around him and initiates a conversation.
[What on earth has happened...? I came here to rescue you.]
Ah, Miss Yu Hwa. There's no need for that. I am very content serving under the Grand Prince right now.
[You're content serving under the Earth Tribe? I saw your kin outside abusing other enslaved races. What's going on?]
What do you mean what's going on? According to the law of the survival of the fittest, we, now being the superior race, are merely enjoying our rightful privileges.
[What sort of nonsense is that... Have you forgotten the memories of being whipped at the cotton plantations?]
That was because we were weak then. Oh, anyway, I truly am grateful to you, Miss Yu Hwa. If you hadn't approached me when I was just awakening my intent and guided me, I would never have reached Last Quarter.
[Last Quarter... You call it Last Quarter while you go against my teachings and abuse innocent enslaved races?]
Innocent? They are guilty.
[What...?]
Yu Hwa, incredulously, shoots a piercing intent at Baek Nyeong from within the river.
They are weak. Isn't that a crime in itself?
[What... are you saying?]
Miss Yu Hwa, you are like a master to me. You led me to this stage so you should understand more than anyone! How much blood and sweat I have shed to reach here! How much effort I put in, what obsession and longing I had to become strong!
[Yes. You did work hard. However.]
Then! Aren't those who are weak the ones who did not work hard!? Currently, those serving under our White Goat Race are from races known for their laziness. We, the White Goat Race, have taken up the whip with tears to reform them!
Stunned by Baek Nyeong's twisted logic, Yu Hwa appears to be at a loss for words.
[So, before you appeared, your White Goat Race was abused because they were also considered lazy?]
Yes. Sadly, that's the truth. The law of this world is the survival of the fittest! Only that!
[I see.]
Swoosh.
Yu Hwa reverts from the river's form, standing before Baek Nyeong. The upper half of her body remains undulating like the river, not fully revealed.
Baek Nyeong squints at the sight.
Yu Hwa speaks to him.
[You have been brainwashed. Someone has subjected you to severe brainwashing and suggestion. The owner of the Sea Dragon Palace... the one who kidnapped you, was it Seo Hweol?]
However, Baek Nyeong responds with an even more distorted face, retorting,
Brainwashing? Don't talk nonsense, I have sworn loyalty to the Grand Prince of my own will!
[What...?]
Honestly, you have never shown me your true face, even now, Miss Yu Hwa.
[That's because... Heaven and Earth Tribes can torture souls to read memories, and it will be troublesome if my face is revealed... Didn't I say I would reveal my face and form a proper master-disciple relationship once we reach the heartland of the Heart Tribe!?]
Given that Yu Hwa was the one who led Baek Nyeong to reach Beyond the Path by contacting him when he awakened his heart essence, their relationship seems akin to that of a master and disciple.
"Ha, speaking of forming a master-disciple relationship, what did you do when I was captured by the Grand Prince, Miss Yu Hwa? You kept saying you were harboring the Heart Tribe Esteemed One's strike within your heart essence but you never used it once, did you? If you had used the Esteemed One's strike when I was captured, perhaps I could have reached the Heart Tribe Territory with you, just as you said!"
Baek Nyeong's rebuke is met with silence from Yu Hwa.
"Ha! I even think it's fortunate that I didn't go with you. Unlike you, who never showed your face until the end, that person welcomed me with a smile from the start and did not hesitate to teach me the techniques for controlling intent, even though I am from a lowly race. Moreover, unlike you, who was always just talk, the Great Prince liberated my White Goat Race and even gave us a position of dominion near the Sea Dragon Palace!"
[]
Even now, do you say I'm brainwashed!?
A moment of silence falls between them. Then Yu Hwa speaks.
[I'm sorry.]
Ha. Now you say
[But!]
Twang!
She strums her zither.
Simultaneously, crimson rivers overflow in all directions.
[You are indeed brainwashed.]
With nothing left for excuses, you resort to calling me brainwashed.
[Not brainwashed, you say? Then let me ask you one thing. What did you see in Seo Hweol's heart essence?]
Grand Prince's heart essence? I saw an idyllic paradise, fragrant and clean, much like the legendary Peach Blossom Land!
[]
Crack.
My jaw drops at Baek Nyeong's response, and Yu Hwa, too, is momentarily speechless in disbelief.
Shockingly, neither I, who have reached the realm of Treading Heavens, nor Yu Hwa can detect any intent of lying in his eyes.
He truly believes that Seo Hweol's heart essence is an idyllic paradise.
[Indeed, you have been brainwashed.]
To me, it seems like you, Yu Hwa, have been brainwashed by that Heart Tribe Esteemed One!
Well
Unable to listen anymore, I interrupt Baek Nyeong's rant.
I too have once met a remnant of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One. Though powerful, he didn't seem like someone who would go around brainwashing others.
Ah, right. Great Leader, you were here too. Haha, you also reached the mid-stage of Last Quarter, right? Now that I see it was you, Great Leader, who brought Yu Hwa, the Heart Tribe spy, to the Sea Dragon Palace?
Baek Nyeong continues, looking at me.
The Grand Prince instructed to closely watch over you, Great Leader, in his absence, and here you are bringing Yu Hwa, a Heart Tribe spy, right to the Sea Dragon Palace. Are you betraying the Sea Dragon Race?
You
That's when it happens.
Boom!
The crimson river surge, sweeping Baek Nyeong away and hurling him far into the distance of the estate.
"Kr... ugh!"
Baek Nyung struggles to stand, barely keeping his eyes open as if resisting 'sleep' after being hit by Yu Hwa's sunset wave.
[Is it not you who is the traitor, Baek Nyeong!]
What?
Yu Hwa's voice, filled with rage, echoes in all directions.
[Once... you swore to save all the enslaved races from abuse... to ensure no race like yours would ever exist again! Where is the Baek Nyeong who made those vows! You have betrayed yourself!]
Me a traitor? Don't make me laugh! You are the traitor, Yu Hwa! You always acted so high and mighty, claiming to possess the Esteemed One's strike, yet when it came down to it, you did nothing and left me to fend for myself!
[Enough there's no need for long speeches. If that's how you see it, as the one who led you to Last Quarter, it's my responsibility to deal with this.]
Ha, now you want to act as the master?
[As an unworthy master, I'll beat the brainwashing out of you if I must.]
Twang, Thump!
She strums her zither, and Yu Hwa's performance begins.
Her music is directed solely at Baek Nyeong.
Thus, it has no effect on me, with all its power focused on Baek Nyeong alone.
Normally, Baek Nyeong should have succumbed to sleep and wandered into a world of dreams in an instant.
However, one of the ornaments Baek Nyeong wears emits light.
Flash!
A faint spiritual energy flows into Baek Nyeong's Baihui, swirling around his upper dantian before bursting out from his forehead.
'Mental awakening!'
Baek Nyeong, who was about to fall asleep, uses a magic artifact to regain his composure.
Yet, seeing that technique, I shout.
You! That's a dangerous technique!
It isn't a simple mental awakening technique.
It resembles the technique I used to burn my upper dantian or the one used by the Jin Clan to infuse resentful souls into the upper dantian.
A technique that, by igniting one's own mind, grants an immense consciousness in an instant!
Kee-eeng!
The size of the consciousness domain surrounding Baek Nyeong instantly expands, merging with his energy and infusing into his whip.
Chalak!
Last Quarter, Mountain Repelling Whip!
Kugugugung!
The name he coins resonates through consciousness, swirling around in all directions.
Yu Hwa continues her performance with the zither, but Baek Nyeong, in the midst of mental awakening, resists her music and lashes out wildly with his whip.
I too want to join their fight, but Yu Hwa stops me.
[Do not interfere, this is our matter!]
Her will is so firm that I merely control the aftermath of their battle and stay put.
Kugung, Kugugugung!
Baek Nyeong is sacrificing his own lifespan to resist Yu Hwa.
'Did he receive a longevity pill from Seo Hweol?'
It seems he is burning through his life, thinking a little reduction in lifespan is fine as long as it can be extended again.
Whether it's because she is facing her own disciple, or because Yu Hwa's technique isn't effective against someone who has overcome the sleep demon, Yu Hwa fails to exert much force against Baek Nyeong, who is burning his life.
In a prolonged battle, Yu Hwa will naturally have the advantage.
The problem is, this place is the village right next to the Sea Dragon Palace, the territory of the Sea Dragon Race, and the commotion here will soon attract the elders of the Sea Dragon Race.
No matter how much I try to control the aftermath, it's impossible to completely evade the eyes of the Sea Dragon Race's Heavenly Being warriors within their territory.
'Well, that works out.'
Since the commotion has already started, I plan to blow up the Sea Dragon Palace entirely, draw their attention, secure some time for the two, and use that as an excuse to escape the various restrictions placed by the Sea Dragon Palace.
Just then.
[Are you planning to help us?]
Yu Hwa's mental message reaches me.
[There's no need for help. As I've said, this is a matter between me and my disciple.]
But soon, the Heavenly Being elders of the Sea Dragon Race will come here.
[This is a matter between my disciple and I. No intervention from anyone else is needed.]
Realistically speaking
[Moreover, I am a spy of the Heart Tribe. My primary mission is to recruit awakening Heart Tribe members in the Heaven and Earth Tribes' Territories and bring them to the Heart Tribe's Territory. You are also a target of that mission.]
She continues.
[But you, being of both the Heaven and Earth Tribes, might not be interested in the studies of the Heart Tribe. So, if I can burn down this filthy territory of the Earth Tribe while dealing with my disciple, and at the same time show you the possibilities that the Heart Tribe can achieve, maybe you will become interested in the Heart Tribe?]
Twang, Thump!
She grimly reveals her true self completely.
Her face, which she has never shown to Baek Nyeong, is fully exposed.
[I advise you to escape to the outskirts of the Sea Dragon Race's lake. I will now show you Last Quarter, the Final Moon. The realm called the third stage of Manifestation.]
It's a declaration to show the next realm above Treading Heavens, and under normal circumstances, I would have done anything to witness that spectacle.
But why is it that the moment I hear her words, I feel chills all over my body and see the celestial energy suddenly shift?
'The heavens'
They are revealing the fate of calamity.
I must flee immediately.
Otherwise, I will face a great disaster.
My instincts are telling me so.
The spiritual energy of heaven and earth begins to vibrate ominously, warning me.
Escape from the range she mentioned immediately.
At the same time, the Heavenly Being Sea Dragons of the Sea Dragon Race begin to appear outside the coral village's bubble.
[What is happening here!]
[Who are you to cause such a disturbance in the territory of the Sea Dragon Race!]
They growl at Yu Hwa, baring their teeth and gathering spiritual energy, preparing their spells.
However, she calmly strums her zither once more and advises me again.
[I'll say it again. I'm about to perform the third stage of Manifestation, so please leave the domain of the Sea Dragon Race's Cloud Heart Lake.]
I look up at the sky for a moment, considering escape.
It's the right choice.
However.
No, I'll watch from the side.
[You are reckless. I'm telling you. You who are both a Heart Tribe and a member of the Heaven and Earth Tribes, will suffer significant loss.]
I want to see the next realm with my own eyes, no matter what the cost.
"I'm curious, though. Were you always someone of the third stage of Manifestation?"
[I was at the extreme of the middle phase of Last Quarter, and indeed, I was on the verge of entering the Final Moon of Last Quarter.]
She opens her eyes, which she had been keeping closed.
Her eyes are tinged with the color of sunset, much like the crimson rivers she controls.
[With this state, using the strike implanted by the Esteemed One as a beacon, I will burn my life and unfold the third stage of Manifestation with my own hands for a brief moment.]
She looks at Baek Nyeong with her eyes tinged with sunset.
[It's enough to show this power to only my disciple and the filthy dragons of the Earth Tribe. I advise you again, stay far away. Since it's not performed with my own power, I cannot control it even if you are near.]
It does not matter.
My eyes shine as I speak.
"If I can see the next realm, I don't particularly cherish my life."
"Well, if that's what you wish."
Kugugugu!
Beyond the bubble barrier, the Heavenly Being Sea Dragons try to restrain her with their spells.
In an instant, the surroundings are filled with water.
And she, with her eyes wide open, begins to strum her zither.
[Last Quarter, the Final Moon.]
The realm beyond Treading Heavens.
The power of the Heart Tribe known as the third stage of Manifestation unfolds.
That day.
I understood why the Heaven and Earth Tribes sought so desperately to exterminate the Heart Tribe and feared them.
And why a minor tribe with fewer than ten thousand experts could compete for dominance in the Bright Cold Realm against the Heaven and Earth Tribes and earn an independent title.
The entire world began to fill with the glow of sunset.