"Kang Min-hee?"
I respond, slightly surprised.
'Even though Seo Li's investigation into Black Ghost Valley didn't yield any information beyond her general location, she's still difficult to locate...'
It seems that the disciples sent to the Nether Ghost Realm have news about Kim Min-hee, indicating she might be in the Nether Ghost Realm.
"Is she perhaps in the Nether Ghost Realm?"
"No. To be precise, she's on the 'path' heading from the Bright Cold Realm to the Nether Ghost Realm."
"A path to the Nether Ghost Realm…"
'That's the first I've heard of such a thing.'
The True Devil Realm, being adjacent to the Bright Cold Realm, has many paths leading to it. Every major sect has at least one or two entrances to the True Devil Realm, given its proximity.
However, realms like Ancient Force, Purple Gold, and Nether Ghost are all quite distant, making formal pathways difficult to establish.
Understanding my confusion, Jeon Myeong-hoon adds more information.
"It's a very peculiar path that opens only through the Nether Crossing Ship. According to the information received from the Nether Ghost Realm disciples, it's more of a 'side path' than a formal path."
"A side path?"
If a hole is made in a dimension, that becomes the entrance to the dimension.
But how could there exist something like a 'side path' in a dimension?
'Well, I guess I don't need to know the details. It's not like I'm going to be creating side paths myself.'
"Hmm… So, you're saying we should use this 'side path' through Kang Min-hee?"
"Yeah. Try contacting Kang Min-hee. She won't turn down a request from old colleagues, would she?"
"Umm… Why are you asking me to contact her? Why don't you do it?"
At that, Jeon Myeong-hoon grins and says,
"I saw many things flash before my eyes when I ascended to the Nascent Soul stage. Most passed by quickly, so I don't remember everything, but some memories are still vivid in my mind."
"…And?"
"One of those memories from our company days was that Kang Min-hee really disliked me."
'Well, the only person who was outwardly friendly with Jeon Myeong-hoon was Oh Hye-seo.'
But his next words leave me speechless.
"And I remember during the early days at work, you and Kang Min-hee were the closest... You always backed each other up well, even during discussions at the Ascension Path. So, maybe she'd listen to you, since you were close?"
"…Me and Kang Min-hee being close… Yeah, that was true in the beginning."
"That's why I'm asking you to do it. If I contact her again, given Kang Min-hee's temperament, I'm likely to get a mouthful of curses."
"…"
'If I contact her, it might not just be a mouthful of curses. She might just hang up on me right away.'
But then I reconsider.
'No, it's been nearly a hundred years; would Kang Min-hee still feel uncomfortable about me?'
It's such an old issue that my own feelings about it have faded, but I'm unsure how Kang Min-hee might think of me now, which makes contacting her directly awkward.
Nor does it feel right to talk about that time to Jeon Myeong-hoon without Kang Min-hee's permission.
'Now that I've taken the position of Grand Cultivator, I guess she might agree to meet if I formally contact her through Black Ghost Valley…'
Suddenly, I become curious whether Kang Min-hee's feelings towards me have truly faded or not.
'…Should I try contacting her?'
After Jeon Myeong-hoon's persuasion, I contemplated whether I should reach out to Kang Min-hee.
In the early days, after all,
Kang Min-hee and I had secretly dated within the company.
Blink.
I open my eyes.
Both my main body and I share a common sentiment when it comes to Kang Min-hee.
'I wonder what Kang Min-hee thinks of me now?'
Kang Min-hee and I had a strange relationship.
Initially, as fellow new hires and batchmates at the company, we both harbored a strange fascination with the idea of having an 'office romance.' So, we started dating on the way home from our first company dinner with the thought, 'Shall we try it?'
And we broke up after just three weeks.
We were horribly incompatible.
And as is often the case, we quickly became awkward around each other afterward.
Being in the same department, even if it was just a three-week relationship, the presence of an ex-boyfriend and ex-girlfriend in the same space was suffocating in itself.
While Kang Min-hee managed to maintain a cheerful appearance professionally, she was difficult to get close to personally, not feeling much attachment to the company. I, on the other hand, was the opposite, getting along with Hyun-seok Hyung and other department members despite Jeon Myeong-hoon's harassment.
So, after a brief and awkward discussion, Kang Min-hee decided to resign.
However, before she submitted her resignation, a project proposal she had written out of boredom caught the eye of the president of SJD Company, who was so impressed that he publicly praised her and raised her initial salary level by three grades.
She was quickly slated for a managerial position, and unable to pass up the opportunity, she decided to stay, enduring the awkward relationship with me while aiming for a department transfer.
…Of course, the department transfer failed due to Jeon Myeong-hoon's tricks.
'I was also beginning to grow fond of the company at that time, and I decided to stay because I wasn't sure if I could succeed in finding another job…'
Thus, we coexisted awkwardly, and Kang Min-hee, climbing the ranks faster than I did, began to openly ignore and dislike me.
Beyond awkwardness, we really disagreed on everything. Since our desks were close, I used to ask her work-related questions occasionally, but at some point, I started going to Hyun-seok Hyung instead.
Moreover, our relationship had been half driven by a fascination with office romance and half by the excitement after the first company dinner, so there was no real affection between us.
We literally became like oil and water.
'Looking back, the reason I could endure Jeon Myeong-hoon's bullying wasn't so much because of my strong mentality, but rather because I was more concerned about my suffocating relationship with Kang Min-hee, that I hardly paid any attention to Jeon Myeong-hoon.'
Our bad relationship persisted, even during Ascension Path. She would smile when interacting with me but always avoided me when any tasks needed to be done.
On the first day, the reason Oh Hye-seo and Kim Yeon found a place to stay with me while Kang Min-hee went off with others to find the car was all because of that.
"…Those are memories too."
I chuckle as I return to my lodging.
That's already a memory from thousands of years ago.
A time when I was no different than an infant.
However, since the events concerning Kang Min-hee happened only about a hundred years ago, it's hard to tell what she thinks of it.
"...."
Leaning against the wall, I ponder for a moment before deciding to delay contacting Kim Min-hee directly through my main body.
'For now, I'll gather some information as Seo Li.'
If she's the same as before, liking and disliking the same things, she'd think the same about me too.
If she's changed, there's a chance her thoughts about me have changed too.
I head to the residence next door and greet the Elders of the Black Ghost Valley.
"Junior Seo Li greets the Elders of the Black Ghost Valley."
"Ah, a polite lad."
"Hehe, we saw everything during the test. You are far superior in curse techniques than those of the Yin Soul Ghost Sect. It's great to see such talent enter the Black Ghost Valley…"
They attempt to pat my shoulder, but I subtly avoid it and ask a question.
"By the way, there's something I'm curious about. Since I am a newcomer, may I ask seniors a question?"
Upon my greeting, the two curse sorcerers at the Heavenly Being stage of Black Ghost Valley look puzzled and ask.
"Hmm, weren't you appointed a temporary Ghost King companion as a new Yin Soul disciple?"
"Look here, senior. Haven't you informed this junior the basics of the Black Ghost Valley?"
They ask, sensing the Bi Yul within me.
But it wasn't that I didn't want to ask Bi Yul.
I asked Bi Yul about Kim Min-hee whenever I had the time, but Bi Yul only said, 'I've heard of the name.'
'Bi Yul is quite an old soul, after all, and said he hasn't been interested in recent disciples or current operations of Black Ghost Valley...'
[Ah, juniors, don't misunderstand. This old man just isn't very interested in the sect's minor or major matters other than merging with the Yin Soul Ghost Sect. I've been around for too long...]
"Ah, I see. It's understandable for an ancient Ghost King."
The Heavenly Being stage Elders, Wi Hon and Geub Un, tell me to ask if I have any questions.
"First of all, who is the highest leader of the current Black Ghost Valley in the Bright Cold Realm?"
"Hmm, who might they be… The one with the highest realm is the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage Black Grand Elder Ge Ryu, who is one step into the Integration stage. He passed away 3,000 years ago and is enshrined in the Grand Tomb Domain as a Ghost King. He is on the verge of the Integration stage but has already abandoned his human body, and if he reaches the Integration stage, he'll transfer to the main branch in the Nether Ghost Realm, so he's practically non-existent..."
"The next in line are the mid Four-Axis stage Black Grand Elders Heo Wi and Heo Ryeong, and Black Grand Elder Heo Gwak at the early Four-Axis stage. They are essentially the top leaders of the valley."
His explanation continues.
Upon hearing the explanation, it seems that Black Ghost Valley operates under an oligarchic system where multiple Black Grand Elders handle matters collectively, unlike sects like the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect or the Azure Heaven Creation Sect where one sect master makes all the decisions.
"I see. Then, who are the key figures of the valley?"
"Well, the various hall masters of the Yin Soul Hall, Ghost Soul Hall, Corpse Soul Hall, Gate Soul Hall, and Duty Hall are all positioned under the Black Grand Elders."
The Yin Soul Hall manages the Nether Crossing Ship and navigation.
The Ghost Soul Hall handles cultivation methods and the management of Ghost Kings, as well as rituals towards the Netherworld and communication with the main branch of the Nether Ghost Realm.
The Corpse Soul Hall manages the sect's discipline and laws.
The Gate Soul Hall manages entry into the sect and overall administration.
The Duty Hall is responsible for distributing various sect tasks in a mission format and managing rewards.
"Elders, in your opinion, which of the recent disciples of the Black Ghost Valley have stood out the most?"
After thinking for a moment, they say,
"Well... not a disciple, but if you count the recent arrivals, there's really only one."
"Indeed. Although many exceptional individuals have joined, the most outstanding is definitely that person."
I read Wi Hon and Geub Un's intent.
They clearly hold respect for this person.
"The current deputy hall master of the Ghost Soul Hall, Grand Perfection Heavenly Being Elder Kang Min-hee is that person."
"A remarkable individual indeed. It hasn't even been a hundred years since she started cultivation, and she is already transitioning from the Heavenly Being stage to the Four-Axis stage."
"Wow...is she not even 100 years old?"
"Yes. She's indeed very promising."
As soon as Kang Min-hee is mentioned, my eyes light up, and I ask about her.
"That's impressive… How can one enter the Yin Soul Hall, Ghost Soul Hall, and the like of the Black Ghost Valley?"
"To enter one of the Five Great Halls, you first need merit points. If you accumulate over a thousand merit points, you can choose to enter one of the halls."
"Otherwise, becoming a Heavenly Being Elder allows you to become a hall master and enter."
'Either gather merit points or become a Heavenly Soul…'
I resolve to accumulate merit points or reach the Heavenly Being stage as quickly as possible.
After hearing more information and anecdotes about Kang Min-hee, I returned to my lodging to think.
'Kang Min-hee hasn't changed since 100 years ago.'
That likely means that the awkwardness and discomfort she feels towards me probably still lingers to a significant extent.
'Then, I might have no choice but to leave it to Jeon Myeong-hoon.'
"...You want me to contact Kang Min-hee?"
"Yes. You probably already know, but about a year and a half before we fell to Ascension Path, Kang Min-hee and I had a big fight."
"...Ah! That one. I've heard about it from the Director. You two were shouting at each other in the office, right?"
"Yeah… But now that I think about it, that happened during work hours, so why do you know about it?"
"Hmmhm, that's not important. But ever since I stopped her department transfer through my uncle, she almost never spoke to me again… And you want me to contact her?"
I sigh at his lack of response.
'Jeon Myeong-hoon and me... That would be the worst combination for Kang Min-hee.'
Given her personality, if we both ask her to help us use the 'side path,' she will sternly refuse.
The two people she dislikes the most asking her for a favor; why would she agree?
'And I don't want to force her to open the side path for a mere couple disciples from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect...'
I feel an increasing sense of dissonance but choose to ignore it.
"...Well, can't help it. If that's the case, I'll try talking through someone else."
"Who?"
"Kim Yeon."
I stand up.
'I was planning to go save her anyway, but I guess I'll have to go a bit sooner. Escaping won't be hard now.'
"Come with me. We're going to meet the Mad Lord."
Translator Notes: I'm changing Mount Tai Emperor Splitting Technique and Owner of Mount Tai to Great Mountain. I got confused because Great Mountain (太山) also translates to Mount Tai, however after doing some more research, it's a different Mount Tai from the famous one (泰山).
***
'It's strange. It's definitely strange.'
No matter how many times I see it, the main body is not normal.
Describing the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect as 'mere'?
Why?
This is a completely different sentiment from when I used to shout for the lives of the disciples.
However, to say that the heart itself is somehow twisted, the feelings towards Kang Min-hee and Kim Yeon remain unchanged.
I wondered if it might have been influenced by Yang Su-jin's non-human theory, but even when I concentrated my consciousness in the main body and recalled Buk Hyang-hwa, those feelings remained the same.
'...Is this really just an overreaction?'
However, I can't ignore this sense of dissonance.
'Well, there's nothing I can do about it. I need to quickly elevate my own cultivation and attain a high realm so I can observe my consciousness with higher-level consciousness methods.'
After making that decision,
I close my eyes and continue to train in the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets.
The main body, along with Jeon Myeong-hoon, are discussing joining the Grand Cultivator meeting and are looking for a teleportation array to visit the Mad Lord, while I close my eyes and concentrate my consciousness on the Nascent Soul that was transformed into a Ghost King through the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets.
Kwarurururu!
Bi Yul, next to my Ghost King-transformed Nascent Soul, trembles as it helps me condense the aura of death.
Death begins to densely cluster beneath like the silt at the bottom of a river, pressing into the interior of my Nascent Soul.
Shortly after, an intense blue ghost fire ignites from the eyes of the Nascent Soul, similar to that of Song Jin.
And then, suddenly.
Wo-woong!
I feel a strange 'sensation' as if I am breaking through my upper dantian.
'This is...'
Maintaining the 'sensation,' I open my eyes, and the surrounding world appears different.
The lodging suddenly took on a gray hue.
The more I focus my mind, the more I see black 'lines' appearing among the gray hues.
'Hmm…'
When I focus on a piece of pottery in the lodging, the 'lines' on it gradually increase, forming what looks like 'cracks'.
As I continue to concentrate on this sensation, the 'cracks' eventually spread its territory, completely darkening the vase.
At that moment, I'm startled and turn off the 'sensation'.
'What was that...?'
It seemed like I saw something terrifying beyond the pitch-black cracks.
"Bi Yul, explain what sensations one gains when becoming a Ghost King."
[Yes. There is only one. It has long been known historically in the Ghost Path Method that the Ghost King perceives the Netherworld. You would surely know, my Lord, but let me recite my humble knowledge. The gray world visible only to the dead is the outer boundary of the Netherworld.]
"The outer boundary of the Netherworld?"
[Yes. The black lines you see there represent 'rest,' or 'death.' If you look closely, these black lines float above objects and spread in the form of cracks. That is the 'form of death' that the object takes.]
"Hoo, I see."
I recall how the lines had spread in the form of cracks on the vase.
Surely, when the vase breaks, it will break along those cracks.
That is the fate of the vase, its imminent form of death.
"As the form of death covers an object more and more, does the object approach death, and die when completely covered?"
[Exactly. It's a unique vision of ghosts, completely different from the visions that the Heaven, Earth, and Heart Tribe possesses. We call it Nether Perception (冥覺).]
I don't ask further but I understand immediately.
'When viewed through Nether Perception, if an object is completely covered by the form of death, it turns completely black. And beyond that blackness is surely...'
That terrifying feeling.
[When one completely traces the form of death through Nether Perception, the black area that appears...that black area is precisely the Netherworld.]
"Is that so..."
I ponder for a moment then close my eyes before activating Nether Perception.
With enhanced consciousness, I observe my own body.
And I can't help but be startled.
Even without focusing the Nether Perception, my body is already completely black!
'...I see. Am I already deceased (亡子)?'
Having said that, my Ghost King-turned Nascent Soul still carries a faint gray hue.
I fully understand the principle of the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets.
It involves absorbing the 'form of death' present in all beings, turning the Nascent Soul into a Ghost King residing on the outer boundary of the Netherworld.
If the deceased practice this, they will remain in the outer boundary of the Netherworld and not be pulled directly into its depths. If the living practice this, they can enter the outer boundary of the Netherworld.
'No wonder Ghost Kings are feared as great ghosts…'
An existence completely covered by the form of death becomes an entrance to the Netherworld itself, leading directly there.
And the form of death emanating from me.
It's immensely vast and deep.
I am essentially a 'moving gateway to the Netherworld'.
It suddenly occurs to me that ghosts might be dragged directly into the Netherworld if they come into contact with me.
'Even though this is just a part of my soul attached with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu, it's already this powerful. If it were the death of the main body...'
The enormity is unthinkable.
'This is rather...not so much the living becoming deceased through death, but the darkness of the dead having crawled up from the Netherworld.'
No wonder they fled from me, claiming I'd devour them.
And then I realize one more thing.
'So, Bi Yul has already…'
I thought Bi Yul was merely residing peacefully within me, perfectly sane and conversing.
But that isn't the case.
Bi Yul had gone mad.
The essence of most cultivation sects is 'longevity.'
Although immortality is unattainable, many in cultivation sects aspire to reach to higher realms to extend their lifespan.
Black Ghost Valley is no exception.
They too desire longevity, even if it means becoming a Ghost King to stay in the Ninth Heaven.
These are the ones who didn't wish to die even if they became Ghost Kings.
Yet, looking at myself, it's as if I am wrapped in a death so terrifying that I might well be a Death God of the Netherworld myself.
This is despite being a mere shadow compared to the main body.
Bi Yul, in a state of madness, only responds when stimulated.
'Most ghosts are noisy. I wondered why Bi Yul is so quiet inside me…'
I feel a bit sorry for him.
'But still, according to the rules of Black Ghost Valley, he needs to stay inside a new disciple for a certain period, so please just bear with it a little longer.'
After that period, he can come out of me, lose the memories of this time, and be peacefully enshrined back at the Nether Crossing Ship shrine.
I comfort Bi Yul in my heart while practicing the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets.
Soon, spiritual power begins to accumulate rapidly inside my transformed Nascent Soul.
As I am extracting my form of my death and converting it into spiritual power, I soon realize something is changing.
'What, what is this?'
Wo-woong!
I focus my mind and take out the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner.
It's a type of consciousness method, and as the name suggests, it also possesses the properties of the Five Elements.
Tstsstsst!
The Five Elements Blood Curse Banner quickly merges and dissolves into my Nascent Soul.
As constant as the Moon.
As the rising of the Sun.
Long-lived as the Five Great Mountains.
'Late Nascent Soul stage!'
I head outside my quarters and, guided, briefly venture outside the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect to find a secluded area.
Soon, the Heavenly Tribulation begins to strike, and I regain the level of the late Nascent Soul stage as I endure it.
I return back to my residence with a somewhat dazed feeling and observe the interior of my body.
'What's this speed?'
My rapid rise to the Nascent Soul stage at the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect was clearly due to the cultivation stored in the Colorless Glass Sword from previous cycles.
Without the cultivation from the previous cycle, it would have taken me decades just to gather enough Qi to ascend to the Nascent Soul stage.
But now, the Colorless Glass Sword is with the main body, and I have none of the cultivation stored from previous cycles.
Yet, I was still able to amass enough spiritual power to enter the late Nascent Soul stage so quickly.
I feel dumbfounded by this insane cultivation speed as I continue to practice the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets in the lodge.
The next day arrives.
Geub En and Wi Hon.
The two Heavenly Being stage Elders look at me with a spark in their eyes.
"It seems you were hiding your cultivation yesterday. To think you're at the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul stage."
"A quite high-level disciple has entered Black Ghost Valley. Haha! Judging by the spiritual energy, it seems this one might soon become an Elder."
"Let's greet him in advance. I look forward to working with you, Elder Seo. Haha!"
"Haha... it's nothing, seniors."
I laugh awkwardly.
'...Even if I say I went from mid Nascent Soul to Grand Perfection overnight... they wouldn't believe it, right?'
Moreover, if I gather just a little more energy, I can reach the Heavenly Being stage.
I laugh awkwardly and, from that day on, follow the duties of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect, enhancing, complementing, and amplifying the curses they manufactured.
'I see why Black Ghost Valley also researched curses.'
When I cast Nether Perception on a curse spell, it appears as an infinitely transparent shape, the exact opposite of the form of death.
'Gray represents the outer boundary of the Netherworld, black signifies the Netherworld itself, and the colorless, transparent light symbolizes the living realm?'
I recall Bi Yul's words as I look at the curse spell.
A curse is essentially pain.
Pain, being an aspect of 'life,' is imperceptible from the outer boundary of the Netherworld.
Similarly, blessings also appear transparent.
Although blessings and curses seem contrasting, from the standpoint of death, they are essentially the same.
'It seems Ghost Kings, whose days are numbered before being pulled into the Netherworld, really need curse techniques.'
These are like wedges, a method belonging to the realm of life, that can hold them back from being dragged into the Netherworld.
Of course, it will only bring a slight delay for the Ghost Kings, as they are already deceased and inevitably fated to be pulled into the Netherworld someday.
After death, as the attractive pull of the Netherworld gradually grows stronger, no matter how much they master curse methods or other consciousness methods belonging to the realm of life, they will inevitably be sucked into the Netherworld.
'And this curse...'
Chiieeee―
I click my tongue as I look at the curse spell created in conjunction with nine other curse sorcerers.
It's a quite malevolent curse.
While delving into the essence of this curse, I realized it's based on someone's deep resentment.
'I can't exactly tell whose it is, but...it's created by overlaying a curse on a powerful grudge.'
Anyone afflicted by this curse will surely be in devastating trouble.
For those below the Heavenly Being stage, merely touching the curse will not just weaken them, it will completely rot them away.
Even the curse sorcerers found it difficult to handle and gradually, at some point, control had converged upon me, the most skilled among them.
I heavily infused my Yin Soul Ghost Incantation into the curse spell to train it not to act up without my permission.
"Ah, have you already stabilized it?"
The boy who had given us the mission.
The boy named Hyeon Gwi (Black or Profound or Mysterious Turtle/玄龜) laughs heartily as he watches us perfectly control the curse spell.
"I hadn't expected such good results even from gathering skilled curse sorcerers... Truly remarkable. Especially Sir Seo..."
He lets out a small exclamation of admiration as he looks at me skilfully handling the curse.
He seems particularly interested in me for some reason.
I don't know why, but I feel it'd be better to make a good impression on Hyeon Gwi, so I manipulate the curse spell even more dazzlingly in front of him.
The task of strengthening and amplifying the curse spell took several days.
After we sufficiently strengthened the curse formula, we were able to take breaks.
It felt like we could rest for a day or two after about ten days of strengthening the curse spell.
And every so often, one out of the ten of us could leave the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect for external activities without any issue.
Of course, only one person can go out at a time, and we were under strict orders to keep silent about the curse production within the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect, but it wasn't a big problem.
And as time passed, it came time for me to go out.
"Sir Seo, if you leave, it won't be easy to stabilize the curse, so I hope you return quickly."
Hyeon Gwi laughs heartily as he sees me off to the main gate of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
"Understood. I'm just going out to check something at Black Ghost Valley, so don't worry."
"All right."
"Then, if you'll excuse me..."
Just as I am about to borrow a teleportation array to head to Black Ghost Valley, Hyeon Gwi calls out to me.
"Wait a moment, Sir Seo. I have something to tell you."
"Yes? What is it?"
Hyeon Gwi smiles slyly and speaks in a low voice.
"There's something I wish to share only with you, Sir Seo. I'm impressed by your skills with curses and would like to ask for a favor."
Step, step...
He crosses the main gate of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect and flicks his fingers.
Snap!
Chaaaaa!
A surge of Yin energy bursts from his body, coloring the surroundings.
I realize that a special barrier is blocking the inside from the outside.
"What is it that you need to speak so secretly about?"
"...It's because there are many things to be cautious about. The Black Dragon King has cast spells throughout the entire interior of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect to always monitor us. He wants to see if we are trying to escape his grasp."
"…!"
"In fact, this information itself is confidential, and I can't openly share it. It's only after stepping outside the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect and casting a barrier that I can speak freely."
Hyeon Gwi continues with a bitter expression.
"...It is said that our Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect is backed by the Black Dragon King. You might think that he would treat us well since it's a sect led by his descendants. However, the reality is different. Every year, we must offer cultivators of at least Core Formation stage as sacrifices to the Black Dragon King."
"…!"
"If the number of sacrifices is insufficient, the Black Dragon King sometimes consumes one of our disciples. We are not his favored ones; we are his sacrifices and slaves. That's why some of us in the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect have thought of this."
His eyes glow intensely.
"Even if it means being degraded from the Five Great Sects of the Human Race we wish to escape from Hyeon Eum's grasp. Our entire sect is bound by a prohibition. We cannot escape it... but there is a possibility."
I swallow as I listen to Hyeon Gwi.
'Talking about such confidential matters... he means to kill me if I don't cooperate.'
Of course, I'm not particularly afraid of Hyeon Gwi in front of me.
Although he is a practitioner of Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation, I am confident I can beat him.
However, the fact that he is discussing this just beyond the main gate of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect means that there are other sect members nearby who share his purpose..
Since Seo Li is a clone, dying isn't a big issue. But, it's a bit of a waste since this clone has infiltrated the Black Ghost Valley.
"What possibility are you talking about?"
I decide to listen to his thoughts.
"In 500 years, the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person (嶒龍眞人) will appear in the Chaos Realm (亂界)"
"Lofty Dragon True Person!!??"
I exclaim in surprise.
"Is this true?"
"Yes, those who know are already aware. It appears periodically every two thousand years."
I gasp in astonishment.
The title 'True Person' (真人) can only be used during the Entering Nirvana stage.
And I am very familiar with the title 'Lofty Dragon' (嶒龍).
A legend I learned while living in the Earth Tribe.
Long ago, during the war involving the Bright Cold Realm, the ancestor and leader of the True Dragon Alliance from the Earth Tribe who led the Bright Cold Realm to victory.
The very territory where the current True Dragon Alliance is established.
That, is Lofty Dragon True Person.
"Are you saying a relic left by the progenitor of the Earth Tribe will appear?"
"Yes. The storage scroll he left is not only a dharma treasure itself but also an alternate world. And we have found an artifact within this storage scroll that can free us from Hyeon Eum. It's an artifact that can lift the prohibition the Black Dragon King has placed on us. However, lifting this prohibition will require an exceptional curse sorcerer."
"So, you want to recruit me?"
"Yes. If you help us, we will give you one of the artifacts obtained from that realm, and ten times the reward we offered for this mission."
"Hoo…"
The compensation this time is already significant.
Ten times that amount?
It's a tempting offer.
"There's a special prohibition in that realm that prevents even Integration stage cultivators from entering, so there's not much risk. You just need to cast the curse for us."
"Hmm…"
I ponder for a moment and then ask him.
"What kind of artifacts are you talking about?"
"I'll show you the list right now."
Snap!
As Hyeon Gwi snaps his fingers, numerous illusions of items appear before me.
As I reach out to the nearest illusion, I feel information about it flowing into my mind.
'Wow... each and every one of them are incredible.'
I'm greatly impressed.
But having been betrayed by Seo Hweol before, I remain skeptical.
'Such favorable terms?'
Could there be a trick?
'The intent seems suspicious.'
Hyeon Gwi still hasn't told me everything.
However, it doesn't seem to be anything too significant, an intent that is just slightly unsettling.
That's when.
'Hm?'
Among the illusions that Hyeon Gwi conjured, I notice a tome bound in the hide of a strange beast, titled in a language I have never seen before.
At that moment, Bi Yul inside me speaks up.
[My Lord, choose that book as your reward.]
'Hm? Is there something special about it?'
[The script written on that book is the language of Ghost Souls, commonly used in the Netherworld, especially by high-ranking Death Gods. Were you unaware of it?]
'No, of course, I knew that. But why insist on acquiring it?'
[Ah, I see. Perhaps to the noble one, even such an item may seem insignificant. However, that book is a legendary secret manual. The fools of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect do not know its worth, so we should take it.]
'Explain what it is.'
Bi Yul's following words almost make me jump.
[As the noble being knows, there is such a thing as the True Orthodox Axis, not the erroneous method built through the Five Elements. And that Ritual Scripture of the Wealth Virtue (富德祭祀書) is one of the secret manuals known to offer access to the Wealth Axis among the True Orthodox Axes. It's practically more of a spiritual elixir in the form of a book! The noble one can already rise with your knowledge of Understanding before Breakthrough, but gracing the book to the disciples of Black Ghost Valley can lead them to tremendous growth!]
"…!"
I receive an equally enthusiastic response from the main body, and without further ado, I choose the Ritual Scripture of the Wealth Virtue.
"Hmm, this book? Well, it's just a book with undecipherable text to us in the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect, so if Sir Seo likes it, feel free to take it."
Hyeon Gwi nods.
"It's of no value to us, so I'll give it to you right away as an advance."
Wo-woong!
Hyeon Gwi seems to communicate with someone outside, then splits space and reaches into it to retrieve the book from somewhere.
And then I receive the 'Ritual Scripture of the Wealth Virtue.'
'Good. With the Ritual Scripture of the Wealth Virtue, I can build the Wealth Axis…'
I had once sighed at the thought of having to travel through the Middle Realms to achieve the True Orthodox Axes.
Fortunately, it seems I will only need to visit three.
'I won't need to go to the Purple Gold Realm.'
True Devil, Ancient Force, Nether Ghost.
It seems like visiting just these three later will suffice.
"You seem in a good mood, Seo Eun-hyun."
Jeon Myeong-hoon asks with a smirk.
"Is it because you're going to meet Kim Yeon?"
"Well, that's part of it."
"How curious. You were so dense at the company no matter how much you were approached that it was weird, but you've noticed it here?"
"..."
It seems Yeon had shown interest enough for even Jeon Myeong-hoon to know.
"I honestly thought you were just gritting your teeth and ignoring it. That's why there were rumors at the company that you're either celibate or gay."
"…What kind of nonsense is that? Where did you hear it?"
"Deputy Oh Hye-seo told me. She said she heard it too, and that it's a widespread rumor at the office. Well, I just thought you were too clueless and incapable of dating."
"..."
Thinking I need to pay even less attention to Oh Hye-seo in the future, I jokingly smack Jeon Myeong-hoon on the head, bursting it.
Boom!
"Arghhh!"
"Quiet. And...we're almost there."
Soon, a bizarre fortress comes into view.
Ziiing!
At the same time, I smile at the familiar pulse of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
"Yeon-ah, it's been a…"
Crack!
Just then.
Space tears open, and [Her] arms suddenly spring out.
"Peekaboo. Why have you come to our house?"
And suddenly, the Mad Lord appears out of nowhere.
***
Shiver!
I hastily step back and say with a smile.
"Greetings, Old Man Mad Lord. Old Man..."
"Come to think of it, you're that fellow who followed when I ascended! Such an adorable one. So you wanted to be my disciple! What are you doing, dear? Hurry, take this praiseworthy child and let him be reborn!"
Old Man Mad Lord starts manipulating [Her] with wide, flickering eyes.
'Damn it, let's just say what we need to.'
"Old Man, please listen to what I have to say. Do you know that Seo Hweol is getting married?"
"What!!!"
At that, Old Man Mad Lord's eyes completely roll back as he yells furiously.
"No, that Seo Hweol! To hold such an important event without telling me! This won't do! You, can't you guide me to where Seo Hweol is!"
"..."
I somehow feel a chill running down my spine.
'Damn, continuing this conversation itself is exhausting.'
It's a relief that I know the logic of Old Man Mad Lord.
"Yes. I will guide you immediately. First, please head quickly to the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress and activate the fortress. Shouldn't we hurry and 'bless' Seo Hweol?"
"Yes, yes, yes. That's a good idea. Follow me!"
Old Man Mad Lord and [Her] immediately tear through space and enter the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, and helplessly under [Her] gaze that cut off my escape routes from behind, I follow him.
Then, I leave a mental message for Jeon Myeong-hoon to stay outside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress before sneaking in.
"Now, where should we go? Where do we have to go to bless Seo Hweol?"
'Seo Hweol isn't actually anywhere at this point...'
It seems better to offer up the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum as a substitute.
"This coordinate will do. This is where Seo Hweol will receive everyone's blessing."
After giving the Mad Lord the location of the Black Dragon King's cave residence, I step back.
Mad Lord's eyes spin once again as he begins to operate the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, and soon, the fortress rises into the air.
I then shout loudly to Old Man Mad Lord.
"I will take a look around this place where I will be living!"
"Oh, yes yes. You're getting to know your new home. Alright. Go and come back quickly to be reborn."
"Thank you!"
After saying so, I slip out of the control room of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
'I already feel my mental strength depleting.'
Talking with him is truly draining and I can't let my guard down for a moment.
As I leave the control room, I explore the various parts of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
'Terrifying...'
The puppets of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress 'pretend' to form a society and live.
And in various places, puppets are being mass-produced by the 'factories' they operate.
What's terrifying is seeing the corpses of what appears to be Integration stage Grand Cultivators hanging everywhere.
The corpses of nearly thirty Integration stage Grand Cultivators.
And the presence of six Grand Cultivator-level spiritual pressures is felt throughout.
'In my past life, creating that many Integration stage puppets within 100 days was possible because there were plenty of materials already. Judging by the corpses of the Grand Cultivators, if there had been more time, not just 28 but even 60 could have been made.'
Even though I reached the level of power of a Grand Cultivator, if Mad Lord loses his mind, I will likely end up hanging there too.
If I don't want to end up hanging there like General Seo or something similar, I can't let down my guard for even a moment.
Already, there are six Grand Cultivator-level puppets made.
Even Hon Won would be just a toy to the Mad Lord.
'At the Grand Cultivator meeting, I just said I'll be stopping by another place, not meeting up with the Mad Lord, but somehow I ended up deep inside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.'
Originally, I wasn't supposed to go deep inside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress but rather call Kim Yeon from the outside and take her with me, but plans have changed a bit.
'Well, if the plan has changed, I'll just move accordingly.'
I know the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress well enough to find a way.
I begin searching for Kim Yeon.
Tsstsstsst!
My consciousness resonates through the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
And I locate Kim Yeon.
Paaaatt!
"Yeon-ah!"
I dash to the spot in a flash..
And within the estate formed of puppets, I am able to meet Kim Yeon.
"Eun-hyun, Oppa! You've been captured too!"
Kim Yeon runs up to me with a tear-streaked face, and I shake my head.
"No, I came to save you."
"What?"
She looks up at me with tears streaming down her face.
"What do you mean? How can we leave from here? That's impossible. It might have been possible before I was captured, but now that we've entered the belly of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress..."
I shake my head and take her hand.
"No, it's definitely possible. We just need to create a moment's opportunity."
I feel Kim Yeon's consciousness.
Her cultivation is already at the Heavenly Being stage, and the magnitude of her consciousness reached the level of Integration.
"By the way, Yeon-ah. Have you completed the homework I gave you?"
"What?"
I pat her shoulder reassuringly and say,
"Let's see you perform."
"...Is that really important right now?"
"Yes. The chances of our escape depends on how much you've grown."
I connected to the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress through the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon to ensure the Mad Lord can't eavesdrop on our conversation.
Shortly after, she takes out a fan from her storage scroll and begins performing the Paired Wing Dance in front of me.
Tsstsstsst!
Her movements are those of a first-rate master.
At the same time, I notice with delight that her consciousness is moving perfectly in sync with the flow of intent.
"It's a relief. You've reached the peak!"
"Yes. Just like you said, Eun-hyun Oppa. At some point, my consciousness became more finely perceivable...the colors of the intent became clearer."
The Mad Lord's consciousness method inherently opens the path to Three Flowers Gather at the Summit and Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
Therefore, mastering the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon and achieving the pinnacle in martial arts, although a bit forced, has the same effect as a martial artist dedicating their life to reach Three Flowers Gather at the Summit and Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
In theory, she is already a master of Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
Of course, because the proficiency in martial arts differs, she will likely lose if she were to face a real master of Five Energies Converging to the Origin in martial combat...
'Anyway, since martial arts aren't Kim Yeon's main focus, it doesn't matter.'
The important thing is that from Three Flowers Gather at the Summit, she can use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
This is impossible with just the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
At least, one needs to be at the pinnacle stage of martial arts to perform the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
"Now, Yeon-ah. I'm going to enter within you."
Wo-woong!
I start to explain while floating a Gang Sphere above my hand.
"Given Mad Lord's personality, he'll probably come to the modification room to capture me soon because I haven't returned. And when he comes to capture me, you and I will leave the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress. Once outside, Jeon Myeong-hoon will appear, and you must run straight to him."
Jeon Myeong-hoon's Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation has a unique technique.
It's the technique of Returning Lightning Strike.
Commonly called Reverse Lightning Strike, this technique is based on the fundamental properties of lightning.
Heavenly lightning strikes from the sky to the ground, and the path created by the lightning allows the lightning to travel back from the ground to the sky.
It's lightning returning to the heavens.
Based on this property, the technique of Reverse Lightning Strike is often used to reclaim the energy expended in Lightning Path Methods.
'But in this situation, the best use is to escape.'
Using the technique of the Returning Lightning Strike, Jeon Myeong-hoon had flown here following his own trajectory, creating a 'Path of Lightning.' And when we return, we can use the 'Path of Lightning' that Jeon Myeong-hoon created to go back much faster than on the way here.
With my help, that speed will essentially be no different from using a teleportation array.
"And while I buy time in front of the Mad Lord, entrust your body and consciousness to my Gang Sphere inside you. Then we can escape."
"..."
She looks uneasy.
I smile at her and pat her shoulder.
"It'll be okay. We'll succeed."
"...Okay. I'll trust you."
She hesitates for a moment but then accepts my Gang Sphere.
I merge the Mysterious Bizarre Gu I had implanted in her with the Gang Sphere, securing a place within her consciousness.
Our consciousnesses become even more closely connected through the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
And then, it happens.
[Whenexactlyareyoucomingyouneedtocomeherequicktoquicklybecomeanewpersonofanewnationhurryhurryhurry…]
The Mad Lord's speech echoes throughout the entire Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
"Let's go...!"
I grab Kim Yeon's hand, and at the same time, unfold the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
Simultaneously, her vast consciousness, controlled by me, permeates throughout the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
In an instant, the control of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress shifts to us.
'We have about 3 seconds.'
And three seconds are enough.
I draw out the Colorless Glass Sword and hold it in my other hand.
Severing Mountain!
Kwadududuk!
While the Grand Cultivator-level puppets are frozen.
My sword strike pierces through one side of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
Kwaaaah!
I move through the frozen world with her, quickly escaping to the outside.
'That took 1 second.'
The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress is tougher than expected, taking a full second.
'With the remaining 2 seconds...'
It's then,
[Youscoundreltoyournewnest...]
"What!"
Mad Lord swiftly regains control in an instant.
I grit my teeth and emerge outside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, throwing Kim Yeon with all my might towards Jeon Myeong-hoon, who is waiting in the distance.
"Ahhhh!"
"Yeon-ah, just like I told you!"
I quickly finish speaking and turn back to face the Mad Lord.
Click click click...
The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress restarts, and from inside, I sense forces that seem comparable to the entire Human Race.
'Mad old man, just how does one become equivalent to an entire race in just 100 years?'
It's something I see every cycle, but it's astonishing every time.
Kugugugu!
Centered around [Her], six Integration stage puppets appear, gathering strength.
Mad Lord, beside [Her], does not hide his fury as he begins manipulating the puppets.
'It's done. As expected, taking Kim Yeon prompts him to come forward.'
I shout with all my might.
Even if I leave here, I must land this one blow on the Mad Lord.
"Old Man Mad Lord! We will be borrowing your disciple. We will ensure she grows even more correctly..."
I position myself and infuse my Nascent Soul into the Colorless Glass Sword.
"Please forgive us this once!"
Flash!
Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace!
My Nascent Soul turns into a beam of light and strikes directly at the Mad Lord at the center of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
Kugugugu!
"What!"
In a split second, the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace accelerates viciously, and directly strikes the Mad Lord who is caught off guard.
Then, I enter the Mad Lord's consciousness.
If Seo Hweol's heart essence is hell, then the Mad Lord's is akin to purgatory.
That's why, even within it, I feel my mind is not completely corrupted, and I can use all of my remaining strength to clear his spirit.
Tsstsstsst!
Flash!
At the same time, I feel the Mad Lord's confused mind momentarily clear.
'It won't last long!'
Paaaatt!
I exit the Mad Lord's consciousness and retrieve my Nascent Soul.
It was a risky gamble that could have ended this life, but it succeeded!
"...Impressive. What was that just now?"
The Mad Lord looks at me with eyes cleared of madness due to the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace.
I calmly reply.
"The technique's name is Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace. Think of it as a kind of...Heart Sword."
"Is that so..."
He smiles bitterly.
"Go. Free my disciple from me. Right now, my concern is focused on Seo Hweol's blessing, so I won't chase you until I capture Seo Hweol."
"Thank you."
He strokes his face,
"My condition won't last long, so hurry! Go now!"
I bow to the Mad Lord and then fly towards Kim Yeon and Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Let's go!"
Even without displaying the Twin Immortals Dance, I reversed his consciousness once.
This means I can perform the Twin Immortals Dance in front of him later to gain another opportunity.
I grab Kim Yeon's hand again and place my hand on Jeon Myeong-hoon's shoulder, then activate the Gang Sphere avatar I placed in Kim Yeon.
[Karaaargh!]
The Mad Lord begins to howl again.
The reason is him trying to suppress his madness, but it won't last long!
"Let's go!"
Manipulating Kim Yeon's consciousness that reaches the Integration level, I complete a technique formula.
Her peak-level martial arts comprehension combines with the formula, manifesting into the world as a martial art.
Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts!
Paaaatt!
The Integration-level consciousness moves, and our very existence is erased from the Mad Lord's perception.
"Jeon Myeong-hoon!"
"Got it!"
At the same time, Jeon Myeong-hoon uses the Returning Lightning Strike technique.
Pajijijik!
Our bodies are enveloped in lightning, and we travel back the way we came at a speed close to teleportation.
Kugugugu!
However, as I feel the Mad Lord's madness prevailing.
I sense [Her] and the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress crossing space, coming towards us.
I grab Jeon Myeong-hoon's shoulder and insert a Gang Sphere avatar into him as well, accelerating him further.
Tsstsstsst!
Jeon Myeong-hoon accelerates even more, and we move away from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress at a transcendental speed.
Paaaatt!
The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress recedes to the horizon and soon completely disappears from our consciousness domain.
Kim Yeon watches this scene, tears streaming down her face.
"...Oppa. I..."
"Yes."
I hug Kim Yeon.
"Congratulations on escaping."
Jeon Myeong-hoon watches us while caressing a wooden box he holds close to his chest.
Kwaduk!
Then, [Her] left arm grabs my leg.
"Haaaaaaah!!!"
***
'Why? Didn't he say he's going to go catch Seo Hweol? Was he unable to objectify himself? Or does [She] track me automatically, regardless of such things? Cut off my leg? If [She] followed me here, cutting off one leg would be useless. Should I fight? How in the world did [She] follow me all the way here...'
My mind is entangled with countless thoughts and confusion.
And before I know it, we arrive at the place where Jeon Myeong-hoon's Returning Lightning Strike had started.
We reach the entrance to a city of various races, where the teleportation array to the Human Race Grand Alliance is located.
"Heugh... Huk..."
It's only then that I can properly grasp [Her] identity.
'I see…'
It's not [She] who followed me.
Only [Her] left arm!
[Her] left arm had detached itself and followed me by grabbing onto my leg.
With a sigh of relief, I grab [Her] left arm that's clinging to my leg.
"What, what is that?"
"That, that's...[Her] left arm?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks puzzled, while Kim Yeon's face turns pale.
I wipe the cold sweat from my brow and shake my head.
"It's a part of the strongest puppet possessed by the Mad Lord. There's no need to worry. It's not for attack, not even for tracking."
Wo-woong!
As I operate the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, I connect to [Her] arm, which contains the sane will of the Mad Lord.
'I see. It's teaching material for his disciple.'
Though separated by distance and unable to teach anymore, the briefly sane Mad Lord wanted to teach his disciple even just a little.
Within [Her] left arm, in that brief period of time, is not only knowledge about the entirety of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress but also various operating methods of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon and manipulation methods for the puppets.
And finally, it even hints at how to activate 'Yeon's Play'.
Tstssts...
I read the consciousness of the Mad Lord contained within [Her] left arm.
Gradually, as if entranced, I read his message.
―My disciple. Listen.
Suddenly, I see the illusion of an old man sitting in front of me.
―I already know that you will resent me. You will probably hate me to the core. You might not even consider me your master. All I can say to you is that I am sorry. However...despite everything, there is something I must achieve with your power.
The emotion of 'remorse' exudes from the Mad Lord's message.
―I will not ask for the extravagant favor of forgiveness. Instead...use me. Just as I use you, use the knowledge I have sent you to grow and become as strong as possible. From what I have seen, you also have desires, a loved one."
He looks my way with a sorrowful expression and smiles.
In the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon activated to the extreme, I can somehow see a scene behind him.
It's an old tree.
No, it's a stark, bare tree that had lost all its leaves and flowers on a cold winter day.
And on that tree, countless pink strings are hanging.
'Ah…'
Just what does this scene possibly mean?
I don't know the details.
Only that somehow, it seems to be related to the next stage of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
―In this wonderfully mysterious and beautiful world, I hope you find what you desire…
Tstssts...
For a moment, I can't take my eyes off that wonderfully mysterious and beautiful scene.
And then suddenly.
"Ha!"
My startled body shivers.
It's a mysterious feeling.
This is the message the Mad Lord left in [Her] left arm.
And, as I look at that message, I have a sudden realization.
The enlightenment the Mad Lord had placed in the left arm has awakened my mind.
'I see…there definitely is a problem with my mind right now.'
Only then do I realize that the anxiety I felt from Seo Li wasn't just an overreaction.
If it hadn't been for the awakening induced by the Mad Lord's enlightenment, I might have died and continued on without ever recognizing it.
'Thank you, Elder Jo Yeon.'
After silently expressing my gratitude to the Mad Lord in my heart, I look at Kim Yeon.
"Yeon-ah. Try operating the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon while holding this left arm."
"Yes?"
She obediently follows my instructions.
As her Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon connects with [Her] left arm, she too appears to have received the Mad Lord's message.
She chews her lips, remaining silent for a while.
Her emotions are evidently complex.
The Mad Lord, who had modified and used her almost to the point of torture.
Had I come to rescue her a bit later, her mind might have been severely affected.
However, independent of the 'Mad Lord,' the message left by the person 'Jo Yeon,' the wonderfully mysterious enlightenment contained within that message, is enough to stir a person's heart.
Kim Yeon bites her lips for a while then turns her head.
"...Are we staying here?"
"No. We'll take the teleportation array here to the Human Race territory."
"Then please, let's go there. I want to move for now."
"Alright."
Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kim Yeon, and I leave the place and return to the Human Race Grand Alliance.
What a relief…"
I sigh with relief and look at the sweat on my hands.
When the main body was captured, I could do nothing but sweat and watch over the main body.
Fortunately, it seems that 'I' had escaped safely from the Mad Lord, and through the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, 'I' had also realized there's something amiss with the mind.
But for some reason, I still feel a lingering sense of unease.
'Is it simply a mental abnormality?'
What the main body did was 'discover' the anomaly in the mind, not 'cure' it.
I need to find a solution somehow.
'I need to continue keeping an eye on it.'
Deciding so, I arrive at Black Ghost Valley to find the Ghost Soul Hall.
Since the main halls of Black Ghost Valley are all inside the Nether Crossing Ship, I just need to go to the Nether Crossing Ship.
I enter the Nether Crossing Ship and find the Ghost Soul Hall inside.
"Bi Yul. You haven't forgotten my instructions, have you?"
[No. I'll just ask a few things and leave right away.]
Naturally, with my status and cultivation, I can't immediately meet Kang Min-hee.
However, with Bi Yul, a Ghost King who was a Heavenly Being Grand Elder, there's a good chance that a meeting request with her would be accepted.
Duk Duk—
I knock on the door to the office of the deputy hall master of the Ghost Soul Hall.
Shortly after, a dark ghost pokes its head out from above the door.
[What business do you have?]
Then Bi Yul steps out of my body and speaks.
[I have come to meet Ghost Soul Hall's Deputy Hall Master Kang Min-hee. Open the door.]
[Yes, elder!]
The gatekeeper ghost immediately bows its head upon seeing the Ghost King Bi Yul and quickly withdraws back inside.
Creeeeak!
I hide my tense emotions and step inside.
Sssss―
The vice-hall master's office is cold.
It isn't just the chill of the Five Elements attribute, but a bone-chilling coldness stemming from death itself that stirs my soul.
Kang Min-hee's office is quite dark, and blue will-o'-the-wisps looking things are flying around.
And there, Kang Min-hee is drawing some design on the floor with dye, paying no attention to me.
Seeing her, I suddenly think that she hasn't changed at all from before.
'If there was work and people, work always came first.'
Her face, like when she had worked several nights before coming to Ascension Path, is haggard and weary-looking.
As I look at her, pondering how to start the conversation, I open my mouth.
"Respected Lady Kang, the elder whom I serve has something to discuss with you."
At that, Bi Yul bursts forth from my body with a cough.
[Ahem. Ghost Soul Hall Vice-Hall Master Grand Elder Kang, this is the first time we meet. I am Ghost King Bi Yul of the curse lineage.]
With Bi Yul's introduction, Kang Min-hee finally stops drawing her design and looks our way.
Sssss―
I feel the atmosphere in the room drop even further under her gaze.
"...What brings you here, senior Ghost King?"
Kang Min-hee's voice is soft and lacks strength.
To an ordinary person, it might just seem like a quiet voice.
However, as soon as Bi Yul hears Kang Min-hee's voice, his ghostly body trembles as if it will collapse, shivering uncontrollably.
[Uhh, uh… Hmm. Hmhm. It's nothing serious…]
'What is this...'
I look around with Nether Perception, startled.
As soon as she spoke, the Nether Perception itself was shaken, and cracks began to appear and shrink in the outer boundary of the Netherworld as if they had come to life.
Though she doesn't directly harbor death in her soul like I do, I directly feel overwhelmingly inferior to her in terms of 'commanding' death.
[This Seo Li fellow here has recently come to Black Ghost Valley.]
"Well, since senior Ghost King is with him, that would be expected."
[He is also an ascender. Elder Heo Gwak has also taken note of his potential.]
"I see."
[So, the thing is…can you allow this fellow to enter the Ghost Soul Hall?]
At this, Kang Min-hee looks at me with an expressionless face.
"How many merit points you have?"
I answer awkwardly.
"As of yet...none. I'm in the middle of a mission, but upon completion, I will receive 400 points."
"Is that so? Accumulate a thousand points and come back. Or reach the Heavenly Being stage and I will consider giving you a position."
At that, Bi Yul coughs again and speaks.
[Ahem…while the merit point system is certainly important…you can see this young man, can't you? This fellow has tremendous talent for the Ghost Path Method and, at least consider my face a bit…]
"Senior."
Ssssssss―
Kang Min-hee looks at Bi Yul with an expressionless face.
Faint ghost fire is burning in her eyes.
"If you continue to speak this way, I will report to the Corpse Soul Hall and proceed with enforcement. Please do not create problems with things not permitted by the sect rules."
[Uhh, uhhh…uh…]
Under Kang Min-hee's stern gaze, Bi Yul begins to tremble as if his spirit is about to collapse.
I smirk to myself seeing this.
'That personality… is still the same.'
Honestly, I'm a bit surprised.
A year and a half before coming to Ascension Path.
Due to a certain incident that occurred back then, she became very obsessed with 'rules.'
Should I call it FM?
Originally, I was the one who adhered more to FM, while she tended to disregard it.
"If you have nothing more to say, please leave. You are being a disturbance."
She gestures us away.
A sinister ghost wind blows, pushing us out.
But instead of leaving, I contain Bi Yul within me and take a step forward.
"Greetings, Grand Elder Kang. I am Seo Li, a recent Yin Soul disciple of Black Ghost Valley."
"What?"
She looks at me as if the whole world is a bother to her.
"You're a person that's hard to tell if you're human or ghost. You're so dark that your original face is barely visible. You do have excellent talent for the Ghost Path, but that doesn't mean I'll give you special treatment. Leave."
"Ah, although the Ghost King whom I serve hoped for that, I have come to inquire about a different matter with you, Grand Elder."
"…What is it?"
Before I fell in Ascension Path.
I recall an event from a year and a half ago.
"Grand Elder Kang, you are in charge of communications with the main branch at the Nether Ghost Realm, correct?"
"Correct."
A year and a half ago.
She made a significant mistake in a major project and ended up being severely reprimanded.
"I have one question...the Grand Elder in front of me right now...is this your main body?"
"No. This is an avatar The main body is located in a 'side path,' absorbing energy flowing from the Nether Ghost Realm to stabilize their cultivation."
"Stabilizing their cultivation?"
"The main body has reached the Four-Axis stage. Ah...! Thinking about it, this is confidential..."
Kang Min-hee presses her temples as if she's having a headache.
"Well, it'll become known once I leave seclusion in the side path anyway... Still, just to be safe, don't go around talking about it."
"Yes."
"...But it's strange. Have we met somewhere before?"
"...I don't think so. Why do you ask?"
She pauses to look at me and then gets up from near the design, flopping down into a chair beside it.
"Well...it's strange talking about such confidential things to someone I'm meeting for the first time. Technically, even discussing the side path should be off-limits... Haah, never mind. You've broken my concentration now... Might as well take a break since it's come to this."
Snap!
She snaps her fingers, and the eerie will-o'-the-wisps light up brightly, illuminating the room.
"If there's something you want to ask, go ahead."
I look at her who hasn't changed and ask my question.
"I would like to inquire about the Nether Ghost Realm itself."
"Are you interested in the main sect?"
"Yes."
A year and a half before falling to Ascension Path.
The mistake she made led to a disciplinary committee meeting, and although she wasn't severely punished, she was deeply shaken by the experience.
And the next week, on the day of a company dinner following the disciplinary committee meeting.
We, who had dated and then broken up in the early days of our employment, decided to get back together that very day.
***