novelraw Chapter 118 : Learning the Correct Way to Use the Profound Other (5)
Chapter 118 : Learning the Correct Way to Use the Profound Other (5)
Extreme exoskeleton strengthening through acquired activation of the fine meridians.
Abbreviated to four characters, Segeuk Oegang.
The method the kid discovered on his own to overcome the severed meridians he had before regressing.
And now, the kid had used this Segeuk Oegang in reverse to secretly board the ship.
As a result, even though there were three masters who had reached the Profound Realm on the ship, they could not read the kid's presence.
Why did this happen?
By flowing my energy into the kid's body, I could easily find the answer.
The kid's great meridians were originally blocked. And by performing the Reverse Segeuk Oegang, he had also temporarily blocked his fine meridians.
There are two main ways a person communicates with the outside world. The great meridians and the fine meridians. By blocking both of these paths, the kid had completely cut himself off from the outside world.
In a way, this was a higher-level method than the Turtle Breathing Grand Art that assassins perform.
Is he a genius? As expected of a Demonic Path prodigy!
And this method could also be a temporary solution to the resonance phenomenon happening in my body.
Because the resonance phenomenon was also created by a kind of energy flow.
I performed the Reverse Segeuk Oegang and intentionally blocked all my fine meridians.
The senses that had reached the Profound Realm instantly dropped to the peak, and I felt a sense of emptiness as if my limbs had disappeared one by one. Apart from that, for sure! The sense of unease I had felt in my body also disappeared.
'But this method cannot be a perfect solution.'
If this happens, when I exert a force beyond the peak, that is, the moment I use my fine meridians, the resonance phenomenon will occur again, and the balance of my body will be broken again.
Above all, there was a clear disadvantage of being hit helplessly without being able to perceive an attack that exceeded the peak level.
In the end, this method was a temporary measure.
Still, I bought some time.
Now, meeting the Divine Monk as soon as possible would be the fastest way to solve this problem.
After getting off the ship, we headed straight for Shaolin Temple, where the Divine Monk was presumed to be.
In the process, I told Murong Seryeong, the Rakshasa Divine Maiden, Namgung Mu-gwang, and the kid the same story I had told the Sword Empress at the Hainan Sect.
Since they had now decided to be together, I had to tell them who they were fighting and what would happen in the future.
At the same time, I left a separate message for Murong Seryeong.
-Seryeong, I have something to tell you separately.
-I also had something I wanted to ask you.
From the answer I heard, I was convinced that she was currently experiencing confusion. Because there was no point of contact between the me of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult that she knew and the me as the Sword Emperor that I was now talking about. But if I told the truth here, I wouldn't be able to convince the Sword Empress and the others.
I plan to tell the truth only to Murong Seryeong, if no one else. She was the first connection I had made since my regression, and unlike the others, she had gotten involved in my affairs without any grudge against the Chaotic Heavenly Society.
As we were on our way, night fell, and we decided to stay overnight in a nearby village.
We each got separate rooms for a comfortable rest. I called Murong Seryeong out to the back mountain separately.
"Seryeong."
I released the fine meridians that I had temporarily blocked. As a result, I felt the imbalance in my body return.
There was no presence felt around.
In this space now, there were only Murong Seryeong and me.
"I know. I have some sense too."
Huh?
"You know?"
I haven't even said anything yet?
"I had some idea when I heard from the Demonic Brain that you were alive. And I also thought that you had no choice but to say that in the situation you were in just now. You're being chased by them, right?"
W-Well, that's right?
"Uh, yeah."
"Don't worry. I'll help you now, just like you did for me in the past, Jae-ha. We're friends, aren't we?"
"Uh, yeah. Thanks."
Do friends normally risk their lives for each other? I wouldn't know, I've never had a friend before my regression.
Then, do I not have to explain what I just said? Well, if she heard the gist of it from the Demonic Brain, there's no reason for me to explain it again.
"But there's one thing I really want to say."
"What?"
Yes, Murong Seryeong would be curious too. She would want to hear it directly from me, not from others. This is a matter of life and death.
Perhaps what she wants to ask is about the reward after the work is done. This was her reasonable demand. I also had the intention of giving her a reasonable reward for risking her life.
I was also carrying out that plan step by step.
The plan was, first, to accept the Demonic Path prodigy kid as a disciple of the Divine Cult. Then, quickly raise the kid to the position of Young Cult Leader. And then reap the benefits.
Perfect. If that happens, even Murong Seryeong, who ran away from the Divine Cult, will be able to return. If that doesn't work, I can ask the Divine Monk to get her a position in the Orthodox Faction, and if that doesn't work, I can ask the Sword Empress to get her a position in the Imperial Palace.
"I know that the beginning is important for everything."
"That's right."
Indeed, it seems she plans to button the first button meticulously. It's just like the thorough Sword Demoness.
"You must have many questions and many things you want to do. I understand, because everyone around you was like that. And I also know what I need to know."
What on earth is she going to demand that she's starting off so long-winded?
Money? Honor?
"As your first and oldest friend, I can't just watch this situation unfold. I have only one thing to ask of you. From now on, if you want to do it, tell me. I'll do it with you. As a thorough friendship, I can't just watch a friend go down the wrong path."
I have no idea what she's talking about. So I asked her directly.
"What do you want to do?"
Murong Seryeong was at a loss for words at Yoo Jae-ha's sudden question. Now that she had said what she had been thinking about all along in the Hainan Sect, she realized that she had made a rather bold statement.
"Ahem!"
She let out an unnecessary cough. At the same time, what Eun Ga-young had said flashed through her mind.
-I did whatever he told me to do.
Murong Seryeong squeezed her eyes shut and said.
"A-Anything! I'll say it again, I'm saying this out of a desire for you not to go down the wrong path as your first friend."
"O-Okay. From now on, when I want to ask for a favor, I'll tell you first, Seryeong. Is that right?"
"R-Right!"
"Then, shall we start today?"
"R-Right now?"
"Hmm... is that too much?"
I don't know what she's been talking about. Does she want to train? The Sword Demoness I know is also a training maniac. It's just absurd from my point of view that what she's asking for is just training.
Isn't she a truly pure soul?
I felt a guilt like an ant biting the tip of my finger for dragging her into this matter.
"Come to think of it, my body isn't in good condition today, so let's do it next time. When my body is fully recovered, we can enjoy it all night."
If my training partner is Murong Seryeong, I'm actually very satisfied. The talent she possesses is not inferior to anyone I've seen so far.
"All, all night?"
"If you want, we can do it for about three days."
"T-Three days? Is that possible?"
"There's no reason we can't. Why? You're not confident?"
"I-I am! Confident!"
Murong Seryeong's realm is the Transformation Realm. For a master of the Transformation Realm, sparring for three days without sleep would be a piece of cake.
I've said all I have to say. Fortunately, things went well with Murong Seryeong too. I was worried about what to do if she didn't believe my words.
As I was going down the mountain, I looked back.
Murong Seryeong was standing there blankly. It seemed she was going to train a little more before coming down.
I said to her, "Seryeong."
At my call, she slowly turns her head. Her hair fluttering in the wind and her toned body, trained since childhood, made it impossible for any man not to look.
In a word, she could be described as beautiful as a woman.
On top of that, before my regression, she always had a blank expression, but now she was making quite a variety of expressions. That made her even more lively.
Of course, I know. The fact that before my regression, countless men had confessed to her, falling for her 'outer' appearance, and had returned as eunuchs.
That's why I'm never fooled by Murong Seryeong's fake appearance.
Look at her now, wanting to train even though it's almost midnight, and planning to go down after training.
Alright, I've decided. Seryeong, as soon as my body is fully recovered, I'll pour all my remaining time, whether it's three days or seven weeks, into making you reach the Profound Realm no matter what.
I went to my room and lay down. I must have been more tired than I thought, because I fell asleep right away.
The next day.
We all gathered in front of the inn with refreshed expressions. Perhaps because we had rested enough in the fluffy beds and with warm water and food, everyone's faces were glowing.
However, only Murong Seryeong had signs of fatigue under her eyes, as if she had trained all night after I left. Seeing that, I made a promise to myself again.
You're just going to the Profound Realm!
We moved as quickly as possible and were able to arrive at Shaolin Temple.
"Did things go well in Hainan?"
The Divine Monk looked somewhat tired. It doesn't make sense for me, of all people, to be worried about the Divine Monk, a master of the Profound Realm.
"Yes."
"Amitabha."
The Divine Monk hurriedly chanted the Buddha's name upon seeing the Sword Empress next to me. The Sword Empress also put her palms together and greeted the Divine Monk.
"It's been a long time. I've heard a lot about you from my master."
"Hehe. So much time has passed already. You also seem much more at ease than before."
"I have only gained a small enlightenment."
The Divine Monk half-opened his eyes. Then, a pattern resembling a flower appeared in his eyes and then disappeared. The Divine Monk expressed his admiration.
"Ha! Amazing. You've already caught up to the previous Sword Empress."
"I still have a long way to go."
I didn't want to interrupt their heartwarming conversation, but I was the one in a hurry. And pleasantries could be exchanged later.
I approached the Divine Monk. And as I was about to open my mouth, the Divine Monk spoke to me first.
"Sword Emperor, I have something to discuss with you in private."
The Divine Monk's expression was quite serious.
The others were guided to their respective lodgings, and I followed the Divine Monk.
"This doesn't seem like the place to talk, so let's all go inside for now."
No! I have something to say!
And you saw me with your enlightenment earlier, so why aren't you saying anything about me!
I'm going crazy.
The Divine Monk guided us to the abbot's room. His expression was more serious than outside, and he took out a letter from his bosom and carefully unfolded it.
There, a single date was written.
"What is this?"
At my question, the Divine Monk briefly answered about what had happened during the past time.
"...That's what happened."
"So you were trying to create a Martial Alliance, but the new force, the New Five Great Families, is now opposing it, is that what you're saying?"
"I haven't gone to check myself, so it's not certain, but as of now, that's how it seems."
Well, I can understand from their point of view. For them to join the Righteous Martial Alliance, that is, the old Martial Alliance forces, would mean throwing away everything they had built up.
But there was something I didn't understand in what the Divine Monk had just said.
"The person who sent this is the head of the Weizhi Family, Divine Sword Weizhi Long, and he is now the leader of the New Five Great Families?"
"That's right. For now, our Righteous Martial Alliance has decided to gather information on what changes have occurred to them and then meet again."
"Hmm..."
Before my regression, after the Divine Monk's death, the main axis of the Orthodox Faction was indeed the New Five Great Families.
But this time, the Divine Monk did not die. So I thought that if I just revived the Divine Monk, a Martial Alliance would naturally be established with the Divine Monk at the head, but it seems I was being a bit optimistic.
And there was something I hadn't understood from the beginning.
"Are you sure the one who sent this is Divine Sword Weizhi Long?"
"That's right. You can check the seal here yourself."
At the end of the letter, the seal of the Divine Sword, which clearly indicated Weizhi Long, was stamped.
Before my regression, the main axis that led the new Martial Alliance was indeed the New Five Great Families.
However, the leader I knew was not Divine Sword Weizhi Long.
To be more precise, Divine Sword Weizhi Long did not exist before my regression.
'Because he was a person who had died before.'
The head of the Weizhi Family I knew was a different person.
I carefully examined the seals of the five heads of the New Five Great Families.
Divine Sword, Divine Brain, Divine Spear, Divine Fist, Divine Star.
The Divine Sword would be Weizhi Long of the Weizhi Family.
The Divine Brain is Sima Yi of the Sima Family. So far, it's the same.
The Divine Spear is Ouyang Mok of the Ouyang Family. This is also the same.
The Divine Fist is Xuanyuan Muk of the Xuanyuan Family. This is also the same.
And there was one title that I hadn't seen before my regression.
"Who is the Divine Star?"
"He is someone who has recently made a name for himself. He has not yet been established as a family, but he will be soon. The Divine Star refers to the head of the Yong Family, Yong Ma-pae."
A newly rising star.
Divine Star Yong Ma-pae.
The title I knew for him was not the Divine Star.
The new focal point of the new Martial Alliance and the most troublesome opponent for the Divine Cult.
The one who held the fourth 'Emperor' title after the Demonic Emperor, the Heavenly Emperor, and the Sword Emperor.
The Dragon Emperor, Yong Ma-pae.
"I understand for now. I'll also look into it as much as I can."
It seemed I had to contact the Demonic Brain urgently. It seems the Orthodox Faction is also gathering information on the New Five Great Families, but what's certain is that no matter what information they bring, it won't be better than the Divine Cult's.
It wouldn't be too late to think about this matter after receiving information from the Demonic Brain. There's still the one month they mentioned.
I said to the Divine Monk.
"Please take a look at my body with your enlightenment."
"I took a rough look earlier."
"Not roughly, but in detail."
"Alright."
A moment later, the Divine Monk's eyes widened in surprise.
"Y-You, don't tell me you've reached the Profound Other?"
As expected, the Divine Monk recognized it.
"Then you must know. About my body's condition."
"Hmm... Amitabha."
The Divine Monk's ambiguous reaction.
"As you may have guessed, enlightenment is a kind of realization. I accept the information of what I see as it is."
"That's right, isn't it? That's the Profound Other you've achieved."
"That's right. But enlightenment is not omnipotent."
"Not omnipotent?"
"It would be easier for you to accept if I put it this way. The limit of the information I can accept is only what I already know."
"What does that mean?"
"I can have enlightenment about things I've heard a little about, or things I understand roughly, but it means I don't know what I see if I don't know it at all. It might be different if my realm goes up, but as I am now, I don't feel anything when I look at you. In other words, you have set foot in a domain that I am completely unaware of."
Does this even make sense?
In terms of martial arts, the Divine Monk is a master of the Profound Realm. He has lived for at least 100 years, and the number of masters he has seen during that time would be in the hundreds, thousands. Among them was the leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
But he's seeing it for the first time in his life?
"Perhaps my master would know."
"You also had a master, Divine Monk?"
"Of course. It was my master who taught me about enlightenment."
Here, I could find another fatal problem.
The Divine Monk's age is already over 100. There's no way the master of such a Divine Monk would be alive.
"Isn't he already dead?"
"My master is so elusive that I don't know for sure. But the master I know is not someone who would die so easily. The last time I saw him was 10 years ago. If he is alive, he would be around 180 years old by now."
A person's age is three sexagenary cycles.
Really! Does that even make sense!
If you live for 180 years, are you a person or a turtle!
So who is it! The Divine Monk's master!
"Who is it?"
"You know where the origin of Shaolin Temple is, right?"
"Isn't it Buddhism?"
"That's right. The place where that Buddhism first started. At that time, my master was the abbot of Leiyin Temple in Tianzhu. The people there called my master this. Great Master Dharani."
(End of Chapter)