novelraw Chapter 167 : Wound
Chapter 167 : Wound
Chapter 167: Wound
A clash between different worlds.
The sky split, and the earth shattered, only to be recreated again.
Dozens of dragons soared through the skies, only to be burned by scorching heat or frozen solid by the bitter cold, turning into massive shards of ice and shattering.
The breaths exhaled by countless dragons burned winter and froze summer.
It was a world beyond comprehension.
A scene so unbelievable that even seeing it was not enough to believe it.
The battle between Yongwangcheonju and Taecheong Divine Sovereign, the new Geomcheonju, was difficult to understand even for Jang Woo-hyun, who had reached the Boundless Realm.
Dazzled by a spectacle so extravagant it felt like he would lose consciousness, Jang Woo-hyun, entranced by the battle, thought for a moment that Taecheong Divine Sovereign was being slightly pushed back. He didn’t fully understand why, but that’s how it looked.
‘Focus!’
Shaking his head, Jang Woo-hyun dispelled the unnecessary thoughts. That fight wasn’t the priority right now.
“Does it look unfavorable?”
At the sudden voice beside him, Jang Woo-hyun turned his head.
To his right stood an old man with a long beard. Tall and gaunt, he resembled a dry branch.
“You saw correctly. The Divine Sovereign has something to protect, so he's at a bit of a disadvantage.”
This time, another voice came from the left.
Now seated to his left was another old man, in stark contrast—short and plump.
“But he's also got the advantage.”
“This is the Main Division of the Samcheong Tai Chi Sect, after all.”
The plump old man’s comment was met by the tall old man.
“Greetings, Elders.”
“What’s with the greetings in this situation?”
To Cheon Heo-jin's greeting, the tall old man rebuked him.
From just a moment ago, Jang Woo-hyun could tell these two stood above Cheon Heo-jin in rank.
‘Experts.’
He could tell the moment he laid eyes on them. Though they seemed ordinary at first glance, the realm they had reached was so high that even Jang Woo-hyun couldn’t gauge their true power.
He even thought they might be stronger than Cheon Heo-jin, known as the greatest among the Seventeen Lords.
“Are you the boy who was with the Sect Leader?”
“Elder Brother, he is Cheon Heo now.”
“Huh? Really?”
“Yes, it’s been some time since the change. Didn’t you hear the Divine Sovereign’s proclamation just now?”
“That? Too noisy, couldn’t hear a thing.”
“…Brilliant as ever.”
“So when did it happen?”
The tall old man widened his eyes shamelessly, as if hearing it all for the first time.
“It must’ve been decades at least. Right, current Sect Leader?”
To the plump old man’s question, Cheon Heo offered a troubled smile.
“It has already been over three hundred years.”
“What?”
“That long?”
“When did that happen?”
“Indeed.”
“What have you been doing all this time? Not even knowing something like this.”
“Oh please? At least I knew Cheon Heo was the Sect Leader. What have you been doing, Elder Brother?”
The two old men bantered like they were the only ones present. Cheon Heo-jin could only smile awkwardly at their antics.
“Oh dear, look at me. This isn’t the time for this.”
The plump old man suddenly reproached himself and approached Jang Woo-hyun, placing a hand on Jin Ha-un, whom he held.
Jang Woo-hyun was startled at having missed the old man's movement and instinctively tried to react. But faster than that, Cheon Heo-jin lightly grabbed his shoulder.
“Brother Jang, he’s an Elder of the Tai Chi Sect. He’s here to help, so you needn’t worry.”
Shortly after the old man’s hand touched him, Jin Ha-un’s complexion visibly improved.
“I can’t stay for more. Cheon Heo, take them and leave this place.”
As the tall old man swung his sword, a section of space split open with a crack.
Though it was a simple slash, Jang Woo-hyun was astonished by the sheer power within it. It held several times more force than his own Transcendental Sword.
Without even turning his head, the tall old man walked forward. Before he knew it, the plump old man was beside him.
“I don’t know what stinking snake thought it could rampage here. Elder Brother, how about some grilled snake today?”
“Hey now, what’s a Taoist doing talking about roasting food?”
“Then let’s eat it raw.”
Just as they joked and walked, the two old men suddenly vanished from their spots.
They had been watching for an opening to join the fight between Yongwangcheonju and Taecheong Divine Sovereign, and as soon as that gap appeared, they moved.
Suddenly, the two old men appeared on either side of Taecheong Divine Sovereign.
Now, Yongwangcheonju had to face not only Taecheong Divine Sovereign but also two masters of the Samcheong Tai Chi Sect simultaneously.
Yongwangcheonju’s assault on the Samcheong Tai Chi Sect.
Due to that sudden event, Jang Woo-hyun was able to witness the battle of the Six Heavens.
It wasn’t about swinging swords or performing movement arts.
It was a collision of Microcosms.
Different worlds collided, and the visible world crumbled and reformed anew.
Even with the senses and vision of one who had reached the Boundless Realm, Jang Woo-hyun could not fully comprehend the battle.
‘Still a long way to go.’
He had thought he had become quite strong, but he still had far to go.
Normally, Jang Woo-hyun would have watched such a fight to the end despite the danger. But this time, Jin Ha-un had sustained a grave injury, so he couldn’t.
Thanks to the help of Cheon Heo-jin and the two elderly masters, Jang Woo-hyun exited the Microcosm and remained at the Tai Chi Sect.
Fortunately, though Jin Ha-un’s chest had been pierced, he had not died. But there was a problem.
“A problem? Brother, this is a miraculous encounter.”
Jin Ha-un, who had been dying with a hole in his chest, was now brimming with life.
“He’s grown stronger. Brother Hwang An would’ve been ecstatic to see this. He’d have said it was a lucky break.”
It was Cheon Heo-jin who saved Jin Ha-un, not Jang Woo-hyun, who had been helpless.
To describe Jin Ha-un’s current state accurately—it wasn’t that he had been completely healed, but rather that death had merely been delayed.
“I’m really fine. Brother, I can even briefly touch the Boundless Realm.”
The way Cheon Heo-jin had saved him was by placing one of his projections into Jin Ha-un’s pierced chest to maintain his life.
That power was currently substituting for Jin Ha-un’s organs. By drawing from that power, he could momentarily step into the Boundless Realm.
Of course, if he used it recklessly, the energy that Cheon Heo-jin had instilled would vanish, and he might die again with his chest pierced open.
“What do you mean you’re fine?”
Unlike the cheerful Jin Ha-un, Jang Woo-hyun’s expression was grim.
He had failed to save him. If he had been just a bit stronger—no, if he had managed to block the attack aimed at Jin Ha-un during Yongwangcheonju’s strike—this would never have happened.
“Hey now, Brother. No need to get all serious. Just think about it.”
“Think about what?”
“Where do you think we are?”
“Samcheong Tai Chi Sect.”
“No, I mean this world.”
“Central Heavens.”
Jin Ha-un nodded vigorously.
“That’s right. This is Central Heavens, the broadest among the Middle Realms. A place where lies become truth, and myths and legends unfold right before your eyes.”
With a proud look, Jin Ha-un continued, as if he had a solution in hand.
“If we search through this vast land, we’ll surely find something that could save me. Be it a Dharma Treasure or a spiritual herb. And I’m not dead yet, right? I may be gravely injured, but still alive.”
He patted his chest confidently.
“I should be dead, but Cheon Heo-jin saved me. Isn’t that enough already? Brother, let’s try to think positively.”
Even though he had nearly died with a pierced chest, Jin Ha-un seemed completely unbothered.
As he said, Central Heavens was home to unknown races including giants, and places where mysterious Dharma Treasures and spiritual herbs existed. Saving someone half-dead might not be such an impossible task.
“You are certainly optimistic, Jin Sohyeop.”
While they were talking, Cheon Heo-jin entered the place where the two of them were staying.
“I searched through the Martial Arts Repository, but I couldn’t find anything to help immediately. We used up a lot of resources preparing for this event. I apologize.”
“What? Sect Leader, there’s nothing to apologize for. I’m already grateful you saved me like this.”
“He’s right. Thank you for saving Ha-un.”
Jang Woo-hyun bowed deeply to Cheon Heo-jin in gratitude.
“Were the matters you left for resolved properly?”
Cheon Heo-jin had gone out right after helping Jin Ha-un and was now returning.
“It has become a bit more complicated.”
Even though chaos had engulfed Central Heavens Martial Realm, there had been a reason Samcheong Tai Chi Sect had not moved.
For Taecheong Divine Sovereign, who now sat in the position of Geomcheonju, to become the new guardian of the Murim, he had to be able to oversee the entirety of Central Heavens Martial Realm. But no matter how outstanding a martial artist was, that was no easy feat.
That was why the entirety of Samcheong Tai Chi Sect had supported him. From the sect’s Martial Arts Repository, they took out various Dharma Treasures and mystical tools to construct a vast surveillance network—one that allowed the new Geomcheonju to monitor the entire region.
When Taecheong Divine Sovereign had told Jang Woo-hyun that time was running out, this was what he had been referring to.
“Yesterday’s attack caused a setback in our preparations.”
Though Yongwangcheonju had retreated, Taecheong Divine Sovereign was injured in the battle, and the massive surveillance system they had built was damaged.
The situation was better than when the previous Geomcheonju had died, but still not optimistic.
When the previous Geomcheonju died, the wall had collapsed entirely. Now the wall still stood, but cracks and small holes had appeared throughout.
“What happens now?”
“We will not be able to fully protect Central Heavens Martial Realm from external threats.”
Cultivators stronger than fusion-level, the strange entities dwelling in Central Heavens, and unidentified foreign races.
Unlike before, they might now find openings in the surveillance and invade Central Heavens Martial Realm to stir up trouble.
“Can Samcheong Tai Chi Sect still take action?”
“Yes, since the surveillance system isn’t completely destroyed, most of the disciples are still able to operate.”
Cheon Heo-jin explained that they would first clean up what was happening within their domain and then mediate the wars breaking out among the other sects.
“Once everything is settled, we will go to war with the Divine Dragon Family. We’ll have to face them eventually. Brother Jang, what will you do?”
“I have things I must do. I also intend to look for something that can heal Ha-un’s body.”
“Why not stay at Tai Chi Sect? We used up much of our resources, so we currently don’t have anything that can help Jin Sohyeop, but we might find something soon.”
“I have things I must handle, so I can’t stay in one place. And while I’m at it, it’d be better to search for something to heal Ha-un.”
“Please reconsider once more…”
Cheon Heo-jin had tried to ask a favor from Jang Woo-hyun but held back. Even during the previous meeting, they had tried to use him, only for him to suddenly vanish, making it impossible to proceed.
Trying to tie him down now wouldn’t guarantee anything. So he made one simple request.
“With Murim in chaos, many people will suffer. If you see someone in need, please help them.”
With a farewell from Cheon Heo-jin, Jang Woo-hyun and Jin Ha-un eventually left Tai Chi Sect.
Jang Woo-hyun had his plans laid out.
First, he would stop by Cho-su’s house to learn how to utilize Divine True Steel, and then remove the traces of the True Immortal from Yongwangrin.
Then, he would visit the Beast King Sect to meet Maeng Ye-ju and Kang Yung, and ask Antlered White Mask to summon the Wind-Passing Great Sage.
After those two tasks, he would go to the location revealed by the Projection of Kim Min-soo whom he had met in the Dawn Continent, to encounter another Projection.
‘And if I find something to heal Ha-un along the way, that’d be even better.’
Instead of using a flying apparatus, Jang Woo-hyun used Yongwangrin to form wings and flew toward Cho-su’s house.
“Brother.”
The hardened voice of Jin Ha-un pulled Jang Woo-hyun out of his thoughts.
“What is it? Is your chest hurting all of a sudden?”
“No. Not that—look over there.”
Jin Ha-un pointed ahead with his hand. It was the city they had stopped by to ascend and head for Cho-su’s house.
But something was wrong with the city.
“Uh…”
It looked like it had been through a war—buildings were destroyed here and there, and reconstruction was underway.
Unable to pass it by, the two descended near the city.