Chapter 248: Chapter 248

Heavenly Realm

A few days after my duel with Lee Kwang, the Sword Demon spoke to me.

“I suppose we need to touch on something.”

He called me to a secret meeting and asked,

“White Eagle, what are your thoughts on how to confront the Imperial Palace moving forward?”

“……”

It was a touchy issue that I had been avoiding, feeling uncomfortable about it. I finally spoke.

“To be honest… unless an unexpected change occurs, I plan to observe for now. I have no intention of fighting the Imperial Palace at present.”

“What’s the reason?”

“I have two.”

I looked directly into the Sword Demon’s eyes as I spoke.

“First, it’s already too late. The Imperial Palace has likely leveraged the alchemists’ powers to produce special soldiers like Demons, Dragon People, and Hyper-Exceptional Persons. Without the help of a Great Immortal, I wouldn’t stand a chance against them with my current strength.”

“Hmm. And the other?”

“If I rashly confront the Imperial Palace in this powerless state, it puts Sect Leader and the Shadowless Gate at risk.”

I opened my heart, sharing my thoughts.

The reason I had recklessly taken on the Imperial Palace upon my reincarnation was that the odds had been favorable in those early days. However, after more than a decade since my rebirth, the Imperial Palace’s power had grown immensely, leaving no room to predict a victory. Moreover, with the Sword Demon, who had just entered the realm of the Twelve, the thought of jeopardizing him and the Shadowless Gate was out of the question.

The Sword Demon pondered my response for a while before saying,

“Let’s think a bit more rationally. What do you believe it would take to win?”

“For now, I believe there’s no choice but to crush the Imperial Palace at its inception.”

“No, no, that’s not what I’m saying. You’re not getting to the heart of the matter.”

“What?”

The Sword Demon gazed at me silently before continuing,

“Even if you were to grow strong enough to obliterate the Imperial Palace at its inception, could you really say you’ve thwarted the Hidden Hand controlling the Imperial Palace, the Demon Subduing Hall? And even if you sweep away the human forces, figures like the Apostle of the Ancient God, Dalgi, and the Ancient God itself would still remain.”

“Well… that’s true…”

“I can’t shake the feeling that your failures stem from your obsession with the ‘Imperial Palace.’ Perhaps your companion, Mangnyang, influenced this heavily.”

What was the Sword Demon trying to convey?

As I stared at him blankly, the Sword Demon said,

“Your greatest enemy isn’t the Imperial Palace.”

“Who, if not the Imperial Palace?”

The Sword Demon crossed his arms confidently.

“God!”

“……!!”

“In the end, your condition for victory is to defeat those ancient monsters known as the ‘Ancient Rulers.’”

I blinked in surprise at his words.

The [Ancient Ruler]!

Some dwell in obscurity, far surpassing human understanding—rulers of the constellations! Even in the Heavenly Realm, their power was considered untouchable, often ignored. They could be said to wield divine powers in the truest sense.

I couldn’t hide my panic as I replied,

“H-how am I supposed to eliminate those beings? Even a Great Immortal wouldn’t be capable of that.”

“Didn’t you say it yourself? Living an endless life while endlessly enduring someone’s tyranny is intolerable.”

“……”

“The Imperial Palace is merely a pawn of the [Ancient Rulers]. Rather than fixating on them, it would be wiser to strike at the head of those minions.”

The Sword Demon’s words were undeniably correct. I often found myself thinking along the same lines as he did. I wasn’t ignorant of the fact that the [Ancient Rulers] were the source of evil. However, there was a peculiar assurance in the Sword Demon’s words that I couldn’t brush aside.

Continuing, the Sword Demon said,

“You’ve half given up on opposing the Imperial Palace in this life, but truthfully, you don’t need to. What’s important now isn’t the martial prowess of your true self.”

“Are you saying there’s a way to fight back?”

“Indeed. There’s enough.”

He pointed at me with his index finger as he spoke.

“Even if you diligently build your martial arts, it would take you at least 15 years to surpass Lee Kwang. And even if you were to surpass Lee Kwang, there are at least five other powerful beings in this world who could easily dismiss him as a mere pup.”

“You’re saying there were limits to what you could achieve through martial arts from the start?”

“Hmm…”

“But my friend, you possess the Seven Essentials. And with your mystical gauntlets and extraordinary traits, you have the greatest advantage over even unrivaled martial arts practitioners.”

“Are you suggesting I utilize tools?”

“Absolutely. Your strength lies not in martial prowess. It lies in boundless mental strength, willpower, and the sheer utilization of powerful tools.”

After giving me that guidance, the Sword Demon took a moment to breathe before saying,

“From today, start looking for ways to nurture the Mabo Posture. That’s the only way for you to overcome the [Ancient Rulers].”

I thought he was right.

Relying on human martial arts to challenge the Imperial Palace would take centuries. Who’s to say I could hold out mentally until then? Instead, I had to focus on nurturing the Mabo Posture and utilizing that power.

After contemplating a bit, I finally spoke, realizing the Sword Demon had provided enough insight for me to reveal the secrets of the Mabo Posture.

“To grow the Seven Essentials, one must kill something with the Mabo Posture.”

“Hmm… Interesting. Are you saying it grows through killing?”

“Yes.”

“Then how about testing it out by killing a few in the Central Plains? I know a couple of assassins from the Zhuge Clan.”

“……”

Seeing the Sword Demon’s nonchalant demeanor, I realized his character was exceptional but his tendencies were something else entirely. It wasn’t for nothing that he had been dubbed the leader of the Heretical Faction. I replied to him,

“That would be fine, but aren’t we currently faced with two tasks?”

“Are you referring to the incidents in Dragon King Valley and the Zhuge Clan?”

“Yes.”

“Typically, the priority is receiving teachings from Dokgo Seong in Dragon King Valley. However, I have some bait laid out to lure Lee Kwang, so I’d like to put that on hold for now. Once you enter Dragon King Valley, you won’t be able to leave for a while due to intensive training.”

“Wait? Bait?”

The Sword Demon grinned slyly.

“After our duel that day, I told Lee Kwang that if he wanted to know Dokgo Seong’s whereabouts, he should find the Thunderbolt Three Saints first.”

“……”

“In my view, Lee Kwang is rushing far too much. The normal procedure would be to find the Thunderbolt Three Saints first and establish a cooperative relationship, but he’s hastily seeking the Zhongnan Sect for a decisive battle. If he carries on like this, he’ll just rattle the Feng God Lineage and trigger the entire White Lotus Cult.”

I took a sip of tea and responded,

“Why do you think he made that choice?”

“To throw the martial world into chaos. He likely wants to provoke a major conflict between the White Lotus Cult and the Zhengsha Martial Sect, dragging the Imperial Palace into it as well. Then, he probably aims to gain advantages amid that muddy fight.”

“Hmm!”

“His chances are not nonexistent. But in my view, Lee Kwang’s actions are a gamble. If he dies before you become strong enough, it would be best to keep the Thunder God Lineage alive as much as possible.”

I understood the Sword Demon’s thinking.

“You think Lee Kwang won’t act recklessly while searching for the Thunderbolt Three Saints.”

“That’s right. He has to find Dokgo Seong at all costs.”

The Sword Demon appeared to be sketching out a bigger picture. Only someone like him, who had commanded a vast force, could think of such strategies. I nodded to his wisdom while the Sword Demon continued,

“… Let’s do this. First, kill a few assassins with the Mabo Posture, then let’s save the Zhuge Clan. Training in Dragon King Valley can come after.”

“Must we save them?”

“Ha ha. Isn’t it something you might struggle to try in your next life? Mangnyang will likely freak out and try to stop you if he knows you’re planning this.”

His playful tone felt like a friend sharing in a mischievous prank.

“Isn’t it awkward with Byeokjisang?”

“If that woman is maintaining the Zhuge Clan’s legacy under the guise of propriety, then she wouldn’t have any objection to the Zhuge Clan’s revival. It’s different than opposing Byeokjisang.”

I wasn’t particularly keen on the idea, but if the Sword Demon was resolute, it might be worth a shot. So, I reluctantly nodded.

“Alright, I’ll give it a try.”

“Good. Then let’s head out to hunt some assassins at once.”

Paaang!

The Sword Demon and I zipped off to a location in the Central Plains. Following the Sword Demon’s instructions, we arrived at Anhui City. Upon entering the city’s interior, the Sword Demon stealthily navigated deeper into the stronghold, evading the eyes of the public, just like during our time at the Zhongnan Sect.

Eventually, we reached a concealed inner chamber, perfect for a lord of Anhui City. I felt a sudden discomfort about intruding this deep into the castle. For an ordinary citizen, being caught here could lead to the extermination of their entire family.

[Is there really an assassin here?]

[Yes. He should definitely be around here somewhere.]

Swishn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The Sword Demon pressed onward, deeper into the castle. Upon arriving at a stone-lined space, he subtly infused energy, causing the stone walls to part, revealing another passage.

“Secret Passage!”

A secret passage that reacts to Qi was unmistakably manmade rather than natural. The Sword Demon opened the secret passage and dashed inside. I followed closely behind him into the passage.

Before long, we stumbled upon a living area. It was a space that could accommodate about three to four people, furnished with groceries and various daily necessities. In one corner, two or three individuals appeared to be sleeping, tangled up.

The Sword Demon surveyed the area and transmitted to me,

[He’s hiding here. Don’t move recklessly.]

[Hiding? I don’t sense any presence at all…]

[His Invisibility Technique is quite advanced. If you act recklessly, you could sustain serious injuries, so stay alert in all directions.]

Aware that a presence lurked somewhere, I was forced to heighten my senses. If the Sword Demon was correct, a single step could very well spell my doom.

After scrutinizing the room for a brief moment, the Sword Demon shouted,

“Is that you?!”

Swooosh!

Two spirit swords cleaved through the air at some unseen point. At the same time, something astonishing appeared, blocking the spirit swords. Due to the rebound, that dark figure seemed to stagger back. The hidden assassin who performed a somersault drew out a small sword and shouted fervently,

“What the hell are you doing, Sword Demon?!”

That person seemed to recognize the Sword Demon. The Sword Demon grinned as he replied,

“What do you think? Can’t you tell if you just look?”

“Urgh… What are you playing at? You’ve already joined the Twelve, haven’t you? Why are you trying to kill me?!”

The Sword Demon responded indifferently to his anguished cries,

“Because you need to die. The Eight Demons of Martial Daos have to be completely eradicated for our Shadowless Gate to make a fresh start, after all. And to be honest, I’ve never liked you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not just going to die without a fight!”

“Haha! Is that so?”

With narrowed eyes, the Sword Demon declared,

“Black Horse, today is your tomb.”

Indeed.

The Black Horse, an assassin who had been hiding even deeper in Anhui City, was known as the greatest assassin in the Central Plains and regarded as the Black Horse among the Eight Demons of Martial Daos. It seemed the Sword Demon had decided to eliminate him after learning of his whereabouts.

Pachah!

The Sword Demon unleashed his Intent Technique, rapidly cascading his spirit swords. Any peak expert would find it easy to be overwhelmed by his strike. However, the Black Horse, as one of the Eight Demons of Martial Daos and a supreme expert, drew out his spirit swords to defend himself, attempting to hide once more.

“Not happening!”

The Sword Demon swiped his finger horizontally, and with unparalleled speed, the spirit swords surged forward, shattering the Black Horse’s defense and striking deep into his leg.

Thud!

The Black Horse didn’t lose a leg, but it was clear his tendons had been completely severed. The Sword Demon had intentionally restrained the Black Horse’s mobility. It was impossible to fathom the current strength of the Sword Demon, who so easily subdued a peak expert.

As the Black Horse gritted his teeth and struggled to move his upper body, the Sword Demon couldn’t help but express his awe,

“You’re not even screaming while moving? You really do live up to your name, Black Horse.”

Thud!

“Ugh!”

But the Sword Demon had already deftly suppressed the Black Horse using his Intent Technique. As I peeked inside, I saw that the assassins who had been sleeping were also easily subdued by the Sword Demon. Truly, it was an overwhelming display of divine might.

Despairing, the Black Horse gasped,

“Gah… Just make it easy for me.”

“If you tell me what I want to know, I might grant your wish.”

“Alright. What do you want to know?”

“Everything!”

The Sword Demon extracted information from the Black Horse for a full half-shi. He learned about the secret locations of the Black Horse Clan’s hidden techniques and treasures, along with their contract routes, methods for raising new assassins, and all kinds of fascinating secrets regarding contractors. Among them was info that completely caught me off guard.

The Sword Demon, overwhelmed with disbelief, exclaimed,

“Is that really true?”

“Indeed.”

“From Taesan Nohong…?”

“What I just mentioned is the best classified information I possess. Please believe me.”

“Hmm.”

The Sword Demon shook his head.

“Do you have any proof?”

“If I had proof for such a thing, I wouldn’t have survived this long under the Imperial Palace.”

“True. I’ll check later.”

After saying that, the Sword Demon gestured for me,

“Make it quick.”

“Understood.”

Chwaak!

Without hesitation, I wielded the Mabo Posture, swiftly beheading the Black Horse. The clean cut left no time for him to experience pain. The Sword Demon then collected the subdued assassins, forcing them to kneel.

The Sword Demon examined each face and noted,

“There’s no Assassination Squad Leader. They’ve clearly been made independent.”

“Independent?”

“Even if they die, the thought was that as long as the Assassination Squad Leader survives, the Black Horse Clan can endure.”

I tilted my head.

“Despite that, they revealed such critical secrets…”

There was no need for re-interrogation under torture. The truths revealed by the Black Horse were highly credible.

“The Black Horse probably sought to honor the clan at least before pursuing his own interests. A quick, painless death is far preferable to suffering while being tortured.”

“Then why didn’t you ask about the Assassination Squad Leader’s whereabouts…”

“Because that was his greatest sore spot. The moment I tried to pry it out, he would’ve undoubtedly clammed up.”

It was a trade-off; their lives in exchange for the rest of their secrets.

Chwaak!

I swung the Mabo Posture again, slicing through the necks of the subdued assassins. The Sword Demon watched the scene with a contemplative expression.

“I’d say you took down about four. Is there any reaction from the Mabo Posture?”

“No. There’s nothing.”

In truth, I felt nothing. I had expected the Mabo Posture to resonate with blood, or the IttaKwa to react, but it was utterly unresponsive. I began to doubt the Prophet’s advice.

“Hmm… Is it perhaps that four isn’t enough to qualify?”

The Sword Demon mused as he said,

“I suppose you’ll need more opportunities to kill.”