chpater 16

Chapter 218: The Clown and the Performance (7)Coming coming coming!

He is coming!

Kikikikik!

As the gap in space opens, something with a massive presence can be felt leaping towards this place from afar.

Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress!

The Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress is trying to leap inside the Serving Command Ark.

Seo Hweol, too, seems to feel the familiar presence of the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, turning his head towards where he feels its presence.

"How, about, that...?"

At this moment, when Seo Hweol is out of his senses!

If the Mad Lord arrives, Seo Hweol will no longer be able to do anything.

Unable to employ any trickery.

Literally like raw meat laid out before the Mad Lord, unable to concoct any sinister plan.

After all, in a few days, my entire body will turn into lightning and I will die.

If Seo Hweol gets stuffed by the Mad Lord and holds a wedding ceremony with the Mad Lord's puppet, it will be a rather satisfying ending for Gyu-ryeon and all those sacrificed by Seo Hweol.

Creak!

The spatial rift opens, and from afar, through the void, the silhouette of a fortress with clanking mechanical gears flying towards this place can be seen.

Yet, Seo Hweol does not change his expression.

Rather, accustomed to the pain, he opens his mouth like me.

"The Serving Command Ark may be... a discarded immortal treasure... but still, an immortal treasure, is an immortal treasure..."

After briefly looking at the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, Seo Hweol manages to bear the pain and smiles faintly.

Then, his gaze falls away from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.

"Without a special seal, that allows direct entry... no matter even the Mad Lord... it's not so easy to enter this place."

"...Seems like it's coming in though?"

Kikikikik―

As if to mock Seo Hweol's words.

The massive Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress is gradually getting closer from beyond the space.

Due to the influence of the Serving Command Ark, it appears like something is blocking the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress at intervals.

However, the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress penetrates all resistance and enters this place.

Kikikikik―

At the sight of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress overcoming the resistance of the Serving Command Ark and gradually approaching, Seo Hweol is momentarily speechless.

No matter how cunning Seo Hweol's schemes are, no matter how outstanding his strategies,

To the Mad Lord, no common sense, logic, or scheme can prevail.

Finally.

Kikikikik!

Creak….

From the void, stopping just about 30 meters away inside the Serving Command Ark, the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress comes to a halt.

The gate of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress opens.

Creak!

My whole body tingles.

From inside, the overwhelming aura of 28 beings.

I realized that each of these auras do not fall short of the presence of Gyu-ryeon, who had once attempted the Integration stage.

Creak, creak!

Of course, even if the Serving Command Ark is completely destroyed, Seo Hweol's words about it still being an immortal treasure aren't entirely false, as the 28 puppets couldn't enter this side.

However, as the 28 puppets simultaneously stretch their hands towards this area, a gap seems to appear in some invisible resistance surrounding the Serving Command Ark.

Creak, creak!

And finally.

A gap large enough for a child to enter is created.

Boooom!

Just that is enough.

From the other side, the Mad Lord commanding his puppets is felt.

Within the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, countless bee puppets fly in through the small gap and surround us from all sides.

Boooom!

The bee puppets cross over to where we are standing, surrounding Seo Hweol and me, spinning wildly.

The whirlwind created by the bee puppets prevents Seo Hweol from using the blood sacrifice from the Four-Axis cultivators to enhance his strength.

"Now, what will you do?"

I look at Seo Hweol, who is reaching towards the gathering of the blood sacrifice's energy, and smile bitterly.

I can feel it.

The enormous energy of the blood sacrifice, which was immense just moments ago, is gradually diminishing.

Like many types of devilish arts, such large-scale sacrificial techniques have a short duration.

If the objective is not achieved within that short time, it becomes utterly useless.

Judging by how quickly the energy is diminishing,

It's clear that the energy created by Seo Hweol's blood sacrifice is dispersing.

Moreover, these bee puppets are clearly designed for spatial leaping.

These puppets will surely prepare to fully summon the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress inside the Serving Command Ark.

Once that happens, the Mad Lord will fully enter, and it will be the end for Seo Hweol.

'Let's not let our guard down until the very end.'

Yet, despite having driven Seo Hweol into a corner, I find myself tensing up even more.

If I know Seo Hweol, he surely has more tricks up his sleeve.

It wouldn't be strange if another Seo Hweol suddenly emerges from underground, claiming that what we've been dealing with until now was just a clone.

It wouldn't be strange if he had suddenly tampered with the poison mixed by Hong Fan.

'I've felt disharmony ever since meeting Oh Hye-seo.'

It's likely one of Seo Hweol's schemes.

Though sealed by the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner, I am currently caught in Seo Hweol's trap and must remain cautious until the very end.

'There are still several ways to push Seo Hweol further.'

However, I decide to wait until Yu Hwa arrives with reinforcements.

It's best to be cautious until a more certain force is available.

'Let's endure. Until we can deal a more decisive blow to him!'

Creak, creak, creak!

Beyond the bee puppets.

In the direction of the spatial rift.

There, as if the bee puppets accomplished something, the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress manages to widen the spatial rift a bit more.

'Good, if it continues like this…'

But then, it happens.

Thunk!

Suddenly, the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress jolts and begins to be pushed back slightly.

'What…!'

Seo Hweol opens his mouth without losing his smile.

"It seems... the Demon Kings of the Earth Tribe... are not just sitting idly by."

Wo-woong!

I realize that a strange attraction is coming from the direction of the spatial rift.

Beyond the spatial rift.

Behind the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.

There, the Integration stage Grand Cultivators of the Earth Tribe are pulling the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress with an attractive force to drag the Mad Lord back outside the Serving Command Ark.

"Are you, relying, on that?"

However, I just smirk.

I know the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress best.

The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress hasn't even begun to use its real power yet.

Kugugugu!

Several cylindrical thrusters appear behind the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.

Simultaneously, an immense spiritual power erupts from the thrusters, resisting the attractive force and sticking to the inside of the spatial rift as if it's going to pierce through back to its original position.

'If it was easy to block or restrain the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, could the Mad Lord have freely spread his wings for a thousand years?'

Despite its fortress-like appearance seeming quite slow, the true nature of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress is an incredibly fast mobile fortress.

The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, when the Mad Lord is serious, cannot be stopped by anything.

"Indeed, it will be a bit difficult."

However, Seo Hweol's complexion doesn't change, and his heart essence remains undisturbed.

'What?'

What is he relying on?

Seo Hweol.

Seo Hweol just smiles.

And I feel an indescribable unease from that smile.

"I cannot understand the emotions that typical creatures speak of and share."

'Even though it should be indescribably painful, what's going on? Has he completely accustomed to the pain already?'

"Even when I try to analyze and mimic what is called emotions through the vibrations of the lungs, it is not enough to fully understand the behavioral patterns of living creatures. So, I have developed a hypothesis while studying the behavioral patterns of the Mad Lord."

I let Seo Hweol's nonsense go in one ear and out the other, focusing on whatever trick he is about to play next.

Click...

Seo Hweol reaches into his bosom and takes out a necklace from within.

It's an unassuming necklace made of thin cotton thread, but the ornament on the necklace is a beautiful gem made of green crystal.

Seo Hweol wraps the necklace around his hand, tying the gem to his palm.

"To creatures, each individual has something they call 'precious,' akin to the purpose of life. Intelligent creatures, called sentient beings, mostly have such a thing. Surprisingly, this includes me as well."

"...?"

I try not to focus on Seo Hweol's nonsense, but I am momentarily startled by his statement that he also has something precious to himself and look him in the eye.

"To the Mad Lord, it was [Her]. To my descendant Ran, it was 'familial affection.' To Baek Nyeong who I took in, it was 'the well-being of his race.' And to that Heart Tribe who went to save Baek Nyeong, it was 'the safety of her disciple.'"

Snap!

Seo Hweol extends his hand holding the green crystal necklace towards the spatial rift where the Mad Lord is trying to enter.

'I have to stop him before he does something!'

But I can't move.

It's impossible to understand how Seo Hweol can suddenly move so calmly.

'Has he not felt pain from the beginning? No, if that were the case, he wouldn't have performed such a foolish act of clutching his head and falling over trying to resist the curse.'

Then, Seo Hweol is also feeling pain.

No, he is experiencing more pain than I am.

Then how is he so composed?

Feeling revolting, I glare intensely at Seo Hweol's heart essence.

"What I want to say is, if you know what entities desire, it's too easy to control various entities by slightly manipulating those desires. Like the musician who went a completely different way for the safety of her disciple, taking a long time to come for support, and Baek Nyeong who offered his soul to me for the well-being of his species."

Whirring!

Green light bursts from the jade that Seo Hweol holds, illuminating the illusion of Baek Nyeong.

'That is…!'

Baek Nyeong!

'How could…!'

Seo Hweol extracted Baeknyeong's soul and is manipulating it by infusing it into the necklace.

"Baek Nyeong, use the Mountain Repelling Whip."

[Yes, Master.]

Simultaneously, Baek Nyeong, with his soul extracted, combines his power with Seo Hweol's and exhibits his Beyond the Path to Heavens.

Seo Hweol says with a faint smile.

"The Heaven and Earth Tribes may despise Heart Tribe individuals who have reached the third stage of the Heart Path Method, but in my view, the potential of the Heart Tribe is limitless. Just as you, merely at the Nascent Soul stage, can fuse the power of Heaven, Earth, and Heart to produce a force comparable to the Four-Axis stage… The power of the Heart Tribe, if properly utilized, can be like this…."

Kugugugu!

The power of Baek Nyeong's Beyond the Path to Heavens to adjust' 'weight,'

And the attractive force emanating from Seo Hweol's hand combines, starting to amplify madly.

'That is…!'

Just like when my Formless Sword of Treading Heaven and my Nascent Soul are combined, showing an incredible amplification.

The attraction emanating from Seo Hweol's hand amplifies immensely.

And then.

Bang!

With a sound of breaking through the air, the force emanating from Seo Hweol's hand suddenly turns into a repulsive force, pushing the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress away.

Kugugugu!

If the cultivation of the Heaven and Earth Tribes is additive, then the cultivation of the Heart Tribe is multiplicative.

Already surpassing the peak of the Four-Axis stage, Seo Hweol possesses a power akin to that of the Integration stage.

With Baek Nyeong's Beyond the Path to Heavens to control [weight] added to Seo Hweol's power, his attractive force reached as high as the peak of the Integration stage.

With the Integration stage Demon Kings of the Earth Tribe pulling from behind and Seo Hweol pushing from the front, the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress appears to be pushed out gradually and then disappears beyond the darkness of the void.

"It's strange that while using the Heart Tribe can be so useful, magical artifacts or dharma treasures utilizing the Heart Tribe are rarely produced. Isn't it odd? There's more than enough reasons to despise the Heart Tribe, whether it's reading heart essence or adding Heavenly Tribulations. Why haven't the inhabitants of the Bright Cold Realm ever considered utilizing the Heart Tribe... Is it because they're too repulsed even to attempt such simple uses?"

He asks me with a slight smile.

"Doesn't it seem like a hatred purposely planted in the Bright Cold Realm? Daoist Seo, who embodies Heaven, Earth, and Heart, do you perhaps know something about this?"

"…"

"Won't you tell me?"

"So, it's not that you don't feel pain."

I finally realize how Seo Hweol is enduring this insane level of pain.

Seo Hweol had disassembled his own consciousness.

He cut his soul into several pieces and then reattached them, not quite completely.

In doing so, he had disassembled his consciousness, becoming akin to being unconscious.

In short, what is speaking to me is not Seo Hweol himself but actions inputted into his body before he disassembled his soul.

'The moment the Mad Lord appeared, he gave up enduring the pain with his consciousness and temporarily disassembled his mind before pushing the Mad Lord away.'

Having successfully repelled the Mad Lord, he will probably revert his consciousness back as he had programmed.

'There's no need to take anything Seo Hweol says seriously.'

Everything he says is a lie.

The reason he's prattling on with seemingly profound words is just a ruse to hide the fact that he lost consciousness!

Then.

'Now is Seo Hweol's most vulnerable moment!'

Charrak!

A storage bag floats up beside me.

It isn't just any storage bag.

A special storage bag that can contain living beings.

A type of storage bag called a Peach Garden Painting.

Charararak!

From within, a woman wearing an old, rustic robe walks out.

It's Gyu-baek.

The Mad Lord retreated, but that is fine.

After all, this revealed a vulnerability in Seo Hweol!

[Miss Gyu-baek!]

I convey my intentions directly to Gyu-baek through heart language.

Gyu-baek nods and extends one hand.

Kiiing!

A golden seal shines from her hand.

The seal of the Ark Controlling Envoy.

One of Gyu-ryeon's authorities, allowing free passage in and out of the Serving Command Ark.

Using this authority, it's possible to instantly connect a predetermined location with the inside of the Serving Command Ark.

The door in space opens.

'I didn't use it in front of the Mad Lord because I didn't know what would happen to Gyu-baek...'

"Yu Hwa!"

If it's to call Yu Hwa, now is the time to use it.

"Baek Nyeong is here, come over!"

And then, from beyond the door in space, a crimson stream quickly crosses over to this side.

Kiiing!

Baek Nyeong's figure is still faintly visible in Seo Hweol's hand, which had just pushed away the Mad Lord, and Yu Hwa captures that scene as soon as she arrives.

Baek Nyeong, Yu Hwa's beloved disciple, is being used as a magic artifact with his soul extracted by Seo Hweol.

Yu Hwa says nothing.

Instead, she reveals her true form, places the zither in front of her, and begins to play with a solemn expression never seen before.

Jiiiiing―

The entire space seems to resonate with the sound.

Yu Hwa's Illusory Play focuses solely on Seo Hweol, deeply, and even more deeply pulling his disassembled consciousness.

Even deeper.

Despite the melody being focused solely on Seo Hweol, just hearing it makes me feel an indescribable drowsiness.

But both Gyu-baek and I brace ourselves and watch Seo Hweol stagger.

Somehow, it feels like falling asleep now due to Yu Hwa would lead to a nightmare like no other.

I say to Gyu-baek.

"I use curses, Yu Hwa uses sleep. Seo Hweol himself temporarily disassembled his consciousness to create this vulnerability."

Gyu-baek clenches her fists tightly.

"Have you made up your mind?"

"...Yes."

Her heart essence has been shaking from the moment she saw Seo Hweol.

However, within that wavering heart essence, one resolve remains unshaken.

Her heart Path Method, bound by many limitations.

Yet, against a specific target, it displays unparalleled power—Gyu-baek's Entering Heavens.

"To avenge Gyu-ryeon's grudge."

Beyond the Path to Heavens.

Auspicious Exchange of Emotional Expression (瑞交情表)

A symbol of the promise shared between Seo Hweol and her, designed solely to end Seo Hweol.

Based on the content of the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement created for the mutual death of the parties involved, Gyu-baek's Beyond the Path to Heavens now activates.

Clink, clink, clink!

Chains of the same brown color as Gyu-baek's robe flows from her hand.

Simultaneously, the brown chains naturally permeate Seo Hweol's chest, entwining around his heart, major organs, and various parts of his Demon Core.

'I see...'

I realize where the chains emitted from Gyu-baek's hand are connected.

Chains connected to Gyu-baek's heart.

These chains are likewise connected to Seo Hweol's heart, major organs, and Demon Core.

Literally, her Beyond the Path to Heavens is for dying together with Seo Hweol.

Implementing the content of the Vast Cold oath created for their mutual demise is precisely Gyu-baek's Beyond the Path to Heavens, the symbol of their shared promise.

Clink, clink, clink!

I summon countless Generals Seo from the storage bag, making them open their mouths behind me.

At any moment, I am ready to sacrifice my body, exploding curses and the Formless Sword in a suicidal attack.

Even if Gyu-baek fails to kill Seo Hweol, my explosion woill end him.

Even if we can't finish Seo Hweol, we can at least injure him enough to incapacitate him for a while, giving the Mad Lord enough time to return.

'It's been a life full of ups and downs.'

I went under Seo Hweol to uncover his true nature.

Though I gained much from observing him from beneath, I couldn't learn everything, and instead, I encountered many explosive situations like bombs.

'Really, do I have any regrets?'

I contemplate whether I have any regrets in this life as I am about to deliver the final blow.

I will know when I see the panorama of my life flash before me at that moment.

'Never let your guard down until the very end.'

Seo Hweol is Seo Hweol.

Seeing his heart essence, it's clear he is indeed Seo Hweol himself, unpredictable in when and where he might plot something.

Focus all your attention on observing Seo Hweol!

Right up to the very end!

Never let your guard down...

Pwook!

"...Huh?"

Bo-oong!

Before Gyu-baek can activate the Auspicious Exchange of Emotional Expression.

A crimson hand pierces through Gyu-baek's back and out her heart.

Krrrik!

The chains that emerged from Gyu-baek, spinning wildly with yin and yang, disperse on their own.

And then, the crimson hand shoots towards me.

Jjeong!

I am struck down by the formidable force carried by the crimson hand, collapsing to the ground.

Walak!

My body, already more than 80% transformed into lightning, feels like it will disperse at any moment.

From the remaining 20% of my flesh, red liquid trickles out, spreading around.

"You..."

With a bewildered look, I gaze at the face of the one who had ambushed Gyu-baek and me.

"Yuan Yu...?"

The immense power Seo Hweol had gained from performing a blood sacrifice with all the Four-Axis stage cultivators.

I thought it had all dissipated.

It hadn't.

It was all absorbed by Yuan Yu.

And then, as Yuan Yu speaks, I feel a sense of despair.

"It's strange. You were hit by the Lustrous Glaze Peacock's light, how can you recognize me?"

From Yuan Yu's mouth comes a very familiar voice.

It's none other than Oh Hye-seo's voice.

"Really, you're too strange, Seo Eun-hyun. A misty haze protects you. Because of that haze, I can only read superficial things about you."

Tsstsstss!

I finally realize the identity of the strange disharmony I feel in my mind.

My memories were distorted by the light of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock, but the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections that I was using unconsciously showed me the truth.

I wasn't hit by the Lustrous Glaze Peacock's light 'on my way back' after meeting Oh Hye-seo.

I was ambushed by the Lustrous Glaze Peacock's light 'on my way to meet' Oh Hye-seo.

The conversations I had with her, my reading of her heart essence, the sequence of events when I was hit by the light...

Everything had been mixed up and distorted by the first light of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock she had cast on me.

Stagger, stagger...

Yu Hwa, too, staggers under the power of Oh Hye-seo's white light emanating from Yuan Yu's body, and her playing comes to a stop.

Simultaneously, Seo Hweol, having reassembled his disassembled consciousness, stands up from his place.

Oh Hye-seo, in Yuan Yu's body, walks slowly towards Seo Hweol, who greets her with a warm smile.

Very familiarly, just as he often did to me, Seo Hweol pats Yuan Yu's shoulder.

Pat, pat—

"Yuan Li thought he had learned the method of creating a Blood Body from ancient ruins and considered it his unique technique. But, it was actually me, Daoist Seo, who initially guided Yuan Li to the ancient ruins to learn the method of creating the Blood Body.

Pat, pat—

"If you had obediently mastered the Summoning Wind, Sacred Blood Transformation, which contains the techniques of the Blood Yin Realm, as I advised, you would have realized what I did to the Blood Body... It's a pity, really."

Pat, pat—

Oh Hye-seo, avoiding Seo Hweol's patting hand, says,

"Someone who knows the exact method to activate the Blood Body can access the memories stored in the Blood Body by touching it. The activation method involves... elevating the Blood Body's vitality in extreme environments, right?"

"Oh dear, Miss Hye-seo. It's troublesome if you reveal such a huge secret carelessly."

"Well, doesn't it matter? After all, Seo Eun-hyun is going to die. From my perspective, it's more important whether shaking Seo Eun-hyun's emotions can stir those misty things."

"Hmm..."

Certainly, that was it.

For some reason, Seo Hweol frequently patted my shoulder in this life.

And the vast majority of those times were when I was wearing the Blood Body Skin Armor.

'Activating the Blood Body in extreme environments is part of the technique?'

He had been patting my shoulder in a friendly manner since our first meeting.

I thought it was just to simulate camaraderie.

That wasn't it.

Seo Hweol was trying to find out why a stranger like me who ascended was wearing Yuan Li's Blood Body from the beginning.

From the beginning, Seo Hweol wanted to know why someone he met for the first time and ascended was wearing Yuan Li's Blood Body.

Realizing how often Seo Hweol casually tapped my shoulder, I feel a sense of emptiness.

"...I was merely a clown dancing before you."

I thought I had been monitoring Seo Hweol through the Mad Lord's circuits.

But it turns out I was the one being constantly monitored through the Blood Body.

Literally, it was just a play put on by a clown.

Yes, a clown's performance.

And thus, the ludicrous performance of the clown comes to an end.

"...Yes, I lost."

With a hollow laugh, I look at Seo Hweol and Yuan Yu, who are looking back at me.

"Since it's come to this..."

I clasp my hands together, interlocking my fingers, and close my eyes.

And then, I chant.

"...Return to thee."

Chapter 219: After the Performance (1)The moment I utter "Return to thee" is precisely when it happens.

Before any reaction can occur, Seo Hweol charges at me with a speed too fast for the eyes to follow.

Crunch!

Seo Hweol strikes me down, his foot stomping on my chest.

"Ghh...ugh!"

My [words] do not come out.

No, what should I say?

It feels as if my [will] to speak, including my [words], are suddenly suppressed.

'What is this...'

The feeling as if Seo Hweol had rushed in and isolated me from the entire world.

However, I do not panic.

Instead, I look at Seo Hweol and smirk.

It's the first time.

The first time Seo Hweol's heart essence has been so tumultuously disturbed.

Seo Hweol is still smiling with a frozen expression, but his heart essence is storming in a way I had never seen before.

My [words] are sealed, but I convey my message to Seo Hweol with my lips so he can clearly see.

―Are even you afraid of True Immortals?

"…Haha, wouldn't it be disrespectful to bother someone who is already suffering from exile in a far-off dimension by calling them to this world?"

'Exiled?'

It seems like Seo Hweol knows something about the owner of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

'To think an entity exiled in a distant dimension showed that level of power….'

The more I know, the more it seems that True Immortals always easily surpass the limits and boundaries I had in mind.

Wo-woong!

I check the state of my body.

Despite my chest already being transformed into lightning, Seo Hweol is 'stepping' on it.

Glancing around, I notice the characters for Good (好) and Virtue (德) floating up in my lower and middle dantians, respectively.

I look at my head.

Above my upper dantian, the character for Distant (攸) appeared, and I smile bitterly.

―What have you done to me?

"Thanks to Daoist Seo needlessly running his mouth, I had to consume one of my Axes to seal you."

'Seal...!?'

Literally, it feels as though my entire body is gradually creaking, increasingly isolating me from the world.

"Thanks to you, I need to go to the Blood Yin Realm to replenish the fourth Axis I had to use. My tasks have become quite bothersome because of this."

'Bothersome...'

Of course, by his expression, it seems like he is just teasing me.

However, Seo Hweol's heart essence has indeed become a bit complicated.

It appears that the fact he has to go to the Blood Yin Realm is irritating Seo Hweol.

'Why, does Seo Hweol have some connection to the Blood Yin Realm?'

Somehow, Seo Hweol's demeanor suggests he is reluctant to visit the Blood Yin Realm.

―If you didn't want to go to the Blood Yin Realm, couldn't you have used another Axis?

According to Seo Hweol's previous explanation.

Nether Ghost is for Longevity.

Purple Gold is for Wealth.

Ancient Force for Health, and True Devils for Love of Virtue.

Since the Blood Yin Realm branched off from the True Devil Realm, it's no different. It makes sense for him, who sealed with the Axis of Love of Virtue, to replenish his Axis there.

But if he dislikes going to the Blood Yin Realm, couldn't he have just used another Axis to seal me?

When I think so,

"Are you teasing me, or do you genuinely not know?"

'What? Did I say something wrong?'

As I'm puzzled,

"The Purple Gold Realm is too far away, taking a thousand years just to travel back and forth, which would be a waste of time... and the Ancient Force Realm requires certain conditions to enter, making it difficult to replenish the spent Axis, wouldn't you say?"

―Then why not go to the Nether Ghost Realm?

When I ask, Seo Hweol smiles.

I frowned, observing Seo Hweol's heart essence.

'Did I say something wrong?'

Realizing my gaffe in speech through observing Seo Hweol's heart essence, I notice the tension boiling within him has significantly calmed down after my recent response.

"It's strange. You are too strange."

Seo Hweol bends down to my level, bringing his face close to mine as if he can't comprehend.

"Continuing from what I said earlier, an entity can be controlled if you know its precious thing, its purpose. But what are you exactly? I've been monitoring your movements through Yuan Li's Blood Body for over a hundred years, but I can't figure out your purpose."

"..."

"What is your precious thing? Sometimes it seems like you have something precious, but just now, you seemed ready to shatter the board as if nothing was precious to you."

Seo Hweol's bright blue pupils are stretched wide, observing me.

Trying to understand what kind of being I am.

"Without a known purpose, without anything precious, you should be a power-lost, fallen being. Yet strangely, you're unaware of the obvious dangers of the Nether Ghost Realm… Not a decrepit being, are you perhaps the leftover of some noble existence? Perhaps a leftover born with only a fraction of memories attached, not receiving the entirety."

Seo Hweol narrows his eyes and smiles.

"Except for the era of the heretic Yang Su-jin, there's no information about the decline of True Immortals within the past 120,000 years. So with high probability, you're a noble being that fell during Yang Su-jin's time?"

"..."

"After seeing Daoist attempt to summon that being, I inferred the situation before and after. Had you directly faced that being with the body of a mortal, you would have surely surrendered to them in a matter of moments. However, the fact that Daoist has endured from the disappearance of Heavenly Human Island until now indicates that that being has shown you favor. My guess is, perhaps you directly assisted the Essence of the Great Heavenly Punishment in being found by her master? There could be no other action worthy of their favor…"

Seo Hweol's speculation continues.

"And the method that likely aided the Essence of the Great Heavenly Punishment was most likely by knowing her true name and calling it out. By doing so, you would have been well aware of what would happen to the descendants of Yang Su-jin who that entity resented. With a high probability, you are one of the True Immortals who was killed by Yang Su-jin and harbored resentment towards him."

"..."

"There are many candidates since Yang Su-jin had destroyed not just one or two entities. However, there aren't many who harbored enough grudge against Yang Su-jin to devastate even his descendants… If we exclude those who would never borrow that being's power, the list of candidates narrows down to less than ten fingers."

Seemingly getting closer to my identity, Seo Hweol asks with a smirk.

"Given how things stand, revealing your identity might not be a bad choice. Doesn't Daoist Seo have an inkling of who I might be?"

I hesitate for a moment, not knowing what to say, and then coldly laugh.

―Why would there be a need to reveal that between us?

"Hmm? Between us? What do you mean?"

But Seo Hweol pulls his face away from me as if he doesn't understand.

―Haven't we been watching, doubting, and preparing to backstab each other for decades?

"Ah, that…."

Seo Hweol chuckles upon reading my lips.

"It was all just a joke, wasn't it?"

"…"

For a moment, I feel dazed by Seo Hweol's response.

"Haha, why are you like this, Daoist Seo. If you are among the entities I suspect… weren't we the beings who held the universe in our palms, traversing dimensions and unraveling countless conspiracies and strategies on the scale of fate and history? Why fuss over a few incidents in this Saha World (娑婆世界/Mundane World)? To us, it's merely… a joke, isn't it?"

'A joke...?'

Hearing Seo Hweol's words make my mind tremble.

'All of this, just a joke...?'

It's absurd.

But I suppress my tumultuous heart essence and look at Seo Hweol.

'Don't be swayed.'

It's clear.

There's another lie mixed in there.

And Seo Hweol is observing me, throwing information mixed with lies.

'Don't get entangled with Seo Hweol. I need to buy time.'

In a little while, the Mad Lord will completely break through to the 7th floor, the formal entrance to the Serving Command Ark.

As long as Seo Hweol doesn't completely seal me and continues to converse with me until then, there's hope.

'Don't be swayed by Seo Hweol's words. Act as if I know more and extract more information from him.'

―If everything's a joke, wouldn't venturing into the Nether Ghost Realm for a bit of adventure be fine, even if it's a bit dangerous? You seem to dislike going to the Blood Yin Realm.

"Hmm... Do you really not know anything about the Nether Ghost Realm?"

'...?'

"As you know, the absolute majority of Entering Nirvana stage True Persons desire to enter the True Immortal Realm by any means necessary… Hence the Nether Ghost Realm is swarming with those at the Entering Nirvana stage, their eyes red and observing. Beings at the Entering Nirvana stage are far too mature to be mere objects of jests… You can guess why they are observing the Nether Ghost Realm, can't you?"

―....

'The Nether Ghost Realm is related to a shortcut into the True Immortal Realm?'

This can also be a lie, but somehow, the words just uttered by Seo hweol feel true.

I've learned that the Nether Ghost Realm is a place teeming with Entering Nirvana cultivators, red-eyed and observing.

'If they're merely observing rather than directly entering, it's probably because of the promise with the Black Dragon King...'

Black Dragon King.

Nether Ghost Realm.

Blood Yin Realm.

Entering Nirvana stage.

Astral Realm.

Seo Hweol....

How is everything related?

How can I compile this information to continue the conversation with Seo Hweol?

As I ponder,

"So, I'll ask again, Daoist Seo."

Seo Hweol looks into my eyes with a slight smile.

"It was just a joke among us. Still, will you not reveal your identity?"

And then, it happens.

"A joke...?"

Squirm, squirm...

Gyu-baek, who had collapsed earlier.

Her heart had been pierced, yet she starts to twitch and slowly begins to rise.

"Oh..."

Seo Hweol watches her with an intrigued look.

The hole where her heart had been pierced has already stopped bleeding.

I gasp, knowing how Gyu-baek is moving.

'She is forcibly circulating Qi throughout her body to stand up.'

She is temporarily doing the work of the heart by circulating energy herself.

But in such a state, Gyu-baek is as good as dead.

Despite her efforts to prevent vitality from escaping, her face is rapidly paling.

She's already on the brink of death, so doing anything more is pointless.

Yet, still.

With a trembling voice, squeezing air from her lungs, Gyu-baek speaks.

"A joke... was it? Say it again, Seo Hweol. To you, was the time with Gyu-ryeon merely a joke?"

Gyu-baek, with a hole in her chest, places her trembling hand over it and glares at Seo Hweol.

"Gyu-ryeon… I… loved you… truly…! But to you, was I merely a joke?"

Gyu-baek cries out.

"Answer me, Seo Hweol...! Was all of this just for your amusement?"

And Seo Hweol clicks his tongue.

"You're not Senior Gyu."

At his cold attitude, Gyu-baek clenches her teeth.

"Even if you somehow managed to come this far by mastering the Heart Path Method as a remnant, that's all. You're just... a leftover of Senior Gyu. Not the person herself. Don't be mistaken. Gyu-ryeon is dead, and your actions are utterly meaningless."

"I am... no."

Gyu-baek, with tears streaming down her face, collapses to the ground.

"Yes, Gyu-ryeon… truly liked you… Seo Hweol…!"

"Hmm, what do you want me to do about it? Perhaps the words I once said to Senior Gyu haven't been passed down to you? Emotions are just the amount of air that goes into the lungs and nothing more…."

"No!"

Swish!

Auspicious Exchange of Emotional Expression activates once more.

Chains fly towards Seo Hweol.

But with a flick of his hand, Seo Hweol easily deflects the chains of Auspicious Exchange of Emotional Expression.

Gyu-baek launches the chains at Seo Hweol several more times with Dragon Form Soaring Claw, but Seo Hweol deflects them as if they are nothing.

"What a bother. Miss Hye-seo, could you take care of this leftover for me?"

"Eh? I don't want to. It's fun."

"..."

Oh Hye-seo, finding the situation amusing, sits to one side in Yuan Yu's body, propping her chin up.

"Well... if Miss Hye-seo finds it bothersome, there's nothing I can do."

Step, step...

Seo Hweol steps off my chest.

But still, perhaps due to the characters of Love of Virtue floating above my upper, middle, and lower dantians,

I can't move a finger, let alone speak.

Clang, clang!

The chains of Auspicious Exchange of Emotional Expression target Seo Hweol multiple times, but Seo Hweol, with his uniquely unpleasant smile, continues deflecting them as if the brief entanglement with the chains during his slumber was merely a momentary inconvenience.

Gyu-baek's heart is hopelessly unreachable to Seo Hweol.

Whoosh!

Seo Hweol deflects the chains one last time.

Suddenly, Seo Hweol is right in front of Gyu-baek.

"Have you vented a little?"

"You...!"

Snap!

Seo Hweol flicks his finger in front of Gyu-baek.

Blood spurts from her seven orifices, and she collapses right there.

Seo Hweol completely disrupted the forcibly circulating heaven and earth spiritual energy within Gyu-baek.

It's miraculous her body didn't explode into a handful of flesh from the shock.

Seo Hweol glances down at Gyu-baek for a moment, then grabs her by the hair and drags her towards us.

"With such a resentful body, offering her as a blood sacrifice to the Blood Yin Realm will immediately strengthen fellow Daoist's seal. Now, Daoist Seo, although there was a slight delay, shall we continue where we left off… what are you doing?"

Crack, creak...

No matter what, [words] won't come out.

However, 'moving my body' seems somewhat possible when I muster all my strength.

I concentrate the power of the Formless Sword into one arm, slowly lifting it.

Despite the characters of Love of Virtue pressing down on me even more fiercely, I extend my hand without care.

Towards Gyu-baek.

"Hmm, on the verge of death, yet you still have some business with this leftover. Ah, perhaps you wish to mate before being sealed?"

―Shut up.

"I don't understand. What do you want with this leftover of this Saha World... Have you grown too attached to your toy?"

―No.

"No?"

I concentrate all my focus on the arm extending towards Gyu-baek.

The Formless Sword, at the level of Treading Heavens, tears through the characters from Love of Virtue and slowly reaches Gyu-baek.

―It's not a joke!

Gyu-baek is someone I can only meet in this life.

Even if I meet her in the next life, she will never be the same Gyu-baek as now.

Born out of Gyu-ryeon's obsession and resentment, if not with the same emotions and memories as Gyu-ryeon, I will never see the same Gyu-baek again.

But I'm not sad.

After all, to me, every existence in this world is someone I can only meet once in that lifetime, and Gyu-baek is no different.

Yes.

These are connections I can only form in this lifetime.

―How can the memories built with those unique connections be just a joke?

Finally, I succeed in holding Gyu-baek's hand.

It's a hand hardened with calluses from practicing the Dragon Form Soaring Claw.

A hand trained to meet Seo Hweol, and one that practiced martial arts with me.

At the same time, it's also the hand of a comrade who achieved nothing.

"It wasn't a joke, you say."

Watching my lip movements, Seo Hweol observes us for a moment before releasing Gyu-baek's hair.

She collapses powerlessly to the ground.

'...?'

But I feel Seo Hweol's actions are somewhat strange.

'What?'

Did I see something wrong just now?

For a moment, I thought I saw a very faint gleam in Seo Hweol's heart essence.

It passed so quickly I'm not sure if it was real.

'It must have been a mistake.'

I turn my attention away from what would be unlikely for Seo Hweol and hold Gyu-baek's hand firmly.

Gyu-baek isn't dead yet.

Though she will probably die soon, her hand is trembling weakly.

Through that trembling hand, I feel her emotions.

Anger and resentment.

Longing and sorrow.

And... love.

Gyu-ryeon loved Seo Hweol.

And Gyu-baek, inheriting Gyu-ryeon's memories, also inherited the memories of loving Seo Hweol so dearly.

Even though filled with Gyu-ryeon's resentment, Gyu-baek also holds love for Seo Hweol.

Even if the object of her love is a detestable being, her love itself shines too brightly for some like Seo Hweol.

I gaze at her heart essence, capturing that light within my own heart.

'I will remember. Your heart...'

This unique bond in this life, I will bury it deep within my heart and remember this feeling.

Thus, Gyu-baek's last appearance is added to the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.

I thought that would be her last appearance.

Sararak―

"...?"

Before a pink thread extended from my hand.

Sarararak―

Somehow, a fragrant floral scent spreads around.

At the same time, roots sprout from the thread that extended from my body.

The thread splits into several branches, spreading out in all directions.

The strands that seem to spread out everywhere soon gather together, intertwining to form a shape.

It's the figure of Kim Yeon.

Wo-woong―

Inside the deepest part of the burrow dug by Hong Fan.

There lies a figure, still unconscious.

It's Kim Yeon, who has not regained consciousness for days.

She has been lying there with a blank look in her eyes for several days and nights.

Kim Yeon is dreaming.

It's the scene where she went on a business trip with the person she likes and saw the quince flowers blooming profusely in an orchard.

Then, something resounded deep within her dream.

―I will remember. Your heart…

It's the voice of Seo Eun-hyun, to whom Kim Yeon had attached her consciousness.

Beyond Seo Eun-hyun's voice, the 'heart' that Seo Eun-hyun wants to remember is conveyed to her through the consciousness attached to Seo Eun-hyun.

It's the heart of someone who loves another.

The heart of Gyu-ryeon, who had devoted everything to Seo Hweol.

Although the ending was catastrophic, the heart of Gyu-ryeon throughout the process shone so brightly.

And that light was transmitted to Kim Yeon through Seo Eun-hyun.

Simultaneously, as that light reached Kim Yeon.

Her Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, combined with Kim Yeon's talent and her fate, tremendously amplified.

As a result, Kim Yeon, while asleep, unknowingly awakened her true abilities through the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.

Tsststsstssts!

The pink silhouette of Kim Yeon overlaps with my hand, which is holding Gyu-baek's.

Our hands, mine, Gyu-baek's, and Kim Yeon's, are layered together.

Seo Hweol, surprised by the unexpected situation, steps back a few paces, and Oh Hye-seo waves at Kim Yeon with a delighted face.

"Oh my, it's Yeon, isn't it?"

Then, Oh Hye-seo extends her hand towards Kim Yeon with a joyful expression.

"Yeon-ah, you're being a nuisance. I'll come back and dote on you like old times, so could you disappear for a while?"

Tsststssts!

Around Kim Yeon, Yin and Yang swirl as if to make her figure blur momentarily.

But only momentarily.

The pink silhouette of Kim Yeon places her hand over the hole in Gyu-baek's chest.

At the same time, golden light begins to burst from inside Gyu-baek's hollow chest.

Seeing this, Seo Hweol shouts at Oh Hye-seo.

"Miss Hye-seo! Quickly, stop that!"

Wo-woong!

A blue light flashes, and Seo Hweol tries to fly away in his true form.

However, the golden light is faster.

The golden light turns into a thin thread and flies towards Seo Hweol, naturally connecting to his chest.

I understand what this golden light thread means.

'This is… the Vast Cold Oath…!'

At the same time, Gyu-baek, whose chest is filled with golden light, flutters her eyes open.

After locking eyes with Kim Yeon's silhouette for a moment, she coughs up blood and stands up.

"AAAAHHH!!!"

Then, Oh Hye-seo, who had been quickly reading through the threads of the Vast Cold Oath, suddenly screams.

Despite being in Yuan Yu's body, she clutches her burst eyes, crying tears of blood.

As if she had seen something that should not be seen.

"Whatisthatwhatisthatwhatisthat…"

Terror-stricken, Oh Hye Seo soon severes her connection with Yuan Yu's body and disappears into somewhere.

Yuan Yu's body, having lost its controller, collapses right there.

Gyu-baek, clutching her chest, extends her hand towards Seo Hweol who is fleeing into the distance.

Wo-woong!

Her intent overflows in all directions.

Beyond the Path to Heavens.

"Auspicious Exchange of Emotional Expression."

Once again, Gyu-baek's Beyond the Path to Heavens is activated.

Once more, chains emerge from Gyu-baek's chest.

Not brown chains.

Golden chains pursue Seo Hweol with the speed of light, connecting to him without giving him a chance to react.

Chalalalak!

Connected to Seo Hweol, the golden chains quickly shorten, pulling the fleeing Seo Hweol back to this place.

Seo Hweol transforms back into human form as he is being pulled back and lands here.

Seo Hweol looks at Gyu-baek, then at Kim Yeon.

"...What are you?"

His face is still smiling.

But Seo Hweol's voice is colder than ever.

"A technique that only Vast Cold can initiate... the Vast Cold Oath. Why can you preside over the Vast Cold Oath? Who are you?"

His smile is colder than ever, and Seo Hweol's heart essence is more turbulent than ever before.

Somewhere within the True Dragon Alliance.

In the residence of the Black Dragon King.

Inside, a massive dragon stirs..

The black dragon raises its head to the sky, opening its mouth in disbelief.

"Vast Cold... How could...?"

Outside the Serving Command Ark.

Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.

At the heart of the fortress, the Mad Lord suddenly grabs his head and comes down from [Her] knees.

The Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon is resonating strongly with something.

And, clutching his chest, the Mad Lord sheds tears.

Not the noisy, bawling tears he had always shed.

The silent tears flowing from the Mad Lord contain his sincerity.

"...My disciple is doing something."

Feeling Kim Yeon's presence through the resonance of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, the Mad Lord looks towards the Serving Command Ark.

"Something is happening there. I must go. I might witness something similar to, no... something far more tremendous than Yeon's Play..."

Clutching his chest, the Mad Lord solemnly unfolds the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon without wiping his tears.

Wo-woong!

The Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon brightly ignites.

"It's time to end this clumsy puppet show. I need to see what my disciple is trying to do. Judging by this resonance from the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon… what my disciple is attempting must be the true next step that the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon must achieve...!"

Bo-oong!

Briefly regaining his senses, the Mad Lord controls the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, operating it more efficiently and logically.

And the puppet legion of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, which had been bombarding indiscriminately with sheer numbers, begins to reorganize rapidly.

"This child is not what's important, right, Seo Hweol?"

Gyu-baek locks eyes with Kim Yeon's silhouette for a moment, then again with Seo Hweol.

"It's like a miracle... no, it is a miracle. A miracle has occurred, and the Vast Cold Oath has been activated. Seo Hweol."

Gyu-baek points at her chest, brimming with golden light, with a clear smile.

"My heart is gone, and I am about to die. And since the Vast Cold Oath was activated by a miracle, you will also die."

"..."

"You probably know better... the Vast Cold Oath is a technique related to fate. Changing bodies or replenishing life force is useless. Resurrection is impossible. It means the heavens have decided to end our fate."

"..."

"But... as you know, Seo Hweol. This isn't the Vast Cold Oath agreed upon by both of us. It's a one-sided Vast Cold Oath that Gyu-ryeon imposed on you. Since a witness is present here, you have the right to undo the Vast Cold Oath, Seo Hweol."

Gyu-baek slowly spreads her arms towards Seo Hweol.

"Just as Gyu-ryeon transmitted her love to you by imposing the Vast Cold Oath, undoing it must also be done in reverse. Seo Hweol, the method to undo it is simple."

At her following words, I can't help but snicker.

"Kiss me sincerely. Unless you return more than what Gyu-ryeon gave to you, the Vast Cold Oath will not be undone."

In many fairy tales featuring lovers, the ending usually involves breaking a curse with a kiss and living happily ever after.

Similarly, Seo Hweol, who was cursed, has to give a sincere kiss of love to Gyu-baek in order to break the curse.

"Now, Seo Hweol. Show me your sincerity."

Gyu-baek, who informs Seo Hweol that only sincerity can undo the curse, wears a cruel yet beautiful smile.

And for the first time, Seo Hweol's smile disappears from his lips.

This long performance has come to an end.

Only Seo Hweol, dragged down below the stage, remains.