Chương 653: Heaven's Key (1)

"I can answer that as well... but not right now."

"Why not? I have already digested the wisdom of the Imperial Venerable and proven myself."

"This is not your problem. It is mine. The wisdom regarding what you just asked... is sealed away, together with the disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables from long ago."

"Th-That's..."

"Of course, this isn't truly a problem."

The Underworld smiles.

"The three ways to keep listening to my story. First, empty your vessel. Second, fully digest my wisdom. And the last, find a medium that can stabilize your memories. I shall now help you find that medium."

"Pardon...?"

"The disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables left behind in the Outer Sea."

The Underworld continues speaking with a faint smile.

At the same time, something enters my body along with the Underworld's smiling eyes.

For some reason, I feel as if this is some kind of 'key'.

"I have granted you the authority to access that ancient force. Grow on your own, venture into the Outer Sea, and while seeking out the location of Penglai Island... find and bring back the disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables. If you do, I shall recover the memories I sealed myself, and using that ancient force as the medium, I will share the stories I could not tell you."

"... Understood."

I nod and accept the Underworld's proposal.

It's something I have to do eventually anyway.

Moreover, if I go out to the Outer Sea, I might also learn of the movements of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, which would be a good thing as well.

"I have received much teaching from the Imperial Venerable. I shall now take my leave."

"I, too, have enjoyed this moment after so long."

"..."

As I bow to the Underworld and prepare to leave the deepest depths of the Underworld, I suddenly grow curious about something and turn to ask.

"... I have something I am curious about."

"What is it?"

"Did the Imperial Venerable... already know of the Radiance Mantra?"

"I knew of its existence. It endlessly interferes with history, how could I not know?... However, I had only deduced its presence until now. The one who proved the reality of the Radiance Mantra was Salt Sea. And the one who confirmed its full existence before my eyes was you."

At the following words, I flinch in surprise.

"I said I knew of your regression before, but I only noticed it during your first cycle. At first, I knew only fragments of information, like pieces of a dream. I was only able to properly intervene from your tenth cycle onward."

"..."

The tenth cycle.

Though it wasn't a question I asked expecting this answer, the Underworld's words resolve one of the long-standing doubts I've carried through my life.

"... I see. Then, is the Underworld also aware...? Of what this Radiance Mantra, possessing the authority of regression, is [creating]...?"

I ask, recalling the [body of something] I had seen.

It looked at times like a baby, and at times like an enormous someone.

At first, I thought little of it, but the more I recall it, the more questions it raises.

"... So you have seen it too. That [body]..."

"...!"

"I am aware of it as well."

"Then that means..."

"However, I cannot say what it is for certain. My vague assumption is... it is the Future King who is creating it, and the Future King's ultimate purpose is related to it."

"... I see."

I let out a quiet breath and nod.

Seeing me like this, the Underworld asks.

"You must have made some kind of resolution regarding it."

"Yes. That is correct. If the power of my regression is one of the steps in completing that... then I want all the more to sever this regression that might aid the Future King, the Fate Supreme Deity."

Yes.

Because of today, my goal has become even more resolute, even more clear.

And now, a way to achieve that goal has also come into view.

"I will sever the regression. And I believe I now know how to do it. I will one day fully seize the Radiance Mantra, and pass the mantra on to someone else."

"To whom do you intend to pass it?"

"Anyone I can trust will do. I could even entrust it to the Imperial Venerable."

"I have no particular need for it. The [Wheel] already becomes a superior version of your infinite regression the moment one gains awareness of the Radiance Mantra."

"Then..."

"Give it to someone who is going to die."

"Pardon...?"

The Underworld calmly tells me the solution to handling the Radiance Mantra.

"Grant the Radiance Mantra to someone who is dying and will reincarnate. I have been unable to grasp the true essence of the Radiance Mantra used by Heuk Sa, but I was able to detect your essence because you are far lower in rank than Heuk Sa.

"Still, even you, originally being a fragment of absoluteness, possesses considerable rank despite being lower than Heuk Sa. Therefore... if you one day give this Radiance Mantra to someone far beneath you just before they die, I will be able to invalidate the Radiance Mantra's power of regression through the Wheel's Cycle of Reincarnation (輪轉輪廻), erasing the Radiance Mantra entirely.'

"...!"

"The principle of the Wheel created by me and Salt Sea. In short, I will be replacing regression (回歸) with reincarnation (還生). One is a force that reverses, the other flows forward. But if the bearer has low enough rank, my side will win.

"If the owner is Heuk Sa or an Ender, erasing it would be difficult, but if you one day master the Radiance Mantra and grant it to a mortal being, then I can surely erase it."

At those words, I smile slowly.

One thousand and five lives.

At last, at the end of that long, long life...

I have finally grasped the perfect starting point to eliminate this regression.

"... Thank you... very much."

"The Radiance Mantra itself is one of the cycles of fate that blocks the progress of this world. It is something that has to be destroyed eventually. I am the one who should have erased it, so you need not be overly grateful."

"... And..."

I bow once more to the Underworld, expressing my gratitude again for the 'intervention' she mentioned earlier.

"For intervening... in the tenth cycle... truly... thank you."

That the Underworld could intervene starting from the tenth cycle means one thing.

That she, whom I met at the end of the tenth cycle, and the connections of Cheon-saek City...

It means I could only meet them because the Underworld briefly opened the gate of the Underworld.

Underworld doesn't explain further, but I faintly sense the vibration echoing from Indra's Net and understand the method.

'I see. From the start, the Black Ghost Valley located in the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain... existed all to properly retrieve the souls from the Head Realm and the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain that the Netherworld can not properly observe.'

That is why, although ordinary True Immortals cannot interfere in the Head Realm, the Underworld used the remnants of the Black Ghost Valley in the Head Realm to act as mediums, temporarily influencing the people within.

"For the goodwill back then... truly... truly, I thank you once again."

"... It was not pure goodwill. There was intention behind it, so no need to thank me."

The intention I sense from the Underworld is singular.

To teach me, a being spawned from the personality of Obsidian's absoluteness, what a true 'heart' is, and to let my soul take root.

And...

To me, that is no different from grace bestowed.

"Retrieve the disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables properly. If you do, I will truly treat you as one of the Underworld, and you will come to know the hidden truths of the world."

"Understood. Then, I shall take my leave..."

I bow once more to the Underworld and exit from the deepest depths of the Underworld.

Kuuung!

The door to the deepest depths closes behind me, and I leave the place with a subtle smile.

I have encountered a series of confusing events and shocking truths.

But in equal measure, I awakened to new truths, and gained a peace of heart I could not obtain before.

On top of that, I obtained Araya Consciousness, and...

'I have fully seized Triple Divinity.'

Creation, Preservation, Destruction.

In other words, I have seized all will (意) corresponding to Achieving (成), Halting (住), Breaking (壞).

'If only I can now embody emptiness and blanket the domain of purity... then the seventh stage of Manifestation... reaching the realm of Hyeon Mu and Kim Young-hoon wouldn't be just a dream.'

Woo-woooong— I now see the Triple Divinity of the world much more clearly than before, and I feel them resonate much more clearly with me.

I feel that I can handle Triple Divinity much better than I could before.

'Yes. Now, at this point...'

I smile faintly, realizing just how far I have come.

'I am practically an Immortal Lord.'

That's right.

Having completely seized Triple Divinity, I have reached the level of an Immortal Lord with martial arts alone.

However, I don't consider that to be of importance.

Rather than such things, the peace of heart I gained this time feels far more significant.

'My regression... was never meaningless.'

It did not vanish meaninglessly beyond the timeline.

In other words...

"... Living my best each time... really was... really was the right answer...!"

As I realized that my lives were not meaningless, that they weren't just mental comfort, but actually existed—it became a 'truth'.

Because of that, I have gained a peace of heart more solid and powerful than any inner peace I had before.

For True Immortals, stabilizing the heart is of great importance.

When the heart is at peace, one can align their will properly, and since Immortal Arts ultimately change the world through will, I can now use them far more effectively than before.

'Truly, thank you for everything... O Underworld!'

After offering deep thanks to the Underworld, I begin making my way out of the deepest depths.

And not long after, I see a familiar face.

"...! You are..."

"... It has been a while."

"Yes. It's been a while. How much time has passed?"

"You are asking how much time has passed?"

The old man lets out a dry chuckle and answers my question.

"One second. The Imperial Venerable summoned me and commanded that I assist with the distortion of time, so I did. Inside that place, it seemed as though an enormous amount of time accelerated... What happened?"

That's right.

The old man who appeared before me is Yeong Seung.

The Immortal Treasure of the Heavenly Venerable of Time, the South Polar Ritual Treasure, Yeong Seung.

I smirk at his words and reply.

"I see. Thanks for saving time. But what happened inside is top secret, so I can't share that with you."

"Hmm..."

Maybe it's because I addressed Yeong Seung as 'you', but his eyes narrow.

But I don't bother to be polite with him as I used to.

Because now, I am confident I won't be toyed with even if I face him one-on-one.

Having seized Triple Divinity, Even if I were to go up against Yang Su-jin at his peak, I am confident I could tear him apart to death.

"... Arrogant brat. Well, do as you please. Anyway, the Imperial Venerable said this. That you are going to seek out my master's disgrace."

"Hm, are you unhappy that your master's disgrace will be revealed?"

"No. My master already examined His own flaw once before crossing the Outer Sea. His memory is complete, so I have nothing to say about that. Rather, I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"There is a high probability that you will use the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade. If you use the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade and make contact with my master's disgrace in the Outer Sea... then tell me what it is. As one who serves Him... I still do not know what my master's disgrace is. No matter what it may be, I will endure it. Rather, in order to serve the Lord, I must confront it."

"..."

"... Will you accept my request?"

I think for a moment, then look into Yeong Seung's eyes and speak.

"You once trapped me in the bridle of time and tortured me."

"... That was..."

"But you also bestowed grace upon us."

Yeong Seung is someone who directly borrows the power and wisdom of the Heavenly Venerable of Time, so is it because perhaps he, too, perceives regression? He immediately understands what I'm saying.

"... Yes. Did I not permit you my split soul which allowed you to activate the Great Desolate Path?"

"That's right. But... the torture back then was truly painful for me as well."

"Th-Then..."

"So, let me hit you just once. If I hit you just once, I'll let it go at that."

"..."

At my words, perhaps sensing something ominous, Yeong Seung rolls his eyes.

But soon after, he nods.

"... Looks like you are planning to test some decisive technique you are confident in. Well, fine. If it's for the Lord, I will accept it as many times as necessary. Strike!"

"... Excellent."

As I admire Yeong Seung's loyalty, I draw out a six-sided club from within my body.

"... H-Huh?"

Yeong Seung's pupils shake, as if he's seen the six-sided club before, and I take the same stance my master used when beating me.

'Now that I've obtained Triple Divinity... I can tell.'

The fully internalized Triple Divinity spins, rapidly accelerating and strengthening my consciousness.

Though I don't reach Araya Consciousness in a single leap, I instantly arrive at the domain of untainted.

The world begins to appear as Indra's Net.

Though it is still difficult to reach Araya Consciousness, which maintains form atop Indra's Net, in a single go, this is more than enough to beat Yeong Seung.

'That... is Yeong Seung's principle.'

I marvel as I witness the weave of countless principles that form Yeong Seung.

'Amazing. The weaving of those principles... is astonishingly sophisticated. So that is the result Bong Myeong created by devoting Their heart and soul.'

"Hey, wait..."

Yeong Seung tries to negotiate something, but I don't break my focus and instead raise the six-sided club.

'Apologies, Bong Myeong. The principles you created are going to get a little dented today.'

I can only hope Yeong Seung has some self-repairing ability.

Without pause, I swing down the club, striking directly at the principles that make up Yeong Seung.

It's the same method my master used to beat me.

Kwaaaang!

Yeong Seung's principle situated above Indra's Net takes the hit and crumples.

Pishishisik— After witnessing that scene, I return my mind to reality.

What I see the moment I return to reality is Yeong Seung foaming at the mouth and convulsing.

"Hm..."

Looking down at Yeong Seung putting on a show, I gaze up at the sky in satisfaction.

'At last...'

I've finally caught up, at least partially, to my master's footsteps.

'I have managed to manifest a portion of your will. Master...'

I pass by the convulsing Yeong Seung without concern and make my way to a certain location in the Underworld.

To the guest chamber where Hong Fan, my Immortal Treasures, and the ascenders of my Middle Realm are temporarily residing.

Through this opportunity, I have come to gain so much from the Underworld.

Especially, the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra and being able to follow in my master's footsteps is a tremendous gain.

Above all else...

I have now come to understand one of the many secrets of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity.

'The Corpse Mountain Blood Sea of Great Mountain... so that's what it was.'

The Corpse Mountain Blood Sea of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, as the Underworld said, isn't merely some sacrificial offering.

Despite its monstrous appearance, the Corpse Mountain Blood Sea is, in truth, the result of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity's own repentant enlightenment.

'... As I thought, no matter how many times I think about it... you're insane, Senior Brother...'

Cursing the Great Mountain Supreme Deity internally, I steady my breath and open the door to the room where Hong Fan waits.

"Hong Fan. I'm back."

"Oh...! Master. Have you returned safely?"

"..."

Hong Fan looks at me and chuckles, and I slowly raise my hand while staring at him.

'... The first Radiance Supreme Deity, Hong Fan...'

And the true identity of Heuk Sa, who had been retrieving Enders all this time.

And now, the one suspected of having taken my fate.

'Should I... kill you right here and now?'

"...? Master?"

Immediately after— I tightly close my eyes and swing my arm.

Kwadududuk!

A chilling sound reverberates through the surroundings.