Chapter 369: The Revealed Truth (2)
A realm beyond the Flowering Stage.
Anyone had probably imagined it at least once. That was only natural, because even after reaching the Flowering Stage, it was not as though the end of martial arts came into view—only its boundlessness did.
That was why Flowering Stage martial artists continued to devote themselves to martial training even when there was no longer anyone in Murim who could stand against them.
Because instinctively, they had realized there was something beyond it.
But in truth, no one had ever reached a realm beyond the Flowering Stage.
For the past several hundred years. In every era, there had been at least a few Flowering Stage martial artists, but there were no records of any of them advancing to the next level.
If there was any exception at all, it would have been the legendary beings whose very existence was still debated even within Murim.
Bodhidharma, who was said to have established all of Shaolin’s martial arts, or the Sword Immortal Lü Dongbin, who was said to have become the root of all Daoist martial arts.
Only figures with that much presence in Murim’s history were speculated to have reached a realm beyond the Flowering Stage.
The idea that the Flowering Stage was the end of human martial arts had been a kind of common sense.
But Seo Mun-Hwarin said it. That the Heavenly Demon had clearly ascended to a realm beyond it.
Because he had gone beyond human and reached a realm akin to that of an immortal, it was the Divine Realm.
Because he had touched profound principles that even absolute masters who had reached the Flowering Stage could not comprehend, it was the Mysterious Realm.
The expressions of the other Flowering Stage martial artists, who could not possibly fail to understand the meaning, turned grave.
“Did such a realm... really exist?”
“At least to this lady’s eyes, it was certain. I could sense a gap even more distant than the one between the Sub-Perfection stage and the Flowering Stage.”
“How could such an opponent come from the Demonic Cult.......”
The Murim Alliance Leader squeezed his eyes shut and let out a lament. Venerable Jeong Hyeon lightly patted his shoulder and opened his mouth.
“I trust that Donor Seo Mun did not bring this up merely to tell us to give up early. There must be some method, is there
not?”
“Correct. As long as the Heavenly Demon is aiming for the Central Plains and Cheon Hwi-da, this lady has no intention of giving up until the very end.”
Having said that, Seo Mun-Hwarin turned her gaze toward Tang Sowol.
“In the memories I saw, the only Flowering Stage martial artist who fought the Heavenly Demon to the very end was Sowol alone.”
“No way......??”
Tang Jincheon’s eyes widened as though he had guessed what she was about to say. Seo Mun-Hwarin nodded toward him.
“The reason Sowol survived until the end is simple. Everyone believed that only Sowol’s poison could bring down the Heavenly Demon, and so they kept her alive even at the cost of sacrificing themselves.”
That was true. Before becoming the Sky-Winged Poison Phoenix. Back when Tang Sowol had still been a Sub-Perfection master, she had been strong, but not to the point of standing out that much.
However, after defeating the Poison Demon and reaching the Flowering Stage, Tang Sowol instantly rose to become one of the most important figures in the Orthodox and Unorthodox Alliance.
Because only her poison could melt the Heavenly Demon’s qi.
That was why the Flowering Stage martial artist who survived until the end was Tang Sowol, and in fact, at the final moment, her poison had succeeded in burning at least a little of the Heavenly Demon’s flesh.
“The Heavenly Demon will surely be strong. Perhaps even at this very moment, he may already be eyeing a realm beyond the Mysterious Realm. But from ancient times, there has been nothing better than poison for bringing down an opponent stronger than oneself.”
As she said that, Seo Mun-Hwarin grabbed the hand of the dazed-looking Tang Sowol and pulled her forward.
In an instant, Tang Sowol was thrown into the middle of several core figures of the Murim Alliance.
Poking her head out from behind Tang Sowol, Seo Mun-Hwarin continued in a serious voice.
“Therefore, this lady proposes that all the Murim Alliance’s resources be focused on Sowol, to help her quickly advance to the next realm. Someday, when the Flowering Stage martial artists of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Alliance join forces against the Heavenly Demon, whether or not Sowol is with them will make a tremendous difference.”
The Sichuan Tang Clan had already become absurdly powerful as the clan called the greatest under heaven.
If they were to openly push Tang Sowol as well, not only would there be backlash from those around them, but the balance of Murim could collapse afterward.
After pondering for a long time, the Murim Alliance Leader finally spoke.
“Poison King.”
“Speak. The Tang Clan will do what it can on its own, but as for the Murim Alliance’s decision, we will follow the Alliance Leader’s will.”
“To be honest, it is hard to believe. In the end, it is a scene I have never seen and cannot see, and under circumstances where I cannot know whether it is a delusion or a lie.”
“I understand.”
“However, I know well enough the Heavenly Demon’s strength and his viciousness.”
He had not fought him directly like the Black Lotus Sect Master, but the Murim Alliance Leader was one who had heard such reports from all over.
And recently, had there not also been the matter of the revived Salwang, the affair at Potala Palace, and then even Kunlun’s destruction in succession?
He surely also knew well that there was no goodness in the Heavenly Demon.
That was why he arrived at this conclusion.
“The Murim Alliance will gladly spare no support for the Sky-Winged Poison Phoenix. We will bring out all the poisons hidden in our storehouses, and if it is something that can be obtained in the Central Plains, we will procure any spiritual medicine for her. However, there is one condition.”
“What is it?”
“Once this matter is over, I would like the Tang Clan to leave the Murim Alliance.”
“Mm???”
“It is fine for there to be a force as strong as the Murim Alliance. But if there is a dominant force within the Murim Alliance, would that not make the organization lose the meaning of its existence?”
“That is reasonable.”
The Murim Alliance had originally been an organization meant to mediate between Orthodox Sect martial artists and to handle the major and minor affairs of the Central Plains Murim as peacefully as possible.
But if the Sichuan Tang Clan grew too large, everyone would only watch the Tang Clan’s mood, and proper functioning would become impossible.
Rather, just as they dealt with the Black Lotus Sect or the imperial family, treating the Tang Clan as a completely separate force would likely be the way to preserve the identity of the Murim Alliance.
The Murim Alliance Leader’s decision was drastic, yet at the same time, it was a choice I could fully understand.
What Tang Jincheon said next, however, was something I truly had not expected.
“I had already been worrying quite a bit because of my son-in-law anyway.”
“Pardon? Have I done something, Father-in-law?”
“Surely you are not saying that the title of Number One of the Unorthodox Faction means nothing, son-in-law?”
“Ah.???”
The rumor that an Orthodox Sect clan had a son-in-law who was the Number One of the Unorthodox Faction really was fatal.
Wouldn’t both the Orthodox and the Unorthodox sides see him as a thorn in their eye?
No matter how much the Tang Clan had become the greatest clan under heaven, burdensome things were still burdensome.
“Therefore, I intend to use this opportunity for the Tang Clan to become a clan that stands between Orthodox and Unorthodox. That will be better for Sowol and for you as well.”
“I understand.”
As Tang Jincheon said, if the Tang Clan became one that stood between Orthodox and Unorthodox, and if the Orthodox and Unorthodox Alliance was soon to be formed—
Then Tang Sowol would be able to receive support without hesitation, and I too would be able to comfortably borrow the Black Lotus Sect’s strength, would I not?
Well. Under normal circumstances, we would have been treated as belonging to neither side and unable to mix anywhere.
But in this situation, where the Murim Alliance Leader had resolved to support Tang Sowol in order to oppose the Heavenly Demon, and where I was being treated half like the next Black Lotus Sect Master as the Number One of the Unorthodox Faction, both of us would be able to draw freely upon the power of both sides.
At least for this particular time, Tang Jincheon’s judgment was correct. But.
“Father. The Tang Clan has endured all kinds of talk until now while still insisting on remaining Orthodox. If you are doing this because of me...”
“No. No, Sowol. It is not because of you, but because the clan has grown too large, and because the Heavenly Demon was too strong, and because my son-in-law has somehow become a great star of the Unorthodox Faction.”
“Mm. If it is because of Brother Cheon, then there is nothing to be done.”
“......???”
“We cannot send Brother Cheon away, can we.”
Tang Jincheon was first dumbfounded by Tang Sowol’s attitude, which had suddenly changed in a flash, and then suddenly looked aggrieved.
He opened and closed his mouth before needlessly glaring in my direction.
It was not very scary anymore. Tang Jincheon’s poison and martial arts, to me now...... no, I should stop there.
I was a person who knew propriety this well.
As I felt pleased with myself inside, Illusory Illusion Witch, apparently thinking the conversation had been roughly settled, carefully opened her mouth.
“Umm.. in order to respond to the Demonic Cult and Potala Palace’s evil methods, I think I will need appropriate support too........”
“Huh??”
“From what I saw earlier, that Zhuge-whatever had some very precious tools for someone of his skill...... if you would share some with me too, I could really put them to good use.”
“Now, Illusory Illusion Witch. Even if the Orthodox and Unorthodox Alliance is soon to be formed, is it not a bit much for someone from the Unorthodox Faction to so boldly demand that the Murim Alliance hand over its possessions?”
“Uut.”
Did she think the Murim Alliance Leader’s words made sense? Instead of saying anything more, Illusory Illusion Witch quietly shuffled over toward me.
As though sharing a secret, she whispered softly and began rubbing her hands together.
“Hehe, White Moon Sword Lord, you know very well already that I am White Moon Sword Lord’s person...... right??”
“S-so... for the sake of an obedient subordinate, wouldn’t you consider preparing a little gift? I might be so overflowing with motivation that I produce astonishing results, you know......?”
“Haah..”
Seeing her in such a way that could even be called servile, a sigh escaped me naturally.
As I pressed firmly against my slightly throbbing temple with my palm, was this still not enough for her?
Illusory Illusion Witch gave a strange smile that was half gloomy and half awkward.
No, as though even that was not enough, she raised her trembling arms and even poked both of her cheeks with her index fingers.
“P-please......”
“Have you finally gone mad, Illusory Illusion Witch.”
Her deviation had clearly reached her very marrow.
Otherwise, how could she make such a posture and voice without even having undergone Rejuvenation like Seo Mun-Hwarin?
Even that was incredibly clumsy.
Unable to endure it any longer, I spread my hand wide and grabbed Illusory Illusion Witch’s head.
“Huhek.”
Was it because her hair was messy and made it look bigger? When I actually grabbed it like this, it was rather small. Even after wrapping my whole hand around her head, there was still a little room left.
Sensing that something had gone wrong, Illusory Illusion Witch flinched and belatedly tried to pull herself away, but..
Squeeze-!
“Hieeeeeeeek!”
It was already too late.
With her head firmly crushed under my grip, Illusory Illusion Witch struggled for quite a while before eventually going limp.
Only after confirming there was no particular reaction did I release my hand, at which point Illusory Illusion Witch collapsed to the floor with a thud.
With dead, unfocused eyes, she muttered,
“Why......? Thirty years ago, this worked perfectly well......”
“That was because it was thirty years ago.”
“I hate the passing of time......”
“No, I am not even sure it worked thirty years ago. Be honest. Did you not use some kind of evil method back then?”
“A little Soul-Enchanting Art?”
“Ah, I did not use it on White Moon Sword Lord anyway, because it would not work on you!”
“Haah.”
This was driving me insane. I truly did not know what I was supposed to do with this woman.
Anyway, why was it so hard to find a sane person among Flowering Stage martial artists? They all clearly had one kind of madness or another, big or small.
“As expected, I am the only sane one.”
“!!???”
Illusory Illusion Witch looked as though she had a lot to say, but the moment our eyes met, she clutched her own head and fell silent.
Still, she was quick-witted.
***
About ten days later.
For the first time in Murim history, the Orthodox Faction and the Unorthodox Faction joined hands.
And the first thing the Orthodox and Unorthodox Alliance did was persuade the imperial family of the danger posed by the Demonic Cult.
“This is too long. If they have no intention of helping, can’t we just tell them to shut up? It feels like a few sword swings would do it.”
“We call that treason, Brother Cheon.”
Oops.