Chapter 355: Why Is It
Read more at Nineheavens.org
Chapter 355 – Why Is It?
The place the party had arrived at was truly an Immortal’s Separate Realm.
The extremely beautiful scenery unfolding beneath the mystically magnified moon.
The lush forest ahead and beyond, with the high cliff bluffs lined up like a folding screen, evoked the image of a massive fortress or stronghold.
Far to the left and right, several waterfalls intertwined with valleys occasionally showed their faces while ringing out serene songs, and the round and wide grassland where the many people currently stood was full of blooming strange flowers and unusual grasses of all colors that they had never seen or heard of before.
Moreover, here and there on the field, dozens of large and small ponds sparkled beautifully, receiving the elegant moonlight.
Was that all?
To one side, a small river also flowed in winding curves.
Behind the riverside, trees grew densely, and directly behind that, two enormous rock formations stood tall, connected like a cloud bridge.
It looked as if two large human heads were pressing their foreheads together.
It was truly enchanting.
No matter where one looked in all directions of the grassland, it was an exquisite and secluded scenery where not even a trace of worldly air could be found.
Even Divine Wind and the Heaven-Piercing Divine Birds showed excited expressions upon encountering the natural energy of the Immortal’s Separate Realm.
But the reason the party had marveled earlier was not because of the surrounding scenery.
The sky directly ahead.
Precisely, the cause was an object floating gently above the trees, which were arranged as if forming a formation, large and circular.
About thirty ancient trees were tremendously gigantic.
Moreover, each one had a spiral shape as if its body had grown twisted.
A truly peculiar appearance.
However.
What was floating in the sky was even more peculiar than that.
It boasted an enormous size and was even gently wrapped in light like dawn.
Amid the party each marveling, Hae Su-yeon muttered with a blank expression.
“I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
At that, Namgung Sang-rin beside her nodded.
“Yes, me too. It’s said to be a mystical zone that the past Martial Immortal created while obtaining enlightenment, and indeed…”
His younger brother Namgung Heon-rin standing alongside him and Murong Family’s eldest daughter Murong Seol also quietly added their words.
“Brother, how on earth should we explain that?”
“Sang-rin, Heon-rin… that goes beyond mystical to a feeling of wonder. It really leaves me speechless. Right?”
At that moment, Cui Lan, whose blank eyes had adjusted, turned her head to the side and asked.
“Woo-unnis… You’re seeing the same thing as me, right? Wow… I can’t believe it.”
Hae Su-yeon and Mae Yak-bang, having also withdrawn their gazes, opened their mouths in succession.
“Hohoot, I can’t believe it either. To think something that huge is emitting light and floating like a cloud.”
“I’m glad I became a guest of White Peak Sword Sect. Where else could one have such a rare experience?”
At that, Cui Lan pointed at the sky with her finger.
“Everyone around sees that coffin too, right? For some reason, I’m scared there might be someone’s corpse inside it, but…”
The many people who heard her words were bewildered.
“What! A coffin?”
“No, you say you see a coffin…?”
“What does that…!”
Cui Lan was flustered by the crowd’s reaction.
“Eh? Why, why is everyone acting like that?”
Soon, Mun Bin replied with a puzzled expression.
“Um, Miss Cui, to my eyes it looks like a figure in the shape of a yaksha deity draped in thick black robes, though…?”
Gongseul Dan-yeong to the side waved her hand.
“Oh my, not at all. Then what am I seeing? It clearly looks like a shadow shaped like a fantastical celestial maiden.”
Not to be outdone, Seol Pan-gyo spoke with a dumbfounded expression.
“What? That’s strange. No matter how I look, it appears to be exactly like a huge blue jade ring…”
To him, the glowing object in the sky looked like nothing but a transparent orb with the bright color of the clear sky.
Starting from that, the party each threw in a word or two.
Everyone’s words were all different.
What Mountain Shattering Sword Beon-sa of Broken Mountain Sword Manor saw was a scene of shattered rocky mountains compressed into a circular form, and what captured the pupils of Black Cloud Young Master Hwa-seong of the Jincheon Sword Palace was black and round clumped fog and clouds, and Divine Kun Saber Talent On-ga of the Giant Roc Saber Gate was in the midst of seeing a kun fish swimming inside swirling compressed water.
Also, what was projected in the pupils of Violent Wolf Blade of Jackal Wolf Blade Sect was a blood-smeared ferocious wolf.
But… only the top of its head had a clump of hair missing.
Even that wolf’s appearance was bald.
Perhaps his own appearance was being reflected.
Members including Baek Lim of Mount Heng Sect, as well as Central Peak Morning Star Hyo-gak of Shaolin Temple, Three Absolutes Azure Crane Chang-woon of Wudang Sect, Buddha Crown Martial Flower Myo Jeong-mun of Potalsa Temple, and Prosperous Flower Sword Son Im Kang-yu Son Im Gang-yu of Mount Hua Sect were the same.
Each respectively saw majestic Ten Li Pointed Peaks reflected in a round mirror, Shakyamuni Buddha sitting on a large golden lotus seat, a Taiji Diagram slowly rotating wrapped in peculiar clouds, the sacred Guanyin Bodhisattva in a half-lotus posture draped in silk, and a round ceremonial tool strung with hundreds of plum blossom leaf-shaped jade rings – not a single thing that looked the same.
As the martial talents were thus offering divided accounts, Iron Blood Martial Alliance Leader Sword Wheel Crown Prince Gwi Je-shin spoke.
“I see something like a round martial tool made of gray iron. What do you see, Castle Lord Beop?”
At that, Solar Sword Saint Castle Lord Sun Pattern Great Lord Beop-yeol beside him let out a snicker.
“Hoot… Completely different. What I see is a round gate of flame like a shrunk sun. Like an entrance to the realm of the Fire God…”
Nine Tiger Blade Gang Gang leader Chopping Wave Saber Tiger Ji Jang-jong right beside them also opened his mouth.
“What I see is a pack of tigers forming a circular formation.”
The three exchanged words and then clicked their tongues.
How could this be?
While the party was perplexed, Crow Pattern Sword Hall Master Flash Blade Tyrant Do Woo-pung and South Lake Sword Sect Master Great Lake Sword Elder Byeok Woo-ham, who had set foot here earlier, quietly wore faint smiles as if they had expected such a reaction.
At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice was heard.
“That is a fragment of the Martial Immortal’s soul energy. In other words, it’s spiritual energy arranged so that it cannot be taken except by a true successor, and it’s influencing others. That’s why everyone sees it differently. If you’re tempted by what you see and think it’s energy related to your own martial arts and touch it, you’ll suffer great calamity. Depending on the degree, you might die instantly.”
At that, the party around exclaimed again.
Everyone had newly enlightened expressions.
Just how great a martial artist the past Martial Immortal had been.
Just this fragmentary phenomenon alone gave a glimpse of that.
Immediately after, Namgung Sang-rin revealed his curiosity.
“Then… what does Sect Master Cheol see?”
“An old man with the appearance of an immortal.”
“…!”
“It’s the past Martial Immortal. Well, I’m seeing him for the first time too.”
Cheol Ryu-heun said that while inwardly chuckling.
‘Hoot. What do you mean first time, I also came here before.’
That wasn’t all.
In addition to Martial Immortal Dongbang Ya’s soul energy fragment, there was also a divine power fragment from his Divine Martial Sword days.
Those two had merged with Nature’s mystical power and been left behind in this place.
Meanwhile.
Gun Mu-ak, without telling what he saw, cast Secret Secret Sound Transmission.
It was a question directed at his two attendants.
Little-Face Bell Demoness Eun Yi-bi and Delusional Seductive Demoness Ya Baek-ji answered via Secret Secret Sound Transmission.
Gun Mu-ak, having quietly nodded, let his gaze sink deeply.
‘Those two are no different either. Everyone is experiencing optical illusions related to their own characteristics, but… why is it that I see that sword?’
With that thought, he looked up at the sky again.
The object projected in his brown pupils.
It was exactly the same form as a weapon he had seen in the Heavenly Demon Cult’s archives in the past.
That picture could never be forgotten until he died.
It was as deeply engraved in his mind as the core verses of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
That was because it was a drawing that precisely depicted the Divine Martial Sword, the greatest and strongest divine weapon that the Heavenly Demon had possessed.
The total length of the blade, the size of the handle, the width of the edge… Since he had seen it countless times since childhood, he remembered even the small details clearly.
Therefore, he was certain.
That the sword in the sky was identical to the Divine Martial Sword, foremost of the Ten Great Heavenly Weapons.
But it was difficult to understand.
He, the current Grand Prelate of Heavenly Demon Cult, had no connection with the Divine Martial Sword.
If something related to the Heavenly Demon Divine Art or the appearance of the first Cult Leader Heavenly Demon were visible, it would make sense… or else he’d rather see nothing at all.
Then suddenly, a thought occurred to him about something.
‘Could it be…?’
It was a question of whether the Martial Immortal’s soul energy fragment was related to the Divine Martial Sword, and whether that also had some kind of connection with Cheol Ryu-heun.
If he watched quietly, he might come to know something.
When the moment arrives that Cheol Ryu-heun takes that in some manner and becomes even stronger.
‘Let’s wait and see.’
Having thought thus, Gun Mu-ak withdrew his gaze expressionlessly.
Soon, Cheol Ryu-heun’s gaze rested on the forest to the left.
“Are the people who received rescue over there?”
At that, Byeok Woo-ham answered with a nod.
“Yes, everyone is gathered there waiting.”
Cheol Ryu-heun, having nodded in response, spoke while sending a hand gesture.
“Everyone, tonight we will go there and rest. And tomorrow, I’ll begin the main work. Now, let’s go.”
“Yes!”
Thus, everyone moved in a line toward the lush forest.
* * *
“They’re coming this way.”
Hegemon of Poison Paramount Meng Wang muttered thus while shifting his gaze beyond the thicket into the dark space.
His youngest daughter Meng Min also turned her gaze along with him.
Sure enough, presences were being sensed from afar.
Meng Min was inwardly impressed.
‘Such exquisite footwork!’
The movement of the feet was covert yet very fast.
Soon, the sound of footsteps following behind the leading Aura was additionally detected.
It seemed to exceed at least ten people.
But she didn’t particularly assume a vigilant posture.
The reason was simple.
Because the owners of those presences were personnel with whom a meeting here at this place with its vast swamp had been pre-arranged.
Before long, the two discovered faint lights.
Meng Wang raised his voice and threw it toward that direction.
“Be at ease! I have dealt with all the Yellow Armored Crocodiles!”
Soon, a group carrying torches appeared.
Over ten swordsmen including a middle-aged beautiful woman.
“You came first. It is an honor to meet Palace Master Meng.”
A middle-aged woman at the head of the group showed a fist-and-palm salute and greeted him respectfully.
She was a noblewoman in her early fifties with light pink attire and exceptional grace.
Meng Wang, having drawn a gentle smile, waved his large hand.
“Rather, I consider it an honor. When else would I have an opportunity to join hands and fight with a famous lady of the Orthodox path?”
He didn’t bother with introductions because he recognized at once who the middle-aged beautiful woman was.
Setting aside the splendid clothes with white chrysanthemums fully bloomed and embroidered numerously, just by the chrysanthemum-decorated hairpin that fixed her neatly gathered hair, he could readily guess.
It was a hairpin famous as the symbol of the highest rank at Chrysanthemum Martial Hall, a prominent Orthodox martial organization within the Guizhou region.
That’s right.
The identity of the noblewoman was Chrysanthemum Fragrance Sword Mother, the female high master counted as first among Three Upper Seats of Guizhou.
The male and female swordsmen following behind her were members of Chrysanthemum Martial Hall’s subordinate elite group, the Wild Chrysanthemum Sword Squad.
“I’m pleased to meet you. My name is Meng Min. Hall Master Byeok, as I’ve heard, you are graceful and beautiful.”
As Meng Min was politely paying her respects thus.
-Kawung, kawuung!
A roar that chilled the heart and liver echoed.
Meng Wang, having immediately spun around, gazed toward the rear.
“Ho-oh, is a new venomous creature approaching?”
No sooner had his words ended.
WAJIKKUN, WAJIKKUN……!
Ancient trees beyond the direction his gaze rested on were toppled one after another, and a large shadow came charging fiercely and rapidly.
“Kawung!”
Not to be outdone, Meng Wang also dashed and compressed the gap.
PEOPEOK- KWAKWANG!
Immediately after the two fists collided hard, Meng Wang’s massive frame slid backward.
In contrast, the large shadow merely staggered slightly back and forth on the spot for just a brief moment.
Upon seeing that, the expressions of Meng Min and Byeok Song-ha’s group quickly hardened.
‘No, that’s…!’
The true form of the shadow entering the party’s view was a gigantic ape.
Covered entirely in silver fur, its height far exceeded eight cheok, and it boasted muscles like lumps of stone stuck together…
Moreover, even its hulking build was bigger than Meng Wang’s.
At that moment.
Meng Wang, who had been pushed back, spoke while flashing his eyes.
“It’s a Silver-Furred Divine Ape. This is unexpected…”
The expressions of the party who heard that became even more rigid.
The Silver-Furred Divine Ape was a legendary monster possessing a solid body and terrifying monstrous strength.
It was too much to handle with pure strength, had carnivorous habits so it also ate humans, and on top of that, a terror had appeared that was said to neutralize even Internal energy attacks with its steel-like outer skin.
At that moment, roars were heard in succession, and over ten more Silver-Furred Divine Apes appeared ahead.
“Kawung!”
“Kawuung!”
“Kawung!”
The Silver-Furred Divine Apes each swung their arms widely or pounded their chests hard while freely emitting chillingly violent killing intent and madness.
Byeok Song-ha, drawing her sword, expressed concern.
“Of all things, Silver-Furred Divine Apes appearing… the Ghost Cloud Great Bee swarm won’t work on them…”
But Meng Wang himself wore a relaxed expression while raising the corners of his mouth.
“Hoot, we too have prepared as thoroughly as the enemy.”
Suddenly, the waters of the swamp where Yellow Armored Crocodile carcasses were strewn about surged greatly like a tidal wave.
“Ppuuuuuuuu!”
Alarmingly, along with a clamorous sound, an existence exceeding thirteen cheok burst out, throwing up a spray of water, with KUNG, KUNG!