Chapter 321: Farewell (3)

...!"

As soon as I hear that name, I feel my body freeze.

Yu Hao Te!

The True Immortal likely connected directly to the True Devil Realm or the Blood Yin Realm!

A colossal presence that might even be related to Hyeon Eum reveals themself before my eyes.

I ask with a trembling voice,

"Why have you called me...?"

However, Yu Hao Te's answer is unexpected.

[I have no particular intentions.]

"Pardon?"

[We Tribunal members are not only judges who judge the dead but also record keepers. I simply enjoy meeting noble beings and recording their stories. You are one of those noble beings, so I wanted to meet you.]

The shadow sits under the Melia tree and gestures.

[Come, sit here. Let's have a chat.]

I have a feeling that the shadow is smiling.

It isn't the sinister smile of Hyeon Eum, the madness-filled grin of the Mad Lord, or the masked smile of Seo Hweol.

It's a truly clear smile.

From that smile, I get that feeling.

I kneel before him.

Although I could have sat cross-legged or comfortably, I feel I have to show respect to the being in front of me.

It isn't because he is a great being, but rather out of a sense of propriety.

I can't help but feel compelled to kneel before the character emanating from him.

"What kind of story would you like to hear?"

[Just about you. Although I can no longer record since I'm already annihilated, listening to stories is one of my hobbies.]

I don't understand and ask,

"I understand you are a being beyond a True Immortal. You seem to have consciousness too...why don't you revive?"

[Haha, I only realized after death. Eternal rest is quite a blessing. The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld created the Wheel of Reincarnation to give everyone another chance and to achieve their purpose, but perhaps the words of the Heavenly Venerable of the Void, who opposed him, were right. Eternal annihilation is, in itself, an infinite blessing.]

"...?"

It's hard to understand.

But at the same time, it seems understandable.

Drip—

Tears start to flow without me realizing it.

Why?

I feel immense envy seeing Yu Hao Te rejoice in annihilation.

[Besides, from your perspective, it might seem like I could resurrect, but that's not the case. I have already died to 'them'. There is no way I can resurrect. The me you are meeting now is just a part of my memory, a lingering image that will dissipate over time.]

"...Who is 'them'?"

[I can't say. Mentioning them will make them notice this place. The Light will immediately break in. I wish to enjoy my last memory in peace without disturbance from the Light.]

"...I won't ask anymore."

I feel fear and erase my question about them from my mind.

"...This is a beautiful place. Where are we?"

I look down at the flower field spread out under the Melia tree and ask.

[This is the edge of the domain of the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable. I came here before with my sister Soo Ryeon. The Melia tree, which my friend Hae Nyeong likes, was brought from here. It's the tree that sealed my Karmic Fire.]

"If it's the domain of a Heavenly Venerable..."

[Well, no need to be too uneasy. After all, this is just a scene from my memory, and the Sal Tree Great King is fundamentally a kind and generous person. Since they are also a friend of my sister, they won't have any issues with you being here through my power.]

"...Thank you."

Yu Hao Te relieves my anxiety about getting involved with a great being and shares a conversation with me.

I share my entire life with him.

Except for the regression part, I share the various events that happened in my life.

After listening to my story from beginning to end, Yu Hao Te leans against the Melia tree and laughs.

[You've lived a good life.]

"It's a life with many shortcomings. I haven't achieved anything, changed anything, or accomplished any great deeds."

[That's what life is. You've done well enough.]

"..."

For some reason.

That single statement almost makes me burst into tears.

In front of Yu Hao Te, I somehow feel like a child.

It feels like my life has been acknowledged.

However, I do not cry.

[You can cry in front of me.]

"...My life still remains, so I'll save the tears for later."

[When will you cry?]

"When I'm certain that I can end my life."

[Is that so? Then you'll cry soon.]

"I'm not sure."

I smile bitterly.

"My life...still has a long way to go."

[Is that so.]

Yu Hao Te nods.

[That's good too.]

"Then I'll be off."

Although he said he wanted to have a conversation, in truth, apart from a few initial questions, he mostly listened to my life story.

I didn't reveal the regression or that I'm an Ender, but just talking about general things made me feel relieved.

Perhaps this is the mercy given to me for repenting my sins.

Yu Hao Te watches me stand up and reaches out his hand.

[Since we met like this, I'll give you some gifts.]

"Are you dispelling the Karmic Fire?"

[Of course not. The Karmic Fire attached to you is your responsibility to bear. What I will give you are two things that seem to suit someone who craves life like you. Thank you for keeping an old man company.]

Wo-woong!

He reaches out his hand into the void.

At the same time, the entire flower field ripples.

Paaaatt!

Then, the shadow of Yu Hao Te, who has reached into the void, begins to shake and soon develops cracks all over his body as if he will shatter.

"Are you alright?"

[Why worry about someone already annihilated? The living should live with a smile.]

Swoosh—

As he pulls his hand out from the void, he holds a cluster of light in his hand.

'No, this is...a flower?'

Looking closely, it isn't light but a 'flower.'

It's just so bright that I mistook it for a cluster of light.

[It's a flower called the Soul-Bearing Flower (魂生花). Using this, you can come back to life once after death. Keep it with you.]

"This, this is..."

[I just stole it from the real domain of the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable, so using it in the living world might get you caught. Since an elder might run wild, be sure to use it only after you've died.]

"...Thank you."

I express my deep gratitude to Yu Hao Te.

Yu Hao Te waves at me with a clear smile.

[Farewell.]

I bow to him and turn around.

Surururu—

Then, the surrounding flower field disappears, and I find myself once again by the lakeside of the Melia tree in the Care Layer.

'...Wait, didn't he say he would give me two gifts?'

At that moment.

I see a bucketful of lake water rising in front of my eyes.

Chuaruruk!

The rising lake water pours over me and then wraps around me, transforming into a solid barrier that protects my entire body.

'Ah, I see.'

Yu Hao Te had used his power to give me a piece of Clear Scale Armor.

As soon as the cold water of the Clear Scale Armor touches my body, I feel a sense of reality returning.

Paaaatt!

Chijichijichijik!

"...!"

Once again, I feel the flames of Karmic Fire burning my soul.

But I ignore it and turn around.

Seo Hweol is still writhing in pain.

Even for Seo Hweol, the pain of the Karmic Fire appears unbearable.

No, perhaps it's even more painful precisely because it's Seo Hweol.

"Does it hurt, Seo Hweol?"

"...It seems you are not in pain?"

He asks back, forcing a smile by manipulating his facial muscles.

I sneer at him and say,

"It feels like I'm going to die."

"As expected, the Karmic Fire is painful for even you."

"I suppose so. Now then, shall we continue what we were doing earlier?"

"Sounds great."

With a forced grin and enduring his groans, Seo Hweol speaks.

"The [woman] I saw...was wearing white and holding a jade norigae."

"...What?"

Is it because of the pain from the Karmic Fire?

Or because the person he mentioned is so unexpected?

I am momentarily taken aback.

Seo Hweol's description points to someone I know very well.

Buk Hyang-hwa.

It's definitely her.

'Why is she in my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections...?'

But then, I flinch.

Seo Hweol's reptilian eyes are staring directly straight into mine.

A bright smile spreads across Seo Hweol's face, a smile unlike anything I have ever seen before.

"As expected..."

"...!"

"She seems to be someone precious to you, Daoist Seo."

Chieok!

Seo Hweol's arm moves, pointing the eyeball on his arm at me.

"You, this bastard...!"

Ziiiiiing—

But before I can continue speaking, Seo Hweol's brainwashing wave strikes me.

Empowered by the pain of the Karmic Fire, I collapse to my knees under the force of his brainwashing.

Seo Hweol grins with satisfaction.

'I have discovered the weakness of the Grade-2 dangerous entity Seo Eun-hyun.'

Just as Seo Eun-hyun had injected a truth serum into Seo Hweol's brain to make it easier to read his intent, Seo Hweol had used the pain of the Karmic Fire to induce a reaction from Seo Eun-hyun.

Facing this pain, even someone with strong mental fortitude will inevitably show a gap.

Seo Eun-hyun believed Seo Hweol was poisoned, but he underestimated the devilish arts of the Blood Yin Realm.

Moving regardless of the poison by burning his life force.

For Seo Hweol, it's an easy task.

But now, there is a problem with his situation.

'I can't connect with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.'

Currently, Seo Hweol can only converse with the remaining ten versions of himself that he absorbed through Blood Yin Returning Home, who were separated by the Immortal Art Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens to confront Seo Eun-hyun.

Even those few Seo Hweols are now reduced to about seven after using the brainwashing waves.

Seo Hweol quickly exchanges opinions.

― We cannot connect to the Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

― The Grade-2 dangerous entity has infused the Heart Tribe's power, making the connection impossible.

― If I consume a few more 'me's, is overcoming it still impossible?

― It's possible. But as a secondary issue, what will we do about the Karmic Fire?

―Indeed, if I, contaminated with Karmic Fire, connect to Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens...

―I might be annihilated by the Karmic Fire. It is desirable to let only the 'me' here be extinguished. There's even a risk of causing □□ to be annihilated.

―It's not just a risk; there's a high probability that □□ will be affected.

The discussion of Seo Hweols finally reach a conclusion.

―For now, let's escape from here and transmit the information to the nearest 'me' using a signal or voice rather than Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens. That's the best solution at the moment.

Kududuguk―

Seo Hweol, poisoned by Hong Fan's venom, moves his body using devilish arts and leaps through the hole Seo Eun-hyun had created with a smile.

[Stop right there!]

From behind, the Ghost King Seo Li with his eighteen heads roaring chases after Seo Hweol.

"Quite grotesque indeed, Daoist Seo."

Seo Hweol smiles faintly with a grin and extends his hand.

Demon ability.

Grand Ocean Thousand Li Pearl.

Three Hundred Million Jin Sweet Water Peach.

Chuarururu!

A massive prison of water engulfs Seo Li, and the weight of the water becomes overwhelmingly heavy.

However, curses soon blacken the water, and Seo Hweol's demon ability explodes in the void, turning into ink droplets.

Chwarurururu!

It appears as though it's raining black ink.

Seo Hweol, almost reaching the Water Flow Layer, forms another hand seal.

Demon ability.

Dragon Sea Exceeding Ascension.

A massive sea dragon-shaped water column coils around him.

Chwaaaak!

Hong Fan, approaching Seo Hweol, swings his claws.

As the dark poison energy touches the seawater, the seawater turns into a mist, scattering the mirage.

As the curse and poison spreads everywhere, Seo Hweol's body begins to rot.

Tadatt!

Despite his condition, Seo Hweol forces his body to move and runs towards the entrance of the Water Flow Layer.

'Almost there. Just a little more.'

Demon ability.

Dragon Flowing River (龍流河).

Chwararararak!

A dragon-shaped stream is summoned beneath Seo Hweol's feet.

He rides the stream, crossing the Water Flow Layer.

'It's right ahead!'

Then, Seo Hweol feels an overwhelming sense of foreboding engulf his entire body.

'What is this?'

It's ominous (凶).

The body Seo Hweol is currently possessing belonged to a cultivator from the Heaven Tribe, a disciple of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.

Thus, he can see celestial energy, and in his foresight, he sees immense misfortune along with Seo Eun-hyun chasing him from behind.

'Has the Grade-2 dangerous entity already regained his mind?'

Throb, throb...

I shake off the remnants of Seo Hweol's brainwashing wave.

My head is throbbing.

But despite Seo Hweol's attack, a smile doesn't leave my lips.

"Seo Hweol, you are truly...a tree that doesn't stop giving."

The informational construct Seo Hweol left behind before leaving my body.

I had struggled to interpret this construct, but thanks to Seo Hweol's brainwashing wave, the construct was completely interpreted.

The informational construct is something Seo Hweol had left in my head after seeing 'something' in my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections that caused his head to turn into salt, inflicting a fatal injury.

Unable to handle the toxicity from what he saw, Seo Hweol left it in my head.

However, I was able to interpret and accept the informational construct.

This is because the toxicity of the information was weakened through the filter of Seo Hweol.

Of course, I can feel that it's a degraded version compared to the original.

It's a kind of deteriorated version through Seo Hweol.

However, as a degraded version, it no longer has the side effect of turning me into salt upon recognition, making it a perfect formula for me.

The name of this formula, which I have longed for endlessly, is the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.

Seo Hweol had thrown this formula into my head and left without acquiring the knowledge himself!

Wo-woong―

I move the Qi (氣) according to the formula's operation.

Attraction force envelops my hands.

Paatt!

Kugwagwang!

I become a streak of light, piercing through the Care Layer and the Dao Departure Layer, landing in the Water Flow Layer.

I can see Seo Hweol fleeing in the distance.

For some reason, I feel a salty taste inside my mouth.

No, salt is actually sprouting from my arms.

It isn't as severe as when I saw [it] in the Head Realm, or when Seo Hweol saw [something] in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, but the degraded Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique also turns parts of my body into salt.

Of course, this isn't enough to be fatal; it's to a degree that I can regenerate from sufficiently.

"Seo Li!"

Even before I speak, Seo Li senses my intention and is already by my side.

Seo Li possesses my body.

With my left hand, Seo Li casts the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.

With my right hand, I activate the White Orchid Blessing Incantation.

Chwararararak!

In his true form, Hong Fan quickly crawls under me, lifts me up, and starts chasing Seo Hweol.

Wiiiiiing―

Drawing on the power of black and white in both hands, I recite an invocation.

[Great Mountain (太山)!]

"Hoho...Hohohoho...!"

A house (屋) of Yin-Yang and Five Elements beings to form around Seo Hweol.

[Splitting Emperor (裂帝)!]

Simultaneously, Seo Hweol extends his arm towards me.

I can feel it.

Ziiiiiing!

Seo Hweol seems to be trying to neutralize the 'Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique' by emitting brainwashing waves, consuming his own personas in the process.

And for some unknown reason, the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique feels 'neutralized' when it touches his brainwashing wave.

Countless questions cross Seo Hweol's mind.

'Just how? Why? The Mountain God's power all of a sudden...?'

'I must neutralize it. If I don't neutralize it, I will die.'

'If I can somehow convey the Class-2 dangerous entity's weakness to Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, I win.'

'The Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique inherently affects the consciousness and the soul. If I sacrifice my persona as an offering, it will disintegrate my persona instead of disintegrating me.'

'I will emit my persona to neutralize it.'

Wo-woong!

Seo Hweol emits the remaining six brainwashing waves.

All six personas scatter, neutralizing the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.

However, Seo Hweol clicks his tongue.

'This is not enough.'

He can feel the madness and determination of the Class-2 dangerous entity, Seo Eun-hyun.

He is concentrating his power.

The will to catch Seo Hweol no matter what!

However, Seo Hweol laughs.

"This is quite frightening. But, Daoist Seo,"

He sees Seo Eun-hyun chasing him from behind.

Seo Eun-hyun, who hasn't fully retracted all eighteen of his heads due to hastily possessing, chases after Seo Hweol while riding a house-sized centipede, creating a bizarre sight.

However, instead of trembling with fear, Seo Hweol smiles faintly and says,

"Shouldn't you pay a little more attention to your own subordinates?"

Freeze!

Simultaneously, Hong Fan, who is carrying Seo Eun-hyun, comes to a sudden halt.

'Although not much time has passed since we met, and the configuration hasn't fully controlled the mind...'

According to his calculations, he should have bought around half a tea time (7 minutes)!

Kuaduduk!

Taking advantage of Hong Fan's halt, Seo Hweol breaks through the house of Yin-Yang and Five Elements and escapes from the attack range of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.

However, a menacing voice is heard from behind.

[You trash. How dare you commit such a treacherous act against not only me but also my master...!]

'Huh?'

Seo Hweol's eyes twitch.

'What? The brainwashing didn't work?'

Hong Fan only paused for about a second before he resumed chasing Seo Hweol while carrying Seo Eun-hyun, unaffected.

Seo Hweol has no choice but to be a bit flustered.

'No, the brainwashing that affected the mind has moved 'somewhere else'.'

It feels like pouring water into a bottomless jar.

Seo Hweol tries to communicate with his mental configuration within Hong Fan's mind.

But he feels an unfathomable abyss and immediately cuts off the connection.

'It doesn't matter. I'm getting out now!'

Taatt!

Seo Hweol sprints with all his might and finally reaches the outside of the storage scroll.

He arrives at the illusion formation.

Paatt!

Using the Flying Escape Technique, Seo Hweol soars into the sky.

He tries to jump outside the illusion formation.

And at that moment,

Clench!

Seo Eun-hyun, now with nineteen heads, grabs Seo Hweol's leg.

"Where do you think you're going, Seo Hweol? Don't we have some scores to settle?"

"You're quite persistent, Daoist Seo."

Seo Hweol smiles faintly and, without hesitation, severs his lower body.

Chwaaak!

Wriggle, wriggle!

The heads of Ghost King Seo Li crawl out, opening their mouths to catch Seo Hweol.

But Seo Hweol is faster by a split second.

Paaatt!

Finally, Seo Hweol succeeds in completely escaping from the storage scroll.

Chwaaak!

Seo Hweol, who has emerged from the celestial pond, pants heavily as he hastily begins drawing a spell formation on the ground with his own blood.

'I can't connect directly to Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens. It's impossible because of the Class-2 dangerous entity's Heart Tribe method and the Karmic Fire. Before Seo Eun-hyun catches up, I need to send a signal at least vocally...'

Wuduk.

Seo Hweol stops his hand while drawing the spell formation.

The Dead Earth Domain is an endless desert.

At night, darkness fills the sky, but during the day, light scorches the entire land.

There couldn't be any shadows anywhere.

However, for some reason, Seo Hweol feels that it's dark around him.

Seo Hweol, sensing an overwhelming feeling of ominousness from the Heaven Tribe body's senses, looks up at the sky with a blank expression.

A Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress is floating there.

An all-too-familiar voice echoes from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.

[Oh~ Who do we have here? Isn't it our little cutie Snake-Scorpion King?]

"...Ha, haha. Mad Old Man."

With a face as stiff as wood, Seo Hweol forces a smile.

"May I contact someone for just a moment?"

[Nononononowhoareyoutryingtocontactwithmerighthereinfrontofyou!!!!!!]

Gritting his teeth, vSeo Hweol frantically tries to complete the spell formation.

'To the Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, to the Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens! I must register Seo Eun-hyun's weakness!'

Then, a clicking sound is heard from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, and one of the massive cannons attached to it aims at Seo Hweol.

[Finally, our ill-fated connection comes to an end! To my lifelong rival, this Mad Lord Jo Yeon pays his respect. [She] says the same. Now, then...]

"Wait, Old Man. Wait...!"

A colossal light fills between Heaven and Earth.

"Ah..."

Seo Hweol lets out a hollow laugh.

"I must...inform the weakness..."

He is engulfed by the light.

Having realized Seo Eun-hyun's weakness, Seo Hweol closes his eyes for the last time, hearing the voice of the Mad Lord.

[Farewell.]