Chapter 76: Fate (1)

Chapter 76: Fate (1)

[Ah, who might this be? Isn't this the trio? It seems like just yesterday when you three were at the Nascent Soul stage, and now you've grown so much!]

[Mad Lord!!!!!!]

White Bone Ghost Devil widens their eyes, scattering dark ghostly energy.

Their sharp roar makes the four directions tremble and the heavens and earth quake.

[You, you...!!!]

"Hey, are we really going to make such a disgraceful scene before the Ascension Gate?

"Anyway, that old man probably doesn't want to cause unnecessary trouble before the Ascension Gate opens either."

As White Bone Ghost Devil is about to erupt, Jin Byuk-ho and Sir Chang-ho holds them back by their shoulders.

Mad Lord chuckles at them and then leapes down from his puppet, landing in front of us.

[Your words ring true. At this auspicious time when the heavens open, I don't want to create unnecessary trouble. So, if you hand over that mortal to me, I shall just leave.]

At his words, the three Heavenly Being cultivators gave a cold laugh and stood in front of us, blocking his path.

Jin Byuk-ho locked eyes with Mad Lord and spoke.

"Sorry, but they all possess talents beyond imagination, so it's difficult to hand them over."

"Don't be too greedy, old man. You've already taken the core of our Nether Crossing Ship. What more do you desire?"

Hearing this, Mad Lord chuckles and strokes his beard.

[Ah, right. The power source I took from your stomach, it works brilliantly. I've modified and installed it as [Her] heart. Thanks to you, [She] has become more complete. I'm always grateful to your Black Ghost Valley]

White Bone Ghost Devil's pale face turns crimson with anger.

"You... installed the power source of the Nether Crossing Ship in a mere puppet..! That power source, stronger than the combined dragon veins of a major sect, in a mere puppet..!"

[A mere puppet..?]

Mad Lord's expression hardens.

[Say it again. [She] is just a mere puppet..? [She] is alive. [She] will become a complete being. [She] is everything in my life..! You want me to smash the rest of the Nether Crossing Ships..!]

Koong!

Mad Lord takes out a wooden box from his bosom and throws it, making it expand to his size.

He places his hand on the lid of the large wooden box.

'A storage device..?'

The same kind of spiritual energy fluctuation that comes from storage devices is flowing out of the box.

At the same time, it feels much heavier, as if it contains far more than a typical storage device.

Creak-

Just as Mad Lord is about to lift the lid of the wooden box.

"It's better not to open that, Mad Lord..!"

Chaaak!

White Bone Ghost Devil opens the storage device at their waist, and black darkness spews out, releasing something huge.

Kwaaang!

The huge object takes shape in the air and turns into a massive gate, about ten meters in size, landing behind us.

On the door of the gate, a giant ghost king is depicted.

Creeeak!

The door of the ghost king opens. Inside is filled with pitch-black darkness, and it emits the smell of the ocean breeze.

Chalang, chalang...

At the same time, it sounds like the space behind the door is filled with water, making splashing sounds.

I sharpen my vision to look inside the door and am startled.

Inside the door, two huge warships emitting thin ghostly and yin energy are floating above a dark sea.

'The Nether Crossing Ships..!'

Although it's unclear inside the door, the ghostly energy emanating from the two Nether Crossing Ships is far more chilling than the wrecked one I saw in my past life.

Moreover, I could feel the presence of beings with the same aura as White Bone Ghost Devil inside the two ships.

'So the words about bringing his entire sect in compressed form are true..'

White Bone Ghost Devil reveals the two Nether Crossing Ships and growls at Mad Lord.

"If you open that, I'll take it as a declaration of war right here. I warn you, do not open it..!"

[Hmm...]

Creak..

However, Mad Lord looks at White Bone Ghost Devil with a meaningful gaze and opens the lid of the box slightly more.

At this, Sir Chang-ho and Jin Byuk-ho's expressions also harden.

"Mad Lord, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect also warns you, do not open that. Even if you are a one-man army, do you think you can stand against all of us?"

"I, Chang-ho, also warn you. If you pull out those things, I won't just stand by! Are you really planning to obliterate the Ascension Path!?"

Crackle!

As Jin Byuk-ho brings his hands together, it looks as though lightning energy is gathering, and from within the lightning, a small model of a palace appears.

From inside the palace, there are clear signs of many presences.

At the same time, Sir Chang-ho also pulls out a scroll from his waist and unfolds it.

The scroll floats into the air and unrolls on its own, revealing a landscape painting.

Numerous presences are also felt from within the landscape painting.

Mad Lord grins wickedly.

[Hmmmmmmm.....]

Creak...

The lid of the box is lifted further.

[You bastard..! Do you really think you can wage war against us..!?]

[Do you not value your life!?]

[Are you underestimating us too much!?]

Rumble, rumble...

Dark clouds gather in the clear sky, and the heavens and earth begin to shake.

The three Heavenly Beings raise their spiritual power, pressuring the Mad Lord.

However, Mad Lord remains calm under their imposing aura.

[You ask if I value my life? Of course, I don't. My heart has long been dead; what more is there to living? You better not provoke me further and leave the mortal here. Quickly make your way to the Ascension Gate.]

[Hmph, you could barely destroy one Nether Crossing Ship and ran away when you fought with my sect... In the current situation with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and Heaven Creation Sect combined, are you saying our three sects are inferior to you?]

[Haha, not obliterating you completely back then and merely giving you a little lesson was my mercy. Did you not realize that? And that was at my weakest moment. If you wanted to confront me, you should have joined forces at that time.

Now that [Her] heart is completed, it's even harder to face me than before... Think carefully.]

Creak...

Mad Lord opens the lid further again.

Simultaneously, numerous types of spiritual energy burst from the gap in the box, and the three Heavenly Beings tense up, glaring at Mad Lord.

Then, it happened.

Swoosh-

Rain begins pouring around us.

"Huff.. Huff.."

At the same time, Deputy Manager Oh Hye-seo suddenly turns red and collapses.

Rumble, rumble...

There were already dark clouds due to the clash of aura between the Heavenly Beings and Mad Lord, but the flow of the clouds accelerated.

'What, she awakened her power today..?'

I'm shocked, guessing why she's reacting like this.

This is also a day earlier than planned.

Simultaneously, the eyes of the three Heavenly Beings and Mad Lord turn to Deputy Manager Oh Hye-seo.

[Oh, what's this... An interesting bloodline?]

Mad Lord's eyes sparkle as he strokes his beard.

The three Heavenly Beings also looked at Deputy Manager Oh with interest.

[Reacting to the energy of my living puppets..? Ah, I see. There's a puppet made from the royal family of the Sea Dragon Tribe. Is she reacting to the bloodline of that puppet? Haha, makes me want to dissect her.]

Mad Lord steps forward towards Deputy Manager Oh Hye-seo, grinning, and the three Heavenly Beings raise their aura to block his path.

[Do you think anyone here will hand over even a single person to you, Mad Lord!]

[If you don't back down, I'll kill everyone here and replenish them with living puppets.]

Creak...

Mad Lord lifts the lid of the box further, and the faces of the three Heavenly Beings become even more distorted with fierce anger.

Their aura alone seems enough to shatter heaven and earth.

Just then.

Crash!

Lightning flashes in the sky, and suddenly, a new figure appears in the arena.

A young man with blue hair, wearing a blue robe.

A small horn protrudes from his forehead, and he radiates a composed aura.

[Well. The heavens are twisting and something calls to my bloodline, so I came early. Didn't expect to see familiar faces...]

Sea Dragon King Seo Hweol.

Ultimately, even he appeared at a different time than in my past life.

[It's been a while, Golden Heavenly Lightning Sect Master. Elder of Black Ghost Valley. Heaven Creation Sect Leader. And...]

Seo Hweol greets Mad Lord with a smile in his eyes.

[Mad Lord is here too. While rushing over, I heard the wind say that there's a conflict between you and the three... May I mediate?

Fighting here in Ascension Path during this auspicious time is something none of you would want, especially you, Mad Lord. Instead of trying to destroy the Ascension Path, why not close that thing?]

Upon Seo Hweol's arrival, Mad Lord smirks in amusement, and the three Heavenly Beings show delight.

[Haha, if the respectable Sea Dragon King says so, it must be credible.]

[Yes, the Sea Dragon King has resolved many conflicts and brought peace. We hope you'll advise that old man to keep his composure.]

[I too find the Sea Dragon King trustworthy.]

Jin Byuk-ho, White Bone Ghost Devil, and Sir Chango-ho greet Seo Hweol with trust.

However, Mad Lord chuckles mockingly.

[Puhuh, hahaha... What? That guy mediates disputes and brings peace? He's the one who spread discord and schemed across the continent. Are you all brainless?]

Jin Byuk-ho refutes.

[Don't slander the Sea Dragon King, Mad Lord! Unlike you, who lacks credibility, the Sea Dragon King has been mediating conflicts all this time.]

[Hahaha! All of you are blinded from only looking after your own sects. You must roam freely like me to see the truth.

Does he seem kind and reputable? He's a broken man. He wears a thick mask, hiding his true self, even I can't see through him.]

[Hmph, isn't it natural for everyone to hide some of their thoughts?]

[Heh, are you naive because you're young or unbroken? You know nothing.

There's something only those with broken hearts understand. I, too, am broken and know my kind! He's a monster, more twisted and rotten than me!

Seo Hweol, did you think wearing your mask would fool everyone? I can see through it. I'm broken like you.]

Seo Hweol simply smiles gracefully, not responding.

[Seo Hweol, Seo Hweol. Just because your heart is dead, locking it in a mask will only worsen it. Wouldn't it be better to live freely, like me?]

[Haha, I've lived as my heart desires. I have nothing to regret, so isn't this a life to be grateful for?]

[Huh, the conflicts and pain you've caused by following your heart... You're turning more into a monster. Make your choices wisely.]

Seo Hweol smiles silently without changing his expression.

[Thank you for the advice, Old Man.]

[You're older than me, Old Man. How hypocritical.]

[Isn't it right to consider anyone with something to teach as a senior in life?]

White Bone Ghost Devil scoffs at their conversation.

[Sea Dragon King, you have a hard time. Such a great person being slandered by that senile monster. A 'heart disease'? More like that mad old man is the one with a diseased heart.

He's a lunatic who turns normal people into puppets with his crazy logic!]

[It's not my crazy logic, you fool. I've realized one of the world's principles and evolved others to implement it!]

White Bone Ghost Devil look disgusted and stops arguing with Mad Lord, turning to Seo Hweol.

[I don't want to fight with that mad old man anymore. Sea Dragon King, please mediate.]

[Understood. Old Man, and you three, is this dispute mainly about those mortals?]

[Yes. We found them first, so we have the right to make them disciples. But that wretched old man keeps telling us to leave!]

[Huh, do you think you can teach those kids well? Especially the one with the vast consciousness, only I can teach her the best. From my perspective, the woman using the Sea Dragon Tribe's power to control the wind and rain, you, as a spiritual beast, can teach her the best.]

Mad Lord points at Manager Kim, indicating himself, then points at Deputy Manager Oh, indicating Seo Hweol.

[What nonsense! Our Azure Ghost Valley lacks no elemental methods. Do you know how long our sect's history is?[

[I don't care how old your Black Ghost Valley is. I know you have plenty of techniques, but do you have a proper teacher? Especially me, I've learned many consciousness related techniques in various ways. I can teach much more about controlling consciousness.]

Seo Hwol speaks slowly to them.

[Firstly, I want to ask you three. Realistically, can you withstand the spatial pressure if you add two more people each right now?]

The three Heavenly Beings look concerned.

Seo Hweol continues.

[I suppose you've all put your full effort into ascending your sects this time. In each sect's building or ship, selected disciples are under the elders' guidance, resisting the spatial pressure.]

[...Right.]

[Adding one more person would be fine as you can bear their pressure, but adding more than two could disrupt the formation and increase the risk of failing the ascent.

Especially since you're attempting the ascent during the widest opening of the Ascension Gate, failure is not an option.]

Seo Hweol's calm explanation is met with expressions of regret on the faces of the three Heavenly Beings.

[However, it is true that the three of you discovered these humans first. You acknowledge that, right, Old Man? I understand that Old Man's logic is different from the usual, but even in your logic, the sequence of time does not change.]

Mad Lord chuckles at Seo Hweol's words and nods his head.

[Well, let's just say that's correct for now.]

[So, wouldn't it be right for Old Man to offer appropriate compensation to the three of you? In a way, Old Man is trying to snatch away the treasure you discovered, so it's only fair that you receive proper compensation.]

Upon hearing this, the complexions of the three Heavenly Men brighten.

[Indeed, Seo Hweol, you are a wise judge!]

[A truly excellent response.]

[The future of the Sea Dragon Tribe is bright.]

However, Mad Lord's eyes sparkle as he lifts the lid of the box further.

[But what if I refuse?]

Upon hearing this, the Sea Dragon King frowns as if he has a headache, and the three Heavenly Being's faces contort.

[I belong to no sect and have no living beings to take along, so I bear almost no pressure. I could just smash all of you right here, along with the unique constitution individuals you've chosen, capture them all, dissect, and 'evolve' them for my world. Why should I bother negotiating?]

At this, the Sea Dragon King takes a deep breath.

Kuwoong!

Wind begins to blow around him.

[I made the best offer I could. If you continue to ignore my proposal, the Sea Dragon Tribe and I will join the three sects in attacking Old Man and retrieve the bodies of my kin whom Old Man kidnapped in the past.]

[Hmph, pretending to care about your kin just to secure a moral high ground. Isn't that just laying the groundwork for your argument?]

After a brief stare-down between Seo Hweol and Mad Lord, Mad Lord smiles and closes the box.

[Fine. I'll concede a bit today. If it's just the three of you it's unknown, but with the Dragon King involved, I might indeed lose. I need to ascend and complete [Her] this time, so I'll go along with your proposal.]

He steps back and points at Kim Yeon.

[I'll take her as my disciple. The compensation will be discussed later. I swear it in front of [Her].]

Thump, thump, thump-

Mad Lord taps on the wooden box and listens closely to its surface.

Then, nodding solemnly, he speaks,

[Did you hear that? [She] has also witnessed my oath.]

The three Heavenly Beings watch Mad Lord's actions, their faces twisting in disdain.

[What's this... A puppet speaking...]

Seo Hweol sighs and says to the three Heavenly Beings.

[You know that Old Man's logic is different from the norm. But from what I've observed, every oath sworn before [Her] by Old Man has been upheld. I guarantee it, so please trust me.]

At this, the three Heavenly Beings click their tongues but nod.

[Then I'll take this mortal as my disciple, and we'll discuss compensation later... What about that mortal?]

Mad Lord points at Deputy Manager Oh.

[From my insight, Seo Hweol seems most likely to draw out that mortal's potential. But I'm worried that the young mortal might learn only bad things from Seo Hweol. How about I take that her too?]

At this, Seo Hweol's eyebrows twitch.

But soon regaining his composure, he turns to Deputy Oh Hye-Seo with a pleasant smile.

[To be honest, it would be too burdensome for any of the three cultivators to take two, and it wouldn't be ideal to leave two with Old Man.

Would you permit me to take this woman? I too promise, staking my honor, to offer compensation later.]

Upon hearing this, the three Heavenly Beings glare at Mad Lord and speak.

[Since the Dragon King has mediated, let's do so.]

They seem displeased that Mad Lord is gaining more advantage.

Then, Seo Hweol approaches Deputy Manager Oh.

At the same time, I feel dizzy.

'Why... has it come to this?'

I asked them to awaken Manager Kim's talent, and sensing it, Mad Lord flew in, ready to confront the three Heavenly Beings.

Mad Lord, having opened the box, released the energy of the biological puppets of the Sea Dragon Race's royal family, awakening Deputy Manager Oh.

Seo Hweol, feeling Deputy Manager Oh's ability, arrived faster than expected, mediated, and distributed the personnel as originally fated.

As originally fated.

Everything, strangely enough, is flowing exactly as it should have been, according to the original history.

I kneel before them with a hollow laugh.

"Seniors, please hear my words. These people are my colleagues. Can you just let them stay with me?"

Upon hearing this, Mad Lord flicks his finger.

[I forgot about that. What are you? Why do you, a human, carry a Demon Core inside? This is new... I want to dissect you.]

Crack!

"Ah... Aaah!"

Simultaneously, my Inner Core inside my dantian starts to ache as if being pulled out.

Under Mad Lord's will, my Inner Core is being drawn outward.

I feel like my abdomen would rip open any moment!

Whoosh!

A gentle energy flows between me and Mad Lord, blocking his energy.

Surprisingly, the owner of the energy is Seo Hweol.

[How can Old Man torment such a powerless being? It's better to refrain from such actions during this auspicious time.]

[...Hmph! Such a hypocrite. Fine. It's just a Qi Building Demon Core anyway. It won't be much use for research. I'll leave it be.]

"Tsk tsk, tough luck getting caught by the madman."

Sir Chang-ho taps my shoulder.

His touch heals the internal injury I sustained from Mad Lord in my dantian.

Seo Hweol looks at Mad Lord and speaks.

[Swear that you won't bother these weak and pitiful beings after we leave.]

[...What? Have you gone mad, Seo Hweol? What are you even talking about?]

[Why torment the powerless during such an auspicious time?]

At this, Mad Lord bursts into laughter after staring blankly at Seo Hweol for a moment.

[Hahaha! Disgusting, utterly disgusting. It's a pity that you all don't know the atrocities Seo Hweol has committed while being holed up in your sects. It's so revolting it almost makes me sick.

Fine! I swear, impressed by your disgustingness. Even [She] suggests to just empathize and let it slide.]

Mad Lord swore to [Her] that he would no longer bother us, then stepped back.

Seo Hweol, with a kind smile, looks at me and says to the three Heavenly Beings,

[I've seen on my way here that the three of you have also harmed many spirits of Ascension Path. What's done is done, but please exercise restraint to avoid negativity during this auspicious time.]

Jin Byuk-ho, White Bone Ghost Devil, and Sir Chang-ho nod reluctantly.

[We've embarrassed ourselves in front of the Dragon King.]

[We'll exercise caution.]

[How righteous you are, Sea Dragon King.]

Seo Hweol chuckles, exchanging pleasantries with them, then picks up Deputy Manager Oh and approaches me who is managing the pain in my dantian.

[I don't know the details, but you're undoubtedly of demi-human lineage. Since it's come to this, would you be willing to do me a favor?]

"What is it?"

Seo Hweol takes out a dark bead from his robe.

[Due to sensing this woman's energy and arriving hastily, there is something I couldn't handle. I should have delivered this bead to one of my descendants remaining in the sea, but I failed to do so.

Can you deliver this bead to my descendant, Seo Ran, who resides near Utmost Chaos Island?]

"......"

[If you agree to my request, as a reward, I will give you a special cultivation manual suitable for someone of your demi-human lineage.]

Seo Hweol then takes out a demon beast method bound in demon beast leather and hands it to me.

The title of the manual is Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation.

'Ah, so this was why he saved me.'

Now I understand Seo Hweol's intentions.

Hiding my rising disgust, I put on a mask of gratitude in front of Seo Hweol and accept what he has given.

"Tha, thank you, Dragon King... I will not forget the favor you have shown."

[You're welcome. And remember...]

Rumble!

His gaze becomes fierce and intense.

[Expressing your opinion like earlier is courageous, but it can also be reckless. Be sure to behave properly in front of those greater than yourself.

To answer your question, you and that other person are of ambiguous quality for taking. Leaving your colleagues behind means they are likely to be consumed by their mythical talents and perish.

If you have a way to suppress those qualities, it's a good suggestion, but if not, it's better to stay quiet and remember this.]

Rumble!

His presence makes it hard to even breathe.

The Dragon King gives me calm advice, then transforms into a dragon and flies towards the Ascension Gate. The other Heavenly Beings also take my colleagues and fly towards the Ascension Gate.

Left in the area are only Mad Lord, who had knocked out Manager Kim Yeon trying to escape, and me with Kim Young-hoon.

I stare blankly into space.

Why did everything turn out this way?

As Mad Lord looks at me and Kim Young-hoon, a spatial rift opens.

[Tsk, such a hypocritical dragon. If he's going to talk like that, he should at least send them outside Ascension Path...]

"Ha, ha..."

In a past life, I had managed to send Kim Young-hoon away through Seo Hweol's hands.

But in this life, everything returned to how it originally was, like a rubber band snapping back.

Probably, Mad Lord will send me and Kim Young-hoon back.

Again.

The same way.

To Yanguo.

"Senior."

I ask Mad Lord, unable to hide my feeling of futility.

"Does fate really exist?"

At my question, Mad Lord strokes his beard with an intrigued expression.

[Fate does exist. I'm not sure if you've learned any special techniques, but when you perform the Qi Refining Seven Stars Ritual, everyone realizes that there is such a thing called fate.]

He points to the sky.

[What is fated to happen, [will] happen. That is fate.]

"Then, can humans not change their fate?"

At this, Mad Lord smirks.

[You don't seem to understand the structure of fate. No, that's not the case. Every living being can change their fate.]

"...Yes?"

[Have you ever wondered why cultivators learn the principles of the Seventy-Two Earthly Sha, Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang, Seven Stars, and the Spiritual Energy Star during Qi Building? Why do they learn the principles of the stars in the sky?]

His finger stabs towards the end of the void.

[Have you ever questioned why cultivators are 'against the heavens'?]

"That's... isn't it obvious? Because they defy the lifespan given by the heavens.."

[Then 'why' can cultivators defy the lifespan, the fate, given by the heavens?]

"That's..."

I have never thought about this before.

Mad Lord draws in the air with Pure Spiritual Force from his fingertip.

[You poor thing, let this great being explain the structure of fate to you, as [She] also suggests.]

Translator Notes: Mad Lord is such a troll. Dude's insane but he's strangely more amiable then a lot of cultivators. This doesn't change the fact that he's insane and highly dangerous though.