I muttered to myself and looked around. No matter where I looked, it was the village where I had been staying, but I knew this place was not real. This was because my last memory of falling asleep was still vivid. In the dreamlike and illusory atmosphere, I felt even more strongly that this was not reality.
At that moment, a voice came from the other side of the road.
[Hello, uninvited guest. I am Muryang Seonsa.]
Walking into the middle of the small path was a black cat (黑猫). The black cat, who called itself Muryang Seonsa, was staring at me with its cute face. I was flabbergasted, but since I knew this place was a dream and not reality, I somehow accepted it.
"Muryang Seonsa? Why did you appear in my dream?"
The black cat opened its mouth.
[It's too dangerous to appear before you without the form of a lucid dream.]
"What?"
[Two months ago, a minor evil (小惡) fled from a major evil (大惡) and even managed to escape the fabric of space and time. If I get entangled in your karma (因果), I will suffer the same fate.]
What are you talking about?
The self-proclaimed Muryang Seonsa, who was speaking in a way I couldn't understand, moved its small body and climbed onto a warm rock nearby. It then curled up and continued to stare at me while speaking.
[To put it simply, I have no intention of meeting you. I never did, and I never will. That's because I am already using all my abilities to monitor the darkness of the outside world (外界).]
I felt a sudden loss of strength. I had come here to seek Muryang Seonsa's help, but he had no intention of meeting or helping me! I said angrily.
"What kind of reason is that? You've been talking nonsense this whole time!"
[Do you think you can explain to a beast (畜生) what you are doing?]
The black cat, Muryang Seonsa, swirled its tail.
[The same applies. This matter has already surpassed human cognitive abilities. However, it contains such a terrifying secret of the world that it's impossible to explain to you.]
"......"
[Look well.]
Uuuuuuu
At that moment, I felt the entire dream shrinking into darkness. It seemed as if my body and soul were being sucked into somewhere. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in the middle of the Milky Way (銀河水), where the stars (星) of the universe (宇宙) were shining brilliantly.
It was an overwhelmingly vast scene.
Clusters of stars scattered in the endless dark sky (暗天)!
Tens of millions, hundreds of millions of luminous stars (光星)!
As I stood there, overwhelmed by the sight, Muryang Seonsa spoke.
[Have you ever seen this universe in your lifetime? Can you explain this scenery to someone else?]
"......"
[The brain is just a mirror. With a narrow perspective and a limited angle, you can't see anything.]
Only then did I realize.
' This guy... is different! I can feel something transcendent...'
Muryang Seonsa was not a being that could be understood or explained by the perspective of a martial artist. He was beyond the realm of just being the greatest spellcaster, a being that was semi-divine (半神) or had already transcended (超越) something.
Unlike when I met Chanyoojin, there was no point in comparing him to a martial artist. Every word he spoke exuded a mystique that surpassed the human realm.
Perhaps this black cat was also not a human body but an incarnation (化神). I had to realize that I was facing something more transcendent than anything I had ever seen. As I stood stiffly, the black cat spoke.
[However, I don't want humans to become playthings of the gods. Therefore, I will give you a little help, the most dangerous being in the world.]
"......?"
Swoosh
The black cat's front paw suddenly pointed at me. Then, I suddenly felt my head empty, and the pressure that had been weighing on one side of my head disappeared, leaving me feeling refreshed. The unpleasant and frustrating feeling that had been lingering was gone.
[I have removed the dark energy (暗氣) from the other world (異界). For the time being, you won't go mad or be corrupted.]
"Corrupted?"
[The sorcerer you faced is not of this world. An outsider (異族) who accidentally entered. Just encountering his spells or knowledge can corrupt and degrade ordinary beings, making them worship despair. My job is to prevent such wanderers from reaching this world, but this time, luck was not on my side.]
I stood there in a daze and then realized something and asked.
"Wait, for the time being? Do you mean there are more of those guys?"
[There will be.]
"How do I purify the dark energy from the other world?"
[You can either seal away the evil energy or knowledge, or have the mental strength to withstand it.]
"Umm..."
While I was pondering, the black cat slowly walked to the cold stream and dipped its feet in. Enjoying the temperature of the stream, the black cat started walking back down the path.
[Well, it's annoying, so I'll be off.]
He seemed ready to leave.
Are you just going to leave after dropping all these hints?! I realized that Muryang Seonsa, like his disciple Muryang, had a similar personality, which left me speechless. So I quickly ran in front of the black cat and blocked its path.
"Wait! Just a moment!"
[Is there anything else you want to say?]
"I know you're just saying what you want to say, leaving the hints unresolved, and not explaining anything!"
Muryang Seonsa seemed impressed and replied.
[Hmm... You know me well.]
"But answer a few questions for me!"
[I won't answer what I can't.]
I nodded and asked.
"Do you know what the Chanyam Biseo is?"
[What is it?]
"Then why did you show up after two months?"
[It's my choice.]
"Why do you say I'm the most dangerous being in the world?"
[You just look that way. And your face is ugly.]
"......"
[What? Why? What?]
Seeing Muryang Seonsa twist things around, I knew he was indeed Muryang's teacher. I instinctively knew that asking him more about my situation would be futile, so I started with a different question.
"Muryang Seonsa, will you take me as a disciple? I want to learn spells..."
[That's impossible. You don't seem to have any talent for martial arts, and even less for spells. Just give up.]
What an annoying guy. I shouted.
"Damn it! How can you be so certain?"
[Just by looking. And it's more cruel to give false hope to someone who has no talent. I think I'm being kind.]
"You're really a pain in the ass."
[I hear that a lot...]
Muttering, Muryang Seonsa yawned and said.
[If you really want power, you should look for the secret treasures (秘寶) of the Seven Luminaries (七曜). If you have them, even an ignorant person like you might be able to master some spells.]
"The secret treasures of the Seven Luminaries?"
[Like the Bopae, they are relics left by immortals. The difference is that there are guardians (守護者) protecting them. Even ordinary people who haven't mastered high-level spells can use them.]
I felt my ears perk up. Such a good item existed! Since Muryang Seonsa wouldn't lie about something like this, I asked excitedly.
"O... Where can I find them?"
[I don't know.]
"Eh?!"
[If I knew, I would have collected them all. Why would I teach you, a guy like you?]
"Why are you saying this when you don't even know?!"
[You silly guy. Do I have to explain everything to you?]
The black cat leaped onto the roof and walked leisurely, saying.
[I don't know where the secret treasures of the Seven Luminaries are. But they are definitely guarded by guardians. In other words, if you find a ruin with a guardian, you'll find what you're looking for. The guardians are also relics left by immortals.]
"Ah..."
[That's all the advice I can give. You'll have to investigate the rest yourself.]
Saying that, the black cat was already walking down the path. This time, it seemed determined to leave, no matter how I tried to stop it.
[Well, goodbye.]
"Wait, just a moment!"
Muryang Seonsa glanced back and said.
[I won't meet you again until you break the curse, fool.]
"......"
I woke up from the vivid dream and immediately went to find Muryang. Visiting him in the middle of the night, Muryang rubbed his eyes and got up.
"What's going on?"
I told Muryang about what I had experienced. After hearing everything, Muryang sighed, as if he had expected it.
"It seems our teacher has no intention of helping us."
"What should we do?"
Muryang scratched his head.
"What can we do... Let's just stay in the village and build our strength."
It was an unexpected response. Shouldn't we immediately set out to find the secret treasures of the Seven Luminaries? Seeing the doubt in my eyes, Muryang explained.
"This village is currently the safest place in the world. It's protected by our teacher's power, and Chanyoojin can drive away any intruders with his barrier. There's no safer choice than building our strength here."
"About the secret treasures of the Seven Luminaries?"
"I know what they are. They are relics imbued with the power of the Moon (月曜), Mars (火曜), Water (水曜), Wood (木曜), Metal (金曜), Earth (土曜), and Sun (日曜). Unlike the Bopae, they can be used by those who don't know spells to wield great power."
Muryang shook his head.
"But the guardians of the Seven Luminaries are incredibly powerful beings. Trying to defeat them and obtain the treasures is nothing but a fantasy. It would be better to fight the Jin Yi Wei. Finding the ruins of the Seven Luminaries would take a lifetime."
"......"
Muryang continued.
"From the beginning, you've been improving your martial prowess through actual combat. If you cultivate your ability to control your formidable inner energy and refine your martial arts, you'll be able to fight the Jin Yi Wei. Let's take our time and build our strength."
He was right. I felt my skills had improved after fighting the Jin Yi Wei and using the Brain Command Technique. Moreover, I was increasingly able to freely use the techniques of the Brain Command Style, refining my inner energy.
But I felt anxious and shook my head.
"I don't know when the Jin Yi Wei will attack. I want to settle things before they gain more power."
"As long as Chanyoojin is here, even an army of a hundred thousand would not breach the village."
Decisively, Muryang continued.
"The Jin Yi Wei can be replenished at any time if the palace wants. Recruiting top martial artists is not difficult. The real issue is the leaders of the Jin Yi Wei. Don't worry about trivial matters; focus on building the strength to defeat them."
He was right.
'But... I've left the Chanyam Biseo out for too long. I'm worried.'
If the enemy attacks and breaches the barrier, I might die and never be able to return. The fear of death made me anxious.
I need to have the Chanyam Biseo to feel safe.
Moreover, I felt a surge of determination. Muryang's words were true, but I couldn't stand the idea of doing nothing. Especially after being called a fool by Muryang Seonsa, I wanted to achieve something immediately. So I replied curtly.
"... I can't do that. Reaching the realm of martial arts is not easy, and I can't bear to waste time here forever."
"Hmm... The illusions of the disciple were just a joke. If you take them seriously..."
"I want to gain power as quickly as possible. I'll find the secret treasures of the Seven Luminaries and act on my own."
Muryang sighed.
"Fine... It's much earlier than I expected, but I'll go with you."
"You stay here. I don't have the luxury to protect you too."
[Looking for the ruins of the Seven Luminaries without my help? It's like trying to find a needle in a desert.]
"Think of it as a martial artist's training."
"You're too anxious... Calm down and think rationally."
But Muryang, despite grumbling, left the village with me. I left the village and immediately retrieved the Chanyam Biseo, putting it back in my possession. Perhaps the urgency of not having it on me made me act more rashly.
It was the middle of the night.
It was getting a bit chilly, but having the Chanyam Biseo gave me courage.
'Good, now I'll find the secret treasures of the Seven Luminaries and act...'
Just as I was about to decide our first destination with Muryang, a cold voice echoed in the darkness.
"Oh, so the 'self-proclaimed' White Lotus Sect Law Protector is here."
In the darkness, a figure wearing a white mask stood there. On either side of him were Jin Yi Wei agents, who had already lit torches. I recognized him.
"Jin Yi Wei Chief!"
"Haha... Recognizing me immediately, you are indeed a formidable opponent."
The chief of the Jin Yi Wei, the palace's top martial artist, laughed heartily.
Suddenly surrounded, I was confused, but then I realized they must have been surrounding this area from the beginning. Otherwise, the number of Jin Yi Wei agents appearing sporadically in the pine forest couldn't have exceeded dozens.
The Jin Yi Wei Chief spoke leisurely.
"From the clues of the person who massacred the Jin Yi Wei's Sixth Division, we concluded you arrived in this village a month ago. But we couldn't attack directly or send agents in because of the mysterious fog. Now, you've come out of the fortress on your own."
"......"
"The more we investigated, the more interesting it became. Pretending to be a White Lotus Sect Law Protector? Hahaha."
I deeply regretted it.
' Muryang was right.'
I thought the pursuit had been cut off because of the peaceful two months, but they had known my whereabouts a month ago and were just waiting because of Chanyoojin's illusion barrier. Moreover, the village was almost self-sufficient and isolated, so they couldn't use the villagers to enter.
If I had further refined the Brain Command Technique and reached the level of purifying the Brain Command Aura with pure sword energy (劍氣), I wouldn't have been afraid. But my impatience led me to act rashly, causing this disaster.
I clenched my teeth.
"Muryang, I'm sorry."
Muryang was already giving up, smiling weakly.
"It's fine. Spilt milk. You should escape."
"......"
In this situation, there was no way I could break through the encirclement of the Jin Yi Wei's nine divisions and save Muryang. My own life was uncertain. To buy some time, I spoke to the Jin Yi Wei Chief.
"Haha, pretending! How do you know if I'm the White Lotus Sect Law Protector?"
[You seem to know nothing. One of the three White Lotus Sect Law Protectors is on our side. We have a lot of information about the White Lotus Sect. Your appearance and attire don't match any of the Law Protectors.]
"......!!"
One of the White Lotus Sect Law Protectors had allied with the Jin Yi Wei!
I was shocked by the unexpected information, but it also meant they had the resources to uncover my every move. The Jin Yi Wei Chief continued calmly.
[It's a pity the sorcerer is dead and can't perform more rituals, but it doesn't matter. Since the nameless ritual book has been deciphered, we just need to find someone with the same level of spell power.]
"Damn... What are you thinking, performing such cruel rituals? Summoning demons through human sacrifices? Is that worth it? What do you think the White Lotus Sect will become with demons?"
The Jin Yi Wei Chief, seemingly determined to kill us, explained.
[Of course not. Even a hundred demons can't harm the White Lotus Sect leader. The demons are just sacrifices for the second ritual. Only after the second ritual will we be able to destroy the White Lotus Sect and achieve the emperor's eternal glory.]
"Second ritual?"
[Hahaha... You'll find out the rest in the torture chamber. You have a lot of questions, don't you?]
Swoosh
At the same time, the high-level martial artists of the Jin Yi Wei surrounding us moved like waves. Dozens of top martial artists and peak martial artists formed a combined formation (合陣) as if in one breath. With my current skills, breaking through this encirclement was impossible.
At that moment, Muryang, standing beside me, spoke.
"... I have a request."
"......"
"Please cut off my head. I don't want to be tortured."
I felt a pang in my heart at Muryang's calm words.
What kind of situation is this?
Muryang had saved me from death many times, and now, because I couldn't control my impatience, I had put us in this situation! I still owed him a lot, and now I had to cut off his head to spare him pain!
I felt so foolish and miserable that I wanted to cry.
I held back my tears and said.
"Go first. I'll follow."
Muryang smiled, a smile I would never forget.
"Hehe... It was fun while it lasted."
Swish!
"Not like this!"
The Jin Yi Wei Chief frowned. My sword moved gracefully, cleanly separating Muryang's head from his body. I had done my best to make it quick, and with the Brain Command Aura surrounding the blade, Muryang likely felt no pain.
I hated myself so much I couldn't stand it. I bit my lip until it bled and said.
"Chief! Let's fight one-on-one! If I lose, I'll tell you everything!"
Rustle
The gathered Jin Yi Wei agents were surprised. They hadn't expected the encircled target to challenge the chief to a duel. The chief agreed readily.
"Fine. I was curious about your skills anyway."
"Shut up!"
[Your aura is scattered. I'll give you three moves.]
Swoosh
Without thinking, I summoned the Brain Command Technique. The immense inner energy that had spread throughout my body instantly transformed into the Brain Command Aura, enveloping me in a surge of lightning. The Jin Yi Wei agents were startled, as if a bolt of lightning had struck in the middle of the night.
[When inner energy with the properties of the five elements reaches its peak, such phenomena occur. Indeed, you have formidable inner energy.]
Crack
I charged at the chief, who was calmly evaluating me. Since there was no point in showing off against an absolute master, I aimed for the strongest strike. Moreover, since he had offered three moves, I wanted to take his head without hesitation.
Zing -
Lightning flashed in the sky, and the sword path filled with the Brain Command Aura accelerated to an incredible speed, slicing through the chief's body ten times. This strike was fast enough to end a Jin Yi Wei agent in one hit.
"Once."
But the chief's voice came from a completely different place. I saw his figure standing three paces away, turning his back leisurely. It was as if he had used a body-doubling technique, moving with incredible speed.
Crack!
"Twice."
I attacked again, but the result was the same. For the final strike, I launched a full assault on the chief, using the