Хүн гэж юу вэ (8)

"Hmm, hmm...."

At Hong Su-ryeong's candid remark, Jin Byuk-ho coughs awkwardly and looks at me.

"What does Elder Jin Eun-hyun think?"

"...It's a bit surprising. However, even if we do not marry her, building a friendship doesn't seem like a bad idea. There are feelings from Grand Elder Hong as well, and since I also don't know what intentions Lady Hon has in proposing, it seems we should wait and watch for now."

"Hmm... I see."

Jin Byuk-ho nods and says,

"Considering the relationship between Elder Jin Eun-hyun and Grand Elder Hong Su-ryeong, and since we do not know why Lady Hon Wei suddenly proposed, we will politely decline the marriage proposal. Today's meeting is concluded."

With those words, Jin Byuk-ho issues a dismissal, and the elders inside Golden Thunder Hall use their Flying Escape Techniques to return to their respective cave residences.In the Golden Thunder Hall, only me, Hong Su-ryeong, and Jin Byuk-ho remain.

"Do Grand Elder Hong and Elder Jin have anything else to say?"

At Jin Byuk-ho's question, Hong Su-ryeong nods..

"Yes. Besides Elder Jin Eun-hyun's marriage, I would like to talk about Lady Hon Wei."

"Speak. I trust Grand Elder Hong's judgment."

Hong Su-ryeong nods and speaks with cold eyes,

"Lady Hon Wei considers Elder Jin Eun-hyun as a mere object. Not just Elder Jin, but the entire sect as well."

I nod in agreement.

The confrontation Hong Su-ryeong had with Hon Wei today was not just out of simple jealousy.

Her emotions were clearly visible to me and her, who can see intent.

'The intent that completely thinks of me as an object and a means. And….'

I recall her heart essence with a bitter smile.

Although not as extreme as Seo Hweol, she possesses quite a desolate heart essence.

She has a very calculating personality, hiding her true self.

In other words, the 'mischievous temperament' we saw today was all an act.

'Compared to Seo Hweol, it's cute to the extent of a baby lizard….'

With such a heart essence, it seems like one could be backstabbed at any moment.

Hong Su-ryeong also shares her observations about Hon Wei's intent with Jin Byuk-ho.

"If you do form a friendship with her and the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, be cautious. Someone with such intent cannot be trusted."

"Hmm, I see. I'll take note."

Jin Byuk-ho nods at Hong Su-ryeong's words.

Hong Su-ryeong then looks at me.

"Now you should return as well."

"Ah, Grand Elder Hong, please go ahead. I have one more thing to convey to the Supreme Sect Master."

"Hmm, is that so? I also have something to test today, so after you finish your business with the Supreme Sect Master, come to my cave residence."

"Understood."

Hong Su-ryeong opens a space rift and returns to her cave residence.

"So, what is it that you wanted to say, Elder Jin?"

"Yes, Supreme Sect Master. As you know, I achieved ascension on my own."

"Yes, that certainly was the case."

The Heavenly Lightning Banner must eventually be separated from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

However, I am now the future Sect Leader of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, a talent at the Nascent Soul stage Grand Perfection, and a genius who has mastered all the methods of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

"My ascension was, in fact, thanks to the help of our sect's founder, the Golden Deity."

"...!"

Strictly speaking, the ability to 'ascend'' was thanks to my Formless Sword, the blessings of the Serving Command Seal, and the help of Yuan Yu.

But anyway, the reason 'for ascension' was because of the arrangements left behind by Yang Su-jin at the Ascension Gate, so it isn't a wrong statement.

But omitting the crucial part of my explanation, it sounds to Jin Byuk-ho as if my ability to achieve a ascend was entirely due to the Golden Deity. Jin Byuk-ho shivers at the thought.

"Does the Supreme Sect Master know about the stele that the Golden Deity left at the entrance of the Ascension Gate? There was his arrangement. Thanks to that, I was able to ascend to the Bright Cold Realm."

"...!"

"My choice to join the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect was also because I received the Golden Deity's arrangements, and I thought it right to go to his descendants, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."

Upon hearing this, Jin Byuk-ho trembles and then exclaims.

"So that was it. That's how it was...!"

Jin Byuk-ho nods as if he finally understands.

"When I first tested your qualities, you had a Five Elements Spiritual Root, but after your ascension, you had a Lightning Sacred Body... I see! The founder granted you the Lightning Sacred Body!"

'Oh...'

Jin Byuk-ho perfectly fills in the blanks with things I hadn't even thought of.

"Well, in a way, that's true."

"Yes, Jin Eun-hyun. So, what message do you have for me?"

"That is..."

I pause for a moment.

While the Heavenly Lightning Banner has to be separated from the sect, it will be ideal if the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect brings the Heavenly Lightning Banner to the Head Realm by themselves.

However, I hesitate for a moment.

In the past, I exerted my efforts in the beginning at Ascension Path to prevent my colleagues from falling into the hands of Seo Hweol and the Mad Lord.

The result was a colossal failure.

Fate forcibly intervened, and 'in some manner,' my colleagues were captured by the 'designated' individuals.

I recall Yang Su-jin's words.

The fate of this world is predetermined.

Then, Jeon Myeong-hoon coming to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is also a predetermined fate, and the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect being destroyed by the True Immortal is also a predetermined fate.

'...Whenever I try to change the predetermined fate, fate twists and then restores itself to the predetermined outcome due to its rebounding force.'

Will it be the same this time?

If Jeon Myeong-hoon losing the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect to the True Immortal and becoming the Lightning Harbinger is also a 'predetermined' fate, then there might be no point in trying to change it.

'Is there any meaning to it?'

"What are you trying to say?"

As I hesitate, Jin Byuk-ho asks impatiently.

I look at him.

'Fate is predetermined, and Non-Humans lack free will...'

That was Yang Su-jin's opinion, and whether I like it or not, I can't help but agree with him.

I have seen several times how fate 'somehow' changed its flow into the predetermined outcome.

Then, will explaining anything to a Non-Human make any sense?

What meaning will there be in persuading him?

I don't know.

But I decide to speak.

"...According to the founder's arrangement, I saw the 'real' content written on that stele."

"The real content of the stele? That's supposed to be the content passed down in our texts..."

"That content is false."

I shake my head.

And then, I explain to him what I saw on the upper part of the stele in the black castle, as 'Yang Su-jin's arrangement.'

"...That's the original content of the stele."

"...The immortal treasure is connected to the True Immortal. Thus, it must not be taken up there..."

Upon hearing my words, Jin Byuk-ho wears a serious expression.

'Has it taken effect?'

It's different from before when I was merely at the Core Formation stage.

I am someone who, thanks to the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon and having a slightly larger original consciousness than ordinary cultivators due to reaching Five Energies Converging to the Origin, possess a Grand Perfection Nascent Soul level consciousness comparable to the Heavenly Being stage.

I have reached the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul stage in just ten years, successfully mastered all the methods of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, and been designated as the future Sect Leader.

That is me.

In short, my significance to Jin Byuk-ho has changed completely from the past.

Moreover, since I use 'Yang Su-jin's arrangement' as an excuse to persuade him, Jin Byuk-ho also can not easily deny it.

"...So, your stance is ultimately that the Heavenly Lightning Banner must be brought back to the Head Realm and sealed once more?"

"That's correct."

"Hmm..."

A shadow falls over Jin Byuk-ho's face.

"..."

"..."

Silence lingers in Golden Thunder Hall.

After a moment dominated by silence, Jin Byuk-ho speaks up.

"Do you know why the 'Jin' surname, rather than the founder's 'Yang' surname, has been passed down to the sect leaders?"

"I don't know."

"Jin Hwi, your master, must have explained it to you. All the methods of our sect are, in the end, imitations of the 'Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.' In short, the abilities that can be used by the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body were degraded and reproduced as methods in our sect. However... The Heavenly Golden Thunder Body is not simply a physique that is passed down through bloodline. It's a constitution born to those chosen by the heavens, who receive celestial energy. The same goes for other physiques like your Lightning Sacred Body or the Red Spirit Body. Most are similar."

Jin Byuk-ho's explanation continues.

"As you know, combining all the methods of our sect results in the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, a kind of sacrificial ritual. And, there is one fact that has been passed down only to the sect leaders. That is, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect itself is a kind of 'ritual' arranged by the founder."

"..."

"And the 'Jin' surname instructed by the founder to be passed down to the sect leaders is also said to be a preparation for some ritual. Although it is unclear what kind of ritual it is, it is assumed that the ritual is related to fate since names contain fate, and changing names accomplishes the ritual."

'Is it because of the ritual that it can't be done?'

That isn't a problem either.

Since Yang Su-jin himself considered the ritual a failure, I can just tell him about it.

"The important thing is, this 'ritual' is connected to the 'Jin' surname. The founder connected fate to the Heavenly Lightning Banner, using it as a flag for the ritual."

"...?"

I feel an ominous premonition from Jin Byuk-ho's following words.

"The Heavenly Golden Thunder Body or Lightning Sacred Body, or typical constitutions, are not inherited through bloodlines but through celestial energy. Of course, there are exceptions like the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent... but most extraordinary qualities are like that. However, the 'Wall Force Constitution' that So-hae was born with is different."

Jin Byuk-ho's words continue.

"Those with the surname 'Jin' are born with the 'Wall Force Constitution'. The surname itself contains fate and celestial energy, granting the physique to the bloodline. When the celestial energy weakens as descendants continue, that's when the Wall Force Constitution's physique ends, and descendants who do not receive the Wall Force Constitution can no longer carry on the 'Jin' surname. Originally, So-hae's children would not be able to inherit the Wall Force Constitution and would have to take another surname. Well, I'm not sure what would happen if there were children with Jeon Myeong-hoon…"

He sighs.

"Anyway, the reason I'm telling you this is for one reason. Do you know where the fate's attraction that bestows such a Wall Force Constitution comes from?"

I harden my expression, catching the essence of Jin Byuk-ho's words.

"...The Heavenly Lightning Banner."

"Yes. There are an enormous number of people with the surname 'Jin' in the sect. Because the sect leaders have continued to have descendants, and those descendants had more descendants, about one-tenth of the sect's disciples carry the 'Jin' surname. In short, if the Heavenly Lightning Banner is to be placed in the lower realm, it means we have to bring all those disciples back to the lower realm. Most of them have relied on the Wall Force Constitution for their cultivation, so if the Heavenly Lightning Banner returns to the lower realm, the Wall Force Constitution could disappear, and all of their cultivation could crumble!"

"...Ha."

"You must know how many elders and grand elders in the sect carry the 'Jin' surname. While it's about one-tenth for the whole sect, it's actually more like seven or eight-tenths among the elders and grand elders... In short, resealing the Heavenly Lightning Banner in the lower realm means we will have to send back seven or eight-tenths of the sect's main forces to the lower realm."

I am speechless with disbelief.

It's one thing to bring the Heavenly Lightning Banner back to the lower realm.

But doing so would immensely weaken the sect's power immediately.

Yet, I notice something odd in Jin Byuk-ho's words.

"Wait, then how has the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect managed ascensions until now?"

"Hm?"

"I've heard about the traitor who entered the Thunder Cloud Pavilion, called 'Jin Wei'. If those with the 'Jin' surname ascended before, wouldn't they have lost their cultivation upon successfully ascending?"

Jin Byuk-ho sighs and shakes his head.

"There's something called the Ancestral Command in our sect."

Woong!

Jin Byuk-ho takes out a jade token with a golden glow from his pocket.

The words "Ancestral Command" are engraved on the jade token.

"The Ancestral Command is an item that can only be used once every hundred years. It's a dharma treasure used for handling important matters of the sect or for expelling the sect's major traitors."

His words continue.

"Most grand elders of our sect receive the 'Golden Lightning' belt, but a very few receive the 'Heavenly Lightning's' white belt. This Heavenly Lightning belt is made using the power of the Ancestral Command to borrow the power of the Heavenly Lightning Banner."

"So then..."

"Yes, those who receive the Heavenly Lightning belt are selected only from those with exceptional qualities enough to ascend. Those who receive the Heavenly Lightning belt maintain the 'Jin' surname even if they move to another realm, thanks to the power of the belt."

"...."

"Using the power of the Ancestral Command to create enough Heavenly Lightning belts for everyone will take tens of thousands of years."

"...Is that so?"

My complexion darkens.

Seeing my expression Jin Byuk-ho says,

"Are you afraid because, as the founder said, a True Immortal might target our sect?"

"...Yes."

"Don't worry. Since time immemorial, it has been said that the Bright Cold, True Devil, Ancient Force, Nether Ghost, and Purple Gold are closed realms that True Immortals rarely visit. It's from an old document I saw in the Black Ghost Valley, but it's said that it would take a considerable amount of time for True Immortals to come here. Even at the very least, we have a thousand years. If we can nurture Jeon Myeong-hoon within that time, we can draw power from the Heavenly Lightning Banner using the power of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body without the Ancestral Command. Then, you can seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner in the Head Realm as you suggested."

"..."

Jin Byuk-ho comes over and pats my back as if to say don't worry.

I nod, pondering.

'Is this also fate?'

It feels like the world itself is blocking my path, as if it will not allow me to alter the predetermined course.

'If I say the Owner of Heavenly Punishment will come within a hundred years...'

He will not believe it.

I read Jin Byuk-ho's intent.

Ever since I mentioned sealing the Heavenly Lightning Banner in the Head Realm, worry and anxiety had dominated his mind.

It seemed he was worried about losing the sect's main force overnight.

Already sensitive, he will be furious if I suggest that we must take drastic measures because a True Immortal will chase us within a hundred years, even if it means losing the sect's power.

Moreover, when he mentioned what he saw in the Black Ghost Valley, the worry in his intent disappeared, suggesting he has some confidence and basis in the thousand years mentioned.

But I can't say that the Owner of Heavenly Punishment is a Governing Immortal, making a thousand years meaningless.

Just learning about the existence of 'Governing Immortals' made my body melt like wax, and only thanks to Yang Su-jin's protection did I barely survive. Hence, I don't know what will happen if I inform Jin Byuk-ho about such things.

'...Is there no other way?'

I bow to Jin Byuk-ho and then leave the Golden Thunder Hall.

'...Do I have to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner?'

Now, I have two choices.

First, proceed with the original plan to bring the Heavenly Lightning Banner to the Head Realm and seal it, regardless of whether most of the sect's power loses their cultivation.

Second, make Jeon Myeong-hoon stronger than originally planned, using the power of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body as Jin Byuk-ho suggested to eliminate the side effects before sealing it.

"For now, I'll go with the second option."

I look towards where Jeon Myeong-hoon's cave residence is located.

Not just aiming for my entry into the Heavenly Being stage, but somehow getting Jeon Myeong-hoon there as well.

I listen intently towards Jeon Myeong-hoon's cave residence.

With my hearing, sharpened by practicing demon beast methods, I can hear the sound of dual cultivation from Jeon Myeong-hoon's cave residence.

'With such sloppy training methods, Jeon Myeong-hoon will remain at the Core Formation stage even when the Owner of Heavenly Punishment arrives.'

A more forceful method of cultivation is needed.

'From now on, I will personally train him using the ways of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect.'

Before the Owner of Heavenly Punishment arrives,

Even if I have to grind Jeon Myeong-hoon's body to dust and reassemble it, I must raise his cultivation.

I resolve to focus on enhancing Jeon Myeong-hoon's cultivation as a short-term goal and head towards his cave residence.

"...Ah, right."

Suddenly, I remember Hong Su-ryeong calling me.

'She said she had something to test, so asked me to come to her cave residence.'

Wo-woong!

I extend my hand beyond the plane, slicing through space.

Then, I traverse space to the front of Hong Su-ryeong's cave residence.

"What brings you to call me here?"

Usually, she would come to my cave residence to share conversations or insights. It's rare for her to call me to her laboratory, so I'm curious.

"Ah, come in."

Hong Su-ryeong's voice comes from inside the cave residence.

Swoosh!

The formation at the entrance of the cave residence deactivates and a path opens for me to enter.

As I step inside, the formation barrier activates behind me, isolating the interior and exterior of the cave residence again.

"What did you call me here for…?"

It's when I enter deep into Hong Su-ryeong's cave residence.

"What do you mean, 'what for'?"

"...Huh?"

She stands between a cross-shaped frame and a plush bed. Her arms are crossed, and she speaks while looking at the cross frame.

"I heard you lost the Lightning Sacred Body after practicing the hidden method of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. I called you here to experiment on your body."

"...Well, if you want to experiment..."

"And, one more thing."

She shifts her gaze from the frame to the bed.

"There's also the purpose of dual cultivation."

"...Excuse me?"

"Which will you choose first? Dual cultivation or being experimented on? Make your choice."