## Chapter 1212 – 1212. Ascent To The Light
“We’ll use rumors. The roots of the Baek San Geum Clan are in a sect called the Baek San Sect. We’ll spread rumors that the martial arts and artifacts of the Baek San Sect are in Baek San.”
“Even if you spread such rumors, do you think the Baek San Geum Clan will believe it?”
“The Demonic Cult will be the first to move on those rumors.”
“…Indeed. There’s a possibility. If the Demonic Cult moves, the Heavenly Alliance will also move. Even if the rumors are false, they wouldn’t want the treasure to fall into the enemy’s hands. And if the Heavenly Alliance moves… the Baek San Geum Clan will move, thinking there might be something to it.”
“We’ll lead the forces of the Demonic Cult, the Heavenly Alliance, and the Baek San Geum Clan to Baek San. There….”
“We’ll use human greed to start a battle. Once a large amount of blood is spilled… the Baek San Geum Clan will no longer be able to maintain neutrality.”
“It would be best if the Heavenly Alliance started it… but things won’t go as planned.”
“To start this plan, we need to reliably ignite human greed. Will rumors alone be enough?”
“I’ll take care of that. Number 366, I want you to spread the rumors. Numbers 567 and 290, stand by.”
“Without reporting to the cult?”
Number 290, Seo Mun So-ryeo, asked.
“Number 151 was a spy for the Heavenly Alliance. I don’t think there’s only one spy for the Heavenly Alliance within the cult.”
“…What if problems arise because we didn’t report?”
“I’ll take all responsibility.”
Cheon Yu-un said firmly.
He is the son of the current Demonic Lord and his successor, Cheon Yu-un. If he takes the lead, he won’t be disciplined just for not reporting.
“Number 123.”
Jegal Mo-sun called me.
“What is it? Is there something I need to do?”
“I’d like you to help spread the rumors.”
“If I directly spread the rumors, it’ll raise suspicion. The credibility of the rumors will also drop.”
“The rumors will be spread from outside Baek San Fortress. Number 123, please help spread the rumors by pretending it’s a coincidence.”
“…In what way?”
“I’ll tell you the time and place later. Please take the members of the Doyang Sect there. Don’t do anything there. The sect members will spread the rumors on their own.”
“Understood.”
A plan using rumors.
It was quite plausible. If this were the modern era, it would be a bit difficult, but this wasn’t the modern era. It was a world where wars between sects often broke out because of rumors.
***
Four days had passed.
The plan to spread rumors was a success.
The entire Baek San Fortress was buzzing with stories of treasure in Baek San. If you went into any inn and listened, you could hear the rumors.
“Hey, have you heard the story about the treasure in Baek San? I heard it’s an artifact of the Baek San Sect.”
“I’ve heard it. People are all talking about it.”
“What do you think?”
“Bullshit. It’s just some nonsense someone made up out of boredom. It’s been over 500 years since the Baek San Sect disappeared. Now a treasure is appearing? It’s not credible. Besides, no one even knows what kind of treasure it is.”
“Tsk tsk. It seems you haven’t heard the latest rumors.”
“What rumors? There are more rumors I don’t know about?”
“About the treasure of the Baek San Sect. The exact identity has been revealed. A wanderer who supposedly returned alive from Baek San saw the treasure.”
“…What kind of treasure is it?”
“You said the rumors were bullshit. Why would you listen to fake rumors? Are you going to talk to your dog at home?”
“Come on, are you trying to embarrass me?”
“Ahem. I’ve told that story so many times today. I’m too thirsty to talk.”
“Waiter! Bring a bottle of Jukyeopcheong here! There, is that enough? Now tell me. What is the treasure?”
“The Wooden Seal Staff.”
“Wooden Seal Staff? What’s that? Is it a wooden stick?”
“Ahem. It’s not an ordinary wooden stick. It’s a treasure that, when you hold and swing it, the end extends, and when you strike the ground with it, trees sprout from the ground. It’s said to be an artifact of the Baek San Sect.”
“An artifact… those treasures with mysterious powers. Is it really true that the treasure of the Baek San Sect is in Baek San…?”
“That’s why the wanderers are in an uproar right now. They’re determined to go up Baek San and get the Wooden Seal Staff. And there’s also this rumor. The Wooden Seal Staff is said to contain the secret techniques of the Baek San Sect.”
“The rumors are specific. Are the rumors really true…?”
“This guy is so suspicious.”
“Think about it. If the rumors are true, isn’t it strange that the Baek San Geum Clan is staying still?”
“I heard from my nephew today that even though the Baek San Geum Clan looks fine on the outside, they’re in chaos internally. The atmosphere is so tense… my nephew said it was so hard to breathe that he ran away right after finishing his work.”
“The atmosphere of the Baek San Geum Clan is that serious…? Are the rumors… true…?”
“The rumors are true. My gut tells me. And this is also a rumor I heard….”
“…You seem to hear rumors often. What’s your secret?”
“Connections, what else could it be?”
“Hmm. Take a sip of Jukyeopcheong and tell me. What’s the rumor?”
“The rumor is that the Demonic Cult and the Heavenly Alliance are preparing to go up Baek San to find the Wooden Seal Staff.”
“Oh. Are they going to find the Wooden Seal Staff and give it to the Baek San Geum Clan? That’s a good idea, they can gain the favor of the Baek San Geum Clan.”
“Are you an idiot?”
“Huh? What’s with that sudden insult!”
“Ah, sorry. I heard something absurd, so I couldn’t help it…. The Wooden Seal Staff, you see, is known to be a high-grade artifact. That high-grade artifact is more precious than most medium-sized sects. If the Demonic Cult or the Heavenly Alliance gets the Wooden Seal Staff? Instead of giving it to the Baek San Geum Clan, they’ll give up Baek San Fortress. The Wooden Seal Staff is worth that much.”
“Geez. Aren’t the Demonic Cult and the Heavenly Alliance afraid of the Baek San Geum Clan?”
“You’re a native of Baek San Fortress, so you don’t know anything. The only place where the Baek San Geum Clan can act tough is here in Baek San Fortress. If they go outside Baek San Fortress? They have to be careful around the Demonic Cult and the Heavenly Alliance. That’s the reality.”
“Haa. I feel strange for some reason….”
“Still, this is Baek San Fortress. It’s the territory of the Baek San Geum Clan. The Baek San Geum Clan won’t stay still either. Since no one has gotten the treasure yet, let’s wait with anticipation. Has the Baek San Geum Clan ever disappointed us?”
“No, never.”
In this way, rumors were spreading throughout Baek San Fortress.
‘The Wooden Seal Staff. It’s a real artifact of the Baek San Sect. That’s why the Baek San Geum Clan is panicking. Because the name and abilities of the artifact, which only the Baek San Geum Clan knows, are spreading.’
The Baek San Geum Clan is currently trying to find the person who leaked the information internally.
‘They won’t be able to find the culprit, and they’ll think the rumors might be true.’
The moment they gain a little credibility, the Baek San Geum Clan will have no choice but to act. They would hate to have their ancestors’ treasure taken by the Heavenly Alliance and the Demonic Cult more than death.
‘Cheon Yu-un. You spread the rumors well using the original knowledge.’
For reference, the Wooden Seal Staff does not exist. It was destroyed hundreds of years ago.
***
The next morning, the Demonic Cult gathered their forces and moved towards Baek San. It was the result of Cheon Yu-un’s influence.
A few hours later, the Heavenly Alliance hurriedly gathered their forces and followed the Demonic Cult towards Baek San.
The Baek San Geum Clan set out later than the Heavenly Alliance.
I pretended to join the Demonic Cult, then changed direction to another side.
‘Cheon Yu-un’s goal is to get the elixir hidden in Baek San. I’m going to steal it.’
I was prepared to break the seal to steal the elixir. The elixir that could be obtained here was quite precious. Also, stealing the elixir would hinder Cheon Yu-un’s growth.
I climbed Baek San.
As its name suggested, it was a white mountain. It wasn’t white because of the snow, but because the trees and soil were pure white. I didn’t know the reason. It hadn’t been revealed. In the original story, Cheon Yu-un speculates about yin energy or something. It wasn’t particularly important.
‘There it is.’
I used the Heavenly Eye to confirm Cheon Yu-un’s location. Cheon Yu-un didn’t realize I was following him.
‘I’ll backstab Cheon Yu-un the moment he gets the elixir.’
I decided to break the seal that I had received from Mireong.
I stopped walking and closed my eyes. I entered self-contemplation. I could feel the technique blocking my dantian and meridians. The technique was made of water and wood energy. Mireong deliberately placed the seal on me with water and wood energy. The reason was simple.
‘Because lightning energy is strong against water and wood energy.’
I generated lightning energy. The lightning energy burned the technique according to my will and removed the seal.
I felt my body lighten. It was like putting down a load of hundreds of kilograms.
‘Let’s go.’
I prepared the Illusitor. To make a perfect surprise attack, I made my body transparent and followed Cheon Yu-un. Cheon Yu-un skillfully found his way, going back and forth. He found a gap between the white trees and rocks and slowly walked in.
I also followed him.
A huge hollow appeared, and there was a large white tree. Instead of leaves, white hair grew on the white branches.
The White-Haired Ghost Tree. It was a creature closer to a spirit beast than a monster.
Cheon Yu-un drew his sword from his waist and rushed at the White-Haired Ghost Tree. Cheon Yu-un began to use the Demonic Divine Art in earnest.
‘Is it because of the difference in cultivation? The Demonic Divine Art doesn’t look like much.’
After a fierce battle for five minutes, Cheon Yu-un pierced the core of the White-Haired Ghost Tree and brought it down. Cracks appeared on the White-Haired Ghost Tree’s body, and it began to break apart.
‘The White-Haired Ghost Tree blooms after it dies.’
The trunk of the White-Haired Ghost Tree split open, and a pure white flower bloomed beautifully.
The White Yang Flower. It was the elixir of elixirs.
“…Finally, I’m getting it…!”
Cheon Yu-un was delighted and reached out for the White Yang Flower. I prepared to backstab Cheon Yu-un. I would knock Cheon Yu-un unconscious with one surprise attack and steal the White Yang Flower. It was my perfect plan.
Before I could execute the plan, a variable occurred.
Someone who had been hiding behind a rock ahead of me appeared, kicked Cheon Yu-un unconscious, and stole the White Yang Flower.
‘What the hell!’
I immediately jumped out and swung the Fire Lotus Flying Daggers at the unknown person. The enemy lightly dodged my attack, stepping on a footwork. I frowned. I couldn’t identify the enemy. A black shadow-like thing was covering the enemy’s body. Of course, I couldn’t see their face or even their build.
‘Martial arts? Technique? Artifact? Either way, it’s not ordinary. My Heavenly Eye doesn’t work.’
The shadow looked at me, keeping its distance. It was like it was observing me.
“Who are you?”
A distorted voice echoed from the shadow’s mouth.
“Your voice is awful. Show yourself.”
“…I don’t think you’re in a position to say that?”
My voice was Cheon Yu-un’s. If that guy covered his body with a black shadow, I made my body transparent with the Illusitor.
I approached the shadow, suppressing my presence as much as possible. The shadow reacted immediately. As if it could see me.
‘The reaction is a bit slow. It’s not that it can see me, but that its senses are good. A moment.’
Lightning Heaven Style (雷天流) Lightning Flash (雷光).
The Fire Lotus Flying Daggers were imbued with red lightning, aiming for the shadow’s neck. The shadow raised its sword and deflected my attack. The recoil sent me and the shadow flying backward at the same time.
“That’s a sword technique I’ve never seen before. Who are you?”
The shadow spoke, taking a stance.
“A sword technique I’ve never seen before? That’s what I should be saying.”
I also took the stance of the Eternal Heaven Style. No, now it was the Lightning Heaven Style, and I quietly breathed. There was electricity mixed in my exhaled breath. Crackle. Red lightning enveloped my body. To the shadow’s eyes, I would look like red lightning.
Lightning Heaven Style (雷天流) Gale Lightning (疾風迅雷).
I took a step forward. I closed the distance in an instant and swung my sword at the shadow. The shadow seemed surprised and hesitated, then lowered its upper body and swung its sword. I felt pure demonic energy from its sword.
‘This is just like Cheon Yu-un’s…!’
We exchanged sword strikes. The shadow calmly parried all my attacks. I also injured the shadow, but it wasn’t fatal.
Crack, crackle….
The red lightning was consumed by the shadow’s demonic energy and disappeared. The shadow’s demonic power and the Lightning Heaven Style were not compatible. I clicked my tongue. My skills were not enough to counter that demonic energy. To be precise, my understanding of the Lightning Heaven Style was lacking.
Thud!
The shadow’s fist struck my abdomen. Unable to defend, I was hit by the fist and flew backward, crashing into the wall.
“…I’ve roughly figured out your sword technique. I admit it’s a great sword technique. But that’s it. In the end, I’m stronger than you.”
Kiiing.
The Illusitor made a short noise and turned off. Its duration had run out. My appearance was revealed. My bare face was revealed. It was a mistake not to wear a mask because it was cumbersome. …I didn’t expect such a guy to appear.
The shadow stared intently at my face.
“…I don’t recognize you at all. Who are you?”
“I am… Yeom Gu-seok.”
I wiped the blood flowing from my mouth with the back of my hand and took a stance.
“Yeom Gu-seok? Ha, that’s a joke. Yeom Gu-seok looks a little more stupid than you.”
“……”
The shadow knew about Yeom Gu-seok.
“Well, whatever. I’ll find out your identity later. Since there’s no time now… I’ll just kill you.”
Black demonic energy rose from the shadow’s body. Now that I saw it, I could be sure.
“Demonic Divine Art (天魔神功)….”
“You have an eye for things.”
The demonic energy gathered on the shadow’s sword.
“Tsk. Everyone and their dog has the Demonic Divine Art.”
“What?”
Demonic Divine Art (天魔神功) Demonic Energy (天魔氣).
I activated the Demonic Divine Art. Black demonic energy enveloped my body. Like the shadow, I gathered demonic energy on my sword.
The shadow paused, as if shocked.
“Demonic Divine Art (天魔神功)…?”
“You have eyes, don’t you?”
I threw a punch at the surprised guy.
Demonic Divine Art (天魔神功) Dragon Fist (竜拳).
