Chapter 1536 – 1536. The Ascension Of Light
I arrived in Shaanxi. Of course, it wasn’t the center of Shaanxi. It was a village on the outskirts of Shaanxi.
Even though it was a village, it was a place where several thousand people lived. As expected, this world was amazing when it came to population numbers.
I stared at the large rock placed at the entrance of the village. The characters “Kang Old Village” (康老村) were engraved on the rock.
‘It’s just like the original. If I remember correctly, the meaning of Kang Old Village… was that it was a village started by an old man named Kang who settled here?’
I focused on the rock.
‘It wasn’t carved with a hammer and chisel. It was engraved with a sword.’
A master recognizes another master.
I could tell that the person who engraved the characters on this rock was a master. I didn’t know what kind of swordsmanship it was, but I could tell that he was a master of the heavy sword.
‘He must be a master who retired from the martial world.’
I wouldn’t be able to meet him in person. He would already be dead.
I entered the village. There were quite a few outsiders besides me. And because it was a village on the outskirts, there seemed to be more old people.
‘Old people…’
After a moment of thought, I went outside the village and tore a space-movement scroll.
***
Baek Mu-han is a reincarnator.
He clearly remembers his past life.
In his past life, he was the Heavenly Demon.
Heavenly Sky. Devil Demon. 天魔.
He was the master of all demons and the ruler of all people.
He was the number one of the Demonic Sect, the best in the world, and the best of all time.
He dominated the martial world with overwhelming power. Even the emperor had to bow at his feet. In his past life, he had everything.
His reign, which seemed like it would last forever, came to an end in a ridiculous way.
It was betrayal.
He was betrayed by his wife, children, friends, and subordinates whom he had trusted. His wife poisoned his food, his children monitored his every move, his friends stabbed him in the back, and his subordinates blocked his escape routes.
The meticulous plan that had been in progress for over 10 years succeeded in taking the life of the absolute being, the Heavenly Demon.
After dying, he met the King of the Underworld, Yama.
Yama, the King of the Underworld, possessed tremendous power. He didn’t know exactly what kind of power it was, but even as an absolute being, he couldn’t be sure of victory against Yama.
-Your soul is full of karmic sins. Do you see that river? It is a river filled with the vengeful spirits of those you have killed. Originally, you should fall into that river and suffer eternally.
Yama said. He swallowed hard. He had prepared himself for hell. Or so he thought. But when he actually saw hell, he didn’t want to go in. The desire to be annihilated surged within him. He tried to fight Yama, but he was subdued by the grim reapers. He couldn’t do anything.
-Originally? Then has it changed now?
-Heavenly Demon, I will give you a chance to purify that river, your hell. Accumulate good karma. And save the wavering world. I will watch over you and constantly test you, so you must constantly do good.
The Heavenly Demon, who didn’t want to fall into hell, couldn’t refuse. He accepted Yama’s offer and reincarnated.
Baek Mu-han remembered his past life three years ago, when he turned ten.
One day, suddenly.
Without any warning, he remembered his past life.
He was born as the son of a commoner who ran the ‘Baek Mu Inn’. His father and mother didn’t know anything about martial arts, and they were swept away by a flood that occurred in the village when he was five years old.
Currently, Baek Mu-han was running the Baek Mu Inn with his grandmother.
‘Damn it.’
Baek Mu-han, who had briefly practiced the Heavenly Demon Divine Art during his break, cursed inwardly.
This world was different from the world he had lived in his past life. The world itself was incredibly vast. The composition of the martial world was similar, with the Martial Alliance, the Heavenly Demon Sect, the Nine Great Sects, and the Martial Families. However, when comparing the martial world’s landscape and the level of martial arts, this world was more impressive.
‘It’s good that the Heavenly Demon Sect exists in this world. But the Heavenly Demon isn’t the supreme being? There are also monsters, and even immortals actually exist?’
In this world, the levels of martial arts were called differently. They were also called the levels of humans. The higher the level, the longer the lifespan.
‘I’ve been training for three years, and I’m still only at the second stage of the Foundation Realm!’
To others, that alone was an amazing achievement. It was true that he had the effect of a five-hundred-year-old wild ginseng that he had accidentally found in the back mountain, but there were many who couldn’t reach the Foundation Realm even with the help of elixirs. Baek Mu-han was a genius among geniuses when it came to martial arts.
‘I have the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. And yet, I’m only at the second stage of the Foundation Realm!’
For Baek Mu-han himself, it was a matter of pride. In his mind, he should have been at least at the fifth stage of the Foundation Realm by now.
“Damn it. If only I could use the Star-Sucking Technique freely…!”
Beep!
A strange sound rang in his head.
『Make it a habit to use polite and kind language!』
“Aaaah!”
Baek Mu-han grabbed his head and screamed. He could endure the pain of having his bones broken, but for some reason, he couldn’t bear the pain inflicted by the system.
A terrible time passed. Baek Mu-han exhaled. He cursed all sorts of things inwardly.
‘Damn you, Yama! How could you leave me with this curse…!’
This curse called itself the Good-for-Nothing System. Of course, Baek Mu-han didn’t know the exact meaning of the word system. He just thought it was a name.
The Good-for-Nothing System forced Baek Mu-han to do good deeds and be righteous. Even a moment of cursing would cause unbearable pain, and if he committed an evil act, he would feel pain so severe that he would rather die. It also caused pain if he didn’t do good deeds. It was enough to drive him crazy.
『Do not postpone today’s good deeds until tomorrow!』
‘I’m really going crazy. The Heavenly Demon has to do at least three good deeds every day…!’
The Heavenly Demon doing good deeds! Was that even possible? For Baek Mu-han, the Heavenly Demon, doing good deeds was a form of corruption.
『There is still one good deed left. Do good before the sun sets.』
‘I’ll do it! I’ll do it!’
Baek Mu-han went to the house next door. He squatted down in the front yard and diligently pulled weeds.
Doing good deeds wasn’t difficult. If it helped someone else, it was a good deed. Baek Mu-han spent half a shichen pulling weeds under the scorching sun, completing his good deed.
Tap, tap, tap.
It was when he was shaking off his hands. He saw two male customers entering the Baek Mu Inn.
Baek Mu-han tensed up without realizing it.
‘They’re not ordinary men.’
In this world, it was more common to see martial artists than in his past life. This was because it was relatively easier to learn martial arts than in his past life. However, most of those martial artists were just mediocre. The real martial artists that Baek Mu-han acknowledged were few and far between.
‘Why would they come to this small village?’
He tensed up and entered the Baek Mu Inn. He ran into Myung-wol, the top disciple of the Wudang Sect, at the entrance.
“Hehe. I saw you pulling weeds in the yard next door. It was a good sight. You always make me feel ashamed.”
“What kind of…”
He was about to say ‘nonsense’ but quickly changed his words.
“What are you talking about?”
“You have learned martial arts. Even though it’s demonic arts, it’s not too late. Come to the Wudang Sect. Abandon the demonic arts and fill yourself with the Wudang Sect’s martial arts. The Tai Chi Divine Art suits you better than demonic arts.”
“I’m not interested. And isn’t the Martial Alliance at war with the Heavenly Demon Sect right now? Shouldn’t you be returning to the Wudang Sect?”
“The Wudang Sect is not weak. The Martial Alliance is not weak either. Although the Mount Hua Sect was defeated, the Martial Alliance has not lost. Will you continue to stay at the Baek Mu Inn?”
“I have no interest in the martial world.”
Baek Mu-han said firmly. Myung-wol didn’t believe him. He had no interest in the martial world, yet he trained in martial arts every day and listened to information about the martial world? It was a contradictory behavior.
“Please move aside. I need to go into the inn. I saw customers entering earlier.”
“Those men. They’re not ordinary martial artists. They’re masters that even I can’t guarantee victory against. Be careful.”
“Would masters of that caliber come to this small inn to cause trouble? They’ll leave as soon as they’re done with their business.”
Baek Mu-han entered the inn with Myung-wol.
And they witnessed a scene that made their minds go blank.
Baek Mu-han’s grandmother, Bi Wol-ryeong, was kissing a strange man. And it was a very passionate kiss.
For reference, Bi Wol-ryeong was an ordinary person who had not learned martial arts. This meant that she couldn’t maintain her youth with martial arts. Bi Wol-ryeong was 60 years old and had the appearance of someone her age.
“G-Grandmother!”
Baek Mu-han was shocked. He was shocked by the unexpected situation.
Bi Wol-ryeong was startled and pulled away from the man. She blushed and said to her grandson.
“No, dear! T-This is an accident! An accident!”
She desperately shook her hands and made a desperate excuse.
***
It had been a while since I met Seong Ji-gon. We hadn’t been able to meet often because we were both busy. Today was the first time we had met in almost six months.
But there was no awkwardness between Seong Ji-gon and me.
We were brothers who had shared the same mother! Time couldn’t fade our bond.
“How have you been?”
I asked.
“Same as usual. I’m working as a non-commissioned officer in the Sichuan military. I’m also learning the Nine Moon Spirit Sword Technique (九月靈劍法) while living with my master.”
Seong Ji-gon had become a disciple of Guwol Seonja (九月仙子) at the Manmu Tower and was learning martial arts. I asked in a subtle tone.
“Did you sleep with Guwol Seonja?”
Seong Ji-gon grinned.
“How?”
“It was easier than I thought. Just like you said, women are weak to the atmosphere. I got her a little drunk, and then we sat outside at night looking at the full moon, and I kissed her by mistake.”
“Guwol Seonja allowed it?”
“She reluctantly allowed it?”
I tried to use my imagination but gave up. It was clear that I would only hurt myself.
“Why did you cut your hair? You cut your hair short, and you look like a soldier. It looks a bit tacky.”
“This style works well. She likes it clean.”
Seong Ji-gon and I entered the Baek Mu Inn. Before entering the inn, I spotted a boy in the front yard of the house next door. My intuition told me that he was likely the reincarnated Heavenly Demon, Baek Mu-han.
Inside the Baek Mu Inn, an old woman was sitting.
How could a sparrow pass by a mill without stopping?
Hal-kas Seong Ji-gon naturally approached the old woman at the counter. They had a short conversation. It wasn’t a very significant conversation. It was about asking about the village and praising the old woman. But the old woman’s reaction was quite good. She was giggling at jokes that weren’t even funny.
‘Amazing. He opened the old woman’s heart in one minute. It can’t be just because of his looks.’
Seong Ji-gon used a technique.
He pretended to walk past the old woman and fell on her, kissing her. It was clearly an accident, so the old woman couldn’t get angry. Instead of getting angry, the old woman blushed.
I was convinced by that reaction.
‘He’s half-conquered her. Seong Ji-gon has reached a level I can’t even imagine when it comes to old women…! He’s an amazing guy!’
And Baek Mu-han, the old woman’s grandson, saw that scene.
