Chapter 614: A Hungry World (3)
"The value of Radiance Hall is freedom. The Radiance Eight Immortals teach all the True Immortals of Radiance Hall in this way."
"..."
"And...they abhor fate."
It is truly an amusing matter.
A paradox where Radiance Hall, the group representing the fate of the entire universe, the group of Heaven Immortals that have seized control of the fate pathway, abhors fate.
"To be precise, they abhor fate being toyed with by beings who possess emotions. Those that abhor those who oppress the weak with violence that cannot be resisted. That is exactly what Radiance Hall is."
That is why they claim only those who meet their standards should elevate their realms and become True Immortals.
When I first heard of their ideology from Gyeong-i, I thought:'Isn't that too much of a suffocating method?'
If someone becoming a True Immortal, or elevating their realm, is determined solely by Radiance Hall, does that not mean everything is determined solely by them?
Is that not closer to yet another form of tyranny rather than enlightened rule?
Such thoughts crossed my mind.
However, once I came to know the true will of the Radiance Eight Immortals through Maek Jin, I came to understand.
'It was not a suffocating method... It was the way of madmen.'
"That is why...the ultimate objective of the Radiance Eight Immortals and the Radiance Supreme Deity has veered to a truly extreme direction."
In the early moments of this life.
It is not without reason that, despite the sorrowful voice of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, I ignored her and fled.
"Let us erase the existence of all Immortal Families from this world."
Yes.
This is precisely the ultimate goal of the Radiance Eight Immortals and the Radiance Supreme Deity, of Radiance Hall.
"Let us eliminate all who can toy with fate. Even if it is not fate, let us eliminate all cultivators who, through transcendent power, can blanket the world and oppress the weak mortals. Those who begin to obtain the possibility of transcendence...let us annihilate all cultivators starting from the Four-Axis stage, as well as all True Immortals, and allow only the Radiance Eight Immortals and the Radiance Supreme Deity to rule the world."
A truth so deranged that anyone who learns of it would dismiss it as the delusions of a lunatic.
A top-secret objective the Radiance Eight Immortals never disclose even to the True Immortals belonging to Radiance Hall.
"Let us have the Radiance Eight Immortals of Radiance Hall sever their emotions and use them only as tools, establishing an ideal world-governing system where they are never swayed by emotions. And...since eternal rule is neither good for the Radiance Eight Immortals themselves nor for the world, after a set period, let us have the Radiance Eight Immortals change generations. Through the fate they bestow, let us have the Radiance Eight Immortals choose candidates among the mortals and impart to them their ideology and values. Until they become the Radiance Eight Immortals, they may not be free due to their fate, but once they have become Radiance Eight Immortals, they will be given freedom with only their emotions severed. In this way..."
The more I reflect, the more I realize how chilling this goal is.
"Everyone in this world will possess freedom. Both those who rule and the mortals who are no longer subject to having their fate toyed with by transcendents..."
It must be because I had stolen the light from the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's domain that, in my past life, I too became extreme and blocked Immortal Cultivation.
I too had been deeply influenced by the ideology of the Radiance Eight Immortals.
And through her, I came to understand.
'The fact that I changed so drastically after taking the light of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord means...'
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord herself also follows and supports that ideology of her own free will.
"This is...the ultimate objective of Radiance Hall."
It is a purpose that can only be described as utterly repulsive and chilling.
The eradication of all True Immortals and all cultivators above the Four-Axis stage!
That is practically...
As if they intend to drive Immortal Cultivation entirely out of this world.
Then, listening to my words, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld smiles subtly and speaks.
"I already knew such things."
"..."
"However, you seem to have something else hidden within. Perhaps that is the true content you intend to offer me as a transaction? Please speak."
Indeed.
There is no way the Heavenly Venerable of the Netherworld wouldn't already know this.
The reason I brought this up is not merely to convey the ultimate objective of Radiance Hall.
"...My senior brother, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity Gwak Am, is currently in Penglai Island."
I weave together the information I gained in my past life inside my mind.
Radiance Hall joined hands with Gwak Am, who seeks to annihilate the entirety of Mount Sumeru.
They must have believed that annihilating all of Mount Sumeru would assist in eradicating all cultivators in this world.
Most likely, they were hiding out in the Outer Sea, or through some other method, they ensured their successors through prophecy and were waiting for death.
I piece together the information I gathered in the previous cycle.
'Definitely...during the war of Radiance Hall, the Underworld forces did not intervene in the war and instead set off to find Penglai Island.'
There is no way the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld would have suddenly sent her Judges and Reapers to Penglai Island without reason.
Which means...
'It was to stop the Great Mountain Supreme Deity!'
This is proof that the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld does not wish for the destruction of this world!
"...The Imperial Venerable has already noticed my ability, did you not?"
"Hoho..."
"...With my ability, I can find Penglai Island before Mount Sumeru is destroyed. I promise to find Penglai Island for you! So please, assist me!"
That's right.
The price I offer for this transaction is none other than Penglai Island!
Knowing that the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld sought Penglai Island in my past life, I present the search for Penglai Island as my offer to her.
'The ultimate objective of Radiance Hall might not be much help...but this much should be enough!'
For a while, with the candle flame between us, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld remains silent.
Then, shortly after.
She smiles meaningfully and speaks.
"I, too, have the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade. I can find the path and coordinates from the Outer Sea. So why must I borrow your ability?"
"I am aware. With the Imperial Venerable's ability, you surely have the ability to locate Penglai Island. However...the Imperial Venerable knows as well. Even if you find Penglai Island, you cannot enter it."
"..."
"Penglai Island is currently a world with a master, and that master will not open the door from within. Is that not so?"
"Hoho..."
As if my words strike directly at the mark, she smiles faintly.
"...But must you always laugh 'hoho' like that?"
"Pardon...?"
"Forgive me. I truly apologize. Anyway."
I clear my throat and continue.
'In my past life. Even though the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld possessed the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade and sent the Judges, the Splitting Heaven Mantra of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity still activated. That means...'
The only conclusion I can reach is that even though she found Penglai Island with the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity sealed the door from within and refused to let her enter.
And if that is so, then surely, I can propose a deal with her.
"If it is me. If it is me, I can definitely...enter Penglai Island. Because...the Great Mountain Supreme Deity is, regardless of everything, my senior brother."
"..."
"They will open the door only for me. No matter when, I will go to Penglai Island and force open its doors. So, please...lend me your aid."
After smiling at me for a while, I feel the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld smiling.
"...It seems you have come prepared. Seeing how firmly you have constructed your argument..."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"However, what if I possess the strength to directly find Penglai Road, pierce through it in one strike, and kill the Great Mountain Supreme Deity within?"
"...!"
I grit my teeth.
The power of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld is indeed overwhelming.
So much so that there is a possibility her words are true.
Kugugugugugu!
"Answer me."
Gradually, the face of the being before me fades away.
It is no longer human.
"Kkuuuugh!"
It is darkness.
A deep and vast darkness.
'I-I feel like I'm going to be crushed...'
I fail to endure the rank exuded by the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld and gasp for breath.
'What is this...?'
Even when I first saw the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, I did not feel this level of pressure.
Not even when I first Saw Bong Myeong, nor when I first faced Black Dragon, nor even when I witnessed the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity during my mortal being days...
This is the first time I have felt such a vicious oppression.
'Hyeon Mu, Cheon Woon, Gwan Myeong...'
Even if all three Heavenly Venerables combine their strength, I feel they would be no match for this existence.
The words just spoken by the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld seem entirely true.
'I-I'll die!'
I realize that if I speak wrongly here, I will die and be taxidermized within this darkness.
But I bite down hard on my lips.
Blood seeps from my mouth.
'...I am not afraid. What I should truly fear is...'
Thinking that I have a plum in my mouth, I start to straighten my posture once again.
'Even if I die in the evening...failing to do what I must in the morning!'
Wududuk!
Under the pressure that feels like it is shattering my entire body, I raise myself up.
The faint scent of plum seems to linger in my mouth.
"Then, what is it that you desire? I implore the Imperial Venerable to give me your command. I shall fulfil what the Imperial Venerable wants. What is required of me to ask for the Imperial Venerable's aid!?"
My resonant voice echoes within the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
Immediately after,
Paaatt!
The pressure vanishes, and before my eyes appears once more the Transformation form of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, holding a candle.
"No matter how many times I see you, you are pleasing..."
"..."
Though the pressure is gone, I do not lower my guard as I gaze at her.
"If you were not my friend's disciple, you are the sort of person I would wish to bring under my tutelage. Hoho... Very well. I shall grant your request. It is true I possess the strength to personally resolve this situation, but it is power I must conserve, so using it now would be a significant loss."
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld nods lightly and rises from her seat.
"Go forth. Then, what you seek will be delivered to you. But, it will be 'this one time only.' From here on, you must seize things with your own strength."
"Yes...!"
"In return, you must uphold the promise you spoke of. Even if you must grind away lifetimes, even if you must die a hundred times over...you must stop the tyranny of your senior brother. That is all."
Having finished speaking, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld erases her presence and disappears before my eyes.
Woo-wooong!
Now, the only one beside me is Kang Min-hee, who is gradually awakening her mind as she accepts the light of the taenghwa I received in the past life.
I recall the words of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld as I watch Kang Min-hee, then operate the Flawless Mantra to exit the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
How long do I wander inside the belly of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity?
Chwaaaak!
At last, I emerge from within the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity's belly.
Just then,
Kwarururururung!
With a deafening roar that feels as if the entire world is shaking, I see the sky of the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain being torn apart.
"...!!!"
Kugugugugugu!
An infinite darkness seems to fill the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, and from within, some people fall.
It is Kim Yeon, wearing an utterly dumbfounded expression,
Oh Hyun-seok, eyes wide open in shock,
And Kim Young-hoon's body, appearing to have lost its consciousness!
I hastily catch them, and then taken aback, look up at the sky of the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain that is mending itself again.
'N-No...'
She did say she would grant me what I desired...
But I didn't expect she would immediately return my comrades like this, leaving me somewhat utterly dumbfounded.
'It's...really this easy? Really?'
It feels a bit absurd, but I bite my lip as I recall her words about it being 'this one time only'.
'It's only in this lifetime. From the next life onwards, it won't work.'
Which means...from now on, I must strive to be able to save my comrades by my own strength alone.
Sururuk...
Sensing a presence behind me, I glance back into the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
—The Golden God of this generation...after receiving the inheritance, has immediately entered deep into the Outer Sea. However, as long as all of you are gathered together, he will be drawn by attraction force and inevitably return to your side, so do not worry.
After informing me of Kim Young-hoon's current state, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld completely conceals her presence.
Thus, having reunited with all my comrades, I offer a deep gratitude towards the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
"...Thank you. O Imperial Venerable..."
I have found all of my comrades in this life.
Now...
'Cultivation! Only endless cultivation awaits!'
I resolve firmly and gaze at the sky.
"Seo, Seo Eun-hyun? Hyung-nim? Kim Yeon? This place is..."
"Haha, it's been a while, Hyun-seok Hyung-nim."
I look at Oh Hyun-seok and smile, and he seems flustered.
It is when I try to explain the situation to him.
"Master! What has happened!"
Hong Fan rushes out from within the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity's belly, and Oh Hyun-seok, upon seeing Hong Fan, opens his eyes wide, then smiles as if he finally understands.
"Ahaha! I see. I understand now. It was Master who helped us!"
"...?"
"...?"
Hong Fan and I both stand there, confused, while Oh Hyun-seok immediately bows deeply towards Hong Fan.
"I can only be grateful for Master's grace! Eun-hyun! Kim Yeon! Offer your greetings! This person is none other than the High Spirit Grand Dao Nine Heavens Overseeing Fate Preserving Life Celestial Great Emperor! Their Majesty, the Naming Supreme Deity Hyeon Rang! Master has reunited us!"