Chapter 648: Owner of Wisdom (2)
The moment I began to suspect that Hong Fan is the Owner of Light was the first day of the 1000th cycle.
In other words, it was right after I advanced to True Immortality.
The basic knowledge of the True Immortal Realm that Blood Yin provided me.
For example, after I saw the current symbols of the Eleven Governings and the true names, I began to suspect that Hong Fan is the Owner of Light.
The Radiance Supreme Deity Heuk Sa (黑蛇).
Anyone who isn't a fool would know.
Hong Fan, who has always stayed by my side and clung to me, constantly reminding me of a black snake, being related to the Radiance Supreme Deity is a possibility that any sane person would have speculated at least once.
On top of that, there is what Blood Yin once told me.'He said I fulfilled the condition for the Radiance Eight Immortals to descend into the Bright Cold Realm.'
When I consider that the condition for the descent of the Radiance Eight Immortals is faith in the Radiance Supreme Deity, it seems like a rather out-of-the-blue statement.
Why on earth would I believe in the Radiance Supreme Deity?
However, if I think of Hong Fan as the Radiance Supreme Deity, or at least something connected to Them, then that descent condition fits perfectly.
At the time, I trusted Hong Fan deeply.
It's just that this faith was not directed toward a god but was the trust I had in my subordinate and friend.
Besides this, there are plenty of other suspicious points, but there are two main reasons why I became almost certain that Hong Fan is the Radiance Supreme Deity.
'First, Hong Fan has never once directly faced the Radiance Eight Immortals.'
That's right.
Interestingly, up until now, whether by coincidence or inevitability, Hong Fan has never once directly encountered the Radiance Eight Immortals.
Of course, there have been times when I deliberately hid Hong Fan, but even aside from that, for various reasons, Hong Fan has never once encountered the Radiance Eight Immortals directly.
Considering how I, as an Ender, am deeply entangled with the Radiance Eight Immortals, the fact that my subordinate Hong Fan has never once directly encountered them feels too strange to dismiss as mere coincidence.
Even in the beginning of this life, convinced that Hong Fan is most likely the Radiance Supreme Deity, I attempted to have him face the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord by sharing a brief conversation with him right after descending to the Lower Realm, waiting for the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord to arrive.
However, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord only descended after I placed Hong Fan inside my body, and at that point, I realized that there seems to be some kind of law preventing Hong Fan from directly facing the Radiance Eight Immortals.
'That is the first point. And the second is...that bizarre history revision through the Head Realm.'
In the Head Realm, for beings at the Star Shattering stage and above, it becomes extremely difficult or nearly impossible to use any spells.
Even Immortal Arts always end in failure within the Head Realm.
However, only the Immortal Arts permitted by the Radiance Supreme Deity do not fail in the Head Realm.
In other words, the Radiance Supreme Deity holds some authority of control over the Head Realm.
To put it simply...
'The Head Realm is connected to the Radiance Supreme Deity. And...every time I notice the contradictions regarding Hong Fan, history revision occurs from the Head Realm, and the entire world defends Hong Fan.'
The Radiance Supreme Deity is connected to the Head Realm.
And Hong Fan is also connected to the Head Realm.
Therefore, from the moment I felt the strange power of history revision and distortion that I have sensed since the previous cycle...
I came to believe that Hong Fan is in fact the Radiance Supreme Deity.
Or at least a clone or subordinate of the Radiance Supreme Deity.
That is why, when the Underworld commanded not to allow Hong Fan and the other living beings into the deepest depths, I deliberately messed with Hong Fan by feeding him potatoes.
'All this time, I kept provoking him and saying nonsense, thinking he was the Radiance Supreme Deity...'
Bringing up past lives and constantly throwing strange guesses about his identity in front of Hong Fan wasn't something I did for no reason.
But to think that it wasn't the case.
On top of that, the one known as the [Oldest One], the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, said that the Radiance Supreme Deity does not exist, meaning I have been falsely accusing Hong Fan all this time.
'...If he really isn't the Radiance Supreme Deity, I can't help but feel a little guilty.'
However, leaving aside whether I feel sorry for Hong Fan, the fact remains that I still can't figure out Hong Fan's identity.
'If he isn't the Radiance Supreme Deity, then just what exactly is this guy?'
That's right.
Right at the end of my life.
That meaningful and profound conversation between Hong Fan and Hyeon Mu, and the strange phenomenon where both Hong Fan and the Heavenly Venerable Hyeon Mu regain their memories upon meeting each other—it is clearly abnormal.
'And even though Hyeon Mu is a Heavenly Venerable, she definitely seemed to fear Hong Fan.'
That means Hong Fan's true rank—or perhaps his past life or the force backing him—is something beyond even Hyeon Mu.
'Hong Fan, this bastard. Is he possibly the Future King?'
Throb!
I try to piece together Hong Fan's identity, but the moment I recall the Future King, I feel a headache rising and exhale slowly.
'...But if this guy really is the Future King...'
I recall the final moment of the 16th cycle.
—Gu Ju. Your name is Gu Ju.
That final moment when Hong Fan was holding my hand.
'Just what exactly...was that warm heart I felt at that time...?'
It's when I am caught up in confusion.
Sururuk—
Before I know it, someone has appeared inside the room.
Kugugung!
The moment this person arrives, the room begins to distort, revealing its original form.
What I thought was just an ordinary guest room twists, transforming into a nebula space, similar to the room of the Naming Supreme Deity I had seen before.
It seems that all guest rooms prepared for transcendents are made like this.
The one who appears in the room where Hong Fan and I are staying is an old man with a pale white face.
Wearing the garb of a eunuch, the old man bows his waist toward me and speaks.
[Have you awakened, O distinguished guest?]
[Indeed. And you are...?]
[I am the chief attendant of the Imperial Venerable. I am merely a lowly Immortal Beast who has long since abandoned his name, so you may simply call me Eunuch. The Judges call me White Eunuch because of my pale face, so you may also call me that if you wish.]
[Very well, White Eunuch...]
I gauge the strength of the white-faced man who stands before me.
'Insane...'
No matter how much this man lowers himself, his power is by no means beneath mine.
'This man is also at the level of an Immortal Lord. Since I can't sense a winged garment, is he perhaps a True Lord? Strangely, I can't tell whether he is a Heaven Immortal or an Earth Immortal. It doesn't seem like he's a Heaven-Earth Great Net Immortal like me, but perhaps he has mastered some special Immortal Art that conceals his identity...'
What is certain is that he is clearly stronger than Black Dragon.
'What kind of organization is the Underworld, really...? Well, considering the power of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, it's only natural that such powerful beings would gather here.'
[By the way, how is your condition at present? Are you able to go see the Imperial Venerable right away?]
[Hmm...]
At White Eunuch's words, I move my body a little.
'Is it still a bit too much right now?'
[I believe it is still too early, but if I rest just a little longer, I should be able to recover enough to visit the Imperial Venerable. If the Imperial Venerable calls, could you please let them know to wait just a bit longer?]
[Yes, I shall convey the message. Is there anything you require while you rest?]
[Hmm, if you happen to have any taenghwa of Buddhist Bodhisattvas...could you bring them here? They don't need to belong to the Imperial Venerable. Even if they hadn't been drawn by higher beings, it is fine. Even those commonly viewed by the people of the Lower Realm will suffice.]
[Yes, well. That will not be difficult.]
Squirm, squirm...
With that, something like nine tendrils seems to stretch out from the shadow beneath the old man's feet, and in an instant, through those shadows, something appears between us.
[I have brought replicas of taenghwa made by those in the Lower Realm who follow the Buddhist Path Method among the Imperial Venerable's devotees. Please view them at your leisure. If you require anything else, you may call for me, or summon Daryeo, Soryeo, or Blue Bird.]
He hands me a strand of his own hair, along with three feathers from a blue-colored bird.
It seems they are all attendants serving the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
Finishing his words, the white-faced man vanishes again in an instant, and as he disappears, the distorted space also returns to the form of a guest room used by humans.
I place the hairs he gave me inside my body and then look at the round sphere he has handed over.
What he has given me is a planet.
Above the surface of that planet, there are enormous pavilions lined up one after another, and each of those pavilions is a library that houses books.
'I only asked for a few paintings, but he created an entire planet and filled it with a library in an instant. Terrifying.'
Once again, I am impressed by the way True Immortals handle things, and after sweeping over the entire planet with my consciousness, I find what I have been looking for within.
'Here they are. The taenghwa depicting the Future King.'
I take out dozens of taenghwa depicting the Future King and spread them out in front of Hong Fan.
[Hong Fan, by the way, these are the taenghwa I discovered while studying Buddhist Path Methods. Do any memories of your past life come to mind as you look at these? I was wondering if your past life might be connected to one of the Bodhisattvas of Buddhism.]
[Ah...! You are even considering my past life. Truly, your thoughtfulness is profound, Master.]
Hong Fan sweeps over the taenghwa of the Future King that I hand to him, and I ask him a question.
[Does anything come to mind when you look at them?]
[Hmm...]
Looking at the titles written on the taenghwa, Hong Fan figures out that the figure depicted in the paintings is called the Future King.
[Future King...? Hmmm...]
Immediately, I notice a shift in Hong Fan's intent.
'That reaction...?'
[Ugh... For some reason, I feel nauseous. My mood has worsened.]
Hong Fan is pouring out intent that sincerely conveys nausea and disgust.
[Do you remember anything?]
[Well...I am not sure. It is just such a fragmentary piece of information... Other than feeling disgusted, I do not know much.]
[Hmm...I see. Sorry about that. It seems there might have been some misunderstanding.]
[Yes, well. Then, if Master does not need these, I will dispose of them.]
[Do as you wish.]
As soon as I give permission, Hong Fan immediately gathers up the taenghwa of the Future King, rips them apart, and burns them.
Every single action of his is saturated with thick loathing.
At the same time, from deep within Hong Fan's intent, I catch the hint of a different hue.
'...Self-loathing? Despair? And...sadness? Hmm, even though he can't remember, the emotions themselves seem to be faintly resurfacing. But if it's emotions like those...'
It feels as though Hong Fan's true identity is becoming even more unclear.
'...I can't tell right now.'
Having gained no significant result, I cleanly put away my suspicions regarding Hong Fan.
'If I can't find the answer right now, then for the moment, I'll trust him.'
After all, until now, Hong Fan has never once done anything to harm us.
I decide to trust him.
And so, reinforcing my trust in Hong Fan deep within my heart, I restore my damaged body that became broken by accepting excessive wisdom.
Several days pass.
Kuuung!
At last, I fully recover my body and once again stand before the deepest depths of the Underworld to meet the Imperial Venerable.
The white-faced old man seems to be busy this time. Instead, three Blue Birds approach and conduct a body search on me.
[There is nothing suspicious. You may proceed.]
[The Imperial Venerable is waiting.]
The Blue Birds all appear to be siblings, and I glance back and forth between the ones who seem to be the eldest and second eldest, and the one who looks like the youngest.
It is because the eldest and second eldest seem to be inspecting me thoroughly, but for some reason, the youngest doesn't seem to be doing anything.
[By the way, why isn't the third Blue Bird doing anything? Shouldn't that...Azure Peng also be checking me?]
[Hmm, we apologize on behalf of the youngest. However, the distinguished guest's body contains quite a bit of glass...and certain characteristics of your Immortal Body trigger unpleasant nightmares in the youngest, so they are unable to participate in the inspection. But rest assured, we have conducted the inspection thoroughly enough to cover even for the youngest.]
The one who seems to be the eldest of the Blue Birds, named Daryeo, explains the situation well, and I look at the youngest Blue Bird—that is, the Dreaming True Lord Azure Peng—and nod my head.
'Ah, right... Was that the one who suffered at the hands of Glass Peacock?'
I nod and pass by the Blue Birds, entering into the deepest depths of the Underworld.
It is at that moment.
Chiiiiik—
[...!]
Something flashes from my cheek, and a peacock feather of glass color begin to emerge from my cheek.
At the same time, the peacock feather that sprouts from my cheek flies straight toward the youngest of the Blue Birds, Azure Peng, and pierces into them.
It all happens in an instant, before anyone can stop it.
'Th-This is...!'
Yes.
It is the trace left by Glass Peacock, who pressed their lips against my cheek during the previous cycle.
That trace, as I passed in front of Azure Peng, transferred over to them.
The moment this fact becomes clear, Azure Peng begins to foam at the mouth and convulse violently, while the Blue Bird siblings also start to panic.
[O-Oh dear...the power of Glass Peacock...! There shouldn't have been any direct contact between the distinguished guest and Glass Peacock, so why is this stuck on the distinguished... Damn it! Second, take the youngest to Eunuch immediately! Hurry!]
The eldest of the Blue Birds sighs as if their head hurts and gives the order, and the Blue Bird named Soryeo takes Azure Peng and flies off somewhere.
[...Ignorant One, that bastard... Just how did they do such a thing to the distinguished guest...? Forgive us for the disgraceful sight, distinguished guest. Glass Peacock's obsession with Azure Peng is abnormal...so at times, they influence Azure Peng in ways even we cannot imagine, like this. We will handle this matter ourselves, so please proceed to your private audience with the Imperial Venerable...]
[...Under...stood. I apologise for coming here with such a thing attached to me.]
[...No need.]
Daeryeo lets out a faint sigh and disappears, while I, feeling sorry toward Azure Peng, clear my throat and step into the deepest depths to meet the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
Kuuuuung!
The door behind me closes.
Once again facing the familiar scene of a private audience, I offer my greetings to the Imperial Venerable.
[Is your body well?]
[It has recovered enough that I can move.]
[That is fortunate.]
[Yes, and as much as it has recovered, please pass on the wisdom the Imperial Venerable was unable to share yesterday.]
I raise the question that has been on my mind the most to the Underworld.
[The identity of the Future King, and the three Origin Essences symbolizing the Absolute...I have well organized these matters. But there is something I am most curious about.]
With a hardened expression, I speak the question to the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
[O Imperial Venerable. I once heard from the Northern Heavenly Venerable...that you have challenged the Audience Chamber quite a few times. And indeed...in a past spacetime, you entered alongside Great Mountain, Sal Tree, and others.]
[...]
[So, if I may dare to ask...why is it that the Imperial Venerable...[returns every time]? Could you tell me the reason for this?]
Then, I cannot help but be startled by the expression that comes across the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld's face.
[You speak strange words.]
It is because the face of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld twists faintly with humiliation.
Grit...
The sound of teeth grinding echoes from somewhere.
[I...have never once challenged the Audience Chamber. Who is it that has said such a thing?]