Chapter 654: Heaven's Key (2)
"Kuaaaagh! Master!"
Hong Fan screams and begins to wail.
"What in the world are you doing!!"
It is because I ripped out my own arm and made it explode.
"...Hong Fan."
I appear in front of Hong Fan in my Transformation form and ask him.
"Do you trust me?"
"Of course I do! Why wouldn't I trust Master!""...I see. As expected...I'm sorry."
The reason I deliberately ripped out and burst apart my own arm is because of the emotion of infinite trust that Hong Fan directs toward me.
The moment I faced that sincere trust, I became so ashamed of myself that I could not control myself.
"Hong Fan."
I look at him with a firm expression and speak.
"You once said that as long as we are under the heavens, you would remain loyal, didn't you?"
"Of course!"
"...Then I, too, as long as I am under the heavens...will believe in your loyalty and trust you."
No matter what Hong Fan's true identity may be, no matter what he may be aiming for...
So long as he gives me his trust in this very moment, then I too will give him mine.
With that determination, I stand before Hong Fan and swear to believe in him.
"White Eunuch, are you there?"
After retrieving Hong Fan, the Immortal Treasures, and the ascenders, I burn White Eunuch's hair in the void to summon him.
At the same time, a pure white shadow seems to rise from beneath me, and a white-faced eunuch appears before me.
'Hm, he's quite a powerful one.'
Before attaining Triple Divinity, I could not gauge his strength, but after mastering Triple Divinity and reaching Araya Consciousness, I am now able to measure his power.
White Eunuch seems to realize this, as he grins and bows even deeper before me.
"The distinguished guest has achieved growth. Congratulations."
"It's nothing. There's something I'd like to ask of you. Would you be willing to listen?"
"Just speak the word."
"First..."
At those words, I convey several requests to him.
Upon hearing them, White Eunuch nods and speaks.
"I expected you might ask, so I've made preparations in advance. Please follow me."
I follow White Eunuch, and before long, we arrive at one of the hells within the Underworld.
'The hells of the Underworld and the paradise... These two are each practically Heavenly Domains themselves.'
In the Underworld, there are Ten Great Hells, and there is also a paradise for good people and those who have cleansed their sins.
Each hell is its own Heavenly Domain, and paradise is so vast that it is comparable to the size of multiple Heavenly Domains merged together, like the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
This means that the Underworld, in reality, holds several Heavenly Domains within her own Gandhara.
It houses worlds the size of Mount Sumeru within.
I click my tongue at the vastness of the Underworld and arrive at one of the hells that White Eunuch guides me to.
There, I see a familiar face.
Kurururung!
Blade Mountain Hell of the Ten Great Hells.
Within one of its blade mountains, Golden Shaking Bird foams at the mouth as her body is skewered by the knives of the mountain.
That's right.
When Underworld swung her hand toward the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, both the Lightning Sacred Sea and Golden Shaking Bird that were in that direction were obliterated.
"I wish to bring Golden Shaking Bird...back to the world of living. Would you permit it?"
"Hmm... The Imperial Venerable strictly forbids the resurrection of the dead, so it is ordinarily not allowed..."
"Hmm..."
"However, I asked through a clone I sent to the Imperial Venerable, and They said that since this Thunder Beast was slain by the Imperial Venerable's hand, They will allow its revival as a means of settling its karma."
"Ooooh...!"
"If you take her to the Eastern Heaven Flower Field and rub her body with stolen flowers, her flesh will be restored to life, so I recommend doing so."
"Thank you. But may I ask something?"
"What is it?"
I ask a question that I've been wondering about since before.
"Why do some refer to the Eastern Heaven Flower Field as the Western Heaven Flower Field? Which one is the real name?"
"Ah... The official name is Eastern Heaven Flower Field because the Flower Monarch is the Eastern Heavenly Venerable. But some mockingly call it the 'Western Heaven Flower Field' because the Flower Monarch clings to the domain of the Imperial Venerable and leeches off the domain of reincarnation. It is a name to tease that old man who mistakes himself for the God of Life."
"Hmm...! Still, the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable is a Heavenly Venerable...is it really okay to tease him like that?"
"The Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable is inherently kind and without flaws, so everyone teases him often. Even when flowers are stolen from the flower field, he has never once stormed into the Underworld in anger, so there is no need to worry about taking some either. Since the Imperial Venerable has declared Their protection over the distinguished guest, no Governing Immortal dares to obstruct distinguished guest's actions."
"..."
For some reason, I feel a little sorry for the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable.
"Understood. Thanks for the advice. Then, I'll take my leave..."
I extract Golden Shaking Bird's spirit from the blade mountain and begin to leave the Underworld with it in hand.
'Yang Su-jin's ring finger...was it protected inside the spirit?'
I draw out the ring finger left within Golden Shaking Bird's spirit and examine the Great Desolate Path within it.
Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any serious issue with Yang Su-jin's ring finger itself.
'First, I'll revive Golden Shaking Bird, place her in the Great Desolate Path to secure transportation, then gather my comrades.'
With that, I bow once toward the deepest depths of the Underworld, reveal my Great Net Immortal true body, and leap across dimensions.
Tststststststss!
After moving to the outskirts of the Underworld, I instantly arrive in a new world.
'Hmm...!'
It's beautiful.
Countless lives are beginning to stir, and flower-shaped light clusters float throughout the space, exuding vitality.
'Are each and every one of these...a fate being granted to those being born?'
It's when I become briefly entranced by the beauty of the Eastern Heaven Flower Field and admire its garden.
"Who goes there!?"
A giant divine spirit resembling an old woman of the Human Race appears with a furious expression.
"You! Are you a thief who came here to dare steal flowers from the flower field? Every single flower in the Eastern Heaven Garden is a life force meant to be given to mortal beings! They are not something you can just take and use as tools!"
"Hmm, I apologize. It's just that I need to revive a deceased from the Underworld..."
"Revive a deceased? Lies! The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld would never permit such an insane..."
It's then.
With a flurry of wingbeats, a massive Heavenly Pegasus wearing a dark red dobok (gi) appears in front of the angry old woman divine spirit.
Kuuuuung!
They stomp across the dimension of the Eastern Heaven and, crossing their forelegs, plants themself between me and the old woman with a neigh.
Pururur—
After a snort, they grin and speak.
"Compose yourself, Samsin. A message has arrived from the Lord. This one is indeed under the Underworld's protection, and the one he seeks to revive has been granted special resurrection permission from the Underworld."
"What...!? The Underworld permitted the revival of the dead...? Unbelievable..."
"That is what I am told. Step aside for now. This person is a distinguished guest, so I shall handle things from here."
"Hmph! Talking in such a ridiculously out-dated tone. Fine, I'll back off for now."
Clicking her tongue, the old woman called Samsin vanishes, and White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus speaks again.
"Ahem. By the way, distinguished guest..."
"Feel free to speak casually."
Since I remember White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus's way of speaking from the past life, I give them permission, who seems to be particularly using formal language given the public setting.
'They seem really uncomfortable.'
Sure enough.
As soon as my words end, White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus grins and says,
"Ah, really? Then I'll speak freely. Man, it's been so long since I talked that way in front of the granny. I thought I was gonna die from the awkwardness. That aside...you. You seem pretty decent. Wanna have a go with me?"
I realize that White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus has sensed my realm.
'I see. After reaching Araya Consciousness, I can now see White-Winged's realm too.'
They are a martial artist specialized in the creation aspect of Triple Divinity, and haven't yet fully attained the destruction aspect. They stand at a slightly lower realm than me.
"If I fight you, I think I could beat you down."
"Oho, brimming with confidence, huh? Then why don't we...give it a shot?"
"Sorry, but I'll have to postpone it for now."
A duel with the White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus would be nice, but now isn't the time.
"It seems the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable has given permission...but I have to resurrect this brat called Golden Shaking Bird. Would you mind giving me the flowers needed for resurrection?"
"Well, sure. We are ones who live through eternity, so the opportunity will come again someday. Let's see now, Golden Shaking Bird? Ah, it's the Thunder Beast Immortal Body that that lunatic made."
White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus scowls, as if recalling something unpleasant about Yang Su-jin.
"Did Yang Su-jin do something to you?"
"He dragged along the 'fires' of the Underworld and burned the flowers of the Eastern Heaven Flower Field. Because of the atrocities that the bastard committed, half the flower field went up in flames in an instant, and half the living beings of Mount Sumeru that were supposed to be born at that time had their births delayed. Of all times, it was when I went off to challenge Hyeon Mu. And Gramps—that is, Sal Tree old man—was in communion with the Southern Heavenly Venerable True Ultimate. That was the biggest problem. The bastard aimed for that timing and left us with no way to respond."
They speak while grinding their teeth.
"I went looking to tear him apart, but when I came to my senses, he already crashed into the Emptiness Supreme Deity in the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain and died. He is the only one I've seen commit such widespread madness other than Hae Nyeong. But even Hae Nyeong, at least, acted out of goodwill and curiosity in their own way. But that bastard? He simply wanted some of the flowers from the Eastern Heaven Flower Field, so he used the chaos as a distraction to steal them and caused that atrocity..."
"..."
"Huuu...sorry. Seeing the Thunder Beast reminded me of that crazy bastard and got me worked up. That Thunder Beast is also just another victim of his, so there's no need to hate it. Here. Flesh Restoring Flower, Blood Restoring Flower, Bone Restoring Flower, Breath Restoring Flower, Soul Restoring Flower, and others...take them."
White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus hands me the flowers while cursing Yang Su-jin as if they are chewing and spitting him out.
I exhale a quiet breath and send the energy of the flowers into Golden Shaking Bird.
Along with that, I see Golden Shaking Bird coming back to life.
Pasasasa—
Golden Shaking Bird's life and body are returning.
That's when it happens.
"...As I thought, this won't do."
White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus twitches their muscles and starts taking a stance.
"Meeting a strong one like you, I can't just let you go without a proper greeting. Come at me. Let's fight."
"..."
Looking at White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus who is seriously taking a stance, I ponder for a moment, then smile as I gauge their strength.
'It's a different story if they Divine Descent the power of Sal Tree...but in a regular fight, they are far weaker than the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.'
White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus and I both reveal our true bodies and face each other, taking our stances.
Just as we are about to clash,
Paat!
Above White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus's head, a brilliant flower crown seems to rise, and their gaze and aura shift dramatically.
"This brat. I sent them to treat a guest, and here they are trying to start a fight again."
"...Great Net Immortal Seo Eun-hyun greets the Heavenly Venerable."
I bow toward the presence now possessing White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus.
The Eastern Heavenly Venerable, Flower Monarch.
In other words, the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable.
"No need for excessive courtesy. I've heard from the Underworld. That you're heading to the Outer Sea soon to uncover my disgrace... Is that true?"
"Mm...!"
At that question, I begin to rack my brain.
'The Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable doesn't seem like he would openly admit his own disgrace being exposed...'
It's when I'm wondering how to respond.
"...Just answer whether it is true or not. Since the Underworld is protecting you, I cannot dare touch you anyway. And...given the nature of your ability, even if I block you, you will eventually uncover our disgrace."
"...I apologize. That is...how it turned out."
"...I see. So you intend to uncover our disgrace."
The eyes of the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable possessing Heavenly Pegasus grow complicated.
"...If the Underworld desires it, it will be revealed regardless. Still...it is painful. Even if the memories are gone, merely attempting to recall them pierces my depths with agony..."
He clutches his chest and exhales.
"...May I ask you for a favor?"
"What kind of favor is it?"
"Our disgrace...if it is revealed to someone other than the Heavenly Venerables, the structure is such that we immediately regain our memories. So if, at any time, you discover our disgrace and return...please help me lose my memory again."
"Pardon...?"
"Please, promise me that. Time, myself, and even Void, whose disgrace runs deepest...none of us can bear that truth. If it were Void, she could face that truth and comfortably repeat suicide, but...I cannot repeat suicide after realizing that truth. Because...I have family I must take care of in the Eastern Heaven Flower Field..."
The Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable continues with a gloomy expression.
"So please, I beg you."
"...How should I fulfill this request?"
"Looks like you've entered Araya Consciousness. Then, like Salt Sea, you should be able to strike directly at principles, correct?"
"That's how it has turned out..."
"One day, fight my Gandhara. I will descend with my true body and fight you. Then, strike my Gandhara with a fatal blow. Strike the principle. If you do so, I will fall into slumber and be able to lose my memory for a while."
"..."
"Will you do that for me?"
I look into Sal Tree's eyes.
Just what kind of sorrowful truth is it that makes him this way?
What on earth is their disgrace?
After pondering for a moment, I answer.
"If it is truly a truth none of you can endure...then I will do so."
"...Thank you."
Possessing White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus, the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable nods with a bitter smile and speaks.
"Since you've come all this way, and since you are also a guest of the Underworld, I will give you a gift. The misfortune of Enders is no longer a concern since the Underworld has restructured the laws, so there is no need to worry. If there is something you've been curious about, ask."
"Yes, in that case...since the Great Net Immortal realm is governed by the Three Heavenly Venerable, I'd like to hear about the formula for the Great Net Immortal realm, the detailed cultivation method, and the enlightenment contained within it. And also..."
I recall the divine majesty that Hyeon Mu once showed me.
Void Speed (虛速).
Kim Young-hoon called Hyeon Mu's speed Void Speed, and said the Heavenly Venerables would know the answer.
"I'd like to ask if you know anything about something called Void Speed."
"Void Speed? Ah...you mean the realm Hyeon Mu achieved."
The Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable nods and speaks.
"Starting with Void Speed...it is one of the ways to reach Undying (不滅)."
"Undying...you say?"
"Yes. It is a stage above Araya Consciousness...It is not quite accurate to call it the Ninth Consciousness beyond the Eight, but it is a state close to that. The Obsidian Devil Heavenly King called it Amara (阿摩羅)."
"Amara...what is that?"
"Infinity (無限). Or you can think of it as the infinite (無限大)."
At the mention of 'infinity', I feel like I'm beginning to understand something.
'Kim Young-hoon's Golden Great Thousand World. And Hyeon Mu's Eternal Step that manifested Void Speed. Both seem to connect with the concept of 'infinity'.'
If so, the state that Kim Young-hoon and Hyeon Mu ultimately reached appears to be Amara, the state beyond Araya.
'Is that the Ultimate of Martial Arts?'
"I don't know the exact details either. I can only speculate...but one thing is certain. Hyeon Mu's Eternal Step seems to be a 'means of reaching Amara, or Undying'."
Undying.
Ironically, what is presumed to be the Ultimate of Martial Arts bears the name that Hyeon Mu most wishes to escape from.
"When Hyeon Mu uses Eternal Step, she distorts principles, spacetime, and her essence, altering the very principle of her existence. And...Void Speed begins from that."
From the mouth of the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable, the nature of Void Speed unfolds.
"After altering the principle of existence into one that absolutely cannot exist in the Saha World, she begins interacting with the world using a property completely opposite to that of ordinary matter in the Saha World."
"Completely opposite property...?"
"Using [light] as a reference point. In the Saha World, the vast majority accelerate as force is applied, approaching the speed of light. And beings of the True Immortal Realm possess strength that far transcends the standards of the Lower Realm, allowing them to accelerate even beyond the speed of light with immense and immeasurable force."
As the explanation continues, I come to understand just how terrifying Hyeon Mu's Eternity Step truly is.
"But once Hyeon Mu's Eternal Step activates, after she twists her own principle and Void Speed begins...the more infinite power she possesses, the more power she 'gains', the more her speed slows in reverse, decelerating to 'at least' the speed of light. And conversely, the more she 'loses' power, the more her speed accelerates—until, when her power reaches emptiness..."
"...Are you saying...her speed reaches infinity?"
"...Yes. If Hyeon Mu, through Eternal Step, turns the power within herself into emptiness for even a moment, then her speed accelerates to infinity."
"...!!"
'I see now...'
I understand why Hyeon Mu is called the 'Heavenly Venerable of Void'.
A being that infinitely accelerates and grows stronger the more she empties herself.
That is the realm Hyeon Mu has awakened.
Because she approaches infinity the more she empties herself, she can release power freely for attacks. And because she becomes infinite, she is faster in instantaneous acceleration than even Kim Young-hoon's Golden Speed Heavenly King. And because she is close to true infinity, only something that has reached the state of infinite—like the Golden Great Thousand World—can break it.
'Truly...it is a power worthy of being called the extreme of destruction.'
"That phenomenon—where one accelerates as they lose power in contradiction to normal principles—is called 'Void Speed.' Though I heard Hyeon Mu also calls it by another name, 'Shedding'..."
"I see...what a terrifying realm."
As I click my tongue, the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable also clicks his tongue and continues his explanation of the Heavenly Venerable of Void's Void Speed.
"Void Speed is also said to have such a trait. If you try to approach it, it grows distant, and if you try to distance yourself, it draws near. And perhaps because of that strange property..."
And...
At his following words, I can't help but flinch in surprise.
"Void Speed is said to be capable of reversing time, and 'theoretically' could enable travel to the past. Of course...since the Absolutes of Fate and History do not allow such a thing, it seems Hyeon Mu cannot actually do it."
"...Pardon?"