Chương 283: Hermit

I give Hong Fan and Jeon Myeong-hoon a cold look and signal them with my eyes.

Recognizing my gesture, the two nod and quickly move to block Seo Hweol's retreat.

Seeing us surrounding him from three directions, Seo Hweol laughs.

"Relax, fellow daoists. In fact, I've come after investigating everything about you all."

Seo Hweol's gaze then shifts to Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"The Daoist who, having inherited the True Inheritance Method of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, reached the Heavenly Being stage after just about 70 years."

He then turns his gaze from Jeon Myeong-hoon to Hong Fan.

"And Daoist Hong, who reached the Nascent Soul stage even quicker. Though not yet at the Heavenly Being stage, rumors of his genius are widespread."

His gaze shifts to me.

"And finally, Daoist Seo, who reached Qi Refining 6th star within a day of learning cultivation methods, rose to the Nascent Soul stage at an unbelievable speed, and then took the remnants of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect down to the Head Realm."

He smiles faintly and continues.

"All three of you... are certainly not ordinary, it seems. Am I right?"

I keep my lips tightly sealed with a frosty expression.

'I can't read it.'

It seems that by this point, he has already developed a magic artifact that could counteract the Heart Tribe's vision.

'Though it appears blurry…'

But beyond that, it's hard to see clearly.

As it at least appears blurry after reaching Tribulating Heavens, I think perhaps Kim Young-hoon can see through Seo Hweol's magic artifact.

"... So, what do you want to say?"

Seo Hweol spreads his arms with a welcoming smile at my question.

"You might find it insignificant, but I would like to inquire if I could join your plans."

"Hmm?"

"The true forms (真體) of Daoist Hong and Daoist Jeon... I can roughly guess. Haha, they must be those individuals. Of course… there's none like Daoist Seo that I know of."

He amusingly notes.

"If you're not among those I know, then you must belong to one of [two places]. Either affiliated with the Netherworld or... from that side. Given the reaction of White Bone Ghost Devil of Black Ghost Valley last time, you are likely a distinguished person from the Netherworld, I presume?"

Seo Hweol continues with a warm smile.

"A person of the Netherworld... and the true forms of Daoist Jeon and Daoist Hong. I can guess your goal. There's only one singular purpose you all would come to this Heavenly Domain."

'What is this guy rambling about?'

I decide to just listen since there's no harm in hearing him out.

"You're probably here to head to the Lightning Sacred Sea to retrieve the relic of the Golden Deity. Isn't that right?"

He looks around at us with a gentle yet confident expression, seeming certain of his guess.

Realizing that Jeon Myeong-hoon and Hong Fan's expressions are giving us away, I quickly divert Seo Hweol's attention to myself.

"... You're not wrong, but I see no need to explain myself to you."

As I speak, I also send a heart message to Hong Fan and Jeon Myeong-hoon.

Since heart language leaves no traces, Seo Hweol doesn't notice it.

Upon receiving my will, the two quickly seal their senses.

I then kick Yeon Jin, whose mouth is opening and closing besides me, back into the depths of the Peach Garden Painting before turning to Seo Hweol.

"You want to cooperate with us? Then tell me, who are you exactly, and what are you doing here? Recite your purpose."

Might as well let him continue with his misunderstanding.

I throw the question with the intention of completely exposing him.

However, Seo Hweol's answer is succinct.

"I am Blood Yin (血陰). Does that answer your question?"

"..."

'What in the world does that mean?'

Furthermore, I sense impurity in Seo Hweol's 'intention'.

Although it's hard to know his inner thoughts and intent through the Heart Tribe's vision, it's clear to me that he harbors impure 'intention' towards me.

'He's lying.'

I don't even know what Blood Yin is, but clearly, he isn't Blood Yin.

'Blood Yin, huh…'

Remembering what Yang Su-jin had said, I decide to test whether he really is this 'Blood Yin.'

"If you are Blood Yin, then you must have already found In (cause) and Yeon (connection), correct?"

"..."

For the first time, Seo Hweol's usually composed mouth shuts tight at my question.

Although his expression does not change, I manage to discern that his intent and heart essence are unusually trembling. Though I can only read them in a blurry manner, it's enough to tell that his heart essence is significantly disturbed.

"Vast Cold is indeed vast, how could they be so easily found?"

He neither ignores nor denies my words, simply passing them off as if he hasn't found them yet.

I smirk.

'I've got the upper hand.'

For the first time in our verbal exchanges, I have gained the upper hand due to the disparity in information.

'He definitely isn't Blood Yin. He's just impersonating as such.'

"Honestly, I can't believe you. You don't even know the whereabouts of In and Yeon, and you claim to be Blood Yin?"

"Haha, well… It doesn't matter what you think. What's clear is that I am deeply related to Blood Yin. Regardless, I can provide what the three of you are looking for."

"And you know what we want?"

"I can provide whatever it is."

At that, I pause for a moment then smirk again.

"I am... indeed interested in Yang Su-jin's immortal treasure you've spoken of.. but apart from that, I am also searching for traces left by the Owner of Salt Mountain."

"The Owner of Salt Mountain?"

Seo Hweol seems momentarily flustered by my words, then laughs as if he finally understands.

"Ah, I see. That's why Hon Won has been chasing you like a madman... Are you perhaps aiming for the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique?"

"Well, something like that."

'He knows about the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique and the Owner of Salt Mountain...'

He really doesn't seem like an ordinary guy.

"What will you do by finding the traces of the Governing Immortal? Is searching for that ancient deity a command from a Heavenly Venerable?"

"…!"

I'm shocked by Seo Hweol suddenly mentioning 'Governing Immortal'.

However, strangely enough, it isn't as painful as the time my body had melted away instantaneously.

It feels as though I developed a resistance.

I manage to endure the shock contained in the word 'Governing Immortal' without showing it and smile back.

'This bastard… is trying to test me.'

It must have been the same for Jeon Myeong-hoon and Hong Fan.

Fortunately, they seem unaffected, probably because they had blocked their senses as I had asked.

Although Jeon Myeong-hoon might have developed a resistance by directly facing a Governing Immortal, it was better to be cautious with Hong Fan.

"The oldest one desires the traces of the Mountain Deity."

I casually mention the Master of the Netherworld metaphorically to Seo Hweol.

Then, Seo Hweol nods.

"I see. I understand the situation."

It seems he recognizes my ability to endure the shock of the word 'Governing Immortal' and my capability to bring up other knowledge.

"If you aim for the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique, I will assist you with that as well."

"How can you?"

"Hon Won has many children, after all."

He grins nonchalantly, bringing up the topic as if it's nothing out of the ordinary.

"Just kidnap one or two and brainwash them."

"..."

His tone, as if he's talking about going on a picnic, leaves me somewhat dumbfounded.

"But anyway..."

"Hmm?"

I frown as I notice Seo Hweol slowly approaching me with a sly look.

He closes in quite familiarly and seems about to say something.

"With this level of sincerity, perhaps I could join fellow daoists for a bit?"

"I haven't said anything about kidnapping yet?"

"Oh, if you dislike kidnapping and brainwashing, then I'll just become 'friends' with Hon Won's children and find out that way."

His response clearly means he intends to manipulate people's hearts and spit out their secrets, just as he had done with Gy Ryeon.

"Would that be... alright with you?"

He reaches out affectionately towards my shoulder as he asks.

And then.

Crack!

I grab his arm.

"Shoulder."

"...?"

"Don't touch... my shoulder."

I grit my teeth and glare at him fiercely.

"I'll kill you."

"..."

Seo Hweol laughs nervously and withdraws his hand, a bit flustered.

"I apologize. It seems I have indeed annoyed Daoist Seo."

"You know well. Now then... I'll think about your offer to help us. We'll decide later and contact you when needed, so get lost."

I've been holding up well so far, but I fear that continuing to talk with him might give him a chance to find a gap, so I decide to rid Seo Hweol immediately.

"Understood. We shall meet again later. And regarding the technique left by the Owner of Salt Mountain and his successor, I will also endeavor to help."

"Do as you like."

"Additionally, regarding the Lightning Sacred Sea, studying the ruins of the Golden Deity's shrine that was destroyed 40, 000 years ago may accelerate the strategy for entering the Lightning Sacred Sea. I'll provide this information freely as compensation for having possibly upset you."

"Hmm..."

It's valuable information.

The region he refers to as the Lightning Sacred Sea is likely deeply related to Yang Su-jin's Decaying Corpse Realm that the Star Shattering Esteemed Ones are currently searching for.

However, the problem is that Seo Hweol is the source of the information.

Only Seo Hweol knows to what extent and how he might be lying to anyone.

It's uncertain starting from where this information is reliable.

'The 'intention' behind this information doesn't seem impure. Is it just trying to curry favor with me? And on top of that, there seems to be a bit of an 'intention' to test me.'

"By the way, 40, 000 years ago. What was the most memorable event for you back then? For me, it was amusing when Hon Won received attention from the Mountain Deity."

"Haha, that's quite unique of you."

Seo Hweol laughs as if amused.

"The biggest event 40, 000 years ago was the enthronement, wasn't it? The event when that person seized the Imperial Throne shook all Three Thousand Worlds and the Heavenly Domain, and even the Heavenly Venerables celebrated it. That incident practically influenced all events across the Three Thousand Worlds. The persecution of the descendants of the Golden Deity was merely one of the repercussions... To mention such a trivial event related to Hon Won..."

I catch Seo Hweol's eyes as he spills information I am unaware of.

"... Perhaps, if it involved the Owner of Great Mountain, there must have been some intricacies that even I am unaware of. Thank you for the information."

Seo Hweol, momentarily making eye contact with me, smiles with his eyes curving like crescent moons.

"Since you seem to be searching for traces related to the Owner of Great Mountain... You may already know this, but let me tell you one more thing."

"Go ahead."

Seo Hweol grins and turns his back to me.

"Hon Won acquired the Supervisory Eyes right after our ascension. It was said that he stayed put during the time when the Mad Lord was rampaging because he suddenly gained new supernatural abilities."

"…!"

"And… Hon Won has never trained in such supernatural abilities before. But suddenly, right when we ascended, he obtained them… You know what this means, right?"

His words send a chill down my spine.

"[Someone] is… lending him their eyes right now. Huhuhu…"

Thump, thump, thump…

I feel cold sweat run down my back.

I immediately understand the implication of Seo Hweol's words.

Hon Won didn't capture the Mad Lord at that time because at that moment, he had 'borrowed' spiritual eye powers from 'some being'.

The being that granted him that spirit eye had deliberately chosen to do so right after our ascension.

And that being is likely related to the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique, and by Seo Hweol's indication, associated with the 'Owner of Great Mountain.'

All these facts imply one possibility.

'The Owner of Great Mountain might have been monitoring us through Hon Won's eyes immediately after the Enders ascended.

Shiver!

I realize why the character for 'supervise' (監) in Hon Won's eyes had particularly stuck in my mind.

Perhaps that gaze might have been Hon Won's, but it was not solely his.

"…Thank you for the valuable information, Seo Hweol."

"It's nothing. Well then, I will see you again in the future."

Seo Hweol smiles and is about to leave.

And I too smile slyly as I draw the Colorless Glass Sword once again from my mouth.

"Then farewell."

Bo-woong, Puk-kuak!

With my single strike, Seo Hweol is cleaved in half and killed.

I see Seo Hweol's Nascent Soul scatter and split apart.

His Heavenly Circle and Earthly Bearings scatter.

Like so, Seo Hweol died.