Chương 301: Protection (護) (3)

'Hmm, a second personality…'

It feels like I've become mad, but upon careful thought, I realize I've always been insane and accept it calmly.

Though I appear sane, in reality, my mind already snapped during the first Seven Stars Ritual, so it's just the madness returning again.

I've been mad for quite a while now.

'Separation of personality...'

When I had just fallen asleep, I was definitely disconnected from Seo Li, but now I can feel it.

I can feel that Seo Li and I are connected again.

'If a real separation of personalities were to happen... that wouldn't be too bad.'

Feeling connected to Seo Li, I sense that if I die, Seo Li would return with me.

Since our souls are still one, he wouldn't detach from me.

If that happens, we can better endure the loneliness of regression.

Seo Li isn't particularly scary.

I didn't think he has the ability to take over my body, and even if he gains such power, he considers me, the original, important enough to inform me of any change in his personality.

There's no lack of information sharing between Seo Li and me; we are one.

That is, as much as we are one body, I am prepared to let it be if he takes over.

After all, Seo Li is me, too.

'Well, okay. Setting that aside…'

I straighten up.

Dururuk— Inside the monks' quarters, Yeon brings in some tea.

"Oppa, have some tea. I learned how to brew tea from Miss Monk, and she brews it really well."

"Ah, thanks."

After drinking the tea she offered, I tidy up my spot and look around the monks' quarters.

'There are quite a few books here.'

Even inside the living quarts of monks, there are bookshelves here and there, filled with books.

I randomly pick one to read.

'Hmm, I've seen this fairy tale in the Head Realm…'

I flip through the familiar fairy tale book and put it back.

The fairy tale, with the theme of 'sincerity moves the heavens,' seems to exist even in the Bright Cold Realm.

I also read several books on Buddhist Family Methods to broaden my understanding of them and the Seven Brilliances Kings.

After a while, Kim Yeon, using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, says,

"Eun-hyun Oppa, Monk Tae is calling for you."

"Ah, okay. Let's go now."

I put the books back on the shelf and head back to the Grand Nirvana Temple's guest hall with her.

There, Tae Yeol-jeon is waiting with several books laid out.

"These are the Buddhist Family Methods you requested, Cultivator Seo. There are consciousness methods, body refining methods, and regular methods. There are various types, so take and learn them as you wish."

I express my gratitude and pick up the books, skimming through them before being startled.

"Wait... aren't all of these methods for reaching the Integration stage starting from the Nascent Soul stage!?"

I expected them to be methods for the Qi Building and Core Formation stages at most, but recognizing their value makes my hands tremble.

Tae Yeol-jeon smiles slightly.

"After all, I lack the talent for Heaven Tribe methods, so my cultivation has only reached the Core Formation stage. These method books have no value to me beyond being sutra annotations."

"…What do you want in return?"

"What do you mean? As I said, they hold no great value to me. I'm giving them to you for free. After all, we're both Grand Cultivators."

"Uuum..."

I once again scan through the consciousness methods, body refining methods, and Heaven Tribe methods one more time with my consciousness, and take only those that seem most helpful to me.

"Thank you."

"It's nothing."

I thank Tae Yeol-jeon and we chat a few more words..

Then, a question suddenly occurs to me.

"By the way... Daoist Tae, there's something I'd like to ask."

It's something I've been curious about while meeting her.

"What is it?"

"The Manifestation you've achieved, it's called the Heart and Heaven Taenghwa Painting, right?"

"That's right."

"While confronting your Heart and Heaven Taenghwa Painting, I felt that the essence of your manifestation stems from the Core Formation method you practiced. In other words, a Heaven Tribe method."

That's right.

In martial arts terms, she achieved Entering Heavens through internal energy methods.

Since she's originally from the Middle Realm, it's certain that she didn't practice internal energy methods but rather a Heaven Tribe method to reach Entering Heavens.

In short, it's as if Cheongmun Ryeong had reached Entering Heavens through his obsession with Understanding before Breakthrough.

I wondered how that was possible.

If such a thing was possible, why aren't all those obsessed with their cultivation methods becoming members of the Heart Tribe?

At my words, Tae Yeol-jeon laughs and says,

"I am first and foremost a religious person before being a cultivator. As someone who has returned to the Buddha, and developed my faith in the Seven Brilliances Kings to the extreme, I was able to reach Manifestation as a result."

"Hmm..."

Ultimately, the key is not an obsession with the cultivation method itself but rather an intense yearning for a particular enlightenment within the cultivation method that leads to Manifestation.

Feeling a mix of regret and curiosity about Cheongmun Ryeong, I ask her a question.

"Is it possible to reach Entering Heavens through Immortal Family Methods? For example, by seeking Understanding before Breakthrough..."

"It is theoretically possible. However, Immortal Family Methods are much more difficult than Buddhist Family Methods."

"Why is that?"

"Buddhist Family Methods always involve defining the existence of intent and understanding its exchange. After all, even the Seven Brilliances Kings are said to reside within us as a form of intent. Immortal Family Methods are not like that. They are practiced solely by oneself. That's why it is infinitely more difficult to achieve Manifestation through Immortal Family Methods than Buddhist Family ones."

"Hmm..."

"And one more thing."

She explains another difference between Immortal Family Methods and Buddhist Family Methods.

"If Buddhist Family Methods derive their foundation from the Seven Brilliances Kings, Immortal Family Methods mostly derive theirs from [Heaven] and [Earth]. These are the Heaven Tribe and Earth Tribe methods. Especially since Heaven Tribe methods take [Heaven] as their origin, the more you practice, the less you care about human intent, making Manifestation even more elusive."

"Hmm... I see."

Indeed, it seems that the more one masters Heaven Tribe methods within the Immortal Family Methods, the further one moves away from the enlightenment of Manifestation.

I, too, felt that the higher my realm, the more contradictory the enlightenment demanded by the Heaven, Earth, and Heart Tribes became, so it makes sense.

After a few more words, I express my thanks to her and get up from my seat.

"Thank you for enlightening me on many things. From now on, as fellow Grand Cultivators and fellow Heart Tribe spies, I look forward to your guidance."

"Hahaha, Heart Tribe spy? I just ran away from my master to become independent, so I'm really not a spy... Maybe you are the only spy, Cultivator Seo."

She responds to my joke with a joke of her own and sees me and Yeon out.

At the gate of Grand Nirvana Temple, another question suddenly occurs to me.

"By the way, I have one more question."

"What is it?"

"If you don't want to answer this, you don't have to. But I was wondering why your name and the name of the Grand Nirvana Temple's Grand Nirvana Hall are the same?"

"..."

"If this question was rude, I apologize."

"No, it's not that serious of a question. There's nothing much to it. I originally had no name. I was simply born and raised in the Grand Nirvana Temple. I don't know who my real parents are, nor do I care to know. I've always identified myself with the Grand Nirvana Temple, taught by the former head monk here."

Tae Yeol-jeon kindly explains the origin of her name.

"The head monk told me to return to the secular world and enter the Nascent Soul stage to find my parents and didn't give me a dharma name. But I didn't want to sever my ties with Grand Nirvana Temple, so I decided my own dharma name to be Tae Yeol-jeon, the same as Grand Nirvana Hall."

She bows with folded hands as she sees us off.

"My name is Tae Yeol-jeon. Just a rebellious rascal who didn't even receive a name from Grand Nirvana Hall."

We bow in return and then leave.

Meeting her gave me much to think about and much to gain.

After returning to Heavenly Cauldron Mountain from Grand Nirvana Hall, I ask Yeon for a favor.

"Min-hee unnie?"

"Yeah. Do you think it's possible? You know that Jeon Myeong-hoon wasn't on good terms with everyone, and that my relationship with Kang Min-hee wasn't great either, right?"

"Uh, you two didn't get along well?"

For some reason, Kim Yeon looks at me with partly closed eyes.

I'm puzzled, not knowing the reason.

"Yes, well. I'll try to contact her. I have something to talk about with Min-hee unnie anyway... and I also want to see her."

"Thanks, that's great."

Soon after, Yeon contacts Black Ghost Valley.

And the reply comes quickly.

Kiyaaaa― A ghost from Black Ghost Valley comes to the training grounds where Yeon and I are practicing.

Kim Yeon, who had been practicing the Paired Wing Dance in front of me, looks at the ghost as it approaches her.

She connects her consciousness with the ghost using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.

After a while, her expression brightens after receiving the ghost's reply.

"Ah, Oppa! Min-hee Unnie will have time to meet after the full moon, so we'll meet then!"

"Oh! As expected..."

Kim Yeon, who was always the most beloved in the company, received a quick reply.

However, I feel something strange

'Wait, from Seo Li's perspective, Kang Min-hee seems to be quite free now. Why insist on meeting after the full moon?'

It's as I said, Currently, I've become quite close to Kang Min-hee in Seo Li's body.

Oddly enough, she said she felt a familiar sense from Seo Li and quickly became close with him.

Thanks to that, I know.

She has quite a bit of free time now.

'But why specifically after the full moon?'

I ponder if there's a reason, then read the celestial energy.

'After the full moon, it will be the day when the yin energy is strongest in the Bright Cold Realm for the year.'

It's something akin to the winter solstice.

There seems to be a specific reason for choosing that time.

And so, the full moon passed.

Woooong!

'I' am flying through the sky using the Flying Escape Technique.

Recently, I have been carrying out various missions for the Black Scaled Fish Commanding Sect and have already gathered three hundred merit points.

I can officially enter the Ghost Soul Hall if I gather seven hundred more points or reach the Heavenly Being stage in the meantime.

And today, I am in the middle of another mission.

It's a seven hundred point mission directly assigned by Kang Min-hee, the vice-hall master of the Ghost Soul Hall.

'Now I understand why Kang Min-hee wanted to meet on this day.'

Shiiiik— Using a Flying Escape Technique, I slice through the night sky and enter the vast wetlands of Cold Yin Marsh, located on the eastern outskirts of the Cloud Island Archipelago, beyond the Human Race Grand Alliance's territory.

The Cold Yin Marsh is a deeply yin-saturated swamp territory, and it's a region belonging to the Yeopta Tribe, a Heaven Tribe resembling reptiles.

I go as far as humans are allowed in the outskirts of the Yeopta Tribe territory.

'This place seems good.'

I find a suitably gloomy and deep swamp and release the ghosts I have brought from the Black Ghost Valley.

As the numerous ghosts spread out in the already murky Cold Yin Marsh at midnight, an overwhelming symphony of ghostly wails and sobs echoe everywhere.

Kiyaaaaaaa― Euuughhh...

Aaaaahhhh!

Unlike before, now that the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets has taken shape, I can alter the form of death to not agitate the ghosts, so they don't find me as terrifying and don't try to flee.

[Form the formation!] As I command as a Ghost King, the ghosts begin to draw a formation according to my orders.

It's a formation that Kang Min-hee had taught me.

After a while, a massive diagram made of ghosts appear over the swamp of Cold Yin Marsh.

The diagram depicts a giant Ghost King, with the character for longevity (壽) reversed on its face.

I gather the surrounding yin energy and ghostly energy, forming hand seals and chanting incantations.

And at a certain moment, Paaaatt!

The formation, which has been absorbing the yin energy of Cold Yin Marsh, begins to emit yin energy on its own.

Sssaaaa― The surroundings are increasingly shrouded in a sinister and terrifying aura.

When the terrifying aura reaches its peak, I complete all the hand seals and recite the final incantation.

[Hidden Gate of Decaying Rot (腐䝗秘徯門), open!] Chaaaaaaa!

In an instant, as if torn apart by a massive beast, the entire area where the diagram is drawn rapidly decays.

At the same time, I can see streams of pitch-black darkness flowing into the Bright Cold Realm.

'Hmm, it feels like I'm conducting some sort of grand demon summoning ritual.'

Though it's just a ritual to summon an ex-girlfriend.

After a while, as the pitch-black darkness subsides, I gradually notice something crossing over from beyond the darkness.

It's a massive ghostly entity with disheveled hair, leading thousands of Ghost Kings around her, with pitch-black ghost claws on both hands.

As the ghostly entity plants its claws hands into the ground of the Bright Cold Realm, it begins to climb up.

Chiii— I wrap the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets around the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation to make sure it doesn't feel any pain, then create long chains to bind its wrists.

Next, I begin to pull the creature up into the Bright Cold Realm from above.

After a while, the creature, with a body long enough to measure about 2. 4m, finally succeeds in stepping onto the soil of the Bright Cold Realm.

The numerous Ghost Kings that followed it let out regretful screams as they remain beyond the darkness, and the dark space I opened begins to close.

After a while, the body of the 2. 4m ghost creature begins to shrink.

Tstststs― Eventually, the 2. 4m ghost creature shrinks to the size of a human woman and becomes a naked woman in the darkness.

[Whooosh...] A breath like that of a ghostly wind sweeps through the nearby environment.

The swamp within a 70 li radius freezes over with just one breath.

[It's warm. As expected, I like the Bright Cold Realm.] She takes a step forward with a grin.

Immediately, the ghostly energy responds, naturally enveloping her body. Soon, she is dressed in the black long robe of Black Ghost Valley.

'That's...'

The Black Grand Elder of the Black Ghost Valley, Kang Min-hee's main body.

I bow my head before her, letting my hair hang down.

Since I am also wearing the characteristic black robe of the Black Ghost Valley, she and I clearly look like a superior and her subordinate.

"Seo Li, Yin Soul disciple of Black Ghost Valley. I have completed the mission assigned by the Grand Elder."

[Ah, yes. Good work, Seo Li.] She laughs, emitting frost with every breath.

[I will inform the Duty Hall to award you merit points. By the way…did you bring it?]

"Here it is."

I hand her the pipe that her clone often smoked.

[Ah, thank you. This kind of thing is not possible on the side path.] The mission I had undertaken, worth 700 merit points, was to help the main body of Kang Min-hee, the Black Grand Elder and Vice Hall Master of Ghost Soul Hall, to enter the Bright Cold Realm from the side path.

[Huuuuu...] Using will-o'-the-wisp, she lights the pipe and walks to a suitable spot.

Then, from her shadow, Ghost Kings of at least Heavenly Being stage rise and freeze the water in the direction she gazes, creating an ice chair.

As she exhales cold air, the ice freezes further and becomes even more solid.

Kang Min-hee smokes the pipe while sitting on the ice chair.

Blue smoke rises from her lips.

[Originally, I intended to give you this mission to bring you into the Ghost Soul Hall through merit points…] Kang Min-hee looks at me and speaks with amazement.

[Seeing you with my main body, your death... it's really deep. I'd believe it if you said you're a Ghost King who crawled back from facing a Death God in the darkest depths of the Netherworld. Hehe…]

"..."

[With your talent, you can reach the Heavenly Being stage with just a bit more enlightenment in a short period. Save your contribution points and aim for the Heavenly Being stage instead. Use the points when you really need them. Understand?] Grateful for her kind suggestion, I bow my head and express my thanks.

"Thank you, Grand Elder. And... I shall take my leave now."

I know why Kang Min-hee did not immediately return to Black Ghost Valley but settled here at Cold Yin Marsh.

Today is the day she is to meet Kim Yeon.

Kang Min-hee had specified in her communication with Kim Yeon, 'Do not bring Jeon Myeong-hoon and Seo Eun-hyun.' Therefore, I shouldn't be present here.

However, Kang Min-hee, with wide eyes, speaks as if she doesn't understand.

[What are you talking about, Seo Li? Come here. I have someone to meet, but they won't arrive for a while. Keep me company until then.]

"Uh…then, can I leave when they arrive?"

[Do you dislike me?]

"No, not at all..."

[Why do you keep trying to leave? It's fine to stay. I'm just meeting an old friend from home…] I ended up staying with Kang Min-hee.

For a while, we chatted, and at some point, I found myself brushing her hair.

[Ahhh, ah. Ah. Hmm.]

"Is it okay?"

"Mmm. Ahhh. Mmm."

She begins to vocalize in a soft voice, saying,

"Hmm, it's nice. You brush well. Who taught you?"

'You did.'

"Someone taught me a long time ago."

"Whoever it was, they taught you well."

I remember brushing her hair when she was tired and begin brushing it again, occasionally massaging her scalp.

Kang Min-hee feels my touch and takes a puff from her pipe.

Blue smoke wafts up as she remains silent for a moment.

"It's cold. The side path.. it's directly connected to the Nether Ghost Realm, so the ghostly energy and yin energy from there pours out."

"Is that so?"

"Perhaps that's why I missed this warmth. I felt it indirectly with the clone, but the warmth felt by my true body is certainly more special."

She relaxes and rests her head in my hands for a while.

"Shall I massage your shoulders too?"

"Please do."

I naturally comfort her in the order she used to like.

Under the night sky, her perpetually cold shoulders gradually begin to warm.

Time passes.

Paaaatt!

From afar, a pale pink glow flies in.

It's Yeon.

I feel uncomfortable as if I'm breaking a promise, but since Kang Min-hee told me not to leave, I stay.

Taatt!

Yeon emerges from the dim glow.

Her eyes meet Kang Min-hee's.

Taktak― Kang Min-hee quickly puts away her pipe into the storage scroll and greets Kim Yeon warmly.

"Yeon-ah~! It's been sooo~ long! Our cutie! How have you been?"

"Unnie~! I haven't been…great, but it wasn't unbearable."

Kang Min-hee squeezes Kim Yeon's cheeks with both hands, doting on her, and Kim Yeon laughs happily in response.

After laughing and chatting for a while, Kang Min-hee introduces me to Kim Yeon.

"This is Seo Li. A friend who attends to me. It's okay for him to stay with us, right?"

"Of course. Hello, I'm Kim Yeon, Min-hee unnie's junior. You're very pretty too!"

"Uh.. um... thank you."

There's something I need to correct, but I awkwardly smile and let it pass for now.

After a brief lively catch-up, they move to a nearby rock and create seats using an earth manipulating technique, and begin to talk in earnest.

I feel like a third wheel between them but decide to endure it.

During their conversation, Kim Yeon coughs slightly, then speaks to Kang Min-hee with a bit more seriousness.

"Min-hee unnie."

"Hmm? What?"

"Have you met with any of our other colleagues?"

"Colleagues?"

"People from our company."

"... No, I haven't met them. I've heard things here and there, but I haven't actively looked for them... Jeon Myeong-hoon, that bastard... I heard he's dead?"

"...? Section Chief isn't dead though?"

"Oh... I thought something happened with the whole sect or something… Guess I heard wrong. Eh, just die already. Why isn't that bastard dead?"

Despite her words, she internally breathes a sigh of relief.

"Hehe, well…it seems Eun-hyun oppa managed to save him somehow."

"..."

"…Um, Min-hee unnie."

"What."

"I…"

Kim Yeon hesitates for a moment, glances at me to ensure I wouldn't understand, and speaks in Korean.

"I... started dating Eun-hyun oppa."

Kim Yeon watches Kang Min-hee's reaction carefully as she speaks.

For a while, both of them are silent.

Kim Yeon cautiously asks Kang Min-hee.

"Is that... okay?"