Chương 824: Side Story - Nation Founding (2)

The core of the Naming Family Method is to distinguish emptiness and substance through names.

Through names, it draws what belongs to emptiness into reality, and steals the name that is in reality and sends it back to emptiness.

Doing so, distorting law and unleashing authority is precisely the Naming Family Method.

"Talisman War. Open!"

When Makli Hyun-ah spits out the 'name' of the culture called 'Talisman War,' at the same time a barrier with a diameter of five li spreads around them.

By calling the name, he brings down into reality what is called Talisman War that exists only as a 'concept' belonging to emptiness.

It is a Naming Dao Conferring Gods domain that is best for bringing out the power of Naming Family talismans.

Seo Hae-ryeong, the Elder of the Sea Dragon Race, sees that sight and lets out an exclamation.

[A Talisman War domain? To be able to spread a barrier said to be seen only at the Human Race's Grand Talisman War Competition with a single word of command... indeed, you are the founder of Talisman War.] Showing an excited look, he takes out the talismans he has gathered from Talisman War and begins to unfold the Talisman War.

[Activating the Trap Talisman Coral Zone. With the effect of Coral Zone, this sea area is set as a place that maximizes the power of sea demon beasts. With the special effect of Coral Zone, I activate spell talisman of the sea demon beast lineage. Spell Talisman Vortex is activated. With the effect of Vortex, one more talisman is taken out from the Talisman War deck and activated. If that talisman is a spell talisman of the water, wind, sea, or demon beast type, then through the connection with Coral Zone and Vortex, it becomes possible to summon one demon beast talisman.] Chwaaaaaah!

The spell talisman Seo Hae-ryeong takes out is a talisman named 'Storm Talisman.'

[Spell Talisman Storm Talisman! With Storm Talisman's effect, I call a storm over this entire sea area.] By Seo Hae-ryeong's baptism of talismans, countless phantoms of coral appear in the arena, and water rises nearby.

Immediately after, a huge vortex forms between the two, and around that vortex waterspouts rise as waves crash violently, and dark clouds begin to pour lightning and rain.

The optimal environment for a sea dragon to rampage forms.

However, what comes out of the demon beast talisman Seo Hae-ryeong summons is not that of the Sea Dragon Race.

[Summon, demon beast talisman! With the effect of the demon beast talisman, I summon Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect disciple, Jin Je-ja!] [TL/N: Je-ja means disciple.] Kwarururung!

Lightning rumbles, and from inside the storm a figure of a man at the Core Formation level wearing a golden robe appears.

Makli Hyun-ah clicks his tongue at the sight.

"I see... the Human Race extracts the aura of demon beasts to make demon beast talismans, but demon races like the Sea Dragon Race instead exploit the aura of the Human Race to make human talismans..."

[Hm? No, it is not necessarily like that. I extract and keep the energy of the Human Race who loses to me in a Talisman War duel. It is the spoils I have obtained up to now. And if you also lose in the Talisman War duel, you must be prepared...!] When Makli Hyun-ah thinks about being targeted by that old sea dragon, he feels cold sweat form on its own.

'How horrific. Even if I too entered a realm that corresponds to Core Formation, if I get drained by that Core Formation old man, I, whose vitality is weaker than users of Immortal Family Methods, will become a skeleton!'

—Makli Hyun-hok, I keep telling you, please use the word 'absorb'...

Makli Hyun-ah lets Jegal Mikhail's plea that he hears in his mind go in one ear and out the other, and carefully chooses talismans.

If there is a difference between the games on Earth that is Makli Hyun-ah's homeland, and the Talisman War of this Penglai Star, it is that he cannot possibly know what talisman the opponent is making.

'Among the talismans I distributed, that leaked from the Makli Clan and spread throughout Penglai City, very many are of the 'Sealing-Name talisman' type...'

The talismans of the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon are largely divided into two branches.

A Name-Sealing talisman that first finds out the opponent's name in advance and writes that name in advance, then sticks it to the opponent and seals their power.

Conversely, a Sealing-Name talisman that does not know the opponent's name, but if one sticks it on or fulfills the activation conditions, forcibly seals the opponent's name inside the talisman, and even seals the power attached to that name.

Naturally, the latter is harder and more troublesome to make, and its value is also higher.

And compared to the Name-Sealing talismans where the sealable target is predetermined, Sealing-Name talismans that can seize anything and seal part of their power are worth more than their already high value.

One of their aspects is that, for talismans used in Talisman War such as spell talismans, trap talismans, demon beast talismans, and so on, it makes it impossible to know any information at all about what kind of talisman the opponent will make and bring.

In Talisman War, a trap talisman is a talisman that seals natural phenomena or laws and the like.

A spell talisman is a talisman that seals a portion of the power of spells or demon abilities used by oneself or another.

And through Sealing-Name talismans, the types of trap talismans and spell talismans one can make become close to infinite.

'The opponent is a master of Talisman War. And from the fact that he prepared Talisman War even before meeting me, he must have sealed, in Sealing-Name talismans, phenomena or demon abilities specialized for dealing with me.

'Meanwhile, I didn't expect there to be a Talisman War duel, and I simply brought only the ordinary talismans I usually carry...'

Makli Hyun-ah's talismans are basic talismans that you can sufficiently obtain even on the market.

'With market talismans, I must defeat the bizarre and outlandish talismans that Sea Dragon prepared. Then there is only one method. I must dig into the essence of the Naming Family Method.'

The essence of the Naming Family Method is to distinguish emptiness and substance through names.

"Activate the Trap Talisman Mountain Soil. I immediately flip over one trap talisman."

[Huh? You're ending with just flipping one trap talisman? Are you crazy? Well, you must have a plan. Go, Jin Je-ja!] The illusion of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect disciple opens his mouth and spits out a red banner, then swings the red banner and strikes down lightning.

Kwarururung!

Red lightning pierces Makli Hyun-ah, and he coughs up blood, yet on his turn he only draws one more trap talisman and flips it over.

Five rounds pass like that, and Seo Hae-ryeong pours out attacks for five rounds, but Makli Hyun-ah only flips over five talismans.

And finally, when Seo Hae-ryeong makes the sixth attack, he launches a full assault on Makli Hyun-ah through the six demon beast talismans he has summoned, and he is certain that on the next turn, his victory is assured.

[Founder of Talisman War. You must have put those out for a reason, but it seems I will win on the next turn. Your vitality is almost gone.] Kugugung!

Seo Hae-ryeong looks down at Makli Hyun-ah and chuckles.

[Obediently acknowledge your defeat, and hand over your vital essence to me!] It is then, On the turn that has returned back to him, Makli Hyun-ah lifts up a talisman and opens his mouth.

"Do you know what the most important concept in Naming Family talismans is, Seo Hae-ryeong?"

[Hmm, what is it?]

"It is emptiness and reality. A talisman that has not activated is emptiness, and a talisman that has activated is substance. And if you arrange this reality where emptiness and substance stand opposed in the way of the Immortal Family, that is Yin-Yang Taiji!"

Tststst!

Makli Hyun-ah's gaze hardens, and the demon beast talisman he draws begins to shine.

"When yin wanes, yang grows strong, and when yang wanes, yin grows strong, but Taiji keeps harmony as it moves, so when one side grows strong the other side also grows strong, and when one side grows weak the other side also grows weak."

[Hhm... what are you trying to say?]

"The talismans I have flipped over and kept in the state of emptiness up to now... are desperate to return to the state of substance!"

[Yin-yang emptiness-substance, your theory about the Naming Family Method is quite interesting... but that sounds as if a mere talisman has a will. Even if a talisman wants to return to substance on its own, what does it matter? The outcome is already decided!]

"There is."

[What?]

"Even a talisman has a soul and will!"

Seo Hae-ryeong looks at Makli Hyun-ah with eyes that say it is nonsense, but Makli Hyun-ah does not waver.

"More precisely... it inhabits them in this moment. In this moment when we do Talisman War! A soul inhabits the talismans! Talisman War is alive!"

[To say Talisman War is alive, what kind of nonsense is that!?]

"If you cannot believe in the soul of Talisman War, I will show you now! Summon, demon beast talisman. Makli Nobi!"

"Uh, eot!"

The illusion of Makli Nobi is summoned, and soon the talismans Makli Hyun-ah drew and flipped over on top of the Talisman War disk flip over all at once and begin to spew light.

[What!?] Seo Hae-ryeong widens his eyes, and in that moment, inside the Naming Dao Talisman War domain that is full of seawater.

There, a gigantic clan manor reveals itself.

It is the Makli Clan.

The trap talismans and spell talismans that Makli Hyun-ah has kept flipped over in a state of emptiness are reconstructed around Makli Nobi's illusion and complete a scene that exists within the illusion's memories.

What is completed like so is the main estate of the Makli clan.

However, seeing that sight, Seo Hae-ryeong snorts.

[Hah, emptiness and reality and whatever, in the end you only summon a battlefield that is advantageous to you, is that not so?]

"Elder Seo, you have done many Talisman War competitions, but you have not done in-depth research on the talismans used in the Talisman War competition."

[What?]

"Naming Family talismans... the longer they remain in emptiness, the stronger the phenomenon becomes to head toward substance. You can also say the desire to be born grows stronger. And a strong desire breathes in a certain degree of free will. Like this! Go, Makli Nobi!"

At Makli Hyun-ah's command, the summoned Makli Nobi phantom waves a hand.

At the same time, light flashes from the phantom of the Makli Clan summoned around Makli Nobi's phantom.

Immediately after, the Makli Clan's protective formation begins to activate.

Kugugugugu!

The entire Makli Clan begins to shine as if boiling, and it starts burning Seo Hae-ryeong's demon beast talismans.

Seo Hae-ryeong can only gape as he watches that sight.

[Th-That makes no sense...!] Makli Hyun-ah opens his mouth.

'Talisman War is different from Earth's. Unlike Earth's, which is made of thorough rules... this is clearly an extension of real battle.'

"... Talisman War is an extension of sword discussion. It is a place where we collide, in theory, with what will collide in reality, and confirm each other's skill."

Sword discussion (僭瑜).

It is a virtual spar where one discusses with words, measures each other's skill, supplements shortcomings, and gains enlightenment.

The advantage of sword discussion is that no one gets hurt and both sides can gain enlightenment, but the biggest drawback is that it lacks vividness and is ultimately virtual sparring.

And the Talisman War that Makli Hyun-ah created can also be called another sword discussion that compensates for that drawback.

"The talismans themselves may indeed have no soul. But this place is where we discuss enlightenment. Therefore, the enlightenment of Immortal Cultivation becomes the soul of Talisman War, and it clashes here. So Talisman War has a soul."

Kururururur!

By keeping trap talismans and spell talismans flipped over for a long time, he lets the talismans remain for a long period in the emptiness attributes, raising their autonomy when they manifest with substance attributes.

And by summoning Makli Nobi's illusion, he manifested the Makli Clan through the traps and spell talismans imbued with autonomy, and manifested the Makli Clan's formation.

Lastly, by triggering Makli Nobi's bloodline, he set off the Makli Clan's formation, reversing the situation in an instant and winning.

That is the sharpness of Talisman War that Makli Hyun-ah shows.

Seo Hae-ryeong realizes that he lost in Talisman War.

[... It is my defeat. It is your victory, Makli Hyun-ah.] Tsuaaat!

As victory and defeat are decided, the Talisman War barrier is released.

Seo Hae-ryeong sincerely admires Makli Hyun-ah and makes a formal salute before him.

[The words that Talisman War has soul. I will engrave it deeply within myself...]

"I am the one who should thank you for understanding."

Seo Hae-ryeong, receiving Makli Hyun-ah's greeting, speaks to Makli Hyun-ah.

[Since you have won in Talisman War, our Sea Dragon Race hereby declares that we will decisively support Daoist Makli Hyun-ah as the ruler of the western sea region.] Wooo-woong!

Makli Hyun-ah feels the official robe he made specially in order to practice 'Pacifying Myriad Demons Under Heaven Survey' hum loudly and generate authority for him.

'Now I just need to accumulate this authority and raise my realm.'

However, Makli Hyun-ah cannot simply smile even though it is clearly a good thing.

"No... but are you really acknowledging me through Talisman War? Really?"

[Ahahahaha!] At those words, Seo Hae-ryeong laughs heartily and speaks.

[You are naïve, Daoist Makli Hyun-ah. Do you not think we accepted because it is also a benefit to us? Watching quietly, we think it will help us as well.]

"...? What do you mean watching?

Makli Hyun-ah cannot understand Seo Hae-ryeong's reaction at all, but Makli Hweol approaches from the side and explains.

"You could not have kept watching Daoist Makli Hyun-ah. You only observed briefly, and even in that brief time you clashed only through Talisman War. So in the end, if there is a part Elder Seo paid attention to, that is Talisman War. That does not mean you truly like Talisman War so much that you acknowledge Daoist Makli Hyun-ah only with his Talisman War skill. With high probability, you observed Daoist Makli Hyun-ah's understanding itself of the Naming Family Method. Is that not so?"

[Hehe.]

"That means the talismans of Daoist Makli Hyun-ah and the Naming Family Method itself are something the Sea Dragon Race needs. Is that correct? If I am correct, then please speak openly right here. Daoist Makli Hyun-ah recently achieved great completion in the Naming Family Method and plans to practice another method... so if he starts practicing another method, he may not be able to help you, Elder. So rather, please speak openly and receive Daoist Makli Hyun-ah's help."

"Pardon? Uh..."

Makli Hyun-ah tries to say, 'Even if I practice the Confucian Family Method, I can still use the Naming Family Method' but after reading Makli Hweol's expression, he closes his mouth.

—Makli Hyun-jok, read the room a bit. That guy is telling you to shut up.

Because Jegal Mikhail nags Makli Hyun-ah while watching Makli Hweol's expression, he has no choice but to keep his mouth shut.

And at his words, Seo Hae-ryeong of the Sea Dragon Race glares at Makli Hweol and speaks.

[I wondered why they threw such a naïve Daoist into this dangerous sea region, but it turns out they sent a clever strategist along. I do not know whether that is true... but if it is true, it is a big problem. I understand, I will speak without hiding it. [Our Sea Dragon Race... no, most of the Demon Race is receiving considerable help from Daoist Makli Hyun-ah's talismans.]"Hoho... I understand that among the Demon Race, human magic artifacts or dharma treasures are regarded as lowly compared to their powerful bodies... but why do you covet human things?" [If it is ordinary magic artifacts or dharma treasures, or things like talismans, then it is like so. Even if Human Race elixirs are said to have good efficacy, many do not suit our constitution, so they are useless... But Daoist Makli Hyun-ah's talismans are different. Whatever it is, that wondrous talisman that seals power into a name.] Seo Hae-ryeong looks at Makli Hyun-ah and speaks. [We, the Demon Race, through talismans that seal power through names... want to seal the ferocious nature of the Demon Race.]"Seal the ferocious nature of demon beasts?" At Seo Hae-ryeong's words, Makli Hyun-ah goes blank for a moment.' This, if I use the Confucian Family Method in one go, it can be solved and done...' Especially if it is Pacifying Myriad Demons Under Heaven Survey, which needs the Demon Race's acknowledgment, it has the best effect.' I can suppress the wild nature of the entire Sea Dragon Race at once. If I say this...' —Kuaaaagh, Makli Hyun-jok! Watch Makli Hweol's mood! The look that he will kill you if you say it so naïvely!' Kkuung...' However, at Seo Hae-ryeong's continuing words, Makli Hyun-ah cannot endure in the end and opens his mouth and speaks. [Yes, the Sea Dragon Race's ferocious nature. This will become the cornerstone that revives the dead progenitor of the Sea Dragon Race, and allows our Sea Dragon Race to truly enter as an Immortal Beast bloodline. After the progenitor of the Sea Dragon Race, 'True Person Yuk Jeung,' died during the Immortal Beast advancement, our Sea Dragon Race came to have a half-baked Immortal Beast bloodline.]'True Person Yuk Jeung...?'" That True..." As Makli Hyun-ah is about to ask, 'What kind of person is that True Person Yuk Jeung?', he somehow feels as if black chains are blocking his voice. Deep within his heart essence, it feels like 'someone' is blocking Makli Hyun-ah's speech. —If you are not a descendant, nor have a bloodline, nor connection, do not carelessly call the name of a higher existence. Clank, clank, clank... For an instant, Makli Hyun-ah sees an illusion of several hundred million black chains surging in a black abyss, and then comes back out.' What was that just now?' Makli Hyun-ah does not know what that hallucination is, but he feels he should follow that advice, so he decides to ask Makli Hweol later about who this True Person Yuk Jeung is. [... I beg you. Please share with us talismans that can seal the ferocious nature. And so, if one day True Person Yuk Jeung revives, they will surely bestow supreme blessing upon you as well!]"Ah... in fact, the method I am about to learn from now on is a method optimized for suppressing the ferocious nature of demon beasts in large quantities. Its range is enough to suppress this entire western sea region... Would it be all right if I help you not with talismans, but only with my method of cultivation?" Beside him, Makli Hweol and the illusion of Jegal Mikhail keep giving Makli Hyun-ah looks, but Makli Hyun-ah smacks his lips and barely brushes off their looks.' I can clear the hidden quest with a single click of the Confucian Family Method and get it for free, but I have to endure this? He knows Makli Hweol is continuing the talks while calculating some political gains and losses, but to Makli Hyun-ah, an easy, fast, and clear path is what he likes the best. The moment Seo Hae-ryeong hears Makli Hyun-ah's words, his voice trembles with a dazed expression. [Th-That kind of thing... if that is truly possible, not only our Sea Dragon Race, but all Demon Race of the western sea region will serve Daoist Makli Hyun-ah like a god... P-Please explain a little more in detail the range and effect of that method. If it truly is a range and power that satisfies us, we will serve Daoist Makli Hyun-ah as the king of the western sea region!] Like so, Makli Hyun-ah receives Makli Hweol's permission at Seo Hae-Ryeong's earnestness, and begins to explain the range and power of the Confucian Family Method. After hearing Makli Hyun-ah's explanation, Seo Hae-Ryeong sheds tears and, saying he will serve Makli Hyun-ah as the king of the western sea region, makes a sudden oath of loyalty to Makli Hyun-ah. Makli Hyun-ah is flustered, but he cannot refuse Seo Hae-Ryeong's sudden loyalty. A few days pass." It is fortunate the result ended well. If the negotiation ended unfavorably because of Daoist Makli Hyun-ah's remarks... hoho. Just thinking about it makes it fun." Makli Hyun-ah scratches his head awkwardly while looking at Makli Hweol, who laughs ominously." Hehe, I am sorry... but what could I do. Seo Hae-ryeong looked so pitiful that I ended up..." Makli Hyun-ah cannot bring himself to say that he is too lazy to draw talismans and hand them out to Seo Hae-ryeong, so he makes the excuse to Makli Hweol that he pities Seo Hae-ryeong." Well... since you say so, I understand for now. I hope you carry that heart to the end of Immortal Cultivation."" Aigoo yes, of course I should, of course... hmhm. Putting that aside... who is that existence called 'True Person' that Seo Hae-ryeong, mentioned?"" True Person Yuk Jeung... I do not know in detail. However, in a very ancient age, the Sea Dragon Race was said to be made for the use of some True Immortal's experimental subjects, and among that experimental-subject clan, one Sea Dragon said they would evolve their bloodline that is nothing but experimental subjects into a true Immortal Beast bloodline and succeeded in ascension, becoming a True Immortal. I understand that to be True Person Yuk Jeong."" Ah, then Yuk—""And, if you carelessly call a True Immortal's [name], it becomes a big problem. Even if they died long ago and their power has become faint, there is power in names, after all. Especially for Daoist Makli Hyun-ah, who cultivates the Naming Family Method, it is fatal. If you have no connection, no acquaintance, and no blood relation with that being, the moment you call their name you could die."" Heok... I, I will be careful." Makli Hyun-ah breaks into a cold sweat and resolves not to carelessly call Yuk Jeung's name." That aside, it is about time to go."" Ah, yes, it is. we should go out." Makli Hyun-ah remembers Seo Hae-ryeong's promise of introducing him in front of the demon beasts of the western sea region. Now, if he receives acknowledgment from the representatives of all demon beasts of the western sea region, then Makli Hyun-ah can straightaway obtain immense authority based on those powerful acknowledgments and continue cultivation quickly. He rides a flying magic artifact together with Makli Hweol toward the appointed place, and looks down upon the countless Sea Dragons and Demon Race at the promised location. [That is the one.] Seo Hae-ryeong's voice rings out, and in order to appear as dramatically as possible, Makli Hyun-ah receives the Sea Dragon Race's gaze. Perhaps because Seo Hae-ryeong already talked to them, quite a lot of the sea dragons already acknowledge Makli Hyun-ah, and as their acknowledgment falls upon Makli Hyun-ah, it converts into 'social authority power' as Makli Hyun-ah chants the formula. Tsuaaaat! A faint black aura settles over Makli Hyun-ah's entire body, and around the black official robe, a pitch-black military uniform forms. With powerful social authority wrapped around his body, Makli Hyun-ah knows that he can suppress the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy wherever his gaze reaches, at any time.' This is Pacifying Myriad Demons Under Heaven Survey...'" Let us go, Daoist Makli Hyun-ah." Tadat! Makli Hyun-ah jumps down from the flying-chariot magic artifact together with Makli Hweol, and while his entire body is wrapped in the black military uniform, he lands on the highest point of the rocky island where the Sea Dragon Race have gathered. Tudududududu! At the same time, Makli Hyun-ah activates Pacifying Myriad Demons Under Heaven Survey. The abilities of the Confucian Family Method are largely classified into four kinds.' Oppression,' 'Negation,' 'Expulsion,' and 'Sealing'. Makli Hyun-ah activates the most basic ability, 'Oppression,' instilling pressure into the many Demon Race, and suppressing their ferocious nature in an instant along with their demonic energy. Tudududududuk! The demon beasts whose ferocious nature and demonic energy are suppressed by Makli Hyun-ah's pressure naturally shrink under Makli Hyun-ah's gaze, and unless they have a level of at least the mid Core Formation stage, they do not dare even meet his eyes. However, because of his own weak mentality, Makli Hyun-ah feels at a loss about how to introduce himself before this many demon beasts.' If it is too short, it will look insincere, and if I ramble too much, it will look pathetic... Damn it. Even if they cannot meet my eyes, it is burdensome...' Even if they are demon beasts, feeling his breath catch in front of the gazes of many intelligent beings, and he sends voice transmission to Seo Hae-ryeong. —Um, could you perhaps introduce me first in demon speech...? The result of studying and internalizing the Demon Race language diligently while learning the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon. Makli Hyun-ah has reached a point where he can speak demon speech to some extent. But since it is not perfect, Seo Hae-ryeong feels Makli Hyun-ah's request is reasonable, nods, steps forward, and introduces Makli Hyun-ah to the Demon Race. [Everyone, hear me! This person is the distinguished one sent by the Makli Clan, and the person who will become the king of the western sea region from now on! [Everyone, bow your heads before the new queen of the western sea region, the Makli Clan's Dark Queen, Her Majesty Makli Hyun-ah!]"... What?" Makli Hyun-ah tries to correct the error, but the many Demon Race, cowed by the authority Makli Hyun-ah emits and with their ferocious nature suppressed, shout with all their strength at Seo Hae-ryeong's words and exaltedly call Makli Hyun-ah. [Long live the king of the western sea region, long live the Darkness Queen!] [Long live the Darkness Queen, long live, long live for ten thousand years.] [Long live the Darkness Queen, long live, long live for ten thousand years.] To the many Demon Race, Makli Hyun-ah ends up being remembered by the title 'Darkness Queen,' and Makli Hyun-ah sends a voice transmission to Seo Hae-ryeong with a pale face. —Why am I the Darkness Queen!!? —Hm? Well, since you said your method's characteristic is black light, I put up the title of Black Radiance Queen... but Daoist Makli Hweol said to remove the name 'Radiance,' and rejected it, so I proposed Darkness Queen instead. Since nothing was said, I thought it was permitted... —Kuaaaaaaaagh!!! No, I mean, why is it Queen!!? 一Well... how strange. I know that for Human Race women, they attach the title queen... Makli Hyun-ah receives a huge shock and glares at Makli Hweol, but Makli Hweol acts as if he does not know and only claps hard at the side. Thus, whether Makli Hyun-ah wants it or not, From that day, in the western sea region, the fame of the new ruler, the Darkness Queen of the Makli Clan, Makli Hyun-ah, spreads outward as if to fill the whole world.