Ep482 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

The initial impression of the celestial beings was light enough to shatter preconceived notions, but the content that followed was profoundly heavy. [There are originally five Divine Beads of Elements, but in any given era, there has only been one. Do you know why?] In response to Jusun's question, Baek Woojin answered: "I understand it is because the potential chaos from the overpowering presence of more than one would be too great.” [You are not wrong. Great power tends to blind many. The chaos that could ensue from the clash of two immense forces is not insignificant.] [However, that is merely a secondary reason.] The chaos brought by the desires that accompany such great power is just an explanation framed from a purely human perspective. [The Divine Beads of Elements are the source of this world.] [Have you ever pondered?] [If you could command fire and water, wind and earth at will.] [If you could manipulate unyielding metal as you pleased.] [What you could do.] No. [The real question is how much you could do.] “…….” Everything Jusun spoke of forms the foundation of this world. And if one could fully control their power, what could or rather, how far could they go? The answer was obvious. “You could do anything you desire.” One could accomplish anything they set their mind to. If they desired the destruction of this world, it would certainly be possible. And if they wished to create a new world thereafter, that too would be within reach. This was the true reason why the Divine Beads of Elements could not appear simultaneously in the world. Yet that unwritten rule had been broken. And it was done by the current Heavenly Demon. [The current Heavenly Demon is a figure of unparalleled danger, incomparable to any of her predecessors.] Her power is overwhelming, even when compared to the past Heavenly Demons. To find an equal, one might need to reach back to the very first Heavenly Demon. But this was not the reason she was designated a threat even in the Celestial Realm. Why, then, does the Celestial Realm closely monitor her despite severing ties with the mortal world? [Because no one understands her true intentions.] Despite possessing the power to conquer the entire Central Plains, she remained inactive. She broke the unwritten rule set by the heavens and acquired the Divine Beads of Elements. [Humans prayed at the five altars and sequentially acquired the Divine Beads of Elements.] [The place you are standing is one of those altars.] [The first and last site where human prayers reached the gods.] [And as of today, those significant altars have decreased to four.] Each of his words struck like a shock. The statement that there are four more altars besides the one on Mount Kunlun. And that one of them disappeared today. The disappearance of an altar meant it was deliberately destroyed. There was only one person in the world capable of such an act. “…Was it destroyed by the Heavenly Demon?” [Indeed. Even when other celestials opened the heavenly gate to dissuade her, it was all in vain.] Feeling the weight of the reply, he asked: "What happens when an altar is destroyed?" To this, Jusun replied: [I do not know.] "…You do not know?" [No one has ever dared to attempt its destruction, nor even thought of it.] [That is precisely why the current Heavenly Demon is deemed dangerous.] The world above the heavens. Even the celestials gazing down from above cannot comprehend the reasons for her bizarre actions. One thing is certain; she is likely scheming something far beyond ordinary comprehension. After pondering, he asked: "Why have you told me all this…?" [I hope you could stop the Heavenly Demon.] As expected. It was not a surprise. Celestials, nearly omnipotent beings, are restricted in their actions to their realm, the Celestial Realm. Ascending to the Celestial Realm means severing all earthly connections and setting foot into a domain close to omnipotence. If these beings were to return to the mortal realm and wield their powers, chaos would surely ensue. Thus, they cannot descend back to the mortal realm at will, and exercising their powers is even more out of the question. Meaning, even if the human Heavenly Demon were to contrive a plan to destroy the world, they have no means to intervene. [So I implore you. Please stop her.] “Hmm…” Baek Woojin hesitated in his reply. For a celestial to use the term "request" to a human indicated the gravity of the situation. Under the circumstances, it was not a matter of agreeing or refusing the request. The sinister plan she was hatching was intertwined with the world he stood upon, so if he didn’t want to die, it was only right to do everything in his power to stop her. Yet, there was a lingering sense of regret. “Since this concerns the world I live in, it’s natural that I should do whatever I can.” [Oh, as expected...!] “But, you wouldn’t expect me to do it for nothing, right?” Surely not. It's not every day you negotiate with celestial beings, after all. As Baek Woojin smirked toward the heavens, the celestials observing him fell silent. * * * Having concluded his ‘negotiation’ with the celestials, Baek Woojin descended from the altar and returned to the quarters prepared by the Kunlun Sect just as dawn was breaking. There, he slipped into contemplation. ‘Perhaps I need to rethink everything from the ground up.’ Baek Woojin thought as much. Though he was unsure of what she was planning, he presumed that everything would culminate at the altar prepared by the Kunlun Sect. Therefore, by using everything at his disposal to build a nearly perfect defense around this altar, he could slightly increase his odds against the Heavenly Demon he would inevitably face. He was certain of it, yet... “…What if all of this is just part of her scheme?” Sending Jin Miyeon with the Divine Bead of Fire to keep him away from Mount Kunlun. Manipulating him into believing this hidden altar would be the final battleground. What if it was all merely a ploy just to keep him stationed there? “If that’s the case…” What would she gain by keeping him tied up there? “…By narrowing my focus, she'd gain more freedom of movement.” While he concentrated on Mount Kunlun, she could traverse freely across the Central Plains. Such mobility would facilitate her true goal... the destruction of the altars. The places where human prayers first reached the gods. What significance do they hold that drives her to destroy them? What is she orchestrating through all of this? Thoughts spun endlessly, causing Baek Woojin to furrow his brow deeply. “How frustrating.” He didn’t know. Neither he nor the celestials knew. That made it all the more frightening and dangerous. Because no one understood what it was she sought by treading an uncharted path. The enormous sacrifices that attaining that goal would undoubtedly entail were visibly clear. “…What should I do?” Baek Woojin had two choices. Should he at this moment chase her to prevent the destruction of the other altars? Or should he stay put and concentrate all his efforts on building a defense line as she desired? Both options had clear pros and cons, making it difficult to choose hastily. Moreover, another lingering question preoccupied his mind. “…Is there even a correct choice among these two?” He was dealing with an opponent who walked an unbeaten path. Would merely choosing one of the apparent paths truly be enough to stop her? The more he thought, the more skeptical he became. Yet, what sort of option should he create to stop her? Deep in thought, he was brought back to reality by a voice outside the door. “Are you inside?” It was the Blood Moon Sorceress’s voice that jolted him from his reverie. “Noui…?” Baek Woojin stood up and promptly opened the door. Outside stood the Blood Moon Sorceress, with a peculiar look of tension on her face. “What brings you out so late at night?” “Ahem… Don’t misunderstand, I merely have something to discuss with you.” Noticing the tension she harbored, a wry smile formed on Baek Woojin’s lips. “Misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding would that be?” His playful remark was met with a sharp gaze. “…You incorrigible rascal. Is it necessary for you to tease me to feel satisfied?” “Heh, Noui doesn’t know. This fleeting moment brings me immense joy.” Expecting her to respond with greater annoyance, he was instead met with her sympathetic gaze. “…You really are struggling.” After spending considerable time together, she could now tell. He was struggling that much, desiring to escape his heavy burdens, if only for a moment, by exchanging playful jests and seeing her spirited reactions. “What a pitiful soul.” She sighed inwardly. How did he come to bear such heavy burdens at such a young age? No, why did he insist on taking them upon himself? Moved by her compassion for him, she glimpsed another face beneath Baek Woojin’s façade of reassurance. A man, much like him, who bore everything alone two hundred years ago. An adversary constantly interrupting and opposing her endeavors. An infuriating man who could brush off any fiery outburst with incredible ease. ‘Baek Yuseong…’ That was how she used to feel about him, but now her thoughts had shifted slightly. ‘Were you carrying the same burden?’ She would never know the answer. She would never find out, for he was a man of two hundred years past. Unlike herself, who had been dormant, his time had faithfully passed and reached its end. While she was lost in her thoughts, Baek Woojin spoke to her. “Noui? So why have you come here at this late hour?” “…I have a proposition for you.” “A proposition?” Baek Woojin asked with a hint of curiosity, prompting the Blood Moon Sorceress to continue. “…There is a hidden sanctuary nearby that Baek Yuseong created.” “Baek Yuseong…?” He remembered. The hero who had emerged two hundred years ago alongside the Hyuncheon Sect to save the Central Plains from peril. The man with a face so similar to his own, who caused the Blood Moon Sorceress such confusion. The Blood Moon Sorceress continued. “Would you like to see it?” --- Author’s Note I’ll be back with the next chapter. Thank you for reading each time. Have a restful night. (_ _)