Dokmaeuiseon - Chapter 154

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 154

 

“Because he was also one of our members.”

 

“…What?”

 

He was one of our members.

 

There’s only one thing that could mean in this context, isn’t there?

 

“To be precise, he belonged to the sect rather than the school.”

 

“Huh… Are you saying he was also a descendant of Quanzhen?”

 

“That’s right. And for reference, he was one of the orthodox lineages. Hehe…”

 

At this point, the distinction between sect and school doesn’t matter.

 

From an outsider’s perspective, it was even less important, so there was no need to make such distinctions.

 

However, something else was important.

 

His words about him being orthodox.

 

“Why would someone who inherited the secret techniques of the Quanzhen Sect join the Four Blood Alliance… No, I suppose he could have secretly infiltrated that far.”

 

If one wanted to hide their identity, there was no need to worry about orthodoxy.

 

In fact, the evil sects would have been better for concealing one’s true identity.

 

‘I understand up to this point.’

 

The problem is that he went even further.

 

“Why did he join something like the Guild?”

 

“That place called the Guild… I heard they fulfill wishes. Though I don’t know what methods they use.”

 

“Does that even make sense?”

 

“Why not? They probably did fulfill them in reality.”

 

“Only the ones they could fulfill, I suppose.”

 

“That’s right. That’s how the Guild Master gathered his power.”

 

“Even so, it’s only a portion. The majority would just drink empty water and die.”

 

“Most of them would have, certainly.”

 

Could Ju Ma-ji-sal not have known this cruel truth?

 

From Jung Myeong’s perspective, he wasn’t someone completely lacking in intelligence.

 

Though he had to devise scheme after scheme to kill him in one stroke.

 

If it hadn’t been such a drastic measure, he wouldn’t have been able to kill him easily.

 

It’s not that he’s praising his abilities now.

 

He was genuinely capable.

 

He seized the Jusan Archipelago in one stroke. And from what he heard later, he was also presumed to be the one who planned the Blood Temples.

 

These were things he could never have accomplished if his abilities were lacking.

 

‘If I hadn’t properly struck his weak point, I would have had to drag out a stagnant battle for months in the Jusan Archipelago.’

 

He had simply won by throwing a risky gamble that could have led to Jung Myeong’s defeat if it had failed.

 

If not for that, it would have been a difficult battle.

 

Ju Ma-ji-sal was that kind of opponent.

 

And such a person was deceived by someone like the Guild Master.

 

It doesn’t make sense.

 

“For those who have absolutely no hope, even such empty water becomes desperate. Hehe…”

 

“He knowingly let himself be deceived?”

 

“That’s how it is. Actually, it might not have been for such empty water, but Ju Ma-ji-sal might have been trying to use the Guild Master. As a means.”

 

“Using him as a means rather than an end. That would make sense, but…”

 

However, if they joined hands to use each other, this was rather easy to understand.

 

“So what do you think the Guild Master promised to fulfill?”

 

“It’s obvious. The survival of Quanzhen. And beyond that, the revival of the sect.”

 

The survival of Quanzhen and the revival of the sect.

 

That makes sense.

 

But a problem remains.

 

Why are there so many people targeting this ruined Quanzhen?

 

The descendants of Quanzhen he had encountered were always hiding themselves.

 

As if they couldn’t afford to be caught by someone.

 

‘I have an inkling of the reason, but…’

 

There’s no need to end it with just speculation now, is there?

 

It had been a long time since he had stepped deep under the shadow called Quanzhen.

 

If so, he had the right to hear about this.

 

“…Hmm. The revival of the sect, I can understand that. In the end, it’s about survival. But why does everyone target Quanzhen so much?”

 

“Shouldn’t a physician understand human desires?”

 

“Ha. Human desires. So that’s what it comes down to.”

 

“Hehe. That’s what it comes down to.”

 

The reason he heard was simpler than expected.

 

Human desires passed down from ancient times.

 

Regardless of past and present, East and West, doesn’t it all converge to one thing in the end?

 

“They want immortality.”

 

“Hehe. That’s right.”

 

“But why specifically Quanzhen?”

 

“Among the Eight Immortals, except for Cao Guojiu, they’re all from the Tang Dynasty, aren’t they? Among them, the founder’s investigation is particularly special.”

 

“Hmm…?”

 

Jung Myeong had no choice but to be convinced by the explanation that followed.

 

The commonly known Eight Immortals.

 

Among them, Zhongli Quan, Yeo Dong-bin, and Cao Guojiu have a master-disciple relationship.

 

Three of the Eight Immortals are connected to each other.

 

While Zhongli Quan’s legacy went to Yeo Dong-bin, Yeo Dong-bin left behind Quanzhen.

 

Even the Wudang Sect is said to have received part of Quanzhen’s teachings.

 

“If there were any methods for immortality, though we don’t even know if they exist, people think Quanzhen has the highest probability.”

 

“That’s how it is.”

 

Immortality itself is an impossible thing.

 

But if there were those in this Murim who seriously believed in it, they would certainly be likely to target Jeon Jin.

 

This was even more true now that the sect had collapsed and lost its power.

 

‘Without power, you can’t protect anything.’

 

Since so many would covet it, they naturally did covet it.

 

Meanwhile, if you consider that Martial Artists as well as the powerful figures of this era also coveted it.

 

‘Even Emperor Qin’s last remaining wish was immortality.’

 

It was more than understandable that the descendants of Jeon Jin wanted to hide themselves.

 

However, Jung Myeong simultaneously thought these people looked far too foolish.

 

“Isn’t it futile?”

 

* * *

 

Jung Myeong’s face carried mockery as he called it futile.

 

‘Doesn’t it make no sense?’

 

It was because he thought they were hoping for something that clearly wouldn’t be achieved no matter how you looked at it.

 

Just because you received the methods of immortality, would you actually achieve it?

 

If that were possible, the world would be overflowing with countless immortals.

 

‘It would probably be faster to practice Martial Arts and ascend to immortality through transformation.’

 

The highest probability of obtaining immortality was ultimately through training.

 

Didn’t they say that even reaching the Transformation Realm would let you live well over a hundred years? If you surpassed that realm and reached the Transcendent Realm, you could probably live for hundreds of years.

 

So that was the most certain method.

 

To target Jeon Jin while leaving aside the most certain method.

 

No matter how you looked at it, you could only call it foolish.

 

Just as he was about to mock this, he heard surprising words.

 

“It seems that secret art is actually being passed down, so it’s not completely futile.”

 

“What? What do you mean?”

 

“Didn’t you see Ju Ma-ji-sal directly yourself?”

 

“What do you…”

 

“That man originally possessed Divine Power. He wasn’t known for prophecy for nothing. He actually accomplished something similar several times.”

 

“Huh… But not this time, right? If prophecy had worked, there’s no way he would have fallen to my strategy.”

 

“This time was different. He offered it as a price.”

 

“A price?”

 

“Yes. He extended his lifespan by offering his Divine Power as a price. I heard he also possessed certain Spirit Pills as a direct descendant.”

 

“Huh…”

 

“He survived all this time by combining those two sacrifices – the Spirit Pills and his Divine Power. He actually came close to that secret art.”

 

Ju Ma-ji-sal had nearly reached immortality.

 

It was believed that some Spirit Pills actually had the effect of extending lifespan.

 

Though they didn’t work on those who possessed Divine Power.

 

There were records of Martial Artists in Jeon Jin who didn’t possess Divine Power surviving for quite a long time.

 

What kind of nonsensical story was this?

 

“Do you really believe that’s true?”

 

“Considering his age, shouldn’t he have died already? He was originally someone who possessed Divine Power.”

 

“!!!!”

 

Even though he wanted to dismiss it as nonsense.

 

Once Ju Ma-ji-sal was brought up, it became hard to simply ignore.

 

‘Even if it’s hard to prove theoretically, the phenomenon of Ju Ma-ji-sal being alive serves as proof.’

 

Proof through phenomenon.

 

This couldn’t be ignored either.

 

Ju Ma-ji-sal might have truly reached that secret art.

 

“I don’t quite believe it, but… he started trying to revive the sect because he had reached such a secret art?”

 

“It could be that, or it might not be. Hehe… I’d like to ask him about it. But as you know, he’s dead, isn’t he?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

However, the one who could provide that answer was already dead.

 

By Jung Myeong’s hand, no less.

 

“Didn’t he reveal anything until his final day?”

 

“Not at all. Didn’t I tell you he cursed me? Said I would regret it.”

 

“So do you regret it?”

 

“I don’t particularly regret it.”

 

“Hehe. How curious. I do, a little.”

 

Ju Tae-gong. He asked about Ju Ma-ji-sal’s final moments and for some reason expressed regret.

 

‘I understand.’

 

It wasn’t hard to know what kind of regret it was.

 

“Are you truly regretful?”

 

“With death gradually approaching, it would be a lie to say I’m not regretful. Especially since our Hye-a has recovered to the point of being able to create Spirit Pills… I’d like to watch over her for a long time.”

 

“You’re being excessively honest.”

 

“Hehe… Isn’t that one of my few virtues?”

 

Ju Tae-gong. He was human after all.

 

It would be strange if he didn’t have the desire to extend his lifespan.

 

This would be even more true now that they had overcome the crisis.

 

Because that’s originally what humans are like.

 

Seeing his appearance, Jung Myeong knew for certain.

 

‘This is dangerous.’

 

They had overcome the crisis of the Jusan Archipelago.

 

But the real crisis was just beginning.

 

‘There are those who persistently pursue the descendants of Jeon Jin. And considering that the Guild Master also knows Ju Ma-ji-sal’s identity….’

 

In other words, it became sufficient reason for countless people to target Hangzhou.

 

Anyone with ability and leisure, and those filled to the brim with greed, would want to reach immortality.

 

‘Tsk… It doesn’t end even with death. Well, it was already half-expected anyway.’

 

Jung Myeong couldn’t help but feel bitter inside.

 

The fact that someone who was also from Jeon Jin had died so futilely.

 

And what was called the legacy of that person who died so futilely was ultimately this kind of danger.

 

Well, was there any reason to feel more bitterness toward such a person now?

 

What mattered in the end was the reality of those who remained.

 

“Now that I’ve organized everything, it’s become clear.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“The problem isn’t Ju Ma-ji-sal, nor the affairs of this archipelago.”

 

“Then?”

 

“The real issue lies elsewhere.”

 

One harsh reality remained.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————