Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 451

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

Chapter 451
“Yes, that is correct.”
Singnyeo continued her words immediately.
“However, the crucial matter is not the Reverse Heaven Qi itself.”
“Why is that?”
“In the White Lotus True Scripture, Qi is merely a phenomenon and a result. What truly matters is the essential cause and the process of reaching that result. Do you understand what I am saying?”
Dokgo Myeong pondered her words for a moment before speaking.
“Typically, when one enters the path of inner energy cultivation…”
Tsu, tsu, tsu.
He released a strand of true energy from the Heavenly Beyond Spirit Platform and held it in his palm.
“The essence of all things in the universe is composed of unbiased Qi, and inner energy cultivation means harboring only one aspect of such natural Qi within one’s body.”
“I see.”
“Therefore, the more orthodox one’s martial arts, the less one should cling to the quantity, power, or nature of inner energy.”
Understanding and exploring Qi through inner energy was the true essence of inner energy cultivation. Without that understanding, one could neither accumulate vast amounts of inner energy nor control what one had accumulated.
Dokgo Myeong gazed at Singnyeo.
“You are saying that Reverse Heaven Qi is merely a force, and the most important thing is the fundamental principle and the method of wielding it itself?”
“Yes, precisely so.”
If that were the case, one could say that Reverse Heaven Qi was merely a type of inner energy.
An extremely troublesome, secretive, and utterly dangerous type.
Dokgo Myeong asked.
“Then does the White Lotus True Scripture contain the method of wielding this Reverse Heaven Qi?”
“How could a human body possibly wield such a force? It merely describes its existence. ‘A power that reverses Heavenly Qi and defies Heavenly Principle,’ it says.”
“To reverse Heavenly Qi and defy Heavenly Principle.”
Dokgo Myeong let out a soft laugh.
“How absurd.”
“…”
“How many secret manuals in the world contain such preposterous passages? Nine times out of ten, they are exaggerations. The same likely applies to Reverse Heaven Qi.”
“If nine times out of ten are exaggerations, what of the remaining one time?”
Dokgo Myeong paused.
“The remaining one time… could actually be real, is that what you are saying?”
A faint glimmer appeared in Singnyeo’s clouded eyes.
“I did not believe it either. Until very recently, that is.”
“What are you trying to say?”
Singnyeo offered a subtle smile and changed the subject.
“Seeing is believing, is it not? May I call someone to assist?”
“Please do.”
Singnyeo flailed her hand in the air several times before finding and pulling the cord connected to the ceiling.
Ding!
Moments later, sounds of movement came from the direction of the broken door.
It was the young girl, Hye, who had greeted them at the entrance when they first arrived at this place.
“You called for me, Singnyeo?”
“I need to go to the back storage. Would you lend me your arm?”
“Of course. Please take my arm.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. You mean the warehouse where the records are kept, yes?”
“That’s right.”
From behind, the two of them—old and young—looked just like a grandmother and granddaughter walking together in harmony.
Only then did Dokgo Myeong realize that the young girl’s bearing resembled that of Singnyeo. The mysterious aura surrounding the girl was indeed similar to hers.
“Will this child become the next generation’s Singnyeo when she grows?”
Singnyeo, walking alongside the young girl, nodded.
“Yes, that is how it shall be.”
Soon they arrived at the warehouse entrance.
There, not just one or two, but five sect members stood guard with weapons in hand, sealing off all sides and the entrance like an impenetrable fortress.
“Please, have a look around.”
Inside the warehouse, folding screens were arranged in a line.
As he drew closer, he realized they were not screens but wooden panels. The front was adorned with elaborate and intricate paintings worthy of a temple, while the back was reinforced with thick iron plating.
‘Could this be that iron palanquin I saw back then? Was something like this hidden inside?’
The paintings depicted scenes from the Hell Realms. Massive crimson demons and the malevolent spirits that followed them were slaughtering armed warriors, creating mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Beside this scene were martial artists challenging the demons, and next to that were warriors dressed in different garb. Scattered throughout were inscriptions and text.
It did not take long for Dokgo Myeong to realize this was no mere religious artwork.
He murmured without thinking.
“The Great Immortal Sect War…”
It was the ancient conflict that Dokgo Hyeon had experienced in his past life—a war fought against the Martial Alliance and even the Paedobyeon.
Suddenly, Dokgo Myeong looked toward Singnyeo. Though she could not see, he felt as though she was piercing through him with her gaze.
“You called it the Great Immortal Sect War.”
“…”
“Not the Great Righteous Blood War or the Bloodfiend Sect Rebellion…”
Dokgo Myeong stared at the final painting.
There, the demon’s severed head was depicted. Around it, ragged figures huddled together.
“Will you explain what these are?”
“The benefactor must already know.”
“Yes, I do know.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes deepened.
“But others cannot know.”
“The Singnyeo of the White Lotus Sect has always been chosen—either born with or made to possess special divine powers—to inherit the White Lotus True Scripture.”
“Divine powers?”
“It may be easier to understand if I say they are those whose upper dantian has opened widely, granting them exceptional talents.”
Dokgo Myeong turned his gaze.
His eyes fell upon the young girl standing quietly near the warehouse entrance, behind Singnyeo.
“The Singnyeo who have managed the White Lotus True Scripture across generations have been able to see the future. And what they saw always came to pass as if it were destiny itself.”
Singnyeo continued in an utterly composed voice.
“Yet by my generation, not a single prediction has come to pass. These diagrams have become utterly useless now.”
Dokgo Myeong broke the silence and spoke.
“Well, that would be the case. I twisted the pattern, after all.”
“…”
“And you wanted to confirm that, which is why you showed me these diagrams.”
“Do you still think it absurd?”
“I’ve made a fool of myself with needless words.”
Dokgo Myeong let out a low chuckle.
“Now the conversation is becoming rather interesting.”
* * *
In the distant past, so ancient that no records remain.
An unnamed scripture flowed into the Central Plains.
Most treated that ancient tome, written in archaic Sanskrit that was difficult to decipher, as mere kindling.
Yet what is written tends to be read, and soon someone appeared who recognized its true value.
That scripture was a secret manual capable of encompassing the principles of all things in heaven and earth.
But the principles of the world do not always benefit humanity alone. Demons and heretics too were part of the world, and their paths were paths nonetheless. The Nameless Scripture recorded all things without distinction between good and evil, right and wrong.
“However, whether fortunately or unfortunately, the Nameless Scripture never saw the light of day and vanished without a trace.
“I was taught by my predecessors thus: the Nameless Scripture did not disappear, but rather fell into someone’s hands and its lineage continued in some form. The White Lotus True Scripture is said to be one such continuation.”
“If the lineage continued, it would have revealed itself to the world in some way.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
In that instant, Dokgo Myeong’s brow furrowed, and his face took on an expression of disbelief as he muttered.
“Esoteric Buddhism?”
Singnyeo nodded in affirmation.
“The teachings of Esoteric Buddhism from that era were absorbed into our sect, exerted influence, and led to the White Lotus True Scripture.”
“Are you saying the White Lotus Sect is now one branch of Esoteric Buddhism?”
“What, then, is Esoteric Buddhism?”
A look of displeasure crossed Dokgo Myeong’s face.
Singnyeo asked again in an utterly calm voice.
“Are all those who practice in secret, following methods different from the standards of the Central Plains, considered Esoteric Buddhists?”
“I’ll spare myself from such vague talk.”
“My lord. Certainly, the old Esoteric Buddhists caused much harm, but their essence was closer to that of seekers and practitioners. Some caused harm, but others did not.”
“By the standards of the martial world, there is no difference.”
“It is merely a difference in perspective.”
“It is a difference in position.”
Times have changed greatly, and the current era accepts the presence of the Bloodfiend Sect more prominently than Esoteric Buddhism.
But the older generation is different. Their feelings toward Esoteric Buddhism could not be adequately expressed even by the word hatred.
‘The Martial Alliance itself was established by subtly exploiting those feelings.’
Through Baek Mu-heun and Gae-bang, they overlaid an impression of Esoteric Buddhism onto the Bloodfiend Sect. This was also why the admission of each faction proceeded smoothly.
Singnyeo continued calmly.
“The Secret Teachings are not singular. Each sect sought enlightenment through their own methods, and there were as many branches as there were approaches. Our sect merely grafted one of those many branches and transplanted it here.”
“Fine. It seems there’s quite an old history and story behind it, but that’s not my concern.”
Dokgo Myeong exhaled sharply.
“What reason do the Bloodfiends have for coveting the White Lotus Scripture?”
“They seek an easier path, I imagine.”
“And at the end of that path lies the birth of a Bloodfiend?”
The Singnyeo confirmed with silence.
The Bloodfiend Sect’s objective was clear.
To incinerate the entire martial world with an irresistible force.
That is why it defies heaven. Through that power, they seek to confront the masters of the upper realms.
“I’d like to read the doctrines of the White Lotus Scripture.”
“That is not something that can be read.”
Not something that can be read?
In that instant, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“It’s you.”
“….”
“You are the living White Lotus Scripture itself?”
“A Singnyeo is one who embodies the White Lotus Scripture within her body, practices it, and imparts its teachings to disciples.”
“….”
“It is also why the Jeongheol Sect Leader could not harm me carelessly.”
Dokgo Myeong paused for a moment with his arms crossed, then spoke.
“I have one question. I hope you won’t misunderstand.”
“Please, ask.”
“If the White Lotus Scripture were to disappear from this world, would the Bloodfiend Sect’s plans crumble as well?”
The Singnyeo stiffened briefly, then shook her head firmly.
“The Bloodfiends already know the outcome. They simply lack the faster and easier path, so they proceed through sacrifice and effort.”
“So they’ll arrive regardless of the method.”
“Yes.”
“One more question. What if I were to disappear as well?”
The Singnyeo’s eyes widened.
Dokgo Myeong continued his question calmly.
“If not only the White Lotus Scripture but also me—what they covet—were to vanish, what then?”
“How could you speak of something so dire….”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not speaking of self-destruction. There would be no shortage of those who’d go mad at the mere thought.”
I have no intention of doing such a thing anyway.
“But there must be other methods. Seclusion, hiding in a distant foreign land….”
The Singnyeo shook her head with a bitter expression.
“The outcome would ultimately be the same.”
“No matter how long it takes, they will eventually create a Bloodfiend.”
“That’s correct.”
Dokgo Myeong clicked his tongue.
“How do you know the result? If one doesn’t understand the method, shouldn’t one also be ignorant of the outcome?”
“All the knowledge possessed by the Bloodfiends was not created by them directly, but rather learned from what had already been made.”
“…?”
“Among the knowledge they’ve learned, not a single thing was built from the ground up. Thus, they know the results but are merely half-baked in understanding the process. The conspiracies they’ve orchestrated all this time likely served as experiments toward completing the Reverse Heaven Grand Method.”
“What are you saying now?”
Perhaps from speaking so much, Singnyeo’s complexion had grown pale. Hye approached and handed her a bamboo tube filled with water.
“Good child.”
Singnyeo patted Hye’s head several times before opening her mouth.
“Would you go outside and stay at a distance with the disciples guarding the storehouse?”
“Yes, Singnyeo.”
Only after the sounds of Hye and the disciples guarding the storehouse had faded far into the distance did Singnyeo meet Dokgo Myeong’s gaze directly and speak.
“It was the people of the Central Plains who taught blood cultivation to the disciples of the White Lotus Sect.”
“…!”
“That they became consumed by hatred and rage, transforming into vengeful spirits—it all began from that time.”

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