A colossal soul.
It alone oppressed everything around it.
Thus, everyone in that place instinctively knelt.
The Kunlun Monks took up arms to protect Myeongcheol.
Peng Bosung and Sa Gonghwa wielded swords to kill Myeongcheol.
And Seon Woohyeon as well.
No, there was one person.
Someone who stood alone, staring at the presence.
With eyes that seemed uncrushed by the colossal soul.
Looking at him with endlessly serene eyes.
「You, it's been a while.」
"Aren't you showing up a bit too often?"
Such a being cannot stay away for long.
To reach transcendence, one must risk life and create enemies.
In other words, there were many enemies.
And there were also things called laws.
The Demon King.
Especially those in the Demon Realm, even the laws entangle them when they manifest here.
That was why there was a burden.
But appearing repeatedly like this means…
"It seems the one called the Insect Dragon King cherishes his subordinates too much."
「It's because of you. You always try to get in my way.」
That was an honor.
Han Seojin laughed inwardly.
In other words, the Insect Dragon King was not pleased with the current situation.
「However, it's strange. The rise in your level is too fast to say you're just regaining your original state?」
"That's because I'm a genius like no other."
「You say strange things. Your soul doesn't say that.」
"Talking nonsense when you can't even see."
Sneaky bastard, twisting the laws to manifest here.
The Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra was protecting him.
Piercing through all that to see his soul? Impossible talk.
「Heh heh… As expected, this method doesn't work.」
"Is there really anyone who falls for that?"
Han Seojin chuckled, causing Seon Woohyeon to flinch.
'…Do I really need to stick to him like glue and teach him like Yoo Eunchae?'
But that wasn't important right now.
「You, Han Seojin. You are a wholly existing being.」
「Didn't I tell you last time?」
「Even if you act this way, things that should happen will happen. Things that shouldn't happen will happen.」
Just like a butterfly's wings causing a typhoon.
A phenomenon caused by using the great power of regression.
What was meant to happen would happen with greater.
And all sorts of phenomena will happen.
After that, even transcendents or divine beings cannot predict it.
That is regression.
「Even if a regressor is with you, this time, it will be difficult to stop.」
"That's what you think."
Han Seojin thought.
The Insect Dragon King.
He manifested here intentionally.
As if it would be troublesome if Han Seojin went any further.
'There is something here.'
Making it seem like he wanted to think that way.
Come to think of it, Seon Woohyeon's reaction was strange too.
He acted as if there was no way Kunlun could have already fallen here.
'In the future.'
In the not-too-distant future.
Something was meant to happen here.
What was meant to happen will happen.
What was not meant to happen will happen.
That was why regression was taboo.
Even if you turned back time, there wasn't much you could do.
'If that's the case.'
If what was meant to happen is combined with what was not meant to happen, would it work?
'It can.'
Then what was it that he was aiming for?
It was certain that he was preparing something.
He dreamed of resurrection.
Divine Thunderbolt.
He took a direct hit from Divine Thunderbolt, a level he theorized about but had only imagined.
The Divine Thunderbolt destroyed everything.
And the level he had only theorized about was imbued with a different aspect of the Divine Thunderbolt.
Later, it became the Heaven-Surrendering Godly Technique.
Anyway, his entire body was scorched by the Divine Thunderbolt.
His mind wasn't greatly damaged, but…
His body was rendered almost impossible to resurrect.
So, the most certain way for them to resurrect.
'Human sacrifice, large-scale massacre.'
All conditions favor China.
Unlike in Korea, machines aren't used much here.
Even if large-scale massacres or human sacrifices occur, the response would likely be slower than elsewhere.
'Or maybe he wants me to think that.'
Han Seojin smirked.
"You talk a lot."
「Hehe, conversing with a nemesis is enjoyable. You may consider it an honor. For a mere human… No, there has never been anyone who has intrigued me this much.」
The presence of the Insect Dragon King began to fade gradually.
Han Seojin kept thinking.
'Everything points to China.'
But the Insect Dragon King, that annoying and insidious bastard, was giving such an obvious hint?
「I look forward to it. I anticipate it. The fateful day when we meet again. Judging by your level, I can enjoy the entertainment. Hoho…」
"Korea."
「…」
In that moment.
The Insect Dragon King's soul twitched ever so slightly.
"You're in Korea, aren't you?"
"Mysterious Yoo Clan? Mighty Seo Clan? It's not Shadow Jo Clan, either. The most likely is the Magic Shin Clan, but…"
「…」
"Iron-Blood Sword Clan, huh."
「… Still the same, never trusting anyone.」
"It's not that I don't trust anyone. If an insidious bastard gives an obvious hint, isn't it foolish to jump at it?"
Han Seojin, who had spoken up to that point, smiled.
The presence of the Insect Dragon King began almost to disappear.
"Wait."
I will come to find you soon.
We changed our destination.
'I originally planned to sneak a peek at the Demonic Sect.'
There are many things I left in the Demonic Sect.
In my previous life, during my second life, did I leave too much behind when I died?
In my third life, I wanted to leave something behind.
One piece of evidence is in this cave.
The cave.
I looked at the cave.
Originally, I planned to stop by here, enhance my strength, and then scout the Demonic Sect.
'That bastard.'
The Insect Dragon King spoke.
He forcibly manifested and came here.
He overextended himself.
A bastard dreaming of resurrection did something impossible.
'As if he wanted me to be here.'
I saw it.
The fall of the Kunlun Sect.
But what can I do?
I wanted to ruin your plans.
So, I decided to change the plan.
Let's return to Korea immediately.
Even though Yoo Eunchae was there.
'She's not very reliable.'
Aside from causing trouble, she prepared well before going in.
However, the incidents the traps they set, always exceeded her expectations.
'Yoo Eunchae is not enough.'
So, I had to return to Korea quickly.
But.
Since I came all the way here, I had to stop by that place.
'The hideout.'
During the days of Heaven-Surrendering Martial Emperor, it's the place where I gathered items from various guys.
"It's an incredibly mystical place. The entrance is cleverly disguised with geomantic techniques. If you hadn't entered this place, we might not have noticed it at all."
Sa Gonghwa muttered in awe.
"But what is this place?"
"It's a place with various good items."
I answered Sa Gonghwa's question appropriately and went inside.
"It's very dark and dreary here."
"There are all kinds of strange spells and magic cast around. What's in here?"
"Is it a hideout? Was there a place like this?"
Ignoring the chatter, I went inside.
As I went in a bit further, I saw the magic circles.
'Fortunately, they're here.'
To be honest, I was worried.
This world had mixed with various dimensions.
Fortunately, Mount Kunlun remained, and since the natural terrain was there, I had been half-expecting it.
I dismantled them with my heavenly eyes and proceeded straight inside.
'This place has gathered only the best things.'
After first traveling to the Central Plains, I met a person named Shintu.
Shintu had stolen one of my treasures and, after a relentless pursuit for a year, he was eventually caught by me.
At that time, along with the Wind God's treasure, I took several other treasures from him.
'Including the method to create a place like this.'
As I went further inside, a wide cavern appeared.
About half the size of a typical school playground.
Most of it was filled with treasures.
I walked forward.
"Just at a glance, there are some extraordinary treasures here."
"Haha, Lady Sa Gonghwa. Our Peng family has treasures that are not inferior to these…"
"I doubt it. Hey, Seon Woohyeon. Take the Grand Elixir."
"…?"
I threw a wooden box, and Seon Woohyeon cautiously caught it.
"The Grand Elixir is a spiritual medicine that even Shaolin makes only once in ten years…"
Muttering in disbelief, Seon Woohyeon opened the wooden box.
What appeared was a spiritual medicine, seemingly condensed with the energy of nature.
"…My goodness, is this really the Grand Elixir?"
"Take this one too."
I threw a piece of armor to that guy from Peng.
"No, this looks like the Tyrant Armor, one of the treasures of Evil Overlords?"
"Sir Peng Bosung, what on earth… no, it's real?"
"…Wait, isn't that the Seven Star Elixir of the Wudang Sect?"
"Sir Seon Woohyeon, the Seven Star Elixir was in the hands of Heaven-Surrendering Godly Technique fifty years ago… huh?"
Three voices sounded flustered.
"What on earth is this place…"
"A hideout."
Saying that I looked at the three.
I am currently weaker than I thought.
I have strength but nothing else. No intelligence organization to act like my hands, no source of money.
There are few forces to support me.
'No, I do have some.'
The Wi clan.
And the academy. Recently, I made some friendly connections in America.
However, the more allies, the better.
'The Peng family is a bit annoying.'
But that was okay.
Revenge on him could wait.
Right now, it was more urgent to mess with the Insect Dragon King.
'Besides that.'
Through Seo Boram, I created a superior sword technique compared to the Peng family's.
They will be even more frustrated seeing that.
So.
'Let's use it a little.'
Blade King, the power and influence of the Peng family that you diligently built.
Let's use it a bit.
"The Heaven-Surrendering Martial Emperor. It's a place he created."
"…No way."
I looked at Sa Gonghwa.
Though not as much as the Peng family, the Sa Gong family was quite famous.
In Korea, they would be similar to the Wi clan.
'The problem is the difference between the two is like heaven and earth.'
The problem was the Wi clan was the earth.
Sa Gonghwa.
That woman was also an important figure.
So, I needed to bring Sa Gonghwa into my fold.
"I am."
I already decided how to bring her in.
"Heaven-Surrendering Martial Emperor."
Sa Gonghwa and Peng Bosung's eyes widened.
"I am his descendant."
"…!"
"…!"
"…?"
So, let's mix in a bit of deception.