Rebirth of the Thunder God

[Huh? There's something hidden here.]

The human skin that Chichi brought this time did not look relatively old.

It was to the extent that it could be seen as recent.

But the letters written on it were extremely unstable.

As if the author was being chased by something, the haste in which it was written was evident.

[I can feel my life gradually fading. I thought I had let go of all my lingering attachments, but at the end of my life, a sudden anxiety has come over me. Is it okay to close my eyes like this? Will future generations really be able to find this place? Even if they find it, won't they wander around, unable to find the clues we left behind? And what if all of this falls into the hands of the enemy? All sorts of miscellaneous thoughts swirled in my head, and after hesitating, I finally decided to leave a few clues. First, the whereabouts of the Asura statue. It is known to have been destroyed, but in fact, the Asura statue was an abstract object that existed and did not exist at the same time. Even if it disappeared, it meant that it could be resurrected at any time. But the author does not know exactly what happened to it. Still, the Saintess's holy fire was something that could be fully resurrected if she conceived a new life. And the Holy Fire Mirror also changed its appearance and was cleverly hidden in the merchant guild, so no one but a descendant of the Divine Cult would be able to recognize it. Even if you who are reading this are a lackey of the Hoicheon Association, you won't be able to recognize the appearance of the Holy Fire Mirror. Hahaha! And more than anything, since I've taken some measures with the Holy Fire Mirror, it will be difficult for you to recognize it even if you discover it. Please, I hope that a person of the Divine Cult will find this and obtain our message hidden inside...]

"Seolhwa. Have you read it all?"

"Yeah. This person is the Dao Demon. He was always so full of thoughts like this. And his heart for the Divine Cult until his death."

"But how are we supposed to find the Holy Fire Mirror? I know he's anxious that it might fall into the hands of the Hoicheon Association, but if he hides it like this, it seems even a descendant would have a hard time finding it."

It felt like searching for a needle in a desert.

At this point, Namgung Hui wondered if he should just give up on the Heavenly Demon Divine Art and concentrate on the Sun and Moon Divine Art.

He had plenty of useful martial arts.

Even if he just honed the martial arts of his family and sect, there would be no problem.

"Seolhwa. Is there no other way to recognize the Holy Fire Mirror?"

"It would work if you shine the Asura statue or the holy fire on it, but I think it will also react if you shine the Heavenly Demon Divine Art manual on it."

"When you say 'react'?"

"A blue light will come out. I saw the cult leader experiment with it once before."

"Oho. Then if I bring the Heavenly Demon Divine Art to any mirror, it might react. I'll have to test it out later. Then, since it seems there's nothing to be gained from the Shaolin Temple, let's go out now."

"But who would have leaked the information that the sacred object was in the Shaolin Temple? If we trace that back, won't something come out?"

"It was a fact that the Heretic Faction Leader secretly told me, but it seems it would be difficult to go back to him and ask again."

"That's true. It might be faster to ask the Black and White Twin Elders indirectly."

And so, the two of them buried the whereabouts of the Holy Fire Mirror in their hearts for a while and left the Repentance Cave.

At that time, a blue light came out from Namgung Hui's chest, but

no one saw it.

Only Chichi, who had been tossing and turning in the light, went back to sleep.

***

"Yes. Did you find the item you were looking for?"

"Find an item? I just wanted to look around the Repentance Cave. And I couldn't find what I was looking for. There was nothing left behind."

The Divine Monk stared at Namgung Hui's two eyes and then continued.

"Is that so? If so, that's a relief. I was worried that you would come out after learning a legendary demonic art. Since it's a bit much to send you away empty-handed, I'll open the Sutra Depository."

Namgung Hui was not pleased with the Sutra Depository at this time.

Not only did he have many martial arts to learn, but the time promised with the emperor was also approaching.

Beak Seolhwa also didn't seem keen on it, and after exchanging glances, she shook her head.

"Thank you for your excessive consideration, but I don't think I need to see the Sutra Depository."

"I'm also overwhelmed with what I've learned now."

"Hmm... I can't help it. Then I will conclude the reward for the martial arts tournament with this. Here, take it."

A wooden box that was placed in each of Namgung Hui's and Beak Seolhwa's hands.

It was a familiar shape, and Namgung Hui's eyes flashed.

An elixir he had received before.

"Isn't this a Small Reversion Pill? Is it okay to give two of such a precious thing?"

Namgung Hui had a history of receiving it as a prize for the martial arts tournament.

Although Beak Seolhwa would be seeing a Small Reversion Pill for the first time, as she had been granted the Dragon's Fang Sword.

"That's right. Two is a bit much, isn't it? Then I'll have to take one back, so I'll take yours. Since you've already eaten it once, yield to your partner."

"Isn't it not yielding if the abbot takes it back? Then I will return the Small Reversion Pill, so please give Seolhwa a Great Reversion Pill."

"Do you have to beat an adult somehow? You're not trying to lose anything. Well, I can't give you a Great Reversion Pill even if I want to, so be satisfied with a Small Reversion Pill. If you really want to yield, yield yours to your partner."

‘Should I really yield to Seolhwa? Anyway, since I've eaten a Small Reversion Pill before, I don't think it will have a great effect. And I also have many inner cores that I brought from the Kunlun Mountains.’

As Namgung Hui really offered the Small Reversion Pill to Beak Seolhwa, the Divine Monk, who was watching, raised his eyes.

"Aigoo. I can't watch because it's an eyesore. I'll be going in now, so whether you boil the Small Reversion Pill in a soup or boil it, do as you please. I won't see you off."

Even if it wasn't the Divine Monk, there was someone to see Namgung Hui off.

It was the Divine Dragon, Muwon.

Since he was one of the Seven Dragons along with Namgung Hui, they not only knew each other, but they also had a friendship of sorts.

"Young Master Namgung, Miss Beak. It's been a while. If you had come, you should have told me sooner. Then I would have guided you around the grounds."

"I'd like to postpone that for the next opportunity. Is that alright?"

"Next time. I don't know if there will be time in the future. You've heard the news that a martial arts tournament will be held, right?"

"I've heard. If possible, I'd like you to do some promotion, even if it means using our names."

"Oh. That's something we should be asking for. That's great. Just the fact that a handsome man and a beautiful woman are participating will draw a huge crowd. Haha!"

"And if you have time later, I'd like you to read this once."

Muwon took the letter that Namgung Hui handed him and asked.

"It's not a love letter. What kind of letter is it?"

"The martial world is in a bit of a mess these days. I'd like to make a proposal for us, the members of the Dragon and Phoenix Association, to get along a little more closely. The details are written there, so please refer to it."

The Divine Dragon, Muwon, was also one of the targets that Namgung Hui was trying to recruit.

If he had the full support of the Shaolin Temple, he was trustworthy enough.

Because the Shaolin Temple would not have passed on all of its essence to a disciple they could not trust.

"I'm very much looking forward to what's written. I'll give you a good answer when we meet again next time."

"I'll remember that. Then, since we're busy, we'll be going now."

"Amitabha. Please take care."

Namgung Hui glanced at the peaks of the Shaolin Temple for a moment and then went down the mountain.

Since both Chichi and the Sword Spirit had said that there was nothing more to be felt in the Shaolin Temple, he shook off any lingering attachments.

And so, the Divine Monk, who was watching the two people leaving the mountain gate, nodded his head and muttered softly.

"Heavenly Secret Master, I've done my part as you said. I'll leave the rest to the heavens."

***

"It feels like we just met, but we have to part again."

"Are you sad?"

"You say it as if you're not sad at all."

Namgung Hui, at the chilling atmosphere, hurriedly continued.

"Of course I'm sad. I wanted to eat a lot of delicious food with Seolhwa, take a nap, and have a match after a long time, but time doesn't allow it."

"Still, we experienced a lot of things in a short time. It was a very meaningful time."

"Next time, let's spend a longer, more fun time together."

"It seems it wasn't fun until now."

Namgung Hui quickly waved his hands and said.

"No. That's not what I meant. I mean, let's have more fun than now. In the middle, it was a bit..."

"Pfft! I was just kidding. How can you be so cute even when you're older? Aigoo~."

Beak Seolhwa, who pinched Namgung Hui's cheek.

Her hand contained the mystery of the Sosu Divine Art, and just by pinching, Namgung Hui's cheek was dyed red.

"You'll have to go to the grasslands of the Northern Heaven soon."

"Still, it's not an unfamiliar place, and I've packed all the necessary things, so I don't think it will be difficult."

Beak Seolhwa was currently disguised as a hunter from the north.

Namgung Hui had personally guided her in the art of disguise and had completely transformed her appearance.

Moreover, she had even summoned her companion spirit beast, Feifei, and had disguised it as a hunting falcon.

Unlike Chichi, Feifei's growth had been dazzling, and even without a disguise, her appearance looked like a falcon.

However, since her feather color was unusually whiter than other falcons, there was a need to dye it.

"You know the ecology of the north better than I do, so there's not much I can say. Take care."

"Just with words?"

Namgung Hui kissed Beak Seolhwa's forehead and smiled bashfully.

"I've given you my blessing, so that's enough, right?"

"Yeah."

Beak Seolhwa also hugged Namgung Hui tightly and enjoyed his body heat.

A fierce struggle, as if to raise her body temperature in preparation for the chilly weather of the north.

Namgung Hui, after lending her enough of his body heat, widened the distance and said.

"Farewell is."

"Short."

"Regret is."

"None."

Namgung Hui and Beak Seolhwa turned their bodies and headed for their respective destinations.

Beak Seolhwa to the base of the Northern Heaven.

And Namgung Hui to Beijing, where the emperor was waiting.

***

In fact, it had not been long since Beijing had become the capital.

The original capital was Nanjing in Jiangsu Province.

The Yongle Emperor usurped the throne of his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor, and moved the capital to Beijing.

After that, the development of Beijing was dazzling day by day.

Thanks to that, the empty area around Nanjing was occupied by the Heretic Faction.

And the sects and families that had originally lived in Beijing began to benefit greatly from the Imperial Palace.

Among them, the Hebei Peng family, which was the best, could be said to be the biggest beneficiary.

Even the Five Tiger Breaking Gate Saber, which had become a family martial art, was originally from the Shaolin Temple.

It was something that the emperor had granted them after receiving it as a tribute from the Shaolin Temple.

‘Well, it's been a long time, and it has nothing to do with me.’

However, should he say that his ill-fated relationship with the Hebei Peng family had not yet ended?

Since it seemed they had entered the embrace of the Hoicheon Association, he vaguely thought that they would clash soon.

And so, Namgung Hui, who had arrived in Beijing, clicked his tongue as he looked at the streets teeming with people.

Not only were there many passersby, but there were also many merchants.

As if a festival was being held nearby, there were also some people dressed in splendid clothes.

Namgung Hui did not like such crowded streets very much.

The reason was that the time when he had lived like a beggar as a child suddenly came to mind.

In fact, before Namgung Hui had become an orphan, there had been a time when he had been quite well-off.

Although it was a memory from his childhood and was not detailed, he had a memory of wearing silk clothes and having delicious food always on the table.

Perhaps his father was a person from the government office.

And a very high-ranking one at that.

‘But rather, because of that, he was caught up in a rebellion and was executed.’

It was a great fortune that Namgung Hui had survived.

Anyway, Namgung Hui could not like the streets of Beijing even if he wanted to.

‘For now, if I want to get information about the Imperial Palace, that place would be good.’

Namgung Hui pushed through the wave of people and walked towards a familiar sign.

And there, as if they had been waiting, someone came out and greeted Namgung Hui.

(End of Chapter)