Chapter 202. How Can That Be Possible?

Western Regions.

As a region adjacent to Xinjiang, Qinghai Province, and Sichuan, it was the territory of Tubo in the past.

The Potala Palace was the Imperial Palace of the Tubo Empire and a temple of Western Region Buddhism, and it firmly kept its place even after Tubo fell.

Although the Western Regions were divided and fragmented after the fall of Tubo, only the Imperial Family, the Potala Palace, continued its lineage in good health.

The head of the Potala Palace, the Dalai Dharma Emperor, has been the Emperor of Tubo since ancient times, an incarnation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and an existence mentioned as a candidate for the Strongest Under the Heavens along with the Heavenly Demon.

On the way to the Potala Palace.

‘Did the Dharma Emperor not know of his existence?’

That was Jin Cheon’s question.

Thinking carefully, the First Heavenly Demon Dokgo Seong and the Dharma Emperor were old nemeses who had been in conflict for hundreds of years.

Moreover, just as Dokgo Seong had reigned while repeating reincarnations, the Dharma Emperor was also said to be an existence who had repeated reincarnations over hundreds of years.

It wasn’t for nothing that the Potala Palace, the Imperial Family, maintained its lineage and was recognized as a mysterious sect outside the world even though Tubo had fallen.

The problem was that common sense could not understand how such a Dharma Emperor did not know that Dokgo Seong was inside the Potala Palace.

If it was someone of the Dharma Emperor’s level, it would be normal to see through most matters as if looking into the palm of Buddha.

‘They said the Potala Palace was divided and fragmented; is it because of that?’

Jin Cheon couldn’t understand at all, so he sought advice from Danmok Cheong.

“Captain Dan.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“What is the current situation in the Western Regions?”

“I do not know the details either, but looking at the big picture first, it is said that the current Potala Palace is divided around the existing Dalai Dharma Emperor and a new Dalai Dharma Emperor.”

“Two Dharma Emperors?”

Jin Cheon frowned.

Two Dalai Dharma Emperors?

The Dharma Emperor is an existence that repeats reincarnation; isn’t it impossible for two to exist in one era?

“According to the claims of both sides, yes. Since they are confronting each other claiming to be the real Dharma Emperor…….”

“Hm.”

“It seems one side is lying, but wouldn’t the truth be known only to the parties involved?”

“Well, that must be so.”

Jin Cheon nodded as if he understood what meant.

“Seeing that even the followers are divided in two, it must mean that either side showed aspects of the Dharma Emperor.”

“That is correct.”

Danmok Cheong nodded.

“Since both sides showed abilities worthy of recognition as the Dharma Emperor by everyone, it seems opinions are divided even within the Potala Palace.”

“How can that be possible?”

“Haha…….”

Danmok Cheong smiled as if troubled.

In the first place, Jin Cheon’s question was not something that could be answered.

Because two Dharma Emperors in the same era was a strange occurrence that made no sense even by common standards, and no one could answer it.

Of course, one could plot resurrection by splitting one’s own soul like Dokgo Seong, but considering there was no story of the Dharma Emperor being killed by anyone officially, that possibility would be very low.

“While we go, contact the Bat Squad and request information on the current situation of the Western Regions and the confrontation between the two Dharma Emperors.”

“Your command.”

As soon as Jin Cheon’s order fell, Danmok Cheong immediately sent a carrier pigeon to request information from the Bat Squad.

‘Two Dharma Emperors in the same era…… There is definitely something. Though I will only know the details when I go.’

Jin Cheon wanted to meet either of the two Dharma Emperors as soon as possible.

Since the Dharma Emperor was said to be an existence that repeats reincarnation like Dokgo Seong, he suddenly became interested.

* * *

Meanwhile, the news of the Qingcheng Sect’s extermination became known to the Central Plains faster than anything else.

Since the extermination of a huge and historic sect like the Qingcheng Sect overnight was a tremendously big event, no matter how wide the Central Plains were, it was bound to spread as if it had wings.

“Eventually, it came to this.”

The Sword Saint did not show much agitation even after receiving the report from Demon Extermination Squad Leader Ho Jong-ak.

Considering he was a close friend of the dead Great Divine Physician of Immortals for decades, it was a terribly dry reaction.

“We lose one and gain one.”

“Pardon……?”

Ho Jong-ak doubted his ears.

Because it was not something that should come out of the mouth of the Heavenly Dao Alliance Leader.

“The extermination of Qingcheng is a regrettable matter, but since this incident will sound an alarm about the Demonic Cult’s invasion of the Central Plains, wouldn’t we be able to gain public sentiment?”

“Su, such deep meaning…….”

“Spread this news widely. Say that Qingcheng was exterminated, Emei and the Tang Clan defected, and the Demonic Cult will soon invade the Central Plains.”

“I, I will do so.”

Ho Jong-ak was appalled and simply followed the Sword Saint’s order.

Surprisingly, the Sword Saint’s judgment was correct.

A few days later.

Among the minor sects that had withdrawn from the existing Righteous Heavenly Alliance, sects corresponding to fifty percent conveyed that they would join the Heavenly Dao Alliance.

As the Sword Saint said, the public sentiment of the minor sects returned to the Heavenly Dao Alliance due to the Qingcheng Sect’s extermination.

It was merely choosing the lesser evil for survival, but anyway, it was sufficient for the Heavenly Dao Alliance to reorganize its power.

The Sword Saint and the Heavenly Dao Alliance did not stop there.

As the martial artists of the Heavenly Dao Alliance moved around with the government troops, the situation in the Central Plains began to flow strangely.

Just as there is a saying that the government and the Murim are non-aggressive, it was very rare for the Murim Alliance and the government troops to openly be together.

If one is a martial artist, they are naturally bound to have antipathy toward government troops, so they rarely move together.

But the martial artists of the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the government troops moved together, and on that path, they devastated several minor sects.

“Drag out the spies of the Demonic Cult!”

“Yes!”

The Heavenly Dao Alliance martial artists and government troops defined the minor sects they attacked as secret branches of the Demonic Cult or traitors who colluded, and committed ruthless slaughter.

Needless to say, they were not secret branches of the Demonic Cult or spies who colluded.

They were just sects not cooperative with the Heavenly Dao Alliance.

But the truth was not important.

Since it was a situation where the Central Plains were turned upside down as the news of the Qingcheng Sect’s extermination was conveyed, those who doubted the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the government troops were extremely rare.

Like that, the Heavenly Dao Alliance grew its power as the Sword Saint intended, and the Imperial Family expanded its dominance over martial artists.

It was possible because there was a public perception that the government and the Murim must join forces to prepare for the Demonic Cult’s invasion of the Central Plains, using the past First Righteous-Demonic War as a lesson.

But that was not the end.

The Heavenly Dao Alliance and the government troops eventually reached the point of pressuring even the Wudang Sect and Shaolin…….

The government troops, precisely the Heavenly Dao Alliance backed by the Imperial Family, delivered the Emperor’s decree to the Wudang Sect and Shaolin, ordering them to send about a thousand disciples each.

Despite having completely fallen out due to the past Demonic Prison incident, as soon as they were backed by the Imperial Family, they pressured ‘that’ Wudang Sect and Shaolin and forced sacrifices.

And underlying that was a silent threat that they would mobilize government troops to exterminate even Shaolin and the Wudang Sect if necessary, so Shaolin and the Wudang Sect were practically struck by a bolt from the blue.

Perhaps because of that, the expression of the Sword Immortal, who met Great Monk Gongheo after a truly long time, was heavy beyond measure.

It was understandable, as the current Sword Immortal was angry unlike a Taoist who had walked the path of seeking the Way for a long time.

Not only was his disciple, Taiji Divine Dragon Unhyeon, kidnapped and imprisoned in the Demonic Prison, but he couldn’t even take revenge against the Heavenly Dao Alliance that stole the Wudang Sect’s martial arts, so his resentment had piled up to the limit.

Conversely, Great Monk Gongheo’s expression looking at such a Sword Immortal was peaceful beyond measure.

“What should be done?”

“Amitabha.”

At the Sword Immortal’s question, Great Monk Gongheo chanted a Buddhist prayer and closed his two eyes.

“Eventually, everything is bound to return to its place, so we should just let it flow as it goes.”

“What do you mean by that all of a sudden?”

The Sword Immortal frowned.

No matter that they had been close since their days as prodigies, his face naturally crumpled at such a Zen-like response.

“A knife is right at the throats of our sect and Shaolin, yet you say such cloud-grasping words? Moreover, weren’t you also imprisoned in the Demonic Prison?”

As the Sword Immortal spoke in frustration, Great Monk Gongheo showed a gentle smile.

“I understand your heart, but don’t you know that it is impossible to overcome their oppression with only the power of Wudang and Shaolin?”

“That is…… wait.”

The Sword Immortal narrowed his eyes and glared at Great Monk Gongheo.

“Are you saying we should join hands with the Demonic Cult like Emei and the Tang Clan?”

“Is there any other way? The will of the Heavens is so.”

“The will of the Heavens?”

“How can one cover the sky with a palm? The situation of the world, the confronting aspect of each faction has become like this. Now we have no choice but to ride the great flow.”

“Then what do you mean to do? Are you saying we should join hands with the Demonic Cult like this and endure until reinforcements come?”

“Would we endure even if we did that?”

“Surely.”

The Sword Immortal’s expression hardened stiffly.

Since he was also a Perfected Person who had cultivated the Way for nearly a hundred years, he saw through what Great Monk Gongheo was trying to say.

* * *

Jin Cheon’s party, having arrived in the Western Regions, headed straight to the branch of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and joined the main unit led by Cheon U-jin there.

“You truly worked hard. You accomplished a great task. You are indeed the hero of the Cult.”

As soon as Cheon U-jin saw Jin Cheon, he praised the merit he achieved and acknowledged the greatness of that achievement.

Since the person who devastated or completely exterminated three sects—Mount Mao Sect, Qingcheng Sect, and even Diancang Sect—was Jin Cheon…….

“You flatter me.”

Jin Cheon bowed politely and paid respect to the First Senior Brother.

The martial artists of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult were inwardly surprised by such attitudes of Jin Cheon and Cheon U-jin.

Cheon U-jin, who readily praised Jin Cheon’s merit even though his position as the Young Cult Leader was being threatened as the First Young Master.

Jin Cheon, who readily lowered himself in front of the First Senior Brother despite his martial arts and the achievements he had made so far being sufficient to leave his name in the Divine Cult Historical Records.

Since the character and vessel of the two people were truly extraordinary, those watching could only be surprised.

Though the parties involved did not mind such parts.

“First Senior Brother, I have something urgent to tell you.”

“Are you saying we should talk separately?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Cheon U-jin dismissed the surroundings at Jin Cheon’s request and readily allowed a private meeting.

“So, what is the matter that you wanted to talk about separately?”

“I wish to meet the Dharma Emperor.”

“The Dharma Emperor?”

“Yes, First Senior Brother.”

“Which side?”

“Dharma Emperor Awangra.”

Jin Cheon mentioned the person claiming to be the new Dharma Emperor, not the existing Dharma Emperor currently in the Potala Palace.

“The reason you want to meet him specifically?”

“He is a figure we might join hands with, so I just intend to meet him once.”

“Surely.”

Cheon U-jin frowned upon hearing Jin Cheon’s words.

“Saying we might join hands…… do you intend to join hands with one of the two Dharma Emperors?”

“Currently, yes.”

“No.”

Cheon U-jin expressed his refusal firmly.

His decision-making was so frosty that his stubbornness felt like a great mountain.

“The internal strife of the Potala Palace. And the division of the Western Regions. This is also something the Cult has pushed for. You do not know how much effort the Cult has put in over the last several years for the fragmentation of the Western Regions. Nor how much blood was shed in the process.”

“……First Senior Brother.”

Jin Cheon could only trail off as he seemed to understand Cheon U-jin’s heart.

Joining hands with one of the two Dharma Emperors?

To Cheon U-jin, this would be no different from a carefully built tower collapsing.

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had seized supremacy over the Southern Tianshan Road area while the Potala Palace suffered internal strife, but if they joined hands with one side now, not only would the efforts so far come to naught, but it would also leave future trouble.

Someday, the Western Regions would unite and try to target the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s territory again, and if that happened, it would be like another huge hostile force being born.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep