After that, Mihyo released the seal of the Nasengmun and sent out the Twelve Rhythms' extermination team. Mihyo, standing on the fourth floor of the pavilion, watching the backs of the extermination team, her laughter was chilling.
"Ahaha. It would have been fun to catch them and make them crawl around here."
I still felt bitter about being betrayed by Jigyeol, so I waved my hand.
"Enough of that. What are you going to do now?"
"Hmm... Where do you live, Baegung?"
"I am currently a bodyguard for the Jeong family."
At my answer, Mihyo tilted her head.
"Jeong family? That's a strange place to be."
"I was introduced and joined."
"Ho... So you've had quite a few adventures, huh?"
"Something like that."
When I evaded the question, Mihyo laughed and said.
"Hehe. So you're going to see what kind of guy Myocheong is, since we met like this?"
Myocheong!
The evil spirit of Seogyeong!
Even the great demons hesitated to absorb him due to his immense power. I couldn't help but shake my head, thinking something might happen if I saw such a creature.
"No. I don't know any spells, so I have no resistance against such evil spirits."
"Uhu. Baegung, you seem to have learned Daoist powers, but if an evil spirit like Myocheong tries to possess you, there's nothing you can do."
"Why are you asking if you already know?"
"Kyahaha, isn't it fun?"
"......"
Mihyo really seemed to be a capricious demon. She snapped her fingers, and the Zangui and Hogui that I had seen earlier were summoned again.
"Clean up the mess in the yard and remove the remains of the food spirits."
Rumble, rumble
The Zangui and Hogui eventually disappeared downstairs. I was speechless at how easily they were summoned again, despite the extermination team's great efforts to defeat them.
As if sensing my gaze, Mihyo said,
"Uhu. There are few spellcasters stronger than me. Especially in illusions, unless they can blur the line between reality and fantasy, no one can stand against me!"
"Huh?"
"What do you mean, 'huh'?"
I inadvertently responded because I knew someone who perfectly fit Mihyo's description. Someone I always sought out in my past lives. As curiosity filled the face of the fox spirit, I had no choice but to tell her.
"Chen Wujin, a disciple of Wangliang Xianshi, seems to have reached the level you mentioned."
I thought the fox spirit would be greatly surprised. But upon hearing the name Wangliang Xianshi, she nodded as if understanding.
"Ah, indeed. To have a human disciple reach the level of Illusionary Deity is quite impressive."
"Illusionary Deity?"
"The highest level of illusion. The boundary between 'you' and 'me' disappears, and no one can resist their illusions. Even I, who have lived for over seven hundred years, haven't reached that level."
"......"
I realized anew how extraordinary Chen Wujin was. Even a great demon like the fox spirit hadn't reached his level! Considering that Wangliang, my fellow disciple, couldn't even perform basic spells, Chen Wujin was truly a unique existence.
'Well, that's why he could block the entire Jinwei army and its leader with just an illusionary barrier...'
I suddenly recalled that incident and felt depressed.
So I shook my head and said,
"Anyway, I understand. I would be very grateful if you help me find Haeyin."
"Uhu. Don't worry. I know the exact location."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"How do you know that?"
As I asked one after another, Mihyo's face turned unpleasant. She then said curtly,
"Why are you always interrogating me so aggressively? Do you always talk to your comrades like this?"
"No, no."
"Hmph! I'll be at the Baehwagajan in Seogyeong, so come find me."
Swish!
Mihyo suddenly disappeared using a teleportation spell. Her personality was unlike any I had ever seen, making her unpredictable. One thing was certain: she was extremely capricious and fickle. I realized I would have to read her moods carefully, just like when I worked as a dung collector, and it gave me a headache.
'Ugh, this is going to be troublesome... But what can I do?'
Just having a great demon like her on my side would be a significant help. Moreover, since she knew the location of Haeyin, there was no reason to refuse. Of course, I had to be cautious of her fickle nature and the possibility of betrayal. But once I knew the location of Haeyin, I would be at an advantage.
I left the ruins of Dongningbu and entered the city of Seogyeong. Despite the fierce battle I had just fought, Seogyeong was peaceful. I asked a passerby where Baehwagajan was and eventually arrived at the three-story pavilion.
Mihyo was sitting at a table on the first floor, eating a small dish. She looked like a young girl, but her appearance had a different, delicate charm compared to when she was an adult. She looked beautiful in traditional Korean attire. Despite her youthful appearance, men were glancing at her while she ate.
When I sat down, Mihyo said,
"Hmph. Have you reflected on your behavior?"
"I'm sorry. I'll be more careful in the future."
"Fine."
Mihyo, smiling brightly, said,
"Are you going to order something to eat?"
"I'll have a small dish too."
Mihyo raised her hand and ordered cheerfully,
"One small dish, please!"
"Sure!"
While eating the small dish, I stared at Mihyo. She looked like an ordinary human girl, but it was hard to believe she was the same demon who had just controlled powerful food spirits and exuded lewd energy. If I shouted that Mihyo was a fox spirit, I would be the one considered crazy.
After finishing her meal, Mihyo said,
"Haeyin is held by the Twelve Rhythms Master."
"Twelve Rhythms Master...!!"
I was taken aback by Mihyo's information.
Twelve Rhythms Master!
This referred to the leader who commanded the Twelve Rhythms of Haedongmun. With twelve groups, it was natural that coordination and a leader were needed. The Twelve Rhythms Master was like the leader of the Zhongtian Alliance, leading a large sect.
However, the appearance, martial arts, and nickname of the Twelve Rhythms Master were unknown to the outside world. This was in stark contrast to the well-known reputation, appearance, and martial arts of the Zhongtian Alliance leader. Perhaps in the small land of Goryeo, it was more efficient to keep the identity of the alliance leader hidden.
I asked about the new information,
"What is the Dan clan?"
"As I mentioned earlier, they are the guardians of Goryeo... no, this peninsula. They don't appear in the public eye but protect humans from spirits and other races."
"Like Wangliang Xianshi in Zhongtian?"
"More or less the same. They perform almost the same role."
It seemed there were many hidden guardians in this world. As I pondered, Mihyo said,
"But Baegung, you also have something to tell me."
"What is it?"
"The reason you're looking for Haeyin!"
"Um."
Mihyo, with a curious look, rested her chin on her hand and stared at me.
"You don't know any spells, yet you're looking for Haeyin, the most secret of secrets among spellcasters. And you came all the way from Zhongtian to Goryeo?"
I hesitated but decided to be honest. There was no real reason to hide it.
"To be honest, I don't really know what Haeyin is. But according to my comrade, it's likely a treasure of the Seven Luminaries, so I'm looking for it."
"A treasure of the Seven Luminaries? You're not seriously collecting treasures of the Seven Luminaries, are you?"
"Yes."
At my answer, Mihyo looked genuinely surprised. She even seemed flustered.
"Mi... You're crazy. To collect treasures from the Divine Era. Even immortals wouldn't dare. And you want to do it with a human lifespan?"
"Fortunately, I received the blessing of Xi Wangmu, which greatly extended my lifespan. I'll try to see how far I can go."
"Xi Wangmu?!"
Mihyo looked as if she had been struck by lightning upon hearing my words. I felt a strange sense of satisfaction seeing her flustered, who had been so composed and teasing me all along. But she seemed too preoccupied with her own thoughts to notice my change.
"Ah... I wondered why I felt so favorably towards you... You received the blessing of Xi Wangmu... But now..."
Then, Mihyo's expression turned serious.
"How did you receive the blessing of Xi Wangmu? Answer me honestly."
"Is that important?"
"At least to me, it is very important. Speak up!"
Mihyo's expression was so earnest that I realized I would be in trouble if I joked or lied. Having died many times, I had developed a keen sense of danger. I answered calmly,
"I already collected one of the Seven Luminaries. I offered the energy I gained to Xi Wangmu and received her blessing. I didn't perform any ritual; Chen Wujin helped me."
"Collected... the Seven Luminaries...!!"
Mihyo seemed to lose her composure at my answer. She rushed over and sat next to me, leaning in.
"Tell me more! I want to hear it."
"Wait, wait!"
I gently pushed her away and said,
"Mihyo! You've been talking about me this whole time. If you're my companion, you should share some information too."
Mihyo seemed to realize she had been hasty and stepped back slightly.
"What kind of information?"
"How I can obtain Haeyin from the Twelve Rhythms Master."
"Hmm..."
Mihyo seemed to be thinking.
She ordered a cup of tea and, after some deliberation, answered,
"There are two ways."
"What are they?"
"The first is to take it by force from the Twelve Rhythms Master, and the second is to have it transferred to you."
"... That sounds like something even a child could think of."
When I criticized, Mihyo turned her head away haughtily.
"Hmph! That's your job to think about. In other words, once you find the location of the Twelve Rhythms Master, the rest is up to your planning, isn't it?"
"So how do I find the location of the Twelve Rhythms Master?"
"I don't know, but if you beat up the leaders of the Twelve Rhythms one by one, you'll find out. They must have met the Twelve Rhythms Master at some point."
"I see."
"Now, tell me about the Seven Luminaries."
I told her how I obtained Sujo Makyah and how I offered Suqi. But I fabricated the details about Makyah's whereabouts.
"... After that, Makyah was enshrined in the temple where Wangliang Xianshi is worshipped."
"Ugh, that makes sense. Wangliang Xianshi will manage it. Ugh..."
Mihyo seemed regretful, tearing at her sleeve. I sensed her strong desire to possess the Seven Luminaries. Feeling puzzled, I asked,
"Is Makyah really that great a treasure? It's a bit disappointing, even for combat, despite awakening Suqi and granting spellcasting abilities."
"Hmph, foolish boy! Don't say that to anyone else."
Mihyo, speaking venomously, continued,
"Since Wangliang Xianshi has it, you can't obtain it. But I'll tell you. The true power of Makyah is Heavenly Ice, which can even destroy a Great Immortal. If you gain Makyah's power, you can instantly ascend to the Heavenly Realm and become a high-level immortal. If its existence were known, all demons and immortals in the world would vie for it."
"......"
Heavenly Ice, the power to destroy a Great Immortal!
I was taken aback by her unexpected words and asked,
"Wait. Makyah is a treasure from the Mythical Era, right? How do you know about its power?"
"I served Xi Wangmu in the Heavenly Realm before descending to Earth. All the High Immortals and Great Venerables in the Heavenly Realm know this, so I do too."
"Then you are Xi Wangmu's..."
Suddenly, Mihyo glared at me and cut me off.
"Enough! You're really good at upsetting people."
It was sarcasm.
"Hmm..."
"Ha, do you not know how to use words? How can you only try to extract the information you want and not consider the flow of the conversation? This is the first time I've had such a frustrating conversation."
"......"
Although Mihyo criticized me, I had no response. In fact, my repeated reincarnations had made me emotionally numb, and my life, where I could die at any moment if I didn't get the information I needed, had naturally led to this habit. Mihyo shook her head, as if accepting it.
"Anyway, thank you for the information about the Seven Luminaries. Now, I will do my best to help you."
"Do you plan to obtain Haeyin?"
"Of course, or it would be a lie."
I proposed to Mihyo,
"If that's the case, how about this?"
"How?"
"If Haeyin turns out to be one of the Seven Luminaries and I obtain it, you can have it and use it as much as you need. I only need to know its location, so just lend it to me when I need it."
Mihyo's eyes widened. My proposal must have been unexpected. Then, she smiled and took my hand.
"Let's do it. It's a great proposal."
This way, Mihyo would help me obtain Haeyin without much suspicion. I had felt uneasy about deceiving her, but my proposal made it easier. My offer was extremely generous.
But this was the best I could do now. There was no way to suppress Mihyo by force, and she would likely act to obtain Haeyin, which she suspected was one of the Seven Luminaries, even without my help.
'I just need to know the location and method of obtaining it.'
Once I knew that, I could use reincarnation to obtain it on my own without her help.
With our alliance formed, Mihyo said,
"Hmm... But your skills are quite lacking. At this rate, you won't be able to obtain Haeyin."
What was this about changing her mind after praising my skills earlier! But since the standards for success were different, it was understandable that her evaluation changed. I responded curtly,
"Isn't it because you're so strong?"
"No. The Dan clan are beings so powerful that they don't seem human. Even I would be sealed if I confronted them directly."
Mihyo pointed at me with her finger.
"I'll give you ten years. Within that time, become strong enough to help me."
"Even if you tell me to get stronger, I don't know how. Are you just telling me to practice martial arts?"
"Huhuhu, I knew you'd say that. I'll help you."
Swish
Mihyo handed me a small bronze mirror.
"Take this."
"What is it?"
"This is one of the Three Sacred Treasures from Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, the Yata no Kagami."
The Yata no Kagami, the mirror, emitted an unusual light in my hand. As I stared at it, Mihyo explained,
"This is a type of Shizui stone, which has the power to activate the soul and life force. It will show greater power when used by a spellcaster, but it will help you become stronger. Meditate while looking at the mirror for one hour in the morning and evening, and it will be effective."
"Effective..."
"Uhu. If you're still disappointing after ten years, I'll bewitch you."
Mihyo said this playfully, but it didn't feel like a joke. This mirror was clearly a treasure from the Eastern Land, and she wouldn't give it to me for nothing. If I didn't meet her expectations in ten years, she might kill me.
Mihyo smiled.
"Once the time comes, I'll find you. Have a good dream tonight."
Swish!
Mihyo disappeared using a teleportation spell. I quickly looked around to see if anyone was alarmed by her sudden disappearance, but surprisingly, no one seemed to notice. She must have manipulated their perceptions beforehand. I felt a bitter sense of relief.
'Even if she's a great demon, her spellcasting power is incredibly strong. Is it even possible to oppose such a being with martial arts?'
But it would be presumptuous to doubt the limits of martial arts without having seen them. I had to return to the Jeong family