A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

Chapter 543: 1000th Cycle’s First Day. And HerChapter 543: 1000th Cycle’s First Day. And Her

Ttok—

A sound of a water droplet falling echoes from somewhere.

In a dark, pitch-black space, I stand rendered powerless, beside the candle of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld wearing the guise of Kim Yeon.

Everything about the situation feels suffocating.

Sarak, sarak...

Behind the guise of Kim Yeon, the being that seems to be the main body of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld is doing something.

Ttok—

’A water dropper (硯滴)?’

[TL: Basically a small vessel to hold ink-stone water.]

It seems like water is being poured into a water dropper.

A posture suggesting preparation for redrawing something.

Ttok—

Once again, the sound of water falling into the water dropper echoes.

Then, the figure of Kim Yeon opens their mouth.

”To refer to yourself merely as one of the Human Path...your confidence is too low. Now that you have properly set foot into the Immortal Family, you can afford to hold yourself in a higher regard.”

”...”

”Immortal Seo Eun-hyun. Has your journey thus far been satisfactory?”

I swallow hard.

It feels like I can’t carelessly let any words slip from my mouth.

What if I foolishly answer, ’It was satisfactory,’ only to be eternally taxidermized?

”An amusing thought.”

”...”

’Is it impossible to even hide my thoughts...?’

”What are you trying to hide before me? The one who has existed even before Eleven Governings, Heavenly Venerables, two powers of Mount Sumeru, and such systems existed is I. Simply by observing the flow of history, I can read most things. Speak whatever comes to mind. It is fine.”

I close my eyes tightly.

”So, has your journey thus far been satisfactory?”

”...Ever since I learned from the Mountain Divine Spirit that recklessly opening one’s mouth can lead to grave consequences, I have refrained from speaking careless words. I beg for your understanding, O Imperial Venerable.”

Recalling the tales I heard on Penglai Island, rumors and legends from here and there, the titles spoken by Blood Yin, I address Them with the most fitting title.

One of the two thrones of the Buddhist Family Twin Venerables. 

Wheel Imperial Venerable (車輪帝尊)!

The Owner of the [Wheel] is surely the being before me.

The [White Wheel] I glimpsed behind the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld in my past life still lingers vividly in my memory.

At my words, They nod and smile.

”You’ve learned well from the Mountain Divine Spirit. But haven’t I told you before? Silence is golden, yet silence out of place...can sometimes summon a blade.”

”...I do not fear blades, for I, myself, wield a blade. How can one swing a blade without the resolve to be struck by one.”

I clear my throat and gaze at the being beyond Kim Yeon’s visage.

Deep and vast darkness.

Yet, the main body of this being undoubtedly lies beyond there.

”And, the Imperial Venerable has instructed me to speak. Even when They have said that They are already reading everything about me. However, I am currently speaking not with the Imperial Venerable’s true face, but to the shadow cast by a candle. How can I possibly offer the Imperial Venerable proper words under such circumstances?”

”Hoho...”

Wearing Kim Yeon’s face, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld smiles.

”Do you not realize I am protecting you? Those who have not yet reached the rank of Lord (君) suffer tremendous shock from merely gazing directly at me. I am offering consideration for your sake. Yet, you reject even this kindness and instead reach to drink the punitive wine.”

Sararak—

At that moment, the figure of Kim Yeon begins to blur, and the presence of the [Darkness] behind becomes slightly clearer.

In that moment, I feel as though my breath stops and my head is about to shatter.

’Heok... Heheok...!’

Kim Yeon’s form wavers, and I can now directly see the [Shadow] of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.

The outline of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld comes into view.

But just from that, my eyeballs start to decay and melt, and I feel my entire being filling with death.

’Th-This is...’

The difference in rank between the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld and I.

As I feel this incomprehensible gap, I realize that even if I were to bring forth my entire main body and activate Heaven, Earth, Heart, and Wheel completely, the difference in rank between me and the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld would not narrow much further than it feels right now from my mortal state.

However, I grit my teeth.

’Truly remarkable.’