Chapter 128: Kim Min-soo

“……Are you really Demonic Martial Divine Lord Kim Min-soo?”

At Jang Woo-hyun’s question, asked once more for confirmation, Kim Min-soo’s Projection shook his head.

“You asked me just now, right? Sorry, but I’m not the main body, so I can’t answer.”

“What…….”

Jang Woo-hyun was taken aback as he looked at Kim Min-soo, who ended his sentence with a smile. If what he said was true, it meant the Kim Min-soo in front of him was not a willful being but something created simply to provide information. In other words, he was no different than a recording or playback, making real-time conversation impossible.

“Ah…… So I won’t get to meet him again this time?”

As Jang Woo-hyun furrowed his face in disappointment, Kim Min-soo, who he thought wouldn’t respond, stepped back slightly. Watching Jang Woo-hyun’s expression, Kim Min-soo opened his mouth.

“Uh…… You’re taking it too seriously. It was just…… a joke.”

“What?”

“I said it was a joke. I can’t remember everything, and I only have the information from before the projection was made, but conversation is possible.”

When Jang Woo-hyun asked, ‘Really?’, Kim Min-soo nodded, and at his nonchalant attitude, Jang Woo-hyun shouted.

“You crazy bastard…… Then why the hell did you say that just now!”

Demonic Martial Divine Lord Kim Min-soo was active in the Central Plains several hundred years ago. Moreover, he wasn’t born in the Central Plains or Central Heavens, but on Earth. Since they were from the same world and Kim Min-soo had lived for several centuries longer, Jang Woo-hyun hadn’t planned on speaking casually to him. But at that moment, enraged by his attitude, he let out a curse.

“Uh, I, just. Thought I’d crack a joke. You must’ve had a hard time getting here. Just trying to lighten the mood, haha.”

Kim Min-soo laughed awkwardly. Seeing that, Jang Woo-hyun furrowed his brow.

‘Was he always like this?’

Now that he thought about it, Kim Min-soo had never seemed like an ordinary person. He had left records in nonsensical characters, and toward the end, he kept stamping “To Be Continued” like some kind of serialized publication. The password of the box that contained the bracelet on his wrist also began with “369369.”

After a brief conversation and reviewing what he had read so far, Jang Woo-hyun defined Kim Min-soo in one word:

‘Lunatic bastard.’

“Hey…… No matter how angry you are, your eyes look a bit too much right now?”

Kim Min-soo cautiously spoke, seeing the way Jang Woo-hyun looked at him with disdain. Having done what he did, he couldn’t speak harshly.

Seeing his timid appearance like a puppy caught in the rain, Jang Woo-hyun let out a small chuckle. Thinking the mood had lightened again, Kim Min-soo took a step forward and spoke.

“Your name?”

Jang Woo-hyun straightened his posture and answered.

“Jang Woo-hyun.”

“You’re from Earth too, right? Feel free to speak casually.”

“No, thank you. You’re probably a few hundred years older than me. I suddenly fell into the Central Plains from Earth, then happened to discover the Demonic Martial Divine Art. From there, I built my strength, ascended, and ended up here.”

Kim Min-soo nodded as he listened to the explanation.

“Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Kim Min-soo. Though just a projection, it’s nice to meet someone from home.”

Kim Min-soo extended his hand first, and Jang Woo-hyun grasped it for a handshake. After a long time, the two people from Earth had finally met.

“You must have a lot of questions, right? I’ll tell you everything I can. Oh, and how should we address each other? You can call me casually. How about Kim hyung or Kim sunbae? Honestly, just ‘Min-soo-ya’ is fine too.”

“I’ll call you Kim sunbae.”

“Then I’ll call you hubae-nim.”

After loosely deciding on titles, Jang Woo-hyun collected his thoughts. There were so many questions that he couldn’t decide where to start.

After some deliberation, Jang Woo-hyun opened his mouth.

“Are you alive?”

The first question was about whether he was still alive.

“Well, I don’t know either. Is that a strange thing to say? I don’t have contact with the main body. Especially projections like me left behind in the Lower Realm are hard to reconnect with.”

“I see. Then how did you send a projection to the Lower Realm? Is it possible for someone who has ascended to descend again? From what I know, once one reaches a certain level—Transcendence—they can no longer stay in the Lower Realm. How is this possible? And how am I here? I’ve also ascended once.”

“One at a time. Let’s go slow.”

As questions poured out, Kim Min-soo calmed Jang Woo-hyun.

“Alright, let’s start from the beginning.”

With arms crossed, Kim Min-soo began to speak.

“You can send power to the Lower Realm. Only under special circumstances, and it’s very difficult. Judging by that bracelet, it looks like you’ve reached Transcendence. Do you know that Transcendence can act as a gateway?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Then this’ll be easier. Through Transcendence, you can send down power or projections. There are limitations, and you can’t send great power. I couldn’t send much either, so to maintain this body, I need someone else’s help.”

Kim Min-soo pointed to the wall beside him and the pillar behind him. Just as he said, the projection before Jang Woo-hyun had appeared due to his Internal Energy.

“As you said, a martial artist who has reached a certain realm cannot remain in the Lower Realm. Then how are you here, hubae-nim? Before that, let me ask you something. How did you get here?”

Jang Woo-hyun explained that he had been searching for traces of a True Immortal targeting him, and after being crushed by a giant hand and its power, he had fallen into this place.

“As expected, you’ve already encountered him. Sounds like you even know his name. Hm? Oh, don’t worry. You can say his name here. In the Lower Realm, it doesn’t matter much to say a True Immortal’s name. Even in the Central Heavens, there are times when it doesn’t matter. Heavenly Venerable of the Silver Radiance and Universal Transformation of the Three Pure Ones.”

After Kim Min-soo said the True Immortal’s name and paused, nothing happened.

“See? Nothing happened. If you were cast down from the Central Heavens by him, then his power is likely enveloping this world right now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Literally. His power is covering this world like an atmosphere or shell around Earth. Why? Because that way, he can deceive the Eye of Heaven and prevent ascension. Right now, hubae-nim, you’re trapped.”

“…….”

It was not an easy thing to comprehend. Seeing Jang Woo-hyun’s expression, Kim Min-soo realized he hadn’t fully understood.

“Meaning, usually when someone at Transcendence level is touched by Heaven’s gaze, they ascend immediately. You know that, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, he’s deceiving that now.”

“Does that matter?”

“Of course it does. In the Lower Realm, you can’t grow anymore.”

“Because of the density of Qi?”

The difference in the Qi of Heaven and Earth between the Lower Realm and Central Heavens was severalfold at minimum. In severe cases, it could be dozens of times.

“That’s the biggest reason. Once you surpass a certain realm, even if you store Qi in the Lower Realm, you won’t increase your Internal Energy easily. You might die of old age before reaching the next stage. Even with extended lifespan at Transcendence, immortality isn’t guaranteed. And beyond that, the world itself won’t allow you to grow.”

At those last words, Jang Woo-hyun furrowed his brow slightly.

“Just memorize it.”

“Sorry?”

“It’s a rote subject. Just memorize this one.”

“…….”

As Jang Woo-hyun looked at him like he was spouting nonsense, Kim Min-soo averted his eyes and muttered softly.

“Even I don’t know why that is. That’s just how it is. Ask the main body later if you meet him.”

The Kim Min-soo before him was a Projection, and did not possess all information.

“Anyway, once you surpass a certain realm in the Lower Realm, the world won’t permit further growth. Just memorize it.”

Though he couldn’t understand it, there was no way to find out now, so Jang Woo-hyun let it pass. He opened his mouth again to resolve a question that arose during the conversation.

“Then why did you make all this? You said ascended beings can’t easily descend to the Lower Realm. If I hadn’t fallen here due to the True Immortal’s power, I would’ve never even seen this place.”

In response, Kim Min-soo smiled with a proud expression.

“Prepared for all kinds of situations. That included falling into the Lower Realm. You never know what could happen when you get involved with a True Immortal.”

Since a being like a god was targeting them, he had made thorough preparations. This place was just one of them, so it wouldn’t have mattered even if Jang Woo-hyun hadn’t come.

If he didn’t come, that was that. If he did, he’d help. What had been set up in the Lower Realm was just in case.

“Anyway, the current situation is this—True Immortal veiled the Eye of Heaven and cast you down to the Lower Realm. If you can’t ascend to the Central Heavens, you won’t grow anymore. This world is your exile or your prison.”

After hearing the explanation, he realized he was alive, but it wasn’t a good situation. He might not be able to escape this place. Jang Woo-hyun needed to find a way to ascend again.

“Is there no way? If the Eye of Heaven could spot me again……”

He paused his words briefly, then shifted the subject. This needed to be asked first.

“Kim sunbae, but what exactly is this ‘Heaven’?”

He wasn’t referring to the sky visible above. That kind of heaven could be seen just by looking up, even in this world.

“It’s not the void we see with our eyes. It should be called Law of Nature, or Heavenly Law, or Principle. This is just my theory, but what we call Law of Nature or Heaven is a principle that exists above the beings of the Upper Realm, including True Immortals. It might be the true god. I won’t know for sure until I get higher, but that’s what I think.”

“The true god……”

He had asked a simple question, but the answer was anything but simple.

He had merely followed the trace of Demonic Martial Divine Lord, intending to meet Kim Min-soo and confront the True Immortal hunting him, but it felt like he was approaching a fundamental truth of the world.

Feeling slightly overwhelmed, Jang Woo-hyun lifted his arm and showed the bracelet.

“There must be a way, right?”

Though he had fallen into this world by the power of the True Immortal, technically, he had also come here by choice. After all, the bracelet left behind by Kim Min-soo had guided him here.

“Of course. I was the one who summoned you here. But before that, there’s something I need to say. Have you ever really thought about ascension?”

He had only ever considered it as ascending to a higher world upon surpassing a certain realm. That was ascension, and Jang Woo-hyun had never deeply pondered it.

“Where should I begin… Are you familiar with the term ‘Unassisted Ascension’ used by cultivators?”

“I have a general idea.”

“Then this’ll be easier. Didn’t anything strike you as strange about the difference between Unassisted Ascension and Ascension?”

“Strange? I’m not quite sure what you mean.”

“Cultivators risk their lives for Unassisted Ascension. When raising their realm, they are struck by the Heavenly Tribulation. But martial artists ascend comfortably. Even when stepping into the next realm, they face no obstruction. Both go from the Lower Realm to the Central Heavens, and you never found that odd?”

– Unassisted Ascension and Ascension are different. Unassisted Ascension is dimension-crossing without Heaven’s permission, so it’s dangerous. On top of that, cultivators receive punishment in the form of Heavenly Tribulation whenever they raise their realm. But Ascension isn’t like that. There’s no danger at all.

– To explain it simply, Unassisted Ascension is like someone living on the first floor drilling through the ceiling without the landlord’s permission to get to the second floor. So, if the landlord sees their head popping through, he smacks it. The Heavenly Tribulation that cultivators face is that smack.

– Ascension is different. The landlord on the second floor sees a martial artist on the first floor and thinks, ‘That guy’s too big—he’s gonna wreck the place. Better bring him up here.’ So he throws down a rope and pulls them up to live in the much larger second floor.

When he had first arrived in the Central Heavens, Gwak Yu-chan had explained it similarly. Back then, he had thought it was just a difference in methods.

But just as Kim Min-soo now pointed out, thinking about it again, something felt off. He couldn’t say exactly what, but something did.

“Ascension is effortless, while Unassisted Ascension is hard. I can concede that much. Unassisted Ascension breaks through the dimensional wall without the Heaven’s or world’s permission. But it’s weird that only cultivators get struck by Heavenly Tribulation. We martial artists ascend to the Central Heavens and also raise our realm.”

The more he heard, the more that strange discomfort grew. Jang Woo-hyun gathered his thoughts and opened his mouth.

“Isn’t it because the world—Heaven—doesn’t acknowledge them?”

Kim Min-soo nodded, gesturing for him to continue.

“I once met someone who described Heaven as the house owner. If the Central Heavens is the second floor, then the Lower Realm is the first. Martial artists grow too strong and risk wrecking the first floor, so the owner personally pulls them up. But cultivators drill through the second floor themselves. Unassisted Ascension is breaking through the dimensional wall, after all.”

“That’s right.”

“Then couldn’t this be the difference between those acknowledged and those not?”

“So martial artists are acknowledged by Heaven, and that’s why there’s no Heavenly Tribulation?”

“Yes. That’s one way to think about it.”

Kim Min-soo gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

“You’re the only one.”

“Only one?”

“No one I’ve met has ever said anything like this. Even when I explained it, they just accepted it as natural. The difference between cultivators’ Unassisted Ascension and martial artists’ Ascension. And the fact that only cultivators suffer Heavenly Tribulation.”

“……”

“As if it were some law of nature or an unchangeable truth.”

“……!”

A shiver crawled up Jang Woo-hyun’s spine.

Even he had never considered that point until speaking with Kim Min-soo. As if hypnotized, he had simply accepted it as a given.

“But I’m glad. At least I can talk to you about it.”

Looking at Jang Woo-hyun’s stiffened face, Kim Min-soo could tell what was going through his mind.

“This world itself is strange. Strangely enough, it connects with the myths and legends we know. Could it be that the Earth we came from is just one of many Lower Realms?”

Kim Min-soo shook his head as if answering his own question.

“I don’t think so. It’s an entirely different world. Another dimension. Probably even another universe. But still, strangely, there are interconnected legends. In the Central Plains where we first lived, there were sects and clans just like in novels. I don’t even know if this world is real or fake.”

Jang Woo-hyun stared at Kim Min-soo with a hardened expression.

“Why are you suddenly saying all this?”

“To tell you not to believe anything so easily. We still don’t know what kind of world this is. Always doubt, and never trust anything too quickly. Whether it’s a person, a so-called fact, or a rule. And most importantly—trust yourself.”

‘Trust yourself.’

As Jang Woo-hyun chewed over Kim Min-soo’s words, an ominous thought crossed his mind.

Just because they were both from Earth, did Kim Min-soo really have any reason to help him? They weren’t connected by any fate. They didn’t even know each other.

Slowly, Jang Woo-hyun reached for the hilt of his sword and spoke.

“……Then shouldn’t I also be cautious about trusting you, Kim sunbae? If you think about it, you have no reason to help me either.”

At that, one corner of Kim Min-soo’s mouth lifted. At that ominous smile, Jang Woo-hyun tightened his grip.

“Ah, you noticed—”

Before the word “noticed” could be completed, Jang Woo-hyun’s sword sliced through Kim Min-soo’s neck.

Slice!

“Ack! W-wait! Stop! Hold on!”

His neck half-severed and flopping back, Kim Min-soo flailed his arms. Jang Woo-hyun didn’t stop and even cut off one of his arms.

“Stop! It’s a joke! Just a joke!”

“What?”

Rolling on the ground to dodge further attacks, Kim Min-soo shouted.

Tumbling all the way to the end of the cave, he lifted his torso and spoke.

“You suddenly got so serious, so I joked to lighten the mood!”

Only after half-severing his neck and slicing off an arm and a leg did Jang Woo-hyun stop attacking. Fortunately, since it was a Projection, Kim Min-soo didn’t bleed or die immediately.

“It was a joke. You just got so serious all of a sudden.”

“What kind of joke is that……”

“Well, not all of it was a joke. This world really is strange. But I hope you can trust me. I’m not a bad person.”

“Do bad people go around telling others they’re bad?”

“Oh? That’s a fair point. Anyway, put the sword down and listen to me. Just for a bit, listen, okay?”

Seeing the once-again timid Kim Min-soo, Jang Woo-hyun let out a small sigh and lowered his sword.

“There’s a reason I want to help. It’s because of that guy. The True Immortal targeting us.”

As Kim Min-soo spoke seriously, Jang Woo-hyun also focused.

“Why exactly is he targeting us?”

“Exactly? I don’t exactly know either.”

‘This bastard, really.’

Crack.

At Kim Min-soo’s attitude, Jang Woo-hyun once again swung his sword.

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