NOVEL NEXT Chapter 521
00521 Dark Heaven Village ————————————————————————
As I continued sparring with Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon, I could definitely feel my application of the Seven Great Techniques and Eight Immortal Divine Art becoming sharper.
‘This experience cannot be gained by solo training.’
If I trained alone, I might deepen the mastery of each individual technique, but achieving the connection between them would be difficult. However, since Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon had also learned the techniques with me, the experience of sparring with them was a significant fortuitous encounter.
After repeating training day and night like this, I suddenly felt a marked improvement in my movements. Perhaps realizing this, Jin So-cheong briefly retracted her spear and said,
“Baek Woong. If the three of us join forces now, it might not be impossible to hold our ground against the Master of the White Lotus Sect. You’ve achieved remarkable martial arts prowess.”
“The Master of the White Lotus Sect?”
“That is, before he brings out the Heart of Heaven’s Abundance…”
As Jin So-cheong trailed off slightly, she added,
“Baek Woong. This ends our martial training for now. Isn’t it time to consider whether to use the power of reversal?”
“…”
“I think so too.”
Zhuge Sa, who had been quietly watching our training from a distance, spoke up as he walked into the hall. Zhuge Sa looked at me with sharp eyes and said,
“The remaining formidable opponents are all divine beings. So we can’t eliminate them with the power of reversal! Instead, we have to find a way to use it to save someone.”
“Um…”
“I’ve let it go without any major changes until now, but it’s time to resurrect our allies.”
Zhuge Sa’s words rang true. We reached a point where we had to recover someone in order to gain an advantage. This was crucial, especially since there were only about fifteen days left until the Heavenly Sovereign’s return, and delaying any further might mean we could achieve nothing. I responded to him,
“Couldn’t we erase the Celestial Sage with the power of reversal?”
“That might be possible. But do you understand what it means to kill the Celestial Sage using the power of reversal? It means the Old Ruler declares war on the Celestial Realm and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. The Celestial Realm would never remain passive after losing such a strong force as the Celestial Sage. At that time, all plans would unravel into meaningless chaos.”
“…”
“Do you really think the final opponent in this life will be that monkey?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The situation has already escalated past that level. By the end of this life, something that even the Celestial Sage cannot handle may emerge.”
“Hm. But…”
“I have a few options. For starters, I’d like to hear your thoughts.”
Before I knew it, not only Zhuge Sa but also the other companions had gathered close. After pondering for a while, I spoke up.
“No… I won’t resurrect anyone!”
“What?”
“I just have this feeling. It seems like increasing companions now could be a blunder…”
“Is that yet another one of your instincts?”
Zhuge Sa grumbled slightly and then said,
“Fine. Then we quietly wait for the day the Heavenly Sovereign descends. Is that agreeable?”
“Sure. I’d like to see what that Heavenly Sovereign is like.”
Though I had faced the threat of the Heavenly Sovereign many times, I had never truly felt what it was like. So given how things turned out, I thought it would be a good idea to find out. Zhuge Sa smiled wryly and said,
“Follow me. If that’s your decision, then I have something to show you.”
I followed Zhuge Sa, and deep inside his research facility, I discovered something darkly swirling.
“A Crystal Stele.”
“It’s active. We’ve researched many things with that.”
Muttering like that, Zhuge Sa approached the Crystal Stele and reached his hand inside. Then he began to chant a spell.
Woowoo
Suddenly, a liquid surged forth from the Crystal Stele, writhing in midair, and then it transformed into softly glowing gold. I was taken by surprise and shouted,
“What?! Is that real gold?”
“…”
“Of course, in the world of demons, gold isn’t that significant. Alchemists value something far greater than wealth in the human realm, which is reaching the Divine Position. The goal is to create exceptional material by researching the Crystal Stele and alchemy, producing better offerings to present to the Old Ruler for stronger magical power.”
“I see…”
I thought I understood. Up until now, didn’t I receive better blessings or treasures, the more excellent offerings I presented to the Celestial Realm, Prophets, or the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors? For demon sorcerers, that offering partner could only be the Old Ruler. I turned to Zhuge Sa.
“So, why did you bring me here?”
“…”
Zhuge Sa spoke cautiously,
“Baek Woong. Let’s offer the Divine Portrait produced here as an offering and make a deal with the Old Ruler.”
“What?!”
“The position where you obtain from the deal with God is where the incarnate Changqie is located. If you report that position to Jeon Wook, he might acknowledge that merit and halt the Heavenly Sovereign. Given the current situation, I believe this is the best plan.”
“Why the Old Ruler of all people? Even asking a Prophet…”
Zhuge Sa became irritated.
“Do you really think you can ask that guy after being fooled like that? He’ll try to take everything we have. The Old Ruler is the one with a better chance.”
I hesitated.
“But I’m currently an Apostle of Jeon Wook. It’s clear that he wouldn’t look favorably on my deal with the Old Ruler.”
“He wouldn’t of course. But, no matter how poor the means might be, isn’t accomplishing your mission more important? In my opinion, Jeon Wook seems like a lord who values practicality more than justification.”
“…”
“If I brought this conversation up in front of Mangnyang, he would vehemently oppose it, which is why I’ve brought you here. What are your thoughts?”
I recalled my previous encounter with Jeon Wook.
[What I commanded you, the Apostle, was to bring the Changqie to me within ten years. Are you telling me to go beat them up directly after telling you the location?]
[So what?]
[I have no intention of getting involved in the affairs of my descendants. Especially not if it pertains to the Western Regions, which I want to avoid even more. Just make sure to eliminate any obstacle to your mission.]
[Show me a more capable side of yourself.]
I had previously revealed that the Changqie was located in Dark Heaven Village, only to be scolded harshly and sent away. At that time, I simply turned red in embarrassment, but upon reflection, that exchange showcased Jeon Wook’s mindset as a ruler. Indeed, as Zhuge Sa said, Jeon Wook wanted results from his subordinates and seemed unconcerned about the means to achieve them. His remark about eliminating obstacles was telling.
‘There’s logic in that.’
It was an efficient plan. But one thing bothered me.
“… What if he knows nothing? What if he just eats the offering and leaves?”
“Well, there isn’t much we can do about that. Still, isn’t it better than just training martial arts until the Heavenly Sovereign arrives? If we proceed like this and unexpectedly perish, you’d have to start over on investigating the Changqie.”
“Ugh…”
“What will you do?”
After a moment of contemplation, I nodded.
“I’ll do it.”
“Good. The being I intend to call is the Old Ruler who destroyed the Old Continent with the power of water. Though it may seem outwardly dangerous, he’s a powerful Old Ruler, so be cautious.”
“Ugh… Why summon such a dangerous character…”
“Because he’s powerful enough to be worth the risk! He’s more likely to provide us with the information we seek.”
“… Understood.”
Woowoo
Soon, I placed the Divine Portrait and offerings on the altar and watched as Zhuge Sa performed the ceremony of human sacrifice to the Old Ruler from the back. Zhuge Sa then uttered a huge dark incantation.
Zjeong
Suddenly, I felt an ominous darkness flickering in the air. Beyond the ominous darkness, a massive water monitor lizard seemed to be emerging. Zhuge Sa murmured some incantation in the language of sorcerers and knelt down, while the water monitor lizard seemed to glance at me.
Then, the next moment, the mouth of the water monitor lizard opened.
[Come here.]
Time stopped.
I realized I was standing on a white expanse, where a rippling lake stretched to the horizon. Facing me was the water monitor lizard, quietly gazing at me. This space appeared to have been created not by the Heart Command Technique but through divine power that halted time and space, forming another otherworldly realm.
Near the water monitor lizard, hundreds of serpent men I had once seen stood lined up, almost as if they were serving their lord.
The presence slowly spoke.
[The destruction of this world is approaching. Sooner than expected. You are the seed of that destruction, and like others, I find you intriguing.]
“What do you mean? Who are the others?”
[Maintaining focus before my true self is impressive… Just identifying as an Apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors doesn’t explain this, heh heh.]
The water monitor lizard chuckled with interest. It seemed aware that I was an Apostle.
It continued,
[The offering a demon sorcerer presented to me is not particularly interesting. Therefore, I contemplated killing you until you arrived. If you make a deal with me, I can provide you with what you desire.]
“A deal?”
The water monitor lizard flicked its tongue and continued.
[Offer me the Seven Luminaries.]
“…!!”
[In exchange, I will grant you the powers of my Apostle and guide you to where the incarnation of Changqie is located. You will also become the king of the serpent men.]
So, this creature is after the Seven Luminaries too!
Having received warnings before the ceremony began from Zhuge Sa, I gritted my teeth and said,
“I cannot accept that. I will guard the Seven Luminaries as an Apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.”
There’s no other choice.
Even if I had to die and restart this time, I must refuse. If the Seven Luminaries fell to this being, the entire Celestial Realm and Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors would immediately become my enemies. If the world continued even after my rebirth, my companions would surely endure endless torment in the Celestial Realm.
I anticipated that this being would kill me immediately, but surprisingly, it spoke in a gentle voice,
[Such a greedy one… Then how about this? I shall grant you, along with that condition, immortality, celestial beauty, the ability to absorb spirits, and the power to control water.]
That was tempting. If I accepted all that the water monitor lizard just proposed, I could potentially surpass even the emperor of this world. But that only made the Seven Luminaries all the more precious, so I firmly replied,
“Just kill me. I will never accept.”
[You dare… refuse the proposal of the one who wears a mask?!]
A mask?
Though I had no idea what that meant, I responded calmly.
“The Eternal Fetus that appeared in the White Lotus Sect also sought the Seven Luminaries.”
[……]
“You may not grasp the significance of the Seven Luminaries, but if I’m destined to die either way, then I will uphold my will until death.”
[Hmph…]
The water monitor lizard seemed unexpectedly composed, contemplating something. After some time, it spoke,
[You’re an interesting one. To oppose me with the mindset of truly being willing to die… A mere human possesses such mental resilience? And you cannot even read my mind…]
It then began to wag its tail and continued speaking.
[Though I won’t hold a grudge for you mocking me with Jeon Wook’s reputation, I will also let you know that you will never obtain the information you desire.]
“Is that a curse? If you’re going to kill me, then get on with it.”
[Indeed. Because Changqie is…]
Before the Old Ruler could finish, its glaring red eyes flashed.
[First, I shall receive your offerings as intended, and I will give you a corresponding reward.]
“Thank you.”
[Oh Apostle, remember this well.]
An ominous command began to spread along with the terrifying magical power emanating from the Old Ruler. It felt as if the entire world was being submerged in water.
[Your master possesses potent powers that can rival ours, yet they can never become the protagonist of the revelation. After the revelation is completed, your master will not be able to protect you. After the end, you will come to regret refusing my proposal today.]
Pa-at!
I returned to the real world. And I heard Zhuge Sa, who had been kneeling, speaking joyfully,
“I’ve acquired information about one of the incarnates of Changqie!”
“Huh?”
“Though I did devour the Divine Portrait completely.”
I quickly glanced at the altar. True to the words, the Divine Portrait had transformed into blood fragments, gruesomely consumed. I found it burdensome to stare at that sight for too long, so I turned my head.
“What are they like?”
“They are from Gin Nara. He resides on Mount Tai.”
“Really?! Then…”
Zhuge Sa looked up at the ceiling and said,
“It means we now have a clear task ahead.”