NOVEL NEXT Chapter 587
Chapter 587 – Dark Heaven Village
“Wait, Ger-seon is an incarnation of Changqie and a member of the Eight Parts of the Divine?! And they all came rushing here?!”
Everyone was bewildered by the sudden declaration. I couldn’t help but feel tense as I laid my eyes on the seven members of the Eight Parts standing before me, all taking humanoid forms, faces I had never seen before. My tension escalated because I had clashed head-on with Gin Nara, one of the Eight Parts, in my previous life, and I vividly felt his power.
Back then, even with the help of the Fire Dragon Incarnate and Jang Sam-bong, I had a tough time against Gin Nara and almost lost. We might have won, but if the fight had continued, who knows what would have happened? Gin Nara was at least a Demon King-level being, and considering that kind of formidable opponent is ranked low among the Eight Parts, I thought –
‘This situation is a calamity.’
If all members of the Eight Parts pile in, there’s no way to face them directly. It would be a brutal battle of the likes of the Sea God’s eradication—no, something far worse.
As I braced myself for death, the Sect Leader spoke.
“Changqie… I don’t understand why that gives you the audacity to invade our sect.”
Suddenly, the Sect Leader summoned the Tai Chi and unleashed a palm strike behind Ger-seon’s head. That single move felt like it was breaking space itself, so secretive and swift that anyone unprepared would lose their life in an instant. But in that moment, Ger-seon swung the staff he was holding.
**Mind Control Technique**
**Falling Dog Chaos Attack**
With a sound like a drum beating, Ger-seon’s quickly drawn attack effortlessly deflected the Sect Leader’s strike. Though it was a light defense, the onlookers inside the hall gaped even more at the sudden turn of events as Ger-seon chuckled.
“Haha! Even though it’s a weakened human form, I’ve trained it well.”
That’s an understatement. From just witnessing him use the Mind Control Technique moments ago, he might very well be at the peak of expert-level prowess. Most notably, a person who can deflect the attack of the Sect Leader like that ranks among the top five in the world. The Sect Leader remarked.
“You’ve been hiding your true power. It seems you’re at least ten times stronger than the Ger-seon I know.”
“Uncheon. Has it really been more than eighty years since we last met…? Back then, you were like a madman absorbed in a single task, ignoring everything else.”
[……]
“I found your determination and will quite remarkable for a human, which made me want to befriend you. And as expected, you’ve even defeated Cheong-un and rise to become the supreme being of the White Lotus Sect. I have a great deal of respect for you as a human.”
It seemed the Sect Leader and Ger-seon had known each other for a very long time. Continuing on, Ger-seon added, “However, I’m not here as ‘human’ Ger-seon but as a member of the Eight Parts of the Divine gang. If you don’t step aside, we will have no choice but to obliterate the White Lotus Sect.”
A sinister red light flickered in Ger-seon’s eyes.
Gooooh
Moments later, as Ger-seon took just one step forward, an unidentifiable chill washed over the place.
“……!!”
Everyone, sensing the oddity, stiffened. This aura didn’t carry the pressure of an absolute realm master; it felt more like a monstrous, evil creature crawling up from hell was permeating this space. It was all thanks to Ger-seon emitting a chilling and ominous energy that felt non-human.
An existence not of this world was trying to reveal its true nature.
Only those among the inner circle, who were at the pinnacle, could withstand such pressure—the Sect Leader, Lee Cheong-un, and Jin So-cheong, all bearing expressions of calm as if they had already reached the absolute realm. The Sect Leader spoke quietly.
“It doesn’t seem like mere bragging. Where have such super-powerful beings like you been hiding in the Martial Arts world?”
Ger-seon replied with an emotionless face, “We do not dwell in the Martial Arts world, Uncheon. ‘We’ don’t live in as narrow a realm as the Martial Arts world. The only member of the Eight Parts who was active there was me, and that was just for sport.”
“From the hidden world…?”
“Exactly. Since ancient times… even before the first human king was born, we have been watching over humans in the name of Changqie.”
[……]
The Sect Leader pondered for a moment and then asked, “What business do you have with Baek Woong?”
“That’s none of your business. If you stop bothering us, we will vanish without a trace as if we never existed from history once we receive Baek Woong.”
“That can’t happen.”
“What did you say?”
The Sect Leader firmly continued, “I recognized Baek Woong and the Bancheon Alliance as brothers. As long as they are threatened, I, Dokgo Uncheon, will deter you as the will of the White Lotus Sect.”
“……!!”
Ger-seon and everyone in the hall showed incredulous expressions.
‘Could the Sect Leader really be that committed…’
The power disparity was evident. Of course, only my companions who received the obsidian from me knew the true extent of that power disparity, but the members of the White Lotus Sect would certainly recognize that the seven beings from the Eight Parts that just appeared were no ordinary folks. Even with the threat of annihilation looming over the White Lotus Sect, the Sect Leader resolved to uphold his loyalty to me!
Ger-seon gazed at the Sect Leader in stunned disbelief, but just then, a beautiful woman with long black hair and a careless expression chimed in.
“As I heard from Hyuk-ah, he’s someone who can pursue a tyrant of an era.”
“Yacha.”
Could she also be a member of the Eight Parts? The striking beauty called Yacha, who addressed Ger-seon, said to the Sect Leader, “We do not plan to harm Baek Woong. Since it’s something you’ll find unimportant, let’s just have a talk with Baek Woong.”
At that, the gazes of the Eight Parts briefly shifted to Yacha. Moments later, most turned their eyes away, as if agreeing rapidly, and it seemed they decided on a dialogue in an instant. I found that peculiar.
‘Each member of the Eight Parts possesses overwhelming power, and yet they want to talk?’
To be honest, if all seven showed the power Gin Nara displayed back in Mount Tai, there would be no way to contend against them. Just moments ago, I was anticipating death and tensed, yet unexpectedly, they wanted to avoid a fight. It seemed bizarre considering that simply overpowering us would be the easiest route.
Could it be that the Eight Parts possessed qualities I wasn’t aware of? But there wasn’t time to contemplate further. The eyes in the hall suddenly turned towards me, and I realized it was my turn to speak.
I shot a scrutinizing glare at both Ger-seon and Yacha and said, “What brings you to me?”
“Don’t be defensive. We’re not here to fight.”
Yacha replied gently and then continued, “We have been observing the human realm for a long time. Sometimes intervening, sometimes colluding with dark forces, we prepared for the end time as decreed by Changqie. Originally, we wouldn’t be appearing until about 500 years from now…”
Yacha stated, “However, the existence destined to be the Harbinger of Evil has rejected awakening and has genomen your name, twisting fate immensely. The Harbinger has acquired the law of cause and effect completely and seems poised to wage war against the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors at any moment. This has become a significant concern for us, so we came to find you, the source of this chaos.”
She seemed to have detailed knowledge of the situation.
“……”
As I listened to Yacha, I desperately etched the faces of each member of the Eight Parts into my memory. Once I died and was reborn, I needed to recognize them no matter what. This was a rare opportunity to face all of them, and it wouldn’t come again.
Feigning ignorance, I replied, “I didn’t realize it was such a big deal to give a name. But why are you here? I am far weaker than each of you. Just one Great Immortal could easily erase me. There’s no reason for you to be concerned about someone as weak as me.”
Just then, a stout middle-aged man stroked his beard and interjected.
“Not at all.”
“And you are?”
“I’m Gin Nara. The strategist and brains of this bunch.”
“……!!”
Gin Nara! I didn’t recognize him when he was possessed by Zhuge Yulong, but is that really what he looks like in human form? He had gained considerable weight and appeared as a significantly large middle-aged man. Although he didn’t seem brainy, Gin Nara, self-proclaimed strategist, spoke.
“You recently made a significant deal with the king of the Zhuyong Tribe, acquiring the rights to use their formidable weapons. Moreover, for some unknown reason, you possess an exceedingly powerful divine-level spell and are also the owner of the National Seal. Furthermore, there’s a high possibility that you possess the Seven Luminaries; you could become a key to the confusing situations that lie ahead.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying…”
I mumbled, but I felt a burning sensation inside.
‘How in the world does he know all that?’
That exceedingly powerful divine-level spell must be the language of the Harbinger I possess. And the king of the Zhuyong Tribe referred to the Prophet, who recently granted me the right to use the Tower of Muwang once. However, it was something I hadn’t boasted about to anyone, and it had to remain a tightly kept secret, so how did he find out? Moreover, the certainty with which he claimed I was the owner of the National Seal was quite alarming.
I felt like my trump cards had all been revealed. As I clenched my teeth, Gin Nara added, “Of course, if we were to attack you, seizing the National Seal would be trivial. But…”
“But?”
Nodding, Gin Nara said, “It seems you possess an extraordinary initiative and knowledge, and substantial potential for growth. Thus, we’ve chosen not to suppress you by force but instead offer you a proposal.”
“What proposal do you have?”
“Let’s join forces, you and we, the Eight Parts. And soon, you should meet our Master.”
“……?”
I had somewhat expected the offer to join forces. But the request to meet the ‘Master’—was I being asked to face the legendary Changqie? My heart raced secretly, but I maintained my composure and responded.
“What reason do I have to see him?”
“Our Master finds you intriguing because your actions seem to oppose the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.”
“……”
That’s true. I ultimately have a desire to wipe those Sovereign bastards out. I decided to cease my complete reliance on their power, but could that have been interpreted as rebellion? Could my intentions be deduced from my actions?
As I wrestled with this confusion, I suddenly snapped out of it and asked, “What guarantee do I have that Changqie won’t kill me?”
“I don’t know.”
“How careless.”
“Make your choice.”
As I stared penetratingly at the members of the Eight Parts, I could pinpoint their peculiar characteristics.
‘There’s no emotion coming from them.’
Though their faces bore expressions, there was a stark lack of vitality or traits that one could call human. It felt as if they wore the skins of humans, devoid of essence. Someone ordinary wouldn’t feel it, but having faced inhuman entities for so long, I could surely tell.
‘Perhaps this perception will help me distinguish them next time too.’
As I cleared my thoughts, I replied, “Understood. I will cooperate with you. But don’t touch the White Lotus Sect or the Bancheon Alliance.”
“Agreed.”
“Also, I hope to be sent back unharmed if possible.”
“I’ll consider it.”
Since Master Mangnyang suggested I follow his advice, it was highly likely that the Eight Parts standing before me were indeed the Third Force. It turned out that Master Mangnyang’s prediction that they would seek my opinion was accurate. In that case, it was better for me to follow along with the Eight Parts than to engage in a hellish battle with them. Because—
Fwaaaah
Suddenly, a massive dimensional portal opened in the air. However, it felt a bit different from what an otherworldly race’s portal would feel like; instead of uncontrolled malice and madness seeping through, it radiated nothing but an empty darkness. Moments later, one by one, the Eight Parts entered that dimensional portal, and I followed Gin Nara into the portal as well.
Behind us, Master Mangnyang shouted, “Baek Woong! Don’t be afraid!!”
I turned back to Mangnyang and chuckled softly. “What, am I going to die or something?”
Indeed. What else is left but death?
The intent behind Master Mangnyang’s words seemed to signal to overcome the fear of death and seize the greatest benefit. After all, this was a chance to confront the enormous entity named Changqie, an opportunity to understand his intent and thoughts—a chance I could never miss, even if it meant risking death.
Whooosh—
A moment later, my body was whisked away through the dimension portal to some otherworldly realm. It felt like I was passing through distortions of space dozens of times. According to my knowledge of demon magic, traveling through spatial distortions like this was to prevent divine beings from tracking my position.
‘Changqie’s original dimension is probably top secret.’
It may be the Moon of Dark Heaven Village, but it could be shifting positions there as well.
Eventually, when I opened my eyes again, I found myself standing in a bizarre place.
It was as though the sky and earth had flipped? The sky appeared flat yet infinitely vast, occasionally writhing, with a sea shimmering on the horizon. The ground looked like a patchwork of clouds—you could say it floated in midair. Colorful creatures wandered about.
It was curious, but it felt like a spiritual place with little malevolent energy. I walked behind the members of the Eight Parts, eventually entering a dark building.
Tat-tat
“Whoa.”
As soon as I stepped inside, the presence of all the members who had been walking ahead of me vanished entirely. It wasn’t total darkness—it was faintly illuminated, yet it felt as if every one of them had been snuffed out like a lantern! In confusion, I looked around, but the narrow passage was filled with silence.
With no other choice, I walked straight down the corridor—a point where my path stretched out—and soon, I found myself confronted by a creature with four eyes, hanging in the air, staring at me. It lacked any body hair or gender and looked like an absurd creature draped in pale skin.
‘Is that Changqie…?’
Was that really him?
I doubted, for the creature seemed devoid of intelligence, merely tilting its head while glancing at me. Then it ignored me and floated past. There were similar four-eyed beings drifting throughout this space. They seemed more like servants than Changqie.
Kugugugu…
An ominous vibration suddenly echoed. At that moment, will spoke to me.
[What do you desire?]
I felt an instinctive reaction.
This was Changqie speaking! It felt like the voice of the [Old Ruler]! I shivered as that voice pierced deep within me. It threatened to completely take over my being, and I barely managed to summon my strength to respond.
“The destruction of all [Old Ruler]!”
After all, if he’s the one who summoned me here and is indeed Changqie, then feeble lies would serve no purpose. As I shouted, Changqie responded with what seemed to be amusement.
“Hahaha… That great reincarnator… You merely wish to plunge the world into chaos to resurrect your true self…”
I clenched my jaw and gathered courage to shout back.
“Changqie! What exactly is your purpose?”
[No reason to tell you.]
“What of the truth you obtained from the Emperor…?”
[No reason to tell you.]
“……”
Saying that left me speechless. While I was momentarily frozen, Changqie continued speaking.
[I will take care of you for a moment. Soon, you will witness something entertaining.]
“What do you mean?”
[At the end of the time when devastation arrives…].
Fwaaaah!!
Moments later, I lost consciousness.
And when I awoke again, I found myself back in the earthly realm, not in Changqie’s bizarre palace.
“……?”
What’s going on?
Was that all Changqie wanted me for, just to utter those words? I felt bewildered, but everything I had, like the National Seal and the Golden Lamp, remained untouched. Even the Fire Dragon Sword I carried was safe. It seemed I had returned to the human realm safely, but strangely, the place I found myself in was an empty mountainous area.
The people of the White Lotus Sect had vanished, and there were no companions in sight! All the trees appeared burned down, and there were no signs of life. I had clearly been at the Sect Leader’s gathering, so why was it like this? I felt puzzled and used the suspicious fishhook to contact Zhuge Sa.
[Zhuge Sa! Where are you?!]
However, there was no immediate answer. I called out two or three more times, but the response didn’t come, and just as I was about to give up, a slow voice finally replied.
[…Uh, is that you, Baek Woong?]
It was Zhuge Sa’s voice. But oddly enough, the voice echoing in my mind sounded slightly different from what I knew, now rougher. So, I grew suspicious, thinking it might not be Zhuge Sa but someone else holding onto the suspicious fishhook.
[Are you not Zhuge Sa? Who are you? Where are you?]
[…Kuhh… Haha, what a situation… This couldn’t be the timing…]
[Answer!]
I insisted, delivering a tone of urgency, and eventually, “Zhuge Sa” responded with a deflated tone, “Do you still have the Golden Lamp?”
[Is this really you, Zhuge Sa?]
[If you have the Golden Lamp, come to the Kingdom of Duke Du. Everyone is here.]
[What…?]
I was stunned but decided to head to the Kingdom of Duke Du right away.
And the moment I stepped into the base, I froze in shock.
“You little rascal… did you finally come?”
“Zhuge Sa.”
“Kekeke.”
There was Zhuge Sa himself, but my companions were mostly absent.
And beside the aging Zhuge Sa stood—also appearing as an old man—Master Mangnyang, along with Jin So-cheong, who looked just like before.
Zhuge Sa laughed wickedly and said with a crazed tone, “Pretty soon, the world will face ruin, and what have you been doing for the past fifty years, showing up now?”