NOVEL NEXT Chapter 684
Chapter 684: Dark Heaven Village
The Zhuge Clan and their party followed Yeol into the depths of the Five Demon Gate. Suddenly, the palace inside the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace was revealed, vast and expansive, with a staggering 99 rooms to traverse.
[You must not make eye contact with the spirits, nor should you speak to them; just ignore them.]
“I understand.”
Unlike Baek Woong, Yeol issued this special warning to them. However, the Zhuge Clan didn’t question why they had to do that, just as Baek Woong had refrained from poking around. They had already sensed through the overwhelming power of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace’s sinister spirits that they were fundamentally different from Baek Woong.
‘The moment you break that rule, you’ll be killed instantly. Moreover, you’ll become slaves here for all eternity.’
Though it appeared unremarkable on the surface, this place was just like a demon realm, akin to the territory of an Old Ruler. For a mere human, dying a hundred times would be natural, and the only reason they could even breathe for a moment here was that Yeol was protecting them. Although Baek Woong once roamed this palace as if it were a tourist attraction and could chat with the spirits, they could never do the same as ordinary humans.
‘Surely, there’s no fool who would ignore Yeol’s warning…’
The Zhuge Clan thought the warning was relatively simple, but the next moment, chaos erupted.
[Hee hee hee! Come here!]
A long-faced ghost grinned as the light of a fearful dream glimmered. It was the moment the command of a minor spirit surpassed that of the Great Immortal.
[AAAAAH…!!]
Suddenly, a horrible death cry echoed as two of the Elder Council’s experts, who had joined on the order of the Master of the White Lotus Sect, dropped dead. They had unwittingly made eye contact with one of the nearby spirits, which then used its techniques to devour their souls.
*Gulp*
The ghost, having slaughtered the White Lotus Sect’s Elder in the blink of an eye, let out a burp as if satisfied after consuming the soul.
“Damn it…”
Extreme Tiger grabbed his spear, wanting to attack the ghost, but the Sword Demon urgently halted him and sent a secret transmission.
[Stop! We can’t even defeat that single spirit with our strength. If we fight here, it’ll be complete annihilation.]
[But look at those guys right now…]
[I know. But hold back!]
[Ugh, damn it.]
Extreme Tiger’s fury wasn’t just because his comrades had fallen. After their souls were swallowed, their bodies slumped like puppets with their strings cut, and slowly, the ghosts began to approach, literally disassembling the corpses.
Meat!
Meat!
The sound of ghosts tearing flesh and bone from the humans was a horrifying experience. An eyeball rolled to Extreme Tiger’s feet with tendrils of blood trailing behind it. He was trembling at the unimaginable cruelty, yet he had to bear it, knowing they couldn’t fight here, as the Sword Demon had said.
‘Baek Woong… have you seen this kind of horrific sight dozens of times before?’
The level of terror he felt was a dimension apart from merely looking at the memories of obsidian. The moment one glimpses the reality behind the world, it drives an ordinary human insane. Until now, Extreme Tiger thought Baek Woong was just a stupidly strong guy, but when he considered the will and mental strength needed to carry on that reincarnation, it was positively awe-inspiring.
Finally, they arrived at the chamber before the massive throne room, following Yeol. Yeol glanced back before speaking.
[This is His Majesty’s chamber. I will open the door now.]
The Zhuge Clan member interjected.
“Wait a moment.”
[Why?]
“I wish to meet him alone. Please protect the remaining party members.”
[How dare you make such a suggestion?]
Yeol showed an unpleasant expression, but the Zhuge Clan remained unshaken.
“When an ordinary human sees the true form of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, they’ll lose their mind from merely feeling its presence. It would be a hassle to lead a group of lunatics, so it’s better if I go in alone.”
[You believe you won’t go mad?]
“As a demon sorcerer.”
[… Fine. I don’t enjoy troublesome matters either.]
Kugugugu…
Moments later, the door to the throne room began to open, and the Zhuge Clan followed Yeol into a path of endless darkness and madness. Unlike when Baek Woong entered and arrived at the audience room filled with ghosts, this time, a chilling sense of fear seeped in, almost as if it was testing those who came to meet.
*Step.*
After walking for about two hundred paces, light finally entered the audience room, revealing the sight of dozens of dark giants seated on a massive throne. Amid the faint echoes of light, one giant rested his chin on his hand, gazing at the Zhuge Clan, and at that moment, Zhuge Sa gasped.
This was the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.
“Ugh… hoo…”
Zhuge Sa realized that he had momentarily fainted from fear and madness. He fully understood that something despairing he had never felt in his life stood before him! This was a stark difference from the intangible feelings he had when experiencing through a Demon Book or summoning ritual—this time, living amidst madness truly made him feel the world’s collapse.
If he could, he just wanted to jam a spinning blade into his temples and obliterate his brain. Just the fact that that being was looking at him filled Zhuge Sa with an endless sense of powerlessness. It felt as if he was tossed into the void of the universe, forced to gaze at its edge for eternity.
“Gak…”
Zhuge Sa coughed up blood and fainted again.
‘…I have to… adapt now…’
When he awoke, he found himself surrounded by madness that was previously foreign to him, with magical power providing minimal protection. As a top-tier demon sorcerer, it took time, but he could somehow resist the madness and despair.
It was possible because he had forged a contract with an Old Ruler to set up a protective device that kept his mind safe amidst strong magic. Had Jin So-cheong, the Sword Demon, or any martial artists been here, they could never have recovered their spirits as Zhuge Sa was doing now.
Instead, he burst into a grin, soaked in madness, regained his composure, and prepared to present himself.
“Your Majesty, please forgive my rudeness.”
He bowed deeply.
“Humble human Zhuge Sa greets the illustrious presence of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Jeon Wook.”
That’s right. What sat before him was none other than Jeon Wook of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors!
The master of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, the very being that had divided heaven and earth!
Jeon Wook watched Zhuge Sa struggle and writhe in madness with an emotionless look until Zhuge Sa offered his respect, at which point he replied with intrigue in his voice.
[You’re not a bad insect for being one. You know about the Eight Parts of the Divine, don’t you?]
Suddenly, blood tears streamed down Zhuge Sa’s face. He was barely holding on thanks to the mental protection unique to demon sorcerers, but he couldn’t engage in a long conversation with Jeon Wook. He could barely wipe his blood tears as he replied.
“If you could bestow grace upon us, we would surely capture a few of them and present them to you, Jeon Wook. We will set a trap to force Changhil to reveal his true form.”
[Hmm…]
Jeon Wook appeared to be contemplating as he tapped his fingers. Then he spoke.
[I would like to grant authority as my apostle to one of you, but you all seem as weak as insects. There’s nothing remarkable about you. I hesitate to even think of risking my dignity for the sake of capturing Changhil.]
“Such words are only natural.”
Baek Woong’s case was particularly special. Normally, to be appointed as an apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, one must be a being surpassing great demons or great immortals, possessing enough strength to stand toe to toe with apostles of other divine statuses. However, it was impossible for Jeon Wook to grant apostolic powers to a mere human without any luminaries.
Zhuge Sa carefully proposed.
“In that case, may I suggest sending a divine spirit to assist us in capturing Changhil…”
[Due to the Law of Cause and Effect, I can’t agree.]
Jeon Wook crossed his arms.
[If I send a divine spirit, the other Three Sovereigns will be quite displeased. And it will consume a lot of energy.]
“……”
[However, considering the power of the Eight Parts of the Divine, even giving you a middle-ground help doesn’t guarantee success…]
“Your Majesty, are you doubting our intel?”
[Yes. I cannot rashly intervene based solely on the tales of insects like you. Your presence here might be part of Changhil’s scheme as well.]
It seemed like this was not going to be an easy negotiation.
Muttering to himself internally, Zhuge Sa felt Yeol, the ghost spirit beside him, speak up.
[Your Majesty. Would it be better to send them back? There’s no reason to entertain such nonsense…]
[You be quiet, Yeol.]
[Yes.]
Jeon Wook contemplated in silence for a moment before saying.
[Bring in Le. I will discuss this with him.]
[I will fetch him.]
Swish!
A moment later, Yeol summoned a demon god with an enormous dark presence using ancient magic. The summoned demon appeared like a spirit, writhing as a mist, before transforming into a human, adorned in official robes. The demon took on the form of a wiry-looking scholar and paid respect to Jeon Wook.
[You called for me, my lord.]
[Welcome, Le. But you still seem unaccustomed to human form.]
[It’s just the Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen’s style. I don’t understand why we wear masks and perform such foolish acts. If only I had refused the Emperor’s command back then…]
[Do not speak of that incident again.]
Jeon Wook displayed an overtly displeased expression when Le shrugged his shoulders. Observing from the side, Zhuge Sa realized one crucial fact.
‘He is an immense high-level existence.’
Jeon Wook embodies the path of tyranny, possessing the traits of a cold-blooded tyrant known for slaying subordinates in fits of rage. However, despite openly irking Jeon Wook, Le faced only a verbal warning. It was clear that Le was a demon god endowed with strength beyond what any human could imagine.
In other words, Le could be considered Jeon Wook’s right arm. While Zhuge Sa’s mind raced, Yeol explained the situation to Le, who then stole a glance at Zhuge Sa before addressing Jeon Wook.
[My lord, if that’s the case, how about dispatching me to the surface?]
[You wish to take the lead? Are you not afraid of the Law of Cause and Effect?]
[Heh heh. If I utilize the Zhuyong Tribe, that will be a negligible concern.]
[That’s true. Then you understand what that entails, correct?]
[Of course.]
[It seems you’re itching for action.]
Sighing, Jeon Wook stated.
[Fine, I shall temporarily release your affiliation with the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace.]
Swish!
As Jeon Wook pointed with his finger, Le’s human-like form began to morph. His body expanded rapidly until it became a giant of blazing flames, flowing with azure flames that looked quite extraordinary.
[Wow… how long has it been since I’ve taken this form…]
Le muttered joyfully, to which Jeon Wook replied.
[Kill all the Eight Parts of the Divine, but leave one alive to take back to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, Zhuyong.]
[I’ll see you soon, my lord.]
Whoosh!!
Le vanished from sight.
As Zhuge Sa stood there, Jeon Wook addressed him.
[Demon Sorcerer. I will grant you the summoning ritual for Zhuyong.]
With a rustling sound, a spell immediately inscribed itself in Zhuge Sa’s mind. Jeon Wook, as a divine entity, possessed the ability to pass on spells in an instant. It was undeniably an incredible ancient spell, one that would undoubtedly remain impossible for human civilization to replicate even after thousands of years.
[When the Eight Parts of the Divine invade, summon Zhuyong. He will help you capture and kill them.]
“I can only express my deep gratitude for Your Majesty’s grace.”
[Then you may leave.]
*Boom!*
Moments later, Zhuge Sa followed Yeol out of the throne room. The waiting comrades greeted him with worried expressions.
“Zhuge Sa!”
“Are you alright?”
“I’m… fine. But let’s get out of here first.”
In truth, he wasn’t fine at all. Zhuge Sa was certain that his lifespan had shortened by over thirty years after a brief encounter with the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and the demon god. No matter how much he tried to extend his lifespan, he wouldn’t live more than three years at the most. However, Zhuge Sa didn’t care much about that, viewing his life as just a consumable.
*Boom* –!!
They exited the Five Demon Gate and headed towards the exit of Mount Penglai. Once they felt sufficiently distanced, Zhuge Sa opened his mouth.
“Jeon Wook is going to use a trick to help us.”
“A trick? What do you mean?”
“Whether appointing an apostle or dispatching a divine spirit, Jeon Wook cannot undertake actions that directly conflict with the Law of Cause and Effect. Therefore, to avoid the constraints of the Law maximumly, he detached the demon god affiliation from Le and reduced him to the level of a mere demon, Zhuyong. In doing so, with the summoning ritual for Zhuyong granted, Jeon Wook can evade responsibility as much as possible.”
Upon hearing that, the Sword Demon exclaimed, “Is that really effective?”
“It is. This method is utilized not only by Jeon Wook but by all Old Rulers when they secretly wish to extend their influence. Sometimes, they also employ [Calling] to tempt into corruption.”
Zhuge Sa continued.
“But here’s the main issue.”
“What is it?”
“I have to summon Zhuyong myself, and once I do…”
Zhuge Sa grinned.
“I’m going to die.”