NOVEL NEXT Chapter 686
Chapter 686: Dark Heaven Village
Zhuge Sa made his way to the Divine City alongside Cheon Woo-jin. Their companions had arrived ahead, waiting for them by the barrier at the entrance. As Zhuge Sa scanned the area, he inquired, “Where is the Master of the White Lotus Sect?”
“He hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Is the Dan clan nearby? Have you met them already?”
“Over there,” Jin So-cheong pointed towards a man seated on a rock near the waterfall, dressed in a mix of white and blue Goryeo robes. He seemed to blend into the landscape, his talent for harmonizing his qi with nature impressive enough to make him appear as just another part of the scenery. The man rose from his spot and greeted Zhuge Sa.
“Pleasure to meet you. I am Hong Gil-dong of the Dan clan.”
“Hmm. Are you our guide?”
“I waited here since I heard your party hadn’t all arrived yet.”
Zhuge Sa regarded Hong Gil-dong with quiet attention. Although it was their first meeting, Zhuge Sa was aware of Hong Gil-dong’s reputation.
A master of the clone technique!
A figure acknowledged even by the Master of the Twelve Joules!
Clearly, he was not someone to take lightly. If he had reached the pinnacle of the clone technique, he could likely rival anyone in the world. Zhuge Sa spoke next.
“I don’t think we need to wait for the Master of the White Lotus Sect any longer. I wish to meet the Joules first.”
“Understood. Please, follow me.”
They followed Hong Gil-dong through winding paths and bridges deep within the forest. As they walked, Zhuge Sa asked Jin So-cheong quietly, [What do you make of this Hong Gil-dong? How strong is he?]
[He’s formidable.]
[Dammit. Can you not be more descriptive?]
[Just his gait alone shows he’s precise without a flaw. I briefly brushed against his mind but couldn’t find a weakness, so his skill must place him among the top ten in the Central Plains Martial World.]
[Hmm… but not to the level of the Absolute Realm?]
[I can’t say for sure. He seems quite adept at concealing his true abilities.]
They say those in the Absolute Realm can recognize each other, but surely that’s not the case here. If it were easy, they wouldn’t have misjudged Yong Junil’s power until now. Zhuge Sa shook his head.
‘Even so, if he excels in both martial arts and techniques, that alone is a threat.’
He understood the overwhelming potential of combining two abilities from the example set by Zhuge Bu. Unlike Zhuge Bu, who merely dwelt like a flower in a greenhouse, Hong Gil-dong had firsthand experience fighting the otherworldly races and had received teachings from the Master of the Twelve Joules, making him undoubtedly superior. He might even be on par with Jin So-cheong among their group.
Eventually, they entered the interior of the Divine City and encountered the Master of the Twelve Joules. The Joule master sat in a twisted manner, visibly displeased, and bluntly asked Zhuge Sa.
“What did you discuss with Jeon Wook?”
“What do you mean…”
“Someone of your level as a Demon Sorcerer wouldn’t return alive from the Five Demon Gate without talking with the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. What did you discuss?”
Zhuge Sa grinned.
“I can share, but then you must return the Half Yellow Pearl.”
“Are you serious?”
“I clearly invited the Joules to join us, but it was the Joules who declined. If I handed over the Half Yellow Pearl, there’d be no reason for me to share anything else.”
“… Don’t provoke my temper.”
A red glimmer flickered in the Joule Master’s eyes. At that moment, a powerful wave of mental energy surged like a storm, and just as the pressure rained down on Zhuge Sa, Jin So-cheong raised her spear to deflect it. The Joule Master glanced at Jin So-cheong and remarked, “I’m not fond of you. What’s your scheme?”
“Ah… what a coincidence. We don’t particularly like you either. What’s your scheme?”
Zhuge Sa smoothly countered, prompting the Joule Master to grunt and reply, “Fine. With a common foe in sight, there’s no need for further discussions. However, now that you’ve entered my territory, you should follow my orders to some extent.”
“Of course, I’m aware of that.”
“Now, regarding a countermeasure against the Eight Parts of the Divine, using the barrier of the World Tree to repel their assault: is that everything?”
“I don’t think there are any additional measures…”
Zhuge Sa glanced out at the massive tree and continued, “I’ve heard the World Tree can even suppress the Sea God. Beyond using a barrier from such a powerful spiritual entity, there appears to be no other option.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“I picked it up while searching for traces of Mount Penglai, so don’t take it too harshly.”
“Hmm. That barrier using the World Tree could indeed be considered the highest level of human sorcery…”
The Joule Master crossed his arms.
“You know the power is still insufficient. Even with the Half Yellow Pearl’s strength, it remains too inadequate.”
“Well, that’s true.”
If the Eight Parts of the Divine transformed and struck just a few times, the barrier of the World Tree could easily shatter. Of course, that was an assumption based on them attacking simultaneously, but right now, annihilation seemed to be the only way out. The crucial fact was that they had no power to withstand the might of the Eight Parts of the Divine in their true forms.
Zhuge Sa knew there were still methods available.
‘You could summon the Phoenix.’
The Joule Master had the ability to summon the Phoenix. He even had a history of using that divine position to repel the Sea God when he attempted to land in the Western Capital of Goryeo. However, Zhuge Sa chose not to voice that possibility.
“If you truly believed there was no chance of success, you wouldn’t have allowed us into the Divine City in the first place. I’d like to hear the Joules’ opinion first.”
“Hmm. It’s simple. We’ll bring out one more of the Seven Luminaries.”
“… Do you know the location?”
“I know of one. The plan is to retrieve it and amplify the barrier with the resonance of the Seven Luminaries.”
Of course, the Joule Master’s alternative was exactly what Zhuge Sa had already anticipated.
He was undoubtedly intent on bringing out the Moon Sovereign!
He would spill blood at the altar of the Moon Sovereign, slumbering atop Mount Muni, summon a guardian with that blood, and then defeat that guardian to retrieve the Moon Sovereign. Clearly, the Joule Master must have known about the Moon Sovereign’s existence and simply let it remain dormant thus far.
‘But why?’
What reason could there be for keeping the Seven Luminaries in a sealed state?
It goes without saying, but the Joule Master must have some means to release the Seven Luminaries. Otherwise, the Moon Sovereign would have already been freed without permission from the Celestial Realm. If he could bring the Moon Sovereign and free it, he would have two liberated Seven Luminaries at his disposal, rendering him a force to be reckoned with in the world. However, the Joule Master had kept things under wraps and assigned the Great Monk Seo San to guard the Moon Sovereign quietly without making any significant moves.
The only reason that came to mind was that he was wary of the checks from the Three Sovereigns and the Celestial Realm. If he possessed two liberated Luminaries, it would certainly attract attention. However, those possibilities were already known by Baek Woong who had gathered information around the Seven Luminaries, something most mortals wouldn’t learn within their lifetime.
Despite his thoughts, Zhuge Sa still replied, “We could use the Seven Luminaries on our side.”
“Why act as if it’s a given? This is my territory, and I’ll find it using my information, which means I will be the one to employ the Seven Luminaries. Both of them.”
“That’s rather greedy of you.”
“Is it? Even with two Luminaries, it won’t be enough to change the balance of power in the world.”
The Joule Master retorted bluntly and continued, “Once the Master of the White Lotus Sect arrives, I’ll entrust him with the defenses of the World Tree. You will too.”
“Hmm.”
It was clear from the beginning that the Joule Master intended to maintain control over everything. Zhuge Sa also realized the Joule Master had another scheme.
‘If he succeeds in defeating the Eight Parts of the Divine, he aims to discard us!’
Otherwise, there would be no need to bring a potential adversary into the heart of his stronghold. Whatever his plans, it was highly likely that he had laid traps to bind or eliminate them. With two hostile powers, the White Lotus Sect and the suspicious Baek Woong group at hand, it was the perfect opportunity to deal with both without raising any suspicion. Zhuge Sa thought about the Joule Master’s greed.
‘Of course, that’s a natural thought for the overlord of this age.’
Zhuge Sa grinned.
“Well then…”
At that moment, a gust of wind rushed in, as if a black shadow flowed through the gathering. After the gale subsided, there stood the Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Dharma Protectors. Upon seeing the Master of the White Lotus Sect, the Joule Master remarked discontentedly, “Master of the White Lotus Sect, that was rude. You can’t just barg in while we’re talking.”
[I don’t think we’re on such terms that would warrant niceties.]
The Master of the White Lotus Sect interrupted firmly, glancing around at those gathered before continuing.
[I have a brilliant idea. If it goes well, we can simultaneously defeat the Eight Parts of the Divine.]
“Ha! Everyone seems overly eager. What’s your solution?”
[Human sacrifice.]
“What?”
The Master of the White Lotus Sect stated dispassionately.
[I have sufficient offerings prepared. I think summoning the Avatar of the Old Ruler to block the Eight Parts of the Divine is the most practical approach.]
“……”
At that moment, Zhuge Sa’s expression grew complex. Meanwhile, the Joule Master voiced his discomfort.
“Are you suggesting sacrificing the members of the White Lotus Sect?”
[Indeed.]
“Well, that’s your business, but as the principal of the Divine City, I can’t stand idly by if you bring that power into my domain.”
[You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll summon the Avatar of the Old Ruler to the outskirts of the Divine City.]
“Well… do as you please.”
Had Baek Woong or Mangnyang been present, they would have been horrified at the suggestion of sacrificing the members of the White Lotus Sect to summon the Avatar of the Old Ruler. Though it wouldn’t be nearly as tragic as the event in Luoyang when thirty thousand followers were sacrificed, it would still involve the loss of hundreds or thousands of lives.
However, Zhuge Sa and the Joule Master had no significant aversion to human sacrifice. There was no pressing reason for them to reject the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s proposal. Zhuge Sa’s complex feelings arose from other reasons.
‘That bastard also has some ulterior motives.’
While he pretended the proposal was the best strategy for an alliance, it was clear that the Master of the White Lotus Sect intended to conjure something as well. Although he couldn’t pinpoint what, his instincts as an advisor told him that the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s actions were suspicious. Baek Woong might have let it slide, but Zhuge Sa was already convinced of the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s ulterior motives.
Perhaps he was planning to seize control of the Divine City or take advantage of the chaos to assassinate the Joule Master and gain control over the Dan clan. Zhuge Sa couldn’t help but chuckle at how blatant it was that three major forces were gathering with only thoughts of betrayal in mind.
“Ha ha ha.”
There’s no way we can win like this.
The Joule Master unleashing two of the Seven Luminaries for resonance, the Master of the White Lotus Sect summoning the Avatar of the Old Ruler, and Zhuge Sa summoning Zhu Yong while operating the barrier of the World Tree to fight: while it might sound impressive, they all lacked mutual trust, and if anything went awry, it was bound to unravel spectacularly.
‘Then I know what I must do.’
If the three forces could genuinely unite to resist the Eight Parts of the Divine, then he would have certainly plotted a strategy, yet the current atmosphere made that seem entirely unlikely. Moreover, Zhuge Sa had no reason to be responsible for bringing them together, so he decided he would cause a ruckus.
Zhuge Sa smirked.
“Alright, then let’s do our best.”
The three would indeed strive to knock each other out, but that was of no concern to him.
Now, he was able to focus solely on the greatest variable: ‘him.’