NOVEL NEXT Chapter 778
Chapter 15: The Food of God’s
“Human sacrifice, huh? This is basically it!”
“No way.”
I glared at Zhuge Bu, who simply replied, “I figured you’d say that.”
“……”
“How do you think Zhuge Sara would handle this? That guy’s a sorcerer who seeks efficiency above all and would definitely downplay the value of life, trying to coax you into human sacrifice with some twisted logic…”
Zhuge Bu leaned against the wall.
“Don’t ask dumb questions and just listen. I’m not here to persuade you, nor do I have any reason to.”
“What?”
“To put it plainly, I’ve already proven everything you need to know. My capabilities are clear enough that you’ll probably recruit me in your next life. So there’s no reason to force any choices on you. Once we move beyond this point, we’ll stray from the path I envision.”
“……”
“I always choose reality. Right now, your choice as my lord is my reality. Don’t think every human acts only out of loyalty and righteousness.”
Zhuge Bu’s words were chillingly calm. They felt like a cold splash of water, snapping me to attention.
This wasn’t like the times when I got scolded by Zhuge Sara for my foolishness and indecision.
Back then, I was too spineless and foolish to even make a value judgement; now I’m being forced to judge based on my own capabilities. Zhuge Bu and Mangnyang have assessed that I am capable enough that they no longer push or pressure me.
The shackles of autonomy.
I can’t offload the consequences of my choices onto the advisor; I must decide everything myself.
I trembled. I understood all too well the weight of being responsible for every outcome in this situation.
‘This is tough.’
If this gamble succeeds and I acquire the blessing of Great Creation to defeat the dragon, I could meet the Emperor immediately, cutting down the journey of my past lives by dozens. But at the same time, it would mean undermining the ideals and righteousness I’ve held dear.
But if I refuse human sacrifice here to uphold those ideals and just choose death instead?
In this twenty-fourth rebirth, there are many who sacrificed themselves to push me forward. My comrades in the past fought with their lives against the three great powers and Changhil, and even the Sword Demon laid down his life several times. Mangnyang has faced life-threatening situations countless times to reach the center of the Underworld, and he has shared the memories of the Divine Mirror with me. The Celestial Sage also battled the mighty Qin Shi Huang with the strongest power out of loyalty to me.
I cannot simply dismiss their intentions with the word “ideals.” Having felt their passion and beliefs vividly through memory transmission, it’s not something I can easily deny. If I can’t overcome this hurdle, I’ll have to walk the arduous path of gathering the six realms all over again, and my comrades will suffer just as much.
As I fell silent, Zhuge Bu spoke.
“Stop dragging this out and call Zhuge Sara. Whatever choice you make, if you don’t listen to that guy, you’ll eventually regret it.”
“Got it.”
Zhuge Bu was right. I nodded and called Zhuge Sara and Seo Mun-hye to this place, ensuring they are comfortable in the face of royal power.
Pa-at!
“Where…?”
Seo Mun-hye looked a bit confused, but Zhuge Sara started to grasp the situation around him.
“It seems like a turning point.”
“I’ll give you my memories.”
Without wasting time, I handed Zhuge Sara the obsidian, detailing everything that had transpired since his passing. Zhuge Sara glanced at the kneeling Mangnyang and then spoke to Zhuge Bu.
“What’s this about Zhuge Clan being the greatest genius? Maybe it applies to him, but you? That’s a statement that’s at least a hundred years too early. You’re just leaving everything to some unknown blessing.”
“Hmph, if you’re going to say that, then suggest a better plan, Zhuge Sara. I’ve done everything I can.”
Zhuge Bu spoke to Zhuge Sara as if he were not even his uncle. Not to mention, it seemed he harbored resentment over the Soul Exchange Technique due to the deterioration of his lifespan. Clearly, their relationship was strained.
“Heh… Can’t deny the efficiency. Well, we’re already deep in this mess.”
Zhuge Sara bitterly smiled before addressing me.
“Baek Woong, no matter which option you choose, it cannot be called the right choice. You’re aware of that, right?”
“I know.”
“But… do you know why we can’t choose to call forth the evil spirits or offer the Seven Luminaries to other deities right now? Do you know why Zhuge Bu wants the blessing of Master Mangnyang over everyone else? Even if he spent quite a bit on the Philosopher’s Stone, he should be able to recover the spell for the evil spirits at least once. Why isn’t he doing that?”
“I’m not sure about that.”
Zhuge Sara nodded as if expecting that and continued.
“It’s not a matter of the strength of the powers. It’s about the morality and repercussions involved.”
“Explain.”
“I’m sure you know that all the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are watching this. For them, it’s a matter of their own standing being decided, so they can hardly look away. If we were to offer the Seven Luminaries to one of the Three Sovereigns right now, what would happen?”
“They’d have to come down themselves. Given that they can’t afford to lose, it would be a fight they absolutely need to win.”
“Right. You’ve grasped it somewhat.”
Zhuge Sara’s words kept coming.
“Even if they aren’t winning against the Celestial Dragon, the Three Sovereigns would fight with all their might. But the Celestial Dragon isn’t a being they can win against unscathed, even if they do win. Winning would likely mean being gravely injured. And with Jeon Wook and Jeogok currently recuperating from serious wounds, any injuries the Three Sovereigns incur would have devastating effects on the world. They’re huge evils, but simultaneously pillars that protect this world.”
“……”
“So there’s no point in winning like that.”
I hadn’t considered that perspective. But I quickly sensed Zhuge Sara was right. Just the fall of Jeon Wook and Jeogok had already twisted the balance of the world. If one more of the Three Sovereigns fell, it would be utter despair overwhelming the world beyond measure. That’s because it would create an environment ripe for chaos to thrive.
“So why can’t we summon the evil spirits then?”
“The guardian of the Diane will explain that.”
To my query, Zhuge Sara casually turned to the Heavenly Mysterious Woman. She sighed deeply and replied.
[ … Absolutely not. No matter the situation, I will prevent any connection or offerings made to that being.]
“Why?”
[ The evil spirit is known to be the entity that unseals the Demon Gods trapped beneath the waters on the day of reckoning. It is also considered to hold a power dangerously close to the Outer Gods, causing the Three Sovereigns to be vigilant against it. Furthermore, it controls the lunar cycles which dictate the events of the apocalypse. This makes it highly dangerous.]
“……”
[ If it intervenes, the trials of the Seven Luminaries themselves will become meaningless.]
That much made sense. If offerings were made to the evil spirit, it would undoubtedly use that power to weaken the city of the sealed and awaken all the Old Rulers. It would see humans as nothing more than a means to hasten the apocalypse.
Zhuge Sara continued.
“And so, after excluding all sorts of choices, the only possibility of winning lies in the blessing of Master Mangnyang.”
“… There’s one more option.”
“Are you talking about the worst Demon sealed in Luoyang? That would be a choice worth considering, but that being manipulates the lies and deceptions of the entire universe. It might seem kind when engaging with you, but you can’t trust it. Plus, if the souls offered as sacrifices end up in its grasp, you can only imagine the torment they would endure.”
“……”
“But you know, Master Mangnyang is not that kind of being. Even if it is offered up, it would simply disappear cleanly without inflicting enduring pain. That’s why the comrades here have no qualms about willingly becoming the offering.”
I could understand Zhuge Sara’s words.
If we win this fight, I could meet the Emperor and see significant progress. Everyone comprehended how crucial this battle was, and that’s why they agreed to sacrifice themselves as offerings, trusting in the power of the reborn warrior. Moreover, the probability of Master Mangnyang being an unnecessarily torturous being is high, so there’s no resistance.
But is this really right?
No matter how voluntary the human sacrifice and how necessary the fight, the fact remains that something is being sacrificed to gain victory. In the end, I would be no different from the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Even if sacrifices are necessary to fight against a despair-ridden world, it doesn’t justify the means by the outcome.
… And that very fact was something Mangnyang, you taught me in the past.
I silently looked at Mangnyang. The one I expected the most resistance from was the one who had voluntarily stepped up to pray for the blessing, maintaining his focus.
I approached Mangnyang and said, “Mangnyang, do you also believe this is the right course of action?”
The answer came instantly.
“Not at all. This isn’t right.”
“Then why are you stepping up without a word of argument?”
“……”
Mangnyang’s face was hidden. He continued in prayer while refusing to meet my gaze.
“I’ve always thought about this.”
“What?”
“If it had been me standing there instead of you…”
“……”
“If I had been the reborn person and standing there, I wouldn’t need to hear the advice of the other advisors to deny that option. No matter how arduous the process of gathering the six realms might be, I would have the confidence to shoulder everything to uphold my own definition of justice.”
Mangnyang suddenly gazed up at the heavens.
“But I am me, and you are you. I am the advisor, and you are the lord. I am mortal, whereas you are the reborn. Given our positional differences, there’s a limit to how much I can impose my views on you. However, I must not hinder your future, so I can only do my utmost as myself.”
“Mangnyang, that’s just an excuse. If there’s something wrong, shouldn’t you strive to correct it?”
“…That too is a matter of position. Pushing solely my definition isn’t guaranteed to yield the correct answer. When others interfere in matters only they can take responsibility for, it never leads to the truth. And knowing how strong the hopes of your comrades placed on your shoulders are…”
“……”
“Baek Woong. This is the moment for you to show what kind of king you will be as the Lord of Humanity. A king is someone who can choose, and every choice is yours.”
I could grasp Mangnyang’s intent.
Every choice is mine.
Though I had lived with this belief throughout my past lives, I had never felt its weight as I did now. What exactly should I choose? As I pondered deeply, a memory from the past emerged in my mind.
[ I want your answer.]
… Right.
That cat had said something similar.
Just before being inexplicably hurled into the meeting between Changhil and Jeogok, I heard an unexpected remark.
Recalling that, I felt like I could see something I needed to do. So I spoke up.
“Mangnyang! Wish for something else.”
Everyone’s attention turned to me.
“I’ll negotiate directly with Master Mangnyang. Moreover, I will take full responsibility for the outcomes of our agreement.”
“Direct negotiation? There’s no way my master would agree to that.”
“Normally, yes, but I still want you to try.”
“Fine.”
The moment Mangnyang finished speaking.
Woosh.
Suddenly, the surroundings began to ripple violently, swaying side to side. I felt dizzy as if my head were spinning, and shortly after, I fainted.
[ You want to talk to me directly?]
Master Mangnyang sat before me.
This was a familiar path, and Master Mangnyang was curled up in the middle of the small road leading to his hut. His feline eyes absorbed the red glow of the setting sun behind him.
I said to Master Mangnyang, “So, was what you said last time precisely about this? What happens if the world perishes even if humanity is saved? Or something along the lines of not making the choice leading to changes?”
[ Maybe.]
Just as I thought.
As the discussion of the Great Creation’s blessing progressed, I couldn’t shake off the memory of what we had talked about. And whether that ‘choice’ had already passed or was still to come kept me anxiously alert.
“But if it goes on like this, that choice won’t even progress, right? Even if I offer six of the Seven Luminaries, you won’t grant the blessing of Great Creation? What kind of nonsense is that?”
Master Mangnyang yawned and replied, [ The Battle Ground weakened significantly due to Changhil’s rampage. Normally, since it’s a request from my disciple and six of the Seven Luminaries would be given, I’d easily accommodate it. But now, if I’m not careful, the sealed one inside might escape. Thus, that’s not enough of a price.]
Damn, Changhil… he really knows how to make a mess of things.
I gritted my teeth internally as I spoke to Master Mangnyang.
“Then that doesn’t make sense, right? If you’ve foreseen the future where I’ll make a choice, then I should be able to choose one way or another. Doesn’t that mean the future has gone wrong?”
[ You’ve misunderstood how the future works.]
Master Mangnyang’s tone was nonchalant.
[ The future looks like branches of an outcome, but the cause is much more important. Simply fitting outcomes together isn’t really worth discussing in the context of foresight. It’s nearly impossible to track down the cause in this world, no matter how trivial the act. Therefore, even whether you can make choices is another causality.]
“So you like twisting your words, huh? Fine, if fate is like that, then I’ll just change it.”
I bit my lip and declared.
“Let’s make a deal!”
[ What are you wagering?]
“I’ll wager my singularity!”
[ Oh…]
Master Mangnyang showed interest. As he slowly rose, I steeled myself and shouted.
“Make my fate’s singularity stronger! In exchange, I’ll receive the blessing of Great Creation.”
[ That would be a sufficient price… Your causality reserves are quite immense, so sacrificing the causality of denial for yourself would yield great results. It’d be an act no god would dare commit, but accepting it is possible.]
Yet, I hesitated at Master Mangnyang’s next words.
[ However… are you sure? I can guarantee you’ll inevitably run into misfortune and regret.]
“……”
Hearing him say it so sincerely was quite scary.
I understood what Master Mangnyang’s guarantee meant.
But I clenched my fists and shouted back.
“Of course!! Just don’t take the souls of my comrades!”
[ Very well… The deal is sealed.]
The form of the Black Cat morphed, resembling a foamy mass, and began to vanish into the mist.
The last glint of his clever eye etched itself into my mind.
[ Reborn warrior Baek Woong. I grant you the blessing of Great Creation.]