NOVEL NEXT Chapter 811
Chapter 15: The Food of God’s
“What, what did you say! When?”
“About ten years ago.”
What the heck does that mean?
Not just me, but all my companions looked at him in surprise when Pasun spoke up.
“After that, Peng Zuo offered me a good deal and hired me as a mercenary.”
“What was the deal?”
“There’s no reason to tell you that. Now, it seems I need to go collect my payment.”
Pasun casually brushed off my question and turned his back.
“You don’t seem like the kind of guy who’ll fall for someone like Peng Zuo. I’ll find you again after this is over. I hope you can tell me how to meet the Martial God then.”
“Wait….”
Pa-at!!
Pasun suddenly vanished with a teleportation spell. Despite looking like a martial artist, it was clear he was a Demon King of sorts. As I relaxed and dropped my sword for a moment, the Master of the White Lotus Sect spoke to me.
[Baek Woong, do you really know how to meet the Martial God?]
Ugh, just as I thought.
The Master of the White Lotus Sect was also interested in meeting the Martial God. Realizing he would become fixated on me from now on, I frowned slightly and decided to let the conversation slide.
“The Martial God wants beings capable of opening the ‘Gate.’ The total seems to be 100, and it appears only those with the right talents can meet them.”
[I know that. I want to know what the qualifications to open the ‘Gate’ are.]
“Well… that doesn’t seem like something we should discuss right now. We’re in enemy territory, inside the Demon Path Barrier, and I can’t just waste time here.”
Cheon Woo-jin chimed in.
“Well said. If we keep dragging this out, everyone will be devoured by magical energy. Let’s hurry up and kill Peng Zuo.”
[Hmm…]
The Master of the White Lotus Sect seemed uncertain but appeared convinced for the moment. He then said:
[Baek Woong, later you must tell me about that defensive technique you mastered…]
The obsession with martial arts was strong.
He had clearly recognized the power of the Peerless Technique at a glance and understood the value of the Seven Great Techniques mixed in it. I realized I had caught the attention of a bothersome human but decided to just move forward.
Tydaht!
We arrived at the core of the harbor, tainted with dark magic. Thousands of gelatinous monsters wandered around, with slimy tentacles taking root and growing like trees. The beach was painted in a pitch-black darkness, with blood-red ships floating around, their size definitely beyond that of ordinary vessels.
Miho looked at the fleet and said.
“That ship… it’s alive. It feels like a magical creature itself.”
“Ugh… that’s disgusting.”
“What are we going to do? It’s too dangerous to infiltrate.”
Miho was right. Given the magical creatures surrounding us and the ship itself being corrupted by magical energy, entering would most likely lead to being devoured. However, it was certain that Peng Zuo was inside that ship.
‘In situations like this, let’s use special abilities.’
I activated the Fire Eye Golden Spirit of the Celestial Sage from my past life and scanned the fleet. I soon discovered something glowing orange inside the ship.
‘What’s that?’
A humanoid figure and a pearl.
I realized that it was indeed Peng Zuo and the Golden Crow. Thanks to the Fire Eye Golden Spirit, I could easily locate the enemy’s position. The Fire Eye Golden Spirit allowed one to recognize powerful artefacts like the Seven Luminaries with ease.
Thinking I had achieved something during my past life, I pointed with my finger and said.
“There! Let’s take out Peng Zuo!”
“Attack!”
As soon as my words fell, Zhuge Bu commanded an attack on the ship using our Dragon Warriors and Demon forces. They charged in, and the slimy magical creatures rushed toward us, but since we were magical beings ourselves, it was basically just a power struggle, and after a few rounds of tussle, we managed to push them back.
Swish!
Suddenly, sorcerers from the Western Regions appeared and began casting summoning spells, unleashing all kinds of attack magic. As the enemy’s encirclement attack commenced, the Master of the White Lotus Sect and our allies stepped up to counter them.
Boom!!
[Keek.]
[Kekekek.]
In that moment, accompanied by a thunderous sound, our Dragon Warriors were instantly reduced to chunks of meat. Then, from inside the ship under attack, Peng Zuo rose surrounded by pure white light and let out a mighty roar.
[You petty mortals! Did you think you could face someone who has claimed the Seven Luminaries?]
Finally, the main character of this battle made his appearance. It was clear that if we took him down, this anomaly would end, so I inwardly welcomed his arrival. I glared at Peng Zuo and said.
“Peng Zuo! Do you not fear the Three Sovereigns? You’re just a runaway immortal who stole a treasure from the Celestial Realm. If you cause this much havoc in the Southern Seas, they’ll surely come to end you. Even your identity as Jeon Wook’s descendant won’t save you from death.”
[…What…! How could you know that….]
Peng Zuo seemed taken aback, pausing for a moment.
[…Hoho. You seem to know quite a bit about the secrets of the myth. But that’s nothing for you to worry about.]
“No matter how I look at it, you don’t seem strong enough to handle the Three Sovereigns.”
As I mocked him, Peng Zuo’s expression twisted in anger as he shouted.
[How dare a mere mortal mock me? The intervention of the Three Sovereigns has been promised by him!! The era of truce is over! Chaos and darkness will flood the world!!]
“The ‘him’?”
[Come forth, sealed by the protector of the West at the beginning of time. Star of Dawn!]
Whirring!!!
The moment the words left Peng Zuo’s mouth, the golden pearl in his hand began to emit a radiant light. At first, I thought it was an attack, but as the beam illuminated the air, it seemed to project something resembling a human silhouette.
Whoa!
The light emitted by the golden pearl summoned what appeared to be a winged humanoid. One wing was white and the other black, creating a strange contrast. Furthermore, it was remarkably handsome and beautiful, giving off an aura that was anything but ordinary. I suddenly recalled something.
‘Is this the winged being referred to by the sorcerer from the Celestial Secret?’
The moment the winged human appeared, his eyes glimmered with a sinister light as he shouted. His black and white wings grew larger and radiated magical energy.
[I am Venus, the bearer of light! Now that I have gained this immense power, the heavens shall remain quiet, and the stars shall fall beneath my feet!!]
Zoom zoom!
Light spears formed in the sky and began to rain down on the ground by the thousands. The sheer amount was enough to intimidate even the martial artists who had faced all kinds of magical creatures before.
“Ugggh!!”
“W-What is this?!”
Having encountered every kind of magical creature and anomaly on our way here, even those who had witnessed all felt at a loss for words in the face of the flood of light spears descending upon us. It was an overwhelming power that couldn’t be comprehended under any martial artist’s understanding.
‘Damn! Is that a transcendent being sealed within the Golden Crow?’
It seemed to be a powerful immortal from the West! Did Peng Zuo have the ability to summon such a being using the Golden Crow?
However, my companions and I were not fazed by such nonsense, as we had seen countless ridiculous events throughout our past lives.
“Stay put! Don’t leave this barrier!”
Cheon Woo-jin quickly constructed a powerful barrier to block the rain of light spears.
In sync, Jin So-cheong, Miho, and Zhuge Bu jumped in to initiate an attack on the so-called [Bearer of Light].
“Haah!!”
Jin So-cheong’s spear pierced the ultimate domain, tearing a chunk out of the monster’s wing, while Miho’s fox flames, combined with Zhuge Bu’s talisman, poured down like a storm. Perhaps because our allies had grown stronger, the [Bearer of Light] had to retreat.
‘They should be able to handle him.’
I exchanged glances with the Master of the White Lotus Sect and began to assault Peng Zuo with our elite martial artists. The Master commanded the Dharma Protectors floating in the air.
[Destroy his treasure with your strength. It is entirely possible.]
“With honor!”
The Fire Spirit Techniques Dharma Guardian Han Baek-ryeong soared forward, swinging her twin swords.
Twelve Extreme Dragon King Slash!!
Ka-boom!
Peng Zuo, caught off guard, took the full force of Han Baek-ryeong’s attack. Relying on the defense of the Eight Trigrams Garment, he didn’t seem to even consider blocking. Sure enough, the garment absorbed the incoming power with ease, and soon, a mocking grin spread across Peng Zuo’s face.
[Khah!! You think a mere martial artist can take down my treasure… Oh?]
However, as the Twelve Extreme Dragon King Slash added infinite internal power, Han Baek-ryeong’s gaze glowed red with intensity. Beyond her fox mask, a fierce killing intent surged as she activated her Fire Spirit Soul, unleashing the final slashes that tore the front of Peng Zuo’s Eight Trigrams Garment.
Boom!!
[……H-How could this be!!]
“Die!!”
Han Baek-ryeong crossed her swords, intensifying her Fire Spirit Blade Technique, the Fire and Shadow Slicing Blade.
Ka-boom!
[Kyah!]
Peng Zuo screamed in shock as he fell back, embedding himself into the ship. Although it didn’t seem like he received severe damage, the psychological impact was likely considerable. He had viewed martial artists as nothing more than bugs, yet the defense of his Eight Trigrams Garment had been penetrated.
‘This can’t be happening.’
But it was simply a result of Peng Zuo underestimating the power of the Dharma Protectors. The infinite internal power they wielded ultimately derived from the throne of the greatest [Master], and even Han Baek-ryeong’s Fire Spirit Techniques boasted superior attack strength. When she employed the Fire Spirit Soul, all her abilities were amplified. No matter how robust the Eight Trigrams Garment was, it could be torn apart if caught off guard.
[You punks.]
“Take this!”
Next, the Wind Spirit Techniques Dharma Guardian Dokgo Jun and the Wind Spirit Techniques Dharma Guardian Yong Bi-cheon simultaneously drew on Natural Spirit Energy, creating swirling torrents of water and wind in the air. They combined their techniques and shot the swirling wind towards Peng Zuo.
Ka-boom boom boom!!
The very essence of nature surged with killing intent, overwhelming as it struck! It was a moment to truly realize the overwhelming firepower of the Dharma Protectors. While they might not match the Peak Martial Artist level in pure martial prowess, faced with external beings, the Dharma Protectors were undoubtedly powerful.
[You dare to look down on me…? Huh?]
As Peng Zuo regained his footing amidst the swirling winds, the Master of the White Lotus Sect unleashed a gaze burning with fire, casting a technique from the domain of celestial warfare.
[I do not look down on you. I shall kill you with my utmost effort.]
Boom!!
The Master of the White Lotus Sect poured out infinite power, bombarding Peng Zuo with hundreds of strikes in an instant, as if he were crushing him underfoot. Each of his strikes was powerful enough to obliterate dozens of square meters, and Peng Zuo could do nothing but take the hits.
[……!!]
Peng Zuo endured with a look of grievance, but it was clear he couldn’t retaliate. Merely withstanding those overwhelming attacks was proof of how formidable he was.
‘Hmm. What now…?’
I realized that if I jumped into the situation where the Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Three Dharma Guardians teamed up, it would only hinder their efforts. They wouldn’t let their guard down against Peng Zuo, and they intended to keep pressing until the Eight Trigrams Garment broke apart.
‘Let’s find Zhuge Sa.’
I decided to refocus on my original goal. I could have easily dispatched someone like Peng Zuo if I wanted, but I had gone through this bothersome process to align with Zhuge Sa’s strategy. Now that we had managed to suppress Peng Zuo halfway, it was time to hear the truth from Zhuge Sa.
Wiying!
Activating the Fire Eye Golden Spirit, I scanned the inside of the fleet and noticed a unique Barrier Prison formed on a detached ship’s outskirts. It was evident that something important was inside, so I stealthily moved and quickly activated the subaqueous displacement to leap to the outer ship.
Boom!
I silently ascended onto the outer ship before deciding to enter. Although this ship itself was a magical being, I was confident that I could force my way out if necessary. Once inside, I found that the entire wall was covered in gooey slime and demon beasts, creating a scene that looked straight out of hell.
Slurp!
Step.
I continued deeper, and as I reached the innermost chamber, the presence of the demon beasts diminished, and I faced a Barrier Prison enveloped in a chilling cold. Observing that the prison was tightly shut, I drew on my Yin Spirit Power from inside my body.
‘Using pure destructive force from Yin Spirit Power should break through this barrier more effectively than martial arts.’
I gathered the Yin Spirit Power I had learned from Miho, formed it into a spear-like shape in the air, and shot it towards the prison.
Ka-boom!
Though the Barrier Prison seemed protected by powerful magic, it shattered without resistance, likely due to the amount of Yin Spirit Power I wielded. I was quite surprised by the unexpected destructive force but quickly inspected the interior landscape.
And then I sensed something directly communicating with me inside my head.
[Hey. Over here. You found me well, Baek Woong.]
“Zhuge Sa?!”
[That’s right.]
“Where are you?! Where are you?!”
As I yelled passionately, the ‘Zhuge Sa’ responded.
[It’s by the wall. If you press the round button on the wall, you’ll be able to see me.]
Immediately, I pressed the bright red round button on the wall. Suddenly, the wall flipped upside down with a whirring sound, and the items stored within started emerging with a transparent glass apparatus, creaking as it came out.
And when I saw what was inside, I froze in shock.
Thud.
“…….”
As I staggered and fell to the ground, Zhuge Sa chuckled.
[Hehe, what’s the matter? I have gotten a bit lighter, haven’t I?]
I yelled angrily.
“Y-You crazy bastard!! You find this funny in this situation?!”
[Just something I expected, you know? It happens often when being captured by demon sorcerers.]
“…….”
I’ve been through a lot of things, but this one is just too absurd!
Brain.
Inside the transparent glass container, a brain floated, connected to a spine.
Zhuge Sa had been torn apart by Peng Zuo, losing his body and brain.
[Well, that isn’t really important.]
Shoosh!
In the next moment, a voice came from somewhere.
“The body is merely a servant of the mind. I’ve been waiting patiently.”
I turned my head.
“…Soul Exchange Technique?”
“Of course. You think I wouldn’t prepare for that?”
“What happened to your original body?”
“It was disassembled alive and became food for the tentacles.”
“…….”
There’s no need to ask whether that hurt.
A being like Zhuge Sa could endure even the pain of having their body crushed into bits due to sheer insanity.
It seemed that Zhuge Sa had entered the body of a nearby ‘doll.’
Of course, it wasn’t anything like a Divine Portrait, but rather a basic form of a homunculus, still quite awkward. Given that he was adopting a doll’s body using the Soul Exchange Technique, it was apparent that Zhuge Sa had always had the means of escape.
‘Zhuge Bu was right… Zhuge Sa had originally come to investigate Peng Zuo’s backer.’
Zhuge Sa sat with his fingers interlocked and said.
“Baek Woong. To cut straight to the point, we’re in serious trouble.”
“What trouble could there be? Is it that Peng Zuo is unexpectedly stronger than anticipated?”
Zhuge Sa shrugged.
“What does it matter? Even if he doubled his strength, he won’t be able to kill me. After all, he’s just the dregs of a god, nothing but a Great Immortal in this damned world. The real problem is….”
As Zhuge Sa continued his words, I froze rigidly.
“There may be someone who has interfered with your rebirth.”