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“This is darker than I expected!”

With Yeol leading the way, the Zhuge clan entered the dark depths of the Five Demon Gate. Soon enough, the grandeur of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace revealed itself, reminiscent of the time Baek Woong walked these halls—a staggering 99 rooms of sheer size laid before them!

“You must not make eye contact with the ghosts, nor should you speak to them!”

“Understood!”

Unlike Baek Woong, Yeol offered them some specific warnings, but Zhuge Sa didn’t pester him with questions as to why. He could already sense the overwhelming power of the formidable ghost spirits in the palace.

‘If we break that warning, death is inevitable. Not just that, we’ll be slaves here for eternity!’

It seemed fine on the surface, but this place was nothing less than the Demon Realm—a mere human would have no chance of lasting even a second here if it weren’t for Yeol’s protection. While Baek Woong could casually explore and chat with ghosts, the ordinary humans surely couldn’t.

‘Could there be anyone so foolish as to ignore Yeol’s warning?’

Zhuge Sa thought the warning was quite simple, but then, chaos broke loose.

[Kihihihih! Come here!]

A long-faced ghost grinned wickedly, its eyes gleaming with malicious light. It was a commanding moment as the command of a minor ghost spirit outshone even that of the Great Immortal.

[KRAAAAAK…!!]

Suddenly, a horrifying scream erupted as two battle-hardened experts from the Elder Council, summoned by the Master of the White Lotus Sect, met their demise. They innocently made eye contact with a ghost nearby, and in an instant, the fiend cast its technique and devoured their souls.

Ugh…

The ghost that slaughtered the experts burped, clearly satisfied with its meal.

“Oh, hell no…”

Extreme Tiger gripped his spear, intent on charging at the ghost but was quickly restrained by the Sword Demon, who sent a warning:

[Stop it! We might not even be able to take down that one ghost! If we fight here, we’ll be wiped out!]

[But look over there… they’re—]

[I know! But hold back!]

[Ugh, damn it.]

Extreme Tiger was furious, not just because of the loss of their allies. After the experts’ souls were consumed, their bodies collapsed like puppets with cut strings, and the ghosts began to approach, ready to literally shred their remains.

Meat!

Meat!

The ghastly sounds of ghosts tearing at flesh and bone sent chills down their spines. A severed eyeball rolled to Extreme Tiger’s feet, and he shivered at the unprecedented brutality, but as the Sword Demon remarked, they had no choice but to endure this.

‘Baek Woong… have you witnessed this horror dozens of times already?’

The stark contrast of brutality hit him like a freight train compared to merely seeing memories of obsidian. To glimpse the true horrors of this world was more than enough to drive an ordinary human mad. He had always thought Baek Woong was just a silly brute, but now he found himself in awe of the will and mental strength required to continue his rebirth cycle.

Finally, they arrived at the front of the great throne room. Yeol turned back to glance at them and announced:

[We are at the Emperor’s chamber. I’ll proceed to open the door.]

Zhuge Sa interrupted, “Wait!”

[What is it?]

“I’ll meet with Him alone. Please ensure the safety of the others.”

[Who do you think you are to make such a request?]

Yeol’s displeasure was clear, but Zhuge Sa stood firm.

“Seeing the true body of the Three Sovereigns will drive an ordinary human mad due to its presence. Leading a bunch of lunatics is tedious, so it’s better if I enter alone.”

[So you’re saying you won’t go insane?]

“As a Demon Sorcerer, I can manage.”

[… Fine. I don’t blame you for wanting to avoid more trouble.]

Rumble…

Moments later, the door to the throne room creaked open, and Zhuge Sa began walking through the endless path of darkness and madness following Yeol. Unlike Baek Woong, who immediately reached the audience chamber, this time a chilling aura seeped through as if to test anyone who dared to enter.

After walking about two hundred paces, light finally lit the audience chamber, revealing dozens of towering giants of darkness seated upon the massive throne.

In the dim light, one giant rested his chin on his palm, staring intently at Zhuge Sa, and the moment he laid eyes on that dark titan, Zhuge Sa felt his breath hitch.

This was the Three Sovereigns.

Cough… huff…

Zhuge Sa realized he had temporarily fainted from fear and madness. He fully recognized that something dreadful he had never felt before was standing before him! The difference between the indirect feelings from the grimoire or summoning was utterly vast; having lived tangling with madness, Zhuge Sa truly felt the world crumble into despair.

If he could, he’d want to install rotating blades in his temples just to obliterate his brain. The mere fact that this being was staring at him was enough for an overwhelming sense of helplessness to wash over him, akin to being tossed into the universe’s depths and staring at its edge for eons.

“Gah…”

Once more, Zhuge Sa spat blood and collapsed.

‘… I need to adapt…’

When he awakened, an unfamiliar madness enveloped him, but the magical power at least offered minimal protection. Being a top-tier Sorcerer, he could resist the madness and despair to some extent, but it was thanks to his pact with the [Old Ruler] that kept his mind safeguarded. If figures like Jin So-cheong or the Sword Demon were here, they wouldn’t have a prayer of recovering their sanity like Zhuge Sa had.

He began to regain his composure, and calmly rising, he addressed the entity before him.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my rudeness.”

He bowed deeply.

“A lowly human, Zhuge Sa, humbly seeks an audience with the Great Sovereign Jeon Wook.”

Indeed. Before him was the one and only, Jeon Wook, master of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace and the one who split heaven and earth!

Watching Zhuge Sa flail and struggle, Jeon Wook shifted his gaze upon him as he got into position.

[You’re a decent bug for a tiny creature. Do you know of Chi You’s Eight Parts of the Divine?]

As if on cue, blood tears began streaming from Zhuge Sa’s eyes. He was desperately holding onto the Sorcerer’s instinctual mental fortitude but knew he couldn’t hold on for long. Without any time to wipe his tears, he replied,

“If you grant us your grace, I promise to capture a few of them and present them to you. I’ll set a trap so Chi You shows his true form.”

[Hmm…]

Jeon Wook seemed to ponder, tapping his fingers thoughtfully. Then he said,

[I’d like to appoint one of you as my Apostle, but you all seem too weak like bugs. Even if you’re desperate to catch Chi You, you’d just ruin my prestige with your powerlessness.]

“That’s entirely understandable.”

After all, Baek Woong had been a very unique case. Generally, anyone appointed as an Apostle should be a being surpassing the Great Demons or Great Immortals, possessing enough strength to hold their own against the Apostles of other divine beings. But granting such authority to mere humans without a shred of divine energy was out of the question for Jeon Wook.

Zhuge Sa cautiously suggested, “Then how about sending an Avatar to capture Chi You instead?”

[I don’t relish the idea due to the Law of Cause and Effect.]

Jeon Wook crossed his arms.

[If I send an Avatar, the other Three Sovereigns will be mighty displeased. Plus, it consumes a considerable amount of power.]

“……”

[But judging the power of the Eight Parts of the Divine, even partial assistance may not guarantee success in your capture…]

“Does Your Majesty doubt our information?”

[Indeed. I can’t just act on the words of bugs like you all. The mere fact that you’re here might have been part of Chi You’s scheme.]

Clearly, it wouldn’t be easy!

As Zhuge Sa murmured to himself, Yeol beside him interjected,

[Your Majesty, isn’t it better to just send them back? No need to entertain such nonsense…]

[You should hold your tongue, Yeol.]

[Yes.]

Jeon Wook fell silent for a moment before stating,

[Bring Ryeo to me. I shall consult with him.]

[I’ll go fetch him.]

Whoosh!

Shortly after, Yeol summoned a powerful Demon God using ancient incantations. The summoned entity writhed like an ethereal spirit before transforming into a human figure dressed in official robes with a somewhat gaunt appearance, almost resembling a scholar, offering his respects to Jeon Wook.

[You summoned me, my lord.]

[Welcome, Ryeo. However, it appears you are still not quite accustomed to your human form.]

Ryeo chuckled,

[Just the Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen’s poor taste. I don’t get why we’re putting on masks for this foolishness. If I had declined the Emperor’s command back then…]

[Let’s not revisit that matter.]

Jeon Wook’s discontent was palpable, and Ryeo merely shrugged his shoulders. Watching this, Zhuge Sa realized something important.

‘He is an incredible high-level being.’

Jeon Wook’s essence walked on a path of tyranny, embodying the traits of a cold-blooded despot. It was not uncommon for him to lose control and massacre his subordinates. Yet here was Ryeo, openly flouting Jeon Wook’s temperament without repercussion—clearly, he too possessed powers far beyond a typical human’s imagination.

Put simply, Ryeo could be seen as Jeon Wook’s right-hand man. While Zhuge Sa’s mind raced with thoughts, Yeol explained the situation to Ryeo, who glanced at Zhuge Sa before addressing Jeon Wook.

[My lord, if that’s the case, why not send me to the surface?]

[You wish to take action? Are you not afraid of the Law of Cause and Effect?]

[Haha. If I put the Zhuyong Tribe to work, it won’t be much of an issue.]

[I suppose so. So you understand what that means, right?]

[Of course.]

[It seems you’re eager to get your hands dirty.]

With a sigh, Jeon Wook replied,

[Fine, I will temporarily release you from the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace.]

With a flick of his finger, Ryeo’s human form began to shift. His body expanded tremendously until he matched Jeon Wook’s size, transforming into a colossal being of flames, with azure flames coursing through him—quite the sight!

[Oh, it’s been ages since I’ve taken this form…]

Ryeo muttered joyfully as Jeon Wook commanded him,

[Kill all the Eight Parts of the Divine, but leave one alive to bring back to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, Zhuyong.]

[We shall meet again shortly, my lord.]

Swoosh!

As Ryeo’s form vanished, Zhuge Sa stood still, and Jeon Wook turned to him.

[Sorcerer, I shall grant you the summoning technique for Zhuyong.]

With a crackling sound, a unique incantation was suddenly etched into Zhuge Sa’s mind. Jeon Wook possessed the divine ability to impart techniques in an instant. This ancient technique was certainly mystical, and beyond anything humanity could replicate even after thousands of years.

[When the Eight Parts of the Divine invade, summon Zhuyong. He will aid you in capturing and killing the Eight Parts of the Divine.]

“I am deeply grateful for your grace, your majesty.”

[Now, depart.]

With a booming sound, Zhuge Sa followed Yeol and exited the throne room. The worried faces of his companions awaited him.

“Zhuge Sa!”

“Are you okay?”

“Uh, I’m fine. But let’s get out of here first.”

Truthfully, he was not fine at all. It was certain his lifespan had diminished by over 30 years after facing the Three Sovereigns and the Demon God in such a brief moment. No matter how much he tried to extend it, he certainly wouldn’t live beyond three years. Nevertheless, Zhuge Sa paid little mind to this fact as he regarded his life as merely a consumable resource.

Boom –!!

They emerged from the Five Demon Gate, heading towards the exit of Mount Penglai. Once they felt they had distanced themselves enough, Zhuge Sa spoke up.

“Jeon Wook has used a trick to assist us.”

“Trick? What do you mean?”

“Whether he names an Apostle or sends an Avatar doesn’t matter since it directly contravenes the Law of Cause and Effect. So, to dodge that restriction as much as possible, Jeon Wook released Ryeo from his affiliation with the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace and turned him into the mere Demon God Zhuyong. And with that summoning technique, Jeon Wook has cleverly evaded responsibility.”

Hearing this, the Sword Demon responded with disbelief, “Does that actually work?”

“It does. This method isn’t just Jeon Wook’s; every [Old Ruler] employs such tactics when trying to extend their influence covertly. They also utilize [Calling] to corrupt.”

Zhuge Sa continued, “But there’s one significant problem.”

“What is it?”

“I’ll have to summon Zhuyong myself, and once I do… ”

Zhuge Sa grinned slyly.

“I’m probably going to die.”

 

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