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“What?! Dongyoung has fallen?!”

I was taken aback. “What do you mean?!” I looked at Abe no Seimei, who continued with a sorrowful gaze.

“…The Sacred Altar Tree has been destroyed, and both the Moon Sovereign and Wood Element have vanished.”

“Is that really enough to end Dongyoung…?” I started to say but suddenly stopped, realizing, ‘…it actually makes sense…’

I remembered what I had heard from the Master of the Twelve Joules when we met in the past.

“Ha ha. That’s the Sacred Altar Tree. There’s a legend that it reaches nine worlds. As you can see, it’s as big as a mountain.”

“Without that tree, we’re in serious trouble. We have to risk our lives to protect it.”

“Humans won’t be able to exist as humans anymore. Something terrifying will happen.”

“The Sacred Altar Tree protects the Goryeo land from the Sea God.”

“Well, it’s not just that. Any other questions?”

“Unfortunately, our clan’s power can only guard this land from the Divine and Evil God’s influence. To do more would require the power of the Heavenly Sovereign.”

“That’s just how it is. Surely those archenemies won’t descend into this world. We merely block their influence with the Sacred Altar Tree’s power, and our role is to eradicate the sects that worship those Evil Gods. It’s tough enough as it is.”

“The Third Sea belongs to the Wood Element, reinforcing the barrier with the power of the Sacred Altar Tree. Thanks to that, we can shake off the Sea God and Evil God’s powers.”

“Of course, it’s no match for the strong barrier of the Sacred Altar Tree, but the Heavenly Gathering Cloud Sword also provides a similar barrier. The reason humans can live in Dongyoung is because of that sword. No need to overthink it!”

…

The reason that Goryeo and Dongyoung could exist unscathed from the influence of evil in the northeastern region of the Central Plains was thanks to the powerful barrier provided by the Sacred Altar Tree. The Master of the Twelve Joules utilized the Wood Element Third Sea to strengthen the tree’s power, and on top of that, those otherworldly races not blocked by the tree were kept in check by the powers of the Moon Sovereign’s Heavenly Gathering Cloud Sword and the Three Divine Tools of Dongyoung.

However, the situation changed. The Sacred Altar Tree was shattered, and with the Master of the Twelve Joules who possessed the Moon Sovereign and Wood Element gone, all the divine artifacts that protected the northeastern region disappeared. Now, humans living in that land wouldn’t receive any divine blessings.

When I finally understood the situation and fell silent, Abe no Seimei spoke up again.

“Goryeo hasn’t collapsed yet, but… the population has shrunk below half due to the rampaging otherworldly races and monsters. And in Dongyoung, the shogunate has already fallen, leaving less than twenty percent of the original human population. Essentially, human civilization has crumbled.”

“So just because we lack the Sacred Altar Tree and the Moon Sovereign, it can lead to such devastation?”

“This is land that the Three Sovereigns do not guard.”

Abe no Seimei said this bitterly, gazing up at the ceiling.

“Ironically, the good news is that recently the Sea God suddenly lost power and collapsed, which has improved the situation, albeit slightly. That’s why I had the luxury to come find you.”

“But why did you come looking for me?”

Abe no Seimei stared at me thoughtfully before saying, “You’re the only one who can solve this situation. We need a new barrier.”

“It’s unfortunate, but I don’t have the ability to create such a barrier.”

I replied incredulously. While it was tragic to see humans brutally killed by the otherworldly races, how could I assist in such a situation? I lacked the ability to create a barrier equal to the Sacred Altar Tree or the Moon Sovereign.

Then Abe no Seimei said, “Baek Woong. If you don’t help, I’ll have to resort to other methods. Is that what you want?”

“Other methods?”

He nodded and said, “It’s a plan to offer human sacrifices to secure survival. But as a Guardian, it’s something I can’t act on lightly, so we Yin-Yang Masters are hesitating. I came to ask you out of desperation.”

“You mean… a human sacrifice?”

“Correct. However, it’s not for the ‘Old Ruler.’ It’s an unconventional method.”

“…”

“But the fact remains that innocent lives will still perish. We need your help to avoid human sacrifice.”

I looked at Abe no Seimei in disbelief. Here was the head of the Yin-Yang Masters, striving for good and protecting humanity, yet he was considering human sacrifice because humanity was on the brink of extinction.

‘What should I do…’

Just fighting against Chi You and the Eight Parts of the Divine was overwhelming me. Creating a powerful barrier for the northeastern folks at Abe no Seimei’s request felt entirely beyond my capabilities. Normally, I would have declined it immediately, saying it’s unfortunate but impossible.

Yet, something was troubling me. Refusing this proposal felt like it would lead to an overwhelming disaster looming over me like a flood. My instinct pushed me to act, making it impossible to ignore this feeling.

After much contemplation, I finally spoke to Abe no Seimei.

“Specifically, how do you intend to survive using human sacrifices?”

“We will create a Divine Being using Yin-Yang techniques and the Offering Ceremony.”

“A Divine Being?”

“A being created artificially from human sacrifices. Right now, it’s the only method we have.”

At that moment, Cheon Woo-jin, who had been listening, contorted his face in horror and said, “…Is that really our only option? That falls under the path of demons.”

“There’s no other way. The Sea God may be down for now, but it won’t be long before he recovers his strength, and at that point, we humans won’t stand a chance.”

Seo Mun-hye expressed her confusion, “So can’t we just migrate to the Central Plains? If there are so few humans left, we can gather the survivors and flee to the Central Plains, where the Three Sovereigns protect the land.”

“In this situation, it wouldn’t make much difference, and it’s realistically impossible to relocate all the humans living in Dongyoung. The remaining humans would all end up dead. Leaving our homeland isn’t easy. The same goes for Goryeo…”

Seimei looked at me with a desperate expression, “Please. Help me create a barrier.”

“…”

It’s not that there wasn’t a way. If I handed over one of the Seven Luminaries I possessed, he could use it to create a new barrier. Just one Luminary would allow Seimei to build a minimal fortress to protect humans in Dongyoung.

‘Maybe Seimei came expecting that…’

However, giving up a Luminary now would significantly weaken my powers. Moreover, there was also the risk of someone stealing the Luminary given to Seimei. It wasn’t an easy choice to make, no matter how pitiful I felt for the humans.

But I couldn’t delay this discussion. He had come all the way to Sichuan in the Central Plains, utilizing every bit of sorcery to find me, which meant he wouldn’t have the luxury to wait for my answer. His desperate plea was precisely that.

Would I give the Luminary for the people of Dongyoung, whom I have never even seen?

I pondered deeply.

And in the end, I had no choice but to reply.

“…Wait for just a day. I’ll consult with my comrades.”

That night, I dropped a mirror into the lake to summon Mangnyang. After revealing himself, Mangnyang said, “[Baek Woong. I have been watching your transaction with the Prophet. I must say, excellent work. You may have lost many treasures, but what you gained—the Seal of the Supreme King—holds even greater value.]”

“I’m relieved…” I sighed in relief at Mangnyang’s praise.

Then Mangnyang continued, “[There is one way to fulfill Abe no Seimei’s request.]”

“What could that be?”

[Plant the seeds of the Dragon Flower Tree in Dongyoung. By doing so, Goryeo will also alleviate many burdens.]

“…?” I tilted my head. Of course, I had the Dragon Flower Tree seeds now, but what did that have to do with Seimei? Mangnyang continued.

[If you give the seeds to Seimei, he will know what to do. There’s no need to hand over a Luminary.]

“Hmm, understood.”

[And I’ve reached a preliminary conclusion.]

“What do you mean?”

[The Master of the Twelve Joules is not in the Underworld. If he hasn’t appeared even after being reflected in the Mirror of Clarity, we can only conclude he is not present. If there’s any possibility to consider, it’s that he has hidden away in a subspace that’s too clever to be shown in the mirror, but that’s utterly improbable.]

“Hmm! Where could he have gone? He must have died…”

[Perhaps… there’s one location that comes to mind…]

“Where is that?”

After hesitating for a moment, Mangnyang shook his head.

[…The Old Continent.]

“The Old Continent…?”

[It’s a place the Master of the Twelve Joules specifically mentioned. He’s likely hiding there.]

I recalled the descriptions from the Zhuge Clan’s explanations before.

[He mentioned the Old Continent; how suspicious!]

[Indeed, being part of the mysteries of the demon path, it’s no surprise it’s not widely known.]

[The Old Continent refers to the ancient land that existed before the establishment of today’s world, before massive tectonic shifts happened. The civilizations at that time were much more advanced and powerful than ours.]

[But that civilization vanished overnight, an event that happened a staggering ten thousand years ago. Considering that the history of this Middle Kingdom is no more than five thousand years, it speaks of an era utterly unknown to humanity. It’s a secret passed down as the greatest vision among demon sorcerers.]

[For him to mention the Old Continent and also reference a passage leading there… it’s impossible to overlook. I consider myself a decent demon sorcerer, but I’ve never even heard of a passage to the Old Continent. I always thought it was merely a record in the grimoire.]

That description was what Zhuge Clan produced when they expressed suspicion about a trade to guide us to a safe passage to the Old Continent, a legend even demon sorcerers knew little about.

I spoke to Mangnyang, “The Old Continent represents a prehistoric era that occurred ten thousand years ago, and it didn’t vanish overnight, right? And didn’t the Zhuge Clan say it sank to the sea due to tectonic shifts? How could a dead human possibly reach an underwater continent?”

[That’s true. Logically, it doesn’t make sense. It means the Master of the Twelve Joules, who died after being defeated by the Eight Parts of the Divine, refused to transition to the Underworld and instead took the two Luminaries to the Old Continent.]

Mangnyang looked grim.

[But this is the only explanation. There’s nowhere in the Underworld he could hide from the Mirror of Clarity, so it must be there…]

As Mangnyang continued, his expression suddenly shifted in astonishment.

[Wait?! He’s here…!!]

“What?! The Master of the Twelve Joules?”

[Yes! He has appeared in the Underworld!]

“Ugh, I’m going right away…”

[As a living being, Baek Woong, you have no immediate means to come here. Please wait a moment.]

Mangnyang summoned the Mirror of Clarity in front of him as if inspecting something. Then, with a distraught expression, he said, “[This is unbelievable.]”

“What’s wrong?”

[The Master of the Twelve Joules… has manifested in the form of a living being.]

“…!!”

Mangnyang looked utterly shocked.

[Wait… why is he coming here? Could it be that his target is…!?]

Crack!

Communication with Mangnyang abruptly cut off, and the void created by the mirror vanished. I instinctively clenched my teeth, sensing that disaster was impending.

“We must go to the Underworld.”

Both Mangnyang and the Zhuge Clan are in danger.

 

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