1145——————==

Soul of the Evil God

What the heck is that supposed to mean?

I was at a loss for words, frozen in place by Hang-a’s sudden declaration. Thankfully, it wasn’t just me—Yoo was also standing there with a blank expression, mouth agape as if devoid of any spirit. The only one seemingly keeping their composure was the Sword Demon, who calmly spoke up.

“Hang-a, are you saying that from now on Baek Woong is your husband?”

Hearing that, Hang-a shyly lowered her eyes and replied.

[As my master wishes….]

“…”

Even the Sword Demon seemed at a loss for words now, shutting his mouth. Dokgo Seong crossed his arms and exclaimed with amusement.

“Baek Woong, you really know how to enjoy life!”

That’s not even remotely interesting, you idiot!

I had to clear my head, which was pounding. Then I turned to Hang-a.

“I don’t know what you mean, but you should be Hou Yi’s wife. Why are you suddenly calling me your master?”

[Wife….]

After musing for a moment, Hang-a said.

[Then I’ll just divorce.]

“……!!”

[I want to be yours, my master.]

[Uaaaaaa!!]

In that moment, Hou Yi, who had been dazed, faltered and dropped to one knee. Tears streamed down his face as if he were possessed, and he pleaded with Hang-a.

[That’s insane! This can’t be happening… you’ve been brainwashed by that guy!]

[Don’t come any closer.]

[Hang-a!!]

Whoa!

Suddenly, Hou Yi had seized Hang-a’s wrist, and I couldn’t tell how he moved so fast.

‘The Small Cycle is in play!’

But both the Sword Demon and Dokgo Seong seemed ready for action, drawing their swords and aiming them at Hou Yi from mere feet away. It seemed that resistance against the Small Cycle was indeed possible. As the tension mounted, Hang-a shot a chilling glare at Hou Yi, making him lower his head, clutching her delicate wrist.

[I have nothing but you. It has always been that way. I swore I would fight even the Three Sovereigns for you and dedicate everything….]

[…….]

[Please, come to your senses. I am your husband, and you are my one and only wife….]

An unbearable silence followed. After a while, Hang-a finally spoke.

[Alright.]

[Hang-a.]

[If you can’t let go of your infatuation, then I have no choice.]

[……?!]

With resolve, Hang-a declared fiercely.

[I swear on my name, that I hereby nullify the marriage vow made with the soul of the moon!]

Chiming

In that instant, a clear chime resonated, and we could see a multicolored thread connecting Hang-a and Hou Yi. Just as Hang-a finished her declaration, the colorful thread snapped suddenly.

Thud

Hang-a collapsed lifelessly, and Hou Yi, still clutching her wrist, sagged to the ground as if drained of strength. He wailed dramatically.

[Noooooo!!]

Everything had happened so swiftly that I couldn’t grasp the situation, but I could tell by the Fire Eye Golden Spirit that Hou Yi hadn’t fully lost his powers.

‘Hou Yi has just lost his vigor, but what about Hang-a!?’

I rushed to grab Hang-a and lift her up. Her face was pale, eyes closed like she was in a peaceful slumber—she felt weightless, like I was holding a silk sheet. Unlike Hou Yi, her divine energy seemed drastically diminished, making it clear something major had occurred.

I drew on my knowledge as a physician to check Hang-a’s condition, but found nothing specific. Most importantly, because Hang-a was a being of pure divine origin, what I knew about human anatomy was virtually useless. After some time, I tried channeling energy into her bloodline, but it bore no results, so I yelled urgently at Hou Yi.

“Hey! Why the heck is Hang-a like this all of a sudden?”

[…….]

Hou Yi was silent, staring vacantly at the ground.

“What the hell? How can you just sit there like that? This is supposedly a trial tower….”

Just as I was about to lose it, Dokgo Seong chimed in happily.

“Baek Woong. Now’s your chance.”

“Huh?”

“Use your Peach Tree Club to smack him upside the head….”

Huh?

I was half tempted but then snapped out, yelling.

“Just hold on for a sec!!”

It really was the right moment to take out a weakened Hou Yi. He looked like he’d lost all will to live. Yet, I instinctively felt that this shouldn’t happen. It felt more like a matter of humanity.

“Hou Yi, what’s going on with Hang-a?”

After a long pause, he spoke as if he were on the verge of dying.

[…The marriage vow we made…. You broke it, so…. the law of cause and effect has cursed her with the spirit of the moon.]

“The spirit of the moon? You mean the Moon Sovereign?”

[Ain’t no way it’s simply the Seven Luminaries… The spirit of the moon refers to the true divine soul connected through the Queen Mother of the West… In other words, it’s the curse of Nüwa.]

“……”

A curse from Nüwa?!

So it’s unbreakable!

I was flabbergasted and said to Hou Yi.

“So you’re telling me Hang-a’s cursed because she divorced you? What kind of nonsensical….”

[You know it all too well…. How can you pretend…?]

“Isn’t there any way to lift the curse?”

[Hang-a….]

Hou Yi stopped responding and just sat on the ground, looking lifeless.

‘Damn, according to Dokgo Seong, it’d be easier just to… no.’

Seeing how Hou Yi looked so hopeless made me feel a sudden urge to bash him with my Peach Tree Club, but I decided to hold back. He seemed somewhat pitiful in light of the circumstances.

Thinking deeply, I said to Hou Yi.

“Hou Yi. If I manage to save Hang-a, will you vow to be my subordinate?”

Hou Yi didn’t reply. Maybe he thought it was too absurd?

I gathered my resolve and pressed on.

“I swear on my name, I will save Hang-a! But you need to agree to be my subordinate forever!”

[That’s ridiculous…. How could you, a mere human, lift Nüwa’s curse?]

“Just promise me! What do you have to lose?”

I moved forward and grabbed him by the collar, shouting.

“Whether you’ve married her or not, didn’t you love her? If you truly love her, you have to save her first! Isn’t becoming my subordinate for life a reasonable price?”

[……!!]

“This is your last chance! Will you save Hang-a and become my subordinate, or will you both just die here?”

For a long time, Hou Yi stared at me with vacant eyes, then finally spoke.

[I promise. But if this turns out to be false… then until the day of reckoning, I’ll turn you all into my target practice.]

“Ha! Don’t sound so tough. Do you know how many times I’ve faced death threats in my life?”

[…….]

“But before saving Hang-a, there’s something I want to confirm first.”

Upon hearing my question, Hou Yi nodded.

[That’s plausible.]

“Great, then let’s do it without hesitating.”

As I approached Hang-a, the Sword Demon had a worried look and said.

“Baek Woong, is there really a method?”

“To be honest, I’m quite caught off guard and not sure how this will turn out, but I plan to wing it.”

“How?”

“Just kind of… borrow some time….”

“…Borrow time?”

After a brief moment, I looked up at the sky and yelled with a booming voice.

“Nüwa!! Are you listening to me? I know you’re eavesdropping on this trial!!”

Though I heard no reply, I kept shouting.

“Lift the curse placed on Hang-a and save her! In return, I promise to grant you one wish of your choice!”

If it’s Nüwa’s curse, then we’re in her trial ground, which means she must be observing everything! If I could make the root of the curse, Nüwa herself, undo it, it would simply resolve the issue!

“……!!”

Suddenly, the Sword Demon shouted in alarm.

“Baek Woong!! That’s nonsense! Take that back right now!”

“Why?”

“Dude! That’s like when you enhanced your singularity through Master Mangnyang! You have no idea what Nüwa might demand in return for such a deal!”

“…….”

“We are your tools! And their fates are their own! You can’t feel responsible for them or take on their karma!”

The Sword Demon’s words were on point. If I promised to grant Nüwa one of her wishes just to save Hang-a, that would be a massive loss for me. It might be better to just team up with Hou Yi and slice him up, finding a way to the next level.

But I stood my ground.

“No! I will not take back this choice.”

“Why not?”

“Whatever the reason, Hang-a chose self-destruction because of me. I must be accountable since I gave her a name.”

“No one can scold you for avoiding that responsibility. Yet you still choose to bear it?”

“If I live like that, the unavoidable day will come eventually. I will choose as I see fit.”

“…….”

The Sword Demon stared at me blankly before letting out a resigned laugh.

“…To think you could choose righteousness in such a high-stakes decision.”

“…….”

“I see…. That’s the arrogance only you can afford. Today, I finally feel why you are our king.”

“Whatever you say, I’m moving forward with this!”

I shouted again toward the heavens.

“Nüwa!! My will has been conveyed. Respond!”

Boom!

Suddenly, the sky darkened, and dim moonlight shone through the black clouds. I could hear Nüwa’s voice gradually spreading in all directions.

[I accept your offer….]

Bang!

In the blink of an eye, moonlight poured down on Hang-a. The pallor of her face lifted as she slowly opened her eyes, and I could see a mix of shock and joy on Hou Yi’s face.

[Ah…!! This can’t be happening!]

Revived, Hang-a gazed at me.

[Did my master save me?]

“Kind of.”

[Thank you. Now I can be wholly yours.]

“…I didn’t really want you all that much.”

Yup, something was definitely off with Hang-a. Even though she retained all her memories and feelings for Hou Yi, she now appeared to be blind to my wishes and loyalty.

‘Is it because I gave her a name?’

Regardless, I had Miho, so it didn’t matter even if the top beauty of the celestial realm tried to tempt me. I scratched my chin awkwardly as I glanced at Hou Yi.

“Hou Yi. Keep your promise.”

[…….]

Hou Yi looked at me with an expression of conflict. It was understandable since I was the source of all curses, but I was also the one who revived his beloved Hang-a. After a moment of contemplation, he knelt before me and declared.

[Alright. I, Hou Yi, vow to be your subordinate for life!]

“Great! Now both of you come with me!”

I let out a chuckle.

“Things turned out differently than I expected, but now I’ll make full use of you.”

Boom!

We ascended to the 94th floor. As we arrived on the 94th floor, a trial tower erupted in brilliant light and wind.

[I never expected you to come up after taking down Hou Yi! I, Lee Rang-jin-gun, the trial master of the 94th floor, will take you on….]

The Trident-wielding Lee Rang-jin-gun, one of the celestial realm’s legendary spirits!

An ancient spirit and a highly renowned figure I had encountered during my past lives. He was certainly a formidable foe. As the trial master of the 94th floor, he appeared to be blinking his third eye on his forehead.

[Why are Hang-a and Hou Yi with your expedition team?]

I didn’t bother responding and just gave a nod, ordering.

“Hang-a. Hou Yi.”

[Yes.]

[…….]

“Take down Lee Rang-jin-gun!”

Boom!

The moment my command was issued, Hang-a and Hou Yi charged toward Lee Rang-jin-gun. Hang-a summoned her unique artifact, the Moonlight Ancient Zither, while Hou Yi nocked an invisible arrow, aiming at Lee Rang-jin-gun.

[Two against one won’t make it easy!]

Lee Rang-jin-gun yelled, wielding his trident fiercely.

Clang!

Most of the arrows shot from Hou Yi’s Red Bow were deflected as they clashed with the trident’s trajectory. Watching this unfold, Dokgo Seong muttered with intrigue.

“See? When both employ the techniques of the Small Cycle, they negate each other, turning it into a typical martial arts duel.”

“Negate?”

“Now that I’ve learned the Infinite Circle from Jang Sam-bong, I can see it clearly. The cycles they control collide in the void and disappear. Yet this realm lacks the flow usually present in the Absolute Realm. That’s because it’s the Small Cycle.”

“Hmm.”

“Looking at it, it seems Lee Rang-jin-gun might have originally been divine or one of their descendants.”

Is that so?

‘I haven’t met Lee Rang-jin-gun properly, so I’m not familiar with his background.’

I only knew he was an ancient spirit that had existed far earlier than the Three Sovereigns era and was the oldest among the current trial masters.

Crash!

After a fierce clash among the three spirits, they took a step back, the impacts rippling through the air. Lee Rang-jin-gun paused, rubbing his arm and then spoke.

[Since both have received Nüwa’s power, this won’t come to a quick conclusion. However, I’ll ultimately lose because of Hang-a’s divine energy.]

Hearing that, Hou Yi’s brows twitched.

[You’re saying something captivating, Lee Rang-jin-gun. Are you suggesting that if it were one-on-one, our skills would be similar?]

Lee Rang-jin-gun responded nonchalantly.

[Well, that’s not an incorrect observation. We’ve always had similar standings in past duels.]

[Ha, ha, haha!!]

Suddenly, Hou Yi burst into laughter. Then, with a voice thick with killing intent, he said.

[Good! This is the perfect chance. I was in the mood to make things messy, so let’s set the record straight.]

[What?]

Schwing!

The arrow from Hou Yi’s Red Bow emitted a strange sound, and blood light began to gather around it. The gathered blood light transformed the Red Bow into a form unlike anything I had ever seen—etched with the likeness of a ghost, the deadly presence coalescing at a single point. Hou Yi drew the bowstring.

Ultimate Technique

Hou Yi Shoots the Sun

Boom!

In an instant, a single red arrow shot forth from the Red Bow. I immediately thought something was off.

The arrows shot from the Red Bow were always white, right?

Lee Rang-jin-gun, warping the space around him with his divine energy, attempted to swat the arrow aside with a horizontal strike of his trident. It seemed the arrow would be deflected like before due to the backlash of manipulating the Small Cycle.

But in that moment—

Boom!

“……!!”

That was Lee Rang-jin-gun’s final moment. Just as he tried to block the shot, both his trident and his formidable spirit, the Sky Splitting Hound, vanished without a trace. The red arrow pierced through, soaring over the horizon before exploding spectacularly.

Boom!!

Was the dimension surrounding this trial tower collapsing? Beyond the shattered sky, an infinite abyss resembling the universe glimmered ominously. Hou Yi, gazing coldly at the horrific devastation wrought by a single arrow, lowered his Red Bow slightly and stated:

[If I do my job right, you’ll be done in one shot, Lee Rang-jin-gun.]

“…….”

Is that the kind of power I just witnessed?

I was flabbergasted and turned to Hou Yi.

“Hou Yi! Just how did that last attack pack such a punch?”

[…….]

“Hey! You promised loyalty, answer me!”

Reluctantly, Hou Yi spoke.

[I possess the power to lift the constraints of the Red Bow as the greatest archer and hunter. That fool underestimated it, which led to his demise.]

“The constraints? What constraints?”

[The Red Bow’s power quadruples with each shot fired.]

“……!!”

Wha—wait, seriously?!

Shocked by Hou Yi’s follow-up, I couldn’t believe my ears.

[Now that the seal placed by Jeogok on me has been lifted, I can shoot with the power of my ninth arrow from the start. That’s my ultimate technique, and with it, I took down the Ten Suns.]

 

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