1184——————==

Soul of the Evil God

I always knew you would show up one day.

For some time now, Zhuge Sa had been keeping his distance from the Great Bear Empire, and after his chat with Simon Magus, he became a presence that occasionally reappeared, letting his companions know about the Fragment of Dharma Technique located in Aiternum Mundi. Since then, he went missing, so his whereabouts are quite the mystery, but it’s clear that Zhuge Sa was considered the Demon King after the situation during the Dharma Technique contest. Moreover, Zhuge Sa cursed Cheon Woo-jin at that time, causing him to be sealed until I arrived to lift the curse using the Four Great Spirit Deities, Agni.

I couldn’t help but shout in delight at Zhuge Sa’s return.

“Zhuge Sa! You’re back!!”

[…….]

Zhuge Sa, who had fallen silent for a moment, spoke to me in that ethereal language only spiritual beings possess, despite having a human form.

[Baek Woong. Since we haven’t seen each other in a while, can I ask you for a favor?]

“Huh? What’s the favor?”

[If you promise to listen, I will tell you everything that has happened so far.]

I eagerly nodded.

“Of course! As long as it’s within my ability, I’m all ears.”

Then Zhuge Sa chuckled wickedly.

[Die right now.]

“…….”

Huh?

Wha—what did you just say?

I must have heard that wrong….

Crash!!

At that moment, a bizarrely shaped human-skin contract appeared in the air with a loud sound. The cover sported a monster’s eye and opened with a crackling sound, revealing two pages directed at me. There, written down, were the very words I had just said.

“As long as it’s within my ability, I’m all ears.”

Staring blankly at the text, Zhuge Sa cackled.

[Do you remember? How many methods of suicide did I teach you?]

“…21.”

[It’s rare to find someone who knows that many ways to off themselves. Naturally, you can say it falls under “within Baek Woong’s capabilities,” right?]

“Wait, hold on…. Why are you doing this!!”

I shrieked in panic.

Why is Zhuge Sa, who I haven’t seen in 500 years, pushing for my death?! Unable to grasp the situation, I began to step back hesitantly, but he spoke again.

[Why not? Wasn’t death a regular occurrence for a Reborn Person? You used to die when bored, and now you’re suddenly scared.]

“It’s not that! It’s just too sudden! I can’t die now!”

[What’s the reason?]

“I need to see the [End], gather all the information I can until then, and….”

Thud!!

In that instant, I felt a jarring pain twist through my heart, causing me to slump down. Zhuge Sa’s finger was pointed at me.

“……!!”

Dark blood spilled from my mouth. I thought I could withstand a decent amount of pain, but in that moment, it felt like my consciousness was fading into white. This is the pain of an evil sorcery contract.

A chilling voice flowed from Zhuge Sa’s lips.

[This wasn’t the original plan, but everything’s gone wrong. I hadn’t intended to intervene but now I have no choice.]

“C-Cough, what’s… what’s gone wrong…?”

I shouted out through the blood.

“I’ve never truly witnessed the [End]! At this point, it seems logical to see what happens during the [Revelation] before I die!”

[I thought so too.]

“Then why!!”

[Because everything has been going too smoothly. That’s the issue.]

“……?!”

[Well, it’s pointless to keep talking now, so you might as well give dying a shot.]

Crack.

As Zhuge Sa clenched his fist, I felt my vision spinning. With a pop, I could feel the Jade Emperor’s robe I was wearing burst apart, followed by the activation of the Yellow Dragon Demon God lying beneath it.

Crackle!!

Thanks to the Yellow Dragon Demon God, I managed to hold on to my form and life for a brief moment, despite the immense pressure. Zhuge Sa seemed a bit surprised at that.

[Resisting my power; that armor is the real deal. I didn’t expect you still had that unliberated strength.]

“Z-Zhuge Sa. Stop. I don’t want to fight you.”

I grimaced and stumbled. I could’ve counterattacked several times, but I didn’t want to recklessly retaliate against Zhuge Sa. But now, I had no choice but to get serious.

“After coming this far, how can you tell me to just die! I absolutely can’t accept that!”

[Really? So then why did you carelessly promise when I said to die? That’s just foolishness, my lord.]

“Great, how am I supposed to see that coming! You’re supposed to be my companion….”

Zhuge Sa laughed mockingly.

[Just because we were companions in a past life means I must always act in your best interest? You might think you’ve shown infinite trust all along, but that’s not trust at all. It’s just the arrogance of a Reborn Person, thinking it doesn’t matter if we betray you because you’ll just take it lightly.]

“…….”

Suddenly, I found myself speechless, becoming dazed as Zhuge Sa grinned at me.

[You haven’t changed at all from the old days, have you, you fool.]

“Zhuge Sa….”

Blergh.

As those words hit, I felt my consciousness slipping away. Zhuge Sa’s fist clenched, and just like that, my head exploded.

Whoosh!!

In that instant, I found myself floating above the Throne of the Wheel King. I had somehow moved from the material world to the underworld.

And standing before me was the King of Hell. The King of Hell, dressed in judge’s attire, bowed his head to me and said,

[You have now faced your death.]

[King of Hell.]

As I opened my mouth, the words came out in the spiritual language, and I realized that I had been killed by Zhuge Sa.

What the hell is this?!

Just as I was reeling from this sudden turn of events, the King of Hell looked at me and said,

[If you wish, I can resurrect you right now.]

[Re-Rebirth? Is that possible?]

[It is nonsensical for the ruler of death to die. That should never be the case. The paradox occurred because you, uniquely, died as a human. Therefore, death will not be acknowledged.]

At that moment, I understood the situation.

The Wheel King is the ruler of the underworld!

Naturally, I can’t die, not really! In that moment, I began to comprehend what Fuxi had said before.

[Anyway, even if you face death, you can use the Wheel King’s power to nullify the state of death. But if you wish, you can also choose to yield to death and repeat the ‘Knot’ once more. Do you understand now?]

At that time, Fuxi must have anticipated that if I died, I would end up in this state. The moment I became the Wheel King, he would’ve predicted that death would become meaningless for me. I sighed, feeling relieved from the shock Zhuge Sa had given me.

[Got it….]

Swish.

In that moment, a black wind swept through, and once again, Zhuge Sa appeared before me. He stood between the King of Hell and me, grinning as he said,

[The Wheel King, huh? I anticipated it, but this is more troublesome. Mangnyang’s machinations have made Reborn Persons this weak.]

As soon as I laid eyes on Zhuge Sa, I burst out in pure rage.

[Zhuge Sa!!! Are you out of your mind!! Why are you trying to kill me!]

[I went insane 500 years ago. How much worse must it be now that I’ve become the Great Demon King of the Seven Realms?]

I almost fumed, but was caught off guard by his unexpected words.

[G-Great Demon King?]

What on earth is this all about?

Before I could sort my thoughts, Zhuge Sa’s rhetoric came crashing down on me.

[Baek Woong. You don’t have to believe me. Just believe one thing from earlier: as long as I’m your companion, I’ll act in your benefit.]

I was stunned into silence.

[What the hell! You just blew my head off and now you’re saying that?! How do you expect me to believe you right now?!]

[If you can’t believe me, then fine. But you will believe it.]

[What the….]

Zhuge Sa wore an infamously wicked grin.

[You see, trust me and let go. I’m saying to die simply and relinquish your Wheel King resurrection powers. If you trust me, you can do that, Baek Woong…?]

[…….]

[If you want to be reborn, I can’t stop you anymore.]

What kind of nonsense is this….

If such a scenario played out among regular folks, every single one would likely ignore Zhuge Sa’s words and opt for resurrection.

But….

He’s saying it.

He is my strategist.

Even now, that hasn’t changed….

[…….]

After a moment of contemplation, I ended up making a decision that even I found absurd.

[Alright. I’ll choose to die without resurrecting.]

At that, the King of Hell, who had been listening from behind, exclaimed in shock.

[You fool!! Are you serious, Wheel King?! If you die this time, you will never resurrect in this universe again!!]

[Wha?! Really?!]

[Are you seriously thinking of just giving up your life without fully grasping that?!]

The King of Hell, known for his usually cold and clear-headed demeanor, was beside himself with astonishment. To be honest, I too found myself a bit shaken.

But I hesitated and declared once more.

[…I’ll just die!! I will die!]

Swish!

Perhaps it was recognized as a solid command? My spirit dissipated like mist, transforming into cosmic dust. Gradually, the scene before my eyes faded to white, and in that hazy silence, I heard Zhuge Sa’s laughter.

[Ha ha ha…. I believed in you. That’s how my lord should be!!]

Boom!

In the next moment, I realized I was in another realm.

I knew exactly where this was.

An endless void of darkness.

The path of reincarnation.

[Baek Woong. Welcome to the second ‘Knot’.]

Before me stood Hang-a, smiling warmly. Seeing her face made me feel a bit drained, and I weakly replied to her.

“Damn it. Everything seemed to be going well, and now this….”

I never thought I’d kickstart the second Knot in such a ridiculous situation.

Does that mean I have to start all over with the trials of the Celestial Tower?

As I froze in shock, Hang-a wore a puzzling smile.

[Hehe, my lord, shall I explain the ‘Knot’ once more?]

“Sure.”

[If you wish to recall your memories, you must pay a price to the Book. And even if you start over, the already initiated Knot will lead to more burdens in your next life. However, if you’re willing to agree…]

Just then.

“I need to hear that too. Hehe.”

A voice suddenly broke through the darkness.

It was a voice so familiar that I turned towards it without thinking. And Hang-a’s face had now completely hardened.

Step.

“What’s the issue? Surprised by my arrival?”

Step.

As the voice slowly manifested from the shadows, I instinctively shouted.

“Zhuge Sa!!!”

It was indeed Zhuge Sa.

And he spoke in an entirely human way rather than his usual demonic tone!

Is that really Zhuge Sa?!

I was so startled that my jaw dropped, while Hang-a, with a completely stiff face, spoke to Zhuge Sa.

“I can’t comprehend how another being, besides my lord, could enter here.”

At that, Zhuge Sa burst into laughter.

“Hehe, would you need to know such things when you’re merely a mere tool? I suppose from the standpoint of a Reborn Person, letting down your guard to observe your surroundings must be quite disappointing.”

“…….”

“Still, this was a planned move, so I left the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique behind as well.”

“Sly.”

As Hang-a bitingly remarked, Zhuge Sa smirked.

“That’s quite a compliment. I may not read the Law of Cause and Effect like an emperor, but I know how to commit misdeeds….”

Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique?

Zhuge Sa was now right next to us.

“Now, let’s all start our discussion.”

Whoosh!

Suddenly, two chairs appeared in the hall. Zhuge Sa plopped down on one, waving a hand in invitation for me to take a seat.

“I, Zhuge Sa, have come to figure out when our lord got tricked by the Heavenly Secret.”