1103——————==

Soul of the Evil God

Takrok!

The moment I heard that name, I knew exactly what that place was. It had been marked as an important spot throughout my past lives.

‘Takrok Great War.’

The legendary battle where Chi You fiercely clashed with Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen and suffered countless defeats! That war took place right in Takrok, and anyone who had ever studied ancient history couldn’t possibly be unfamiliar with it. Moreover, I could feel a stronger sense of reality since I had experienced many divine beings mentioning Takrok as the mythical truth.

As Fuxi elegantly waved his fan, in the blink of an eye, we all arrived in Takrok. I frowned at the scorching sun.

‘It’s hot….’

Takrok was indeed a hot place. Situated to the west of Luoyang, it’s sweltering in the summer and frigid in the winter, surrounded by rugged mountains, making it quite an uncomfortable region. I visited it once, and it just struck me as a tough rural area to live in.

Considering that Hebei Province was already barren, there wasn’t much to see around the outskirts of Luoyang. The previous emperor who thought of moving the capital here must have been insane. In the end, the capital stayed in Luoyang, but relocating it to such a countryside would have been a huge hassle.

Standing in the dense shade of a tree, Fuxi turned to Yanzhong and Taishang Laojun beside him and said,

“When Shennong arrives, you two can leave.”

“Master, we’re fine.”

“No. Shennong has never been fond of beings like you. I fear he might get upset for no reason.”

“Understood.”

I immediately turned to Fuxi, startled by those words.

“Shennong? Meeting the Yan Emperor Shennong?”

“Ah, you know of his existence. Indeed, you’re an interesting fellow.”

“…Ah, well….”

Damn it. Was that a mistake?

‘Coming to Takrok, I naturally assumed we’d meet Chi You, but it turns out I blurted out something completely random.’

While I pondered what to do, I awkwardly mumbled,

“Uh, I know information about all the gods, so I’m just really curious.”

“Oh, really? Given that you can take a mask off someone, it wouldn’t be strange that you’d know that much.”

“Yes! Exactly!”

“You don’t seem suspicious at all, so just relax.”

“…….”

Is it really okay?

“Anyway, it’s not the time for important discussions.”

Fuxi spoke leisurely and suddenly looked up at the sky.

“They’re here.”

Kugugugu….

At that moment, the sky above Takrok cracked open, revealing a crimson-hued gate in mid-air. It was so enormous that it seemed as if the entire sky was filled with the gate. And starting to descend from that gate was a giant whose size could easily reach a thousand Zhang.

“……!!”

That’s ridiculously big!

Could it be as large as the Sea God?

And since I had seen that giant’s appearance in the past, I unconsciously swallowed hard.

‘Yan Emperor Shennong!!’

The giant who, in the past, had been freed from his seal by Mangnyang using the power of the Sky-Destruction Sun and Moon Fan! Though he looked vastly different from the human-shaped giant in the ritual garb I was familiar with, this had to be Shennong’s true form as a divine being.

This also meant that Shennong’s true body had come here, currently in a state without a ‘mask.’ The moment Shennong arrived, Yanzhong and Taishang Laojun next to him immediately vanished into thin air, leaving just me, Fuxi, and Shennong in the venue.

However, I soon noticed another person hovering next to Shennong.

‘Huh? That makes it three… but who’s that person?’

I hadn’t noticed due to Shennong’s enormous size, but there was someone of normal human stature floating next to him. I didn’t recognize them, but anyone who could appear here must be someone exceptional.

As I attempted to observe that person more closely, conversation began.

[Fuxi! I heard that the Thunder God attacked you. Are you alright?]

The first to speak was Shennong. Fuxi, leisurely reclining beneath the tree, responded to him.

[It was a powerful being. If it was just me against it, I would undoubtedly have met my end. However, with the help of my disciples and Nüwa, we managed to repel it and inflicted significant injuries.]

The two seemed to converse in an ancient divine language. It was a tongue that wouldn’t be heard or even perceived by ordinary beings, yet I understood it perfectly.

[I can’t believe it. Where did such a powerful divinity hide in the universe?]

[Shennong, do you know? The great cycle that has continued since our father, Pangu, has layers so countless that they can’t even be counted. Unseen dilations and hidden rules of the universe are stacked up, so no matter what happens, it shouldn’t be surprising.]

[Are we to believe that such a being was also prepared by ‘Father’?]

[That I can’t say yet. More importantly… looking up at you is straining my neck.]

[Got it.]

Swish!

Moments later, Shennong transformed from his giant form into one resembling a regal figure adorned in the ritual garb. Although he had shrunk, he still appeared to be a giant at least one Zhang tall. Seeing his royal form, Fuxi commented,

[That’s a reasonable appearance. It’s suitable for ruling over foolish humans.]

[Thanks for the compliment, but isn’t your form a bit too tailored to human tastes?]

[I too feel the need to understand humans deeply, so I’m making efforts. After all, the God of Chaos, who understands humans best, will be our greatest adversary.]

[Hmm… Could such a being actually block our path? I don’t quite grasp it. A being that approaches the laws of the universe disrupting such trivial affairs….]

[We’ll discuss that later. Who is the one accompanying you?]

In response to Fuxi’s inquiry, Shennong placed a hand on the shoulder of the person next to him. Shennong’s stature reached one Zhang, while the one next to him was of an average height among humans, creating a substantial difference.

[This is a newly born member of our clan. A new bloodline after 1.35 million years.]

[Indeed. But is he not a bit small for the Giant Race?]

[He’s a hybrid with humans.]

[Oh…!! You weren’t particularly eager to intermingle with humans, were you? Is that even possible?]

Fuxi seemed genuinely astonished. Given that it was the first time I had witnessed such pure wonder from him, it indicated that the child of Shennong was an exceptional being. Then Shennong said,

[My thoughts have changed.]

Fuxi appeared to be in a good mood. Then he asked,

[By the way, what is this child’s name?]

[I haven’t named him yet.]

[Why not?]

[He possesses truly infinite potential. His chaotic talent is beyond my measurement. If I were to name him recklessly, I might limit his possibilities, hence I’ve refrained from naming him.]

[……!!]

Fuxi stared keenly at the ‘child’ for a moment.

[Just now, I congratulated your choice, but I can’t just let it go. If we cannot control that child, it would be better to kill him now!]

[…….]

[He is an unmeasurable existence. With our power, we won’t be able to restrain him. To think he might already possess the power of immortality! No hybrid has ever been born with such powers since the creation of the world.]

Fuxi seemed to reveal a hint of fear. Shennong appeared slightly surprised.

[Can you perceive all that?]

[I am the Heavenly Dragon of the universe. Naturally, I can see it. To think an entity who commands respect even from considerable gods already possesses such power….]

[Besides that, he also possesses multiple talents. He has already surpassed the typical Giant Race warrior.]

[That’s absurd. Kill him at once. In the future, he could crush you with a single hand.]

Fuxi warned. Then Shennong seemed to smile faintly.

[No. I won’t kill him. In fact, I think I’ll watch over this child as he grows.]

[Even if he slaughters indiscriminately without discerning friends and foes?]

[That’s unavoidable.]

[Unavoidable, you say….]

After a brief silence, Shennong spoke again.

[Fuxi, you wish to confront this fate of destruction head-on, but I often feel that the influence of our descendants is weak in this game. My instincts from billions of years of combat tell me that we cannot win by normal means; this is a battle of a different dimension from any we’ve faced as rulers of the universe.]

[…….]

[It’s the first fight so long that I can’t even see the opponent. Which means there’s little hope. If we cannot win this battle, then we have no choice but to overturn the board. I’m counting on this child to fulfill that role.]

Fuxi remained silent for quite a while following Shennong’s statement. Eventually, after a full meal period had passed, he began to speak.

[In that case, I shall bestow upon him the most fearsome and ominous name in this world.]

[You propose to name him?]

[Yes. I shall name him the Infinite Omen that turns heaven and earth upside down, to suppress his powers of chaos with the most ominous name, I Fuxi shall bestow it!]

[Oh.]

[If he can overcome the omen of his name and become a sage, he will gain tenfold the power he was supposed to possess, and even the Great Deities will tremble before him!]

Shennong nodded silently.

[… That would be good. This child might indeed bring about the ruin of the universe.]

[Right now, it’s not possible to name him. I’ll come up with a name during our next meeting.]

[Look forward to it. Now let’s wrap up our chitchat and get to the main topic of today’s meeting.]

Upon Shennong’s statement, Fuxi spoke gravely.

[You mean the Emperor.]

[Have you considered the proposal I presented earlier?]

Shennong continued while crossing his arms.

[I have already staked the fate of my Giant Race on the war against the Emperor. By any means, I will topple him and become the apex of this world. And in this war, I hope that you, Fuxi and Nüwa, will join my side.]

[…….]

[What is there to hesitate about? It has already been confirmed that the Emperor is our enemy. He’s currently distorting the laws of the world by unleashing the power of chaos.]

Fuxi seemed to hesitate at Shennong’s words.

[However, he possesses not only chaos but also the rules of order. His identity cannot be concluded in just one phrase.]

[Well, that’s….]

[He’s not merely a member of the ‘Old Ruler.’ He is something of a different realm altogether. If we hastily oppose him, we may end up in grave danger.]

[The Emperor is blatantly brandishing his sword against us. If we don’t fight back, we’re just setting ourselves up for disaster.]

[No, he plays deep. Every action that seems simple now has significance. Perhaps he has the ability to read the Law of Cause and Effect.]

[That’s nonsense. That can’t be true!]

Shennong spat out angrily, but eventually continued.

[I’ll take that as a rejection, Fuxi. I had no idea you would be such a coward.]

[…….]

[I will visit Nüwa as well. We’ll meet in a hundred years.]

Pa-at!

Shennong, alongside the giant beside him, vanished.

Did I feel that the conversation with Shennong ended in vain? Soon after, Fuxi sighed.

“Phew! Do you really think I don’t want to strike the Emperor immediately? However, to engage with someone who can calculate the Law of Cause and Effect, something beyond mere force, is needed. Rushing to fight the Emperor without conditions would surely lead to defeat.”

“Master….”

Until then, I had been quietly listening to their conversation when I cautiously spoke.

“What was the reason for bringing me here?”

“Oh, right. Earlier, Shennong mentioned that the child by his side was born after many years? I almost forgot.”

Why is he suddenly asking this? I scratched my head and replied.

“I believe it was 1.35 million years….”

“Hmm, I see.”

Fuxi flashed a smile.

“You can understand the conversation in the divine tongue completely! Yet you don’t strike me as suspicious at all, Baek Woong.”

“…….”

“Well, it’s fair enough not to lose your mind even when seeing Shennong’s true form. There’s no reason to be suspicious.”

Ahhhh!!

I messed up!

Who would’ve thought he’d dig such a hole!

‘Oh crap!! Isn’t he like the Spirit Treasure Heaven Master who could just kill me with a finger?!’

While I was engulfed in confusion and panic, Fuxi waved his fan and said,

“The reason I brought you to meet Shennong in Takrok is simple. I foresaw that the Emperor would soon arrive here with his subordinates.”

“What?”

“It’s obvious. He’s coming to attack me because he dislikes that I might be conspiring with Shennong.”

Calmly stating this, Fuxi suddenly looked at me.

“Baek Woong, I want you to answer me honestly.”

“What, what do you want to know?”

“You already know the future of this world, right? You absolutely have a clue about what’s going to happen next.”

“…….”

“If you don’t answer, I’ll cast a binding spell on you right here. And I’ll toss you right in front of the Emperor who is about to arrive in Takrok.”

What, what kind of existence is this?!

I felt utterly miserable, as if I were completely playing into the hands of the opponent. Fuxi was too clever; he had already guessed almost everything about me while sitting idle. I was terrified, yet I forced myself to calm down and answered.

“I know.”

Lying would be a grave mistake.

I had seen the consequences of lying through the demise of the Spirit Treasure Heaven Master.

Fuxi looked at me as if he expected that answer.

“How did you arrive in this era?”

“I used the treasure known as the Land and Earth Diagram….”

“Land and Earth Diagram?”

“Oh, um….”

I briefly explained how I had ended up in this world. Listening calmly, Fuxi finally said,

“I see. According to what you said, I’m a character within the treasure, and this must be the world within it.”

“…That seems accurate.”

“If I’m a character within the treasure, can I step outside of it? Ultimately, shouldn’t you be trying to get out into the outside world?”

“I’m not sure. The truth is, I don’t even know how to get out….”

“Hmm…. Something feels off.”

“Excuse me?”

“If what you say is true, then the sealing of memories when Nüwa and I fought the Thunder God must be the Land and Earth Diagram. And wasn’t it Nüwa who created the treasure?”

Fuxi looked at me sharply.

“Then why did Nüwa feel the need to seal those memories? And why did she pass them on to Master Mangnyang? There must be a clue here.”

“……!!”

“I have too many unanswered questions. Baek Woong, tell me more about Master Mangnyang.”

“Um, um….”

“Why do you hesitate?”

I was flabbergasted and replied to Fuxi.

“Isn’t that too logical? Are you not afraid that you might be a fictional existence?”

“…….”

My question was entirely reasonable. After all, it could be said that Fuxi was a fake, merely a picture within the treasure. Any normal person would mentally collapse under such a revelation, yet Fuxi was entirely calm! He was even analyzing the situation more rationally than I was!

After a brief moment of silence, Fuxi suddenly burst into laughter.

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha!! Ha ha ha!!”

“Why… why are you laughing?”

“Ha ha ha…. No, Baek Woong, it seems you speak like one who doesn’t understand the perception of divine beings, ha ha.”

“……?”

“This matter will not afflict the mind of a being born from divine lineage. Especially since I was born of Pangu, I have more or less anticipated this. An entity can’t fuss over the distinction between existence and non-existence—that’s not the mark of a true god. Just a strong mortal.”

What?!

“The implication is that if you claim to be a fictitious being, then life has no meaning…”

“No, that’s not the case at all.”

Fuxi smiled without a hint of humanity.

“In this world, fiction is not a concept that can be denied. It can only be obscured. After all, everything is merely the return of a great being; those unable to accept that reality cannot be called gods.”

“……?”

“Well…. If one enjoys the position of an Absolute Being for too long, they might fall into delusion. There is only one Absolute Being.”

Just as Fuxi murmured this, the sky erupted with a tremendous noise.

Suddenly, it seemed as though five patterns were slowly descending from the heavens, resembling the enormous gate that Shennong had revealed earlier. Observing this, Fuxi smiled broadly.

“The Emperor’s entourage has arrived.”

That meant each of those patterns represented one of the Five Sovereigns from the Three Sovereigns.

‘This is bad.’

Just like when Shennong made his appearance, when the true forms of the Five Sovereigns revealed themselves, the pressure and power would be overwhelming. My chances of escaping would decrease significantly.

“We need to run now.”

“Run? Why?”

“If we don’t flee, the Emperor will attack.”

“Not necessarily.”

“Ugh….”

What on earth is going on?!

If I die now, it will be a real pointless death!

As I fumbled with my feet, Fuxi maintained a serene smile and said to me,

“Baek Woong. Let’s have a chat with the Emperor.”

“No….”

Just as I was about to shout in protest.

Kugugung!!

A massive dark giant suddenly appeared in mid-air first. This was a figure I had seen dozens of times before, twisting its colossal body and roaring.

[Fuxi!! You sure didn’t sneak away well!!]

Kugugugu!!

Kugugu!

Leading the way was the Sovereign Jeon Wook, who, side by side, continuously revealed the appearance of other Sovereigns.

A moment later, Jeon Wook summoned a sinister dark spear into his hand and hurled it toward us.

[I, Jeon Wook, will tear your head off!]