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Soul of the Evil God

You want me to take one hit from Jeon Wook? By myself?

“Man, this is crazy….”

I was almost going to spit something back at the Primordial Heaven Master, but I just mumbled in defeat. I mean, after all, he’s the founder of the Celestial Realm, the top dog, Primordial Heaven Master and all that. But I couldn’t accept it, so I struggled to argue back.

“Uh, no way can I fight such a powerful being!”

“Just do it.”

“What….”

The Primordial Heaven Master said it like it was the simplest thing in the world.

“I’ll lend you the Four Great Spirits. Go ahead and try.”

Oh boy.

In the next moment, I suddenly realized I was riding the Four Great Spirits. And Primordial Heaven Master and Taishang Laojun, they weren’t talking to me anymore; they transformed into beams of light and took off to where that chaotic Jeogok was hiding. Their shouts echoed like divine language.

[Jeogok!]

[Back off!]

Jeogok’s response rolled back, sounding almost mocking.

[So you’re the disciples of Fuxi. Do you really think you can defeat me?]

From the location Jeogok was presumed to be, a whirlwind of five-colored light spiraled up, pulling in the light of the Three Sovereigns. Then came a flash so intense it could blind you after a brief silence.

Bam!!

Booming!

It felt like the vast void of the microcosm was cracking. Surely nearby, but the clash of Jeogok and the Three Sovereigns sent ripples through the dark cosmos filled with starlight. And honestly, it didn’t seem like a mere illusion. With such powerful beings colliding, it was likely that time and space were stretching infinitely, causing vibrations.

I swallowed hard and looked at Jeon Wook in that chaotic situation.

[Hehe… good reinforcements have come, Shennong.]

[Didn’t summon you.]

[Is that so? Anyway, it’s embarrassing for a giant god to have bugs like you come for help.]

Crackle!

Jeon Wook, sneering, still kept putting pressure on Shennong’s side with his hidden weapon, trying to tear him apart, while Shennong was managing to fend off the attacks even while injured.

“…….”

How on earth am I supposed to rescue Shennong against that monster?

‘Damn… how to deal with Jeon Wook….’

Honestly, whether I’m up for it or not, the power gap is just too huge. No matter how absolute my realm and powerful my potential might be, he’s genuinely one of those high-ranking deities who rule the entire cosmos. Even if my companions and I all teamed up against Jeon Wook, I’d doubt we could even scratch him. And now, I have to take him on solo?

If I even had a chance against him, it would be by using the Four Great Spirits. However, Vayu used all his power to send me to the future, Agni spent his energy freeing Cheon Woo-jin’s seal, and Vajra was already used up to eliminate [The One Who Turns the Stars].

So, basically, the only one left among the Four Great Spirits is Varuna.

I quickly envisioned Varuna’s essence in my mental world. Its strength was unknown, but considering the rank of the Four Great Spirits, it could potentially work against Jeon Wook.

But….

How can I hit an opponent who can freely manipulate [Small Cycle]?

‘Speed means nothing to a mighty divine being like Jeon Wook. He could change the cause and effect of being hit, stop time, or even rewind it….’

A deity who can freely control [Small Cycle] has virtually no restrictions of space and time. In other words, all martial arts techniques or speed against a god become meaningless. Simply put, this meant sneak attacks wouldn’t work, which was frustrating.

In that case, even using Great Destruction would be pointless. Even if I used Great Destruction for dozens of times faster and stronger attacks, what good would it do? Maybe against a mortal or a demon king, but not against a god.

Suddenly, a thought of Miyamoto Musashi popped into my head. Despite using Divine Kill Slash, he was harshly toyed with and dealt with by Jeon Wook. While I could now easily win against Musashi, saying that the gap between our skills was insignificant would be stretching it. Just recalling that time, Jeon Wook was just using the Apostle in my body, but now I was facing Jeon Wook’s real form, so my chances are even slimmer.

‘Damn….’

Just as I was hesitating over whether to summon Varuna or not, the Four Great Spirits, which were carrying me, abruptly spoke up.

[What a wishy-washy guy. What do you want to do now?]

“I know I should attack, but there’s no guarantee I can hit.”

[What? You’re taking the obvious too seriously. Isn’t fighting like that?]

Swish!

As the Four Great Spirits straightened their antlers like flags and thrust them forward, intense electric currents danced around them. The whole being of the Four Great Spirits lit up in white light as they shouted.

[The Second Master, come forth!]

With a crackling sound, a strange Daoist wearing black and white clothing appeared in front of me.

[Charge at Jeon Wook.]

As soon as the Daoist was summoned, the Four Great Spirits gestured, and right on cue, the Daoist charged forward holding a giant jewel the size of a child.

Boom!

As the Daoist charged, the previously invisible translucent barrier clashed, and the Second Master began to separate his massive jewel, attempting to break through the barrier in the formation of the Eight Trigrams.

“……?!”

I was shocked and turned to the Four Great Spirits.

“What kind of technique is that?!”

[That’s my unique ability. I can create a virtual Daoist in reality!]

“What?!”

The Four Great Spirits proudly showed me the pure white scales embedded in its back.

[See this? It’s Fuxi’s Dragon Scale. He graciously granted it to me! That Daoist moves with the power of the Dragon Scale.]

“Fuxi’s scale, huh.”

I could see the situation. That was no special technique or divine art; it was a blessing from Fuxi to the Four Great Spirits. The ability to create a virtual immortal through the Dragon Scale and control it!

‘But why couldn’t the future Four Great Spirits use this power?’

Come to think of it, I didn’t remember seeing that white scale on the future Four Great Spirits.

Just then—

Jeon Wook glanced at the Second Master with annoyance, and the Second Master blew up immediately.

Boom!

“Ah!”

[Huh, it blew up.]

“What’s with that calm attitude? Isn’t that a huge loss?”

[I’ll just make another one.]

Pow!

As the horns of the Four Great Spirits shone, another Second Master appeared. It looked as if it hadn’t blown up at all.

“…C-can it be summoned infinitely?”

[Of course! But can’t summon more than one at a time!]

That’s some cheat ability!

I was baffled, but the Four Great Spirits growled.

[You dumbass. How long are you going to hesitate to attack Jeon Wook? Even if they are Primordial Heaven Master and Taishang Laojun, they won’t last long against Jeogok in the Divine Temple.]

“Ugh. They held their own against the Thunder God.”

[Even if Tai Chi and Primordial Heaven are powerful, this Divine Temple is like the emperor’s belly to Jeogok. It’s practically his backyard, making him even stronger than usual. They could be wiped out at any moment.]

“…….”

[Now, prepare to fight. I’ll have the Second Master help you out.]

With the Four Great Spirits’ warning, I realized why Shennong was so easily cornered.

‘The Five Emperors’ base is right here in the Divine Temple, so they’ll be much stronger fighting here! That’s why the Primordial Heaven Master, Shennong, fell so easily to Jeon Wook and Jeogok’s combined attack!’

So right now, Jeon Wook here is way stronger than any time I’ve known him?

‘…He’s strong enough to stick a hidden weapon into the side of Fuxi. Damn…. I’m seriously screwed.’

If I don’t step in now, Shennong will fall prey to Jeon Wook, and if the Three Sovereigns lose this war, I will inevitably drop dead too. I have no choice but to do whatever I need to survive in this world. Gritting my teeth, I tried to summon Varuna from that mental space.

At that moment, another thought popped into my head.

‘Wait. What if I don’t have to fight?’

I could probably dodge a fight…?

The Four Great Spirits urged me on.

[Hurry! Get out there to fight!]

Growing increasingly annoyed by the Four Great Spirits’ insistence, I finally snapped.

“Give me a break, you deer brat! I’ll handle it!”

With no time left to dawdle, I jumped forward at lightning speed and shouted at Jeon Wook.

“O great Jeon Wook!”

My shout received an angry growl back.

[Shut your mouth! You, Baek Woong, I’ll tear you limb from limb!]

“…….”

[I’ll boil your head and feed it to the palace ghosts.]

Wow, he really seems to hate me…!!

The most negative and murderous attitude I’ve seen from Jeon Wook in all my previous lives made me flinch instinctively. He’d always had some contemptuous dislike for me, but up until now, it was more an annoyance for him; now, his hostility was crystal clear.

I sensed it. One wrong word to Jeon Wook now and I’d be done! I felt like I’d be killed the instant I misstepped, yet strangely, my mind started to calm.

And then I shouted like a madman.

“I’ll peel off the mask the Emperor put on youuuuu!!”

Pause.

In that moment, I felt Jeon Wook’s gaze snap to me. Even Shennong, who was currently locked in a struggle against the hidden weapon, turned to me. With both divine figures now looking at me, I instinctively flinched and shrank back.

Jeon Wook spoke with suppressed rage but undeniable curiosity.

[…What do you mean, mask?]

A shiver ran through my whole being. As Jeon Wook’s divine power resonated with my murderous intent, it became almost impossible to stay sane. Considering my own strength, I could hold my own, but clearly, I was still miles behind Jeon Wook’s actual power.

“I, uh, became Shennong’s disciple on the condition that I’d take off Fuxi’s mask. And as you know, I’m also the Apostle of Shao Hao. So, I don’t necessarily consider you an enemy… so just calm down.”

[You’ll take off Fuxi’s mask?]

“Yes.”

Suddenly, Jeon Wook roared.

[Then can you swear on your master Fuxi’s name that you can take it off!]

“Yes!”

[…Really?]

Jeon Wook’s voice suddenly shifted to a controlled anger. In that moment, it seemed he lost some strength in his grip on the hidden weapon, and a silver flame roared up from Shennong’s arm.

[Oh no!]

[Too late, Jeon Wook.]

Jeon Wook hastily tried to tighten his grip on the hidden weapon, but Shennong managed to pull the hidden weapon from his side.

Swish!

As divine blood gushed out, Shennong swung the hidden weapon, aiming to stab Jeon Wook, but Jeon Wook dodged just in time. As Jeon Wook backed off from Shennong’s ferocity, Shennong shattered the weapon’s base.

[That’s something I’ve never heard of before. You, Baek Woong, just what kind of existence are you?]

“Um…well….”

[How do you know of the mask’s existence, and how can you claim you can remove it?]

Strange currents of tension passed between Jeon Wook and Shennong. Moments ago, they’d been locked in a deadly struggle, but they both decided that the information flowing from my mouth took precedence, temporarily pausing their battle.

‘Uh oh. Things are getting tangled up….’

Although I had inadvertently sidestepped the conflict and successfully completed the task given by Primordial Heaven Master and Taishang Laojun, I couldn’t feel joy. I became the focus of an even larger hassle instead. Much to my annoyance, I had no choice but to speak up.

“Uh, well, the mask was actually made by the Emperor to do bad things later! Before I end up doing something bad with the mask, I’ll take it off….”

[What do you mean by bad things?]

[Speak up!]

As Jeon Wook and Shennong both pressed for answers, I felt my mind clouded due to the tension in the air. I’d never imagined being scolded by two Sovereigns would feel like this; I quickly waved my hands dismissively.

“Uh… I don’t really know for sure, but it could be something bad… think, think!!”

I desperately blurted out whatever came to mind, but I was at a loss for coherent sentences.

I knew the mask was bad, but I couldn’t articulate why it was bad.

[…….]

[…….]

Jeon Wook and Shennong looked at me, incredulous. Knowing they wouldn’t wait long for an answer, I racked my brain desperately.

‘The mask’s bad—uh, why is it bad? Damn… my brain’s empty….’

In a panic, I blurted out.

“If you wear the mask, the Emperor becomes its owner! So, the Emperor could control the people wearing the mask at will!”

What the heck did I just say? I don’t even get it!

Am I about to die for this?

I regretted how haphazardly I had spoken, and in a flash, the idea of death popped into my mind, but their reactions were unexpected.

[The mask’s… owner….]

Jeon Wook repeated what I said, as if it sparked something in him. Meanwhile, Shennong, with his arms crossed, looked at me sharply and spoke.

[Interesting! However, that relationship isn’t entirely one-sided. We made sure to establish ways to avoid getting manipulated by him. This contract forged by divine power cannot be broken, yet you, Baek Woong, are saying the Emperor is using us?]

“Um, it seems so….”

I didn’t understand what Shennong was saying. Either way, it seems putting on the mask wasn’t just beneficial to the Emperor; it felt like some sort of protection due to a contract. I nodded along, even in a soulless voice.

“Can’t you break the contract, though…?”

What am I even saying?

Saying it like it was “take it or leave it,” but my hands and feet felt numb from fear.

I was just going along, speaking from the gut.

[……!!]

Shennong flinched slightly, while Jeon Wook’s expression hardened as if he had made a decision.

‘What? Just saying whatever seems to be working? In that case….’

Feeling a little relieved, I decided to lighten the atmosphere with a joke.

“Just don’t confuse ‘breaking’ (破器) with ‘destroying’ (破棄)!~ Hahaha.”

[…….]

Uh-oh, did I really just screw that up?

“Um, what I meant was they sound similar but mean different things… it’s a funny joke about breaking a vessel….”

[Quit with the nonsense and answer the question.]

“Yes.”

[Why are you so involved in this war and trying to stop the gods from fighting? Are you against the Emperor’s plan?]

As Jeon Wook questioned me, my mind began to regain some clarity, allowing me to sharpen my focus. After collecting my thoughts briefly, I answered.

“Yes. The Emperor is effectively screwing everyone over, right? I can’t just stand by and watch.”

[Can you say that with confidence? The Emperor and we are immortals whose divine status will accompany us to the edge of the universe. What could he possibly gain by betraying us?]

I felt something curious about Jeon Wook’s question. There was an underlying intent in his words, but I couldn’t quite grasp it.

‘…Wait. Wasn’t there that time when Lee Kwang questioned Mangnyang during the rebellion against Great Ming? It felt something like this…!’

I intuitively realized there was a similarity between one of those past events and my current situation, and in that moment, I understood Jeon Wook’s intention. Though astonished to have randomly hit the nail on the head, I maintained a composed expression while smirking.

“You must be thinking that there’s no way you won’t stick together until the end. Plus, the end of the universe might come sooner than expected.”

[…Is that so?]

Jeon Wook appeared to lower his guard, crossing his arms while contemplating. Observing Jeon Wook, Shennong seemed to hold back from attacking but remained vigilant.

After a while, Jeon Wook finally spoke to me.

[I won’t ask how you obtained my power. Instead, I will recognize you, Baek Woong, as my Apostle.]

“Thank you.”

[Since the law of cause and effect remains intact, there’s no need for a separate contract as an Apostle.]

He raised his voice as he summoned out loud.

[Jeogok!! Stop and come here.]

Pow!

With that call, a dazzling multi-colored light burst forth from another part of the battlefield, and a massive white giant, Jeogok, flew forward to stand right in front of Jeon Wook. After landing, Jeogok looked stunned at the sudden situation. Glancing at Shennong, he opened another dimension door and promptly vanished.

Boom…

Suddenly, with the enemies retreating, the chaos settled down a bit, and I sighed.

“Phew.”

Pow!

Before I knew it, Primordial Heaven Master and Taishang Laojun had joined me. They politely bowed to Shennong before speaking.

“Even if they’ve retreated, they’ll still be waiting in the depths of the Divine Temple’s throne.”

[Perhaps. Fuxi and Nüwa will be the first to confront them.]

“Isn’t it time to summon the powerful giants of the Giant Race to support us in the Divine Temple? With their help, we might seize victory.”

[No. It’s pointless. This Divine Temple is like the Emperor’s realm; mere mortals won’t be able to help. Even if there were billions of the Giant Race’s forces, they’d be annihilated with just a finger from the Emperor.]

Responding to that, Shennong turned his gaze toward me and said.

[Baek Woong. Then I have something to ask of you right now.]

“Yes?”

Shennong leaned his colossal body toward me. When his face came close enough for me to see into his eyes, the silver giant spoke.

[Take off the mask.]