1172——————==

Soul of the Evil God

Despite the outrageous suggestion to find the Compass of Guiding right away, I had a pretty good idea of what I needed to do. After all, I had way too many experiences diving headfirst into the unknown to hunt for treasures or clues.

‘If the Compass of Guiding is a legend from the dawn of Chinese civilization, there’s no way even the Great Bear Empire could easily find it. I need a different approach. First, I could use the National Seal to check or ask a prophet.’

But since I had already dedicated the National Seal to the Land and Earth Diagram, I didn’t have it on me. Just as I was about to head directly to the prophet, I hesitated.

“……”

When you offer something to a prophet, you usually get a decent answer immediately, but that means it’s a transaction. A transaction means I have to give up something I have, and I have no idea what kind of conditions the prophet might demand about the Compass of Guiding.

‘This feels awkward…’

Of course, I could just leave without a second thought, but something felt off. I had a gut feeling that meeting the prophet right now wouldn’t result in a decent deal! For some reason, I couldn’t explain logically why, but my instincts had saved me from innumerable crises before, so I couldn’t ignore it.

So, is there a better way than just asking the prophet outright?

“…Aha!”

Bam!

I quickly used the powers of the Jade Emperor to teleport to the Celestial Realm’s throne. Then I called over a nearby celestial official.

“I’m going to visit the Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens.”

[Shall I summon the Jade Emperor’s Chariot?]

Boom!

A moment later, a majestic chariot led by four spirit beasts was summoned, and I stepped inside. I could feel the chariot start to move slowly.

Rumble rumbler –

The spirit beasts began using their powers to fly the chariot through the skies. It’s a privilege of the Jade Emperor that allowed me to have four spirit beasts pulling the chariot—something that’s a rarity even in the Celestial Realm, thanks to the special artifact, the Jade Emperor’s Chariot.

How many bolts of lightning and thunder passed? Before I knew it, we had arrived at the residence of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, the Jade Maiden Cave, where she had moved right after the trial of the tower finished.

Upon meeting the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, she said,

[Jade Emperor, what brings you here?]

“I won’t beat around the bush! I have three questions to ask.”

Right now, as the Jade Emperor, I opted to use a casual tone instead of formalities. I stared directly into the Heavenly Mysterious Woman’s eyes and continued.

“First. Do you know the whereabouts of the Compass of Guiding used by the Emperor to defeat Chi You?”

[I do not know. It belongs to the Emperor.]

With that answer, my business for coming to see her was already going down the drain. But I didn’t care and kept talking.

“Second. You have faced Chi You, haven’t you? According to legend, your help along with Shenglong was crucial in giving the Emperor the upper hand. How was that possible?”

[…….]

This was a significant question.

The overwhelming power of Chi You is something we can’t even predict in the current state; how could the Heavenly Mysterious Woman and Shenglong possibly assist in sealing him? Of course, they are no weaklings, but the legend that they played a decisive role in the Emperor’s victory over Chi You was troubling.

“I must know the details of that battle as the Jade Emperor.”

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman didn’t answer. Instead, she asked in return,

[Could you please finish your third question? I would like to answer both together.]

“Alright. The third question is a bit direct, so brace yourself.”

I shot her a somewhat intense gaze and continued.

“You are a subordinate of the Emperor and a member of the Divine Temple, aren’t you?”

This needed some clarification.

Up until now, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman had been a formidable ally, so I hadn’t dared to provoke her recklessly, but now it was time to clarify her identity.

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman took a moment as if contemplating something. After a short pause, she spoke.

[That was the case in the past.]

“The past, huh… So you’re saying it’s not the case anymore?”

[As you mentioned, until the Great Battle against Chi You, I fought as a member of the Divine Temple. However, after that, Shenglong remained, while I left the Divine Temple.]

“I can’t believe that. It would make much more sense if you were still under the Emperor’s control and retained indirect dominion over the Celestial Realm.”

[There’s nothing I can do about whether you believe it. But if I were really the Emperor’s subordinate, I could have taken control of the Celestial Realm much sooner.]

“……”

[I am only interested in protecting the land. I have never surrendered my heart to the Emperor.]

Is that really true?

I felt a pang of unease and was about to question the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.

“But you are…”

The Guardian of the Sun, aren’t you?

I flinched!

I closed my mouth. The words I was about to spill got stuck in my throat.

‘Why…. Hmm… If I ask this, things will be clear.’

I couldn’t understand myself. According to what I obtained from my past life, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman is the [Guardian of the Sun] and the Mother of Earth, the spirit goddess! Knowing this, I couldn’t take her declaration of severing ties with the Emperor at face value. If she really had severed ties, why was she still being summoned as the Guardian of the Sun? While it might be possible that she was appointed as the guardian right from the creation of the Seven Luminaries, that still left plenty of doubt.

Thinking like this, I naturally had to ask. But for some strange reason, the question wouldn’t come to my lips.

This question felt… wrong.

What was the reason?

Why shouldn’t I ask this question?

“……”

Damn it…. My head couldn’t come up with a reason….

At this point, I decided to stick with my gut. It would be much easier to extract detailed information from the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, but for now, I resolved to be more cautious. I cleared my throat and spoke.

“Ahem. Anyway, tell me how you fought Chi You.”

[The doubts directed towards me will unravel as I assist you, Jade Emperor.]

Boom!

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman stretched out her slender hand and summoned a white sphere into the void. As it gradually grew to the size of a watermelon, light emanated from the sphere, forming various shapes. Each of these shapes seemed to symbolize something. I recognized one in the shape of a dragon and murmured.

“Shenglong, huh?”

It seemed like she was using some sorcery to easily visualize the key players of the Great Battle. The Heavenly Mysterious Woman moved the light figures while explaining.

[The Emperor faced Chi You, and as a result, lost every single battle he fought. He never won even once, and in fact, the battle never even commenced. Chi You tore through the Emperor’s avatar and disciples so easily that in the end, he was busy fleeing.]

“……”

[The Emperor requested my and Shenglong’s assistance. If we helped, he promised to ensure a minimum amount of order and life in the tumultuous land filled with the [Old Rulers]. So, Shenglong and I participated.]

“I already knew that part. The important thing is, what methods did you and Shenglong deploy to provide the Emperor the upper hand when even he was at the mercy of Chi You?”

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman wore a somewhat bitter expression.

[We participated at the Emperor’s request, who asked us to buy time until he completed his sorcery within the Tournament of the Tower. We succeeded in holding off Chi You, and this became the driving force behind the Emperor’s victory.]

“……?”

[It seems our role was to buy time.]

Huh? What kind of nonsense is this?

I proclaimed incredulously to the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.

“Even if it was a 2 versus 1, Chi You’s power was so overwhelming that he could tear the Emperor apart; how could you possibly hold him off? That doesn’t make any sense….”

The power dynamics simply did not align. Both Shenglong and the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, when showing their true essence as spirit beings, are beings on par with the Three Sovereigns, while the Emperor himself is far beyond even those mighty beings. Given this, how could this fight even make sense? Even if they fought together, they should have been swept away the second Chi You decided to get serious.

Yet here was the Heavenly Mysterious Woman claiming they successfully managed to stall Chi You!

She continued.

[It’s not false. It really happened. Chi You, oddly, did not display the overwhelming power he normally showed against me and Shenglong.]

“Did you possibly use some sealing sorcery or powers against Chi You?”

[There’s no way anything like that would work against Chi You. We just fought as we were. But how should I put it….]

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman looked as if she was recalling something from the past.

[It felt as if we were fighting with our hands tied—or something unnatural. It wasn’t the boundless power he normally displayed against the Emperor and his priests.]

“……”

[Even so, he was still overwhelmingly strong, and we merely bought time without inflicting even a scratch on him. Both Shenglong and I were on the brink of annihilation back then…. Shenglong still bears scars from being torn by Chi You since then.]

What does that mean?

You didn’t even use sealing techniques, but Chi You weakened on his own?

As I tilted my head in confusion, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman continued.

[I suspect the Compass of Guiding may have something to do with it…. However, after the Tournament ended, the Emperor entrusted the Compass of Guiding to Jeogok, and so no one knows its whereabouts.]

“You don’t know the specific powers of the Compass of Guiding? The legends say it’s simply an artifact that points to the South.”

[Yes. I don’t. That legend is merely speculation…. Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen has never disclosed the specific abilities of the Compass of Guiding to anyone.]

“Could it be…?”

[The Compass of Guiding was likely the Emperor’s secret weapon.]

With that, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman continued.

[However, I can venture a guess about one place.]

“Where is that?”

[The Sacred Place of the Miao Tribe—Double Divine Mountain. I once obtained information that Jeogok had taken the Compass of Guiding there. He likely sealed Chi You’s body there.]

“Miao Tribe? Double Divine Mountain…?”

I furrowed my brow. Then I said.

“Sounds like a place I’ve never heard of. Anyway, thank you.”

Boom!

After gaining a clue from the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, I went to the Cheon Woo-jin. I said,

“Cheon Woo-jin, find out about the Miao Tribe’s Sacred Place known as Double Divine Mountain.”

Chiing –

Cheon Woo-jin summoned a hologram and quickly searched before saying,

[Double Divine Mountain symbolizes the resting place of the two divine birds that are the primordial deities of the Miao Tribe. According to legend, the two birds will meet at a single location after the end of the world’s creation. Additionally, tribal elders and chieftains have offered sacrifices at Double Divine Mountain for generations to pray for the Miao Tribe’s peace.]

“Divine birds? So where exactly is Double Divine Mountain?”

[Double Divine Mountain is merely a legend passed down through Miao oral tradition. We can’t find any additional information despite searching across the global virtual network.]

I crossed my arms at Cheon Woo-jin’s words.

“So you’re saying we need to go there and ask directly?”

Boom!

After receiving the coordinates of the colony where people passing down the traditions of the Miao Tribe lived, I headed straight there. However, when I questioned the Miao Tribe about the location of the elder, they all showed reluctance to answer. They seemed somewhat uncomfortable talking about it. Eventually, one of them whispered a comment.

“She’s been in seclusion since exposing the real estate corruption of the former mayor of Henan Province, Zhang Lubing, worth 2.5 trillion….”

“Wow, that guy ate a lot…”

“Zhang Lubing was sentenced to life imprisonment, so his life is over…. Fortunately, the corruption wasn’t tied to the Miao Tribe, but they are wary of her prophetic abilities, so she’s been kept in seclusion by the military.”

“So where do I have to go?”

“Up on that hill, it’s a military restricted area. We usually visit her there.”

When I saw the military personnel guarding the boundary with the village near the coordinates, I showed them the ID I had received from Sagong Lin. The officer in charge, a Major named Bi-Gwi, was shocked.

“Ah! I apologize! Please, come in!”

I was soon able to arrive at a small three-story building constructed in modern style and, inside, meet the elder of the Miao Tribe. She was a woman in her thirties wearing a long padded coat who had an inexplicably mystical aura.

“Hmph. You’ve kept me locked up for seven years just because I exposed the corruption of politicians through prophecy…. How long do you intend to keep this up?”

She eyed me with disdain in the interview room, suddenly widening her eyes.

“……!! H-how is this level of power possible! A sorcerer’s abilities at least tens or even hundreds of thousands of times more powerful?!”

She also seemed like an uncommon and powerful sorceress, but recognizing the level of power I possessed, she appeared horrified. As she was astonished, I addressed her.

“I am Baek Woong. I would like you to tell me everything you know about the Miao Tribe’s legend surrounding Double Divine Mountain.”

“……”

“If you share everything you know, I will release you from your confinement and provide ample compensation.”

The elder of the Miao Tribe, seemingly enchanted, began to speak. I was able to hear all about the Miao Tribe’s secret myths and tradition not available online, and eventually, I stumbled upon something that made no sense and asked her.

“I’ve enjoyed the tales. However, what reason could there possibly be that no one can travel to Double Divine Mountain?”

Her aura seemed to shrink back as if subdued by my power, and she cautiously replied with a nervous look.

“…I recognize you are a divine being. Ah, perhaps even a legendary Great Immortal, or more than that….”

For a moment, she wore a panicked expression as she continued.

“However, even if you are a god, you cannot travel to Double Divine Mountain, for it only appears in reality for a brief moment.”

“It means that Double Divine Mountain remains in a fictional dimension and only manifests on the surface for a moment. When does that happen?”

“When the two divine birds embrace one another. The Ka-ti represents the past, and the Ya-ji represents the future; thus, they can only meet at a singular point.”

“……?”

“That’s why no one in Miao history has ever gone to Double Divine Mountain…”

I responded incredulously.

“What do you mean? How can a bird from the past meet a bird from the future? That doesn’t make any sense!”

“I don’t know what it means either, but that’s what the legend says. It says it only appears at that one moment…”

“…Anyway, fine. Thanks for the info.”

I called out to the major standing outside.

“Release this person immediately. Apologize to her with all the officials kneeling before her for keeping her in confinement all this time.”

“What…? No way! Even a special guest from the Imperial Palace can’t just give orders like that. Do you know who I am?”

“Can’t hear me? Just wait a second.”

I pulled out my smartphone from my pocket and dialed Sagong Lin.

[Baek Woong, what’s up?]

“Sagong Lin, I encountered this situation while looking for the Compass of Guiding…”

After briefly explaining the situation, I handed the phone to the major.

“Hey, just pick it up.”

When the major took my call, he broke into a cold sweat.

“Long live the great Sagong Lin! Long live! Long live!”

The major, still pale-faced, continued to express his allegiance repeatedly over the phone. Moments later, he knelt in front of me, tears streaming down his face.

“P-please just spare my life…. I’ll apologize on behalf of all the officials…. And according to the Emperor’s orders, I will provide monetary compensation… Please just spare my family…. Please, I beg you not to pursue my older brother…”

After comprehending what Sagong Lin had likely said, I nodded casually.

“Sure, whatever…”

I made a disinterested reply and walked off without looking back. It seemed there was some kind of story tied to this place, but I didn’t really care at the moment.

‘Now that I’ve gathered some information, should I ask the prophet about Double Divine Mountain?… No, that doesn’t feel right yet.’

For now, I think it would be better to gather the information I’d acquired and convey it to Zhuge Liang.

Boom!

After hearing my reports, Zhuge Liang said,

“I can roughly guess the location of Double Divine Mountain. It’s likely Taebaeksan in the Korean Peninsula.”

“Huh? How can you be so sure just from that?”

Surprised, I questioned Zhuge Liang as he glanced at me.

“Do you remember anything about the Three Divine Mountains from previous Daoist memories?”

“That rings a bell. Mount Penglai, Mount Yingzhou, Mount Fangzhang. I’ve been to the entrance of the Five Demon Gate located on Mount Penglai many times in my past lives.”

“True. But you’ve never been to Mount Yingzhou or Mount Fangzhang.”

And with that, Zhuge Liang continued.

“Mount Yingzhou is said to reveal itself when the Time of Heaven meets the Time of Earth. These symbolic expressions mean that heaven represents the future and earth the past… and it perfectly aligns with the legend of Double Divine Mountain.”

“Are you saying the legends of Mount Yingzhou and Double Divine Mountain are the same?”

“It’s just speculation, but there’s a tale that holds a secret regarding the Three Divine Mountains. It says that only the Lord of Stars managing them would know the true nature of those mountains. Just like how nobody knew that the Five Demon Gate existed on Mount Penglai, each of the Three Divine Mountains is a separate dimension. Even in the Celestial Realm, not everything about them is known.”

Zhuge Liang opened his fan and said,

“And one more thing. This is decisive, but you’ve heard about the true identity of Mount Yingzhou from the Lord of Mount Penglai, Lee Heung-pae, in your past life, correct?”

“Uh? Um….”

I sifted through the murky memories.

And I realized what Zhuge Liang was alluding to.

[Hmm… There’s no direct way to get to Mount Penglai from here. But as you might know, Mount Penglai has the Divine Temple known as the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, so if we’re not careful, there’s a risk of provoking another of the Three Divine Mountains. However… on the earthly realm, there could be an entrance.]

[Mount Yingzhou is Taebaeksan on the Peninsula, and Mount Fangzhang is Baekdu Mountain. Both have dimensions laid over them, and just like Mount Penglai, the Lord of Stars has been managing the entrances to the Three Divine Mountains since ancient times.]

Oh right…!!

“……!!”

I changed my expression to one of realization, and Zhuge Liang smiled slightly.

“Mount Yingzhou is on the Taebaeksan of the Korean Peninsula. If you can meet the Lord managing that mountain, you could enter Mount Yingzhou…”

“B-but there’s no certainty. That’s just a similarity in legends; the probability of them being entirely different locations….”

“That’s not a bad idea either. More importantly, if you feel uneasy about going to the prophet, then you should really make the maximum effort to proceed without their help.”

Before heading directly to Taebaeksan, a thought struck me, and I asked Zhuge Liang.

“Is it okay to bring Jeong Do-ryeong along?”

“That fellow still seems dubious. Is it wise to intentionally bring trouble upon yourself?”

“But if that guy really is the Sorcerer of the Twelve Joules, he wouldn’t leak any vital information about the clan. Isn’t it worth trusting him to some degree? Also, he should be well-acquainted with the terrain of the Korean Peninsula, so he could be useful as a guide.”

“…If that’s the case.”

Finally, I managed to get permission to take Jeong Do-ryeong with me. Jeong Do-ryeong smiled brightly and performed a fist salute.

“Thank you so much! I never expected you’d actually take me along.”

“Don’t even think about betraying me.”

“Hahaha. Why would I do something so foolish as to betray the Jade Emperor and the Wheel King? I’d rather show goodwill since I’d prefer to live a bit more comfortably after death.”

Jeong Do-ryeong, adept in his response, continued.

“I know the terrain of Taebaeksan well, so I’ll lead the way.”

Boom!

Together with Jeong Do-ryeong, I traveled to Haeinsa Temple where I had once visited while taking the Golden Lamp path. Without a choice, it was the nearest location I had been. Upon seeing Haeinsa Temple, Jeong Do-ryeong appeared deeply moved.

“It’s been a while since I was here.”

“Have you been here before?”

“Just briefly while training in techniques. If we start from here, we should reach Taebaeksan quickly if I use fast traveling techniques, so follow my lead.”

Pat pat pat!

In less than a meal’s time, we reached the entrance of Taebaeksan. Upon arrival, I decided to follow Zhuge Liang’s strategy. I concentrated my mind and began chanting.

[Under the decree of the Jade Emperor Baek Woong, summon the bloodline of the Lord of Stars leading Mount Yingzhou!]

Whoooosh!

In front of me, a green light swirled, and a silhouette began to materialize.

‘No way!’

Until now, while the Three Divine Mountains suffered from the chaos in the Celestial Realm, the Emperor had the powers to summon the overseers of the Three Divine Mountains—a royal authority that allows the Emperor to directly call upon the bloodline of the Lord of Stars. Up until now, seeking the bloodline of the Lord had been exceedingly tedious, but now gaining the seat of the Jade Emperor made it so easy.

Boom…!!

Finally, the bloodline of the Lord overseeing Mount Yingzhou appeared before me!

The moment I laid eyes on it, my face hardened.

“……”

W-why is that guy… here?

“……”

The other person’s expression was equally frozen.

Swish!

We both instinctively reached for our swords at our waists. Jeong Do-ryeong, completely clueless, was rolling his eyes in confusion as a tense atmosphere thickened in the air, but the first to strike was the other party.

[Die, Emperor Baek Woong!!]

Absolute Realm

Empty Field of One Hundred Eighty Illusions

I could feel the intense loyalty emanating from the attack filled with desperate grudge. Since I had been preparing for this attack, I emptied my mind and unleashed my strongest technique, One Slash.

Infinite Slash!

Boom boom boom!

As the strike from the Absolute Realm collided, destruction broke out all around, with earth and sparks flying everywhere, and the surroundings collapsing into chaos. However, neither of us broke eye contact, and with distrust painted across my expression, I called his name.

“Hong Gil-dong.”

King of Yuldo and Elder of Manha Spiritual Gate.

Also, the formidable master of the Absolute Realm who had killed me with a single blow early in this life was now summoned before my eyes.

“`

 

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