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“The Soul of the Evil God.”

In that moment, I could see the Four Great Spirit Deities one by one detaching from the Wheel and coming toward me. Among them, Agni and Vajra were radiating such intense power that it was hard to ignore. Then, the figure of Agni manifested before me and spoke.

“You shall achieve the Law of Destruction!”

Phaaht!

I was catapulted back into reality with a bright light, and there it was—a massive Demon shrouded in chaos, overshadowing the skies. It looked as if it were the “Old Ruler,” a colossal entity encased in the swirling powers of magic, almost like a shadowy demon.

‘Zhuge Sa!’

Surely, Zhuge Sa was using every bit of his strength to seal that demon. Meanwhile, Miho was pouring all her lunar magic into the seal as if to aid Zhuge Sa. It was an amazing concentration of power; it felt like the demon could be contained at this level.

Just then, a bright and cheerful voice rang in my ears.

“The Portrait Immortal Liu Ha has arrived~!”

“……”

The kid smiled brightly and said.

“Hehe. It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”

Of course, I recognized the owner of the voice. Among the four who appeared with Zhuge Sa, there was no way I would forget that familiar face. But it hit me—why had he come here?

What help could he possibly provide now?

The ability to open the “Gate” felt utterly pointless now… Even if the gods came as helpers, it wouldn’t change the situation that much.

“Liu Ha, this really is the end, isn’t it?”

I sighed, pushing aside my thoughts. I infused my mental strength into the floating Four Great Spirit Deities and glared at the Demon’s cocoon hovering above.

“Even if I die, I’m going to hit that thing one last time.”

Just as I was about to rush forward…

Swoosh!

BOOM!!

“Listen to me before you go, will ya~!”

Liu Ha suddenly grabbed my collar and tossed me onto the ground.

“Cough!! What the hell was that?”

As I got up, irritated, Liu Ha said something totally out of the blue.

“Zhuge Yulong isn’t dead.”

“……!!”

What the heck?!

Stunned, I stared at Liu Ha, who continued.

“He’ll be here soon.”

“Wha…?! I thought he was killed by the Apostle Halchi Olleifra during the war against the Nazis?!”

“It was recorded that he was petrified. But…”

Liu Ha laughed.

“Zhuge Bu was lying~ Hundreds of years ago, he started planning to assassinate the Emperor.”

“What…?!”

“A long, long plan… just to feature in this very moment.”

As I looked blankly, Liu Ha suddenly fiddled with the huge headset on his ears, looking deep in thought.

Then he stepped closer, gazing into my eyes with his big, round ones, and suddenly gave me a sharp slap on the forehead.

Smack!

“Ugh.”

Wincing in pain, I frowned while Liu Ha grinned.

“Even ten million years later, remember Liu Ha and Liu Oh! It’s a promise.”

“I got it. I’ll remember.”

“Hehe….”

Liu Ha, with his innocent smile, said,

“This has been surprisingly fun, you blockhead Emperor.”

Woosh – !!

In the next moment, a blue light began to surge from Liu Ha’s body. Right beside him, a blazing crimson light was summoned, contrasting Liu Ha’s blue spirit. Liu Ha became completely translucent, and with closed eyes, he reached out to clasp hands with the red spirit on the opposite side.

‘Liu Oh…!!’

When I realized that the red spirit was actually Liu Ha’s twin brother, Liu Oh, I gasped. Liu Ha had become the blue spirit, while Liu Oh became the red one! Then a wild thought crossed my mind, and moments later, I saw Liu Ha and Liu Oh clasping hands and overlapping.

Wooooo!!

The blue and red spirits tangled and twisted in a chaotic fusion, like ancient chaos itself. Eventually, something took form, and the unmistakable sight appeared before me.

The white-haired Portrait Immortal!

Not only did the features match completely, but this one had black hair. Knowing his name sent a shiver down my spine.

“…Liu Jin?”

The ultimate weapon of the Great Bear Empire, the specialized Portrait Immortal!

He had fought in place of Zhuge Bu during the war against the Nazis!

In response to my question, the black-haired Portrait Immortal nodded with an icy gaze.

“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“……”

I was speechless for a while at Liu Jin’s appearance, but then something clicked, and I spoke.

“Wait… were Liu Ha and Liu Oh created solely to bring you back?”

“Yes. They were made specifically for this moment of doom.”

My bad feeling was confirmed.

As I sat there in shock, Liu Jin explained.

“The strongest Portrait Immortal created using Divine Blood. Although it exists, it’s a contradiction between being and not being. It could maintain peak power and purity momentarily, but in exchange, could only remain in reality for three days. Even if it’s a disembodied form, I couldn’t keep summoning the strongest Portrait Immortal in a situation where you might not return.”

“So….”

“On the surface, Liu Ha and Liu Oh appeared to be failures, but in truth, they were Portrait Immortals meant to summon the ultimate Portrait Immortal. If they combine their powers, I could come back to this world anytime. This was a secret technique from Zhuge Yulong’s generations that even the Great Bear Empire’s Portrait Research Department was unaware of.”

“……”

“This was a lineage of inheritance for a single race known as the Portrait Immortal.”

“That… that’s not important!”

I hastily interrupted Liu Jin, exclaiming.

“Why? Why come this far with the sacrifice of Liu Ha and Liu Oh… what is the meaning? And what’s with the fact that Zhuge Yulong is still alive…?”

“……”

Liu Jin suddenly showed a hint of sorrow on his face. He walked forward and said,

“…According to the pact with the Celestial Realm, the seal of the Primordial Void has already been released. Moreover, my father will fulfill his final role.”

Liu Jin suddenly stretched out his hand towards the sky. Instantly, the illusion of countless stars falling began, and beams of light numbering 108 shot down toward Liu Jin like shooting stars.

Whooosh!

Paaaaah!!

In no time, Liu Jin was engulfed in a blaze of Star Flames. Likely influenced by an intense hellfire, his body did not burn away but began to form into a perfectly round shape, meticulously controlling each light like orbs.

Ka-ting!

The perfectly spherical glow of stellar flames began to emit immense power after a brief moment. I involuntarily gasped at the sight.

“A Constellation!! No way?!”

Liu Jin shouted with a voice that echoed through the realm, his hands raised to the heavens.

[To the 108 Constellations that have fallen into this world since ancient times… I, the Portrait Immortal Liu Jin, offer all my life and soul; devour my body!! Let the Divine Blood within me ignite your light even more!]

Gooooo!!!

The 108 Constellations embedded in Liu Jin’s body sparkled gloriously like pearls, and soon transformed into a monstrous mass of power boiling like a furnace. I immediately realized the severity of the situation and gasped again.

“Stop! Your body will explode!!!”

The absorption of the Constellations!

The Constellations were the cosmic sources of celestial power scattered throughout the Great Universe. The source of the Old Ruler’s strength closely resembled that of the Constellations; just one or two of them could wreak havoc. Just look at Xiang Yu’s prowess when he handled a handful of them effortlessly!

Yet, there was no way any Portrait Immortal could absorb all 108 Constellations that once existed among the ancients!! Even for me, struggling to control one or two bestowed by Xiang Yu was like a nightmare, so how could he manage 108?

Then it happened.

I distinctly saw a brief apparition of Zhuge Yulong behind Liu Jin.

“…….”

No way! Zhuge Yulong….

As I stood there blankly, Liu Jin spoke with a voice that sounded as if he were forcing through pain.

[To erase every trace that would lead the demon to him, my father… transformed himself into a Constellation while forging a pact with the ancients. Using the technique of incinerating everything human—body and soul—he became a Constellation for the Primordial Void.]

“……”

[This power… was cultivated for hundreds of years to aid you at the very end.]

With those words, Liu Jin suddenly plunged forward, shouting,

[For the king of humanity!!]

Like an arrow, Liu Jin shot forward. The 108 Constellations glowing around him formed a cluster of light that zipped through the skies, penetrating straight through to the demon cocoon shrouded in darkness, flying right past Miho and Zhuge Sa.

BOOM!!!

With a heavy destructive sound, Liu Jin’s blazing form enveloped the demon’s cocoon like a warm hug. From within erupted a thunderous roar mixed with a tremendous rage.

[An utterly meaningless struggle!]

“Eternal Dance!”

BOOM!

The mighty force of the demon exploded out, and Liu Jin’s body was torn apart. One arm escaped from the cocoon but soon, each piece of Liu Jin’s torn body transformed into particles of light and I could see hundreds of Constellations clinging to the demon.

[I am the ultimate Portrait Immortal, Liu Jin.]

Liu Jin’s final scream echoed.

[Don’t you underestimate the deeds of humans and Portrait Immortals, Demon!!]

Crackle!

[Grrghh!]

The demon seemed to mockingly destroy everything with a single blow, trying to escape the cocoon, but this time, Liu Jin’s action had truly bound it. The demon’s voice grew softer, and its movements ceased.

The seal created by using the 108 Constellations!!

And it was crafted from the strongest Portrait Immortal who possessed the Divine Blood and sacrificed himself!

There could hardly be a stronger seal in existence.

In that moment, Zhuge Sa leaped in joy, his usual stoic demeanor completely transformed by elation.

[This is unbelievable! I never expected this. This is truly a stroke of genius…!! Now, perhaps…!]

Even Zhuge Sa, who was usually calm and collected, recognized this as a monumental opportunity. Instantly, I propelled myself forward, activating the Four Great Spirit Deities.

I had to do this.

I was determined to throw the Four Great Spirit Deities at the demon!!

Just then, the heavens cracked open.

Whooooosh!!!

Zhuge Sa and Miho’s gazes shot up to the sky. Zhuge Sa spat out a name.

“Guang Chengzi.”

The boy, in golden robes and a Daoist robe, held a huge staff in his left hand and began to transform, emitting an intense glow from his whole body.

“I never imagined the demon would face a crisis like this. I’ve underestimated the power of humans…”

A gentle, seemingly benevolent voice flowed from Guang Chengzi as he transformed.

“Pitiful beings. Let me show you what it means to truly maintain the Universe.”

Ki-ki-ki-ki!!

Guang Chengzi’s figure grew enormous, morphing into a giant with four arms. Despite this, his human appearance remained almost unchanged, and a massive lotus throne symbolizing immense compassion was summoned to support him. Sitting cross-legged, he finally declared his true name.

[I, the Maintainer, Vishnu shall take the finale of this doom!!]

The overwhelming divine power…!!

I sensed the immense pressure spread through the realm, akin to being face-to-face with Nüwa. Thankfully, unlike before, I wasn’t gasping for breath or immobilized, maybe due to summoning the Four Great Spirit Deities.

Swoosh!

The next moment, a colossal disk engraved with flowers shot forth from Vishnu’s hand, creating an eerie sound as it targeted Miho. In a panic, Miho swung her tail to deflect it.

Clang!

[Aaaargh!!]

Vishnu’s disk sliced through three of Miho’s tails in one move, nearly beheading her. Even though Miho was powerful, it felt as though she had hardly stood a chance against him! Considering it was a battle of pure strength between gods rather than manipulation of the Law of Cause and Effect, Vishnu’s abilities shone through as immensely superior.

Rumble!

At that moment, Zhuge Sa intensified his absorption of magic energy, pushing the demon into a critical condition. He had decided that even if both of them attacked simultaneously, they couldn’t defeat Vishnu and focused on inflicting more damage on the demon instead.

[….]

But then Zhuge Sa suddenly paused, as if caught off guard, and Vishnu commented as if he had anticipated it.

[You have already paid the price for your spell in the Divine Temple. No matter how external that spell is, there are limits, surely?]

[Ha….]

[If you repay your debts faster than they accumulate, then all is well.]

Zhuge Sa smirked, chuckling.

[Hahaha… absurd. I never thought the Emperor’s accumulated laws and magic would be this much….]

[Very well. Then I’ll take my leave.]

CRASH!

A brilliant radiance erupted behind Vishnu. His eyes glinted as a splendid array of seven-colored light began to rise, each light holding enough power to obliterate an entire planet, and thousands of them were arising all at once. This devastated Underworld could very well collapse upon that strike from Vishnu.

Could Vishnu’s powers be this overwhelming?

Or rather, should I have predicted this back when he fought against Nüwa’s real body?

In that moment, I realized I was at a crossroads.

Should I use the Four Great Spirit Deities to counter Vishnu’s attack?

Or should I land the final blow on the demon in peril right now?

“……”

There was no real question. I shouted to Vishnu and charged at the demon.

“Vishnu!! I’m faster than you!!”

There was a chance I wouldn’t have enough strength to kill the demon while countering Vishnu’s attack.

If everyone has given me this chance up to now, then killing the demon should be the top priority!

*

[……?!]

“First, I’ll kill the demon!”

The next moment, I deployed all the Four Great Spirit Deities and attacked the demon.

“Agni!! Vayu…!!”

[What?!]

Vishnu seemed startled, momentarily stopping the emission of the flower radiance. Naturally, he thought I would counterattack with the Four Great Spirit Deities, but no one expected that I would disregard my life and eliminate the demon first!

CRACK!!

Flames from Agni first burst forth, engulfing the demon’s entire body in fire. Following that, when Vayu created a whirlwind around the demon, the force of the flames intensified significantly.

Rooooar!!

I felt the demon’s groans escaping, like an overpowering scream that was oddly familiar. As soon as I recognized that sound, it hit me hard.

It worked.

With the attacks of the Four Great Spirit Deities, they could damage the demon!”

“Varuna!!”

I didn’t stop there; I summoned Varuna to shield against Vishnu’s late attack on my ally. A colossal wall of water rose into the air, blocking Vishnu’s flower radiance.

Shhhoooom!

Though it couldn’t completely stop the radiance, the radiant spears of light pierced half-heartedly through the water barrier. Regardless, it seemed like my allies, Miho and Zhuge Sa, had just avoided an urgent crisis. Now that I could freely wield the Four Great Spirit Deities, I felt like I could hold my own against the Three Sovereigns!

No, it wasn’t just a feeling.

If I fully leveraged the Four Great Spirit Deities, I could totally win!!

“This is it…!!”

I clenched the power of the lightning spirit with one hand and gritted my teeth, launching myself like a spring towards the demon.

“Vajra!!”

Thwack!

Right at that moment, I aimed to pierce the demon’s heart with Vajra.

[I do not acknowledge you!!]

A voice echoed in my head.

Crackle!

“Huh…?”

The Vajra imbued with lightning energy had pierced my own heart instead of the demon’s.

Vajra turned on me of its own volition instead of hitting the demon!!

Thud!

I felt my eyesight fade, and my mind growing increasingly distant.

This can’t be happening.

Right at the very end to face such absurdity….

[Baek Woong!!]

Miho’s piercing scream resounded achingly in my ear.

At that moment, I came up with a ridiculous thought.

‘Oh? Even if I die because of Vajra, it’s not the worst thing…’

I realized that even if I died right there, I’d be beginning my 29th life. That could very well be a win condition for me, right? Besides, I had already managed to dish out some good damage with Agni, so that goal was met!

Thud!

I could vividly feel my body collapsing into the void. It didn’t feel like my own, and I fully grasped that it was the end.

However….

I felt a presence firmly grasping my consciousness, hovering between light and dark.

Always the same sensation.

I felt that last step just before death.

Initially with wild despair, but as time passed, I recognized it just as one more fleeting moment.

In that split second, I wrestled with all my thoughts, but I couldn’t shake off one single notion.

I don’t want to run anymore…

Running away seems smart, but what the hell am I saying?

This must be madness.

Yet, at that critical moment before death, that thought became more insistent. Because reflecting on my entire life thus far—not having a chance to take a proper vengeance just felt unbearably filthy, especially standing here unfulfilled in front of the absolute powerhouse.

After all, if the Emperor truly possessed powers, my death couldn’t even be orchestrated as he liked.

When a cold thought came to my mind—just as expected, I felt ‘something’ tightly gripping my fading consciousness.

Yank!

In my ethereal state, I cautiously glanced back at that ‘something.’ It appeared to be the Emperor’s colossal golden hands, tightly holding me like a bird in a cage.

At the same time, I could hear the Emperor’s radiant laughter ringing out.

[Hahaha… it’s useless…. Even if you die by Vajra’s power, how can death come to you in a realm where I’ve sealed the Underworld? Here, this tedious fight will finally come to an end.]

…….

Was there no method of escape from the very start?

If that’s so, what does it make of the sacrifices of all my companions who fought with their wisdom, power, and bravery?

No….

It’s just too unfair….

Regardless of any outcome, I wouldn’t be able to close my eyes without dealing a final blow….

But since there seemed to be no way out, I closed my eyes in despair.

[My King.]

A voice echoed to my ears from the edge of the abyss.

[There’s still one final move left.]

 

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