1128——————==

Soul of the Evil God

As I fell silent at Gong Gong’s words, he continued.

[“If you want to take the Fire Spirit, go ahead. I won’t stop you.”]

“……”

I felt compelled to head towards the Fire Spirit’s room, but suddenly something dawned on me, and I hesitated. Then I spoke.

“Gong Gong. If I have no will to live, then please help me.”

[What do you mean?]

“There must be centuries of accumulated Fire Qi in the Fire Spirit right now. I would like your assistance in dealing with that.”

When I obtained the Fire Spirit before, I had used the Fire Dragon Sword to eliminate its Fire Qi. But not knowing if the Fire Dragon Sword is even in Luoyang now, I thought it best to seek Gong Gong’s help. Gong Gong responded in a lethargic voice.

[There’s nothing for me to do…. I won’t stop you, but I also owe you no loyalty.]

I activated the Fire Eye Golden Spirit to take a closer look at Gong Gong and let out a sigh.

‘Hmm… Unlike our world, Gong Gong’s body right now doesn’t bear the curse of flame set upon him by Zhu Rong. That means…’

Two possibilities could exist.

One is that Zhu Rong intentionally lifted the curse, and the other is…

‘Anyway, I can’t ask for Gong Gong’s cooperation in exchange for lifting the curse. If the curse is gone, how can I make him move?’

Though I could handle the Fire Qi with my full power, I wanted to minimize the risks. To do that, I needed to borrow Gong Gong’s strength.

After pondering this for a moment, I spoke to Gong Gong.

“Gong Gong. You say your lord has died and that you have no hope for life, yet you don’t take your own life. What is the reason for your unwillingness to see the end of the world?”

[……!! Huhuh… Are you trying to goad me into action?]

“I’m just curious.”

[Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen… I want to see what that snake-like creature will do at the end of days. I want to see what he has plotted after bringing destruction to all.]

“I see…”

If he has a desire, I can find a way to use it.

I realized that I had a means to persuade Gong Gong and smirked.

“I already know that. I can tell you.”

[…What?]

“Lord Fuxi foresaw the future and conveyed it to me. I’m the only one in the world who knows about it. Instead of anxiously waiting for the end, you can uncover the Emperor’s conspiracy through me.”

[I can’t believe it. You’re saying you’ll share that with me?]

“Yes. However, from now on, you must become my subordinate and help me control the Fire Spirit’s Qi.”

[……]

Gong Gong’s expression shifted to one of deep contemplation.

“If you don’t want to, that’s fine. Controlling the Fire Spirit’s Qi may be bothersome, but I do have my ways.”

As I pretended to walk towards the Fire Spirit’s room, Gong Gong hurriedly stopped me.

[Wait. If what you say is true, I will accept that proposal.]

“I thought you’d be more relaxed waiting for the end, but it seems otherwise?”

[Don’t be mocking. Even if I wait for the end, I recognize the likelihood of dying without knowing the Emperor’s conspiracy.]

Gong Gong mumbled as if hurt pridefully and slowly raised his giant sword.

[I will accept your offer.]

“Excellent. Let’s go.”

I headed for the Peach Garden where the Fire Spirit was located. I searched for the seeds of the Dragon Flower Tree near the Fire Spirit, but the stump that I knew was supposed to be there showed no signs of the seeds.

“Hmm?”

[What’s wrong?]

“It was definitely supposed to be here…”

I began to look for the peach trees in the garden, feeling a bit flustered. However, they were all half-decayed and dry, with no sign of the Dragon Flower Tree seeds around the stump.

‘Why aren’t they here?’

The seeds of the Dragon Flower Tree are like the seeds of the World Tree; obtaining them would be a significant help. But to think they wouldn’t be here! Especially with the Fire Spirit intact right over there, it didn’t make sense that only the seeds were missing.

‘Did someone take them…?’

But could that even happen? Even though Gong Gong had lost motivation, the barriers protecting the Fire Spirit were still in place, and Gong Gong was sitting there in a daze. What kind of ability would allow someone to bypass all those protections and only take the Dragon Flower Tree seeds without even glancing at the Fire Spirit?

‘Am I misunderstanding something?’

I was utterly perplexed, but I cleared my head and said to Gong Gong.

“Please control the Fire Spirit’s Qi.”

[I understand.]

Kugugugugu….

As Gong Gong reached out to grab the Fire Spirit, waves of tremendous Fire Qi surged, as if igniting his body. However, despite furrowing his brow, he absorbed and redirected the Fire Qi, sustaining little damage aside from a slight charring all over. This was to be expected, as he was originally a powerful figure and the curse had been lifted, meaning he could withstand even the Fire Spirit’s Qi without issue.

[It’s done.]

After finishing the control over the Fire, Gong Gong tossed the Fire Spirit towards me, and I quickly adjusted its position to inspect it. Indeed, the energy of the Fire Spirit was weakened to below half, and it seemed unable to reach the might of the Fire Spirit’s past.

‘But hey, even this much is a blessing…’

I addressed Gong Gong.

“By chance, did you know that the seeds of the Dragon Flower Tree existed in this peach garden? To be honest, I came to search for that as well.”

[Not at all… Did such a thing exist?]

“Hmm.”

[I kept my promise, so you have to keep yours too.]

“Then take this.”

I cast the spell stored within my obsidian, filled with memories from my 28th life cycle, and transmitted it to Gong Gong. I omitted any clues that might hint at me being a reincarnator.

Gong Gong shuddered violently and exclaimed.

[What… What is this? According to this memory, the world has already been destroyed once before, hasn’t it? Then how are you alive before me?]

“I have no reason to clarify that. This is just a foresight projected by Lord Fuxi; it’s merely a branch of the future.”

I lied casually.

[Hmm!]

“The important thing is that now you know about Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen’s schemes.”

I continued quietly.

“He plans to use the Three Sovereigns as offerings to ascend to the Throne alone. There’s not much time left until all of his wicked plans are complete.”

[……!!]

“However, this is merely a future read by Lord Fuxi. Thus, I’m unaware of how the pieces fit together to shape that future. So, I would appreciate your help.”

[How would you like me to assist?]

“Help me gather the Luminaries soon. Alternatively, you may battle the aliens invading this world right now.”

[…….]

“If you help me, there will be a chance for revenge against the Emperor.”

Gong Gong pondered for a while and nodded.

[Alright… I will do as you say!]

I felt that I had successfully made Gong Gong my subordinate.

‘Alright. Then I have gathered Moon Sovereign, Fire Spirit, and now I’ll look for Wood Element.’

I immediately called Mephistopheles.

“Mephistopheles, move to Mount Changbai. Bring the Giant Race with you.”

[Executing command.]

Pahat!

I could instantly move to Mount Changbai along with Gong Gong. Originally, the Wood Element was owned by the Master of the Twelve Joules found within the Mount Changbai Sacred City, so I thought to check if it was still there. However, the moment we arrived at Mount Changbai, I was taken aback.

“Ah… No?!”

Kugugugugu

Kurrrrrrr….

An enormous volcano! The vast pond of Mount Changbai, known as Heaven and Earth, was dry without a trace, and from its place, a terrifying plume of volcanic ash surged forth. In the center, molten lava continuously erupted like an active volcano!

Kukung!!

With a heavy rumble, the volcano erupted, and ash soared into the sky like a pillar.

I stood there in shock at the unforeseen situation, while Gong Gong appeared to be delighted.

[Huhuh. Looks like you’ve brought me here to recover my powers from this volcano?]

“Ah, no, well…”

[Just a moment, I’ll supplement my powers from the crater.]

Shooosh

As Gong Gong dove into the molten lava of Mount Changbai, I panicked and turned to Mephistopheles.

“M-Mephistopheles! What’s going on? This is supposed to be Mount Changbai, why is the volcano erupting?”

[Mount Changbai, also known as the Baekdu Mountain of the Great Korean Empire, has been active for 5 years, 4 months, and 3 days. The latent lava veins have erupted, leading the dormant volcano to undergo a devastating eruption, turning the northern and western regions into ruins.]

“……”

[It has been designated as a special danger zone; user discretion is advised.]

“So, does that mean the Sacred City atop it has also vanished?”

In response to my question, Mephistopheles emitted a pinging sound and replied.

[The term Sacred City does not exist.]

“What? So the Master of the Twelve Joules and the Manha Spiritual Gate are also gone?”

[The Master of the Twelve Joules is a term used in the musical system of the Great Korean Empire. Furthermore, the name Manha Spiritual Gate does not exist.]

“……?”

So neither the Master of the Twelve Joules nor the Manha Spiritual Gate exists?

What in the world happened to this place?

‘No way, the Master of the Twelve Joules was never the owner from the start?’

Feeling confused, I shook my head.

“Damn it… Then forget the Wood Element; I’ll have to find the Golden Crow or the Earth Spirit. But the Golden Crow… it would be difficult to enter the Sacred Place Paliyas, so I guess I’ll look for the Earth Spirit.”

I called out Gong Gong, who was bathing in lava.

“Gong Gong! Let’s go.”

[I understand. Where to?]

“To the Shangjing Longquan Prefecture, an old territory of Balhae.”

I wasn’t sure if the Earth Spirit was in Dark Heaven Village or not, but I had to head there to find any clues!

Paht!

With Mephistopheles’ assistance, I was able to immediately move to Shangjing Longquan Prefecture. Arriving there, I saw the ruins of Balhae’s capital, just as I had before, but somehow the vibes felt different from what I remembered.

‘Hmm… Why does it feel like this…?’

It felt strangely empty. When I arrived at the center of the ruins, I was shocked to discover a startling fact.

“The gate has been destroyed?!”

Indeed. The once mighty fortress gate that Lee Cheong-un had pounded all day with the Thunder Spirit technique lay in tatters, as if it had been discarded like a rag. Lee Cheong-un had said that not even a hundred thousand canisters of explosives could bring it down, and yet here it was, reduced to rubble!

At that moment, Mephistopheles issued a warning to me.

[User discretion is advised. Extreme radioactive contamination detected.]

“What? Radiation?”

[It’s the site where a hydrogen bomb with a yield exceeding 52,450 megatons was detonated. It’s suspected to be model CNJ7839N-K9. The residual radiation can lead to genetic mutations, so please exercise caution.]

“……!!”

A hydrogen bomb?!

Isn’t that akin to a nuclear bomb?!

I questioned in disbelief.

“So you’re telling me that someone blew up the gate protecting the ruins of the Balhae king’s tomb with a hydrogen bomb?”

Originally, only those with the Phoenix Fragment could enter, but they simply blasted it open with overwhelming physical force!

[That possibility exceeds 92%.]

“Hmm…. Honwon Jisoon!”

Pahng

I lightly cast a defensive technique and stepped inside. Gong Gong followed me, and being a powerful divine being, seemed unaffected by the radiation. Upon entering the ruins, I frowned at the lingering presence of spirits all around.

“Ghosts…”

They were empty husks of spirits, devoid of any power. Soon, I realized the identity of those specters.

Tsuat

Using the Soul Exchange Technique, I grasped one ghost and infused it with energy to restore its former appearance. Recognizing it as a crowned ancient king, I let out a sigh.

“Hmm… The spirits of the Balhae kings have all been corrupted into ghosts.”

[Are they familiar to you?]

“They are the spirits of kings who, like you, feared the end and trapped themselves within the royal seals. However, presumably as the seals crumbled, the sorcery that protected them fell apart too, leaving them all as ghosts.”

At my response, Gong Gong chuckled darkly.

[Hahaha… It seems I’m not the only fool in this world. Regardless, everyone will face their end, so how can one escape in such a manner?]

“……”

I had no interest in the pitiful fate of the Balhae kings. What mattered to me was to gather any clues about the Earth Spirit here, and yet these fallen ghosts provided no information.

“There’s no information regarding the Earth Spirit. Then I’ll need to return…”

I was prepared to head back when that very moment occurred.

“What an interesting one you are. The Earth Spirit, you say?”

Whoosh

Both Gong Gong and I turned around almost simultaneously. There, amidst the mist, was a mysterious man riding a black horse. He held a cavalry spear and wore a helmet, his dark armor making him appear as though a dark cavalryman.

‘I didn’t catch a hint of that.’

The absolute realm’s sensitivity didn’t pick up on the appearance of this dark cavalryman at all.

That meant he was likely either an extraordinary master on par with my level or a powerful being belonging to a divine race or demon clan.

‘Should I fight using the Fire Spirit and Water Spirit?’

Even though I only had half of the Luminaries, I could still utilize the Seven Luminaries’ resonance.

Swish

As I drew my double swords in caution, the dark cavalryman seemed momentarily surprised.

“You’ve acquired both the Fire Spirit and Water Spirit? How in this chaotic age did you manage that?”

“You recognize the Luminaries at a glance. Who exactly are you?”

“……”

The dark cavalryman fell silent before breaking into a sly smile.

“Interesting. Even with my foresight, I can’t read your origin… Huhuh. How delightful.”

“Who are you?”

“You ask who I am? The intruder who has entered the tomb of the Balhae king.”

Tchack

Stepping through the mist, the dark cavalryman slowly rode forward. Gong Gong and I stayed poised for combat, not relaxing our combat posture, until at last, his handsome face emerged from the fog.

He finally revealed his identity.

“I am the one who established the Balhae Empire. I’ve been wandering aimlessly until the end comes, and learning that rude intruders have entered here has drawn me hastily to your presence.”

“What?”

“Oh, it seems you recognize me.”

“……”

I could hardly hide my astonishment at the words of this ancient dark cavalryman.

Finally, with trembling voice, I spoke.

“You are… King Dae Jo Young of Balhae, aren’t you?”