1329——————==

Soul of the Evil God

Great King Dae Jo Young!!

He was not only the founder of Balhae in the past but also appeared before Jin Cheon-hwi, who was waging war against the northern tribes, reciting a 192-character prophecy poem. After confirming its authenticity, thanks to the sacrifice of Zhuge Yulong’s wife, Jin Cheon-hwi eliminated the doubts of the Celestial Realm, allowing Zhuge Yulong to move freely.

As memories of the past flashed in my mind, I looked at him with suspicion and activated the Fire Eye Golden Spirit.

Whoosh!

‘As expected…!!’

Spiritual Transformation!

That ghastly-looking cavalryman appeared somewhat human, but there was not a speck of flesh left; he had completely transformed into a spiritual entity. Just as Jin Cheon-hwi had told me, he was in a state akin to the Great Immortal.

A moment later, Dae Jo Young spoke.

“Yes, I am Dae Jo Young.”

Woo woo woo….

The moment he uttered those words, an intense aura of combat energy emanated from his entire being. This energy rivaled some of the strongest warriors I had ever felt, nearly resembling that of a divine being.

Truly an extraordinary person; as I remained on guard, he continued speaking.

“I’m not too thrilled that only my name is known to you. If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me your names?”

I briefly fell silent before replying.

“I am Baek Woong, disciple of Lord Fuxi. And this here is Gong Gong, who was once the elder of the Giant Race.”

“Oh! A disciple of the legendary Fuxi, and there’s Gong Gong, the legendary sovereign who faced Jeon Wook… I can scarcely believe it.”

Dae Jo Young’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at us. Then he asked,

“How on earth did such extraordinary figures find themselves in this ruined grave of Balhae? If you came to learn about Tydaht, it doesn’t feel like a mere coincidence.”

“And what about you? If the last vestiges of the Balhae Empire have shattered, why would you, its founding monarch, bother to come here? In the end, this world seems to be on a path to ruin!”

I said this forcefully, and Dae Jo Young smirked.

“…You don’t seem to be an evil being, but you are indeed quite cruel. Balhae was like a child to me, and I only wished for my successor kings to find some measure of comfort and peace. Since that desire has been entirely shattered, how could I not feel sorrow as a human?”

I retorted bluntly to Dae Jo Young’s lament.

“Is that the mindset of a parent hovering around the corpse of a child? But those kings were nothing compared to the likes of Empress Wu Zetian!”

“Empress Wu Zetian? What nonsense is this?”

“She sent all her people to Dark Heaven Village, going so far as to ally with the Eight Parts of the Divine. Clearly an atrocious act, but at least in the eyes of her subjects, she was a ruler who cared for her people. The kings of Balhae were far more selfish!”

“…”

“At the very least, Wu Zetian showed some pity for her people, but those Balhae monarchs only worried about their own safety. Can such be called true kings?”

Dae Jo Young sat there, stunned. Then he took off his helmet.

“Pardon my rudeness. It seems I shall need to dismount to converse with you.”

Ploof

After exhaling once, the black horse snorted, and Dae Jo Young dismounted in the fashion of a horse-riding tribe. On removing his helmet, his appearance was that of a striking man with black hair and eyes, embodying the robust impression typical of northern tribes.

Dae Jo Young inquired,

“Then I wish to ask you, Baek Woong, what is a king?”

“A king is a king; what are you on about?”

“Just now, you mentioned ‘true kingship.’ That implies you possess beliefs on what true kingship is. As someone who once was the emperor of Balhae, I wish to hear your view.”

“Hmmm….”

Dae Jo Young radiated an evident dignity and authority. It wasn’t just an inkling that he possessed power beyond that of a strong warrior but a natural charisma that seemed to penetrate my very being. I decided I must show respect to someone of his caliber and spoke.

“Those who earnestly aspire to kingship will naturally be recognized as such by those around them, even if they remain passive. However, if one becomes a king through another’s desires without defining what kind of king they will be, they’re merely a nuisance. The true king is not what others want from me but who I aspire to be.”

“…”

Hearing my answer, Dae Jo Young lapsed into thought before speaking.

“Baek Woong, you are also someone’s king and sovereign.”

I flinched.

“Why do you say that?”

“It’s just experience talking. In my experience, only those who have been atop the throne can utter such sentiments. And those sentiments often stem from the beliefs of capable individuals.”

“…”

“There must be complex histories involved. Yet from your words, I sense feelings of contempt and regret within you… what’s the story there?”

His insightful gaze seemed to see right through me.

‘Dae Jo Young isn’t just reading my emotions; he’s piercing into them.’

Despite being lauded as the emperor of the Human Empire and the Human King in my previous life, I had ultimately been caught in the schemes of Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen, resulting in the loss of all my comrades and forcing me to endure a humiliating rebirth!

Just as I was about to respond, Gong Gong, who had been listening, abruptly interjected.

[Discussing the true essence of kingship in this apocalyptic age seems rather futile. Dae Jo Young of Balhae, if you are not our enemy, please elucidate your reason for being here and resolve your business!]

“Fair point.”

Dae Jo Young chuckled lightly and continued,

“To be direct, I possess the Earth Star Eight Trigrams Diagram.”

“……!!”

[What now.]

Swoosh

“Here it is.”

Dae Jo Young produced something from his robe, and it was undoubtedly a scroll containing the Earth Star Eight Trigrams Diagram.

‘T-This is definitely the Earth Star’s spirit! It’s weaker than before, but with the Seven Luminaries’ strength diminished together….’

Having seen the genuine article before, I immediately recognized its authenticity, and my gaze sharpened.

“Dae Jo Young! How do you come to possess the Earth Star Eight Trigrams Diagram?”

“You seem well-versed about the Offering Ceremony conducted by Wu Zetian at Dark Heaven Village. Perhaps you’re not completely informed about her recent dealings?”

“What do you mean…?”

“This was originally Balhae’s possession, but it was stolen by the Yacha of the Eight Parts of the Divine, who transformed into Sang Gwanwna. So, before the apocalypse, I infiltrated the palace of Wu Zetian to reclaim it.”

“……!!”

What the—

As my shock throbbed within me, Dae Jo Young continued to tuck the scroll back into his robe.

“Had it not been for my own strength, I wouldn’t have been able to recover it. However, since the divine beings have lost interest in this Earth Star, it was easily retrieved.”

“That makes no sense… If that’s true, does it mean you are able to travel back and forth to Dark Heaven Village? How?”

“Dark Heaven Village is akin to the hellish world of the void, but if one knows the proper way, traveling there and back is only a matter of time. Wu Zetian wasn’t as formidable as you think.”

Dae Jo Young responded dully.

“The Earth Star is my last vestige of determination. It caused the rise and fall of the Balhae Empire, and I, Dae Jo Young, intend to carry this item of love and hate to the very end.”

Dazed by his words, I bluntly replied,

“Are you saying you’re clinging to a deceased child’s relic? What meaning does that hold now? To hold onto the Earth Star in ruins where every king of Balhae has turned into a ghost… what a pitiful act!”

“Quite harsh. Indeed, this is a foolish thing I’ve undertaken.”

Dae Jo Young said this with a despondent smile.

“But… even though I could foresee the future, I failed to change anything. This is the penance I lay upon myself.”

“You could foresee the future?”

“Five hundred years ago, I endeavored to relay my visions of the future to the world’s heroes and honorable men to alter our fate, but in the end, nothing changed… the heroes and geniuses met tragic ends.”

“……”

Despair clouded his eyes.

“Yes. Nothing will change any longer. The tragic end is fast approaching, and the Evil God will rise; everything shall perish. This last comfort of mine is none other than the Earth Star Eight Trigrams Diagram – I won’t part with it easily. Even if you claim to be the disciple of Fuxi, the original possessor of the Diagram…!!”

Woo woo woo!!

Powerful energy flowed from Dae Jo Young. I realized his power possessed two distinct essences.

‘One is the pure spirit power emanating from his being… like that of a spirit. The other is…’

Martial Might!

Kaboom

Moments later, within the whirlwind of that energy, I saw a towering pillar of light rising like a whirlwind. I immediately recognized it as the Intent Heavenly Pillar.

‘A master of the Absolute Realm!!’

There was no doubt Dae Jo Young could use the martial techniques of the Absolute Realm!

Seeming to sense the enormity of Dae Jo Young’s power, Gong Gong murmured.

[Even insignificant humans, after thousands of years of training, might reach this level. An opponent worth facing.]

Kaboom…

Gong Gong also appeared to be gathering strength. Though he had weakened significantly after being sealed for a long time, he seemed to feel capable of fighting Dae Jo Young, having recovered strength from the lava of Baekdu Mountain.

‘No! We mustn’t fight!’

But I instinctively understood that while I could bring Dae Jo Young down now, that wouldn’t resolve anything. My hesitation wasn’t due to fear of Dae Jo Young’s martial might, but rather because I sensed there was still more I needed to learn from him.

I urgently swung my blade of Xuyou, trying to sever the atmosphere of impending combat.

Swish –

As the strike infused with intent cut through the vacuum, the tense atmosphere of battle momentarily relaxed. At the Absolute Realm level, one could even slice through ‘atmosphere’ itself. I shouted to Dae Jo Young.

“Hold on! Dae Jo Young! Was the person you met five hundred years ago… Jin Cheon-hwi?”

“……!!”

Flinch!

Dae Jo Young displayed a look of shock upon hearing my question. Then, truly bewildered, he remarked.

“How do you know that…. Baek Woong, are you an acquaintance of Jin Cheon-hwi?”

“It really is what I thought.”

Realizing my guess was right, I sighed with relief and continued.

“I know that you conveyed a 129-character prophecy to Jin Cheon-hwi, which led him and Zhuge Yulong to try and alter the dire future without their despair against the Celestial Realm.”

“…You truly understand.”

“You had bet the fate of the world on them.”

“Indeed. Jin Cheon-hwi was the greatest genius I’ve ever seen, and so was Zhuge Yulong… but I never envisioned they would meet such a futile end.”

Dae Jo Young, lowering his spear, let out a deep sigh.

“Who could have imagined they would fall victim to the Nine Lotus Bishop!!”

“Huh?!”

What the hell is this?!

“……?”

“Umm… it’s just that…”

I couldn’t hide my own confusion, and Dae Jo Young seemed equally flustered. But I quickly regained my composure and said softly.

“I only met them at the point they decided to oppose the Celestial Realm; I don’t know what ultimately happened to them.”

“I see…”

“How did they end up taken down by the Nine Lotus Bishop?”

According to my understanding, Jin Cheon-hwi had sacrificed himself to avoid the Celestial Realm’s scrutiny for Zhuge Yulong, who had subsequently embraced his intentions and embarked on the mission to save humanity. This sudden news that the Nine Lotus Bishop had killed them greatly deviated from our world’s history.

“Are you aware that the Nine Lotus Bishop awakened as the Apostle of the Evil God and annihilated the Celestial Realm?”

The Nine Lotus Bishop as the Apostle of the Evil God?

I recalled that phrase and nodded.

“I think I’ve heard something like that before.”

“At that time, both Jin Cheon-hwi and Zhuge Yulong ventured to Mount Kunlun to save the Celestial Realm, but after that day, all news ceased. Surely, they must have perished since not a single soul emerged from the Celestial Realm after that.”

“……”

“The Nine Lotus Bishop and the Nine Lotus Sect destroyed the Celestial Realm and vanished… humanity has already lost all hope.”

The awakening of the Nine Lotus Bishop.

I sensed that this fact was of great importance.

‘That must be the pivotal difference between our world and this one.’

Though I had witnessed the awakening of the Nine Lotus Bishop during several rebirths, it had rarely occurred right when I began. Usually, it unfolded after extensive time and events had passed.

However, in this world, the awakening of the Nine Lotus Bishop was solidly entrenched in history.

Instinctively thinking there might be secrets hidden here, I pondered deeply before speaking.

“I would like to recite the prophecy poem you entrusted to me, as communicated by Zhuge Yulong.”

Once I finished reciting the 129-character poem, Dae Jo Young displayed an expression devoid of suspicion. Then, with a voice full of emotion, he said.

“Truly… you too hold a will to save humanity…”

“Jin Cheon-hwi and Zhuge Yulong entrusted me with everything, vowing that whatever befell them, all would be left to me. And from my perspective, now is hardly the time to give up.”

“Is that true?”

“Indeed. Although the contracts of the Seven Luminaries have all been severed, Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen has yet to reach the throne, and the priest among the Three Sovereigns is still intact. If that’s the case, we could enlist the priest’s power to instigate rebellion against the emperor.”

“……!!”

“To execute my plan, I require the Seven Luminaries. I ask for your cooperation.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Dae Jo Young retrieved the scroll from his robe and handed it to me.

“Take this.”

“Thank you.”

As I grasped the Earth Star, a surge of joy flowed within me.

‘Successfully avoiding conflict and managing to acquire the Earth Star…!!’

As I clutched the Earth Star, Dae Jo Young replied with a determined voice.

“Might I accompany you on your quest to gather the Seven Luminaries? I believe I won’t be a hindrance at the very least.”

“Hmmm…”

I hesitated slightly before responding.

“I need to go to Kunlun Mountain and slay a hundred immortals to place them into a small bottle. Can you support me in this cruel endeavor?”

“Of course. The world is collapsing anyway; what does it matter if we take down a hundred immortals? I’ll be your vanguard in beheading them.”

Charmed by Dae Jo Young’s boldness, I nodded enthusiastically.

“Excellent! You are now my comrade.”

“It’s an honor to join you!”

The Great King Dae Jo Young of Balhae had become my ally!

As Dae Jo Young donned his helmet once more and mounted his horse, I asked him.

“By the way, you have a spiritual entity like the Great Immortal, yet you also seem to possess the martial might of the Absolute Realm. Does that mean you’ve become a being akin to the Fighting Immortal?”

“Hmm? A fighting immortal… well, I can see how I might seem similar to them.”

Plooof

As Dae Jo Young grabbed the reins of the black horse that snorted as if alive, he exclaimed,

“Not quite. The entity I possess is actually the blessing of Hwanin, passed down from the great Three Masters. I stumbled upon the ruins of Dangun and obtained this fortuitous encounter. While the principles of a fighting immortal and my entity might be alike, the paths that led us here are completely different.”

“Hwanin’s blessing?”

“That story will come later. First, let’s urgently discuss how to gather the Seven Luminaries.”

“Understood.”

I relayed how I had already gathered the Moon Sovereign, Fire Sovereign, Water Spirit, and Earth Star, and mentioned that the whereabouts of the Wood Element and Golden Crow were still a mystery. Dae Jo Young then promptly responded.

“I know just where the Wood Element resides!”

“Really?”

“Most likely, it rests with the legendary King Munmu, who was killed seeking ascendance and gave offerings in death.”

King Munmu?

That name stirred some distant memory in my mind, and while I rummaged through my thoughts, Dae Jo Young raised his spear and declared.

“Let’s head directly to the East Sea, where King Munmu lies in eternal rest. There, you will likely find the Wood Element.”