전생검신 86권 5화

I’ve finally seated myself as the leader of the Genius Multifaceted Sect. I could feel power streaming in like a live wire.

‘Divine Power! Unlike the explosive strength I gained during the inauguration, this is a subtle trickle—a gentle, endless stream.’

When I shared this change with Mangnyang, he chuckled softly.

“There are people right now who believe in you as both leader and deity. That faith transforms into Divine Power instantly and, since faith is a state of mind, it persists as long as one maintains that mindset. As long as the mind doesn’t waver, the power will continue to flow.”

[But it’s way too little… At this rate, even after 10,000 years, I wouldn’t recover even a pinch of power.]

Mangnyang casually fanned himself.

“Of course it’s not enough! Many people are still wrapping their heads around the fact that you changed leadership overnight. For now, in Nanjing Castle, there are only a handful of real followers. Over time, you’ll need to grow your following and increase that power.”

[Hmm.]

“Just to make sure, is there any clash between your magical power and the Divine Power?”

I took a moment to manipulate my strength and check for any conflict. Then, I concluded.

[The two powers don’t clash at all. In fact, they’re entirely different dimensions of strength, so mixing them up seems impossible.]

“Indeed.”

[Anyway, what I need to do now is… ]

I glanced at Zhuge Bu sitting across the conference table.

[You mean I should go find Zhuge Yulong in the Subjugation Squad?]

Zhuge Bu nodded in response to my question.

“That’s right.”

[We were supposed to hear more details when we got here, but can Zhuge Yulong really double the territory of Nanjing Castle if he has Tydaht?]

“…”

Zhuge Bu furrowed his brow slightly.

“Wait a minute. You don’t really seem to understand the significance of Tydaht’s presence, do you?”

[… What?]

What the heck is he talking about?

As I sat there confused, Mangnyang chimed in.

“Baek Woong has only just returned, so he isn’t aware of the full circumstances concerning his comrades. He hasn’t even heard about Tydaht yet.”

“Oh, I see.”

[Hey now! What’s so significant about having Tydaht?]

When I asked, Mangnyang replied calmly.

“You know the original location of Tydaht, right? It was in the palace of Wu Zetian in Dark Heaven Village.”

[Ah… right.]

“With this great calamity, the [Old Ruler] of the palace has withdrawn from the realm of the living. How could an ordinary sorcerer like your father obtain Tydaht without divine assistance?”

[… Hmm.]

Now that I think about it, to acquire Tydaht, you’d have to risk traversing to Dark Heaven Village, break into Wu Zetian’s palace, persuade Wu Zetian herself, and even deal with the Eight Parts of the Divine’s Yasha, who are the minions of Chi You. Of course, since Chi You has perished and the Eight Parts of the Divine have been banished to the Otherworldly Realm, it’s certainly a lower difficulty now, but still, crossing over to encounter Wu Zetian would be a near-impossible feat even for the Great Immortal.

How did they pull that off?

While I was bewildered, Zhuge Bu continued.

“The answer is that Wu Zetian herself desired to cross into this world. And your father, as a representative of the palace, contracted with Wu Zetian to obtain Tydaht.”

[……?! Huh?! Is that even possible?!]

I was taken aback. I never expected that!

Seeing my shock, Mangnyang wore a wry smile.

“Wu Zetian has been living in luxury thanks to Chi You’s blessing while maintaining her power in the perilous Demon Realm of Dark Heaven Village. She ascended to become a powerful entity thanks to Sang Gwanwna, one of the Yasha members who acted as a mediator. However, with Chi You gone and the entirety of the Eight Parts missing, it was just like losing all her support. If she stayed in Dark Heaven, she could easily become prey to other Demon Clans. Hence, she crossed over before being harmed.”

[……]

“Besides, the current realm also suffers from Tsukuyomi’s magical power, so it’s merely a Demon Realm and can serve as a better environment for Wu Zetian and her people.”

[That could indeed be the case.]

Caught off-guard by this unexpected situation, Zhuge Bu said.

“Your father, Zhuge Yulong, currently belongs to Tianma Castle. As you might have guessed, the people residing there aren’t humans but instead the subjects from great Tang who once followed Wu Zetian. And their location is completely remote from human settlements, right in the middle of the Demon Realm.”

[So?]

“… There’s a chance that your father may know how to purify the Demon Realm’s territory and convert it into manageable human territory. He spent a long time living there, conducting research.”

[Hmm.]

“Let’s go visit your father in the Subjugation Squad and consult him.”

That made sense to me. I nodded.

[That’s all well and good… but why are you suddenly speaking informally to me?]

Zhuge Bu smirked.

“I thought I might as well accept that I’m your comrade. Besides, judging by the atmosphere, it seems I’ve been addressing you informally all along.”

I muttered to myself.

[That’s not true! You were a very respectful subordinate who admired me inwardly!]

“Hyun Ah, is that so?”

Zhuge Bu asked Mangnyang, who wore a bitter smile.

“No, Baek Woong is lying.”

I shouted in outrage.

[Hey! Mangnyang!! Get your story straight! If not now, when will I ever get to excellence in Zhuge Bu?!…]

“I mean, in the end, when you retrieve your memories with the obsidian, it’ll all be revealed anyway, so I don’t see the need to harbor grudges.”

[What the hell….]

“Ha ha ha. Didn’t you already try playing that prank on the Master of the White Lotus Sect?”

While chuckling, Mangnyang fanned himself and continued.

“The Subjugation Squad’s base is currently located in the Western capital of Constantinople. If you’re going to go, I’ll take you there directly.”

[… Constantinople? Where’s that again?]

“It was originally a fortified Western city and the stronghold of the Holy Roman Empire, the biggest empire in the West. Of course, Tsukuyomi’s great calamity didn’t discriminate and swept across West and East indiscriminately, so the Empire eventually fell. Now, all the forces of the West are gathered there fighting against the Demons.”

[Hmm… why is the Subjugation Squad based in the West instead of the East?]

“Because thanks to the presence of the Celestial Realm in the Central Plains, they’ve practically dealt with all the Giant Demons in the East except for the fallen Susanoo. The Great Immortal and the Divine Beings swept them all away. However, since it’s hard for the inhabitants of the Celestial Realm to reach the West, the Subjugation Squad is aiding the residents in defeating the Demons.”

[Got it.]

“Shall we head out?”

I hesitated for a moment before speaking.

[Let’s go.]

Boom!!

Along with Mangnyang, Zhuge Bu, and the others, I teleported, and moments later, we arrived in Constantinople. Upon arrival, I stood atop the foreign-looking city walls and beheld a street filled with golden-haired people with bright blue eyes.

[Hmm?!]

But what surprised me more than those exotic people was the huge whale floating in the sky. I mean, it literally filled the heavens!

Swiish – swiish –

And there were countless tubes extending towards that whale!

The tubes spread out like blood vessels, connecting to the whale in a circular pattern that completely covered the inner city and rendered it invisible.

Moreover, I noticed that there were many ghostly soldiers standing on the walls, appearing translucent.

It was astonishing to see guardians that weren’t even human!

[What the heck is that whale?]

I asked in awe, and Mangnyang glanced at me and replied.

“You should be familiar with it. You must have encountered such a being before.”

[Familiar…?]

“That’s the Archbishop of the Eastern Orthodox Church.”

The moment I heard that, my memory clicked, and I exclaimed.

[… Behemoth!!]

“Right.”

The Archbishop of the Eastern Orthodox Church and a Divine Beast sent down by the God of Order in the Primordial era!

One of the guardians protecting humanity in the West!

I had met Behemoth before, so once Mangnyang offered a hint, the memory came flooding back. But I never imagined that Behemoth would be floating in the real world, tethered to tubes like that!

[Wait… Behemoth was originally a being of another dimension, right? Why is he… and what are those tubes?]

“The West is facing extinction due to the great calamity, and divine entities can no longer hide in the shadows. He descended through faith in the Eastern Orthodox Church, confronting the Demons directly. Furthermore, those tubes directly supply Behemoth’s divine power into the city, creating a powerful protective barrier.”

[…!!]

“Unlike the East, the West doesn’t receive assistance from the Celestial Realm, so they must rely on such means to survive.”

It was then I felt a sudden gaze upon me, and a voice rang in my head.

[Who are you?]

[Behemoth…!]

I realized that it was Behemoth speaking to me. After pondering for a moment, I responded.

[I am Baek Woong, the newly appointed leader of the Genius Multifaceted Sect. I’ve come to meet Zhuge Yulong of the Subjugation Squad.]

[Baek Woong… So you’re that God-Man I’ve heard about?]

[Yes.]

[You’re a lot different than what I expected… Saint Germain mentioned you bore a resemblance to the creator of humans, Fuxi, yet you look like a metal human.]

I couldn’t help but beam at his words.

[Saint Germain? You know him too?]

[He was part of our association and continuously informed us of happenings in the East. He highly regards you as the one who will save humanity… ]

[Oh… so Saint Germain is here too?]

[He’s currently out with the Subjugation Squad on a mission. Zhuge Yulong, whom you’re looking for, is with them as well.]

Regrettably, it seemed that the Subjugation Squad wasn’t currently stationed in Constantinople. After brief contemplation, I asked Behemoth.

[Since this is their base, they should return here, right? Can I wait to meet them?]

[Yes… but I can’t possibly trust that you are Baek Woong.]

[What? Are you asking me to prove my identity?]

[Yes…]

[Well, Mangnyang is here. He can vouch for me!]

[That alone isn’t enough to convince me…]

[What the hell?]

A moment later, the enormous whale above seemed to shine with light. Suddenly three beings radiating holy light appeared before me.

Paaah!

[…!!]

A skeletal figure clad in the robes of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

A skeletal saint draped in a robe.

And a skeletal eagle.

Seeing those three entities left me flabbergasted.

[Why are they all skeletons?!]

It was ridiculous that they all emanated such sacred energy!

[It can be seen as honor for those who have transcended life and death without undue concern… ]

I had a feeling that Behemoth’s continued words were about to become a nuisance.

[Bae Woong is said to be the strongest warrior in the East… Defeat those three to prove you are he!]

[You’ve gotta be kidding me!!]

Behemoth, it seems like you weren’t like this before; why are you suddenly being a pain?!

Not that I’m in my real form; I’m sort of borrowing this android’s body, but still, why do you keep trying to put me through tests?

Just then.

“What’s going on? Why’s it so noisy!!”

Boom!

With a gruff voice, someone plummeted between me and the skeletons. Amid the crunch of crumbling stone, out came a towering giant wielding a giant sword. The giant scratched his ear and spoke.

“Seeing Behemoth’s avatar has me wondering: are you villains?”

I recognized the giant’s identity immediately.

[You… Roland?]

A comrade of Saint Germain, and someone I had sparred with a few times!

Roland grinned when he recognized me.

“You know my name from somewhere. Yes, I am the mightiest knight in the West and the best sword of Emperor Charlemagne!! And this sword is none other than…”

I couldn’t help but cut him off.

[The holy sword Durandal, right? And it doesn’t look like you summoned it just now, but you’re also wearing Charon’s armor, aren’t you?]

“… So you know Charon’s Armor too—pretty impressive. Who are you anyway?”

[I’m Baek Woong.]

“Pffhahaha.”

Roland laughed heartily.

“What a joke. You can’t even tell a woman apart, let alone be Baek Woong—you look like a parasite! How dare you try to fool me!”

[So you think I have Fuxi’s looks, huh…?]

I mumbled to myself, mildly irritated.

[Hey. You’ve met the Intent Heavenly Pillar only twice in your life, right? Once being the leader of the Janissaries and then someone from Tianzhu, right?]

Gulp.

Roland stiffened. The thing is, only he, Saint Germain, and I would know that! It seemed like he was gauging the situation, then he said.

“Could it be… are you really Baek Woong?”

[Aw, what a letdown. I freed the Slave Market so you could avoid losing your mind due to divine curses, and this is how you treat me?]

“…”

[Roland. I think it’s about time to pay back that debt from then.]

Roland pondered for a while, then suddenly shouted.

“Come out!! Charon’s Armor!”

Kuaah!

A powerful suit of armor materialized and suited Roland. He aimed the holy sword Durandal at the skeleton summoned by Behemoth and declared.

“Long time no see, Baek Woong! I’m thrilled to have the chance to fight as your sword!!”

[Oh… you’re believing me just like that?]

“Of course. So all I need to do is smash these skeleton fools, right?”

[…… Alright!!]

Kukwako!

My companions and I began battling the skeletons. With Mangnyang, Zhuge Bu, and Roland joining the fray, it didn’t take long for the skeletal eagle to be broken within a mere ten seconds. A little over thirty seconds later, the skeletal saint was downed too. Finally, after smashing the skeletal figure in the holy garb, the battle concluded, and in that moment, Behemoth’s voice echoed.

[That didn’t quite turn out as I expected… I wanted to discern your true strength… ]

[Are you super high maintenance? Is there a particular reason you’re so cautious about me?]

[You are… a being harboring an indiscernible Law of Cause and Effect… I lack the confidence to control you… ]

After a brief silence, Behemoth continued.

[However, since my apostle Roland trusts you… let Roland’s trust stand in for mine. I shall grant you permission to reside in this city… ]

Swish!

The holy light in Behemoth’s eyes faded.

Once the battle concluded, I turned to Roland.

[Roland. We came seeking Zhuge Yulong, but it seems the Subjugation Squad is out on an expedition at the moment. Do you know when they’ll be back?]

“Follow me.”

We trailed behind Roland toward the inner city. As we approached, a massive barrier made of tubes became visible; when Roland signaled, it flung open, allowing us inside. The inner city was filled with religious structures, emanating powerful spiritual energy.

“You can wait here.”

After leading us into the interior, Roland spoke further.

“Oh, and Baek Woong, come with me.”

[Huh?]

I followed Roland to a slightly secluded corner. As we meandered down a narrow hallway, we stumbled upon what looked like an expansive sparring arena, where Roland calmly drew a sword and tossed it to me.

… No way this is…

Roland grinned and said, “I believe you are Baek Woong. However, I also think it’s worth noting that the Baek Woong I know fought with martial arts prowess to establish himself.”

Swish!

Roland raised Durandal and declared,

“Grab the sword. If you can display your martial prowess, I will fully acknowledge you as Baek Woong.”

Ku-­kuku!

From Roland’s presence surged forth an overwhelming qi accompanied by refined waves of intent.

After witnessing the stark difference in Roland’s presence compared to 20 years ago, I grasped one significant truth.

[… He has reached a new realm.]

“Correct.”

[Who taught you?]

“Jin So-cheong.”

[……]

I realized that this test was even more daunting than the trial Behemoth set with the skeletons earlier.

The mightiest knight in the West, Roland, had—over the last 20 years—scaled the Absolute Realm with the help of Jin So-cheong.