전생검신 92권 11화

Whiiiine!

As I watched the Master of the White Lotus Sect stepping out of the battleship through the control room’s screen, I couldn’t help but wonder.

‘Is this really a good idea?’

What’s waiting out there isn’t just some strong Demon King. In reality, it’s an absolute being that could very well crush everything even if we threw all our power from the 29th cycle at it! Would sending just one Master of the White Lotus Sect against such a despicable foe be reasonable, even if we end up dying pitifully in the 29th cycle?

Feeling troubled, I turned to Zhuge Sa.

“…Zhuge Sa. You told me not to stop Master of the White Lotus Sect from going alone.”

Just a while ago, when Master of the White Lotus Sect declared he’d take on Antares solo, I was in shock trying to stop him, but Zhuge Sa sent me a signal saying not to interfere. So, I had no choice but to let him go. Zhuge Sa replied coolly.

“Yeah? Why?”

“If the enemy is that powerful, wouldn’t it be right for everyone on this ship to rush out and fight? Shouldn’t I go out myself to handle this…?”

“Ha ha ha. Still can’t grasp why we created the Apostles, huh?”

“Huh?”

Zhuge Sa, with a smirk on his face, answered my question.

“If you’re calculating the odds of winning this single round, you’re right. But if we do that, you will never be able to rescue Seo Mun-hye.”

“Wha… why?”

“You’ll see. Master of the White Lotus Sect will definitely show you the reason.”

“…”

I found it strange that Zhuge Sa wouldn’t just explain right away, but I decided not to press further. Whenever Zhuge Sa makes such a statement, it’s always for a good reason, and he often manages to convince me soon after. Even so, the unease in my heart couldn’t be shaken off.

‘That guy is dangerous.’

Having seen so many divine beings, I knew.

Antares was a being of incredible strength, to the point it felt odd to think of him as just someone’s subordinate.

Boom!

Moments later, Master of the White Lotus Sect moved forward to face Antares, the Demon General. Antares gazed at him, then spoke.

[Who are you?]

[I am Dokgo Uncheon, Master of the White Lotus Sect. I’m the Apostle of the divine being Baek Woong!]

[Oh… looks like you’ve got yourself a rather useful Apostle.]

Swoosh.

Antares mumbled to himself while raising his spear, aiming it at Master of the White Lotus Sect.

[However, I cannot allow any who go against my master to live!]

The moment those words left his mouth—

Wooooooom!

A radiant flame erupted from the tip of Antares’s spear. As the spear flashed pure white in an instant, I felt my mind spinning and shouted.

“Ah, no! Run away!”

The potential enveloped in that spear was immeasurable!

It was literally the overwhelming ‘phenomenon’ of condensed divine power itself!

‘There’s no way I can take that head-on with all my strength…!’

But as if to mock my cries, a blinding flash surged from the gleaming spear of Antares and split everything in its path. I didn’t even see it swing, yet the space between heaven and earth was already torn apart with time itself screaming in agony.

Boom boom kaboom!

“Gaaah!”

“Ugh!”

“C-could this really be happening…?”

The interior of the ship shook violently, making it nearly impossible to keep my balance! Antares’s sweeping strike had even included the Yi Seong-gye, causing all this chaos. Yet, despite everyone present being experts, the screams echoed through the cabin for a reason.

Overwhelming [power]!

Everyone had felt the sheer [size] of the force that had just rocked the ship, sending waves of fear and shivers throughout the space. Especially the elders of the White Lotus Sect were shaking uncontrollably like aspen leaves, and some even fainted.

“Hh, hhhaaa…”

“How could this level of strength…?”

I noticed that two or three elders from the Council of Elders had completely lost their minds, fainting from the sheer mental pressure exerted by Antares’s power. While they were peak experts on the Jianghu and became Apostles drawing from my strength, it seemed strange, but I understood them fully.

‘They probably envisioned a strength akin to a big rock. But the force that Antares just displayed felt like it could crush the entire continent…’

Pure power that exceeded the limits of human imagination by hundreds of times!

An overwhelming force capable of effortlessly obliterating a planet!

It’s no wonder seeing that would push a human to madness.

Even amidst the chaos erupting in the ship, Zhuge Sa let out a sly laugh.

“Ha ha! Indeed, Dokgo Uncheon. You’ve exceeded my expectations!”

I lifted my head to glance at the control room screen.

Whooshing!

In the torn and chaotic spacial dimensions, Master of the White Lotus Sect was holding his ground, protected by a bizarre blue barrier. I was shocked to see him survive unscathed.

‘N-no way, did he just endure that head-on?!’

No, to be precise, he hadn’t survived intact. Both of his arms were gruesomely torn off, leaving no trace, and his entire body was drenched in blood. Yet, regardless, he faced Antares boldly!

I could hardly believe my eyes. The physical force contained in that spear, if estimated, could have easily obliterated a moon-sized satellite in one blow. Coupled with the unimaginable divine power concentrated into that attack, yet he held on!

Antares looked at Master of the White Lotus Sect with surprise.

[You’ve managed to take my best blow… astounding… but your strength alone will not suffice.]

[…….]

[What technique are you using right now? Speak!]

Antares was focused on Master of the White Lotus Sect’s ‘technique.’ I, too, had noticed the blue barrier enveloping him, and it definitely was something I had never seen before while fighting him.

Crack!

As if answering, Master of the White Lotus Sect began regenerating his lost arms with demonic energy, infusing power into them.

[I manifest the form of Cheongyang left behind by my master using my intent. Thankfully, my gamble has succeeded!]

[Hmm…?]

[I nearly died while facing the Bishop of the Nine Lotus Sect recently… in that brink of death, I sensed the three suns, and I wish to humbly become an empty vessel with this inadequate martial intent!]

Fssss…

In the next moment, a radiant halo of darkness emerged behind Master of the White Lotus Sect’s head. The moment I saw that halo, I was overwhelmed.

‘He’s achieved enlightenment!’

I didn’t know what it was, but it was clear that Master of the White Lotus Sect had reached a new understanding! That halo might not have a direct impact on the battle, but it indicated that someone already incredibly powerful had evolved a step further during the fight, leaving me astounded as someone who had faced him directly.

‘…I hadn’t even taught him the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique properly yet…?’

Could it be…?

Had he fought against the troublesome Bishop of the Nine Lotus Sect while I had foolishly ended my life in the 29th cycle and gained insight into life and death?

Master of the White Lotus Sect joined his hands in prayer and called out softly.

[Oh my divine one! Grant me your strength!]

Kuuuuu!

At that cry, I felt all the strength in my body drain away in a rush. I staggered, panic rising within me.

“Ugh, that guy…!”

He was sucking away my divine power like a vacuum!

With the overwhelming force he was drawing my divine power, taken right after I had just recovered it, I felt my mind swirling away, and only after Master of the White Lotus Sect absorbed over half of my divine power did he open his hands and unexpectedly called out.

[Come forth… Four Great Spirit Deity Vayu!]

… What?!

Flash!

Before I could even process my surprise, Master of the White Lotus Sect held Vayu’s horn in his hands, and I immediately realized that Vayu’s slot was missing from the Four Great Spirit Deities in my mental world. Then, Master of the White Lotus Sect immediately blew with all his might into Vayu’s horn.

Whoooosh—!

Shwoooosh!

[Ugh, ughhhhhh…!]

Antares, who had been relaxed this whole time, suddenly screamed loudly and trembled in fear.

Crackle! Crackle!

Looking closely, the wind emitted by Vayu’s horn was forcefully trying to shove Antares into the realm beyond [Time and Space], while Antares resisted it, unleashing divine power throughout.

And sparks continued to jump from Antares’s whole body, making it hard for me to even look at.

‘Shit… that guy’s divine power… it doesn’t seem much different from mine…?!’

Could I have beaten him easily even if I went out in my true body?

I had never seen anyone resist the power of the Four Great Spirit Deities until now, yet the more I saw, the more astonished I was at the power of Antares. That guy alone could easily annihilate an entire dimensional realm.

‘No, what’s happening here…?’

Befuddled by the rapidly unfolding situation, I turned to Zhuge Sa beside me.

“Zhuge Sa! How can Master of the White Lotus Sect use my Four Great Spirit Deity Vayu?”

“Because he’s the Apostle. Apostles have the right to use the master’s spirit powers.”

“Wait? I never gave him permission…”

With Zhuge Sa’s continuation, I went blank.

“You didn’t set any strict conditions when you made the Apostle contract, right? So he’s allowed to pull anything from his master’s storage without you having a say in it.”

“…”

“Honestly, no god treats their Apostle lightly like you. Even the Three Sovereigns put restrictions when signing contracts with you.”

“Damn it!”

So that’s how it was?!

It wasn’t for nothing that the [Old Rulers] approached the Apostle contracts with caution!

I felt incredulous and snapped at Zhuge Sa.

“But couldn’t you at least have given me a heads up…?”

“Do you think there’s room for restrictions in a situation like this? We’re in an all-out war where we have to win by any means necessary, so there’s no need for restrictions. The reason for restrictions is to prevent Apostles from betraying, but do you think any of your Apostles would betray you now? If you lose, you’re just gonna be tortured by the Demon General forever.”

“Ah…”

“And besides, this has always been your strength. It’s unusual in the whole universe to have no worries about betrayal and be able to give everything to your Apostles.”

After hearing Zhuge Sa’s words, I dazedly came to my senses and spoke.

“Then, what’s the reason that Antares keeps taxing Vayu’s horn, resisting it? Vayu’s ability sends things into the future, which means it shouldn’t harm anyone, right?”

It was one of the reasons I didn’t use Vayu often among the Four Great Spirit Deities. Vayu had a unique ability to send things to the future, which would be effective in many ways, but directly hurting the enemy was tricky.

“He’s exploiting a weakness of Vayu.”

“A weakness?”

“If it was just a Life-and-Death Decision, Antares could simply return in the next turn and kill us. However, he’s in a situation where he has to fight desperately because he’s the Demon King’s stronghold. Leaving because of Vayu would mean a direct defeat.”

“…!”

“For him to uphold the command given to him as a Demon King, he absolutely cannot allow Vayu to be used.”

Ah!

Only then did I comprehend Zhuge Sa’s words, and he gazed at the control room screen with a grin.

“Ha ha. You wouldn’t get this kind of efficiency from Agni or Varuna. He has an excellent understanding of Demon General Antares’s attributes…”

“…”

“Originally, Vayu’s power is something you shouldn’t resist. Since he’s resisting it forcibly, Antares is definitely consuming tremendous divine power!”

Zap!

Indeed, just as I noticed, the ferocious divine pressure pouring from Antares like a volcano began to diminish. Antares shouted with a voice filled with rage.

[Ooh… how despicable to use such tactics… did you think a mere little worm like you could inflict even a speck of harm on me in a direct confrontation?!]

[You wouldn’t be able to. You’re still an existence I can never defeat.]

Master of the White Lotus Sect retorted coolly, his eyes shining.

[But humans are creatures that can display wisdom… it shouldn’t be that hard to exploit a fact that someone like you is blinded by fanaticism.]

[Ha ha ha… a fool speaks!]

As Antares raved, he suddenly shouted bizarrely.

[Oh, great master! Please allow me to reveal my true form!]

Huh?

In the next moment, with that shout echoing, Antares’s knightly form crumbled and vanished, and suddenly there appeared a gigantic red star. The star was so massive that it looked like it would swallow Master of the White Lotus Sect in an instant.

Boom!

“…!”

Just as I was taken aback, Zhuge Sa let out a gulp.

“Just as I thought, he’s the primordial constellation from the Scorpius! A powerful constellation ranked among the greatest in the universe has fallen under the demon general….”

“What? Constellation?”

“Right. He is, in essence, a star and the spirit of that star. Also, according to the Grimoire, he’s something that came into being alongside the birth of the universe.”

“…”

“It seems he’s trying to self-destruct, reverting to a star form, even if it means giving up his divine status.”

Whooshing!

While we were far enough that we wouldn’t worry about being affected by Antares, it seemed Master of the White Lotus Sect could not avoid the fire consuming him fully.

[O longed-for sea!]

Yet, Master of the White Lotus Sect seemed to be free of pain as he summoned every last bit of energy to blow the Vayu horn once again.

Whooosh—!

At the moment he blew into the horn, he was engulfed by Antares’s flames and vanished. However, right after he blew that horn, it seemed the power of Vayu had completely vaporized Antares’s divine power, as shortly after consuming Master of the White Lotus Sect, Antares’s very star form was obliterated as well.

Shshshsh…

“…”

“…”

Silence fell over the ship.

Though we managed to defeat the first Demon General, watching the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s demise so vividly was too much.

Once again…

I had to witness a companion die before my eyes.

In shock, I murmured absent-mindedly.

“T-this is bad… I should have gone instead…”

However, at my ears, Zhuge Sa coldly chuckled.

“Ha ha! If you had gone out and used the same tactic, you would’ve ended up just like the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Do you think you could have dodged when that Antares would use any means necessary if he aimed for mutual destruction? If we all rushed in together, we would have all ended up in the same situation.”

“……!”

“That’s why we need Apostles. No matter how strong the commander’s power is, showing our faces in front of the enemy’s strong is a huge risk of falling for mutual destruction tactics like just now.”

“Zhuge Sa!”

At his words, I suddenly grew furious and grabbed Zhuge Sa by the collar. But he continued casually, unbothered by my glare.

“The Demon General’s influence is now a hundred times stronger than ours. It’s only natural to sacrifice something to move forward! If you cannot understand this, continuing this war is meaningless.”

“Profit…!”

“What will you do? If you want to give up, then do it now. You’re welcome to tear me apart if you wish.”

“…”

I gritted my teeth and thought hard.

And after a long while, calming my emotions, I released Zhuge Sa’s collar and spoke calmly.

“I won’t give up. Zhuge Sa, I’ll go next.”

I couldn’t let the sacrifice of Master of the White Lotus Sect lead to giving up on everything. In the past, I might have been swept away by emotions, but now there’s something I must do. Zhuge Sa looked at me with a peculiar gaze.

“Are you ready to sacrifice the small for the sake of the great?”

“No! I just decided that I’m going to win, whatever it takes. I’m also thinking of reviving the Master of the White Lotus Sect.”

“…Ha ha! You have really grown a lot since before.”

Zhuge Sa chuckled and grinned.

“You’ve realized that you can bring the Master of the White Lotus Sect back.”

“…”

I nodded silently.

Zhuge Sa continued speaking.

“Then there’s no time to waste. Use the Soul Exchange Technique to summon the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s soul.”

“Got it.”

“I’ll handle the rest without you needing to say anything.”

Whoooom!

Using the Soul Exchange Technique, I summoned the soul of the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Then, using the Trimurti, I recreated the body of the Master of the White Lotus Sect and infused the soul into it with the power of the Wheel King.

Flash!

At last, as the Master of the White Lotus Sect opened his eyes in the new body, he immediately clasped his hands in gratitude.

[Thank you, my divine one! You’ve resurrected me as expected.]

“…You were expecting that?”

[If you possess the power of creation like you mentioned, along with the Wheel King’s strength and the Soul Exchange Technique, then resurrecting my body is a trivial matter.]

“Phew.”

I sighed inwardly.

‘Those tied to the Demon Path are tough to handle.’

Knowing full well that I could bring them back allowed them to treat their lives like chess pieces, throwing them away for efficiency! Both Master of the White Lotus Sect and Zhuge Sa likely had such dispositions, clearly showing no surprise at death. But I still found it hard to accept and asked Master of the White Lotus Sect.

“…You could have not been brought back. If Antares’s explosion had just been a material explosion, it could have dealt damage to your soul. Had it been a spiritual explosion, your soul would have shattered and no matter what, I wouldn’t have been able to revive you.”

[It could have happened that way.]

“Knowing that, why were you focused on mutual destruction with Antares until the end? Just a gamble?”

[Hehe.]

“You knew it was possible you could end up being the small loss.”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect burst into laughter.

[Size is of no meaning. Only victory can validate us!]

“…”

I couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

The Master of the White Lotus Sect was always this kind of person.