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Why is the Master of the Twelve Joules here?

And with the Young Master’s head no less. A profound question bubbled up in my mind, but I instinctively understood the connections at play. It was a relationship I wouldn’t normally recognize, but given the current confrontation with the Sect Leader, it all made sense.

I swallowed hard and glared at the Master of the Twelve Joules.

“So, the Young Master was the Sect Leader’s weakness?”

“Oh? You catch on quickly,” he replied.

“Then Miyamoto Musashi…” I began, only to have the Master shrug at me.

“Can’t you tell? I never claimed to be an ally from the start. I naturally sent my assassins to stab at the Sect Leader’s weak point.”

My mind started to piece things together. Just as the Master of the White Lotus Sect harbored malicious intentions toward the Twelve Joules, the Master of the Twelve Joules was clearly waiting for a chance to eliminate the White Lotus Sect! But something in his words didn’t add up, so I pressed on.

“The Sect Leader is very suspicious. Surely he must suspect Musashi…”

“Hehe… but he never imagined someone would strike at his weaknesses so thoroughly. And thanks to you all, distracting him and removing his leisure, the odds shifted greatly.”

“…”

“Thank you, Baek Woong. You’re definitely a hero. Even I wouldn’t have been able to create an opening against the wary Sect Leader.”

Coolly, the Master of the Twelve Joules lifted the Young Master’s chin. He looked into her face and continued.

“Well, I didn’t want to go this far. But the situation escalated, and someone had to clean up the mess. I’m sure you’ll agree.”

“But that’s not what’s important right now, Master of the Twelve Joules.”

Lee Cheong-un stepped forward. His voice was stern.

“Now that the White Lotus Sect has collapsed, a great battle between the [Old Ruler] and the Three Sovereigns will soon take place in Luoyang. You must be aware of this; what do you plan to do next?”

“Hmm… I see. You are Lee Cheong-un of the Thunder God Lineage, aren’t you?”

The Master of the Twelve Joules tilted his head. “Why worry about that?”

“…?!”

“It seems you don’t understand the implications of the Young Master’s blood being taken. If that’s the case, there’s no reason to discuss it further.”

I sensed things were getting tangled. ‘If Cheon Woo-jin were here…’

If even one sorcerer like Cheon Woo-jin or Mangnyang were present, he would’ve grasped the meaning behind the Master of the Twelve Joules’ words through his knowledge of sorcery. But now, it was just Lee Cheong-un and me, so we couldn’t glean anything in that regard.

As I clenched my teeth, Zhuge Sa spoke in my mind.

[Baek Woong. Wait a moment.]

Zhuge Sa’s voice, unlike before, was calm and composed. I’d rarely heard him speak like this, which startled me. Listening as he continued, I grew more attentive.

[This is indeed a crucial turning point. So be cautious as you listen to me.]

[Zhuge Sa. Do you understand the current situation?]

[Yes. But it’s true that your chances of surviving are slim. Just as when I was exposed before the Sect Leader because of you.]

[…]

Understanding Zhuge Sa’s metaphor, everything clicked into place.

Murderous intent!

Though I hadn’t directly captured it, it seemed Zhuge Sa deduced that the Master of the Twelve Joules intended to kill me through cause and effect relationships. If he harbored thoughts of killing me, it was indeed game over for me.

Zhuge Sa said, [Baek Woong. You have two choices now. One is to somehow keep yourself alive right here, but there’s a chance you could end up a slave to the Master of the Twelve Joules. He’s a being with no concept of righteousness or evil, and you’d be toyed with until you die, though there exists a slim chance of eventual reversal.]

[…]

[The Master of the Twelve Joules is different from the Sect Leader. He has no common ground with you. To him, you are the most dangerous person in the world.]

[And the other option?]

[You can abandon this life and transition to the next. You might even deal a significant blow to the Master of the Twelve Joules. But your death cannot be avoided.]

Continuing ominously, Zhuge Sa added, [Personally, I see little difference between the two. In any case, you must choose quickly.]

While I pondered Zhuge Sa’s words, Lee Cheong-un stepped forward, keeping an eye on the Master of the Twelve Joules. He was exhausted from the battle with the Sect Leader, yet didn’t show it as he addressed the Master.

“Master of the Twelve Joules. Frankly, I don’t know what you’re talking about. But we’ve achieved our goal of taking down the Sect Leader and now wish to withdraw. So please don’t obstruct us.”

Then the Master of the Twelve Joules replied with a playful laugh, “… Who gave you the right to leave?”

Suddenly, heavy silence fell. All the experts present sensed a showdown brewing. The Master of the Twelve Joules’ words felt like a declaration of war. Lee Cheong-un glared at him, his eyes cold as ice.

“You were indeed planning to dispose of us.”

“Hehe. That kind of expression doesn’t fit well… What’s more suitable is to ‘cut the grass to get rid of the roots’; after all, the one responsible for this chaos is none other than Baek Woong.”

“Don’t push it. The Sect Leader initiated this.”

“Is that really the case?”

The Master of the Twelve Joules raised a hand to point at me.

“Baek Woong. You received a command from Nüwa to counter the Sect Leader, didn’t you? But what you did was just become the Sect Leader’s confidant, floundering around while participating in the Offering Ceremony. If you truly wished to stop the Sect Leader, you should have devised a plan to assassinate him with our strength, which is a match for his.”

“How do you know that…?”

My confusion deepened. The fact that I received instructions from Nüwa was only known by a few select beings in the Celestial Realm, perhaps the Three Sovereigns or Cheon Woo-jin. A human shouldn’t have been able to discern the events of the Offering Ceremony in Mount Tai. Yet the Master knew this as if it was common knowledge.

“I see through your schemes. You were waiting for the moment you could hold on to the Sect Leader while the world descended into chaos. Your plan was to uncover the secrets of ancient mysteries, am I right? You are the source of all evil, more sinister than the Sect Leader.”

“…”

“The chaos in Luoyang is beginning to subside.”

Wiying!

The Master of the Twelve Joules, Ha Eun-cheon, produced the Cosmic Fragment glowing with divine light. At that moment, I instinctively raised the Fire Dragon Sword, but the battered power of the sword was insufficient against the forces of the Cosmic Fragment. As I hesitated, the Master of the Twelve Joules snickered.

“Hehe… The Fire Dragon Sword, when normal, is an unparalleled treasure on par with the Cosmic Fragment, but during our fight earlier, I noticed it was already on the brink of destruction. To fight a monster like the Sect Leader with that, the Sword Master Yeodong-bin is truly remarkable.”

“W-what did you say?”

In that moment, images of Yeodong-bin’s combat process flooded my mind.

If Yeodong-bin had unleashed the full potential of the Fire Dragon Sword, he would have been much stronger. But instead, he had been using the National Seal or Moon Sovereign’s powers first, despite being unfamiliar with them. And when the Fire Dragon Sword broke, he seemed to lament, as if he had known it would happen.

‘Could it be that the Fire Dragon Sword was expended sealing the path to Dark Heaven for centuries, and is now on the verge of destruction?’

However, Yeodong-bin must have had no choice but to use the Fire Dragon Sword, as only with it could he unleash his maximum power. Just then, Lee Cheong-un sent me a message about the Six Harmonies Assembly.

[Baek Woong. I’ll hold them off and buy time no matter what. You need to escape using the Four Great Spirits or the Golden Lamp at the right moment.]

[Is that possible?]

[… I’m not sure. But I have to try.]

Seeing Lee Cheong-un speak with such uncertainty was a first. But it was understandable. Two masters from the Absolute Realm stood before us, one of whom was the current absolute being of the human world, possessing two Thirteen Regulations. They were the strongest warriors of Goryeo and Dongyoung, facing off against the Thunder Spirit user. Whether even he could hold out against them was uncertain.

Ultimately, I made up my mind and clenched my fist tightly. I spoke to Zhuge Sa.

[I choose the latter, Zhuge Sa!]

[Are you serious?]

[I can’t just survive while licking that bastard’s boots. I’m determined to at least strike back before I die!]

After a brief silence, Zhuge Sa replied, [Then let’s get to it. Follow my lead.]

I was taken aback by the plan that flowed from Zhuge Sa’s lips. But with no other options, I chose to roll the dice and agreed to follow.

[Understood.]

As soon as I made my decision, I shouted to the Master of the Twelve Joules.

“Master of the Twelve Joules! Please stop! If you let us go peacefully now, there won’t be any bloodshed!”

The Master of the Twelve Joules responded indifferently, “Do you think I would settle for just seeing blood? I will need to gaze upon your corpse to feel satisfied.”

“…”

“Ah! Don’t worry about the aftermath. You’ll die a hero, and your name will be remembered for ages.”

With that, the battle commenced. The Master of the Twelve Joules made the first move!

In an instant, beams of light zipped through the air, and somehow, Lee Cheong-un appeared to be blocking the combined attacks of Miyamoto Musashi and the Master of the Twelve Joules in an afterimage.

“Cough… hurry…!!” Lee Cheong-un coughed up blood after just one exchange. It seemed incredibly challenging to stave off the combined attack of the two absolute masters, even with the Thunder Spirit technique in play. Had he fought alone, he wouldn’t have sustained injuries like that; he’d gotten hurt trying to protect me.

‘Ugh.’

I scrambled to activate the Golden Lamp, only to realize it wouldn’t activate. The Master of the Twelve Joules must’ve put a stop to it beforehand. He’d set a trap to capture me thoroughly.

Yet thanks to the ability of the Four Great Spirits, which allowed me to break through dimensions once a day, I was able to escape. Immediately after landing, I withdrew the Four Great Spirits and brought out the Golden Lamp.

“Pah!”

The place I’d arrived was the Otherworldly Realm of Dark Heaven. I found myself face-to-face with the [Old Ruler], who scrutinized me without uttering a word. Desperate, I spoke up.

“Old Ruler!! I have a request!!”

[What is it…?]

I felt the duality of my gamble coursing down my spine as I shouted. “Please kill the Master of the Twelve Joules and Miyamoto Musashi!!”

At this moment, it was the only plan I could depend on.

I had never made such a request of the Old Ruler in the wilderness before. The black token of the Seven Kills Village could only be used once. Coming here with the Golden Lamp was possible, but the reason I hadn’t come sooner was due to the black token. I had no rights to come and demand anything; I didn’t know how the Old Ruler might react to an unauthorized visit.

But I was gambling my past life on this! If the Old Ruler granted my request, I could use the power of reversal to slay enemies or save allies countless times in the future. If he didn’t, I might find myself enslaved to the Old Ruler after this life, suffering eternally.

The Old Ruler of the wilderness remained silent for a moment before he spoke.

[You certainly made the earth entertaining…]

Despite being in the Otherworldly Realm of Dark Heaven, he seemed to know everything happening on the surface. This line implied that I was at the center of the events taking place. With an intrigued demeanor, he continued.

[Normally, coming here without the black token would be a major crime… You should be torn to pieces by the Spider God guarding Dark Heaven… or should see yourself fall into the abyss of time by my powers, which would be more normal…]

I shuddered at the Old Ruler’s words.

‘So, I really can’t get lucky twice.’

This meant my convenient second life option had been sealed off. Gritting my teeth, I looked at the Ruler, who continued.

[But… what does it matter… you are the most interesting human in all of history… orchestrating chaos and leading the plight of mortals… Hehe…]

After a brief smile, the Ruler declared.

[I will grant your request… but I must take my price…]

In this very moment of conversation, Lee Cheong-un and Miho were likely steps away from death. My heart raced as I shouted.

“What is the price?”

[Your soul…]

“…”

[If you had the black token, I would grant your wish without cost, but… I’ll let you slide on equal exchange…]

This meant if I wanted to slay the Master of the Twelve Joules and Musashi, I had to offer my life in exchange.

It was ludicrous to call that a fair deal, but it was likely the mindset of the so-called Old Ruler. However, since this was something Zhuge Sa had mentioned, I tried to nod without hesitation.

Then it happened.

The Ruler, adorned with countless eyes, remarked with intrigue, [Ho-ho… interesting… is it fine to betray that man…?]

What a bizarre thing to say!

I tilted my head, but the Ruler suddenly burst out laughing.

[Hahaha… very well… I’ll accept that deal…]

It was sudden.

With a rippling distortion, a dimensional gate opened, revealing a flabbergasted figure of the Fengshen War. The once-invulnerable pawn who had traded with the gods to become a Demon King looked utterly confused in this situation.

The Fengshen War abruptly morphed into a massive fog, spewing ancient language of the Otherworldly Race in anger.

[Kraaah! Zhuge Sa!! How dare you betray me…]

The ruler of the wilderness appeared to be laughing.

[You relied too much on that goat; it’s time for me to seize this opportunity…]

[That can’t be…]

In the blink of an eye, the Fengshen War launched a furious attack with powers of darkness against the Old Ruler, only to be suddenly sucked into the tear in time and space, much like water flowing into a drain. In an instant, the Fengshen War was obliterated, leaving me completely bewildered.

[I consumed well…]

The Old Ruler of the wilderness had feasted on the Demon King Fengshen War!

‘Wha… what just happened?’

As I stood there, stunned, the Old Ruler summoned two souls from the ether, and he gulped them down, just like before.

[Baek Woong… I’ve granted your wish.]

“…”

The souls I just saw devoured must have belonged to the Master of the Twelve Joules and Musashi.

[I’ll give you time for your final farewell…]

Woong!

A pure white spirit separated from my body. In the form of a divine apparition, Zhuge Sa gradually floated in the air. He stood before me and bluntly declared, [This is it.]

“Zhuge Sa! What’s happening?”

[Can’t you tell? I informed the Ruler here of the Fengshen War’s location, and he summoned him just to deal with him.]

“…!!”

Instantaneously, memories of the past surged forth. The Fengshen War had once cast a spell showing off its powers with the might of outer deities in the Barren Lands. At that moment, the Old Rulers were likely exceedingly displeased, as their domain had been violated. But since the Fengshen War was a priest worshiping an outer deity, it had been kept in check. However, when Zhuge Sa revealed the hidden location, the Fengshen War was obliterated.

[I’m just feeling okay. Soon, I’ll enter the Ruler’s stomach.]

“What…?”

[I substituted your sacrifice for the information I gave the Fengshen War and, since the payment was deemed insufficient, I also sacrificed my soul. From now on, my soul will belong to the Ruler of the wilderness. While it’s called serving, it simply means I shall be food.]

“……!!”

I was left aghast. Zhuge Sa had chosen this?!

“Why… why would you do this?”

I couldn’t comprehend it.

What reason could there be for Zhuge Sa to make such a sacrifice for a reincarnated like me? And while unexpectedly betraying the Fengshen War, did he know how painful it would be to be absorbed by the Old Ruler?

Zhuge Sa smiled coldly.

[I’ve no attachment to the underworld or any salvation. My fear of death stems from the uncertainty of what comes after. I know enough to be aware, and I despise the artificial salvation that the Celestial Realm provides. In the end, it’s nothing but self-satisfaction.]

“What are you saying…”

[Myself, you, the entire Zhuge clan… how much we’ve all been toyed with by the hypocrisy of the Celestial Realm.]

Sneering, Zhuge Sa added, [So I will be enslaved by the Demon and lose my humanity, destined for endless despair. That seems fitting for me.]

“… You’re mad. But…”

[Do you finally understand?]

I sensed a glimmer of Zhuge Sa’s feelings.

Zhuge Sa wasn’t actually crazy.

He merely chose to act mad in a world that demanded insanity. In a reality where the evil gods ruled and all deeds swung toward malevolence, the most rational and logical act was madness. To go insane along with a mad world was simply the wisest choice.

For reasons I didn’t fully grasp, I could feel Zhuge Sa’s emotions resonating with my own through the bond forged by our past lives and Soul Exchange Technique.

[The reason I acted for you this time… is that I believed you to be a man of potential.]

“What?”

[Even a genius like me sometimes wants to do something as foolish as this.]

“What…?”

Sudden self-praise? As I stared in shock, Zhuge Sa turned his gaze toward me.

[You, stubborn fool, clawing your way up for a thousand years, knowing full well the results will be rubbish. I still think your efforts are utterly meaningless. No matter how many Thirteen Regulations you gather, you will ultimately fail. But, but…]

For the first time, Zhuge Sa wore a sorrowful smile.

[Choosing you as my lord… that was the first act of defiance against my destiny.]

Pah!

As Zhuge Sa’s words finished, he vanished.

To be precise, he had been absorbed by the Old Ruler.

“……”

From now on, he would become a plaything of the Old Ruler and suffer eternally. This situation wouldn’t differ from what one would call [Hell] in the world. But Zhuge Sa had chosen this of his own volition, rejecting artificial salvation and accepting the path to Hell.

I gripped my trembling hands tightly.

This wasn’t right.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be!

No matter how much of a bastard Zhuge Sa was, I didn’t want this ending!

And I cried out, “Great God! Please return his soul to him!!”

The Ruler of the wilderness said coldly, [Why complain when a fair transaction has been made…?]

“Damn! Is this truly a fair transaction?!”

I couldn’t hold back my anger anymore.

I knew it was better to survive here and push forward toward the future. With the Master of the Twelve Joules, Sect Leader, and Vermilion Bird all eliminated, I would have an optimal environment to seek the Seven Luminaries and gain strength. Zhuge Sa knew this, which is why he willingly carried this burden and sacrificed himself for me.

But what good did that do?

Was it still right to compromise with such a desperate reality, to turn a blind eye and grow strong? Wasn’t it merely relying on divine power while feigning tears for the sacrifices of my comrades? How could I endure knowing Zhuge Sa would suffer endlessly in the depths of despair?

What separated me from the absolute beings who surrendered to the power of God?!

This was nothing but an endless farce!

I felt the veins in my forehead pulsating as I roared. “Great God!! Are humans truly the playthings you find so easy to toy with?!”

As I screamed, the Ruler of the wilderness replied, almost amused.

[It’s not just humans. All mortals are equal before the gods.]

“Hah… hah…”

[Baek Woong, who claims to be a human. The beings you call gods, the [Old Ruler], are this very world itself. No matter how much you struggle and push your will, you won’t even reach our toes. You were merely created as a source of entertainment for us.]

“This world…”

In that moment, it struck me.

This time, overcoming a specific enemy wouldn’t end it.

Even if it appeared to come to an end, it didn’t actually finish, and the cycle of defeat continued. This was because my true enemy was a god, an entity that could rightfully consider itself the very essence of existence. Even now, the Ruler of the wilderness was acting as if he was doing me a favor by eliminating my enemies, but in reality, it was nothing more than a jest for his amusement.

To break this desperate cycle, I needed my own answer.

From Zhuge Sa’s death, I felt I had found that answer.

“Then I shall die…”

[Ho-ho… what did you say?]

The deaths of the Sect Leader and Zhuge Sa hovered in my mind.

With my sanity teetering, I shouted amidst the chaos.

“Then I shall die… and after that, I will challenge it once more.”

Gathering every ounce of my strength, I charged at the Old Ruler.

“Until I can annihilate this world!”

And then, my consciousness faded away.

In the last moment of the chaos, I screamed in agonizing pain.

I will definitely make it happen.

I shall witness with my own eyes the end of what is called God in this world!

My nineteenth death signaled the end of my childhood.

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