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“So, the Dark Heaven Village is crawling with the members of the Eight Parts of the Divine?!”

Seriously, everyone freaked out at that unexpected declaration. Seeing the seven members of the Eight Parts of the Divine, including Gol-seon, right in front of me was enough to tighten my nerves. They all looked human, but I’d never seen any of them before. To make matters worse, I had a past life experience battling one of them, Gin Nara, head-to-head and feeling that immense power firsthand. Back then, we had to borrow the strength of the Fire Dragon Incarnate and Jang Sam-bong just to keep from losing against Gin Nara. We might have won, but given how the fight kept dragging, who knows what would’ve happened?

Gin Nara was at least a Demon King level entity, and thinking that kind of formidable opponent is ranked low among the Eight Parts is pretty terrifying.

‘This situation is a disaster.’

If all the members of the Eight Parts of the Divine come at once, facing them head-on would be impossible. It’d be worse than the Sea God’s extermination—they’d wipe out the village without breaking a sweat.

As I braced myself for death, the Sect Leader spoke up.

[So, the Chi You… what’s the big deal about that? I don’t see why that should make them so cocky after intruding on our place.]

Suddenly, the Sect Leader summoned Tai Chi and sent a One Palm strike straight at Gol-seon’s back!

This attack was fast and stealthy, enough to take the life of any average Joe in one hit, but Gol-seon swung his staff to block it.

The sound was like a loud thump, and the quick draw technique deflected the Sect Leader’s strike with ease. The onlookers in the hall gasped, and Gol-seon chuckled as he said, “Ha! My body may be that of a weak human, but I’ve trained it well!”

Well trained? He wasn’t just any expert either! The fact that he used a mind control technique at such a level indicated he could easily match a top-tier master. It’s not everyday you meet someone who can deflect an attack from the Sect Leader—he’s among the strongest of the strong.

The Sect Leader smiled knowingly. [You’ve been hiding your strength all this time. You’ve become at least ten times more powerful than the Gol-seon I once knew.]

Gol-seon continued, “Uncheon, has it really been more than eighty years since we first met? Back then, you were like an obsessed madman, completely focused on one goal.”

[…]

“Your dedication and will are remarkable for a human; I always wanted to be closer to you. And look where you are now, defeating even Cheong-un and rising to the throne of our sect. I absolutely respect you!”

Seems like the Sect Leader and Gol-seon have been friends for a long time.

But then Gol-seon added with a serious tone, “However, I didn’t come here as ‘human’ Gol-seon but as a member of the Eight Parts of the Divine. If you don’t step aside, I will have no choice but to destroy the White Lotus Sect.”

His eyes shimmered with a frightening red glow.

Suddenly, as Gol-seon took a step forward, an unknown chill filled the air!

“…!!”

Everyone looked tense, sensing something off. The pressure radiating from him wasn’t the normal aura of a martial artist; it felt sinister, like a monster crawling out of hell, something wicked filled this space. It was Gol-seon emitting an inhuman aura.

A being not of this world showing its true self.

The only ones who could endure that pressure were those belonging to the highest ranks, like the Sect Leader, Lee Cheong-un, and Jin So-cheong—they were all poised and calm in the midst of this chaos. The Sect Leader muttered under his breath.

[Seems like it’s not all show. Where exactly have you superhumans been hiding in this Martial Arts World?]

Gol-seon answered blankly, “Not in the Martial Arts World, Uncheon. We don’t live in such a confined setting. The only one active among the Eight Parts here was me, and that was merely for fun.”

[In the outer world…]

“Exactly that. For ages, even before the first human king was born, we’ve been watching over humans by the order of Chi You.”

[…]

The Sect Leader paused and then asked, [What do you want to discuss with Baek Woong?]

“That’s not for you to know. Don’t pry into our affairs. Once we take Baek Woong, we will vanish from history as if we never existed.”

[That’s not an option.]

“What?”

The Sect Leader responded firmly, [I have recognized Baek Woong and the Bancheon Alliance as allies. As long as you threaten them, I, Dokgo Uncheon, will stand against you as the will of the White Lotus Sect.]

“…!!”

Everyone stared at Dokgo in shock. ‘Could the Sect Leader really be this committed…?’

Even I understood how clear the power disparity was. But the only ones who fully knew the extent of that difference were the comrades who received Obsidian from me. Everyone in the room could tell the seven figures before them—the members of the Eight Parts—were no run-of-the-mill opponents. The White Lotus Sect was in grave danger, yet the Sect Leader decided to uphold his loyalty to me!

Gol-seon gazed at the Sect Leader, momentarily stunned, but a beautiful woman with dark hair and an indifferent expression standing next to him spoke up.

“Heard it from Hyuk—a person worthy enough to pursue supremacy.”

“Yacha.”

Is she also part of the Eight Parts?”

The lady called Yacha replied to the Sect Leader, “We have no intention of harming Baek Woong. It’s information irrelevant to you, so we’d like you to let us speak with Baek Woong.”

At that moment, all eyes shifted toward Yacha. Moments later, most of the Eight Parts seemed to nod in agreement, as they quickly reached a consensus to discuss it.

I felt a sense of unease. ‘What’s up with the Eight Parts wanting to talk when they could easily overpower me?’

Honestly, if all seven of them demonstrated the power Gin Nara did back in Mount Tai, I’d be done for! I had been bracing for death just moments ago when, out of nowhere, they wanted to avoid a confrontation. Instead of using their strength, they were opting to negotiate—and that was strange!

Could it be that the Eight Parts held some sort of secret? I had no time to ponder though, as suddenly all eyes were on me, indicating that it was my turn to speak. I glared at Gol-seon and Yacha before asking, “What do you want with me?”

“Don’t be cautious. We didn’t come here to fight.”

Yacha replied gently, then continued, “We’ve observed the human world for a long time. Sometimes we intervened; other times we partnered with dark forces, preparing to bring an end as per Chi You’s will. Normally, we wouldn’t have shown ourselves for another five hundred years…”

Yacha explained, “But because a being that was supposed to be an Apostle of the Evil God refused awakening and received a name from you, the plans were thrown into chaos. The Evil God has completely attained the law of cause and effect and is on the verge of waging war against the Three Sovereigns. This mischief has led us to seek you—the source of this turmoil.”

She seemed to know a lot more than I expected.

“…”

I focused on memorizing each of the faces of the Eight Parts. I’d need to recognize them somehow after dying and being reborn. I might not get another chance like this to meet them all at once.

I played naive and asked playfully, “I didn’t realize giving names was such a significant event. But what do you intend once you’ve found me? I’m way weaker than any individual among the Eight Parts, and just one Great Immortal could wipe me out without breaking a sweat.”

Just then, a well-built middle-aged man stroked his beard and interjected, “Not even close.”

“Who are you?”

“Name’s Gin Nara. I handle their strategies—their brains.”

“…!!”

Gin Nara! I didn’t recognize him when he possessed Zhuge Yulong’s body before, but as a human, he looks different—he’s quite hefty and imposing. He didn’t seem like the brain type, but this self-proclaimed strategist spoke up. “You recently made a significant trade with the king of the Zhuyong Tribe and gained the rights to use their powerful weapons. Furthermore, for reasons unknown, you possess a tremendous divine-level spell and hold the title of National Seal’s owner. On top of that, you likely have the Seven Luminaries in your possession, making you pivotal in this unfolding chaos.”

“What are you saying…?”

I stumbled over my words, feeling a surge of anxiety. ‘How does he know all this?!’

The powerful divine-level spell he mentioned had to be the command from the Evil God I possessed. And the Zhuyong Tribe’s king represented the Prophet—after all, recently he granted me a one-time use endorsement for the Tower of Muwang. Yet, I hadn’t disclosed it to anyone; it was supposed to be a secret. How could someone know that? Plus, when he claimed I owned the National Seal, he was incredibly confident.

I felt ripped off, like I’d just shown him my cards. Sensing my fury, Gin Nara continued.

“Of course, if we were to attack you, seizing the National Seal would be child’s play. But…”

“But what?”

“You’ve shown tremendous initiative and knowledge, with great potential as a human. So rather than suppressing you by force, we thought it best to propose an alliance.”

“An alliance with who?”

“Join hands with us, the Eight Parts, and soon present yourself to our master.”

“…?”

What a proposal! But was I really being asked to meet the legendary Chi You? My heart raced, but I kept my cool and replied, “Why should I meet him?”

“Our master has taken an interest in you; your actions have been reminiscent of a rebellion against the Three Sovereigns.”

“…”

That was true. Ultimately, I did want to eliminate those Three Sovereigns. That’s why I had decided against relying on their powers completely. Had they picked up on that sentiment? Was it detectable from my moves?

I was lost in confusion when suddenly clarity hit me, and I said, “Does Chi You guarantee my safety?”

“I can’t promise that.”

“That’s a bit reckless.”

“Make your choice.”

Staring at the Eight Parts, their distinct traits grabbed my attention. ‘I can’t feel any emotions.’

They wore expressions, but there was an absence of vitality or human-like traits. It felt as if they were just human shells donned over something else. Regular folks wouldn’t notice, but having dealt with non-humans for a long time, I could tell the difference.

‘Perhaps I could use this sense to identify them next time?’

As I organized my thoughts, I decided. “Fine, I’ll join forces with you. But don’t touch the White Lotus Sect or the Bancheon Alliance.”

“Agreed.”

“Also, I hope to be returned safely.”

“We’ll consider it.”

According to Master Mangnyang, the Eight Parts before me were likely the third faction. His predictions that they’d consult with me turned out to be accurate. Given that, it made more sense to yield to their wishes rather than fight them in a chaotic clash. After all—

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a huge dimension door opened in midair. However, it felt different from the way the Otherworldly Races typically opened theirs. Instead of unleashed madness and malevolence, it bore nothing but the void’s darkness. One by one, the Eight Parts stepped through, and I followed Gol-seon into the portal.

From behind, Mangnyang shouted, “Baek Woong! Don’t be afraid!”

I turned back, chuckling, “What’s there to fear but death?”

Indeed, what’s to fear?

What Mangnyang meant by ‘don’t fear’ was to overcome the fear of dying and seize the ultimate benefit. Because this was a chance to meet the colossal being known as Chi You—moreover, I could eventually understand his intentions and thoughts! I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away, even if it meant dying.

Whooooosh—

Moments later, my body flew through the dimension door and into who knows where in the Otherworldly Realm. It felt like I passed through countless distortions of space. According to the magical knowledge I had, traveling through warped space was a way to evade tracking by divine beings.

‘It seems the true location of Chi You’s realm is a closely guarded secret.’

Most likely it would be the moon of the Dark Heaven Village, but further shifting could be expected there as well.

Eventually, when I opened my eyes again, I found myself standing in a bizarre locale. Was this what it felt like to be in a place where heaven and earth were flipped? The sky was vast, flat, and occasionally quivered—while the ocean shimmered in the distance. The ground appeared to be made of clouds, floating in mid-air. Multicolored creatures flitted around.

It was strange but felt like a sanctuary devoid of sinister malice. I followed the Eight Parts into what appeared to be a dark building.

Clomp.

“Huh.”

As soon as I stepped inside, the presence of the Eight Parts vanished. It wasn’t complete darkness—there were soft glimmers of light—but it felt like they all had turned to smoke! Confused, I looked around, but the narrow passage was filled with an enveloping silence.

Reluctantly, I continued down the straight corridor—until I encountered a being with four eyes floating in mid-air, gazing at me. It lacked body hair and genitals, with odd, pale skin resembling flimsy hide.

‘Chi You…?’

Could it be Chi You?!

I doubted it because that entity had no signs of intelligence—it merely tilted its head, glancing at me before ignoring me entirely and floating past. I noticed similar beings, identified by their four eyes, floating around in this space. They didn’t seem to be Chi You but just subordinates instead.

Grrr.

Suddenly, an ominous tremor resonated, and in that moment, I felt a voice grip my ‘will’. [What Do You Desire?]

It hit me like a ton of bricks. This was the real Chi You!

Almost like the Old Ruler! I felt chills shoot through my whole body from that voice, which felt capable of completely seizing me; I held on just enough to answer. “The downfall of all the Old Rulers!!”

After all, he was the one who had summoned me to this place; no pointless lies would work against Chi You. As I yelled, Chi You responded with amusement.

[Ha ha ha… So, the previous reincarnation… goes by this title… your intention to burst into the perilous human world to host my avatar?…]

I gritted my teeth, mustering my bravery to shout, “Chi You! What is your true goal?”

[I have no reason to tell you.]

“What about the truth you gained from the Emperor…?”

[I have no reason to tell you.]

“……”

That left me speechless. While I stood there frozen in thought, Chi You’s voice chimed in again.

[I will keep you for a while. Soon you’ll see something interesting.]

“What do you mean?”

[The end of time will fall upon you…]

Wham!

Moments later, I lost consciousness.

Upon awakening, I found I was back in the earthly world rather than Chi You’s strange palace.

“…?”

What the heck? Did Chi You call me just to say that?

I felt utterly baffled but found that everything on me—including the National Seal and the Golden Lamp—was intact. It appeared I had made my way back safely to the human realm, yet oddly enough, I found myself in a desolate mountain area.

All the White Lotus Sect members had vanished, and there were no companions in sight! It looked like every tree had been burned to the ground, with no signs of life around. I was sure I was at the Sect Leader’s place moments ago, so why was it like this? Bewildered, I attempted to contact Zhuge Sa using my suspicious fishhook.

[Zhuge Sa! Where are you?!]

But I received no immediate reply. I called a few more times, but upon getting silence from him, I was about to put down the fishhook when a dazed voice finally came through.

[… Uh, is that you, Baek Woong?]

It was Zhuge Sa responding. But weirdly, the voice echoing in my head was subtly different from the Zhuge Sa I knew, sounding a bit off. So, I wondered if someone else had taken hold of Zhuge Sa’s fishhook, which heightened my caution.

[Is it Zhuge Sa or not? Who are you? Where are you?]

[… Cough… ha ha. What a bizarre time to be having this conversation…]

[Answer me!]

When I pressed for a clear answer, ‘Zhuge Sa’ finally responded in a deflated tone. [If you still have the Golden Lamp, come to the Kingdom of Duke Du. Everyone is here.]

[What…]

I was taken aback, yet I decided to head for the Kingdom of Duke Du.

As I stepped into the headquarters, I froze in shock.

“You little brat… You made it?”

“Zhuge Sa.”

“Hehe.”

Zhuge Sa was there, but hardly any comrades remained.

Standing next to Zhuge Sa, in the form of a middle-aged man, was—also an elderly version of Master Mangnyang, alongside the ever-familiar Jin So-cheong!

Zhuge Sa grinned as he spoke in an eerie tone, “The world’s about to end soon, and you show up only after fifty years of waiting.”

 

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