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“The power of Changhil is getting stronger by the minute.”

White light started to rain down like shooting stars, and with every absorption, an unknown stream of power wrapped around him. The density of that power was visibly increasing.

I asked Changhil, “The Eight Parts of the Divine are your avatars, right? But how come you absorb their power when they die?!”

My question seemed completely valid.

Unlike Apostles, who grant power to individual beings, avatars are like another version of oneself. While an avatar can have a separate personality, its essence is still the same as the original. So, if an avatar dies, its power shouldn’t come back to the original person.

I thought that Changhil must be protecting the Eight Parts of the Divine with a blessing of infinite resurrection, helping them out of pure friendship as ‘another version of himself’. But the reality was completely the opposite? This was not the usual concept of avatars.

Changhil ignored my question and focused on the screen, where he could see all the Eight Parts of the Divine being slaughtered, while only Yacha was left struggling.

[Yacha is holding out the longest. Just like my disciple.]

“What? Disciple?”

[She was my direct disciple back when I was a human priest. The first to become a member of the Eight Parts of the Divine.]

Wait, Yacha was Changhil’s disciple? I was a bit surprised, and Changhil continued.

[The Eight Parts of the Divine are neither my avatars nor my apostles. They are merely in a contractual relationship with me, based on ancient sorcery.]

“What?”

[I helped them become high-level beings by taking flesh from the body of the Old Ruler and sharing it with them. And they’ve been under the illusion that they have fused with me as my avatars for thousands of years… I might have intended it that way, though.]

“……”

[The causality of my avatars is not tied to them at all. If I had to put it, it’s more like a creditor-debtor relationship. So, if the Eight Parts of the Divine die, my power doesn’t decrease, but rather the interest builds up, making me stronger.]

I fell silent for a moment before asking, “So you’re saying you deceived them?”

[Heh heh. The strength the Eight Parts of the Divine obtained until now is merely their own talent as human heroes. All I provided was the foundation of a divine body.]

Changhil chuckled softly and said, [Now it’s time for me to reclaim my flesh and blood. I’ve helped them become demon lord-level beings, so there’s no way they’ll regret it.]

“You bastard!!”

I gritted my teeth. ‘Damn it… who does this guy think he is…?’

Indeed, the Eight Parts of the Divine were not Changhil’s avatars or apostles. He had simply tempted exceptionally talented humans into becoming his avatars, lending them the flesh of the Old Ruler! They had grown powerful using the incredible magical power of that borrowed flesh, yet he had never considered them to be true avatars from the very beginning.

This also meant that Changhil didn’t trust the Eight Parts of the Divine at all, hiding his role as a loan shark charging them debts. It was utterly absurd, especially since even Yacha, who was once his disciple, was unknowingly betrayed.

I had one more question that piqued my curiosity. “The Eight Parts of the Divine could resurrect infinitely. How did that come about?”

[That’s due to the ancient contract that created the Eight Parts of the Divine, where I promised them unlimited resurrection… They were my best investment, allowing me to intervene in the human world as I pleased, so I could afford that level of divine power.]

“Then how on earth did Zhu Rong manage to take them down?”

[I don’t know the details, but he probably manifested directly through my flesh that was permeated among the Eight Parts of the Divine and eliminated Zhu Rong… It must have consumed quite a bit of causality.]

So it meant Changhil had directly transmitted his divine power from the moon of Dark Heaven Village to grant them infinite resurrection through the contract. I understood what he meant, but I tilted my head in confusion.

“I can’t make sense of that. Other Old Rulers could probably extend the same courtesy to apostles or avatars, but why don’t others do it?”

[Do you think apostles or avatars are that remarkable? To the Old Rulers, no matter how powerful an apostle or avatar is, they’re ultimately just toys. If one breaks, another can simply be made. There’s no one like me who invests so much effort into maintaining them.]

“……”

[Unless they fall to the Seven Luminaries or are completely destroyed by chaos, or choose to self-destruct, even I can’t do anything. It’s just a difference in attitude.]

Could it be that this was a peculiar trait of an Old Ruler born from humanity…?

As I was contemplating, I suddenly heard a thud!!

Finally, even Yacha had fallen. Her body was torn apart, lying lifeless on the ground. As her life slipped away quickly, I caught her softly murmuring as she looked up at the sky.

[… Father… may your wish be fulfilled…]

Swish.

Yacha’s soul turned into white light and was absorbed into Changhil’s body. Changhil, having absorbed the souls of all the Eight Parts of the Divine, seemed quite pleased, exuding an ominous aura of chaos, before breaking into a loud laugh.

[Hahaha!! More than half of the plan has been completed. This is so easy! I worried over nothing.]

“What do you plan to do now?”

[Hmm. For now, I think I’ll meet those who seek an audience with me. Please wait a moment.]

Whoosh!

Changhil’s figure vanished from the space of the consciousness. Only the screen remained, and through the body of Daji, I could feel the vision and sensations being transmitted to me. Changhil had definitely gone to control Daji’s body again.

In front of Changhil stood Qin Shi Huang.

As the strongest Portrait Immortal and one of Changhil’s three great guardians, he knelt quietly with a smile as he met Changhil’s gaze.

Rumble…

Amid thunder and chaos raining down on the desolate land, a clear voice rang out.

“I have the honor of meeting the great human king.”

I anticipated that Changhil would kill Qin on the spot.

‘That bastard betrayed Changhil, and with such a dirty nature, there’s no way he wouldn’t want to kill him!’

Honestly, I was pleased at the thought. Watching the great evil punish the minor evil was always enjoyable. And while I was focused on witnessing Qin’s demise, to my surprise, Changhil slowly moved his mouth to speak.

[It’s been a while…]

What?

What’s going on here? Are they old acquaintances?

Then, as if he anticipated this, Qin lifted his head and spoke.

“As expected, your memory has been disrupted. Have you perhaps passed through the Great Cycle?”

[Indeed, you’re as sharp as expected from someone who was once a great emperor. As you said, I am Changhil, yet I am not.]

“Huh, I understand now. Then let me greet you once more, Changhil.”

Once again, Qin lowered his head in greeting.

“I truly appreciated your assistance during the Offering Ceremony in the past. I hope we can maintain a good relationship this time as well.”

Changhil replied to this.

[You did manage to come back from the dead after all. I had thought there was no hope when I heard your ridiculous wish.]

“I, too, have extraordinary attachments to this world…”

[Heh heh, remarkable indeed.]

Hearing Changhil’s words made me feel dazed as I continued watching the screen.

[You, who were known as Qin Shi Huang. You’ve obtained the Ultimate Portrait Immortal and the gift of immortality; what’s lacking that you now stand before me?]

Qin Shi Huang? Why is that name coming up here?!

No way, that guy must be the Portrait Immortal, but how can he be Qin? I had originally attributed the identity of ‘Yushin’ to him, and that wasn’t even close to the person standing before me! How on earth could Qin Shi Huang be referred to as the Portrait Immortal?!

Qin answered him.

“Changhil, I know that when you ascend to the existence of a celestial being, you will become a true god and be able to interfere with the Great Cycle of this world. When that time comes, will you grant me dominion over the earthly realm?”

[Oh? Why would I need to do that?]

“Right now, you’re only acting in the human domain, so the causality is relatively stable, but once the Seven Luminaries are released, a massive causality disturbance will occur. At that time, the powerful Old Rulers will reach into the reality of this world, and you will be busy dealing with them, leaving no time to rule the earthly realm, won’t you?”

[Hmm… So you want to lead my followers.]

“That is correct.”

Qin smiled slyly.

“Now that the Eight Parts of the Divine are gone, I believe I have the power and qualifications for it…”

[You’re right about that.]

At that moment, a glint appeared in Changhil’s eyes.

[Very well… I will officially appoint you as my apostle.]

“Thank you.”

[I will grant you power, so capture all of Baek Woong’s companions here. You may kill anyone who resists.]

Wham!

As Changhil placed his hand on Qin’s head, I felt an overwhelming power beginning to surround him. He was already strong, but he suddenly felt several times stronger, which was almost overwhelming. Moments later, Qin wore a suspicious smile as he vanished.

“Then, I will be back.”

No way!!

I felt a terrifying sense of urgency. It was clear that, if he fought against my comrades, even with Jecheon Dae-seong and Gong Gong on our side, we could be completely annihilated! I quickly yelled within my inner world.

“Stop!! Damn it!! Changhil, stop this!!”

Swish.

Changhil’s figure appeared back in my inner world. Unlike before, he was now in a transformed version of Daji, grinning seductively.

[Do you want me to stop…? Then, as I mentioned before, you must surrender everything to me. The Seven Luminaries, treasures, the Heavenly Secret, and all your rebirth abilities!]

“Screw that! What difference does it make?!”

[There’s a big difference… I will keep doing similar things until you surrender. I’ll destroy your comrades, your lovers, your connections, and everything you hold dear. If you’re wise, wouldn’t it be better for you to surrender and pass on your rebirth abilities before that happens…?]

“……”

[I keep my promises… If you hand everything over, you will live in wealth and honor, and I will protect your comrades… It’s a fine deal.]

What a joke!

How could the bastard who’s deceived those totally devoted to him, even the Eight Parts of the Divine, ever keep his promise to me? Does he think I’m an idiot?!

I was incredulous inside, but that didn’t change the fact that I couldn’t show my true feelings right now. If I said I couldn’t do it, Changhil would immediately send Qin to kill all my comrades. I had to prevent that at all costs.

‘Damn it… There has to be a way…’

I had gotten hit with a massive blow. If it continued like this, the only outcome would be getting everything stolen from me, leading to a miserable death. But given the current situation, it was incredibly challenging to turn this around, and I couldn’t do anything.

That’s when it hit me. Suddenly, I recalled Master Mangnyang’s question.

[If you could save humanity but the world would perish, what would you choose?]

[It’s a situation that could arise, and it’s the easiest to observe currently. I want to hear your choice.]

[I would choose that humanity perishes but the world is saved.]

……

Why the hell did that cat ask me such a question?

One thing was clear: his foresight was almost infallible, and he had indeed realized that Changhil was colluding with me. The thing is, just as Master Mangnyang stated, this choice would soon present itself vividly before me.

If that was the case, was it time for me to face the choice? I couldn’t be sure, but nonetheless, given the prophecy, I knew one thing solidly.

‘I won’t die until I face this choice!’

The nature of prophecies is that the subject does not meet their end until the prophecy is fulfilled! So in that case, the present situation still wasn’t hopeless. I had actions left that I could take, making Master Mangnyang’s words hold true. I collected my thoughts calmly, and suddenly an idea struck me.

“Changhil.”

[Have you made up your mind?]

“I could surrender. I just want to know what happens once I gather all the Seven Luminaries.”

[What do you mean ‘what happens’? Don’t you already know the outcome?]

“I’ve dedicated over a hundred years to collecting the Seven Luminaries. I’d like to know at least the result before handing it over.”

[Heh heh… Once the Six Needs are released, the King’s Test will take place. That examination will be conducted directly by the Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen’s representative… The result of that test will determine if you can reach the final Luminary, the Sun.]

I asked Changhil, “What is this King’s Test?”

[I don’t know.]

“You can’t be serious? You were the one who inscribed the sealing script onto the Seven Luminaries.”

[Neither I nor any of the Three Sovereigns know that. Only the Emperor knows that…]

“That’s insane… You’ve betrayed the Emperor and sided with the Coming Chaos, yet you’re not even scared of meeting him?”

I asked incredulously, and Changhil coolly replied.

[He is not someone with a narrow mind. He has already partially freed himself from the chains of the Old Rulers… A divine being among the universe, he wouldn’t punish me. After all, he’s the one who granted me the qualifications of King and challenger of the Seven Luminaries. He shows tolerance towards all challengers of the Seven Luminaries.]

“……”

[His existence is so tremendous that notions of good and evil become meaningless. That is the essence of the Emperor.]

What basis does he have for this? Seeing Changhil exude such unfounded confidence made me curious about Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen’s true nature. It was evident he was such an absolute being that transcended good and evil.

It was almost frightening.

The fact that Changhil, cunning and cruel as he was, didn’t lose his respect for the Emperor even by this point meant how incredible that being really was. Could it be that meeting the Emperor later would drive me insane?

But I smiled and said, “Alright, so I’ll do what I want then.”

It was now all or nothing.

At this point, I had no choice but to overturn everything again like last time.

Grrrrowl.

I sensed the causality within me. Normally impossible, but now that Daji’s body had absorbed the chaos and demon power, it was definitely feeling this clarity, and with Changhil crawling into my own body, it felt even easier. In a split second, gaining access to the realm of the divine, I was able to locate the threads of causality connected to me more easily than before.

I grabbed one of those threads and shouted in my mind.

“Star Constellation flowing in the time of doom! I, borrowing your power, worship the coming millennium!”

“……”

No, it wouldn’t work.

Why wouldn’t it work? Oh wait! I used it on Asura.

I had completely forgotten! I had no choice but to pick a second method.

‘Then I’ll go with fowl instead of game.’

Crack crack crack.

[W-What are you doing?]

“The right thing!”

Changhil gasped, but I shouted, “Jeon Wook! I’ll offer Daji’s body, so please defeat Changhil!”

In that instant, the causality that had been mired within me activated, connecting directly to the Three Sovereigns, Jeon Wook. And as I wielded the power of time, Jeon Wook’s eyes blinked awake in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, and we were face to face.

Jeon Wook expressed a strong displeasure, but soon responded to my words.

[Once this is done, I’ll kill you too…]

That wasn’t just a warning; he meant it. Once he dealt with Changhil, he would kill me.

But I replied with a resigned tone, “Well, do as you please…”

What did I have to lose? I just had to pull a fast one.

Bang!

In the next moment, a massive black light of destruction crashed down into the consciousness space, revealing a giant of darkness.

[No way?! How the hell…]

As Changhil’s expression stiffened, Jeon Wook burst into laughter and shouted.

[Did you want to see me, Changhil? You filthy rat!!]

Before Changhil could respond, he was seized by Jeon Wook’s hand. It seemed Jeon Wook could exert his true power even in this mental space because I had given him causality by dedicating Daji’s body.

[J-Jeon Wook…]

[It’s over for you!!]

Shatter!

Jeon Wook’s massive hand crushed Changhil to pieces.

 

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