959——————==

Soul of the Evil God

After our fight was over, Zhuge Sa seemed relieved as he spoke.

” Phew, now we can finally do something. We can establish a solid foundation in the human realm.”

” Until now, it wasn’t possible?”

Zhuge Sa’s face briefly stiffened in surprise.

” Why would you even ask that…”

” ……”

” Anyway, you brought the obsidian, right?”

” Yeah.”

I took out the obsidian and infused it with memories. After confirming the obsidian, Zhuge Sa turned to Master of the White Lotus Sect.

” Master of the White Lotus Sect. I am Zhuge Sa, the current Sect Leader and a Demon Sorcerer.”

[ Are you Baek Woong’s companion? ]

” Yes. Now, Baek Woong will share everything with you through the obsidian, but before that, as Baek Woong’s strategist, I want you to make a promise…”

[ A memory… It seems that obsidian is some sort of magic. What kind of promise? ]

Zhuge Sa’s eyes glimmered for a moment.

” If you side with us, no matter what happens, you must never betray him. If you don’t want to be our ally, then just say it from the start.”

[ ……]

I glanced at Zhuge Sa and said.

” Isn’t that a given? No need for a promise…”

” It is necessary. There’s a huge difference between swearing by one’s own mouth and not. Especially in the case of that guy…”

Zhuge Sa lightly retorted and continued to fix his gaze on Master of the White Lotus Sect.

Master of the White Lotus Sect crossed his arms and thought for a long while before speaking.

[ Saying you’ll give a memory means you’re feeling a risk about sharing your serious secrets? You want to prepare for that risk. ]

” Answer me.”

[ … Fine. I promise. ]

Only then did Zhuge Sa give me a signal. When handing over the obsidian to the other companions, Zhuge Sa had never reacted this sensitively, so bringing in Master of the White Lotus Sect seemed to be that significant. I slowly activated the spell of the obsidian and handed it over to him.

Whoosh

[ ……!! ]

Boom!!

Moments later, Master of the White Lotus Sect appeared to solidify, standing completely still in silence. I could tell he wasn’t moving at all for about half a beat. I was starting to suspect he might be dead or severely injured standing like that.

Then, Master of the White Lotus Sect suddenly shouted at me in urgency.

[ Ba, Baek Woong!! Show me… not just Vajra, but the Four Great Spirit Deities right in front of my eyes!! ]

I don’t think I ever saw Master of the White Lotus Sect lose his composure like that before. I nodded and summoned Vajra in my mental world, manifesting it onto my palm.

Swoosh

[ Oh… Th-this is the Four Great Spirit Deities… ]

The Master gently touched Vajra with trembling hands. Just then, Zhuge Sa shouted sharply.

” Remove your hand, Master!! You’ll die!”

Crack!!

[ ……!! ]

As soon as that was said, an immense thunderous force surged from Vajra, wrapping around the Master. It seemed he was trying to endure the thunder with the internal power of the Primordial Spirit, but not for long; he eventually couldn’t contain it and let out a scream.

[ Aaargh…!! ]

Crackle!!

Crackle!!

‘ Wh-what in the world!!’

This is truly insane lightning! The bolts from Vajra were so overwhelming that they seemed to incinerate the entire Mandala whenever the Master summoned it, as if they were sizzling his body to a crisp. It was a thunder so tremendous that even the strength of the Primordial Spirit couldn’t withstand it. I hastily pushed the Master’s body away with a burst of force.

Thud

Crackle…

Before I knew it, Vajra had disappeared, and Master of the White Lotus Sect was crouched on the floor, charred black. I approached him in shock.

” Are you okay?”

[ … Phew… Oh… the true… the true Four Great Spirit Deities have returned… ]

Zhuge Sa, watching from behind, chuckled at the dazed Master of the White Lotus Sect.

” Hahaha!! Master, you have magical power, so it’s impossible you’d burn to death with the Four Great Spirit Deities! You knew you’d die, yet you still wanted to test if it’s real, huh? Not a care if you die, is it?”

[ Unless I’m a fool… I’d certainly do that… The truth of the Four Great Spirit Deities is far more significant than my own life. ]

After saying that, the Master quietly gazed at me.

[ Baek Woong… I truly thank you. For bringing the Four Great Spirit Deities back to this land. ]

” Uh-huh. Have you read all the memories?”

[ Yes… ]

After a moment of silence, the Master continued.

[ However… I cannot fully assure you that I will become your companion just yet. ]

Huh?!

Caught off guard by his words, I looked at him, and he added.

[ The reason the Four Great Spirit Deities do not operate properly in your hands… unless that is clearly resolved… although it’s not your fault, I will consider the possibility of being toyed with by an existence like the Outer God. ]

” ……”

Zhuge Sa, who was listening, irritably spoke up.

” You’re overthinking it. You know that doubt doesn’t make sense, right? If you doubt that, you should also doubt a pebble or a drop of water.”

[ … True. ]

” The fact that the Four Great Spirit Deities have been recovered, plus that Baek Woong progressed with Dharma Master and True Martial Home, you should be incredibly grateful for that, shouldn’t you?”

[ ……]

Zhuge Sa was glaring.

” If you’re worried about cracking the stones, then it’s just foolish. Just throw yourself at Baek Woong and worship him. After all, he’s someone who accomplished great things with your ancestors!!”

He really seemed to be genuinely angry.

Master of the White Lotus Sect said.

[ Baek Woong… I will regard you as a great benefactor. And I promise I will never betray you. Is that enough? ]

” Well, I don’t mind at all. As long as you help me, it’s fine. But… I would like to understand why you’re keeping this bare minimum distance.”

To my words, the Master slightly turned his mask aside and replied.

[ Ever since that day, I have come to trust nothing. I apologize… ]

” You read the memories of the obsidian, so you know that, in the past, you announced before Jin So-cheong, [I will obey the one who brings the Four Great Spirit Deities].”

[ That statement was made sincerely. Thus, my current hesitation has arisen. ]

” Hmm.”

I thought I understood what this was all about.

‘ Because the Four Great Spirit Deities haven’t been perfectly manifested yet, Master of the White Lotus Sect and his sense of doubt regarding me haven’t completely vanished.’

The reason Master of the White Lotus Sect dared to risk his life to touch Vajra earlier was probably to gauge where his doubts lay. And now, having confirmed the authenticity of the Four Great Spirit Deities, he intended to regard me as a benefactor, yet a trace of doubt remained.

‘ What on earth happened in the past that created such an inability to trust everything?’

I nodded.

” That works.”

” Baek Woong!!”

” What is it, Zhuge Sa?”

Zhuge Sa shouted at me angrily.

” Aren’t you furious? Do you know what it means for you to have returned with the Four Great Spirit Deities? It means you’ve accomplished a feat that’s nearly impossible, even if you were to die a hundred times over—something that even a heavenly deity wouldn’t dare attempt!”

” ……”

” And yet that guy still doesn’t fully trust us! Doesn’t that make you angry?!”

I scratched my neck, feeling detached as I responded.

” It can’t be helped.”

” Can’t be helped?”

” You and the other companions didn’t trust me at first either. It’s unrealistic to think everything will change in one go.”

” ……”

” I’ll keep proving myself. That you all have reasons to trust me.”

Zhuge Sa wore a blank expression before chuckling a moment later.

” Ha… Hahaha… You’ve really lost it… In a different sense, you’ve gone mad… Yes… that’s how I can call you my lord!”

” Just saying.”

I lightly deflected him and then addressed Master of the White Lotus Sect.

” Master of the White Lotus Sect Dokgo Uncheon. From now on, we’re companions of the past life. I’ll place my trust in you and proceed through all our past lives.”

[ That’s fine. ]

” I hope we can discuss this in a place where no one is around for a moment.”

[ Follow me. ]

Swoosh

We arrived at a secluded place near the Hall of the Sect Leader, a spot that felt like we’d been there once before. As we sat on nearby tree stumps, the mood seemed just right for a serious conversation. I spoke to Master of the White Lotus Sect.

” What do you think is the most critical thing for us right now?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, he replied.

[ Your singularity. ]

” Singularity…”

[ You have experienced enormous events and gained significant harvests in your 27th life, but you have yet to resolve the very cause of moving into the outer universe—the ‘singularity’ itself. ]

Zhuge Sa, listening beside me, chimed in.

” Well said. Considering this, let’s summarize what we need to do right now.”

Zhuge Sa supported his chin on his knees and continued.

” Remember the words of the Prophet from long ago? He said, [If you find the Four Great Spirit Deities, you may find the Non-Birth Mother’s Dharma Technique]. Furthermore, it was said that the Dharma Technique and the Four Great Spirit Deities are linked by the Law of Cause and Effect and resonate with each other.”

” That’s right.”

” And by offering the Dharma Technique as a sacrifice, you could use the enormous magical power within it to delay your [singularity]. Do you understand up to here?”

” Yes.”

” So, what we need to do is locate the scattered Dharma Techniques in this world. Using the Four Great Spirit Deities you possess, of course.”

” Ah.”

” In that light, this 28th life can be seen as a life dedicated to searching for the Dharma Technique, with the successful condition being the postponement of the singularity.”

As Zhuge Sa explained, the messy situation in my head began to clear up.

‘ I see… The Four Great Spirit Deities imprinted in my mental world are the only clues to find the Dharma Technique, and if the Technique is nearby, it will resonate. Plus, locating all the Dharma Techniques in this life would allow for the postponement of the singularity…’

In this life, I need to find the Non-Birth Mother’s Dharma Technique.

Even if it means traveling around the entire world.

As I was getting my thoughts together about Zhuge Sa’s words, the Master stated.

[ Your quest for the Dharma Technique actually aligns with my intentions… I will give my all to help you. ]

” That’s natural. You have a piece of the Non-Birth Mother’s Dharma Technique, don’t you?”

To Zhuge Sa’s question, the Master slowly nodded.

[ Yes… ]

” I want to see it right now. Show me.”

[ Go to the Altar of Heavenly Darkness. ]

Boom!

I summoned the Golden Lamp and headed to the Altar of Heavenly Darkness with the two of them. Finally, we reached the altar’s stone coffin at its summit, where he stared down at it contemplatively before saying.

[ The Dharma Technique of the Three Spirits… This is undoubtedly a top-notch Dharma Technique, but… in truth, it was merely a disguise to conceal the real important Dharma Technique. ]

Boom

The Master pulled out a large scroll from the stone box. I had previously seen that scroll, and the overwhelming sensation from it had left me reeling, so I reflexively summoned my energy. However, this time, unlike before, I didn’t feel an intense pressure.

‘ Hmm…?’

What’s happening? Last time just looking at the scroll made me dizzy and faint when I tried to grab it…

As I wore a puzzled expression, the Master spoke with a bittersweet tone.

[ Right now, I used my magical power to deactivate the altar’s powers. You shouldn’t be heavily influenced by the chaotic forces either. ]

” Hmm. If this scroll is the Dharma Technique of the Three Spirits, then where is the actual Dharma Technique?”

[ It’s right in front of you. ]

” ……?”

Right in front of me?

I looked confused. I was staring at the scroll, but the Master gestured that wasn’t what I should be looking at; he indicated to look beside me. When I turned to where the Master was directing, I saw a stone coffin with its lid open.

I approached the coffin, peering inside, but there was nothing there. I could only see an empty bottom. When I looked back at the Master in confusion, he said.

[ When Master Dharma met his end, a piece was absorbed by this altar. The integrated altar has become far more powerful than it originally was… ]

” ……!!”

[ This coffin itself is a piece of the Dharma Technique as it stands now. ]

The stone coffin at the highest level of the Altar of Heavenly Darkness!!

To think that was a segment of the Non-Birth Mother’s Dharma Technique held by the White Lotus Sect!

The first button of the Non-Birth Mother’s Dharma Technique had been fastened.

Zhuge Sa glanced at the coffin and said.

” So, that means you don’t know the whereabouts of the remaining Dharma Techniques?”

[ Correct… If I knew, I would have mobilized all the power of the White Lotus Sect to retrieve them… ]

” According to the Prophet, there are a total of six pieces of the Dharma Technique. He mentioned that one or two pieces might be in the hands of the Old Ruler. In other words, a good half is likely still scattered across the human realm…”

[ However, the search will indeed be arduous… As you have learned in your past lives… I sought them out by any means, even resorting to the help of the Gods… but the Gods wouldn’t easily reveal their whereabouts… ]

Master of the White Lotus Sect murmured in frustration before turning to me.

[ Baek Woong… Do you think you can manage this? This cannot be achieved by simply wishing to the god known as the Old Ruler… You’ll have to thoroughly scour the entire world, relying solely on the resonance of the Four Great Spirit Deities. It will be a path wrought with hardship. ]

” I will.”

I answered resolutely.

” I will never give up!”

As long as I don’t give up, I can somehow manage anything!

That is my steadfast belief.

Zhuge Sa chuckled and said.

” Well, it won’t be a mindless endeavor. You’ve gathered plenty so far…”

” Zhuge Sa. Do you have a plan?”

” Of course, I do.”

Zhuge Sa continued.

” First, take care of the tasks at hand and come to the White Lotus Sect. We can discuss the details from there.”