988——————==

Soul of the Evil God

I immediately used the Golden Lamp technique to visit Seimei and the Arasa Imperial Palace to request the dispatch of troops in person.

‘Sure, I told Mangnyang to handle it, but it’s way faster if I go myself.’

Seimei naturally agreed and said there wouldn’t be a problem with 50,000 troops. After all, since Miho had already captured the Heavenly Emperor, teaching the Tokugawa Shogunate the techniques of immortality would make it an easy task.

However, things were not so easy with Arasa. A man named Boris Godunov, who had taken over as regent after the dead Ivan IV, was running the current political affairs of Arasa. Upon hearing my request, he immediately made a sour face and said,

“You claim to be the Emperor of the Wung Empire? I find that hard to believe… a boy emperor, really…”

“Boris Godunov. My identity has already been authenticated by Belov beside me.”

“Hmph…”

“Are you planning to reject my request?”

“Yes. 100,000 troops? Between your country and mine, there’s absolutely no reason to fulfill such a request. We bear no grudge against Goryeo. Stop spouting nonsense and get lost.”

“Hmm…”

I smiled and placed my hand on the sword sheath.

‘You clueless scarecrow! I should just wipe out everything in this Imperial Palace and take Arasa for myself.’

Ideas reminiscent of Zhuge Sa’s schemes surged within me. That way, it wouldn’t just be 100,000 troops but I could throw all 400,000 of Arasa’s forces at Goryeo.

Suddenly, I heard a voice in my head.

[Stop! Do you intend to use force just because diplomacy hasn’t gone your way, Emperor!?]

It seemed Belov, who was seated next to Boris, had used some sort of supernatural ability. He, being a telepath as known in the Western regions, could communicate with minds without using any spells. It was a different ability from Secret Transmission.

I glared at Belov coldly.

[Belov. You surely knew that I could have forcibly taken this country the moment I removed Ivan IV from power, right? Is it really such an impossible request to send 100,000 troops instead of trying to eat Arasa?]

[Emperor. That’s merely a logic of power. Do you have no sense of humanity?]

[Then prove that you are beings that transcend the logic of power. To me, you don’t seem as benevolent and essential to this world as you claim.]

[……]

[If that’s the case, convince Boris the Regent. If you don’t comply with my requests, you’ll pay a price several times greater.]

[Give me a day.]

[Fine.]

I slipped away with the Golden Lamp technique. Given my pressure on Belov, Boris would likely have no choice but to comply.

Next, I decided to visit Master Mangnyang.

‘I need to figure out how to use this black obsidian body.’

The Prophet said that to use the body, one needs the ability to read or manipulate the Law of Cause and Effect, a power reserved for transcendent beings—among them, a few very special ones. Master Mangnyang surely met that condition and would probably know.

Ta-daht

As I stepped into Master Mangnyang’s village, Cheon Woo-jin appeared before me. As soon as he saw my face, he said with obvious displeasure,

“What do you want now?”

“… Why do you keep getting annoyed whenever you see me? You must have gained something from the black obsidian too.”

“I already told you I don’t need it. Are you just going to keep giving gifts and satisfying yourself?”

“Whatever. I’m here to meet Master Mangnyang.”

“Why him?”

Already having shared the black obsidian with Cheon Woo-jin, I showed him the black obsidian body and explained what I heard from the Prophet. After hearing the entire story, Cheon Woo-jin said after a moment,

“Give me that black obsidian.”

I willingly handed it over to Cheon Woo-jin. He stared at it intently but seemed unable to perceive anything special. Then he spoke as if he found it hard to believe.

“Is there really something secret in this…?”

“Seimei couldn’t recognize it, so it must be a treasure whose true value cannot be discerned by a sorcerer’s power…”

Uh…

Dizziness surged through me, and I suddenly felt sleepy, collapsing to the ground.

Dream World.

I could see a familiar path with a pitch-black cat sitting across from me. The cat looked at me and said,

[The Qilin has made a request to me.]

Mangnyang suddenly leapt up onto the roof. He sat there regally, looking down at me.

[He wants you to set right the balance of the world…]

“……?”

What are you talking about?

Yet, a word from him caught my attention.

“Are you referring to the Qilin of the Four Divine Beasts?”

[Indeed.]

“What does that request mean?”

[It means to find and eliminate the one disrupting the balance.]

“Who is that?”

Master Mangnyang stared at me without answering.

[……]

“……?”

Oh? No way…

I pointed at myself, thinking it couldn’t be true.

“Me…?”

[According to the current Law of Cause and Effect, it seems so…]

“……!!”

[Before, I wasn’t certain, so I watched you without meeting you, but all signs point to you. You are the one who will plunge the world into chaos and cover it with great misfortune.]

“……”

Me? The one who brings about great misfortune and upsets the balance?

‘This is unfair!’

I merely united the White Lotus Sect and Imperial Palace to become emperor! Sure, there were conflicts with the Twelve Joules preparing for a fight, but that’s all justifiable defense. Until now, I’ve managed quite well without major troubles, and to be treated like this!

But looking at Master Mangnyang, he seemed absolutely convinced I was the culprit. I asked him in a trembling voice,

“So, you’re saying you will kill me as per the Qilin’s request?”

[… No. Killing you would be meaningless.]

“What?”

[According to predictions, you are an existence that doesn’t die even if killed. Instead, you are the one who gains life through death. It would actually be a merciful act to kill someone like you.]

“Wait… So…”

Master Mangnyang yawned and said,

[It seems sealing you away would be the right thing to do.]

“…..!!”

Oh no!!

‘Damn it!! This is the worst case scenario I could think of…!!’

For me, the worst case isn’t being tortured or killed. It’s being sealed in a state of perpetual wakefulness, unable to live or die! Until now, nobody has managed to seal me properly, but with Master Mangnyang in front of me, that could change. Didn’t Zhuge Sa often say not to make an enemy out of Master Mangnyang?

[Remember this: Master Mangnyang must never become your enemy. Even if you reincarnate a thousand times, that must never happen.]

Those were Zhuge Sa’s words, who had taught me many ways to commit suicide.

[You can’t commit suicide?]

[No method of suicide would bear any significance in front of Master Mangnyang. His powers render the petty tricks of mortals meaningless. While other Old Rulers might struggle against your suicides, he would snuff them all out effortlessly.]

[Is that cat really that impressive?]

[He can easily blur the boundary between reality and dreams. He can also manipulate the Law of Cause and Effect. Nullifying every single method of suicide you’ve attempted would be a piece of cake. Even death would be buried in illusions.]

[……]

[It’s puzzling why such a transcendent existence is here in reality. One would expect a being of such stature to only show up at the end of the universe…]

Zhuge Sa had muttered about this.

[If that situation arises… there’s only one method.]

I thought I might be at that moment right now.

So I swallowed hard and buried my head in the ground.

Thud!!

“Please, just once! I can’t be sealed like this!!”

[……]

“I’ll explain everything to that Qilin! Just please let me go this one time!!”

That’s right.

Bowing my head and pleading!

My heart raced like it was about to burst. Being sealed away by Master Mangnyang would be like facing [an eternal death] for someone like me, a Reborn Person. Master Mangnyang could very well keep me sealed even after the end of the universe.

Then Master Mangnyang said,

[There’s a big difference between what is right to do and what is necessary to do.]

“Huh?”

[I still haven’t made a decision. Whether or not to seal you.]

W-What!?

Why does that cat seem so indifferent? I wondered if he hadn’t made up his mind yet! I looked at Master Mangnyang, my face brightening, but he stretched like a cat and continued,

[If Krishna were to ask for your hand, would you agree?]

“Krishna? I’ve promised to meet with him…”

[Your answer to this question will determine your treatment.]

“……”

Um… I have no idea what kind of situation this is.

‘Why is Krishna popping up here?’

I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. I wanted to seek wisdom from my advisers, but since I was in the Dream World, I had no way to contact them via Secret Transmission or Suspicious Fishhook. As I contemplated what it would mean to join hands with Krishna, I considered that he must be an Avatar of an Ancient God. He belonged to the [Order] faction and held a significant position within that faction.

Evidence suggests that the leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church and divine beast Behemoth showed him respect and deference.

Common sense would suggest that teaming up with Krishna wouldn’t be a bad idea. I got angry with Krishna for popping up unexpectedly and ruining my plans, which was frustrating, but objectively, I understand he’s not a bad guy; in fact, he’s quite good.

But what’s the right choice?

Should I ally with Krishna?

Or not?

I couldn’t read the cat’s expressions or feelings at all. Though it pretends to act human, it might be even more devoid of emotion than anyone else. He could very well fit the mold of a true god.

In this ultimate dilemma, I pondered for a moment before finally saying,

“… I won’t join hands.”

My destiny hangs on this answer!

[Why not? Krishna is the Avatar of the Creator God Vishnu, one of the most powerful beings among those of Order currently in the world. He should be friendly toward you.]

“……”

[Answer me.]

“The reason is… I just find him uncomfortable and dislike him.”

[Is that all?]

Pressed by Master Mangnyang, I could no longer hold back and shouted.

Whether I’m sealed or not, I need to make my voice heard!

“Why do you keep forcing me to answer? I can’t know what kind of guy he is unless you tell me! If he’s good, I’ll befriend him; if he’s bad, then I’ll shy away! But right now, his impression is absolutely terrible, and I don’t want to join hands!”

[So, that means you could join hands, theoretically.]

“That’s possible, but I won’t think about it now! Why would I want to join hands with someone who suddenly popped up and ruined my life?”

After my outburst, Master Mangnyang spoke after a moment.

[Even if Krishna says he can stop the end of the world, is that still your answer?]

“……”

[This is your final question. Just answer according to your beliefs.]

Ugh, damn. Why is this cat so irritable today? Did a fishbone get stuck in its throat or something?

I smirked at the absurdity of the situation and then said,

“Yeah. I’m not joining hands!”

[Why?]

“Because I’ve never met a guy trying to entice me regarding the end of the world who wasn’t a scumbag… If it’s such a great method, then why hasn’t he used his incredible power until now? That’s suspicious enough, so I won’t trust him all the way.”

[……]

“I’ve said everything I needed to! If you’re going to seal me, then just hurry up.”

I crossed my arms and sat down right there. Then I tightly closed my eyes.

‘Damn it… is my journey in this life ending here?’

I just spouted whatever came to mind, but I wasn’t sure. Who can make a solid decision in such a reckless dilemma?

But life ultimately comes down to dilemmas and choices. No matter what you choose, there’s bound to be some regret, so you have to make choices that leave no regrets. It’s a contradictory statement, but it’s something I’ve learned through my life that this way of choosing is often the best.

After a long pause, Master Mangnyang finally spoke.

[Forget the seal.]

“……?”

[If that’s how you feel, then there’s no need for a seal.]

Huh?

Has Master Mangnyang spared me?

As I blinked in confusion, he said,

[But know that all the Qilin are keeping an eye on you. Krishna appearing before you is also no coincidence. Be especially aware that the Qilin harbors a strong animosity toward you.]

“…What does that mean? Are you saying Krishna purposely showed up in front of me?”

[……]

The lingering silence was interrupted as Master Mangnyang said,

[Tell me the purpose of your visit. After hearing that, I’ll let you go.]

“Well, it’s about this black obsidian.”

I pulled the black obsidian body from my possession. Upon seeing it, Master Mangnyang sniffed it and remarked,

[I can sense the energy of the sun. Is this the body of a god?]

“……!! Yes. That’s right.”

[It appears you’ve come to ask me about how to use it.]

Just how far do this cat’s abilities reach?

I nodded, still astonished by his insight, and laid the black obsidian on the ground.

Then, after a moment…

Gulp

“……?”

[Mmm, delicious…]

Master Mangnyang swallowed the black obsidian whole.