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1146——————==

Soul of the Evil God

Just after defeating Lee Rang-jin-gun on the 94th floor, we were about to head up to the 95th floor, but the Sword Demon stopped us.

“Let’s take a break for a moment.”

“Honestly, it would be easier to just push through and clear everything at once….”

“Well, that’s true, but the situation isn’t fully sorted out yet, is it? There are a few things to discuss.”

“Hmm.”

“That fellow over there might not say it, but doesn’t he need some time to talk with Hang-a?”

I stole a glance at the descendant, and as he said, he had been locked on to Hang-a for a while now, his gaze filled with longing, which seemed to prompt the Sword Demon to suggest resting for a bit.

“Got it. Then let’s take a moment to head back to the Eight Trigrams Pavilion.”

*Swoosh*

We returned to the Eight Trigrams Pavilion. We brought along Jang Sam-bong, the Immortal, who was practicing on the 92nd floor, along with the other expedition members. Once inside, the Five Great Physicians, who had been waiting, performed their healing magic on us.

I turned to Hang-a.

“Hang-a, you keep calling me your master. Do you remember your days as a Giant Toad? You and I weren’t exactly that close. Instead, we had a grudge over whether you would lose your soul or not.”

“……”

Hang-a tilted her head at my words. Since she didn’t need to use her divine powers right now, she was responding in a way that suited my desires.

“What do you mean by ‘Giant Toad’?”

“……?”

What on earth is this…

I was taken aback and questioned Hang-a.

“You don’t remember?”

“I think I’ve been dreaming for a very long time. I remember until the very last moment when I was sealed by Jeogok, but I don’t know what happened after that.”

“…Hmm.”

So she doesn’t know about the Monster King Giant Toad days…

As I let out a sigh, the descendant, who was listening from the side, remarked.

“She is indeed being mentally controlled right now. Forgetting the time she was cursed and blindly loyal to you is strange.”

“I can see that, but why am I in this situation just because I named her Hang-a?”

“If she’s lying, she’s quite audacious. But if you’re not lying, then the moment you gave her that name, her personality was layered onto hers.”

“Layered on?”

The descendant nodded.

“A name proves one’s essence. Even if you named her Hang-a, that name originally belonged to the creator, Jeogok. If you erase that cause and become the new owner of the name, her essence must change accordingly, even if it’s just the same name.”

“…….”

“But I still don’t get it… What exactly are you?”

“What?”

The descendant glared at me with suspicion.

“Such phenomena arising just from naming someone is something I’ve rarely seen in my long life. Let alone you, a human, being in a position far inferior to her… there are hardly any beings more noble than she even in the celestial realm.”

“It’s annoying when you talk down to me, but let’s let that slide since it’s true. Just how noble could she be for you to say such things? Is she some kind of love child?”

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard… She is a direct descendant of the Three Sovereigns, and even the Twelve Ancestors bow their heads before her! Even the Jade Emperor addresses her with honorifics! She’s the only celestial maiden who could meet the Three Sovereigns in private! Do you think I’m babbling?”

As the descendant got angry, I turned to Jang Sam-bong, who was stroking his beard.

“I’m still young for someone from the celestial realm, so I’m not that knowledgeable about it. However, according to the knowledge gained in the celestial realm, what the descendant says is indeed true; Hang-a is a highly noble being. In terms of rank, she might even be on par with or above the Fire Dragon Incarnate.”

“Hmm!”

“Also, the act of a lower being naming a higher being is fundamentally taboo. This matter confuses me as well.”

“Why is that taboo?”

In response to my question, Jang Sam-bong said, “To name someone is ultimately a matter in which the law of cause and effect is involved. It signifies proving their essence with a name, which implies putting the very existence of the namer on the line. However, a name given by someone of lower rank ultimately creates limits on power, leading to mutual detriment. It could even result in annihilation together.”

“Really?!”

“If you’re of a low rank, you wouldn’t even be capable of using such techniques, but that’s why no sorcerer among the gazers dares to name a spiritual being. Naming someone is a very serious act.”

“…….”

“As the descendant said, for a pure human like you to newly name a high divine being like Hang-a, resulting in these changes, is indeed something that cannot be explained by any knowledge of techniques.”

I was beginning to grasp the seriousness of the situation from Jang Sam-bong’s words.

‘The gap between me, a human, and Hang-a, a high divine being, is like heaven and earth. So why is this happening?’

As I pondered, Dokgo Seong, arms crossed, bluntly spoke.

“Seems like Baek Woong is just the higher one compared to that woman. What’s with all this fuss over memory loss?”

“Dokgo Seong! Does that make any sense…?”

“I don’t know! Why does it matter in this situation? I may not know much about techniques, but what’s important isn’t even that. What’s important is that the descendant has joined our side, and with their power, we can clear out the rest of the enemies. Hang-a merely forgot her memory, but as long as she’s in good shape, what’s the issue?”

“That’s true…”

“Then let’s talk about the descendant rather than Hang-a. What kind of words did the descendant hear that made them hate you so much, Baek Woong?”

Ah, thinking about it!

The descendant had hated me since our first meeting, but what could have caused that?

As everyone’s eyes turned to the descendant, they hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“When Nüwa suggested that I would become the Trial Tower, she conditioned it on lifting Hang-a’s curse and returning her to me. But she laid out a condition.”

“A condition?”

“Since she received a name from another being while cursed, I couldn’t even know her current state, not even from Nüwa. When I asked who that was, I was told it was you, Baek Woong… I was shocked to see your appearance resembling a jujube.”

“…….”

“Every moment I thought of what you had done to Hang-a filled me with anger, waiting at the tower.”

“Damn it!! You’re the one assuming things and making a fuss. It was actually because of that damned… no, Woong that I suffered.”

I yelled out in frustration, but I could understand the situation.

‘Because I named her with the names of “dung” and “Woong,” even the one who cursed her, Nüwa, didn’t know Hang-a’s location, and that’s why this guy holds a grudge against me.’

For some reason, I felt that in my previous life, the descendant had also made a move to kill me for reasons similar to this. As I reflected on this, I said.

“With this, the situation is somewhat cleared up. First, descendant, take the lead and fight until we clear the challenges of this tower. You will use your strength to handle the trials in the tower.”

To my words, the descendant replied bluntly.

“You’re brazenly claiming you’d clear the trials with someone else’s power. I may be loyal to you, but it’s my freedom not to fight hard.”

“What?”

“I follow you because of a pledge, but you’re currently the most despised being in my world. Back in the Lee Rang-jin days, I overexerted myself because I was furious, but from now on, I won’t do that.”

“You little…”

The moment I heard that, I realized that following the Sword Demon’s advice to take a moment for adjustments was indeed a good choice. If I had gone straight to the 95th or 96th floor and the descendant fought halfheartedly, my life could have been in danger.

‘Damn it. This isn’t the time to be worrying about anything else.’

I can’t let this guy get cocky. I need to bring him down.

Pressing my resolve,

“Watch carefully.”

With a steely determination, I reached out and embraced Hang-a’s shoulder. She fell into my arms without resistance, and in that instant, the descendant’s eyes glinted fiercely as they aimed the Red Bow at me.

*Swish*

At the same moment, our allied experts aimed their killing intent alongside their weapons at the descendant. The descendant growled with a voice brimming with rage, as if spewing lava.

“Let go of that hand.”

“I don’t want to. A great hero and yet you want to swap your pledge of loyalty like it’s nothing?”

“I’d rather die than let it slide. If my lord covets his subordinate’s woman, there’s no reason not to kill him.”

“Hmph. You won’t intimidate me with death threats….”

I scoffed and continued,

“Listen up. I think Hang-a is the most beautiful, but I’m not interested in her. She’s entirely outside my concerns. However, what’s most important to me is clearing the tower, so if you don’t give it your all in the fight, I’ll have to resort to whatever means I can.”

“You coward.”

In that moment, I had an illusion that Zhuge Sa had whispered something in my ear. I imagined that if Zhuge Sa were here, he would have thought of such a strategy. So, I suddenly voiced the foul plan that came to mind.

“How about I really be cowardly? What if I send you to fight and take Hang-a’s name away, casting you into the material world?”

“……!!”

“You’ll never find her before the end.”

“Ugh…!! If you do that, I’ll make sure you pay….”

“Feel free to act confident. Regardless, you’ll be the one who suffers more.”

“Ugh….”

The descendant trembled. I could tell from that response that my prediction was spot on.

‘The descendant is definitely obedient while fearing losing Hang-a.’

Knowing that weakness made the rest easy. I realized I had firmly grasped the descendant’s weakness from the negotiations I’d been engaging in for a long time, so I eased up and gently coaxed him.

“Isn’t this tiring for both of us? If you consider yourself the strongest in the celestial realm, then do your best and knock out all the remaining trials. Once you’ve cleared them all, I’ll swear not to interfere with your relationship with Hang-a, or harm her in any way.”

“…….”

“And I even commanded to lift the curse, incurring a debt to Nüwa. Ultimately, it was practically me who broke that curse. So, if you repay my kindness by baring your fangs at me, isn’t that just rude?”

Upon my words, the descendant fell silent for quite a while. Then, gradually, the Red Bow lowered, and their fighting spirit waned.

“…Alright. I will do as you say. I’ll fight with all my strength.”

“You made a good choice.”

“However, according to what you said, there’s no guarantee that I can win it all.”

“What? If you can shoot the Red Bow boundlessly with no restrictions, of course, you’ll wipe them all out.”

“It’s not such a convenient ability. My aims must hit precisely, and I can’t shoot infinitely. Furthermore, if I’m up against opponents capable of skewing my arrows, the possibilities of me dying increase drastically if I miss.”

The descendant continued bluntly.

“Lee Rang-jin was simply killed because he was foolish enough to block it head-on; had he known better, he would have dodged. My trump card isn’t something to throw around lightly.”

“That’s still incredibly strong, isn’t it? You say there’s a worthy opponent out there?”

“One is confirmed.”

The descendant nonchalantly said.

“Xiang Yu.”

“Ah…!!”

My expression hardened, and the descendant continued.

“The only one who could contest me in my prime would be the Celestial Sage, yet even I don’t have confidence against him.”

“Mm….”

“I’ve seen him countless times, but to be honest, I’m scared.”

“Are you saying you really can’t win?”

“If luck is on my side, I could win, but he is, after all, the being closest to the divine. Attempting to fight and win would be close to arrogance.”

I could tell I had hit a new obstacle.

Xiang Yu!

I don’t know at which floor he’ll appear, but it became clear that overcoming him would be tough even for a descendant. The feeling of obtaining the strongest weapon had barely settled before the need for a new strategy started swelling in my head.

‘Damn it… How am I supposed to beat that monstrous being…?’

As I contemplated, the Sword Demon spoke.

“Baek Woong, why are you worrying about such things?”

“Huh?”

“Xiang Yu is the easiest opponent. Rather, it seems you’ll have far greater difficulty in persuading the descendant.”

“What…? That guy is just like the Old Ruler.”

I was bewildered, and the Sword Demon grinned.

“That would hold true for anyone else… but you’re Baek Woong, aren’t you?”

Then, the Sword Demon revealed a plan to me. Listening to that plan, I could only half-believe it, but I realized one crucial fact.

‘Everything depends on my words!’

Will this work? That guy has a tendency to lash out at a moment’s notice, doesn’t he?

As I worried, a few days later, I executed a challenge to the 95th floor.

*Swoosh*

The Trial Tower on the 95th floor presented me with an unexpected figure. I recognized the refined attire of a Taoist and was shocked.

“Huh, you are….”

[Nice to meet you, Baek Woong.]

In panic, I exclaimed to him.

“Tai Gong-mang! Aren’t you supposed to be guarding the Sealing Blood of the Divine?!”

Indeed.

The Trial Tower of the 95th floor was none other than Tai Gong-mang!

The direct disciple of the Primordial Heaven Master and the older brother of Cheon Gong-pyo, a being from the Silver Age, now stood before me. Naturally, I recognized him from when I had previously raided the hidden paradise of the Primordial Void, and I had lost Heuk Woong to him back then. Reflecting on the loss I had suffered back then now stung my gut a little.

Upon hearing my words, Tai Gong-mang looked slightly taken aback.

[How extraordinary… How do you know of the Sealing Blood of the Divine? To know such a closely guarded secret of the Celestial Realm is not typical for a mere emperor of the human world.]

I twitched my eyebrows.

“Tai Gong-mang, don’t tell me you left the other half of the divine spirit guarding the Sealing Blood while you came here with just your physical form? Even if you’re the direct disciple of the Primordial Heaven Master, I feel like you’re underestimating us!”

Tai Gong-mang was certainly not an easy opponent. If he used the Divine Treasure Ta Shin-pyeon, he could obliterate divine powers, and his martial art, Tai Chi, was one of the three ultimate divine arts. Having used divine arts, Tai Gong-mang had even forced Xiang Yu into a predicament back in the day.

Yet, even so, he usually divided his spiritual forms to keep one in the hidden paradise while the other acted out in the celestial realm. So even though Tai Gong-mang was strong, with just half his power, he would hardly reach the level of the Twelve Ancestors and would not be able to defeat the current version of myself.

‘Well then, that’s good for me!’

As I was secretly feeling victorious, Tai Gong-mang replied smoothly.

[It appears you do know the situation regarding the Sealing Blood of the Divine. As you mentioned, I usually separate my divine spirits, but this time, Nüwa has taken over the sealing of the hidden paradise. Moreover, since the seal was enhanced due to that one’s suggestion long ago, it will lift at a predetermined time… so I can muster my full strength.]

“…….”

Tai Gong-mang continued.

[Shall we begin?]

*Vroom*

The Treasure Ta Shin-pyeon in Tai Gong-mang’s hand radiated light.

‘Ugh… I’ll need to use the Technique of All Things to steal it, but someone like Tai Gong-mang will likely not show any openings. If I just fight straight on, it could spell disaster.’

Tai Gong-mang wielding Ta Shin-pyeon had previously cornered even Xiang Yu. Given his immense offensive power, I risked a great chance of winning but also a high possibility of the descendant getting severely injured.

‘…Hmm. Just stealing it isn’t enough?’

At that moment, an idea sparked, and I shouted.

“Ha! Call forth Ta Shin-pyeon!!”

*Swoosh*

The symbol of the Ta Shin-pyeon summoning ticket I acquired early in this life glowed, and Ta Shin-pyeon appeared in my hand.

[……?!]

“Now’s my chance!”

As I activated the Ta Shin-pyeon summoning ticket, Tai Gong-mang was shocked to find out that the Ta Shin-pyeon he had been holding had suddenly vanished. In that moment, the descendant unleashed an arrow from the Red Bow.

*Swoosh*

That was the end for Tai Gong-mang. Though Tai Gong-mang appeared to avoid it, the descendant’s archery skills weren’t loose enough to miss his brief opening. I looked down at the Ta Shin-pyeon in my hand with a slightly uneasy expression.

‘Well, it should be fine, right?’

Tai Gong-mang! I’ll put this Ta Shin-pyeon to good use from here on out!