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00522 Dark Heaven Village ————————————————————————

The enemy lurking at Mount Tai is the Golden Dragon of the Eight Parts!

Then our task is to eliminate him before the Heavenly Sovereign descends and simultaneously gather information on what Chi You is plotting. Until now, we didn’t attack because we didn’t know who was at Mount Tai, so we didn’t know if we were risking ourselves. But if the enemy is the Golden Dragon, that changes everything. Eliminating him would also fulfill Jeon Wook’s order—killing two birds with one stone.

“The problem is whether we can defeat the Eight Parts…” Mangnyang calmly said at the meeting where everyone had gathered.

“The status of the Eight Parts is equivalent to that of the Demon King of the Baehwa Sect. They were revered as gods in ancient Tianzhu and even destroyed a kingdom. They should at least be of the same caliber or even stronger.”

“But the fighting power of the Golden Dragon ranks second to last. You did say they were at the lower tier among the Eight Parts.”

“That lower tier might be stronger than the Demon King.”

“……”

Mangnyang spoke true. The texts from the Sang Nam Study portrayed the Golden Dragon as weak, but that was merely from a divine status perspective. No one knew how powerful the Golden Dragon would appear to an ordinary mortal.

Miho crossed her arms.

“It seems we’ve reached another moment of choice. Baek Woong, will you strike or sit idly by?”

I replied firmly, “There’s no way we’re sitting idly. The appearance of Chi You’s avatar on Mount Tai definitely indicates a conspiracy. We’ve let it go until now, but now that we know its identity, we have no choice but to strike. If we leave that guy alone, we’re bound to suffer significant losses.”

“Hehe. Looks like the wheels are finally turning in your head,” the Sword Demon beside Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“Baek Woong. I’m in favor of attacking Mount Tai. Even if some of us die, we must go for it. However, there’s one thing that puzzles me…”

“What is it?”

“Couldn’t we simply wipe him out using the power of reversal?”

“Ah, I see.”

Instead of having to defeat this troublesome opponent on par with the Demon King, we could just use the power of reversal to wipe him out easily. No matter how much of a Chi You’s avatar he is, he surely wouldn’t withstand the ruler of the jungle. But then Zhuge Sa said, “We shouldn’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“The ruler of the jungle devours souls completely, making them his own. That means we lose the chance to obtain the information Chi You desires. Besides, now that the tracks of our enemy are clear, do we really think there will be an opportunity to confront that cunning Golden Dragon again in future reincarnations?”

“……!!”

“Whether it’s a meal or something to cook, we’ll have to take it down first. Only then can we gather information—his appearance, thoughts, speech, everything.”

Mangnyang sighed. “It’s frustrating not knowing the relationship between the Celestial Realm and Chi You. If it were certain that Chi You is a threat to the Celestial Realm, I’d try to forcefully move Miho Wang to act…”

“Chi You might be hiding among the upper echelons of the Celestial Realm too. If that’s the case, then the Celestial Realm becomes our enemy as well.”

In any case, only one conclusion remained. Jin So-cheong spoke. “Let’s go. If we’re going to eliminate him, let’s give it our all.”

That was indeed right.

We prepared as we had done when we toppled the Demon King and headed straight for Mount Tai. We didn’t approach the Heavenly Altar directly but cautiously examined what sort of barrier was at the foot of Mount Tai. Cheon Woo-jin said, “I’ve been observing Mount Tai with my heavenly eyes, but there were no signs of anything.”

“Can you tell what kind of trap he has set?”

“I can if I use the Half Yellow Pearl. We’re close enough to effectively use it.”

Uwoong.

As Cheon Woo-jin activated the Half Yellow Pearl, a white light emanated from the pearl in a mist-like fashion. The light soon coalesced into droplets, scattering into thousands and flying towards various places on Mount Tai.

Screeeech—

After a while, a scream echoed. It sounded like a demon beast howling, radiating unmistakable magical energy. We instinctively sensed that a ‘trap’ had been activated and asked Cheon Woo-jin, “What’s happening?”

“… They’ve hidden the demon beasts so they wouldn’t be detected by the techniques. There are about a few hundred.”

“Are they strong demon beasts?”

“Looks that way. Even now, as the Half Yellow Pearl works its magic, they’re not reducing in number.”

As he spoke, Cheon Woo-jin lifted the Half Yellow Pearl slightly above his shoulder. “Half Yellow Pearl, show your power!!”

Boom!

Rainbow lights scattered like a waterfall. As the incantation was chanted, explosions erupted all over Mount Tai, and fragments of demon beasts soared into the air. Mangnyang watched the scene with a newfound look of awe.

“Indeed, these ancient treasures were active during the divine battle of the past. Such a widespread attack of this scale…”

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

Soon, Cheon Woo-jin’s Half Yellow Pearl emitted a fierce light, drawing in the scattered luminescence. But then Cheon Woo-jin frowned.

“Someone has negated the power of the Half Yellow Pearl and sent it back this way… The encirclement of demon beasts on Mount Tai remains intact.”

Mangnyang was taken aback. “Priest, is that even possible? That’s an upper-tier treasure. This isn’t just some technique. How can the attack power of a treasure be negated?”

“I think so too. The one inside must be at the level of the Demon King.”

Tension filled the air. Cheon Woo-jin tried to test the waters with a preemptive strike, but the power of the Golden Dragon inside was evidently formidable.

Moments later, a huge roar reverberated through Mount Tai.

[ I’ve been waiting. You’ve come here, overestimating your own power.]

I shouted back at the Lion’s Roar. “Golden Dragon! What are you hiding? Show yourself proudly.”

[ You are an obstacle to our plan. Plus, the fact that you’re gathering the Seven Luminaries is extremely dangerous.]

The Golden Dragon responded with a voice filled with anger. [ Come! I shall show you the power of the Eight Parts.]

“Did you think you could stop us?”

We started climbing Mount Tai, prepared. We could go directly up to the Heavenly Altar, but it was clear that traps would be laid out, so we decided to slowly eliminate them from outside. While ascending the mountain, Mangnyang suddenly halted.

“… We’ve hit a snag. We’ve entered the Death Gate.”

“Pardon?”

“Ugh, what a ridiculous…”

Mangnyang said with a grim face. “This… this is the Eight Trigrams Formation.”

“……!!”

“Baek Woong. We need to escape with our powers. This can’t be released from within.”

“Understood.”

Wham!

I immediately fled to the outside of Mount Tai with my companions. The Sword Demon said, puzzled, “Why are we running away? Can’t we break through with strength?”

“It’s not possible.”

“Cheon Woo-jin could’ve opened a path or destroyed the technique with just his powers back then. Our forces are several times stronger than then. So why can’t we do that now?”

Mangnyang nodded. “The one who cast this is probably a demi-divine being. If such a being has set a perfect Eight Trigrams Formation, its might would be dozens of times more powerful… If Baek Woong hadn’t used his powers just a moment ago, we would have been wiped out without a chance.”

Zhuge Sa’s expression twisted in anxiety. “… And the problem is that it is a perfect Eight Trigrams Formation. Damn it… There’s only one person in this world who can set a perfect Eight Trigrams Formation.”

“Zhuge Yulong!”

“What the hell happened? Could that guy really be the Golden Dragon of the Eight Parts, Chi You?”

Zhuge Sa himself was bewildered.

But given the circumstances, it was understandable. Until now, we believed Zhuge Yulong had been defeated by Miho Wang and that he had lost all his forces and was recuperating somewhere. The notion of Zhuge Yulong suddenly appearing on Mount Tai while masquerading as the Golden Dragon was beyond imagination. If Zhuge Yulong had been the Golden Dragon all along and possessed demi-divine power, he couldn’t have possibly been overcome so easily by Miho Wang.

Kuooh!

At that moment, several demon beasts charged out from within and attacked us. Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon easily sliced through the demon beasts, but it seemed this place wasn’t safe either.

Zhuge Sa turned his gaze to Mangnyang and said, “Hyun Ah, what do you think? Can we directly move to the Heavenly Altar and find the life gate?”

“… It’s impossible. You’d have to enter to realize it’s an Eight Trigrams, plus the flow of the formation changes incessantly. That’s not a formation a human could create.”

“If you can’t break the formation, then neither can I. If you can’t, then no formation master in the continent can either. Cheon Woo-jin, can’t you use the power of the Half Yellow Pearl to deal with this?”

Cheon Woo-jin responded curtly, “Do you think being an avatar means I can do anything? I’m not as skilled in formations as my older brother. And if I could break it with power, I would’ve done so earlier.”

“Damn it.”

Irritated, Zhuge Sa said to me, “Baek Woong! Let’s borrow the firepower of the Fire Dragon Incarnate. That’s our only chance.”

“If we use all our strength to break the Eight Trigrams, we won’t have enough to fight Chi You.”

“We’ll figure that out somehow.”

“Understood.”

Uwoong.

The Fire Dragon Incarnate and Jang Sam-bong descended upon me. Then I drew forth the power of the Fire Spirit to its extreme and shot it towards Mount Tai.

Boom!

A massive flame coiled like a dragon, seemingly engulfing the entire Mount Tai. However, that was just the surface appearance; in reality, it seemed as if an invisible barrier had been set up, holding the form of the Fire Spirit at bay, unable to break through. I grew anxious and asked the Fire Dragon Incarnate.

[ Can’t we break through?]

[ Not right away. It will take time, but we will pierce through. No matter how strong the formation is, it can’t withstand the power of the Fire Spirit. But…]

The Fire Dragon Incarnate stared intently inside the barrier. [ The one in there is strong. At the very least, at the level of a Demon King. And there’s a strangely familiar energy… ]

[ Huh?]

She shook her head. [ I think that’s just a misconception. If I were Shenglong, it would be one thing, but as an avatar, I couldn’t have possibly encountered the Eight Parts before.]

Kugugugugu…

As the Fire Spirit gradually started breaking down the Eight Trigrams Formation, invisible barriers crumbled, and demon beasts began bursting into flames. The dark water, now saturated with curses, spread across the land. And just when the Fire Spirit broke through a portion of the barrier…

Crash!

A humanoid figure appeared, striking at the head of the Fire Spirit. The attack seemed to contain immense power, causing the dragon’s head to wobble slightly.

[ That’s him. Let’s go!]

The Fire Dragon Incarnate then controlled the power of the Fire Spirit, moving towards the Heavenly Altar. I assisted the Fire Dragon Incarnate and transported my companions along with my powers.

[ You’ve finally arrived, Apostle and your lackeys… ]

Before the Heavenly Altar stood a figure that resembled the Golden Dragon. His appearance was identical to that of the Vermilion Bird Zhuge Yulong I had encountered previously. But since it could be a transformation, we all tensed and stared at him intently.

The figure resembling Zhuge Yulong spoke with an ominous voice. [ Overconfident fools. This place will be your tomb.]

I shouted back at the Golden Dragon, “Are you not the Vermilion Bird Zhuge Yulong?”

[ Ah, are you referring to my master… ]

The Golden Dragon grinned and answered, [ Yes, it was lucky for me. The synergy between my Eight Trigrams technique and my power is exceptional… I shall now demonstrate its might.]

Uwoong.

The moment the Golden Dragon finished speaking, the Eight Trigrams spread out around us, completely separating our forces. The Fire Dragon Incarnate that descended upon me rushed to attack the Golden Dragon.

Swish!

The Fire Dragon Incarnate’s attack ruthlessly severed the Golden Dragon’s neck, but it vanished as if it were merely an illusion. As the Fire Dragon Incarnate tried to find the enemy’s presence again, Jang Sam-bong said, [ Something feels off here…]

Moments later, thick fog enveloped the area, and a sinister laughter rang out. [ Hahaha! At last, I can take my revenge on you, Fire Dragon Incarnate!]

The Fire Dragon Incarnate answered bluntly, [ You know me? I don’t know you.]

[ I know well… your disciple… ]

The fog and darkness intensified violently. The Fire Dragon Incarnate unleashed the power of the Fire Spirit to dispel the fog, but soon, the fog swelled uncontrollably.

[ Hah!]

The Fire Spirit surged upward again, clashing directly with fog. Standing opposite the fog was the Golden Dragon, leisurely crossing his arms, speaking smugly. [ Hehe… How annoying. The Great Immortal is holding the Seven Luminaries; it’s troublesome.]

[ You, be prepared.]

[ It would have been nice if your companions were as strong as you.]

Could it really be?!

But my ominous premonition became reality.

[ Here. Take them.]

The bodies of my companions began flying towards me one by one.

It seemed everyone, except for Miho, was dead.

Moreover, they all lay still, their faces pale as if sleeping.

“Ugh… Aaaaaaa!!”

I felt my mind unraveling. I couldn’t accept the outcome presented before me. The Fire Dragon Incarnate and Jang Sam-bong were flustered, saying, [ Ling Zha!]

[ Stay composed! This is an illusion.]

Illusion?

Only then did I realize, but it was already too late. The corpses had vanished, and a stream of light shot up like a flash.

Puhk!

“Aaaaargh…”

It was after the Golden Dragon’s hand blade pierced my solar plexus. My mind hazed, my connection with the Great Immortal briefly severed, but the Golden Dragon didn’t miss that opportunity and struck me with a fatal blow.

[ You bastard!]

The Fire Dragon Incarnate called upon the Fire Spirit’s energy to attack the Golden Dragon, but he transformed into mist, reappearing three paces away. He licked the blood on his hands and said, [ Ha ha. What do you want to see next? Your parents’ corpses?]

“Ugh…”

I was drowning in an overwhelming wave of pain. With such fatal injuries, I felt like every pore in my body was about to burst with each breath. But I struggled to gather my senses and recover with my powers.

Even as I healed, the Golden Dragon showed no sign of anxiety. Instead, he spoke leisurely.

[ Wonderful. I’ll teach you what a battle between Apostles looks like.]

I shouted in frustration, “Shut up!!”

[ Huh?]

“There’s no way I’ll let you go.”

You would dare show me the corpses of my comrades?

Swoosh!

As I appeared atop the Heavenly Altar, the Golden Dragon stared blankly at me for a moment but soon realized my intentions and gasped.

[ You, you madman! Are you serious?!]

“Let’s all die together!!”

At this rate, I would lose, no question about it.

So that meant I needed to take drastic measures to pull something over on him! Just as my sword was about to strike the Heavenly Altar—

Clank!

[ Oooooooh.]

[ You must be kidding… ]

My body froze. Initially, it was because the Great Immortal had been shocked, holding my body back. In irritation, I tried to use the Language of Separation to push them away. But even that fell flat, and something colossal began to inhabit my body.

The enormous presence softly remarked, [ Jang Sam-bong. Fire Dragon Incarnate. You must return to the Celestial Realm.]

Swoosh.

As soon as that command dropped, I felt the spirits of Jang Sam-bong and the Fire Dragon Incarnate leaving me. I knew full well who could control those two beings with a simple command. It seemed that immense power embedded in the command had chased away the Great Immortal.

The tremendous being said, [ Baek Woong, you’re a burden. I’ll let you move as you wish, but ultimately you’ll make me act.]

“……”

I couldn’t even respond.

I felt myself being crushed under the immense power that had descended upon me.

Before me, the Golden Dragon looked flustered. [ W-What the hell… This makes no sense. How could you… the Law of Cause and Effect shouldn’t allow this… ]

[ Why shouldn’t it? This person is my Apostle.]

[ End! This is the end! You shouldn’t have descended into the mortal realm before your visions manifest! There are limits to what the will of the rulers can allow… ]

Delighting in the Golden Dragon’s surprise, the enormous presence gazed at him coldly. Then it spoke icily.

[ Impudent worm. Don’t you dare discuss the will of rulers.]

It stretched forth its hand.

Whoooosh!

At that moment, an infinite darkness of the Original Night swept away both the Golden Dragon’s Eight Trigrams formation and the fog encasing it. The Golden Dragon desperately tried to create a layer of mist as a shield, but the colossal being scoffed and flicked its fingers.

A long dark spear was summoned. The spear gracefully flew through the air, piercing the neck of the Golden Dragon in a straight line.

Crunch!

How strange. I saw the spear fired, but the moment it pierced was invisible. It was as though time itself had been erased.

[ Haaaaaaaaaa!]

The Golden Dragon’s scream resonated. Dangling in the air with a pierced neck, the Golden Dragon looked to be suffering horrifying agony. Oddly enough, at the moment the Golden Dragon was pierced, it couldn’t even turn to mist.

The enormous being seemed to savor that sight for a moment before flicking its fingers again.

Boom!

[ Ugggggggh… ]

In a horrific display, the Golden Dragon was impaled from the bottom up, resembling a skewered item. Even scarier was that despite being in such a state, the Golden Dragon must have still been alive as the “colossal being” delightfully quipped.

[ Chi You’s avatar. You can’t go to the afterlife yet. I decree your death as forbidden.]

With just two dark spears, the “colossal being” had subdued the Golden Dragon and looked at him with an amused expression, saying, [ Now… summon Chi You. Unless you wish to continue suffering in the depths of hell.]

[ Kreeeeeeeh! Three Sovereigns…!!]

[ I shall send you away comfortably.]

As the Golden Dragon’s shriek echoed through Mount Tai, the “colossal being” quietly declared, [ I, Jeon Wook, promise this.]

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