896——————==

True Martial Home

“What the?!”

How does this guy know about that…

I almost let shock show on my face, but the warning from Zhuge Sa popped into my head. So I managed to maintain my composure.

I can’t look weak here.

In response to that, I scoffed and replied, “What are you talking about? If you had such abilities, why would you come all the way to a place like this?”

Zhuge Bu nodded thoughtfully at my retort.

“That might be true. However, it makes me even more suspicious.”

“Suspend your suspicion! Just because I tell you not to doubt doesn’t mean you won’t!”

As I snapped, Zhuge Bu flinched and awkwardly scratched his head.

“U-Uh, that’s true.”

“I want to ask, what happens if you find out your true identity among those two choices? Are you gonna awaken as the embodiment of evil and wipe us all out?”

I provoked him, and Zhuge Bu dismissed it with a sigh, smirking.

“Like that would happen. That’s a second-rate plot.”

“Second-rate?”

“Yeah, second-rate. That would be so boring. An ending where you just forcefully overturn everything is what I hate the most. It would be like admitting my defeat.”

“Let’s say that’s true. If it’s not second-rate, then what kind of plot do you have in mind?”

“If it’s second-rate, I’d twist it a bit and show another reversal, and if it’s top-tier…”

His eyes sparkled with chaos.

“I would present an ending that no one could possibly foresee…”

“…”

Why does that sound scarier than saying he’s just gonna wreck everything?

As an unknown pressure made me shudder, Xiang Yu took a step forward and said.

“Enough. I shall make a choice.”

“What will you choose, Xiang Yu?”

“My choice is…”

Xiang Yu clenched his fist.

“To kill you!”

Boom!

At that moment, Xiang Yu’s spirit soared, slicing through time and space like lightning. His fist, moving at a speed reminiscent of the Thunder Spirit, soon obliterated Zhuge Bu’s right arm and part of his upper body.

One hit!

Yet, despite the near-fatal injury, Zhuge Bu laughed heartily without shedding a single drop of blood.

“Haha… Hahaha… Hahahaha!! Are you trying to escape reality, Xiang Yu!”

“Say whatever you want.”

“Were you afraid to confirm the truth about Yu Ji? Do you really think you can avoid the conclusion of this playful act that I prepared just for you, Xiang Yu…!!”

“…”

Without a word, Xiang Yu reached out and pulled out Zhuge Bu’s tongue.

Puk!

“Ughh…”

“I’ve wanted to pull your tongue out for thousands of years.”

Zhuge Bu’s expression morphed into one that was unreadable—was he laughing or crying?

Shh…

Moments later, his body disintegrated into nothingness. I looked at Xiang Yu with a mix of worry and confusion at his unexpected choice.

“Why did you choose to eliminate Zhuge Bu?”

In the past, Xiang Yu would have ignored such a question or even tried to kill me. But he slowly lowered his fist and answered.

“Whichever choice I made, it would have been according to his will. If both options are meaningless, then it’s better to do what I’ve wanted to for a thousand years.”

“But this choice was part of his plan too.”

“I take responsibility for my choices. Moving forward without regret is my way of kingship.”

Crunch

Crunch

Xiang Yu turned slowly to exit. I found something noble in that gesture and naturally followed after him.

Then—

“Lord Xiang Yu.”

Suddenly, a voice like jade stopped us in our tracks. Xiang Yu paused for a moment and then said,

“Baek Woong. Do not look back.”

Just hearing that voice made me suspect its identity. Zhuge Yulong and Zhuge Bu seemingly shared my thoughts, and I instinctively spoke up.

“Xiang Yu, that voice can’t be Yu Ji…”

“Shut your mouth!”

When Xiang Yu snapped, I flinched. It was clear from his furious gaze that he was filled with wrath, more so than ever before, as if he might lose his sanity. He spat out,

“What does it matter if it’s real or fake? The moment I knew its identity, it all became meaningless! All my honor, will, and destiny have been toyed with! If you don’t want to bear my wrath, don’t look back!”

“… Understood.”

I sensed the raw fury in his voice, but I also picked up on an underlying powerlessness for the first time.

Right.

Xiang Yu had realized.

Now that he knows Zhuge Bu is the Primordial Void Ruler and the absolute Evil God that has toyed with this Celestial Realm—Yu Ji’s true identity has become utterly insignificant. Whether she’s real or fake, every act of obsession over her turns into playthings for the embodiment of chaos. Even if the one calling out for him from behind is truly Yu Ji, Xiang Yu couldn’t look back. His choice to eliminate Zhuge Bu held that meaning as well.

But Zhuge Yulong transmitted to me.

[Baek Woong. Even so, we can’t ignore her identity.]

[You’re going to check?]

[I’ll find out her identity along with Zhuge Bu. You return to the battlefield of the Queen Mother of the West with Xiang Yu. He’ll probably fight her.]

[… Understood.]

A moment later, Zhuge Yulong and Zhuge Bu turned back toward where Yu Ji was, and I faintly sensed their presence. As I followed Xiang Yu, I said,

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“If I hadn’t tried to get to the truth…”

If Xiang Yu had been frustrated for not uncovering the truth, he wouldn’t have felt doubt about his own fate. Thinking this way made me feel guilty towards him. But he casually replied,

“Baek Woong. Show me your hand.”

“Huh?”

I was confused but extended my hand toward him. Xiang Yu glanced at my hand and grabbed it tightly, and a moment later, I felt an enormous force pouring into me.

Woosh!!

“Ugh!!”

As two gigantic energies surged in, akin to my Spirit Power, I shuddered. That power felt like a storm raging from the primordial nature, and I realized that, had it not been for my Spirit Power, my body would have been torn apart. As I finally stabilized the two energies, Xiang Yu’s eyes gleamed with interest.

“Just one should be enough to burst a normal human’s body. You’re quite resilient.”

“Lord Xiang Yu, this is…”

“I was born with twelve constellations. Seven of them were destroyed by the Divine Treasure, leaving just five, and I’ve given you two now—the Heavenly Constellation and the Earthly Silent Constellation.”

“……!!”

Constellations?!

What I just received is the power of the constellations!

I was astonished and checked my body, feeling a pulsating energy near my heart that indeed felt star-like, with two constellations circling around like twin dragons, revolving around my Spirit Power.

“I can transfer the power of the constellations to someone else?!”

“Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to give it to Yu Ji for self-defense.”

“……”

“But that power is ultimately a terminal and talent. If it’s not your inherent constellation, that power won’t be maintained and will dwindle. Also, if you lack the talent for the constellations, you won’t be able to become as strong as I am. Even if there’s someone born with the same Heavenly and Earthly Constellations, I’d still be a hundred times stronger than them.”

Xiang Yu shared a lot of this and that, but it was clear he had shown me tremendous kindness. Even if this power would eventually vaporize and leave me with only a tiny remnant, he had given me nearly half of his current strength.

“Why do this for me…? Wouldn’t you weaken by giving me this power?!”

“You’re such a fool.”

“Huh?”

“If having fewer constellations would weaken me, how could I defeat Tai Gong-mang?”

Oh, now that I think about it.

The Divine Treasure had the power to shatter the core of a constellation and could directly destroy divinity itself. Even after losing seven constellations, Xiang Yu didn’t lose a bit of power. When I stared at him, bewildered, he said,

“For me, the number of constellations is meaningless. I connect directly with the universe, so it merely becomes a matter of quantity.”

“……”

“So compared to me, even the Great Immortal is a trivial existence.”

Is he really not a monster?

So even if just one constellation remains, Xiang Yu can continue wielding endless powers of the constellations?

‘No wonder Tai Gong-mang compared him to the [Old Ruler]!’

As I stood dumbfounded, Xiang Yu said,

“… Baek Woong. I have one last request. The constellations I gave you are payment for that request.”

“Yes, please speak.”

Why does that sound like a last will?

When I looked at him with a grim expression, he stated,

“If there’s a next time… then make sure to exact repayment from whoever toyed with my fate.”

Hoo!

Without waiting for my response, Xiang Yu leapt out into the open. But as I watched his retreating figure, I felt relieved. I didn’t know what answer to give him.

‘Next time…’

He probably has no idea I’m a Reborn Person. Maybe he figured it out from Zhuge Bu’s words.

“……”

In other words, he was asking for revenge on the Primordial Void Ruler. Although it seemed like he had already avenged himself by smashing Zhuge Bu, we all knew that wasn’t true revenge at all. To the gods, an avatar is merely a medium showcased to the world, so its essence is still toying with Xiang Yu.

And Xiang Yu likely sensed that it would be difficult for him to take revenge with his own hands in this lifetime, which is why he asked for my help, someone with unknown potential. It seems he gave me that power of the two constellations to aid in that endeavor.

But could I really do it?

In a situation where the true identity of the Primordial Void Ruler might surpass even the Three Sovereigns, could I really land a blow against him at my current strength? I felt bleak but shook my head and charged forward.

Boom!

As soon as I stepped outside the Primordial Palace, I witnessed Xiang Yu charging at the Queen Mother of the West. He was enveloped in a crimson aura, likely due to his immense power from the constellations.

[Queen Mother of the West!!!]

The Evil God, Queen Mother of the West, who was in battle, looked down from the sky, surprised.

[You… Xiang Yu?]

[Die!!]

Boom!

[Krraaaah!]

As her startled expression unfolded, Xiang Yu’s fist struck, creating a thunderous sound as she crashed to the ground. Everyone around gasped in shock.

[No way!]

[How can this be?]

The Eight Parts of the Divine, along with the Eight Immortals, Nine Heavenly Mysterious Woman, Miho, Seo Mun-hye, and others, had been relentlessly attacking her, yet she had been dealing with it without breaking a sweat! But with the sudden hit from Xiang Yu, she lost her composure and took damage!

Xiang Yu, with a bloodlust gleaming in his eyes, continued pressing the attack.

[Die!!!]

Crash!

However, this time the Queen Mother of the West didn’t just take it; she summoned some kind of defensive barrier, and Xiang Yu’s assault was only enough to shatter it. She seemed utterly incredulous that Xiang Yu dared to challenge her.

[Overlord, how dare you attack me? I’ve had no injustices toward you, yet you boldly presume!!]

[Shut your mouth! You knew Yu Ji was in the Primordial Palace! I will demand payment for the sins of toying with me for thousands of years.]

The Queen Mother of the West chuckled.

[Ah, I see… so the truth has come to light, pitiful Overlord! Then I shall put an end to your miserable life with my own hands.]

Kiiiiing—

A strange sound began to emanate from her mouth. Just as Xiang Yu rushed at her, her eyes flickered with light.

Heavenly Destruction’s Five Remnants!

In that instant, the sound wave from the Heavenly Destruction’s Five Remnants erupted. Having taken down the Eight Parts of the Divine and the Mahuraga in one blow, this move was undoubtedly lethal for any mortal. True to its nature, the sound wave swept over Xiang Yu, enveloping everything in dazzling light.

Woooosh

But Xiang Yu did not fade away. One of the cores of the constellations resonating within him shattered with a splat, and even with blood trickling from his mouth, he charged forward and planted his fist deep into the Queen Mother of the West’s torso.

[Krraaah!!!]

Boom!

[Ugh! So you can stave off the Heavenly Destruction’s Five Remnants by sacrificing constellations? Impressive, Xiang Yu.]

The Queen Mother of the West, struck heavliy, recoiled as though she were burnt. Yet, she casually continued her speech.

[But unless you possess the Divine Killing ability, no matter how many times you do this, victory is already mine.]

[We’ll just have to see about that!]

[It’s meaningless!]

The Queen Mother of the West roared, her anger manifesting as a massive Lion’s Roar.

[You foolish mortals, I won’t hesitate any longer. The time has come for you all to vanish along with this world!]

Swoooosh

[This will spread across the three thousand realms.]

Suddenly, magnificent black wings sprouted from the back of the Evil God, Queen Mother of the West. The wings looked like those of a crow, a shape I had never seen before in battle. With her wings unfurled, she began to chant an eerie incantation.

Weeeee

Weeeee

‘Is she not in an attacking state?’

What is she plotting?

Moments later, a translucent barrier encased her, blocking all approaches. Even Xiang Yu could no longer attack, causing our allies to momentarily regroup. Just then, the Celestial Sage arrived on his steed and exclaimed,

“Damn it, what’s going on?”

[… This is serious.]

“Nine Heavenly Mysterious Woman! Do you know what the Queen Mother of the West is up to?”

[We must breach that barrier and eliminate the Queen Mother of the West this time. Otherwise…]

At the words of the Nine Heavenly Mysterious Woman, everyone’s faces turned grave.

[The embodiment of the Three Sovereigns, Nüwa, is descending into this world.]