897——————==

True Martial Home

Nüwa Descends!

If that event were to happen, it would mean the end for us all. Of course, the current Queen Mother of the West could pull out nearly all of Nüwa’s power, but that was on a completely different level than the physical manifestation itself. If the main body descends, it would literally mean the world’s destruction, and not even a minimal fight would be possible. Fighting against the Queen Mother of the West implies we’re still within the realm of the Law of Cause and Effect, but if Nüwa steps in, it means a transcendent divine being is coming forth, willingly risking the constraints of the Law of Cause and Effect while descending upon the universe.

At that moment, Zhuge Sa, who was beside me, spoke up.

“There’s something we’re not aware of.”

“Zhuge Sa! What are you talking about?”

“The Queen Mother of the West could have summoned Nüwa’s true form at any time until now. However, the fact that she hasn’t done so indicates there’s a specific reason behind it.”

“Maybe she’s just hesitating because she doesn’t want to take risks due to the Law of Cause and Effect.”

In response to my words, Mangnyang retorted.

“Baek Woong, that could be true, but our uncle seems to consider other possibilities, having understood the nature of both the Queen Mother and Nüwa.”

“Nature?”

“Based on the information we have so far, it seems Nüwa has a personality that never allows losses. She pretends to act recklessly, but she has a strong aversion to outcomes that would bring her harm.”

“……”

“She’s calculated from start to finish. No matter how angry she gets, she would never go all the way.”

Listening to Mangnyang’s words, I quickly spun my thoughts. I began to realize what they were getting at.

“If she descends in her true form, she would inevitably incur damage due to the backlash of the Law of Cause and Effect… And yet, she is now in a situation where she’s willing to descend… This means she must have confidence that she won’t suffer any losses!”

“Exactly.”

“How can that be? Even if she’s one of the Three Sovereigns, she still can’t avoid the Law of Cause and Effect…”

As I muttered this, Zhuge Sa chimed in.

“We still don’t know exactly what Nüwa’s intentions are. The only certainty is that our focus should be on breaking that barrier.”

“Hmm…”

Boom!!

But despite the great beings, including Xiang Yu, pouring in all their power, we couldn’t break the Queen Mother’s barrier at all. Unlike the barrier that enveloped us just moments ago, all our strength was directed towards defense. I realized that among everyone here, only the Heavenly Mysterious Woman and Xiang Yu had the potential to break the Queen Mother’s barrier, and I shouted towards the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.

“Heavenly Mysterious Woman!! It’s time to awaken and give it your all! If Nüwa descends, we’re all dead!”

[ ……]

“We must break that barrier!”

After a moment of silence, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman spoke.

[ It seems we have no choice… We must bear the costs to the human world…]

Has she finally made up her mind!

Moments later, a bright light spread, and the entire figure of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman seemed to be draped in white, as if a strange giant of light was being summoned here. In truth, her essence was being revealed as she began to awaken as the protector of the Sun.

However, it was at that very moment.

Whooooo!!

Suddenly, the sky opened up, revealing Shenglong, alongside a celestial being. Between them was a door radiating golden light, and Shenglong roared while addressing the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.

[ Heavenly Mysterious Woman! I bring the Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen’s order to you. Cease your involvement in the earthly realm and return to the Divine Temple!]

[ ……!!]

[ The door is prepared, so act swiftly.]

What is this?!

Out of nowhere, the Divine Temple and Shenglong are interfering with our affairs now?!

No one could help but be shocked by the sudden turn of events. However, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman seemed to expect this to some degree and spoke with a sense of resignation.

[ … Guang Chengzi. Is this truly the Emperor’s command?]

The one beside Shenglong, who was called Guang Chengzi, appeared to be a young boy with black hair. His features were so beautiful, they looked as if he had jumped straight out of an ink painting, and he exuded a strong aura of divinity, clad in golden garments and a Daoist robe, holding a huge staff in his left hand.

Guang Chengzi replied flatly.

[ Indeed, Heavenly Mysterious Woman.]

[ If Nüwa descends, the entire world will be destroyed. I cannot fathom such a wish from the Emperor.]

[ Whether you comprehend it or not is irrelevant. Your awakening as a protector and engaging in conflict in this world is merely a waste of the Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen’s Law of Cause and Effect. As a member of the Divine Temple, I cannot allow any such waste.]

[ Waste, you say! It was the Emperor himself who delayed the destruction of this world after the Takrok War. Are you now rescinding your own intentions?]

[ What you say is of no consequence. If you intend to defy my command, I will have no choice but to subdue you, so think wisely.]

[ I will not heed such an order.]

Simultaneously, all beings present in the hall began to display hostility towards Guang Chengzi and Shenglong. Considering that Shenglong’s power matched that of the Five Sovereigns, it was ridiculous to even think that we could fight them. However, with the Three Sovereigns threatening to descend and wipe us all out, power comparisons became meaningless.

At that point, Guang Chengzi’s eyes filled with sorrow as he summoned a single lotus flower above his hand.

Kiiing!

[ Even Nüwa’s descent would merely be a childish choice in terms of the universe’s fate; to destroy everything in a temporary fit of rage… It is indeed regrettable.]

[ Guang Chengzi, what are your intentions?]

[ Do not make any extreme choices. I will grant you a moment of leisure in your decision.]

Chililing

The lotus summoned by Guang Chengzi suddenly glowed golden and swirled strongly in the void. Simultaneously, it pierced through the time and space and the celestial realm, and moments later, just as the lotus vanished into thin air, Guang Chengzi muttered an incantation.

[ I, as the One Who Maintains, command the order of the universe. Fill the time of the Great Ruler.]

Deng!

The moment Guang Chengzi finished his incantation, the Queen Mother’s barrier suddenly stiffened. It was as if time had completely stopped for the Queen Mother, who was in the act of summoning Nüwa. In truth, it was the space surrounding the Queen Mother that had completely come to a halt.

” ……!!”

Guang Chengzi put the golden lotus into his sleeve and said.

[ I have temporarily halted her summoning. It may not be perfect, but please remain calm.]

What the heck?!

He managed to stop the Queen Mother?!

[ No way!]

[ What on earth is that guy?!]

[ How can such a thing be possible?!]

Everyone in the hall, myself included, was taken aback. The Eight Divine Guardians visibly expressed their shock at Guang Chengzi’s power. Everyone present was indeed at the level of demon kings, but none managed to inflict any real harm on the Queen Mother. Yet, to think that he could bind the Queen Mother with a single incantation, halting time itself momentarily!

In other words, he had sealed away the embodiment of the Three Sovereigns’ overwhelming support, which was no small occurrence.

‘ Who the hell is Guang Chengzi?!’

He was known to belong to the Ten Great Legends of Kunlun, yet he didn’t seem like someone of the same caliber as the others. Among the few who knew of Guang Chengzi, only the Heavenly Mysterious Woman had that familiarity, and even she didn’t fully grasp his identity. All she knew was that he was a celestial being from the Divine Temple. That he was mysterious was one thing, but she had never considered the extent of his power.

Yet that level of strength…

While it wouldn’t be too surprising when considering the strengths of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman and Shenglong, it was simply out of the question for a celestial being to wield such power. Just as I became suspicious of Guang Chengzi’s true nature, he spoke.

[ Accept the Emperor’s summons. If you refuse, I will have no choice but to bring you forcibly.]

A warning that would have been laughed off moments ago could no longer be taken lightly after witnessing Guang Chengzi’s might. He was an extraordinary powerhouse.

[ Such incredible authority! Guang Chengzi, what is your true identity?]

[ I hail from the opposite of chaos. I am a formidable adversary defying the axis of order and the One Who Maintains. Even if you hear my true name, you wouldn’t understand.]

Guang Chengzi paused for a moment before continuing.

[ Yet perhaps the order and justice of this world are things you can no longer hope for in this fallen realm… Hence, I momentarily join forces with Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen to seek salvation that exists beyond the end.]

[ ……]

[ Follow me quietly, before Shenglong and I annihilate your companions.]

It was as if Guang Chengzi conveyed that he and the Emperor were on equal footing. It seemed clear that he was not merely a Great Immortal in disguise. The Heavenly Mysterious Woman, as if acknowledging her fate, slowly moved her winged robe toward Guang Chengzi, and one by one, they began entering through the golden door.

I shouted at Guang Chengzi.

“Guang Chengzi!! Why did you construct the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate and the Yin Fu Classic! What’s your intention?”

I truly wanted to ask!

Guang Chengzi paused briefly at my call and glanced at me. His eyes flickered with interest.

[ … Naive one. I don’t know why you want to know that.]

“Since you’re taking the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, surely you can spare me some info!”

[ Very well. The reason is simple.]

Guang Chengzi began to speak slowly.

[ I wanted to save the unfortunate ones, even if it meant twisting the fabric of causality…]

“ ……?”

[ The Queen Mother’s barrier will be lifted again in a single moment. I wish you luck.]

“Ha, while you’re at it, could you not permanently seal the Queen Mother?”

I suggested to Guang Chengzi, but he replied.

[ That seal is the limit. Additionally, no matter how powerful I am, I cannot seal the Queen Mother, who is directly connected to her true form, twice.]

Pa-at!

After Guang Chengzi’s unhelpful remarks, the three beings from the Divine Temple vanished along with the golden door. I stood there, staring blankly at the spot they had vanished, before snapping back to my senses.

‘ One moment…!!’

Now that we had one moment of time, we needed to devise a plan!

My anxiety surged, and I glanced at my companions. However, no one seemed to have a sharp solution, and an awkward silence enveloped the hall. Turning my gaze to the Eight Divine Guardians, I noticed that Gin Nara had stepped up as a representative.

[ We will fight the Queen Mother until the end. Do we have any clever ideas?]

“Um… Well…”

Honestly, there was no method. Our only credible force, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, had been taken to the Divine Temple; what could we possibly do now? As I hesitated, Mangnyang spoke.

“Baek Woong. The best method right now would be to adapt your [Order of the Evil God] technique.”

“Order of the Evil God!”

“Once Guang Chengzi’s seal ends, our focus will be on destroying that barrier. Furthermore, the Order of the Evil God is stronger than any means we have, so we must concentrate all our power through the gap it creates. There will only be one chance.”

“Is there no other way?”

“Rather than a method… Our Zhuge clan has just deduced what the Queen Mother’s strategy might entail; it’s crucial to counter her next move.”

“Really?!”

Has our Zhuge clan already figured out the Queen Mother’s plans?

Mangnyang nodded and said.

“Yes. Let’s prepare for the final battle in the Celestial Realm.”

“Understood.”

For the next single moment, we treated our injuries and prepared to regain our powers to fight once more. I focused diligently on managing the power of the constellation I received from Xiang Yu, ensuring not to leak any of it as I concentrated.

At that moment, Zhuge Yulong and Zhuge Bu arrived. Zhuge Yulong, with a cold expression, spoke.

“Baek Woong. I’ve confirmed the identity of Yu Ji.”

“Was she human?”

“Yes. At least from our perspective, she was. There were no signs to suggest she was an embodiment of the divine.”

“Then why didn’t she come along…”

Zhuge Yulong replied.

“She took her own life.”

“……!!”

“After explaining the circumstances and reasons that led Xiang Yu to abandon her, she ended her own life. She quickly concluded it through divine methods, sparing her from suffering.”

So she died in such a tragic way?

Upon hearing that response, I glanced at Xiang Yu, who was sitting off to the side, resting. I thought he must be overhearing this conversation, and wondered if he would retaliate against Zhuge Yulong and us in wrath. However, Xiang Yu exhibited no signs of concern whatsoever.

Zhuge Yulong continued.

“Xiang Yu has already let her go in his heart. He had to have anticipated this.”

“But this is…”

“A tragic fate. One even the Overlord cannot escape…”

“……”

“It’s not just Xiang Yu. If we cannot stop the Primordial Void Ruler, in the days to come, a hundred billion humans will face even greater tragedies. This is what it means to stand against the gods.”

As Zhuge Yulong’s words hung in the air, a heaviness filled my heart.

“Baek Woong. Can you carry that burden until the end?”

“`

 

---