Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
The time of the apocalypse has been hastened!
Yeo Dongbin could scarcely believe his ears. He turned to Monk Mangyang and asked,
“The appointed time of the end is something I already knew about. But why does the revival of the Apocalypse Dragon advance that time by over a thousand years?”
[It’s because of the unique ability possessed by the Apocalypse Dragon. That thing has an extraordinarily peculiar power.]
“What kind of power?”
[The ability to devour everything.]
Monk Mangyang’s pitch-black eyes gleamed as he explained.
[That creature can literally devour anything. It was nothing more than a bizarre lifeform born at the heart of chaos, drifting as formless dross. But Changhui took it in and bestowed upon it the form of a dragon. In doing so, it gained the power to devour all beings bound to chaos. In truth, chaos encompasses all attributes, rendering premiums meaningless.]
They weren’t unheard of. There were plenty of powerful yokai with predatory or gluttonous natures, and Yeo Dongbin had to constantly strive to evade their formidable fangs and superior digestive prowess. Monk Mangyang continued,
[For ordinary beings, the ability to devour anything might not mean much. But the problem is that 'everything' includes the laws of causality.]
“What do you mean?”
[Things the Apocalypse Dragon physically devours can never reincarnate again. Since it is forged from pure chaos, what it consumes cannot be restored. So, what happens if it tears apart and eats both soul and body with that power?]
“Those devoured cannot be revived by any sorcery.”
[Exactly. And the more it devours, the more the world’s laws of causality vanish as well.]
Monk Mangyang went on.
[This world is a meticulously crafted playground of the gods, with a fixed total capacity. The current surface world is a fragile realm sustained under the blessings of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. From a single blade of grass to a speck of earth, it is all composed of causality and substance artificially generated by the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. The Apocalypse Dragon is virtually the only being capable of devouring all those blessings and reducing this planet to nothingness.]
“......”
[Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the world. Even if the Apocalypse Dragon devours the entire Central Plains continent, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors could effortlessly recreate a single continent with their power. But the power they’ve poured into this world will never return.]
“That means...”
[The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are not the type to suffer losses for the sake of the world. They would rather let the end come sooner and allow the world to perish. Because they know that even the situation where the Apocalypse Dragon forces them to expend power is part of Changhui’s scheme.]
Yeo Dongbin understood Monk Mangyang’s words and shuddered.
“It can’t be...!!”
If the Apocalypse Dragon revives and devours the entire Central Plains continent, all the blessings of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors embedded within will be extinguished. As a result, the appointed time of the end is advanced by a thousand years. But the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors have no obligation to recreate the world, so they will simply watch this atrocity unfold!
Yeo Dongbin said,
“Cannot the mighty celestial immortals of the Heavenly Realm or the Four Augustuses step in to slay the Apocalypse Dragon?”
[Impossible. The one seeking to revive the Apocalypse Dragon has cunningly manipulated the laws of causality to ensure that cannot happen. Even the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors find intervention difficult. They must have received significant aid from Sidereal Heaven’s Martial Duke, the earthly authority. From the creation of countless yokai to the opening of Dark Heaven Village’s gates—everything is intricately woven.]
“......”
Sanggwan Wana’s scheme.
Yeo Dongbin posed another question that nagged at him.
“The White Lotus Cult’s High Priestess said that slaying Sidereal Heaven’s Martial Duke would stop the dragon, but that prophecy failed. Is her power false?”
Monk Mangyang shook his head.
[No. I stake my name on it—that prophecy was real. She is indeed a possessor of exceptionally potent precognitive ability. But Changhui actively intervened in the threads of the future born from that prophecy and altered them.]
“Changhui...!!”
[He has great expectations for this plan and has invested heavily in it. For a god like him, bending causality to change a prophecy is a simple matter.]
Yeo Dongbin could only groan inwardly.
Changhui was a god of exceedingly high divinity, yet such a being was striving so hard to destroy this world?
[The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors could ignore everything and intervene if they wished, but they will not protect the earthly realm at the cost of their own disadvantage. The moment they personally manifest to capture the Apocalypse Dragon, their power and causality will be greatly depleted.]
Yeo Dongbin inwardly groaned, realizing the situation was spiraling toward the worst possible outcome. Even the Heavenly Realm and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, whom he had subtly regarded as a powerful force, had turned their backs. He asked,
“Then how can we stop the Apocalypse Dragon from devouring the world?”
[There is no choice but to concentrate maximum power and annihilate it the moment it reveals itself. Chaos requires some time to descend upon this world and take form, making that instant its weakest point.]
“Tell me when that moment is. I will slay the Apocalypse Dragon.”
“......”
“Monk.”
Monk Mangyang said,
[I see.... Could it be that the War God whimsically forged a bond with you because he foresaw this very situation?]
“......?”
[Could that one know... the world after the apocalypse and revelation? If so...]
Uncharacteristically, Monk Mangyang pondered deeply for a moment. Then he spoke.
[Yeo Dongbin. I will tell you the time and place of the Apocalypse Dragon’s descent. But in exchange, offer me a sacrifice.]
“A sacrifice! What kind of sacrifice do you mean?”
[A sacrifice befitting the price. One powerful enough to contend with the causality of the dragon’s descent. What do you think would suffice?]
“......”
[Anything will do. Procure a sacrifice worthy of saving the world.]
Flash!
In the next instant, Yeo Dongbin found himself standing outside the village. His face filled with dismay.
Sacrifice!
The moment he heard that word, the phrase “human sacrifice” flashed through Yeo Dongbin’s mind. Though Monk Mangyang was not an evil being, it was far more accurate to say he was a being beyond good and evil. If he demanded a human sacrifice, there would be no room for argument.
‘No. No matter what sacrifice I offer to Monk Mangyang...’
He had to do it.
He had no choice.
Because he had to save this world himself.
With iron resolve, Yeo Dongbin began searching for what he could do. He met with the Eight Immortals, shared the information he had learned, and discussed it with them. After deliberating with the Eight Immortals, they resolved to offer all their treasure tablets. Eight treasure tablets from them should surely be of sufficient value, they thought.
But when he actually brought the treasure tablets to Monk Mangyang, the monk coldly refused.
[I will not accept such things.]
“What?”
[Insufficient. Bring something of far greater worth.]
“......”
The Eight Immortals were stunned.
As the pinnacle immortals on the verge of ascension, the eight treasure tablets they possessed held immense value. And yet this was not enough?
From outside the village, Jongni Kwon muttered softly.
“Even the Seven Luminaries might not suffice. He’s being awfully picky.”
As if he had heard, Monk Mangyang’s voice echoed from within the village.
[Seven Luminaries? If you’re bringing those, free at least two first.]
“...Luon.”
As if that were possible!
After they withdrew from Monk Mangyang without a word,
Yeo Dongbin sought out White Lotus Cult Leader Yi Gunak in desperation and explained the situation. Yi Gunak replied awkwardly,
“If even eight treasure tablets won’t do, offering all the treasures of our White Lotus Cult wouldn’t either.”
“It seems only the world’s most precious treasure could sway the monk. Do you have anything like that?”
“The world’s most precious treasure.... Hmm.... The world’s greatest thief would know best.”
“Thief?”
Yi Gunak let out a hollow laugh.
“Haha, just kidding. A joke...”
Suddenly, Yeo Dongbin recalled the mysterious stranger he had encountered while slaying Sidereal Heaven’s Martial Duke—a man who was one of the Six Bandits, the Divine Thief Supreme. That one had claimed to be the greatest thief and indeed possessed the skill to back it up. Yeo Dongbin rose from his seat and immediately set out to find the Divine Thief Supreme.
Less than a month into his search, Yeo Dongbin made contact with the Divine Thief Supreme in Luoyang. The Divine Thief Supreme, looking utterly annoyed, spoke curtly from the rooftop of a palace hall.
“What business does the Heavenly Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin, leader of the Eight Immortals, have with a thief like me?”
“Divine Thief Supreme. What do you think is the world’s most precious treasure?”
“Huh?”
Yeo Dongbin frankly explained everything to the Divine Thief Supreme. The man was incredulous at first but soon seemed won over by Yeo Dongbin’s sincerity. Crossing his arms, he said,
“A treasure more precious than the combined eight treasure tablets of the Eight Immortals... There’s exactly one I know of! I stake my honor that this is certain.”
“What is it?”
“Think about it. What is humanity’s greatest desire?”
The Divine Thief Supreme grinned.
“Heh heh heh.... Peerless beauties and wealth are fine, but it’s immortality and eternal youth. Humans want to wield power forever and live in pleasure.”
“...Monk Mangyang is already a god. A god wouldn’t desire such things...”
“Whoa, hear me out. Of course, immortals like you might seem immortal, but the key is the method of achieving it...”
“The method?”
The Divine Thief Supreme nodded.
“The Fengshan Ceremony! A ritual allowing humans to commune directly with the gods and petition their wishes!”
“...!!”
Yeo Dongbin was startled.
“That’s it! A sacred ritual humans can perform by following the rites but never obtain the right to. In theory, it could grant immortality, but there’s no way to enact it. Those without the right face heavenly punishment and death.”
“Heh heh heh. I once gave up after hearing about that damned ‘right’ or whatever. No matter where I went or what I did, I couldn’t figure out how to obtain the right to that accursed Fengshan Ceremony. I traveled the Central Plains, the Western Regions, everywhere...”
The Divine Thief Supreme rubbed his hands together.
“There was exactly one family that knew a way to perform the Fengshan Ceremony without the right! Talk about luck.”
“What?! Is that true?”
“True. And to perform that method, exactly one treasure is needed.”
“What is it?”
“The Xuanyuan Sword!”
He grinned.
“The legendary divine sword said to have been used by Emperor Xuanyuan, Gongsun Xuanyuan the Yellow Emperor, in his duel with Chiyou! With it, no rights or formalities are needed—you can directly bargain with the gods anytime. They say it was bestowed upon humanity by the Emperor as a gift of grace after the Great War of the Canopy Heavens!”
“......”
“I infiltrated the imperial palace as the successor to the Jade Dragon Divine Lord among the Six Bandits precisely to search for the Xuanyuan Sword. It’s rightfully the world’s greatest treasure, and the moment I obtain it, I’ll be the world’s greatest master thief!”
Yeo Dongbin’s hands trembled.
‘Such a thing exists.’
He had already heard from Sword Dragon True Person that Monk Mangyang was exerting tremendous power to seal something, limiting how much of his strength he could share. Offering a legendary treasure like the Xuanyuan Sword as a sacrifice to a monk like Mangyang might just lend the power needed to repel the Apocalypse Dragon. Excited inwardly, Yeo Dongbin asked,
“Magnificent!! Where is this Xuanyuan Sword?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m unifying Luoyang’s underworld to gather information and search for it.”
Even the Divine Thief Supreme’s unification of Luoyang’s underworld in those chaotic times was merely a means to hunt for treasure.
“Hmmm.... Then where is the family that gave you the information on the Xuanyuan Sword?”
“It was Gongsun Biak, patriarch of the Gongsun Family.”
“Ah...”
“The Gongsun Family has been exterminated now, and no survivors can be found.”
The Divine Thief Supreme swung his fist through the empty air in regret.
“Damn it! Back then, I had agreed to trade treasures and peerless beauties for info on the Xuanyuan Sword. But that bastard croaked in the Tomb of the Hegemon before giving it.”
“......”
“Whoever killed Gongsun Biak is cursed.”
Yeo Dongbin became consumed with the thought that he must find this Xuanyuan Sword. He said,
“Divine Thief Supreme. I have a request. Come with me to Mount Tai.”
“Mount Tai? You’re planning to seek clues to the Fengshan Ceremony there?”
“Yes.”
“Hmmm.... There’s no more information to gain in Luoyang anyway, so I’ll come along.”
And so the two headed to Mount Tai together. Legends held that Qin Shi Huang, the first unified emperor to perform the Fengshan Ceremony, had gone there. Upon arriving near Mount Tai, they immediately sensed something amiss.
‘Demonic qi?’
Incredibly dense and potent demonic qi pooled at the summit, with dark clouds leaking blood-like streams that enveloped the mountain. It was no natural phenomenon, so Yeo Dongbin’s face hardened, and he shot toward Mount Tai like an arrow.
Upon reaching the summit—Yeo Dongbin spotted a familiar face and bellowed,
“Sanggwan Wana!!”
There stood Sanggwan Wana. Amid the rain of darkness on Mount Tai’s peak, she slowly turned to face Yeo Dongbin and said,
“Yeo Dongbin. What brings you here?”
“What vile deed have you committed this time!”
“Vile deed? I merely kept a promise with Sidereal Heaven’s Martial Duke.”
“Promise... You didn’t make her a god of Dark Heaven Village, did you?”
“You know well.”
“I saw her then, so it’s impossible.”
As Yeo Dongbin shouted, Sanggwan Wana smirked.
“Before her soul could reach the underworld, I preserved it and used Western alchemy to grant her a new body, then reinserted her spirit. Death of the flesh is nothing.”
“Why go to such lengths? You could have stopped me then.”
“......”
“And why not mutate her into a heteromorph.”
At Yeo Dongbin’s question, Sanggwan Wana looked surprised before flashing a bewitching smile.
“Humans can become lesser gods via the Fengshan Ceremony, but heteromorphs cannot. So I figured her body didn’t matter if it died. Guiding her one by one was a hassle anyway.”
“What...!!”
She continued slowly.
“It’s been fun, Yeo Dongbin. The Tang’s end was originally two hundred years away, but with Sidereal Heaven’s Martial Duke leading the Great Tang himself, no one can stop us now. I’ve offered the entire two hundred years of causality of the Great Tang Empire to the dragon.”
“......!!”
“Then I’ll leisurely watch what comes after the apocalypse...”
Flash!
Sanggwan Wana vanished from the spot. Yeo Dongbin stared blankly at where she had been, then noticed the altar. The Heavenly Altar still swirled with divine power and chaotic energy, as if the Fengshan Ceremony had just concluded.
The aftermath of a new lesser god of Dark Heaven Village being born, with immense divine energy lingering.
“......”
Yeo Dongbin slowly approached it.
“The Fengshan Ceremony is an act of direct transaction with the gods...”
He reached out his hand toward the altar. It was a reckless attempt, born of his will to save the world.
“May my hand reach you, O War God.”
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