BRDM 142

chapter 142

Lee Hyun felt like he finally understood why the gods of <Cheon-gyo> were intervening en masse in the mortal realm.

It wasn’t simply to avenge the fallen apostles.

‘Because gods aren’t such noble beings in the first place.’

There were two reasons.

The first was their resentment over the rejection of the Great Emperor Pungdo’s proposal. Back then, society at large had tried to come forward and sponsor him, but instead of receiving him, they had mocked him and driven him away. Of course he had nursed a grudge ever since. That much could easily have been expected.

The second reason was—

‘They’re nearly certain about my connection with the Great Sage.’

Everywhere Lee Hyun acted, fragments of the Seven Stars were always recovered.

It could be written off as coincidence, since his movements overlapped with Xu Changyou’s, with whom he had poor relations. But the fact that each time resulted in the disappearance of another Star fragment—now that was suspicious.

What’s more, it had been officially announced not long ago that Sun Wukong had revived in the very place Lee Hyun was active.

And then there were the artifacts—Gingoa and Ruyi-shuai, the transformed version of the Ruyi Jingu Bang. The way he wielded them so naturally must have convinced the heavens.

‘The Jade Emperor and <Cheon-gyo> must have sent this vanguard to verify that suspicion.’

He remembered the conversation he had with Sun Wukong before coming here.

– The Jade Emperor will try to catch you this time, no matter what.
– Yes. I figured as much. If Wu Yongwang is erased as well, then it’ll be undeniable evidence.
– Luckily, they won’t be able to manifest their true bodies. The law of causality isn’t something so easily bypassed.

Causality.

That was what Sun Wukong always called the system—a vast framework binding dungeons, epics, legends, and myths together.

– And I’ll tell you this for sure. The pressure <Cheon-gyo> is facing inside Heaven is no small thing either. In the end, their negligence is what allowed me to awaken. So—
– You mean we should use that to our advantage, right?
– Hah. At least now when I say one thing, you understand two. That’s praiseworthy.
– Maybe becoming your disciple made me pick up your personality too.
– What was that, punk?

Heaven would be forcing <Cheon-gyo>’s hand. That was Sun Wukong’s prediction.

– Anyway, knowing the Jade Emperor’s personality, he’ll never sit idly by. He’s likely planning to catch you, and at the same time secure me for good.

So—why not take advantage of this chance? Give them a humiliating defeat.

Lee Hyun agreed wholeheartedly.

And now…

Whoooosh!!

Lee Hyun yanked hard on the Ruyi-shuai in his left hand.

‘This time, I’ll slash away a massive chunk of <Cheon-gyo>’s causality!!’

For the gods of <Cheon-gyo> to interfere on Earth and for the Jade Emperor to wield Xu Changyou like a pawn, enormous amounts of causality had to be consumed. Xu Changyou was holding this investiture ritual partly to replenish that very cost.

If Lee Hyun wrecked it all—no, if he sabotaged it utterly—<Cheon-gyo> would suffer a painful blow.

And such an achievement would be deeply etched into his soul. Not only his, but Sun Wukong’s and the Seven Stars’ as well. It would become a powerful myth for them all.

[■■the■ ■■■ has reclaimed his lost sixth brother, ■■■!]

[The fallen society, <Seven Stars>, begins to ready itself for revival.]

The global announcement stirred the gods of <Cheon-gyo> into agitation.

‘So the Great Sage finally rescued Wu Yongwang!’

A crooked grin tugged at Lee Hyun’s lips.

‘In that case—’

He poured a torrent of mana into the Ruyi-shuai.

Shweee! Shweeeeee!

The fanged maw at its end thrashed wildly like a mad beast, dancing in chaos. A demon’s revelry.

[Nata’s expression hardens as he channels more divine power into his relic!]

[Nata is determined to capture you with his own hands, not another god’s!]

Fwoooosh!!

Lee Hyun’s Golden Fiery Eyes opened wider. The Gingoa accelerated to its limits, sparks flying through the ritual’s spiritual plane.

In this slowed-down world, Lee Hyun pursued the actions of all the gods who had descended, through his demonic senses.

First was Nata.

‘Nata… you were once the Great Sage’s closest friend. But you betrayed his trust, and even used Wu Jing to try and capture him again.’

Wukong had never spoken much of Nata—just a few passing remarks. After that, silence.

But Lee Hyun remembered. Wukong had vented only anger toward the other gods, but toward Nata—he had shown sorrow.

‘I don’t know what your reasons were. Maybe you had some hidden cause you couldn’t speak of.’

Looking back, Nata had always stepped forward whenever Wukong was involved. Almost as if he were hiding something rather than driven by resentment.

Even now—more desperate than the other gods. A trace of impatience flickered on his face.

Maybe he thought it better to kill quickly with his own hand than let <Cheon-gyo>’s gods degrade him miserably.

Lee Hyun didn’t care.

No excuse, no justification could change it.

‘Betrayal is still betrayal!’

[‘Relic: Frost Veil’ is activated! Spirits possess the fangs of Do-cheol!]

[With willpower infused, they take on avatars!]

Lee Hyun unleashed a new weapon technique—Avatar Imbuement.

The fangs of Do-cheol went beyond relics, turning into fragments of his own self. Each axe could now move with its own style.

Shwing!

Nata twisted his body midair, parrying one axe that came at his back.

But the Ruyi-shuai didn’t rebound—it curved, stabbing its fangs straight into Nata’s weak point.

Clang, clang, clang—!

Exchanges flew by in an instant, but—

‘You can’t fight properly with a body you’re not used to.’

Another axe appeared like a guillotine, cleaving Nata’s nape.

Crunch!!

[Nata squeezes his eyes shut at the irreversible moment…!]

Shweeeek!!

The two remaining axes surged toward their next targets.

[Lei Gong shouts at you for siding with a dead god! He promises greater power if you worship him instead…!]

‘Lei Gong, you talk too damn much.’

[The Great Emperor Pungdo seethes with malice at you, a mere human who dares spurn divine guidance…!]

‘You’re no longer a threat to me.’

[Jin Tong shows displeasure…]
[Yi Jeok radiates hostility…]

‘You’re all the same.’

Lee Hyun scanned the messages, gauging every god’s divine power. Once his calculations were complete—

[Your thought speed returns to normal!]

Time, which had slowed, resumed its natural flow.

And then—

Slash! Slash!

Their heads flew.

The survivors fared no better. Axes followed, chopping them down like logs.

Clatter—!

Chains slashed the air in wild arcs, while three axes bared monstrous fangs, chewing through anything in their path.

[Nata’s possession has been forcibly terminated!]
[Lei Gong’s manifestation is shattered, suffering heavy divine loss!]
[Great Emperor Pungdo’s descent fails, incurring massive causality damage!]
[Jin Tong’s…]
…

[Loot acquired: Nata’s relic ‘Windfire Wheels’.]
[Loot acquired: Nata’s relic ‘Universe Ring’.]
[Loot acquired: Lei Gong’s…]
…

[<Cheon-gyo>’s interference has been thwarted! Divine Punishment is forcibly canceled, lowering <Cheon-gyo>’s prestige!]

Messages streamed endlessly.

But Lee Hyun’s Golden Fiery Eyes were bloodshot, drained from enormous mana expenditure.

[You have achieved a monumental feat! You gain the ‘■■the■’ Merit.]
[Unexpected event completion rate skyrockets.]
…
[You’ve overused mana. Relics have overloaded your mana circuits.]
[You’ve prolonged authority too long. The core is overheating, durability nearing its limit.]
[‘Trait: Cryogenic Human’ has been disabled.]
…
[Warning! Cease relic and authority use. Continued state will endanger you.]
…

[Fatigue Level: 87]
[Status abnormality: Mana exhausted, HP rapidly depleting instead.]
[HP below 30%.]

The backlash was merciless. His body began breaking down after the prolonged fight.

And yet—

Wheeeee!

[You accelerate the Gingoa even further!]

Lee Hyun strained his mind to the limit.

Because one last strike remained.

Meanwhile, while Lee Hyun was bound by the Jade Emperor’s interference—

Xu Changyou hastened the investiture ritual.

[Offering sacrifices!]
[Reciting the prayer!]
…

He offered all his prepared tributes to the Jade Emperor: the captured soldiers of Pingxin, and the survivors of the dungeon Mortal Kunlun. Their souls and mana were sucked into the Heavenly Furnace at blinding speed.

Then he unfurled a scroll inscribed with the prayer—

The Jade Script of Ice.

It proclaimed that the Jade Emperor’s mandate followed virtue, virtue followed power, and he possessed that power.

Silver-feathered snowflakes scattered from the sky, creating a mystical atmosphere.

And as the ritual neared its climax—

“Descend!!”

The Heavenly Furnace above spun faster, casting frigid light across the land. A vast ring of light opened.

Fwoooosh!!

[The Jade Emperor answers your call!]
[The Heavenly Gate has opened.]

“…At last!”

Xu Changyou clenched his fist, eyes burning at the glowing ring.

Within the colossal halo unfolded another realm altogether—like an ink painting of mountains and stars, at the center stood the Celestial Palace.

The palace loomed larger until they entered its interior. Upon its throne sat a man, chin resting on his hand, gazing down.

The strands of his crown obscured most of his face, but the eyes glimpsed between them were heavy with apathy and boredom.

Instinct told Xu Changyou—this was the ruler of Heaven, the chief deity of <Cheon-gyo>, the Jade Emperor himself.

His pineal gland burned hot, his spirit overwhelmed by ecstasy.

“Grant me power, Emperor!! I’ll offer everything here as you desire, so give me your damned grace!”

It was hardly fitting language for a so-called apostle, but Xu Changyou had never truly revered the Jade Emperor.

Nor did the Emperor see him any differently—he was but a convenient slave. If a slave brought a fine tribute, the sovereign would give an equivalent reward.

And here—there were indeed fine offerings.

Especially the human Lee Hyun, who had just slain his underlings, and who knew the whereabouts of the Great Sage. Even the mortals of Qinglei and the captives of Pingxin—worthy enough to be turned into celestial soldiers.

These fleeting thoughts of the Jade Emperor struck Xu Changyou’s pineal gland like thunder. Even a glimpse of such divine musings nearly drove him mad.

And yet—

Shiiiiiine…!

His suffering bore fruit. The Jade Emperor lifted a finger toward the halo, nicked his thumb, and let a single drop of blood fall.

Just a drop.

But it carried divine power beyond what Xu Changyou could gain in a lifetime of devotion.

The crimson droplet neared the halo—

Clatter!

The ring suddenly froze. The Heavenly Furnace’s spin slowed, halted by another force.

Chains of black-gold steel.

The Ruyi-shuai lashed out, binding the Furnace and then the halo itself.

[The investiture ritual has been interrupted.]
[Ruyi-shuai has shackled the Heavenly Furnace. The Heavenly Gate begins closing!]

“…!?”

Xu Changyou’s face stiffened, snapping his gaze downward.

“Four years ago, you stole my relic, didn’t you?”

Lee Hyun, eyes blazing with Golden Fiery Light, grinned coldly.

“This time, I’ll be taking it back—with interest.”

“Don’t—!!”

Before Xu Changyou could shout—

Crraaaash!!

The Ruyi-shuai tightened its grip around the Heavenly Furnace.

[Energy Drain activated.]
[Ruyi-shuai begins forcibly siphoning the Jade Emperor’s divine power!]