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chapter 203
In the hellish world of Gehenna, where sunlight never reaches, people live by using the sparks of sulfur flames that rise from the very depths of hell as lanterns.
The Demon King Uma, who had recently entered Gehenna, was no exception. In fact, he was submerged almost entirely in the scorching flames, leaving only the upper part of his face exposed.
“……”
He seemed to be quietly enjoying a hot spring bath. Yet, the residents of Gehenna always looked at him with disgust.
Normally, the sulfur flames of hell are karmic fires, burning the soul. The more one has accumulated karma, the greater the pain felt. But he did not even flinch.
Only the scar on his left eye, which seemed recent, twitched occasionally—as if utterly dissatisfied with something.
Then, suddenly—
Flash!!
The Demon King slowly opened one of his tightly closed eyes. His gaze shot out like a rising flame. It was far brighter than the sulfur fire, yet carried a sinister undertone.
“So you immerse yourself in sulfur flames to heal… Yet your eye wound looks even worse. Are you alright?”
The Demon King frowned.
“Who’s asking?”
The voice belonged to the one who had invited him to Gehenna.
“Why so cold? I asked out of concern.”
“I asked what this is about.”
The voice clicked its tongue lightly at Uma’s irritated reply.
“I wanted to check on your eye, and also about the Jecheon Daeseong situation. The Deputy Chief told me to ask.”
“I said I’d handle that myself.”
“What can I do? The Deputy Chief values Jecheon Daeseong highly. You know that, right?”
“……”
“Of course, the Deputy Chief cares for you deeply. But Jecheon Daeseong… even the Primordial and Creator Gods…”
“He.”
Uma cut the other off sharply with a low voice.
“I know him better. Far better than you.”
“……”
“He will rebel even more if you try to force him.”
Uma’s voice was a mix of fatigue, boredom, annoyance, and anger.
“I’ll handle bringing him in myself. Just observe. If you don’t like it—”
His lips curled, revealing sharp fangs.
“Force me to obey, then.”
At that moment, the sulfur flames he was immersed in began to boil violently, sending acrid smoke into the air. Slowly, Uma rose from the flames.
His massive frame nearly reached the sky, muscles taut like iron armor, and his mouth was a giant, blood-red white bull. The contrast with Gehenna’s black backdrop made him even more terrifying.
This was the Thunder God of Pyeongcheon, the Demon King Uma.
Once, he had fought the entire colossal society of Cheongyo alone and emerged undefeated. Even in Gehenna, there would be few who could rival him.
“I told you, there’s no hierarchy in Gehenna. No coercion, no oppression. I hope you don’t test us like that.”
The voice finally stepped back, sighing.
“I understand your feelings. You don’t like Jecheon Daeseong who took your family. You wouldn’t be pleased if we asked you to come over. But we also have our circumstances.”
“……”
“So may I just ask how things are going? I have things to report to the Deputy Chief too.”
Uma remained silent.
“Please, just tell me.”
He clicked his tongue lightly.
Technically, he was still an exile or guest in Gehenna, not a full member. Continuing to resist would only stain the face of those trying to accommodate him.
Eventually—
The flames boiled again as Uma submerged himself deeply. To restore the status lost during his heavenly battles, sulfur flame baths were essential.
“The first attempt failed.”
“You?”
The voice was surprised. They knew how meticulous Uma was.
“But I discovered something very interesting.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
He traced the scar near his left eye with his hand.
“What if there was a joint soul of the Seven Great Stars and the Three Law Kings?”
“Hmm!?”
“And if we could bring such a being to our side?”
“Ohhh!”
“Brazen enough to defy me as a mere human, brave, yet deeply loyal to their own… like the youngest from the past.”
His eyes curved slightly.
“You really like this friend of yours, huh?”
“Perhaps.”
“And you have a way to persuade them, I presume?”
Uma simply laughed lightly. That was enough.
“Understood. Well, you seem confident, so take your time. Haha! Report this to the Deputy Chief.”
The voice vanished, leaving Uma half-submerged in the flames once more.
“…Using the presumed-dead family’s safety as leverage. I’ve really fallen apart, haven’t I.”
A sharp sting came from the scar.
Yet Uma did not flinch. No matter how strong the pain, it could not compare to the suffering of his unjustly lost family.
“Or perhaps pushing my remaining brothers to the brink leaves nothing else to break.”
He chuckled bitterly.
Meanwhile…
“Hold tight!”
“Been holding!!”
Shua-rack! Shua-rack!
Huaguo Mountain.
The true form of the Demon King was thrashing, bound in chains.
“Hey! Bajie! Are you really not going to help!? The hind legs are slipping!”
“I told you! I’m in a human body! I can’t exert full power!”
“This guy only shows his face when eating…!”
“I’m frustrated too!”
“Everyone, hold him tight!!”
Wukong and the others were at their wit’s end.
The Demon King’s madness had intensified after devouring Ihyeon. They had to restrain him; otherwise, the unconscious world could collapse too.
The problem: the Demon King was huge, with tremendous strength.
“When is that brat coming out!?”
“Perhaps… he’s been absorbed by Pukhaedaeseong—”
“Shut your mouth!”
“Ha-ha! Be careful, second disciple! You could be cursed in your sleep, you know?”
Bajie had to stay quiet, though his words came from genuine worry for Ihyeon.
‘Why does he have that desperate look while I don’t?’
Bajie’s grimace looked at Wukong atop the Demon King. He rarely saw such expressions, even on dangerous journeys to the West.
“One time… when our master excommunicated him, he had that exact look. Nervous, uneasy, though he would never admit it.”
Bajie and Saohjeong had a different relationship with Sanjang than Wukong did; Wukong’s connection was closer to a bond of true trust.
“How long, Ojeong!?”
“2 minutes! No, 1 minute! One left!”
Wukong’s eyes burned cold as he braced his feet.
Kwah-ang!!
The Demon King’s head slammed into the ground.
The madness escalated. Something bigger was unfolding in the unconscious world as the event dungeon closed.
“Stay still! If he doesn’t come out, you’re done!”
“10!”
Kooorrr—
“9!”
“Damn! Why so long!?”
“8!”
The countdown continued.
By the time sweat ran down Wukong’s face:
“2!”
“Damn! He’s rising!”
“Pull the chains tighter!!”
“1!”
Saohjeong shouted.
“0!!”
The Demon King, enraged and forcibly rising, suddenly buried his head and began vomiting. Blackened, stinking clumps of tumors—among them, Ihyeon.
“Ihyeon!”
“Ha-ha! I knew you’d be safe, my lord!!”
The others rushed, while Bajie sighed in relief.
Thud!
The Demon King collapsed, returning to human form.
“…This is not something I could do twice.”
Sweeping back disheveled hair, he felt the touch of someone on his shoulder. Turning, he saw Wukong giving a thumbs-up.
“You did well.”
“…Hearing that from you, I feel like I could live a long time yet. I’m glad I survived.”
“Damn. Even worrying for me…”
“Thank you for worrying.”
“….”
Wukong held his lips at the Demon King’s faint smile.
“But it’s your disciples who truly suffered. You raised an excellent child.”
“Good teachers naturally raise good disciples.”
He smiled lightly at the ever-cheeky Wukong.
He liked the youngest. Always consistent, always the same, no matter the harsh conditions.
“Why the long face? Even if he’s not the elder we knew, he’s still our elder.”
“…You.”
The Demon King’s eyes widened slightly.
Wukong watched Ihyeon recover, helped by Saohjeong and Bajie.
“Ever think maybe the elder implanted the demonic essence to help you?”
“…!?”
“In the end, because he was sealed deep, other beasts couldn’t attack. The seal wasn’t perfect; some was open, so he could have unleashed at any moment.”
“….”
The Demon King felt breathless.
“Then why didn’t he take me to Gehenna?”
“Probably too chaotic for him. Or perhaps he lost his rank and couldn’t. Maybe he’s healing there. Sulfur flames in Gehenna… the best place for Demon Kings, they say.”
“….”
Wukong shrugged.
“Of course, I’m speculating. Maybe he’d corrupt you fully to use you. We don’t know yet. So let’s wait and see what he plans.”
“…Alright.”
The Demon King nodded, feeling a bit relieved, though he knew some feelings remained unspoken.
“His grudge… or rather, his resentment toward the youngest was real.”
Yes, resentment. That was the word. Uma did not wish to kill Wukong as much as he needed a place to lament losing his family.
Wukong had decided to take on that burden fully.
…It was sad.
“Ha-ha. You’ve gotten quite good at comforting people.”
The Demon King changed the topic to lighten the mood.
Wukong grimaced.
“These sworn brothers… what do they take me for?”
“Daeseong.”
Ihyeon had regained strength and looked steadily at Wukong, eyes bright and resolute. One eye was deep blue like Huahngan Geumjeong, the other a similar dark shade like Honhyosa-an.
Wukong looked away, realizing what Ihyeon had accomplished within.
“I’ll go to the Palmyra Desert. There,” Ihyeon’s voice was firm.
“Daeseong will find his brothers, and I will find mine.”
