Chapter 769 - Li's Fragment (3)

Hou Yi’s arm fell to his side before shattering into particles of dust. Amid the countless particles of light raining down…

Jeong-woo frowned as he stared at the spot Hou Yi had just been.

Whoosh!

[Hou Yi has successfully logged out.]

[No traces of the entity known as Hou Yi could be found.]

‘I can’t find him.’ Jeong-woo quickly raised his senses to the maximum to try and triangulate Hou Yi’s location and chase after him. However, Hou Yi disappeared without a trace. Jeong-woo was unable to find any trace of Hou Yi’s divine power. It was as if Hou Yi had completely disappeared from the world and jumped into the emptiness.

‘Shell Exuviation…’

Like the literal meaning of each word, Shell Exuviation was like a cicada leaving its intact shell behind while its body moved out into the world. Using one of his arms as sacrifice, Hou Yi successfully made an escape. He had left a bit of his divine power behind to completely disappear without leaving any trace.

“…Damn it.” Because of this, Jeong-woo frowned. He wanted to avenge Brahm, but the most pressing issue now was to find out about Yvlke’s main objective. Without that understanding, nothing would change. The good thing, though, was that there were still bits and pieces of Hou Yi’s arm remaining.

[Skill, ‘Draconic Eyes’ is reading the target.]

[Decryption is being performed.]

[Decryption is being performed.]

…

[You have succeeded in deciphering 32% of the amount of information the target subject has left behind!]

Just before Hou Yi’s arm completely disappeared, Jeong-woo succeeded in deciphering a part of the data that was engraved on Hou Yi’s remnant divine power, that is, Hou Yi’s legends. Thanks to that, Jeong-woo was able to catch a glimpse of some of Hou Yi’s vestige thoughts. Within the vestige thoughts, Jeong-woo found himself peering at Yvlke from Hou Yi’s perspective.

Whoosh!

“You… What? You’re a face of the Heavenly Demon? Ha! Don’t kid around. The guy who smells like darkness is a face of the Heavenly Demon… Get out of here!”

“Ohyohyo! I know what you’re thinking, but, as the owner of the Moon Bow, you’re able to see into my ‘light’, right?”

“Yeah, but…what the hell? What kind of existence are you?”

“I’ll tell you the secret I carry later when we have more time. However, I must first suggest something to you.”

“What?”

“Don’t you want to awaken the Heavenly Demon?”

“…!”

Since the Heavenly Demon was constantly turning the ‘wheel’, he always locked himself up in the Changgong Library and only periodically looked down onto the world. He simply observed the numerous events that took place in the world, and only occasionally, when gods and demons intervened in the lower world’s affairs beyond their given boundaries, he stepped out and stopped them.

Hou Yi had always been dissatisfied with the Heavenly Demon’s hands-off approach. If the Heavenly Demon could be just a bit more active…then the ‘wheel’ would not be turning aimlessly as it was doing now. Hou Yi thought that the continuing battle between the Heavenly Demon and the Black King was a reoccurring tragedy because the Heavenly Demon was not taking the initiative.

If the Heavenly Demon became a being like an absolute god and defeated the Black King completely, all the natural laws of the world would be dyed with his light and the ‘wheel’ would no longer have to turn aimlessly. However, the Heavenly Demon seemed to be wasting his efforts on fruitless endeavors.

Of course, Hou Yi was not ignorant of the position the Heavenly Demon was in. The path between heaven and earth… The Heavenly Demon’s original goal was to completely sever the connection between earth and heaven, to free the mortal creatures from their bondage to the gods, and to give those mortal creatures complete freedom. However, in truth, although Hou Yi followed the Heavenly Demon’s orders, in his heart, he could not quite understand the Heavenly Demon’s actions.

Allowing an unqualified being, like the Jade Emperor, to become an absolute god would only lead to greater sorrow and tragedy, but if a being with the proper qualifications became an absolute god and was able to properly determine good and evil, then a more perfect and peaceful world could be created.

Hou Yi thought that the Heavenly Demon had the right qualifications, so he had tirelessly tried to persuade him to traverse that path. But each time he had the opportunity, the Heavenly Demon shook his head and declined to act.

And as the Heavenly Demon’s repetitive fight with the Black King continued, the Heavenly Demon would often chuckle and state that his ‘work’ was progressing smoothly. He was continuing this seemingly ineffective stalemate even though he knew it was binding his hands and feet. He did not hesitate to make sacrifices, saying that one day the ‘wheel’ would stop turning and the ‘dreams’ would come to an end.

Hou Yi could not understand how this could be the case. Thus, he made a vow. He would forcefully awaken the Heavenly Demon. Hou Yi would shake up everything and cause the Heavenly Demon to step out from his ivory tower with his own two feet. It was for this reason that Hou Yi joined the Sea of Time and agreed to help Yvlke.

If he continued to help Yvlke, Hou Yi believed that the Heavenly Demon would either be forcefully awakened or would be forced to step out of the Changgong Library under his own power.

“I plan to collect the remaining Li’s Fragments that I’m not in possession of.”

“Li’s Fragment?”

“Yes. If I’m able to collect all the pieces… I will obtain the properties of light and darkness. I will be able to create a new beginning, a new creation.”

“So?”

“Ohyohyo! You still don’t get it? I will create a new world that is free from the reaches of the Heavenly Demon and Black King. Once that occurs, a world where existences that are free from the influence of the Heavenly Demon and Black King shall rise and multiply… Wouldn’t that force them to mobilize? They both want to control ‘everything’ in the palm of their hands.”

No one could confidently state that they would know what would happen if a world that cannot be influenced by the Heavenly Demon and Black King was created. Perhaps, nothing may happen, but perhaps, they may inflict a huge blow to the Heavenly Demon and Black King. They would receive a blow because the legends that they possessed from the beginning would be severed. Maybe, their foundations might be shaken and negatively affected.

Yvlke persuaded Hou Yi by presenting such an argument. In any case, Hou Yi just wanted to drag the Heavenly Demon out from the Changgong Library. If he allied with Yvlke and brought the Heavenly Demon out, Hou Yi could then release his alliance with Yvlke, as Hou Yi would have achieved his objective.

The problem was that the Heavenly Demon’s tenacity and resolve to remain inactive was far greater than what Hou Yi initially thought. Having already come this far, Hou Yi decided to continue honoring alliance with Yvlke even after the collapse of the Tower.

When Hou Yi bumped into Jeong-woo and saw that Jeong-woo had been gifted the Ruling Steps, Hou Yi had fallen into a state of confusion. Even when the previous iterations’ Opponents died, one after another, the Heavenly Demon did not even blink, let alone extend a hand of assistance. However, seeing that the Heavenly Demon had gifted the Ruling Steps to Jeong-woo, Hou Yi surmised that the Heavenly Demon was finally making his move.

Still, Hou Yi had no idea what the Heavenly Demon’s thoughts and intentions were. In the end, one of his arms was cut off by Jeong-woo, and Hou Yi had to scurry away.

‘The Heavenly Demon. What are you thinking hyung… I know you probably have some sort of plan.’ Jeong-woo had no idea what overarching ‘plan’ the Heavenly Demon had. Jeong-woo only knew that he and his older brother were just chess pieces on a giant chess board.

Jeong-woo decided not to spend any more time thinking about the Heavenly Demon. He wanted to urgently find his older brother and hear what was going on. And, fortunately, Hou Yi’s vestige thoughts reached the point where Yvlke was stating his plan to Hou Yi.

“Ohyohyo! The Soulstones…contain Li’s Fragment.”

That was enough of an explanation to make Jeong-woo move immediately.

「Hey Jeong-woo! Wait a second!」After reading Jeong-woo’s movement, Valdebich flew to Jeong-woo to stop him.

Before Yeon-woo left, Yeon-woo had asked Valdebich to hold his brother back. However…

[The sun of ‘Day (Eros)’ does not allow any interference!]

Jeong-woo blocked Valdebich from approaching any closer by emitting a larger light distribution. He did not want to hear what Valdebich had to say.

Unless he was an idiot, anyone would know that Valdebich was trying to hold onto Jeong-woo’s ankles. Though Jeong-woo did not know how Valdebich would try and argue his case, Jeong-woo was unwilling to hear it.

[The sunlight from the ‘Day (Eros)’ fills the entire world!]

[The light defeats the remnants of ‘Night (Nox)’]

[‘Night (Nox)’ has been expelled!]

「Jeong-woo!」In the end, all beings of Night, including Valdebich, were forcibly kicked out by Jeong-woo and returned to their original places. And then…

『Son. Are you planning to go and find the Soulstones immediately?』 Kronos, who knew where Yeon-woo had probably moved to after viewing Hou Yi’s vestige thoughts through Jeong-woo’s eyes, asked a question.

“No.” Jeong-woo firmly shook his head. “If I do that, I’ll always be one step behind. Hyung is not a person who is predictable or simple.”

『Then what are you planning on doing?』

“I have to find someone to help me chase after hyung.”

『Who?』 Kronos tilted his head. Although he had awakened as the Opponent and united with Kronos, Jeong-woo still considered Yeon-woo as an insurmountable wall. He wondered if there was any existence that could stop Yeon-woo.

At that moment, Jeong-woo narrowed his eyes. “Nocturne.”

***

「…I’m sorry, I couldn’t get a word in with Jeong-woo. I am sorry.」Valdebich had his head down as he reported to Yeon-woo.

However, Yeon-woo shook his head as if to say everything was fine. To some extent, Yeon-woo had expected this result. ‘Still, I thought he’d be able to stop Jeong-woo for at least a moment… It seems that Jeong-woo has already developed a lot.”

[Green Flame tells its father that they were forcefully expelled!]

[Source of Uncleanliness sheds tears as it apologizes to its father!]

[Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young confesses that it could not resist Day (Eros), which its father’s younger brother became the leader of!]

…

[The beings of Night (Nox) all have gloomy looks at not being able to properly fulfill their father’s orders!]

Clearly, Jeong-woo’s skill must have been overbearing and great to have cast out all the otherworld gods in an instant. Jeong-woo had grown stronger and was helped by his designation as the Opponent, the natural enemy of Night.

[The Alternate Ego of the Black King comforts the beings of Night (Nox).]

[The beings of Night (Nox) are moved by the generosity of their father!]

‘If Jeong-woo stole any of Hou Yi’s data, that would mean that Jeong-woo probably viewed Yvlke’s plan… I need to hurry up.’ Yeon-woo narrowed his eyes.

“Are you sure a Soulstone is here?” Yeon-woo glanced behind him at Sun Wukong and asked. They were in a place where only a vast barren desert could be seen. Although there was no vitality in their surroundings, Yeon-woo could not detect any Soulstone energy. Sun Wukong had stated that a Soulstone was in the area and had brought Yeon-woo to this place.

Sun Wukong did not even consider offering Yeon-woo an answer…

「This place…」

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

「N-Nothing.」Valdebich quickly shook his head, but Yeon-woo did not miss the wavering of Valdebich’s gaze.

While Yeon-woo was trying to decipher the meaning behind Valdebich’s weird behavior… Rumble! Suddenly, the ground on which they were standing began to shake violently.

[An enemy has appeared!]

‘What?’ Surely, there was nothing on this planet… Yeon-woo could not help but feel at a loss. The message essentially meant that the enemy had even deceived Yeon-woo’s own senses… That was an absurd and ridiculous premise.

However… Boom! Boom! Boom! As pockets of emptiness opened in various places in the air, a bombardment of magic powered strikes poured out non-stop.

「Who dares!」Valdebich let out a roar and lifted his head.

Yeon-woo’s shadow rose high into the air and removed all the bombardments.

[The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young warns those who dare to bare their teeth at its father!]

[The Source of Uncleanliness growls! It wants to amend its failure against the Opponent!]

[Green Flame states that it is time to spread the majesty of ‘Night (Nox)’!]

[Harbinger is glaring at the enemies!]

[Night (Nox) reveals their killing intent!]

Amid the many sharp gazes coming from Yeon-woo’s shadow.

Whoosh! Suddenly, the ground around Yeon-woo, Sun Wukong, and Erlang Shen rose up, forming a deep canyon with Yeon-woo’s group situated at the depressed center. Above them… Countless warriors glared down. The canyon, no, the planet itself was shaken by an intense fighting spirit.

「Giants…?」The moment he saw the warriors, Valdebich’s expression hardened. Moreover, the strong smell of a Soulstone could be sensed from them.

「Father’s… My people!」The moment Valdebich saw the figure at the forefront of the giant’s group, Valdebich screamed out. This place…was the hometown he had left behind as a child.