Reincarnation Sword God

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Celestial Realm

Cheon Woo-jin nodded silently at my words. In fact, it was something he had already realized before me, and thanks to his insight, I had come to the same conclusion. The immortal youth was none other than the Emperor!

It simply didn’t make sense otherwise. No one but the Emperor could command the Vermilion Bird, and it was clear why Zhuge Bu wouldn’t step down from me. No matter how immortal one might be, abandoning their duty to guard the Lord of Inner Imperial Pavilion would be unthinkable. Assuming that youth was indeed the Emperor solved all mysteries.

But soon I was confused and spoke up.

“The Emperor I saw didn’t look like that…”

“I don’t know when you saw the Emperor, but he’s certainly changed due to his immortality.”

Muttering to himself, Cheon Woo-jin gazed into the dark space ahead.

“Someone is here.”

Swish…

The Prophet revealed himself. From his body, tentacles stretched out, as if performing the function of a face, with pincers extending in all directions. He was making a hissing noise while looking towards us.

[ An uninvited guest… Baek Woong… Is it you again?]

The Prophet seemed irritated by my previous provocation. Still, given his presence, it appeared he was willing to talk.

Cheon Woo-jin seemed to recognize he was a high-ranking non-human, falling silent. After a moment’s thought, I addressed the Prophet.

“I’ve come to propose a trade. I’m sure it will benefit us both today.”

Given the sins I had committed, I spoke as politely as I could.

[ What kind of trade?]

“Just a moment.”

I held up a scroll and, as Cheon Woo-jin had instructed me earlier, I traced a character with my finger to break the seal. As I did, Zhuge Sa was liberated from the scroll, appearing in reality.

Zhuge Sa looked bewildered, as if surprised to find himself in an unexpected place, especially with a non-human nearby. Seizing the opportunity while he was confused, I spoke.

“Zhuge Sa, may I ask you for a favor?”

Zhuge Sa smirked coldly and replied,

“Stop your nonsense. After how you all oppressed me, do you think I’d be willing to help?”

That was the crux of the problem.

When I welcomed Zhuge Bu earlier, I had considered liberating Zhuge Sa, but I refrained. Zhuge Sa had been kidnapped by Cheon Woo-jin and was continuously sealed in a different dimension. Even if he weren’t Zhuge Sa, any ordinary human would naturally hold a grudge. There was no guarantee that freeing him would guarantee compliance.

‘Well… I had to secure Zhuge Sa somehow because of Zhuge Bu.’

I could understand Mangnyang well enough. It was the reaction I had expected, so I replied calmly.

“Zhuge Bu will be here soon. He has already completed the offering ceremony and is coming to finish us off.”

“……!!”

Zhuge Sa flinched at the mention of Zhuge Bu. I continued,

“If you can devise a way to deal with Zhuge Bu, I will ensure you gain a definite advantage when trading with the Prophet and the Book of Demonic Arts.”

“Book of Demonic Arts? Advantage? You aren’t suggesting you’d trade that with this non-human, are you?”

“Indeed.”

“Well…”

Zhuge Sa pondered for a moment, glancing at Cheon Woo-jin.

“If you promise not to seal me again, then I will help you.”

I turned to look at Cheon Woo-jin. He had a sullen expression, seemingly resigned to the situation.

“Does that man have any tricks up his sleeve? If he does, I’ll allow it, but it seems unpromising.”

“Let’s give it a shot. Zhuge Sa might have unique techniques.”

“Very well.”

Cheon Woo-jin seemed to think, “Better than losing it all,” and agreed to my proposal. Once the conditions for the trade were settled, Zhuge Sa smiled with satisfaction.

“Very good.”

At that moment,

Bang!

“You’ve come quite a distance, but this is where you all will meet your end!”

Zhuge Bu had arrived using teleportation magic, appearing at the entrance of the Astana Grand Shrine. He was emitting a holy light surrounded by multiple talismans, clearly at a different level from his prior abilities in my last life. The fact that Cheon Woo-jin was at a disadvantage against Zhuge Bu indicated his power.

Zhuge Sa waved his hand at Zhuge Bu, speaking in a tone as if greeting an old acquaintance.

“Hey there, cousin! Long time no see!”

Zhuge Bu was taken aback.

“… Zhuge Sa? How did you get here?”

“You didn’t forget to address your dear uncle properly, did you?”

Zhuge Sa grumbled, and Zhuge Bu retorted coldly.

“You crazy guy! You’re a disgrace to our family.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Such a pity for this poor uncle. Sob…”

As he pretended to cry, Zhuge Sa pointed his finger at Zhuge Bu.

“Explode, go!”

Kaboom!

“Ughhh!”

Zhuge Bu screamed. With a small explosion, something erupted from near his heart. He slowly collapsed forward, covered in blood, wearing the expression of disbelief.

I had expected this, so I wasn’t shocked. Zhuge Sa had planted something inside Zhuge Bu’s body earlier, which was set to explode at a command. Zhuge Sa began to cackle.

“Now, take a long journey, cousin.”

“That’s ridiculous…!!”

Wail…

Suddenly, the talismans floating around Zhuge Bu shattered like cherry blossom petals and began attaching themselves to his grievous wounds. Observing this scene, Zhuge Sa’s expression grew grim.

“Damnit… Kill that bastard! Dismember him!”

“Understood!”

I leapt into action without hesitation, despite Zhuge Sa’s horrific command. As grim as the situation sounded, I couldn’t let Zhuge Bu recover. Zhuge Bu attempted to use his skills to evade but was in no position to escape my strike.

“Argh!”

Slash!

I delivered several precise strikes, severing Zhuge Bu’s limbs, then plunged a blade into his forehead. The energy laced in that strike shattered his protective aura like an eggshell.

Blood and flesh splattered dramatically. I separated Zhuge Bu’s torso from his head, holding the severed head in one hand. To ensure he was dead, I could only burn him beyond recognition.

Zhuge Sa looked at Zhuge Bu’s head in my hand with wide, shocked eyes.

“He’s not dead…”

“Is he alive?”

When I asked, Zhuge Sa yanked a few strands from Zhuge Bu’s eyebrows and replied.

“This guy has truly become immortal. He must have benefited from the offering ceremony. It’s up to the illustrious Cheon Woo-jin to decide what to do with him.”

Zhuge Sa said this mockingly, provoking a scowl from Cheon Woo-jin. He muttered irritably,

“Because of scoundrels like this, the lands will never know peace.”

Shwoop!

A moment later, Cheon Woo-jin’s arts unfolded, and the now-tattered Zhuge Bu was sealed within the scroll that Zhuge Sa had once occupied. I was confident that there was no better method for disposing of him. The ghastly sight inside the scroll gave off an eerie feeling.

The Prophet, observing from the sidelines, spoke up,

[ Has the struggle among humans… come to an end? Hurry with my request.]

“Understood.”

I well knew that the Prophet wasn’t someone to thank just for clearing the way with Zhuge Bu. As a powerful non-human grand sorcerer who had lived for thousands of years, he could likely deal with Zhuge Bu without breaking a sweat. Thus, I chose my words cautiously as I addressed him.

“We can provide you with the Nameless Ritual Book right away. In exchange, I request detailed information regarding the offering ceremony.”

[ The Nameless Ritual Book? …]

“Yes.”

[ Just hand it over… What are you talking about without even having it?…]

The Prophet’s response was blunt. It seemed my previous coercion had led him to view me unfavorably. I was just glad he didn’t outright oppose me. Nodding, I said,

“Please, wait for a moment.”

Woop!

I activated bead floating to teleport to the Inner Imperial Pavilion, where the Nameless Ritual Book was kept on the shelf. Gathering the Nameless Ritual Book and some other nearby tomes, I headed back to the grand shrine where the Prophet was.

“Here it is.”

[ ……]

As I handed over the Nameless Ritual Book, the Prophet inspected it meticulously, his tentacles wriggling as he examined it.

[ This is the real Book of Demonic Arts… Well received.]

“Can we make a deal now?”

[ Frankly… I don’t really want to trade. But if it’s the Nameless Ritual Book… I’ll reconsider.]

To the Prophet, who considered the Book of Demonic Arts a treasure of knowledge, his refusal to simply brush me off was likely due to his own principles. After a brief contemplation, he nodded.

[ Now… you want information about the offering ceremony, right? I’ll share what I know…]

“Please, I implore you.”

[ Based on what I’ve gathered, the offering ceremony of this era has been completed… and the beneficiary is none other than the Emperor of the Daemyung Empire. The one summoned through the ceremony was the History Emperor Changqie, a deity under the Emperor’s command. Those who took part in the ceremony gained immortality, and the Emperor acquired the powers of the History Emperor Changqie.]

That part I had been somewhat guessing already. It was clear that I had received my reward by completing the ritual for the demand of the Bherd, thus understanding interconnections. The only difference was in scale.

I needed clarification.

“What does the power of History Emperor Changqie entail?”

[ That would be the Divine Command.]

“I wish to know what power this Divine Command possesses.”

At this, the Prophet’s tentacles twitched as he addressed me.

[ It means control over all of humanity. History Emperor Changqie could effectively govern the ancient Silver Empire using this ability. The current Emperor likely summoned him with similar intentions.]

A sense of unease surged within me.

“Are you saying that the command of Changqie gives absolute control over all humans? What does that even mean?”

[ Does it sound confusing? … You seem a bit foolish.]

As if exasperated, the Prophet explained.

[ Put simply, as long as you are human… you cannot resist Changqie’s command and are effectively subject to life and death. If he commands you to die, you will die, and you’ll jump into a fire if he tells you to.]

“……!!”

Cheon Woo-jin interjected from the side.

“Excuse me, but I’m having trouble grasping this. Is that okay?”

[ Someone like you… if you have the privilege to ask, then speak.]

“What I mean is, the magic of the Divine Command doesn’t possess such robust power. Even the most formidable language artist has never existed with such ruling power throughout the history of sorcery. Surely, commands have their limits. To suggest otherwise defies the entire magic system.”

This was coming from Cheon Woo-jin, hailed as the foremost sorcerer in the central plains. Unsurprisingly, the Prophet seemed to ponder this for a moment before responding.

[ Changqie’s Divine Command is a power that activates a medium… It’s potent because of its conditional limitations… That medium is something you’re all likely familiar with.]

At that, Cheon Woo-jin’s complexion shifted.

“Could it be Chinese Characters?”

[ Precisely… it’s the unique power of History Emperor Changqie…]

The Prophet’s eyes lit up like dim bulbs.

[ Since you all are human… and belong to the cultural sphere of Chinese Characters, being creatures created by the energy of the Eight Trigrams, you satisfy all the requirements. However, if any one of those is not met, then Changqie’s power will not apply… it’s as simple as that.]

“Damnit… so that’s how it works. I had no idea.”

Cheon Woo-jin sighed. It seemed even he was clueless about this until now.

While I listened, feeling rather perplexed, I asked Cheon Woo-jin,

“What do you mean? Are you saying that our use of Chinese Characters means we’ll fall victim to Changqie’s commands?”

“It is as plain as day. The demarcation between words and magic is tightly linked. Words are part of the belief system shared among a multitude of people. Moreover, Changqie is the creator of Chinese Characters, so it’s entirely plausible for him to lay down his power like a trigger. Just as pulling the trigger in a firearm affects the bullet, as soon as we recognize his commands, our souls would be surrendered.”

“Hmm…”

“If anyone has ever recognized Chinese Characters in their mind, they can’t escape his influence.”

I pondered.

“Then, that means someone who’s completely illiterate, or perhaps a non-central plains inhabitant wouldn’t be affected?”

Cheon Woo-jin shook his head vehemently.

“Incorrect. They too would fall under the Divine Command. Because words and speech are one, if there’s even the slightest intersection with the cultural realm of Chinese Characters in networking with the belief system and communications, they cannot escape the influence. How would anyone among humanity evade that? That’s why they can be considered loyal subordinates of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.”

“……”

Is such a thing possible?! This was undeniably a broken ability. While it was defined as a power emerging from fulfilling conditional requirements, it still wasn’t every day you encountered such a phenomenon.

‘How troublesome.’

Just as he explained, if I were to battle against Changqie’s Divine Command, I’d need to incapacitate him before he activated it. Yet, how would I assassinate an emperor surrounded by thousands of guards and the immortals?

“Prophet,” I said, “one of my colleagues has fallen under the command and is in a state of chaos. Can you lift the command placed on him?”

[ Understood.]

The Prophet summoned a staff from thin air. Pointing it toward Jin So-cheong, he mumbled something, and the next moment, Jin So-cheong’s body glowed brightly. Mysterious forms began to rise from different parts of his body.

The form was the Eight Trigrams I was quite familiar with. Embossed on his skin, it shimmered briefly before vanishing. Shortly after, Jin So-cheong staggered back and regained consciousness.

“Ugh… where am I?”

“Are you awake?”

When Jin So-cheong returned to his senses, I felt relieved. It seemed that even the extraordinary power of Changqie could be countered, at least by a formidable sorcerer like the Prophet. However, this also underlined how challenging it would be to contend with such powers, given that any human-striven opponent would struggle gravely.

“Ugh… my head is spinning…”

“Take a deep breath.”

Jin So-cheong appeared to be in intense pain due to the aftermath of the command. I suppressed his ailments and administered a transfusion, leading him to drift into a deep sleep.

Then I turned back to the Prophet and asked,

“Is there still a little price left to pay?”

[ Hmph… speak.]

“I believe we must confront that Emperor directly. Please tell me methods or spells to counter Changqie’s command.”

The Prophet replied,

[ But there’s something I need to disclose first…]

“What is it?”

[ Earlier… regarding the truth of the Second Binding of the Bherd, I’ve discovered the secrets of that myth.]

Gasp!

Cheon Woo-jin and Zhuge Sa were simultaneously startled. Especially Zhuge Sa, who seemed utterly horrified, exclaimed,

“What? Baek Woong, are you… planning to unravel the Second Binding of the Bherd?”

For sorcerers, the Seven Luminaries and liberation held tremendous significance. Even Cheon Woo-jin, who knew I was the owner of the Bherd, seemed utterly surprised by the mention of the Second Binding. Unfazed by their stares, I calmly responded to the Prophet.

“You said you would share that secret with me?”

[ Indeed… since it’s you who provided this information, you have the right to hear it… but.]

“But?”

The Prophet rolled his eyes and wiggled his tentacles.

[ Your payment will be insufficient. You’ll need to give up one of either how to counter the Divine Command or the truth behind the liberation.]

I should’ve expected that.

The Prophet was a meticulous calculator and likely viewed being forthcoming with all information as detrimental to himself. I grasped what he was implying and frowned as I said,

“Are you suggesting I should provide additional compensation?”

[ That’s your choice… If you want more information, I have no choice but to demand something extra.]

It felt like he was testing me, yet the tone carried a strong confidence, settling in my gut disquiet. I recognized that the Prophet was clearly in a stronger position in this trade. I could also sense a subtle malice, indicating he did not regard me favorably.

‘What do I have to offer?’

I contemplated my belongings stored in the case. Through experience, I realized that offering up gold or the rare thousand-year-old herbs would be dismissed by the Prophet. What mattered to him were treasures rich in knowledge or magical value. I pondered what I could provide until something suddenly crossed my mind.

“How about this?”

[ What’s that…?]

What I presented was a silver phoenix statue. Grasping it with his tentacles, the Prophet handled it carefully, showing no verbal response at first. I observed him anxiously, and after a while, he spoke up.

[ It’s acceptable, but I need more…]

From the way he spoke, it was clear that the silver phoenix held considerable value. I didn’t know what kind of powers or secrets it contained, but the Prophet had recognized its worth. As I pondered what else I could offer, I glanced at Zhuge Sa.

Zhuge Sa stared back at me with confusion.

“What are you looking at?”

“Zhuge Sa, show me what you have.”

“What?!”

He said angrily.

“Why should I?”

“And besides, I have nothing!”

With my arms crossed, I replied,

“The truth about the Second Binding of the Bherd isn’t just for me. You’re in on this too, so you need to present something of your own. Don’t you find it interesting?”

Zhuge Sa hesitated.

“… I guess. But really, I don’t have anything. You should check with that Cheon Woo-jin fellow; he’s bound to have plenty!”

I shifted my gaze to Cheon Woo-jin, who in turn glared back at Zhuge Sa.

“I indeed have my share of worthwhile compensation. However, I’d be damned to give it away with Zhuge Sa lurking about.”

“What kind of logic is that?”

“It’s a matter of principle. I’m not letting you off the hook while Zhuge Sa keeps his cards close.”

Cheon Woo-jin clearly loathed losing out. While Zhuge Sa claimed to have nothing, I was sure he had plenty hidden away. I labored to figure out a way to persuade Zhuge Sa when I ultimately decided on a painful route.

“Zhuge Sa, if you present your price, I will offer you the Method of the Philosopher’s Stone.”

Zhuge Sa’s expression changed.

“The Method of the Philosopher’s Stone? Are you referring to the creation formula of the Philosopher’s Stone?”

“Indeed.”

“If you give me that, I’ll gladly show you what I’ve got. Hurry up!”

I replied curtly.

“Before that, I want to know what it is you’ll contribute.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I simply share the same concern as Cheon Woo-jin. It’s only fair that if I were to offer all the treasures, I won’t be the only one at a loss.”

“……!!”

“I’m giving you a chance to share secrets.”

Zhuge Sa’s fists were clenched tightly, trembling. It seemed he was calculating his gains in his mind. And eventually, he seemed to arrive at a decision.

“… I’ll share this treasure.”

Zhuge Sa summoned a strange tome from thin air and held it out to me. I read the title on the cover.

“The Transference Art?”

“It’s the finest of the techniques I possess. I think it should suffice.”

Cheon Woo-jin interjected from the side with sarcasm.

“Releasing a technique passed down only to the heretic sect, huh? You must be desperate.”

“Shut it, Cheon Woo-jin! You worked hard to gather your treasures!”

“What?!”

Cheon Woo-jin appeared offended. He clenched his teeth and revealed a scroll from his robe. It was the scroll where Zhuge Bu had been sealed previously. Offering it to me, Cheon Woo-jin declared,

“Take it.”

“What is this?”

“This is the imperial treasure known as the Map of Mountains and Rivers, granted by the goddess to the human realm. I am transferring full ownership to you.”

“……!!”

“Oh, and I’ll need some black and white lotuses and gold bars in return later.”

“Understood.”

Boast!

Indeed, despite the abounding prowess in Cheon Woo-jin’s arts, it felt strange that Zhuge Bu was contained within a drawing. It was possible solely because it was an imperial treasure. The Map of Mountains and Rivers allowed one to seal high-dimensional beings within a drawing, so it would surely prove immensely useful.

‘This should work.’

With a form of compensation from both sides, I felt like I had dodged a bullet. Thus, I teleported straight down to the royal palace’s underground to retrieve the Philosopher’s Stone, before returning to the grand shrine.

“Here.”

[ ……]

Upon handing over the Philosopher’s Stone, the Prophet examined its authenticity, surveying it from every angle. Finally, with his tentacles drooping, he said,

[ So it’s truly the Book of Demonic Arts… Well taken care of.]

“Can we make a trade now?”

[ Honestly? I don’t particularly want to deal. However, since it is the Book of Demonic Arts… I’ll consider it for now.]

To the Prophet, the Book of Demonic Arts was an essential treasure for knowledge; thus, his reluctance to cast me aside likely stemmed from his principles. After a moment’s hesitation, the Prophet finally allowed,

[ Alright… let’s strike a deal.]

“Thank you.”

With a strong tone, the Prophet warned,

[ You should avoid provoking me during our conversation… I am not in a good mood even now.]

“Of course.”

I finally understood the precariousness of this transaction. There was a chance the Prophet could just grab the Book of Demonic Arts and run, leaving me empty-handed. After silently praying for good fortune, I felt some relief when the Prophet spoke up.

[ You wished to know about the offerings, yes? What I can tell is… the offering ceremony is complete and… the recipient is none other than the Emperor of the Daemyung Empire. Summoned through the ceremony was the grand deity under the Emperor, History Emperor Changqie. Participants have gained immortality and the Emperor has received the powers from History Emperor Changqie.]

I already suspected this much. Having drawn comparison from my prior experience of receiving rewards by offering the Bherd, it was clear there were significant ramifications. The only difference lay in scale, but I now had questions.

“What does the potential of History Emperor Changqie entail?”

[ That is reflected in the command he holds.]

“I wish to understand the powers tied to this command.”

With a twitch of his tentacles, the Prophet replied,

[ It refers to total control over humanity. History Emperor Changqie effectively governed the ancient Silver Empire through this ability, and the current Emperor likely summoned him with the same intent.]

Dread gripped me once again at this notion.

“Control over humanity? Is that even possible?”

[ Does that confuse you? … Honestly, you seem quite simple-minded.]

Pursing his lips, the Prophet elaborated further.

[ To put it plainly, anyone who is human cannot defy Changqie’s command; their life and death are at his whim. If he orders you to die, you will, and should he command you to leap into flames, you’d do that too.]

“……!!”

Cheon Woo-jin interjected.

“I’m sorry, but I’m struggling to grasp this concept. Am I allowed to ask?”

[ You have the right to ask if you’re someone that significant. Go on.]

“This leads me to a troubling conclusion. The spell of command cannot possibly bear such absolute force. To date, a commanding sorcerer has never existed in history who could reign with such influence, let alone a language spell that could elevate one’s dominion over someone; it’s blatantly contrary to magic principles.”

Cheon Woo-jin, being hailed as the finest sorcerer in the central plains, delivered this assertion. Thus, I found it intriguing that after a moment of thought, the Prophet seemed ready to answer.

[ Changqie’s command operates upon the activation of a conditional medium that indeed makes it so powerful… that medium is something familiar to you all.]

Suddenly, Cheon Woo-jin’s face went pale.

“Wait… are you implying it’s the Chinese Characters?”

[ In fact, yes… that’s the unique power granted to History Emperor Changqie…]

The Prophet’s eyes glimmered with a strange light.

[ You, being human and partaking in the culture of Chinese Characters means you’ve become a product of the energy of the Eight Trigrams, counting all your essentials into the equation. If you fail to meet even one condition, Changqie cannot influence you; it’s as plain as day.]

“Damnit… you are indeed a god of sorts. I never would’ve predicted this kind of logic.”

Cheon Woo-jin sighed, evidently taken aback.

As I listened, trying to piece things together, I turned to Cheon Woo-jin with questions.

“Are you suggesting that we’re susceptible to Changqie’s commands simply because we utilize Chinese Characters?”

“It’s as straightforward as I stated. Words and magic are inherently connected. The characters denote a belief system shared by humanity. History Emperor Changqie, being the creator of these characters, undeniably attaches his powers in such a way that it’s entirely feasible. Just like pulling the trigger on a gun, once we recognize the command, our souls submit instantly.”

“Hmm…”

“The moment one has confirmed their acknowledgment of Chinese Characters in their minds, there is no escaping its grasp.”

Pondering for a while, I concluded,

“So then, if one is a complete illiterate, or perhaps a non-central plains inhabitant, they’d be untouched by it?”

Cheon Woo-jin shook his head vehemently.

“Incorrect. They’d still fall under the scope of the command. Speech and writing are one and the same; therefore, as long as there’s the slightest intersection with the realm of Chinese Characters, they would undoubtedly fall under the influence as well. How could anyone still remain unaffected within the realm of humanity? That’s why they could easily be regarded as loyal subjects of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.”

“……”

How could this even be a reality?! This really constituted an absurd ability. While it was described as emerging from fulfilling conditions, it simply wasn’t common to find beings who weren’t human or not within the cultural sphere of Chinese Characters.

‘How complicated,’

In that case, when battling Changqie’s command, I’d have to take him down before he activates it. Yet, how could I assassinate an Emperor equipped with millions of guards and immortals?

“Prophet,” I implored, “my colleague has fallen under the command and is currently in a state of disarray. Can you remove this command on him?”

[ Alright.]

The Prophet conjured a staff out of thin air. Pointing it toward Jin So-cheong, he mumbled an incantation. The next moment, Jin So-cheong’s body was enveloped in a bright light. Daisy-like spirits emerged from his form, glistening as the Eight Trigrams gracefully flowed over his skin and then vanished. After several moments, Jin So-cheong staggered, finally coming back to his senses.

“Urgh… where am I?”

“Are you back?”

As Jin So-cheong regained consciousness, I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Even the mighty Changqie’s strength seemed countered by the capabilities of the Grand Sorcerer standing before me. Still, it was a clear indication of how daunting it would be to contend with such forces, lest we get caught in the crossfire.

“Ugh… my head is spinning…”

“Rest for a moment.”

Jin So-cheong appeared to be reeling from the effects, the command’s aftereffects spinning him in painful throes. I suppressed the harmful sensations while adjusting his blood pressure, ultimately bringing him into a deep sleep again.

Then, I turned towards the Prophet and asked,

“Is there still a little price to settle?”

[ Hmph, propose it.]

“It appears we must directly confront that Emperor. Could you provide insight or spells to counter the Divine Command?”

Before the Prophet could respond, I realized there was something he had been meaning to mention first… “Prior to any of this, there’s something I must tell you about… the truth regarding the Second Binding of the Bherd.”

Gasp!

Cheon Woo-jin and Zhuge Sa both jumped as if struck with lightning. Particularly Zhuge Sa looked appalled and nearly shouted:

“What did you just say? Baek Woong, are you seriously attempting to unravel the Second Binding of the Bherd?”

For sorcerers, the Seven Luminaries and its liberation bore immense significance. Even Cheon Woo-jin, who knew I was the Bherd’s current owner, seemed startled by the revelation regarding the Second Binding. Remaining unperturbed by their gazes, I faced the Prophet and replied,

“You’re telling me you will share that secret?”

[ Affirmative… as you uncovered it, you have the right to be informed… but…]

“But?”

The Prophet rolled his eyes, twirling his tentacles around.

[ Your price must suffice. You will have to relinquish one between how to counter the command or the truth behind the liberation.]

That was unsurprising.

As expected, through his shrewd calculation, the Prophet would not divulge every detail without feeling like he had lost out significantly. I could deduce the unspoken words behind his ridicule, and with a frown, I said,

“So, you’re saying I need to come up with even more compensation?”

[ That would ultimately be your decision… Should you relinquish more, I would have no issues divulging everything.]

It felt like a balancing act was underway. However, the Prophet’s tone was dripping with self-assurance, revealing his advantage in this trade. I could also sense a certain malice, understanding he believed I would not stand on pleasing terms with him.

‘What do I have to give up?’

Contemplating my available possessions, I reflected on what I had stored away that could be useful. From past encounters, I’d learned that attempting to barter gold nuggets or thousand-year-old ginseng would be seen as worthless junk to him. For him, treasures and knowledge held exceptional value. I scanned my inventory until something popped into my head.

“How about this?”

[ What is that…?]

I presented a silver phoenix figurine. The Prophet took it with his tentacles, observing it keenly, yet initially offering no remarks. As I peered at him, the Prophet finally spoke.

[ This seems… acceptable, but I’ll need more…]

His manner indicated this silver phoenix held some intrinsic worth. I had no clue about its functionalities or secrets, yet it was apparent the Prophet had recognized its value. With this ledge taken care of, I glanced sideways at Zhuge Sa.

Zhuge Sa appeared perplexed when our eyes met.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“Zhuge Sa, show me what you’ve got.”

“What?!”

His expression twisted with irritation.

“Why should I?”

“And besides, I don’t have anything!”

My arms crossed, I countered,

“What I mean is, the truth regarding the Second Binding of the Bherd isn’t solely for me; it also concerns you, so you ought to contribute something of your own. Don’t you find it intriguing?”

Zhuge Sa hesitated,

“… I suppose so. But honestly, I don’t have anything. You should check with that Cheon Woo-jin fellow; he’s bound to have plenty!”

I redirected my gaze to Cheon Woo-jin, who shot back a glare at Zhuge Sa.

“I do have worthwhile compensation. However, I refuse to offer anything while Zhuge Sa hoards his treasures.”

“What kind of logic is that?”

“It strikes me as unfair if I were to bear all the costs without Zhuge Sa sharing the burden.”

Cheon Woo-jin appeared to fret over being left at a disadvantage while Zhuge Sa insisted he held no treasures. I needed to devise a strategy to persuade Zhuge Sa; after much thought, I finally opted to take a risk.

“Zhuge Sa, if you present your treasure, I will provide you with the Method of the Philosopher’s Stone.”

Zhuge Sa’s demeanor shifted.

“The Method of the Philosopher’s Stone?! You mean the recipe to create the Philosopher’s Stone?”

“Exactly.”

“If you give me that, I will immediately divulge my possession. Hurry up!”

“Before that, I want to gauge what it is you will bring to the table.”

“What do you mean?”

“I share Cheon Woo-jin’s sentiment. I refuse to be the only one burdened by expenses. It’s utterly repugnant!”

“……!!”

“Don’t just think of yourself! Offer something worthwhile!”

Zhuge Sa’s fists clenched tightly, the veins bulging with tension. He seemed caught in a dilemma, calculating the pros and cons. Then, coming to a decision, he spoke.

“… I’ll part with this treasure.”

With that, Zhuge Sa summoned a strange book from thin air and handed it over. I read the title on the cover.

“The Great Transference Technique?”

“It’s the finest technique among my collection. Should be sufficient.”

Beside us, Cheon Woo-jin interjected snidely.

“You’re really desperate to reveal a spell reserved only for heretic sects, aren’t you?”

“Shut it, Cheon Woo-jin! Have you got something more valuable to offer?”

“What the hell?!”

Clearly offended, Cheon Woo-jin clenched his teeth and withdrew a scroll he had previously kept hidden away from Zhuge Bu. Offering me the scroll, he proclaimed,

“Take it.”

“What is this, then?”

“This is an imperial treasure known as the Map of Mountains and Rivers, which was granted to humanity by the goddess. I transfer full ownership to you.”

“……!!”

“Oh, and I would like some black and white lotuses or some gold nuggets later.”

“Got it.”

Ka-ching!

It suddenly dawned on me that regardless of how capable Cheon Woo-jin’s techniques were, sealing Zhuge Bu into a painting was a rather bizarre strategy. This was only feasible due to the inheritance of an imperial treasure. Using the Map of Mountains and Rivers allowed for the sealing of high-dimensional entities into images, which would undoubtedly be tremendously valuable.

‘This should suffice.’

Having received treasures from both parties, I felt I hadn’t made a complete loss in this exchange. Therefore, I activated bead floating, and promptly teleported down to the royal palace’s underground to retrieve the Philosopher’s Stone, before returning to the grand shrine.

“Here you go.”

[ ……]

Upon handing over the Philosopher’s Stone, the Prophet inspected it thoroughly, moving it around with an intent gaze. He eventually drooped his tentacles and remarked,

[ It’s truly the Book of Demonic Arts… Gratefully received.]

“Shall we conclude the trade?”

[ To be honest… I don’t wish to make this exchange lightly. However, given it’s the Book of Demonic Arts, I’ll consider this.]

For the Prophet, possessing the Book of Demonic Arts signified a significant treasure of knowledge; hence, his advisement to refrain from rejecting me stemmed from his underlying principles. After some contemplation, he finally yielded.

[ Alright, let’s finalize this deal.]

“Thanks a ton!”

The Prophet chastised with authority,

[ Do refrain from provoking me while we engage in this discussion… My mood is not up to par as it stands.]

“Of course.”

I couldn’t shake the precariously binding nature of this transaction.

—

Note: SFX (sound effects) have been italicized in this translation.