Chapter 597: Zhuge (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 597: Zhuge (5)
Wooooong.
Demonic Qi churned restlessly within my body.
With every pulse came a fresh surge of pain. My body, which had been painstakingly recovering, screamed in protest as I forced my Qi to circulate once more. One wrong move and my recovery would be set back weeks, if not months.
But… I had no choice.
I stared at the old man watching me from across the room. Even sitting down, he possessed a commanding, heavy presence. His frame was massive, but more than that, the sheer density of the muscle packed onto his bones was immense. To put it in perspective, he was on par with the First Elder—roughly the same size as that old monster.
I’d always heard that the Zhuge Clan focused more on formations and mechanical contraptions than on direct martial prowess. I never expected to find one of them this physically powerful.
‘He feels well past the Fusion Realm.’
He seemed significantly stronger than the Wudang elder I had killed recently. He might not be on the level of the lords of the Ten Sect Alliance or the Four Noble Clans, but he felt formidable enough to be mentioned in the same breath.
‘So that’s him…’
The man with the surname Zhuge, the one supposedly destined to stir up trouble in Henan. I had to force a hollow laugh as I looked at him.
I was surprised. Truly, genuinely surprised. If I hadn't been wearing this mask, my expression would have given everything away.
‘Well, well.’
Why was I so shocked? Was it because the old man’s martial prowess far exceeded my expectations? No. Was it because a member of the Zhuge Clan was this strong? That wasn’t it either.
The reason was simple: I knew this old man. In fact, I knew him very, very well.
‘That old geezer was a descendant of the Zhuge Clan?’
The old man’s identity was none other than a member of the Heavenly Demon’s direct forces from my past life. The Captain of the Heavenly Black Army.
‘Pilduma.’
That was the man standing before me.
In my past life, Pilduma was a master who wielded a massive blunt weapon. I couldn’t remember his actual name, but it didn't matter. It would have been a fake name anyway; most of his kind used aliases. Now, he was the leader of the descendants of the fallen Zhuge Clan. His real name was obviously Zhuge-something-or-other.
‘He was using an alias even back when he was a Demonic Human.’
That was the only logical conclusion. Furthermore, seeing that he was a Zhuge made several things click into place.
‘No wonder.’
In the past, the Heavenly Black Army was not only under the Heavenly Demon’s direct command, but it was also the unit that Zhuge Hyuk utilized the most. They were the ones who served as his personal guard whenever he was in a bind. That was why I had targeted the Heavenly Black Army first when I moved to take out Zhuge Hyuk. I’d always thought it was strange how closely Zhuge Hyuk and the Heavenly Black Army were linked.
‘Was it because they were both Zhuges?’
It was just a guess, but given the circumstances, I was half-convinced. That meant the Heavenly Demon, not to mention Zhuge Hyuk, must have known the truth.
In any case, it didn’t matter. I was just surprised to find Pilduma here. Actually, this was a good thing. It meant another piece of the puzzle had just fallen into place.
Hiding my shock, I spoke to Pilduma.
“Then, I shall call you Captain of the Heavenly Black Army.”
“…As you wish.”
Thud.
As he spoke, Pilduma placed something on the table in front of him. It was a cup.
“I have no fine liquor to offer a guest.”
I smiled thinly behind the mask. He had some nerve, offering a drink to an intruder who had just barged into his inner sanctum.
“I have no intention of drinking.”
“I see.”
He didn’t seem to mind the refusal. Of course he wouldn’t.
‘Right now, he’s too busy trying to figure me out.’
He feigned a calm exterior, but I could feel his gaze boring into me. Pilduma was doing his absolute best to discern my identity. I rested my chin on my hand and met his gaze steadily.
Go on, take a good look if you can.
“...”
Realizing his scrutiny was getting him nowhere, Pilduma shifted his gaze. He quickly understood it was a futile effort.
‘This mask is worth a fortune, after all.’
It was a treasure of the Yeon Clan, given to me by the Dark King. Unlike other "treasures" that were mostly for show, this one was the real deal. Not only did it prevent others from seeing through it with Qi, but it also possessed the power to conceal my physical condition and my level of cultivation. It was the perfect item for someone like me, whose face usually betrays every lie.
As we silently exchanged glances, Pilduma was the first to break the silence.
“I heard you disabled the formation to enter. How did you do it?”
So, his first question was about the formation. I suppose it made sense. The barrier around this place wasn’t just some ordinary array; it was woven so subtly it was almost undetectable. Even if one managed to find it, it was far too complex to be easily dismantled. I don’t know much about formations, but even I could tell it was a masterpiece.
It’s just that…
“For a paltry trick, it wasn’t half bad.”
It wasn’t much of a problem for me.
Well, technically…
‘It was Seong Yul, not me.’
Seong Yul was the one who had disabled the formation. Or should I say "disabled"? He just sliced through it with his sword, and that was that. In my past life, it would have taken a team of experts a considerable amount of time to dismantle a single formation of that grade. To see it done so effortlessly was baffling.
‘I’m glad I brought him.’
The Immortal Healer had warned me that even if I knew the location, I wouldn’t be able to get in because of the formation. There was a funny story about that, too. When I asked how he knew the location since he’d been brought here blindfolded, the Immortal Healer had said he simply memorized every single step he took to map out the path in his head. I guess you need a mind like that to become the world’s greatest healer.
Anyway, after hearing that, I brought Seong Yul along. I remembered how he had dismantled a formation with his sword once before. As expected, Seong Yul handled it with ease. I’d let out a hollow laugh watching him do it.
‘One after another. I really don’t like any of them.’
When I asked him how he did it, Seong Yul had simply replied: “For some reason, I didn’t like that spot.”
He said the exact same thing as the others. It’s infuriating. This is why I hate geniuses…
‘Right, there was a guy like that in my past life, too.’
Woo Hyuk used to break formations because he could "hear" them or something equally nonsensical. In this life, Namgung Bi-ah would cut through them because they "smelled bad." Considering that all three of them are monstrous geniuses…
‘Should I just assume that dealing with formations is also a matter of raw talent?’
It was a useless thing to ponder now. It was better to just accept it and move on. What mattered was Pilduma’s reaction. The look in the old man’s eyes was intense. Was it because I had dismissed his formation so casually?
‘Well, it is a formation of that caliber.’
What would have happened if I had tried to dismantle it myself? I didn’t even want to imagine it. How could I possibly solve a puzzle like that with my blockhead?
‘What if I had torn it apart with brute force?’
That probably would have worked, but I would have had to endure the full backlash of the formation’s destruction. I brought Seong Yul specifically to avoid that.
So, what was Pilduma thinking as he looked at me now? Did he think I had dismantled the formation in an instant? Or did he think I had shattered it with sheer, overwhelming power?
‘Either way.’
He would see me as an extraordinary individual. And that was exactly the reaction I wanted.
‘Looks like it worked perfectly.’
Judging by his hesitation, he was too busy trying to size me up to make a move. He was being cautious because he couldn't gauge the depth of my power. This was the ideal response.
As I stared at him in silence, he spoke again.
“I have heard the rumors.”
I tilted my head. Rumors? What rumors was he talking about?
“The Heavenly Demon.”
My eyes widened slightly.
“They say a man in a cracked white mask and black robes laid waste to Wudang.”
I thought the rumors hadn’t spread that far yet, considering the nature of what I’d done. But it seemed Pilduma’s information network was already functional.
“Even when I first heard the reports, I thought he must be an extraordinary person.”
“And what do you think, now that you’ve seen me in person?”
“…You are even more than I imagined.”
“Kek kek.”
It was killing me to force out a laugh that didn’t suit me at all. For the record, I was channeling the Dishonored Venerable for the laugh.
“I don’t know how you found this place or how you bypassed the formation… but to come alone must mean you have business with me.”
“Didn’t I say so from the beginning? This Venerable One came because he has business with you.”
“Indeed. And what important business brings you here?”
Pilduma stretched his hand into the air.
Fwoooosh—!!
Something flew out from the distant darkness and slammed into Pilduma’s palm. It was a blunt weapon as large as his own body.
Thump—!
He slammed the weapon onto the floor. It was a familiar sight.
‘Pilduma’s beloved weapon.’
The very same one that had smashed countless heads in my previous life. Had he said it was forged with the strongest steel?
‘It’s just a simple, sturdy hunk of metal.’
But when Pilduma wielded it, he was no different from a demon.
“If this isn’t a proper conversation, our next one will not be nearly as peaceful.”
“...”
It was a clear warning: speak sense, or fight.
Hearing that, I made a quick calculation. What would happen if I fought Pilduma here?
‘What do you mean, what would happen? I’d be slaughtered.’
Defeat was certain. My body was in shambles, and even if I were at full strength, beating him would be a monumental task. Pilduma was just that strong.
However…
“Interesting.”
Vrrrrrrrrm—!!
“…!”
Even knowing the risks, I had no intention of backing down. I opened my heart and let my Qi flow. It was agonizing, but it didn't matter. The fact that my body was struggling this much meant I was emitting an aura far beyond my usual level. The Combat Qi Pilduma radiated was fierce, but I wouldn't be suppressed by that alone.
Crack, crackle.
As our energies clashed, the very space between us seemed to distort. I pushed forward.
Fwaaaa—!
My Qi surged, swallowing Pilduma’s whole and crushing it under its sheer weight. His Qi might have been of higher quality, but in a battle of pure volume, I would never lose.
‘Just think of how much I’ve devoured until now.’
Even if you searched the entire Central Plains, there would be few who could surpass the sheer amount of Qi I currently possessed. Perhaps if my past self were here, it would be a different story, but someone like Pilduma stood no chance in a contest of pressure.
“Hah…”
Pushed back in the clash of auras, Pilduma let out a ragged sigh. It seemed he had sustained some minor internal injuries from the backlash.
“Captain of the Heavenly Black Army,” I called out. “This Venerable One will overlook this once, as a favor to you.”
I gathered the shimmering Qi in the air and hurled it at the far wall.
KWWAAAAAANG—!!
A massive explosion echoed from the darkness. Ah, did I throw it too hard…?
“Do not bare your fangs so carelessly. There will not be a next time.”
“...”
Ssk.
Pilduma’s grip on his weapon loosened slightly.
“My apologies.”
He had taken a step back. What a relief. I was genuinely worried he might just charge at me…
“Are you done with your little tricks? Feel free to try again if you wish.”
I maintained my arrogant front, though internally I was screaming for him to stop.
“I was merely testing to see if you were truly the man from the rumors.”
Pilduma seemed to have no intention of continuing the fight, as he didn't move despite my provocation. I sighed in relief. It felt like I had just narrowly avoided a disaster.
“Was that the answer you were looking for?”
“...”
Pilduma gave a slight nod.
“A person like you… for what reason have you come to this place?”
Now that the intense war of nerves was over, it was time for the main topic. It had turned out well, but I had to struggle to hide my cold sweat.
“As it happens, I have something I need to do here…” I said, my eyes crinkling into a smile hidden by the mask. “I heard someone was planning to strike Henan first, so I thought I’d come and see their face.”
“...”
At my words, Pilduma’s brow furrowed. I could see a hint of hostility returning to his eyes.
“Does that mean… this territory is yours, and we are not to move as we please—?”
“Wrong.”
I cut him off before things could get dangerous again.
“Do as you please. This Venerable One doesn’t care for such trivial matters.”
“Then why?”
“However.” I held up two fingers. “There are two things you must do for me.”
“What did you say?”
“If you accomplish them, this Venerable One will not care what you do.”
Grrrind.
Unable to hold back any longer, Pilduma’s body began to tremble. I could feel his Combat Qi rising once more.
“I acknowledge your strength, but it seems you do not know where to draw the line.”
Rumble, rumble.
This Combat Qi was of a different caliber than before. He was finally getting serious. My fingertips trembled, so I subtly hid them in my sleeves.
“If you think I would value my life after being insulted like this—!”
“You pathetic ghost, clinging to the past.”
Flinch.
At my words, Pilduma froze mid-action.
“Your name has been erased and your clan has fallen, yet it seems you haven’t been able to discard that useless pride of yours.”
“You—!”
Pilduma was about to unleash his power, but I spoke again.
“Don’t you want to destroy the Alliance?”
He stopped dead. Looking at his contorted face, I continued.
“Don’t you want to crush those bastards who tore your people to shreds?”
“…That is something we can handle even without you.”
I could hear the confidence in his voice. I didn’t know exactly what he was planning, but it surely wasn’t something small.
‘He probably failed in my past life, but who knows about now.’
The circumstances were too different. Moreover, the Alliance Leader was currently distracted. In the midst of preparing for the grand martial arts tournament, the incident at Wudang had just occurred. Now was the perfect time to attack Henan.
However…
“Captain of the Heavenly Black Army.”
That was only true if I wasn't here.
“Do my words sound like a request? Don’t be mistaken.”
“…!”
“This Venerable One does not make requests.”
This was the crucial part. I had to act even more relaxed, as if his Combat Qi meant nothing to me.
“This is a test I am giving you.”
I had to convey with my entire being that the weapon in his hand was nothing but a toy.
“If you cannot even pass this simple test, you will die here.”
At those words, Pilduma’s eyes widened. Seeing that, I wondered if I had gone too far.
What is it? It’s not time to be surprised yet, is it?
“If you fail, you won’t even get your revenge…”
“I see.”
?
I wasn’t even finished with my line, but Pilduma cut me off. I was completely flustered. I never expected him to interrupt. The bigger problem was what he said next.
“…Now that I hear you say that, I think I finally know who you are.”
‘Oh, shit.’
My heart sank. He figured it out? How?
I had to fight the urge to check if my mask was crooked. If I did that, the act was over. How on earth did he figure it out? If he really knew my identity, this was a true crisis. All sorts of escape plans flashed through my mind in an instant. I swallowed dryly.
“A being who can defeat a Wudang elder in a single blow and radiate such a powerful Combat Qi.”
Pilduma spoke with absolute certainty. In that brief moment, my eyes darted around, mapping out an escape route. If things went south, I was bolting.
“I see. You are…”
Just then.
“One of the Three Venerables who disappeared.”
“Huh?”
At Pilduma’s words, my own voice slipped out before I could stop it.
“The Dishonored Venerable, Bijuu.”
It was such a bewildering statement that I couldn't help it.
“You are him.”
“...”
He looked at me with wide, surprised eyes, as if he had solved the greatest mystery of the age. I turned my body, which had been poised to flee, and subtly adjusted my stance.
I had to make a choice. And choices always had to be made quickly.
“Hmph.”
I let out a small, mocking laugh and looked at Pilduma.
“You’re not as slow as you look.”
There was no hesitation in my voice. I didn’t know how he had reached that conclusion, but in that moment…
I decided to become the Dishonored Venerable.