Chương 645: God of the Underworld (2)

The dark night of the Heavenly Domain breaks apart, revealing the vast dark heavens.

Tak— Breath catches in my throat.

Beyond the formation of Underworld Ten Kings bowing down in prostration, deep darkness opens, and someone walks forward.

Tuk— With each step that person takes, it feels as though the sounds of the world are being erased.

Tuk— At the sound of those footsteps, my entire body tingles, and it feels like my breath is cut off.

I have felt this sensation before.

'The Great Mountain Supreme Deity. And the Gandhara of the Heavenly Venerable of Void...'

I swallow hard.

Suddenly, such thoughts cross my mind.

In the cases of the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable or the Heavenly Venerable of the Void, When it was not the descent of their Gandhara but merely the descent of their projection, there was no particular need for a ritual. They descended easily and casually...

'But for the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, even for just a projection to descend, such a ritual is required...!'

That's right.

The reason why the Chief Judge and the other Judges specifically bother to summon Integration stage Ghost Kings to call them forth is not merely for the sake of ceremony, but to create the opportunity for their descent through a descent ritual.

Just as True Immortals normally descend into the Lower Realm through Immortal Treasures or devotees, they too appear here through a ritual utilizing Ghost Kings.

They could descend directly if they wished, but that would waste considerable power.

However, when it comes to the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld— While Immortal Lords could be summoned through Integration stage Ghost Kings alone, the Underworld Ten Kings themselves must step forward to perform the ritual. That alone speaks of the immensity of this being!

'And this is... not even the Gandhara, but merely the descent of a projection!'

I tremble at the terrifying chilling presence.

I feel like I am going to vomit.

Did Yang Su-jin or the previous Heavenly Kings also feel this way just from witnessing a projection of the Underworld?

'So that's how it is...'

Yet at the same time, I come to understand something as I feel the dreadful momentum of the Underworld.

Through this, I realize how gentle the Underworld truly is.

'To be considerate of someone like me... to meet me with nothing more than the shadow of her projection in the form of Tae Yeol-jeon and such... Truly, They are an incredibly thoughtful being...'

Tuk— But all such idle thoughts, all such distractions— The moment They finally descend, they are washed away as if swallowed by the darkness.

And then...

I do not know what I am thinking.

But I raise my head toward the projection of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, toward Bong Hwa who has descended into this place.

'Aaaaah...'

It is stunning.

Beautiful.

It takes the form of a woman of a race similar to the Human Race.

Yet Its skin is so flawless it seems transparent, and Its hair flows down like a waterfall, turning into primal darkness and driving away the light.

Its clothing, made of something unknown, absorbs the darkness of the universe and appears black, though without that, it would likely seem white.

Woven from the fur of some unknown beast, the garment looks softer and tougher than anything in existence, exuding an absolute resistance that no flame dares violate.

Its eyes are black, as though gazing truly into eternity itself.

The eyes feel as though if one were to fall into that dark eternity, there would be no return.

Unlike other Governing Immortals, It does not wear a mianguan.

Instead, It adorns its hair with an unusual ornament patterned like tiger stripes, evoking the image of a tiger.

Though Its hair is left flowing loose, a hairpin remains stuck in place, from which the energy of five ominous stars flickers faintly.

According to tradition, it is said that the hairpin was made by capturing and killing five cruel Supreme Deities known as the Five Cruels (五残), then forging their remains into this ornament.

It takes the form of a human, yet there is an eerie sense that It is something altogether different.

It has a face, but it feels as though no True Immortal could truly communicate with It.

It is both death and life, the only one who, across countless ages, can rightly be called history itself.

'My sense of perspective... feels like it's twisting...'

Her size cannot possibly be measured, but if I dare to estimate it—just the diameter of Her pupil measures about 1. 6 million yojana (8 million km).

The length of the hand alone reaches about 16 million yojana.

The length of one arm is approximately 64 million yojana.

The full height measures around 192 million yojana.

Though She resembles a human, her proportions seem both correct and somehow disturbingly off, as if to prove She is not human.

'Ah, no... wait a moment. The scale really is strange. My sense of perspective keeps distorting... This is...'

But I soon realize that size is meaningless.

'No matter what scale I try to assign, she will always exceed it...?'

Aside from knowing that even a 'fixed star is smaller than the pupil of Her eye', Her body exists beyond any scale or measurement I can conceive.

Standing above all principles we know of, She exists where even the concept of 'large' becomes irrelevant, because any standard would simply be surpassed.

Tuk— At last, She arrives before the Underworld Ten Kings who stand in formation.

She seems about to sit astride the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

Without using any spiritual energy, explosion, or authority, simply by physical strength alone, She crushes and bends the Heavenly Domain.

Kkigigigigik— Kuuung!

Using the distorted Heavenly Domain's attraction force as a chair, She settles upon it.

Her size is so grand that the gathered Underworld Ten Kings and the Radiance Eight Immortals, along with myself and all the Reapers and Ghost Kings present, must crane our necks until they nearly snap to look up at Her.

We are forced to share the feeling that, before this immense and dark being, we are no more than toy soldiers.

Though Her outward appearance seems beautiful at first glance, the overwhelming transcendent enormity and the dark atmosphere emanating from Her eyes inspire more strangeness and horror than beauty.

The Yama True Lord Yan Luo unfurls what looks like a bamboo scroll and cries out.

:: From this moment forward, the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain shall serve as the temporary assembly hall of the Underworld. All divine spirits of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, take heed! The decree of the Imperial Venerable shall be issued here today!:: Kugugung!

With the projection of the Underworld descended, Yan Luo's judge robe emits even deeper darkness, amplifying their proclamation throughout the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain— No, even reaching beyond, into the entire expanse of Mount Sumeru.

Kugugugugung!

At the same time, from the distant edge of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, countless clusters of light begin flying in.

It seems that the Great Forest Heavenly Lord has sent a message, as countless Heavenly Lords and True Lords of Radiance Hall, along with the Envoys of the Final Age of Dharma and the Great Net Immortals, begin to line up behind the Radiance Eight Immortals in unison.

Perhaps it is a desperate attempt not to lose spirit before the Underworld, yet I realize with a hollow smile that not a single Heavenly Lord entering the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain remains unaffected.

The Underworld, by Her mere presence alone, seems enough to overwhelm countless Heavenly Lords.

:: First, as the representative of Radiance Hall and the Radiance Eight Immortals, I, the Great Forest Heavenly Lord, am honored to meet the Western Heavenly Venerable, the Netherworld Queen Mother.:: But even so, the Great Forest Heavenly Lord speaks before the Underworld, trying their best not to sound crushed in spirit.

:: First... regarding why the Western Heaven's subordinates, the Underworld Ten Kings, suddenly launched an offensive against the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord—we would like an explanation...:: And just as the Great Forest Heavenly Lord tries to bring up various reasons and speak to the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld—:: From this moment.:: The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld opens Her mouth.

Her jade-like voice resounds throughout Heaven and Earth.

:: All Enders of this era are under my management. Withdraw the bounty issued upon the Enders of this generation.:: She cuts off the words of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord and delivers Her will in a heavy jade-like voice.

At Her words, the Great Forest Heavenly Lord looks up at the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld and shouts.

:: What nonsense! Even if it is you, isn't this treating our Radiance Hall with too much disregard? The elimination of the Enders is also the duty of our Radiance Eight Immortals! Do you really think we would hand it over so easily...?:: But at that moment, the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord urgently steps in front of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord, and cries out.

:: Wait! Do you desire the Enders of this era, Underworld?:: The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld remains silent.

But in that silence, there is clearly affirmation.

Perhaps realizing this, the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord immediately speaks out, their voice faintly trembling.

:: I-If that is the case, then the Radiance Eight Immortals will discuss among ourselves and give you an answer. Please, give us a little time...:: But at that moment— The Great Forest Heavenly Lord bellows out in anger.

:: Rain Dew! What are you doing? You are the executor of the Radiance Eight Immortals, not our representative. No matter if you are the only survivor of the Vast Cold Great War, such overreach will not be tolerated. Above all, are you not letting your emotions sway you right now!?:::: Great Forest! Trust me. Now is the time to discuss. Just follow my lead for just a moment...:::: No! This is overreach, Rain Dew! Our roles and their authority are absolute.

While you are indeed the only survivor of the Vast Cold Great War, respected as our elder and executor, if you cross the line, the Radiance Supreme Deity will surely punish you.:::: Wait...:::: There will be no negotiation! This is the will of me, the Great Forest Heavenly Lord, representative of the Radiance Eight Immortals, and the will of the Radiance Supreme Deity. No matter if it is the Owner of the Underworld, we are light! We are not so weak as to retreat at the words of darkness!

:: At the words of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord, all of the Radiance Eight Immortals except for the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord begin to join their hands in unison.

The Rain Dew Heavenly Lord appears visibly restless, but in the end, they too join their hands, as if they have no choice.

Wo-woooong!

The Radiance Eight Immortals form their battle formation, and behind them, the emblem of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail] begins to grow even darker.

'Th-This is...'

It is the same ominous dread I felt back then.

The [light] that illuminated the world when the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity and the Liberation Supreme Deity clashed with the Radiance Eight Immortals!

That light dyes all of creation and obliterated two Supreme Deities at once.

'N-No matter if She is the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld... this is the light that erased two Supreme Deities in a single strike. Can She really withstand this...!?'

As soon as I see that light, I begin to feel uneasy at the Underworld's composed attitude.

Just seeing the ominous symbol of Heuk Sa makes me feel like my throat is being strangled.

:: Conceding a hundred times, I would let that Madam Ghost Mother you are supporting remain under your command. No, if you would concede a few things yourself, I might even yield the return of Vast Cold over there. But to demand we yield all the Enders... that is tantamount to declaring war on us...:::: Do it. War.:: Immediately after.

The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld raises Her left arm.

At that moment,:: Survivors of the Vast Cold Great War, hear me!:: The Rain Dew Heavenly Lord cries out, their voice trembling.

:: Seek to preserve your lives!:: At the same time, several of the Heavenly Lords gathered behind the Radiance Eight Immortals begin screaming like mad.

:: The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld is preparing to strike!!!:: Kuguguguk— Above the hand of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, a certain illusion begins to appear.

It is the hand of a ferocious beast (凶獸), half-human and half-beast.

It looks like the hand of a tiger, perhaps a leopard, or some grotesque predatory monster. When that hand of darkness rises— Several Envoys of the Final Age of Dharma begin to convulse and flee in terror.

:: The Western Heavenly Venerable is making Her move!!:::: The Western Heavenly Venerable!! She has raised Her left hand!!:: Deeeng— Deeeng— Deeeng— The Envoys of the Final Age of Dharma, the Heavenly Lords, and the True Lords flee from the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain in utter panic, dragging along the other True Immortals who remain clueless and bewildered.

:: All throughout the Three Heavens Great Thousand World, listen!! The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld is unleashing her powerrrrrr!!!:: The cry of the final Envoy of the Final Age of Dharma who escapes from the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain resounds throughout the entirety of Mount Sumeru.

At that moment, I feel the other dimensions, apart from the Interdimensional Void, all begin to 'close' simultaneously.

Eastern Heaven Flower Field.

There, countless Flower Overseers and divine spirits fly about so frantically that their winged garments almost catch fire as they shout.

:: The Oldest One!! Has raised Their left hand!!:::: Everyone, brace for impact!!:::: Old Man! Old Man! Lock down the flower field!! Granny! Find out where the Western Heavenly Venerable is intercepting!:: The entire Eastern Heaven Flower Field begins to enter a state of emergency.

Source River.

There, Yeong Seung screams and begins to hurriedly seal the Source River shut.

:: Northern Dipper!! Northern Dipper!! Do you hear me, Northern Dipper!? I know we are not on good terms, but answer me for now! The Underworld has descended! The Underworld has raised Their left hand! They are unleashing Their power!!:: At Yeong Seung's scream, the True Immortals belonging to the Source River fall into mass panic and hide deep within the Source River, and soon, seven Heavenly Lords gather around Yeong Seung.

:: Wh-What does that...:::: Why would the Underworld suddenly use Their power!?:::: That's not what matters! First, observe where the Underworld is targeting for interception!:::: Observation complete! The Underworld's interception point is... the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain!:::: Of all places, it's there! Lock down the Gandhara!!:: Though Yeong Seung and the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords have not been on good terms, they unite in an instant and seal the Source River together.

Among the many Earth Immortals and Heaven Immortals of the Heavenly Domains, Those who have previously witnessed the actions of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld all begin to panic at once.

At the outskirts of the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain, the main body of Glass Peacock, who has been eyeing for a chance to slip into the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain with eyes consumed by lust, suddenly opens their eyes wide.

It's only for a moment, but the lust dwelling in the eyes of Glass Peacock fades away, and terror creeps in.

:: T-The Underworld has descended into a Heavenly Domain and is unleashing Their power? Th-This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to kidnap Azure Peng, but... kugh! I'll just send a clone toward Azure Peng for now and go into hiding!:: Twin Holding Heavenly Domain.

There, thousands of True Immortals, who have been hiding from the gaze of Radiance Hall, suddenly panic, leaving the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain or rushing to hide near the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.

:: Flee!!! The aftershock might reach all the way here!:::: Supreme Deity! We must go to a Heavenly Domain where a Supreme Deity resides!:::: Everyone, go to the Elephant Nose Heavenly Domain! Go to the Earth Boundary Heavenly Domain! W-We must go where the Supreme Deities are! Only under the Supreme Deities can we be protected!:: Throughout the Heavenly Domains, mass migration begins.

Horse Ear Heavenly Domain.

There, a faceless white-haired woman who had been offering prayers toward a wall of lightning hurriedly turns around.

:: Wh-What...? The Underworld is unleashing Their power...?:: As if something terrifying seems to rise in her mind, the white-haired woman, Zhengli, begins to tremble uncontrollably.

But soon after, she overcomes her fear and laughs.

:: No... this might be a blessing in disguise. If the aftershock reaches here, perhaps it might even create a gap in the seal...!:: With a voice laced with both anxiety and hope, Zhengli gazes toward the distant Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

The Heavenly King Heavenly Domain is overturned.

Countless living beings and True Immortals of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain fall into madness from terror.

Under the judgment of an overwhelming, irresistible being, the True Immortals of Radiance Hall, who had acted like gods before mortal beings and wielded tyranny as they pleased, now all weep and wail.

Driven mad by terror, they prostrate themselves toward the Heavenly Venerable of the Netherworld, praying desperately. They laugh and cry in turns as if they have lost their minds, no different from the weak mortal beings.

'Ahh...'

I see it.

Every existence in this world holds their breath.

The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld begins to swing Her left hand with indifferent eyes.

The light of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail] created by the Radiance Eight Immortals collides with the casually swung left arm of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.

And at that moment, the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord shouts desperately.

:: Let it flow!!!:: Above the left hand of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, the faint image of a beast's hand appears.

It is the instant when that beast's hand clashes with the beam of light from Radiance Hall.

Pukwak!

Just witnessing it causes my eyeballs to burst.

It is not only my eyes.

In that instant, my perception organs that perceive the planes of Qi, Soul, and Fate are severed.

The only thing I can perceive is Triple Divinity.

Perhaps the disparity in rank is so great that I cannot even perceive the shock.

The fate of my internal world twists.

To even witness and perceive this impact, it seems that what is needed is not strength, but at least the minimum level of rank. Unlike me, the Underworld Ten Kings and the Immortal Lords who have seized Seats seem able to face it directly.

I quickly regenerate my eyes and perception organs, and in the next moment, I am able to behold an overwhelming scene.

'Crazy...'

The entire Radiance Eight Immortals are torn apart, and the light they had summoned along with the symbol of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail] has disappeared without a trace.

At the same time...

I am unable to suppress my shock as I witness the situation behind the Radiance Eight Immortals.

The Heavenly King Heavenly Domain... has vanished.

I see countless spirits of Immortals and mortal beings within the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain being dragged toward the Underworld.

Perhaps because it is such a sudden death, except for the True Immortals, the living souls are not particularly judged and are instead able to enjoy bliss within the afterlife of the Underworld.

But I am simply horrified at the result that freezes my mind.

'Even when the Northern Heavenly Venerable Hyeon Mu descended with the Gandhara and swirled the Three Great Ultimates into a vortex and attacked once... only half of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain was split...'

A single indifferent strike by the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld's projection is stronger than the attack Hyeon Mu released with all her might with her Gandhara.

And worse yet, it seems this is not the end. Other Heavenly Domains beyond the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain are also shaking violently.

Judging by the considerable groans heard from inside, they appear to be suffering from the aftershocks.

And...

Surprisingly, the ones who survived that insane strike from the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld are none other than the Radiance Eight Immortals, who took the attack at the closest distance.

Paaatt!

From the place where they had stood, light seems to flash, and the divine bodies of the Radiance Eight Immortals, which had been blown apart, begin to gradually return.

After some time, once they return to their original forms, the Radiance Eight Immortals all remain silent.

:: Will you do it? War?:: In response to the following words of the Underworld, the Great Forest Heavenly Lord simply offers a respectful bow toward the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.

::... Please... forgive our insolence...:::: Leave.:: With that single, short command from the Underworld, the Radiance Eight Immortals lose all will to fight and begin to retreat bitterly.

And then...

Having just witnessed that insane act of destruction, I stand there blankly, trying to look up at the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.

But at that moment, Blink—

'... Huh?'

Before I know it, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld has vanished.

:: They have returned to the Gandhara. The Imperial Venerable does not like staying inside Mount Sumeru. Especially not in front of the Head Realm.:: Then, Yan Luo approaches and speaks to me.

I feel another wave of goosebumps at those words.

'That terrifying presence... returned to the Gandhara without leaving a single trace?'

[... Truly... incredible.] [Of course.] The Underworld Ten Kings, including Yan Luo, begin to lower their ranks one by one, as if preparing to return to the Underworld.

[Now, that aside... the Imperial Venerable is calling for you, Seo Eun-hyun. Come. I will guide you to the Imperial Venerable...] [... Understood.] The Judges naturally surround me and open the gate of the Underworld.

Normally, I would have been suspicious of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld's taxidermization and have tried desperately to flee...

But right now, that thought does not even cross my mind.

'All this time... They have been going easy on me.'

The power I just witnessed is quite literally capable of not only chasing after regression, but also crossing beyond it.

The Underworld could have taxidermized me at any time.

Of course, I could feel joy thinking that now I have reached the standard, I will receive support, and there is no longer a reason to be taxidermized.

But I feel nothing and simply follow Yan Luo quietly.

Maybe because I have seen a power that cannot be dared to be resisted.

No thoughts come to mind.

Kugugugugu!

I descend deeper and deeper into the dark abyss where no light reaches.

How far down into the abyss have we gone?

Kuuung!

Before I know it, Yan Luo and I stand before a massive gate of darkness.

It is time to meet face-to-face with the Imperial Venerable.