Chapter 76

Chapter 75

Johwi stood frozen in place.

The words he began to read carefully.

Jang Sam-bong's prophecy was about the destruction of the world, the time of its demise.

"War of the Zas ( Seats )?"

Beings who had become Zas themselves.

They broke the cosmic law that prevented them from intervening in the world of mortals by combining their powers for the first time.

The most direct and efficient means to increase their existence!

It involved directly consuming the brilliant spirit and flesh of humans, filled with flames and heat.

This was the reason they descended to this land and engaged in a frenzied battle.

The final time of annihilation.

Just two days in human time.

To the Zas, it would be but a fleeting moment, yet the events that unfolded in those two days were unimaginable scenes of absolute destruction.

The sky wept ceaselessly, and the earth's crust rose like a tidal wave, destroying everything humans had built.

The crust would be laid bare, and the entire world would be overturned by a sea of crimson lava. Tens of thousands of spirits and flesh, screaming and pleading for mercy, would be completely devoured by the Zas.

Though it was a war of the Zas lasting only two days, it was a continuous series of unimaginable disasters.

"Or rather, this is just too..."

Shivers ran through Johwi's body.

He never imagined the Zas would destroy the cosmic laws.

He thought that even though humans lived a fleeting life, they only needed to burn brightly.

This was the only power of mortals against the Zas, who suffered from the eternal boredom of existence, and believed that as long as such a brilliant flame was maintained, order would be eternal.

He couldn't understand how he came to know this.

It was information from the universe that naturally flowed in as his spiritual rank rose.

After all the prophecies, however, there were words that further shocked Johwi.

- Sir, I do not know what to call you.

Johwi instinctively realized these words referred to him.

- Not yet, not yet. One day, you will realize that all of this is for you. Please fulfill your purpose so that the time of humans may continue. Oh, protector of humans.

At the last words,

Johwi turned to stone.

Protector of humans?

The moment he read this sentence, a vague emotion welled up in Johwi.

Endlessly sad and longing.

He didn't know why such emotions arose or who the subject was.

Why did his heart feel so heavy?

Suddenly, Sa-eul-cheon cautiously spoke.

"Why are you like this?"

"A, it's nothing. Don't worry about it."

Johwi, having composed himself, fell back into thought.

Though it was a prophecy imbued with Jang Sam-bong's divine eye, it only described in detail, without any clues about when the time of annihilation would occur or from where it would originate.

However, the impending disaster was something that even Sa-eul-cheon and he himself already believed in.

'Then...'

Now, the tangled threads in his heart began to unravel.

In fact, until now, Johwi had no way of understanding the intentions of the Divine Za.

Why would such a great being as the Divine Za deceive and manipulate humans, even sending an avatar to secretly influence the martial world?

The Central Plains were a world of mortals, infinitely insignificant compared to their heavenly realm.

There was no reason for such a tremendous being to use the Jia family to dominate the martial alliance and plot the dark market.

For what purpose?

But Johwi instinctively felt that the actions of the Divine Za were not unrelated to the 'time of annihilation.'

There must be a strong motive for the Divine Za to plot the martial world through its followers.

If that motive was to prepare for the 'time of annihilation,' a festival of destruction to consume the 'flame of humanity'?

Then the seemingly meaningless actions of the Divine Za would be clearly explained.

Then why the martial alliance?

The Divine Za's goal must be something that can only be achieved through the alliance.

Johwi thought about what only the martial alliance could do.

But no matter how he thought about it, anything the martial alliance could do, the leaders of other forces could also do.

Naturally, doubts arose.

The Heavenly Demon Sect, with its religious core, would be even more suitable for control than the martial alliance.

Why the martial alliance, which is controlled by strong principles and righteousness?

Thus, Johwi repeatedly pondered, but his thoughts could not be organized.

'No choice.'

If he couldn't grasp it, he would make the enemy's intentions surface.

If the martial alliance were shaken, he would surely find the answer.

If the enormous funds obtained through the Silk Road were all invested in the Jia Family Complex, turning Poyang Lake into a city-sized area?

Having shaken the martial world with the "Martial World Chronicles," the Three Inner Mountains, and the Martial God, the success of the Jia Family Complex would further plunge them into chaos.

Ultimately, the dominance of the Central Plains market, held by the northern Jiang, would inevitably shift to the south.

The massive influx of population into Jiangxi Province would be a major event that could shake the northern market, the martial alliance controlling it, and even the imperial court.

Ultimately, the reputation of the Jia Family would resonate throughout the Central Plains.

At the moment such actions of his became a variable or obstacle to the Divine Za, the Divine Za would inevitably reveal its intentions.

Without any information, all responses could only be made after that.

Johwi, suddenly curious, looked at Sa-eul-cheon.

"How much food did Jang Sam-bong prepare for?"

"Roughly six million, six thousand people."

"Six million, six thousand?"

He thought it was an enormous amount, but when he heard it, it seemed unreal.

A population on the scale of a moderate country.

Could this vast underground complex really accommodate such a massive crowd?

If they were packed in like sprouts, it might be possible, but two days was a longer time than he thought.

Johwi, lost in such thoughts, looked at Sa-eul-cheon again.

"I understand the meaning. Will you continue with this task?"

There was still a long way to go.

The amount of food they had accumulated so far was only a quarter of the total goal.

This must be the result of his lifelong efforts.

"It was impossible to continue this task a long time ago."

"Hmm?"

Wait, could this guy be?

"After the Jia Family destroyed the Black Heaven Alliance, we could no longer operate as their backers."

"Surely, come on, you must be joking."

"Please help me. Sir Sa-jeom-shin."

"Ah, stop it!"

Damn!

Upon closer inspection, it seemed he was the one being used, not Sa-eul-cheon.

No matter how he calculated, he couldn't easily make a decision.

The amount of silver that the food they had accumulated so far could be converted into was beyond comprehension.

But they still needed to accumulate three times that amount.

Of course, controlling the remnants of the Black Heaven Alliance to complete the Jia Family Complex was important, but would the establishment of a new leader of the Black Heaven Alliance really be worth such an enormous amount of food?

He should have seen it coming when Sa-eul-cheon suddenly started addressing him as a lord.

"This is a great task to save the Central Plains, the world of humans."

"Ah, be quiet."

Saving the world?

Sure, that's a good goal.

But it's too grand!

It's not realistic at all!

There's already so much to do that he's on the verge of breaking down, and now this massive financial hemorrhage!

Turning the Jia Family Complex into a city-sized area would require all the profits the Jia Family makes.

"Let's talk about that problem later."

"Sir Sa-jeom-shin!"

"Did you approach me from the beginning to do this?"

If it's about approaching, you were the one who approached first?

As Sa-eul-cheon argued with a strange expression, Johwi, with a cold face, lifted his iron sword into the air and prepared to fly.

"Let's finish up at the Black King Manor and then go to the Jia Family. Wait a moment!"

Johwi's expression suddenly turned pale.

Thinking about it, weren't the Ten Annihilators of the Black King Manor also formidable experts?

They were nameless hermits buried deep in the mountains, if compared to the righteous sects.

"How many experts of the Transformation Realm or higher are there in the Black King Manor?"

"Are you curious about our true strength?"

"Yes, I saw it."

Sa-eul-cheon's face immediately showed pride.

"I can destroy the Four Rivers Association in four days."

"What, what did you say?"

The Four Rivers Association, another dominant force in the south of the Yangtze River, in just four days?

If it were that easy, wouldn't the martial alliance be a bunch of fools?

Sa-eul-cheon smiled bitterly.

"I didn't mean that we have an enormous number of experts. Just remember who I am standing in front of you."

The Iron Lion, who mastered all the secret techniques left by Jang Sam-bong and was the former top expert in the world!

His words implied that, as a natural realm expert, he alone could easily handle the Four Rivers Association.

It was a chilling statement.

Though he himself couldn't achieve everything with martial arts alone, he was the one who brought down the once powerful Black Heaven Alliance.

In this world of martial arts, such absolute realms are treated like modern tactical nukes.

Let alone natural realm, which is on the level of a disaster.

Johwi, looking at Sa-eul-cheon strangely.

Countless calculations were rapidly taking place in his mind.

The conclusion was that if used well, this old man could be really useful!

A natural realm expert joining the Jia Family?

Suddenly, Johwi grabbed Sa-eul-cheon's hands.

"Even if things are tough, surely you wouldn't refuse to help save the world? I was just testing you for a moment."

"..."

No matter how he looked at it, it didn't seem right, but Sa-eul-cheon couldn't show his doubts, fearing that Johwi might retract his words.

"Ah, it seems my eyes were not wrong."

"Right?"

He grinned devilishly.

He could already hear the sound of how he would be used.

However, if he could fulfill the unfulfilled wish of his master, the Original Dao, then his own sacrifice would be nothing.

Johwi, with a satisfied smile, was thinking.

"Wow! How can I eat this?"

Yeon Sang-rok, chewing on dried fruit, twisted his face like a demon.

"Let's go! There's too much to do!"

* * *

"..."

"..."

Ma Yan-lang, representing the remnants of the Black Heaven Alliance, and Jeok Yeom, arrived at Johwi's office.

They were all frozen like statues, trembling all over.

The group of old men standing with Johwi.

Dressed in deep black, they wore ghost-head knives at their waists, which seemed to drip with blood. Most notably, the character "Bu" (部) was embroidered in silver thread on their chests.

Even if just one of them appeared in the Black Heaven Alliance, their lord, Black Heaven Great Slaughter, would personally welcome them and bow.

Each of them was a former genius of the Black King Department (黑王部), more terrifying than the fearsome Black Heaven Great Slaughter.

Now, ten of these formidable figures were present.

It was almost suffocating.

Amidst the suff