Chapter 36: The King from the Realm of the Undead
The group of god-slayers had already begun to climb the mountain where the gods resided, but the gods themselves were currently in a different situation.
The deities gathered at the summit of Mount Obakane, the highest peak. From here, they could clearly observe all the volcanoes distributed throughout the region.
However, at this moment, they did not appear relaxed.
The Monkey King wore a smiling expression but had already grasped his Golden Cudgel. The armored knight held a silver spear while sitting astride his horse, and Perseus had drawn his divine blade with a stern face.
The fourth deity present looked similar to the Monkey King—a god with an ape-like form.
He called himself the "Child of the Wind," and seemed unwavering in his resolve to achieve a certain goal.
At this moment, the ape god slammed the heavy-looking staff he held onto the ground, gazing toward one of the volcanoes, and loudly declared:
"Spirit King, please show yourself. It is unlike you to spy from the sidelines."
Silence fell around them, and the four gods' gazes slowly grew cold and sharp.
The previously blowing wind ceased; the air seemed to stiffen. The killing intent of the strongest beings in the world began to spread through this land.
All the birds flying in the sky lost their ability to fly and plummeted straight down. The plants on the ground were affected: the lush greenery started to wither, and the roots buried in the earth began to rot. As for the creatures living off this land, although they could not intellectually comprehend what was happening, their instincts caused their behavior to change drastically.
"Ah, calling me out so rudely makes me quite displeased. Especially if you harm the Spirit of the Sky, I'm afraid I will have to battle you before the god-slayers do," came a voice from the volcano, clearly reaching the ears of the gods.
"We have not come to fight you, but your actions have gone too far," said the Child of the Wind. "That is not the conduct of a god."
"Is that so?"
The voice answered. In the next moment, the world visibly shifted before the gods' eyes.
The once calm volcano trembled; smoke and fire erupted from its mouth, and a colorful divine bird ascended from within.
Space was cut apart, and the four gods were instantly drawn into it, entering the other's sacred domain.
There was no thriving land here, the sky was dark, and everything burned.
Outside of the living world and mythology, there exists a realm humans call the spirit realm, the netherworld, or the ghost world.
This is a world that values souls over matter, its history as ancient as mythology itself. Its inhabitants include former rebellious gods who have long since withdrawn from the mortal world, demi-gods with superior spirituality but less than gods, and beings who have abandoned their flesh to become undead.
These beings are revered in the "Realm of the Undead" as Spirit Kings—top-tier entities with their own sanctuaries, ruling over other residents. Although the rules of the Realm of the Undead forbid them from freely interfering with the living world, some powerful beings can still enter and exert their influence.
To the gods living in the divine realm, these recluses are perhaps even more detestable than the god-slayers, since one of their own created the god-slayers' existence.
Heat swept toward the four gods like the wind, but Perseus radiated divine light, blocking the scorching wind. He pointed his divine blade at the incoming mystical bird and shouted, "Coward dwelling in the Realm of the Undead, what is it you seek?"
"You should address me as the Emperor," the mystical bird spoke human words, then began to transform into a man wearing a tall feathered crown.
If Hachiman Hikigaya were here, he would be shocked—this male deity was none other than the ancient Shang ancestor god that he had slain on Phoenix Mountain: the ancient divine king, Emperor Jun(Di Jun).
But this Emperor Jun showed a side Hachiman had never seen before.
"So it's you. I didn't expect you had entered the Realm of the Undead," Perseus sneered. "But can you still call yourself an emperor like this?"
"I am the Heavenly Emperor. That is indisputable."
In moments, Emperor Jun stood before the gods and looked over at the Child of the Wind, scrutinizing him.
"Child of the Wind? That name is somewhat ridiculous. I am the master of the wind, yet I bear no resemblance to a monkey's child."
"Just a name," said the Child of the Wind, whose simian face looked grim but whose eyes were calm. "Why cling to human titles? They mean nothing to us."
"As long as I like it," Emperor Jun replied, then looked at the Monkey King. "Long time no see. You look mighty now. How does it feel to be free again?"
"Not bad," the Monkey King smiled. "I owe it to you, but I can't thank you properly yet. Maybe next time."
"No need for such politeness. I won't let you use the covenant's power, just consider this your thanks to me." Emperor Jun laughed loudly, which surprised the other gods.
They soon realized Emperor Jun was not bluffing—their connection to the divine realm had indeed been severed.
"I told you, I am the Heavenly Emperor. Such a feat is only natural for me," Emperor Jun mocked, clearly pleased by their delayed reaction.
Compared to this, the other three gods looked grim except the Monkey King, who soon returned to his usual indifferent demeanor.
"It's alright. Sending him back will fix this," Perseus said first, quickly demonstrating his intention.
He swung his divine blade, filled with solar energy, toward Emperor Jun's face.
But as a fellow solar deity, Emperor Jun easily deflected the blow.
"Even my enemies know not to strike at the face," the ancient Heavenly Emperor said.
"So you're siding with our enemies," Perseus asked maliciously.
"You lack the dignity of a divine king, no wonder you were defeated and needed rescuing by the divine ancestor," Emperor Jun sneered, then turned to the Monkey King. "Isn't it tiresome to be with someone like that?"
"Ah, it's no problem," the Monkey King answered honestly. "I never liked him; he never bothered to groom my fur."
"I don't think anyone would do that for you. Has anyone liked you because of it?"
"There is. The boy favored by you. Though he doesn't groom my fur, he's very caring and checks on me even during battle."
"Such a hobby?" Emperor Jun's eyes widened, but before he could ask more, the Child of the Wind stepped in front of him.
"Emperor Jun, if you like that name, I'll call you that. But your chatting with old friends ends here," the Child of the Wind's calm eyes sharpened. "Why stand with the god-slayers? I will decide whether to listen to Perseus' proposal based on your answer."
"Oh? Did I hear wrong? Are you ordering me?" Emperor Jun feigned surprise.
Before the Child of the Wind could reply, his expression turned cold. He glanced at Perseus and the knight and said:
"I have no need to explain myself to a monkey. If you want to use the covenant's power, then wake him quickly. Until then, fight the god-slayers with your own power."
After speaking, his body turned into fiery clouds, and the burning otherworldly place shattered and disappeared before the four gods.
The Monkey King remained calm, the Child of the Wind thoughtful. The knight's expression was hidden by his helmet, but he seemed to sigh. Perseus' handsome face no longer showed anger but surprise.
"A truly mad idea," he said to his companions.
"Perhaps," the Child of the Wind nodded. "But this explains why he gave his power to a god-slayer, and the one troubled by it is probably that witch, not us."
"Are you finished talking?" the Monkey King asked suddenly, leaping up as a cloud appeared beneath his feet.
In his vision, the god-slayer enemy was appearing, about to ascend here.
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