Ranker Who Shatters Myths - Chapter 203

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Broken Ranker

 

Devours Myths

 

Chapter 203

 

Noeancheongjeong (3)

 

The world of hell where no sunlight from the surface reaches, Gehenna.

 

Here, people usually live using the flames of sulfur fire that rise from the bottom of hell as their lamps.

 

The Bull Demon King, who had not been in Gehenna for long, was no different.

 

No, he was completely submerged deep in a hot ball of fire with only the upper part of his face slightly exposed.

 

“….”

 

An attitude as if he were quietly enjoying a hot spring bath.

 

However, the residents of Gehenna would make expressions of disgust whenever they saw the Bull Demon King like that.

 

Originally, the sulfur fire of hell is karmic fire that burns souls.

 

The higher one’s accumulated karma, the more pain they feel, but he never once showed a distorted expression.

 

Rather, only the scar on his left eye, which appeared to be recent, would twitch occasionally.

 

As if something was thoroughly displeasing to him.

 

Just then,

 

Flash!!

 

Suddenly, the Bull Demon King quietly half-opened his tightly closed eyes.

 

Then came a surging gleam in his eyes.

 

It was much brighter than the sulfur fire yet had an ominous feeling.

 

『You said you were soaking in sulfur fire for treatment. Rather, the wound on your eye has become more hideous. Are you alright?』

 

At that moment, there was a telepathic message that reached the Bull Demon King’s ears.

 

The Bull Demon King frowned.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

The owner of the voice was the being who had invited him to Gehenna.

 

『Why do you speak so coldly? I asked out of concern.』

 

“I asked what brings you here.”

 

At the Bull Demon King’s irritated reply, the owner of the voice clicked his tongue lightly.

 

『I came to ask about your eye and also about the Great Sage Equal to Heaven’s situation. The Vice Chairman asked me to inquire.』

 

“I said I would handle that matter myself, didn’t I?”

 

『What can I do? You know how specially the Vice Chairman thinks of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, don’t you?』

 

“….”

 

『Of course, the Vice Chairman thinks of you most dearly. But the Great Sage Equal to Heaven is something that not only the Chief Deities but also the Creator Gods,』

 

“He.”

 

The Bull Demon King cut off the other’s words with a low voice.

 

“I know him better. Much better than you all.”

 

『….』

 

“Rather, the more you try to force him, the more he will rebel.”

 

His voice contained various contradictory emotions mixed together: fatigue and boredom, irritation and anger.

 

“I will handle bringing him in myself, so just watch. If you don’t like that,”

 

The Bull Demon King’s large lips parted roughly, revealing his fangs.

 

“Then force me to do it that way.”

 

At that moment,

 

Roooooar!!

 

The sulfur fire in which the Bull Demon King was soaking began to bubble violently as acrid smoke shot up to the sky.

 

Simultaneously, the Bull Demon King slowly rose above the evaporated flames.

 

A body boasting tremendous size, with his head nearly touching the sky.

 

His muscles were solid as if armored in steel, and he was a giant white bull with a mouth like a blood-red lake.

 

His alien appearance, contrasting with Gehenna’s black background, seemed even more frightening.

 

This was the Pingtian Great Sage, Bull Demon King.

 

The bearing of an absolute being who once fought against the entire massive society called 【Heaven】 alone without losing.

 

Even in Gehenna, which gathered only the strong, there would be few who could match him.

 

『…As I said, we in Gehenna have no hierarchy. There may be recommendations, but no coercion or oppression. I’d prefer if you didn’t test us in such ways.』

 

Eventually, the owner of the voice took a step back.

 

A sigh mixed in.

 

『I understand your feelings. You must not like the Great Sage Equal to Heaven who took away your family. You must also find it distasteful that we keep asking you to bring him to our side. But we have our circumstances too.』

 

“….”

 

『So could you at least tell me how things are progressing? I need to have something to report to the Vice Chairman.』

 

The Bull Demon King still did not answer.

 

『I’m asking as a favor.』

 

Tsk!

 

The Bull Demon King clicked his tongue lightly.

 

In fact, if you think about it, he was still an exile or guest who had not officially joined Gehenna.

 

If he continued to be stubborn, he would only disgrace the face of someone trying to show him consideration.

 

Eventually,

 

Bubble bubble!

 

The Bull Demon King submerged his body deep into the sulfur flames again.

 

To restore the status that had been diminished while fighting with the Heavens in the past, bathing in sulfur fire hot springs was essential.

 

“The first attempt failed.”

 

『You failed?』

 

The owner of the voice was shocked.

 

He knew well how thorough the Bull Demon King’s personality was.

 

“But I was able to discover something quite interesting.”

 

『Ho. That’s quite intriguing. May I ask what it was?』

 

The Bull Demon King answered while caressing the scar around his left eye with his hand.

 

What if there was a common enemy of the Seven Great Sages and the Three Lawkeepers (a title referring to the brothers Son Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing)?”

 

『Hmm!?』

 

“And if we could bring such a person to our side?”

 

『Oh!』

 

“A mere human who is shameless and brave enough to defy me, yet very caring toward his own people,”

 

The Bull Demon King’s eyes curved slightly.

 

“A child who resembles our youngest from the past.”

 

『You seem to like that fellow quite a lot?』

 

“Perhaps.”

 

『You seem to have a pretty good method to win him over?』

 

A method?

 

Heh!

 

The Bull Demon King answered with a light laugh instead.

 

That was enough.

 

『I understand. You must have your thoughts to be so relaxed about it. Haha! I’ll report that to the Vice Chairman.』

 

The owner of the voice disappeared suddenly, leaving behind pleasant laughter.

 

The Bull Demon King submerged his face halfway into the sulfur fire again.

 

“…Using the safety of family members thought to be dead. I really have become completely corrupted.”

 

Sting.

 

Then again, pain from the scar.

 

However,

 

The Bull Demon King didn’t even twitch an eye at such pain.

 

No matter how strong the pain,

 

It wouldn’t compare to the pain suffered by my family who died unjustly.

 

“No, since I’m putting my remaining family and brothers who were like family into mortal danger, there’s nothing left to break, is there?”

 

The Bull Demon King chuckled softly.

 

It was a self-deprecating laugh.

 

* * *

 

“Hold tight!”

 

“I’ve been holding on since earlier!!”

 

Swish! Swoosh!!

 

Flower Fruit Mountain.

 

Jiaoma Wang’s true form was writhing around while bound by the Ruyi Jingu Bang.

 

“Hey! Bajie! Are you really not going to do this properly!? The hind legs are coming loose!”

 

“Didn’t I tell you! I’m currently possessing a human body, so I can’t exert strength as freely as I want!?”

 

“That bastard only gets fired up when he’s eating…!”

 

“I’m frustrated too!!”

 

“Everyone’s being noisy, so hold tight!!”

 

Son Wukong and his companions were truly going insane.

 

Right after Jiaoma Wang returned to his true form and devoured Lee Hyeon.

 

Jiaoma Wang’s madness had become much more severe than before, making it nearly impossible to handle.

 

Of course, one serious punch from Son Wukong would knock out Jiaoma Wang,

 

but then the subconscious world might collapse along with him, so they had to forcibly bind him like this.

 

The problem was that Jiaoma Wang’s true form was far too large.

 

His strength was correspondingly tremendous.

 

“When the hell is that brat coming out!”

 

“C-could he have been digested by the Bohai Sage—”

 

“Shut that mouth!”

 

“Kekeke! Our second senior brother should be careful with his words! Don’t you know you could get thoroughly cursed in your sleep?”

 

For expressing unnecessary concern, Zhu Bajie had to shut his mouth.

 

But he had spoken out of genuine worry for Lee Hyeon.

 

If they were going to save him, they had to do it before it was too late.

 

‘And he’s making an even more anxious face than me!’

 

Zhu Bajie smiled bitterly while looking at Son Wukong, who was mounted on Jiaoma Wang’s head with a stern expression.

 

When had his senior brother ever made such an expression?

 

Even during their journey to the Western Heaven when countless dangerous demons appeared, such cases were rare.

 

Most of the time he was laughing, saying it was fun.

 

‘Ah, there was one time though.’

 

Then a crazy thought occurred.

 

‘It was brief, but when Master personally expelled senior brother and they completely fell out. He had exactly that expression… Anxious and uneasy. Though he would never admit it himself.’

 

The relationship Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing had with Xuanzang Tripitaka was similar yet subtly different from Son Wukong’s relationship with Xuanzang Tripitaka.

 

While the two were truly master and disciple, Son Wukong only appeared so on the surface but was actually closer to being intimate friends.

 

This showed what kind of significance Lee Hyeon held in Son Wukong’s heart.

 

“Wujing! How much time is left!”

 

“2 minutes! No, 1 minute! 1 minute left!”

 

Son Wukong’s eyes glowed coldly as he put all his strength into his feet.

 

Crash!!

 

Jiaoma Wang’s head was forcibly slammed into the ground.

 

Groooan! Grooooan!!

 

The madness became even more severe.

 

As the time for the Event Dungeon to close approached, even greater chaos was unfolding in the subconscious world.

 

“Stay still, you fool! If that guy can’t get out, you’re finished too!”

 

“10!”

 

Groooooar—

 

“9!”

 

“Damn! Why is time taking so long!”

 

“8!”

 

The countdown continued.

 

“3!”

 

Cold sweat began to flow down Son Wukong’s face,

 

“2!”

 

Crack! Craaack!!

 

“Damn! He’s getting up!”

 

“Pull the chains tighter!”

 

“1!”

 

Sha Wujing shouted.

 

“0!!”

 

At that moment, Jiaoma Wang, who had been forcibly raising his body in a frenzy, suddenly buried his head downward and began vomiting something.

 

Masses of cancer cells that were charred black and reeking with foul odor.

 

Lee Hyeon was mixed among them.

 

“Lee Hyeon!”

 

“Kekeke! As expected of our friend! I knew you’d be safe!!”

 

The Roc King and Sha Wujing rushed over urgently. Zhu Bajie sighed and sat down on the ground.

 

Thud!!

 

Jiaoma Wang collapsed powerlessly and returned to human form.

 

“…This isn’t something I could do twice.”

 

Jiaoma Wang swept back his sweat-soaked hair with his haggard appearance.

 

Then, someone placed a hand on his shoulder from behind.

 

When he turned his head, Son Wukong was quietly giving him a thumbs up.

 

“Good work.”

 

“…To hear such words from you, I really have lived to see everything. I’m glad I chose to live.”

 

“Damn. Even when I’m worrying about you—”

 

“Thank you. For worrying about me.”

 

“…”

 

Son Wukong was about to frown but stopped, pressing his lips together at Jiaoma Wang’s smile.

 

“But the one who worked hard wasn’t me, but your disciple. You’ve raised a truly remarkable child.”

 

“Originally, when the master is excellent, the disciple naturally follows that example, right?”

 

Jiaoma Wang let out a light laugh while looking at Son Wukong’s shameless face, unchanged from then to now.

 

This was why he liked the youngest.

 

Because he was always consistent.

 

Probably even in worse conditions and situations than this, he would always show the same appearance.

 

Compared to him, the eldest brother was…

 

“Why are you being so gloomy? There’s no need for that. Even if he’s not the big brother we knew, big brother is still big brother.”

 

“…You.”

 

Jiaoma Wang looked at Son Wukong with slightly widened eyes.

 

Son Wukong was watching Lee Hyeon, who was receiving treatment from Sha Wujing and getting up with Zhu Bajie’s support.

 

“And have you ever thought about this?”

 

“What?”

 

“Maybe big brother planted the demonic nature to help his brother.”

 

“…!?”

 

Son Wukong’s Golden Eyes of Truth sank deeply.

 

“When you look at the results, it’s because big brother was sealed deep in the ocean that other scavengers couldn’t get to him, right?”

 

“…!!”

 

“Besides, the seal wasn’t complete either. Part of it was open, wasn’t it? Since he could keep pouring out seawater, he could have broken out with his own power at any time.”

 

“….”

 

Jiaoma Wang felt his breath catch for a moment.

 

These words touched on aspects he had never thought of.

 

“…Then why didn’t he,”

 

“Take you to Gehenna with him? Well, big brother must have been out of his mind too.”

 

Jiaoma Wang still couldn’t speak.

 

“Or maybe that guy’s status had fallen so much that he didn’t have the power. Perhaps he’s receiving treatment in Gehenna right now. The sulfur fires there are… said to be the greatest spiritual sanctuary for demon kings, everyone says so.”

 

“….”

 

Son Wukong shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Of course, this is all speculation on my part. I might be looking at only the good side. In reality, he might have been planning to completely corrupt big brother and then use him.”

 

Jiaoma Wang pressed his lips tightly together.

 

“But there’s nothing we can know right now. So let’s just wait and see for now. What that guy is thinking.”

 

“…Right. I understand.”

 

Jiaoma Wang nodded heavily. After hearing Son Wukong’s words, his worried heart felt somewhat relieved.

 

However,

 

On the other hand, he could tell there were parts he hadn’t said everything about.

 

‘The resentment toward the youngest… no, at least the grievance was real.’

 

Grievance.

 

Yes. That expression would be right.

 

Rather than truly wanting to kill Son Wukong, the Bull Demon King needed a place to lament the sorrow of losing his family.

 

Son Wukong had completely made up his mind to bear all of that.

 

…It was a sad affair.

 

“Haha. You’ve gotten quite good at comforting people in the meantime.”

 

Jiaoma Wang deliberately changed the subject to lighten the mood.

 

Son Wukong’s face scrunched up.

 

“What do these sworn brothers think of me anyway…!”

 

“Great Sage.”

 

At that moment, Lee Hyeon recovered some strength, stood up straight, and looked at Son Wukong.

 

Sharp eyes.

 

Like the Golden Eyes of Truth, his other eye was dyed deep blue like Honyaosan.

 

Son Wukong gave him a strange look. He had noticed what kind of achievement Lee Hyeon had made in there.

 

“I need to go to the Palmyra Desert right away. There,”

 

Lee Hyeon said in a strained voice.

 

“Great Sage will find Great Sage’s brother, and I will find my brother.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————