Ranker Who Shatters Myths - Chapter 267

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

Devours Myths

Chapter 267

Bloodflower Serpent (7)

[All playback has ended.]

‘…I knew that the Mountain God had slain the Bloodflower Serpent,’

Lee Hyeon was practically ejected from reality.

But he couldn’t regain his composure due to the sudden shock he had received.

‘Came from the same place as the Bloodflower Serpent?’

Lee Hyeon knew absolutely nothing about the Outer Sea.

Whenever Son Wukong or the Bull Demon King tried to mention it, the system would always filter it out.

However,

Now that he was facing one of those beings, he had reached a level where he could roughly guess what kind of place it was.

Something that even gods and demons, dragons and giants couldn’t approach.

Something that made even chief god-level deities like the Jade Emperor and Son Wukong tense.

And…

‘Playful beings who occasionally devour ancient gods and mimic them while observing the Surface for entertainment.’

Just from what he had confirmed, there were Feng Jinghao’s Xuanhu Jinchuan and Lu Wucheng’s Flame Emperor Shennong.

So it wouldn’t be strange at all if there were more.

‘Perhaps even Zeus, who is known to be missing, might be a victim.’

In fact, 【Olympus】, which Zeus had led, barely showed their faces in the Heavenly Bridge battle that occurred this time.

Most of them only displayed neutrality.

An attitude that seemed like they absolutely didn’t want to get involved in external affairs, or rather, as if they had no leisure to do so.

This too wouldn’t be strange if beings from the Outer Sea were involved.

In other words, this place called the Outer Sea was a location that endangered the survival of this world.

So the fact that the Bloodflower Serpent, whose origins were difficult to know, had flowed from such an Outer Sea was somewhat understandable.

Whether the mission granted by the Outer Sea was as a vanguard or as a scout was hard to tell.

Still, it wouldn’t seem strange that a mere underling would boast such power.

However,

‘Mountain God Mo Jeong-gyeon is a completely different story.’

Lee Hyeon had wondered about this several times.

―How exactly could the Mountain God achieve a status equal to Son Wukong while living such a short life of less than a hundred years?

―Why exactly does she remain on this land as if she has lingering attachments, without shedding her physical shell?

But perhaps he had found a hint to the answers to those questions.

「I… me,」

At that moment, Lee Hyeon’s contemplation was broken.

「What do you… plan to do… with me now…?」

The Bloodflower Serpent looked at Lee Hyeon while bleeding profusely.

Its breathing was becoming irregular.

「You have almost… completely… looked into my . If you’re going to… tear me apart… and absorb me…!」

“Let me ask you one thing.”

Lee Hyeon cut off the creature’s words midway and activated Neuan Cheongjeong.

Whoosh!

“You think the person I’m looking for is your ‘youngest brother,’ don’t you?”

「That’s… right.」

“What’s your basis?”

「There is… none.」

Even though the Bloodflower Serpent looked like a prisoner on the execution ground, the venom in its eyes still hadn’t faded.

「My instinct… simply says so.」

Lee Hyeon somehow felt that those eyes were familiar.

“You say instinct?”

「Hurry up… and decide… What exactly… do you plan… to do with me.」

The [instinct] the Bloodflower Serpent spoke of was different from the instincts commonly possessed by Earth’s creatures.

The purpose or reason of existence that had been carved in before it was born. Something like a categorical imperative.

Until now, the creature had moved as its instinct commanded and had flowed here.

Then this time wouldn’t be much different either.

There was nothing he could argue about regarding this.

Eventually, after brief consideration, Lee Hyeon,

Clatter clatter clatter!!

[‘Sacred Relic: Ruyi Jingu Bang’ is moved to bind the ‘Bloodflower Serpent’s’ spirit body more strongly!]

“Originally I was thinking of tearing you apart and absorbing you, but since most of your divine power has already been absorbed by me anyway, I’ll just leave your identity behind.”

[Energy Drain occurs.]

[A massive amount of thoughts and divine power is absorbed.]

The Bloodflower Serpent was completely wrapped up by the Ruyi Jingu Bang.

It looked like it had become a cocoon.

And,

Creak creak creak!

With the sound of pulleys rotating fiercely, the Bloodflower Serpent began to be crushed.

「Grrraaah…!」

“Endure it. If you want to live. Well, if you think it’s humiliating, feel free to kill yourself.”

[The amount of absorbed magic power is too much for the magic accumulation circuit to handle!]

[The Golden Headband rapidly attempts purification to remove impurities. ‘Trait: Punishment of Moses’ is applied.]

…

[A new layer has been added to the magic accumulation circuit!]

…

[The amount of magic power and divine power absorbed in one day is too much. You have achieved an unbelievable Achievement.]

[All ability scores increase by 5.]

[Your status grows.]

[Your status grows.]

…

[Brithra is curious about what kind of narrative you witnessed.]

[Mahabali gives high praise, saying he was very satisfied with the combination of Divine Authority and Skills you displayed today.]

Lee Hyeon pushed aside the constantly rising messages and looked at the Bloodflower Serpent.

「What… do you… want… from me…?」

“Help me find my brother.”

「What reason… do I have… to do that…?」

“Because you’ll want to do it too.”

「….」

“Of course, I won’t allow you any more power. But if you still want to meet him, help me.”

Lee Hyeon’s reason for trying to draw in the Bloodflower Serpent.

It was because of fear.

‘There’s a possibility that hyung isn’t the hyung I knew.’

Resurrection was an unknown territory for Lee Hyeon.

Like Son Wukong, one could awaken while maintaining their identity intact. But that was only possible because Son Wukong was an existence with exceptionally strong mental fortitude.

For ordinary beings, when they died and were reborn, the possibility of being contaminated by something else couldn’t be ruled out.

Moreover, if someone had lived with a human identity but later realized they were actually a demon, no different from a mental entity…

Lee Hyeon couldn’t be certain about Moon Su-chan’s condition, who hadn’t appeared even after resurrection.

He had faith that Moon Su-chan would still be Moon Su-chan,

but there were too many variables and secrets in this world that he still didn’t know, so he needed at least a guide who could explain Moon Su-chan.

That was precisely the Bloodflower Serpent.

「Kekeke! If something went wrong with that person called hyung, you’d need a way to correct it too.」

“Yes. Beings from the Outer Sea would know other beings from the Outer Sea better.”

Lee Hyeon quietly nodded at Sha Wujing’s question and spoke to the Bloodflower Serpent.

“What do you intend to do?”

「I will… never forget… this humiliation. If you keep me alive… someday I will… devour you…!」

“You, who’s nothing but chaff now?”

「….」

「Kekekeke! Your ambition overflows too. You never had a chance of beating Master Chosen One to begin with. I’m here, after all.」

At that moment, Sha Wujing stopped laughing playfully and opened his eyes wide.

「…!!」

The Bloodflower Serpent’s eyes widened in shock.

Eyes of bewitchment.

It was because beyond his proud divine authority, he saw the shadow of a demon king harboring terrifying demonic energy.

A level that would require his prime self to return to even compete with.

「…I never had a chance of winning from the start.」

“I’m the type who never fights battles I can’t win.”

「….」

“Enough idle chatter. So what’s your decision?”

「…I’ll help. I want to see my child too.」

[Truth]

Lee Hyeon nodded after reading what emanated from the Bloodflower Serpent.

Previously, he had hidden sinister schemes, but now none of that was visible at all.

At least the paternal affection the creature had shown toward Moon Su-chan was real.

‘Still, it’s hard to trust completely…’

Lee Hyeon looked at the Bloodflower Serpent, which had shrunk so much that it was now only about his own size.

Following the Yeo-ui Swae, it now had the Golden Headband placed on its head as well.

Not satisfied with even that, Lee Hyeon took out the Jingang Tuo.

Originally something Feng Jinghao had used to confine Xuanzang Tripitaka.

“If you enter this, you’ll be able to go outside.”

「I thought I wasn’t lacking in cunning either, but you’re… even worse than a snake.」

The Bloodflower Serpent now looked at Lee Hyeon with an expression of disbelief, but Lee Hyeon merely shrugged his shoulders lightly.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

「Kekekeke! Senior Brother doesn’t seem to know that even when being nasty, he can’t match Master Chosen One!」

The Bloodflower Serpent clicked its tongue, thinking it had been caught by a terrible fellow, and brought its head to the Jingang Tuo.

Thunk!

Flash!

[Jingang Tuo activates. Confining the mental entity of ‘Bloodflower Serpent’.]

The Bloodflower Serpent was sucked into the Jingang Tuo while still wearing the Yeo-ui Swae and Golden Headband.

The Bloodflower Serpent could be seen coiled inside the golden crystal sphere.

Its eyes were tightly shut, seemingly exhausted.

Lee Hyeon checked several times with Neuan Cheongjeong to ensure the Bloodflower Serpent couldn’t escape, then put away the Jingang Tuo.

* * *

After returning to reality, Lee Hyeon moved busily.

He wrote and submitted reports related to U.C.O., held strategy meetings regarding the Dark Side of the Moon…

By the time he finished preparing to return to Korea, more than a week had already passed.

During this process, the 13th Legion, with whom he had already formed connections, and the Tower of Babel attempted underwater contacts hoping to meet with Lee Hyeon, but Lee Hyeon dumped everything on Zhu Bajie.

And,

finally, he was able to board the plane to Korea.

“Ahhhhh!”

“Finally going home…”

“It was really a long business trip.”

“When I get back this time, I’m definitely staying holed up at home for at least 3 days, seriously.”

Oh Su-heon smiled while watching his colleagues, who were half-sprawled in comfortable seats, letting out sighs filled with relief.

The first long-term business trip since joining White Burn.

It had been much longer than originally expected, and they had experienced far too many terrible things.

The private jet exploded, and they even crossed the middle of a desert.

Still, he was happy that they could return without any casualties.

Thanks to this, he could now feel that the old Cheongroe unit had truly been revived.

Surely there wouldn’t be any operations or missions more difficult than this in the future?

‘My baby. Wait just a little longer. Mommy will be there soon.’

Oh Su-heon smiled brightly while looking at the family photo in his wallet.

With that, the private jet departed from the military airbase runway.

* * *

“Everyone worked hard.”

The moment they arrived at the airfield, the group was able to meet a face they hadn’t expected at all.

“Deputy Director!”

“It’s Team Leader A.”

Im Won-young was waiting for them.

Still wearing clothes that showed off his model-like height and physique.

The sunglasses perched on his nose and the cigarette in his mouth couldn’t have suited him better.

“What hard work. Manager Jang did all the hard work.”

At Manager Kang Yun-su’s words, Im Won-young’s eyes sparkled behind his sunglasses.

“It seems you’ve become quite close with Manager Jang.”

“We lived together for over a month. Wouldn’t it be more problematic if we didn’t become close?”

“Manager Kang, you were originally like that. You knew Manager Y for over 10 years but still seemed to growl at each other.”

“…Ahem. I can’t say anything in front of you.”

Manager Kang Yun-su lightly cleared his throat and slightly turned his head away.

Pfft.

Im Won-young chuckled softly.

“Still, seeing how close you’ve become makes me envious. I should have participated in this operation too…”

“What about White Burn?”

“It runs well on its own even without me. I’ve been feeling restless lately, so I’m thinking of applying for a long-term assignment.”

Of course, that was only Im Won-young’s wishful thinking, and Manager Kang Yun-su knew well that there wouldn’t be time for that.

Recently, succession work had been proceeding busily.

There were frequent discussions among the Executive Group that Mo Jeong-gyeon would soon step down to Chairman, and Im Won-young would take over as Guild Master to lead the guild in earnest.

“But what brings you all the way here? If it’s something the Guild Master ordered, I was planning to report separately.”

As Lee Hyeon had suspected long ago, X Team had a different real purpose for running this operation.

To make contact with someone and retrieve something. That mission was already nearing completion.

“Ah, you can take that to grandmother separately… I came here because of Manager Jang.”

“Me, you mean?”

Lee Hyeon, who had been listening to their conversation, was slightly surprised.

Im Won-young nodded.

“Yes. The others can head home right away, but I’d like Manager Jang to come somewhere with me.”

“Saying it so suddenly makes me nervous… Could it be a date?”

“It would be fun to do that with a handsome man like Manager Jang, but let’s save that for next time. Grandmother is looking for you.”

In that moment, a strange light flickered in Lee Hyeon’s eyes.

「Kekeke! She’s looking for the Chosen One at a time like this? It’s definitely not a coincidence. Kekekekeke!」

Lee Hyeon nodded slightly at Sha Wujing’s words.

The truth about Mo Jeong-gyeon that he had seen in the Bloodflower Serpent’s memories.

Only Lee Hyeon had seen it, but it wouldn’t be strange at all if someone like the Mountain God had noticed such signs.

There are absolutely no coincidences in this world.

“Understood. Let’s go.”

“I’m sorry when you probably want to rest.”

“Not at all. I actually wanted to see her too.”

Lee Hyeon’s eyes sank deeply.

“I have things to ask as well.”

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