Chapter 451: This Isn’t It (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 451: This Isn’t It (3)
Clack.
The damp, musty air was thick with the metallic tang of steel.
A single small window let in no light, leaving a lone lantern clinging to the wall to push back the darkness.
This felt familiar.
A dry, shocked laugh escaped me at the déjà vu.
Clack-
I tried to move my hands and was stopped. Tightly bound by handcuffs.
“…”
I frowned. Mere handcuffs shouldn’t have been able to hold me, but a moment’s inspection revealed their nature.
They used a disgustingly expensive material.
It was obvious.
Cold Steel of a Thousand Years…
The handcuffs were clearly forged from it. After all, restraining a martial artist beyond the Peak Realm required nothing less.
Although it looks like it’s mixed with something else…
Pure Cold Steel of a Thousand Years wasn’t some common ore you could find anywhere; making these cuffs entirely from it was impossible.
Well, I suppose they have more to spare here.
In this era, the supply was greater than in my time. This steel was so rare that even billions of coins might not secure a piece. But in about four or five years, a massive vein would be discovered in Zhejiang, flooding the market—before the Murim Alliance was caught secretly distributing it, and the original discoverers mysteriously vanished. A whole mess, but the result was more available steel.
Hence, even these cuffs were part-made of the stuff.
…Leaves me speechless.
Back then, even a sword with a trace of this steel was considered noble. Yet here, they used it for handcuffs. Absurd.
I’ll have to visit Zhejiang when I return.
This was a big part of why I wasn't overly worried about money, despite my long list of needs. I didn’t remember everything about the future, but I remembered the important things—like the Cold Steel of a Thousand Years. Though, with how twisted events had become, I was a little worried about potential conflicts. Relying solely on future knowledge was a luxury I could no longer afford.
But I’ll still have to go.
It was the Cold Steel of a Thousand Years, after all. Giving up such a boon would be a massive waste.
After staring at the cuffs for a while longer, I slumped back, a sense of hopelessness washing over me. I wasn’t exactly in a position to be planning future investments.
“Sigh…”
I glanced at the wall again.
Then, my body jolted upwards from a sudden, violent bump.
A curse tore from my lips at the annoying sensation.
“Ugh… can’t these fuckers drive any better?”
Harsh, maybe, but no amount of effort could make me phrase it nicely. That’s how terrible my current situation was.
I was on a moving carriage. I couldn’t see much, but the constant bumps and vibrations made it obvious.
I was being transported to Murim Alliance territory.
I looked down and let out another sigh.
“This isn’t it…”
How did I end up here?
“What do I mean, ‘how’?”
I didn’t need to think. This situation was my own fault.
Rumble-!
Dark clouds boiled into existence overhead, thundering violently. Intense Lightning Qi saturated the black mass, threatening to strike at any moment.
It was an awe-inspiring sight, knowing a human could command such power.
A name came to mind as I stared skyward.
The Lightning Queen.
An alternate name for the Demonic Sword, and the one that suited her best. She had achieved peak control over Lightning Qi, enough to influence nature itself. This was the level every martial artist aspired to reach—such mastery over one's Qi that a sword user becomes one with their blade.
It reminded me of the Transcendent Realm the Dishonored Venerable had once mentioned. A stage reached after transcending the limits of martial arts. Looking at the Demonic Sword now, I wasn't sure if she had reached it, but she was undoubtedly close. Otherwise, this would be impossible.
Rumble-!
The dark clouds expanded, and the Lightning Qi pouring from the Demonic Sword grew even more intense. It felt like she was preparing to unleash her full power.
Seriously, what’s gotten into her?
I watched, hiding my shock. Why was she acting like this?
The fact that the Celestial Sword wanted me was shocking enough. But the Demonic Sword’s reaction was even more so.
Why is she the one losing it when I’m the prize?
Was she angry that a new subordinate was about to be snatched away?
But her?
The Demonic Sword wouldn’t care about something like that. As a member of the Black Flame Army, she rarely interacted with other Demonic Humans, and she famously cared for no one. A newcomer wouldn’t even register.
Then what’s happening now?
I looked at her suspiciously as she madly poured out Combat Qi.
Wait.
Did she figure out my identity?
But how? I couldn’t think of a reason. I’d sealed my Flame Art, my appearance was different, and the Black Flame Demon Emperor was alive and active. I was the one who had regressed, not her. There was no way she could recognize me.
“…Demonic Sword.”
The Celestial Sword was the most shocked by the display. She could tell the Demonic Sword was radiating genuine killing intent.
Zaaap-!
Powerful Lightning Qi coiled around the Demonic Sword’s blade. She began walking towards the Celestial Sword, her Qi so volatile it seemed ready to explode at any second.
Frowning, the Celestial Sword wrapped herself in her own unique Qi in response.
Huhhh?
My eyes widened at her reaction.
They’re really going to fight at this rate.
The tension was palpable. What’s more, the Demonic Sword, despite being of the Demonic Cult, didn't rely on Demonic Qi. This meant the Celestial Sword’s special ability to negate Demonic Qi was useless against her. Their fight would be decided by skill alone.
But that also meant it could easily turn deadly.
Shing-
Several blobs of aura formed behind the Celestial Sword, sharpening into the shapes of swords. Another sword, forged from pure Qi, appeared in her other hand.
Dual wield. In her main hand, her favored blade. In the other, a sword of Qi. Behind her, a constellation of Qi blades hovered.
This was her Moonlight Dance technique.
Once ready, she spoke to the Demonic Sword, her eyes sharper than ever. “Demonic Sword, are you truly prepared to fight me?”
“If that’s what you want.” The Demonic Sword’s tone was unwavering, despite the Celestial Sword’s clear warning.
“Even the Demon Emperor is standing idle. Why are you the one stepping forward?”
The Demon Emperor, who had brought this Demonic Human army, was merely watching the scene unfold, a faintly amused look on his face.
That son of a bitch. Instead of stopping them, he’s just enjoying the show. Evil bastard, I hope your heart explodes.
I cursed him inwardly. Regardless, the Demonic Sword showed no intention of backing down. She was ready to spill blood.
Her white hair began to shift color as Lightning Qi bled into it. Her blue eyes, usually like calm oceans, now churned with stormy power. Fully embodying the Lightning Queen, she advanced.
“That doesn’t matter.”
“…”
“Nothing does.”
“What do you…?” The Celestial Sword was confused by her response.
“The important part is that you are trying to take what is mine. And I will not allow it.”
“…!”
Hearing the Demonic Sword speak so articulately, abandoning her usual lazy tone, the Celestial Sword’s eyes widened in shock before turning icy cold. “I will not yield.”
“Demonic Sword…!”
Rumble-!
Thunderstorms gathered fiercely above. Martial artists on both sides flared their Combat Qi in response to the sudden escalation.
The Heavenly Venerable stood with his hands behind his back, motionless, but I could sense Qi gathering around him. He was prepared to intervene. The Demon Emperor, however, showed no such signs. He was just watching, though I was sure a torrent of thoughts raced behind his eyes.
I was in the same boat.
What do I do?
I had no answers. I didn’t know why the Demonic Sword was so enraged, or why the Celestial Sword—why the Murim Alliance—wanted me.
But I knew one thing.
Everything will be fucked if this continues.
Standing here would achieve nothing.
I stomped the ground and leaped forward. The Demonic Sword’s Lightning Qi felt like it was tearing my skin apart, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t know what she was thinking, but I was certain she viewed me differently from the others.
Perhaps because of that small certainty, I managed to break through her Lightning Qi and grab her wrist.
“…!”
She glared fiercely at the sudden contact, but when she saw it was me…
Swish…
Her boiling Lightning Qi vanished instantly. The dark clouds shrouding the sky dissipated, and her Combat Qi receded. All that remained was her gaze, fixed on my hand gripping her wrist.
Zap-
A sharp pain made me look down. A long, fresh cut marred my hand, seared by her lingering Lightning Qi. The Demonic Sword’s pupils shook when she saw it.
Seeing her reaction, I was sure. She treated me differently. Any other person making physical contact with her would have lost their head. The fact that she didn’t throw off my grasp was further proof.
Having reached that conclusion, I spoke. “I’m okay.”
“…”
“I’m okay, so please, calm down.”
I stared at her, worried about how she would react. I watched as her raging Combat Qi gradually cooled. The Demonic Sword returned to her normal self.
Once sure, I turned my gaze to the Celestial Sword. “You said it was me you wanted, correct?”
She flinched slightly, as if surprised I’d spoken up. I clicked my tongue. The Heavenly Demon had explicitly warned them not to enter Sichuan territory. Yet they’d ignored her, bringing a massive force, even deploying the Heavenly Venerable and Celestial Sword just for me.
Why?
I obviously don’t know.
Regardless, I was the crux of the problem. Someone wanted me. Someone who could send both the Celestial Sword and the Heavenly Venerable. Someone who knew of my existence.
If that was true…
Then I’ll have to go meet them myself.
It was a chance to potentially meet the person who knew the truth about this world. It was obviously dangerous, but I couldn’t let the two Swords fight, nor allow a war to break out.
In the end, I only had one choice.
“…You may take me.”
Going there myself. In that moment, it seemed like the best decision I could make.
And now, the present.
I was handcuffed, trapped in a dark carriage illuminated only by a small lantern. All I felt were bumps and vibrations.
How far are we going?
All the way to Henan, where the Murim Alliance’s main base was? No, that was too far. Traveling by carriage would take months. They wouldn’t choose that.
…Did I even make the right decision?
I twisted my body uncomfortably. I was the one who chose this, but I wasn’t sure it was correct. Still, it had seemed the best option at the time.
The Demonic Sword had tried to stop me when I announced I would go, but the Demon Emperor had held her back. I understood his logic. He didn’t want the Celestial Sword endangered, and I was a mystery to him as well.
…But I wouldn’t have made that decision.
The Demon Emperor was my past self, but I wondered why he’d done it. If it were me, I would have fought the Murim Alliance tooth and nail. There had to be a significant reason they wanted me so badly, enough to risk a battle. Why did the Demon Emperor so readily hand me over?
Was it because I had changed after my regression?
I’m not too sure.
The only thing I was certain of was that this world was different from my past. That was the biggest problem.
It’s strangely different.
Something was clearly off. The Thunder Fang was one difference, but a strange, lingering feeling persisted.
Sigh.
Could anything else go wrong? Not a single problem I encountered was easy.
My fucking life, I swear.
I was starting to believe I had no luck at all.
Just what am I supposed to do here?
The test was called ‘regret,’ wasn’t it? Tang Jaemoon said I would need to make a choice, and it wouldn’t matter what I chose. But I hadn’t encountered such a situation yet. What did this test want from me? Why was I being put through this?
My annoyance grew with each passing moment.
“Sigh…”
As I sighed repeatedly,
Bump-! Slam-!
The carriage jolted harshly before finally slowing to a stop.
Then…
Creak-
Light flooded in as the carriage door opened. Squinting against the sudden brightness, the first thing I saw was a head of gorgeous golden hair.
“…Come out.”
It was the Celestial Sword.
I tried to keep my tone calm. “We’re here already?”
It had felt like only a couple of days on the road. We couldn’t have traveled far.
I heaved my heavy body out of the carriage. It was night outside.
I immediately felt the weight of numerous gazes. Murim Alliance martial artists surrounded us, their eyes fixed on me. I could clearly see the contempt and disgust in their stares as they glared at me, a Demonic Human.
I shrugged it off and scanned my surroundings.
I don’t see the Heavenly Venerable.
Whether he was hiding his presence or not, I couldn’t sense him. I probably wasn’t at a level where I could, anyway.
“Follow me…” The Celestial Sword spoke briefly before starting to move towards a dark forest.
“…”
I said nothing and followed. I couldn’t sense any other martial artists tailing us. It was just the two of us.
After walking for a bit, I suddenly spoke. “Hey.”
She paused and looked back at me.
“Could you free me from these?” I raised my bound hands.
She stared at me with an absurd expression.
“My Dantian is blocked anyway, so could you just…?”
“No.”
“Welp.” I couldn’t push further after her firm refusal. To be fair, I’d have given the same answer.
“Then could you at least tell me who’s looking for me?”
“…”
This time, there was no response. When I met her golden pupils, I saw a strange hesitation in them.
Just as I began to wonder why she was looking at me like that, she spoke.
“What’s your name?”
I paused, caught off guard by the sudden question. I hadn’t expected her to ask my name.
I tried to change the subject, feigning calm. “…You didn’t even know my name, yet you said you wanted me back there?”
“The only thing I felt… was the energy inside your body.”
Her reasoning made sense. So that was it.
Was it because our energy resonated?
It seemed the Celestial Sword had picked me out because our energies resonated. She had known I was there because of that.
Huh.
But how did she know? My confusion only deepened.
“…”
As I was about to ask another question,
Swish…!!
A chilling sensation erupted from behind me. I spun around in shock.
There,
Craaack-!
A rift was tearing open in the air itself.
The Celestial Sword remained perfectly calm, as if she had been expecting this.
It was clearly a Gate of Demons.
I frowned at its sudden appearance, and then I saw a figure emerge from the other side.
Step-
Light, precise footsteps. A woman wearing a mask stepped out of the rift.
I stared, bewildered, as she walked calmly towards me.
Swish.
She suddenly bowed her head.
“I greet the being that belongs to another world.”
A strange title echoed from her lips. I frowned, struggling to comprehend the situation.
The woman lifted her head and spoke again.
“I am the Dancer.”
The Dancer.
That was how she introduced herself.