Chapter 548: Sword Demon (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 548: Sword Demon (7)
Swoosh—!
A blade wreathed in sword aura tore through the air.
Chwaaaak—!
The assault was relentless, the number of blades seemingly infinite. The sword art appeared chaotic, almost messy at a glance, yet a clear, lethal order resided within the carnage.
It was a synchronization honed through years of grueling hardship—movements meticulously designed to sever escape routes and punish the target. Dozens of swordsmen moved in a seamless formation, all focused on capturing a single man.
Under normal circumstances, it was a flow of power no one could possibly withstand. Yet, astonishingly, their opponent was enduring the onslaught as if it were nothing more than a light breeze.
Watching this, Wiseok—the manager of the Murim Alliance’s Guangdong branch and a Fusion Realm Martial Artist—couldn't help but scowl.
‘What in the world is this?’
Thud—!
“Keuk!”
Amidst the chaotic fray, a body was launched into the sky. That was only the beginning.
Thud! Thud-thud!
One after another, the martial artists of the Alliance began to fall.
‘How is this possible…!’
Wiseok’s eyes widened. It was a typhoon. A tempest of blades was raging, yet the man at the center remained utterly serene. He was the eye of the storm. His sword forms were brilliant, precise, and devastating.
Guangdong was a province teeming with members of the Unorthodox Faction. Wiseok’s men were elite, trained to capture not just demons but the most dangerous criminals in the region. Were their skills lacking? Not in the slightest.
Based on the report from Seodong, Wiseok had estimated the target to be at least a Fusion Realm Martial Artist, so he had assembled a formidable team. Every man present was at least a Peak Master; anyone below first-rate had been excluded. On top of that, he had two Captain-level fighters and himself, a Fusion Realm master.
In terms of pure combat power, they were at a level capable of capturing even a so-called ‘Lord-level’ martial artist. Yet, their opponent seemed completely unfazed.
Shwiiiiik—!
A sword surged forward. Or rather, it tried to.
Clang—!
The man who had attempted the thrust dropped his weapon from a sudden, jarring impact.
Thwack—!
“Grk!”
With a follow-up blow, his eyes rolled back into his head as he collapsed. As one man fell, two more rushed in from behind. The result was the same. They struggled to even swing their swords before—
Pang—!
“Heok!”
“Gaaah!”
Their trajectories were twisted, their sword arts shattered. The subsequent impact sent them hurtling away. Without fail, every person sent flying lost consciousness before they hit the ground.
The battle had lasted a mere few minutes.
“Ughhhh…”
“Euugh…”
The wide plain was now carpeted with groaning men. Sharp swords were either driven into the dirt or scattered carelessly across the field.
“...”
Wiseok’s face was a mask of utter shock. While everyone else lay on the ground gasping in pain, a single young man stood at the center of the wreckage. He was casually holding the collar of the swordsman who had just attacked him.
Without a single drop of sweat on his brow, he scanned his surroundings with dry, bored eyes. Then, he smirked.
“Everyone seems rather drowsy today. Is it really that comfortable lying down this early? Right?”
“...”
Wiseok offered no reply. He was too busy trying to wrap his head around the situation.
‘This is bad.’
In such a short time, so many elite martial artists had been neutralized. Moreover…
‘Every single one of them is still breathing.’
They were gasping for air, but not a single one was dead. It meant the youth had subdued them all with surgical precision, choosing not to kill.
Thump.
The young man let go, and the man he held by the collar collapsed in a heap. Now, the only ones left standing on the plain were Wiseok and the youth.
A chill ran down Wiseok’s spine.
‘He’s different.’
A youthful appearance, yet an alien, overwhelming atmosphere. That alone was enough to put Wiseok on high alert. But he had learned much more from watching the man fight.
‘I couldn’t find an opening.’
While his men were clashing in that tangled fight, Wiseok should have been able to intervene and help subdue the target. But he couldn't. It wasn’t because he was just standing by.
‘He intended for this to happen.’
The youth had orchestrated every movement to prevent Wiseok from joining the fray. Because of that, Wiseok hadn't been able to lift a finger while his subordinates were systematically dismantled.
‘How is that possible?’
How could someone create such a controlled situation amidst that level of chaos? This was only possible for someone with extreme experience in fighting multiple opponents at once.
“...”
Wiping away a bead of sweat, Wiseok finally spoke.
“…I have something to ask.”
Gu Yangcheon smiled. “In this situation? You’re a strange one.”
“Domungang of the Nine-Fist Demonic Art.”
“Hm?”
The name sounded vaguely familiar, and Gu Yangcheon tilted his head.
“Were you the one who killed him?”
“Hmm…”
Domungang… Domungang.
“Ah.” He remembered. “So it was that bastard.”
The man he had killed a few days ago. His name must have been Domungang.
‘The guy who was loitering around the secret vault.’
One of the reasons Gu Yangcheon had come here was for the secret vault containing the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Steel. He had run into a conflict with someone lurking near the entrance.
‘Once we started fighting, I realized he was from the Unorthodox Faction, so I think I killed him.’
Was he one of the five masters of the Unorthodox Faction? The man had claimed as much during the fight. Gu Yangcheon hadn't paid it much mind.
‘He was too weak to hold a title like that.’
He didn’t know how Domungang had earned such a reputation, but in Gu Yangcheon’s judgment, he was nowhere near that level.
Seeing Gu Yangcheon’s nonchalant reaction, Wiseok swallowed hard.
“…As I thought.”
“How did you know?” Gu Yangcheon asked, showing no intention of hiding the truth.
“I figured that Domungang’s sudden death and the appearance of a master like you in the same area were related.”
“Ah.” Gu Yangcheon finally understood Wiseok’s actions. “Is that why you brought this much force?”
“…My answer remains the same. I merely wished to escort you with all due respect.”
“But if I refused, your intention was to take me by force.”
“...”
Wiseok didn’t answer. Instead, he slowly drew his sword and leveled it at the youth.
“What is your purpose here…?”
“This guy is hilarious. You people tried to capture me, and now you’re asking about my purpose?”
“Is this not a situation you orchestrated?”
Flinch.
At Wiseok’s words, the smile vanished from Gu Yangcheon’s face.
“Oh.”
A single word of genuine admiration escaped him. Gu Yangcheon narrowed his eyes.
“On what grounds do you say that?”
“I saw the report my subordinate submitted—that he found a master who had tamed a demon.” Wiseok glanced at the fallen Seodong. “And that for some reason, you were looking for information on the recent, infamous murderous fiend.”
“And?”
“I didn’t think much of it at first, but seeing this, I have to ask.” Wiseok swallowed dryly, staring intently at Gu Yangcheon. “Why did you let him live to submit that report?”
“...”
“None of that information benefits you. You could have easily killed him after getting what you wanted, yet you deliberately let my subordinate go so he could report back to me.”
The death of the master of the Nine-Fist Demonic Art. The simultaneous appearance of an unidentified master. The search for a murderous fiend and the possession of a monster capable of devouring Red-Grade demons.
“Did you show me that information on purpose? Just so it would reach my ears?”
Had the man intended for Wiseok to come here? The thought sent a shiver through the branch manager.
Gu Yangcheon smirked. “Smarter than you look, huh?”
Again, he offered no denial. That reaction only made Wiseok more uneasy.
“…What in the world is your purpose?”
“My purpose, you say.”
Crack.
Gu Yangcheon lightly stretched his neck.
“Originally, I was planning to visit the branch office myself before leaving.”
“The Guangdong branch?”
“That’s right. I had some business there.”
“What…?”
“But there’s no need for that anymore. The business I had came right to me, didn’t it?”
Gu Yangcheon pointed a finger. Wiseok flinched. The fingertip was aimed directly at him.
“…Are you saying your purpose is me?”
“Not exactly a purpose. More like a stepping stone?”
“But why?” Wiseok asked, his mind racing. He had no choice but to ask. He had never done anything to earn a grudge from someone of this caliber. He couldn't recall a single incident that might connect them.
Gu Yangcheon looked at him coldly. “Do we need to talk more?”
“...”
“After all, there’s only one thing you have to do right now, isn’t there?”
Wiseok bit his lip as a certain rumor came to mind.
“…There was a story spreading through the Alliance letters.” It was news he had heard just seven days ago. “News that several key members of the Alliance in the Central Plains have recently been assassinated.”
“Wow, is that so?” Gu Yangcheon’s expression was one of mock fascination.
Wiseok furrowed his brow. “Are you the culprit?”
“What do you think?”
Step.
As Gu Yangcheon took a step forward, Wiseok surged with energy. He forced his mind to go cold. Having witnessed the previous battle, he knew he couldn't afford a single mistake.
‘Whatever his intention, I will not back down.’
Saaaaa—!
Combat Qi enveloped Wiseok’s sword. A fierce fighting spirit erupted from him, saturating the air. He would go all out from the very first move. It would have been better to subdue him with the unit earlier, but since that had failed, he couldn't hesitate.
‘Aim for his lower body.’
With that decision, Wiseok moved. But just as his sword was about to cut through the air—
CRACK—!
“…!!”
Before he could even enter his flow, Wiseok’s arm was twisted at an impossible angle. Gu Yangcheon had closed the distance in an instant and shattered the joint.
“K-kugh!”
Wiseok desperately tried to switch the sword to his other hand and pivot his body, but—
Crack! Crunch!
His movement was snuffed out before it could begin. His knees buckled as a massive impact slammed into his chest.
“Keoheok…!”
Thump.
Wiseok fell weakly to his knees. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Only a single exchange had passed, yet his body was already a wreck.
“Grr… ugh…”
Wiseok stared up at Gu Yangcheon with utter disbelief. Gu Yangcheon stood over him, his gaze devoid of emotion.
“You asked earlier, didn’t you? Why you were my purpose.”
“…Kuh… heu…”
“I don’t really have a grudge against the current you,” Gu Yangcheon said, lowering his gaze to meet Wiseok’s eyes. “But I have some business with your past self.”
“…What… what are… you talking… about…”
“Do you know?” A light flashed in Gu Yangcheon’s blue eyes. “In a war that will happen about three years from now, you’ll be in charge of a pretty decent unit. The Snow Flower Squad, I believe.”
Wiseok’s breath hitched.
“It was a good unit. The captain was quite competent. But, in the middle of a winning streak, those bastards betrayed us.”
“…Huu… hu… that… huu…”
“In the process, a woman who was doing just fine on the front lines was stabbed in the back. She came to the very brink of death.”
“What… in the world… are you… talking about…”
“She was bleeding profusely. I carried her on my back, running like a madman through the rain.”
A back soaked in blood. Rain pouring down as if trying to wash the sin away. The long, desperate trek to the cave where they took refuge.
“Even now, I feel like shit just thinking about it.”
It was a memory he could never forget, not for a single second. That was why Gu Yangcheon had to say this to the Wiseok standing before him.
“That’s the reason I wanted to see you.”
“That’s… absurd…”
Crack.
Wiseok couldn't finish his sentence. Gu Yangcheon swung his fist and crushed Wiseok’s head into the earth.
Thud.
Wiseok’s lifeless body collapsed. Gu Yangcheon casually wiped the blood from his clothes and stood up. He immediately walked over to one of the fallen bodies.
Nudge, nudge.
He prodded someone with his foot.
“I know you’re awake.”
“…!”
The person was Seodong. Having fainted during the initial clash, he had just regained consciousness.
“You probably can’t get up right away, so don’t force it. Just listen,” Gu Yangcheon said.
“…S-sa… save… me…”
“I’m not going to kill you, so don’t be scared. And don’t interrupt me while I’m talking. I might have to cut something else off, you know?”
“...” Seodong’s mouth clamped shut instantly.
“I just killed your branch manager, you see?”
“...”
“So, what should you do?”
“...”
“You can answer this one.”
“…! I will never speak of this! I’ll be silent until the day I die!”
“No, that’s not it.” Gu Yangcheon looked displeased. “A swordsman of the Murim Alliance, overflowing with righteousness, shouldn’t act like that, right? You have to follow procedure.”
“What… do you mean by that…”
“You’re good at reporting. Do just that. Write down everything that happened here, exactly as you saw it, and report it.” Gu Yangcheon’s eyes were smiling, though the expression didn't reach his cold gaze. “And, for the culprit’s information, write this.”
Gu Yangcheon leaned down and whispered into Seodong’s ear.
“The Heavenly Demon.”
Seodong’s entire body began to tremble.
“That’s the reason I’m letting you live. Got it?”
“…Wai…”
Thwack—!
“Keok.”
Having nothing more to say, Gu Yangcheon chopped the back of Seodong’s neck, knocking him out again. With that, there was no one left conscious in the area—except for Gu Yangcheon and the young man who had been watching from the sidelines.
“Looks like things are pretty much wrapped up here…”
Gu Yangcheon shifted his gaze toward the Sword Demon, who was leaning against a tree stump. The Sword Demon’s eyes were wide, filled with shock at the display of casual brutality.
“Hey.”
“…!!”
The Sword Demon flinched. Gu Yangcheon, with blood still spattered across his face, looked like a nightmare made flesh. Yet, for some reason, the Sword Demon couldn't look away.
“What’s your name?” Gu Yangcheon asked nonchalantly.
The Sword Demon hesitated. He felt an instinctual, overwhelming pressure to answer.
“…Yul… Seong Yul… sir.”
“Seong Yul?” Gu Yangcheon laughed as if he’d heard a joke. “It doesn’t suit you at all. What’s with the nice-sounding name?”
With that, he turned and began to walk away. After a few steps, he looked back over his shoulder.
“What are you doing? Follow me.”
“…!”
Follow him? As Seong Yul stood there bewildered, Gu Yangcheon added one last thing.
“Ah, if you don’t want to come, say so now. Because then I’ll just have to break your legs and carry you.”
“...”
At those words, Seong Yul cautiously pushed himself to his feet and followed.