Chapter 751: Reform (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 751: Reform (3)
I looked up at the thick line etched across the sky.
‘Impressive.’
It glowed with a brilliant vermilion light, stark and clear against the heavens. At the same time, the once-clear sky began to choke with dark, roiling clouds. It was so unnatural that no one could mistake it for a mere whim of nature.
‘I wondered how grand it would be.’
The spectacle far exceeded my expectations. Melodies and raw energy saturated the air. Anyone could tell this was far from normal; the sheer scale of the sight was overwhelming. They had claimed to have prepared for a long time, and the results certainly showed it.
‘Hmm.’
The six lines slowly began to connect, linking together like strokes forming a complex script. As they merged, the sky grew even darker.
Rumble—!!!
Violent vibrations shook not only the arena but the entire surrounding region.
“Wh-what is happening?!”
“Aaaah!”
Screams erupted as the sudden tremors took hold. People scrambled in a blind panic. Amidst the chaos, members of the Murim Alliance emerged to assess the situation. Watching them, my gaze drifted upward again.
My eyes were drawn to the vermilion barrier that had begun to envelop the pavilion.
Shaaaaa—!!
Energy surged from below, encasing the entire structure in a translucent, vermilion veil.
‘Is this what the Unyielding Demon was talking about?’
I remembered him mentioning it during our planning phase. He had spoken of a power capable of trapping the strongest masters in Henan. He’d said he could manifest it properly given enough time, and it seemed this was the fruit of that labor.
‘What’s the principle behind it?’
Curiosity sparked within me, wondering how it functioned, but unfortunately, now was not the time for academic inquiry.
Crack—!!!
In that instant, I felt a massive surge of internal Qi and looked toward the pavilion.
‘Oho.’
The Celestial Plum Blossom, the Sword Immortal, and the Sword Emperor were all striking the barrier simultaneously. Their internal Qi resonated, unleashing heavy waves of sword aura, but the strikes simply dissipated without so much as a tear in the barrier.
‘Look at that.’
Its effectiveness was undeniable. Moreover, their desperate attack made its properties even clearer.
‘It’s not just blocking the energy; it’s absorbing it.’
The barrier had clearly devoured the energy of the sword strikes. With every hit, its color became even more vivid. Did it consume energy to reinforce itself?
‘Hmm.’
So, it was a type of formation. The fact that it fed on energy was certainly a useful feature.
‘It’s more than enough to hold them.’
If they couldn't shatter it completely, it would take them a significant amount of time to dispel it. Of course, even so…
‘It should be able to hold them for about an hour.’
It was just a guess, but I was confident it could contain them for at least that long.
‘Ah, I’m curious.’
I truly wondered what principle allowed it to generate such power. If I could figure it out, it would surely be an invaluable asset in the future…
‘Tsk.’
It was a shame I couldn't go and inspect it personally.
Rumble—!!
The vibrations intensified. The spectators, sensing the mounting danger, began to move frantically.
“R-Run!”
“Yeonshin! Yeonshin, where are you?!”
“Fuck! Move!”
“Waaaaah!”
As the packed crowd tried to surge toward the exits all at once, pandemonium broke out. Screams filled the air. Curses and wails surrounded me. The suddenness of the catastrophe stripped people of their reason, and order collapsed instantly.
Furthermore…
“C-Calm down! First…!”
“M-Move! Get out of the way—!!”
Even as the Alliance’s martial artists tried to restore order, their efforts were insufficient to quell the madness. They hadn't predicted something like this. They had no protocols for a disaster of this scale.
And that was a good thing.
Thanks to their lack of preparation, deep confusion had set in. It was the exact situation I had wanted. After observing for a moment, I turned away.
‘Well then, shall I get moving?’
This place would slowly crumble, so it was time for me to fulfill my role. As that thought crossed my mind, I turned my head and saw something.
Flinch.
Someone was supporting the unconscious Dao King. There was only one person who would come to retrieve the Dao King from the midst of a fleeing, panicked crowd.
‘Peng Woojin.’
Peng Woojin, the Young Lord of the Peng Clan. He was supporting his father, his face a mask of complete expressionlessness.
Then, our eyes met.
As always, Peng Woojin offered me a smile, but I couldn't find it in me to smile back. No matter the circumstances, it felt a bit much to smile at a son after beating his father into such a state. As I stood there, searching for words…
“Things have become quite troublesome.”
It was Peng Woojin who spoke first.
“Aaaah—!!”
“Please, move…!!”
His voice was unnervingly calm amidst the surrounding chaos.
“I was looking forward to facing you soon, Young Master… Hmm. This is truly… a regrettable turn of events.”
“Is that really what’s important right now…?”
His words were so absurd that I retorted without thinking. Was that really the primary concern in this mess? Ah… could it be?
“If this is about revenge for Lord Peng…”
“That is of no concern. The Lord lost because he deserved to lose. I hold no ill will toward you, Young Master Gu.”
“...”
A firm denial cut me off before I could finish. How could he not hold any ill will? The question echoed in my mind, but I truly couldn't detect a single shred of emotion in Peng Woojin’s voice.
That made it even more chilling. How could he be so devoid of feeling? Peng Jeowoo didn't even seem to exist in Peng Woojin’s eyes. He was looking only at me, even in this godforsaken situation.
‘He lost because he deserved to lose.’
As he said that, Peng Woojin glanced at Peng Jeowoo for a fleeting second. In that brief instant, an emotion finally flickered across his face. It was terribly dark—and sharper than anything else.
‘Hmm.’
The emotion bothered me for a moment, but I didn't dwell on it. I didn't care. The internal affairs of the Peng Clan were none of my business. Besides, Peng Woojin didn't seem concerned with such things either, as he continued.
“Therefore, since things have become unfortunate… I hope you will be sure to keep your promise.”
“Ah, yes… Well… I’ll try my best.”
As I replied with a reluctant expression, someone landed swiftly beside me.
“Young Master!”
It was Tang Soyeol.
“Are you alright…?”
She rushed over, her face etched with worry.
“Something has happened…! We need to get outside for now.”
The strange phenomenon in the sky—it seemed Tang Soyeol had also realized it was nothing ordinary.
“Mm.”
What should I say? I hesitated for a moment but kept my mouth shut. Just then, Peng Woojin interjected.
“Well then, we will be on our way.”
Peng Woojin, still supporting Peng Jeowoo, gathered strength in his legs. Given the chaos, the Peng Clan’s martial artists couldn't reach them, so it seemed his intention was to get to safety first. Just as he was about to leave, Peng Woojin looked at Tang Soyeol.
“Soyeol. Let’s see each other next time.”
At his words, Tang Soyeol’s expression shifted slightly. The match between these two was scheduled after mine, but anyone could see that a duel was out of the question now.
“Ah… yes.”
Tang Soyeol nodded. After confirming her response, Peng Woojin leaped away.
“Young Master, we should hurry too…!” Tang Soyeol urged once he was gone.
Meanwhile, my gaze was fixed on the pavilion.
“Save the Alliance Leader!”
“Sect Leader—!!”
“Dammit, call the formation masters, now!”
“What is the Wind Dragon Army doing—!!”
Not just members of the Alliance, but people in all sorts of attire were pounding on the pavilion’s barrier. All of them were outstanding martial artists of the Orthodox Faction. They had flocked to the barrier to save their sect leaders, clan lords, or merchant association leaders. Even members of the Murim Alliance had gathered to save the Sword Immortal.
“Uwaaaah!”
A disaster had struck, yet the people were receiving no proper guidance. And the so-called Orthodox Faction was busy trying to save only their superiors and leaders.
As I took in the scene, I wondered: Is that truly chivalry? Is that the value the Orthodox Faction has cultivated for centuries? Can something that shatters at such a small crack truly be called justice?
I didn't know. Having lived a life without knowing chivalry or justice, I couldn't pass judgment, but I knew one thing.
‘If that is what justice or chivalry is…’
It didn't seem very necessary.
* * *
“It’s the end… It’s the end of the world…”
“Oh, God—!”
“Mooommy…”
As I moved through the streets of Henan with Tang Soyeol, the path became increasingly choked with wailing people.
Rumble—!!!
“Aaaah!”
“Honey…!!”
The tremors remained violent, and the sky had lost its blue hue, now completely swallowed by dark clouds. The situation had changed in less than half an hour. The streets, once bustling with the excitement of the martial arts tournament, were instantly ruined. Fear of the unknown calamity crushed the populace.
Watching them, I quickened my pace.
“First, we should return to the residence, right?” Tang Soyeol asked as she kept pace with me.
Return to the residence. Gather our companions and move. It was a reasonable suggestion, but…
“You go on ahead.”
“What?”
My thoughts were different. How could I go back? After setting the stage, that was not an option.
“Go and look after the others. I have something to do.”
“Young Master, what do you mean…? In this situation?”
“Yes. Don't worry.”
I smiled slightly and gave Tang Soyeol a gentle push on her back.
“Nothing bad will happen.”
“...”
My firm words made Tang Soyeol’s expression change subtly. Did she figure something out? Or did she have questions but decided to accept it? I couldn't tell.
However…
“…I understand.”
Tang Soyeol nodded.
“…Don’t be late, okay? If you’re late… I’ll really come looking for you.”
“I won’t be late. It won’t take very long.”
“Okay.”
With that, Tang Soyeol picked up her pace and ran toward the residence. I watched her small back for a moment before stopping. Then, I glanced to the side.
“Waaaaah… Mommy…”
I saw a child crying in fear. A woman who appeared to be its mother was hugging the child, trying to soothe it. Everyone was terrified. Some were running around in confusion, while others were frozen in fear.
It was a common sight back when the war started in my past life. The expressions from that time, the air from that time. This scene was remarkably similar to the one I never wanted to experience again.
The only difference was…
‘This time, I’m the one who created this mess.’
That fact gnawed at me. Who cares if these insects die? A vile thought crawled up from within, perhaps a result of the change from the Shedding. At the same time, a wave of disgust washed over me. I wanted to quit right now.
Swallowing the urge to vomit, I turned my head. I pushed strength into my legs. I won't make the excuse that it was necessary. What excuse is needed here? I just have to bear it.
As I steeled my resolve and steadied my breath…
“Dogs of the Murim Alliance, listen well.”
Suddenly, a voice began to echo through the middle of the street. I looked up. Someone was floating in the air. Not just one person—dozens. At least several dozen people were suspended in the sky.
“The day of reform has come.”
An old, withered voice spread in all directions. The energy contained in the reverberation was incredibly dense and deep.
“What… what’s going on?”
“Who are they? What are they doing?”
“What the hell is this?!”
The appearance of these strange figures intensified the pandemonium. Their presence confirmed it: this inexplicable phenomenon was not natural, but man-made. And the fact that it was the work of humans was far more terrifying.
“We have come to punish the sins of the Alliance.”
“The Murim Alliance has hidden its own ugliness, forgotten the past, and failed to correct its twisted history.”
The old man spat out his long-suppressed story as if venting centuries of resentment. The meaning in his voice was so clear that I understood just by listening.
“Ours was a life of harsh persecution and curses.”
“The illusion created by the Murim Alliance, which claims to protect justice, is what made us this way.”
“Therefore, this is the punishment delivered by ‘us,’ who have endured and persevered through that time.”
“The filthy Alliance.”
“Shall henceforth receive the arduous karma of the Zhuge clan for all time.”
The old man who had spoken gestured with his hand. At that moment…
RUMBLE—!!!!
The vibrations grew even more intense, and everyone in the air except the old man descended upon the ground.
“Kyaaaaaaah—!!”
“H-Help me—!!”
The screams grew louder. Even in this state, the members of the Alliance did not appear. A few were visible, but what good could a handful of them do?
‘What in the world are the captain-level members doing?’
I had figured that only half of them were trapped in the pavilion. So what were the other half doing? It was better for me if they didn't show up, but for them to be absent even when things had gotten this bad was strange.
‘If I don’t know, I should go and find out.’
Assessing the situation, I leaped lightly. A brutal scene was predicted to unfold behind me, but I turned my back without hesitation. I had a purpose, after all.
“Stop—!!”
And I had something else prepared for this side.
Watching the attackers, energy erupted from all over.
“Combat teams, prepare for the attack and protect the civilians—!!”
A rough roar dominated the area. Simultaneously, several figures rushed toward the dark cloaks. The shouts of martial artists echoed as they moved to block the assault. Seeing this, people’s eyes lit up as they shouted.
“It’s—it’s the Hwangbo Clan!”
“The Hwangbo Clan is here!”
A large number of martial artists in yellow robes appeared. Some stopped in the nearby streets and began waving their hands.
“Everyone, please calm down! From this moment on, the Hwangbo Clan will protect you!”
“Please follow our instructions swiftly—!!”
“Swordsmen, listen! The safety of the civilians is our top priority from now on! Uphold the conviction of the Orthodox Faction and protect them with your lives—!!”
“Sir—!!”
Perhaps because members of a noble clan had appeared in unison, a faint sense of relief crossed the faces of many. Seeing this, the corners of my mouth lifted.
Just as planned. The chess pieces I had prepared were beginning to move, one by one. So far, no problems.
However, the important part starts now. From now on, I’ll discard the pieces I must and take what I need.
In the midst of the disaster and riot I had orchestrated, it was now time to claim my prize.
Boom—!! Crack—!!
Not long after, the sound of an explosion reached my ears. I ignored it and leaped. At the same time, I reached into my robes and pulled something out.
A familiar, cracked mask.
Placing it over my face, I focused strength in my heart.
Thump!
Demonic Qi flooded through my blood vessels.
Finally. Now was the time for the Heavenly Demon to descend upon the chaos.