Chapter 762: Appearance of a Hero (10)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 762: Appearance of a Hero (10)
Krumble—!!!
The roar from the heavens was deafening.
Crackle.
Rumble.
Beyond the thick, persistent shroud of dark clouds, an unknown Lightning Qi raged. It was a sight one would only expect to see in the heart of a cataclysmic tempest.
Everyone watching could only let out a collective gasp.
It would have been a magnificent spectacle even if it were a natural phenomenon, but this was a display created by a single human being.
How could they not be astonished?
This went beyond mere admiration; it was pure awe.
Krumble! Krrrrrumble—!!!
The seething thunder looked like a giant serpent writhing within the clouds—a vast, captivating, and terrifying sight.
As the crowd watched in stunned silence—
[Kiiiiii-aaaaaaah—!!!]
A demon let out a piercing shriek.
And in that instant.
[Kraaaaaaaah—!!!]
Demons began to swarm out from the countless Gates of Demons floating in the air.
Each resembled a monstrous beast, but their individual traits and sheer scale were beyond comparison. It looked as if colossal buildings were plummeting from the sky.
Every single one of them was a being capable of annihilating an entire town, forcing every martial artist in the vicinity to hold their breath.
Disaster was raining down.
These were Red-Grade Demons—monsters that could only be faced one-on-one by a master of the Perfected Peak Realm who was specifically experienced in demon hunting.
And dozens of them were appearing all at once.
If they landed here, everything would be reduced to ash. There was a limit to what could be endured through righteousness and chivalry alone.
Thus, the martial artists steeled their hearts, preparing to throw their lives away in a final stand.
But they could not have predicted what happened next.
“Be careful, all of you.”
That in order to face such monsters…
“It will be very bright. It would be best to keep your eyes closed if you can.”
…I had summoned an even greater monster.
Flutter.
His red uniform snapped in the wind as the old man drew his index finger slightly downward. And then—
Krrrrrrumble—!!!!
BOOM—!!!
Lightning began to rain from the heavens.
[Kraaaaaah!!]
[Kieeeek-!!]
It was a relentless barrage of heavenly punishment.
Bolts of lightning, boasting overwhelming size and power, pierced through the demons, striking them down mid-air. The Red-Grade Demons, which prided themselves on their immense defensive power, were effortlessly penetrated by the Lightning Qi and died helplessly.
[Kyaaaaaaaah!!]
The roars of the dying demons filled the air. The acrid smell of ozone and burning flesh stung the nostrils, and violent vibrations dominated the surroundings.
The demons, who had been thirsting for slaughter just moments ago, were now meeting their ends one by one.
“…Hah…”
Watching the scene, I swallowed hard.
‘…That old man…’
Was he always this strong?
With a sword in one hand, he simply waved his fingertips. With that gesture alone, he was annihilating a force capable of destroying the entire province of Henan.
The Heavenly Venerable.
One of the Three Venerables of the Central Plains, and perhaps the oldest living martial artist I knew. He was a living legend of the Namgung Clan, said to have single-handedly fought thousands of Unorthodox Faction martial artists in his prime.
His power was indeed great enough to justify his position as one of the Three Venerables, and his current display showed a powerful presence befitting his title, the Master of the Sky, but…
‘I don’t think he was this strong.’
I found it somewhat questionable.
This was something I had considered ever since I first heard about the Resurrection of the Dragon from the Unyielding Demon. It was a contingency I’d planned for while revising my strategy. I had acted on the assumption that while I didn't know the full extent of a White-Grade Demon's power, it would certainly be stronger than me.
‘Demons are strong.’
Unless one reached the domain of the mind, one couldn't even inflict a scratch on them. Not only was their defense impenetrable, but their offense was so overwhelming that facing one alone was a suicidal task.
However, for my future plans, I needed to not only make the creature appear but also hunt it down. The method I chose was simple.
‘If I can’t kill it, I’ll call someone who can.’
If I couldn't hunt a White-Grade Demon by myself, I just had to bring in a being who could. The person I sought the moment I settled on this plan was the Heavenly Venerable.
He was a powerhouse I could summon, one way or another.
Of course, I had to exploit the situation, swallow my pride, and pull all sorts of tricks, but in the end, the one being I could call upon was that old man.
For some reason, after the incident with the Tang Clan, he had followed my father and was staying at the Gu Clan. He had even taken up a sword and acted as a gatekeeper, claiming he had to earn his keep.
Thanks to that, I ended up in the bizarre situation of being served by the Sword Venerable, having my gate guarded by the Heavenly Venerable, and being trained by the Dishonored Venerable.
Anyway.
‘…In any case, I succeeded in calling him.’
The Heavenly Venerable had come to Henan about a fortnight ago at my request, and he was now displaying truly immense power.
‘Why is he so damn strong?’
I was thoroughly shaken by the display.
The Heavenly Venerable is strong. Of course he is. How could he have become one of the Three Venerables otherwise? I had fought him briefly a few times in my past life, and knowing his power, I had tried to avoid confronting him as much as possible.
He is stronger than me. Even stronger than I am now, despite having advanced further in my cultivation than I did in my past life. It was natural for him to be strong, but…
‘…He’s much stronger than I expected.’
The power the Heavenly Venerable was showing now was on a much higher level than I had anticipated. With a single gesture, Red-Grade Demons were being swept away.
It was the same in my past life. When Red-Grade Demons first appeared, it was the Heavenly Venerable who not only hunted the first one but also discovered its weakness.
There were two ways to deal with a Red-Grade Demon.
One was to find the minuscule gap in its constantly regenerating barrier and strike that exact spot. This was the information I had spread to the world through the Beggar’s Sect in this life while hiding my identity. Based on this, the damage from Red-Grade Demons had been significantly reduced.
And the second method.
‘Pour in enough internal energy to simply overwhelm the barrier.’
The barrier protecting a Red-Grade Demon would shatter if it was forced to absorb more energy than it could handle. The second method might seem simpler, but…
That ‘certain amount’ was so astronomical that most chose the first method as the standard approach.
And yet.
‘…He’s just doing it like it’s nothing?’
Watching the Heavenly Venerable’s hunting style, I was dumbfounded.
Krrrrrumble—!!!
[Gguuiiik—!!]
A single bolt of lightning killed a pig-like Red-Grade Demon in an instant. It was a Red-Scaled Pig—a tricky opponent immune to flames and physical strikes. Yet, it died from a single bolt of lightning.
He didn't bother looking for a weakness. The amount of energy contained in his lightning was more than enough to pierce the barrier. He didn't need to find a weak point.
By now, I too had started using the second method without bothering to find weaknesses, but…
‘To think he can use it in this situation.’
It should have been impossible to fight that many demons with such a method. The sheer volume of internal energy required was one thing, but constantly unleashing that much firepower would be incredibly draining.
‘The old man has some serious stamina.’
The Heavenly Venerable, however, seemed unconcerned as he continued to unleash lightning strikes.
Krumble! Krrrrrumble—!!
They rained down without a moment's rest.
[Krrrrrrk—!!]
And with every strike, a demon died. I narrowed my eyes at the sight.
‘I’m sure I have more internal energy than him.’
No matter how high the Heavenly Venerable’s realm or how long he had lived, if we were only comparing the raw volume of internal energy, I should have the advantage.
So how was this possible? I couldn't understand it.
‘What’s the difference?’
It seemed to be a difference in the efficiency of use. But before I could ponder that further…
‘So this is one of the Three Venerables.’
I swallowed hard as I took in the Heavenly Venerable's presence. Did I not know something in my past life? Somehow, the feeling was completely different from back then.
The ruler of thunder and the sky. I felt like I finally understood why he, a fellow swordsman, was called the Heavenly Venerable and not the Sword Venerable.
‘…Seeing it now that I’ve reached this level… it’s completely different.’
This was probably the first time I had properly faced one of the Three Venerables after reaching the realm of my past life. The Dishonored Venerable had undergone eternal youth, so gauging him was difficult… but seeing the Heavenly Venerable made it clear.
‘A wall.’
That was a wall. A wall that soared so high I couldn't yet climb it.
Even when I saw the Sword Emperor, one of the Ten Great Masters, I only felt that he was stronger than me. But the Heavenly Venerable truly looked like a wall—one that I could not dare to scale yet.
But one that I would have to climb someday.
“…Ugh…”
I staggered as I pushed myself up. With just a slight movement, it felt like my bones were screaming.
‘Ah… this is fucked.’
It was clearly an injury that would take months to heal. My internal organs, in particular, were in agony. It was so painful that I had to stop the circulation of the Heaven Destruction Art. I almost passed out when I tried to circulate it out of habit earlier.
“Hoo… hoo…”
I finally managed to catch my breath and looked around. The reactions of the people were clearly visible.
‘These people… I told them to keep their eyes closed.’
Despite the Heavenly Venerable’s warning, everyone’s eyes were wide open, their mouths agape. With lightning flashing like that, didn't their eyes hurt?
“…That… person… could it be?”
“The Heavenly… the Heavenly Venerable…?”
“How is the Heavenly Venerable here…?”
Even though he wore a red uniform and didn't show his face, his identity was unmistakable. They knew it, too. There was only one person under the heavens who could call down such lightning.
Kwoooaaaaah—!!!
As if on cue, another bolt of lightning struck a demon. The creature, scorched by the strike, collapsed and died.
“...”
And with that, it was over.
The demons, numbering well over thirty—the force I thought would sweep through Henan if not stopped—had been completely shattered by the hands of a single old man.
All that remained were the corpses of demons and the smell of burning flesh. In the center of it all, the old man nonchalantly turned and walked toward me.
He held a sword, but he hadn't even swung it. All he had done was gesture with his hand a few times. And with that, he had created this carnage.
‘Heavenly Venerable.’
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
‘So this is how strong he was.’
To have such a presence from a momentary display… if he was this powerful, how could I not have known in my past life? Was it because I hadn't seen it properly?
‘This doesn’t seem like something you could miss just by not seeing it.’
It was a power specialized for an era of war more than anyone else's. He hadn't even used his main weapon, the sword. If he fought seriously, he would be far more overwhelming. This wasn't a level of power I could have been ignorant of just because I hadn't seen it in my past life.
It was truly puzzling, but…
“Are you alright?”
Seeing the approaching Heavenly Venerable, I couldn't continue my line of questioning.
“…Yes… I’m… fine.”
“Allow me to support you.”
“There’s no need, Elder. And…”
I glanced around and whispered.
“As I’ve told you before, please… just speak casually to me. There are too many eyes watching…”
Calling me "Young Master" was out of the question, and I begged him to speak informally. I pleaded and pleaded, but…
“I am merely working as a servant. How could I possibly do so?”
“...”
This was driving me crazy. I didn't know why both the Sword Venerable and the Heavenly Venerable kept making me so uncomfortable. At this point, I wondered if they were enjoying it.
“Is the Heavenly Venerable speaking formally to the Lesser King of Hell?”
“H-How… How can that be? I thought the Lesser King of Hell was engaged to someone from the Namgung Clan…”
“Then could it be…”
Damn it, just as I expected, strange rumors were about to spread. Just as I was about to quickly put a stop to it…
[Kii… ki… kiiik…!]
At the sound, everyone turned their heads.
It wasn't over yet. The one that had summoned the Red-Grade Demons—the dragon—was still alive.
However.
‘…It looks like it’s about to die.’
The creature’s condition was extremely strange. Its large wings were riddled with holes, torn to shreds. Moreover, its already gaunt body had become even more frail.
“I left it untouched just in case. Perhaps this old man’s meddling was unnecessary?”
“...”
So the reason that thing was the only one left alive was because of the Heavenly Venerable’s consideration? Hearing that, I whispered quietly.
“…No, sir. Thank you. I needed it, actually.”
“I am glad to have been of help.”
As the old man smiled, I steadied my breath. Anyone could see the dragon was on the verge of death. Seeing it, I realized with a start.
‘I might be too late.’
It would be troublesome if it died just like that. So, I moved my shattered body and took a step forward.
“Young Master…!?”
Seeing me walk, Tang Soyeol tried to stop me urgently. But someone appeared and blocked her path. It was Namgung Bi-ah.
“Sis…! Why…?”
“…Wait…”
“But the Young Master is…!”
“…He must have a reason…”
“...”
Namgung Bi-ah stopped Tang Soyeol. Tang Soyeol looked like she wanted to say something but clamped her mouth shut. Wi Seol-Ah also watched me with hesitant eyes, but thankfully, she didn't make a move.
“L-Lesser King of Hell! Why are you going alone!”
“It’s dangerous!”
“…Damn it, everyone move! We have to save the Lesser King of Hell—!”
The surrounding martial artists, as if of one mind, tried to rush over. But they, too, were unable to approach.
Fzzt.
A brief crackle of Lightning Qi spread out, surrounding them.
“Huk…”
Startled, they watched as the master of the lightning added with a smile.
“My apologies… but please wait a moment. It seems he has a purpose in mind.”
These were the words of none other than the Heavenly Venerable. Everyone had no choice but to keep their mouths shut.
“Hoo…”
With my exhausted body, I arrived in front of the demon.
[Kii… kiiiii...]
It truly looked like it was at death's door. I slowly reached out my hand.
Pssssk.
“...”
The barrier that had surrounded it was long gone. It had broken down long ago, a sign that the creature had reached its limit. Perhaps summoning the demons was its last act of desperation.
‘It means my first attack when it revived was a success.’
Attacking with the Holy Spear first was the right call. If I hadn't, I might not have been able to win. With that thought, I reached out and grabbed the creature's neck.
[Kii… i…]
It couldn't even resist. Looking at it, I spoke.
“You lost. Admit it.”
[...]
No answer. Well… it's not like it would understand me even if it could talk.
‘…Is this meaningless then?’
Avarice couldn't be used unless the opponent admitted defeat. Did that mean there was nothing to gain from a creature without reason like this? I had a sliver of hope, but it seemed to be a futile effort.
Just as I was about to kill it and be done with it…
Woooong.
“…!”
I felt a sensation in my heart.
Pssssssss—!!
Instantly, a black aura erupted from my shadow and devoured the creature's body. It was Avarice.
Crunch.
Kwadeuk.
Avarice had emerged and begun to devour the creature's power.
“...”
So it works. I was going to kill it if it didn't work, but for some reason, the power was effective. After feasting for a while, Avarice, seemingly finished with its meal, returned to my shadow.
Urk.
“…Hoo…”
With the sound of a burp, I felt something seep into my heart. So this is its power. As I awakened to the strange sensation, I collapsed to the ground.
[Kuk… krr….]
The creature, robbed of its power and its body now even more withered, truly began to die. I just stared at it silently. It was probably accurate to say I didn't even have the strength left to kill it.
“Hoooo…”
I let out a long sigh, finally getting a moment of rest.
[…Kii… ugh… tha… nk….]
“Huh?”
Something unusual was mixed in with its cry.
[Thank… thank… you….]
“What?”
Clear human language. The dry-voiced screams from moments ago were gone, and the demon was now speaking in what sounded like a child's voice.
Startled, I approached it.
“What did you just—”
Whooosh!
Pssssssk….
Its life must have finally ended, as the demon's body was swept away by the wind, disintegrating in an instant. Soon after, everything vanished, and all that was left on the ground was a pure white gem.
It was a White Demonic Stone—proof that the creature had been a White-Grade Demon.
“...”
Confirming this, I narrowed my eyes. I didn't know why, but… how should I put it…
One side of my chest felt terribly uneasy.