Chapter 765: Appearance of a Hero (11)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 765: Appearance of a Hero (11)
Damn.
I wore an awkward expression as every gaze in the vicinity shifted toward me. I never imagined the ritual would come undone so quickly.
Even when I forced a smile, no one reciprocated. They all just stared at me, eyes wide with disbelief. On one hand, the sheer weight of their scrutiny was quite burdensome.
‘No, is it really something to be that surprised about?’
Honestly, I couldn't understand why they were so shocked.
‘Why can’t they do something this simple?’
It was something you could just grab and tear apart, yet they kept insisting it wouldn't work this way or that. Weren't they just wasting time for no reason? That was why I couldn't comprehend the scene before me.
‘Is this really that difficult?’
What on earth was so hard about it? It was something you could just do as you saw it.
‘Hmm….’
A question crossed my mind. Could it be that I’m the strange one? For them to be this shocked, it seemed I had done something quite unusual…
‘What is it?’
I pondered deeply. Why do they think I’m strange? What makes this task so difficult?
‘Is it because of the Mind’s Eye?’
The ability to see the variations in the threads. If there was a difference between me and them, that would be it. The cause was likely my possession of the Mind’s Eye. The Mind’s Eye allowed me to read the flow of Qi, and using that, I could easily grasp the ritual formula.
Which meant…
‘Is the Mind’s Eye specialized in dispelling formations, too?’
That had to be it. Otherwise, I couldn't understand their reactions. If so…
‘Why didn’t the Dishonored Venerable tell me something like this?’
That became the biggest question. The Dishonored Venerable would have surely told me if the Mind’s Eye had such an effect, so the lack of an explanation was a bit strange.
‘Hmm.’
For now, I decided to ask the Dishonored Venerable about this later.
Swoooosh—!!
The barrier, which had been slowly dissipating, soon vanished completely from around the pavilion. The barrier that had trapped several of the Ten Great Masters and numerous Fusion Realm martial artists had disappeared helplessly.
“I-It’s gone!”
“The barrier has been dispelled…!”
“Sect Leader—!!”
“Quickly, escort the Leader!”
As soon as the barrier vanished, the martial artists swarmed forward as if they had been waiting for this exact moment. The pavilion was quite tall, but since they were all high-level martial artists, scaling it was a trivial affair.
I narrowed my eyes slightly as I watched them move in a frantic hurry.
‘It’s done.’
The situation turned out a bit different than expected, but in any case, I succeeded in dispelling the barrier. And I was able to draw them out much faster than the half-day I had predicted. That was enough. This was a sufficient stepping stone for the final operation of my plan.
Thud.
Someone landed beside me. For a moment, I felt the air turn cold. The person’s presence was incredibly chilling.
‘Haha.’
The moment I saw who it was, I had to suppress a laugh. It was the current Alliance Leader, the Sword Immortal. His face was contorted in a deep frown, making no effort to hide his irritation.
No matter how you looked at it, he was one of the Ten Great Masters of the Central Plains. As he unleashed his presence without restraint, those around him cowered. It was a truly overwhelming aura.
“...”
Before anyone else could approach, the Sword Immortal, who had descended on his own, stiffened slightly upon seeing someone. It was none other than the Heavenly Venerable.
“…Senior.”
The Heavenly Venerable replied to the Sword Immortal’s greeting.
“It has been a long time. I suppose I should call you Alliance Leader now.”
“What brings you here?”
The Heavenly Venerable was smiling, but the Sword Immortal’s expression remained grim. If anything, it seemed to darken further.
“Did you not say you would be stepping back from the front lines for a while and told us not to contact you?”
“I did. That sentiment has not changed.”
“Then… why?”
“Well.”
As he was about to speak, the Heavenly Venerable suddenly looked at me. The moment he did, I immediately shook my head.
“I had a small matter to attend to.”
“...”
Thanks to that, he thankfully didn’t mention the "Young Master" title this time. The rumor was bound to spread anyway, so it would reach the Sword Immortal’s ears soon enough, but I didn’t want it to happen just yet.
As the Sword Immortal addressed the Heavenly Venerable, the others finally turned their gazes toward him. It seemed they had been in such a hurry that they hadn't even noticed the Heavenly Venerable’s presence.
“The Heavenly Venerable is here?”
“Then, the thunder that struck just before, could it be….”
The place where the demon had been created was quite far from here, but the lightning strike had been so massive that it was visible even from this distance. Then again, it would be strange not to see something that large.
“Did you lend your aid, Senior?”
“Of course not. This old man merely helped a little at the very end. The ones who did all the work were the other children.”
“...”
“It seems you’ve experienced an uncomfortable situation. Are you alright, Alliance Leader?”
“…You do not need to concern yourself, Senior,” the Sword Immortal spoke in a deeply subdued voice. “This is strictly a matter for the Alliance. I will handle it myself.”
“…Hmm.”
Hearing this, the Heavenly Venerable let out a soft hum. He was clearly displeased about something.
“Alliance Leader.”
“…Yes.”
The Sword Immortal looked as if he might explode at any moment. Observing him, the Heavenly Venerable continued.
“This old man knows from experience. That path only leads one deeper into the abyss; it is not the way out.”
“…What are you suddenly talking about?”
“I hope that one day, you too will understand. Before it is too late, as it was for this old man.”
“...”
The Sword Immortal frowned slightly at his words, but that was all. Further words were meaningless. He had a mountain of tasks that needed his immediate attention.
“…Captain of the Blue Dragon Army and Captain of the Sky Dragon Army.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Ye-yes, sir…!”
At his call, the One Azure Sword and the Annihilating Sword approached and paid their respects to the Alliance Leader. The Alliance Leader looked at them and commanded, “I will give you time. After you have organized everything, report to me in detail what has transpired.”
“…We will obey your command.”
The captains moved to carry out their orders. In the heavy, settled air, the Sword Immortal’s gaze shifted. It soon landed on me.
“...”
His eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions—a gaze brimming with indescribable thoughts. I, too, quietly met the Sword Immortal’s eyes. Was he expecting me to show some courtesy? I waited for a moment, wondering about his intentions.
“From the looks of it, it seems you were the one who dispelled this barrier.”
“Yes.”
I nodded. So that’s what he wanted to ask.
“How did you do it?”
“…Pardon?”
I was momentarily taken aback by the question. How did I do it…
“…I just did it?”
Was my answer unsatisfactory? The Sword Immortal’s expression crumpled. But I couldn't help it.
“No, really… I just did it.”
What was I supposed to say when it just worked? Even if I wanted to explain, I couldn't.
“I grabbed it and pulled, and it just came undone.”
“...”
To be precise, there was a spot that looked like it would come apart if I pulled it, so I actually tried pulling it. I didn't know it would work either.
“…Anyway… isn’t it a good thing that it worked out?”
As long as it’s undone, isn’t that what matters? I tried saying that, but the Sword Immortal’s expression remained unchanged. Just as I was wondering what the problem was…
“This was a barrier that not only the trapped individuals but even the Captain of the Wind Dragon Army could not easily undo. You’re saying you undid such a barrier with ease? That is not something I can readily believe.”
“...”
Ah, so that’s it. Listening to the Sword Immortal, I finally understood. That old man.
‘He’s suspecting me.’
The Bimapa was known throughout the Central Plains for her proficiency in formations. It was a ritual that even she struggled with, unable to do anything about it. For me to suddenly grab and tear apart such a ritual must have seemed suspicious to the Sword Immortal.
Moreover.
‘Given the circumstances, my presence here is strange as well.’
Appearing out of nowhere with the Heavenly Venerable. In the Sword Immortal’s eyes, my existence must feel like an abrupt intrusion.
‘Well, well.’
He’s smarter than I thought.
‘I admit I acted a bit rashly because I was in a hurry.’
But to think he would suspect me right away. As I’ve said before, the Sword Immortal wasn't a complete fool. However…
“Even if you ask me that… there is not much I can say. It truly worked when I tried.”
So what if he suspects me? Did the words “I just tried it and it worked” need any further explanation? The Sword Immortal’s suspicion right now would solve nothing.
My attitude might have seemed somewhat brazen. Perhaps it grated on his nerves, as the wrinkles on his brow deepened.
“…You bastard.”
Just as the Sword Immortal began to walk toward me…
“Ca-Captain—!!”
“Get a hold of yourself!”
A loud shout came from behind. Instantly, everyone’s gaze turned in that direction. The location was right in front of where the barrier had been. It was where the Bimapa had been trying to dispel the barrier, and that was where the sound had come from.
“Captain…!! Q-quickly, a healer!”
Those who appeared to be from the Wind Dragon Army shouted urgently. And for good reason. The Bimapa, who had been working on the ritual just moments ago, had collapsed. She was covered in blood, her breaths shallow and faint.
“Hk… heu… huhu….”
“Captain… please—!”
Her gaze was almost unfocused. Looking into those eyes, I knew at once. The Bimapa’s eyes were definitely looking at me. Others might not know, but I, at least, was certain. Her eyes were gradually losing their vitality.
After watching her quietly for a moment…
“Ca-Captaiiiin—!!”
Before long, the Bimapa finally breathed her last. It was the sudden death of the Bimapa. As everyone stood there, stunned by the sight…
‘Is it now?’
I secretly nodded my head. Now is the time. With that thought, I focused strength into my heart.
[Get ready.]
It was a signal to Sikchungi, who was probably grumbling somewhere. It was time to execute the very last operation. And when that fleeting moment passed…
Swoooooosh—!!
“Huh?”
While everyone’s attention was stolen by the Bimapa’s death… one of the martial artists, having noticed something, looked up at the sky.
“Th-that’s—! Everyone, look over there…!!”
Heads turned at the shout. At that moment, something began to happen high in the sky. You could see it clearly without even trying. Because beneath the sky that was just barely clearing, a being of immense size had appeared.
It was smaller than the vermilion crest, if you recalled, but the two couldn't be compared. The reason being…
‘That thing is a living creature.’
Unlike the crest, which was likened to a phenomenon, what had appeared was undeniably a living being. It was something with a vast body that even the clouds couldn't hide. If anything, that thing would be more terrifying.
What in the world is that? Did this mean it wasn't over yet? As such thoughts brought despair to people’s faces…
[Krrrrrrrrrrung---!!!]
A roar, rough enough to shake the ground, echoed out. Could it be? Was that roar from that monster? It was unbelievable. And so, everyone raised their guard, staring at the monster.
“…Something is coming.”
From the writhing being in the sky, something could be seen detaching itself. What slowly descended was, surprisingly, a person. A figure with hands clasped behind its back, its black uniform fluttering. It was clearly the shape of a person.
“…N-no way. Th-that person is.”
Someone, recognizing the figure’s identity, exclaimed in shock.
“…The Heavenly Demon…!”
The quietly whispered words somehow sounded exceptionally loud. The very person who called himself the Heavenly Demon and revealed he was behind this attack. The mysterious group currently creating a bloodbath across the Central Plains. The leader of the Demonic Cult.
The Heavenly Demon. He had revealed himself once again.
I clutched my heart as I ‘watched’ the Heavenly Demon slowly descend.
‘A fraction of a quarter-hour….’
Let’s just endure for that long. The limit of what my mind and Qi could withstand. I focused, recalling that limit.
This was it. This was the final operation I had prepared for them.
* * *
Ruuuuuumble—!!
Far away, a massive shadow was cast over the skies of Henan. It was a situation visible even from a considerable distance. It seemed something extraordinary was happening.
“…Hoo… damn it.”
Watching the scene, a giant man with dark green hair—Tang Duk—furrowed his brow.
“…This is bad.”
He had remembered something he had forgotten. He had been so caught up in the heat of the moment that it had slipped his mind. He remembered his master’s order to arrive without delay.
“...”
At this realization, Tang Duk’s face began to turn pale. The moment he admitted he had forgotten, he was certain to face something quite severe.
Shlick-!
Foreseeing a brutal end, Tang Duk pulled the blade embedded in his abdomen and threw it to the ground. Blood immediately gushed from the wound, but Tang Duk paid it no mind. The pain he would suffer later was far more terrifying than his current agony.
“This is all your fault.”
Tang Duk glared resentfully at someone. It was the owner of the weapon that had been stuck in his body, the person he had been trading blows with until just now.
A young man, on one knee on the ground, catching his breath. The Great Saint Blade, Peng Woojin. He stared back at Tang Duk, his appearance a complete mess.
His left arm was twisted into a grotesque shape. Blood was pouring from a piercing wound in his abdomen. He looked as if he could collapse at any moment. Yet, even in such a state, Peng Woojin didn't even scream. He just burned with fervor. As if to say it wasn't over, that he would do more.
At that crazed gaze, Tang Duk finally broke into a smile.
“As expected. You’re fun. I like you.”
“...”
The smiling Tang Duk didn't look much better. His wrist dangled as if it would be severed with a single touch, and the blade that had been embedded in him hadn't just pierced him but had been in the process of slicing through his torso. In other words, it had been stopped mid-slice through his waist.
They both looked no different from walking corpses. The only difference was that Peng Woojin was kneeling while Tang Duk was standing. That made it all the more regrettable.
“If I had my way, I’d want to kill you no matter what….”
Thud.
Tang Duk gripped his guandao and slung it over his shoulder.
“Unfortunately, if I’m any later, I’ll be killed not by you, but by someone else.”
“…Are you… planning to run…?”
“It just turned out that way.”
After speaking, Tang Duk gave Peng Woojin a deeper smile.
“…I’m, not yet….”
“What’s your name?”
He didn't continue the conversation, instead asking for a name. Hearing this, Peng Woojin spat out blood and answered.
“Peng Woojin….”
“I am Tang Duk.”
They exchanged names. It was hardly a friendly scene; their voices were thick with killing intent.
“I’ll kill you next time, Peng Woojin.”
“…Wait….”
BOOM—!!
Finishing his words, Tang Duk leaped away, trailing blood. Watching him, Peng Woojin staggered, supporting himself on the ground. The surroundings were devastated by the aftermath of their battle. It was hard to believe this place had once been a forest.
“Cough.”
Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Peng Woojin looked behind him. Amidst the ruined forest, a single tree barely stood. Leaning against it was a corpse. It was his father, Peng Jeowoo.
Peng Woojin had suffered a fatal wound in order to protect that body. The final image of the father he had killed with his own hands. Looking at it, Peng Woojin let out a faint smile.
“…Truly… useless to the very end.”
With those final words, Peng Woojin collapsed and lost consciousness. Not long after, he was discovered by a Murim Alliance search party that had been investigating the thunderous noise.