Swish—!
A sword blade covered in sword aura drifted through the air.
Shraaak—!
There was no pause, and the blades were numerous.
A sword path that even appeared chaotic.
And yet, within it, a clear pattern existed.
The coordination honed through arduous years.
Movements meant to cut off the opponent’s routes and punish them.
Dozens of swords moved in harmony like that.
Solely to capture one man.
Judging only by the situation, it was a flow no one could possibly withstand.
And yet, astonishingly, the opponent was enduring the assault as though it were nothing.
Watching this, the branch leader of the Martial Alliance’s Guangdong Branch—
Wi Seok, a Hwagyeong martial artist, had no choice but to furrow his brow.
‘What?’
Boom—!
“Guh!”
Amid the chaotic scene, someone was sent soaring into the sky.
Starting with one man—
Boom! Boom-boom!
The Martial Alliance’s martial artists began collapsing one after another.
‘What in the world is that…!’
Wi Seok had to widen his eyes at the sight.
It was a typhoon.
A typhoon made of swords was raging there. How could that man remain so calm?
He was like the eye of the storm.
His sword techniques were flashy and precise.
Guangdong was a place where heterodox martial artists were especially rampant.
The men there had been trained to capture not only monsters but criminals as well.
Was their realm too low? That was not the case, either.
According to the report he had received from Seodong, the man was presumed to be at least a Hwagyeong martial artist, which was why Wi Seok had come with a force composed of powerful men.
All first-rate and lower martial artists had been excluded.
Every one of them was a Peak martial artist.
In addition, there were two squad leaders and Wi Seok himself, a Hwagyeong martial artist.
In terms of strength, they were more than capable of capturing what was commonly called a “family-head-level” martial artist.
And yet, their opponent appeared completely untroubled.
The sword rushed in with a sharp hiss.
No.
It tried to.
Clang—!
The man thrusting his sword suddenly dropped it when a tremendous impact struck him.
Crack—!
“Geurk!”
A second impact followed, and he collapsed with his eyes rolled back.
While one man fell, two men from behind rushed in.
But the result was the same.
They desperately swung their swords.
Bang—!
“Gasp!”
“Urgh!”
Their directions twisted, and their sword paths crumbled.
The impacts that followed sent them flying far away.
Every single one of those sent flying lost consciousness.
Barely a quarter of a gak had passed since the battle began.
“Uuugh….”
“Urrgh….”
Groans filled the once-spacious plain.
Sharp swords were stuck in the earth, or lay scattered across the field as though abandoned.
“...”
The expression on Wi Seok’s face was filled with shock as he looked upon it.
While everyone lay collapsed on the ground, gasping in pain—
A young man stood at the center of it all.
He was holding the collar of the man who had attacked him moments ago.
Without even a drop of sweat on him, he casually surveyed his surroundings with dry eyes.
Then he gave a small laugh and spoke.
“Looks like you were all sleepy. Just how tired were you to lie down this early? Don’t you think?”
“...”
Wi Seok could not answer the question.
He was too busy trying to comprehend the situation.
‘This is bad.’
So many martial artists had fallen in no more than that brief span of time.
What was more—
‘They’re all still breathing.’
They were merely gasping harshly. Not a single one of them was dead.
It meant he had subdued them all without killing them.
Thud.
When the young man released him, the man whose collar he had been holding also collapsed limply.
Now, only Wi Seok and that young man remained standing on the plain.
Looking at this, Wi Seok felt something cold crawl down his spine.
‘He’s different.’
His youthful appearance and incongruous air.
That alone was more than enough to put him on guard, but from the way he had fought, Wi Seok had sensed much more.
‘He never let me enter.’
While countless men had been fighting in a tangled melee, Wi Seok should have intervened to subdue the man.
But he had been unable to.
It was not because he had merely stood by and watched.
‘He intended it.’
He had fitted every movement together so that Wi Seok could not join the battle.
Because of that, Wi Seok had been unable to properly lift a finger while his subordinates fell.
‘How could he do that?’
How could he create such a situation in the midst of such complexity?
That was only possible for someone with extraordinarily extensive experience fighting multiple opponents.
“...”
Wiping away the sweat running down his face, Wi Seok opened his mouth.
“…There is something I wish to ask.”
At those words, Gu Yangcheon smiled.
“In a situation like this? What an interesting fellow.”
“Gu Gwonjeokma, Do Mungang.”
“Hm?”
At the somewhat familiar name, Gu Yangcheon tilted his head.
“Were you the one who killed him?”
“Hmm….”
Do Mungang, was it? Do Mungang.
“Ah.”
He remembered.
“That guy.”
The man he had killed a few days ago.
His name had probably been Do Mungang.
‘The one who had been loitering around the secret vault.’
One of the reasons Gu Yangcheon had come here—
Was the secret vault containing the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.
He had clashed with the man who had been lurking around it.
‘Once we crossed blades, I found out he was a heterodox martial artist, so I think I killed him.’
Had he been one of the Five Demonic Emperors?
He seemed to have said so himself in the middle of their fight.
Gu Yangcheon had not paid much attention to it.
‘He was too weak to be called that.’
He had no idea how the man had come to be called one of the Five Demonic Emperors, but in Gu Yangcheon’s judgment, Do Mungang had not reached that level.
Seeing Gu Yangcheon’s reaction, Wi Seok swallowed a groan.
“…As I thought.”
“How did you know?”
Gu Yangcheon did not seem particularly interested in hiding it.
“I believed Do Mungang’s sudden death a few days ago was connected to the appearance of a master like yourself in a nearby area.”
“Ah.”
Only then did Gu Yangcheon understand Wi Seok’s actions.
“So that’s why you brought this much force?”
“…My answer is the same as before. I merely wished to escort you with due courtesy.”
“But if I said no, you intended to take me by force.”
“...”
Wi Seok did not respond to Gu Yangcheon’s words.
He simply—
Shing.
Drew his sword and pointed it at Gu Yangcheon.
“What is your purpose…?”
“This uncle is funny. Your side tried to capture me, and you’re asking what my purpose is….”
“This situation was one you deliberately created, was it not?”
Gu Yangcheon’s smile vanished.
“Oh.”
A brief exclamation escaped him.
Gu Yangcheon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Wi Seok.
“On what grounds?”
“I saw the report submitted by my subordinate. It said that a master who had tamed a monster had been discovered.”
As he spoke, Wi Seok looked toward the fallen Seodong.
“It also mentioned that, for some reason, you had recently been searching for information about the notorious murderer.”
“But.”
“I did not think too deeply about it. Now, however, I find it strange.”
“What do you find strange?”
Gulp.
Wi Seok swallowed dryly and looked at Gu Yangcheon.
“How you managed to leave him alive to submit a report.”
“...”
“There was nothing in that information that would have been good for others to learn. Even though you could have obtained enough information and killed him afterward, you deliberately allowed my subordinate to live and report to me.”
The death of Gu Gwonjeokma.
The appearance of an unidentified master at the same time.
On top of that, he was searching for a murderer and accompanied by a monster capable of devouring a red monster.
“Did you perhaps show me that information deliberately?”
To ensure it reached him.
Had this man intended it all along?
That thought crossed Wi Seok’s mind.
Hearing it, Gu Yangcheon said—
“You’re smarter than you look.”
He did not deny it any more than he had before.
That reaction only made Wi Seok more uneasy.
“…What in the world is your purpose?”
“My purpose?”
Crack.
Gu Yangcheon lightly loosened his body.
“Originally, I intended to visit the branch myself before leaving.”
“The Guangdong Branch?”
“That’s right. I had some business there.”
“What business…?”
“But there’s no need for that anymore. The business I had came right to me, didn’t it?”
As he spoke, Gu Yangcheon pointed at something with his hand.
Wi Seok flinched.
The tip of his finger was pointing at none other than Wi Seok himself.
“…Are you saying your purpose is me?”
“Not exactly a purpose. More like something I have to pass through?”
“Why in the world?”
Wi Seok asked, unable to hide his confusion.
He had never given someone like this a reason to bear a grudge against him.
Nor could he think of any reason they might have become entangled.
And yet, his purpose was himself? Wi Seok could not understand.
Gu Yangcheon looked at Wi Seok and spoke.
“Do you need more explanation?”
“...”
“Either way, there’s only one thing you need to do now, isn’t there?”
Hearing Gu Yangcheon’s words, Wi Seok bit his lip as a certain matter suddenly came to mind.
“…There was a report that spread through the Martial Alliance’s messengers.”
It was news he had heard only seven days ago.
“It said that several important members of the Martial Alliance had recently been assassinated throughout the Central Plains.”
“Wow, there’s a story like that?”
Gu Yangcheon made a face as if he had heard something fascinating.
Wi Seok could only furrow his brow.
“Are you the culprit?”
“What do you think?”
Step.
When Gu Yangcheon took a step forward, Wi Seok also raised his energy.
He cooled his mind.
Having witnessed the battle just now, he could not afford to let his guard down.
‘Whatever his intentions, I will not retreat.’
Saaah—!
Sword aura gathered around Wi Seok’s sword.
The fighting spirit bursting from him enveloped his surroundings.
He would go all out from the beginning.
It would have been better if he had subdued the man in advance with the help of his subordinates, but since that had failed, he could not hesitate.
‘Target his lower body.’
Having made that judgment, Wi Seok moved.
Just as he was about to swing his sword through the air—
Crack!
“…!”
Before he could even properly catch the flow of his movement, Wi Seok’s arm twisted.
Gu Yangcheon had appeared beside him and shattered his joint.
“Uuugh!”
But Wi Seok soon twisted his body again, switching the sword to his other hand despite his mangled arm.
Crack! Crunch!
His movements were sealed before they could even begin.
His knee gave way, and an impact slammed into his chest.
“Cough!”
Thud.
Wi Seok fell helplessly to his knees.
A trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth. Only a single exchange had passed, yet Wi Seok’s body had already been reduced to a wreck.
“Geur… uugh….”
Wi Seok stared at Gu Yangcheon in disbelief.
Standing over him, Gu Yangcheon looked down without a trace of emotion in his eyes.
“I asked you earlier, didn’t I? Why were you my purpose?”
“…Kh… huff….”
“It’s not as though I hold a grudge against you as you are now.”
Gu Yangcheon lowered his gaze slightly and met Wi Seok’s eyes.
“I have a little business with the you of the past.”
“…What… what are you… saying…?”
“Did you know?”
A glint passed through Gu Yangcheon’s blue eyes.
“In the war that will take place about three years from now, you’ll be put in charge of a fairly decent unit.”
The Snow Blossom Unit, was it? He thought that was its name.
“It was a fairly good unit. The squad leader there was quite competent.”
His voice was playful, but an inexplicable aura constricted Wi Seok’s breath.
“But after doing so well, those bastards betrayed us halfway through.”
“…Huff… huff….”
“In the process, a woman who had been standing at the forefront was struck by a blade and nearly died.”
“What… what in the world… are you talking about…?”
“She was bleeding like crazy, and I carried her on my back and ran like a madman. It was raining, too.”
A back soaked in blood.
Rain pouring down as though trying to wash it away.
The cave to which they had fled.
“Even now, remembering that day puts me in a foul mood.”
It was a memory he had never forgotten for even a moment.
And so, looking at the Wi Seok of the present, Gu Yangcheon had something he absolutely needed to say.
“That’s why I wanted to see you.”
“That’s… impossible….”
Crack.
Wi Seok could not continue speaking.
Gu Yangcheon had swung his fist and crushed his head.
Thud!
Wi Seok’s headless body collapsed to the ground.
Gu Yangcheon roughly wiped the blood from his hand onto his clothes and rose.
Then he immediately walked somewhere.
Tap, tap.
Among the fallen men, he nudged someone with his foot.
“I know you’re awake.”
“…!”
The person Gu Yangcheon was nudging was Seodong.
Seodong, who had fainted during the battle, had regained consciousness moments ago.
Gu Yangcheon spoke to him.
“You won’t be able to get up right away, so don’t force yourself. Just listen.”
“…P-please… spare… me….”
“I’m not going to kill you, so don’t be scared. I’m still talking, so don’t interrupt me. Otherwise, I might cut something else off.”
“...”
Seodong’s mouth snapped shut at Gu Yangcheon’s words.
“I just killed your branch leader, you know?”
“...”
“So what should you do now?”
“...”
“You can answer this one.”
“…! I’ll never tell anyone…! I’ll stay silent until the day I die…!”
“No, that’s not it.”
Gu Yangcheon seemed dissatisfied with Seodong’s response.
“If you’re a member of the Martial Alliance’s sword unit, reputed to be overflowing with chivalry, you shouldn’t do that, should you? You have to follow procedure.”
“What… what do you mean…?”
“You’re good at writing reports. Do the same thing. Write down everything that happened and report exactly what you saw.”
As Gu Yangcheon said this, his eyes were clearly smiling.
“And as for the culprit’s information, write it like this.”
Gu Yangcheon drew close to Seodong and spoke.
“Write: Heavenly Demon (天魔).”
Seodong’s body trembled at the voice.
“That’s the reason I spared you just now. Remember it well, all right?”
“…Wait….”
Smack!
“Cough.”
With nothing more to say, Gu Yangcheon struck the back of Seodong’s neck and knocked him unconscious again.
Thus, no one around them remained conscious.
Except Gu Yangcheon—and the young man watching him.
“It looks like things here are more or less finished….”
Gu Yangcheon spoke as though summing things up and shifted his gaze.
Toward Sword Demon, who was leaning against the base of a tree.
Sword Demon’s eyes were wide with disbelief at the situation unfolding before him.
Gu Yangcheon spoke to him.
“Hey.”
“…!”
Sword Demon was startled at the call.
Gu Yangcheon, who had not even properly wiped the blood splattered across his face, was exceptionally terrifying.
And yet, for some reason, Sword Demon could not take his eyes off him.
Gu Yangcheon asked,
“What’s your name?”
“...”
It was a casual question.
Sword Demon hesitated before answering.
For some reason, he felt as though he absolutely had to respond.
“…Yul… Seongyul.”
“Seongyul?”
Hearing the name, Gu Yangcheon laughed hollowly.
“That name doesn’t suit you at all. What’s with that name that makes you sound so harmless?”
With that, he turned and began walking away.
After taking several steps, Gu Yangcheon turned his head and looked at Seongyul.
“What are you doing? Follow me.”
“…!”
Follow him?
As Seongyul stood there bewildered, Gu Yangcheon continued.
“Ah, if you don’t want to come, tell me now.”
Just as Seongyul began wondering whether he could refuse—
“Because I’ll have to break your legs and carry you if you do.”
“...”
At those words, Seongyul cautiously rose to his feet.