〈 Episode 561 〉 This Venerable One.
*Vrrrrr—!*
Just as an inexplicable vibration began to reverberate through the air.
Amidst the slightly flurried ranks of Wudang, Ubaek sat across from Geomhu.
Warm tea sat between them, and the weather was clear, yet
the atmosphere between the two was no different from the dead of winter.
"Things have taken an unfortunate turn."
After a brief silence, Geomhu raised her head at Ubaek's words.
Geomhu's eyes were not their usual gentle gaze; her pupils were like shards of frost.
"You call this regrettable… now?"
Rage filled Geomhu's voice.
"Your Wudang caused this mess, yet how can you be so brazen?"
"There seems to be a great deal of misunderstanding. We merely grasped the circumstances and responded accordingly."
"Is that what you call responding accordingly—throwing guests who came to Wudang on business into a dungeon?"
"Geomhu."
*Ssk.*
Ubaek spoke and drew something out before Geomhu. It was a bracelet made of jade.
It was a bracelet that had been stolen at dawn,
and an item that had just been discovered in Ouyang Tian's quarters.
"Can you still speak as you do, even after seeing this?"
"..."
"We exercised the utmost caution for a precious transaction with Huashan. As this Liming was once called the symbol of Wudang, it is truly a precious item to us as well."
The bracelet, Liming (Dawn).
It was a treasured item of one who had been Wudang's representative martial artist and called the Wudang Absolute Sword.
"Thus, when Huashan wished to exchange Liming and Gwi-jeong, we were filled with great joy. That is precisely why we prepared so meticulously."
Geomhu listened to Ubaek's words in silence.
Without offering any rebuttal.
"In the midst of all that, the item was stolen. And afterward, we discovered this in the quarters of one of the guests we had trusted. Thus, we took appropriate measures."
Ubaek spoke flatly, yet Geomhu let out a hollow laugh upon hearing this.
"What a laughable turn of phrase."
"A turn of phrase…?"
"Do you disagree? You call them guests you trusted. Yet you never trusted the children from the very beginning."
From making them wear the Yeon-uiseon on their wrists,
to every measure you deployed afterward.
It was a situation with far too many problems to claim you trusted outsiders.
Ubaek smiled at her words and replied.
"And yet, no problems arose."
"Elder Wu…!"
At Ubaek's attitude, Geomhu's voice finally rose.
"So you throw them in a dungeon without even hearing their side of the story?"
"Had it been merely a problem with the treasured item, I might not have gone so far. However."
*Kkigigik.*
Ubaek's eyebrows contorted severely.
"Our child met his death."
"…That…!"
It was suicide, wasn't it—
Geomhu had been about to say that, but she had to close her mouth.
Because she could not carelessly utter such words when a disciple had just died.
And,
Ubaek knew Geomhu's temperament all too well.
"A person has died. A talent destined to lead Wudang met his death overnight. The circumstances suggest suicide, but I absolutely do not believe it."
"…Then, Elder Wu, do you mean to say you believe our children committed such a deed?"
"Rather than thinking so, I simply cannot definitively rule it out."
The circumstances were what they were.
The very day the guests visited, the treasured item was compromised.
That day, a disciple of Wudang met his death.
And the lost treasured item was found in the quarters of one of the guests.
They say the circumstances are more than sufficient.
"In such a situation, what exactly displeases you, Geomhu?"
Frost settled in Ubaek's eyes.
"Surely you aren't asking us to show leniency simply because they are from Great Huashan?"
"That is not it. I ask whether it is right to throw someone in a dungeon based on mere suspicion."
"The circumstances are so clear—do you expect us to observe every courtesy? If such a thing happened in Huashan, could you truly act as you say?"
Her head throbbed.
Geomhu felt a stifling tightness in her chest at Ubaek's words.
Though there was nothing wrong with his words,
from Geomhu's position, it was a situation filled with doubt and frustration.
From the very beginning—
'Just what scheme are you brewing, Biseonggeom.'
It was because she knew he had been trying to start something in Wudang that she felt this way even more.
Going by the countermeasures and instincts of a man like Ubaek, she could tell he had intended to do something in this matter,
and originally, Geomhu had intended to use him for this purpose.
That was why she had accepted their intention to make her briefly leave her post while guarding the treasured item.
At Geomhu's level, she could perceive such things.
However—
'The incident erupted during that brief gap.'
As expected, an incident occurred while Geomhu was away from her post.
No, even that was not certain.
Because the incident had occurred some time after that.
However, Geomhu was convinced that the incident had erupted during her absence.
The faint presence she had subtly sensed throughout her watch—
because it had vanished the moment she left her seat.
It was certain something had happened then, but Geomhu did not know exactly what had happened.
Hiding her complicated emotions, Geomhu spoke up.
"Was it not Elder Wu who committed the discourtesy first in trying to forestall the incident? Have you forgotten?"
"Discourtesy?"
"You had the Yeon-uiseon forcibly placed on them for the purpose of surveillance. Not to mention—"
Suppressing the Dao energy that kept trying to rise, Geomhu furrowed her fine brows and continued.
"Did you not say you failed to detect any movement from the child?"
"..."
The item had been found in Ouyang Tian's drawer.
Given multiple incidents had erupted, imprisoning him had a certain degree of fairness to it,
but there was one problem.
It concerned the countermeasures Wudang had taken just prior.
They had even requested the Yeon-uiseon to monitor the other party's movements.
Moreover—
at the time the incident erupted, Ouyang Tian had not moved at all.
"Did you not confirm that personally?"
Throughout the previous night, Ouyang Tian had remained in his quarters without going anywhere.
Yet, right after the incident, Wudang's treasured item was found in Ouyang Tian's drawer?
This strongly suggested the problem lay elsewhere.
"You who prepared so meticulously to prevent a problem—are you not ignoring the actual evidence?"
"…Geomhu, I say again. The circumstances were what they were."
"The child is the culprit merely because an item came out of his drawer? Then, are you saying that child is truly the Fengyun Guidao?"
"Is that not a possibility?"
"Ha…."
They could not reach an understanding.
Both thought so.
What was to be done? She could not back down like this.
Even so, Geomhu was recalling a certain young man in her heart.
From what had once been a small boy.
Several years had flown by—
of that young man who so greatly resembled his father.
'What are you thinking?'
Even as she argued fiercely with Ubaek, that was her only thought.
Why was that?
They had not even exchanged proper greetings yet.
Yet when she recalled that young man, she felt as though all of this was tangled together with him.
As always—
in great events, Ouyang Tian somehow stood at the center.
The current incident was no different.
Each time, Geomhu had thought,
perhaps, just as in the past,
this complicated incident as well—
might somehow involve Ouyang Tian at its center.
If so, did that mean the current matter ultimately involved that child's intentions as well?
'I do not know.'
What that child intended to do.
Or perhaps this too was merely her own delusion.
She would never have entertained such thoughts ordinarily.
'Was seeing him in person the problem?'
The moment she saw Ouyang Tian, she had sensed something.
That something had changed.
A gaze that looked further into the distance.
And an aura that was unusually distinct.
Far from concealing it, the aura he displayed seemed all the more alien.
How should she describe it?
Because he seemed to be showing it, as if asking to be acknowledged.
Proclaiming, 'I am at this level. Precisely this much.'
That was the impression he gave.
'I do not believe he is hiding his strength.'
Yet even the strength he displayed was far too outstanding.
A physique and aura that had clearly surpassed the Transformation Realm—how could such a thing be achieved at that age?
It was a value that seemed impossible even when witnessed with one's own eyes.
That was precisely why.
That child had always looked further ahead than the present.
Could it be that this time too, he had woven in some intention?
Such doubt merely flickered across her mind.
"…Geomhu."
At Ubaek's voice, Geomhu returned to her senses.
She recalled that now was not the time to be thinking of Ouyang Tian.
"Whatever your opinion may be, this matter will be handled according to principle."
Ubaek's position remained unchanged.
"Moreover, the Alliance Lord will arrive before long. This matter can wait until then—"
*Woong—!*
"…!"
"…!?"
Just as Ubaek tried to finish his words,
Geomhu and Ubaek raised their heads simultaneously.
And immediately rose and rushed outside.
Upon exiting, numerous martial artists could already be seen with their heads raised, staring at the sky.
"Wh-What… what is that?"
"Why are you just standing there! Contact the Alliance immediately…!"
"Summon the Sword Squad!"
Amidst the urgently moving Taoists,
Ubaek observed their reactions and looked in the direction they were watching.
There,
"Hu…!"
Something floating in the sky coiled its massive body and looked down at them.
Its massive body was large enough to cast a shadow across the ground.
"What…?"
Ubaek's eyes widened at that overwhelming size.
*Krrrrrr…-*
Though low, it was bizarre enough to reverberate through the air.
"A demonic beast…?"
"There was no report of a demon realm gate opening nearby…?"
"Be on guard! There's no telling what might happen!"
Judging by the color of its scales, it appeared to be a blue-grade demonic beast,
but the majesty it exuded was absolutely not.
That size, that presence—it was absolutely not on the level of a blue-grade demonic beast.
Cold sweat ran down Ubaek's wrinkled skin.
"…What in the world is that…?"
It was clearly a demonic beast,
but that aside—
"How did it enter Wudang without anyone noticing?"
The problem was that a demonic beast of that size had appeared here without any warning.
Something that large should have been visible while moving,
and if a demon realm gate had opened nearby, the demon warning talisman should have notified them.
'There was no reaction whatsoever.'
Until that demonic beast had expressed its aura in the sky,
it meant no one had known of its appearance.
A dangerous one indeed.
Ubaek's instincts told him so.
But—
"Maintain your formation! It's only a demonic beast!"
Ubaek rallied the Taoists with a loud voice.
Yes, it was only a demonic beast.
They did not know what it was, but this was the heart of Wudang,
and they had gathered their full strength under the pretext of stopping the Fengyun Guidao.
Surely they could stop a mere demonic beast….
"E-Elder! Something is descending!"
"What…?"
At the Taoist's words, Ubaek focused his eyes.
Then he saw it.
Something was falling from that demonic beast.
As the speed of the fall increased and the outline grew clearer, he realized it was a person.
Soon—
*Kuuuung—!*
Someone struck the ground with a *Thud!*, kicking up a gust of wind.
Amidst the rushing wind, Ubaek's brow furrowed.
The thick gust soon subsided,
but at the center, alongside a fierce crater, someone was rising to his feet.
It was a giant.
A giant of an enormous physique.
He rose, shouldering a spear as large as his own body.
At the same time—
*Pussssss….*
"Kuk…!"
"Hub…!"
An enormous fighting spirit spread from the giant's body.
The vicious fighting spirit caused the surrounding Taoists to stagger.
Ubaek bit his lip and swung his hand.
*Whoosh!* Dao energy burst forth and began pushing back the giant's fighting spirit, but—
"…This…!"
Ubaek immediately realized the opponent's energy was no trivial matter.
It was because the clear Dao energy was being trampled and devoured by the opponent's energy.
"This…!"
What in the world was this situation?
Just as Ubaek processed his confusion at the sudden situation—
"Shut your mouths."
The giant spat out the words in a heavy voice.
"The Cult Lord has not yet set foot. Do not even breathe carelessly."
"What in the world are you…!"
At those incomprehensible words, Ubaek tried to switch stances, surging with greater Dao energy, but—
in that moment—
*Kuuuuuuuuuu—!*
"…!"
Darkness descended upon the surroundings.
The bright midday was devoured by darkness in an instant,
and the surroundings were enclosed by an unknown black barrier.
In this bizarre situation—
*Kung—!*
The giant knelt in respect.
Then—
Ubaek raised his head and looked into the sky.
Because he could feel it.
That something was descending from that distant sky.
*Flutter—!*
A robe resembling darkness fluttered in the wind.
Unlike the giant who had plummeted down, slowly—
something was descending very slowly.
*Tsueeeeeugh—!*
As the unidentified entity descended,
light began to gather in the sky.
"Hu…!?"
Ubaek gasped.
It was the sun.
The light was gathering, creating a sun.
An energy that seemed at once blue and black was not bright, yet clearly emitted light,
and it created light in the darkness-enveloped surroundings.
At that impossible sight, everyone was speechless.
The slowly descending figure set foot on the ground.
*Tap.*
As its toes touched the ground,
Ubaek measured the figure who had landed before the giant.
Clad in a dark, ink-colored martial robe, standing ramrod straight with hands clasped behind its back.
Judging by physique, it was clearly male, yet certainty was impossible.
The face could not be seen properly due to the unknown mask.
However—
that beyond the mask, blue eye light was shining brilliantly.
Ubaek spoke as he looked at this opponent.
"…Who are you? What is your identity?"
A rough voice.
As the one responsible for this situation, a pleasant tone was impossible.
Then—
*Thud—!*
The masked figure took a step.
Several calm steps were clearly heading toward Ubaek.
At this, *Sriing!* Ubaek drew his sword, and the surrounding Taoists also drew their weapons.
The Dao energy and fighting spirit surging from the Taoists intertwined and grew stronger, yet—
the figure merely continued walking, as though such energy was of no concern.
Five steps thus.
The figure stopped and looked around.
Everyone was staring at him with swords drawn.
Seeing this, the figure tilted his head,
and spat out a brief remark.
"Your heads are held high. This Venerable One does not particularly like such gazes."
"…What?"
"Therefore. First."
*Deudeuk—!*
"Kneel."
*Kuuung—!*
"Kkeoeok!"
"Eeok!"
At the brief command, the Taoists' bodies crumbled.
*Thud, thud!*
They tried desperately to resist, but one by one, their knees buckled against their will.
A few barely held themselves up with their swords, but that was the extent of it.
Only Ubaek, being of elder rank, managed to endure.
His shoulders trembled violently, but he refused to bend his knees.
Of course, his eyes remained wide with shock at the situation.
"What… kind of being are you…."
Ubaek asked, barely suppressing his trembling.
Then, the figure let out a laugh.
"Pleasant."
Amidst the heavy, overwhelming aura,
the blue eye light blazed distinctly. Ubaek felt somehow unable to look at that gaze for long.
"This Venerable One is."
The figure who had forced all the surrounding martial artists to their knees with a single utterance
spoke as he looked at Ubaek, who was slowly being drenched in sweat.
"The Heavenly Demon."