< Episode 597 > Jegal
Uuuuuung.
Inside my body, demonic energy stirred ceaselessly.
Pain followed in its wake.
My body had been struggling to recover, but now that I was forcibly drawing upon energy again, it was screaming in agony.
If I made even a slight mistake, my recovery here would be further delayed.
But.
I had no choice.
I looked at the old man facing me.
Even while seated, his size was considerable.
Not only was his frame massive, but the muscles packed upon it were tremendous.
If I were to compare, precisely the First Elder. He rivaled that old man in bulk.
By all accounts, the Jegal Clan was clearly a place focused on installing formations and mechanisms.
They were said to prioritize other things over actual martial might.
To think his martial prowess would be this high.
‘He feels like he’s far surpassed the Transformation Realm.’
The Elder I had killed at Wudang last time.
He looked far stronger than that one.
He probably wasn’t on the level of the heads of the Nine Great Sects or the Four Great Clans.
But I could feel a strength comparable to them.
‘So he is…’
…the one with the Jegal surname who was said to be causing trouble in Henan right now.
I had to let out a hollow laugh as I looked at the old man.
I was surprised.
This time, I was truly surprised.
If I hadn’t been wearing a mask, my expression would have been completely exposed.
‘Damn.’
What was the reason for my surprise?
Because the old man’s martial prowess far exceeded my expectations? No.
Then because a figure from the Jegal Clan looked so strong? That wasn’t it either.
The reason was none other than this.
It was precisely because the old man was someone I knew.
I even knew him well.
I knew that old man very well.
‘That old man was a descendant of the Jegal Clan?’
The old man’s identity was none other than this.
In my past life, he belonged to the Heavenly Demon’s direct force within the Demonic Cult.
The Commander of the Heavenly Luo Black Net Division.
‘Pilduma.’
That old man was him.
Pilduma was an expert who wielded a blunt weapon.
I couldn’t remember the name. No, it didn’t matter anyway.
‘That was probably fake too.’
No matter what name he used, it would have been an alias.
He was the one leading the descendants of the now-fallen Jegal Family.
His real name was obviously something like Jegal So-and-so, so looking at this…
‘He was using an alias even when active as a demonic human.’
That was likely the correct judgment.
Furthermore.
Seeing that he was now a descendant of the Jegal Family, I could gain one realization.
‘No wonder.’
In the past, the Heavenly Luo Black Net Division was simultaneously the Heavenly Demon’s direct force.
It was the unit that Cheon Yurangah Jegal Hyeok had handled the most.
When Jegal Hyeok faced problems, they were the ones who took charge of his protection.
The reason I had targeted the Heavenly Luo Black Net Division first to deal with Cheon Yurangah was also because of that.
I had thought there were strangely many incidents connecting Cheon Yurangah and the Heavenly Luo Black Net Division.
‘Was it because they were both of the Jegal surname?’
This was only speculation, but looking at the circumstances, I was half-convinced.
‘If so, it means Jegal Hyeok knew, and of course the Heavenly Demon also knew.’
Anyway, it didn’t matter.
It was only surprising that Pilduma was a figure from the Jegal Family.
Rather, it was a good thing.
Because a piece of the puzzle had fallen into place.
I hid my expression and spoke to Pilduma.
"Then, I shall call you the Heavenly Luo Commander."
"…As you wish."
Tap.
Pilduma spat out his words and placed something before him.
It was a liquor cup.
"I have no fine liquor worthy of treating a guest."
I smiled faintly at Pilduma’s words.
He had quite the nerve. Offering liquor to someone who had suddenly barged in.
"I wasn’t particularly planning on drinking."
"I see."
He didn’t seem particularly bothered by the refusal.
Of course.
‘He’s too busy probing me right now.’
I could feel his gaze, pretending to be calm.
Pilduma was trying to figure out exactly what kind of person I was.
I rested my chin on my hand and quietly stared back at him.
If you can see, then by all means, take a good look.
It was an action filled with such intention.
"…"
Having confirmed this, Pilduma corrected his gaze.
He had quickly realized it was a meaningless act.
‘Do you know how much this mask cost?’
A cherished item of the Yeonga given by the Dark King.
Unlike those other dogshit-tier precious items, this was a truly efficient object.
Not only did it make it impossible to see the inside of the mask even using internal energy, but it also had the power to conceal the physical condition and realm of a person like me.
For someone like me whose face reveals everything when I lie, it was the perfect item.
In the moment we were quietly exchanging gazes, Pilduma was the first to speak to me.
"I heard you deactivated the formation and entered. How did you do it?"
So his sudden question was about the formation.
Well, it was natural to be curious.
Anyone could see that what was deployed around here wasn’t an ordinary formation.
It was deployed so covertly as to seem almost invisible.
Even if discovered, it was so complex and intricate that it couldn’t be easily dismantled.
Although I don’t know much about formations, even I could tell without doubt that this was an incredible formation.
However.
"It wasn’t bad for a trivial prank."
It just wasn’t much of a problem for me.
Ah.
‘Well, it wasn’t me but Seongyul.’
It was Seongyul who dismantled the formation.
No, should I even call it dismantling? He just sliced through it with his sword and it was over.
In my past life, several people had to work together for a long time to dismantle a single formation.
I was at the point of wondering if it could really be that easy.
‘I’m glad I brought him.’
Even if I knew the location, I had said I wouldn’t be able to enter because of the formation.
There was something amusing about this too.
When I had asked how he knew the location since he came blindfolded.
Sinui had spoken of this.
‘Didn’t he say he figured it out by memorizing every step?’
It meant he had memorized every road he walked while coming and going.
I thought one needed at least that much brains to become the greatest in the Central Plains.
Anyway.
Hearing that, I brought Seongyul.
It was because I recalled his appearance dismantling a formation with his sword last time.
As expected, Seongyul easily dismantled the formation.
I let out a hollow laugh seeing that.
‘This bastard and that bastard. Anyway, I don’t like any of them.’
When I asked how on earth he did it, Seongyul replied:
"For some reason, that spot felt unpleasant."
He uttered the same words.
It really pissed me off. This is why geniuses….
‘Right, there were guys like that in my past life too.’
Right away, that bastard Uhyeok would say he heard something or other and destroy formations.
In this life, Namgung Bia would also handle formations by saying something about the smell and then cutting them down.
Seeing that all three, including Seongyul, were monstrous geniuses.
‘Should I consider formations to be included in talent after all?’
It was a pointless thing to think about now.
It was best to just accept it and move on.
What mattered now was only Pilduma’s reaction upon hearing this.
The old man’s eyes were not joking.
Was it because I had ignored the formation?
‘Well, it was that level of formation.’
What would have happened if I had tried to solve it myself?
I didn’t want to imagine it.
How would I solve that with my ignorant head?
‘If I had torn through it with force instead?’
That might have been possible.
However, I would have had to endure the full backlash of forcefully breaking the formation.
That was why I had Seongyul do it.
So, what exactly was Pilduma thinking as he looked at me now?
Was he thinking I had deactivated the formation in one go and entered?
Or was he thinking I had broken through the formation with force?
‘Whatever it is.’
He would be seeing me as an extraordinary figure either way.
That was the reaction I wanted from Pilduma.
‘Seems like he took the bait well.’
Looking at Pilduma’s current reaction, he seemed busy trying to gauge an opponent he couldn’t measure.
And because he didn’t know the extent of my strength, he was cautious.
It was exactly the reaction I wanted from Pilduma.
As I quietly stared at him like that, he spoke to me.
"I have heard the rumors."
I tilted my head at Pilduma’s words.
Rumors? What rumors was he talking about?
"Heavenly Demon."
My eyes widened slightly at Pilduma’s words.
"A man wearing a cracked white mask and black martial robes laid waste to Wudang, or so they say."
I had thought the rumors hadn’t spread much compared to what I had done.
But it seemed Pilduma had already heard the information.
"Even when I first heard it, I thought he was no ordinary person."
"How is it seeing him in person?"
"…He is an even greater figure than that."
"Tsk, tsk."
Trying to let out a laugh that didn’t suit me was killing me.
For reference, the laughter was modeled after the Defeated Venerable.
"I don’t know how you found this place or how you dealt with the formation… but coming alone means you have business with me."
"Didn’t I say so from the start? This Venerable One came because he has business with you."
"Then, what business brings you here with such precious steps?"
Pilduma reached out into the air.
Then.
Whoosh!!
Something flew in from the distant darkness and was caught in Pilduma’s hand.
It was a blunt weapon as large as my body.
Kuhng!
He struck the ground with the blunt weapon he held.
It was a weapon I was familiar with.
‘So it was Pilduma’s beloved weapon.’
That blunt weapon which had smashed many skulls.
Hadn’t they said it was forged by mixing in ten-thousand-year cold iron?
‘Though it’s simply a hard blunt weapon.’
Pilduma wielding that thing was no different from a Yaksha.
"If this is not a proper conversation, our next exchange will not be so peaceful."
"…"
It was a warning that he would engage in battle if I spouted nonsense.
Hearing that, I calculated.
What would happen if I fought Pilduma here?
‘What happens? I get beaten for sure.’
Defeat was certain.
My physical condition wasn’t perfect, and even if I fought in peak condition, it would be hard to beat him.
Pilduma was that kind of opponent.
However.
"Interesting."
Uuuuuung!!
"…!"
Even knowing that, I had not the slightest thought of retreating.
I opened my heart and let my energy flow.
It was still painful.
But it didn’t matter.
The fact that it was energy enough to make my physical body struggle meant I was emitting energy far surpassing my level.
The killing intent Pilduma emitted was fierce, but I wouldn’t lose to that level.
Creak.
As our energies clashed, space distorted.
I pushed forward like that.
Paaaang!
My energy swallowed up Pilduma’s energy and crushed it.
Though the quality of Pilduma’s energy was likely higher, I would never lose in a battle of energy like this.
‘Just look at how much I’ve devoured until now.’
Even looking across all of the Central Plains, there were few who could surpass the quantity of my energy now.
Unless they brought the me from my past life.
Someone of Pilduma’s level was impossible.
"Huu…."
Pilduma, suddenly pushed back in the energy clash, let out a sigh.
He seemed to have sustained some internal injury.
"Heavenly Luo Commander."
I called out to Pilduma like that.
"This Venerable One is favorably disposed toward you, so I shall overlook it once."
I gathered the energy rippling in the air and hurled it at the wall.
Kwaaaang!!
A loud sound came from the invisible wall.
Ah, did I throw it too hard…?
"Do not recklessly bare your fangs. There will be no next time."
"…"
Swish.
The strength in Pilduma’s hand, which held the blunt weapon, loosened slightly.
"I have been discourteous."
He had taken a step back.
That was a relief. I had wondered what I would do if he rushed at me….
"Are your tricks finished? If you wish, try more."
I put on a show of strength.
While inwardly screaming for him not to.
"I merely tested to see if you were truly the figure of the rumors."
Pilduma didn’t move despite my provocation; perhaps he had no such intention.
I sighed inwardly.
It felt like I had overcome a crisis.
"Was that the answer you wanted?"
"…"
Pilduma nodded slightly.
"A figure such as yourself… just what reason brings you to this place?"
With the fierce battle of nerves over, was it finally time for the main topic?
Although it had ultimately gone well, I had to try hard to hide my cold sweat.
"It so happens that something has come up which must be done here…."
I said to Pilduma with smiling eyes.
"There is word of someone planning to make the first move in Henan. I thought I would come and see the face of such a person."
"…"
At my words, Pilduma’s brows furrowed. I could see something hostile settling in them.
"That means… this territory is yours, and we should not move carelessly—."
"Wrong."
Sensing it would get more dangerous if I let him continue, I cut him off.
"Do as you please. This Venerable One does not bother with such trivial matters."
"And if we do?"
"However."
I spread two fingers and showed them to Pilduma.
"There are two things you must do."
"What?"
"If you accomplish them, no matter what you do, This Venerable One will not interfere."
Grind.
Unable to endure it any longer, Pilduma’s body trembled.
I could feel killing intent slowly rising.
"I acknowledge your confidence. But it seems you know no bounds."
Rumble.
It was a killing intent of a different quality than before.
It seemed he was truly revealing his earnest intent.
My fingertips trembled.
I hid them in my sleeve so it wouldn’t show.
"If you think I would value my life after being treated this way—!"
"O vulgar specter, clinging to the past."
Startled.
The moment the words left my mouth, Pilduma stopped moving instantly.
"Your name has been erased and your clan has fallen, yet it seems you still cannot break your worthless pride."
"You—!"
At my words, Pilduma tried to finally unleash his power, but.
"Do you not wish to destroy the Alliance?"
He could only stop once more at my words.
Looking at Pilduma’s contorted face, I continued speaking.
"I am asking if you do not wish to destroy those bastards who tore you apart and ripped you out."
"…That would not be a problem even without you."
Confidence was felt in his words.
I didn’t know what he was planning, but he must not have prepared something so simple.
‘He probably failed in my past life, but who knows now.’
The environment had changed so much from back then.
Moreover, now was a time when the Alliance Leader was especially preoccupied.
It was the time when an incident had occurred at Wudang while preparing for the Martial Tournament.
Now would be the perfect opportunity to launch an assault on Henan.
However.
"Heavenly Luo Commander."
That was a story for when I was not here.
"Do This Venerable One’s words sound like a request? Do not be mistaken."
"…!"
"This Venerable One does not make requests."
This was the important part.
As if I cared nothing for killing intent, even more leisurely.
"This is a test This Venerable One is giving you."
That blunt weapon you hold is nothing but a joke.
I had to fill my entire being with that thought.
"If you cannot even pass this easy test, you will die here."
At those words, Pilduma’s eyes widened.
I had to harbor a doubt seeing that.
What?
It wasn’t even time to be surprised yet?
"If you fail, far from revenge—"
"I see."
?
Pilduma cut in when the line wasn’t even finished.
Hearing that, I was greatly flustered inwardly.
I hadn’t expected him to cut me off.
But the bigger problem was what Pilduma spat out next.
"…Hearing those words, I think I finally know who you are."
‘Ah, fuck?’
My heart dropped at Pilduma’s words.
He figured it out? How?
I wondered if my mask had gone askew and had to forcefully suppress the urge to check.
If I did that, it would really be over.
Just how did he find out?
If he had truly figured it out, this was a real crisis.
All sorts of thoughts flashed by in an instant.
I unknowingly swallowed dry spit.
"A being capable of defeating a Wudang Elder in a single strike, and of displaying such killing intent."
Pilduma spoke as if he had become certain looking at me like that.
I rolled my eyes in that gap. I had already identified escape routes.
If things went south, I had to run immediately.
"I see. You are…."
At that moment.
"The disappeared one of the Three Venerables."
"Hm?"
At Pilduma’s words, my original, unremarkable voice unknowingly slipped out.
"Defeated Venerable Biju."
It was that shocking of a statement.
"So it was that person."
"…"
He looked at me with surprised eyes, as if he had guessed correctly.
I turned my body, which had been poised to flee, and subtly steadied my stance.
And I made a choice.
Choices always had to be made quickly.
"Heh."
I let out a short laugh and spoke to Pilduma.
"Your perception isn’t bad."
There was not an ounce of hesitation in speaking.
I didn’t know what was going on, but.
At this moment.
I decided to become the Defeated Venerable for a moment.