"The Ilryongdae reports our return."
A man.
At the words of Ilryongdaeju Song Jong-ho, the Mengju, Geomseon, replied.
"Good. Did you return safely without incident?"
"Yes."
Thirty personnel joined from Nasong. No casualties.
There were a few who suffered minor scratches, but even those were not deep.
A near-perfect ability to execute orders.
It was fitting of the man said to be the most reliable in the Meng after Geomje.
"You have worked hard."
"Not at all. If it is for the Meng, it is simply an honor."
The Ilryongdaeju spoke with a firm voice, and Geomseon nodded upon hearing it.
At the same time, he began to walk.
As Geomseon moved, the waiting Ilryongdaeju immediately stood up and followed him.
"What is the status of that man?"
"He has been subdued and locked in a secret room."
"Did you obtain any other information in the process?"
"..."
At the Mengju's question, the Ilryongdaeju paused for a moment before answering.
"He is tight-lipped, so we could not obtain any significant information. I apologize."
"Hmm."
At his answer, Geomseon let out a shallow groan.
It was a regrettable part. However, Geomseon did not blame the Ilryongdaeju.
'Is it to the point where even the Sainegeom (Death Sound Sword) cannot open his mouth...?'
Sainegeom Song Jong-ho.
It was a moniker given because all who heard his sound met their demise.
Despite the somewhat unorthodox-sounding moniker and his actual background as an assassin, he had spent a long time belonging to the Murim Meng and was a man of the orthodox faction.
An orthodox man from an assassin background. As such, he was the Murim Meng's hidden blade.
Or rather, he was the very man called the shadow of the Meng.
'If even the Sainegeom failed to make him talk, it means he is quite a formidable figure.'
For such a man to fail to extract information was quite a surprising thing.
The very reason they had sent the Sainegeom was because he was a martial artist specialized in such missions, yet...
'This is troublesome.'
Truly troublesome.
There should still be many methods left, but if they ultimately fail to extract any intelligence, there were only a few methods Geomseon could choose.
In the worst-case scenario, they would have to call in someone even more specialized than the Sainegeom...
'In the current situation, really?'
The problem was that such a person was, of all things, the Dokwang (Poison King).
Originally, the place in charge of the Meng's darkness, torturing sinners and extracting information, was the Tang Family's job.
However, with the Tang Family's crimes having been exposed and the entire family closing its gates, they could not easily ask for their help.
'Tsk.'
At the somewhat entangled situation, Geomseon's wrinkled brow furrowed even more.
'It can't be helped.'
Even if the situation came to this, a way must be found somehow.
With the situation already tangled, they couldn't let things get even more twisted.
'...'
Recalling the matter, a figure crossed Geomseon's mind.
The young man who had crushed the monster produced by Shaolin in the past, and currently the most famous figure in Henan.
'...Xiao Yanra.'
The son of 'that' Hohyeop, born of the Gu family.
They say the father's virtues pass to the son, but recalling that brat who had just passed his coming of age, Geomseon quietly ground his teeth.
'To think he would even defeat the Shinryong.'
He knew that Xiao Yanra was a more outstanding martial artist than expected.
However, Geomseon had not expected him to defeat the Shinryong.
The reason was simpler than thought.
'...Having crossed hands with him directly, the Shinryong was by no means weak.'
It was because Geomseon had unofficially met the Shinryong in person and exchanged moves with him.
Just how much was that child's worth?
Just how outstanding was he that Shaolin was so confident?
Furthermore.
'Can that child truly become a symbol?'
The future Murim Meng.
Leaving behind the Ten Great Masters and the Three Venerables who had entered their old age. Did he have the qualifications to become the future symbol of the orthodox faction?
That was the purpose of it all.
The Shinryong had proudly earned a passing grade from Geomseon.
An overwhelming internal energy reserve that couldn't be considered mere coming-of-age.
The Baibu Shenquan and Huangya Jianglan displayed using it.
He was clearly a talent who could become a symbol on his own, even without the Meng's help.
Then, if given help, he would rise faster and higher.
Judging so, he had been gradually building a plan, and the Martial Arts Tournament was like the beginning of that plan.
The so-called Plan to Establish the World's Number One.
The Central Plains, which had begun to shake due to the appearance of the red monster.
To firmly grasp it again around the Murim Meng without shaking, a focal point was needed.
It was a plan to tie that focal point to the entity known as the Shinryong.
'...To think even the Shinryong couldn't be a match for him.'
Who could have known that the Shinryong, radiating an overwhelming presence, would be defeated so miserably?
Geomseon still couldn't forget the sight from back then.
The vicious fighting spirit that slowly crushed the surroundings.
The immense killing intent that couldn't be considered that of an orthodox martial artist.
Thus, everyone who watched that scene must have had the same thought.
The Shinryong is amazing.
That the Shinryong, who tried to continue fighting against such an entity, was amazing.
Even though it was a sparring match between martial artists, it looked like fighting an opponent outside of common sense, making one feel rather that the Shinryong was amazing.
Genius, monster.
Something that couldn't even be contained by such simple words.
Ouyang Tian, as seen by Geomseon, was such a person.
Because of that, even more doubt arose.
'...Tianyan. What exactly did you see?'
Shaolin's Abbot Tianyan.
Why a person with the Eye of Foresight, said to see the future, asked him to arrange the bracket that way.
Originally, the Shinryong should have advanced a couple more times than then.
By doing so, it should have ended with a defeat at the hands of the Dowang at the end.
'That brat is ruining everything.'
Back then too.
And this time, the Gu family again?
Memories of a past he wanted to forget surfaced.
Geomseon continued walking without smoothing his furrowed brow.
The place he finally arrived at was the Meng's underground prison.
Screech-!!
As he pulled the thick door open, the interior came into view along with an alien sound.
"The Ilryongdae greets the Mengju!"
Thud, thud, thud-!!
Everyone inside knelt before Geomseon.
Geomseon gave them a slight nod and looked ahead.
He could see it in the distance.
A giant man whose entire body was restrained by chains.
The owner of this nauseating energy he felt as soon as he walked in.
"Hmm."
Geomseon slowed his pace as he looked at him and approached.
The man was steadying his breath with his head hung low.
He didn't seem to be dead, but it looked like the ligaments in his limbs had all been severed, and no other wounds were visible.
Around him, for some reason, weapons and torture devices were piled up. Every single one of them was in poor condition.
Geomseon reached out his hand.
Swish-! Smack!
Then, an iron from the floor was picked up.
It felt hot, perhaps because it had been giving off heat until just a moment ago.
"It seems you were doing the work beforehand."
Then were those broken weapons also used for that purpose?
If so.
'Why is this man unscathed?'
For someone who had been tortured, the man showed no significant injuries other than the ligaments area.
What was the reason?
When Geomseon looked at the commander at this, the Ilryongdaeju hastily offered an explanation.
"...His skin is strangely tough. We tried to torture him somehow, but he didn't get hurt easily."
"Hah, even with the commander putting in effort?"
"...I apologize."
It was an absurd statement.
Hearing the explanation, Geomseon immediately grabbed a nearby sword and swung it.
There was no hesitation.
Clang-!!
"..."
The sword Geomseon swung hit the man and bounced off.
The blade failed to pierce the skin and broke.
"Hah..."
Even without coating it with Gangqi, for the sword to break so easily.
Was his skin made of steel?
Swish.
The surprise was brief; upon receiving the impact, the restrained man raised his head as if he had awakened.
"...Phew... That tickles..."
Geomseon shuddered as he met eyes with the man.
A roughly grown beard. A gaunt look as if he hadn't eaten for days.
But the eyes he possessed awakened a peculiar sensation.
Purple.
The man's eyes were a vivid purple.
"...I was sleeping well. You're awfully being a nuisance waking me up."
"..."
He frowned at those words for a moment.
Geomseon immediately realized as he looked at the man.
'That's right.'
It was exactly the appearance he had been reported.
Light green long hair and a body close to a giant.
Having heard he possessed a crescent blade as his cherished weapon, this man was definitely.
'The one who attacked Wudang.'
The entity who invaded Wudang, killed the elders, turned the surroundings into a mess, and left.
A bizarre martial artist leading a cult called the Demonic Cult. He was a minion of the Heavenly Demon (Cheonma).
"It is truly a pleasure to see you like this. Do you happen to know who I am?"
"Keukeuk..."
At Geomseon's question, the man suddenly let out a laugh.
"...Ah... I'm sorry. It's just a bit funny that you'd ask if I, of all people, wouldn't know the world's Geomseon."
"It is a relief that you know."
"Yes, I know very well."
As he spat the words, the man's purple eyes faintly glowed.
"The master of a long-rotted root. The end of a Taoist who has lost his conviction. Isn't that you?"
Swish-!
Clang-!!
Before the words even finished, a blunt weapon flew in and struck the man's head hard.
"A sinner dare not wag his insolent tongue so freely."
It was the Ilryongdaeju's action. However.
"Hehe...! This one stings a bit."
Once again, the man merely raised his head as if he hadn't suffered a single bit of damage.
Seeing that sight, Geomseon asked him again.
"Are you truly the one who invaded Wudang, killed the innocent Wudang elder, and murdered the head of the Murim Meng's Hubei branch?"
"Keukeuk..."
The man listened to the words and let out a laugh.
Just before Geomseon's expression, having heard this, crumpled further.
"Geomseon, you should speak correctly."
"...What?"
"Yes, I did it. But, saying they were innocent? How utterly conscienceless is that."
Clank-!
The chains shook as the man moved.
Immediately.
Shring-!
The people around simultaneously drew their swords.
"I executed the ones eating away at the rotted Central Plains. Is that truly a crime? Geomseon. You have no right to condemn me as a sinner."
"What crime did they commit, tell me."
"The sight of you pretending not to know while knowing is truly hideous. As expected of the leader of the orthodox faction."
Twitch.
At the continued words, Geomseon's patience finally reached its limit.
He wanted to behead that bastard with the Blade Gangqi right then and there.
No matter how bizarrely hard his body was, it wouldn't be difficult to behead him with Gangqi.
However, delicate power control enough to be called torture was impossible, so there were only two options: kill him or let him live.
Did this bastard know that too, so he was acting like this?
If so, he was a smart bastard compared to his looks.
"What is your identity and purpose?"
Even so, he maintained extreme patience. It was something he had to do somehow.
"Janitors."
"Janitors?"
"The orthodox faction that has become dirty and ugly. Janitors who clean up such bastards like you. That is our identity and purpose."
Hehehe-!
The surroundings flinched at the man's laugh. It was because the emotion contained in the sound was far too heavy.
Geomseon ignored those words.
They were useless words to use as intelligence.
Clean the orthodox faction? It was something no one in history had ever accomplished.
Not even the 'Cheolhyeolbuseon', who was called the World's Number One.
"...I heard there is someone called the Heavenly Demon behind you."
Flinch.
When Geomseon mentioned the Heavenly Demon, the man shivered slightly.
He didn't miss that sight.
"Is his purpose the same as yours?"
"...I cannot even fathom His will, someone like me."
"Hmm."
He's crazy.
Geomseon defined the man as such.
What exactly is the Heavenly Demon?
They were cooperating with the Gaibang to somehow hide the actions of the Demonic Cult. But it was a point where the damage was growing unknowingly.
Moreover, with a record of even Wudang's main headquarters being hit, he couldn't help but be bothered.
"Then, where is he?"
"..."
Just where was the one called the Heavenly Demon?
With what purpose exactly was he committing these deeds at this time of all times?
At this question, the giant quietly looked at Geomseon.
Geomseon didn't avoid that gaze and met it.
Not long after.
"Wait."
The giant gave a gruesome smile and said to Geomseon.
"Even if you don't look for Him, He will reveal Himself before long."
"..."
"All you insignificant bugs have to do is wait for Him to bring the end."
Words filled with firm and precise emotion.
Hearing this, Geomseon looked at the giant with a low gaze before turning his back.
It was a story that no longer needed to be heard.
"Ilryongdaeju."
"Yes, Mengju."
"Please keep him alive as much as possible."
There was more to ask, but there was no time right now.
As he had things to do, Geomseon had to move.
Thud.
As soon as Geomseon stepped away, a clanking sound was heard from behind.
It was the sound of the torture starting again.
A cruel and violent act.
Even while hearing it, the expression of the Taoist Geomseon didn't change in the slightest.
'The Heavenly Demon.'
Because his mind was full of the existence called the Heavenly Demon.
'What exactly is he?'
What purpose did he hold to commit such wicked deeds?
Also.
'He will come find us directly?'
Recalling the words the giant mentioned, Geomseon had to stroke his beard.
'Nonsense.'
This place was none other than the center of the orthodox faction.
Henan, the location of the Murim Meng's headquarters. To walk in here on his own two feet.
It was something none of the countless existences who had caused bloodshed in history had ever done.
Could the one called the Heavenly Demon do that?
'Impossible.'
It was absolutely impossible.
Geomseon was convinced of that.
Thus, Geomseon opened his fierce eyes and thought.
'Heavenly Demon. I don't know who you are, but it won't take long.'
What a position and goal he had painstakingly built.
Geomseon, even for the seat he sat in.
Was determined to find and execute the bastard called the Heavenly Demon no matter what.
******************
Henan.
The waiting room of the Murim Meng headquarters.
"Achoooo!"
I let out a violent sneeze there and wiped my nose briskly with my hand.
At the same time, I scratched my ear with my pinky finger.
"Oww... My nose tickles."
Someone must be spouting nonsense somewhere, because my nose and ears are tickling like crazy.
Is someone cursing me? I've taken so many curses that I no longer care who's doing it.
"Sniff."
Right after sniffling my nose once more, I looked around.
A now familiar sight.
I had entered the Meng's interior once again, before noon.
The reason was none other than this.
Following the Martial Arts Tournament held last time, after finishing my rest, it was to compete in the Round of 16.
Already the Round of 16.
It meant that there were now only a few people left at best, and the tournament had reached its final stages.
"Hmm."
Around the time I was sitting in the prepared chair, sniffling. I carefully rolled my eyes and surveyed the surroundings.
Then, I had to suppress a laugh at the scenes I felt.
'The auras are truly intense.'
Fighting spirit was rampant in all directions.
The fact that they had made it to the Round of 16 meant that everyone, at the very least, was a fully matured peak master.
The airflow created by their gathering was truly stifling.
Or perhaps they were all too busy keeping an eye on each other.
Whether it was the guy with his eyes closed, the guy quietly looking at the ground, or the guy silently polishing his sword.
They all only halted their gazes, but their energy senses were busy sweeping over one another.
Every single one of them was a sly snake without exception.
Especially.
'I'm going to choke at this rate. Stop looking.'
There was so much energy sense coming towards me that I was getting exhausted.
It seemed the sparring match I had with the Shinryong left quite an impression.
'Tsk.'
Even on the way here, the crowd had flocked a bit, which was annoying.
Just a few days ago, they didn't recognize me even when I walked around openly, but somehow they found out what I looked like and started approaching me like crazy.
I seriously had to consider wearing a veil or using the Art of Disguise from next time.
'...The life of a celebrity...'
It was similar in my past life, but if there was a difference.
'In my past life, it was full of guys trying to kill me when they saw me. But now it's a bit different.'
Not a dirty and ugly demonic human, but currently a rising star drawing attention.
It was probably closer to that feeling. If asked if it was entirely bad, it was a bit subtle.
Was I secretly enjoying it without realizing?
Thinking like that made me feel miserable without realizing it.
I'm old enough to know better, what am I doing?
For a moment, it felt absurdly ridiculous.
So I took out a little of my frustration.
Whoosh-!
"...!!"
"Ugh!!"
"Cough...!"
I messed a bit with the energy senses watching me.
I intervened in the flow of energy and reversed it.
It wouldn't cause internal injuries, but reactions burst around them as if startled by the sudden vibration.
Most of them, startled, stopped circulating their qi and looked at me.
Among them, there were four who didn't show a reaction.
Out of those, one was holding back a reaction. The other three really weren't looking at me, so excluding those three, it meant everyone else was watching me.
The energy senses were instantly retracted, and this time, real gazes flew at me.
Seeing that, I grinned and said.
"See, isn't it much more comfortable to look openly? Glancing furtively is just too unsightly, isn't it?"
"..."
Perhaps because I said it too sarcastically. Uncomfortable emotions surfaced on the faces of the pricked ones.
So what.
Who told them to stare like that?
Feeling a bit more relieved, I sat deep into the back of the chair.
There was still some time left before it started, so I thought I'd rest a bit.
"You're as refreshing as ever."
Someone next to me spoke to me like that. It was Yeongpung, who was waiting with me.
For reference, Yeongpung was one of the people who hadn't sent any energy sense towards me.
For reference, the remaining two were Pang Woo-jin and Dang So-yeol, and the one who held back a reaction was the Dowang.
"It's not to the point of being refreshing..."
"Haha. Young Hero Gu has always been like that, but you truly have many aspects worth learning from."
"...Umm."
It was something that Jamryong, Cheol Ji-seon, or that bastard Seong Yul would immediately tell me to stop my bullshit if they heard it.
Knowing that, I could only smile awkwardly.
Yeongpung was wiping his sword with his signature smile.
Then, he suddenly looked at me and continued speaking.
"How is your body?"
"My body? It's fine."
"You seemed to have been hurt a lot... Are you really alright?"
"Yes. A little spit will cure this much."
The external and internal injuries sustained from the fight with the Shinryong.
Honestly, it hasn't fully healed yet.
It was an injury that would take some time to fully recover from...
This much was fine. Besides, there wasn't any particularly difficult fight left anyway.
That's what I thought when I said it, but...
"I apologize."
At my words, Yeongpung suddenly offered an apology.
Why is he apologizing all of a sudden?
I looked at Yeongpung with a puzzled face.
"For what?"
"If it were up to my heart, I would like to show the same action as you did to the Shinryong... But it seems I cannot do that this time."
Ah.
Only after hearing the following words did I understand what Yeongpung's apology meant.
The sparring match with the Shinryong.
There, to place myself on the same level as the Shinryong, I had intentionally wounded myself and drawn out my internal energy.
Yeongpung must have recalled that and spoke.
The reason was.
"Even in my current state, I'm not sure if I can reach you... So I will simply do my best in the given situation."
It was because my opponent in this match was none other than Yeongpung.
He had said he eagerly anticipated a fight with me, and in the end, Yeongpung ended up facing me in the bracket.
At a point like this, I wondered if it was right for the two of us to be chatting away like this, but neither Yeongpung nor I seemed to care much.
I simply smiled at the words he spat out as if making a vow.
"Yes. Please do your best."
Hoping that he would do his best was the same for me too.
Do your best, and do it again, I hoped that Yeongpung's plum blossom petals would reach me.
No, they absolutely had to.
'It has to be at least that much.'
Only then can you be called, even if only in appearance, the successor of that foul-tempered old man.