‘Oh dear.’
I made an awkward face at the shower of attention.
I never expected this to be solved so quickly.
Even when I forced a smile, no one smiled back. Everyone just stared at me with wide eyes.
With all the attention focused on me, it was quite burdensome, but at the same time...
‘No, is it really that surprising?’
I honestly couldn't understand the people who were so shocked.
‘Why can't they do something this easy?’
They just needed to grab and tear it apart, but they kept saying this wouldn't work and that wouldn't work. Weren't they just pointlessly dragging out the time?
Thus, I couldn't understand their reactions at all.
‘Is this really that difficult of a task?’
What exactly was so hard about it? It was something you could do just by following what you saw.
‘Hmm...’
A doubt crossed my mind.
Perhaps, am I the weird one?
If they were surprised to that extent, it seemed like I must have done something quite strange...
‘What could it be?’
I pondered deeply.
Why would they think I'm weird?
Why is this so difficult for them?
‘Is it because of the Mind's Eye?’
Whether one can see the difference in detail or not.
If that was the difference, then so be it. The cause would probably be whether one possesses the Mind's Eye or not.
The Mind's Eye allows one to read the flow of qi, and using that, one could easily grasp spell techniques.
Which means...
‘Is the Mind's Eye also specialized for dispelling formations?’
Perhaps.
Otherwise, I couldn't understand why they would react like that.
If so...
‘Why didn't Paejon tell me about this?’
Then that becomes the biggest question.
If it were Paejon, he would have surely told me that the Mind's Eye had such an effect, so the fact that there was no such explanation was a bit puzzling.
‘Hrm.’
For now, I decided to ask Paejon about this part separately later.
Swooooosh--!!
The barrier, which was slowly being dispelled, soon disappeared completely from around the pavilion.
The barrier that had bound several Top Ten Masters and numerous Hwagyeong martial artists had vanished so helplessly.
"I-It's lifted!"
"The barrier has been dispelled...!"
"Sect Lord--!!"
"Quickly, bring the Hall Lord!"
As soon as the barrier vanished, the martial artists swarmed into action as if they had been waiting for it. The pavilion was quite tall, but since they were all martial artists, climbing up was quick.
I narrowed my eyes slightly as I watched them moving urgently.
‘It's done.’
Although the situation turned out somewhat differently than expected, I had succeeded in dispelling the barrier anyway. And I was able to draw it out much faster than half a day.
That was enough.
This was enough of a stepping stone for the final operation I would use in this plan.
Thud.
Someone drops down next to me.
For a moment, it felt as if the air had turned cold.
It meant the person's aura was quite frigid.
‘Haha.’
I had to hold back my laughter as soon as I saw the person.
It was the current Alliance Lord, Geomseon.
With his face fully scrunched up, he wasn't hiding his emotions at all.
No matter how much I ignored him, he was one of the Ten Great Masters of the Central Plains.
As he fully unleashed his aura, the people around had to shrink back.
It was an aura that strong.
"..."
Before the other figures could even approach.
Geomseon, who had come down on his own, stiffened slightly upon seeing someone.
It was none other than Cheonjon.
"...Senior."
Cheonjon answered Geomseon's words.
"It has been a while. I suppose I should call you Alliance Lord now."
"For what reason have you come here?"
Cheonjon was smiling, but Geomseon's expression was still not good.
No, should I say it had actually gotten worse?
"Did you not say you would step away from the frontlines for a while and told me not to contact you?"
"I did. That feeling remains unchanged."
"Then... how come..."
"Hmm."
Spitting out the words, Cheonjon suddenly looked this way.
As soon as I saw that, I immediately shook my head.
"I had some business to attend to."
"..."
Perhaps because of that, thankfully, the topic of the Young Master didn't come up this time.
The rumors were bound to spread anyway, so it would reach Geomseon's ears before long, but I didn't want that to happen right away.
As Geomseon mentioned Cheonjon, the others finally turned their gazes toward him as well.
They must have been in quite a rush, as it seemed they hadn't even realized Cheonjon was there.
"Cheonjon is here?"
"Then, could the thunder that struck just now have been..."
The place where the monster was formed was quite a distance from here, but the lightning strike that rained down was so massive that it seemed it was visible even from here.
Well, it would be strange not to see something that big.
"Did Senior help us?"
"How could that be. This old man only helped a little at the very end. It was the other children who did all the work."
"..."
"You seem to have gone through an uncomfortable situation. Are you alright, Alliance Lord?"
"...Senior does not need to worry."
Geomseon said to Cheonjon in a deeply sunken voice.
"This is strictly the Alliance's business. I will handle it myself."
"...Hmm."
Hearing the words, Cheonjon let out a shallow groan.
A look of obvious disapproval was evident.
"Alliance Lord."
"...Yes."
Geomseon looked like he was about to explode at any moment.
Observing that, Cheonjon continued speaking.
"I have experienced it, so I know. That path only draws you in deeper; it is not a way out."
"...What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"I hope you will come to know it someday. Before it's too late, like this old man."
"..."
Geomseon frowned slightly upon hearing the words, but that was it.
Any more words would be meaningless.
For he must have a mountain of things to do right away.
"...Cheongryong Commander and Biryong Commander."
"Yes!"
"Y-Yes...!"
Upon being called, Ilcheonggeom and Seomgeom approached and paid their respects to the Alliance Lord.
The Alliance Lord looked at them and asked.
"I will give you time, so report to me in detail about the situation after the cleanup."
"...We will follow your command."
The Commanders moved upon receiving the order. In the completely settled air, Geomseon's gaze shifted.
That gaze soon turned toward me.
"..."
Eyes filled with countless emotions. A gaze overflowing with indescribable thoughts.
I also quietly stared into Geomseon's eyes.
Was he hoping I would at least show some respect?
Wondering what his intention was, I waited for a moment.
"It seems you were the one who dispelled this barrier."
"Yes."
I nodded at Geomseon's words.
I wondered what he was going to ask, and he was asking that?
"How did you do it?"
"...Pardon?"
I was momentarily flustered by the question.
How did I do it...?
"...I just did it?"
Was the answer unsatisfactory? Geomseon's face crumpled.
But there was nothing I could do.
"No, really... I just did it."
It worked when I did it, so what was I supposed to say?
Even if I tried to explain, I couldn't.
"I grabbed and tore it, and it just unraveled."
"..."
To be precise, there was a spot that looked like it could be torn, so I actually tried tearing it.
Even I didn't know it would work.
"...Anyway... Isn't it fine as long as it's resolved?"
As long as it's dispelled, isn't that enough?
I tried saying that, but Geomseon's expression remained the same. Just as I wondered what the problem was.
"Not only those who were bound, but even the Pungryong Commander couldn't easily dispel this barrier. And you're saying you dispelled such a barrier easily? It's not something I can easily believe."
"..."
Ah, I see.
Listening to Geomseon's words, I finally realized.
That old man.
‘He's suspecting me.’
The Bimapa, renowned in the Central Plains for being skilled in formations.
It was a spell technique that even she couldn't handle and struggled with for a long time.
Since I had casually torn apart such a spell technique, it seemed it looked strange to Geomseon.
Furthermore.
‘The circumstances of me being here would be strange too.’
The situation where I suddenly showed up with Cheonjon.
In Geomseon's eyes, it must have felt like my existence had abruptly intruded.
‘Well, damn.’
His head works better than I thought.
‘Even though I was in a hurry and acted a bit rashly...’
I didn't expect him to suspect me right off the bat. Like I said last time, Geomseon didn't seem like a purely stupid person.
However.
"Even if you ask like that... There isn't much I can tell you. It really just worked when I tried it."
So what if he suspects me?
Is there any need for further explanation beyond saying it just worked when I tried it?
There was nothing to be gained from Geomseon suspecting me now.
My somewhat brazen attitude must have rubbed him the wrong way, as the wrinkles between Geomseon's brows deepened.
"...You rascal."
Just as Geomseon was walking toward me like that.
"C-Commander--!!"
"Wake up!"
A loud voice came from behind.
Immediately, everyone's gazes turned toward it.
The location was right in front of where the barrier had originally been hanging.
It was the position where Bimapa was dispelling the barrier, and that was the direction the sound came from.
"Commander...!! H-Hurry, get a physician."
People who seemed to be from the Pungryong Division shouted urgently.
It was no wonder, as Bimapa, who had been handling the spell technique until just now, had collapsed.
She was bleeding profusely, letting out only faint breaths.
"Heu... heueu... heu heu..."
"Commander... please--!"
Eyes with almost no focus. Looking at those eyes, I could tell right away.
Bimapa's eyes were definitely looking at me.
Others might not know, but at least I was certain.
Eyes gradually losing their vitality.
After quietly watching that for a moment.
"C-Commandeeer--!!"
Not long after, Bimapa finally breathed her last.
It was Bimapa's sudden death. Just as everyone was panicking at the sight.
‘Is it now?’
I secretly nodded my head.
Now is the right time. Thinking so, I steeled my heart.
[Get ready.]
It was a signal sent to the bug that must be groaning somewhere.
It was truly time to execute the final operation.
As that fleeting moment passed.
Swooooosh--!!
"Huh?"
The moment everyone's attention was stolen by Bimapa's death.
One of the martial artists looked up at the sky, as if having discovered something.
"T-That--! Everyone, look up there...!!"
Heads turned at the shout.
At that moment, something began to slowly rise above the sky.
It was clearly visible even without trying to look.
Because a being with a massive bulk had appeared beneath the barely clearing sky.
If one were to recall the crimson emblem, it was on the smaller side, but it couldn't even be compared to that.
The reason being...
‘That is a living creature.’
Unlike the emblem which was likened to a phenomenon, what had risen was undeniably a living creature.
Something with a massive bulk that couldn't even be hidden by the clouds.
If anything, they should be more terrified of that side.
What in the world was that?
Was it not over yet?
As they thought so, despair crept into people's expressions.
[Krrrrrr---!!!]
A roar rough enough to shake the ground could be heard.
Could that possibly be the cry let out by that monster? It was unbelievable.
Thus, everyone only raised their vigilance and stared at the monster.
"...Something is coming."
Something could be seen falling from the entity writhing in the air.
What slowly descended was, surprisingly, a person.
A figure with their hands clasped behind their back, their black martial robes fluttering.
It was clearly in the shape of a human.
"...N-No way. T-That man..."
Someone expressed their shock, as if they had recognized the figure's identity.
"...Cheonma...!"
The quietly whispered words somehow rang out exceptionally loud.
The very person who had revealed himself as the mastermind behind this attack, calling himself the Heavenly Demon.
The mysterious organization currently creating a bloodbath across the entire Central Plains.
The leader of the Demonic Cult.
The Heavenly Demon.
He had revealed himself once again.
I clenched my heart as I 'watched' Cheonma slowly descending.
‘A quarter of an hour...’
Let's hold on for just that much longer.
The limit of what my mind and energy could endure. Recalling that, I focused.
This was.
The final operation I had prepared for them.
*****************
Rumble---!!
A massive shadow loomed over the sky of Henan from afar.
A situation that would likely be visible even from a considerable distance.
It seemed something unusual was happening.
"...Haa... Damn."
Looking at that sight, the burly man with deep green hair.
Dangdeok crumpled his expression.
"...I'm in trouble."
It was because he had remembered a fact he had forgotten.
He had forgotten it because he was in the heat of the moment.
The order he had received to arrive on time.
"..."
Realizing this, Dangdeok's face gradually turned pale.
Because the moment he admitted he had forgotten, he was bound to face something quite severe.
Squelch-!
Sensing a gruesome end, Dangdeok pulled out the blade stuck in his abdomen and threw it to the ground.
Blood immediately burst from the extracted spot, but Dangdeok didn't care at all.
It was because what he would experience later was scarier than the pain now.
"This is all because of you."
Dangdeok looked at someone as if blaming them.
The owner of the weapon that had been stuck in his body, and the person he had been fighting with just a moment ago.
A young man kneeling on the ground with one knee, catching his breath.
The Flying Star, Paeng Ujin.
He was looking at Dangdeok with a wrecked appearance.
His left arm was twisted in a bizarre shape, and blood was gushing from his abdomen as if he had suffered a penetrating wound.
He looked like he wouldn't be strange if he collapsed right then and there.
However, even in that state, Paeng Ujin didn't even let out a groan.
He only showed fervor.
Saying that it wasn't over yet and he had more to give.
At that insane gaze, Dangdeok finally had to let out a laugh.
"As expected. You're amusing. I like you."
"..."
Dangdeok's smiling appearance wasn't much different either.
His wrists dangled as if they would be severed with a flick, and the blade that had been struck into him just before wasn't pierced, but sliced in a cleaving manner.
In other words, it meant it had stopped mid-slice through his waist.
Both looked no different from walking corpses. If there was a difference, it was that Paeng Ujin was kneeling and Dangdeok was standing.
That's why it was even more regrettable.
"If it were up to me. I would have somehow killed you..."
Tap.
Dangdeok grabbed his guan dao and slung it over his shoulder.
"Unfortunately, if I delay any longer. I'll end up dying by someone else's hands, not yours."
"Are you... planning to run...?"
"It just ended up that way."
Spitting out the words, Dangdeok smiled even deeper at Paeng Ujin.
"I... am still..."
"What's your name?"
Asking for his name instead of continuing the conversation.
Hearing those words, Paeng Ujin spat blood and answered.
"Paeng Ujin..."
"I am Dangdeok."
They exchanged names.
To say it was a friendly scene, their voices were brimming with killing intent.
"I'll kill you next time, Paeng Ujin."
"Just wait..."
Boom-!!
Having finished speaking, Dangdeok leaped away, bleeding.
Seeing that, Paeng Ujin staggered and supported himself on the ground.
The surroundings were devastated by the aftermath of the battle.
It was an unbelievable sight, making it hard to believe it was originally a forest.
"Cough."
Paeng Ujin, who had coughed up a mouthful of blood, looked behind him.
In the heavily damaged forest, a single tree barely standing. Beneath it sat a corpse.
It was his father, Paengjeou.
Paeng Ujin had suffered fatal injuries trying to protect that.
The last appearance of the father he had killed with his own hands.
Looking at that, Paeng Ujin chuckled softly.
"...You really... are of no help until the very end."
With those final words, Paeng Ujin collapsed and lost consciousness.
Not long after, he was discovered by the Murim Alliance side, who had been conducting a search after hearing the loud noise.