Chapter: 546
– Yul-ah.
A soft and affectionate voice.
The old man smiled at the young man as he always did.
– Yul-ah.
At the call, the young man opened his eyes, but he could not raise his bowed head.
Because he felt he didn’t deserve it.
– Yul-ah, it’s okay.
It’s not okay.
The young man said this in a voice that barely came out.
‘Master….’
I’m not okay at all.
Thinking that, the young man lowered his head even further.
He knew this was all just a delusion.
He also recognized that those words were merely his imagination.
– It’s okay.
It was a voice he could no longer hear.
It was a voice he dared not listen to. The young man kept repeating that to himself.
– Yul-ah.
A voice constantly rings in his ears.
Unable to bear it any longer, the young man covered his ears.
– Yul-ah… Yul-ah…
The sound penetrated the silence and invaded the very depths of his being.
The once affectionate voice became strangely unfamiliar as it echoed back.
This also happened all the time.
Despite countless experiences, the young man remained utterly unaccustomed to it.
He was simply scared.
– Yul… Ah… Yul-ah…
Something began to choke him.
At the cool sensation, the young man opened his eyes unknowingly. He couldn’t stop himself from doing so, even if he didn’t want to.
What came into view after that was…
– Yul… Ahh…
An old man, bloodied and in pain, looking at him.
There were eyes glaring at him from all directions.
The young man clenched his teeth and trembled at the sight unfolding before him.
He tried to look away, but the old man gripped his neck, forcing him to meet his gaze.
And then…
– How… how could you…
– Why did you kill this teacher…!
The young man uttered the very thought he most wanted to avoid.
*
“Cough…!”
He sat up, gasping for breath.
“Ugh… Ugh… Ugh…”
The body he had struggled to lift was drenched in sweat.
His back was soaked with cold sweat, and his hair felt damp from perspiration.
“Huh… huh… that…”
The young man clutched his shoulder with his hands.
It was an attempt to stop his trembling body.
Of course, doing this didn’t stop him from shaking.
After a long while of trembling, the young man finally regained his senses and began to look around.
His face showed confusion as he tried to grasp the situation.
At that moment…
“Why are you suddenly freaking out?”
The young man turned towards the sudden voice.
Not far away, someone was sitting on a rock, looking at him while holding a dumpling in one hand.
“…”
He suddenly stroked his jaw upon seeing that person.
It was because the pain was definitely felt.
As he gently touched it, he could distinctly feel the swelling.
As the pain resonated, memories flooded back to him.
The moment when the author subdued him, along with the actions he was taking.
“…”
The young man rolled his eyes to look at the other person.
A youth who had barely passed the age threshold, with fierce eyes.
Those strange blue eyes within made it somehow uncomfortable to gaze upon.
The young man asked, looking at him.
“… Who are you…?”
As he asked the question, the other person’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
It was a strange expression.
It seemed he was either frowning or surprised.
Noticing that minute change, the young man steadied his breath.
‘Here….’
He exhaled and scanned his surroundings.
Dense forests and rocks came into view.
It seemed he was somewhat distant from where he originally was.
Did the author bring him here?
Having reached that thought, the young man asked the other person.
“… Are you the one who came from the Blind?”
“Huh?”
He chuckled at the question, a reaction indicating bewilderment.
“Looks like you know you’ve done something deserving of pursuit by the Blind?”
“…”
Hearing those words made his gaze drop.
It was a fact he was all too familiar with.
Thump.
When he lowered his head, he felt a presence right in front of him.
It seemed it had approached quite close.
“What the hell is this kid doing? Earlier he rushed at me like he wanted to kill me. What’s up with him now?”
When he had rushed in with a sword full of murderous intent, ready to rip apart his target.
Now, his behavior seemed odd.
“… Sorry.”
The young man blurted that out.
Again.
Driven mad by his desires and running wild.
Also offering an unforgivable apology to the other person.
It was merely an extension of what he had gone through all his life.
“… Hmm.”
Was the apology the issue? The reaction perceived from before was particularly vivid.
“Did I get the wrong person?”
The young man lifted his head at the sound of the voice.
He saw the blue eyes of Gu Yangcheon looking down at him.
“He wasn’t like this originally. This is annoying.”
At those words, the young man’s eyes widened slightly.
“Do you… know me?”
“I thought so, but now it’s a bit ambiguous. Seriously, why are you pretending to be okay?”
“… Huh?”
“It’s normal to be insane about killing someone. Why do you look like that now?”
“…”
He bit his lip upon hearing that.
It seemed this person had some knowledge of his identity.
In that case…
‘Is this how it ends for me?’
The young man sensed his doom.
He understood he was carrying the Thousand-Year Star.
He even described himself as someone who came to catch him.
He had no intention of fleeing, but inherently, he wouldn’t be able to escape in the first place.
The young man already recognized the disparity in strength between him and the other.
‘Heck, I didn’t even get the chance to graze him.’
It was an overwhelming defeat.
Even if in normal condition, it would have been impossible to move properly.
That’s just how vast the difference was.
‘… Well, at least it’s good for me.’
The young man managed a smile.
Yeah, that might be better.
He was just tired of living.
As time passed, madness deepened, and this cruel body sought to revel in the death of others.
He craved and craved more.
It’s like an insatiable appetite, never feeling full no matter what.
He endlessly desired the death of others.
In the end, that exploration of madness led to the death of his beloved teacher, who had been like a father to him.
‘At least there’s some fortune in that.’
The madness from his past had faded just a little.
Thanks to that, he was able to die while recalling his misdeeds.
Satisfied with that, the young man gently closed his eyes.
He wanted to prepare mentally.
“Just look at that miserable expression on your face. What’s the matter with you?”
Seeing this, Gu Yangcheon scoffed in disbelief.
He didn’t understand the situation at all.
Why did that bastard, the Sword Demon, suddenly seem resigned?
‘What on earth?’
The more he looked, the more perplexed he felt.
Among the strange circumstances Gu Yangcheon faced right after returning, this one ranked among the top.
‘What is this kid?’
Who is this seemingly subdued fellow?
At the very least, he was a fellow he didn’t know.
‘Is he really the Sword Demon?’
Although the appearance, power, and aura he had used back then is undoubtedly that of the Sword Demon he knew…
Right now, however, he felt completely different.
Who is the Sword Demon?
He is the leader of the Ghost Sword Squad, a slaughtering unit of the Demonic Cult.
He is someone who lives solely to kill, utterly consumed by the desire to do so.
Naturally, his personality was notoriously eccentric, known for his violent temperament.
‘What the heck is going on?’
The Sword Demon Gu Yangcheon sees now seems vastly different from the one he knew.
His eyes closed, kneeling, the young man was unfaltering.
The aberrant spirit that had been rampaging within the inn had vanished, leaving only a composed young man behind.
A Taoist.
Right.
That’s the sort of tranquil aura often felt around Taoist monks.
A figure resigned to all, as if pondering what on earth had happened.
Watching this, Gu Yangcheon scratched the back of his head in annoyance.
‘Should we just proceed as planned?’
Before, the plan had been to snatch away the budding Sword Demon and turn him into a soldier.
Using him to work until he died, then tossing him aside.
That was the plan for the Sword Demon among the various ‘tasks’ set forth in Guangdong.
But now… he perceived things might have gone a bit astray.
‘His current demeanor isn’t necessarily a problem.’
The reason isn’t just that he’s different from the Sword Demon he previously knew, but it’s also due to the calmness he exuded at the inn.
If his interpretations are right…
He needed to probe further into the Sword Demon.
“Hey.”
When he called out, the young man opened his eyes and gazed at him.
The eyes still held a murky yellow hue.
“Let me ask you something.”
Addressing the young man, he queried, “Are you from the Kunlun Sect?”
“…!”
The young man’s eyes bulged like lanterns upon hearing the question.
“Tsk.”
Seeing that reaction, Gu Yangcheon couldn’t help clicking his tongue, as it was a solid confirmation.
‘So, the Sword Demon came from Kunlun?’
This was something entirely unknown to him.
Of course, that was to be expected.
‘… There was no trace of that style in his swordsmanship, though?’
In his previous life, the Sword Demon didn’t display any signs of being associated with the Kunlun Sect.
The richness of the weapon techniques wielded by Taoists had been completely absent in his swordsmanship.
The fact that it showed itself in the recent fight suggested a deliberate act of erasure.
‘This implies he intentionally rid himself of those traces of Kunlun.’
Whether he could do such a thing was another matter, but clearly, he had made it happen.
‘If this guy is indeed the Sword Demon…’
But there was even more that perplexed him.
Looking at the astonished young man, Gu Yangcheon continued.
“Why is a Kunlun Taoist going around crazily in Guangdong?”
“…”
“As far as I know, Kunlun doesn’t hurt people recklessly.”
Crack.
Clenching his fists upon hearing that, the young man seemed determined.
“… Kunlun has nothing to do with this. I’m the one at fault.”
With that statement, Gu Yangcheon narrowed his eyes.
“So, you’re saying you’re the one killing people here?”
“… Yes.”
He nodded in response.
His shabby clothing and tired-looking attire were obvious.
The visible reluctance to reveal his affiliation with Kunlun was unmistakable too.
At that moment, there could only be one conclusion.
“You ran away.”
“… No.”
“Not running away, then what?”
“It’s just… that place was never one I could rightfully be.”
It wasn’t a place for him to belong.
The young man truly believed that.
Hearing this, Gu Yangcheon spoke flatly.
“Did your master tell you to do that, too?”
The young man’s head shot up at the unexpected remark.
“What…!”
“You were mumbling in your sleep earlier. It seems you miss your master quite a bit?”
Had he uttered some sound during a nightmare?
At that instant, the young man’s fists trembled in embarrassment.
Gu Yangcheon regarded him and thought to himself.
‘I guess.’
It looked like all of his predictions had been spot on.
That the Sword Demon was indeed a Kunlun Taoist was surprising enough.
But even more astonishing was…
‘That guy is the disciple of Cheonghae Ilgeom?’
The former head of the Kunlun, now deceased.
It was a martial artist he had encountered at Shinryongwon.
Though their connection was short, he had left a significant impression on Gu Yangcheon.
This Cheonghae Ilgeom had…
‘Secretly raised the Thousand-Year Star?’
Was the Sword Demon truly a disciple of Cheonghae Ilgeom?
While not certain, it wasn’t unimaginable to connect the dots.
He wasn’t just any fighter but one born a Thousand-Year Star.
Not only that, but he had the capacity to cultivate him to such a level.
Not to mention, even the briefest sense of Kunlun’s aura felt present, imbued with a trace of purity.
If he wasn’t Cheonghae Ilgeom, then he had to be someone similar in strength and influence.
For Gu Yangcheon, the only person that fit that description in Kunlun was Cheonghae Ilgeom himself.
Tsk.
Upon reaching that thought, he couldn’t help but smirk.
‘Why of all things.’
How could he have thought the Sword Demon would be connected to Cheonghae Ilgeom?
That led him to think…
‘Could it be related to why Cheonghae Ilgeom joined the Demonic Cult in his past life?’
That’s a question not easily answered.
Cheonghae Ilgeom was one of the early demons who joined the Demonic Cult soon after its formation.
The Sword Demon came in after Cheonghae Ilgeom had passed away.
‘It’s too late to find out now.’
At this point, the future had already twisted, and Cheonghae Ilgeom had died.
They said he perished while trying to tame the rampaging Red Magic Gate.
‘I didn’t die like that in my past life.’
Not only had there never been such a rampage with Cheonghae…
Also, judging by this period’s current situation, the eruption of the Red Magic Gate was itself an anomaly.
In this context.
– I hope you find peace.
The words he said during his lifetime still echo in his ears.
‘What a drag.’
It’s absurd that the Sword Demon has connections to Cheonghae Ilgeom.
He wished he could ignore it and quickly turn him into a solider.
After all, the Sword Demon would eventually grow into one. It didn’t really matter what Cheonghae Ilgeom’s intentions were.
One.
“I’ve nearly killed ten people just in this neighborhood.”
There was something that felt nauseating about saying that.
“I have no clue how someone from Cheonghae made it here, but given the distance, he must’ve racked up quite the casualty count there as well. Right?”
“…”
“Otherwise, the smell of blood wouldn’t be this palpable.”
That scent of blood emanating from him.
Perhaps he intended no concealment and hadn’t cleaned himself properly, giving off a pungent aroma.
He had indeed taken lives.
And in such brutal manners that the stench lingered in the air.
“…That’s true.”
He didn’t contest the claim.
The guilt seeping through his expression was bothersome.
‘At the very least, you shouldn’t have crossed that line.’
He wished this were an act.
Gu Yangcheon continued to voice his thoughts while concealing his inner turmoil.
“It’s amusing because I dug a little deeper, and the people you killed here all had criminal backgrounds.”
“…”
Thud.
He pulled out the letter he had hidden and tossed it in front of the young man.
Victims from the recent serial killer incident.
It was a log containing information about them.
“Rapists? Arsonists? Did you pick only those kinds of people to kill?”
“…”
In response to the question, the young man nodded slightly without speech.
“Why?”
“I… couldn’t kill an innocent one.”
“Whether they’re innocent or not, is it okay to kill someone?”
“No. That, too, is a sin.”
The firm answer took him by surprise.
Truth be told, Gu Yangcheon thought such actions weren’t crimes at all.
He didn’t regard human life as particularly sacred.
Those who deserved punishment should face it, and those who needed to die ought to meet their end.
He believed that was how the world operated.
“But why did you do it?”
“… If I didn’t, other innocents might end up dead.”
After a moment‘s silence contemplating the young man’s response, Gu Yangcheon spoke again.
“By your hand, then?”
Clench.
The young man clenched his fists tightly at that.
“… Yes…”
The Thousand-Year Star.
Born with a fate that demands survival through killing.
Some refer to it as instinct.
It’s as natural as eating and breathing.
To them, such realities are inevitable.
Looking at their history, it appeared to be a cursed reality.
But seeing it firsthand only made it seem even more burdensome.
“So you did it?”
“… I’m sorry. I will accept any punishment.”
“You don’t need to apologize to me. So then what were you trying to do back at the inn? Did those gentlemen do something wrong?”
“… No.”
He seemed unable to control his trembling hands, attempting to manage them by gripping one another.
“I’m sorry… Please kill me. I made a mistake…”
He attempted to commit murder, unable to master his primal urges.
The young man acknowledged this.
But was it true?
Could that visible guilt be genuine?
The individual who hunted and killed only the guilty now tried to harm the innocent, like he aimed to do at the inn.
Had this really been the first time?
That was uncertain. Besides.
‘I don’t really care.’
Gu Yangcheon didn’t regard the matter as particularly significant either.
Killing was not a pressing issue, at least to him.
What was essential for Gu Yangcheon was none other than this:
‘So, the Sword Demon wasn’t insane from the beginning?’
Although he seemed to be on the brink of madness, unable to contain himself…
It was surprising to learn he hadn’t been like that all along.
‘Had he been the one I knew, I would have simply turned him into a soldier and be done with it.’
This nuanced exploration piqued his interest.
No, that might not have been the only reason.
– Slowly… and then… you’ll have fewer regrets…
Those were the words left behind by his fiancée, who traveled North without listening to him.
It hinted he should temper his impatience.
‘Didn’t she say she’d come back this year?’
It had been two years since she departed.
She claimed she would return by the end of this year, so it was around the right time.
It was possible she might be on her way back already.
Having reached such thoughts, Gu Yangcheon stood up.
“If you’re struggling with something, you should take your time. That’s what I advised.”
As Gu Yangcheon muttered something that didn’t quite make sense, the young man appeared puzzled.
At that very moment.
“If you have business, come out quickly.”
With Gu Yangcheon’s abrupt statement, he sensed movement nearby.
Immediately after, several figures emerged from beyond the trees.
The individual was none other than Seo Dong, the martial artist Gu Yangcheon had encountered the previous night.
As Seo Dong appeared, he quickly took up a defensive stance toward Gu Yangcheon.
“… Until we meet again, Grandmaster.”
“Yes. It’s a pleasure. Thanks to you, I was able to locate the right person.”
In response to Gu Yangcheon’s words, Seo Dong’s gaze shifted toward the kneeling young man.
A figure past their youth, with yellow eyes;
The impression Gu Yangcheon had described moments ago.
What this meant was…
“… murderer.”
It referred to the culprit who had been causing a stir in the Guangdong region recently.
Disregarding Seo Dong’s reaction, Gu Yangcheon continued to speak.
“Is there business you wish to discuss with me? Our previous conversation seemed to conclude last night.”
Upon hearing this, Seo Dong straightened up.
He tried to converse further, but someone next to him stepped forward and blocked him.
The individual was a stout middle-aged man.
Upon seeing him, Gu Yangcheon narrowed his eyes.
‘He’s strong.’
Unlike Seo Dong, who was at his peak, this man exuded a heavy aura.
Hwa Gyeong.
That man was a disciple of the Hwa Gyeong.
As Gu Yangcheon regarded him, waiting for an introduction, the man gave a faint smile and assumed a defensive stance.
“Nice to meet you. I am Wei Seok, in charge of the Guangdong branch of the Murim Alliance.”
Upon hearing the man’s name, Gu Yangcheon nodded internally.
Taking one look at him, he believed he wouldn’t be classified as a Daeju level but didn’t expect the branch manager to appear in person.
‘Of course, a Hwa Gyeong level should be kept as a major player.’
If he were a nameless individual, he would easily qualify for an elder in a prestigious family.
Thus, it was odd for such a person to be assigned to a simple sword.
“I apologize for this unannounced visit. I was in a bit of a hurry.”
To Wei Seok’s words, Gu Yangcheon merely nodded.
For an instant, he sensed a slight shift in Wei Seok’s gaze at that.
“You reported that you had captured a red monster?”
“I merely stopped to catch it when I saw it passing by.”
“… Just passing by and capturing a red monster….”
Hearing Gu Yangcheon’s statement, Wei Seok chuckled.
“It’s impressive to hear. I wanted to express my gratitude for this.”
“I appreciate your kindness. So, what’s the matter?”
He urged him to get straight to the point.
The implication in that statement was abundantly clear to both.
“I’m grateful for the assistance you provided, but may I ask your name?”
“Why do you want to know my name? Just be glad and be done with it.”
“Ha ha. Our side also has its own circumstances that require clarity. Additionally…”
As he said this, Wei Seok’s expression sharpened slightly.
“Reports say that you even tamed a monster. Is that true?”
Upon hearing that, Gu Yangcheon chuckled again.
“Come on, don’t be ridiculous; how can a person tame a monster?”
“That’s what I meant. While it’s not a reliable story, it was reported that way.”
“Then perhaps the person who reported it had a dream.”
He chuckled lightly, however, Wei Seok’s expression remained stony and serious.
His heavy gaze remained fixated on Gu Yangcheon.
Upon noticing that, the amused look faded from Gu Yangcheon’s face.
“So, what do you want me to do?”
The previously light voice shifted abruptly to a colder tone.
Immediately, the atmosphere thickened.
“Ugh…!”
Seo Dong, standing beside him, flinched backward. For a split second, it felt as if he was pierced through.
Such was the intensity of the speculation.
“Just get to the bottom line, will you? What is it that you desire?”
Wei Seok, unfazed by the atmosphere surrounding him, stood firm.
It was a strong stance, resembling a martial artist of the Hwa Gyeong.
“Addressing an unidentified individual. Given how the situation is unfolding, I wish to obtain clear information about you. Moreover…”
Wei Seok’s gaze shifted toward the young swordsman.
“It seems you have a connection with the murderer causing chaos lately. I’d like to hear about that as well. If possible, I’d like to take this discussion to the branch for a more detailed conversation.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Yangcheon replied,
“So, you’re suggesting that you suspect me and wish to simply drag me along for questioning?”
“I’ll host you respectfully.”
That was a response laden with significance.
“And if I decline?”
“I truly hope you wouldn’t, but you see, I would prefer to treat you with the utmost courtesy.”
His tone was filled with veiled threats.
If he chose to resist, he would have to face the consequences.
How could that dynamic escape his notice?
Unavoidably, he felt as though the numbers brought along had increased significantly.
Not just Seo Dong, but others of an even higher level seemed to be lurking nearby.
Surely, these would be Daeju level fighters.
‘Am I being treated like a monster?’
That red monster could be dispatched without much trouble.
It would appear they extensively prepared, likely due to the overwhelming presence he had shown Seo Dong.
Feeling the oppressive weight around him, Gu Yangcheon couldn’t suppress his laughter.
“Ha ha.”
He found it impossible not to laugh.
“Isn’t that amusing?”
He didn’t veil his meaning with falsehood.
He wasn’t laughing out of anger; he was genuinely entertained.
Gu Yangcheon stared at Wei Seok as he thought:
How could one not laugh?
‘Seems I’ve thrown out bait better than I expected.’
Matters concerning the Sword Demon had indeed been unexpected, but other than that, everything was unfolding as he had planned.
How could the situation not be seen as fortunate?
Gu Yangcheon, reflecting on this, took a step closer, addressing Wei Seok.
“Well then.”
Simultaneously.
“Let’s see precisely where we go from here.”
Clash-!
The sound of swords being drawn reverberated from all around.
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