Chapter: 751
I stared at the thick line floating in the sky.
‘Wow.’
The crimson glow was quite vivid.
Additionally, I could see the once clear sky gradually becoming overcast with dark clouds. At a glance, it was so out of place that it was obviously not a natural phenomenon.
‘I wondered what kind of grand event would unfold.’
It was a spectacle far more impressive than I had imagined.
Melodies and energy filled the air. Anyone who looked at it would feel overwhelmed by its vastness, as it was clearly not normal.
They said they had been preparing for a very long time, and it was certainly showing.
‘Hmm.’
Six lines slowly began to converge.
They started to connect with each other as if completing a specific phrase. As the process progressed, the once clear sky began to darken little by little.
Gugugugugu–!!!
Vibrations spread everywhere, not just on the stage.
“What, what is going on—!”
“Gyaaaah!”
Screams erupted all around due to the sudden vibrations. People frantically scrambled as if they were in a panic.
Amidst the chaos, I noticed the members of the Clan coming out to assess the situation.
As I confirmed this, my gaze lifted.
It directed towards the crimson barrier that had started to envelop the pavilion.
Saaaaahh…
The energy bursting forth from below surrounded the pavilion.
It was a somewhat translucent crimson membrane.
‘Is that what Pilduma mentioned?’
I recalled hearing about it while planning one day. The power that was mentioned referred to having the discretion to gather the strong in Hanam and restrain them.
They said that given enough time, it could be properly constructed, and indeed, it looked like that was the case.
‘What’s the principle behind it?’
How did it function? I was curious about this, but unfortunately, now wasn’t the right time for that.
Kkwaddeuk–!!!
At that moment, I felt a tremendous surge and checked the entire pavilion.
‘Oh.’
The plum blossom line, sword line, and sword master were simultaneously striking blows against the barrier.
The force echoed heavily, bursting forth with a mighty energy, but the barrier didn’t tear and simply faded.
‘Look at this.’
The effect was clear.
Furthermore, it was painfully obvious that it possessed some sort of efficacy.
‘It isn’t blocking; it’s absorbing, right?’
Clearly, the curtain absorbed the energy from the strikes, and its hue intensified.
Does it grow stronger by consuming energy?
‘Hmm.’
If I were to nitpick, it would fall under the formation category.
It certainly helped in terms of devouring energy.
‘It’s entirely possible to restrain a foot.’
If it can’t completely block it, it will take a bit longer to release it.
Of course, even so.
‘I should be able to hold it for about half an hour.’
That was purely a prediction, but I figured it would definitely be able to hold that much.
‘Oh, I’m curious.’
What’s the actual principle that grants it such power?
If I could verify it, it would surely be a useful ability in the future…
‘Tsk.’
It’s just a shame I can’t go check it out.
Gugugugu–!!
The vibrations grew stronger, and everyone in the audience, sensing danger, began to scramble in haste.
“Run away!”
“Yeonshin-ah! Where are you–!!”
“Damn it! Get out of the way!”
“Uaaah!”
The crowd that had gathered moved in unison, and chaos erupted in an instant.
Screams filled the air.
Curses and cries of anguish drowned out everything else.
Given the sudden situation, people were incapable of thinking straight, and the social order disintegrated.
Moreover,
“C-calm down! First…!”
“Get out of the way! I said move–!”
No matter how determined the clan’s martial artists tried to restore order, it simply wasn’t enough.
They probably could never have anticipated something like this happening, nor had they established any protocols for it.
That was the bonus.
As a result, deep confusion settled over the scene.
This was precisely the situation I desired.
I turned my head, taking it all in.
‘So, shall I start moving slowly?’
This side would gradually collapse, so it was time for me to do what needed to be done.
With that thought in mind, I shifted my gaze.
Swish.
I spotted someone supporting the unconscious Tao King.
Only one person could be rushing over to assist the Tao King among the fleeing crowd.
‘Peng Woo-jin.’
Peng Woo-jin, the son of the Peng family.
He was helping my father.
With a surprisingly expressionless face, no less.
Then our eyes met.
As always, Peng Woo-jin smiled at me, but I was unable to return the smile.
No matter how you looked at it, he was part of the group that had beaten up his father and now grinned while looking at his child.
Thus, I found myself unable to utter a word.
Then he spoke first.
“It has all gotten quite unfortunate.”
Instead, it was Peng Woo-jin who initiated conversation.
Gyaaaah!!
“Please move aside…!!”
His tone was oddly calm, which felt jarringly out of place against the chaotic backdrop.
“I had anticipated that I would soon face Confucius… Hmm. What a pity.”
“That’s not even important in this situation…”
I was taken aback by his words, and before I knew it, I was challenging him without thought.
Is that really the issue in this mess?
Ah… perhaps this.
“If it’s for the sake of the Peng family’s revenge…”
“That doesn’t hold any weight. The family head lost because it was destined. I bear no ill will toward Young Master Gu.”
“…”
Before he could finish, a firm denial burst forth.
How could he possibly not?
I wondered about that, but I truly felt no emotion in Peng Woo-jin’s words; it was chilling.
How can one be so devoid of feeling?
In Peng Woo-jin’s eyes, Peng Zhou was nonexistent.
He was genuinely only focused on me.
Even amidst this cursed situation.
‘He lost because it was his due.’
As he remarked, Peng Woo-jin briefly glanced at Peng Zhou.
In that fleeting moment, an emotion did flicker across his face.
That feeling was horribly dark.
And above all, it was sharp.
‘Hmm.’
Thus, while that feeling disturbed me momentarily, I didn’t let it linger in my mind.
I paid it no mind.
The affairs of the Peng family were not my jurisdiction.
Additionally, it seemed like Peng Woo-jin wasn’t worried about that either as he continued speaking to me.
“Well, I’m disappointed, so… I hope you will surely keep your promise.”
“Oh, yes… I shall try my best.”
As I spoke with a crinkled brow,
“Your Highness—!”
Someone swiftly descended towards me from the air.
It was Dang So-yeol.
“Are you alright…?”
She rushed over, wearing an expression full of concern.
“Right now, something’s happened…! We need to get outside first.”
The abnormal phenomenon floating in the air.
It seemed that Dang So-yeol had also realized that something was amiss.
“Hmm.”
What should I say?
I contemplated for a moment but kept my lips sealed for the time being.
Then, Peng Woo-jin interjected.
“Then, I’ll head this way first.”
Peng Woo-jin, bracing the weight of Peng Zhou, put power into his legs.
Given the situation, the members of the Peng clan couldn’t just come over to the deserted island, so it seemed their first goal was to escape.
Just as he was about to take his leave, Peng Woo-jin turned to Dang So-yeol and said.
“So-yeol. Let’s meet again, Kku.”
At those words, Dang So-yeol seemed to slightly change her expression.
Though these two were next in line after me, considering their condition, it was clear to anyone that the martial arts duel had become irrelevant.
“Ah… okay.”
Dang So-yeol nodded, and having confirmed that, Peng Woo-jin leapt away.
“Your Highness, we also need to move quickly…!”
As the two vanished, Dang So-yeol urgently urged me.
Meanwhile, my gaze remained locked on the pavilion.
“Save the lord—!”
“Long story—!!”
“Damn it. Call the juror!”
“What on earth is Pungryongdae doing—!!”
It wasn’t just the members of the Clan. People dressed in various outfits pounded on the pavilion’s curtain.
They were all exceptional warriors and figures from a community.
They all rushed toward the membrane to save their lords and their superiors.
Even those from the Murim Alliance were converging to rescue the swordsman.
“Uaaagh!”
A disaster akin to calamity had struck, yet people had received no proper directions.
These people from the righteous faction were busy trying to save their leaders and heads.
As I watched this unfold, I pondered.
Is this truly righteousness?
Are these the values that the righteous faction has upheld for centuries?
Can this really be called justice when they can’t even withstand this small fracture?
I didn’t know.
I couldn’t make a judgement since I had never understood righteousness or consensus in my life, but one thing was clear.
‘If that’s what justice or consensus looks like…’
I didn’t think they were necessary at all.
“It’s the end… It’s really the end…”
“Oh my god—!”
“Mommy…”
The streets of Hanam, where I was walking with Dang So-yeol, gradually started filling with wails.
Gugugugugu—!!!
“Uaaagh—!”
“Honey…!!”
The vibrations remained fierce, and the sky lost its azure hue, filled with dark clouds.
The situation had altered in less than half an hour.
The street, once buzzing with excitement for the martial arts competition, was instantly shattered.
Gripped by fear of the unknown disaster, all were paralyzed.
While I saw those around me, I made quick movements.
“First, I should return to my residence, right?”
Dang So-yeol, busying her feet, directed a question at me.
Of course, I’m going back to my place. Shouldn’t we rally the others?
That was a reasonable statement from Dang So-yeol, but…
“You go ahead.”
“Yes?”
That wasn’t what I envisioned.
How could I just head back? That would be impossible now that the barrier was established.
“Go take care of the kids. I have something I need to handle.”
“Your Highness, what does that mean… in this situation?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry.”
I smiled faintly and nudged Dang So-yeol along.
“There’s no need to worry.”
“…”
At my firm words, Dang So-yeol’s expression shifted oddly.
Had she caught onto something? Or was she simply agreeing with me despite the turmoil? I couldn’t tell.
But.
“…Okay, I got it.”
Dang So-yeol nodded at my words.
“…Don’t take too long. If you are late… I’ll really come looking for you.”
“I won’t be late. It won’t take long at all.”
“Understood.”
With those words, Dang So-yeol quickened her pace and dashed towards her residence.
I halted, observing her small frame disappear into the distance.
Then I paused for a moment to glance to the side.
Uaaagh… Mommy…
I spotted a child crying in fear.
A figure resembling a mother was seen comforting the panicking child.
Everyone was steeped in terror.
Some were floundering helplessly, while others could barely move, paralyzed by fear.
These were the images I often witnessed in my previous life, particularly at the start of a war.
The expressions then, and the atmosphere surrounding it.
I had no desire to relive those harrowing memories, yet the current scene mirrored them closely.
If there was a difference…
‘This time, I created this mess.’
That realization clawed at my insides.
What did it matter if those insects suffered?
A surge of something twisted and raw began to bubble up within me.
At once, a sense of revulsion washed over me.
I wished to abandon it all.
With nausea threatening to rise, I turned my head away.
I grounded myself, readying my feet.
I wouldn’t make excuses for what needed to be done.
What excuse was even needed here?
I could simply endure it.
As I steadied my breath and resolved myself, suddenly…
Listen well, dogs of the Murim Alliance.
A voice erupted through the middle of the street.
I looked up.
Before my eyes, figures began to hover in the air.
Not merely one.
Dozens.
There were easily dozens floating above.
The day of reform has arrived.
An old, cracked voice resonated, spreading through the air.
The energy imbued in those words was dense and profound.
“What… What’s happening?”
“What? Who on earth are they?”
“What the hell is going on—!!”
At the appearance of these figures, chaos intensified into a fervor.
Their presence confirmed that this unfamiliar phenomenon was anything but natural.
It was infinitely more terrifying that it could only be a product of humanity.
We have come to punish the Murim Alliance for its sins.
The Murim Alliance concealed its own ugliness, forgot its past, and failed to correct its erroneous history.
An elderly man vented his long-suppressed grievances, the history poured forth with clarity.
The meaning embedded within his voice was so lucid that merely hearing it sufficed to grasp its significance.
It was a life shackled with severe persecution and curses.
The illusion created by the Murim Alliance, which claims to uphold justice, has shaped us into what we are today.
Hence, this is the punishment that ‘we,’ who have borne and endured that time, shall deliver.
Filthy Murim.
Thus, the burdens of the Zhuge family shall rest upon you for generations to come.
As he gestured,
Gugugugugugugu—!!!!
The vibrations intensified, and every other figure in the air, save for the elder, plummeted to the ground.
Gyaaaahh…!!
Help! Don’t leave me!!
The wails grew louder.
Even in this pandemonium, the leaders of the Murim Alliance still didn’t show themselves.
A few appeared, but what use were they?
What on earth are the higher-ups doing?
Those bound to the pavilion could only be halfway perplexed.
What was the other half doing?
It would perhaps be better if they just didn’t show up, but it was strange that they hadn’t emerged at this point.
If I’m uncertain, I must go check.
I leaped forward to assess the situation.
While I anticipated a grim scene ahead, I turned without hesitation.
I had my own objective.
Stop—!!
For there was something else I had been preparing.
The assailants.
As I regarded them, more energy surged from every direction.
The combat teams will protect civilians amidst the assault—!!
A powerful roar engulfed the atmosphere.
Concurrently, several individuals charged toward the cloaked figures.
Shouts exploded like barriers against the oncoming invasion.
Witnessing this, many people shouted with glimmering eyes.
Hwangbo Se-ga!
It’s Hwangbo Se-ga!
Countless martial artists garbed in yellow emerged en masse.
Some halted on the surrounding streets and began gesturing.
Everyone, remain calm! From here on out, Hwangbo Se-ga will protect you!
Please follow the guidance promptly—!!
Draw swords! From now on, civilian safety will be our utmost priority! Protect the principles of our faction with your lives—!!
Charge—!!
Could it be that the appearance of these family leaders uniting brought relief to others?
A slight sense of relief flickered across many faces.
As I confirmed this, I couldn’t help but smile.
Everything proceeded according to plan.
The predetermined chess pieces began to move one by one.
No issues had arisen yet.
However, what mattered began from this moment.
Now then.
I will cast aside what I can discard. I will gather what I need to collect.
Amidst the turmoil and riot that they had preemptively prepared for, it was time to seize what could be gained.
Boom—!! Crash—!!
Shortly thereafter, an explosion echoed in the distance.
Ignoring it, I leaped.
At the same time, I reached into my clothing and retrieved the item.
A familiar-looking cracked mask.
I put it on my face, feeling my heart surge with strength.
Thump—!
Magical energy surged through my veins.
Now, finally.
The time had come for the Heavenly Demon to descend upon the chaos that had unspooled.
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