Chapter: 756
Avoid!
Kwarrrrung-!
Gyaaaah-!!
The streets of Hanam were originally beautiful. As the most developed area in the central region, it showcased a bustling vibrancy both day and night. However, under such chaos, buildings were collapsing, and the streets were turning into a disaster zone due to a sudden attack.
Street vendors that once lined the roads… well, they had fallen a long time ago. The businesses and inns built in the heart of Hanam began to crumble under the onslaught.
Break it!
Push it! Don’t delay!
Those clad in black were indiscriminately wreaking havoc, destroying both buildings and people.
Where on earth did these folks come from? Why is the sky so ominous, and why are we caught in this mess?
People were riddled with questions, but there was simply nothing they could do. That’s just the nature of disasters…
“Oh, Dad…”
Shh-!
His young daughter sobbed in his arms.
He held her tighter, hoping the noise wouldn’t reach anyone’s ears. He tucked them both behind the wreckage of a fallen wall, clutching his breath.
…Huh…Huh…
The girl’s breath came out ragged in fright. The father felt drenched in sweat as he turned back.
Those in the black garb scanned the area.
Could they be trying to check for more survivors?
‘Please…’
He shut his eyes tightly at that sight. If they kept looking, they might get found out. He had to stay alive.
Even if it was just him, at least he needed to save his daughter.
Just as that thought crossed his mind…
Crispy.
…!
He heard a sound coming from behind the wall.
‘Oh, God.’
His body trembled.
If this continued, they wouldn’t be safe for long. Should he grab his daughter and flee now?
If he ran away, would he actually succeed?
The enemies were skilled warriors. His own slow legs would be no match for them.
Perhaps begging for mercy would be better.
Wouldn’t appealing to emotions be his best shot at saving his daughter?
His thoughts spiraled deeper.
Thud.
The sound around him grew louder.
“…”
With shaking hands, there was only one thing left that he could do.
He prayed.
“Please, someone save us…” he had told his daughter when the chaos started.
“Don’t worry. This land is guarded by the Murim Alliance, so we, too, shall remain unharmed.”
He had assured her—most certainly he had.
‘When… oh when…?’
-Please save me!
Amidst the screaming from all directions, what on earth was the Alliance doing?
So, just as the man began to spiral deeper into his panic…
Found it…! It looks like it’s here!
A voice of hope rang in the distance.
Light blue-uniformed people appeared nearby.
Those were the symbols of Murim Alliance’s protectors of Hanam.
The warriors started pulling someone from beneath the rubble.
It seemed like he was the innkeeper, the owner of the collapsed building.
He wasn’t too far away.
‘…Please…!’
Please discover this place.
Please find and save them.
The man wished desperately.
…!
Their gazes truly met.
His eyes locked with those of the men from the Alliance who were helping the old man.
I am alive.
That thought struck him immediately.
Now, if it’s the Murim Alliance, they would surely rescue them and save his daughter.
He believed in it firmly and thought of miracles.
‘Wha…?’
His hope turned to despair in an instant.
They would save them after all.
The warriors he had believed in from the Alliance…
‘…Why…?’
They looked away instead of acknowledging him, even though their eyes had met.
Too busy rescuing the elder to even glance at their direction.
It was clear their eyes had locked for a moment.
Why would the Alliance abandon him now, especially when he had hoped for rescue so fervently?
‘Why… on earth…?’
Despair swirled around him like a swamp.
Insidiously deep, it squeezed tighter around his throat.
But…
“Please save me!!”
He had a daughter; he couldn’t just lose hope.
Could it be they didn’t hear him? Was their eye contact an illusion, perhaps?
His mind knew it was not true, but there was no time for debate.
“Please! Save us…!!”
The man yelled out in desperation.
At his outcry, movement stirred behind him. The attackers had also taken notice.
“Even if it’s not me… please spare my little, little daughter…! Daaehhyeoeoeoup!”
The father cried out, layering his sincerity.
Even if they shoved a blade in his back, he begged for his daughter’s life instead.
Yet…
Damn…
The men in black exchanged awkward glances between the old man and the crying father.
…This is troublesome.
It seemed the man’s cry had elicited a reaction of discomfort.
But one thing… if they’d just look his way; that’d be enough. The man hoped for just that.
This terrain isn’t suitable for fighting. For now, securing the innkeeper takes priority!
… However!
It’s an order.
…
The warriors exchanged a few quick words and then moved urgently.
“Great swordsman…? Great swordsman!!”
The man screamed in agony at that sight.
Are you truly abandoning us…?
Why was the Murim Alliance turning their backs on them?
A scene utterly impossible to believe.
It felt more like a dream than reality. As despair washed over him, he felt completely crushed.
At that moment…
Heh heh.
A clear, mocking laugh echoed from behind.
At the sound, the man creaked his neck and noticed the attackers stepping closer, staring at him.
“I guess I’ve been abandoned.”
Upon hearing that voice, the man gripped his daughter tightly.
Now’s the time to run! Yet his legs felt leaden, weighed down with incapacity.
“…Ah… the child is very… young… Youthful, then…”
His rattled voice stumbled over the words as he trembled.
With those words, the villain’s eyes shifted towards his daughter.
Unexpectedly, a fleeting look of nostalgia flashed across the villain’s face.
“Yeah, my daughter was exactly that age.”
Is it on the account of sympathy? That thought flitted through his mind.
“But she died at the hands of that so-called righteous lot.”
Nostalgia swiftly warped into resentment.
“She was precious and beautiful. I still remember the days she’d chatter to me.”
A thick layer of malice dripped from his tone.
Merely hearing it made the father sick to his stomach.
“Did you really believe in the Murim Alliance?”
A grimace, as though the villain were a demon.
Only then did the man glimpse the attacker’s face—half of it seemed disfigured from a searing burn.
“If that’s the case, that’s probably why you’ll die.”
“P-Please… please! I can die. I’d do anything! Just… spare my daughter!”
So sad…!!
Death approached with ferocity.
As the villain raised his sword high, showing no intention of mercy…
Eek!
The father tightly closed his eyes, clutching his daughter protectively.
At that moment…
Hwaruk–!!
He suddenly felt a rush of warmth and light.
Kwaaaaahh…
His tightly shut eyes felt briefly illuminated.
Rather than the anticipated pain, he felt an odd warmth.
Could it be… he had died?
Was this the feeling in the afterlife?
Worry shot through him as he dared to slightly open his eyes.
…Huh!
He gasped as astonishment washed over him.
Tap-tap! Tap-tap!
Surrounding him, flames blazed intensely.
Blue, swirling flames.
They seemed alive, wrapping around him with vibrancy.
“Wh-What… What is this…?”
What on earth is happening?
As confusion swirled through him…
“Dad, it’s warm!”
“What? Huh…! Hye-yeon!”
His daughter suddenly reached out to the flames.
“Wait!”
He swiftly grabbed her to pull her back.
But…
Huh?
Something felt off.
The flames danced around them but weren’t actually hot, just as his daughter stated.
What was going on? More pressing…
‘…What about the attacker…?’
What had happened to the raiders? As questions bubbled endlessly…
“Hey, don’t mess with that.”
A voice fell from beyond the flames.
“If you keep touching it that way, you’ll peel the skin right off your hands.”
Whoooosh—!
With that, the flames flared up and then receded.
Revealing the scene hidden beneath.
…!!
The man inhaled sharply, eyes widening.
While much had been damaged, it was now scorched black.
Blue flames flickered in patches, and the walls bubbled like they were melting.
Furthermore, the original form of the villain was now exposed…
“Dad?”
His daughter’s voice broke his daze, and he snapped his attention toward her.
The sight was too brutal for a child. He started to block her vision.
“I can’t see anything! What’s going on?”
Her eyes were completely covered.
The blue flames had temporarily obscured her sight.
Seeing that, the manturned away, likely gazing toward the one who had saved them—the owner of the flames.
“Ah, thank you so much… Great… Swordsman.”
As he tried to express his gratitude, he caught himself mid-sentence.
The person looked remarkably young.
A figure with black hair and blue eyes.
Barely an adult, more like a boy than a man.
He resembled someone who hadn’t yet lived much beyond his teenage years.
Moreover…
‘…I feel like I’ve seen them before.’
Well, more than seen, as his features felt familiar. If someone of that age could wield such flames… no way.
“C-Cow inflammation…?”
“Hmm.”
When the man uttered that nickname, the young man—Gu Yangcheon—slightly furrowed his brow.
It was a title that never became familiar no matter how many times he heard it.
I can’t help it.
But familiarity was essential.
“I guess I don’t need to introduce myself if you already know me.”
“…I-I… really… really thank you… Thank you…”
The man kept bowing, choked with emotion. Gu Yangcheon stared at him, looking somewhat flustered.
“Thank you is enough; please remember me.”
“Yes…? Remember… you mean…?”
“I just need you to remember, because I’ll be bringing this up later.”
“Ah… uh, yes…”
Though confusion clouded his understanding, he nodded anyway.
Seeing this, Gu Yangcheon’s lips curled into a smirk. Then, looking at the daughter still cradled in the father’s arms, he continued.
“Hey.”
The child flinched at the sudden sharpness in his voice.
“Listen to your father and live well.”
“…Yes… Yes… Thank you.”
Perhaps startled, the child hesitated before responding.
Her tongue twisted while speaking, making her words fuzzy.
Fortunately, her eyes were still covered, preventing her from breaking into tears.
It was rather endearing; he felt compelled to pat her head.
Damn.
He had just gotten his hands dirty, after all.
It wouldn’t be appropriate to touch with those hands.
Restraining his regretful hands, he turned, addressing the man.
“If you head north from here, the Hwangbo family will be waiting. Go in that direction and request their protection.”
“Hwangbo family… you mean those people?”
“Yes. I think they could be more reliable than the Alliance at this point.”
“…”
The man’s eyes shook at that statement.
Wasn’t the Alliance the safer option? Typically, that choice would seem rational. But no words escaped his lips.
His eyes were filled only with skepticism.
Gu Yangcheon observed him quietly, adding…
“Anyway, you should head that way.”
“Ah… Great Swordsman, by any chance….”
The man hesitated, wanting to express something.
“I’m sorry, but I’m quite busy.”
Gu Yangcheon firmly rejected the inquiry. He had already grasped the intention behind it.
They seemed to be looking for help due to the distance, but that simply couldn’t be arranged.
“There are still many places that need saving.”
“…”
Upon hearing this justification, the man stopped speaking, bowing even deeper than before.
“…Thank you, Great Swordsman. I am truly grateful.”
“Ah, right. You really should be going now.”
He waved his hand dismissively, urging the man to leave. With that, the father quickly hugged his child and dashed away.
And thus, the two figures finally vanished.
“…”
As Gu Yangcheon observed their departure, his brow furrowed.
Thanks.
Hearing terms of gratitude felt weighty.
He had intended to elicit those words but felt he didn’t deserve them.
Damn.
He scanned the surroundings.
Everything was charred black.
Burned so severely that no cleanup was possible.
…Difficult to control.
It wasn’t easy.
The very notion of fighting to save something posed problems.
You have to have saved someone to really understand.
Despite having annihilated plenty, he had rarely fought with the intent to rescue.
Consequently, Gu Yangcheon found himself feeling awkward.
…Ugh.
It would’ve been simpler had he aimed to wipe everything out entirely.
The effort to control his actions made it exceedingly challenging; he wanted desperately to simply unleash chaos.
-Thank you.
…
The fleeting words felt oddly enveloping around him.
Pull yourself together.
He instantly clarified his head.
Do you think you’re a hero now?
No room for delusions.
So he repeated the thoughts, solidifying them.
He crafted this situation. This wasn’t a rescue but a cleanup.
He wasn’t a hero; he was merely pretending to be one.
With that affirmation, he bit his lip and pressed forward.
Hwaruk- Flames wrapped around him, lifting his body off the ground.
Time was short, and the tasks were numerous.
He needed to move faster.
*
Kurrrrung-!! The building crumbled, and debris rained down.
Whoaaaah…!
As those below screamed and ducked for cover…
Hurrrurruruk–!!!
A massive flame swept through the falling ruin.
Eek…!
Everyone flinched from the colossal blaze, yet thankfully the collapsing debris burned away with no casualties reported.
But…
Not all perils had been averted.
Kuuung-!
Another fragment fell. Yet this time, no flames erupted.
Ugh!
Thud!
The giants appeared, clearing away the debris.
Clad in yellow uniforms, they were all warriors of the Hwangbo clan.
He gestured as confirmation of their identity.
Hurrrurr—!!!
Under orders, the flames erupted higher.
The blaze burst forth in all directions.
It was a literal sea of flames.
They could have easily burnt them all to ash, but such horrific scenarios did not unfold.
…Not… hot.
“Mother! Are you okay?”
Despite flames engulfing the vicinity entirely, no one screamed.
The blue blaze swept past the civilians.
And then…
Kwaaaaak!
Ugh… Euaaaaaaaaaaaa!!
Flames surged, selectively targeting and incinerating those who had attacked Hanam.
Two ahead. Three beyond. One top right.
His sight darted around rapidly as he widened his senses at once.
Cold sweat rolled off him.
Damn.
This was incredibly taxing.
It was difficult to discern who to burn and challenging to control the flames while distinguishing foes.
Who would have thought it would be so tough?
This might have even been simpler than outright war.
Phew.
He steadied his breath while continuing to stir the flames.
Rapidly expanding flames shot towards another attacker but this time merely grazed him.
Why?
Blue armband. Confirmed.
A dark uniform embroidered in purple—a blue armband strapped on their left arm.
This fellow was from the deadly night-striking unit that had infiltrated under command.
He glided past to catch other foes.
How many times did he repeat this act?
Only after sweeping the flames across the area did he lower his hands.
Whew…
Though fleeting, it took longer than expected. The amount of energy he expended was indicative of that.
He bent slightly, catching his breath, feeling tired.
Pasaasasak–!!
Buildings began tumbling down one by one.
He had become too focused on differentiating people to worry about the structures.
Now, buildings—all that effort went up in smoke.
People ought to be in shock at this scene.
…Thank you…!!
Truly, thank you so much…!
People were busy flooding him with gratitude for saving their lives.
Now is not the time for this! Move quickly! I will lead you!
Before anyone gathered themselves, warriors from the Hwangbo clan stepped forward to guide the civilians.
“Great Swordsman…! Thank you so much! I will never forget this debt…!”
“Soyeomra Great Swordsman…!”
…
He waved off the bothersome voices as if swatting away a gnat.
I thought a power that was so visible would be a drag, but, of course, it helps in moments like this.
Evidently, a flame user made it straightforward to see him.
Except now it had turned blue, so there was no chance he could go unnoticed.
Thanks to that, it seemed people spotted his continuous efforts to save lives.
Truly a fitting way for advertisements.
Nonetheless.
Wiping the flowing sweat from his forehead, he inquired.
“…Please give me a situation report…”
Perhaps he was a bit fatigued; breath punctured his voice.
In response to the query, the man with the blue armband, whom he had saved earlier, landed and kneeled before him.
“We do not know the exact number of casualties yet, but all survivors in this area have been evacuated.”
His voice remained clear and collected.
Thanks to that, he found it simple to ask further questions.
“…What about the movements of other factions?”
“Twelve from Hwasan, and from Shaolin, the numbers remain unknown but their participation has been confirmed. Furthermore, just over thirty from the Alliance have joined the fight. Additional families and sects participated as well.”
“…”
The report brought a chuckle of sarcasm to his lips.
If all are combined, it’s likely no more than two to three hundred at most.
That was the total involved in stopping the current assault.
While it hasn’t been long since the attack initiated, only thus many are stepping forward?
No way!
A situation was simply unacceptable.
How could so many martial artists, initially expected to join the martial arts exhibition, now choose to stand idly by?
Even with their feet bound?
A curtain stretched across the front hall.
What was intended to tie down the strong was not just affixed in the hall itself.
Why would anyone bother announcing the strong families who recently came to Hanam if not to know their locations?
To bind some of the mightiest factions, that was their goal.
Although their plan may have succeeded, contributing to fewer participants…
Even excluding that, this has been a long-standing issue that came to a head.
A problem that had been simmering for ages.
While numerous factors likely contributed, one significantly stood out.
The Shinryongwon Raid Incident.
That event from the past, when the Black Dragon Sword reared its fangs and blood filled the winds.
That had likely been the catalyst.
At the time, so many fatalities from the late imperial factions. Noble families, clans of the day lost promising successors.
They even organized an alliance to mitigate the crisis.
That hardly meant that distrust had vanished.
It must have begun then, the skepticism surrounding the first order of things.
No matter how many times the leader changed or new systems were implemented, it wouldn’t help.
So with the emergence of this calamity, it was expected many would choose to shy away and not offer their hands.
Someone had to step forward—nobody wished to play victim.
With thoughts of that nature, accountability forged ahead, everyone retreated or hesitated.
With every passing cloud over Murim, the matter festered wider.
‘… Dishearteningly astonishing.’
Honestly, I expected it wouldn’t take long to suppress this raid.
That was how it was framed from the outset.
Why is it now taking nearly twice as long?
The assumed duration had easily expanded.
It didn’t help that we’re cutting it this close.
Turning to survey the surroundings felt eerily quiet.
The place once hailed as central Hanam calmed into eerie stillness.
Elsewhere, the raids likely continued, but at least here, tranquility prevailed.
Wooooow—!!
He spread his senses wide once more.
Thank the heavens, nothing ominous loomed.
Success first.
As of now, everything seemed alright.
“Phew…”
He released a breath, glancing sideways.
“Please let them know that there are no disruptions in plans and everything will proceed as planned.”
“…Understood.”
Once he received the response, the stealthy figure left, and his eyes narrowed as he stared into the ether.
It was safe to claim that it was now night.
That meant the atmosphere had turned as dark as ink.
Envelopes of darkness revealed the scarlet lines more vividly.
…
Confirming all that, he slowly relaxed his neck.
Woohoo—!
The flowing lines reached their terminus.
It felt as if they were biding their time until all the area was cleared of remnants…
Woom.
At this juncture, the strands connected wholly.
As realization settled in, his eyes narrowed instinctively.
The completed web resembled some grand emblem.
A colossal pattern loomed in the sky.
How bizarre.
He could hardly fathom he would witness something of this sort in his existence.
Yet, even more pressing was a matter beyond that peculiar pattern.
What in the world is this…?
He comprehensively grasped it instinctively.
A line once brimming with light dimmed to the void. The wind stilled into quietude. The earth ceased its tremor. The sky halted its motion.
That strange spectacle heralded a sign.
A portent that something was about to transpire.
Holding that judgment while remaining alert.
Suddenly, the plane that held darkness let out a sound.
It’s coming.
Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!!!
A fierce beam of light shot earthward.
The burst of crimson began burrowing into the ground in an instant.
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