Chapter: 887
On a winter day that was starting to get colder, busy movements were still being repeated within the Murim Alliance in Hanam.
This was partly due to the changing seasons, but also because of a recent incident.
“It’s said that the frequency of monsters appearing in the northern Taishan has clearly increased.”
“Yes, I’ve heard that too. They say green monsters don’t appear anymore.”
Originally, most of the green monsters would have been guarding Mount Taishan, but now their numbers have clearly diminished.
The green monsters have almost disappeared, with blue monsters now being the majority, and occasionally red monsters making an appearance.
As a result, the herbalists’ movements have been prohibited, and the inspection team’s schedule has become tight.
“…This is it. I can’t stand it without a day off.”
Their faces were soaked with fatigue. Even if they called it rest, it was only for a short while, making it worse.
Moreover, with the current vacancies in the swordsman positions, it was even more so.
“When will the Blue Dragons return…?”
“Well, it hasn’t even been two weeks since they left for Sacheon. Shouldn’t they be staying a little longer?”
“If we need to stay longer, how many months will that be?”
“Probably so.”
“Ha…”
A deep sigh escaped. It couldn’t be helped.
With the departure of Cheongryongdae, the workload had increased.
Especially since the movements of Sapa were unusual, other swordsmen were quickly moving about as well.
Because of that, my already empty hands became even emptier.
“…Still, I think things will improve when Ilcheonggeom returns.”
“Well, that’s true. But…”
The man, while brushing his chin, continued, “There’s been some strange rumors floating around lately.”
“What rumors?”
“There’s a rumor that Ilcheonggeom is in collusion with the Demonic Cult.”
“Huh?”
Dae-won frowned upon hearing that.
“What kind of ridiculous rumor is that?”
It was too absurd to even believe.
“Ilcheonggeom colluding with the Demonic Cult?”
“Seems like it to me. It’s just a rumor, after all.”
“That’s such a ludicrous rumor.”
What kind of person is Ilcheonggeom? Even during the Jeongsa Daejeon, he was known for his upright conduct.
He was evaluated as someone who would soon join the ranks of the top teens, and if possible, even eyeing the leader’s position.
That person colluding with the Demonic Cult? Ridiculous!
“Isn’t that what rumors tend to be?”
“I find it absurd even hearing it myself; I can’t imagine how much Cheongryongdae and Ilcheonggeom would laugh if they heard it.”
Especially the remaining members of the main alliance would probably burst into laughter upon hearing this.
“Originally, when something comes out of someone’s mouth, it tends to become cloudy and exaggerated.”
The man added with a smirk.
“It’s the same this time, right? The same goes for that Big Shot.”
“Ha, that guy…”
Big Shot. Upon hearing that, Dae-won nodded as if he understood.
“Are you talking about that nonsense?”
The corners of the young man’s mouth curled up as he spoke.
Meaning it was a funny story.
“Are you saying that Cheonma can handle and summon monsters?”
It was the most ridiculous thing he had heard in a while.
An unknown being called the head of the Demonic Cult.
Heavenly Demon.
There’s a story that he appeared in Sacheon, and when he stretched his hand to the sky, a magic gate opened, and countless monsters poured out.
“Not even funny!”
There is a level of believability, and this was beyond it.
Even if the identity of Cheonma is unknown, he is still human.
How could a human not only tame a monster but also open a magic gate to summon them?
“If that were possible, I’d throw the book at you.”
“Right?”
“Surely, that’s impossible.”
And in the voice delivering this was a vague sense of anxiety.
Cheonma is currently an object of fear.
It’s only natural.
A strange being that suddenly fell from the sky.
The same goes for the group known as the Demonic Cult, which we have never encountered before. Their first appearance was anything but ordinary.
The current leader of the Mudang faction, the Sword Master, of course, fell right into their main camp without a hitch.
He shot down the elder of the shamans right in front of everyone and casually escaped.
After that, incidents started happening in Hanam.
The Zhuge clan rebelled and launched an attack, and in that process, the white monsters retaliated.
The Heavenly Demon was present then as well.
Moreover, there was the Heavenly Lord, one of the three Lords, and many of the ten greatest masters were present, including the Sword Master and the Plum Blossom.
Cheonma showcased his presence there and calmly faded away.
Now, with this incident, questions can’t help but arise.
“I wonder just how strong Cheonma really is.”
What level has he reached?
It was a fact that surfaced as a question in the current Central Plains.
A monster that even the three Lords couldn’t stop.
Doesn’t this mean he has also reached the level of the Three Lords?
Additionally,
‘…The outbreak of white monsters.’
The appearance of monsters that were present during the Hanam raid.
Recalling that only heightened the sense of anxiety.
Cheonma can summon and control monsters. That implies—
‘Could it be?’
At that moment, a thought flashed through his mind.
‘…Did Cheonma summon that hundred-level monster too?’
Suddenly, the sight of a hundred-level monster appearing as if drawn in the air overlapped with the current rumor.
Could it be that the Heavenly Demon summoned the hundred-level monster? Such doubts flickered through his mind.
‘That can’t be the case.’
Dae-won shook his head.
That cannot be. They were already talking about him being comparable to the Three Lords in sheer power.
If humans possessed such power here—
‘Is that really human?’
It’s hard to even consider him human, and imagining what would happen if he started a war was beyond comprehension.
It was creepy and terrifying.
“Phew…”
Dae-won let out a sigh he was trying hard to shake off. The notion that someone comparable to the Three Lords existed was ridiculous enough, which made him believe the monster was a mere rumor.
No, he had to believe it.
“By the way, leaving aside Cheongryongdae, what’s happening with Seongryongdae?”
He quickly changed the subject to steer the conversation elsewhere.
“Seongryongdae?”
“Yes, I heard they went to Sacheon together.”
“Hmm, there hasn’t been any news. But since they went with the Blue Dragons, I doubt there will be any issues.”
“That may be true, but…”
The speaker began to close the distance between them slightly.
It was as if he wanted to speak of something that shouldn’t be heard by others.
“That…that recent incident, right?”
“Incident? Oh.”
“It concerns the strategist Muk.”
“Oh… that’s what it is.”
It was a well-known tale from recent times. The head of the Shanxi Gu family, Hohyeop, entered the main camp and attacked Mukyeon, who was dealing with matters at the time.
The Sword Master, who stood guard, thwarted Hohyeop. Then the Dragon Lord, who appeared later, subdued him, right?
It was said now that Hohyeop was locked in an underground prison…
“Wouldn’t this cause issues for the Holy King too?”
“Seems that way.”
Hohyeop is none other than the father of the current king.
Seongwang is currently regarded as a hero in Hanam. He repelled attacks and even hunted a hundred-level monster, so public sentiment was fervent.
Because of that, he not only became the youngest king, but was also seen as the most potential candidate for the next supreme champion.
Such is the Holy King.
“Why would the former lord do something like that?”
“Who knows?”
Why did Hohyeop commit such acts suddenly in this situation?
Blocking his son’s path like this…
“If it’s Hohyeop… he’s a well-known warrior, though not widely recognized.”
“He’s famous. If you had seen how he dealt with the Sa-pa during the last war, it would not have ended like this.”
“…Was it really that intense?”
“Absolutely. He was like an evil spirit.”
Why else would he be referred to by another name among the Sapa?
Having lived quietly in the mountains, he was once a renowned warrior.
“That’s why it’s puzzling.”
How could he suddenly act this way?
Many were questioning.
“The trial in progress is probably two days away?”
“That’s correct.”
“If the verdict isn’t favorable, what happens to the King?”
“I think there may be some issues, though I’m not sure.”
The Gu clan’s leader, being one of the eight pillars of the alliance.
The father of such a person had committed a crime against the alliance; it could spell trouble for the king’s position.
“There have been rumors that the strategist Muk holds the King dear… but I wonder if he’ll overlook this.”
“No matter how much of a nobleman the strategist is, isn’t this too much?”
“Seems so to me as well.”
“And if it’s two days away, the Holy King might not be able to attend.”
He is still in Sacheon.
I don’t know if any news has reached him, but even if he left right away, he wouldn’t arrive until winter.
“No matter what, these events keep unfolding, and it’s only bringing unease.”
“That’s what everyone is saying. It feels like the calm before the storm.”
An ominous feeling that something is about to break.
It was a situation everyone sensed.
Cheonma’s emergence and the monsters’ movements took a drastic turn.
The situation was unmistakably becoming more chaotic.
And then—
“There are reports of Sapa also making suspicious movements.”
According to the Biryongdae gathering information, that was the case.
The demons and the Demonic Cult were not normal by any measure.
“With all these things happening, it’s nerve-wracking…”
“What are you worried about? As long as the Murim Alliance is here, there shouldn’t be any problems.”
“Ha-ha…”
Dae-won chuckled bitterly. The person he was talking to seemed older, imbued with excessive faith in the Murim Alliance.
Most people of that age tended to be that way.
Yet now, faith in the alliance had markedly decreased.
Especially among those living in Hanam.
“Yes… I suppose you’re right.”
Dae-won nodded without knowing what to say.
At the same time, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Ugh… it’s hot.”
Today’s weather was excessively warm.
“Indeed. Why is it so hot…?”
As they spoke, they exchanged glances.
Hot?
Considering it now felt strange.
The weather was about to turn to winter, and just this morning, it was chilly enough to see breath.
Now, it felt hot; hot enough to make one sweat…
“What is going on? Why is it so hot?”
Why is it so sweltering?
The temperature was almost mid-summer level.
In fact, it kept getting hotter. It was eerie. Moreover—
‘…It feels heavy.’
The air felt suffocating. It was as if something were pressing down on one’s shoulders.
Breathing grew more labored, and the heat and pressure caused eyes to narrow.
What is happening?
Suddenly, this…
“Over there, quick!”
Someone from the crowd yelled.
Pointing up at the sky. Following the gesture, everyone’s gaze shifted upwards.
Something bright was in the center of the shining sun.
What is that? The question didn’t linger long.
Whoosh—!!
It’s a flame.
A spark of blue light.
At the sun’s center, blue flames were igniting.
It was the size of a small candle.
But…
‘Is it getting bigger…?’
The spark was growing larger and larger. Watching it, realization hit late.
It wasn’t that it was getting bigger.
It was getting closer!
As the distance closed, it appeared larger. The moment this awareness struck—
KAAAAAMMMMM!!!
The spark hit the ground.
BOOM—!!!
The fallen blue flame exploded, sending flames skyrocketing into the air.
A magnificent pillar of fire made everyone tremble involuntarily.
KAAAMMM—!!!
“Ugh!”
“AAAAHHHH—!!”
The heat and the compressed air caused those nearby to fall back. The unexpected shock made other warriors begin to emerge.
“What the—!!”
“Is this an attack…? Prepare for battle!”
Tension painted their faces.
It was clear this was anything but normal. Could it perhaps be the doing of Sapa? Or could it be… the Demonic Cult?
At that moment, anxiety crept onto everyone’s faces.
“Get out of the way!”
A grave voice echoed. A figure landed lightly upon the ground.
As he stepped down, the hot air seemed to clear up instantly.
“Su, Guardian Lord!”
The old man was none other than Geomje, known to be the closest to the Three Lords among the ten great masters.
The Guardian of the Flame stood ready with his sword drawn against the flames.
A tremendous energy radiated from the old man’s feet.
Wooosh—!!
The aura from the sword formed shapes, taking control of the surrounding air.
Those observing couldn’t help but applaud in admiration.
“How can such exquisite energy be…?”
The old man’s power exhibited delicacy and precision, yet it was also rock-solid.
Guardian Lord, the Sword Master.
His form matched perfectly with his past achievements and character.
No matter what occurs, he is a protector of the Murim Alliance.
It was an embodiment of the words said.
KAAAAAAAAMMM—!!!
The flames reacted against the sword master’s aura. They neither yielded nor retreated.
In fact, they moved with more ferocity as if trying to burn the swordsman’s spirit.
The sword master frowned.
“What on Earth is going on?”
He spoke softly, but just then—
KAAAAAAA—!!!
Within the tumultuous flames, a shape began to form gradually.
The flames took form, slowly transforming into human flesh.
And then—
“What do you think you’re doing?”
The thing that had been formed even spoke.
FLAP!
The long coat fluttered as wind pressure impacted it.
A white robe with blue embroidery adorned his body.
The martial arts attire he wore distinctly identified him as part of the Murim Alliance.
Not just any warrior. This one…
“The Great Lord…”
It was the Great Lord’s robe, the one only eight people in the world were permitted to wear. The one who could emit such flames among the current Lord’s ranks could only be one person.
“Holy King?”
“Seongryongdae Lord?”
“How can someone who should be in Sacheon…?”
Everyone reacted in shock.
“That’s what I wanted to say… but you’re just taking action on your own.”
Gu Yangcheon, who emerged from the flames, looked at the sword master and spoke.
“Honestly, I’d love to just demolish everything, but first, I’ll ask.”
WHOOOOSH—!! The fiery pillar that seemed to pierce the sky fanned out like flames.
Numerous little suns flew up, then sank back into Gu Yangcheon’s back.
It looked like giant wings at one moment, and at another, as if swallowing a waterfall on his back.
Whatever it was, it was breathtaking.
The air, which had just loosened from the sword master’s presence, was once again blocked. It was scorching hot.
Within the burning heat, Gu Yangcheon questioned Geomje.
“Where is our father?”
“…”
The inquiry made the sword master frown.
“Guardian Lord.”
“I don’t have much time to spare; I’m a bit heated right now.”
Fwoosh! Flames curled around Gu Yangcheon’s fingertips, reaching all the way to his elbows.
It was apparent that his aura was overflowing.
“Do you know where he is?”
The sword master narrowed his eyes at the threatening demeanor.
“And what if I can’t say?”
“…”
At those words, Gu Yangcheon’s gaze fell even lower.
“Then what….”
In that extreme moment.
The flames enveloping his hands engulfed Gu Yangcheon’s entire body.
No, it wasn’t simply sticking; it was as if every bit of him had become flames.
“I guess it’s time to make you speak.”
WHOOSH—!!!
The flames exploded in full bloom.
Finally.
AAGHH—!!!
Summer arrived on an autumn day.
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