Chapter: 981
Yusa looked at the fallen Hongjeong.
Compared to the state of losing consciousness with a mangled body.
The Heavenly Horse appeared unchanged from the beginning.
I know it because I’ve seen it myself.
This was a battle that barely qualified as a fight.
And therein lies the problem.
‘…What the hell is that guy?’
Even when he fought Hongjeong himself, it wasn’t to this extent.
Even as the leader, winning against them wasn’t that hard.
But.
‘This is on a whole different level.’
It was simply impossible to toy with someone like that, as if playing with a child.
Knowing that, Yusa was biting her lip while staring at Cheonma.
“Still, you know.”
Tap tap. Cheonma lightly touched Hongjeong’s cheek with the tip of his foot.
“So you must have come to save your precious subordinate. I thought it was merely a gift for you to enjoy.”
“…….”
“Or has this confirmed it?”
Confirmation. Yusa chewed on her tongue at Cheonma’s words.
‘Does he know what I was planning?’
Does he really know what suspicions I harbor?
Are you saying he came all the way here, fully aware of everything?
While Yusa was fuming silently, contemplating the impossible.
“I’m here to speak.”
Cheonma turned around calmly, moving away from Yusa’s solemn stare.
Step. His feet moved slowly. There was no sense of urgency in his stride.
Rather, it was his leisurely pace that captured Yusa’s attention.
“I’m showing you quite a bit of grace.”
There was no killing intent felt.
Just moments ago, an overwhelming pressure had enveloped the area. But that dreadful aura dissipated in an instant.
“Do you know?”
The approaching figure made Yusa’s tension heighten.
“That’s because I didn’t casually flick my tongue.”
He got closer, little by little.
“And I didn’t bring any useless insects to confirm either.”
Observing him, muscles began to coil and bulge on Yusa’s arms.
“Not trying to show off to the throne, nor is he arrogant despite not knowing his place.”
So close now.
Within reach of an outstretched fist.
Only when Cheonma finally arrived did he stop walking. He never expected to see the white mask so closely.
The gaze of Cheonma behind the cracked mask was vividly revealed.
“But.”
For a moment, he seemed distracted.
While Cheonma added to Yusa’s discomfort with a slight gesture.
“How long do I need to show this grace? I feel the limits are approaching…”
His gentle tone shook Yusa’s shoulders.
“What do you think?”
“…….”
How long will he keep gauging my limits?
Yusa’s mind raced with his words. What should he do now?
Amidst the chaotic situation where he struggled to articulate a response.
“Hm.”
Cheonma sighed softly, as if something had displeased him, then spoke to Yusa.
“Anyway, your view is too lofty. Lower your posture.”
Boom!!
“–Ugh!!!”
The pressure bore down, making Yusa’s knees buckle. It was the same command as before.
Cheonma exerted his influence over him.
The gap in presence.
It feels just like last time.
Karma engraved in the soul.
Obey those greater than you in spirit.
Dominate those weaker than you.
His knees moved involuntarily, acting on the engravings lodged deep in his heart and soul.
‘That being is the child of the universe.’
Cheonma’s declaration lingered absurdly in Yusa’s mind.
Is it true, then, that this guy is the master’s child?
‘Where was the child, as per the master’s words?’
As far as Yusa was aware, there was none. The master had personally called that mysterious woman, Yarang, his daughter. But that came entirely out of nowhere.
This guy is the same.
Even if he pops up out of the blue claiming to be a child, there’s no way to accept that.
It serves no purpose and is identical to Yarang’s situation.
‘…Then how on earth can he wield this power?’
How does one use his command?
There’s no connection between the karma inscribed in one’s soul and being the master’s child.
To utilize this, you merely need to possess a rank higher than a general.
Which begs the question.
‘Is this guy on the same level as the master?’
How is that even possible?
In the current realm, there exists no one of equal status to the master.
Strictly speaking, there is a master ruling the underworld, but he certainly wouldn’t wield such authority.
‘Then what the heck…’
What about this being standing before me?
Yusa could not comprehend, leaving her mouth shut while her eyes darted around.
“I’ll ask again.”
Cheonma spoke to Yusa with a clear tone.
“What are you planning to do now?”
He might not see her head hanging low, but it was clear he was watching her.
“Will you join hands with me and become a new heaven? Or will you end your pathetic life as you are now?”
Words evaded her.
How does one even become a “new heaven”? What’s the consequence if she declines?
It seemed unthinkable to even pose a question.
This was simply demanding a choice.
It suggests she would not receive anything other than a yes-or-no verdict.
“Decide.”
His insistence came with a contrasting leisurely voice.
Yusa felt strongly that nothing would change even if she rebuffed him.
What happens if she refuses this way?
As she contemplated, she sensed a palm resting gently on her head.
“I’ll count to three.”
Instinctively, she felt what that meant.
Even if the method is uncertain, the outcome seems apparent.
“One.”
Creak-creak!!
Yusa strained to make her body move, but it felt utterly immobilized.
“Two.”
In the midst of this, the count climbed higher. Yusa could only watch, paralyzed, as the numbers steadily increased.
In a situation where asking for help was impossible, the blood vessels stood erect…
“Three.”
In the end, time was up.
Whoooooosh–!!
The moment an unfamiliar aura enveloped her atop her head.
“……I will….”
Yusa’s lips parted as if controlled by some supernatural force.
“I will…”
At her admission, Cheonma froze in his actions.
“Hmm.”
The palm lifted away from her crown. Yusa felt an immense relief wash over her.
“Whew… huff…”
While trying to catch her breath, she wiped her face with her hand. Cold sweat poured down.
Moreover, as her binding barriers broke, her head could finally rise.
He gazed earnestly at Cheonma, who was studying her intently.
The sun was assuredly above, but Cheonma was engulfed in an odd darkness.
In the depths of shadow, purple eyes twinkled. Yusa swallowed hard upon beholding those dark, glowing eyes.
“What do you… desire from me?”
Her voice trembled. She recognized it, hence her pride felt crushed.
As Yusa struggled to keep her composure and articulate, Cheonma fell silent for a moment before answering.
“Your words are too brief.”
Urk!
Her shoulder was pressed again. Feeling the pressure, Yusa spoke urgently.
“What do you want from me?”
The tension dissipated instantly with her change in demeanor.
“What I desire, you ask.”
Cheonma processed the inquiry, nodding in response. Then, he turned his back and walked toward where Hongjeong lay.
There, Cheonma approached, lifted Hongjeong, and tossed her towards Yusa.
Thud!
Hongjeong’s body landed nearby.
“First, remove it. I don’t want to see anything ugly.”
Afterwards, shaking off his hands, Cheonma added,
“I’ll be back soon. Wait for me.”
With that, Cheonma vanished from the spot, as if devoid of any lingering attachment.
“Ha…”
Suddenly alone, Yusa finally released the breath she’d been holding.
*
After a prolonged journey through the dense forest.
There was, of course, no longer a hint of presence.
Even after sensing all that, he kept moving, doubling his effort.
He pushed forward at top speed, grabbing onto a tree only after covering quite a distance.
Leaning into it, he relaxed his body.
Whoosh-shish-sheesh!!!
Crack-crack-crack—!!!
The escaping smoke hissed as bones creaked under tension.
The oversized body shrank back to its original form.
The loose clothing hung off him, and the mask dropped off unceremoniously.
Thud.
“…Ugh.”
Gulp.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, soon followed by a surge of intense pain.
“Ugh–!!”
It was sheer backlash.
He had exerted too much force, combined with a squeezing of every last scrap of energy, resulting in a violent reaction.
“Seriously…”
Heaven help me.
It feels like he nearly died.
Ogling at the aftermath, he found himself saying nothing.
How to handle Hongjeong though?
Almost dying while facing Yusa was no joke.
‘I thought my heart might burst any second.’
He drained every ounce of stamina inside him.
Had he pushed any more, he might have awakened a primal rage against himself.
It felt as though he could spiral into chaos.
Emerging from that precarious situation left him feeling utterly wasted.
‘I managed to hold on…’
Crack-crack-crack—!!!
The backlash worsened steadily.
‘Oh, this isn’t good…’
Danger loomed. If it continued this intensely, calamity was assured.
‘If this keeps up…’
He could lose consciousness…
Thud!
Just as he feared, Gu Yangcheon collapsed onto the ground.
And then.
Swoosh.
Someone, who had been hiding not far away, appeared.
With an air of naturalness, as if they’d been there the whole time.
The figure approached Gu Yangcheon directly.
Standing before the unconscious man, she fixed her gaze deeply upon him.
Swish.
In an instant, she hoisted Gu Yangcheon onto her back.
The identity of that person was a brown-haired woman wearing a black mask.
It was Yarang.
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