Chapter 356: Divine Sword (1)

A black space prepared behind the Dragon Hall (神龍館).

In the space that appeared like a black curtain spread across the sky right now.

Tududuk.

A black-haired figure wearing a half-mask, the Dark King (暗王), revealed himself.

His one shoulder was empty. In the Dark King’s remaining hand, a severed arm was held.

Blood did not flow. Hemostasis had already been completed due to the internal force.

“…”

The Dark King, emerging with a calm expression, cast his gaze somewhere.

Among the countless trees, a woman was waiting, leaning her back.

She was a beauty with long black hair and delicate features, appearing to be slightly over twenty years old.

Seeing her, the Dark King spoke first.

“I made you wait. I’m sorry.”

“…No…”

The woman who had been waiting patiently was Volcano Sword Empress (火山劍后) So-i.

As time passed, she widened her eyes upon confirming the Dark King emerging from the space.

Because his one arm had been severed.

“Are you alright?”

At the Sword Empress’s words, the Dark King very slightly raised the corner of his mouth.

“You’re still so kind, worrying about me like this.”

At the Dark King’s words, the Sword Empress frowned.

The time the Sword Empress met the Dark King was when the attack had just begun.

Simultaneously, an unknown black curtain descended around this area.

The Sword Empress tried to head quickly towards where the disciples (관도생) were, but at that moment, someone blocked her path, making her unable to move.

An unknown being with white hair and white eyes. The man who blocked the Sword Empress’s path looked at her and said this:

-It’s been a long time.

-…!

The man’s identity was the Dark King.

-Elder, how could you…!

The moment the Sword Empress tried to speak to the Dark King with surprised eyes.

The Dark King’s fingertip was already touching the Sword Empress’s neck.

Nothing is known about the Dark King’s martial arts (무공), but…

the Sword Empress vaguely knew.

Unlike other Dark Guests (암객), the Dark King does not use blade techniques (단도류).

He must have already reached the realm of ‘One Body’ (일신) like Plum Blossom Immortal (매화선), who could be considered his parent or teacher, so there is no need for it.

Of course, even so, wielding a weapon (무구) is indeed capable of producing maximized efficiency, but…

the Dark King is a person who does not use weapons, as if he didn’t need such things.

If these fingertips wished.

His neck would be severed anytime.

Her ki (기감) wavered as she observed the rapidly changing situation and the disciples’ safety.

No.

If it were the Dark King, it might have been something he created by calculating even that difference.

In such a situation, the Sword Empress could only say one thing.

-…Please, let me go.

There might be a way to escape, but…

even the time to find it is pressing.

So she chose to plead.

-If you came to kill me, I will obediently close my eyes…. But right now….

-Sword Empress, I have no intention of killing you.

-Then…!

-That is precisely why it is problematic for you to move.

She could not understand why the Dark King was doing this to her, but…

he said he would give her life if she wanted it.

Instead, she pleaded to let the children be saved, but the Dark King refused.

The Dark King has no intention of killing her. Then…

Seuk.

The Sword Empress’s judgment was quick.

She could have made a more rational calculation, but…

there didn’t seem to be time for it now.

Just as she was about to draw her sword while raising her internal energy (내기).

-You’re making me do a troublesome thing.

The Dark King twisted the hand touching her neck and moved it.

Tuduk.

At the sensation brushing her neck, he rendered her defensive energy (호신강기) powerless as if unaffected, even though it was internal energy hastily raised.

That was the end of it. The Sword Empress immediately lost consciousness.

By the time the Sword Empress regained consciousness, most of the important matters had concluded.

Many people had died.

The Dragon Hall (신룡관) was in ruins immediately after.

“Why did you do that?”

“What do you mean?”

“…The children died. Dozens of them.”

At the Sword Empress’s words, the Dark King still had the same expression.

To put it another way, perhaps it was an expression of incomprehension.

“So?”

At the Dark King’s response, the Sword Empress’s face contorted.

“Does that seem like my fault to you?”

“If you hadn’t stopped me, Elder…!”

Tuk.

The moment the Sword Empress spoke, the Dark King’s form disappeared.

The Dark King reappeared behind the Sword Empress.

“You seem to be mistaken about many things. If I hadn’t stopped you, do you really think you could have saved this situation?”

“…Even if I couldn’t have saved it, I could have saved more children.”

At the Sword Empress’s words, the Dark King nodded slightly.

“That’s a valid point, but…”

The Dark King’s fingertips touched the Sword Empress’s back.

“Do you think there’s a reason for me to do so?”

“…Elder.”

It was a cold voice.

“Your righteousness (의) and cooperation (협) are understandable, but isn’t it selfish to expect that from me?”

“This is different from that…”

“It’s not different. The stories of people dying and living are all the same.”

The Dark King’s voice was firm.

“I understand you must feel frustrated and wronged, but I want you to know one thing: you are actually in a position where you should be grateful to me.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

At the Sword Empress’s words, the Dark King sighed quietly.

“It sounds like I’m bragging, so I don’t want to say it.”

“Elder.”

“Shall we talk about something else?”

The Dark King cut off the conversation, as if he wouldn’t continue it.

But the Sword Empress had no intention of letting it go.

“My story isn’t finished yet…”

“You seem to be mistaken about something.”

The moment the Sword Empress tried to speak, immense killing intent erupted from the Dark King’s toes.

That immense pressure made even the Sword Empress falter.

“That brat (꼬마) from earlier, and you now.”

Perhaps due to the mask’s effect, his pupils, dyed black, were gradually turning pure white.

“Despite bothering me, what do you think is the reason your head is still attached?”

His expression hadn’t changed at all from the beginning, but…

the Sword Empress found it difficult even to breathe due to the constantly erupting killing intent.

The Sword Empress did not consider herself arrogant or overly prideful.

However, even so, she did not think her own level (경지) was low.

Her pride in that was at a level that could be recognized, as she had received the epithet ‘Sword Empress’ (劍后).

She never imagined the gap in cultivation with the Dark King would be this vast.

‘Although it was a surprise attack earlier.’

It was night, and if the Dark King wished to kill…

a rumor spread that even the Three Lords (삼존) of the world could be killed.

The Sword Empress had never really believed this rumor, but…

seeing the Dark King now made her think it might be possible.

“It’s because you are connected to my close friend (친우). That small reason means your lives are being protected.”

Close friend.

The Sword Empress already knew who that referred to.

The person who was like her teacher and parent.

The current Sect Leader of Mount Hua (화산). It must refer to Plum Blossom Immortal (매화선).

The first time the Sword Empress saw the Dark King was then.

When the Sword Empress was very young.

A group of less than ten people had visited Mount Hua.

At that time, Plum Blossom Immortal had not yet ascended to Sect Leader, and…

he was called the Mad Sword of Mount Hua (화산광검) instead of the epithet Plum Blossom Immortal.

The people who visited, claiming to be friends of the Mad Sword of Mount Hua…

were none other than people who would later come to be called incomprehensible powerhouses (강자).

Among them.

there was even a person who had reached the current Three Lords.

“Heu…”

As the Sword Empress finally let out a groan, the constricting killing intent instantly subsided.

“Plum Blossom Immortal. Since it’s a child in his care, I can understand what their disposition (성정) might be like.”

The Dark King passed the Sword Empress and took a few steps.

“I am different from him, so do not try to impose your values on me. There won’t be a next time.”

The Dark King is not a righteous path practitioner (정파인).

Although not called a demonic path practitioner (사파인), it was difficult to call someone known as the King of Assassins (살수) righteous.

The Dark King knew that as well.

He did not consider himself righteous.

Because it was necessary, he had no reservations.

The importance of life is not something to be discussed with an assassin (암객).

“If you need to blame me for their deaths, think of it that way. I will overlook that much.”

The Dark King walked beside the Sword Empress and lifted one of his arms, which he had been holding.

He attached it to the severed edge of his shoulder.

Seeing that, the Sword Empress could only be astonished.

“…!”

An unknown viscous substance emerged from where the arm and shoulder met, and it fused together instantly.

After it fused completely, the arm was even moving.

Then.

The Dark King stretched the reattached arm high towards the sky.

The Sword Empress wondered what that meant.

Wadeuk.

The moment he clenched his fist with the hand he stretched out.

Ppeojeojeok-!

“…!”

The black curtain covering the sky began to crack.

This means it was blocking outside help, and…

the power that aided the attack while shrouding the light was the Dark King’s power.

The Sword Empress looked on, as if asking how that was possible.

The Dark King seemed to notice her gaze and said to the Sword Empress:

“What kind of eyes are those?”

“That arm… how…?”

Even a divine physician (신의) who reached the pinnacle of medical arts could not reattach a severed arm in such a manner.

That was something difficult to discuss as medical art.

Seeing the Sword Empress’s reaction, the Dark King tilted his head.

“You must already know that humans are not the only beings in this world.”

“…Then, Elder…?”

“Well, I don’t know about that. I still consider myself human.”

The Sword Empress quietly swallowed dryly, looking at the Dark King like that.

Seeing the Dark King’s actions now, she understood the true meaning.

That was a form of warning.

The Sword Empress felt that way.

“I know that you are searching for something.”

“…!”

At the Dark King’s words, the Sword Empress flinched.

“I’d prefer you didn’t, if possible, but you wouldn’t stop anyway, and I can’t kill you, so I’ll tolerate it.”

“Elder… Do you know something more?”

What the Sword Empress seeks.

It is the whereabouts of her close friend, and what happened to the Dragon Brigade (신룡대) in the past.

Does the Dark King know this?

The Sword Empress asked, her eyes gleaming, but…

the Dark King merely turned his head away.

“Even if I know what you wish for, I have no intention of telling you.”

“…Elder…”

“If you get into danger, I can see that crazy guy (미친놈) going berserk.”

As the Dark King said that, he recalled someone’s face.

The ones he recalled were three people in total.

One was a giant, likely still laughing heartily, holed up in some mountain valley in Shanxi.

Another was already dead.

And the last one.

…is a youngster (애송이) who had a deep connection with the two people above.

‘Youngster… I can’t really call him that.’

The young man with black hair and the distinctive eyes of his family.

He seemed long past the point of being dismissively considered young.

Was it ‘youngest peak’ (최연소 절정)?

The Dark King hadn’t really believed that rumor, but…

seeing it with his own eyes made even that seem laughable.

‘Hwajing (화경).’

No less than Hwajing.

He was estimated to be a martial artist of a level that wouldn’t exceed a thousand people even if you searched all over the Central Plains (중원).

A level that the average person might reach only upon entering old age.

For a young man not even past twenty years old (약관) to reach it.

It must be a feat that would remain in history.

It was surprising enough for even the Dark King, who seemed devoid of emotional fluctuations.

What more needs to be said?

However, separate from that, what the Dark King was concerned about was something else.

‘It wasn’t a mistake.’

He had clearly felt it.

From the young bloodline member called the ‘progeny of Gu’ (구가의 태생).

The Dark King felt a scent similar to his own emanating from them.

---

“Achoo…! “

At the sudden sneeze, he wiped his nose and thought.

“Who’s talking about me?”

“Why is my nose so itchy?”

“…Gossiping about me isn’t anything new.”

Then, he quickly dismissed it from his mind.

“It’s not the first or second time someone’s talked about me behind my back, so why would I care now?”

Finishing his thoughts, he looked at the person sitting slumped in front of him.

“What are you doing here?”

“…”

There was no answer.

She was just trembling slightly, head bowed, as if exhausted.

I sighed lightly and called her again.

“Sis.”

“…”

I saw the woman’s shoulders flinch at my call.

She seemed to be listening.

“Are you going to keep crying like a baby?”

“…Who says I’m crying…!”

The woman who lifted her head defensively at my words was Gu Yeonseo (구연서).

“Your eyes are red and swollen. Wipe them properly before you speak.”

“…Heu…”

At my remark, Gu Yeonseo hastily rubbed her eyes with her sleeve.

“Ugh, pathetic.”

“…You’re… you’re the strange one.”

As I teased her, Gu Yeonseo said in a trembling voice.

“I saw that… How can you be okay?”

People were dying right before my eyes.

Disciples were being beheaded, or cut down by swords, bleeding and closing their eyes.

Just moments before, I could hear their breaths.

In just a few seconds, those breaths were cut short.

“…I almost died.”

Gu Yeonseo almost died.

Caught by the attacker’s massive hand.

She almost died, cut down by a sword.

If not death, she might have suffered a terrible fate.

And ironically, the one who saved her was Gu Jeolyub (구절엽).

Gu Jeolyub launched a surprise attack and saved Gu Yeonseo.

After that, she survived while concealing her presence, or so she said.

“But you…”

“What about me?”

What was I doing then?

Wasn’t I busy catching and killing other guys?

It’s not that Gu Yeonseo doesn’t understand.

A novice from the Central Plains. Or rather, since she was under the Dragon Hall’s wing, she probably hadn’t ventured out.

The furthest she’d go outside Gu Clan (구가) would be the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering (용봉지회), or maybe the vicinity of Shanxi.

Did she expect to experience actual combat like this?

Even so.

“You survived, that’s what matters.”

“…You…!”

That was all I had to say.

I understand her being terrified.

And I understand her crying like that.

Still, I won’t say she’s better off than the dead kids.

Saying that wouldn’t help anything.

“If it were Sister Hee-bi (희비 누님), she would have done the same.”

“…!”

I brought up Gu Huibi (구희비).

That crazy person would surely think that way.

Covered in blood.

No matter what she went through.

‘I survived, that’s enough.’

She would have said that, brushed herself off, and moved on.

Gu Yeonseo wasn’t the only one who experienced actual combat.

“…Why are you bringing up my sister?”

Mentioning Gu Huibi made Gu Yeonseo’s eyes sharpen.

Just like the Gu family.

When she frowns, she looks incredibly scary.

“Bringing that up here…!”

“You said you wanted to be like that person. Then you need to get up. Why are you crying like a pathetic loser?”

Those who were physically unharmed were leading their trembling bodies to clear the debris or…

tending to the injured.

I don’t know if they can do that, because they didn’t suffer worse than Gu Yeonseo.

There’s no one to understand such circumstances.

Even so, there isn’t a single person who would understand.

“Sis, did you even say thank you to the person who saved you?”

“…”

“You didn’t, did you? Seriously embarrassing. Just drop your surname, Sis. Don’t go around saying, ‘I’m from the Gu family!’ Because I’m embarrassed for you.”

“This bastard…”

Gu Yeonseo growled angrily at me.

“What do you know to speak so carelessly!”

“Of course I don’t know. How could I?”

I know nothing.

Even though we’re related by blood, we’re not that close.

And the fact that I know so little.

Means other people don’t care at all about Gu Yeonseo’s circumstances.

Besides, hearing that Gu Yeonseo was like this, whispers from behind were already audible.

So annoying.

“If you’re going to keep crying like a baby, just stay that way. When time passes, the family will send someone. Then, hold their hands tightly and go back to your clan. However.”

I turned my back on Gu Yeonseo and said.

“Don’t ever go around claiming to be a martial artist from now on. Tell that to the Clan Head (가주님) too.”

“…”

I didn’t wait for Gu Yeonseo’s reply.

I just walked away.

Instead, I spread my ki.

A short while later, after I moved away from Gu Yeonseo.

I heard sobbing from Gu Yeonseo’s direction, but…

this time she got up and started walking towards the disciples clearing the debris.

Sensing that, I snorted.

The black energy hanging in the sky had all disappeared.

Soon, people from the Martial Alliance (무림맹) will arrive.

Then, before long, the news will spread to the clans to which the disciples belonged.

If that happens, a major incident will occur.

‘The Dragon Hall (신룡관)…’

Whether this Dragon Hall will continue to exist.

It seems unlikely.

I was aiming for early graduation, so I guess that’s meaningless now.

Since things turned out as I wished, I wonder if it’s a good thing, but.

It was definitely not a good thing.

‘…This can’t possibly be a good thing.’

An incident occurred that didn’t happen in my past life.

And in a bad way.

My head hurts.

I kept walking.

What’s left now… First, I plan to go to Bi Ui-jin (비의진) and have a conversation.

Finishing it quickly seemed like the right thing to do.

As I was walking like that.

I sensed Moyong Hi-ah (모용희아), who must have been waiting for me, running towards me from afar.

“What the? Why are you running?”

“Young Master…”

Seeing she was slightly out of breath, she seemed to have run hard.

“Why? What happened now…?”

As I said that, my voice trembled slightly.

Because I had heard about the incident Moyong Hi-ah confessed to earlier.

Fear washed over me first, thinking she might have done something.

However, what Moyong Hi-ah said was not that.

“…Miss Wi (위 소저) has woken up.”

“…!”

It means Wi Seol-ah (위설아) has woken up.

Hearing that, I ran out without even replying.

Someone I needed to see first had appeared, before Bi Ui-jin.