Chapter 471: Ten Thousand (Ten Thousand)

Around the time So Geomseong opened her eyes again.

The surroundings were filled with bustling sounds.

-Hurry… move!

-…There’s no time…!

The sounds were busy.

Following this, So Geomseong quickly opened her eyes and sprang up.

“…Haa… haa.”

As she was letting out ragged breaths like that.

“Have you woken up, so?”

A voice came from beside her.

So Geomseong turned her gaze and looked at the owner of the voice.

As their gazes met, the man had to tremble.

It was because So Geomseong’s gaze was so chilling.

As if she recognized that herself, So Geomseong hastily managed her expression.

This was also because the man was someone she knew.

“…Geolwang?”

The man’s alias was Geolwang.

He was the eyes and ears of the Orthodox faction, commanding all the beggars in the Central Plains.

At So Geomseong’s words, Geolwang let out a slight cough and added, speaking to So Geomseong.

“It seems something major happened… seeing as your expression is unusual.”

“…”

To Geolwang’s words, So Geomseong offered no answer.

Geolwang, as if he expected So Geomseong to do just that, didn’t ask further.

So Geomseong looked at the murmuring people outside and brought up another topic.

“…What’s going on?”

“No, well… it’s nothing major…”

“Geolwang.”

Her somewhat chilled tone pierced into Geolwang.

“What is it?”

It was a voice that seemed to demand a proper explanation. At this, Geolwang let out a deep sigh.

Even though she wasn’t like this usually, she was incredibly sharp-witted at times like these.

However.

“Really… it’s nothing major.”

This time, Geolwang had no intention of speaking further to her.

“It’s something that can be handled sufficiently without So Geomseong needing to butt in. It’s better for you to just stay put for now.”

Honestly, it was a situation fraught with problems, but.

Still, they couldn’t exactly get the fallen So Geomseong up and send her out.

Of course.

The higher-ups were clamoring to contact So Geomseong immediately, but.

‘Bastards.’

The worn-out agreements of the Orthodox faction stung.

Making one woman bear all the burdens, what kind of righteousness and cooperation is that?

She knew they were already rotten through and through, but it only made her feel more disgusted the more time passed.

Wouldn’t it be better to just let it all burn down and disappear, then build anew?

Or perhaps.

‘Maybe it would be better to just let the Heavenly Demon win.’

To think she’d even have such damn thoughts.

Knowing she couldn’t let it happen, she only felt more pathetic.

The problem here was.

“Geolwang.”

Regardless of what Geolwang felt, So Geomseong had no intention of doing so.

“Where is the Heavenly Venerate?”

“…”

“Please answer me.”

To So Geomseong’s question, Geolwang briefly averted his gaze, then finally let out a deep sigh and spoke.

“The Heavenly Venerate is currently away…. They likely headed towards Sichuan.”

“…”

At Geolwang’s answer, So Geomseong bit her lip.

It was because that matched how she looked right before she fainted.

Creak-!

The moment she immediately got up and tried to head outside, Geolwang blocked So Geomseong.

“Where are you trying to go in that condition?”

“…Please move.”

“As I said again, it’s a situation where So Geomseong doesn’t need to butt in. Don’t ruin your body by unnecessarily stepping forward…”

“I have to go.”

Despite Geolwang’s dissuasion, So Geomseong’s eyes were resolute.

Meeting those eyes, Geolwang finally furrowed his brow.

“Since it’s the Heavenly Venerate, not someone else, they’ll surely return without issue. And I just sent word to the Esteemed Pacifier as well…”

“The Esteemed Pacifier?”

“…!”

Oops.

Geolwang realized his slip of the tongue and bit his lip.

“Are you saying you sent word to the Esteemed Pacifier?”

“…Well.”

“That means it’s not nothing major, doesn’t it?”

As expected.

So Geomseong immediately grasped the problem from Geolwang’s slip of the tongue.

The Esteemed Pacifier, who would currently be receiving another order and hunting demons in a region not far from here.

The fact that they went so far as to contact him and ask him to come here implied various things.

“Just what in the world…”

The moment So Geomseong was about to raise her voice, as if in anger.

Thump-!

“…!!”

Feeling a sensation in her body, So Geomseong half-knelt.

“So Geomseong!”

Geolwang hastily tried to support her, but So Geomseong raised her hand and refused his touch.

“Haa… hak…”

Panting sounds escaped her involuntarily.

The resonance reached from her dantian all the way to her heart.

Not only did veins stand out all over her body, but the thumping sound of her heartbeat made her ears dizzy.

Feeling such rough vibrations on her exhausted body, she felt like she would lose consciousness again any second, but.

So Geomseong bit her tongue hard to hold onto her consciousness.

‘So….’

The maddening sensation.

Feeling this, So Geomseong could understand why the surroundings had become so bustling.

Furthermore, she could understand why Geolwang had been so reluctant to tell her anything.

There was only one reason she could feel this resonance.

“Heavenly Demon…”

“…!”

“Has she come?”

At So Geomseong’s words, Geolwang’s face contorted.

She gained certainty from Geolwang’s expression.

So Geomseong immediately got up.

Whooosh-!!

She drew up the energy filling her body.

“So Geomseong…! Wait…!”

Geolwang tried to stop So Geomseong like that, but.

The change had already begun.

The first anomaly seen was her hair.

Her brilliant golden hair began turning pure white from the tips.

It wasn’t just the color changing; the light she originally possessed also intensified.

The light thus created condensed one by one behind her back, and then.

Charyureuk-!

Soon, numerous pure white sword blades were generated.

The swords spread wide behind her back.

The sight felt like she had unfurled white wings.

“Wait… I told you to wait!”

Geolwang shouted urgently at this, but.

Paaaaaaaah-!

So Geomseong ignored him and simply soared upwards with all her might.

Her destination, like that.

Was the place where the resonance could be felt.

---

By the time she arrived at her destination.

So Geomseong had to swallow a gasp as she saw the being looking up at her from the ground.

A black robe, deep black hair,

Meeting those violet eyes, cold sweat flowed involuntarily.

Moreover.

Thump-! Thump-!

Even the resonance that continued to be felt without stopping.

Trying her best to ignore the bothersome sensations, So Geomseong surveyed her surroundings.

And then she immediately discovered it.

“…Ah.”

The Heavenly Venerate’s severed head rolling on the ground, and next to it, a young man looking at her with wide eyes.

The moment So Geomseong saw the young man, she had to swallow her surprise inwardly.

‘Why?’

It was because, unlike the appearance she’d seen just before, his very being had changed.

What could have happened?

Seeing that, she clenched her fists tightly.

“…Heavenly Demon.”

As she suppressed her anger and quietly uttered that name.

Whoosh-!

“…!”

So Geomseong’s body was forcibly pulled through the air.

Without even being able to properly react, she was dragged straight to the ground.

Kwaaak-!

She managed to regain her balance and performed a breakfall.

As she tried to raise her energy immediately to counter.

“If you’ve come, you should greet me first, why are you just staring?”

At the voice that came right before her face, So Geomseong snapped her head up.

Familiar features, as if reflected in water, were before her eyes.

“Still such an ugly face.”

At the Heavenly Demon’s words, So Geomseong frowned deeply.

“…Why are you here? Heavenly Demon.”

To So Geomseong’s words, the Heavenly Demon spoke with a strange expression.

“That’s a strange question.”

A subtle arrogance was tied to that expression.

“There is no place in this world I cannot go. Such a trivial question.”

“…”

“Moreover.”

Kkeudeudeuk-!

“…!”

So Geomseong’s toes began to move slowly.

Her body was being pulled towards the Heavenly Demon.

Whoook! She raised her energy to increase her resistance.

Even so, it wasn’t enough.

“It is I who should be asking questions, why are you reversing the roles of host and guest?”

Unlike the growing energy emanating from her, a smile rose on the Heavenly Demon’s face.

“The lands of Sichuan have become mine, so dare not the Three Venerates set foot here.”

The Heavenly Demon’s toe moved and casually nudged something lying on the ground with her foot.

“I clearly said so, didn’t I?”

It was the Heavenly Venerate’s severed head.

“Seeing insects crawling around like this, it seems my words were quite amusing to you.”

Words and laughter mixed.

Along with the strangeness that came from that.

Kkeugeugeugeuk-!

Dense darkness erupted from the Heavenly Demon’s toes, swallowing the surroundings.

“Detestable things.”

So Geomseong could tell that the Heavenly Demon’s smile was actually expressing her anger.

Charyureuk-! She controlled the swords scattered around her, directing their tips towards the Heavenly Demon.

“Even though I showed mercy due to my capricious nature, you still don’t know your place.”

As if not caring about So Geomseong’s energy at all, the Heavenly Demon merely continued to raise her own.

“Well…”

Energy seeped into the Heavenly Demon’s fingertips.

“That’s why you must have dared to touch what you shouldn’t have.”

Night soon unfolded from her fingertips.

It poured down.

Kkeureureuk-kkeureuk.

Darkness began to pour down like surging waves.

Seeing this, So Geomseong also moved her body.

As her fingertips swept, swords imbued with the power of Parma shot towards the darkness.

Kwagagagak-!

Starting from where the swords struck, the darkness melted away as if burning, but.

Kwaaaaaah-!

It was far from enough to block the energy.

Even in this brief exchange, So Geomseong could clearly feel it.

‘Still…!’

The difference in the level between the Heavenly Demon and herself.

So high.

It was still so very high.

Even burning her life force to raise her power, she couldn’t reach her strength.

How could this be?

Just how much higher must she climb to even reach that place?

“Still the same.”

“…Cough!”

Swept away by the energy, So Geomseong was pushed backward.

“Still no fun.”

Even amidst this, the Heavenly Demon hadn’t moved a single step from where she initially stood.

Was it a problem of her exhausted body, or was her strength insufficient?

She had blindly followed the resonance she felt, but the answer wasn’t visible.

Many people placed their hope in So Geomseong, believing in the power of Parma, but.

Before the vast darkness, even this kind of power was useless.

Unlike others placing their hope in her.

So Geomseong only felt despair every time she faced the Heavenly Demon.

Nevertheless, having to grasp her sword meant nothing less than hell.

She swung her sword to clear away the darkness, but even greater darkness surged in response.

There truly was no end.

“I detest you.”

Amidst cutting through the darkness, a voice was heard.

“If you were going to struggle, you should have been more sincere; you’re still looking for a place to die.”

At the calmly delivered words, So Geomseong soon frowned.

“…What do you know…!?”

The moment So Geomseong reacted defensively, the extending darkness burrowed into her shoulder.

She immediately moved three swords, stacking them layer upon layer for defense.

Thump-!

Despite that, her protective energy shattered, her sword hilts were splintered, and.

Due to the recoil, So Geomseong was pushed backward.

“Do you think I don’t know?”

Even then, the Heavenly Demon’s mouth continued.

“There is no one in this world who knows you better than I.”

“Don’t talk nonsense…”

“Don’t dodge so disgracefully. If you’re leftover dregs, act like dregs.”

Deudeudeudeuk-!

At the Heavenly Demon’s gesture, the ground directly beneath So Geomseong cracked with a jjeojeok sound and she rose into the air.

“It means know your place.”

Thump-!

The pieces of ground that rose were roughly gathered as if to crush So Geomseong.

The tightly packed pieces gathered without gaps, compressing firmly into the shape of a sphere.

It was a form that should have resulted in instant death, but.

Seogeok-!

A flash erupted from the sphere floating in the air, it was cut in half, and So Geomseong escaped.

She then quickly swung, unleashing sword energy, and fired dozens of sword hilts from all directions at the Heavenly Demon.

Along with brilliant sword energy, swords rained down like white snow.

The Heavenly Demon watched this and lightly waved a hand in the air.

That was enough.

The darkness spread across the floor surged up, acting as a shield, and the pouring energies were blocked by energy, unable to fulfill their roles.

The difference in skill was extreme.

It was a situation where she couldn’t win even if her body was intact, and now, there was absolutely no hope.

This was a situation no one could fail to understand.

So Geomseong herself knew it best, but.

She did not stop.

The light had not yet faded.

She had to wield her sword until the light she possessed completely extinguished.

Even if she were to die right here.

And the Heavenly Demon’s expression, seeing So Geomseong like that.

“I’m bored.”

Soon became tinged with boredom.

Seeing this, So Geomseong quickly lunged forward.

Fast.

It was a speed the eyes couldn’t even perceive.

Shweeeeeeek-!

Then, So Geomseong’s twin swords rapidly pierced towards the Heavenly Demon’s neck.

If left like this, the Heavenly Demon’s neck could be split in two.

However, So Geomseong swung her swords without hesitation.

Ting-!

The attack, which was quite fierce, failed nonchalantly.

“…!”

Seeing the situation unfold, So Geomseong was utterly shocked.

She couldn’t help it.

One sword blade broke off nonchalantly.

And the other sword blade was caught and blocked by the Heavenly Demon’s hand.

In that devastating situation, So Geomseong couldn’t hide her miserable feelings.