Chapter 509: Give it to me just once.

Ttuk….

A void and dark space, a place where one could naturally tell the surroundings were damp just by breathing.

Ttuk…ttuk….

How quiet it was, a space where the sound of small dripping water drops could be heard so loudly.

On the floor, there were far too many bloodstains, hinting at how much had flowed.

When the wind blew, the chains hanging on the walls moved, making an irritating sound.

Additionally, an unknown smoke was thick in the air.

Anyone who entered this place would probably naturally find out before long.

This smoke was all poisonous fumes, you see.

How deep.

Also, a space whose creation time was impossible to gauge.

In such an unknown place, an old man was facing someone.

Behind the deep, deep azure silk robes

Clothes clearly bearing the characters ‘Namgung’.

His back, held straight as if refusing to bow, and his broadly spread shoulders.

His hair, tied tightly as if not a single strand could be out of place, and the sword hanging at his waist matched, creating an image where the old man’s imposing aura was naturally felt.

The old man’s alias was Cheonjun (天尊).

He was a martial artist representing the Namgung family.

And one of the Cheonoecheon, called the Three Venerables of the Central Plains.

“Hmm.”

Cheonjun tilted his head and looked straight ahead.

Straight ahead was the source of the irritating chain sound from earlier.

It was a form where something was restrained everywhere with iron and nails.

Surprisingly, the one being restrained was a person.

No, it was ambiguous to even call them a person now, but it was definitely human.

As Cheonjun was observing the individual with his characteristic cool gaze.

“Gasp… gasp….”

Suddenly, the chains shook, and a laughter was heard.

The one thought to have died long ago was, surprisingly, alive.

Though they were gasping for breath as if about to die any moment, their life still clung on.

Perhaps it was because the laughter he let out was irritating.

Cheonjun’s brow furrowed slightly.

“What’s so funny?”

Cheonjun asked, adding a touch of annoyance.

“…How could it… not be funny….”

His head lifted.

His hair was matted and sticky with shed blood, and his gaze was blurry, unable to even open his eyes properly.

Cheonjun could understand his gaze.

Nothingness (無).

There was nothing inside. Vast and empty, like this space.

At a chilling sensation, Cheonjun clicked his tongue briefly.

“…Someone who struggled so hard to become like the heavens…. has now fallen to become a dog guarding a house…. How could it not be funny….”

Jureureuk.

As if even speaking was difficult, blood flowed from his mouth.

“Kuk… kuk kuk….”

The pool of blood gathered on the floor.

Cheonjun walked forward as if not paying it any mind.

After that, he slowly bent his waist to meet the gaze.

Cheonjun’s blue pupils turned towards the other, and Cheonjun lifted the person’s face, saying,

“Black Dragon Sword…. That’s what you were definitely called.”

“…Kkkl…! It’s truly an honor that the great Cheonjun remembers me….”

“No, you are not the Black Dragon Sword.”

Upon hearing the reply from the other, the Black Dragon Sword, Cheonjun immediately denied it.

He couldn’t help it.

“The body back then was definitely recovered and even burned to ashes.”

Around the time when the Sword Master, called Swift Wind Sword back then, annihilated the Black Dragon Unit.

After the incident concluded, the Martial Arts Alliance handled the aftermath, and it was Cheonjun himself who confirmed the Black Dragon Sword’s body at that time.

“Yet, there’s no way you could be alive and well like this.”

With such memories, someone claiming to be the Black Dragon Sword suddenly appears?

Cheonjun couldn’t possibly believe this.

“Gasp… gasp….”

Even Cheonjun’s words didn’t stop the Black Dragon Sword from chuckling.

“…With your lowly perspective, that’s all you can see…. How truly pathetic….”

“What is your identity?”

“I am… the Black Dragon Sword…. Also….”

Kooluk.

Black blood flowed from the Black Dragon Sword’s mouth.

“…Kkeu….”

It seemed the pain was considerable, as the Black Dragon Sword groaned every time he spoke.

“…The body burned by that brat…. still hasn’t healed…. Why could that be….”

“Brat?”

“Kkkl kl….”

Burned?

Cheonjun recalled something upon hearing the Black Dragon Sword’s words.

He remembered it was said that the one who subdued the Black Dragon Sword was surprisingly a later-generation disciple.

‘I heard they called them the child of Gu Family.’

A martial artist who had been making noise recently.

The prospective young master of the Gu family.

Someone whose level far surpassed that of a later-generation disciple, now fully treated as a martial artist in their own right.

‘So Yeomra…. that’s what they called them.’

He couldn’t possibly not know.

It was one of the methods chosen by the Kaebang to appease the angry public sentiment that had entered the Alliance.

‘I heard they were right here.’

Sichuan, and specifically the Tang family.

He had heard the news that the Poison King personally brought them to the Tang family.

He had intended to gloss over it, thinking there was no need to see their face.

‘It might be alright to go see them once.’

As they were also engaged to the Namgung family, it seemed there was sufficient reason to visit.

Besides.

‘I need to see that child too.’

It was time to see the child who was supposedly his great-granddaughter.

Because the Sword King had personally sent a letter.

Cheonjun slowly rose to his feet.

Further conversation was meaningless anyway.

Previously, not only the Poison King but also the Tang family members had tortured him for a long time.

The Black Dragon Sword hadn’t uttered a single word.

How he had lived, for what purpose he had attacked the Dragon God Pavilion.

What he had been doing until now.

Despite ‘that’ Tang family attempting harsh torture, the Black Dragon Sword’s lips remained sealed.

As if someone were blocking him.

There was no further point.

Judging so, Cheonjun shifted his gaze away from the dying Black Dragon Sword.

A wall that seemed to have nothing on it.

Cheonjun reached his hand through a gap.

Cheolgyeok-!

Along with a sound of something moving.

Deureureureuk-!

A space suddenly appeared.

Inside the space, there was something like stairs leading down somewhere.

Cheonjun glanced at it briefly before moving his steps towards it.

He had to pass by the Black Dragon Sword for that, but Cheonjun no longer spared him a glance.

As if he had no interest from the start, he passed him by coldly and coolly, heading down.

Immediately after Cheonjun disappeared through the door.

Geugeugeuk-!

The door closed again as if it had been waiting, returning to its original state as a wall.

The space became quiet once more.

Inside it, the Black Dragon Sword raised his creaking head and looked straight ahead.

In a situation utterly dark, with no light.

“Taechon-isiyeo. Please… I pray….”

The Black Dragon Sword quietly offered a prayer.

---

Ttubeok.

Walking down the long stairs, he descended for quite some time.

Cheonjun was passing through a narrow, narrow passageway.

Uwoong.

The deeper he went, the denser the poisonous fumes became. Cheonjun raised his energy to block them.

Denser than expected.

Poisonous fumes potent enough to bother even Cheonjun, meaning they weren’t at an irritating level.

Chalbak.

Dampness could be felt on the stairs.

Did this mean he was almost there?

Feeling an unknown revulsion, Cheonjun quickened his pace, and soon after, he reached his destination.

The place he first encountered upon leaving the passageway, unlike the dark upper level, was illuminated by lamps mounted on the walls.

Furthermore.

‘Tsk.’

The smell of blood, piercing the nose, filled the air.

The dampness felt earlier seemed to be blood.

Could it be human blood?

Cheonjun looked down at his feet.

The color of the blood, emitting a foul smell, was blue.

This meant it was the blood of a monster, not human blood.

Even so, this much quantity.

Regardless of it not being human blood, the revulsion that rose just from looking at it made Cheonjun wave his hand.

Then.

Huwoowoowoook-!

Wind surged, sweeping away the blood on the floor.

The floor, now relatively clean.

Cheonjun stood there and looked somewhere.

He wondered where the blood that soaked the floor came from, and it turned out to be right there.

Something piled up layer upon layer. Blood flowed from between beings mixed together, unrecognizable.

Cheonjun could immediately tell they were monster corpses.

A rotten stench vibrated through the air.

It was a sight that made one feel ill just by looking.

Looking at such a disgusting backdrop, Cheonjun spoke curtly.

“You summoned me just to show me… this?”

As Cheonjun’s words echoed through the space.

Only then did the person behind reveal themselves.

“That’s impossible…. Why would I summon your esteemed self for mere… that.”

The one who appeared with a smile was the First Elder of the Tang family.

“Originally, I wished to meet you in a much better place. Unfortunately, I regret that we cannot, Cheonjun.”

“…I decline tedious questions. I’m in quite a foul mood from what happened upstairs.”

At Cheonjun’s cool words, the First Elder chuckled awkwardly and moved his steps.

Passing the place littered with monster corpses for a bit, a small table came into view.

It was a spot where an unusually large amount of blood had pooled.

As the First Elder headed there, Cheonjun examined the spot closely with a puzzled expression.

There was something on the table.

What is it?

Cheonjun also moved his steps towards it.

The moment he approached the table and examined the object.

“…!”

Cheonjun involuntarily took a step back.

The object’s identity was a small jewel.

A round jewel emitting a brilliant light green hue.

Looking at the radiant light, the thought of its beauty naturally crossed his mind, but.

The reason Cheonjun stepped back wasn’t that, but because the poison and energy felt from the jewel were overwhelmingly potent.

The First Elder spoke as if pleased by Cheonjun’s reaction.

“How is it?”

“…Is this… the finished product?”

“That’s right. It is… no, it is the culmination of the Tang family’s conviction that Dokgun wished to create.”

Dokgun, the alias of the current Tang family head’s grandfather. He was also someone who had died and disappeared by now.

He wanted to touch the jewel, but Cheonjun didn’t bother trying.

Although he was blocking it with his internal energy, it wasn’t something someone lacking resistance to poison could touch.

Just how much energy must have been mixed to emit such an aura?

Moreover.

“To finally create such an item.”

In what way did they create this?

Just by looking at the result, Cheonjun couldn’t help but imagine how intense and cruel the process of making it must have been.

The monster corpses piled up behind?

That would be a part at best. Such an amount alone couldn’t gather this much energy.

As he calmly looked at the jewel, the First Elder continued speaking while looking at it.

“As per the agreement with the Alliance…. I will send the manufacturing method and ingredients separately in writing.”

“What about the usage instructions?”

“There aren’t really any usage instructions.”

The First Elder reached out and grabbed the jewel.

“You simply swallow it. If you do….”

“You can become a Heavenly Martial Body…?”

“That’s the prediction, but it’s not confirmed yet.”

“The reason?”

The First Elder laughed at Cheonjun’s question.

“We haven’t yet confirmed if it functions properly after ingestion.”

“Then it’s not a finished product, is it?”

If it hasn’t been properly tested, it’s not a finished product.

It was different from the agreement.

As Cheonjun said that, narrowing his eyes, the First Elder hastily continued,

“The ratios are also properly adjusted. If the conditions are met, it is definitely an item that will succeed.”

“Conditions?”

The conditions for using this.

Does that mean they need the talent and physique for it?

It was a somewhat ambiguous answer.

“I have a certain degree of confidence. Coincidentally, I also have a suitable subject for experimentation. However, the situation has become a bit troublesome.”

Hearing the First Elder’s words, Cheonjun looked back and forth between the jewel and the First Elder.

He nodded slightly and said,

“Then, we shall fulfill the agreement when proper results have been obtained.”

It meant the item hadn’t even produced proper results yet.

Based solely on the First Elder’s words, it was an uncertain matter, so let’s talk again after the job is properly done.

That was Cheonjun’s reply, but the First Elder cautiously brought something up to Cheonjo.

“…So, about that. Would it be alright if I asked for a favor?”

“From me?”

At the First Elder’s words, Cheonjun frowned.

“It’s just that, at the point where the final task remained, unnecessary interference has occurred.”

“What do you mean?”

His displeasure lasted only a moment; upon hearing about interference, Cheonjun showed interest.

Seeing that, the First Elder felt relieved inwardly and opened his mouth again.

“Somehow they found out. Some trash from the Gu family is interfering…”

“…Wait.”

Cheonjun suddenly stopped the First Elder who was starting to speak.

The First Elder had to pause at that action.

“What’s wrong…? Is there something you don’t like…?”

“Quiet.”

“…”

Cheonjun cut off the First Elder and quietly observed somewhere. Focusing for a long time, Cheonjun said with a deeply furrowed expression,

“…Something is coming.”

“What…?”

The First Elder’s eyes widened slightly at Cheonjun’s words, but.

He soon let out a hollow laugh.

“That’s impossible. Considering the number of formations and mechanisms laid out here…. We even prepared to notice if someone tried to approach.”

If someone tried to enter through the entrance, ear-catching artifacts were placed so the First Elder could know.

Moreover, formations were layered upon layers to prevent discovery.

In such circumstances, finding the entrance here was unthinkable.

The First Elder, judging that Cheonjun must have mistaken something, said with a laugh, but.

“It’s not the entrance.”

Cheonjun was resolute.

“Not the entrance?”

The First Elder asked again at Cheonjun’s words, but Cheonjun uttered no further words.

He was merely looking somewhere.

The First Elder looked strangely at Cheonjun, but soon followed his gaze.

The ceiling.

What Cheonjun was looking at was the solidly built ceiling.

The moment the First Elder’s gaze also reached that spot.

Kwoong-! Kung!

“…!”

As if it had been waiting, a loud roar reached the First Elder’s ears.

Up there. It was the sound of something exploding and breaking from a distant place.

“Wh-what?”

Even as the First Elder exclaimed in panic, the roar was gradually getting closer.

Its speed was unbelievably fast.

Kwooooong-! Kung kung-!

Could it be a mistake?

As the sound drew nearer, he could feel the surroundings getting hotter.

What on earth was happening?

A short time, not enough to grasp the situation properly.

The roar was already right upon them.

And soon after.

Kwaaaaaang-!

The ceiling burst open and poured down.

At the sudden explosion, the First Elder leaped to evade.

Hoo-dududuk….

The ceiling collapsed, scattering fragments of stone.

Something was also flowing down amongst them.

The First Elder frowned as he saw it.

“What’s that…?”

Something slowly dripping from the hole in the ceiling was visible.

The First Elder realized belatedly.

That it was the trace of the ceiling melting.

Huwoook…!

The surrounding air grew hot.

It was heat enough to make one suffocate.

Then.

Deoldeoldeol.

‘…What is this….’

The First Elder realized his hands were trembling uncontrollably.

Not just his hands, his whole body was trembling.

Why was his body trembling so much? As the First Elder tensed up in the face of the unexpected situation.

Jeobeok.

Footsteps were heard from within the swirling dust. When the First Elder directed his gaze there.

He saw it.

He saw it clearly.

From within the thick dust, eyes looking this way.

Fiery red eyes that seemed capable of burning everything.

His body, trembling until just now, stiffened rigidly the moment it met that gaze.

‘Why is this happening…!’

Just as he exerted all his strength to move his disobedient body.

Hwaaaaaak-!

A gust of wind blew for an instant, clearing away all the smoke around.

With everything that had been obscuring the view gone, the First Elder could finally properly identify the owner of the eyes.

Red hair dyed red, just like the red eyes that had been looking here since earlier.

A man wearing martial attire with golden patterns drawn throughout.

He seemed expressionless at first glance, but the First Elder could sense immense rage emanating from him.

Who was this person who suddenly appeared?

As the First Elder’s mind raced.

The man looked at the stiffened First Elder and said,

“Found you.”

Simultaneously with those words.

Ududeuduk.

The First Elder’s leg was ripped off.