Chapter 542: Sword Demon (Sword Demon)

The Gu family, which protects Shanxi.

The mountain behind that Gu family.

Hwi-i-i-i….

Wind blew there.

It made the flowers sway as if swept by a spring breeze.

And gently wrapped around the mountain, covered in flowers.

Hwa-a-a-a-!

Every time the wind caressed it, petals fluttered.

Though it seemed calm, there was clearly power within it.

The wind continued, passing through the forest and rushing towards the summit.

As I climbed along the path, I saw a field where flowers were in full bloom.

The strange thing was that the wind wasn’t blowing in one direction, but spinning around a certain center.

In the center of the field, the wind swirled, as if embracing someone.

A person stood at the center.

It was a woman.

The one embraced by the wind was a blonde woman.

Her hair seemed to shine even in broad daylight, and her skin looked so white it was almost transparent.

Her nose bridge was sharp, and her lightly tinted lips were like flower petals.

Her appearance was as if the word ‘beauty’ had been concentrated and concentrated into it.

The woman, whose appearance felt otherworldly just looking at her, stood with her eyes closed, feeling the wind.

“…Heu….”

With the soft breath she exhaled, the wind rippled.

The wind’s speed, which had quickened to a certain degree, changed steadily, and the woman, sensing it, soon moved her hand.

Although she held nothing in her hand, the shape of it seemed as if she were grasping something.

Seu-eu-eu.

Her arm lifted slowly.

Then, just as the woman was about to swing her hand in the air.

Umjjil.

“…!”

The woman’s brow furrowed slightly.

Hu-u-u-k-! Pang-!

The raging wind vanished with a rough sound.

The surroundings became quiet in an instant.

Soon after, the woman turned and opened her closed eyes.

The woman’s golden pupils shone as she let out a shallow sigh.

“Ha….”

Her exhaled sigh was full of disappointment.

It was because she had failed at what she intended to do again.

“It seems it didn’t go as planned.”

At the voice that suddenly reached her ears, the blonde woman, Wi Seol-ah, turned her head.

In the direction her gaze shifted, an old man stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

He wore neatly dressed martial attire, and his hair was tied up neatly.

Even the blue eyes contained within his sharp features.

Seeing his well-built physique and the sword at his waist, one could infer the old man was a martial artist.

Seeing the old man appear, Wi Seol-ah, far from being surprised, offered a light greeting.

“Greetings, Heavenly Venerable-nim.”

The old man’s identity was Cheonjun, one of the Three Venerables, known as the sky of the Namgung family.

Cheonjun gestured as he saw Wi Seol-ah’s greeting and continued speaking.

“I’m sorry if I interrupted.”

“No. I was just about to stop anyway.”

At Wi Seol-ah’s words, Cheonjun smiled slightly.

“It’s not easy, is it?”

“…”

“Yes, it wouldn’t be easy. That’s only natural.”

Cheonjun took another step closer to Wi Seol-ah as he spoke.

“But, don’t be impatient. Just catching a clue is a truly great thing.”

“…It’s all thanks to your teachings, Heavenly Venerable-nim.”

“Those are pleasant words, but it’s not true. I merely gave you a little advice. Catching this was solely your strength.”

“…”

At Cheonjun’s words, Wi Seol-ah wore a faint smile. She then bowed her head slightly.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, ah.”

Cheonjun, continuing his words, remembered something he had forgotten and said to Wi Seol-ah.

“The reason I came to find you suddenly is none other than that the Head of the Gu family happened to be looking for you.”

“…!”

At Cheonjun’s words, Wi Seol-ah’s eyes widened.

“I will head down right away.”

“Yes. You worked hard.”

“I’ll see you next time.”

After offering her respects, Wi Seol-ah leaped slightly and disappeared from the spot.

Watching Wi Seol-ah’s retreating figure, Cheonjun carefully stroked his beard.

“…Hmm.”

Cheonjun was recalling the wind Wi Seol-ah had been creating until just moments ago.

It was fast, yet had weight.

It wasn’t natural wind, but wind created solely by Wi Seol-ah’s power.

What’s more, it wasn’t even wind created using internal energy.

That’s why Cheonjun swallowed his surprise inwardly.

“That young child is already….”

Is she trying to reach the realm of 심상 (Simbang – state of mind/imagination) already?

Cheonjun felt a deep emotion about this surprising situation.

Even though I only gave a few pieces of advice.

Just with that small act, that child was creating a sword within her heart.

Perhaps that’s why.

A strange emotion began to fill Cheonjun’s heart upon seeing this.

It was a deep emotion he wanted to ignore.

Just then.

“Do you covet it?”

“…”

At the voice heard from behind, Cheonjun exhaled softly. When Cheonjun looked back, someone was sitting on a nearby rock.

It was a young man with black hair, wearing dark martial attire.

Seeing him, Cheonjun said.

“It’s not like that.”

“Just looking at it, your eyes are covetous, so why pretend otherwise?”

“…”

The young man-no, Paejon, who was also called one of the Three Venerables like Cheonjun-swallowed a mouthful of the alcohol he held and said to Cheonjun.

“I understand the desire to pick up an expensive jewel rolling on the floor, as anyone can see. Restrain yourself. That child is not within your domain, senior.”

Building a domain with just a few words of advice.

And within it, finding the clue to the Mind Sword.

All at the mere age of twenty.

Cheonjun had found that clue at such a young age, a clue he himself had found far beyond forty.

From the perspective of a fellow swordsman, it’s only natural to feel jealousy and covetousness.

At Paejon’s words, Cheonjun held a bitter smile.

“…I know. Don’t worry, because I know I’m not in a position to harbor such greed.”

As Cheonjun spoke in a somewhat emotional voice, Paejon’s brow furrowed this time.

“Geez, I really can’t get used to this. It ruins the taste of my drink.”

It wasn’t fun seeing him admit it so easily.

For that rude and annoying guy to have changed like that.

Even after several years, Paejon still couldn’t get used to this situation.

“Tsk, I’m curious about what on earth the Head of the Gu family did to you, senior.”

“I’m always nothing but grateful to the Head of the Gu family.”

“Ha.”

As if disgusted by Cheonjun’s affectionate tone, Paejon threw away the bottle of alcohol he was holding.

It meant he couldn’t drink anymore.

“Senior, have you truly gone senile? I’m genuinely worried.”

“Does it look that way? If this is due to senility, I’d rather embrace it.”

“…No, if that weren’t the case…”

Cheonjun wouldn’t have tried to teach the sword to the descendant of that old geezer, Geomjon.

Paejon swallowed the words he had tried hard to say.

Because it seemed like futile words to the current Cheonjun.

So, he decided to say something else entirely.

“If you’re going to bestow such kindness, wouldn’t it be better to bestow it upon your own children, senior?”

The person who lived crazily for the Namgung family, after coming to his senses, isn’t actually pouring his attention into the Namgung family.

Paejon could only feel doubt.

To this, Cheonjun said, looking at Paejon.

“That’s not something you should be saying to me, is it?”

“…”

At Cheonjun’s words, Paejon fell silent.

It was because the words were correct.

Paejon himself had no interest in his own bloodline, the Bi family, so he wasn’t in a position to say anything to Cheonjun.

As if knowing this, Cheonjun continued, without erasing his smile.

“At least, I have no intention of taking a child from another family as my disciple.”

“Tsk.”

At Cheonjun’s words, Paejon finally clicked his tongue.

It was because he meant, ‘Why so many words after taking someone else’s bloodline as a disciple?’

“You’re still good at talking, senior.”

“Haha.”

While Cheonjun was laughing, Paejon took a letter from his pocket and threw it to Cheonjun.

Cheonjun caught it lightly, grasped the letter, and looked at Paejon.

His look asked, ‘What is this?’

“A servant boy brought it this morning. Looking at it, it seems that friend, the Shaman Sword Immortal, is planning something.”

Sarak.

As he listened, Cheonjun unfolded the letter.

What was seen first was a Chinese character representing the seal of the Martial Arts Alliance.

And following it was the written phrase.

• Divine Dragon Martial Arts Festival Commencement.

“…”

Seeing that, Cheonjun’s smile faded.

“The Sword Immortal… that child…?”

“Even if the intention is nothing special, it looks somewhat fun, doesn’t it?”

“…”

“It seems like it might be fun to watch after a long time. At this opportunity…”

Paejon continued, a smile forming on his face.

“I’m thinking of sending that guy too.”

“…!”

At Paejon’s words, Cheonjun looked at Paejon with surprised eyes.

“Biju, you.”

“In the first place, he’s the type to go even if I tell him not to.”

Kkeul-kkeul.

Paejon laughed as if finding it really amusing, and Cheonjun’s face showed various thoughts seeming to brush past.

“Will it be alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, will it be alright to send that child out now?”

For some reason, his voice was full of worry.

To be precise, it wasn’t worry about the person, but worry about the world.

Can that child be let out into the world?

Isn’t the world pitiful?

It felt like that.

Paejon, understanding this, put on a dumbfounded expression.

“Why are you treating someone else’s disciple like that, senior?”

“…Um.”

“Moreover, he’s someone who normally doesn’t listen to my words well. It’s not like he won’t go just because I tell him not to.”

Kkwak.

Paejon, while speaking, suddenly clenched his fist tightly.

“Look even now. Didn’t he just rush out without listening?”

Where did he say it was again? Guangdong, wasn’t it?

He abruptly said he was going there, and even though I clearly told him to go later because he still had training to do.

The next morning, he disappeared without anyone knowing.

Leaving behind only a single letter saying he’d return soon.

“So I sent that too.”

The letter handed to Cheonjun, Paejon had also sent that to his disciple.

“Then he’ll probably either come home or go to Hanam.”

If that happens, it will be easy to meet. After that.

‘I’ll have to discipline him a bit after so long.’

Affectionate exchanges between master and disciple were scheduled.

The problem here is.

‘Is it that these days, that doesn’t quite work anymore?’

Unlike before, the disciple has become a body that doesn’t respond well to beatings.

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter much.”

Paejon tried hard to ignore the shitty emotion that felt like both anger and ecstasy.

“Moreover, it’ll be okay no matter what trouble he causes now.”

“What do you mean by that?”

As Cheonjun asked again, Paejon wore a smile.

“Because I thought he’d be somewhat okay now.”

Paejon said, looking at Cheonjun with his characteristic black eyes.

“Now, he won’t get beaten up wherever he goes.”

“…”

“Because I made him that way.”

At the voice full of confidence, Cheonjun somehow had to shiver slightly.

It was because Cheonjun also knew well what kind of monster he had created.

******************

A forest in the Guangdong province.

“Puet-chwi!”

While I was busy, a sneeze burst out.

“Augh, damn it.”

Raising my hand to wipe my nose, some snot came out smeared.

With the sticky feeling, I frowned and wiped it on my clothes.

Is it a cold?

“No way.”

Since I wasn’t the type to catch a cold, I had no such worries.

Seeing my ears are a bit itchy.

“Someone must be talking badly about me somewhere.”

That thought naturally came to mind.

The problem is….

“Who could it be?”

Since it’s not just one or two people who would curse me, I don’t know who it is.

“Well, someone probably is.”

Actually, I wasn’t really bothered.

I mean, haven’t I received curses before?

Since I don’t die from receiving them, I didn’t have much interest.

Of course, if they did it face-to-face, I would have smashed their front teeth. But since I can’t see it right now, it probably doesn’t matter.

Anyway, what’s important now wasn’t that.

I raised my head and looked up at the sky.

As I raised my gaze high, the sky that had turned red came into view.

It was quite strange for it to be the sky, visible in the middle of the night.

“Hmm….”

No matter how I look at it, that’s it.

As I watched while taking a bite of deer meat, I felt a reaction from the side.

-Keureureureung.

Ttolttol, that guy who was lying down as if trying to sleep, revealed its teeth.

It seemed like it was savoring the moment.

Seeing that, I asked.

“Are you hungry?”

-Keureureung.

Seeing the creature growl as if affirming, I felt a slight headache coming on, one I didn’t have before.

“What is it with you, always being hungry no matter how much you eat? You’re just too cost-ineffective.”

You ate everything you saw on the way here, and you’re still hungry?

-Keureureung….

As if intimidated by what I’m saying, it hangs its head low.

“Tsk.”

Seeing that, I clicked my tongue slightly.

Because it felt shitty to even say anything.

What can I do when it says it’s hungry?

“Alright, good is good, so…”

Right after swallowing the meat I was eating in one bite, I got up.

Then Ttolttol, that guy, also got up.

Next, with a rough sound like ‘Dududuk-!’, its body began to grow larger.

After growing its size, it was considerably huge.

Even though the space where the fire was lit wasn’t exactly narrow, it was to the extent that it could envelop it all and more.

‘The funny thing is, that’s not its full size.’

It can grow larger if I let it. It’s just that it’s too conspicuous, so I don’t let it.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve fed it so much.

As the years passed, it kept growing its size, and now it has reached the point where it can’t carelessly grow fully.

‘Although it probably isn’t because of the food.’

Obviously, it probably didn’t grow larger just because it ate a lot of food.

If one were to consider the cause, it’s probably…

‘It’s probably because my energy has become stronger.’

It’s a guess, but it seems likely.

As the energy it possessed grew stronger, Ttolttol’s size also grew.

‘Perhaps because of that, it uses too much energy now to make it small.’

I don’t know the reason, but as much as the Body Transformation Technique works on Ttolttol.

Making it hide and live with that size was easy, but.

As its size grew, the energy required for it became too much.

Even.

“The amount you eat has increased too.”

-Keureureung?

“You eat a fucking lot, you bastard.”

Although it must have understood clearly, it just fluttered its whiskers as if ignoring my words.

Doesn’t it seem like it’s getting more shameless as time goes by?

“Hoo….”

Enduring the sigh trying to burst out, I poked the creature.

Then.

Keureureureung-!

It growled roughly and sprang up from the ground.

Pa-ang-!

As its huge body surged upwards like a dragon, dust burst out in all directions from the recoil.

Ttolttol’s gaze was fixed on the center of the red sky.

As permission was given, I could see the corners of its mouth rise as if excited.

Seeing that, I said.

“It’ll be troublesome if it’s noisy. Handle it quietly. Don’t destroy everything around like last time.”

-Keureureung.

It nodded as if understanding, but it didn’t really inspire trust.

It was because there were several past incidents.

When it first hatched from the magic stone, it was relatively timid and cute.

It feels like it’s becoming fiercer increasingly.

‘Did it hit puberty or something?’

I wonder if monsters get that too, but I couldn’t think of anything else specific.

Next, Ttolttol disappeared from sight in an instant, and I was about to finish my meal again when.

“Hm?”

I felt presences filling the air from far away.

Is it seven people?

“Hmm.”

Sending an interested gaze, I expanded my senses.

The senses spread from my toes covered the surrounding forest.

Then, I caught sight of people running quickly from far away. Looking closely, it seems like….

‘They’re guys from the Alliance.’

Feeling this, I contained a smirk.

It was because I thought, ‘Conveniently, this worked out well.’

“Even without this, finding them was a bit difficult, you know.”

If I recall correctly, there was someone active somewhere around here around this time.

As I came here coincidentally because I had business in Guangdong province, I was planning to check on them while I was at it.

‘It was harder to find than I expected.’

Perhaps it was because, as of now, neither their alias nor name was known, making it difficult to find them.

Originally, they should have left Guangdong province by now, but.

I was unnecessarily having my time consumed.

As it was such a situation, I could smile slightly looking in the direction where the presence was felt.

“Shall I ask them a few questions?”

Saying that, I moved my steps.

There probably isn’t a need to hurry.

Because anyway, the destination seemed the same.