Chapter 549: Why are you here?

Four days passed.

I had somehow left Guangdong Province and arrived in Hunan.

Swaaaahhhh.

The sound of waves reached my ears.

Night would soon arrive, so I found a valley and sat down casually.

It felt like I had walked for a long time, but I was still in the forest.

“Hmm.”

It’s true I moved a bit leisurely, but…

It was still okay.

‘Things resolved easily.’

Because I had gained some leeway in terms of time.

There were three reasons why I had tried to move a bit quickly in Guangdong.

The first was.

‘Myriad Year Cold Iron.’

The warehouse in Guangdong Province where Myriad Year Cold Iron was piled up.

It was for that.

Finding it wasn’t particularly difficult.

Because I knew the information in more detail than expected.

‘There were some issues amidst that, though.’

During the process, I had friction with a fellow named Gu Kwon-jeokma and ended up fighting, but…

I was actually able to use that to resolve the next task.

‘I killed Wi Seok.’

My second objective for coming to Guangdong Province.

It was to kill Wi Seok, the person who was the branch chief of the current Murim Alliance’s Guangdong branch.

As for this, the vengeful aspect had somewhat faded, so…

‘It was a ‘while I’m at it’ kind of thing.’

My goal was simply to take care of it since I was already here.

‘And while I was at it, I needed to spread my name, too.’

As for that part, I made sure a martial artist named Seo Dong recognized me, so it should be fine.

‘There’s a possibility he might not say anything, though.’

I had instructed him to report it, but there was definitely a chance he wouldn’t, but…

Even so, that didn’t matter either.

Because the important part is that Wi Seok was killed.

Because of this, the Guangdong branch will likely take about a month to sort things out.

Although the only casualty would be the branch chief,

‘it’s no different from turning the place upside down.’

It’s no different than an unidentified person suddenly wrecking the branch.

If they reported it as they saw it, there would likely be various changes on their end too.

‘A month or two.’

Time to send a new branch chief and clean up the aftermath.

It would probably take about that long.

It’s not a long time, but dealing with incidents caused by demonic beasts within that period would be delayed.

Then, casualties would likely occur.

So.

“Just take care of that part roughly.”

To my quiet whisper in the middle of the night.

[I shall obey your command.]

A voice answering from the darkness could be heard.

I didn’t bother turning my head.

[I will deploy personnel by region.]

This means to pay adequate attention so that there are no casualties in Guangdong Province while the Alliance is in turmoil.

Ah.

“Also, spread some rumors appropriately.”

[Understood.]

Just as I thought I had finished saying what needed to be said.

[And…]

A telepathic message followed, as if continuing the conversation.

[The Great Master had a message to relay.]

“The Dark King?”

As I widened my eyes as if asking ‘what?’, the voice continued.

[‘The child’s preparations are complete. We shall send them back now.’ That was the command.]

“…”

Hearing the words, I let out a low breath.

Because I knew who those words referred to.

‘I’ll be seeing them soon, I guess.’

The last time I saw them was two years ago.

It had already been that long since they left with the Dark King, saying they needed training.

I nodded slightly and spoke.

“Understood.”

As I finished speaking, the presence behind me vanished.

Only after sensing that did I too rise from the rock.

I started walking.

Moving away from where I was, I walked in the direction of the sound of waves.

As I got a little closer.

Swaaaahhhh-!

The river, illuminated by the moon, was rippling due to the waves.

And I could see someone sitting near the river.

Cheolbeok-! Cheolbeok-!

Someone was crouching and washing something in the river.

Perhaps they had taken off their upper garment, as their pale skin was clearly visible.

Seeing that, I asked.

“What are you doing?”

“…”!

The person diligently washing their clothes in the river flinched at my call.

Then, they turned their creaking head and looked at me with their body.

Tired-looking, yellowish eyes were the first thing that caught my attention.

The young man’s identity was none other than…

In his past life, the Sword Demon (劍魔), and the Heavenly Killer Star.

Furthermore.

The former Sect Leader of Kunlun. A person presumed to be the disciple of Qinghai One Sword.

It was Seong Yul.

“What are you doing now?”

“…”

To my question, Seong Yul slightly showed me the clothes he was holding.

“…I was… washing my clothes.”

“At this hour?”

“Yes… The timing wasn’t right.”

“Hmm.”

Indeed, there wasn’t really a situation that called for washing up.

But still, even so.

‘He’s not exactly sane either.’

To be washing his clothes in a valley in this situation.

Meanwhile, I could see the upper body of the guy who had taken off his shirt.

For a martial artist who had reached a high level, his muscles were lacking.

His frame was large, but he was probably just skinny.

Especially, the scars visible all over his body, not just his chest, were noticeable.

‘Those…’

Those aren’t scars inflicted by someone else.

They are traces left when one injures oneself.

“Hey.”

“Yes…?”

“Give me those clothes.”

“…?”

Regardless of Seong Yul’s puzzled expression at my words, he handed over the clothes obediently.

I snatched the damp clothes and infused my internal energy into them.

Hwaak-!

“…!”

Then, instantly, heat erupted, drying the wet clothes in one go.

Immediately after, I roughly threw the dried clothes back to Seong Yul.

The guy dazedly and hastily caught the clothes.

I didn’t like the sight of those scars.

Looking at such a guy, I asked.

“How did you manage not to run away?”

“…Ah.”

Not much time had passed since I disappeared, but it was enough time if he had intended to run.

Over the past few days since we started traveling together.

There had been similar situations in between, but Seong Yul had never attempted to escape.

To my question, Seong Yul replied without much change in expression.

“Even if I ran, I’d have nowhere to go.”

“Why? Go home. Your home is in Qinghai, isn’t it?”

As I brought up Kunlun Sect, Seong Yul’s expression turned slightly grim.

“…That place… is no longer somewhere I can go.”

Every time we talked about Kunlun, his expression was always like that.

If there’s anything I’ve learned about Seong Yul over the past few days.

‘He wasn’t even twenty yet. Did he say he was twenty-five now?’

‘He seems to be affiliated with Kunlun.’

Either currently affiliated, or…

…was affiliated.

It seemed like one of the two, from my perspective.

Furthermore.

‘It’s also true that he’s related to Qinghai One Sword.’

He never mentioned it directly, but it’s certain.

And yet, someone like that…

‘Why is he here acting like this?’

Since he’s the Heavenly Killer Star, it’s not strange that he fell into becoming a murderer.

However, if he was a martial artist who belonged to Kunlun Sect, various problems arise.

‘The Heavenly Killer Star is supposed to be executed upon discovery.’

This is one of the rules set by the Alliance.

The Heavenly Killer Star must be reported to the Alliance immediately upon discovery.

This is practically a code that any righteous path practitioner must follow, yet…

‘Qinghai One Sword, who would know that, pretended not to know.’

Especially if he had taken him in and raised him himself.

‘What could his intention have been?’

I don’t know about that. What’s important is…

‘That things have become a bit troublesome.’

If in the past he was just a guy crazy about killing.

What about the Sword Demon now?

At least from my perspective now, he seemed a bit dim-witted but otherwise fine.

‘But that doesn’t mean he’s entirely fine.’

Judging by his appearance when we first met, fitting for the Heavenly Killer Star.

That guy was no different from the Sword Demon I saw in my past life.

However.

‘He hasn’t been completely consumed by the Heavenly Killer Star yet.’

In his past life, it seemed like his constitution had consumed him.

But now, it seems that’s not entirely the case.

To put it another way.

‘He’ll eventually be consumed anyway.’

That he would eventually fail to overcome the Heavenly Killer Star and be consumed by it.

Recalling that.

‘I should just stick to the original plan.’

Corrupt him into a demonic person and use him later.

I found this guy for that purpose… but I wasn’t doing it.

‘Tsk.’

I remembered the look in his eyes a few days ago, begging me to kill him, overwhelmed by guilt.

Recalling that made me irritated.

‘Ah, shit, I saw something I shouldn’t have.’

It was irritating.

If I hadn’t seen it, I would have just gotten rid of him without hesitation.

But because I saw those damn eyes, hesitation arose.

Tsk.

As I clicked my tongue briefly at the rising emotion, Seong Yul finished dressing and asked me something.

“Um…”

“What.”

“May I ask what you wish of me…?”

“What?”

Seong Yul asked cautiously.

“…Why would someone like you wish to travel with me, specifically, and for what purpose?”

‘Someone like you.’

Hearing that, I chuckled.

“Do you even know who I am?”

“I don’t. However, I can tell you are no ordinary person.”

He seems to be mistaken about something.

I’m not really that great of a person, you know.

‘Besides, I’m not human anymore.’

I swallowed the words I didn’t need to say.

“Then why are you following me, when you don’t even know who I am or what I’ll do?”

“…Because you told me to follow.”

He followed because I told him to.

That’s what Seong Yul was telling me.

“Is that why you didn’t run away?”

“Even if I ran, I’d have nowhere to go, and…”

Seong Yul said to me, his eyes now calm.

“I judged that I couldn’t escape.”

“Hmm.”

The reason he didn’t bother running was because he believed he couldn’t escape me, even if he tried.

‘He’s more perceptive than I thought.’

That was the correct answer.

I had no intention of letting him go willingly.

‘If anything, I’d kill him.’

He possesses the Heavenly Killer Star.

Who knows what would happen later, why would I let him live?

And in the midst of that.

‘What I wish for.’

What I wish for from him, in the midst of all this.

“Well…”

Nothing specific comes to mind yet.

No, there is something, but it’s not something I should ask of him right now.

“And. If I were to ask for something, what would change? Would you even do it?”

“…I don’t know.”

Seong Yul shook his head.

“But… if it’s something I can do, I will.”

Hearing that, I nodded.

“That’s bullshit. You don’t even know who I am or what I’ll do, but you’ll do it if you can?”

I had planned to corrupt him into a demonic person and use him since he wouldn’t listen anyway.

And now he’s saying he’ll listen to me willingly?

I found it absurd.

“Why the sudden outburst?”

“…”

“What’s gotten into you.”

It would be convenient if he willingly listened to me, but…

I was curious about the reason.

As I looked at him filled with questions.

Seong Yul then spoke to me in an exhausted voice.

“You know what kind of problem I possess, don’t you?”

I know very well.

That I have a crazy constitution that craves blood and desires the opponent’s pain.

“If you know that and still need me… I thought that would be enough.”

He meant that if I needed him despite knowing he was the Heavenly Killer Star, that was sufficient.

Also.

“You have nowhere to go anyway, and rather than just being like this, you’re willing to do anything?”

“…”

It was a statement that conveyed a certain level of resignation.

“Hmm…”

After hearing Seong Yul’s words, I recalled something.

‘Ambiguous.’

The Sword Demon who hasn’t yet succumbed to madness.

If he were steeped in madness, it would have been easier to use him.

This ambiguous state of his is nothing but a burden to me.

‘A bomb that could go off anytime.’

He seems fine now, but if his madness flares up, he might turn into what he was at the inn.

Knowing that, wouldn’t it be better to just turn him into a demonic person now and use him safely?

Such a thought occurred to me.

‘It’s too bothersome to even think about.’

The image of him feeling guilty. The lingering concerns about Qinghai One Sword’s involvement.

No matter how long I pondered, there was only one answer.

‘Unless I had a way to suppress his Heavenly Killer Star.’

As if such a thing existed.

I don’t know what Qinghai One Sword was thinking, but as far as I know, there wasn’t.

Right.

‘Let’s take the easy way.’

If not changing him into a demonic person, I had to kill him.

In that case, it would be better to start the process of turning him into a demonic person now.

Thinking thus, I reached out to Seong Yul.

Saaah-.

“…!”

Sensing a presence behind me, I quickly turned my head.

“What is it?”

Seong Yul, seeing my reaction, wore a bewildered expression.

“Um…?”

“Be quiet for a moment.”

“…”

In the ensuing silence, I drew my internal energy and spread my senses.

Hwaaaahk-!

The energy bursting from my feet enveloped the surroundings.

Then, I could sense the presence more clearly.

There were two presences I could feel.

And they were rapidly approaching this way.

“Damn.”

I frowned the moment I sensed the presences.

Because they were presences I recognized.

However, the problem was that these weren’t presences I should be feeling here.

‘…Why do I feel that child’s presence here?’

The question arose, but I had no time to dwell on it.

As soon as I confirmed the presences, I circulated my internal energy.

Then.

Ududeudeuk-!

The joints in my body made sounds as my physical form began to change.

“Huh…?”

Seong Yul, seeing my transformation, uttered a short sound.

Dudududuk-!

Coupled with the sound, my body gradually shrank.

My height decreased, and my build slimmed down.

About a handspan difference, perhaps.

“Hoo…”

After managing to shrink my body, I swept my hair back.

Immediately after, I checked my reflection in the valley.

My slightly reddened pupils were the first thing I saw.

Fortunately, it seemed the transformation was successful.

“W-what…?”

Seong Yul wore an expression of shock at my sudden transformation, but…

This wasn’t the time to explain what was happening.

Just as I was barely regaining my composure.

I could finally feel the presences drawing near.

Jeobeok.

Light footsteps could be heard.

“Huh…?”

Then, a voice reached me.

It was a beautiful woman’s clear voice.

The woman’s voice was clearly laced with considerable confusion.

As I turned my head towards the voice.

“What the…?”

The woman who made eye contact with me widened her eyes.

The woman’s face looked familiar yet awkward.

Her eye corners, sharp yet slightly downturned.

Her black hair, let loose casually.

The small pattern drawn subtly amidst her white martial arts uniform, and her build, not large for a woman.

Furthermore.

Her face, resembling someone dear.

The woman couldn’t hide her expression as she looked at me.

“Why…”

The identity of that woman was, surprisingly…

“…is Oppa here?”

The fourth child of Gu family.

It was Gu Ryeong Hwa.