Chapter 562: I am…

Not long before things kicked off.

I was in the middle of yawning inside the cell I’d been dragged into.

It must have been because I hadn’t slept well at all, as I was quite sleepy.

Seeing my state, Gu Ryeong Hwa, who was beside me, spoke up as if to give me a nudge.

“In this situation, Oppa, you’re yawning…?”

“It’s a natural bodily function, you can’t just hold it in.”

There wasn’t anyone I particularly needed to watch out for, so I figured I could yawn a bit. What’s the big deal?

If I had my way, I’d want to sleep, but it’s just a shame I can’t.

Conversely, Gu Ryeong Hwa looked completely intimidated, as if she couldn’t comprehend the situation.

Seeing that, I asked this time.

“Why the long face? Cheer up a bit.”

“Does it look like I can cheer up?”

“I don’t think this is a situation where you can’t cheer up.”

It’s just that we came to prison, is it really that irritating? I thought, but then…

‘I guess that’s possible.’

From Gu Ryeong Hwa’s perspective, it seemed plausible.

As for me, I had a history of going to prison like it was my own house.

Gu Ryeong Hwa, however, must have lived her life joining the Mount Hua Sect, treated as a prestigious orthodox sect.

She wouldn’t be familiar with this kind of situation at all.

‘And I guess it’s strange that I am familiar with it.’

As I chuckled at the amusing thought, Gu Ryeong Hwa’s expression turned even stranger.

“Oppa… Just like last time, you seem a bit off.”

“I’ve always been strange.”

“Well, that’s true too, but…”

“What’d you say, punk?”

Gu Ryeong Hwa nodded in agreement as if possessed, despite my joking remark.

This is truly absurd.

“Do you think you’re normal?”

“What? I am normal!”

“That’s hilarious. Little sister, didn’t you know this?”

“….”

“Originally, among people surnamed Gu, there isn’t a single sane person.”

“…”

Gu Ryeong Hwa seemed unable to refute my words, puckering her lips.

Watching her, I added one more thing.

“Except for me, of course.”

“Tsk…!”

As I spat that out with a smirk, Gu Ryeong Hwa was about to retort indignantly.

“Haha.”

A guy who had been quietly listening beside us let out a laugh.

It was Yeongpung, who had also been dragged here.

As all eyes suddenly focused on his abrupt laughter, Yeongpung wore a flustered expression.

“Ah…. I apologize. You two seemed to be getting along so well, I couldn’t help myself….”

“Does this look like we’re getting along well? Where do you see that?”

“Yeongpung Sajil, are your eyes that bad?”

Even with the barrage of words filled with displeasure, Yeongpung just kept smiling.

The saving grace was that, unlike Gu Ryeong Hwa, that guy also had an expression that suggested he wasn’t thinking much of it.

“Does the Daoist Master possess a bit more composure than this ugly mug?”

Gu Ryeong Hwa shrieked, ‘Ugly mug!?’, but I deliberately ignored her.

Hearing my question, Yeongpung blinked his large eyes and replied calmly.

“Even if it may seem so on the outside. I am also quite worried.”

Although it didn’t particularly seem that way, if Yeongpung said so, then so be it.

Nodding slightly, I asked about something else this time.

“Is your jaw alright now?”

“Ah.”

The jaw I’d smacked the other day.

It was a question asking if it was okay, and Yeongpung chuckled sheepishly.

“It’s nothing. You did show me consideration, didn’t you?”

I did hit him lightly, after all.

Just enough to knock him out; if I had hit him any harder, his bones might have fractured, so I had to regulate it.

“In fact, rather….”

Yeongpung’s gaze turned towards me.

“It’s something I should be apologizing for, isn’t it?”

The incident where I barged in demanding the return of the demonic artifact. That’s what he must have meant.

“Yes, well. I’m fine too.”

I wasn’t really paying it much mind.

Or rather, perhaps I should say I didn’t consider it Yeongpung’s problem.

‘Something was strange.’

The jealousy and fervor in Yeongpung’s eyes back then weren’t quite enough to be considered solely Yeongpung’s issue.

His pupils, filled with an overwhelming energy, were too much to attribute solely to Yeolpung’s emotions.

“Daoist Master, I’m asking just in case, but…”

“Yes?”

“Perhaps, do you hear an old man’s voice in your head…. or anything like that?”

“…What?”

At my question, Yeongpung made a strange face.

His expression seemed to ask what kind of bizarre nonsense I was talking about.

“No.”

Seeing that, I retracted my question.

It seemed Yeongpung couldn’t hear it.

It was obvious I’d be called crazy if I asked further, so for now, I had to shut my mouth.

Chul-geok.

As I moved my hand, I felt a grating sensation on my wrist.

I lowered my gaze and looked at my wrist.

Manacles made of iron were binding my two arms.

Seeing them, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘They even used something expensive.’

These were restraints meant to prevent the actions of martial artists above the ‘Peak’ (Jeoljeong) level.

Just by feeling their strength, I could tell it wasn’t ordinary iron.

Maybe some Myunnyeon Hancheol (ten-thousand-year-old iron) was mixed in?

Not only did they seal my acupoints, but they even made me wear restraints like these.

“Excessively thorough.”

It’s a very effective method for dealing with criminals, but…

‘They’re treating me too much like a criminal.’

It hasn’t even been confirmed yet. And yet, I’m treated like this.

Of course.

‘I did commit the act, though.’

The preceding incident was indeed something I had done.

It’s just that I wasn’t caught.

And besides.

‘I have no intention of getting caught going forward either.’

I leaned my back carefully against the wall and thought.

How far should I take this?

How much should I unleash here to make it appropriate?

Where is the appropriate line?

I pondered endlessly.

Just enough to bear.

I had to clearly define that ambiguous line.

Just then.

“Will Teacher be alright…?”

Gu Ryeong Hwa spoke, worrying about Geomhu.

At that sound, I paused my thoughts for a moment.

Geomhu.

There was a reason she wasn’t in the cell with us right now.

‘Woo Baek probably asked to see her separately.’

Likely, Woo Baek, the elder, called Geomhu, who holds responsibility, to talk.

Woo Baek surely knows that his current conduct isn’t good either.

He probably wanted to reach an agreement with Geomhu regarding this.

‘They’ll think someone committed this act against me.’

Someone committed this.

And acted to pin the blame on me.

That’s how they’ll think.

Even if I hoped it wasn’t true, if they had eyes, they would surely judge it that way.

However.

‘Even knowing that, they’ll try to share the blame.’

Even if someone tried to frame me.

The current Mudang sect. No, Woo Baek will try to prove somehow that our side also bears guilt.

It’s true we were also at fault for having the item stolen.

Don’t you also bear guilt?

It’s not solely our fault.

Or perhaps.

Didn’t the item they thought lost turn up in this guy’s room?

What if this guy is also connected to the culprit?

And so on.

They will have to prove somehow that our side also had issues. Only then…

Will it be easier for them to protect their own positions.

‘Anyway.’

Just thinking about it is irritating.

Seeing this situation firsthand, I finally understood the reactions Woo Hyuk showed in my past life.

Every time the Mudang sect was mentioned, he clearly showed subtle signs of aversion.

Him wearing the Mudang disciple robes himself, yet not wanting to live like that.

‘No wonder he only ate meat.’

Perhaps even that was part of his rebellion.

Such thoughts crossed my mind.

And then.

‘This much… is enough.’

Observing is sufficient enough at this point.

Two days. It had been two days since arriving at Mudang, and I had confirmed various things during that time.

It wasn’t anything special.

I simply confirmed the Mudang sect itself.

I looked to see if it differed from the Mudang sect I knew in my past life, and I was able to learn one thing.

I was wrong.

The Mudang sect was even more rotten than the one I knew in my past life.

Of course, it might not be the case, but that’s how it appeared to my eyes.

It was more than enough for me to conclude my judgment.

This is enough.

Thinking so, I slowly began to rise.

Seureuk-

As I suddenly got up, Yeongpung and Gu Ryeong Hwa looked at me with puzzled expressions.

Looking at them, I said.

“Geomhu will be alright.”

There won’t be any problems.

“Because nothing will happen.”

Because I will make sure of it.

“Oppa…?”

“Gu So-hyeop. What are you suddenly talking about…”

Leaving the two who couldn’t understand behind, I approached the iron bars.

Then, a Mudang martial artist guarding the cell looked this way with sharp eyes.

“What is it….”

“Did you bring the clothes?”

“Hm?”

As I suddenly brought up a strange topic.

The martial artist in front made a strange expression.

“What strange words are these all of a sudden? Clothes?”

“Tell Dangdeok to prepare too. Because we’re starting now.”

“No, what the…!”

Tuk.

“Gak…!?”

The martial artist in front suddenly collapsed with a thud, as if struck.

That wasn’t all.

Others too, one by one, fell with a ‘tuk tuk’.

Before long, all the martial artists guarding the cell had collapsed.

Even Gu Ryeong Hwa and Yeongpung, who were behind me, had lost consciousness before I knew it.

Seeing that, I extended my hand.

“Faster than before?”

As I said that with a hint of wonder.

A white hand suddenly jutted out from the front.

It probably didn’t jut out.

It was likely always there, but its presence was faint, only now becoming visible.

The woman who suddenly appeared unlocked the restraints on my wrists with the key she held.

Kkang-!

The restraints fell to the floor with a loud noise, but no one came looking upon hearing it.

They must have already been dealt with.

“Did you kill them all?”

As I recalled that, I asked.

“As you commanded, I did not kill a single one.”

The appearing woman gave her answer.

It was fortunate.

There’s only one person who needs to die here.

Anything more would be needless slaughter.

She knelt down as she spoke.

Then, she took something out from her robes and handed it to me.

Black martial robes and a white mask.

I accepted them and immediately changed my clothes.

Upon putting them on, the clothes were somewhat large, not fitting my build.

That wasn’t a problem.

Udeudeudeuk-!

My joints twisted, and my body gradually grew larger.

It took only a few seconds for my body to become suitable for the martial robes.

As I calmly adjusted my clothes, the woman spoke to me.

“Master, we received contact from the Hwangbo family.”

“What did they say?”

“They said Shaolin has made contact, and they wish for us to decide how to proceed.”

“Ha. Already?”

Faster than expected.

As always, those baldies were quick when it came to handling matters.

“Send Ji-seon. He’ll handle it.”

“I will relay that message.”

After hearing the woman’s reply, I put on the mask.

Immediately after, I looked back.

“…”

There, Seong-yul, stuck to the wall, could be seen with wide eyes.

He seemed quite surprised.

“You asked what I intended to do using you, didn’t you?”

“…”

Asking why I kept dragging him around.

Seong-yul, who had asked what it was all for.

“Then, wait right there. Because this will be my answer.”

Kkiiik-!

I stepped through the opening iron bars.

I naturally put my hands behind my back.

I puffed out my chest and held my posture as straight as possible.

Seeing this, the woman asked.

“Is it alright if I don’t release the acupoint sealing?”

“No need. I wasn’t sealed in the first place anyway.”

“Understood.”

With each step I took, I suppressed my presence.

By the third step, those around me no longer recognized my presence.

At that point, I lightly leaped upwards.

Very high, indeed.

When I reached a certain height, I spoke to the woman.

“Release it now.”

“Yes.”

Ttak-!

At my command, the woman flicked her fingers lightly.

Hwa-ahk-!

The curtain obscuring the air vanished, revealing an immense body.

The ‘ttolttol-i’ guy was floating in mid-air, enlarged to its maximum size.

Above it stood a giant holding a spear.

The giant, Dangdeok, seeing me approach, immediately lunged forward.

It was a pre-arranged plan.

Not long after that.

Kuuuwoooong-!!

A tremendous sound erupted from below.

Right after I briefly checked below.

I drew the demonic energy (magi) within my body upwards.

Hwa-ah-ahk-!

Flowing through the acupoints, the demonic energy filled my entire body, starting from the heart.

My pupils were also affected by the demonic energy.

My body, heated intensely, naturally radiated warmth.

Feeling it, I spoke.

“Heukcheon (Black Heaven).”

Simultaneously with the words.

Hwa-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-!!

Tremendous demonic energy erupted from my body.

Not ‘widely’ in all directions, but solely towards the void above.

The surging demonic energy encroached upon the sky.

The remaining demonic energy that encroached fell downwards, establishing a small, yet singular, domain.

Within this space, broad daylight turned into night.

A space created with no moon or stars, only desolate darkness.

After confirming the created space.

I slowly began to descend.

I lowered my speed by emitting a gentle heat.

I had to differentiate myself from Dangdeok, who had fallen like he was plummeting.

I could feel the gazes.

I felt everyone was looking at me.

The fear of seeing an unknown entity was also keenly felt.

It doesn’t matter.

Rather, it was welcome.

Since I intended to evoke such gazes, I might as well enjoy them.

I raised my hand.

Hu-ook.

The internal energy (negi) gathered into my palm, converging at my fingertips.

The potent energy, much like its master, was incredibly rough.

I liked this sharp energy.

Because pursuing compression upon compression inevitably leads to greater intensity.

Twisting the flow as if gripping tightly, I formed a sphere.

The speed of its rotation was so fast, it felt like it might explode if I slipped up, but…

I endured.

I had to.

Because this was the most crucial moment.

Hwa-ahk-!

The swiftly rotating orb absorbed light.

A peculiar hue, tinged with blue and purple.

It wasn’t the Yeomok (Flame Orb) I normally used.

If I had intended to use something like that, I wouldn’t have employed this internal energy.

‘Hwarunseong (Fire Wheel Star).’

An unknown realm that couldn’t be completed with mere flames.

A secret technique I could barely manage to use.

I gently lifted the sphere thus created and sent it flying into the air.

Then.

Pwa-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah–!!

The flying orb momentarily burst with intense light, illuminating the surroundings.

It cast darkness upon the sky, creating a space.

And placed a sun above it.

More than half the internal energy had burst forth, but it didn’t matter.

Tuk.

My toes touched the ground.

Amidst the countless gazes I felt, I looked straight ahead.

There, Woo Baek, the elder of Mudang, was staring at me with distorted eyes.

It was a welcome sight.

It was proof that the situation was unfolding favorably.

It’s fortunate I’m wearing this mask.

Thanks to it, this smile won’t be detected.

Looking at Woo Baek, I began to speak the words I had prepared.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

Words I hated hearing and recalling so much.

“This Seat is.”

Now, I have to utter them.

Yes.

“Cheonma.”

It was the beginning of a damn play.