Chapter 663: Villain and Hero.

My first feeling upon hearing Pildu-ma’s words was disappointment.

‘What the heck?’

I thought he was up to something grand.

Doing what, exactly?

‘Reviving a White-grade Monster?’

That was unexpected.

And not in a good way, either.

No, wait. I might have been a little surprised under normal circumstances, but…

‘Not really, right now.’

Perhaps because I’d already seen all sorts of bizarre things, it felt like I’d heard something huge, but it didn’t really move me.

‘It’s a big deal, though.’

A monster sealed beneath the lands of Hanam, no less, and Pildu-ma intends to revive it.

Just hearing it sounded like a massive situation.

‘Seriously fucked up.’

Hiding in the most random places. If that’s the case, why not just say they’re sealed evenly across all regions?

My head started to ache just thinking about it.

‘If what he said is true.’

Why is it buried in the ground? How did he find out? And how does he plan to revive and utilize it?

All of that had to remain questions.

No, even setting that aside.

‘I need to remind myself this didn’t happen in my previous life.’

For starters, Pildu-ma himself was a survivor of the Jeok-gal family.

It was also unexpected that they would be preparing something in Hanam around this time.

‘In my past life, Pildu-ma was just one of the unorthodox martial artists.’

He was a hidden master who was gradually making a name for himself.

He was an old man who showcased his strength by assassinating two leaders of the Martial League upon his appearance.

Later, he entered the service of the Heavenly Demon and came to rule the Cheonra Heukmangdae, but…

‘Looking back now, it’s strange.’

The fact that he was dreaming of revenge against the Martial League and the revival of the Jeok-gal family in Hanam from the very beginning was something I never knew.

Even if it existed, it was an unknown fact, which meant…

‘It means he failed.’

It was proof that Pildu-ma couldn’t succeed in his goals.

‘So, does that mean what this old man is trying to do now will also end in failure?’

I don’t know.

So many things had happened differently from my past life already, and what Pildu-ma is currently trying to do might even be a result of my own actions.

I couldn’t be certain about anything.

‘This isn’t easy.’

He seems to have handled things well, but his objective is rather ambiguous.

I thought maybe he’d use some kind of foreign power like sorcery or something to pull this off.

‘To think he planned to use a monster.’

Of course, if it’s true that it’s a White-grade monster, it would cause a huge ripple effect.

‘They probably haven’t heard about the Northern Sea.’

The fact that the Northern Sea is currently at war and that the top commander, the Palace Lord, is in a weakened state is classified information.

The moment this gets out, we wouldn’t know how the League might react.

Therefore, news of a White-grade monster appearing in the Northern Sea wouldn’t have reached them either, naturally.

‘The Central Plains are already noisy with Red-grade monsters.’

It’s been three years since the outbreak of the Red-grade Demonic Gate, which hadn’t appeared for hundreds of years.

The League was barely patching up the peace that was falling apart because of it, pretending everything was fine ‘on the surface’.

And yet, if a White-grade monster were to appear here too?

It was obvious it would become a complete mess.

‘Perhaps he’s causing trouble precisely for that reason?’

Isn’t it likely he’s trying to revive the White-grade monster because the situation is just right?

If so, it would shatter the forced peace the League is trying to maintain.

‘Then why didn’t he bother doing it in my past life….’

The earlier appearance of the Red-grade monster compared to my past life.

Things that should have appeared alongside the Heavenly Demon’s arrival are erupting now.

With the Martial League’s role faltering due to disasters like the one at the Divine Dragon Pavilion, perhaps Pildu-ma appeared now to seize the opportunity.

‘If that’s the case, does this mean I have a stake in this too?’

I looked at the old man through my mask.

The old man, a giant of a man, seemed inexplicably tense looking at me.

I’ve been acting with that in mind, but strangely, he seemed much more tense than I expected.

Why? I haven’t done anything special today?

Could it be that his expression isn’t due to tension, but because I tore off the barrier or something?

If that’s the case, I could understand…

‘…Who knew it would just tear off?’

Who would have thought it would be ripped off so easily?

Isn’t it the fault of those guys who didn’t make it properly?

Yes, that must be it.

‘Anyway.’

Ultimately, it’s undeniable that I’m partly responsible for the current situation.

‘Well, when wasn’t it my fault?’

I don’t feel guilty about it.

No, I tried not to.

[…A dragon, you say? Something like that beneath the lands of Hanam?]

“That’s correct.”

[How did you, the Grandmaster, know about that?]

“…It’s part of the information left behind by my ancestors.”

‘Ancestors?’

The word ‘ancestors’ meant information from the Jeok-gal family, which had already been annihilated.

As they were known for their expertise in formations, it had a certain degree of credibility.

‘Whether this is true is another matter, though.’

Right now, I needed to look at something else first.

‘The White-grade monster.’

Assuming Pildu-ma’s words are true, the consequences of the monster falling…

And what could be gained from it.

‘Advantages.’

I recalled the conveniences of utilizing these things.

‘Pildu-ma isn’t a foolish old man.’

Hanam has good public order thanks to the League.

Moreover, with the Martial Arts Tournament just around the corner, many experts were already gathering.

Renowned families and deeply rooted prestigious sects would gather.

‘Would summoning a monster onto such land even be meaningful?’

I know because I’ve faced a White-grade monster.

It was definitely strong.

Its power was incomparable to mere Red-grade monsters.

But.

‘It wasn’t so strong that it couldn’t be caught.’

While my father’s arrival made victory possible, it means it wouldn’t be impossible to catch if numerous experts charged at it.

‘Casualties would occur, but it wouldn’t be enough to bring down the League.’

If the forces were outstanding, maybe. But aside from Pildu-ma, there aren’t that many strong martial artists.

Wouldn’t Pildu-ma know this?

He wouldn’t be ignorant of it.

He isn’t incompetent. At least, not to my knowledge.

‘If he’s doing it despite knowing this, there must be something.’

It means he has something that allows him to push forward even after causing this.

[Hmm.]

I rested my chin on my hand, pretending to ponder.

Pildu-ma’s wrinkled face showed a tremor in response to my actions.

His overly tense demeanor still seemed strange.

But.

‘It doesn’t matter. It’s actually convenient.’

It’s beneficial if the opponent perceives me as a threat.

‘If Pildu-ma’s plan truly succeeds and a monster appears on the lands of Hanam…’

Tap-tap-tap.

I tapped the table where the wine glass sat with my fingertips.

Aside from that sound, the surroundings were eerily silent, as if everyone held their breath.

About a minute passed like that.

Tap.

My tapping fingers finally stopped.

The calculation was complete.

[So.]

I immediately said to Pildu-ma.

[What is it that I, this venerable one, can help with?]

The outcome of the plan isn’t bad for me.

No.

It’s not just ‘not bad’.

‘It seems useful.’

Using this, I felt I could execute my plan a little faster.

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

When I emerged from the cave, it was still night.

Not much time had passed.

It seemed thanks to not dragging out the conversation.

Thump.

I walked through the grassy field, surveying my surroundings.

The chirping of crickets I’d heard earlier was gone.

Perhaps the energy I disturbed earlier was the cause.

‘Not just the sound.’

The terrain also looked subtly distorted.

To be precise, it wasn’t distorted, but rather returned to its original state.

‘Did they alter the appearance as well?’

Did they overlay an illusion onto the terrain to conceal its location?

That bizarre method automatically brought to mind a memory from the past.

‘It’s like what I saw in Sichuan.’

The Yeon Family’s Hidden Records, which I saw after going to Sichuan less than a year after my regression.

What I saw there was similar to this.

It was disguised as a cliff, but upon entering, there was a tree shedding pure white leaves.

‘…’

Recalling this, I felt the ring in my heart.

‘If this is sorcery, does that mean what I saw at the Yeon Family’s place was also sorcery?’

I thought it was too foreign to be a formation, but could it have been sorcery?

‘They said sorcery was brought by dragons. How did the Yeon Family use sorcery to hide that place?’

The Yeon Family’s Hidden Records were concealed by the power of a dragon.

His descendant was cursed and became a half-dragon.

How did things turn out that way?

As I frowned at the strange connection.

“Master.”

Naji, who had followed me out, spoke to me.

Turning around, I simultaneously took off the mask I was wearing.

Creak.

Then, my bones and muscles convulsed, my energy retracted, and my body returned to its original form.

Thanks to the increase in my cultivation, the duration and finesse with which I could use the Body Transformation Technique had improved.

I stretched my returned body and said to Naji.

“What?”

“…Are you really going to do as that person said?”

“Hm?”

That was an unexpected statement coming from Naji.

Hearing that, I narrowed my eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t think that person is trustworthy…”

Hearing this, I nodded.

It meant for Naji to elaborate.

“My intuition, and many other aspects, feel suspicious.”

“Basis?”

“…The biggest among several reasons is that he didn’t provide all the information and twisted it.”

I nodded after hearing her words.

That’s correct.

Pildu-ma has hardly given me complete information.

He was intimidated by me, and while saying he’d align his intentions, he was subtly plotting something behind my back.

Therefore, Naji must have judged there was a problem and spoken up, but…

“I know.”

I already knew.

“That he didn’t tell me everything. That he’d likely try to scheme against me too. I knew that long ago.”

“Then…”

“It doesn’t matter. I plan to use and discard him anyway.”

“…!”

Naji’s eyes widened at my nonchalantly spoken words.

Is this really that surprising?

“Why?”

“That is…”

“Did you really think I’d keep dragging that old man around?”

“…”

If she thought that, it would be disappointing.

“Ahaha. No way.”

I had absolutely no intention of doing so.

Pildu-ma is an old dog (老犬).

An old dog harboring ambition, no less. Trusting such a fellow would be idiotic.

Haven’t I been tricked and experienced this countless times before?

I had no intention of trusting Pildu-ma at all.

I just thought he might be useful for now, so let’s use him.

Furthermore.

‘Once the job is done, I’ll deal with him too.’

Before the plan concluded, I would kill and dispose of him as well.

Although the Heavenly Demon even absorbed and utilized him…

‘I don’t have a taste for things that have already gone bad.’

I was different from the Heavenly Demon.

“Naji, it wasn’t bad that you spoke out of concern…”

I said, looking at Naji.

“But just now, you were a bit presumptuous.”

“…!”

At my words, Naji quickly knelt.

Seeing that, I continued.

“Since when did you start offering unsolicited advice? Or is it an order?”

“…I… I’m sorry…”

Naji trembled without me even saying much.

Looking at her, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

“Get up.”

As I gave the order, Naji immediately stood up.

I considered berating her a bit more but decided against it.

My relationship with Naji was forged through demonic energy.

To me, she wasn’t exactly a trustworthy figure either.

I trust no one.

A pawn I can discard at any time.

That’s the value of the demons I keep with me.

As such, such pointless actions were unwelcome.

Especially if Naji were to develop loyalty, though that’s unlikely.

Ignoring the unpleasant feeling, I took out a letter from my pocket and handed it to Naji.

“Send this to Hyuk. And tell Ji-seon to come to Hanam if he has nothing else going on.”

“…I will follow your command.”

“Oh, and.”

I stopped Naji, who was about to disappear the moment she took the letter.

“Tell that spear guy to come here.”

“…!”

Naji’s face showed surprise upon mentioning someone.

“Should I relay the message immediately?”

“Yes, tell him to come by next month at the latest.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Naji bowed after finishing her words and vanished instantly like smoke.

After confirming that, I scratched my cheek.

It was because of the ‘spear guy’ I mentioned.

‘Honestly, I didn’t really want to summon him.’

Over the past few years, I had created several more demons and tamed them as subordinates.

The spear guy was one of them.

However.

‘He’s a troublesome bastard to handle.’

Even among the demons I gathered, who were destined to go mad or become drenched in slaughter, he was exceptionally insane.

He reminded me so much of the Sword Demon from my past life.

I don’t know if he’s worse, but the feeling was comparable.

‘Because of that, I tried not to summon him unless absolutely necessary…’

But he seemed perfect for the task I had in mind, so I figured I had to use him.

‘If not for that, it’s about time I summoned them all anyway.’

The demons I scattered everywhere.

It was time to summon them all.

As the time for my planned endeavor approached, it was time to gather them.

‘…Will it be okay?’

Since they’re all lunatics, even I hesitate slightly.

‘Can’t be helped.’

I had no other choice but to do it.

Because I had to succeed in my plan, no matter what.

Swish.

‘The plan…’

Just thinking about it made my stomach churn.

I turned my back.

Seong-yul, who had been waiting outside, approached me.

Looking into his murky yellow eyes, I said.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

As I started walking, Seong-yul followed slowly behind me.

Moving, I lifted my head.

I could see the crescent moon rising in the sky.

Seeing this, I moved forward.

The first night since returning to Hanam slowly passed.

There was less than a month left until the Martial Arts Tournament.

‘…After that time passes.’

I must become a villain the world will fear.

And at the same time.

I intended to become a hero who shone brighter than anyone else.