Chapter 754: Hero Appears.

“Heavenly Demon….”

Upon hearing the introduction of the individual, the Sword Immortal immediately scowled.

“Just as expected.”

His voice was filled with power, as if he were forcibly suppressing his killing intent.

“You mean the person who turned the Wudang into a wasteland?”

[Ah.]

Cheonma reacted to Geomseon’s words.

[That’s right. That did happen.]

It was a reaction as if he had momentarily forgotten.

Geomseon’s expression worsened at that reaction.

This happened not just anywhere, but in the very heart of Wudang.

Not only did an intruder invade, but an elder was even murdered.

That incident almost diminished Wudang’s standing, yet…

Is this person saying he doesn’t even remember such an event?

[Oh, my apologies.]

Perhaps sensing Geomseon’s reaction, Cheonma chuckled and spoke.

[It was such a trivial matter that I forgot about it for a moment.]

“You-!”

Geomseon was about to explode at those words, but…

“Grrr….”

He gritted his teeth and managed to hold back somehow.

He couldn’t get worked up. There were simply too many eyes watching.

“I must ask… are you… the mastermind behind this?”

So, he asked the question first to ascertain the truth.

[Hmm.]

Cheonma nodded at Geomseon’s question.

And then.

[You old fossil of Wudang. It seems you’re mistaken about something.]

He spoke as if intending to teach Geomseon a lesson.

[I have never permitted you lot to ask questions. Why do you dare to inquire?]

“What…?”

[Don’t be mistaken.]

Swoooooosh.

The dark energy permeating the surroundings began to intensify.

[I do not engage in dialogue with insects.]

“…! “

Insects.

Geomseon’s face turned bright red, instantly reduced to an insect.

[Nevertheless, the reason I bother speaking with you is simply because I’m in a good mood today.]

Hehehe.

Cheonma took a step forward amidst his laughter.

He moved slightly closer to the barrier.

[If that weren’t the case… you wouldn’t be able to hold your heads up before me like this.]

Those words were utterly arrogant.

There were so many people trapped within the barrier. Each and every one of them possessed strength, yet…

How could this Cheonma fellow be so arrogant?

It was incomprehensible to everyone.

Just then.

Cheonma slowly approached the barrier.

Below it were many people struggling to dismantle the barrier.

“You…!”

The old man hadn’t noticed, but Cheonma could see that most of them were directing hostility towards him.

They looked ready to pounce at any moment.

Cheonma walked on nonchalantly, even as he saw this.

Finally, the moment he reached them.

[Stay still.]

Woooooooong-!!

“…! “

“Ghk!?”

At Cheonma’s words, everyone froze like stone.

[Do not even dare to breathe until I permit it.]

“…Ghk… huff….”

With just a single sentence, their breathing had stopped.

What had happened?

Dozens of people were subdued with just one sentence.

It was an overwhelming sight.

Cheonma walked silently through them.

The martial artists could only tremble and watch Cheonma pass.

Woong.

As he approached the barrier, the barrier vibrated. It was a power that bound the feet of those inside. They knew neither its principle nor its weakness.

[It seems the place we prepared is cozier than expected. Being trapped suits you creatures well, resembling livestock.]

The insulting words caused the expressions of those inside to harden.

[Tsk, tsk.]

Perhaps finding their reaction amusing, Cheonma suddenly chuckled.

Then.

“Remove this barrier immediately.”

Perhaps that laughter was the trigger, Geomseon shouted, his face flushed red.

“If you’re so confident, why don’t you try receiving my sword as well!”

Was his pride deeply wounded?

Geomseon seemed ready to fight Cheonma to the death right then and there.

Geomseon’s appearance struck Cheonma as quite amusing.

[Since you don’t know your place, I’d show you what the heavens truly are if I felt like it…]

Woong.

Cheonma’s feet began to slowly lift off the ground as he spoke.

Simultaneously, the body of the old man, said to be of the Zhuge family lineage, was also rising into the air.

[I have too much to do to entertain your antics.]

“Are you running away?”

Seeing that he wouldn’t fight, Geomseon spoke mockingly.

However, Cheonma’s reaction remained unchanged.

[Old man.]

Cheonma asked Geomseon.

[If you truly wish for me to fight, what do you intend to use to face me?]

“If you’re spewing useless nonsense, I have no intention of accepting…”

[Is that as the Sect Leader of Wudang? Or perhaps, as the Alliance Master of the League?]

“…”

Geomseon, who had been speaking, suddenly faltered.

Seeing him momentarily speechless, Cheonma nodded as if he had expected it.

[You insignificant creature who hasn’t even grasped your own essence. That is why you are unworthy to reach me.]

“Nonsense…!”

Geomseon tried to retort belatedly, but Cheonma was already slowly moving away from the barrier, seemingly having lost interest.

[Next time, I hope you bring a more pleasing answer.]

“Stop-! Remove this barrier… remove it now!”

[For now, watch from within. Watch the decay of the rotten peace you created.]

Bang-! Bang bang-!

Geomseon unleashed wave after wave of sword energy filled with rage, but as expected, it was absorbed by the barrier and disappeared powerlessly.

[Be grateful for my magnanimity.]

Cheonma smirked, watching Geomseon’s struggles.

[Today, I came merely to greet you, so I shall overlook this. But there will be no next time.]

Swoooooosh-!!!

The energy that had spread in all directions began to converge towards Cheonma.

Gradually, a black mist was being drawn into his surroundings.

[This is a festival I’ve prepared, also serving as a greeting.]

Not only the numerous people on the ground, but even those inside the barrier all stared at him.

Expressions ranging from anger to a faint trace of fear.

Some shouted, others trembled, but amidst it all, Cheonma’s voice remained clear.

[So, please.]

[Enjoy yourselves thoroughly.]

With that, he finished speaking.

Whooosh-!!

Paaang-!!

The formed sphere exploded, emitting light.

And not long after, when their vision returned, neither Cheonma nor the sphere floating in the sky were anywhere to be found.

That fellow named Cheonma had disappeared with the old man.

As proof, those on the ground began to breathe again after holding their breath.

“Gasp…! cough!”

“Cough!”

Perhaps from holding their breath for so long, everyone staggered, unable to even stand properly.

The expressions of others were no different.

Disappointment flickered across the faces of the civilians who couldn’t escape.

It was the gaze of seeing themselves, trapped uselessly, even with the perpetrator of the disaster right before them.

Upon confirming this, Geomseon…

Aaaaaaaargh-!!!

Finally unable to contain himself, he let out a monstrous roar.

---

Thump-! Thump-!

-Kill them all-!

-Ghk! Reorganize the formation!!

-Protect the civilians-!

Thump! Rumble-!

It was around the time chaotic sounds and rough explosions raged due to the attack.

The air, made chaotic by the martial artists’ struggles…

Even the anomalous signs in the sky, unfolding unnaturally amidst the current situation.

Amidst the scene that fully showcased the unfolding disaster, a young man walked silently forward.

Dark-colored robes.

Faintly embedded golden embroidery within them.

The young man wore a black ring signifying direct lineage of the Peng family.

The Unrivaled Sword Peng Woojin.

Despite his handsome features, Peng Woojin, who exuded a somewhat chilling aura, walked onward, supporting his father, the Sword King.

A distance somewhat removed from the county of Henan.

Although it wasn’t a location where Peng family martial artists would typically gather, Peng Woojin continued to walk silently.

As he walked and moved for quite some time…

-Kill them-!

-Hold on just a little longer! The ritual will be complete soon!

Clang-! Clang clang-!!

The sounds of battle echoed from a somewhat secluded place.

Peng Woojin’s ears perked up upon hearing the sounds.

He stopped his steps accordingly.

Thud-!

He carefully set down the Sword King he had been supporting.

The unconscious Sword King collapsed powerlessly.

Sssring.

At the same time, his cherished sword was drawn from Peng Woojin’s waist.

It was a sword, thinner and slightly smaller than the one his father, Peng Zhou, used.

Ssssk-!

As Peng Woojin took a step forward, his surroundings instantly changed, and he arrived somewhere.

Whoosh-! Clang-!!

The place he arrived at was surprisingly the very midst of a battle.

It was the center of a brutal scene where swordplay unfolded chaotically.

“Huh?!”

“What the-!”

Confusion spread momentarily at Peng Woojin’s sudden appearance.

However, that confusion was short-lived.

Sssshhk-!

A gruesome sound was heard.

Someone’s head was severed and rolled on the floor.

With Peng Woojin’s move, the neck of someone in black martial attire was cut off.

The moment others widened their eyes at the instantaneous sword strike.

Shhshhshhshh-!!!

Peng Woojin’s hand moved at a speed barely visible.

And then.

“Gahhhk!”

“Aaaarghk!!”

Screams erupted from all directions.

They began to fall brutally from the slashes.

Tududuk.

The mangled corpses were scattered thinly on the ground, and blood stained the earth.

And Peng Woojin, who had created this situation, was conversely utterly composed.

His face showed no discernible emotion.

Just then.

Someone approached Peng Woojin, who was quietly observing the carnage.

It was the very people who had been fighting the opponents.

“Th-, thank you for the help.”

The fierce battle ended in an instant, leaving them full of bewilderment.

Peng Woojin’s gaze turned towards the source of the voice.

Light blue martial robes with white embroidery. They were from the Murim Alliance.

The one at the forefront among them spoke to Peng Woojin first.

“I am Mo Woonseong of the Azure Dragon Unit. Are you perhaps the Young Hero, Unrivaled Sword?”

Nod.

When Peng Woojin affirmed this, Mo Woonseong’s expression brightened.

“Ah-! As expected…! Thank you so much. It was a sudden battle, so we couldn’t respond properly on our end either.”

“What happened?”

Perhaps because he had just helped in the battle, Mo Woonseong was quite friendly towards Peng Woojin’s question.

“Well… it seems an attack occurred in Henan. They say this sky phenomenon is also their doing.”

Peng Woojin listened to the explanation and glanced back slightly.

Now that he looked, they were all wearing the same clothes.

“An attack… I see.”

“Yes… Not only the scouts, but for some reason, they’re penetrating the areas where our forces are relatively weak, making it difficult to respond…”

“Perfect.”

“Hm?”

Sssshk.

“Huh?”

It felt like something had grazed his neck.

The moment Mo Woonseong instinctively covered his neck, wondering what happened.

Gush-!

Blood trickled from his neck. Slowly, his head fell off.

“Member Mo?! What is this-!”

The others expressed bewilderment at Mo Woonseong’s death.

Shhriik-!!

The one who was speaking also had his upper body severed in an instant, meeting his death.

It was the same type of slash as before.

Thus, unable to even ask a proper question, the Alliance members all died within seconds.

Even more blood pooled than before.

Splish.

Wet footsteps could be heard each time Peng Woojin moved.

In the space where everyone lay dead, Peng Woojin turned his back without hesitation.

He then slowly walked towards somewhere, towards where Peng Zhou was.

As he reached his destination.

“Ghk… hnn….”

Surprisingly, Peng Zhou began to regain consciousness.

“Hnn… cough…. Ah….”

Peng Zhou, seemingly in great pain, let out continuous groans, scowled, and opened his eyes.

“…Where… is this…?”

“You’re awake.”

Seeing Peng Zhou like that, Peng Woojin asked calmly.

Peng Zhou’s eyes turned towards his son.

“…Young Master.”

“You should have slept a little longer. It must be quite painful.”

“Where is this…. Huh?!”

As he tried to ask, Peng Zhou suddenly reacted violently to a returning memory.

“That… bastard…! Where is that son of a bitch…?”

That son of a bitch.

Peng Woojin chuckled slightly at the words referring to someone.

He seemed to know who it was.

“Are you referring to Young Master Gu?”

“Yes. That damned Gu family descendant… Where is that bastard, I ask you-!”

Gu Cheol-un’s son, whom he’d gladly tear apart and kill.

Where was that damned bastard who put him in this state?

Peng Zhou asked through gritted teeth, but…

“Well. I’m not sure.”

Peng Woojin’s reaction was utterly emotionless.

However, the delirious Peng Zhou didn’t notice this.

“If you don’t know, find him. Pour the entire force of the family into finding him!”

“…Hmm.”

Had he succumbed to madness?

Watching his father, whose condition was strange, Peng Woojin asked.

“What do you intend to do once you find him?”

“What do you mean? I’ll tear him to shreds. Yes, I’ll rip him apart like minced meat and send him as a gift to that damned Gu Cheol-un. Hehehe!”

“…”

Peng Zhou’s eyes were already filled solely with vengeance and resentment.

His ruined and pathetic state.

Watching this, Peng Woojin subtly nodded, unnoticed.

“Understood.”

“Now, then, first to the other elders….”

Thwust-!

“…Ghk…!?”

A pain piercing his chest.

Peng Zhou lowered his head at the sudden pain.

Something was embedded in his chest.

“Cough….”

Blood spurted out, and veins rose up to Peng Zhou’s neck.

“You… bastard…?”

Peng Zhou looked at Peng Woojin as if unable to believe it.

Because his sword had pierced Peng Zhou’s heart.

“Wh-what are you… doing…”

“You ask strange things.”

Peng Woojin laughed at Peng Zhou’s question.

It was a bright smile unseen recently.

“Even if you are an incompetent father… shouldn’t you understand this much?”

“…Cough…!”

“I am currently.”

Thrust.

He pushed the sword deeper. Then he said to Peng Zhou.

“Inheriting the position of Family Head. Father.”

“…You… bastard-!”

“When I was young. Perhaps when I was too young to even remember clearly. There was something I was always curious about.”

Was it around the time he started speaking?

Or perhaps later? It wasn’t particularly important.

What was important was.

“Just how long would Father remain incompetent… I was so curious about that. But now, I think I know.”

Peng Woojin was now certain.

“Father, you will be incompetent from birth until the day you die.”

“…Ghkkeeeeuuu-!!”

Peng Zhou desperately tried to break free, gripping the sword tightly.

However, Peng Woojin’s sword didn’t budge an inch.

“Gahhk… cough…. cough….”

The pain intensified, and blood continued to flow.

His consciousness gradually faded because of it.

“Hic… Ghk…! Why…! How….”

What could possibly be the reason?

Peng Zhou couldn’t understand.

Why would Peng Woojin betray him?

Only questions filled his mind.

Furthermore, Peng Woojin understood these questions.

“That’s right. Father, you wouldn’t understand.”

He had already reached the position of Young Master, and besides himself, there was no one to succeed the Family Head.

The other branch families and bloodlines were incompetent. Filled with useless and wretched fellows.

Therefore, even without doing this, the position of Family Head would have been passed down to him, but…

“It doesn’t matter. Even if you don’t understand.”

Peng Woojin truly didn’t care.

“So, just die incompetently until the very end.”

The Peng family, which he would lead in the future, had no need for incompetence.

Fshh-!

“Cough… Gasp….”

The sword that pierced his heart was pulled out, and blood gushed from Peng Zhou’s chest.

“Haa… gasp…. Ha… cough….”

Peng Zhou took a few breaths as if yearning for life, but soon, the vitality faded from his eyes.

One of the Four Great Families. The head of the great Hebei Peng family. This was the end for Peng Zhou, the Sword King (刀王).

“…”

Peng Zhou met his death. Peng Woojin, who had been quietly watching his father, turned his back with a slightly hardened expression.

There were a few matters to attend to, so he was about to move for work, but…

Woong.

“…! “

Something was caught by Peng Woojin’s senses.

Peng Woojin immediately moved quickly.

At that moment.

Shiiiiiiiiiiiik-!!!

Something unknown flew rapidly towards where Peng Woojin had been.

Kuaaang-!!

It fell to the ground, causing a tremendous explosion.

Shards flew in all directions, kicking up dust.

“…”

The impact was so great that the ground was left in disarray.

“Hehehehe.”

From within that dust, a sinister laugh was heard.

Hearing this, Peng Woojin frowned.

Whooosh-!!

A strong gust of wind blew, the dust subsided, and the figure within revealed itself.

A giant figure wearing dark clothes and having disheveled green hair appeared.

He gripped a greatsword as large as his own body and glared this way.

Who is it?

Though questions arose, Peng Woojin gripped his cherished sword tighter rather than asking.

It didn’t matter who it was.

That guy had to die here.

And besides.

“It’s you.”

The opponent seemed the same as Peng Woojin, radiating killing intent from his entire body.

“I could feel a strong one even from afar. It’s you.”

Guaaaaaaah-!!!

As the man roughly raised his energy, Peng Woojin’s eyes widened.

‘…Color?’

A world of gray. Color dawned upon Peng Woojin’s otherwise dim vision.

The man was gradually tinged with a purple hue.

Beautiful.

Such a thought flashed through Peng Woojin’s mind unconsciously, but…

Weeeeng-!

Peng Woojin swung his sword first.

Black energy gathered on his blade.

As if conversation was unnecessary, the man also swung his greatsword.

Kugugug-!!!

Their blades clashed, and the fight to the death began.