Chapter 1082: Scorched World.

It’s the Sword Matriarch.

The woman standing before me introduced herself as Sword Phoenix. No matter how I looked at her, she was the Sword Matriarch I knew.

‘…Well, this is peculiar.’

Not only was her face familiar, but her appearance wasn’t much different from the Sword Matriarch I knew.

Even setting aside the fact that the Sword Matriarch was highly skilled, I knew she was quite young-looking.

It was truly peculiar, even to me, that there wasn’t much difference compared to back then.

‘Was it from around this time?’

I knew she had a connection with my father. I just didn’t know she was from the same Cheongryong Unit.

“What’s wrong?”

As I stared intently, the Sword Matriarch-no, Sword Phoenix Soyi-asked with a puzzled look. It took me a moment to snap back to reality.

“Ah, I apologize. You just resemble someone I know.”

“Ah… Yes. I see.”

Soyi showed a hint of displeasure at my words. I wondered why, but then…

“W-well, I know you seniors are pretty, but isn’t it a bit too soon to be hitting on me the moment you see me?”

Do-yun said to me with an amused expression. Seeing that, I realized.

‘Ah… Damn it.’

Did Soyi hear it as me flirting? If that was the case, her reaction made sense.

“Ah, that’s not what I meant.”

I tried to hastily explain, but…

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

Soyi had already cut me off with a stern expression.

Oh, dear.

‘My first impression is ruined!’

It really felt like things had gone significantly wrong right from the first meeting.

---

Time passed, and everyone was assigned to their respective Sword Units.

I followed the senior who was waiting for us.

I did too.

The six of us, including myself, followed Soyi to the Cheongryong Unit’s quarters.

As far as I knew, the Cheongryong Unit was the second largest Sword Unit after the Sinryong Unit in terms of personnel and influence, so the quarters assigned were quite large.

Perhaps because of that, it was located a bit further away within the Alliance.

‘This location seems a bit different from where I remember it.’

When I headed towards the Cheongryong Unit in the world I originally came from, it seemed closer than this.

It seemed different now compared to back then.

Feeling a sense of unfamiliarity, we walked a bit further.

“This is it.”

Arriving at a location, Soyi pointed to a building.

“This is where you juniors will be staying starting in a few days.”

A rather large residence.

It was large enough that someone might mistake it for a small clan’s estate. The door bore a large emblem symbolizing the Cheongryong Unit.

“Most of the members are currently out on missions, so it’s empty… Let’s head inside.”

Soyi went inside first, and the others followed her with visibly tense expressions.

“Hiyahaaa… I can’t believe I actually managed to join the Cheongryong Unit… Father… Your son has succeeded.”

Even amidst this, Do-yun didn’t stop talking.

“Aren’t you the same, Baek Donggi?”

“…What?”

We had already dropped formalities. Since we became cohorts, Do-yun had suggested using informal speech first, and I didn’t refuse.

“What do you mean, ‘what’? You’ve entered the Alliance! This is like bringing pride to the family, so why are you reacting so calmly?”

“…”

Thinking, ‘Is it really that big a deal?’ I saw not only Do-yun’s reaction but also the eyes of those around us filled with emotion and gratitude.

‘The Murim Alliance at this time really must be quite something.’

Simply joining was enough to bring pride to one’s family or turn one’s life around.

It seemed they held such concepts.

Of course, from my perspective, I didn’t think much of it.

It wasn’t my world anyway, and regarding the Alliance, I shuddered more than anyone, so there was no room for admiration, gratitude, or meaning.

Because of that, I just maintained a stoic expression.

“Well, it makes sense. Baek Donggi, merely joining the Murim Alliance wouldn’t really move you.”

“Hm…?”

“After all, you even refused the Martial Lord when he took notice of you…!”

“…”

“Given that, you must be aiming for something higher, right?”

I don’t know why he seemed prouder than I was.

Then he leaned closer to me subtly.

“…I’m asking just in case.”

“What?”

“A family secret? Or maybe you grew stronger fueled by vengeance… something like that?”

“…?”

Suddenly?

“No, I heard you even beat the examiners. It’s strange that someone with that level of skill isn’t known yet.”

“Mm…”

The fact that I took down Beom-dong in one blow had caused quite a stir.

“Nothing like that. I just trained alone and debuted a bit late.”

“Hoo… So you’re just a genius…? Ah, then perhaps…”

Do-yun moved even closer. At the same time, his voice lowered. And with his gaze fixed on Soyi.

“Could you even win against the Six Dragons and Five Phoenixes (六龍五鳳)…?”

‘Six Dragons Five Phoenixes…’

My gaze also turned towards Soyi.

Are they called the Six Dragons Five Phoenixes now? At this time, it was the generation of shooting stars, so such things wouldn’t exist yet.

“Hmm…? I’m not sure. I’m not particularly interested.”

“Hoo. Not even interested in the Six Dragons Five Phoenixes?”

“…”

That’s only natural.

I had grown too much to get involved in the fights among the later generation disciples.

‘The current Sword Phoenix…’

Somewhere between Peak and Mastered Peak.

Considering her age hadn’t even reached Irip (twenty years old), she was indeed quite a strong individual.

However.

‘Compared to the generation of shooting stars, she does seem a bit lacking.’

The geniuses of my generation.

If compared directly to Namgung Bi-ah or Wi Seol-ah, her stats were slightly lower.

‘The others seemed the same.’

It was the same when I caught a glimpse of the Moyong Family Head or the Sword King.

Their level was high for later generation disciples, but compared to those I knew…

‘Compared to that brat Woo-hyeok or the bald monk, they weren’t much.’

Compared to those who had reached Hwagyeong around that time, my position was somewhat different.

As I was thinking this while looking at Soyi.

“Uh oh, there you go again.”

“…Hm?”

“You’re going to bore a hole through her. Do you like her that much? Well, Sword Phoenix Senior is pretty.”

“No… It’s not like that.”

“But, give up on her. Haven’t you heard the rumor? Sword Phoenix Senior has already… given her heart to that great Sinryong.”

“What?”

The moment my face contorted upon hearing that.

Kwakak-!

“Hieek!”

Sword energy grazed past Do-yun’s feet. As Do-yun startled and looked up, Soyi was staring at him with a cold gaze.

“You chatter too much, don’t you? This doesn’t seem like the place for idle talk…?”

“…I-I apologize.”

It seems she heard everything.

Then again, at her level, she’d have to hear it no matter how quietly we spoke.

Soyi let out a small sigh at Do-yun’s apology, then headed back into the quarters.

As I cautiously followed her inside, the Cheongryong Unit’s quarters came clearly into view.

“Ooooh…”

“Hiyah…”

The successful candidates gasped in admiration.

A spacious training ground and seemingly well-organized living quarters.

The neatly stacked weapon storage, along with the overall appearance suggesting significant investment, was impressive.

‘Nice.’

An environment that made me nod involuntarily.

As the others were reacting positively as well.

“Alright, then.”

Soyi said, facing us. She was smiling brightly, perhaps finding our reactions amusing.

Just then.

“Everyone, get down.”

Soyi said, erasing the smile from her face.

Huh…?

“What?”

“What did you…”

“Senior…?”

Everyone’s eyes widened. They thought they must have misheard.

“Are all your ear canals blocked?”

Soyi said, putting on a cold expression.

“I said, get down.”

Whoosh-!

She unleashed her aura. A chilling sensation pierced through the air, accompanied by a faint floral scent.

Faced with that sharp presence, everyone immediately put their hands on the floor and prostrated themselves.

I did the same.

As everyone prostrated themselves, Soyi walked around us and spoke.

“Did you think you owned the place just because you passed? Seeing your stiff necks is absurd. Did you all come here for a picnic?”

Where had the elegant and pure Soyi from moments ago gone? A fierce woman radiating killing intent was now in her place.

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

“Ah, no, ma’am!”

“No, ma’am!”

Discipline was instantly instilled.

I admired it while lying prone.

‘Wow…’

Did that Senior have this kind of personality? As far as I knew, she was an elegant and kind person.

So she was the type of person who knew how to instill discipline like this.

“To end up like this right after joining is unbelievable.”

Soyi continued speaking to us in a cold tone.

“Listen carefully. From now on, you will maintain this position until the seniors return. And.”

Bbaak-!

“Gack!”

One of the people lying prone rolled on the ground from Soyi’s kick.

“Gack… Gack-huk…”

As he coughed dryly in pain.

“If you use any tricks, you’ll die. Got it?”

It seemed she had caught and beaten the guy who tried to use a trick.

“Ah, yes, ma’am!”

Everyone answered.

“W-what is this…”

Do-yun said in a flustured voice.

I swallowed nervously and thought to myself.

‘Ah, this won’t be easy.’

It really felt like things weren’t going to be easy right from the start.

---

“Kkeu… Kkeueu…”

“Ough…”

Groans could be heard. They were the groans of my cohorts around me.

The bright afternoon had already turned into sunset.

During that time, as Soyi had instructed, everyone maintained the prone position.

Perhaps because they couldn’t use any tricks, everyone was drenched in sweat, wearing expressions of pain.

“Keep your posture straight.”

“S-sorry, ma’am…”

Meanwhile, Soyi kept circling around, repeatedly pointing out flaws, leaving everyone in a sorry state.

“Huuu… Huuuu… I-I’m dying… really…”

Do-yun too seemed to be reaching his limit, his trembling arms clearly visible.

“B-Baek Donggi, aren’t you tired…?”

“I am.”

Honestly, I wasn’t.

If it were this difficult, all the fortuitous encounters and training I’d had would have been wasted.

“You don’t look tired…?”

Do-yun, naturally, didn’t seem convinced by my pristine appearance.

“Ah… I think… I’m really going to collapse…”

“Hold on a little longer.”

“I can’t hold on…?”

“Just a little longer. It’s almost over.”

“What…?”

“They’re coming.”

At my words, Do-yun wore a puzzled expression.

What was coming?

Just then, Soyi suddenly changed her posture and shouted.

“Everyone, stand up.”

At Soyi’s words, those who had been prostrate rose as if they had been waiting.

“Huk…!”

“Kkeueo… I’m dying.”

“Heuu… Heueu…”

Though they gasped for breath as if finally saved, their appearances were still pained.

“Quiet.”

At Soyi’s words, everyone immediately shut their mouths.

The discipline was certainly established.

“Straighten your postures. The seniors are arriving.”

“…”

At Soyi’s warning, everyone stiffened.

It was exactly as she said.

‘They’re coming.’

Energies gathered in the distance and approached.

I glanced over.

Kkung-!!

The door opened, and someone entered.

The first person I saw was the man at the front. I didn’t know who he was, but he was strong.

‘Hwagyeong.’

He was at least Hwagyeong level.

‘So that man is the Unit Leader.’

The leader of the Cheongryong Unit. I immediately recognized that man as the one.

However, that was all. My interest wasn’t with him.

I turned my gaze and looked beside him.

One step behind the man.

The figure slowly approaching us drew all my interest.

‘Father.’

Sinryong Gu Cheol-un. My father was approaching towards us from behind the Cheongryong Unit Leader.

Making eye contact with me.