Chapter 1094: Scorched World.

KUUUUUNG—!!!

Jeokseok-ung’s massive body, which had been roaring ferociously until just now, collapsed onto the floor.

Unnatural blood gushed out from its writhing body on the floor, soaking the ground.

The quickly dampened sensation wrapped around my toes.

Anyone would likely frown at such an unpleasant sensation. Yet, not a single person changed their expression amidst it all.

Geugeuk.

It was because they couldn’t dare to move due to the presence before them.

Teobeok.

Small footsteps echoed hollowly.

Its appearance wasn’t very large. Its body seemed unnaturally small compared to other martial artists.

It looked skinny and worn, with barely any visible muscles.

Just an old man.

Though his physique seemed like he hadn’t learned even a bit of martial arts, anyone who knew the old man’s true identity could never think of him lightly.

The symbol of peace.

The peak Sword Master leading the current Murim-maeng’s golden age.

Even if the Number One Person Under Heaven is uncertain.

If you were to ask who the current Number One Sword Under Heaven is, his name would clearly come up.

‘The Sword Venerable (Geom-jon), Wi Hyo-gun.’

One of the Three Venerables, the supreme master of the sword, had arrived.

It was the Sword Venerable of the past. I didn’t feel much difference from the Sword Venerable I knew.

His back was a little less bent. Perhaps that his hair was closer to black than completely white. Excluding those points, he bore a striking resemblance to the Sword Venerable I knew.

Ssaaaaaa.

The flowing blood flowed past the Sword Venerable. The aura emanating from him must be preventing even the blood from approaching.

‘…Strong.’

Tension poured over my body. My instincts reacted on their own the moment I saw the Sword Venerable.

The Three Venerables (Sam-jon).

I felt something much more intense than when I met the original form of the Pae-jon.

A golden sword emitting a brilliant light.

It’s the source of the martial arts used by Wi Seol-ah, known as the Moon Spirit Sword (Wol-ryeong-geom).

Paseuseu.

The Moon Spirit Sword she was holding turned into light and scattered. The Sword Venerable cleared away the blood and walked towards us.

He then approached my father, who was bowing, and reached out a small hand to stroke his hair.

“You’ve had a hard time.”

“Not at all.”

“It’s fortunate I wasn’t too late.”

The old man’s golden eyes scanned us.

“I felt a strange disturbance, so I came. It was the right choice.”

A disturbance. As far as I know, the Alliance Leader’s chamber is quite far from here, meaning he detected it with his ki-sense.

Moreover.

‘He cut it in one go.’

I had to narrow my eyes at the fact that he had severed Jeokseok-ung’s neck in a single strike. I definitely saw it. A ki-barrier was clearly up, yet he cut through that barrier as well.

Did he cut a weak point in the ki-barrier? No.

‘Although it was relatively weak, it wasn’t a complete weak point.’

Just overwhelming offensive power.

He must have unleashed a single sword strike to cut through the ki-barrier.

“…Hmm.”

Just as everyone was watching with wide eyes at the Sword Venerable’s appearance. He lightly passed by and approached Jeokseok-ung’s corpse.

“…Red.”

Its fur stained red, and its size incomparable to the blue ones. Grasping the presence he felt, the Sword Venerable contorted his face.

“It’s a Red-grade monster.”

At his words, those nearby flinched.

“It’s really Red-grade…?”

“How could a Red-grade…”

A forgotten grade that hadn’t appeared for hundreds of years. It was a monster species that one would need to study to even identify nowadays. Because the Sword Venerable stated it with such certainty, the reaction was immense.

“Are you sure it’s Red-grade?”

“A Red-grade monster…!”

“Quiet.”

Amidst the growing clamor, my father spoke as if issuing a warning. His low voice enveloped the surroundings.

“The Alliance Leader-nim is right here.”

“Ooh…”

The atmosphere was chilling. My father’s expression hadn’t changed from the beginning. But the weight felt in his voice naturally silenced everyone.

Even in this situation, the Sword Venerable was just staring intently at the monster.

After a short while passed like that.

“Collect the corpse. We’ll need to take its remains to the Pung-ryong-dae for analysis.”

“Understood.”

Pung-ryong-dae was the place that researched formations, as well as monsters. It seemed they intended to send it there first to assess the situation.

The moment others moved towards the Red-grade monster upon the command.

“They’ve arrived.”

The Sword Venerable said, looking at the empty air. As he spoke, my father was looking at the empty air. I also felt something, but I pretended not to notice.

The Sword Venerable looked up at the sky and lightly moved his hand. Then, the blood pooled on the ground churned and pushed aside, creating space.

Not long after that.

Tuk-!!

Several individuals landed on the ground from the sky. They landed on the space the Sword Venerable had created.

“It’s the Sin-ryong-dae…!”

Someone’s voice. Only then could I tell who the appearing individuals were.

‘The Sin-ryong-dae.’

Fluttering martial attire. The white clothing, contrasting with the typical Murim-maeng martial attire, and its luxurious form adorned with gold were impressive.

Moreover.

‘Masks.’

The four individuals who suddenly appeared were all wearing masks. The only thing discernible was their gender based on their physique. Nothing else could be felt.

‘They’re skilled at concealing their ki.’

They seemed exceptionally skilled at hiding their presence and aura. Just that alone indicated they were powerful individuals, incomparable to ordinary martial artists.

‘…So these are the Sin-ryong-dae.’

If the Sword Venerable is the symbol of peace. The Murim-maeng’s Sin-ryong-dae are literally the symbol of the Alliance. The best elite unit selected by the Alliance. While other Sword Unit members operate revealing their identities, the Sin-ryong-dae typically moved while concealing even their own identities. Where they originally belonged, or which families and sects they came from, were not even known.

Of course. If the martial arts they used were famous, one could usually make some predictions. However, most operated in strict secrecy, hiding their identities.

‘They were also a Sword Unit that had been abolished for a while.’

Right after the Sword Venerable stepped down from the Alliance Leader position. That was the time even the Sin-ryong-dae disappeared. Of course. In my time, they were ridiculously revived by the Blood Demon, though.

‘Hmm.’

From that perspective, seeing the actual Sin-ryong-dae felt quite moving.

“Since it’s the corpse of a Red-grade monster, take it and deliver it to Pung-ryong-dae.”

As the Sword Venerable’s command fell, the Sin-ryong-dae moved. They began collecting the corpse, and after a while, others appeared.

“This is the Azure Dragon Unit Leader, paying respects to the Alliance Leader-nim.”

It was the Azure Dragon Unit Leader, the Azure Flame Sword Master (Cheong-yeol-geom-ju), and…

“This is the Iron Dragon Unit Leader, paying respects to the Alliance Leader-nim.”

A burly man who appeared to be the Iron Dragon Unit Leader.

“I apologize for the late arrival.”

Perhaps bothered by arriving later than the Alliance Leader despite being nearby, the Iron Dragon Unit Leader bit his lip.

“No, it’s just that I happened to have some free time.”

Smiling slightly, the Sword Venerable turned his back. Then, his body began to float slightly. At that moment, a sword made of light supported him beneath his feet.

“It seems something is wrong with the era.”

His sigh-filled voice carried a lament. At those words, I swallowed hard. Because something struck a chord deep within my chest.

“The situation has become somewhat complicated. Starting today, internal training within the Alliance will be prohibited for a while. Unit Leaders, please accept this order.”

“Understood!”

“Understood.”

The two Unit Leaders bowed respectfully, accepting the order. Immediately after, the Sword Venerable glanced back slightly. His gaze was directed towards someone.

“Azure Dragon Vice Leader.”

“Yes.”

It was my father.

“Vice Leader, come to the Alliance Leader’s chamber as soon as possible.”

“I accept your command.”

Furthermore.

And the Sword Venerable’s gaze turned towards…

“You come along too.”

“…Yes?”

Surprisingly, it was me.

---

Rumors spread quickly throughout the entire Alliance. Not only that the Red-grade monster had suddenly revolted. But also that the monster appeared during the joint training of the Azure Dragon and Iron Dragon Units. A sudden outbreak of a Red-grade monster. It was news enough to turn the Alliance upside down. Perhaps the Gaebang would also make a move soon. They would try to prevent the rumors from spreading. But they wouldn’t be able to stop it all from spreading throughout the Central Plains. Because that’s just how rumors are. Although there were more than a few things bothering me because of that.

‘Ah, how did it end up like this?’

But now wasn’t the time to worry about such things. I glanced sideways. A person who looked at least a handspan taller than me. I was standing next to my father, the young Gu Cheol-un. The position I was in with him was the problem.

‘…The Alliance Leader’s chamber.’ Right in front of the Alliance Leader’s chamber door. Standing here, having come this far, was a big problem for me.

‘Why? Why did he want to see me?’

The Sword Venerable called me. I couldn’t understand it. There was absolutely no reason for him to call me.

‘I definitely hid it well.’

Hiding my power wasn’t an issue. Although I moved because of my father’s words, I didn’t do anything noticeable. Meaning I didn’t do anything that would get me caught. How did he end up calling me?

Just as such doubts arose.

“Let’s go in.”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

Father grabbed the doorknob.

“Azure Dragon Vice Leader Gu Cheol-un and one other person. We request entry.”

“Enter.”

Permission was granted, and the door opened immediately.

Kkiiik.

Beyond the opened door, the Sword Venerable was visible, seated at his desk. The relatively tidy room could also be glimpsed. From there, the Sword Venerable was looking at me. Perhaps due to the somewhat dim room, his golden eyes seemed to shine particularly brightly at that moment.

“Vice Leader, come forward.”

“Yes.”

Father moved forward first.

“I know things must be hectic, and I apologize for calling you like this, but I had something I needed to ask you both. Especially.”

The moment Father reached the Sword Venerable’s desk.

“Baek Yangcheon. I have something to ask you.”

The Sword Venerable spoke, looking at me.

Shiiiiiiiii—!!!

“…!”

Dozens of swords materialized in the air, all their blades aimed at me. An immense killing intent poured down from above, hitting the crown of my head.

“You.”

The Sword Venerable asked me, his golden eyes flashing.

“Just who the hell are you?”

‘Oh, crap…’

It seemed I was screwed.