Chapter 1116: Scorched World.

“Damn it.”

I messed up.

And I messed up big time.

Pajijik.

I frown, looking at the lightning energy before me. My perception was off because I was too focused.

There was something I’d forgotten for a moment, while suppressing my presence and hiding my aura.

‘I should have at least been crushed by the lightning energy.’

The pressure emanating from the front. The lightning energy released, mixed with the pressure.

It’s the aura of a martial artist who has reached transcendence upon attaining the Third Seat.

He must have held back somewhat because his child, Namgung Jeohui, was present, but it wasn’t a level that a mere late-stage disciple could dare withstand.

Even my father, who easily surpassed the ranks of late-stage disciples, could only endure it after unleashing flames.

‘And yet, I just stood there completely still.’

I stood there unfazed, fully receiving the aura.

I judged that it would be fine since I was hiding my cultivation level. But thinking back, that wasn’t the right approach.

“Strange.”

Pijijik. Pajijijik—!!!

The lightning energy intensifies.

Kureureureung–!!!

As if reacting to the released energy, the blue sky writhes. Dark clouds were gradually forming.

Kureureureureung–!!

The lightning I felt earlier seemed to be growing stronger.

“What are you?”

Lightning energy permeates the Heavenly Venerate’s blue eyes.

It didn’t feel good.

“W-well, Elder. Could you calm down a bit first…”

Kwadeudeuk–!!

“Damn it.”

I twisted my upper body. The lightning energy strikes straight down.

Kwagagak–!

Lightning strikes the ground right there.

Before my eyes, the Heavenly Venerate’s hand was reaching out.

A blue flash lunges towards my neck. I released a bit of energy to create recoil.

Hwiririk–!!!

My body spins rapidly, dodging the attack. As I gained speed, I gritted my teeth inwardly.

‘Is this bastard crazy?’

This old geezer. He’s serious.

He was moving as if he intended to kill me with all his might.

‘What should I do?’

There wasn’t much time to ponder. The Heavenly Venerate was already moving, tracking my evasion.

Uuung–!!

I could see energy gathering in his hand.

Oh, that looks a bit dangerous?

Should I dodge and counter? After a brief internal debate, I reached a conclusion.

Thump. I put strength into my feet. I tensed my body completely, as if bracing myself against the ground.

‘I’m going to take it.’

I decided to just take the hit head-on. Judging by my Twin Eyes, it wasn’t a feint. The target was my chest.

I expelled a certain amount of internal energy, condensing it into a powerful force.

My intention was to form a barrier and naturally redirect the attack as I took it.

Kiiiying–!!!

The condensed lightning energy is fired directly at me. As expected, the target was my chest. Just as the incoming attack was about to hit my chest.

Thwack–!

‘Huh?’

The Heavenly Venerate’s hand stopped in mid-air, not reaching me.

Someone’s hand. It was my father’s hand gripping the Heavenly Venerate’s wrist.

Hwareureureuk–!!!

Flames erupted.

A fearsome crimson aura dominated the surroundings.

“Stop this.”

A deep, heavy voice intruded upon my ears. My father spoke to the Heavenly Venerate.

The Heavenly Venerate, his attack blocked, stared at my father with his blue eyes.

“What did you say?”

“While I cannot fathom why you, Heavenly Venerate, are acting like this…”

Even while meeting the murderous gaze, I felt no tremor from my father.

“If you commit further discourtesy within my domain, I will have no choice but to respond in kind.”

“Ha!”

The Heavenly Venerate let out a hollow laugh upon hearing my father’s words.

“Respond in kind? Are you suggesting you’ll try something against this old man? Just because you’re called the Divine Dragon, do you think you’re something special?”

“That is not the case.”

Hwareureureuk–!!!

The flames grow even stronger.

“How could a mere late-stage disciple like myself possibly do such a thing to the great Heavenly Venerate? I merely…”

Kkwaaak.

A sound came from the wrist the Heavenly Venerate had grabbed. My father had increased the pressure he was applying.

“I am the Vice Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit. I came to the Namgung family representing the current Main Faction. Therefore, what you are doing now is tantamount to disregarding the Main Faction.”

He was in a position representing the Main Faction, not just as a late-stage disciple. It was a warning not to be treated carelessly. However, the Heavenly Venerate’s reaction upon hearing this was, naturally, far from pleased.

“And so.”

Kureureureung.

As if flames were blooming, the aura of lightning energy felt in the air grew stronger.

“Even if you represent the Main Faction. What can you possibly do?”

His opponent was one of the Three Venerates.

They were beings who represented the heavens of the Central Plains’ orthodox sects, individuals whom no one, unless they were also one of the Three Venerates, could treat lightly.

What difference would invoking the Main Faction make?

As the Heavenly Venerate uttered those words with that implication.

“……Haa.”

My father stared intently at the Heavenly Venerate and sighed. At the moment the very clear sigh caused the Heavenly Venerate’s brow to furrow, my father spoke, looking at him.

“You seem to have trouble understanding things when you’re old.”

‘Huh?’

Wait?

Did I hear that wrong? I think I just heard something wrong?

I narrowed my eyes and looked at my father.

It must be auditory hallucination. Or so I thought, but…

“……What did you just say?”

It seemed I hadn’t heard wrong after all. The Heavenly Venerate’s stiff expression confirmed it.

But.

“Didn’t you hear me?”

My father, still looking at the Heavenly Venerate, spoke again.

“I told you to stop. Old man.”

Kugugugugung—-!!!

As he spoke, an immense pressure erupted from my father’s body. Mixed with the heat, it exploded outwards, causing the surrounding vegetation to sway as if caught in a storm, and the air instantly changed.

‘Whoa.’

Hearing that, I was utterly astonished.

I never thought my father would actually say something like that.

‘So that’s where my temper comes from.’

Seeing that, I understood. Ah, my father had quite the temper too. Enough to stand up to one of the Three Venerates, no less.

‘I don’t think I could have done that.’

Even with my terrible personality, I wouldn’t do something like that. My father just threw it out there without hesitation.

‘Well, this is screwed.’

Assessing the situation, I refined the energy within me. A fight could break out at any moment. In that case, I couldn’t just stand by.

Just as I was contemplating whether to unleash the energy I had suppressed…

“……Hahahahahaha–!!!”

The Heavenly Venerate burst into laughter.

“Ahahaha–!!!”

As he continued laughing, I felt a rising tension, wondering what would happen next.

Syuuk.

“…….”

The Heavenly Venerate relaxed the arm he had extended. Seeing that, my father also withdrew his hand from the wrist.

“What an insolent brat. You resemble your father exactly.”

“…….”

“However, your confident demeanor is commendable. Normally, I would have incinerated you right here on this land, but seeing this, I shall overlook your rudeness.”

At those words, I frowned, and so did my father.

‘What is this.’

I hadn’t expected my grandfather to be mentioned here. Especially since my father’s expression clearly showed a similar sentiment.

“I apologize. I only intended to gauge your mettle. The jest went a bit too far.”

The Heavenly Venerate said with a smirk. Even seeing that, I couldn’t relax my expression.

‘He wanted to gauge my mettle?’

No way.

The fight just now was serious.

He tried to kill me with all his might, and now he calls it a jest?

That’s not even funny.

But.

“So, what is the reason you came to see me?”

The Heavenly Venerate changed the subject, as if intending to get down to business. With that, I was left with little to say.

The Heavenly Venerate of all people had even offered an apology. There was no point in nitpicking further.

“No. Let’s do that again.”

“Eh?”

I thought it was pointless, but… Surprisingly, my father spoke to the Heavenly Venerate again.

“What?”

“The apology. It shouldn’t be directed at me.”

My father pointed at me with his hand.

“Shouldn’t it be directed at my subordinate?”

“…….”

Whoa.

I never thought he’d latch onto that too.

I looked at my father with surprised eyes.

To think he’d bring that up even in this situation.

“…….”

At those words, the Heavenly Venerate frowned for a moment, but… He soon spoke to me.

“I apologize. This old man’s jest went too far.”

“……No, it’s alright.”

Fortunately, the apology came, and I accepted it immediately.

Only then did my father nod.

“Are you satisfied now?”

“Yes.”

“……Right, so what was the reason you sought me out?”

The Heavenly Venerate asked Namgung Jeohui, who was still lying down. Then, Namgung Jeohui quickly got up and said.

“Ah… well, that is…”

He explained the situation that had piled up.

“An evacuation order?”

The Heavenly Venerate nodded after hearing the explanation.

“……Not only did Crimson demons appear, but the Great Demonic Gate also opened?”

Judging by his reaction, he seemed completely unaware. What that meant was…

‘He had barely left this space.’

It meant he had been confined within the space, unable to hear about the circumstances.

It was nothing short of complete seclusion.

“Proceed with that.”

“……As you command.”

As the Heavenly Venerate answered, Namgung Jeohui let out a sigh of relief.

It was something he naturally had to permit. Given the unstable state of the Demonic Gate, unnecessary risks had to be avoided.

“You don’t need to come asking about this matter anymore. Leave it to the head of the family to handle.”

“Thank you. I will comply as you say.”

Now that I had received permission for this, shouldn’t we move on to the next plan? Just as I was thinking that.

“I have a question for the Heavenly Venerate.”

My father suddenly spoke to the Heavenly Venerate again.

“Perhaps, could you offer assistance in dealing with the Demonic Gate?”

“Hmm?”

At my father’s words, the Heavenly Venerate nodded.

“Assistance?”

“Yes.”

“What do you mean?”

“If the Demonic Gate reacts unfavorably, we don’t know what might happen. In that case, it would be dangerous not only for the Namgung family but for the entirety of Anhui. I wish to ask if you, Heavenly Venerate, could provide assistance regarding this matter.”

The Heavenly Venerate, who had practically retired and lived in seclusion within his estate… He usually didn’t show himself for ordinary matters, but this matter concerned the Namgung family itself, so he was asking if help could be provided.

If the Heavenly Venerate hadn’t known the information, perhaps. But now that he understood the situation, he would naturally help. It wasn’t just any matter; it concerned Anhui, where he resided.

Upon hearing my father, the Heavenly Venerate immediately replied with a laugh.

“No.”

“……Pardon?”

“…….”

Silence fell upon his concise answer.

…He said no?