Chapter 1145: Scorched World.

A night of overlapping moons. As clouds somewhat obscured the sky, making it look a bit darker.

“A clansman of the Gu family.”

Pae-jon, who had entered a somewhat secluded spot, asked me while unfurling a screen.

“…….”

I didn’t answer for a moment. As I kept silent, Pae-jon stared intently at me. The meaning of his gaze was simple. It meant he would continue staring until I spoke.

How should I answer? No. The answer was already decided. Because if silence wasn’t an option, there was only one answer I could give.

“……Yes.”

Since the Blood Wheel’s bead had already been activated, and Pae-jon must have seen everything that happened, I had no choice but to affirm.

“Hmmmm.”

At my answer, Pae-jon stared intently at me again.

“I thought you looked somewhat alike. I never imagined you’d be that guy’s kid.”

“…….”

That guy.

I bit my lip at that word. Since I didn’t exactly have fond feelings for my grandfather, a sense of unease lingered.

Meanwhile, Pae-jon also bit his lip in a similar manner. A strange sense of resentment could be felt in his expression.

“He sure had great luck with children. It’s been a while since I felt this jealous.”

He was referring to my father and me, reminding him of the grandfather.

“Tsk.”

He then clicked his tongue briefly before speaking to me again.

“An illegitimate child?”

“Something like that, yes.”

“That makes sense. The Gu family head. Knowing that guy’s personality, he wouldn’t have just left it alone if he knew.”

If there was any difference in his words, it was his slightly indifferent expression. Even after knowing I was a clansman of the Gu family, his attitude remained unchanged.

“It’s strange. That guy wasn’t exactly the type to go around sowing his seeds.”

“……Your remark is rather vulgar?”

“I could make it more vulgar, but I’m holding back.”

“…….”

“Well, whatever. Anyway, that Gu Ryun fellow seems like he’ll cause trouble for a while, so be careful.”

After saying that, Pae-jon casually turned his back. Seeing that, I tilted my head.

“Are you leaving…?”

“Of course. Why? Should we spar?”

“……No. It’s not that.”

I said that in surprise because he was leaving without me saying much.

“Don’t you have any more questions?”

“Hm? What else is there?”

At my words, Pae-jon looked at me with a puzzled expression instead.

“I already confirmed you’re a Gu family clansman, so what more is there to ask? Why? Should I ask how I found out?”

He genuinely looked completely uninterested.

“If you wanted to ask, you could ask countless things. But that would be endless. Besides, you don’t look like you want to talk about it anyway?”

“……Well, that’s true, but.”

“Then it’s fine. I’m not particularly curious, moreover…”

Pae-jon glanced at me.

“If you had been my disciple, you’d know well that such things aren’t that important to me?”

“…….”

“Tell me, disciple. What do I value most?”

“……Martial arts.”

“Yes, you know well.”

Perhaps it was an answer he liked, as Pae-jon grinned.

“Then let me ask differently. Does your situation hinder the martial path I pursue?”

“That…”

Honestly, I don’t know. Since it could be either way, there was a limit to what I could say.

One.

“It does not hinder.”

Pae-jon said in an indifferent voice.

“If it were a hindrance, I wouldn’t have taken you as a disciple in the first place. I would have done so.”

“…….”

The fact that he accepted me as a disciple despite knowing meant he judged such things weren’t worth worrying about. That’s what Pae-jon was saying.

“So, you just keep doing what you’re doing. Understand that the Gu Ryun fellow will cause trouble, and deal with it. From the looks of it…”

Pae-jon wiped the smile off his face and looked at me.

“You seem to know that Gu Ryun fellow well anyway. Don’t you?”

“…….”

I couldn’t answer this time either. He was certainly an observant person.

Seeing my hesitation, Pae-jon turned his head again.

“I’m going. I’ll come back tomorrow, so be ready.”

Tuk-!

Pae-jon leaped away and disappeared. I could only purse my lips with an awkward expression.

“……Ssk.”

Whether it’s the Pae-jon of this world.

Or the Pae-jon from where I lived.

Both seemed to possess something adept at silencing me.

Whether for better.

Or for worse.

* * *

Ttak.

Tak.

A faint ember flickered from the small lamp. Beyond the pitiful flame that seemed like it would scatter with just a slight breeze.

An old man possessing golden eyes. Wi Hyo-gun quietly gazed at the young man before him.

“Azure Dragon Unit Leader.”

“Yes.”

At Wi Hyo-gun’s call, the young man, Gu Cheol-un, responded. Simultaneously.

Hwa-reuk.

The faintly blooming flame grew stronger, brightly illuminating the room.

The moderately blooming embers. Even while watching this, Wi Hyo-gun, seemingly calm, asked Gu Cheol-un with slightly furrowed eyes.

“I heard something happened.”

“I apologize.”

At Wi Hyo-gun’s words, Gu Cheol-un bowed respectfully without hesitation. Seeing this, Wi Hyo-gun gestured.

“It wasn’t something you did wrong. It was a disaster, wasn’t it?”

“…….”

The incident where the Hundred-White Demon Sect rebelled in Anhui. This was the conversation regarding it.

“What was the condition of the Hundred-White demonic creature?”

Although they had discussed it during the day, Wi Hyo-gun asked once more.

“It was strong.”

Gu Cheol-un’s answer wasn’t much different from during the day.

A concise and simple answer.

At those words, Wi Hyo-gun chuckled lowly.

“……A simple answer.”

It didn’t matter. The detailed explanation was already written in the report. The reason for asking was different.

“Yes, it must have been strong. However, the one who effortlessly dealt with that powerful being is the real question.”

The person Wi Hyo-gun was talking about. Gu Cheol-un’s expression also noticeably changed upon hearing that.

“Heavenly Demon (天魔)… was that what he called himself?”

The individual who called himself the Heavenly Demon. He effortlessly executed the rampaging Hundred-White demonic creature there. Furthermore.

“Heavenly Venerate… To think even he would be defeated.”

This individual had also attacked Heavenly Venerate, one of the Three Venerates, and contributed to the escape of the Second Young Master, Namgung Hyung. Therefore, the Namgung family requested an investigation regarding Namgung Hyung, who disappeared with the Neua artifact, and the Kaisek was currently mobilizing.

Heavenly Venerate was defeated. To put it another way.

A martial artist of the Three Venerates’ level. It wouldn’t be wrong to say so.

“Where on earth did this person appear from… Not only strong, but they also controlled demonic creatures, didn’t they?”

“I cannot be certain, but based on sightings and testimonies, yes.”

Not only strong martial prowess, but the demonic creatures they controlled were also formidable. Black demonic creatures with physiques comparable to the Hundred-White demonic creature. And even demonic creatures resembling human form but possessing wings on their backs. All appeared to be obeying the Heavenly Demon’s commands.

“A human controlling demonic creatures…”

This has never happened in history. Demonic creatures, by nature, consider even their own kind as prey, so for them to obey a mere human… It’s impossible.

Of course.

“During the research on the Crimson demonic creatures this time. We confirmed that Crimson demonic creatures can dominate and control lower-ranking demonic creatures-“

This was confirmed from the incident where Crimson demonic creatures controlled Blue and Green demonic creatures to attack. Seeing this, it suggested that demonic creatures might indeed obey beings of higher standing.

“But he is human.”

“……That’s correct.”

The Heavenly Demon was human. Even though his face couldn’t be seen due to the mask. The fact that he was human was undeniable by anyone.

A human controlling demonic creatures. That fact has not yet spread widely throughout the Central Plains. Even if they couldn’t stop the existence of the Heavenly Demon. To prevent chaos, the Kaisek was actively suppressing this information.

“……This is something that needs urgent clarification.”

Wi Hyo-gun narrowed his eyes. It wasn’t an issue to be taken lightly. What kind of being could it be? Since it was unknown what impact such a powerful individual would have on the orthodox sects, all attention had to be focused.

And. Separately from the matter concerning the Heavenly Demon.

“Unit Leader. What became of what I entrusted to you?”

There was still something left to hear. At Wi Hyo-gun’s words, Gu Cheol-un’s eyes gained intensity. The task entrusted. He recalled it. Wi Hyo-gun had told Gu Cheol-un to investigate Baek Yangcheon. And someone named Do-yun. That’s also why two rookies were placed in this mission. So, what became of it? Did he fully grasp the situation?

“…….”

Gu Cheol-un couldn’t easily answer upon hearing the question. It had been a long time since he hesitated to speak like this. And for good reason.

‘I don’t know.’

Because I truly don’t know. Regarding Do-yun, it was mostly done. No matter how busy with incidents, there were things that could be seen.

But.

‘……That person.’

Baek Yangcheon. Recalling him, Gu Cheol-un felt a complex emotion.

‘Bizarre.’

Bizarre. Yes, that word perfectly described it. He is bizarre.

Somewhat numb and indifferent, yet intensely powerful. Someone who makes you pay attention even when you don’t want to? That’s right. Gu Cheol-un was paying attention to him.

The power he might be hiding, or… And also…

‘…….’

The fact that he was the only human that woman gave food to pricked at me, making me pay attention.

‘This is absurd.’

It’s just food. Just yielding and passing food. Why does it bother me so much? Gu Cheol-un couldn’t understand the reason either. All that can be said here is.

“I still don’t know well.”

That the investigation into Baek Yangcheon was not finished.

“……Hmm. Is that so?”

Wi Hyo-gun nodded at Gu Cheol-un’s answer. He didn’t rush or reprimand him. He was simply looking at the report Gu Cheol-un had submitted.

“So… you wish to go on a mission to Shanxi?”

“Yes.”

“Looking at the personnel requested for the application. It’s related to the current events, isn’t it?”

“That’s correct.”

“…….”

Wi Hyo-gun quietly looked at the report before placing it back on the desk.

“Regarding the work, I will send separate instructions to the Azure Dragon Leader. For now, please wait.”

“……I shall obey your command.”

“You may withdraw.”

“Understood.”

Gu Cheol-un bowed his head respectfully to Wi Hyo-gun and then stepped back. At that moment.

“Is the conversation finished?”

Before Gu Cheol-un could open the door first, Pae-jon entered as if he had been waiting.

“……Bi-ju. I definitely…”

“Ahaha.”

Wi Hyo-gun frowned upon seeing Pae-jon barge in. Gu Cheol-un glanced at the two and left through the door without concern.

Tak.

The Sect Leader’s room door closed, revealing the dimly lit corridor.

Kki-ik.

Walking down the corridor, Gu Cheol-un kept thinking in his mind.

‘Baek Yangcheon.’

An unknown individual who suddenly appeared. Since his appearance, it felt like something was cracking.

‘This isn’t good.’

It doesn’t feel good. If I went to Shanxi like this, that would also be a problem.

If I were to go to Shanxi, surely…

‘My father would show interest.’

My father. The current Gu family head would likely show interest in Baek Yangcheon, just like Gu Ryun, the Gu family’s Grand Elder. That part worried Gu Cheol-un. Greatly so.