Chapter 1173: Scorched World.

Kwaddeudeuk–!!!

An arm reaches out. It’s a space where sound has already broken through, leaving only sensation.

Extending with the intent to tear it apart. The aftereffects of the speed were handled by the belatedly following sound.

Kwaaang–!!

The movement was concise, and also fierce. Yet, it was clear.

It was martial arts incorporating rotation and variables based on what I learned, but…

Tak-tak–!!

The opponent casually dodged and countered the attacks.

Jiiing.

The Mind’s Eye activated.

Jjirit–!

As soon as it activated, a headache struck.

‘Damn it.’

The Mind’s Eye predicted countless paths from the opponent it faced. Their number was truly uncountable.

Could I deduce the correct answer among those many paths? For that, the human brain… At least, my brain had its limits.

Swiik–!!

–!

A fist thrust out, following one of the paths. I quickly blocked, trying to lessen the force, but…

Ku-ung–!!

The real impact poured in right after. A fist I didn’t know when it was thrown landed a blow to my side.

“Ho.”

The owner of the fist.

Paejon Biju marveled.

“You’ve wrapped yourself in Qi. In that short moment.”

The defensive Qi I’d wrapped myself in, which I activated upon realizing the attack was a feint right after blocking it. Paejon seemed surprised by it, but… I couldn’t properly hear his words. Even though I blocked the impact, I couldn’t block the pressure wave.

Pa-ang–!!

Along with the sound of my internal energy bursting, my body plummeted to the ground.

Kugugung–!!!

As the ground crumbled, my body dug into it. Creating a large circular crater. Amidst the thick cloud of dust. I got myself up.

“……”

Even though I was wearing a mask, I almost spat out the dust unconsciously. Habits are scary things.

“Hoo-oo-“

I let out a sigh and looked up. I could see Paejon slowly descending.

“Is that all? I don’t think so?”

Paejon was laughing as if enjoying himself. Looking at him made my stomach churn.

“Show me more. Squeeze out everything you can do.”

‘Damn old geezer.’

I cursed inwardly at Paejon’s words.

How did it come to this?

I don’t really know myself.

* * *

The original plan wasn’t like this.

At the point I guessed Gurun and other martial artists were coming from outside. I didn’t have many options.

“Let’s run.”

Let’s escape for now. I’ll figure out why the egg in front of me turned green later. Rather than getting more entangled here, I decided to prioritize escaping first. That was my initial plan.

“After returning to Gugga…”

“I’ll go find Gu Seongyeol. Even if I don’t know the reason, Grandfather is favorable towards me.”

Favor? I wasn’t sure if that was the right way to put it, but that person might give me information. Besides, since this world wasn’t the original one, I didn’t need to hold back.

For now, I needed to return and meet Gu Seongyeol. That was the basis of my plan.

“…So, before it gets any later.”

Although they were still far away, I didn’t know when they’d arrive. I needed to escape quickly. Just as I was thinking that.

Kugugeugeuk–!!!

“……!”

Suddenly, a pressure wave descended from a distance.

“…This is…”

It’s a familiar pressure wave.

“Paejon?”

Paejon. His pressure wave was being directed at me. Where did this guy’s energy suddenly pop out from? As I expanded my senses, I figured out why.

“…Why are you there?”

At Gugga’s sword training grounds, where Gurun was. I sensed Paejon’s presence there.

Even worse.

‘He shot it out deliberately.’ He shot out the pressure wave as if wanting me to feel it. It meant he knew I was here.

No, that’s not quite right.

‘Even if he doesn’t know it’s me.’ I understood it meant he wouldn’t let me get away.

“Ssseup.”

What should I do? I didn’t want to face the others like this. Should I just bolt? Just as I thought running away, regardless of Paejon, was the right move.

-Stay put. Don’t even think about running.

“……”

“Isn’t he a crazy bastard?” Sending a telepathic message from that distance? What’s more.

‘We’re inside the formation.’ It’s a space sealed by a formation designed to block any external detection of energy. Strictly speaking, it was half-sorcery, but how did he send a telepathic message?

‘Ah.’ I understood.

‘It’s because I smashed it.’ Around the time the surroundings were wrecked by the pressure wave I emitted. I figured the formation in the area must have collapsed then. So, it made sense if he could send a telepathic message.

‘Still…’ I never imagined he’d send a telepathic message from that distance. His ability to manipulate Qi was truly admirable. Even in this state.

Ssseup.

I swallowed. If he’s gone as far as to warn me, he probably won’t let me go just because I run.

So, first.

Seureuk.

I put on my mask. I enlarged my body again using the Body Alteration Technique, and at the same time…

‘Good.’ There was someone nearby who could buy me some time. The memory-lost Pang family head. That guy was nearby.

Ssseuuu.

I focused my intent into my heart. Generating demonic energy, I sent a signal to the Pang family head.

The justification… yeah. ‘The justification of giving help.’ To hinder Gugga for the sake of the incident. I implanted the command using demonic energy in that way. This should buy me at least a moment. Just as I thought that.

Tak.

“You were waiting patiently.”

With a light landing sound. Paejon arrived.

“Nice to meet you. Yes, a white mask and black martial attire…”

Paejon laughed upon seeing me.

“So you’re the guy called Cheonma.”

“……”

I frowned upon hearing that. Didn’t you notice?

“Yes, I…”

“Somehow, I thought incidents happened wherever you went. You were doing strange things, weren’t you, disciple?”

“……”

Not noticing my ass. As expected, it was a case of ‘covering eyes and pretending’.

“Cheonma… What a strange name you’ve chosen. Moreover.”

Swiik–!

“…!”

Paejon appeared in front of me in an instant. Tak! He grabbed my shoulder.

“It’s not something added with clothes or anything. Your body itself has changed. What did you do? What is this?”

He fiddled with my body with curious eyes. This old man is doing it again. ‘He was like this before too.’ He was just as surprised when I first showed him the Body Alteration Technique. What did he say back then? Ah, right.

“Can you also extend your arms during combat? If arms or legs could be extended, it would be good for delivering feints. It could also confuse the sense of distance.”

…He said exactly that. This Paejon uttered the same words.

“…Let go of me. It’s creepy.”

“What’s creepy is your voice. What’s with that strange voice?”

“Since you’ve recognized me anyway, there’s nothing more to say. I need to leave quickly, so can’t you move aside?”

“Why?”

“Because I’m in a state where I can’t be discovered right now.”

“You can’t be discovered? Then why did you emit that energy earlier?”

“…That also has its reasons.”

“Reasons…”

Saying that, Paejon looked around. Then he looked back at me.

And then.

Tuk-tuk.

“Hmm?”

“What is it?”

He started poking and prodding my body here and there. It was different from the touch on my shoulder earlier.

“Elder?”

“This. Hmm…? Hmmm… Disciple.”

“Yes.”

“Didn’t you notice?”

“Notice what?”

I couldn’t understand what Paejon was saying. What didn’t I notice? As I asked again, unable to understand.

“So that’s how it is? Hmmm.”

Paejon spoke as if he had figured it all out, contrary to my confusion.

“Why are you acting like this-“

“You wicked Cheonma bastard.”

“Huh?”

What is he saying all of a sudden?

“I’ve heard plenty of rumors about you. They say you’re a monstrous fellow threatening the Orthodox sects.”

“…What are you doing?”

Why is he suddenly putting on such a strange act? I’m flustered. Paejon has started acting foolishly.

“They say you’re an arrogant fellow from the Demonic Sects, called equal to the Three Venerables. Since you’ve entered the domain of these noble Orthodox sects, I must personally deal with you.”

“Elder. Did you perhaps take some strange medicine…?”

What is he really saying?

Huh?

“Why are you raising your fighting spirit-“

Pik–!

Kwaaaaaaaa–!!!

The area behind me was smashed by the fist that grazed my cheek.

“……”

The force was enough to have crushed my head had I not dodged. He’s serious. He had just thrown a punch with genuine intent. My eyes turned cold. Not because of Paejon’s sudden action.

“Well done.”

The aura I felt from the Paejon in front of me.

“It’s pleasing to see how quick-witted you are.”

That was…

“If you don’t fight seriously, you’ll die.”

It was killing intent. He looked at me, emitting his full killing intent. He truly intended to kill me.

“Why are you doing this?”

What’s the reason for acting like this? I asked, but…

The answer was delivered via a fist.

Kwaaaaaa–!!

Kung–!!

The impact of Tuapa Cheonmu rained down on my entire body.

Kwadeudeuk.

This is dangerous. This old man is truly serious. The speed was unbelievably different from when we first sparred.

“Disciple. Why are you questioning it when you’ve already figured it out?”

A chilling voice pierced my heart.

“Use all your moves. If you don’t want to die.”

U-u-ung–!!!

My eyes lit up.

“Come down.”

Ku-u-ung–!!!

As a crack formed in the air, a net fell.

“Ha-! A monster?”

Paejon’s eyes widened at the sight of me summoning a monster.

“…Buy me some time.”

As I gave the order.

Kung–!!

I charged at Paejon. And so the fight began.

* * *

Pa-a-a.

Brushing off the dust, I looked at Paejon. That was the cause of the fight. Paejon appeared suddenly and emitted killing intent. It’s still the same now.

“What exactly are you trying to do?”

My whole body aches. Even just from clashing briefly.

“What am I trying to do? Of course, as an Orthodox disciple, I’m punishing the wicked.”

“Since when were you so Orthodox?”

“Tsk-tsk-tsk…”

Paejon laughed. I found that laughter frightening. Because it was a laugh that held no trace of killing intent.

“Just come in.”

“So, why do I have to fight without even knowing the reason?”

“Well. Figure out the reason yourself. If you’re not going to do it properly anyway…”

Paejon disappeared along with his words.

He was beside me.

Kwadeudeuk.

“Kkeuk!”

My body was flung away by the impact. I had barely managed to block it.

“I’ll kill you.”

His voice was right next to my ear. I created distance. Nevertheless, a fist was already in front of me.

“Stop-“

Uttuk–!!

“…!”

Paejon’s body froze. It lasted only a moment. But for now, that was enough.

Energy and intent intertwined within my clenched fist.

Ku-ung–!!

It landed squarely on Paejon’s abdomen. Paejon’s body shot up into the air.

It was a Heart Strike. Hit directly by it, Paejon’s body flew up.

“Hoo-oo…”

I had to stagger briefly while enduring the backlash of the Dragon Speech. The Dragon Speech has severe repercussions for a martial artist of the same level. That’s why I usually avoid using it.

‘Damn it.’

Since that guy came at me seriously, I had no choice. I swallowed the rising blood. Just then.

Kureureung–!!!

“Ha.”

Pressure waves surged from the sky. Clouds gathered, and something stood out.

“Hahaha.”

Paejon laughed. Enveloped by the clouds.

‘Pachevun.’

It was Paejon, wrapped in the secret technique of Tuapa Cheonmu.

“…Are you really going that far?”

You said you’d go all out, but do you really intend to kill me? Using a secret technique seemed excessive.

“I told you.”

Paejon just kept laughing, even at my words.

“If you don’t fight seriously, you’ll die.”

“……”

I scowled. What’s funny about this situation is…

“Ha…”

Seeing Paejon charging with Pachevun, rather than feeling distressed or annoyed…

“I guess I’m the same kind of guy.”

Strangely, I felt excited.

Why Paejon was charging. Even though he was charging as if to kill me.

‘Even in this situation, I’m looking forward to the fight?’

At Paejon’s words that he’d go seriously, I felt anticipation.

That damn thing gave me goosebumps.

Dugeun-. Dugeun-. Dugeun-.

I didn’t notice the anomaly occurring deep within my heart.