Chapter 1218: Scorched World

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch.

Among all those who ever held the title of Sword Matriarch, there wasn’t a soul who didn’t know her.

Since she was such a remarkable figure, it’s only natural.

For she was precisely the strongest Sword Matriarch in history, the idol of all heroines.

So-i, who rose to the position of Sword Matriarch after her, occupied an ambiguous position when it came to being called the strongest Sword Matriarch.

She could certainly be called the most righteous, but people said that when it came to strength, she couldn’t compare to Eulryeong Sword Matriarch.

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch was strong. The achievements she accomplished were numerous, and not only the heroines from the righteous sects but even mere martial artists used to praise her strength.

After all, martial artists were beings intoxicated by strength.

However.

‘…Leaving behind such strength.’

Titles like ‘The Fallen’ and ‘The Worst’ became attached to Eulryeong Sword Matriarch. It was only natural.

‘Of all things.’

Because she was the cause of the Great Demonic War.

A major war that occurred before the Great Unorthodox-Demonic War. In terms of scale, it wasn’t comparable to the Great Unorthodox-Demonic War, and its duration was barely less than ten days.

To put it clearly, it would be more accurate to say the spark was extinguished before the war could even break out.

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch had gathered people from the unorthodox sects, intending to use them to start a war. In the process, her plan was thwarted, and she met her death.

And so, the downfall of the one who had received praise from so many martial artists came to pass.

But then.

‘Why is Eulryeong Sword Matriarch here?’

I had to wonder, facing that very worst Sword Matriarch directly.

My question wasn’t about why such a remarkable martial artist was here.

‘Is the timing right?’

It was a question regarding the period when Eulryeong Sword Matriarch was active.

The Three Lords were active at the same time she was. And the strangest thing here is…

‘Then, is that person also here?’

Geom-jon, the Alliance Leader. Cheon-jon of Anhui. Pae-jon of Xi’an.

The Three Lords, operating across these three regions, were absolute existences in the Central Plains, but…

‘In my memory…’

There was a man active alongside Eulryeong Sword Matriarch, even before such Three Lords.

The Greatest Under Heaven.

That’s what they called him back then.

‘A figure discussed as the Greatest Under Heaven, even above the Three Lords.’

Iron-Blooded Fan.

It meant it was the time he was active.

‘This is strange.’

His time of death coincided with the time Geom-jon rose to the position of Alliance Leader.

‘…Then.’

Does it mean it was just before the Great Demonic War? Or is something wrong with this place?

‘Sssip…’

It seemed likely there was a problem, given it was an artificial world. While recognizing that…

“Sword Matriarch. What brings you here?”

Hearing Pae-jon speak, I focused on the woman first.

Long black hair. She was a beauty with fair skin and a mature aura. And…

‘She certainly… resembles someone.’

Her appearance brought someone to mind. Bong-sun, her daughter who had become my subordinate. Her looks reminded me of her.

The Sword Matriarch smiled softly at Pae-jon’s words.

“I happened to be passing by and felt a familiar aura. I thought I should at least say hello.”

“Were you heading to Hanam?”

“Yes. I had some business with the Alliance Leader.”

“The Alliance Leader? You mean Geom-jon?”

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch smiled faintly at Pae-jon’s words.

“Bi-ju. You haven’t changed. You feel the same, even after all these years.”

“Does a person change easily?”

“That’s right. That’s why it’s even nicer to see you. Ah, I heard a rumor.”

Swish.

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch scanned the surroundings with her dark eyes.

“I heard you acquired a disciple. Is that true?”

“You have sharp ears. Yes, I acquired one-a rather unsightly fellow.”

“Hmm.”

Just then. Eulryeong Sword Matriarch vanished in an instant.

I missed her. My own weak eyes couldn’t track her. The next place Eulryeong Sword Matriarch appeared was right where my father was.

“Is it you?”

“…”

Father watched Eulryeong Sword Matriarch with his usual expressionless eyes.

“You had the best reaction. Is it you?”

“What are you referring to?”

“I’m asking if you are Bi-ju’s disciple.”

“No.”

“Oh? Is that right?”

Her eyes showed genuine surprise. ‘Then who is it?’ she wondered, looking around as if she didn’t know. Then, Pae-jon clicked his tongue and said.

“It’s not that one. It’s this one.”

Pae-jon’s finger pointed towards me, peeking out from the carriage. Following his gesture, Eulryeong Sword Matriarch looked my way.

“Hm?”

She tilted her head, a look of incomprehension on her face.

“What are you gawking at? Get out here already.”

“…Ah, yes.”

At his words, I awkwardly slid open the carriage door.

“Ahh… I can finally breathe.”

Gu-seon, who had been behind me, let out a sigh of relief. He then followed me out of the carriage.

As soon as I stepped out, I felt the wind. Looking ahead, Eulryeong Sword Matriarch was suddenly right in front of me.

“This child?”

Her face showed complete incomprehension.

“After being so desperate for a disciple, you ended up acquiring…”

‘Ended up acquiring…’ What a thing to say about someone. It was absurd.

“Well. He’s a usable guy in his own way. It’s just that he looks strange now; he wasn’t originally that bad. Even if his face is a bit odd.”

“What’s wrong with my face?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

“If we’re being strict, you aren’t exactly blessed with a stunning face either…”

Slap!

“Oof!”

I collapsed from the shock. With no ki, I couldn’t even react.

“Why do you say things that deserve a beating?”

“Ghh…”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk…”

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch looked on curiously at Pae-jon’s reaction.

“He really must be your disciple. Seeing you enjoy this so much, Bi-ju.”

“Who’s enjoying this?”

“Congratulations.”

“…Tsk.”

Pae-jon kept clicking his tongue, clearly displeased by the Sword Matriarch’s reaction.

“Something strange has attached itself again.”

Someone else peeked out from the carriage. It was Shin-ui.

“Another welcome face.”

“You said you wouldn’t be seen for years. What happened?”

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch said with a smile, but Shin-ui looked thoroughly displeased.

“I had some business.”

“Right. I hope it’s something ordinary this time.”

The conversation ended there. They averted their gazes, as if they had nothing more to say to each other.

‘What was that?’

What was that atmosphere? They seemed to be on bad terms.

“Whether it’s you or him… anyway… Since it’s settled, if you’re heading to Hanam, let’s go together.”

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch nodded at Pae-jon’s suggestion.

“Thank you for the offer.”

“It’ll be alright, won’t it?”

Pae-jon’s gaze turned to Father, who was in charge of this trip.

“I think I should consult with the rest of the group first.”

The Sword Matriarch’s eyes widened at Father’s words. He was flatly refusing the offer of the century’s Sword Matriarch to join them.

“Is that okay?”

Father asked So-i, who was standing nearby. Then…

“I, I…”

But So-i’s condition was quite strange. It was as if he’d malfunctioned.

What’s wrong with him now?

“O-of course… Of course it’s fine… In fact, please!”

His eyes were practically burning. He couldn’t take his eyes off Eulryeong Sword Matriarch. Ah. I get it now.

‘His level of respect is off the charts!’

Indeed. It wasn’t strange for a sword-wielding heroine to be utterly captivated by the Sword Matriarch. Even the Plum Blossom Sword Matriarch I knew had women going crazy over her.

“Thank you.”

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch smiled at So-i’s reaction. Seeing that, So-i swayed precariously.

“Gasp… pant…”

His reaction was quite amusing.

As I watched her with amusement, Gu-seon, standing beside me, asked.

“Who is that?”

Meanwhile, this guy seemed to not even know who the Sword Matriarch was.

“It’s the Sword Matriarch.”

“Sword Matriarch? Ah? Ohh. Could it really be that Sword Matriarch? The one they said hasn’t been seen lately.”

“That’s her.”

“Wow… I never thought I’d actually see the Sword Matriarch?”

His reaction was quite different from So-i’s. He didn’t seem particularly interested.

He seemed just as curious, though.

Anyway.

‘The Sword Matriarch…’

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch had appeared out of nowhere.

Our journey together began.

---

Time passed, and night fell.

It was about two hours after we started traveling with the Sword Matriarch.

“It is an honor to meet you, Sword Matriarch. My name is Hyeon So-yeong…”

“I am Namgung Jin. It is an honor to meet you, Sword Matriarch-nim.”

Hyeon So-yeong and Namgung Jin also greeted her. Hyeon So-yeong wasn’t particularly fazed, either. He seemed composed, not like Gu-seon.

Namgung Jin, however, was clearly nervous.

“If you’re a Namgung… are you the family head’s child?”

“Yes. I’ve heard a lot about you from the family head-nim.”

“I see.”

As she spoke, Eulryeong Sword Matriarch looked at Namgung Jin.

“You’re better than the family head.”

“…! Thank you.”

Namgung Jin smiled slightly at the compliment. Indeed, Namgung Jin possessed more talent than the family head.

Watching the group, I continued to observe Eulryeong Sword Matriarch.

“Hmm…”

I didn’t sense anything particularly strange. She felt composed and benevolent, with no unpleasant vibes.

‘A woman like that gathered the unorthodox?’

The figure who prepared to unify the unorthodox sects and push out the righteous ones. It felt strange to think that.

I felt no unease whatsoever. Was she hiding it that well?

Just as I thought that.

-Do you have something you want to say?

Startled.

I heard a telepathic message.

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch had sent the telepathic message, looking right at me.

-I asked because you’ve been staring continuously since earlier. Do you have something to say?

I’d been caught. Well, I had been staring quite openly.

Since I couldn’t reply telepathically, I just whispered. She’d hear me, I figured.

“It’s just that you’re quite beautiful.”

-Oh my?

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch laughed.

-Thank you, even if it’s just flattery. To think I’d hear such words from someone young enough to be my child.

Young enough to be my child. Bong-sun flashed through my mind.

Just then.

-How old are you?

She asked me my age. Why ask that now?

“I’m about twenty.”

I answered for now. Then…

-I see. It didn’t mean anything special. Just…

Eulryeong Sword Matriarch said, her voice tinged with loneliness.

-If my son were still alive, he would have grown to be about your size.

‘…A son?’

She had another child besides Bong-sun?

My eyes widened slightly at her words.