Chapter 1095: Scorched World.

Srrrreung.

The sharpness was palpable. It was a sensation that sent shivers straight down my spine. Leaving my stiffened body, I rolled my eyes. I swallowed hard at the vast, distant sight spread around me.

Golden sword blades.

Golden qi-blades, like the symbols of the Sword Saint and the Divine Sword, were spread all around; dozens of sword blades were pointing straight at my neck.

It’s the aura of the Three Venerables. As Paejon-nim said, if they were around that level, everyone except himself had reached Transcendence.

The Sword Saint must surely be at that level too.

‘…This is driving me crazy.’

Why would such a person point the tip of their sword at me? As I said earlier, I haven’t really done anything to warrant suspicion.

So, I had judged there would be no problem.

‘What is your identity?’

The Sword Saint’s words kept poking at my spine. What could be the intention? My father was standing beside the Sword Saint, staring intently at me.

The Sword Saint sat at the desk and glared at me with frost-covered eyes.

“……What are you talking about?”

I asked, meeting his fierce gaze. Then the Sword Saint smiled slightly as he looked at me.

“I heard you were born of the Baek family.”

“Yes.”

“But they say there are no blood relatives in the Baek family currently who use your name.”

“……”

I frowned. Ah, damn it.

‘They figured that out already?’

They immediately grasped the issue with my Baek family affiliation. Does that mean they already used the Guild to check?

Where did I arouse suspicion?

‘Even if the Murim Alliance is incredibly thorough.’

They wouldn’t have tried to figure out my detailed information just by me joining as a newcomer. It was strange that they figured it out in such a short period.

Just then.

“I can’t understand it.”

The Sword Saint said.

“If you intended to hide your identity, you wouldn’t have bothered trying to become the top student… Why would you do that?”

“……”

Ah.

Only after hearing those words did I understand. Not only the Sword Saint, but also the reason the Murim Alliance went out of its way to figure out my identity.

‘I got too carried away.’

It was because I had acted overly brazenly.

Not only did I beat the examiner, I even got a perfect score on the written exam. If I became the top student, they would surely try to figure out the details. I failed to recall this point.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

So, for now, I played dumb.

“I am of the Baek family. My identity was properly verified when I joined the Alliance.”

It was a part I got through using the power of Mang. At least, when the Alliance verified it, it should have been done correctly.

“The Guild’s eyes and ears are not that dull.”

The Sword Saint was resolute.

Furthermore, the feel of the sword tip touching the back of my neck grew closer.

“A letter for the scholar will soon arrive for the Baek family head. I’m asking now to confirm before then. What is your identity? And.”

Kkeugeugeuk.

The room shook. It was due to the Sword Saint’s aura pressure.

“The crimson monsters that have appeared recently. Is that your fault?”

“Huh…?”

What kind of crazy talk is this? I thought. But it was actually my fault.

The anomaly that occurred when I came to this world. That must be the reason crimson monsters appeared in the Alliance.

However.

‘The Sword Saint isn’t talking about that.’

The Sword Saint’s current meaning wouldn’t be this.

“No.”

So I immediately denied it.

“Then, are the previous words correct?”

“……”

The Sword Saint asked, his eyes gleaming.

He was a sharp old man.

‘Tsk.’

What should I do about this? If I deny it, will they let it slide?

‘As expected, it wasn’t easy.’

It was good that I joined the Alliance easily. But I don’t know how to get past this moment. Sure enough, the crisis arrived quickly.

“Isn’t it strange that a skilled person like you only appeared now?”

A late-blooming disciple hiding their skills. That’s likely how the Sword Saint sees me.

Or rather, even if I didn’t particularly hide my skills, being strong is natural. And it would also be strange that I don’t belong to the current ‘Dragon’ or ‘Phoenix’ groups.

“I’ll ask again.”

Gradually, a thick killing intent seeped into the Sword Saint’s voice.

“Who. Are you?”

Sssseeeeee—!!!

The sword blade touching my neck trembled.

“……”

I pondered. How could I break through this?

If I deny it, will they let it go? Since they said it would take some time for a letter to arrive from the Baek family head, I thought maybe denying it for now would be okay.

‘Probably not.’

I could tell by looking at the Sword Saint’s eyes. He wouldn’t believe me even if I denied it. And it seemed difficult to fool him with acting.

Then.

‘Just break through?’

Should I try to escape by force right now?

It’s a method, if it’s a method. If I did that, it’s obvious that future affairs would get tangled and become troublesome. But it could be better than getting caught like this.

The problem is.

‘Can I break through?’

Whether or not I can break past the Sword Saint and escape.

‘…….’

How strong is the Sword Saint now? The Sword Saint is often called the martial artist closest to being the number one under heaven.

As he is the symbol of the current orthodox sects, he must be strong.

‘I’ve never fought the Sword Saint before.’

I never clashed with the Sword Saint even in my past life. It’s also true that I tried to avoid friction as much as possible.

So, it’s impossible to gauge the Sword Saint’s condition.

‘If I activate my Ki sense, I could gauge it to some extent.’

Activating my Ki sense here ultimately means I intend to fight. It meant an irreversible choice.

‘Hmm.’

But still.

Gyiiriiiing.

I couldn’t just let the approaching sword be.

What should I do about this?

‘…What else?’

I’ve already made up my mind.

‘When have my worries ever lasted long?’

Fight back.

If there’s no turning back, just move forward. First, escape and then make the next plan.

Thinking so, I put strength into my heart.

No.

I was about to give it.

Kkwang-!!!

“Wait-!”

“Huh?”

Just as I was about to channel energy into my heart to activate it, the back door opened and someone entered.

“That’s far enough.”

A heavy build and a black robe. And an old man with a strong impression.

‘…Paejon-nim?’

It was none other than Paejon Bi-ju. He suddenly kicked open the door to the Sword Saint’s leader’s room and entered.

“……Bi-ju.”

At that sight, the Sword Saint’s face contorted.

“What is this you’re doing?”

It was an immense killing intent. A pressure completely different from when he threatened me.

“Senior.”

Without regard for that killing intent, Bi-ju laughed.

“Sorry for interrupting. I also have some business here.”

“Business?”

“That’s right.”

As the Sword Saint expressed confusion at the sudden mention of business, Paejon-nim pointed at me with his large finger.

“This child’s identity. I will vouch for it.”

“……What?”

“Huh?”

What kind of bullshit is this? My eyes widened at his out-of-the-blue remark.

Just then.

Shiiiiiik—!!!

The sword floating in the room flew towards Paejon-nim at high speed.

Kwak-!

Paejon-nim caught the flying sword with one hand. However, perhaps because he caught it barehanded, blood trickled down from his hand.

“Ooh, scary.”

He said it mockingly, but Paejon-nim’s face still held a smile.

Conversely, the Sword Saint’s face was terrifyingly contorted.

“Bi-ju. What is this you’re doing?”

“Doing? What am I doing? Didn’t I tell you? This child. I’ll take responsibility.”

“Bullshit.”

Kukagagag—!!!

Golden light encroached. The aura emanating from the Sword Saint, Wi Hyo-gun, filled the room. Simultaneously.

“Hmph.”

Kukugung.

The killing intent emanating from Paejon-nim confronted that aura. The energies of the heavens of the Central Plains clashed.

Kkeugeugeuk.

Rough sounds echoed from various parts of the leader’s room. Wow, is it okay to just leave that like this? I’m extremely anxious.

“Don’t spout irresponsible nonsense. That child’s identity is a matter for the Alliance to ascertain. Meaning it’s not for you to interfere.”

“Not responsible? Why can’t I be responsible? I’m saying this precisely because I intend to take responsibility.”

“You’ll take responsibility for the child’s identity? What if that child is a seed of the Demonic Sect?”

“That’s also my problem to take responsibility for. So, Senior, you just need to accept it.”

“This guy…!”

He looked ready to draw his sword. Seeing that, Paejon-nim’s eyes lit up.

“If any problems arise, that task you asked of me. I’ll give it a try. How about it?”

“……!”

At Paejon-nim’s words, the Sword Saint hesitated for a moment.

“It’s not a bad deal, is it? And. I’ll keep him secured so he doesn’t run away. What could be safer than this?”

“……”

“I don’t think so.”

The Sword Saint glared at Paejon-nim without uttering a word.

The situation was getting stranger and stranger.

‘What is this?’

How did this situation suddenly unfold like this? Suddenly Paejon-nim interfered and said he’d vouch for my identity?

“……Bi-ju. You bastard.”

Reaching this point, the Sword Saint spoke with a frown.

“Were you waiting for this moment?”

“Hey now. Surely not.”

Bi-ju raised the corners of his mouth.

“I was just lucky.”

“……”

Pasusut.

The swords floating around me dissipated.

And then.

“Whether it was good luck or bad luck. We’ll see now.”

The Sword Saint said after suppressing the aura he had raised.

“You’d better definitely take responsibility for the words you’ve spoken. Because this is a matter the Alliance will be watching closely.”

“Then. One must surely keep their word.”

“Child.”

The Sword Saint’s eyes turned towards me.

“I’ll be watching.”

“……”

Words spoken as a warning. Before I could even reply to those words.

“Alright! I’m leaving now! See you later.”

“Gah!?”

Paejon-nim suddenly grabbed the back of my neck and dragged me out.

Before I could even react, my vision instantly went black. It’s because this guy jumped out the window.

Kung-!

As soon as we landed on the ground, we were back in the air. Paejon-nim swiftly cut through the bushes.

When I finally came to my senses.

“This should be far enough.”

We had reached the center of a mountain range.

Just as I managed to land and catch my breath.

“I saved you.”

Paejon-nim said to me.

“How was it? Don’t you feel like I’m a savior? Don’t you feel like you want to become my disciple?”

“No… what…”

Hearing that, I let out a gasp.

This guy. Could it be?

‘Did he do all this just to take me as a disciple?’

Does it mean he did this crazy thing, offering to vouch for my identity just to take me as a disciple?

As the Sword Saint said, why would he do something like this if I were a member of the Demonic Sect?

If things went wrong, it was something that could lead to not being treated as part of the orthodox sects.

‘…I knew he was a crazy person.’

I knew that Paejon-nim himself didn’t care about such things. But I never expected it to be to this extent.

While I was taken aback by his absurd actions.

“Elder, I apologize, but…”

I had no intention of becoming a disciple. Even with everything that had happened, this was natural.

“I have no intention of becoming your disciple.”

“Or perhaps not? Since you’re already somewhat like a disciple, it might not matter.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“The Slaughter-Me Break-Heaven Dance. You’re already learning it, aren’t you?”

“……!”

I got goosebumps.

I thought I misheard. As I stared at Paejon-nim with trembling eyes, speechless.

He had erased his smile and asked me.

“Isn’t that right?”

“……”

I swallowed dryly. I thought I hadn’t been found out.

‘Already.’

It seemed Paejon-nim knew.