Chapter 1121: Scorched World.

The Ma-gyeongmun had turned white. The color of the Demon Gate, which existed atop the hill, had changed. No, it had changed.

As everyone was panicking while looking at it.

“Daeju!”

Namgung Jeohui immediately called out to someone.

At the shout, a man nearby came running breathlessly.

“Cheongcheon Daeju. What in the world happened here?”

The Cheongcheon Sword Brigade, the representative sword brigade of the Namgung family. Cheon Ilhwan, the Daeju of that brigade, urgently knelt down.

“……I apologize. I will quickly assess the situation.”

“Not assess, do you mean this wasn’t here when we were on guard yesterday?”

As long as the Demon Gate existed atop the hill, the warriors of the Namgung family had set up camp beforehand and were keeping watch. Therefore, if any change had occurred, a report should have been made immediately.

“……Yes. It was definitely maintaining a red glow until just now.”

The implication was that it had happened in the shortest possible time. Meaning, the incident occurred in that short span.

‘What happened?’

Not just the others, but even I, who was watching, had to be taken aback. What is that.

‘A white gate?’

This was the first time I’d ever seen anything like it. I’d never heard of or seen such a thing. A white Demon Gate.

‘Of all times.’

According to the records of the Central Plains, there are no records of white Demon Gates appearing, except during the Blood Demon War. Even during the time I was active, the red Demon Gates were the worst. I had seen white monsters, though.

‘I’d never seen a Demon Gate.’

A Demon Gate itself had never appeared. Even the Great Demon Gate had turned white?

This means.

‘White monsters can appear.’

The fact that the Demon Gate’s grade had changed to white also meant that white monsters would burst forth from within.

‘Damn it.’

I bit my lip. Red Demon Gates were already problematic. And now the Great Demon Gate had turned white.

‘Could this possibly be my fault too?’

It probably is. Most anomalies that occur in this era are likely my fault. The problem is.

‘Why, exactly.’

Why things change to this extent. What is this white Demon Gate.

‘I’ve never even experienced anything like that.’

Just how could the difficulty level skyrocket this drastically?

I could feel the people around me starting to murmur.

“……White?”

“Not red, but white. White means… could it possibly mean white monsters are coming out.”

“No…! Why would something like that happen of all times…!”

Anxiety washes over me. I could see shadows cast upon everyone’s faces. It couldn’t be helped. I could feel their tension and fear even with just the red Demon Gate. Now it was white.

“Damn it… How are we supposed to-!”

“This… this is…”

As everyone was engulfed in such chaos.

“Gaaal-!!”

Whoooosh-!!”

A tremendous sound accompanied a surge of wind pressure. The wind swept through the surroundings once. A subtle warmth permeated the sudden gust. Meaning it was wind pressure emitted through energy; And the owner of this wind pressure was none other than.

‘Father?’

It was Father. Father had billowed his robe and emitted his energy.

“Calm yourselves.”

His heavy words instantly subdued the surroundings. After seizing control of the situation with his words, he scanned the surroundings, flashing red eyes. Then, he looked towards Namgung Jeohui. I could feel Namgung Jeohui flinch upon meeting Father’s gaze.

“Ah…”

He was momentarily flustered but quickly regained his composure and spoke.

“……I will examine the circumstances. Everyone, do not panic and follow orders. Daejus, carry out your respective duties.”

“Yes-!”

Formation lines were immediately created, and formations were set up around. Still, they were the Namgung family, a prestigious clan, not a gathering of riff-raff. So, despite their anxiety, everyone moved swiftly.

Before long, several tents were set up, and personnel were deployed accordingly. Given the location was a mountaintop, not many personnel had ascended. The remaining forces were likely positioned throughout the mountains, awaiting future battles.

Shortly after gathering. Namgung Jeohui summoned the personnel.

“Cheongnyong Brigade Leader.”

“Yes.”

Father answered Namgung Jeohui’s question.

“……What are your thoughts on this situation.”

As Namgung Jeohui asked with a sigh, Father maintained a blank expression.

“It appears a white Demon Gate has appeared.”

“……”

He stated the reality of the situation nonchalantly. At his words, those inside the tent-The family head, the Daejus, and even us-all showed signs of worry on their faces.

“……White. Truly…”

Namgung Jeohui uttered, sounding troubled. So Yi, standing nearby, frowned slightly and spoke.

“Didn’t you say they haven’t appeared since the Blood Demon War…? Why would something like that…”

“The time when red Demon Gates appeared has already passed. It shouldn’t be strange for white ones to appear.”

“……”

Father cut off So Yi’s words abruptly. That’s right. We had already confirmed the red Demon Gates and were on our way. What would be strange about white ones appearing here? It would be more accurate to see it as a disaster unfolding.

“What’s important is how we deal with it. If white monsters truly emerge from within, no one knows what will happen.”

Red monsters were known to be the size of houses, possessing strength incomparable to blue monsters. Furthermore, they were known to have the power to summon lesser monsters. And that statement had been proven true in Henan. In that case.

“Could white monsters also… be the same as the records?”

White monsters were literally called calamities. Their mere existence could affect the surrounding natural world. Turning mid-winter into summer. Or creating vast rivers on dry land where nothing existed. Those were the white monsters known in the Central Plains. Of course.

‘It’s not wrong.’

From my own experience, I knew their words were true.

“Then, with our current forces, there’s a problem, isn’t there? Calling for reinforcements would be…”

“Calling for reinforcements is the right thing to do, but I doubt if it would even help.”

“……”

So Yi fell silent. Because that statement was also correct. If white monsters were truly as described,

‘Martial artists below the peak level would be largely useless.’

They would merely throw away their lives like dust.

Everyone was silent. Though they hadn’t experienced it themselves, they had encountered red monsters, so they understood the gravity of the situation.

“Namgung Family Head.”

Just then. Father called out to Namgung Jeohui. He looked at Father with trembling eyes.

“Can we not ask the Heavenly Venerate once more?”

“……You mean Father?”

“That’s correct.”

This wasn’t just about red monsters; it was about white ones. At this point, the Heavenly Venerate’s power was needed.

“This isn’t just a problem for the Namgung family; it could become a crisis for the entire Anhui Province.”

“……”

Despite Father’s words, Namgung Jeohui hesitated, biting his lip.

‘What the hell.’

He’s reluctant to speak even in this situation? What kind of screwed-up situation is this?

“Family Head.”

As Father spoke again with a frown, Namgung Jeohui clenched his teeth.

“……I will send a letter immediately.”

Perhaps realizing there was no other way, he prepared to send a letter once more.

‘Still, that’s somewhat fortunate.’

I had worried they might take the white monsters lightly. But perhaps because they were educated individuals, their reactions were decisive.

‘The problem is….’

That even so, there were issues regarding our forces.

‘If the Heavenly Venerate were to come, it might be alright, but’

That’s only if the Heavenly Venerate’s inner demons were resolved. The current Heavenly Venerate was unlikely to possess the same power as back then.

‘Hmm….’

If it comes to this.

‘Should I step forward?’

As I tapped my waist with my fingers, contemplating.

“Baek Yangcheon.”

“……Yes?”

Father suddenly called me. As I reacted in surprise, his red eyes focused on me.

“Do you know something?”

“Yes…?”

I was flustered. Did he think I knew something? Suddenly?

“Well… This is my first time experiencing this too.”

What was his intention in asking? I replied, lowering my gaze, and Father nodded.

“Is that so. I understand.”

He didn’t ask twice.

‘What was that?’

What was that reaction? I couldn’t understand. What did he think I knew? How? I felt a chill run down my spine. What was it? Did Father sense something from me?

Just as I was about to say something about it.

“Excuse me-.”

“Family Head–!!”

Someone rushed into the tent.

“The, the Demon Gate is acting strange!”

“What?”

Something else had happened. Something incredibly screwed up, that is.

---

“Move carefully!”

Countless people hastily set out on the road. Not only carriages but also carts heavily laden with goods lined up and began moving. And the crowd was immense. They were densely packed, like a mountain of people. Everyone was moving towards evacuation. Their destination was a Murim Alliance branch located near Anhui Province. The faces of those suddenly forced onto the evacuation route were filled with anxiety and fear.

Amidst such people.

“Wear your veils properly. Don’t take them off just because they’re stuffy.”

“Got it!”

Mi Hyoran said to a woman beside her. The white-haired woman smiled brightly and adjusted her veil. Seeing her cheerful demeanor, just as Mi Hyoran was about to sigh unconsciously.

“Want to eat this too?”

The beautiful woman beside her. Hyun Soyeon offered a yakgwa (honey cookie) to the smiling woman.

“I want to eat!”

“Hahaha.”

Hyun Soyeon laughed, finding the reaction cute. Watching this, Mi Hyoran frowned.

‘What’s so funny.’

How can she laugh in this situation? It’s absurd.

‘Sigh.’

How did I end up in this state? And I’m doing this because I was told to. It feels quite ridiculous to look so pathetic.

‘This is all….’

Because of that scoundrel. That wicked guy who acts like he’s the only one in the world. I even ended up crying because of that man. I couldn’t have been more embarrassed than this. What’s more,

‘I’m doing this again because I was told to?’

I’m even fulfilling a request to look after other women. It’s truly laughable.

“Sigh…”

Mi Hyoran sighed deeply and reached out her hand. Annoyance welled up, but I had to do what needed to be done.

“What are you doing? Hurry…”

As I tried to grab the woman, who could dart off anywhere, again.

“……Hmm?”

Mi Hyoran paused, looking at the woman. It was because she was staring intently behind me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Over there.”

The woman pointed somewhere with her fingertip. A large mountain visible in the distance. That was likely where he would be right now.

“Why over there? That place is…”

At that moment.

Kuaaaaaaaa–!!”

-“!!”

“Hieek!”

“Ughok!”

The ground shook violently, and an earthquake erupted.

“What the–!!”

Mi Hyoran startled and adjusted her stance. At the same time, she tried to move to protect the woman.

“Huh…?”

Mi Hyoran froze, looking at the mountain beyond.

“What is that…?”

Directly above the mountain. An anomaly was occurring there.

“The clouds…”

The clouds in the sky were gathering in a swirling pattern. Incredibly bizarrely.