Chapter 180: The Inferno in Suzhou (2)

*Fwoosh!*

A once peaceful village was engulfed in flames.

It was a fairly large village with about five hundred households.

Just yesterday, children played in the yards, and oxen pulled plows in the tranquil countryside.

*Fwoosh!*

Now, the village was bathed in crimson flames reaching up to the sky.

“This is how it should have been.”

Watching the unending flames, the Eight Heavenly Apostles muttered.

“How pious this sight is.”

The world is inherently pure and beautiful.

But there was one flaw: the existence of humans who tainted this great nature.

“Hahaha. The flames will purify the world.”

The eyes of the Eight Heavenly Apostles gleamed with madness.

“Master!”

*Swish.*

A Red Flame Squad member landed from the sky and bowed.

“We have purified the surrounding areas.”

The eight villages they passed through were all turned into seas of fire.

The Eight Heavenly Apostles laughed at the gruesome news.

“Haha. The world is a bit cleaner now.”

“Shall we continue the purification?”

“No.”

*Snap.*

Like a madman whose mood changed easily, the Eight Heavenly Apostles stopped his jubilation and waved his hand.

“Having set so many fires, even fools will come looking for us.”

Purification is good, but now it’s time to do something more important.

“It’s time to show the righteous dogs who covet the Awakening Stone the hellish flames of despair.”

“Yes, Master!”

*Fwoosh!*

Just as he had appeared, the Red Flame Squad member vanished, leaving only a small ember.

“Click, click.”

The Eight Heavenly Apostles, who had been watching the fiery scene, turned around.

“Master.”

*Swish.*

A loyal subordinate appeared like a phantom, making the Eight Heavenly Apostles tilt his head.

“What is it?”

“The Wind Guest has arrived.”

“The Wind Guest?”

As he snorted, a short gust of wind heralded the arrival of an elderly man from the ground.

He was a very short old man, carrying a basket like a herb gatherer and holding a wooden staff.

“It’s been a while.”

The light greeting made the Eight Heavenly Apostles frown.

“Jeokmu-gyeong.”

*Stop.*

The Eight Heavenly Apostles, who had been laughing madly, frowned deeply.

“It’s been a long time since I heard that name.”

“Why? Don’t you like it? Names are important memories.”

“I don’t need it.”

Jeokmu-gyeong, who had turned away, was surrounded by bright flames matching his displeased mood.

“Wind Guest, what brings you here?”

“I was curious about how my fellow apostle was doing.”

“Humph. The old raccoon is still as curious as ever.”

“Also, while the Awakening Stone is important, causing such a big incident only worries the other apostles.”

“If you’re here to nag, save it.”

*Crack.*

Jeokmu-gyeong raised his hand, summoning flames, and spoke through gritted teeth.

“We’re competitors. It might be a good time to eliminate a competitor.”

*Fwoosh.*

As the flames turned from red to white, the ends of the Wind Guest’s beard began to burn.

“Don’t you understand yet?”

*Swish.*

As he planted his staff, a gentle breeze blew around the Wind Guest, pushing back the flames.

“Our elements are quite incompatible.”

“…I have even more reason to eliminate you now.”

“Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t come just to stop you.”

I came to help you.

Before he finished speaking, the Wind Guest pulled a small box from his basket and tossed it to Jeokmu-gyeong.

“Catch.”

“What is this?”

“It’s what I promised you. I meant to deliver it before you caused this incident, but I’m a bit late.”

*Click.*

Opening the box cautiously, Jeokmu-gyeong found a small, sinister-looking stone.

“The Awakening Stone?”

How did you get this so quickly?

Seeing his astonishment, the Wind Guest smiled mysteriously.

“I built a good altar.”

Watching the Wind Guest’s enigmatic smile, Jeokmu-gyeong was puzzled.

“Though it’s incomplete, it should be enough for awakening.”

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“I told you, I’m not interested in becoming the leader. I’m only interested in the descent of the demon.”

Grinding his teeth, Jeokmu-gyeong glared at the Wind Guest.

‘An inscrutable guy.’

The Wind Guest was always like this.

He would appear occasionally, making incomprehensible suggestions and actions, leaving Jeokmu-gyeong confused.

“Whew. The flames are quite grand.”

As if he didn’t see him, the Wind Guest whistled, looking at the village turned into a massive bonfire.

“Having started so grandly, I can’t tell you to stop now.”

Since you’ve started.

“Burn it beautifully as you wish.”

With that.

*Swish.*

The Wind Guest disappeared with a breeze, leaving Jeokmu-gyeong grinning.

“Huh. Damn bastard.”

‘I’ll do it even if you don’t tell me.’

His eyes, burning with heat, swept over the spot where the Wind Guest had vanished.

***

Evacuating everyone from a large city like Suzhou was no easy task.

“Hurry! Move! In an orderly manner!”

The remaining soldiers shouted, but the city, with its population of tens of thousands, was in chaos as people tried to flee.

“Oh no!”

“Grandfather!”

A grandfather, pushed by the crowd trying to leave the city, fell with a scream.

His grandson tried to help him, but he was swallowed by the crowd and swept away.

“Samdol!”

The grandfather reached out desperately, calling for his grandson being pushed away.

“Got you.”

A delicate hand helped the grandfather up.

“Take care, sir.”

“Th-thank you.”

Watching the grandfather disappear, Yeo Mae-hong smiled.

Mo Yong Seon-ya approached her.

“It’s like a war zone.”

“Yes. People’s eyes are filled with fear.”

Yeo Mae-hong, with a kind heart, looked at the people shouting and fighting to survive, her expression darkening.

“Is this your first time experiencing this?”

“…What about you? You seem quite used to it.”

“This is my first time seeing such chaos. But it’s true that big or small, accidents always cause panic.”

She muttered despondently, looking beyond the city gates.

“The problem is that.”

Yeo Mae-hong, looking in the same direction, swallowed dryly.

“I thought we’d have time to escape slowly.”

“The flames have already reached there.”

In the distance, a massive wall of fire was visible.

Suzhou was in chaos because of it.

“The flames are approaching very quickly.”

The flames were so massive they could be seen over the city walls.

It was almost like a natural disaster.

“The flames are making people even more afraid.”

It was incomparable to the time when demonic practitioners appeared.

“They can see and smell the smoke.”

The flames seemed to tighten their grip on people’s hearts and breaths, rapidly closing the distance.

As Mo Yong Seon-ya swallowed her anxiety, a grim thought crossed her mind.

‘If the flames burn everything here.’

Could this place be rebuilt?

‘Even if it is, how long will it take…?’

The flames wouldn’t just consume wooden buildings.

If the crops ready for harvest were burned, famine would follow, creating more looters.

“No.”

As she tried to shake off the ominous thoughts.

“Ah, life. Really.”

A lazy yet calming voice cut through the clamor.

‘Instructor Cho Un-hwi.’

His usual lazy expression and slow steps had a strange power to dispel gloom.

“Why am I dealing with these snot-nosed kids?”

Seo Ok-rang, following him, shouted back.

“Who are you calling snot-nosed?”

“You! Stay away from the instructor!”

The two girls, with their striking appearances, shouted at each other.

“Here we go again.”

“Do they even realize it’s an emergency?”

“Good thing we packed early.”

Following the familiar trio, more disciples emerged.

“Instructor! If I leave now, I’ll fail!”

“Is failing really the issue right now?”

“Accept it. Accept it.”

Sighing deeply, Instructor Cho Un-hwi looked at them.

“Huh?”

“Instructor Cho.”

Yeo Mae-hong asked first.

“Are we moving now?”

“Yes. Temporary instructors are supposed to leave first. But…”

Looking her up and down, Instructor Cho Un-hwi asked.

“What are you doing here?”

“We were helping with the evacuation.”

“Leave that to someone else and let’s go.”

“Leave it to someone else…”

“The disciples will be anxious without their instructors.”

“Alright, I’ll join you soon.”

Hearing the word “disciples,” Yeo Mae-hong seemed to reconsider and disappeared to the side.

“Ah, it’s hot. Noisy. Really.”

Ignoring the massive wall of fire approaching Suzhou, Instructor Cho Un-hwi grumbled.

“Where’s the senior instructor?”

“He said he’ll leave last, heroically.”

“Typical of a senior instructor.”

“Aren’t you leaving, Instructor Mo Yong?”

You’ll get burned if you lose focus.

Mo Yong Seon-ya nodded sadly.

“I have to stay. Senior instructors are supposed to stay until the end.”

They probably decided the order based on skill.

“Annoying. Talking about seniority even in this chaos?”

“It’s the rule.”

Smiling, Mo Yong Seon-ya turned away.

‘Amazing. Just a short conversation eased my worries.’

He’s really something.

Muttering, Mo Yong Seon-ya spoke firmly.

“With my father here, everything will be fine.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Good luck.”

The instructors had one directive.

Find the safest route and escape the inferno.

Then gather in a safe place.

‘But it’s not simple.’

Moving through this crowd was challenging for newcomers.

‘People might turn into mobs.’

With her experience, Mo Yong Seon-ya knew how dangerous hungry people could become.

‘Should I warn them?’

As she opened her mouth.

“It’s fine.”

Hearing the steady voice, Mo Yong Seon-ya realized.

“I’ve seen enough of the world’s filth.”

She was sure.

‘He already knew.’

Realizing her concerns were unfounded, Mo Yong Seon-ya’s eyes curved into a beautiful arc.

“Take care of Mae-hong.”

“She’ll be fine. Take care of yourself, Instructor Mo Yong.”

‘He’s reliable.’

Smiling, Mo Yong Seon-ya turned to hide her warm cheeks.

It was time for her to hurry too.

***

“Such abominable creatures.”

Namgung Chan bit his lip as he watched the flames reaching the sky.

*Fwoosh!*

The flames, soaring high, were not an easy task even for someone with the title of Sword Saint.

“Should I put out the fire?”

If he gathered people, he could buy some time to control the flames.

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Even if he controlled the flames, if they spread elsewhere, it would be unmanageable.

Moreover, something else was bothering him.

“Supreme Elder.”

The leader of the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad ran over and shouted.

“Is it that way?”

*Leap.*

Before he could finish, Namgung Chan leaped into the air.

*Thud! Tap tap!*

With a single leap, covering over twenty meters, Namgung Chan saw enemies in blood-red robes, shocked to see him.

‘Finally, we meet.’

Seeing the enemies for the first time, Namgung Chan’s lips curled into a cold smile.

*Swish.*

Flying through the air, Namgung Chan’s sword struck.

*Slash!*

His sword cut through the bodies of the fleeing blood-robed figures.