Chapter 341: Second Coming. (1)

Kuuung-!

As a massive vibration echoed from the direction of the mountains.

The place where the Dragon God Pavilion stood had, before they knew it, become a chaotic mess.

The qi that had spread in all directions was so dense it floated in the air in the form of mist.

Something was swirling around the surroundings like a vortex.

A martial artist would know. They would know that the vortex was all made of qi.

How high the level of cultivation was.

And how pure the qi had to be.

For such a form to appear.

Those who had reached the limits attainable by ordinary humans.

It was a form that could only be shown by those who had reached that level.

Drip…

Amidst the buildings that were broken and collapsed here and there.

Drip…

An old man, bleeding, knelt on one knee, gazing at his surroundings.

The buildings of the Dragon God Pavilion, which had stood firm.

Were caved in here and there.

Cracks had split open long and wide, looking like they could collapse at any moment.

‘This is….’

The old man, Cheong Hae-il Geom, had to let out a sigh of emptiness as he looked at the ruined surroundings.

The buildings that had boasted a magnificent presence.

Had become so crudely transformed.

In front of such an old man.

Thump.

Something thumped down.

The old man had to smile sadly as he confirmed it.

The identity of what had fallen was none other than the old man’s left arm.

The old man’s left shoulder was an empty space, and blood was dripping.

Although he had tried to stop the bleeding with his qi.

For some reason, the bleeding wasn’t stopping properly.

Someone approached such Cheong Hae-il Geom.

“It’s truly regrettable.”

With a massive saber propped on his shoulder.

It was an old man with rough hair tied back tightly.

He revealed his yellowed teeth and spoke to the weary-looking Cheong Hae-il Geom.

“You’re clearly not focused at all. Isn’t that boring?”

“…”

Cheong Hae-il Geom frowned and looked at his opponent.

A figure from the past who should have scattered and disappeared by now.

The first to unify the unorthodox sects.

And a master who had set foot in the land of Sichuan intending to invade the Central Plains.

The current Sword Venerable.

A being who had been killed by the Gale Sword of that time.

“…Black Dragon Sword.”

The old man’s moniker was Black Dragon Sword.

At Cheong Hae-il Geom’s call.

Black Dragon Sword chuckled and said.

“Your sword shouldn’t be this lukewarm. I’m even a little disappointed.”

Tuk-tuk.

The saber Black Dragon Sword held moved, cutting through the wind.

The massive tip of the saber pointed towards Cheong Hae-il Geom.

“What is it that concerns you so much?”

“…”

Cheong Hae-il Geom did not answer.

Seeing that, Black Dragon Sword had to wear a bored expression.

He was that disappointed.

Cheong Hae-il Geom, noticing Black Dragon Sword’s expression.

Asked in a voice tinged with some anger.

“How are you alive?”

Black Dragon Sword was known to have been decapitated and killed, not by anyone else, but by the Sword Venerable.

Moreover, Black Dragon Sword’s severed head at the time was displayed, as if to show it to other unorthodox figures.

It was hung up in the Martial Alliance headquarters for all to see.

That event contributed to Gale Sword’s reputation, helping him be called the Sword Venerable.

And also played a part in him later becoming the leader of the Martial Alliance.

Yet.

Could Black Dragon Sword really be alive and well like this now?

“Is that what you’re curious about? I don’t think this is the time to be curious about that.”

Tsk, tsk.

As if Cheong Hae-il Geom’s reaction was amusing, Black Dragon Sword continuously burst into laughter.

Seeing that, Cheong Hae-il Geom had to frown.

His severed arm.

And the pain coming from his shoulder.

Something else concerned him.

‘The students of the Imperial Academy are in danger.’

With the appearance of Black Dragon Sword.

And the dark energy that covered the Dragon God Pavilion after the formation protecting it was neutralized.

Judging by its range.

It had spread all the way to Mount Tai, where the later generation disciples were currently gathered.

Seeing that not just Black Dragon Sword, but other demonic energies could be felt.

This meant he hadn’t attacked alone.

It was timed perfectly.

In that case, Cheong Hae-il Geom’s own safety was even less important.

He should have gone to the children as soon as possible.

Black Dragon Sword’s power was stronger than expected.

And Cheong Hae-il Geom, with so much to protect, couldn’t break free.

“…What is your purpose?”

“Purpose?”

“I’m asking why you attacked this place.”

If he had survived.

Living like a dead mouse, hidden away until now.

The reason for suddenly attacking the Dragon God Pavilion.

“Purpose…”

Thump.

Sticking his saber into the ground, Black Dragon Sword glanced around him.

“I don’t know if you want to hear some grand reason, but it was simply good timing.”

“…Timing?”

What timing was he talking about?

The answer wasn’t long in coming.

The saber stuck in the ground was quickly pulled out.

“That this Black Dragon Sword is alive and well.”

Whoosh-!

As Black Dragon Sword swung his saber roughly.

In an instant, sword energy surged and spread around.

Kuuung-!

“Furthermore, as a warning to show that I haven’t lost my dream. This place was simply suitable.”

Cheong Hae-il Geom, trying to find a reason somehow, was amusing.

Did a grand reason need to be necessary?

The orthodox sects always sought justification.

And were busy finding reasons to rationalize.

Black Dragon Sword was glad that it seemed the same even after all these years.

“Since you asked about my purpose, I’ll bother to recall it.”

The orthodox sects of the past were maggots wearing masks.

And they had maintained that appearance even as time flowed.

How wonderful.

It was so much like maintaining their original intention that it was almost respectable.

“The roots of the orthodox sects, and what can be called their future: the later generation disciples.”

Was it called the Generation of Meteors?

The name was quite flashy.

They say it’s called that because geniuses poured out.

‘How insignificant.’

In the end, wasn’t this also exclusive to the orthodox sects?

“What if a storm of blood were to sweep through this place, where such people gather?”

The bloodlines of the Four Great Families. The descendants of the Nine Major Sects.

Descendants of equally renowned families and prestigious lineages.

The scions of merchant families who sponsored the orthodox sects madly.

It was a place where many outstanding bloodlines gathered among them.

It wasn’t just for show that they called this the future of the orthodox sects.

As time passed.

Those who would become the pillars of the orthodox sects now.

It was clear they would emerge from those gathered here.

That’s why they called it the future of the orthodox sects.

What if such descendants.

Were all massacred here?

And what if the one who brought such a storm of blood.

Appearing after the passage of time.

Was Black Dragon Sword?

“If that happened, how do you think the orthodox sects would react? Cheong Hae-il Geom, aren’t you curious too? I am.”

That he was alive.

And that he hadn’t forgotten the dream that lived within him.

He thought this was the most suitable place to announce that to the world.

Wouldn’t you agree?

He could destroy the entire future of the orthodox sects in an instant.

Why would he hesitate?

He had lived in silence for decades.

Now was the time.

The time he had been waiting for.

The swords that guarded the Central Plains had grown old and rusty.

It was because they had become accustomed to peace and forgotten their sharpness.

“It’s the same for you, isn’t it.”

Tsk, tsk.

Black Dragon Sword chuckled, thinking so.

Cheong Hae-il Geom, hearing that.

Grrr.

Forced himself to stand up and shouted towards Black Dragon Sword.

“Black Dragon Sword…!”

“It seems you still have the strength to shout.”

“Do you intend to kill all the innocent children?”

“Why wouldn’t they have sins?”

Being born into the orthodox sects.

And becoming their future.

That was the sin the later generation disciples possessed.

“If you keep extending rotten roots, do you think anything will change? I don’t think so.”

Wearing a mask of goodness.

Filthy bastards behind the scenes.

Protecting the weak and upholding justice?

What pathetic justifications.

Such empty justifications.

Hadn’t been upheld for a long time, and they themselves must know it.

That they had lost chivalry and righteousness long ago.

In contrast, he was faithful to his desires.

Erasing the fleeting history.

Shattering the masks.

The desire to stand at the highest place above others. It was a step towards that.

“You bastard…!”

Cheong Hae-il Geom, dragging his exhausted body, swung his sword once more.

The unique qi contained within his body was still pure.

And firm.

Cheong Hae-il Geom’s sword path was unwavering.

It meant his martial prowess wouldn’t suddenly collapse just because he lost an arm.

A storm mixed into the sword path.

The scattered qi around gathered, creating flashes of light.

Kwagagagak-!

Making rough sounds continuously.

The floor was scraped by the sword energy and flew towards Black Dragon Sword.

In response, Black Dragon Sword’s saber also moved.

Boom!

It was too heavy to be called the sound of swords clashing.

The moment their swords met previously.

Cheong Hae-il Geom could immediately realize.

‘He’s strong.’

Black Dragon Sword was strong.

Different from the past, where he was recorded as being at the peak.

Not only had he reached the Hua realm.

It seemed he was aiming for much higher.

At this level.

Even the records written at that time would be close to lies.

The strange energy spread around.

If it was Black Dragon Sword’s power, it was a considerably dangerous force.

‘My qi isn’t moving properly.’

The energy stored in the lower dantian.

The more he fought Black Dragon Sword, the heavier the flow of energy felt.

‘That sky too.’

Covering the blue sky.

That strange formation that turned it into a black night.

Was it Black Dragon Sword’s power?

Although it wasn’t a close distance.

The Martial Alliance was not far away.

If something like this happened.

It wouldn’t be long before the Alliance noticed.

And reinforcements would surely come.

Black Dragon Sword didn’t seem rushed at all.

It could be confidence that he could win against anyone who came.

But in Cheong Hae-il Geom’s view, it was different.

It seemed that black sky.

Was playing some role.

K-boom! Deudeudeudeuk-!

Metal clashed against metal, sparks flying.

Simultaneously, immense energies revealed their presence, spreading outwards in all directions.

“It seems you’ve given up on escaping.”

Feeling the saber, now heavier than before.

Black Dragon Sword contained a smile.

“Have you given up? Or perhaps…”

He dodged Cheong Hae-il Geom’s sword and pressed close.

“Are you waiting for that woman from Mount Hua?”

“…!”

Kuuung-!

Black Dragon Sword’s fist struck Cheong Hae-il Geom’s chest.

He couldn’t defend properly because he was missing an arm.

“Keuhuk.”

His protective energy shattered, and Cheong Hae-il Geom flew far away.

He couldn’t even perform a proper landing technique and had to roll on the ground.

Watching Cheong Hae-il Geom roll around covered in dust.

Black Dragon Sword frowned.

“Even now, you’re not recalling your qi. Truly foolish.”

Cheong Hae-il Geom’s qi, which had almost been completely consumed.

It was the power he had deployed in the air under the guise of protecting the students of the Imperial Academy.

The Black Dragon Brigade should have already infiltrated and drawn their swords.

Yet Cheong Hae-il Geom wasn’t recalling his remaining energy even now.

His arm severed.

Even while spitting blood and fighting him now.

Truly a foolish old man.

Even giving his all, it was uncertain if he could win.

Jururuk.

Black blood flowed down from Cheong Hae-il Geom’s mouth.

“The reason you’re holding out like this. Are you truly waiting for the Sword Empress?”

He had known for a long time that the Sword Empress was at the Dragon God Pavilion.

Although he didn’t know why she came.

If it was the Sword Empress of Mount Hua, it was understandable why Cheong Hae-il Geom would act like this.

Was he buying time, waiting for her to come save him?

Or perhaps.

Hoping the Sword Empress would save the later generation disciples and find a solution.

Was he trying to tie her hands?

“It’s all futile.”

If so, he wouldn’t be able to do anything properly.

“Because the Sword Empress must already be dead.”

“…Wh-what?”

At Black Dragon Sword’s taunting.

Cheong Hae-il Geom’s eyes widened.

At that reaction.

Black Dragon Sword once again showed his yellowed teeth fully and grinned widely.

Because Cheong Hae-il Geom’s reaction was amusing.

“Do you know who I sent to deal with her?”

The Sword Empress of Mount Hua.

It had been a few years since she disappeared and reappeared.

As she reappeared, people cheered.

They said her unchanged strength and character began to spread widely once more.

She was a strong woman.

Black Dragon Sword was also one of the figures he acknowledged.

However, even such a Sword Empress.

“The Dark King (암왕). The one who set out to kill that woman was none other than the Dark King.”

“…!”

One couldn’t do anything to the Lord of the Night.

Especially in a situation like this.

Cheong Hae-il Geom’s expression gradually changed upon hearing Black Dragon Sword’s words.

At first glance, it seemed to crumple.

And at another glance, it looked like a face of incomprehension.

“…The Dark King?”

Cheong Hae-il Geom whispered so quietly.

“So, give up on the thought that the Sword Empress will come. For now, focus on your own life.”

Of course, eventually.

His head would be severed by his hand right now.

Geugeuk.

Black Dragon Sword readjusted his saber.

In such a situation, Cheong Hae-il Geom wasn’t getting up again.

Had he given up?

Yet, it wasn’t like he had given up, as qi was still floating in the air.

“…Ha.”

Feeling that, Black Dragon Sword let out a hollow laugh.

Even in this state.

Did it mean he still couldn’t let go?

He was truly incredibly stupid.

“I had such high expectations. How laughable.”

A swordsman counted among the best in the world.

And the head of a sect belonging to the Nine Major Sects, not some other place.

If he were to kill such a person and all the later generation disciples.

It would undoubtedly cause a great ripple in his journey to the Central Plains.

But he hadn’t expected him to fall so powerlessly.

Black Dragon Sword, looking at Cheong Hae-il Geom whose expression remained cold.

Snorted and approached him.

“If you give up on your own, that itself is death.”

Cutting off his head like this.

He would hang Cheong Hae-il Geom’s head at the Dragon God Pavilion.

So that the members of the Alliance who appeared late could see it and react.

“Let’s end this now.”

He would end it by cleanly severing the head.

After dealing with Cheong Hae-il Geom.

He had to join the Palace Lord immediately.

Recalling that, Black Dragon Sword walked towards Cheong Hae-il Geom.

‘It didn’t take as long as I thought.’

Unlike what he thought would take time to incapacitate Cheong Hae-il Geom.

Because he was a stubborn and foolish old man, it ended much earlier than expected.

By now, the Palace Lord should also be heading to the destination with Poison Phoenix.

He didn’t worry about the Dark King’s side.

He thought that if he moved personally, there was no one he couldn’t kill.

Sreureung.

Preparing his saber, he approached Cheong Hae-il Geom.

If he cut off his head now…

Kuuuung-!

“…?”

Feeling the vibration, Black Dragon Sword looked towards Mount Tai.

It was a tremendous vibration. Furthermore, the hair on Black Dragon Sword’s arms stood on end.

Because it was a palpable fighting spirit, felt even from afar.

“What the…?”

Mount Tai was the direction the Palace Lord and the Black Dragon Brigade were heading.

How could such energy be felt?

That wasn’t the only anomaly.

Ppeojeojeok-!

“…What?”

Somewhere in the black formation spread across the sky. Cracks slowly began to appear.

Soon.

Tuduk-.

Something fell from the cracked space.

It was a fragment of energy.

“What is that…!”

Was it the aftermath of the vibration just felt?

No. It couldn’t be.

What Black Dragon Sword felt was not that.

Deudeudek.

Something was happening beyond the formation.

Through the gap of the fallen fragment.

An unknown red light seeped in.

What was that?

It was too early for sunset.

And what was that energy, felt like fighting spirit?

It was warm. No, was it hot?

It felt like it was somewhere in between.

Whatever it was, it was certain that an anomaly had occurred.

“What in the world is happening?”

This was an unexpected situation.

With that, Black Dragon Sword raised his saber.

He had to deal with Cheong Hae-il Geom first.

And then go to where the energy was erupting…

“Whoa, fuck…”

“…!”

At a voice heard from somewhere.

Black Dragon Sword turned his head towards the direction the voice came from.

In the place he looked, someone was panting and spitting curses.

“I almost fucking died.”

When did he even appear?

Black Dragon Sword hadn’t sensed the presence of the person who suddenly appeared.

It was as if.

He had just dropped from the sky.

The one who appeared.

Was a young man with black hair and red eyes.

He looked like he hadn’t passed his twenties.

“I swear I’ll never do that shit again. What the hell is this place… What the hell, why does it look like this?”

Seeing that.

Black Dragon Sword gasped.

‘…What the hell.’

The reason his arm hair stood on end.

It was because he realized it wasn’t because of the fighting spirit or energy felt from afar.

Clearly, that guy.

No. It was because of ‘that thing’.

Because of something felt from that thing.

His body must have tensed up.

Just as Black Dragon Sword was about to readjust his saber.

That thing, which had been looking around for a while, turned its gaze towards Black Dragon Sword.

“Huh?”

That thing, looking back and forth between Black Dragon Sword and the fallen Cheong Hae-il Geom.

Immediately scowled.

At that demon-like face, Black Dragon Sword was momentarily startled.