Chapter 346: Second Coming. (6)

A night when the moon had barely risen.

Someone sat perched on a massive rock, tilting a wine cup. A few strands of long hair mixed into the wine cup, but they didn’t seem to mind much.

The moon hanging in the night sky was reflected on the shimmering wine. The owner of the cup glanced at it dismissively before immediately raising the cup and swallowing a mouthful.

The reason that disheveled appearance paradoxically seemed noble was…

…likely because I knew all too well the immense status and power this individual possessed.

Behind the figure drinking the wine.

The green forest was covered in blood.

It was filled with bodies mangled beyond recognition. Each and every one of them was a renowned master from the Central Plains.

A fighting force composed of those who had reached the Peak and Profound realms.

In a way, it was enough power to wipe out an entire clan, known as a prestigious family, from the land of the Central Plains.

Yet, the figure quietly drinking his wine before my eyes had erased them with just a few gestures.

The figure who finished the wine in the cup. Glanced sideways and looked this way.

The moment I met those purple eyes within the cup.

I felt an illusion that the color of the moon hanging in the night sky had also turned purple.

[Daeju.]

[…Yes.]

I bowed my head at the call. The figure, confirming my posture.

Cheonma poured more wine into the cup.

Jjoreureuk.

The sound of pouring wine echoed through the quiet forest.

[Are you disappointed?]

[Disappointed about what, you say?]

[I mean, are you disappointed that I snatched away Daeju’s gift.]

[…]

I offered no answer to Cheonma’s question. As if he had expected as much, he simply raised his cup and drank again.

The corpses piled up behind me were originally a unit sent by the Alliance to attack me. Seeing as there were often individuals who didn’t seem to belong to the Alliance’s martial artists. It seemed they had recruited martial artists by spending a hefty sum.

[…That is not so. If Kyojunim hadn’t helped, I would have been in danger.]

Cheonma chuckled dismissively at my strained words.

[Daeju? That’s a laughable statement.]

Cheonma burst into laughter and waved a hand.

Hwa-ah-ahk-!

Instantly, the corpses piled behind me were engulfed in black flames and vanished without a trace.

[The Alliance fellows must be quite impatient. Resorting to such pathetic tricks.]

The Three Sovereigns, who were called the strongest in the Central Plains, were all killed. The Mount Hua Sect burned down and disappeared.

The Namgung Clan was annihilated.

Even the forces of the righteous sects were gradually being absorbed by the Demonic Cult or vanishing by their hands.

Among the people of the Central Plains, ironically, forces emerged that praised Cheonma and the Demonic Cult.

The Alliance, established and solidified over several centuries, had begun to crumble.

Some had made their choice. Believing that the Central Plains would inevitably fall and the era of the Demonic Cult would arrive, they decided to join Cheonma’s ranks before it was too late.

Is there any hope left for the Central Plains?

No, there wouldn’t be. At least, that’s how it seemed to me.

The hope of the Central Plains had ultimately vanished with the appearance of Cheonma.

Cheonma is that kind of existence.

An existence that was itself a catastrophe, like a personification of the word ‘apocalypse’.

That was Cheonma.

Cheonma downed the last cup of wine and calmly looked up beyond the sky.

The wind rustled, shaking Cheonma’s hair.

[Daeju.]

[Yes.]

[I will head towards Henan seven days from now.]

[…!]

I had to hide my surprise at Cheonma’s words. That meant he intended to march directly to Henan, where the Alliance was located, and wage war.

Although wars had been waged until now. This was the first time he intended to launch a direct assault.

[You look surprised.]

[No. I was just…]

[Were you worried?]

[…]

Worried.

The words pierced my heart like a dagger, forcing me to shut my mouth.

Perhaps sensing my expression, Cheonma continued speaking.

[It doesn’t seem like you’re worried about me.]

As if intrigued, he rested his chin on his pale fingertips.

He gazed at me with half-lidded purple eyes.

Unable to meet that gaze, all I could do was lower my head.

[Then who are you worried about, Daeju?]

[That’s not true… I don’t worry…]

[Daeju, you’re bad at lying. Did you know that?]

[…]

So much time has passed, yet Daeju still retains such a childish side.

Kkuek-kkuek.

Cheonma’s laughter reached my ears.

[Daeju is the only one alive who has ever lied to me. Did you know that?]

[…]

And Daeju is likely the only one alive who hasn’t answered my questions.

[Kyojunim…]

Seureuk.

Cheonma, perhaps never intending to hear my answer, quietly rose to his feet.

[Geomma, who went to the Cloud Palace, will return in the near future.]

[Nokwang, who is in Sichuan, should also have finished his preparations. He will face the Sword Emperor (Doje).]

Cheonma, who had begun speaking to me slowly, gradually lifted off the ground, slowly ascending into the air.

The dark energy shimmering around his body resembled the shape of wings.

What I needed to realize upon hearing Cheonma’s words was that I knew none of this information.

Geomma was originally my direct subordinate.

Nokwang was Chegalhyeok’s bodyguard, but after his death, he was absorbed under my command.

The fact that I didn’t know anything about their return or actions meant…

…that Cheonma had intended for me not to know.

Is he planning to discard me?

Such a thought flashed through my mind for a moment.

Just then, Cheonma added one more sentence.

[I will take command of the demonic soldiers.]

[Kyojunim…!]

It wasn’t a strange statement.

After all, Cheonma was the master and the heavens to all demonic soldiers.

It wasn’t strange that he held command authority.

What was important was that Cheonma had never bothered to do anything himself until now.

Chegalhyeok had held command over the demonic soldiers until now.

Furthermore, I held command over the units belonging to me.

Immediately after Chegalhyeok’s death, his command authority was either absorbed by my side.

Or divided among other unit leaders.

Cheonma taking all that command authority meant he was truly going to move himself.

This would undoubtedly be a catastrophe for the Central Plains.

The reason the Central Plains had barely managed to hold on until now…

…was because Cheonma hadn’t genuinely set out to destroy the Central Plains.

At least, I knew that.

If Cheonma had truly decided to destroy and burn the Central Plains.

It would have been impossible for them to hold out until now.

But… why?

Why was Cheonma deciding to move now? It was a natural question, yet I felt doubt.

The reason Cheonma, who had refrained from acting until now, began to move.

Perhaps. Was it because, with the Three Sovereigns dead and most of their forces lost, he was waiting for a situation where victory was assured?

Such a thought arose, but considering Cheonma’s disposition as I knew it, I didn’t think that was the case.

Perhaps that’s why, without realizing it, I asked Cheonma.

[Kyojunim…]

[Yes.]

[…May I ask the reason?]

What Cheonma intended to do was the will and goal of the demonic soldiers.

Questioning it was nonsensical.

It was unthinkable.

Yet, I had to ask.

[The reason.]

Cheonma, floating in the air, still looked down at me with an intrigued expression.

His figure obscured the rising moon. It seemed as if he were blocking the light.

In the darkness cast by light and shadow, only his purple eyes shone brilliantly.

[Is that what you were curious about?]

[I apologize…]

Judging by his curved eyes, I could tell Cheonma was smiling.

[It is simply that the time has come.]

The time has come.

Cheonma’s words felt particularly profound, sinking deep within me.

[From now on, what I say to Daeju is a command. You must absolutely obey.]

[…I will obey.]

[When I head to Henan, Daeju, you will have to make a choice.]

I listened intently to Cheonma’s words.

[Whether you will accompany me to Henan. Or not.]

[…Kyojunim. What do you mean by that…?]

It was an incomprehensible statement. Telling me to decide whether to go or not when he headed to Henan.

The master of ten thousand demons was heading into battle; how could there be an option for me, who belonged to him, to not go?

[Daeju, even if given a choice, would head to Henan.]

[That is only natural.]

[However, would that truly be for my sake?]

[…]

Cheonma’s meaningful words made me swallow hard.

[That wavering look in your eyes remains the same.]

[…Kyojunim.]

[It seems that woman still holds a place in Daeju’s heart.]

[No. How could I possibly consider such trash…]

[For once, I won’t fault Daeju for lying to me.]

[…]

Cheonma, as he spoke, unconsciously brushed his hair back with his hand.

The glimpse of Cheonma’s face then.

Those familiar features, which evoked a swirl of emotions, were still not faces one could gaze upon for long.

[I find Daeju quite pleasing.]

[…Thank you…]

[However, there are times I want to cut off your head. Do you know when that is?]

[…]

[It’s when you look at my face and harbor longing. Every time that happens, I feel the urge to gouge out Daeju’s eyes.]

[If you wish, I will burn out my eyes right here, right now.]

These were words spoken in earnest.

Cheonma seemed pleased with my answer and smiled faintly.

[That would be rather inconvenient. I rather like Daeju’s eyes, you see.]

Pasasasak.

As Cheonma gradually settled into the air, the fields and forests spread out below him began to lose their vitality and rot.

It must be the influence of the demonic energy Cheonma emanated.

[Immediately after everything is finished.]

[Daeju, you will have to make a choice.]

A choice.

A time would come when I would have to make a choice?

I still couldn’t grasp the meaning behind Cheonma’s words.

[When that time comes.]

Cheonma uttered more words, as if to guide me who was lost and couldn’t understand, but…

…I couldn’t remember what Cheonma said to me then.

Moreover.

I never did find out what that choice Cheonma commanded me to make was about.

Cheonma was defeated and killed by So Geomseong at the end of the war. So Geomseong came to be known as the Divine Sword.

Furthermore, the demonic soldiers gathered in Henan at the time were all captured by the Martial Arts Alliance, killed, or tortured.

The Demonic Cult’s defeat.

This was an outcome no one had predicted – the victory of the righteous sects.

Even me.

And that day, what Cheonma spoke to me about regarding the choice…

…I still didn’t know its meaning, even now after having regressed.

---

Hwa-reureu-reuk-!

My body, engulfed in flames, broke through the forest even faster.

I pushed the internal energy within my body to its absolute limit.

To reach my destination faster.

‘No way…’

I suppressed the overwhelming sense of anxiety.

Gritting my teeth, I endured it.

Kung-kung.

One side of my lower abdomen was still vibrating as if resonating.

This was the core of my anxiety.

Not only the heightened sense of energy from reaching the Profound realm.

But all five of my senses were reacting.

My abdomen reacted, I heard sounds, smelled scents, and tasted flavors.

My hands trembled, and I could see something far away.

There was only one reason I was feeling these reactions.

It was telling me.

That the master of ten thousand demons was there.

There.

Cheonma was there.

‘This is impossible.’

It wasn’t time for Cheonma to appear yet.

That was supposed to happen only after I passed my youth.

An event that should have occurred years from now, not now.

‘Has something gone wrong?’

Perhaps.

Since regression had already changed more than one thing, this could potentially change too.

But it shouldn’t have.

At least.

Cheonma’s appearance shouldn’t be happening now.

Nothing is prepared.

‘Faster.’

I moved my feet desperately.

The flames became a single point, breaking through rapidly.

I didn’t evade.

I melted and burned away any obstacles in my path.

The incidents that occurred after returning to the mortal realm.

The mysterious forces that attacked the Divine Dragon Pavilion. Whatever situation was unfolding, etc., all of it was erased from my mind now.

Only thoughts of Cheonma remained.

I ran.

Kwa-deu-deuk-!

Burning and incinerating the trees in sight, I headed only forward.

After running for some time.

I reached the center of the energy.

Only then did things gradually come into view.

First, I saw the surrounding environment in disarray, as if something had happened.

And not far away, Bi Ui-jin was slumped down, gasping for breath.

Why was he like that?

For now, I rolled my eyes.

Then, Wi Seol-ah stood before him.

Her sword drawn, emitting a chilling killing intent.

The golden aura surrounding Wi Seol-ah’s body was clearly the martial arts of the Sword Saint.

The purity contained within that aura was considerable.

And the presence Wi Seol-ah exuded was no less imposing.

It seemed Wi Seol-ah’s cultivation level was higher than expected.

However. My eyes darted elsewhere first.

There was an opponent Wi Seol-ah faced, sword drawn.

The moment I saw that opponent.

I felt as if my time had momentarily stopped.

Perhaps a few seconds.

Within that short time, I could recall many things.

I felt nothing. Yet, clearly, I could see.

I saw the figure standing, the face came into view.

But paradoxically, I felt nothing.

Then. The being confronting Wi Seol-ah turned its head towards me.

I wondered if it was a mistake. But it was clearly looking at me.

Time, which seemed to have stopped, began to flow again.

I surged forward as if flying.

And immediately embraced Wi Seol-ah.

“Wha…!”

Wi Seol-ah cried out in surprise at the sudden situation, but…

…I held Wi Seol-ah tightly and created distance.

“Hooook… Hooook…”

Panting heavily, I held Wi Seol-ah protectively in my arms.

And pushed my internal energy to its limit.

A fiery energy welled up in my eyes.

My hair began to stir slightly.

Even though I had burst in so suddenly, the entity still wore an expressionless face.

“…Why.”

Seeing that, I let out the words.

“Why have you appeared now?”

I had already sensed it through energy, but seeing it face-to-face confirmed it even more.

In response to my words, the being that looked exactly like Wi Seol-ah tilted its head.

The moment our eyes met, it felt like my breath was caught in my throat.

I felt nothing.

But conversely, I felt far too much.

Hiding my trembling insides.

I managed to call out to it.

“…Cheonma (天魔).”

At my call, Cheonma’s two purple eyes sparkled.

Seeing that, I was convinced once more.

That Cheonma had truly descended upon this land.