Chapter 424: It’s a Snake (1)

What was that?

I couldn’t see or hear things properly as I was in the water.

I looked around carefully so as not to lose control of my air.

It would’ve been strange for someone to speak to me telepathically from outside all of a sudden.

It was also weird how the voice sounded so clear despite being underwater.

[Why… just why…]

The voice echoed in my head again as if I hadn’t misheard it the first time.

Wait.

-Is it you?

When I spoke to the Demon telepathically, the bastard’s body flinched a little.

[…Oh, great one…]

What is this bastard?

Was a Demon really talking to me?

…A Demon talking?

It wasn’t the strangest thing.

Back when I went into the Golden Sky Yeon Clan’s secret vault, a giant snake spoke to me after all.

But it’s a snake again huh?

Perhaps snake Demons are able to talk?

A strange thought passed my mind, but I had no such experience in my past life.

-What are you… Do you know me?

I spoke to it again,

Kyaaaaa-!

But the bastard only screamed while being consumed by my flames.

I quickly tried to retrieve my flames after seeing its reaction, but the Demon’s eyes slowly lost their light and it stopped moving completely after losing its life.

Shoot.

I frowned after seeing the sight.

The bastard seemed like it had something, but it died…

I retrieved my arm from the snake and thought about what the Demon said.

Great one?

That’s what the bastard called me.

What did that mean?

It sounds as if I’m their ally or something.

Being on the same side as Demons? How absurd.

They acted on their instincts, and the only goal they had was devouring their targets. How could I become allies with such creatures?

Though such a thing did happen.

I was reminded of what happened in my past life.

Despite them being bastards who only acted on their instincts, they lowered their heads towards one person.

The Heavenly Demon.

I was reminded of how countless Demons sacrificed their own lives when she made one small hand gesture.

…Wait.

After being reminded of that, I felt strange.

Was this really a coincidence?

No, it couldn’t have been.

The fact that a Red Demon appeared out of the blue, and how events changed in this timeline.

Moreover, it felt like I was at the center of every problem that occurred.

It doesn’t feel right.

Something felt off.

It was understandable for events like this to occur, but I was certain that I was in the center of it all.

Does that mean the Red Demon appeared only because of me?

It was absurd.

I wanted to deny it, but it was impossible to.

It felt like everything was pointing to me.

Fuck.

I bit my lips and retrieved the flames that continued to consume the Demon’s body.

I was certain just yet. Moreover, I wasn’t in a situation to waste my time thinking about such a thing.

I looked around the Demon’s body.

It was hard to find what I was looking for because of its massive size.

It was going to submerge deep into the river at this rate, so I had to find it as fast as possible.

I widened my senses and searched the Demon’s body.

…!
Then, I was able to find the spot that had lots of energy condensed into it.

I went towards the spot and ripped apart the snake’s scales using my Qi.

It was rather strong and tough, but it wasn’t hard to rip it off with some force since it was already dead.

Riip-!

I forcefully ripped the skin apart and stabbed my arm deep into the body.

I wasn’t able to reach it. I put my whole body in it this time.

I felt the bastard’s skin and blood.

It was a disgusting sensation. This was why I didn’t like hunting in water… ugh.

After continuing to go deep inside the snake’s body, I finally felt something in the tip of my fingers.

This was it.

I grabbed onto the sensation and pulled it out.

Craaack-!

After grabbing it, I went out of the Demon’s body and checked the object in my hand.

A rock the size of a child’s head was in my hand, and it was a Demonic Stone from a Red Demon.

I nodded after checking the stone.

I was rather bothered by what happened earlier, but it was fine since I got what I came here for.

It’s better than nothing I suppose.

It was a plus in the end.

I was going to Sichuan right now in order to get a White Demonic Stone to become stronger, and this Red Demonic Stone was going to help greatly as well.

Right as I was about to absorb energy from the stone with that thought,

Woong-

Hmm?

I felt something from my hand that was holding the stone.

As the giant Demon’s body fell deeply into the water, I gazed at the stone.

Then,

“Hgh…!”

I gasped out in shock.

Air that escaped my mouth turned into bubbles and rose upwards along with the water.

Thanks to that, I had to swallow water mixed with the Demon’s blood, but that wasn’t the important part.

What the hell is this?

I looked at the stone that was in my hand with my eyes wide open.

The stone’s condition seemed strange.

Gu Yangcheon fell underwater along with the Demon.

The Demon screamed underwater and moved around wildly, but it became silent after some time.

A few minutes had passed.

Not only the Demon, but Gu Yangcheon wasn’t coming up as well.

It may have only been a few minutes, but he was underwater.

It was enough time to kill an ordinary person.

It was possible for a Peak Realm martial artist to stay underwater for more than two hours, but there was the fact that Gu Yangcheon submerged with the Demon.

After seeing this, Namgung Bi-ah decided to jump into the water with a stiff expression.

Kwak-!
Then, someone grabbed her arm.

It was Woo Hyuk.

Namgung Bi-ah turned her head towards Woo Hyuk when she was stopped, and Woo Hyuk became surprised for a moment after they made eye contact.

Wherever Namgung Bi-ah’s usual peaceful eyes went, a pair of eyes filled with killing intent gazed at Woo Hyuk.

“Let go.”

It wasn’t only her eyes that changed as her tone sounded very different as well.

Seeing this, Woo Hyuk let out a small chuckle and spoke to her.

“Please calm down.”

“I said let go.”

It looked as if Namgung Bi-ah was going to cut off his arm as she started to enhance her sword with Qi.

“Friend’s wife, I don’t think he’ll like it if you go down.”

“…”

Because of what Woo Hyuk called her, Namgung Bi-ah’s pupils shook a little.

“You know he won’t die that easily.”

“…”

“I’m sure he didn’t go down without a plan. Let us wait a little longer.”

Namgung Bi-ah’s killing intent slowly began to calm down after she heard Woo Hyuk.

After seeing that, Woo Hyuk became relieved on the inside.

…That could’ve been dangerous.

He was smiling on the outside, but he wasn’t actually that calm on the inside.

The killing intent Namgung Bi-ah showed just earlier was real.

If he was too late in calming her down, then she would’ve actually tried to cut his arm off.

What a strong love relationship they have.

He was a very tiny bit jealous of how Gu Yangcheon was surrounded by beautiful women, but now he felt glad he wasn’t in his situation.

It was definitely a problem to have that many women loving one person.

After all, it wasn’t only Namgung Bi-ah that was a problem.

Woo Hyuk slightly turned his head, and he saw another lady looking down at the water with a sharp gaze.

Was her name Wi Seol-Ah?

The Sword Emperor’s descendant huh?

It had been a few months ever since they knew each other, but Woo Hyuk barely had any conversations with her.

To be more accurate, there was barely anyone who spoke to her besides Gu Yangcheon.

It was because of the difference in her atmosphere compared to when she was with Gu Yangcheon and when she wasn’t.

She looked like an innocent puppy when she was with him, but she felt like a cold sharp sword without him around. It felt as if she wasn’t allowing anyone to come closer to her.

Judging by that, these two ladies were definitely going to jump into the water not long after.

However.

I’m probably going to do the same.

It was the same for Woo Hyuk.

Ever since Gu Yangcheon went underwater with the Demon, Woo Hyuk’s ears were filled with many voices.

-Gu Yangcheon, he…

-That Young Expert, how could he-

-Look around us and…

Voices from close, and all the way from the ship that left the sight.

They all filled Woo Hyuk’s ears.

It’s a problem.

He forced a smile on his face pretending to be at peace, but the noises he hadn’t heard in a while, felt difficult to him.

He knew that he would hear these noises if Gu Yangcheon wasn’t around him, but this was the first time in a while it got this loud.

It felt the same as before meeting Gu Yangcheon.

Was it because he was used to peace now? The noises gave Woo Hyuk a headache and he felt exhausted from it.

What’s going on down there?

Woo Hyuk looked down at the water. These noises started to arise a few minutes after Gu Yangcheon fell underwater.

The Demon stopped its rampage and the water calmed down along with it.

It all happened suddenly and Woo Hyuk wondered if something may have happened to Gu Yangcheon.

Also,

They as well.

Woo Hyuk gazed at Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-Ah.

Ever since he started hearing the noises, he was able to see the sudden changes in their expressions.

Perhaps, they have something special as well?

From their reactions, Woo Hyuk wondered if they also had a special case like he did, but Gu Yangcheon’s safety was more important than anything for now.

Woo Hyuk was reminded of what Gu Yangcheon said to the group just as before as he was about to go hunt the Demon.

[Just follow my orders. Don’t be surprised if anything strange happens.]

That’s what he said.

It would’ve sounded absurd if anyone else said it, but Woo Hyuk was weirdly able to trust Gu Yangcheon’s words.

Was he a trustworthy person though? Not… really.

Despite that fact, Woo Hyuk felt trust in him.

Truthfully, following his orders turned into them being able to hunt the Demon down.

It was fascinating.

How was it possible?

Woo Hyuk felt shocked when he first saw the Demon’s barrier.

A barrier that absorbed Qi?

He wondered how such a thing could even exist.

How is anyone supposed to hunt it down?

However, that shock only lasted shortly as once Gu Yangcheon started to give orders, Woo Hyuk swung his sword and became even more shocked.

He understood why Gu Yangcheon was giving these commands.

The second time Woo Hyuk swung his sword, he felt a clear difference in the invisible barrier.

It was a very tiny difference.

It was extremely hard for Woo Hyuk to feel this difference, but Gu Yangcheon was able to feel it from all the way behind and gave orders during it.

…What an unbelievable fellow he is.

He felt a wall every time he looked at Gu Yangcheon.

Woo Hyuk was aware of his talents.

He never became arrogant or prideful because of it, but he at least knew that he was more talented than others.

However, he felt that he was nothing compared to Gu Yangcheon from time to time.

He was on a different level.

They were born in the same generation, but Gu Yangcheon felt different.

As long as things kept going at this rate, Gu Yangcheon was going to rise above others at a rapid pace and he would reach an unimaginable level not long into the future.

Woo Hyuk was certain of that.

Because of that, he was curious about what the future was going to be like.

So, please.

Come up already.

He held his sword tightly while looking down at the water.

Gu Yangcheon wasn’t someone who could afford to die in a place like this.

At least that’s how Woo Hyuk felt.

As he started to frown without being able to maintain his calm…

Swooosh-!

“…!”

Woo Hyuk’s eyes widened when he felt a sensation that came from underwater. He was able to feel that the noises around him disappeared in an instant.

It wasn’t just Woo Hyuk either.

It seemed like Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-Ah felt it as well, as they started to go towards the center of the water where the presence came from.

Gurgle-

Then, air bubbles started to come up from that spot.

“Pwah…!”

A head poked out from the water and a person started to breathe out harshly.

“Damn… for fucks sake. I almost died- Agh!”

A young man with a fierce expression was trying to say something after coming up, but Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-Ah threw their bodies and hugged him.

“W…Wait…! Now is a bit dangerous!”

Gu Yangcheon fell into the water again after the two ladies charged at him, and Woo Hyuk was able to let out a sigh of relief at the sight.

After the Demon’s rampage came to an end, I immediately returned to the ship.

Normally, it would’ve been right for martial artists to gather up and take the Demon’s leathers and bones, but the body sank deep into the river and it was decided that it was too difficult to do that as the situation hadn’t completely ended yet.

We were ordered by the Poison King to return to the deck.

I was reminded of the Poison King’s shocked expression when I returned.

It was understandable as our surroundings were filled with Demon corpses.

They seemed to be the bastards that targeted the ship with the Red Demon earlier, and it thankfully seemed like they all died.

The number of corpses on the ship and the water was impressive. It was even hard to count.

In the center, stood a silent martial artist holding a spear.

It was Tang Duk.

Before jumping off the ship to take down the Red Demon, I ordered the bastard to protect others around him. Because of that, he had no other choice but to listen to my command.

He had a rotten expression because of the fact that he had to protect members of the Tang Clans he so despised, but it wasn’t like I cared about that.

His expression especially worsened when the Poison King thanked Tang Duk for it.

The Poison King too made a confused expression after seeing the bastard’s reaction.

After seeing that, I explained to the Poison King that the bastard always has this expression.

It sounded like a joke, but I became certain about one thing after this happened.

The Poison King does not know Tang Duk.

Tang Duk may have had distinctive hair and was incapable of learning Poison Arts, but the fact that the Poison King didn’t notice anything strange about him meant that he didn’t know who he was.

Though it’s possible that the Poison King is just acting.

However, it was too far-fetched.

I already had my mind filled with the fact that a Red Demon appeared.

Other martial artists didn’t know what to do or think because of a Demon that appeared for the first time in hundreds of years.

They wondered if they could continue to sail.

They also argued with each other, saying that it was right to return to Henan and report everything that happened.

However, the leader of the crew was the Poison King and he said that it was right to escort everyone safely into Sichuan. With that said, he decided to send a short letter reporting this to the Murim Alliance.

Some showed dissatisfied reactions, but nothing changed.

If they were unhappy, they always had the option to swim back.

If not, they had to stay quiet if they wanted to stay on the ship.

No one was going to choose the former option.

Considering they saw the danger that a Red Demon posed, they couldn’t risk swimming in this water when it was possible for another Red Demon to appear.

To sum it up, this trip to Sichuan wasn’t going to be stopped.

“Sigh…”

I let out a sigh while sitting on a bed alone.

I really didn’t expect something like this to happen.

Thanks to that, I was fully tensed up until now.

Only after the situation came to an end, I was able to loosen up the tension in my body.

I was finally able to breathe now I suppose.

When I returned to the ship, I had to deal with Tang Soyeol and Moyong Hi-ah’s endless scolding.

They told me not to run into danger recklessly.

In that regard, I felt a bit frustrated.

It wasn’t like I could sit there and do nothing.

A monster like that appeared in front of my eyes, so how could I stay on the ship doing nothing?

“…Actually, it might have been better for me to do nothing about it.”

It was rather absurd how I almost died by drowning of all things.

I would’ve stayed on the ship if I knew that was going to happen.

I repeatedly sighed and looked at my hand.

There was a reason why I almost ended up drowning after killing the Demon.

“…Come out now.”

It was because of this bastard.

Swish…

After hearing my call, something came out of my sleeve.

In terms of thickness, it was roughly the size of my pinky finger and the length was about my wrist to elbow at most.

When it twirled around and wrapped my hand, it moved its small head towards my face.

Blep.

Its tongue poked out and its yellow eyes seemed familiar.

Yes, it was the same as the Demon I fought against just earlier. It felt and looked the same.

Snake. It was a snake.

A very small snake that had red scales was looking at me, wrapping around my hand.