Chapter 546: Sword Demon (Sword Demon)

-Yul-ah.

A soft, gentle voice.

The old man, as always, was smiling as he looked at the young man.

-Yul-ah.

At the call, the young man opened his eyes, but he couldn’t bring himself to lift his bowed head.

It was because he felt he didn’t have the right.

-Yul-ah. It’s okay.

‘It’s not okay.’

The young man spoke those words with a voice that wouldn’t come out.

‘Master-nim….’

‘I’m not okay at all.’

Thinking thus, the young man lowered his bowed head even further.

He knew this was all delusion.

He knew those words were also his own imagination.

-It’s alright.

It was a voice he could no longer hear.

A voice he shouldn’t dare try to hear. The young man repeated that to himself endlessly.

-Yul-ah.

The voice kept echoing in his ears.

Unable to bear it, the young man covered his ears.

-Yul-ah… Yul-ah….

The sound pierced through the silence and penetrated deep into his body.

The once gentle voice began to sound strangely unfamiliar with repetition.

This, too, happened always.

Though he had experienced it countless times, the young man had not grown the least bit accustomed to it.

He felt nothing but fear.

-Yul… ah… Yul-ah….

Something began to choke him.

With a chilling sensation, the young man opened his eyes without realizing it. Even if he didn’t want to open them, he couldn’t stop himself.

What appeared in his vision afterward was.

-Yul… aaa….

The old man, covered in blood, looking at him with a pained expression.

And eyes glaring at him from all directions.

Faced with the scene before him, the young man clenched his teeth and trembled violently.

He tried to look away somehow, but the old man grasped his neck and forcibly met his gaze.

And then.

-Why… why…

-Did you… kill this Master…!

He uttered the fact the young man most wanted to forget.

*

“Kuhuk…!”

He gasped out ragged breaths and sat up.

“Huk… Heok… Heok….”

The body he had struggled to raise was utterly drenched.

His back was soaked with cold sweat, and his hair was completely damp with it too.

“Hu… Hu… Geu….”

The young man clutched his shoulder with his hand.

It was to stop his body from trembling.

Of course, even doing so didn’t stop the shaking.

After trembling for a long time, the young man seemed to regain his senses and began looking around.

His face showed confusion about the situation.

Just then.

“Why the hell are you suddenly freaking out?”

Startled by the sudden voice, the young man turned his gaze.

Not far away, someone was sitting on a rock, staring at him.

Holding a steamed bun in one hand.

“…”

Looking at him, the young man absentmindedly stroked his chin.

Because he felt a sharp pain.

When he gently touched it, he could feel it swelling noticeably.

Feeling the pain brought back memories along with it.

The actions he had taken, and the moment the other party had subdued him.

“…”

The young man rolled his yellow eyes and looked at the opponent.

His appearance was just past twenty, with fierce eyes.

The strange blue eyes within them felt somehow uncomfortable to look at.

Looking at that, the young man asked.

“…Who are you…?”

As he uttered the question, the opponent’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

It was a peculiar expression.

It looked like a frown, yet also like surprise.

Watching that subtle change, the young man steadied his breathing.

‘Where am I….’

He exhaled and surveyed his surroundings.

Dense forest and rocks were visible.

It seemed to be quite far from where he had been.

Had this person brought him here?

Thinking that far, the young man asked the opponent.

“…Are you from the Alliance…?”

“Huh?”

Upon hearing the question, the opponent scoffed. His reaction seemed one of disbelief.

“So you know you did something worthy of being chased by the Alliance?”

“…”

Hearing that, his gaze dropped.

As the other said, it was a fact he knew all too well.

Thump-

As he lowered his head, he sensed a presence approaching.

It seemed to have come right up close.

“What the hell is wrong with this guy? You were charging at me like you wanted to kill me earlier. Why are you like this now?”

When he had charged at him with killing intent, as if wanting to rip him to shreds with his sword.

It seemed strange that he was acting like this now.

“…I apologize.”

In response, the young man offered an apology.

Again.

He couldn’t control his desires and went berserk.

And then offering an unforgivable apology to the other party.

It was an extension of everything he had experienced his whole life.

“…Hmm.”

Was the apology the issue? The reaction he felt from the front became particularly distinct.

“Did I find the wrong person?”

At the words, the young man lifted his head.

He saw the blue eyes looking down at him from right in front of his face.

“I thought you were someone who wasn’t like this originally. It’s annoying when you act like this.”

At those words, the young man’s eyes widened slightly.

“Are you… someone who knows me?”

“I thought so. But now it’s a bit ambiguous. Why are you pretending to be okay?”

“…What?”

“You should be crazy about killing people. Why are you in that state right now?”

“…”

Hearing the words, he bit his lip.

It seemed this person knew about his constitution.

If so.

‘Is this the end?’

The young man foresaw his own end.

Knowing that he was the Heavenly Killing Star.

And having referred to himself as the person who came to capture him.

He had no intention of fleeing, but he wouldn’t be able to flee in the first place.

The young man already knew the difference in strength between them.

‘I couldn’t even graze him.’

It was an overwhelming defeat.

Even if he wasn’t in a normal state, it would have been impossible even if he had moved properly.

That was the extent of the difference.

‘…It’s probably for the best.’

The young man managed a smile.

Yes, it was probably for the best.

He was tired of living.

As time went on, his madness deepened, and this cruel body craved human death even more.

It desired and desired.

It was like an appetite that was never satisfied, no matter how much it ate.

It endlessly craved the death of others.

And eventually, that end led to the death of his master, who was like a father to him.

‘At least that’s fortunate.’

His mind, which had been frantic in the past, had returned somewhat.

Thanks to that, he could die while reflecting on his mistakes.

Satisfied with that, the young man gently closed his eyes.

He intended to prepare his mind.

“Look at that expression. What are you doing?”

Seeing this, the opponent, Gu Yangcheon, spoke with an exasperated voice.

The situation was already incomprehensible, but.

Why was that Sword Demon suddenly acting so resigned?

‘What the hell is this?’

The more he looked, the less he understood.

This was among the top three most baffling situations Gu Yangcheon had encountered right after his regression.

‘Who is that guy?’

What was this seemingly docile fellow?

At least, he was someone Gu Yangcheon didn’t know.

‘He’s definitely the Sword Demon, though?’

In terms of appearance, and the power and aura he used back then, it was indeed the Sword Demon he knew, but.

His current state was too contradictory to that.

Who was the Sword Demon?

He was the leader of the Ghostly Blade Brigade, the assassination unit of the Demonic Cult.

A man so assimilated with killing intent that it was said he lived solely to kill his opponents.

As such, his personality was naturally extremely eccentric.

He was famous for his violent and cruel nature.

‘What is this guy, really?’

The Sword Demon Gu Yangcheon saw now was vastly different from his appearance back then.

The man kneeling with his eyes closed was unwavering.

Where had the demonic fiend who rampaged in the inn gone, leaving behind only a calm young man?

A Taoist.

Yes.

That was the aura often seen in cultivators from Taoist sects.

The man, eyes closed as if he had given up on everything, thinking whatever thoughts he had.

Seeing that, Gu Yangcheon scratched the back of his head with an annoyed expression.

‘Should I just proceed with the plan?’

The original plan was to capture the Sword Demon, who had just begun his activities, and turn him into a fiend.

Then, use him until he died and discard him.

That was the plan concerning the Sword Demon among the ‘matters’ to be handled in Guangdong.

But now, it felt like things had gone slightly awry.

‘It’s not like his current appearance is a problem, though.’

The reason wasn’t that he looked different from the Sword Demon he knew, but rather.

Because of his actions in the inn and his current demeanor.

If his guess was correct.

He needed to investigate the Sword Demon a bit more.

“Hey.”

When he called out to the fellow, the man opened his closed eyes and looked at him.

Still the same murky yellow pupils.

“Let me ask you something.”

Looking at him, he asked.

“Are you affiliated with the Kunlun Sect…?”

“…!”

Upon hearing the question, the young man’s eyes widened like saucers.

“Tsk.”

He had to click his tongue seeing that. It was no different from an affirmative answer.

‘The Sword Demon is from the Kunlun Sect?’

It was something he never knew.

It couldn’t be helped.

‘…His sword never showed any sign of that?’

In his past life, the swordsmanship the Sword Demon used showed no trace of the Kunlun Sect’s style.

Neither the abundance of Taoist energy possessed by Taoists.

Nor the unique flow of Kunlun swordsmanship was visible at all.

The fact that he showed it in the recent fight meant.

‘This means he’s intentionally erasing it.’

It meant he was erasing the Kunlun feel himself.

Leaving aside whether that was possible, it had happened, so it must be so.

‘If this guy is indeed the Sword Demon.’

Besides that, the questions didn’t end there.

Watching the man whose eyes were trembling as if surprised, Gu Yangcheon continued speaking.

“Why is a Kunlun Taoist here in Guangdong causing trouble?”

“…”

“As far as I know, Kunlun doesn’t teach people to go around killing others.”

Squeeze.

Hearing the words, the young man clenched his fist.

“…The Kunlun Sect has nothing to do with it. It’s just that I have gone wrong.”

Seeing that, Gu Yangcheon narrowed his eyes.

“Then, it’s true that you’ve been killing people here?”

“…Yes.”

As he heard the answer, he nodded.

The worn-out clothes and clearly shabby appearance.

Even the way he seemed unwilling to reveal his Kunlun affiliation.

Looking at this, the conclusion was simple.

“You ran away from home.”

“…”

“Right?”

As he said that with a chuckle, the young man bowed his head deeply.

“…It’s not like that.”

“If it’s not like that, then what is it?”

“It’s just… that place was not somewhere I could dare to be.”

Not a place where I should be.

The young man truly thought so.

Hearing this, Gu Yangcheon spoke in a calm voice.

“Did your Master also tell you to do so?”

At the unexpectedly spoken words, the young man jerked his head up.

“What…!”

“You were talking quite a bit in your sleep earlier. Seems like you miss your Master a lot?”

Had he made noises during his nightmares?

As the young man clenched his fist, trembling as if embarrassed.

Gu Yangcheon thought to himself while looking at him.

‘It seems.’

All the guesses he had made were likely correct.

It was surprising enough that the Sword Demon was a Kunlun Taoist.

Even more surprising was.

‘That guy is a disciple of Cheonghae Ilgeom?’

The former sect leader of the Kunlun Sect, an old man who was now deceased.

He was a martial artist Gu Yangcheon had encountered before at the Dragon Shrine.

Though their connection wasn’t particularly long, he was someone who had left a certain impression on Gu Yangcheon.

And yet, Cheonghae Ilgeom.

‘Was secretly raising the Heavenly Killing Star?’

It wasn’t a certainty that the Sword Demon was Cheonghae Ilgeom’s disciple, but it wasn’t difficult to predict.

Not just any constitution, but the Heavenly Killing Star.

To secretly harbor such a person, and moreover.

To have the ability to raise him to that level.

Furthermore, though it was fleeting, the Taoist energy that hinted at Kunlun’s aura also showed a glimpse of purity.

If Cheonghae Ilgeom wasn’t the one, then he must have been someone with similar power and influence.

In Gu Yangcheon’s view, there was only Cheonghae Ilgeom in Kunlun who fit that description.

‘Tsk.’

Thinking that far, he clicked his tongue involuntarily.

‘Of all people.’

He never expected Cheonghae Ilgeom to be involved with the Sword Demon.

If that were the case.

‘Is it related to why Cheonghae Ilgeom went to the Demonic Cult in his past life?’

That was something he couldn’t know.

Cheonghae Ilgeom was one of the early fiends who defected to the Demonic Cult shortly after the Heavenly Demon founded it.

And the Sword Demon joined after Cheonghae Ilgeom’s death.

‘There’s no way to know now.’

Now, the future had already twisted, and Cheonghae Ilgeom was dead.

He heard that he died while preventing the rampage of the Crimson Demonic Scripture.

‘He didn’t die like that in his past life.’

There was never such a rampage in the North Sea, and.

Even considering that, the fact that the Crimson Demonic Scripture erupted at this time was already a deviation.

In such a situation.

-I hope you find peace.

His words from when he was alive still lingered in his ears.

‘This is troublesome.’

It was troublesome that the Sword Demon was entangled with Cheonghae Ilgeom.

If it were up to him, he would have completely ignored it and just turned him into a fiend.

After all, if he was destined to become the Sword Demon, it didn’t matter what intentions Cheonghae Ilgeom had in taking him in.

However.

“You’ve killed nearly ten people in this area alone.”

There was something that gave him pause.

“I don’t know how someone from the North Sea ended up here, but given the distance, you must have killed many along the way. Right?”

“…”

“Otherwise, the smell of blood wouldn’t be this strong.”

The scent of blood emanating from him.

Whether he hadn’t bothered to hide it or hadn’t washed properly, the metallic fragrance was particularly pungent.

He had killed people.

And in a brutal manner, enough to emit such a smell of blood.

“…That is correct.”

The man did not deny it.

The guilt reflected in his expression was irritating.

‘You shouldn’t have been like that, at least.’

He wished that was just an act.

Gu Yangcheon continued speaking, hiding that thought.

“The funny thing is, I did some digging, and the people you killed in this area all had criminal records?”

“…”

Thud.

He took out a letter from his chest and threw it in front of the man.

It was a log containing information about the victims of recent serial killer incidents.

“A rapist. An arsonist. Did you specifically choose to kill people like these?”

“…”

To the question, the man didn’t answer but nodded slightly.

“Why?”

“…I could not kill the innocent.”

“Killing people is fine, whether they’re innocent or not?”

“No. That is also a sin.”

The firm answer was unexpected.

Honestly, Gu Yangcheon didn’t think it was a sin.

He didn’t consider human lives precious.

Those who deserve it should be hit, and those who deserve to die should die.

That was the way of the world, he thought.

“Then why did you kill them?”

“…Because if I didn’t… other innocent people might die.”

After hearing the answer, Gu Yangcheon remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“By your hand, right?”

Squeeze.

Hearing the words, the young man clenched his fist tightly.

“…Yes….”

Heavenly Killing Star.

Born with a destiny to live by killing people.

Some called it instinct.

Like eating food or breathing.

They called it a natural order.

Historically, it seemed like a damn unfortunate constitution, but.

Seeing it in person made it seem even more damn unfortunate.

“So that’s why you killed them?”

“…I apologize. I will accept the punishment.”

“You shouldn’t be apologizing to me. Then what were you trying to do at the inn earlier? Did those people do something wrong?”

“…No.”

As if unable to control his trembling hands, the man clasped them together to steady himself.

“I apologize…. Please kill me. I did wrong….”

He admitted that he couldn’t overcome his instincts and tried to kill.

He acknowledged his wrongdoing.

Is that true?

Does that appearance of admitting fault seem sincere?

The man who only sought out and killed sinners, trying to kill the innocent like he did at the inn.

Was it really the first time?

He didn’t know. Moreover.

‘I’m not particularly interested.’

He wasn’t looking at it as something important.

Whether he killed people or not was not a major issue for Gu Yangcheon.

What Gu Yangcheon considered important here was none other than.

‘So the Sword Demon wasn’t originally crazy.’

Although he seemed on the verge of madness, unable to overcome his instincts.

It was surprising that he wasn’t like that originally.

‘If it were the guy I knew, I would have just turned him into a fiend and been done with it.’

Learning these trivial details sparked some interest.

No, that wasn’t the only reason.

-Slowly… then… you’ll have fewer regrets….

These were the words left by his fiancée, who had gone to the North Sea against his wishes.

It meant he should curb his impatience somewhat.

‘She said she’d come this year.’

It had been two years since she went there.

She said she’d return by this year, so it was about time.

Perhaps, she might already be on her way.

Thinking that far, Gu Yangcheon stood up.

“If there’s something that bothers you, you should take your time. That’s what I told you.”

Gu Yangcheon muttered something incomprehensible, and the young man looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Just then.

“If you have business, come out quickly.”

As Gu Yangcheon suddenly said that, a presence was felt from somewhere.

Immediately after, several people appeared from beyond the forest.

The culprit was none other than Seo Dong, the Alliance warrior Gu Yangcheon had met the previous night.

Upon appearing, Seo Dong offered a fist salute to Gu Yangcheon.

“…It’s good to see you again, Great Hero.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you. Thanks to you, I found the person well.”

At Gu Yangcheon’s words, Seo Dong’s gaze shifted to the young man kneeling.

Yellow eyes and an appearance that seemed just past twenty.

It matched the description Gu Yangcheon had given at the time.

This meant.

“…Murderous Fiend.”

He was the culprit who had been causing trouble in the Guangdong region recently.

Ignoring Seo Dong’s reaction, Gu Yangcheon opened his mouth.

“Do you have any business with me? I thought our conversation ended well last night.”

Hearing the words, Seo Dong straightened his body abruptly.

He tried to offer an explanation, but someone next to him stepped forward and cut him off.

It was a middle-aged man with a massive build.

Looking at him, Gu Yangcheon’s brow furrowed.

‘Strong.’

Unlike Seo Dong, who was at the peak level, he felt a heavy aura.

Hwagyeong.

This man was a Hwagyeong martial artist.

As Gu Yangcheon looked at him, waiting for an introduction, the man smiled slightly and offered a fist salute.

“It’s my first time meeting you. I am Wi Seok, responsible for the Guangdong Branch of the Martial Arts Alliance.”

Wi Seok. Hearing the man’s name, Gu Yangcheon nodded inwardly.

Considering his cultivation level, he didn’t think he’d be just a Brigade Leader. He hadn’t expected the Branch Chief himself to appear.

‘Well, if he’s Hwagyeong level, it would be a waste to keep him as just a Brigade Leader.’

A Hwagyeong martial artist would be qualified to be an Elder in a prestigious family.

It would be strange for such a person to lead a mere Sword Brigade.

“I apologize for meeting you without prior notice. We came in a bit of a hurry.”

At Wi Seok’s words, Gu Yangcheon nodded.

For a moment, a spark of interest flashed in Wi Seok’s eyes at his attitude.

“I heard well from my subordinate. You helped capture the Crimson Fiend?”

“I just happened to see it while passing by and caught it.”

“…You just happened to pass by and catch a Crimson Fiend….”

Hearing Gu Yangcheon’s words, Wi Seok chuckled.

“It’s not an easy feat, but you’re truly remarkable. We came here to express our gratitude.”

“I received your thanks well. So?”

Hurry up and state your business.

His words were filled with that meaning.

Since he was saying it so directly, Wi Seok couldn’t possibly not know.

“While we are grateful for your help, we would like to know your name.”

“Why do you need my name? Just being thankful should be enough. Why go through all this trouble?”

“Haha, we have our own position, wouldn’t you agree? Besides….”

Wi Seok’s eyes sharpened slightly.

“The report mentioned you even tamed the fiend. Is that true?”

Hearing that, Gu Yangcheon chuckled this time.

“Oh, come on, that’s ridiculous. How can a person tame a fiend?”

“Exactly. It’s not something believable, but that’s what the report stated.”

“Then the person who filed the report must have been dreaming.”

He laughed as if amused, but Wi Seok didn’t seem convinced. He merely stared at Gu Yangcheon with a heavy gaze.

Seeing that, Gu Yangcheon, who had been laughing, soon wiped the smile off his face.

“So, what do you want?”

His voice, which had been slightly high-pitched, instantly turned cold.

The air instantly pressed down heavily.

“Kk…!”

Seo Dong, standing beside them, flinched and stepped back. He felt as if his body had been pierced for a moment.

The killing intent was that intense.

“Just get to the point! What do you intend to do?”

Despite the killing intent, Wi Seok did not back down.

His stance was firm, proving he was a Hwagyeong martial artist.

“Regarding an individual of unknown identity. As the situation is precarious, we wish to obtain definite information about you. Furthermore….”

Wi Seok’s gaze turned towards the young Sword Demon.

“It seems you are related to the Murderous Fiend who has been causing trouble recently. We would like to hear about that as well. So, if possible, we would like to discuss it in detail at the branch.”

Hearing that, Gu Yangcheon said.

“So, you suspect me and want to investigate me by having me follow you obediently?”

“We will escort you respectfully.”

His tone was affirmative.

“What if I refuse?”

“We sincerely hope you do not. If possible, we truly wish to escort you respectfully.”

He spoke while gripping his sword.

It was no different from a threat.

It implied that if he didn’t follow, they would subdue him.

He realized why the number of people they brought seemed much larger.

Not only Seo Dong, but also several individuals of higher cultivation levels were present.

Were those people Brigade Leaders?

‘I feel like I’m being treated like a fiend.’

A force more than capable of hunting Crimson Fiends with ease.

It seemed his previous display of power towards Seo Dong had been too significant, as they had come fully prepared.

Sensing this, Gu Yangcheon.

“Haha.”

He couldn’t suppress the laugh that escaped him.

“This is ridiculous.”

He didn’t hide his amusement.

He wasn’t laughing out of anger. He was genuinely amused.

Gu Yangcheon thought as he looked at Wi Seok.

How could he not laugh?

‘Perhaps I threw the bait better than expected.’

While the matter concerning the Sword Demon was unexpected.

Everything else was unfolding according to his plan.

How could such a situation not be fortunate?

Recalling this, Gu Yangcheon said to Wi Seok.

“Then.”

Simultaneously.

“Bring it on, let’s see where you take me.”

Clang-

The sound of swords being drawn echoed from all directions.