Chapter 564: Why is this old person here?

Swept away.

KUAAAAAAAAAAAA-!!

The gale that erupted from the fist became a typhoon, sweeping across the ground.

It was too rough and vicious to be called a wind created by a mere bet.

Moreover, it was utterly astonishing that a human’s single fist could accomplish this.

Deudeudeudeudeuk-!!

The ground was swept away and twisted.

In terms of range, the ripple effect was immense.

The storm raged on like that for quite some time, gradually subsiding as it reached the mountains in the rear.

Hwaaaaa….

Dust settled along with the wind.

Silence continued until that moment.

This brief silence ended the moment the vision obscured by dust cleared up.

Teolseok-!

It was when the old man’s body collapsed onto the floor.

“Elder-nim, Elder-nim!”

“Nooooo!”

The cries of the Taoists of Mudang were heard upon seeing this.

The Elder of Mudang. Bisunggeom Woo Baek lay collapsed on the floor, having breathed his last.

His body was a mess, as if it had been mangled.

Looking at the old man’s body amidst the scattered blood, there was no hope.

Woo Baek was dead.

To that man wearing the mask, tragically, without putting up even the slightest resistance.

And all with just a single blow.

Unable to mount even a proper counterattack, the Central Plains’ Hundred Great Masters closed his eyes.

And the masked figure who killed Woo Baek was simply gazing down at the fallen Woo Baek.

A few seconds.

The one who briefly examined Woo Baek casually uttered words in a light tone.

“This is absurd.”

It was a dry, parched voice. Furthermore.

“Is this truly the sword of Mudang? If so, it is truly disappointing beyond measure.”

The voice was filled with undeniable disappointment.

“The sword of a prestigious lineage that has taken root in the Central Plains for so long…. To think it would be so crude.”

Seeing Woo Baek, who had been brutally killed, the Taoists of Mudang bristled.

However, they could not move.

It was because their bodies still felt as if they were being crushed, preventing movement.

However.

Just one person.

There was someone present who could move despite this pressure.

The figure spoke, looking at her.

“Ah, yes, there you were.”

Paused.

At the figure’s words, the woman who was about to move, Mae Hwa Geomhu So Yi, had to halt her actions.

Glowering blue eyes turned towards Geomhu. Seeing this, Geomhu broke out in a cold sweat.

‘I can’t see.’

What lies beyond that mask.

What the opponent’s level was. Nothing could be seen.

Geomhu’s level was by no means low.

Even in a life-or-death match against Woo Baek, who had just died, she was confident she could win easily.

But.

‘I couldn’t do that.’

I couldn’t turn Woo Baek into that state with just one exchange.

‘Just what….’

What could be the identity of this person who suddenly appeared?

‘Was it Tianma (Heavenly Demon)?’

The person had definitely called himself that.

It was a sobriquet Geomhu had never heard before.

It was truly a bizarre thing.

To think there was no record known about such a powerful martial artist.

“Geomhu.”

“…!”

While Geomhu was raising her tension to the extreme. Tianma’s call stimulated her vigilance.

Perhaps sensing that. A hint of laughter crept into Tianma’s voice.

“You are different from these Mudang insects. It seems you know your place.”

Tuk-tuk.

He nudged Woo Baek’s corpse with his foot, causing the Mudang Taoists to gasp in horror.

“You bastard!! How dare you touch the Elder-nim…!!”

“I’ll kill you!”

Furious cries filled the air.

Hearing this, Tianma turned his head towards them.

He raised his index finger and brought it close to his lips.

“Shhh.”

A light warning.

However, the aura emanating from him was anything but light.

Kwaaaaaaaa-!!

A heavy aura enveloped the surroundings, crushing everything.

“Kkuahahah…!”

“Kkeureureuk…!”

Knees that had barely straightened bent again.

The Mudang Taoists let out rough groans.

“I do not like noise. Especially the cries of insects.”

Jeol-it-! Geomhu clenched her fists at the felt aura.

It was an aura she felt for the first time.

It was too sinister to be called fighting spirit (Tugi), and too heavy to be called killing intent (Salgi).

Except for the trembling presence, the situation became quiet once more.

Tianma turned his gaze towards Geomhu.

Then he asked.

“Will you come?”

The question, asked with a nod, was a clear provocation.

“…”

Hearing this, Geomhu frowned and spoke.

“If you’re going to say such things, you should at least release those you’ve captured.”

“Haha-!”

Hearing Geomhu’s words, Tianma burst into laughter.

It was as she said.

The aura emanating from his feet had spread in all directions.

The aura bore a chilling presence, hovering around the necks of the martial artists.

This was also why Geomhu couldn’t intervene when Woo Baek was attacked just before.

Tianma was issuing a warning.

If you move, the others will die.

That kind of warning.

Geomhu felt cold sweat trickling down her back.

In other words.

‘Even while emitting such an aura… he turned Elder Woo into that state?’

It meant he toyed with Woo Baek like that, even while emitting such a chilling aura.

Recalling this, Geomhu became certain.

‘He has reached Transcendence.’

He has reached the Transcendent Realm (Chowolgyeong), a level attained by only a very few among the Central Plains’ Hundred Great Masters.

Geomhu judged so.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to create such materialized aura.

This was only possible upon reaching the realm of the mind’s eye (Simsang).

Tension spread throughout her body.

‘Just who… is that person…. No.’

Where did these people appear from?

Geomhu’s gaze turned towards the area behind Tianma.

It was directed towards the giant kneeling behind Tianma.

Although all eyes were focused on Tianma, in Geomhu’s view, that giant was also a formidable opponent.

At least Hwagyeong.

Judging by his physique, a master of external martial arts (Oegong).

Tianma was like that too, but this person was also someone Geomhu had never seen before.

The situation was utterly desperate.

It was unclear what method was used, but the surrounding martial artists were unable to rise.

Despite the impact that had erupted, support was inexplicably not arriving.

‘Is this black aura the problem?’

The black aura spread everywhere. It didn’t seem like Gi-mak (Energy Barrier), but it could be the issue.

If not that.

Geomhu’s gaze shifted slightly upward.

There was something emitting light uniquely within the black world.

Could that be the problem?

Geomhu bit her lip.

It shone brilliantly, but she could feel a sinister aura emanating in all directions.

It was a power she had never seen before.

It looked vaguely familiar, yet was filled with a subtle strangeness.

Crisis.

She tried to grasp the sword hilt, but no viable solution came to mind.

Is she afraid of death? No.

Even if they were stronger than Geomhu, she felt no fear of such things.

The problem was.

‘There are children.’

Geomhu now had something to protect.

Not far from here.

That is why.

She couldn’t rashly draw her sword.

And that was the reason she couldn’t simply retreat.

Just then.

“Your gaze falters.”

“…!”

Tianma spoke, looking at Geomhu.

“Your eyes aren’t fearful, yet something seems to be making you hesitate. What could it be?”

Kkuhk-kkuhk.

Laughter was heard.

“Perhaps, it’s because of the little ones trapped in the prison?”

Geomhu’s eyes widened. Tianma had noticed.

At that fact, heat rushed to Geomhu’s head.

“Hmm….”

Tianma observed Geomhu like that and adjusted the mask he was wearing.

What should I do? Should I fight now?

What about the martial artists around? What about the children underground?

Kkadeudeuk.

The moment Geomhu bit down hard as the situation worsened.

“This is no fun.”

Tianma uttered those words in a voice devoid of energy.

“I had hoped to taste the renowned sword of Mount Hua, but your eyes dampen my excitement.”

“What… do you mean by that?”

“I mean, I have no interest in a sword filled with distracting thoughts. You, as you are now, don’t even seem worth killing.”

The chilling words were enough to pierce Geomhu’s pride.

But she didn’t bother to retort.

Because the children’s lives were more precious than such pride.

“I came with high expectations, but it seems this was a pointless trip.”

Saying so, Tianma turned his back.

No way, is he really leaving like this?

The moment Geomhu thought that.

Huwoooooo-!!

Something made a sound in the air.

Kuuuuung-!!

Something of immense size landed with a thud! onto the ground.

It was the monster that had been floating in the air just before.

Seeing it up close, its size was even more imposing.

It was large enough to swallow an entire residence.

Its build was comparable to the rank- Jeok monsters Geomhu had faced several times.

Towards such a monster, Tianma gradually walked.

Geomhu could tell.

That if left like this, Tianma would disappear.

Should I let him go like this? The culprit who attacked a righteous sect’s prestigious lineage and killed one of its elders.

Am I supposed to let him go this easily?

As complex hesitation rose to the tip of her throat.

“Ah.”

Tianma stopped walking and said.

“If, perhaps, you wish to stop my steps, I shall respect your choice. However.”

He glanced back slightly.

A softly glowing blue gaze turned towards Geomhu.

“There won’t be a second time.”

If you try to stop me.

This time, I will kill everyone.

Tianma’s words held such meaning.

A few seconds passed.

“…”

Upon hearing those words, Geomhu ultimately couldn’t show any reaction.

Confirming that, Tianma turned his head back, approached the monster with the giant.

As he reached out towards the monster.

Huahahahaha-!!

The black sky began to twist.

The sight was as if the sky itself was collapsing.

Ppeojeok-!

The sphere floating in the air also underwent a change.

It slowly began to crack.

Tuduk…!

The sphere, slowly starting to shatter.

Geomhu’s eyes widened upon seeing it.

Because cracks formed in the sphere, and energy began to burst forth.

It was a precursor.

A precursor seen just before the energy explodes.

Seeing this, Geomhu immediately drew forth her inner energy (Dogi).

Hwaaaaak-! The scent of plum blossoms spread in all directions.

In that gap.

“It was a somewhat disappointing encounter, but there was enjoyment to be had.”

Tianma’s voice was heard.

“Next time we meet. I hope you will show yourself worthy of my expectations.”

With those words.

Hwareureureuk-!!

The sky descended to the ground, shattering the space.

Simultaneously.

Ppeojeojeojeok-!!

The sphere burst, releasing light. Along with it, the atmospheric pressure also erupted.

It was an immense explosion.

It seemed one could gauge how powerful the concentrated energy was.

If left as is, there was a risk of the surroundings being swept away.

Knowing that, Geomhu spread her Dogi to contain the explosion.

Saaaaa-! A crimson aura formed a circular barrier, preventing the explosion from escaping and causing it to swirl within.

However.

“Ugh-!”

As she tried to fully withstand the explosion, the backlash struck Geomhu’s body.

She endured it.

Fortunately, the impact was much shallower than expected.

“Haa… ha….”

Right after barely suppressing the explosion, Geomhu exhaled breathlessly.

As she caught her breath and turned her gaze.

There was nothing left where the monster had been.

---

Udududuk-!

The transformation technique wore off, and my body size gradually decreased.

The martial arts uniform I was wearing instantly became loose, but I didn’t have time to care about that.

“Kkeok-!”

Tududuk–!!

Leaning against the wall, I vomited blood.

Black blood flowed down my chin.

“Keok….”

I clutched my chest.

The pain made me feel like collapsing immediately, so I had to endure it somehow.

“Shit….”

The curse slipped out involuntarily.

I couldn’t help it. I almost died just now.

I wiped my mouth with my hand.

Even so, the pain remained.

‘That was close.’

The energy in my core was already depleted.

If I had pushed any further, I would have had to touch my innate vital energy (Seoncheonjigi).

Enduring the pain, I observed my internal state with the faint remaining internal energy (Naegi).

And I immediately knew.

‘Damn it….’

My insides were already a complete mess.

Perhaps due to the backlash I forcibly endured, my meridians (Hyeoldo) were damaged, and my insides were filled with severe internal injuries.

“Should I have endured a little longer?”

This must be the internal damage caused by using the transplant of Tuapa Cheonmu.

‘I overexerted myself beforehand.’

I had to use considerable energy for Hwaryunseong and Heukcheonman alone.

Then Yong-eon and Sim-an.

Furthermore, not only did I materialize demonic energy (Magi) to check Geomhu, but I also maintained it while using Tuapa Cheonmu.

It was natural, but my body couldn’t possibly remain unscathed.

Moreover.

‘If Geomhu had truly decided to capture me, it would have been the end right there.’

I had been acting tough as much as possible.

If Geomhu had truly acted recklessly to capture me. It was possible I could have really ended.

The reason I moved despite knowing that risk was.

Because I was certain Geomhu wouldn’t make that choice.

‘Because Yeongpung and Guryeonghwa are in the prison.’

Knowing that clearly, I judged that Geomhu wouldn’t act rashly, and I was right.

“Kkeu…heueu….”

One knee buckled.

Tak.

Someone caught me as I was about to fall and supported me.

Turning my head to check, it was the woman who had freed me from my restraints in the prison just before. Nari.

“Master, are you alright?”

“…No, I feel like I’m about to die.”

I said with a chuckle.

If things had gone just a little wrong, I might have died.

It’s fortunate things worked out, but the result wasn’t exactly clean.

‘At this rate, I’ll have to lie low for a month or two.’

This is also thanks to my body being extraordinarily resilient right now.

Normally, this would have required a year of recovery.

“Ptoo….”

I spat out the last remaining blood.

“Still, it somehow went according to plan.”

The internal injuries are a problem, but the outcome isn’t bad.

If Geomhu knew I ended up like this, the outcome might have been different.

I could only sigh, recalling the ‘mask’ I held in my embrace.

‘It’s fortunate I have this.’

The white mask I received from Am Wang.

It was a treasured artifact (Gwimul) that blurred my existence and made my condition impossible to properly assess.

I heard it was one of the few treasured artifacts left in my own family’s possession.

This means.

‘…It’s the Yeonga family’s treasure.’

Since Am Wang is a descendant of the Yeonga family, this mask must also be a treasured artifact of Yeon Ilcheon.

Thinking about it made me feel a bit uneasy, but there was no other choice.

Because I’m not in a position to be picky.

I forced myself to stand up.

As I tried to move, the pain intensified and blood rose again, but I had to endure it.

Because the work isn’t entirely finished yet.

I had to quickly sort myself out and return to the prison before Geomhu appeared.

After that, I had to organize the situation and assess the information I gained from this incident.

Moreover, there was the most important thing.

‘There isn’t much time left until he arrives.’

The current head of Mudang, who is flying towards Mudang right now, and the current leader of the Murim Alliance (Mu Rim Maeng).

One of the Seven Iron Pillars and Three Fists (Chilcheol Samgwon), one of the Central Plains’ Ten Great Masters.

I had to prepare to face the Mudang Geomseon.

As the victim of this incident.