Chapter 671: My name is.

I crossed through the night sky.

As the wind brushed against my cheeks, a crescent moon hung brilliantly in the sky.

It was a particularly beautiful night.

Of all times, too.

How long had I been flying, feeling the summer heat?

It certainly wasn’t a short distance. Because the scenery kept changing endlessly.

Kwak-!

I tightened my grip. Then, the one I dragged along moved their head.

Their black hair fluttered in the wind, and they seemed to be frowning from the harsh wind pressure.

However.

‘So, you’re saying this much doesn’t bother you?’

Even though their neck was grabbed and they were being moved, they showed no discomfort.

How could they be like that when I’m putting in this much strength?

Just as a bewildered anger began to seep in.

Cheonma’s gaze flickered, scanning the surroundings.

Was it to figure out how far we’d flown? The moment I thought that.

I felt a touch on my wrist.

Cheonma grabbed my arm with her pale white hand.

And then.

Kku-uk-!

‘…!’

Cheonma started pushing me away with her grip strength.

While I wasn’t using my full strength, even considering that, her grip was immense.

I scowled.

As expected. So, Cheonma is Cheonma after all.

‘Yeah, this is better.’

It actually makes more sense.

This is better for reducing hesitation.

Thinking that.

Giiiiing-.

I condensed the heat behind my back. Then, I unleashed the gathered heat all at once.

Pwaaaang–!!!

An explosion mixed with energy erupted, and I used it to add acceleration.

At tremendous speed, I slammed into the ground along with Cheonma.

Hwa-reureu-reuk—!! Kwaaaaaang—!!!

Not only did vibrations echo, but massive flames spread in all directions, crushing the ground.

As a result, a whole area of the forest was destroyed in an instant.

Trees that formed the lush surroundings were ripped out, and the vibrant fields turned into ruins.

Due to the thick heat and impact created by the flames, dust kicked up.

Sa-aaaa-..

It was dust enough to obscure vision, but it couldn’t block my eyes anymore.

I scanned my surroundings with sharp eyes.

No, I didn’t actually need to look.

Because the opponent was standing still, not moving at all.

I channeled energy to clear away the dust.

Hwa-ah-ak-! As the dust cleared, my vision sharpened.

Leaving the ruined area behind, Cheonma stood in front of me.

She tilted her head, touching her neck.

Seeing that, I scowled and asked.

“Why did you follow me?”

“…?”

At my question, Cheonma showed confusion on her face.

“You brought me here.”

It was an attitude that screamed ‘What kind of brazen nerve is this?’

While it was technically true in a way, I knew it wasn’t the whole story.

“You could have avoided it.”

Cheonma could have easily dodged my surprise attack if she wanted to.

I knew that just from the pressure just now and the energy she showed when protecting Guhibi.

Cheonma deliberately let herself be captured.

So, I asked Cheonma.

“Why didn’t you dodge and just let yourself get caught so obediently?”

It was a question asking why she didn’t resist, and hearing it, Cheonma replied.

“If you stay there, Unni will get hurt.”

“…”

“It’s okay here.”

She gave an answer that made my blood boil just hearing it.

“What bullshit.”

What the hell kind of situation is this?

It’s beyond ridiculous.

To think Cheonma would say something like that.

I had to grit my teeth against the rising anger.

That short answer was enough to turn my insides upside down, but…

“…Forget it.”

It subsided instantly.

It’s pointless.

The time for getting angry and grinding my teeth was over.

I reminded myself why I had come here.

Hwa-reureuk.

Flames gathered in my palm.

A moment passed, and the Flame Prison, enveloped in blue light, was complete. I looked at Cheonma, raising my fighting spirit.

I will kill Cheonma here.

Thus, I will finish a part of the karma I intended to settle upon my return.

As I was enveloped in energy with just that thought.

Cheonma asked me a question.

“Do you hate me?”

It was an obvious question.

“I do.”

Enough to want to kill you.

I hate you, and I hate you again.

“Why?”

To me like this, Cheonma continued to ask, as if she couldn’t understand at all.

“I… haven’t done anything to you, have I?”

Haven’t done anything. Yes, that’s also true.

“You haven’t done anything.”

In this life, you certainly haven’t done anything.

Despite the several encounters we’ve had so far.

Cheonma has never initiated anything towards me.

It’s just that…

“You haven’t done anything yet.”

“And I’m going to keep doing nothing?”

“…”

I didn’t answer that.

Because it was possible that might truly be the case.

It’s a life where countless changes occurred even from small things.

It changed the lives of many people, and my life is changing too.

So, Cheonma might change too.

This isn’t something I can be sure of, but…

‘In the end, it’s just uncertainty.’

That’s as far as it goes.

To believe her scattered words, I had experienced too much from her.

Hwa-reureuk.

The condensed Flame Prison changed shape.

I cast the Holy Spear.

The speed at which I create the Holy Spear is much faster than before.

In an instant, the Flame Prison Holy Spear was completed.

Grabbing it.

Kwak-!

I stomped on the ground and twisted my upper body.

Using the recoil, I threw the Holy Spear with all my might.

Shhh-aaaaa-aaaa-aa-!!

Immense heat tore through the air, piercing straight ahead.

“…!”

Cheonma’s eyes widened, and she moved her body to dodge the Holy Spear.

The Holy Spear, having missed, flew towards the forest behind.

Not long after.

Ung-!

Kwaaaaaa-aaaa—!!!

A small vibration echoed, and simultaneously, a massive explosion occurred in the distance.

The smell of gunpowder hung heavy in the air.

Seeing this, I narrowed my eyes.

The Holy Spear missed.

But it didn’t matter.

‘I didn’t throw it to hit it in the first place.’

The moment Cheonma was momentarily flustered, I took half a step forward.

Half a step (半步).

It was a light half-step, but infused with condensed internal energy, it became close to Shunpo.

The scenery shifted, and I arrived before Cheonma.

There wasn’t enough time to cast the Holy Spear.

So, I molded the Flame Prison and reached out my hand right in front of her.

Cheonma frowned.

Last time, she crushed the Flame Prison with her bare hands. Could she do it again?

An attack imbued with doubt headed towards Cheonma.

Just as I wondered how Cheonma would react.

Ssssuuuu—!!!

For a moment, I saw dark energy gathering on Cheonma’s body.

The formed energy created a thin barrier in an instant, and the outstretched Flame Prison struck the barrier directly.

Kwaaaaaa—!!!

The blue flames, filled with heat, exploded.

Since it exploded right in front of her, I thought she’d surely take damage, but…

My expression wasn’t good.

It was because I realized the moment I saw the black barrier.

‘It didn’t connect.’

Judging so, I created distance behind me.

Sa-aaaa-!

The heat gathered around Cheonma dissipated, revealing Cheonma hidden there.

A circular, translucent black barrier.

Inside it, she appeared unharmed.

“Tsk.”

Seeing that, I had to click my tongue briefly.

‘Looks like she still has that.’

That barrier was a power Cheonma possessed even in my past life.

Cheonma’s overwhelming might was strong enough to place her among the strongest, but…

It wasn’t just that; the power held by that barrier certainly played a significant role.

‘…Absolute Defense Aura.’

I recalled the name and ground my teeth.

The defensive aura martial artists use to protect their bodies, the Guardian Aura.

That barrier possesses power incomparable to it.

‘Cheonma’s aura doesn’t just block attacks and protect the body…’.

It blocked all ‘martial arts’ that opposed her.

Whether it was any divine technique or secret art, before Cheonma, even those became meaningless.

Since power couldn’t penetrate the aura, the only thing one could do was flee.

That’s why even the supposedly powerful Three Vows (三尊) were merely weak humans before Cheonma.

‘That’s why it’s so strange.’

How could Father have landed a blow on such a Cheonma?

Such a question suddenly crossed my mind.

Did a miracle perhaps occur?

Perhaps it did.

Martial artists (武人) cannot contend against Cheonma.

However, it is also martial artists who protect the world and fight against the Blood Calamity.

I felt like it was a battle where defeat was predetermined, but…

‘We… no, they could do it because they had the Divine Sword (神劍).’

The only person among the countless individuals across the Central Plains who could sever the Absolute Defense Aura.

The Divine Sword (神劍) was precisely that kind of person.

The so-called Sword of Pacifying Demons.

The Divine Sword could ignore the Absolute Defense Aura and strike Cheonma.

Using that, they ultimately succeeded in killing Cheonma.

However, this also means…

‘Without the Divine Sword, Cheonma’s aura cannot be pierced.’

It’s a situation that’s safe to assume, and it was indeed the case in my past life.

That’s also why countless people died trying to save at least the Divine Sword.

Ppah-deuk-!

I ground my teeth harshly.

‘How should I break through that?’

As long as the Absolute Defense Aura exists, everything becomes meaningless.

‘If it hadn’t been completed, I had hoped she wouldn’t have that at least.’

Unfortunately, it seemed Cheonma had already donned her defensive system.

So, what should I do?

Seriously, what should I do?

Just as I was desperately pondering.

“Stop.”

Cheonma murmured to me.

“…I don’t want to fight.”

Words spoken with a somewhat sad expression.

I could feel the emotion contained within, however faintly, in my chest.

Because of that, I briefly thought maybe they were sincere words, but…

“Nonsense.”

Such feelings burned away the moment they arose.

“You shouldn’t say things like that.”

You don’t want to fight?

At the very least, you shouldn’t have said that.

Even if you were to say such a thing.

“You should have said it much earlier.”

Not now, not in this life, but much, much earlier.

Even then, it would have been too late.

Hwa-reureuk.

I wrapped my body in flames.

The blue flames burned turbidly.

It was because demonic energy was mixed in due to my emotions.

I still don’t know the method.

Maybe I’ll never be able to break through the aura.

Even so.

Turning back from the moment before me was something I had to stop now.

Kwang-!

I kicked off the ground and charged.

I twisted my waist, putting strength into my lower body.

I delivered a kick straight at Cheonma.

Hwa-reureuk-! Flames wrapped around my toes.

I condensed it into a point and swung it at Cheonma, but…

Pang-!

Upon touching the aura, the flames vanished. The energy gathered in my leg also disappeared.

My strength drained.

In an instant, the kick lost its speed.

Kwak-!

Cheonma grabbed my foot like that and threw me back.

Hwa-ah-ak-!

“Kkuhk!”

She must have put considerable strength into it, as my body flew at tremendous speed.

Since I couldn’t afford to let the distance widen unnecessarily, I immediately spewed flames to stop my movement.

Hwa-reuk-! Chii-iik-!!

Just as I barely slowed down and prepared to charge again, I looked forward.

“…”

Cheonma, who had already approached unnoticed, was looking at me up close.

Damn it.

Is she just playing with me?

“…Stop….”

A pitiful voice brushed past my ears.

Damn it, hearing her say that with Wi Seol-ah’s face and voice made me feel even dirtier.

‘Find a way.’

It’s precisely at times like these that I need to find a way, and I’ve managed to do so well so far.

So, I will find one this time too.

Now was the time.

I looked at Cheonma, enveloped in her aura, and opened my Mind’s Eye (心眼).

I looked, hoping to see something with my Mind’s Eye, but…

‘Bullshit.’

I had to curse the moment I saw the barrier.

‘You can’t see anything?’

Even looking with my Mind’s Eye, I saw no flow whatsoever in the barrier.

How can that be?

All energy eventually has a flow.

If that were also an aura, some flow should have been visible, but Cheonma’s Absolute Defense Aura showed no flow at all.

‘No, it’s not strange.’

Yes, it’s not strange.

If any flow had been visible in the first place…

‘Pae-jon wouldn’t have been defeated.’

It’s impossible that Pae-jon, who possessed a more precise Mind’s Eye than me, let alone the Three Vows, would have been defeated like that.

Because breaking it was difficult, they must have tried to save the Divine Sword somehow.

‘This is a truly shitty situation.’

Is there truly no way?

No matter how much I struggle to kill Cheonma, if I can’t overcome even this, it’s no different from not starting at all.

Even after being pushed around this much since my regression… to be unable to open even that one thing was simply absurd.

‘It’s an absurd power from the start.’

An aura that blocks all martial arts.

Should something like that even be called an aura…

‘Huh?’

I stopped mid-thought.

Something occurred to me.

‘What if…’.

What if the Absolute Defense Aura isn’t an aura in the first place?

If the reason I couldn’t see a flow with my Mind’s Eye is because it’s not energy itself?

‘It might not be energy. Which means…’.

I looked up and stared at Cheonma.

Cheonma was looking at me with the same expression as before.

“I…”

I heard her about to say something. Her lips moved, trying to tell me something.

Such a question arose, but more importantly…

“Tam (Greed).”

“Chew.”

Kkum-teul-.

Kkwah-deuk-!

“…!”

A large mouth that sprang from my shadow bit down on Cheonma’s aura.

Where Tam bit, space was created.

The barrier was torn.

Cheonma’s Absolute Defense Aura was ripped apart by Greed.

“Huh?”

Cheonma showed a moment of bewildered reaction to the torn barrier.

I didn’t miss that chance.

Hwa-reuk-!

I squeezed the clumped Flame Prison into the gap.

Then.

Kwaaaaaa-aaaaa—!!!

An explosion erupted from within the barrier.

Smoke billowed out and spread around.

Fortunately, the smoke subsided shortly after.

Where the smoke had completely vanished, Cheonma stood.

Ttuk….

Blood dripped from the corner of Cheonma’s mouth.

Cheonma wiped the flowing blood with the back of her hand and looked at it.

“Oh….”

Disbelief was evident in her eyes.

“It hurts.”

She spoke haltingly, as if the word was one she had barely ever uttered.

Moreover, she said it hurt, her eyes full of wonder.

Is being hurt something to be amazed by?

While that felt surprising,

I felt the same way.

‘…I didn’t think it would actually happen.’

I thought it was strange that I couldn’t see it with my Mind’s Eye, but…

The black barrier protecting her body wasn’t some mere aura.

“That… was a Divine Power, wasn’t it?”

“Divine Power?”

The baptism used by demons. Recalling the numerous demons who received abilities from Cheonma and used them, I found it strange myself that I hadn’t thought of this sooner.

“I thought it didn’t make sense as martial arts…”.

In the first place.

“It wasn’t martial arts.”

“…”

I got up.

Just as Cheonma did, I wiped the drops flowing down my chin.

Is it sweat?

When did I start breaking out in a cold sweat?

My body wasn’t tired. My internal energy was overflowing.

Yet, my body was sweating cold.

As if it had been scared preemptively.

How amusing.

“Hoo….”

I let out a deep sigh and lifted my head.

And looked at Cheonma, who was bleeding.

Was Cheonma a dragon?

It seemed fitting to call her a dragon since she used Divine Power, but…

‘I don’t feel hostility.’

The hostility I felt whenever I saw a dragon was faint.

No, I definitely feel hostility. It’s just that…

‘It’s not because she’s a dragon.’

It’s closer to the hostility felt because she’s a being I must kill, not the instinctive sense felt because she’s a dragon.

How could this be?

A question suddenly arose, but…

‘It doesn’t matter anymore.’

Even that didn’t matter anymore.

What’s important now is…

“I can break through.”

That I can break through Cheonma’s barrier, something only the Divine Sword could do.

And thus…

‘I will devour her.’

That I can chew up and swallow the seed of the Blood Calamity right here.

That was all that mattered to me now.

Kkum-teul.

Heat boils.

Du-geun-!

The reaction starting from my heart seeped into my eyes.

Red light gradually seeped into my shining blue eyes.

Then, blue and red mixed, changing into purple.

Maybe I can kill Cheonma.

And maybe, just maybe, I can fully take the Divine Sword’s place.

Such aspirations piled up in my mind.

“Tam.”

The newfound possibility became aspiration.

The changed aspiration became hope.

And furthermore, hope became purpose.

The purpose thus formed mixed with purple and ignited turbidly.

“Chew.”

Kyaaaaaa-aaaa–!!

Kill Cheonma.

Right now, that was the only thought I had.

---

Hwa-reureuk—!!!

As the purple light dyed the area under the crescent moon.

“…Hmm.”

Sensing something suddenly, a man looked in one direction.

To Henan, where the Murim Alliance was. It was originally the destination the man should have headed towards, but…

Hwa-reuk.

For now, all he could see were the blazing flames.

“…”

So, the man withdrew his gaze and looked around.

On Mount Tai, on the way to Henan, another flame was burning.

Mount Taeseong (泰成山).

It’s the towering Mount Tai located on the route from Shanxi to Henan.

Originally, the mountain should have been full of green light according to the season, but…

For some reason, Mount Tai was engulfed in flames, burning red even in the middle of the night.

The strange thing is, below Mount Tai, there are houses, yet the people in those houses show no interest even as Mount Tai burns.

As if.

They couldn’t see the flames at all.

At the summit of Mount Tai, engulfed in such alien flames, stood the man. Gu Cheol-un, the head of the Gu family of Shanxi, stared straight ahead with an expressionless gaze.

More precisely, he was facing the owner of these flames enveloping Mount Tai.

At the end of his gaze, someone was perched atop a giant rock.

A white-haired old man wearing tattered rags could be seen.

The old man stared at Gu Cheol-un with bloodshot eyes.

The strange thing was.

A large crimson horn protruded from one side of the old man’s forehead.

The horn, glowing red in the darkness, was clearly visible even at night.

Gu Cheol-un, who had been looking at the horn, turned his similarly crimson eyes and spoke to the old man.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

At Gu Cheol-un’s words.

“Father.”

The old man’s expression changed, and he wore a chilling smile.