Chapter 745: Start.

Swoosh.

I opened my eyes.

Light suddenly flooded in, blinding me.

Perhaps because I had only been in the pitch-dark space, the sensation hit me hard.

“Young Master Gu…!”

A voice sounded.

Instantly, my body registered the situation.

I was grabbing the wrist of that bastard Yeongpung, who was right in front of my face.

Yeongpung was looking at me with trembling eyes.

“…”

What was the situation right before this?

I thought for a moment and recalled it just in time. Looking at my free hand, I saw I was holding the Holy Spear.

Right.

With this, I was threatening Yeongpung… no, the old man inside Yeongpung.

My head was spinning.

It was good that my consciousness returned to the real world, but perhaps due to the backlash, my body felt a bit stiff.

Fwoosh-!

Recalling the Holy Spear, I quickly circulated my internal energy throughout my body.

It was to assess my condition.

‘Hmm.’

In a short time, my internal energy, having circulated a couple of times, gathered in my heart.

Instantly, my body’s condition was confirmed.

‘…As expected.’

It was just as I’d predicted.

My physical body was exactly the same as before I went to the mental space.

The damage sustained there hadn’t followed me here.

It was fortunate if it was fortunate, and natural if it was natural.

“Hoo.”

I let out a steady sigh.

I didn’t have the energy to examine my surroundings further. My complicated thoughts just weighed me down.

“…What the…”

When I suddenly recalled the Holy Spear, Yeongpung showed a puzzled reaction.

Swish-!

Thwack-!

“Crrk…?”

Before he could react further, I swung my hand and struck Yeongpung’s jaw.

Yeongpung’s jaw twisted slightly, and he slumped down.

Fwump-!!

The plum blossoms scattered in the air instantly exploded.

It must have been because the caster lost consciousness.

Swooshhhhh–.

The energy slowly subsided.

I roughly supported the slumped-down Yeongpung.

‘…I feel a bit sorry about this.’

Yeongpung, who had collapsed limply.

Watching him, I let out a bitter laugh.

Originally, I had intended to play along a little longer.

I could have ended it with a single blow.

But this was also a measure for the changed Yeongpung.

Knowing his target was me, it wasn’t pity I felt for a genius, but I felt a sense of responsibility for his actions.

So, I decided to let him gain something.

I definitely had that intention.

‘The situation has become troublesome.’

It was no longer a situation that could be continued.

Just as I was watching the fallen Yeongpung.

“S-Sanseogu wins by Yangcheon!”

The referee soon announced that the match had concluded.

Waaaaaaahhhhhh—–!!!

Cheers erupted immediately.

The shouts continued to pour in.

Even as I heard them, my expression wasn’t particularly good.

It was the cheer I had vaguely hoped for.

But my situation never allowed me to fully enjoy it.

And this time was no different.

---

Right after the short yet long conversation with the old man.

Looking at him, I had a choice.

That was to absorb him.

Although he was a spirit, the old man was part of the demonic cultivation harbored within Yeongpung, so I expected I could absorb him using the Demonic Heaven Absorption technique.

It probably wouldn’t be different from when I absorbed the Divine Sword.

If that happened, my demonic cultivation would increase, which would be beneficial for me.

Furthermore, as he was a being with strong presence, if he remained as a spirit, he might be as helpful as the Old Master Shin I knew….

I didn’t bother doing so.

This was partly because I didn’t particularly need more demonic cultivation.

It was also out of consideration for the Old Master Shin who was originally with me.

The most fundamental reason was that I felt suspicious.

‘If the old man truly existed before Yeon Ilcheon’s regression.’

The mere fact that he came to the world I’m in now doesn’t make sense.

This was clearly someone’s intention and necessity.

That alone explains why I have two Guijeong, and why there are two Old Masters Shin.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The number of times I tapped my knee with my finger increased.

‘Who could it be.’

Who on earth created this situation?

A being capable of intervening in a world that might have long since disappeared to create such phenomena.

It doesn’t seem like a human, at least….

I thought of all sorts of people, but none seemed to fit.

Then, setting aside their existence, what was the intention?

‘It’s too much to dismiss it as mere coincidence.’

If it were simply a miracle or coincidence, I’d feel at ease, but I had to assume it wasn’t and calculate accordingly.

Thump.

I stopped tapping with my fingers and examined my left arm.

It was the arm where the Guijeong was bound.

So what about this Guijeong?

The problem suddenly occurred to me.

Having two Guijeong is one thing.

‘…Is this Guijeong actually the Old Master’s?’

If the Guijeong item came from another world…. then this one is real, and the other one is….

“Aish, fuck…”

As I thought, I ended up spitting out a curse.

Because it was something that would repeat endlessly.

Anyway.

The reason I didn’t absorb the old man was because of these things.

Uncertain causes and reasons.

As it was possible the Blood Demon might have intervened, bringing the old man was fraught with problems.

Also.

‘…I need to discuss this kind of thing with the Old Master.’

I thought this was something I had to ask Old Master Shin.

Normally, I would have ignored that old geezer’s opinion and just gone ahead and done it….

But this time, it didn’t seem like I could.

‘The problem is how I’m supposed to go see that old geezer….’

My head aches.

It’s been a year or two since Old Master Shin disappeared with Kkeureungi.

He said he’d be back soon, but I still haven’t been able to go.

Damn it. If I knew this would happen, I shouldn’t have let him go.

“Hoo…”

A sigh escaped me naturally.

Was it really right to have let him go like that?

“…What’s the point of thinking it was wrong now?”

It’s useless regret.

Spilt milk. If the situation got this tangled, I needed to think about untangling it first.

To do that.

‘First, the matter right in front of me.’

Another world, the Old Master, the Blood Demon, whatever.

To achieve that, finishing the task at hand was the right thing to do.

The moment I finished judging that.

“…Are you done thinking?”

A tired voice came from in front of me.

I looked up and saw Cheol Ji-seon staring at me with narrowed eyes.

“What’s with the look? You’re quite fierce, aren’t you, my Ji-seon?”

“That’s not something you should be saying.”

“…What could that possibly mean?”

As I subtly clenched my fist, Cheol Ji-seon pretended not to see and took a sip of his wine.

Cheol Ji-seon has really grown up.

He even talks back now?

I considered giving him a punch, but decided against it, as it would be troublesome if I accidentally hit him to death.

Seeing that I held back, Cheol Ji-seon finally spoke to me again.

“…What happened to make you wear that expression since earlier?”

“Something came up. Contemplations on parallel worlds and my fucked-up life.”

“…I don’t understand a single word?”

“That’s why I told you to study more.”

“This has something to do with studying…? Besides. I studied quite a bit too.”

I chuckled at Cheol Ji-seon’s indignant reaction.

Right. Even during the Shinryong Hall days, Cheol Ji-seon had excellent grades.

It’s just that.

“I was the top student. You weren’t.”

“…”

I was just better.

Bringing up past achievements shut Cheol Ji-seon’s mouth tight.

He seemed to have nothing to say.

Moreover, his expression turned quite something, so I waved my hand slightly.

“Don’t worry about it. Something just became bothersome.”

“…When you say something is bothersome, Yangcheon, it usually means big trouble, so…”

“…What did I ever do….”

I stopped mid-sentence.

It did seem like that was the case.

When I messed with the Sichuan Branch, the branch chief mentioned something was strangely bothersome.

In reality, he was someone making backroom deals with the demonic sects, so I should have killed all those lunatics from the Mukryong Sect and erased the rumors back then.

Or when I mentioned something was bothersome in Gwangju, there were guys making mass quantities of thunder-crash bombs and committing massacres.

As if proving my terrible luck, major incidents and accidents had occurred over the past few years.

“…Ahem.”

I chuckled awkwardly and clinked my glass.

There was nothing more to say that wouldn’t be detrimental.

Gulp.

I took a sip of tea to wet my throat.

I was drinking barley tea, while Cheol Ji-seon poured himself more wine.

I found out in the past that Cheol Ji-seon was quite the drinker.

“So.”

After we shared a few more drinks.

Cheol Ji-seon, his face slightly flushed as if from the alcohol, brought up the topic.

“What are you planning to do now?”

“Hmm….”

This was also the reason I was meeting Cheol Ji-seon privately today.

The quiet room in the inn.

The surroundings, which should have been noisy, were quiet.

There was no other way.

I had rented this entire room through Moyong Hi-ah, and had also set up barriers separately.

My presence had already drawn a lot of attention these past few days, so I had to prepare things like this now.

“Young Master Dang’s trial is over…. He’s probably being tortured right now. You heard the reports, right?”

“I know. Na-hui already told me everything before leaving.”

“What on earth are you thinking?”

Cheol Ji-seon, flushed with alcohol.

Perhaps the reason he insisted on drinking was to speak more smoothly in front of me.

“Yangcheon-a. What is the reason you’re going this far?”

“What reason?”

“Why did you let him be tortured, knowing full well he was being tortured?”

Tang Deok is currently captured beneath the Murim Alliance headquarters and undergoing torture.

Is that what bothers Cheol Ji-seon so much?

Seeing his reaction, I suddenly burst out laughing.

“You’re quite angry, aren’t you? My Cheol Ji-seon.”

“Is that what you say right now…?”

“No, should I get angry instead of laughing?”

Perhaps sensing my subtle discomfort.

Cheol Ji-seon’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

“I explained before that it was all part of the plan.”

“It’s because I don’t understand that plan. The reason you’re going this far…”

“You already know everything.”

“…”

As I cut him off and mentioned it, Cheol Ji-seon’s expression crumpled.

This wasn’t just a reaction to being interrupted.

I know. That statement is what bothers him.

“Since you know everything, why do you keep asking?”

“You….”

“Then, you tell me. Is there a better situation than this?”

Trickle.

I poured more tea into the empty cup.

Even as I did so, I continued speaking.

“Soon, the Hwangbo Family Head will make a move.”

When I heard that Tang Deok had arrived.

“And he’ll go to the Alliance Leader and speak.”

-I received some news from the Intelligence Division.

-It is said that someone from a place called the Demonic Cult will attack the Alliance to retrieve a captured criminal.

Perhaps as early as now.

Or at the latest, tomorrow.

That news will reach the Murim Alliance.

“Was that the Hwangbo Family Head’s purpose?”

Cheol Ji-seon asked, his eyes widening.

Seeing that, I shook my head.

“No way. Would I use such a valuable card for just that? I’m just trying to make use of it while I’m at it.”

Words that treated a person like an object.

Perhaps because of that tone, Cheol Ji-seon’s face darkened slightly.

It didn’t matter.

Because it was a tone I used intentionally.

“My prediction is sufficient with this. Though, who knows. According to the Hwangbo Family Head, they might only feel vigilance.”

Would they really attack, thinking I’m crazy?

Not just anywhere, but here in Hannam.

A place where all the righteous sects’ forces are gathered.

Moreover, due to the Martial Arts Festival, all the top experts were here.

Knowing that, would the Demonic Cult still attack?

It could be dismissed as absurd.

Of course, honestly, the probability of this happening is low.

Still, it’s something the Hwangbo Family Head mentioned.

His name carries weight, so the Alliance will likely move as I predicted.

But there’s always a chance.

That’s why I’ll use one more method.

“When the Hwangbo Family Head delivers the news, with a time lag, one more person will go.”

The Sect Leader of the Amipa Sect will move.

It wasn’t originally part of the plan.

But since it came into my hands as a card, I intend to use it too.

“Then how will the Alliance Leader react?”

The words mentioned simultaneously by the Hwangbo Family Head and the Amipa Sect Leader.

Even if their respective Intelligence Divisions didn’t know, I had prepared the evidence and justification for it.

“Whether they know it or not, their vigilance will increase.”

The wariness towards the unknown group called the Demonic Cult.

It will rise extremely high, and the fact that they might attack the Alliance implies two things.

One is that the members of the Demonic Cult might possess enough strength to attack Hannam directly.

The second is that Tang Deok is that important to the Demonic Cult.

Hearing up to this point, Cheol Ji-seon asked.

“…If you say they might attack like that, isn’t there a risk the Martial Arts Festival could be canceled?”

That’s a valid point.

He was asking if I hadn’t considered that.

However.

“There’s no way it’ll be canceled. Why would they cancel it? Think about how much money has been invested.”

Considering the significance of this Martial Arts Festival, it absolutely couldn’t be canceled.

The Shinryong Martial Arts Festival is a celebration held to conceal the dangers of the current era.

It was an event to maintain the Murim Alliance’s facade as a symbol of peace.

And because a crisis occurred in such a situation, they should end the festival?

“The Sword Saint, that guy definitely won’t do that.”

Even if it wasn’t the Sword Saint, it would be like cutting off his own head.

How could the followers of the righteous sects, who live and die by honor and reputation, do such a thing?

Moreover.

“There won’t be a safer situation than the Martial Arts Festival. They won’t cancel it.”

At a time when experts gathered from all over the Central Plains.

This means Hannam is currently like an impregnable fortress united by elite forces.

Just based on information, several of the Ten Great Experts were gathered here.

When else would Hannam be safer than now?

The Alliance Leader must know that this is all thanks to the Martial Arts Festival.

‘He will try to maintain it by any means necessary.’

For reputation, for safety, even for the sake of the merchants’ eyes, the Martial Arts Festival had to continue.

So, what can the Alliance Leader do now?

He only has the information that the Demonic Cult might attack.

Hannam seems safe, and he knows the reason.

Then he only has one choice.

‘Either strengthen the security around the prisoner.’

Or, conversely, move the prisoner to the safest location.

He’ll surely devise some plan.

‘It doesn’t matter which one it is.’

Anything would be good.

As long as he took some action, I would be grateful.

“So….”

Just then.

Cheol Ji-seon reacted after hearing all this.

“…So… you let Young Master Tang get captured and tortured for that purpose?”

“That’s right. He was the most suitable guy.”

His body is close to indestructible, and he’s strong against pain.

His lack of toxicity is an issue, but he has strong vitality. And since he’s corrupted by demonic energy, he’s tight-lipped.

Where else could I find a more suitable talent?

‘I deliberately showed my face to the Wudang side for this. Of course, I had to use him.’

For this very moment, I even exposed Tang Deok to people during the Wudang raid.

This was all for this moment.

A trap and bait.

Tang Deok was the trap, scattered.

The information was the bait, subtly spread around.

A few days later, around the time the righteous sect guys started gathering one by one.

That was the turning point.

And now, it was a matter of days.

Cheol Ji-seon’s expression didn’t relax even after hearing the explanation. I didn’t mind.

He must be bothered by the moral aspect.

It doesn’t matter.

‘The fact that he’s not arguing means he knows too, right?’

Even if this isn’t the best method.

It is the fastest method.

And that the conclusion of that method aligns with what he wants.

It’s truly contradictory.

Or perhaps, human?

He feels sorry for Tang Deok’s suffering, yet ultimately accepts the decision.

This might be because Cheol Ji-seon is afraid of me, or as he said, to achieve what he wants, but…

The contradiction remains the same.

However.

‘If you ask if I find Cheol Ji-seon detestable because of that, it’s not the case.’

Whatever the case, it no longer mattered to me.

What’s important is that things have progressed this far.

And whether I’ll be in the position I desire once this is over.

That’s all that matters to me.