Chapter 751: Reform (Reform)

I looked up at the thick lines floating in the sky.

‘Wow.’

The crimson light shining was quite vivid.

Along with it, the clear sky was gradually becoming covered with dark clouds.

It was obviously not a natural phenomenon, making it utterly bizarre.

‘I wondered how grand an event would unfold.’

It was a much grander sight than expected.

Melodies and energies filled the void.

Anyone could see it wasn’t normal, and the vast spectacle was overwhelming.

They said it was prepared over many long years, and it certainly showed.

‘Hmm.’

Six lines slowly began to connect.

They slowly linked together as if completing a specific sentence.

Following that process, the clear sky was also gradually darkening.

Gu-gu-gu-gong–!!!

Vibrations reached not only the martial arts stage but all directions.

“W-what is this happening-!”

“Kyaaahk!”

Screams erupted everywhere due to the sudden vibrations. People seemed utterly panicked and moved hastily.

Meanwhile, members of the Alliance were seen coming out to assess the situation.

Confirming this, my gaze shifted upwards.

Towards the crimson barrier that had begun to envelop the pavilion.

Sa-a-a-ah–!!

Energy surging from below enveloped the pavilion.

It was a somewhat translucent, crimson barrier.

‘Is that what Pildu-ma mentioned?’

I remembered hearing about it once when planning.

He mentioned a power that could gather the strong individuals in Hanam and restrain them.

He said if given time, he could make it properly, and it seemed this was it.

‘What could be the principle behind it?’

By what principle did it operate?

Curiosity arose, but unfortunately, now was not the time.

Kwa-deu-deuk–!!!

For a moment, feeling immense pressure, I checked the pavilion.

‘Oho.’

Maehwaseon, Geomseon, and Geomje were simultaneously unleashing sword strikes at the barrier.

Their energies resonated, unleashing powerful sword energies, but they failed to tear the barrier and dissipated.

‘Look at this.’

The effect was certain.

Moreover, it clearly showed its efficacy better than any explanation.

‘It’s not blocking, it’s absorbing?’

The barrier clearly absorbed the energy of the sword strikes.

And its color became more vivid.

Is it eating the energy to become stronger?

‘Hmm.’

If I had to classify it, it sounded like a formation technique.

The part where it consumed energy was definitely helpful.

‘It’s certainly possible to hold them back.’

If it couldn’t block perfectly, it would take time to disable.

Of course, even so.

‘It should be able to hold them for about half an hour.’

It was purely an estimate, but I judged it would definitely hold them for that long.

‘Ah, I’m curious.’

What principle truly generated such power?

If only I could confirm it, it would surely be a helpful ability later…

‘Tsk.’

It was just a shame I couldn’t go check it out.

Gu-gu-gu-gong-!!

The vibrations gradually intensified, and sensing the crisis, everyone in the spectator stands also began to move urgently.

“R-run!”

“Yeonsin-ah! Where are you–!!”

“Fuck! Get out of the way!”

“Ugh-ah-ah-ah.”

As the crowded masses moved at once, chaos erupted instantly.

Screams were rampant.

Curses and wails filled the surroundings.

As it was a sudden situation, people couldn’t keep their wits about them, and as a result, order collapsed entirely.

Moreover.

“P-please calm down! First…!”

“M-move! Move aside!”

Even though the Alliance’s martial artists tried to restore order somehow, it wasn’t enough to quell the confusion.

They probably didn’t anticipate such an event.

And they likely hadn’t set down any rules regarding it.

Thanks to that.

Thanks to that, deep chaos ensued.

It was exactly the situation I wanted.

Observing this, I turned my head.

‘Shall I start moving now?’

This place would slowly collapse, so it was time for me to do what I needed to do.

Thinking so, I turned my gaze.

Seuk.

I saw someone supporting the unconscious Dowang.

The person who came to handle Dowang amidst the fleeing crowd.

There was only one.

‘Peng Woojin.’

Peng Woojin, the young master of the Peng family.

He was supporting his father.

And with a remarkably expressionless face at that.

Then, his eyes met mine.

As always, Peng Woojin smiled looking at me, but I couldn’t smile back.

No matter what, smiling at a son after beating his father to that state was too much.

So, just as I couldn’t say anything.

“This situation has become quite troublesome.”

Peng Woojin was the one who spoke to me first.

-Kyaaahk-!!

-Please move aside…!

Amidst the chaotic situation, his tone was unusually calm.

“I had expected to face you, Gongja, not long from now… Hmm. This is truly unfortunate.”

“Is that important in this situation…?”

I couldn’t help but retort, finding his words absurd.

In this mess, was that really the issue?

Ah… could this be…

“If it’s about avenging the Peng family head…”

“That holds no meaning. The family head lost because he was meant to lose. I bear no ill will towards Gu Gongja.”

“…”

A firm denial came out before I could even finish speaking.

How could that be possible?

Such a question arose, but I felt absolutely no emotion in Peng Woojin’s words.

That made it even colder.

How could he be so emotionless?

Peng Zhou didn’t exist in Peng Woojin’s gaze.

He was truly looking only at me.

Even amidst this damn situation.

‘He lost because he was meant to lose.’

As Peng Woojin glanced at Peng Zhou while speaking.

A flicker of emotion passed then.

That emotion was terribly dark.

And above all, sharp.

‘Hmm.’

So, while that emotion bothered me briefly, I didn’t dwell on it.

I paid it no mind.

The Peng family’s affairs were not my concern.

Furthermore, Peng Woojin wasn’t concerned about that either, as he continued speaking to me.

“Therefore, since it’s become unfortunate… I hope you will definitely keep your promise.”

“Ah, yes… Well… I’ll try my best.”

Just as I uttered those words with a reluctant expression.

“Gongja-nim-!”

Someone landed swiftly towards me from the air.

It was Tang Soyeol.

“Are you alright…?”

He approached urgently with a very worried expression.

“Something’s happened…! You need to move outside for now.”

The anomalous phenomenon floating in the air.

Tang Soyeol seemed to have realized it wasn’t ordinary either.

“Hmm.”

What should I say?

I hesitated for a moment but kept my mouth shut.

Then Peng Woojin interjected.

“Well then, I’ll be going ahead.”

Peng Woojin, supporting Peng Zhou, gathered power in his feet.

Given the situation, the Peng family’s martial artists couldn’t come here either, so it seemed he intended to leave the area first.

Just as he was about to leave.

Peng Woojin spoke, looking at Tang Soyeol.

“Soyeol-ah. Let’s meet again next time.”

Tang Soyeol’s expression changed slightly at those words.

These two were supposed to be my next opponents, but seeing their condition, anyone could tell the martial bouts were off.

“Ah… yes.”

Tang Soyeol nodded.

Peng Woojin confirmed this and leaped away slightly.

“Gongja-nim, we should hurry too…!”

Both figures disappeared, and Tang Soyeol urged me quickly.

Meanwhile, my gaze was fixed on the pavilion.

-Save the Alliance Leader-!

-Sect Leader–!!

-Damn it. Hurry and call the Formation Masters!

-What is the Wind Dragon Brigade doing–!!

Not just the Alliance members.

People dressed in various colorful clothes were pounding on the pavilion’s barrier.

They were all outstanding martial artists and members of the orthodox sects.

They were all gathered at the barrier, trying to save their Sect Leaders, Family Heads, or Guild Masters.

Even members of the Martial Alliance were rushing to save Geomseon.

-Ugh-ah-ah-ah-!

A disaster-like event had occurred, yet people weren’t receiving proper guidance.

Those belonging to the orthodox sects were busy saving their superiors and guild masters.

Seeing that, I recalled something.

Is that truly chivalry?

Is that the value of the orthodox sects that had taken root for centuries?

Could a situation where they crumble under such a minor crack truly be called justice?

I don’t know.

I couldn’t make a judgment as I’d never known chivalry or justice in my life, but I knew one thing.

‘If that’s what justice or chivalry is.’

It seemed rather unnecessary.

---

“It’s the end… It’s the end…”

“Oh, God–!”

“Mommy…”

The streets of Hanam, as I moved along with Tang Soyeol, gradually became filled with cries.

Gu-gu-gu-gong—!!!

“Ugh-ah-ah-ah-!”

“Honey…!”

The vibrations were still rough, and the sky had lost its blue hue, becoming completely filled with dark clouds.

The situation had changed in less than half a moment.

The streets, originally bustling with the heat of the martial arts tournament, were instantly ruined.

People were crushed by fear, dreading the unknown disaster.

While observing them and quickening my pace.

“First, we should return to our lodging, right?”

Tang Soyeol, quickening his steps, asked me.

Returning to the lodging.

Meaning we should gather our companions and move.

It was a reasonable statement from Tang Soyeol, but.

“You go on ahead.”

“Huh?”

My thoughts were different.

How could I go back?

It wouldn’t do to set the stage and then leave.

“Go and take care of the kids. I have something to do.”

“Gongja-nim, what do you mean… In this situation?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry.”

I gave Tang Soyeol a slight smile and pushed his back.

“Nothing major will happen.”

“…”

Tang Soyeol’s expression changed subtly at my firm words.

Did he sense something?

Or did he have questions but decided to comply? I couldn’t tell.

However.

“…Alright.”

Tang Soyeol nodded at my words.

“…You shouldn’t be late, okay? If you’re late… they’ll really come looking for you.”

“I won’t be late. It won’t take long.”

“Alright.”

With those words, Tang Soyeol sped up towards the lodging and ran off.

I watched Tang Soyeol’s small back and stopped walking.

Then, I glanced to the side.

-Ugh-ah-ah-ah…. Mommy…

I saw a child crying, seemingly out of fear.

A person, presumably the mother, was hugging and comforting the child.

Everyone was gripped by fear.

Some were flustered, not knowing what to do, while others couldn’t control their bodies from fear.

These were sights I often saw in my past life, around the time wars began.

The expressions and the atmosphere from back then.

The scenes from back then, which I didn’t want to experience again, were very similar to now.

The difference was.

‘This time, I created this mess.’

That fact gnawed at me.

What does it matter if those insects die?

Whether something had changed through shedding my skin, a damn inner thought crawled up, and at the same time.

A disgusting feeling washed over me.

I wanted to quit right then and there.

Swallowing the urge to vomit, I turned my head.

I put strength into my feet.

I won’t make excuses that it was necessary.

What excuses are needed here?

I simply have to bear it.

Just as I took a breath, resolving myself.

-Listen up, dogs of the Martial Alliance.

Suddenly, a voice began to echo in the middle of the street.

I lifted my head.

Then, I saw people floating in the air.

Not just one person.

Dozens.

Easily dozens of people were floating all over the air.

-The day of reform has arrived.

The old, dry voice spread in all directions.

The energy contained within the resonance was quite dense and profound.

“What… what is happening?”

“What is it? Who are those people?”

“What the hell is this…!?”

The appearance of these strange figures intensified the chaos.

Their appearance confirmed.

That this unknown environment was artificial, not natural.

It was far more terrifying that humans were responsible for it.

-We have come to punish the sins of the Alliance.

-The Martial Alliance, hiding its own ugliness, forgot the past and failed to correct its wrong history.

An old man spitting out the story he had endured as if venting his resentment.

The meaning conveyed in his voice was so clear that one could understand just by listening.

-It was a life burdened with harsh persecution and curses.

-The illusion created by the Martial Alliance, claiming to uphold justice, made us this way.

-Therefore, this is the punishment delivered by ‘us’ who endured and bore that time.

-The despicable Alliance.

-Shall henceforth bear the heavy burden of the ‘Zhuge’ family.

The old man who spoke gestured.

At that moment.

Gu-gu-gu-gu-gu-gong—!!!!!

The vibrations intensified further, and everyone floating in the air, except for the old man, fell to the ground.

-Kya-ah-ah-ah–!!

-S-save me–!!

The screams grew louder.

Even in this state, the Alliance members did not appear.

Some were visible, but.

What use could a mere few possibly be?

‘What on earth are the top figures doing?’

From what I understood, only half were tied up at the pavilion.

So what were the other half doing?

It would be better if they didn’t show up, but it was strange they hadn’t appeared even in this state.

‘If I don’t know, I have to go check.’

Assessing the situation, I leaped gently.

Although a fierce situation was predicted behind me, I turned my back without hesitation.

I had my own objective.

-Stop-!!

Because I had something separately prepared for this side.

Those who initiated the attack.

Seeing them, energy spread out from various locations.

-Combat teams, protect the civilians against the attack-!!

Rough roars filled the surroundings.

Simultaneously, many individuals charged towards those in dark robes.

The shouts of martial artists echoed, as if repelling the attack.

Those who saw this exclaimed with shining eyes.

-H-Hwangbo Sega!

-It’s Hwangbo Sega!

Martial artists dressed in yellow appeared in large numbers.

Some stopped at nearby streets and began waving their hands.

-Everyone, please calm down! From now on, Hwangbo Sega will protect you!

-Please follow the guidance promptly–!!

-Knights, listen! From now on, the safety of civilians is the top priority! Protect them with your lives, embodying the beliefs of the orthodox sects-!!

-Loyalty–!!

Perhaps it was because the members of the prestigious families appeared united.

A faint sense of relief flashed across many faces.

Confirming this, I lifted the corners of my mouth.

It was going according to plan.

The chess pieces I had prepared were starting to move one by one.

There were no problems yet.

However, the important part starts now.

From now on.

‘Discard the pieces to be sacrificed, and secure what needs to be kept.’

Amidst the disaster and riot I myself had prepared, it was time to gain what I intended to gain.

Kung–!! Kwa-deu-deuk–!!

Explosions could be heard shortly after.

I leaped, ignoring them.

At the same time, I reached into my robes and pulled out an item.

A familiar, cracked mask.

Putting it on my face, I focused strength into my heart.

Du-geun-!

Demonic energy surged through my acupoints.

Only now.

Was it time for the Heavenly Demon (Cheonma) to descend upon the laid-out chaos.