Chapter 759: Hero Appears.

[Aaaaaaaah—!!!]

The piercing monstrous scream spreads in all directions.

The sound was so powerful that the ground itself seemed to tremble whenever the creature howled.

“Ugh!”

“Kkuh…!!”

“Keok…!!”

The internal energy embedded within the voice was even causing harm to the martial artists.

They cover their ears and curl up their bodies. Some were even coughing up blood.

Those with lower cultivation levels couldn’t withstand the backlash, causing their internal energy to become tangled.

‘Damn.’

Seeing that, I immediately tensed my body.

Kuwoong–!!!

Heat erupted from my body, scattering my internal energy.

It was to suppress the overwhelming vibrations.

Filling the surroundings with energy as if declaring my domain, people barely managed to regain their composure.

It was dangerous.

‘If I left it like that, they would have fallen into qi deviation.’

Martial artists below the first-rate level would have truly experienced their internal energy going berserk and falling into qi deviation.

This means…

‘First-rate level cultivators can’t even get close.’

First-rate.

While I can now kill them with a single blow, it’s by no means a low cultivation level.

A level that some would praise as ‘master’ and elevate.

Just being first-rate level allows one to join a security escort agency, a sect, or a noble family, living a life without worrying about money.

‘And people like that are dying like insects.’

And all with just one howl.

‘What a crazy bastard.’

A wry laugh escaped me involuntarily.

With this level of destructive power, it’s no wonder they call it a disaster.

I looked at those struggling to breathe and shouted.

“Those whose internal energy just flowed backward, please clear the area. Staying here is just a dog’s death.”

They must have truly felt by now that this wasn’t a situation for showing off bravado.

The expressions of those who almost fell into qi deviation were truly a sight to behold.

It’s dangerous.

To nearly die from a mere shout, of all things.

It truly would have been a dog’s death.

“If you intend to die uselessly here, you’d be better off going to the shelter and helping manage the people there. That would at least be a meaningful task.”

“Kuhuk….”

Those who were addressed hesitated, but eventually moved their feet as if blaming themselves.

Yeah, if they hadn’t decided to leave this time, I would have kicked them out, so this is about right.

‘You have to know where you’re lying down.’

If their lives are to be wasted like that, it’s better to use them elsewhere.

With the first-rate level cultivators and a few peak-level ones leaving, nearly half the area became empty.

It doesn’t matter.

They would have died anyway once the battle began.

It’s just the people who were essentially non-factors who left. That’s fine.

‘The real fight starts now.’

[Aaaaaaaah—-!!!]

The creature continued to unleash its monstrous screams.

I narrowed my eyes, focusing on the creature.

A goat’s head. A human body. Beast-like hands and tail.

And butterfly wings.

It was an appearance and size I’d never seen among the monsters encountered so far.

‘Excluding the wings, its body size is roughly nine feet.’

It’s large for a human, but incredibly small for a high-ranking monster.

Is that truly a hundred-class monster?

Such a question arose, but it was only natural.

‘If that’s not a hundred-class, then what is?’

It possesses this much tremor and backlash.

If it wasn’t a hundred-class, that would be even more fucked up.

[Aaa…aaaaa….]

The creature, which had been howling for a long time, gradually quieted its cries.

As the sound subsided, my tension rose.

[Ah.]

Tuk.

It stopped.

And then.

The creature’s gaze turned directly towards me.

[Kyaaaaaaaah—!!!]

Kuwoong-!!

“Fuck-!”

I cursed and turned my head.

Swishhh–!!!

Sharp claws grazed the tip of my nose.

Its approach speed is fast.

If I had been even a moment slower, my head would have been severed.

Seogeok-!!

“…!”

Beyond the point of impact, the building split apart.

It was like five lines of sword energy had passed through.

I confirmed it.

It was something to be cautious about.

I clenched my fist and immediately swung it.

Kuwoong-!

[Kiiik-!!]

The monster, hit in the face, screamed. But.

‘It was shallow.’

The impact felt weak compared to the force I put in.

I understood the reason immediately.

‘It’s the carapace.’

Just as I thought.

It’s the same as last time.

Only by mixing my intent could I damage the carapace, and only immediately after it broke could my attacks truly land.

It was the same for this creature.

Because I hastily used Heart Fist, the power was shallow, only enough to slightly damage the carapace.

I couldn’t inflict any more damage than that.

Just then.

[Kiiiiii-!!]

‘Damn.’

Because the backlash was minimal, the creature moved immediately.

It attempted an attack at close range.

It’s slightly difficult to dodge.

Should I sacrifice my upper body?

‘That won’t do.’

If I got reckless relying on regeneration, there’s a risk of instant death.

After a brief deliberation, I raised my left arm.

I’ll just sacrifice an arm.

The moment I moved with that thought.

Pajik-!

Swirrik- Kkang-!

[Kiiik?]

Surprisingly, the creature failed its attack.

Simultaneously, blue-white hair fluttered in front of me as lightning energy rained down.

It was Namgung Bi-ah.

She leaped forward, blocking the assault.

That wasn’t all.

Seureureung-!

Golden flowing energy followed, piercing through.

Another sword strike cut through the air.

The blade imbued with light fiercely struck Namgung Bi-ah’s sword.

Kkang-!

[Kiiii-!!]

The sword, receiving the impact, shot upward forcefully.

The creature’s hand was violently knocked away.

Its upper body was exposed.

“Young Master-!”

The voice came from behind.

My body reacted before I even processed the voice.

Heart Fist (心拳).

The fist, swallowing the shockwave, collided with the creature’s upper body.

Kwaterererek–!!

[Kiaaak-!!]

The carapace broke, and its upper body slightly caved in.

The hit landed.

Not bad.

The moment I thought that.

Seueuk-!

The broken carapace began to recover, and just before it fully healed.

Swirrik-!!

Something pierced into the carapace, passing by my cheek.

Puk-!

It was a dagger.

The dagger flew in and lodged itself in the creature’s upper body.

Someone quickly approached from behind it.

Light green hair could be glimpsed.

Tang Soyeol, who had appeared out of nowhere, twisted her waist towards the dagger embedded in its chest.

Her toes drew spirals, heading straight for the hilt of the embedded dagger.

Kuwook-!!

[Kiaaaaaa!!!]

Due to the consecutive impacts, the creature screamed and flew into the ruins.

Kuwoong–!!!

As it smashed through pillars while flying, the building collapsed.

Kukukukung-!!

The sight of it crumbling down, kicking up debris and dust.

My gaze was momentarily stolen by that sight.

But I couldn’t stare for long.

Hwarureureuk—!!

I gathered flames onto my hand.

The Flame Orb (炎玉) formed in an instant.

I compressed it, and compressed it again.

I invested a considerable amount of internal energy to maximize its destructive power.

I needed to hit it harder before the carapace recovered.

This was the Flame Orb I prepared for that purpose.

“Sect Leader! I’ll use this!?”

“…What? Wait!”

A bright voice was heard.

Swishhh-!!

Kkang-!!

Suddenly, Bong-soon appeared and swung her staff, hitting the Flame Orb and sending it flying.

“Hey, you crazy bitch–!!!”

As I was about to curse at the absurd sight.

Kuwaaaaaaaa!!!!

“…”

Watching it explode, I had to shut my mouth for a moment.

The damage was much greater than I expected.

The Flame Orb, which I had tried to compress further and further.

And with the strong external impact, its explosive power seemed to have been amplified.

“Huh? Why?”

Bong-soon asked, as if wondering why I cursed at her.

“…No, you did well.”

Seeing her expression, I said with an awkward smile.

To think such a damn brute-force method would work.

…I guess I should try applying this next time.

Anyway.

‘Hoo.’

I took a breath and looked around.

It was a sudden combination, but it was incredibly clean.

‘…Did they practice sometime?’

Why was it so clean? I looked at the three women in surprise.

I was genuinely surprised, but the three women showed no sign of noticing.

Only beyond.

The three were only looking at where the monster lay fallen.

Am I the only one not focused?

Or perhaps….

‘Was telling them to leave if they wouldn’t be helpful the problem?’

Did that perhaps provoke their pride?

The three had eyes filled with much more fervor than usual.

It seems I’ve put my foot in my mouth this time.

‘Tsk.’

Swallowing the unpleasant feeling, I shifted my gaze.

Yes, now was the time for me to focus on the monster too.

Puseuseuseuk….

The ruins were completely burned, with debris scattering.

A space filled only with blue flames from the Flame Orb’s explosion.

[…Kiii….]

From within that space, the monster was slowly getting up, seemingly exhausted.

However.

‘Something’s strange?’

I tilted my head, watching its movements.

The monster barely managed to lift itself.

Because its body was strange.

‘…What is it?’

Its body was covered in cracks.

It looked cracked as if it would shatter any moment.

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment seeing that.

The attack it just took wasn’t exactly weak, but….

No matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t understand.

What about the one I met in the Northern Sea last time?

It took the combined effort of three Hua Jing martial artists, including myself and Pac-jon, just to tear off its hide.

We barely managed to inflict a scratch then.

‘It ends up like this from just this?’

It’s unbelievable.

Can the durability really differ this much?

[Kiee….]

It looked like it would die if poked even slightly.

‘Its strength and speed are definitely that of a hundred-class monster, but….’

Is only its durability weak?

Or was that previous one exceptionally strong?

Honestly, I wouldn’t know unless I’d encountered many hundred-class monsters.

As I blankly stared at it, caught off guard by the unexpected situation.

‘…Or maybe, perhaps.’

A thought suddenly occurred to me.

‘Is it thanks to the Holy Spear I fired initially?’

Before the creature transformed.

When it was just a white mass, I fired consecutive shots, and I saw it taking damage.

However, I thought it was meaningless since it seemed to recover quickly.

‘…Maybe that helped after all.’

If that caused a problem with its durability, it would be a significant advantage.

‘This…’

I felt a subtle sense of anticipation.

‘Maybe I can change the plan.’

Originally, my plan was just to endure and leave the finishing blow to someone else.

If the creature is in that state, the situation changes.

‘…I can just kill it myself, right?’

It was a method I planned to use because I thought I couldn’t catch it.

If I can catch it, that’s a different story.

‘If the combined effort just now resulted in this much damage….’

Wouldn’t it be reasonably catchable?

Besides, it’s not just us; there are others who haven’t joined the fight yet.

With this, it seems possible to succeed in the hunt.

Alright.

‘Let’s do it.’

Thinking that, I shouted to the personnel.

“From now on-!”

No, I was about to shout, but.

[Kiiiiiaaaaaaa—!!!]

The creature let out a monstrous scream first.

At that moment.

Woong.

“Huh?”

A familiar vibration was heard.

Gugugung-!!

Consecutive vibrations.

It seemed the same as before, but something was different.

Dugeun- Dugeun-

It wasn’t just anything; demonic energy was resonating.

This feeling is definitely….

“Wha…!”

“Th-this is…!”

Also, reactions erupted from all directions.

Everyone started taking something out of their pockets to check.

Martial artists. More precisely, an item that anyone belonging to the Sword Division living in the current Central Plains must possess.

‘…Demonic Sealing Talisman.’

It was a talisman developed by shamans to herald the appearance of the Demonic Mirror Gate (마경문), which tears through dimensions.

Everyone around pulled them out.

If so, this means the cause of this vibration that my demonic energy is resonating with.

‘No way.’

The moment I realized the situation and looked at the creature.

[Kiiiaaaaaa—!!]

Jjijijijik-!!

As if my disgusting premonition came true.

A Demonic Mirror Gate began to open behind the creature.

It wasn’t just one.

There were easily over several dozen.

Jjijijik-! Jjijijijijik—!!!

Countless Demonic Mirror Gates filled the air to a disgusting degree.

“Ha.”

Seeing that, I let out a wry laugh.

The color of those dozens of Demonic Mirror Gates filling the space.

“What the hell, seriously.”

They were all crimson (赤色).

---

A location somewhat far from Hanam.

Opposite to the shelter where people had gathered, and slightly closer to the battlefield where events were unfolding.

On top of a building, now empty as everyone had disappeared, a young man sat slumped, tilting a cup of alcohol.

Some dried snacks and Zhu Yeqing (Green Bamboo Leaf) wine, casually brought from an empty inn.

The young man seemed content with just that, continuously eating the snacks and drinking the wine.

In fact, he didn’t even need the snacks.

The sight before him was enough to make the alcohol go down smoothly.

“Hmm.”

Gulp.

After swallowing a mouthful of Zhu Yeqing, he looked far into the distance.

The numerous Demonic Mirror Gates filling the void.

At the sight bathed in red light, the young man let out a faint chuckle.

“What a mess. What a damn mess.”

The situation is ridiculous.

What could possibly be happening to cause such a scene?

“When you do something, you never do it moderately. Tsk tsk, what an impressive fellow.”

Should I praise him for doing things on such a grand scale?

Or should I scold him for causing such huge trouble? It was hard to tell.

“No matter how I look at it, he must have bad luck in his later years.”

Otherwise, there’s no way the disciple I barely managed to take in would be like this.

It might be considered a blessing, but the young man, Pac-jon, couldn’t see it as a blessing at all.

“Hmm.”

Jilgeong.

Chewing another piece of dried squid, he propped his chin with his hand.

What should I do?

He pondered.

‘Should I help?’

He didn’t particularly want to intervene.

This wretched body of mine heals very slowly once injured internally.

No matter how divine the touch, there’s no answer.

‘The aftermath of using Pa-cheon is too severe.’

Showing off to that disciple of mine, I recklessly used power I shouldn’t have yet.

Because of that, Pac-jon’s body had reached its limit.

It’s a body that probably needs at least half a year of rest.

Since Pac-jon has extremely heightened physical senses, he can walk and run, but for anyone else, it would be impossible.

Just as he thought he should take care of himself seeing this.

‘That damn fellow.’

Of all things, his only disciple isn’t helping him with that.

Seeing what he’s up to, it seems he’s caused another major incident.

‘He’s the type who can’t possibly live peacefully.’

Why couldn’t he just train his martial arts moderately?

I don’t know why he keeps jumping into the middle of a typhoon.

Ah, or maybe not.

‘Is he the typhoon?’

At this point, it’s right to see him that way.

“Sigh.”

Life is never dull.

Taking in one wrong disciple, what am I even doing?

But I can’t just leave him be either.

Finally, Pac-jon put down his drink and stood up.

“I need to teach him a lesson this time.”

Is it because I haven’t disciplined him properly?

If he survives this, I must definitely get angry.

As Pac-jon thought that and prepared to leap.

“Sit down.”

“…!”

Pac-jon, who was about to move, froze instantly.

“It seems you were enjoying a pleasant rest. Please continue to rest comfortably. Wouldn’t it be a shame to disrupt the flow?”

“…Hoho.”

Even with his internal injuries, the fact that he didn’t notice Pac-jon approaching surprised him.

That fact surprised him.

Relaxing his stiffened body, he turned his head.

“…Seeing as you are, it seems you’ve finished your belated escapades.”

The other party already knew.

Pac-jon spoke with unusual formality.

Currently, in the Central Plains, the number of people Pac-jon speaks formally to wouldn’t exceed ten.

The one who spoke to him was one of those ten.

“Senior.”

The old man smiled at Pac-jon’s address.

He was an old man with pristine white hair and an upright posture that left an impression.

I wondered why he was suddenly wearing red martial attire, leaving his usual blue robes somewhere.

It doesn’t matter.

Leaving the attire aside, the aura he exuded identified him.

“You’re the gentleman who said you’d be resting for a while… what brings you here?”

As Pac-jon asked hesitantly, the old man replied.

“I intended to do the same… but unfortunately, our young master summoned this old servant.”

“…”

The young master the old man mentioned.

Recalling that, Pac-jon scowled.

“You came because he called?”

“Hoho, try not to get too angry. Gratefully, he provides food and lodging. Shouldn’t I do this much?”

“If your grandson and the old folks at your house heard that, they’d spit blood.”

“Well, please keep that a secret.”

“…”

Pac-jon’s expression changed drastically at the slightly sly tone.

“You’ve changed quite a bit.”

Was it a compliment? The old man felt that statement sounded like praise.

So he smiled.

“I hope so.”

As he spoke, the old man walked away.

Is it my imagination?

Kurureung-! Kurreung-!

Every time the old man walked, it felt like the sound of thunder striking somewhere could be heard.

“Anyway… this is something I must do. You should rest here a little longer.”

“…”

“If you’ve gotten younger, you should quit drinking too.”

Pac-jon didn’t retort upon hearing that.

If it were anyone else, maybe not. But that old man, he could probably do it.

‘Let’s see.’

It’s been a long time since I last crossed hands with that old man.

So I wanted to see.

The blade I thought had dulled and rotted with time.

Seeing it now, it felt very different from back then.

Teolseok.

He sat down without a word.

By then, the old man had already disappeared.

Pac-jon whispered quietly, watching that.

“…He’s my disciple, but truly a madman.”

The old man summoned by his disciple.

Known as the Thunder of Anhui, a being who had existed in the heavens for over half a century.

Called the core and heart of the Namgung Family, the Thunder Wall (뇌벽) who pursued the endless brilliance of the Namgung clan.

A veteran swordsman currently working as a gatekeeper at the Sanxi Gu Family.

He arrived in Hanam, summoned by the delinquent of the Sanxi Gu Family.