Chapter 762: Hero Appears.

Rumble—!!!

The deafening roar echoing from the void felt like it would rupture my ears.

Fwip-fwip.

Rumble.

Beyond the persistent dark clouds, an unknown lightning energy raged. A sight one would expect only in a thunderous storm.

Everyone had to let out a gasp seeing it.

That sight, which would have been magnificent even if seen normally. It was a phenomenon created merely by one human, not a natural birth.

How could one not be astonished?

This was beyond admiration.

Rumble-!! Rumble rumble rumble—!!!

The raging thunder looked as if a giant serpent was writhing within the clouds.

A vast spectacle that held one’s gaze captive.

As countless people watched it silently.

[Screeeeeeeech-Aaaaaaaarghh!–!!!]

The monster let out a cry.

At that moment.

[Kuaaaaaaaargh—!!!]

Monsters swarmed from the numerous demonic portals floating in the void.

Each resembled a beast, but their individual characteristics and sizes were incomparable.

It was like giant buildings pouring down.

As each and every one of them was capable of devastating a village, the surrounding martial artists held their breath.

Disaster descended.

Red-grade monsters, which one could only face alone after reaching peak mastery and becoming accustomed to monsters.

Dozens of such monsters were appearing simultaneously.

If they fell here, everything would be destroyed.

Even enduring with justice and agreement had its limits.

Thus, all the martial artists were prepared to throw away their lives, but.

They too couldn’t have predicted this.

“Be careful now.”

For me to face such monsters.

“It’ll be quite blinding, so it’s best to keep your eyes closed if possible.”

I had summoned even stronger monsters.

Flutter.

The red martial robes fluttered as the old man lightly drew his index finger downwards. Then.

Rumble—!!!

Boom–!!!

Lightning began to fall from the void.

[Kuaaaaaargh!!]

[Screeeech-!!]

Countless descending divine punishments.

The lightning energy, boasting overwhelming size, pierced through the monsters as if impaling them, striking them all down.

The Red-grade monsters, proud of their immense defense, were pierced by that lightning energy and died helplessly.

[Kyaaaaaaaargh!!]

The monsters’ howls filled the surroundings.

The smell of burning reached the tip of my nose, and vibrations dominated the area.

The monsters, feeling the thirst for slaughter, were dying off one by one like that.

“…Huh…”

I swallowed a breath of disbelief seeing it.

‘…That guy…’

Was he that strong?

Holding a sword, I flicked my fingertips.

With just that, he was annihilating a force capable of destroying Hanam.

Heavenly Venerate (天尊).

One of the Three Heavenly Lords of the world (天下三尊), and perhaps the oldest among the current martial artists, as far as I know.

A living legend of the Namgung family, known to have faced thousands of demonic sect martial artists single-handedly in his prime.

His strength was indeed as powerful as to be called one of the Three Lords. His current appearance showed a presence as powerful as his epithet, ‘Master of the Heavens’, suggested, but.

‘I don’t think he was quite that strong.’

I felt somewhat doubtful.

This was something I had considered from the moment I first heard about the dragon’s revival from the Prime Demon.

It was a preparation for unforeseen circumstances while organizing and revising the plan.

I did it recalling the prediction that even if I didn’t know the Red-grade monster’s strength, it would be stronger than me.

‘Monsters are strong.’

Without reaching the realm of the mind, one couldn’t even inflict a scratch.

Not only their defense but also their offense was so powerful that facing them alone was daunting.

However, for the subsequent plan, I needed not only to make that thing appear but also to hunt it, so the method I chose was none other than this.

‘If I can’t kill it, let’s summon someone who can.’

If I couldn’t hunt a Red-grade monster alone, I just needed to summon a being capable of hunting it somehow.

As soon as I grasped this idea, the person I sought was the Heavenly Venerate.

A powerful individual I could somehow summon.

Of course, I had to do all sorts of things, exploiting the situation and swallowing my pride, but in the end, the being I could summon was that old man.

For some reason, he had been staying in Gugwa following my father after the Dangmun incident, and had even taken up work as a gatekeeper with his sword, claiming he had to earn his keep.

Thanks to that, I experienced the bizarre situation where the Sword Lord attended to me, the Heavenly Venerate guarded the gate, and the Fist Lord trained me.

Anyway.

‘…At least I succeeded in summoning him.’

Regardless, the Heavenly Venerate came to Hanam about half a month ago at my request, hence why he’s showing such a powerful display.

‘Why is he that strong?’

I had to be greatly surprised by the Heavenly Venerate’s appearance.

The Heavenly Venerate is strong. Naturally.

How could he have entered the Three Lords if he wasn’t strong?

I had clashed with him briefly a few times in my past life and knew his strength, so I had tried to avoid direct confrontation as much as possible.

He is stronger than me. Even stronger than now, with my increased cultivation from my past life.

Of course, it’s natural that he’s strong, but….

‘…He’s much stronger than I anticipated.’

The level the Heavenly Venerate is currently displaying far surpassed my expectations.

With a single gesture, Red-grade monsters are swept away.

It was the same in my past life.

When the Red-grade monsters first appeared, it was the Heavenly Venerate who first hunted them and discovered their weaknesses.

There were two ways to deal with Red-grade monsters.

Finding the minute gaps between their constantly regenerating barriers and targeting those spots to hunt them.

This was something I secretly spread throughout the world through the Liberation in this life; based on this, the damage from Red-grade monsters could be reduced.

And the second method.

‘Unleash an amount of energy that the barrier cannot withstand.’

The barrier protecting the Red-grade monsters.

That barrier is destroyed if it absorbs a certain amount of energy or more.

While the second method seems simpler,

that ‘certain amount’ is quite substantial, so most people chose the first method as the standard approach.

But.

‘…He’s just using it recklessly?’

Seeing the Heavenly Venerate’s hunting method, I was dumbfounded.

Rumble—!!!

[Squeeeeeeeal-!!]

A single bolt of lightning instantly killed the Red-grade monster resembling a pig.

It was a pig-type monster called the Crimson Boar (赤緋豚).

It was a difficult opponent due to its immunity to fire and physical attacks, yet it died from a single lightning strike.

It doesn’t bother finding weaknesses.

The amount of energy contained in the lightning was sufficient to break through the barrier.

Meaning, there’s no need to bother finding weaknesses.

Nowadays, I too use the second method without bothering to find weaknesses, but.

‘To think he can use it even in this situation.’

Dealing with so many monsters using that method was impossible.

It wasn’t just about energy reserves; continuously unleashing firepower caused extreme consumption, but.

‘That old man’s stamina is incredible.’

The Heavenly Venerate, seemingly unbothered, kept unleashing lightning bolts.

Rumble-!! Rumble rumble—!!!

They poured down without pause.

[Grrrrrrrk-!!]

Every time they poured down, monsters died.

I narrowed my eyes at the sight.

‘My energy reserves are definitely greater, though.’

No matter how high the Heavenly Venerate’s cultivation or how long he has lived, if we only consider the amount of energy reserves, mine would be greater.

But how is that possible?

I couldn’t comprehend it.

‘What’s the difference?’

It seems to be a difference in usage style. But before considering that.

‘Is that the strength of a Three Lord?’

I had to swallow dryly while confirming the Heavenly Venerate’s presence.

What was I ignorant of in my past life?

Somehow, the sensation is vastly different from back then.

The ruler of thunder and the heavens.

I felt like I understood why he, a fellow swordsman, was called the Heavenly Venerate and not the Sword Lord.

‘…Seeing him at this level… it’s vastly different.’

This must be the first time.

It’s only right that I’m properly facing the Three Lords after reaching the cultivation level of my past life.

The Fist Lord had undergone rejuvenation, so seeing him was meaningless… but seeing the Heavenly Venerate, I finally understood clearly.

‘It’s a wall.’

That is a wall.

A wall soaring high, which I cannot yet climb.

Even when I saw the Sword Master, considered one of the Ten Great Experts, he felt merely stronger than me.

The Heavenly Venerate truly appeared like a wall.

One I couldn’t dare climb yet.

But one I must climb someday.

Such a wall stood before my eyes.

“…Ugh…”

I staggered to my feet.

Just moving slightly felt like my joints were screaming in agony.

‘Ah… shit, this is bad.’

Judging by the look of it, it was an injury that would take at least two months to recover from.

My internal organs hurt quite a bit, especially.

It hurt so much that I had to stop the internal circulation of the Two-Winged Heavenly Dance.

I almost passed out earlier when I habitually tried to circulate it.

“Hoo… hoo…”

Barely managing to breathe, I looked around.

Then, I clearly saw the reactions of the people.

‘These people… I told them to close their eyes.’

Despite the Heavenly Venerate’s warning, everyone had their eyes wide open and mouths agape.

With the lightning energy flashing like that, aren’t their eyes hurting?

“…That… person… could it be?”

“The, Heavenly Venerate…?”

“How could the Heavenly Venerate…?”

Even though he wore red martial robes and didn’t show his face, they could discern his identity.

They too knew.

That there was only one person in the world capable of creating such lightning from the sky.

Kuaaaaaargh—!!!

Before I could even finish thinking, lightning struck another monster.

The monster, completely scorched by the lightning energy, collapsed and met its death.

“…”

That was the end of it.

The monsters, numbering over thirty.

The force I thought would sweep through Hanam if left unchecked was utterly destroyed by the mere touch of an old man.

All that remained were the monster corpses and the smell of burning flesh.

From the center of it all, the old man turned around nonchalantly and walked towards us.

He held a sword in his hand but didn’t wield it; all he did was gesture a few times.

With that, he created this entire situation.

‘The Heavenly Venerate.’

Cold sweat trickled down my face.

‘He was this strong.’

Such a presence in just a fleeting moment.

If he was this powerful, how come I didn’t know in my past life?

Was it because I didn’t see him properly?

‘I don’t think this is something you wouldn’t know just by not seeing it.’

His abilities were specialized more than anyone in the era of war.

He didn’t even use his main weapon, the sword, so if he fought properly, his appearance would be far more overwhelming.

It wasn’t a level of strength I wouldn’t have known just because I didn’t see it in my past life.

This was truly a puzzling matter, but.

“Are you alright?”

Seeing the approaching Heavenly Venerate, I couldn’t continue with my questions.

“…Yes… I’m… alright.”

“Allow me to help you up.”

“There’s no need. Elder, and…”

I said, glancing around briefly.

“As I told you last time, please… speak more casually. There are too many eyes watching…”

Calling me ‘Young Master’ is inappropriate enough, and now he wants me to lower my speech?

I pleaded earnestly, but.

“I am working as a servant, how could I possibly do that?”

“…”

I’m going crazy.

Whether it’s the Sword Lord or the Heavenly Venerate, I don’t know why they keep making me uncomfortable.

I suspected they might be enjoying this.

“Is the Heavenly Venerate speaking formally to So Yeomra right now?”

“Wh, why… how could that be? As far as I know, So Yeomra is engaged to the Namgung family…”

“Then perhaps…”

Damn it, just as I expected, strange rumors are about to spread immediately.

Just as I tried to quickly stop this.

[Kii… ki… kkiiik…!]

Everyone turned their heads at the sound.

It wasn’t over yet.

The one who summoned the Red-grade monsters. The dragon was still alive.

However.

‘…It’s going to die soon, isn’t it?’

Its condition was quite strange.

Its large wings were riddled with holes, turning them into rags.

Furthermore, its already gaunt body had become even more dilapidated.

“I didn’t touch it, just in case. Perhaps it was my useless meddling, old man.”

“…”

So that’s why only that guy was alive; it was the Heavenly Venerate’s consideration?

Hearing that, I whispered quietly.

“…No. Thank you. I needed it anyway.”

“I’m glad I could be of help.”

I caught my breath at the old man’s smile.

Anyone could see it looked like it would die any moment now.

Seeing that, I realized with a start.

‘If I mess up, it’ll be too late.’

It would be problematic if it died like that.

So, I moved my wrecked body and started walking forward.

“Young Master…?!”

Seeing me walking, Tang Soyeol tried to stop me urgently, but.

Someone appeared and blocked Tang Soyeol’s path.

It was Namgung Bi-ah.

“Sister…! Why…?”

“…Wait…”

“But Young Master…!”

“…There must be a reason…”

“…”

Seeing me, Namgung Bi-ah stopped Tang Soyeol.

Tang Soyeol tried to say something but shut his mouth tightly.

Wi Seol-ah also looked at me with hesitant eyes, but fortunately, she didn’t take any particular action.

“S-So Yeomra! Why are you going alone?!”

“It’s dangerous!”

“…Damn it, everyone move! We have to save So Yeomra–!”

The martial artists around seemed to be of one mind and tried to come towards me, but they couldn’t reach me either.

Crackle.

Because a brief burst of lightning energy surrounded them.

“Huk…”

While startled, the owner of the lightning energy added with a smile.

“My apologies… but please wait just a moment. It seems you have some intention, old man.”

It was the Heavenly Venerate himself speaking.

Everyone had no choice but to shut their mouths tightly.

“Hoo…”

Thus, with my exhausted body, I arrived before the monster.

[Kkii… kkiiiii…]

Truly on the verge of death.

I reached out my hand slightly.

Sizzle.

“…”

The barrier surrounding it had long since disappeared.

It seemed to have broken long ago, signaling its limit.

Perhaps summoning the monster was its final struggle.

‘It means the attack when it first revived was successful.’

It was right to have launched the holy spear first.

If not for that, perhaps I couldn’t have won.

Thinking thus, I grabbed its neck with my outstretched arm.

[Kkii… i…]

It couldn’t even resist.

Seeing that, I said.

“You lost. Admit it.”

[…]

There was no answer.

Well… would it understand even if it spoke?

‘…Is this meaningless?’

Since Tam cannot be used if it doesn’t admit defeat, I wondered if there was nothing to gain from such an irrational creature.

I had hoped, but it seemed futile.

So, just as I was about to kill it.

Woowoong.

“…!”

I felt a sensation near my heart.

Psusss-!!

Instantly, black energy burst from the shadows and engulfed its body.

It was Tam.

Crunch.

Crackle.

Tam emerged and began devouring its power.

“…”

It works.

I was going to kill it if it didn’t work, but for some reason, the power works.

After devouring for a while, Tam seemed to have finished its meal and returned to the shadows.

Gulp.

“…Hoo…”

Along with a burp, I felt something seep into my heart.

So this is its power.

Realizing the strange sensation, I slumped down.

[Kkuek… kkeureu…]

The creature, stripped of its power, began to truly die with an even more emaciated body.

I watched it calmly.

It was likely that it didn’t even have the strength to kill anymore.

“Hoooo…”

As I finally took a rest, letting out a deep sigh.

[…Kkii… eu… go… ma…]

“Huh?”

Something foreign was mixed in with the cries.

[Gomap… gomap… seumnida.]

“What?”

Clear human language.

Where did the screaming in a dry voice from moments ago go? It was a monster speaking in a child’s voice.

Hearing that, I startled and approached it.

“What did you just…”

Hwi-iing-!

Pasusuk….

Whether it finally breathed its last, the monster’s body scattered in the wind and vanished in an instant.

Immediately after, everything disappeared, leaving only a pure white jewel on the ground.

It was a White Demon Stone (백마석), proving it was a White-grade monster.

“…”

Confirming this, I had to furrow my brow.

I don’t know why, but.

It felt like…

A part of my chest felt terribly uneasy.