Chapter 766: Star King Appears (Star King Appears)

A colossal shadow that obscured the sky.

Beneath it, the Heavenly Demon (天魔), clad in a dark robe, descended.

A man, wearing a cracked mask and with his hands clasped behind his back, slowly descended.

Those gathered on the ground watched the Heavenly Demon, their eyes narrowing with intensity.

“That guy…!”

“How dare he brazenly show up here again…!”

Chulgeok-!

Seureureung-!!

The martial artists all drew their swords. A killing intent began to fill the surroundings.

It was a tense, on-the-verge-of-explosion situation.

Everyone expressed their fury, ready to cut down the Heavenly Demon at any moment.

[Kkulkkul.

Despite seeing them, the Heavenly Demon let out a quiet chuckle as if amused.

“…Heavenly Demon.”

Seeing that, Geomseon’s expression crumpled completely.

While it was true for others too, the aura emanating from him was particularly extraordinary.

Geomseon was pouring his emotions into his sword, as if he could slice the Heavenly Demon apart right then and there.

“I thought you’d already fled long ago. What more could you possibly have to say that you’d grace us with your presence here?”

At Geomseon’s words, the Heavenly Demon nodded his head.

[Originally, I had no intention of showing up unnecessarily…

Seueueu.

The Heavenly Demon descended a little further.

It was a position where he would be hit even if a sword aura was merely flung his way.

[I was suddenly curious about your thoughts. How is it?

Laughter was mixed into his voice.

[What about the gift I prepared?

“…Kkeudeuk.”

Geomseon’s teeth ground together at the mocking tone.

How was the gift?

“It made me feel many things. Very many things.”

It was probably a gift I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.

Giiing.

A sound echoed from the sword Geomseon held.

It was the sword’s name, imbued with his emotions.

“Heavenly Demon. You made a mistake.”

Huuuk-!

The wind blew. The autumn wind, carrying a chill, swirled around Geomseon.

“Revealing yourself like this means you intend to die right here.”

Just as Geomseon was about to charge towards the Heavenly Demon, filled with rage.

“I will execute the traitor who attacked Hanam right here…!”

Geomseon, who was about to leap, narrowed his eyes for a moment and froze.

It was because someone had stopped him.

Geomseon immediately looked at the person.

“…What are you doing? Maehuaseon.”

Maehuaseon Dohwa.

He was pressing down on Geomseon’s shoulder.

Plum blossoms fell upon the scattered killing intent, and Maehuaseon, for some reason, not only contained Geomseon but also the energy spreading everywhere, even ventilating it.

As the air began to circulate slightly.

“…Maehuaseon…!”

Geomseon glared at Maehuaseon with burning eyes.

His expression clearly asked why he would do such a thing.

With the enemy he needed to kill right in front of him, why was he stopping him?

Maehuaseon replied to Geomseon’s face.

“Sect Leader. Calm yourself.”

“…What? Do I look like I can calm down right now…!”

“If the Sect Leader cannot calm down, others will die. I implore you, please see the forest for the trees.”

“…!”

Maehuaseon’s heavy tone, devoid of laughter.

Hearing that, Geomseon turned his head momentarily to look at the Heavenly Demon.

He judged that there must be a reason for Maehuaseon’s words.

Geomseon observed the Heavenly Demon again and soon realized.

“Heavenly Demon…!”

[What’s wrong?

It became visible belatedly.

The Heavenly Demon had unclasped his hands from behind his back, and his right hand was pointed somewhere.

The direction his hand was extended was none other than the place where the refugees were gathered.

The Heavenly Demon was reaching towards that spot.

That meant only one thing.

Do not act rashly.

If you do something unnecessary, the refugees might suffer some fate.

It was like an unspoken warning.

“…That insidious wretch truly…!”

“Even after turning Hanam into this mess, you intend to cause more casualties?!”

“They are innocent!”

The martial artists, confirming this, erupted in anger.

[How truly laughable.

The Heavenly Demon spoke with a hint of laughter, as if finding their actions trivial.

[In the well that has shown its bottom. Are you trying to debate if justice barely remains? Do not be mistaken.

Keureureung–!!

As he continued speaking, the demonic creature in the sky let out a low roar.

[It is true that I handed over the situation, but can you truly say you are without sin?

It was the Heavenly Demon’s doing that Hanam collapsed.

However.

The Murim Alliance, which maintained peace in the Central Plains and protected the honor of the orthodox sects.

If such people were brought to this state by just one tremor like this.

[You are arrogant.

Did the Murim Alliance truly have no problems whatsoever in all of that?

Everyone scrunched up their faces at the question, but no one offered a rebuttal.

They knew it too.

They were gradually realizing their own flaws.

[You were arrogant and also hideous.

[How disappointing. Even if you lost your past glory, I thought you’d provide some amusement… but even that was too much to expect.

A clear tone that looked down on them.

Geomseon gritted his teeth fiercely at the words that grated on his ears.

He wanted to charge forward and sever that man’s head right away.

He wanted to shut that disgusting mouth, but he couldn’t.

Was it because the Heavenly Demon was threatening him with the lives of the refugees?

No.

Normally, he would have thought it enough to stop and deal with the guy before he did anything.

But Geomseon couldn’t bring himself to do it.

The refugees’ lives? Of course, they could be important.

But.

‘Executing the traitor is the priority.’

A being who rebelled against the sect and caused chaos. To execute him, unavoidable sacrifices would be necessary.

Geomseon thought so, yet.

It wasn’t the refugees’ lives that were the problem.

‘I can’t sense him.’

The problem was that he couldn’t gauge the Heavenly Demon’s power at all.

Geomseon kept sending out his senses towards the man floating in the air.

‘…Why can’t I sense anything?’

He felt absolutely nothing from this person called the Heavenly Demon.

‘I… can’t sense him at all?’

It was as if he was there, yet not there. A situation where nothing could be sensed.

Seeing this absurd situation, Geomseon wiped away cold sweat.

Even if someone was weak, some presence should be felt.

There was only one possibility in such a case.

A case where the gap between them was so vast that their presence couldn’t be felt.

‘Unbelievable…!’

He recalled the answer, but Geomseon couldn’t believe it.

How could that be possible?

Geomseon’s gaze shifted sideways.

There stood Cheonjun, calmly observing the Heavenly Demon.

One of the Three Lords. He could clearly sense Cheonjun’s presence, yet he felt nothing from this Heavenly Demon fellow?

‘He must be using some dark sorcery.’

It was definitely something that couldn’t happen without dark sorcery. He tried to believe so, but.

‘However….’

A very slim chance.

What if this Heavenly Demon was truly a monster whose cultivation level couldn’t be grasped?

The reason he confidently descended, knowing they were freed upon the barrier’s removal.

‘Is it truly because he can annihilate this entire group single-handedly?’

If that were the case?

It was truly absurd, but that slim chance kept holding Geomseon back.

And.

‘Yes.’

Seeing Geomseon like that, Gu Yangcheon quietly smiled.

‘Stay like that.’

It was exactly the form he wanted.

Seeing that, he couldn’t help but smile.

He hoped he would remain like that.

A look of hesitation filled with doubt, even though the enemy had appeared directly.

Making them unable to move rashly because, despite their anger, they didn’t know their opponent.

This was the very situation Gu Yangcheon had been aiming for.

“Hooouuuu….”

He continued to calm his breathing.

He felt a squeezing sensation in his heart, but he had to endure this too.

‘…My body’s condition is crap, so even this is difficult.’

The Heavenly Demon currently in the air wasn’t being impersonated by someone.

That was a being made purely of power.

It was the power of wind absorbed from Mang.

Gu Yangcheon had used it to create the Heavenly Demon.

‘…I kept practicing this. What rotten luck to be in this state.’

Creating something one desires.

No matter what it was. The power to create anything if one knew it intimately.

That was ‘Wind’.

When Gu Yangcheon first obtained this power, he recalled.

‘If I use this well… it might be doable?’

He thought he had obtained a very good power.

While he regretted giving up regeneration to Woohyeok to the point of spitting blood, he also thought it was better this way.

He thought it was enough that he at least got Wind.

It was a power that useful enough to make him think that.

Creating anything if one knew it intimately. This ridiculously overpowered trait.

From the moment he obtained it, understood he could grow while wielding it, Gu Yangcheon had prepared this plan.

The plan’s conditions were threefold.

First.

Can a human form be created with wind?

Second.

Can the created human form also produce a ‘voice’?

Third.

That which was created.

‘Can it be used for at least a fraction of a moment?’

These three conditions had to be met.

Every night.

Even if it meant exhausting his energy, he continued to train his power.

Through that, he succeeded in creating the Heavenly Demon’s form and sustaining it for half a moment, but.

‘…Using it in practice is quite difficult.’

Now, let alone half a moment, even the fraction of a moment he first envisioned is difficult.

Of course, creating a human body, but first, the created body must move naturally.

The body subtly rising and falling with each breath inhaled and exhaled.

The fluttering hair and small movements to avoid unnaturalness; he had to exert all his strength to maintain them delicately.

It was mentally taxing too.

‘…This is insane.’

It was entirely different from the strangeness he felt when the barrier was removed.

In terms of difficulty, this was hundreds of times harder, yet they went through all that trouble for some barrier.

His body was heavily damaged from the battle, and his stored energy was depleted in an instant.

While power wasn’t solely used by energy, there were numerous difficulties here and there.

‘If anything goes slightly wrong, it’ll break down immediately.’

He had to endure.

If it broke now, everything would be over.

After all the hell he went through for this. He couldn’t ruin it like this.

Woooong–!!!!

He swallowed the blood rising up while continuously maintaining his power.

Even then, the Heavenly Demon’s mouth kept moving.

[Justice has already crumbled and fallen. Do you truly believe yourselves to be justice?

[You are wrong.

[If righteousness and chivalry are justice, then you cannot covet them.

[Narrow-minded and arrogant insects. Remnants who, in their haste to protect their own positions, have long forgotten their original essence.

At most, a fleeting moment from now.

Feeling his limits approaching, he slightly hunched his body.

‘Not yet.’

Just a little more.

He just needed to hold on a little longer.

[You are not justice.

He still had words left to say.

[I have become certain of this today.

He mustered all his remaining strength, even from his heart.

As he did so, the Heavenly Demon’s voice became clearer.

[In the world I will create, you are not needed.

Words that struck down decisively.

The martial artists who heard those words began to murmur.

Their vigilance began to heighten.

Everyone was extremely tense, unsure of what action the Heavenly Demon might take.

At the moment that chilling atmosphere was intensifying.

[However.

The Heavenly Demon suddenly lowered the hand he was holding towards the refugees.

Everyone’s eyes widened at that sudden action. What was his intention?

[I shall bestow my generosity and grant you one chance.

A chance? Their gazes focused, wondering what he meant.

Then.

Seueuk.

The Heavenly Demon suddenly moved his hand, extending his fingertips towards the martial artists.

It looked as if he was pointing at someone.

As if brainwashed, everyone raised their heads and looked in the direction of his fingertips.

There, a young man was crouched, catching his breath.

His body was clearly battered and bruised.

Though he was staggering and sinking to the ground, struggling to support himself.

Even in that situation, he stared intently at the Heavenly Demon with bloodshot eyes.

[You. What is your name?

“…”

The Heavenly Demon asked his name.

The young man spoke to him with burning eyes.

“…Gu… Yang… Cheon.”

His voice was broken, as if his body was too weak.

[Gu Yangcheon. I see.

As if to remember it, the Heavenly Demon continued speaking.

[For a bug’s struggle, it was quite a sight. Among the ignorant masses, I saw something rare and good…

Seueueu-!!

As he spoke, the Heavenly Demon’s body slowly rose into the air.

[I’ll let it slide today. Because… I’m in a good mood right now to dirty my feet by crushing bugs.

He could have wiped them out immediately, but he would let it pass this time.

It was a statement filled with such confidence.

[So, when I return next time. Please entertain me a little.

Finishing his words, the Heavenly Demon gradually floated higher into the air.

“…Heavenly Demon! Trying to run away again…!”

Seeing that, Geomseon couldn’t hold back and was about to raise his voice again.

Keureureung–!!!!

“…!”

“Heok!”

Just then. A flash of light suddenly erupted.

It was because lightning energy exploded along with the sound of thunder.

It was the lightning energy emitted from Cheonjun.

Everyone covered their ears at the thunderous roar.

That wasn’t all.

“That… that is.”

Someone gasped, looking towards the Heavenly Demon.

The lightning energy shot by Cheonjun.

The Heavenly Demon’s upper body was pierced by it.

Had the Heavenly Demon been hit by Cheonjun’s surprise attack?

Hope dawned, and everyone was about to be filled with joy, but.

Seueueue….

“Heok!”

“Oh, oh my!”

Astonishingly, the Heavenly Demon’s pierced body was gradually recovering.

Flesh filled the hole in his upper body seamlessly.

His battle attire also returned to its original state, as if nothing had happened.

A bizarre and terrifying sight.

Someone who saw it with their own eyes whispered.

“…Could he… truly have become a god?”

Normally, they would have gotten angry and told him to stop talking nonsense, but no one around could utter a word.

It meant they were that shocked.

[Hmm.

The Heavenly Demon stroked his pierced upper body a few times and then looked at Cheonjun.

Having been ambushed, was he going to start a real fight this time?

Everyone watched with bated breath, but.

[What a shame.

The Heavenly Demon uttered those words and then continued on his way, ascending into the air.

Keureureung-!

He disappeared into the sky along with the unknown entity that was there.

That massive entity disappearing so instantly…

Just as everyone stood speechless in the wake of the situation that passed like a whirlwind.

“Kkuluk-!!”

Someone collapsed, spitting blood.

“So-yeomra!”

It was So-yeomra Gu Yangcheon.

Gu Yangcheon staggered and vomited black blood, causing all the martial artists to rush towards him.

They quickly checked his condition.

“…He… he’s lost consciousness.”

“First, contact a physician…!”

Those moving quickly.

Not only Gu Yangcheon, but there were also many things to handle, including the sect leaders.

Thus, despite the tragic situation, the martial artists somehow moved forward.

One person.

Only Geomseon stood there, quietly watching Gu Yangcheon.

Geomseon, with a distorted expression and a lukewarm warmth beyond his vision.

Until Cheonjun approached Gu Yangcheon.

He continued to stare at him.

With an unreadable expression.

---

Immediately after the attack incident in Hanam.

Three days had passed since then.

Although not much time had passed, so much had happened in Hanam.

The destruction of the county, starting with the attack, was the beginning.

Most of the inns that stood their ground had collapsed. Not only merchant guilds but many people lost their homes.

Due to the immense damage, it was said that clearing the debris would take several more days, and restoring it to its original state would take at least several years.

In response, those who had lost their homes and jobs erupted in anguish.

However, there were those who stepped forward to help in that situation.

They were the Baekhwa Merchant Guild and the Jangwon Merchant Guild, known as the great merchant guilds of the Central Plains.

As soon as the incident occurred, they immediately stepped forward to provide support.

They set up tents where the refugees were and began supplying food.

Furthermore, they declared they would clear the collapsed buildings and provide land free of charge until restoration.

Thanks to them, people could finally breathe a sigh of relief, but…

Only the problems that could be solved with money were resolved.

The most crucial matters remained.

Naturally, casualties occurred during this attack.

Among them were several individuals holding high positions.

First, the Eight Sword Brigades that formed the Murim Alliance.

The leaders of three of those units had died.

The deceased were Ilryong Brigade Leader, Pungryong Brigade Leader, and Cheollyong Brigade Leader.

This was the Alliance’s official statement: a total of three brigade leaders died caught up in the attack.

Ilryong Brigade Leader died heroically while blocking a leader of the Demonic Cult, who was said to have led this attack.

Pungryong Brigade Leader died while burning his soul to save the Sect Leader and others during the process of unraveling a wicked sorcery.

Additionally, Cheollyong Brigade Leader achieved an honorable death by taking the enemy with him while pursuing Maenghogu Gwon and other foes.

This alone was enough to shock everyone.

Yet, not long after, there was an even bigger report.

That was.

“I heard that the King of Swords passed away…”

“…Huh… Is… is that really true?”

The Haebuk Peng family, known as one of the Four Great Families.

Their family head, King of Swords Peng Jeowoo.

He too had lost his life in this attack.

“Unbelievable… How could someone like the King of Swords possibly-“

“…Apparently. The Demonic Cult member who harmed Ilryong Brigade Leader… also killed Patriarch Peng.”

“…Is that so? Just how strong is this person…!”

“It happened while Bisungdo was supporting Patriarch Peng, who had lost consciousness, on their way. They were attacked.”

“Bisungdo tried to resist somehow… but unfortunately, they couldn’t protect Patriarch Peng.”

“No way, they killed the father in front of the son? Is there such a wicked person in this world…!”

King of Swords Peng Jeowoo had been killed.

Bisungdo, unable to prevent such an attack, was said to be deeply wounded and unconscious.

The villain who killed Ilryong Brigade Leader and even the King of Swords before escaping.

People began calling that cruel individual by the name of Ghostly Evil Spear (鬼惡槍).

“What is happening to the world…”

The voice sounded truly like sobbing.

“Not only have we lost so many precious people… but a disaster has also struck…”

“A disaster… are you talking about the Grade-100 monster?”

“Yes… Damn it, it hasn’t been that long since the Grade-Red monster appeared!”

At the man’s words, everyone sighed.

Grade-100 monster.

Perhaps this was the biggest incident.

It had already been three years since the Grade-Red monster appeared.

Although they had found a way to hunt it shortly after and were barely preventing damage, now even a Grade-100 monster had appeared.

“Hearing from those who witnessed it directly… they said it was truly a disaster.”

“If it hadn’t been stopped then… they said Hanam might have truly disappeared.”

The dozens of Grade-Red monsters pouring down and the monstrous roars that arose.

If they hadn’t stopped them, Hanam might have been destroyed.

Not a single person denied those words.

“Truly… it’s truly fortunate.”

“Indeed… it’s because that person was there that we can breathe like this now.”

As if recalling someone, a strange sense of relief washed over their faces.

Three brigade leaders had died, and one of the King-level figures had perished, yet for some reason, they felt reassured.

“They say heroes appear when the world falls into chaos. Isn’t that exactly right?”

“…Yes. A hero.”

“Didn’t even the Great Demon Lord who appeared in Hanam acknowledge him?”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. My nephew is a warrior of the Alliance, so he knows well. That Heavenly Demon, whom I could just eat up… that Great Demon Lord acknowledged him.”

The being who turned Hanam into this state.

Not only did he summon the Grade-100 monster to this land, but he also controlled a massive monster and played with the Murim Alliance like a toy.

The master of the Demonic Cult, the Heavenly Demon.

Now, his infamy spread not only throughout Hanam but across the entire Central Plains.

However.

“He saved my life.”

“You too? I too was saved by him. I almost died buried under the building.”

“I, I was also about to be killed by thugs, and he saved me.”

Amidst the terrifying situation, they drew strength by recalling someone.

“They say rumors are not to be believed. That saying was truly right.”

“It must have all been the work of those who envied the hero.”

“They said he was a womanizer and had a foul temper… and that his face was scary… which was true, but anyway.”

“I only feel sorry for being swayed by trivial rumors…”

“It’s fortunate we know now.”

“Indeed. To have even one person to believe in during this tragic time. How fortunate it is.”

As they spoke, their relieved expressions deepened.

They were all thinking of one person.

On the day the attack suddenly broke out.

There was someone who saved people from collapsing buildings and screaming, and who approached those even the Murim Alliance ignored without hesitation, extending a hand.

Not only that, but he also fearlessly charged into the monster’s rampage, fighting desperately as if his own life was insignificant.

He dedicated his whole body, even caring for the martial artists present.

After that, without rest, he immediately went to the Alliance headquarters and, along with Pungryong Brigade Leader, saved the Sect Leader and others.

Despite possessing immense power that couldn’t be attributed to a later-generation disciple, he didn’t succumb to it and burned himself out to save Hanam.

A hero of this era, finally acknowledged by the Great Demon Lord Heavenly Demon.

As they were recalling such a great being.

Someone brought up a thought.

“Ah, did you hear about that? The Alliance is apparently changing his title to reflect his achievements.”

“Title? What do you mean, suddenly a title?”

“Don’t be surprised. This title is none other than…”

And so.

While laughter bloomed amidst the ruins.

Far away, at the Baekhwa Merchant Guild’s residence.

Someone walked down the corridor for a moment.

It was Moyong Hi-ah, a woman elegantly dressed with a beautiful appearance.

She walked lightly, holding a few snacks, and stopped in front of a door.

Knock knock.

She knocked on the door with her fair fingertips, but no sign of life could be felt from inside.

Is no one there?

No.

Moyong Hi-ah did not believe that at all.

“Young Master-nim. It’s time for your meal.”

She called out in a sweet voice, but again, there was no response from the other side.

“Hmm.”

What should I do? Moyong Hi-ah pondered for a moment.

Is he pretending to be asleep?

He wouldn’t really be sleeping. He was the type to wake up immediately when called.

Therefore, this was like a rebellion, refusing to come out.

It didn’t matter even if that were the case.

Because there was a way, anyway.

“Um… Kkuek…!”

She tried to speak but suppressed a giggle that threatened to burst out.

This method was slightly difficult even for Moyong Hi-ah.

After composing her voice for a while.

“Star King (星王)-nim.”

She finally uttered the word.

At that moment.

“It’s time for… meal….”

Beolkeok-!

The tightly shut door opened, and a young man peeked his face out.

The person Moyong Hi-ah had been searching for. It was Gu Yangcheon.

“You should have come out sooner.”

Moyong Hi-ah smiled brightly at Gu Yangcheon, and seeing that smile, Gu Yangcheon.

“…Please… please, don’t call me that…”

He could only sigh with a thoroughly distorted face.