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Chapter 267: What Am I? (3)

Drip… Drip…

Water flows from the ceiling, dropping down in droplets.

The emptiness fills the air, mingling with a damp, clammy space.

Isn’t the underground supposed to be like this?

Yet this place had an unusually strong sensation.

Perhaps it was due to the Ice Spirit at the center of this underground.

It felt as if it was endlessly lined up.

Deep within the hidden underground, and even deeper beyond that, there stood a colossal Ice Spirit.

Truly, it felt out of place.

This wasn’t a frozen Ice Palace where all four seasons resided.

The fact that such an Ice Spirit existed in the Martial Alliance was baffling.

Step, step—

Pushing aside such queries, a woman walks through the vast, dark space, holding a small torch.

It was a path she must have traversed thousands of times, one she could navigate with her eyes closed.

In fact, she kept her eyes shut.

The woman’s calm and graceful steps gradually slowed down.

It was likely because she’d reached her destination.

Whoosh—

As she halted, a chilling breeze mixed with the air envelopes her.

The veil on her face fluttered in the wind, yet her body remained upright, seemingly uninterested in moving.

Soon afterward—

– Dancer.

A deep voice rang in her ears, and the woman immediately knelt down.

– It seems the connection with the Nangong brat has been severed.

“…Yes. It seems there’s been a problem.”

– Truly an odd occurrence.

“I’ll send someone to find out what’s happening.”

The dancer promptly decided to contact the alliance and send someone.

This was an important matter after all.

The Thunder Dragon, a Late-Stage Talent of the Six Dragons, was in a sense the first test subject.

What happens to someone who captures divine energy in their physical body?

Or—

How long can they endure?

This was to confirm that.

The Thunder Dragon was chosen because the situation and his level matched perfectly.

Of course, the dancer’s position felt a bit rash.

But it seemed her master had a different stance.

That was sufficient for her.

Her master’s opinion was her own opinion as well.

Chuckle, chuckle—

Laughter echoed from her master’s words.

When the dancer lifted her head from bowing, she heard—

– No need for that.

“…Huh?”

It was a rather surprising statement.

Her master surely considered it a significant issue as well.

So why was there such a reaction?

The dancer looked uneasy.

– The Nangong Clan… that brat is also there, isn’t he?

Her master stated.

“That… brat, you mean… ah.”

A sparkle appeared in the dancer’s eyes.

She realized who was being referred to.

The individual her master mentioned was an unexpected foe who had captured both the alliance’s and her master’s attention recently.

The newcomer who had quietly emerged and showcased strength that could not be termed as “Late-Stage Talent” casually crushed the Martial Arts Tournament.

Thanks to that, plans had somewhat unraveled, but her master seemed not to care much about it.

As if—

He welcomed this unforeseen complication.

Moreover, coincidentally, she had heard news that the Jin Ryong was currently in the Nangong Clan.

‘Then, does that mean…’

Did her master think the issue with the Thunder Dragon was related to the actions of the Jin Ryong?

‘What could possibly be with that Late-Stage Talent.’

The being holding a ‘fragment’ of her master wasn’t someone who had entered with the eyes of the Heavenly Eye either.

Originally, that individual should have faded away with time, leaving behind nothing but a name.

The dancer couldn’t comprehend this.

The sudden emergence of such an existence.

However, no matter what, it was an event that would not occur easily.

Especially when the connection with the Thunder Dragon had been severed just recently.

She had no idea why it was cut off.

‘Just at some moment…’

The instant the Thunder Dragon seemed to ask her something, that connection was severed.

It felt as if something else had interrupted the link.

The dancer found that worrisome.

If that truly was the doing of the Jin Ryong…

– How interesting.

Maybe her master had sensed her thoughts.

Laughter emerged from her master in response.

“…Are you all right?”

– What do you mean?

“Well, I was worried that this might interfere with the plan…”

At her concern, the air around her suddenly quieted.

With the unusual shift, the dancer bowed her head deeper.

– Interference, that’s a pleasant way to put it.

“…Huh?”

– There’s nothing more alluring than flaws and unexpected events in established matters.

His voice brimmed with unexpected mirth.

For someone who longed for such occurrences, why did her master show such a reaction? The dancer couldn’t figure it out.

– It is fate.

At her master’s words, the dancer’s head bowed even deeper.

– Do not delve too deeply into the Thunder Dragon matter.

“…Understood.”

Her response was free of hesitation.

Though questions and curiosity swirled within her, the dancer kept them to herself.

She would only obey.

Do not question the words of a being of greatness.

That thought had been ingrained in her mind since the moment the dancer was born.

– Dancer.

“Yes… Master.”

– Contact the Sect Leader and tell him I wish to see him.

“Understood.”

With that command, she lowered her head in respect and withdrew.

Left alone in the darkness, her master quietly whispered.

– That brat, I wonder if you can accomplish what the Golden King could not.

Brat.

Her master recalled a fierce young man from long ago.

In a distant past.

The one who foolishly postponed the future by imprisoning himself here.

He shared an unsettling resemblance.

Memories of a past filled with ferocity surrounded her.

And there was the boy who concealed the King of the Afterlife within him.

How similar they are.

He, too, seemed to contain a monster in his body.

Was that a coincidence?

It surely was not.

Coincidences do not exist in this world.

Then this must also be fate.

At the same time, the Blood Demon remembered the one who had imprisoned him here.

Though it might have been the best choice for him, it was a foolish act to push a future calamity onto descendants.

– Round and round, the beginning again. Thus is reincarnation.

Breaking apart, shattering, and burning away.

That is the fate of the world.

No matter how one struggles, it is merely the minuscule struggle of a speck of dust.

A laughable futile act.

– But then, will you be any different? That’s what I’m curious about.

Unknowable.

The sequence of events was predetermined.

Yet, like in the past, many in this world struggle to survive.

Absurd and pitiable.

But that too was fate.

– Can you be the dagger that strikes at the tiny gap?

A minuscule dagger capable of piercing through a small opening.

The Blood Demon was curious.

Could this frail dagger truly pierce through everything?

He reminisced about a time long past.

When the Heavenly Demon was about to step forth into the alliance.

It was when two of the Three Eminent Beings had fallen.

At a time when the Divine Sword was still referred to as the So Sword Sect.

When the Righteous Faction, scattered, were only beginning to gather their strength.

Countless had turned to demons, captivated by the Heavenly Demon’s power.

Their forces were so overwhelming that the Demonic Sect faced an incredibly slim chance of defeat.

Just like the Righteous Faction, the elites of the Demonic Sect had buried themselves in the earth.

But everyone knew.

As long as the Heavenly Demon existed, the Demonic Sect would not fall.

In the distance, the army of the alliance could be seen.

Strong martial artists gathered as one, but the Heavenly Demon remained calm while looking at them.

– Great Lord.

Hearing the voice of the Heavenly Demon, I lifted my head, which had been lowered.

– …Yes.

– Do you seek answers?

The Heavenly Demon asked.

Did I seek answers to my questions?

I nodded.

Thinking it might just be possible to ask something of the one above me.

Finally, I took the chance.

Thus, I asked.

– You wish to conquer the Central Plains. What is the reason behind it?

I did not wonder where the Heavenly Demon came from.

Or what being he was.

I no longer cared what he desired from me.

It was far too late for that.

Yet…

Yet, there was one thing I wanted to know.

– What do you think your reason is?

– …I don’t know.

Why does the Heavenly Demon, for no discernible reason, wish to sweep through the Central Plains and stand above the heavens?

What goal could be so important that countless lives must be sacrificed?

I wanted to know.

This made the Heavenly Demon chuckle softly.

– Great Lord, your inquiry is tinged with personal interest.

I closed my mouth at his words.

– Are you afraid?

The Heavenly Demon’s gaze turned towards me.

– Are you afraid that I might cut off the head of the woman you cherish with my fingertips?

Imagery flashed through my mind.

Her, lying dead with blood spilling from her body, gazing at me with eyes filled with despair.

Was that what frightened me?

I could not deny it.

Though I couldn’t fully confess it, I knew very well that a shred of my emotions only continued to grow.

The Heavenly Demon’s purple eyes fixed upon me.

I wanted to drop my head immediately.

But I couldn’t.

Because the Heavenly Demon would not allow it.

– I thought you would freeze in fear.

His fingers approached, lifting my chin to meet his gaze.

– You, Great Lord, have not cooled in the least.

– I’m sorry…

– You have committed no sins, so there’s no need for an apology.

With that, the Heavenly Demon turned his back without hesitation.

His martial robe fluttered, demon energy swirling around.

It was still an incomprehensible presence.

One that felt unimaginable for a human to reach.

– The reason.

I listened to the Heavenly Demon’s words.

As the alliance’s forces converged closer, I softly murmured.

– I wonder…

The Heavenly Demon raised a hand slightly.

Energy from all around gathered toward his palm.

Gradually, the energy concentrated at his fingertips.

That was surely a calamity.

A calamity that would sweep through the surrounding area in an instant.

A black sphere, collecting the malice of the entire world.

Paradoxically, it appeared purer than anything else.

Was it because I was a demon?

Or was the Heavenly Demon’s power simply that alien?

I couldn’t tell.

As the demonic energy mixed with the whirlwind, the space began to warp.

The Heavenly Demon spoke to me.

– That is the role I must play.

Saying so, the Heavenly Demon lightly stepped toward the invading forces.

At that moment, it seemed the Heavenly Demon bore a smile.

With that scene, I opened my eyes.

“…Ah.”

A sigh escaped me as I surveyed my surroundings.

What lay before me was an unfamiliar ceiling, yet it was at least more comforting than that dream.

“What a ridiculous dream.”

As usual, whenever I wished to dream, nightmares would come, and this time was no different.

No wonder I hated sleeping.

“Ha.”

I clutched my throbbing head as I rose.

It wasn’t just my head that ached; my entire body throbbed.

Especially the area around my lower dantian was troublesome.

The emptiness felt as if it had been hollowed out.

And the resulting intense pain was an issue.

‘I’m in trouble.’

At this level, I wouldn’t be able to train using energy for a while.

I let out a hollow laugh and added to myself.

“…Who can I blame? I’m the sinner here.”

Tsk, tsk—

Clicking my tongue, I dragged my exhausted body out the door.

I didn’t know what time it was, but I couldn’t afford to be sprawled out like this.

It wouldn’t do to be like this, especially when I wasn’t even from the Gu Clan.

As I stepped outside, a gentle breeze infused with morning scents brushed against me.

Along with that breeze, I noticed someone standing in front of my door.

At first, I thought it might be Hong Wai.

But it surely wasn’t.

Once I confirmed the identity, I furrowed my brow and spoke.

“You look okay?”

At the sound of my voice, the figure turned around.

« ” …-

The figure was Nangong Cheonjun, the one I had encountered the previous night.

It appeared like most of his injuries had healed.

The bones in his chest had knitted together, and his twisted arm had returned to its original position.

The only remaining injury seemed to be the fingers that had been burned after pulling out his nails.

Moreover, the look in his eyes as he gazed at me was quite different from yesterday.

The madness filled with malice and killing intent had vanished.

What remained in his gaze was only confusion and questions.

Perhaps a sprinkle of fear was mixed there too.

‘That figures.’

I knew well the reason he had to feel that way.

The blood energy that had flowed through Nangong Cheonjun’s body had all been absorbed into mine.

Considering the quantity, it seemed I had taken quite a lot.

What his intentions were sending such energy to Nangong Cheonjun, I had no idea.

‘Well, that’s something to consider later.’

At the very least, I could hear as much as he knew.

Amidst all that, I examined Nangong Cheonjun’s physical form.

More accurately, it would be right to say I was observing the demon energy budding within him.

‘…Clear. Almost unnaturally so.’

The demon energy sprouting within Nangong Cheonjun was remarkably vivid.

It seemed as if it possessed its will, gradually seeping into his physical form.

Since it replaced the area where the blood energy had originally stayed, it was now apparent that this had been filled.

But the fact that this had been recognized within Nangong Cheonjun’s body was problematic.

The fact that it was gradually permeating his body meant that Nangong Cheonjun was slowly becoming a demon.

And—

It was precisely my doing that had led him to this state.

As if evolving slowly as it conformed to my level of energy.

I had once mused aloud about how I might actually turn someone into a demon one day.

This power was solely a product of the Heavenly Demon.

I had thought it was something only he could use.

Even as I recalled it, I had brushed it aside, thinking it couldn’t happen.

Yet deep down, I was instinctively aware.

If I wanted to, I could do it.

I needed neither proof nor confirmation.

It had been an unsettling realization I had known intuitively.

And still, I hoped—not this way.

‘But now it’s confirmed.’

Seeing the outcome before me, I had no choice but to accept it.

Nangong Cheonjun was becoming a demon due to my influence.

And soon enough, he would completely transform into one.

“What the hell…!”

“Kneel.”

Thud…!

“…!”

With a mere word, Nangong Cheonjun knelt without a hint of resistance.

“Damn it.”

Upon witnessing that, I couldn’t help but let out a laugh, and curse slipped out of my mouth.

In response to my command, the demon energy residing within Nangong Cheonjun instinctively took control of his body.

It obeyed like it was binding him.

Every word became a golden binding upon him.

What a terrifying power it was.

“This… What’s happening…?”

Nangong Cheonjun looked up at me, a fearful expression clearly evident on his face.

He seemed utterly unaware of what was occurring within his own body.

“You… Who the hell are you?”

He asked me for my identity.

Who was I?

I smiled bitterly at his query and replied.

“Well, I wonder that too. What am I?”

At this point, I genuinely didn’t know.

Or rather, I just wanted to turn a blind eye.

At least not now.

It wasn’t something I wanted to be right about this time.

 

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