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Chapter 463 – Get Lost.

Shaaa… shaaa…

In a hazy state of mind.

An unknown sound accompanied by a sensation of something tugging at my arm.

Kuuuk.

With my arm being wrapped and pulled somewhere, the woman had no choice but to open her tightly closed eyes.

“…”

A sideways view opened up.

A parched, withered branch caught her eye.

Immediately, she tried to move her body, but for some reason, it wouldn’t cooperate.

Am I exhausted?

I channeled my strength into the lower dantian, and a sharp pain flooded in. It seems my energy has run dry.

“Huh…”

Faced with the pain radiating from her body, the Demon Sword Queen unknowingly let out a groan.

It was clear why this sensation was hitting her.

‘… Rebound…’

The recoil from overusing Thunder Fang.

That’s what’s currently filling the Demon Sword Queen’s physical body.

Her muscles were worn out, and her mental energy was at its limit.

For a while, she wouldn’t be able to move.

“…!”

Yet, the Demon Sword Queen made an effort to turn her head and scan her surroundings.

Because there was someone she needed to find.

‘… Where…?’

Where could they be?

Despite her desperate search for a person, for some reason, nobody was in sight.

Where did ‘they’ go?

While the Demon Sword Queen continued to search with trembling eyes, she felt—

Kuuuk.

A sensation coming from her forearm.

She looked down at her arm.

“…?”

A look of confusion appeared in the Demon Sword Queen’s eyes upon checking her arm.

And rightfully so, something was wrapped around it.

What is this?

Shaaa…

A crying sound was heard.

From her arm.

Focusing her gaze revealed the truth.

Something was squirming.

Shaaa…!

It was a snake.

A snake with red scales…

‘… Bluish?’

At first glance, it looked entirely red, but upon a closer inspection, bluish hues were rising from its tail.

No, that’s not what’s important.

What’s important is why this snake is binding my arm.

Moreover, it seemed to not only be binding but also trying to pull her away.

What on earth is its identity?

Shaaa—!

Letting out a frantic cry as if to drag her somewhere.

The bizarre sensation made the Demon Sword Queen frown.

What is this thing?

Amidst this, the peculiar vibe emanating from the snake caught her Qi Perception.

‘This isn’t a snake… is it?’

Only then did she realize the snake’s true identity.

It’s a Demon Beast.

It clearly had a unique aura of a demon beast that set it apart from a regular snake.

Does that mean it’s going to attack her?

While she pondered if the demon beast was trying to assault her, it didn’t seem that way.

Shaaa—!

Rather than attacking, it appeared to be trying to take her somewhere.

What could its intentions be? Just as the Demon Sword Queen was about to frown in confusion—

Hwaaaaak—!

“…!”

Her gaze shifted toward the sky.

Thump—thump—thump!

Her heart started to race violently. The oppressive presence from afar instinctively made her body react.

The Demon Sword Queen’s eyes trembled.

In the distance, clouds parted, and something began to appear from the sky.

‘What is that…?’

Light was gradually converging in one spot.

The power emanating from it felt overwhelming.

The condensation of enlightenment. The tingling sensation running up her spine made the Demon Sword Queen lean down to touch the ground.

She needed to rise.

Heart Sword.

What was gathering in the sky was undoubtedly the Heart Sword.

Moreover, with the gentle Thunder Qi contained within it, the Demon Sword Queen had to get on her feet.

The reason her body was reacting so fiercely was because of that Thunder Qi.

In this Central Plains, only one person besides the Demon Sword Queen could unleash such Thunder Qi.

Additionally, the number of people capable of manifesting the Heart Sword is even slimmer.

Knowing this, she had to move.

‘… No way.’

If left as is, she would die.

With her trembling legs, she pushed herself up.

At that moment.

Hwaaaaaaaa—!

The overwhelming energy surged, causing the half-risen Demon Sword Queen to slump back down.

“…!!”

Once again surveying the void, shock filled her eyes.

Behind the Heart Sword that was likely unfurling from the Heavenly Lord.

Three larger and more distinct Heart Swords emerged.

D-d-d-d.

The Demon Sword Queen realized her fingertips were trembling.

It was responding to the instincts of a martial artist.

‘… That’s…’

Seeing the Heavenly Lord’s Heart Sword instilled a hesitation due to the palpable presence emanating from it.

But this was different.

The fear and dread she felt right now were utterly unlike that.

It was nothing but awe.

The emotions surging in her chest were clearly awe.

An unexplainable sensation filled her, as if she understood the meaning embedded within the meticulously honed Heart Sword just by gazing at it.

Her weakened legs had no strength to rise.

What in the world was that? It was surely an emotion she had never felt before.

Shaaa—!

Even in a moment where she was captivated by the Heart Sword, the demon beast binding her arm continued dragging her away.

Where on earth could it be taking her?

“… Huh?”

To her surprise, the direction the demon beast was leading her was right toward the very spot where the Heart Sword loomed.

Was it trying to lead her there?

As her mind struggled to grasp the situation, she heard a voice whispering in her ear.

[… Wake… up.]

The voice didn’t precisely echo in her ears. It felt more like it resonated directly in her mind.

[Get there now.]

For the first time.

The voice that resonated carried a semblance of emotion.

In that voice, there was a faint urgency she couldn’t ignore.

With her limping leg, she forced herself to rise.

As she lifted herself, the pain screamed throughout her body, but the Demon Sword Queen refused to let out a single cry.

There was something more important than the pain.

“Hah….”

Holding onto her fading consciousness.

The Demon Sword Queen walked.

The destination was where the Heart Sword was looming.

She was certain that the person she was searching for would be there.

The Generation of Yuseong.

It is said that today’s generation boasts geniuses as numerous as the stars in the sky.

From Shin Cheol’s perspective, it’s quite laughable.

The Yuseong generation and the generation of peace… If it brings out laughter, then it undoubtedly does so for several reasons.

One is the pride that their sacrifices have ultimately brought about this era of peace.

The other, a bitter laugh evoked by watching the Yuseong generation.

Do they even know?

That there was a time when their generation was called the era of conflicts and ruin, where people struggled amidst misfortune.

A time when they had to wield swords just to survive.

A time when they had to swing swords to protect their brothers.

Also, a time when they weren’t cultivating enlightenment and something great, but merely doing so to live in this world.

Strength was needed to protect something.

Because Shin Cheol’s era was like that, the young disciple of Hwasan raised his sword for such a reason.

To be regarded as a sword master, he had to possess several Heart Swords.

It meant he had to reach that level to enshrine something precious within his root.

Otherwise, he would have to face loss.

Shin Cheol clearly remembered his childhood.

He recalled the Sect Leader who died with his heart plucked out while guarding the disciples against a White Grade Demon Beast.

He remembered the brother whose eyes were plucked out while defending Shin Cheol’s left arm.

He could vividly recall the mentor who had sacrificed his lower half to save him from a cliff, throwing the young Shin Cheol to safety.

That was how things were back then.

Without power, you lose.

If you can’t wield a sword, you’ll lose far too much.

Knowing this, Shin Cheol swung his sword and elevated his realm.

Isn’t it fortunate?

He had talent. Above all, he had an unwavering belief.

He held onto the sword fiercely.

And as time passed.

One day, he managed to manifest a Heart Sword.

The Hwasan Demon Sword known as the Heart Sword, achieved just as he crossed thirty.

What did it feel like back then?

Did he rejoice in having manifested the Heart Sword?

Not at all.

He was simply filled with sadness.

Feeling sorrow for not having drawn it out sooner.

There were countless sprouts he failed to protect, inflicting anguish upon him.

The Heart Sword epitomized that emotion.

So,

“You have nothing.”

While acknowledging the Heavenly Lord, Shin Cheol looks down upon him.

As he observed the Heavenly Lord entranced by the Heart Sword, his expression turned cold.

“There’s nothing contained within your sword.”

What resides within the Heavenly Lord’s Heart Sword?

What belief does he hold?

To Shin Cheol, the Heavenly Lord simply seemed too far removed from valuing anything.

“That mere shell filled with desires—does it truly merit being called a martial artist?”

Is the Heavenly Lord truly a martial artist?

That must be true; he’s been called one since he’s been raising and nurturing his craft.

However.

To append the concept of martial value Shin Cheol holds to him would mean—

If one regards him as a martial artist, wouldn’t that trivialize the heroes lying on the ground beside him?

The three swords floating in the sky were imbued with Shin Cheol’s intentions.

One sword contained regret for not becoming stronger.

The second one contained the aspiration to save the world.

And the third one was bequeathed with the longing for peace to arrive.

“I don’t know.”

Is this world truly a right world? Shin Cheol couldn’t confidently voice an answer.

Wooooo—!

Gui Jeong wails.

The accumulating Sword Name grows in size.

“And I don’t particularly wish to know.”

Understanding a changed world was solely the duty of the next generation.

Shin Cheol’s regret was merely for not leaving behind a better world.

Kikikikik—!

The Heart Sword moves, aiming at the Heavenly Lord.

Unnoticed, the gaze of the plum blossom remains sharp.

In the overwhelming view, the Heavenly Lord—

“Hah… Hah….”

Suddenly, he staggered and knelt on one knee.

For some reason, he appeared far older now than before.

The battle had yet to commence.

The Heart Sword still lingered in the void.

Crack.

The Heavenly Lord’s Heart Sword began to crumble.

Seeing this, Shin Cheol clicked his tongue.

He understood precisely why such a form was appearing.

“How disappointing.”

It was crumbling. The Heavenly Lord had lost his will to fight.

Even though they hadn’t yet exchanged blows, he was collapsing all on his own.

Witnessing this, Shin Cheol couldn’t hide his disappointment.

To collapse right before facing a greater wall, is this truly—

‘Is this Ming? Are you genuinely his descendant?’

Could it be? Was he truly a descendant of the Thunder Heaven Sword, Nangong Ming?

He couldn’t believe it.

The one most unlikely among five to indulge in wrongdoing had covered himself in such enormous misfortune.

‘Has he messed up his lineage that badly?’

It was enough to evoke bitter laughter.

He had once yearned to protect his family.

How had it come to this?

‘…’

A complex feeling surged within him.

Whoooo—!

Shin Cheol’s Heart Sword, also suspended in the void, slowly disintegrated.

It was erasing its traces as its task came to an end.

From the beginning, Shin Cheol never intended to fight and win against the Heavenly Lord.

The power of the Heart Sword was mighty, yet relying solely on it to reach the level attained by the Heavenly Lord was somewhat far-fetched.

Moreover, the action of killing a friend’s descendant was uncomfortable.

Of course…

‘If Ming had known, he probably would’ve killed him with his own hands.’

Given the disposition of the Thunder Heaven Sword, that could very well have been the case.

However, even if that was true, executing such actions was not Shin Cheol’s role.

Srrrgh.

The power of Gui Jeong, which he was clenching, relaxed and reverted back to its original form.

The celestial silk slithered back to his left arm as if it held its own will, quickly binding it again in bandage form.

He caught sight of the fading vitality in the Heavenly Lord’s eyes.

For a martial artist who has lost their will, it’s akin to death.

He may not have died as a human, but in terms of a martial artist, it would essentially be the same as dying.

‘All for this.’

To just display a higher wall.

That alone had exhausted him to the point of collapse.

‘… Unfathomable.’

The situation continued to perplex him the more he observed.

Despite so many claims of being in an era of peace, this was far too beneath any reasonable level.

Looking at the Heavenly Lord, Shin Cheol’s continuously rising question got larger.

Why are the martial artists of this current era so weak?

How could it be so different from the era he lived in?

He didn’t know.

Is it truly because this isn’t an era of warfare?

That can’t be it.

Regardless, the disparity being so vast felt strange.

No matter how one looks at the later stages being referred to as the generation of Yuseong.

Comparing them with the elite martial artists of Shin Cheol’s time, one could feel the noticeable drop in quality.

Perhaps it’s not just the Heavenly Lord.

It remains incomprehensible that one renowned as one among the three martial masters of the Central Plains can only manifest a simple Heart Sword.

Is it due to the Evil Spirits muddling things up?

If not, then what other reason could there be?

Shin Cheol couldn’t fathom it.

‘I just don’t know… Il Cheon. What exactly did you dream of?’

Thoughts turned toward his golden-haired friend, who had vowed to save the world, leaving a chill settling in his chest.

“… What are you…?”

In the quietness, a brisk wind began to blow.

The Heavenly Lord’s weak voice mixed in.

The once noble-looking sage had devolved into a feeble old man in a short span.

“… What on earth are you…?”

Words stumbled out as if struggling to find footing.

With the meaning encompassing many things, Shin Cheol gently nodded.

What is identity?

“Identity…?”

He had often heard such things in the past.

His answer would always be one.

“A martial artist.”

“…”

“I am merely a martial artist.”

An unshakable response.

In Shin Cheol’s view, he was just a martial artist, nothing more, nothing less.

Hearing this, the Heavenly Lord’s head drooped.

That firm reply felt as if it declared the Heavenly Lord wasn’t a martial artist.

It left the Heavenly Lord unable to even muster a rebuttal.

Looking down weakly, the Heavenly Lord captured Shin Cheol’s sigh as he placed a hand on his chest.

He had merely intended to buy time or hold him back.

However, things had turned strangely.

It was fortunate in one way, but ultimately.

‘Is this the same as doing well?’

There was a certain unpleasant entity lying inside.

‘Tsk. Since this old man exerted himself like this, if you don’t wake up properly, I’ll smack your rear until it turns red.’

I’ll beat you good.

Thus, if you despise that—

‘Hurry and open your eyes, you rotten lad.’

Shin Cheol thought while closing his eyes for a brief moment.

Meanwhile, while that was unfolding.

Bloop—

A single bubble rose and burst on the water’s surface.

Following the trail of gradually surfacing bubbles, it delved deeper.

An endless expanse flooded with water.

It was deep and wide; strangely, no other lifeforms appeared.

Of course, there were not completely absent of life.

In the midst of this eerie and suffocating quiet, there lay a single figure floating at ease, seemingly asleep.

The young man’s face was slightly scrunched as if something was bothering him.

Was he dreaming a nightmare?

His face would twist tightly before relaxing, continuing like that for a while.

Eventually.

The youth’s eyelids began to twitch and move slightly, until finally, they lifted, revealing his eyes.

“…”

In the tranquil realm known as the Realm of the Heart, Gu Yangcheong, who had been unconscious, finally opened his eyes.

 

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