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Chapter 7: The Scourge of the Red Grade Demon Beast

Kuwuung—!!!

The imposing body of the Jeokseokung, which had been roaring fiercely until now, collapses to the ground.

From the creature’s sprawled body, foreign blood gushed out, soaking the ground beneath.

The damp sensation quickly wrapped around my toes.

It was such an unpleasant feeling that anyone would frown, yet not a single expression changed among the onlookers.

Gguguk.

The presence before me left everyone frozen in place.

Tak.

A small footstep echoed hollowly.

With its small stature, the figure looked oddly diminutive compared to other martial artists.

Barely any muscle could be seen on its frail and worn frame.

Just an old man.

He bore the form of someone who seemed to have never learned martial arts, yet anyone who recognized this elder knew he was far from a simple character.

A symbol of peace.

The pinnacle of the current Martial Alliance, the Sword Master.

Even if one doubts who the strongest in the world is, if asked who the current strongest swordsman is, the answer will be clear.

‘Sword Sovereign Wi Hyogun.’

One of the Three Eminent Beings and the supreme sword master has arrived.

The former Sword Sovereign hadn’t changed all that much from what I remembered.

He had a slightly straighter back now and was closer to having black hair than pure white. Apart from that, he resembled the Sword Sovereign I knew quite a bit.

Sssaaa.

The flowing blood parted around the Sword Sovereign. The killing intent radiating from him repelled even the blood.

‘……He’s strong.’

A surge of tension coursed through my body. My instincts reacted wildly the moment I laid eyes on the Sword Sovereign.

Three Eminent Beings.

The intensity I felt was far more profound than when I had first encountered the Master of the Martial World.

A brilliant golden sword emitted radiant light.

It was the source of the martial arts wielded by Wi Seol-Ah, known as the Moon Spirit Sword.

Pasus.

The Moon Spirit Sword transformed into light and scattered. The Sword Sovereign walked over, cleansing the blood from his blades.

He approached my father, who was bowing respectfully, and gently reached out to stroke his hair.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“I’m glad you’re not too late.”

The old man’s golden eyes scanned us.

“I felt a strange disturbance and came to check. It was the right choice.”

A disturbance. I knew that the Clan Leaders were quite a distance away, yet he sensed it through Qi Perception.

Furthermore.

‘He cut it in one stroke.’

I squinted at the thought of having severed the Jeokseokung’s neck in a single move. I had clearly seen it. The energy barrier had been set up, yet he cut through it simultaneously.

Did he strike the weak point of the barrier? No.

‘It was relatively weak, but it wasn’t a complete weak point.’

It was simply overwhelming offensive power.

He likely released his strike, slicing through the barrier.

“……Hmmm.”

While everyone was reeling from the Sword Sovereign’s appearance, he quietly approached the corpse of the Jeokseokung.

“……Red.”

The red-stained fur was incomparably larger than the blue ones.

He grimaced as he perceived its presence.

“It’s a Red Grade Demon Beast.”

At those words, everyone around flinched.

“Is it truly a Red Grade…?”

“Why is a Red Grade appearing…?”

A forgotten grade that hadn’t been seen for hundreds of years. Now, even studying could lead to discovering those entities.

The fact that the Sword Sovereign confirmed it drew an explosive reaction.

“Is it really a Red Grade Demon Beast?”

“A Red Grade Demon Beast…!”

“Quiet.”

As the atmosphere grew restless, my father warned, his low voice enveloping the surroundings.

“Our Great Lord is present.”

“Oooh….”

The mood turned deadly serious. Though my father’s expression remained unchanged, the weight in his voice forced silence.

The Sword Sovereign continued to stare intently at the demon beast.

Moments passed.

“Have someone dispose of the corpse. We’ll need to send the remnants to the Wind Dragon Order.”

“Understood.”

They were known for their research into formations and demon beasts.

It seemed they intended to assess the situation by sending it there first.

As that command was issued and others moved towards the Red Grade demon beast, suddenly—

“He’s here.”

The Sword Sovereign spoke to the air. When he said that, my father was gazing at the void.

I sensed something as well but pretended not to.

The Sword Sovereign lightly moved his hand toward the sky.

Then, the blood pooled on the floor began to swirl and retreat, creating space.

Before long.

Thud-!!

Several figures landed from the sky onto the ground.

“It’s the Divine Dragon Order…!”

A voice from someone. Only then did I recognize the newcomers.

‘Divine Dragon Order.’

Their flowing martial robes were strikingly opposite to the standard Martial Alliance uniforms, adorned in white and embellished with gold.

Moreover.

‘Masks.’

The four individuals that suddenly appeared were all wearing masks, revealing only their silhouettes and not their identities.

Their mastery in concealing their presence was impressive.

Just by that, I knew they were far stronger than ordinary martial artists.

‘…So, this is the Divine Dragon Order.’

If the Sword Sovereign symbolized peace, the Divine Dragon Order represented the very essence of the Martial Alliance.

The elite unit chosen from within the Clan.

While other sword team members identified themselves, the Divine Dragon Order typically moved without revealing their true identities.

Their actual affiliations and backgrounds were largely unknown.

Of course, if their martial arts were famed, some predictions could be made.

Nonetheless, most kept their identities veiled and operated covertly.

‘It had been some time since the sword team had been disbanded.’

The Divine Dragon Order also vanished right after the Sword Sovereign stepped down as the Clan Leader.

Though, amusingly enough, they were now revived by the Blood Demon in the era I lived.

‘Hmm.’

Seeing the actual Divine Dragon Order brought a flood of emotions.

“It’s the corpse of a Red Demon Beast. Have it sent to the Wind Dragon Order for processing.”

With the order from the Sword Sovereign, the Divine Dragon Order sprang into action.

They began collecting the corpse, and moments later, others appeared.

“The Cheongryong Great Lord has come to see you, Great Lord.”

It was none other than Cheongyeol Sword Master, the leader of the Blue Dragon Order.

“The Iron Dragon Lord has come to see you, Great Lord.”

It was a massive man, likely the leader of the Iron Dragon Order.

“I apologize for the late arrival.”

The Iron Dragon Lord bit his lip, perhaps feeling troubled about being late despite being nearby.

“No, it was just a timely moment for me, that’s all.”

With a slight smile, the Sword Sovereign turned away.

Then, his body began to rise gently off the ground.

At that moment, a sword made of light was supporting him from below.

“It seems something is amiss in this era.”

His voice was heavy with a sigh.

I swallowed hard at those words, feeling a deep stab in my chest.

“The situation has turned somewhat complicated. Starting today, the Clan will refrain from self-training for a while. Leaders, please adhere to this.”

“Understood!”

“Understood.”

The two leaders bowed in respect, and just after that, the Sword Sovereign slightly turned to look back.

His gaze rested on someone.

“The Blue Dragon Deputy Lord.”

“Yes.”

It was my father.

“Deputy Lord, you are to come to the Great Lord’s quarters as soon as possible.”

“I will obey your command.”

“And…”

The Sword Sovereign’s gaze shifted to…

“Come along too.”

“…Me?”

To my surprise, it was me he was referring to.

*

The rumors spread through the entire Clan swiftly. Not only had the Red Grade demon beast reared its head, but it had also emerged during a joint training of the Blue Dragon Order and the Iron Dragon Order.

The sudden emergence of a Red Grade demon beast was a tale worthy of turning the Clan upside down.

It wouldn’t be long before the Beggar Clan would react too.

Though they’d try to prevent the rumors from spreading, they couldn’t completely silence them within the Central Plains.

For that’s simply the nature of rumors.

There were more than a few concerns swirling in my mind.

‘Ah, how did it come to this?’

But right now, dealing with that was not a priority.

I glanced sideways.

Standing beside me, a figure at least a head taller was my father, the young Gu Cheolun.

It was the position we were in that was troubling.

‘…The Great Lord’s quarters.’

Right in front of the door to the Great Lord’s chambers.

Finding myself thinly standing here was my dilemma.

‘Why? Why did he want to see me?’

The Sword Sovereign had called for me. I couldn’t understand why.

There seemed to be no reason for him to summon me.

‘I was sure I had concealed it well.’

There was no issue in hiding my power. I had moved due to my father’s words, but I didn’t act in ways that would draw attention.

Meaning, I hadn’t done anything that would lead to exposure.

Why on earth would he call for me?

Just as those questions floated in my mind.

“Enter.”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

My father turned the doorknob.

“Blue Dragon Deputy Lord Gu Cheolun and one other person. We shall enter.”

“Come in.”

Once granted permission, the door opened swiftly.

Creeeak.

Through the door, I caught sight of the Sword Sovereign sitting at a table.

The neatly organized room came into view, and the Sword Sovereign was gazing directly at me.

Perhaps due to the somewhat dark room, his golden eyes were particularly dazzling at that moment.

“Deputy Lord, come forward.”

“Yes.”

My father took a step forward.

“Though the situation must be chaotic, I apologize for calling you here. However, I have something to ask of you. Especially…”

At the moment my father reached the Sword Sovereign’s table.

“Baek Yangcheon. I have a question for you.”

The Sword Sovereign spoke while looking at me.

In that instant.

Sshiiiii—!!!

“…!!”

Dozens of swords appeared in the air, each blade aimed directly at me.

A colossal killing intent surged down upon me.

“Who exactly are you?”

The Sword Sovereign’s eyes sparkled with intensity, locking onto me.

‘Oh, no…’

It seemed I had landed myself in quite a pickle.

 

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