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Kyaaaaaaa—!!!!!

A scream-shaped energy shot up into the sky like a beam of light. The aftermath of the Heavenly Demon Chaos Jade was fully revealed.

Around the beam, a whirlwind of energy raged like a storm, frantically sucking in everything nearby.

It was a bizarre and eerie sight.

Could that really be something created by human power?

Those watching the situation swallowed their saliva.

Their trembling legs weren’t just from the vibrations on the ground.

The fear emanating from that energy.

A supreme realm’s spectacle that wouldn’t even allow a mere martial artist to approach.

Like gazing at a being above the heavens, the martial artists instinctively felt awe.

Kyaaaaaa-!!!

“Ugh…….”

“My ears……!”

The explosive energy sounded like a scream. It was so grotesque that they covered their ears.

Goosebumps naturally rose.

By the time the beam of light that had shone for a moment disappeared, the surrounding gusts of wind also scattered.

Afterward, the full aftermath of the energy revealed itself.

“Huh…….”

“Th-that…….”

Those watching all dropped their hands.

The White Grade Demon Beast that had been rampaging just moments ago. That calamity that seemed absolutely unbeatable.

“……It’s breaking.”

“It’s crumbling…….”

It was so shattered that its form was unrecognizable.

Kya…… Kyarr…… Kyarruk…….

Unlike before, when it could still regenerate, the demon beast could no longer do so, only letting out weak cries.

Then.

Whoooosh–!!!

Black Qi clung to the demon beast’s body.

It looked almost like ‘fire.’

And it wasn’t much different. The clinging energy soon burned away all traces of the demon beast.

Completely, without a trace.

It turned into a handful of ash, swept away into the void.

The moment the White Grade Demon Beast disappeared.

Kururu-……!?

Kya…… Kyaaaa-!!

The Red Demon Beasts, who had been rampaging through the mountains attacking martial artists, also reacted.

Though they had held out for a while, the numerous demon beasts began to fall one by one.

The moment they all fell.

Kyarru?

The Black Demon Beast, which had been slaughtering Red Demon Beasts at the center, tilted its head in confusion.

Then.

Kya-.

As if it understood something, it nodded its head. Then.

Pssst-!

The demon beast melted and was absorbed into the shadows, disappearing.

The large Black Demon Beast watching from beyond the mountains did the same.

In an instant, all the demon beasts vanished.

Kreeeeeng-!!!

A change occurred at the Demonic Gate at the center of the mountain.

“C-Clan Leader! The Great Demonic Gate……!”

“……Huh?”

Nangong Jeohwi turned his gaze at his subordinate’s words. The Great Demonic Gate, which had been spewing out demon beasts, began to distort.

Kririk…… Kiiiiik-!!!

Like crumpling paper, the Demonic Gate twisted and warped.

Thud-!

Soon after, it too disappeared, as if nothing had ever been there.

“This is…….”

The martial artists exchanged bewildered looks. The battle that had just been raging moments ago ended in an instant.

All that remained was the chaos left behind by the demon beasts.

After a long silence.

“We survived…….”

“W-we survived.”

“We survived-!!”

Everyone cheered, shouting in relief. Understanding the situation was less important than the fact that they had survived.

* * *

Waaaaah-!!

Meanwhile, cheers erupted from another side.

“Hoo.”

I was observing the situation from behind my mask.

Killing the White Grade Demon Beast was good, but my body wasn’t in great shape.

‘I used too much energy.’

I had summoned two White Grade Demon Beasts to fight.

And completely dealt with the real White Grade Demon Beast. Using the Heavenly Demon Chaos Jade in the process must have drained a lot of my energy.

‘It couldn’t be helped.’

At that point, I had confirmed its regeneration ability. To deal with that level of regeneration, I needed to deliver a significant amount of damage. Using the Heavenly Demon Technique was the fastest way.

I had already confirmed that those hit by the Heavenly Demon Chaos Jade had reduced regeneration. I used that to deal with the White Grade Demon Beast.

‘Not bad.’

The plan wasn’t bad. Even for someone experiencing the White Great Demonic Gate for the first time.

‘I also learned something new.’

It seems that when a White Grade Demon Beast dies, all the subordinate demon beasts are dealt with.

As evidence, the other demon beasts disappeared.

‘……A White Grade Demonic Gate.’

Since no other demon beasts appeared.

‘It seems only White and Red ones come out.’

Green and Blue ones didn’t even show up.

So, does that mean one White and multiple Red Demon Beasts come out before the Demonic Gate closes?

‘The difficulty is insane, seriously?’

If so, it’s an absurd level.

‘How are we supposed to stop that?’

It’s a level that a regular Sword Team could never handle. This time was no different.

‘If I hadn’t been here,’

Even with the Heavenly Lord present, if he hadn’t come, Anhui might have been wiped out.

The White Grade Demonic Gate was that dangerous.

‘……But at least we managed to stop it.’

No one died. That’s because I ran around like crazy.

“Hoo.”

I sighed and swept back my hair. It was my first time going all out here, so I felt unusually tired.

But I pretended to be fine.

I had no choice.

“What happened?”

There were eyes watching me. At my words, someone approached from behind.

I clicked my tongue inwardly as I looked at them.

It was Father.

‘Ah, geez…’

“You’re quite persistent, aren’t you?”

I thought I had done enough earlier. Did he still have more to say? Father was approaching me with a stern face.

“I haven’t heard your answer yet.”

“Sigh…”

I let out a deep breath. That human’s stubbornness is no joke.

What should I do? Should I just knock him out? I really didn’t want to lay a hand on Father, but if this keeps up, I’ll be in trouble too. Guess I have no choice.

Just as I was about to approach him, Father spoke again.

“Let me ask you… Are you, by any chance, the former clan leader of the Gu Family?”

“……”

I froze.

What did he just say?

“What are you talking about?”

I frowned and asked. Good thing I was wearing a mask—otherwise, my expression would’ve given me away.

Why would he suddenly ask if I’m the former clan leader of the Gu Family? That came out of nowhere.

While I was puzzled, Father added, “The power you displayed earlier… That’s the power of the Gu Family, isn’t it?”

“……”

Ah, so that’s what it was.

‘He sensed it.’

Father must have felt the energy. The Heavenly Demon Chaos Jade is ultimately a power born from the clash between the Flame Wheel Technique and the Breaking Heaven Technique.

Maybe he sensed traces of that.

‘If not that, then…’

The demonic flames I used to burn the White Grade Demon Beast earlier also originated from the Flame Wheel Technique. He might have sensed that too.

Whatever it was, it doesn’t matter.

‘The important thing is that he sensed it.’

The fact that Father felt the energy from just that fragment is the issue now.

‘But why would sensing the energy lead him to ask if I’m the former clan leader?’

I can’t make sense of it.

If he’s talking about the former clan leader…

‘Doesn’t that mean my great-grandfather?’

My great-grandfather. The current clan leader is my grandfather, so Father must be referring to my great-grandfather.

“Do I look like your grandfather to you?”

“…I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking.”

Father himself didn’t seem too sure either.

What should I say? My hesitation was brief.

“You’re not worth answering. Get lost.”

I turned my back and flew away.

I didn’t deny it, nor did I confirm it. Somehow, that felt like the right thing to do.

“……!”

Father tried to react, but this time, he couldn’t.

I had already used my power to disappear.

* * *

I escaped the situation and headed to a mountain. Not the one that was in ruins, but one that was still intact.

It was a mountain located between the Nangong Clan and the center of Anhui.

I arrived at the middle of the mountain and stretched my body.

“Phew…”

After confirming there was no one around, I finally let out a sigh.

“Ugh… This is exhausting.”

My whole body feels sore.

When I brushed my forehead with the back of my hand, I realized it was covered in sweat.

“I used too much energy.”

Was it because I used it all at once in an explosive manner? The fatigue was finally hitting me hard.

“…I should rest for a bit before leaving.”

I’ve already taken care of what needed to be done, so I’ll catch my breath here for a moment.

There’s also something I need to think about. I planned to spend some time here.

‘The power is still maintained, so it should be fine.’

They won’t think I’ve disappeared. I left an illusion there using the power of the wind.

The distance is close enough that the illusion will last for about half a time point before disappearing.

‘That should be enough.’

That’s plenty of time to rest.

Thud. I sat down on a tree and closed my eyes.

I spread out my Qi Perception and planned to rest for just a bit.

Thoughts swirled in my mind as I closed my eyes.

‘…Great-grandfather, huh?’

Why did Father see me that way?

Of all things, the former clan leader. The meaning behind that feels oddly significant.

‘That’s right.’

The Gu Family still exists in this era. The grandfather I saw also exists.

Which means…

‘It might be easier to find out more.’

The Gu Family’s value as the proxy of the master.

I might be able to learn more about that too.

‘…Should I head to Mount Shan?’

I hadn’t planned on visiting the Gu Family in this era, but…

Now that I think about it, I’m curious.

“Not a bad idea.”

I muttered without realizing it, thinking it was a decent plan.

But then.

“Yeah, not bad at all.”

“Right? Not bad…”

A response came.

“…?”

I slowly opened my eyes at the voice.

There, sitting in front of me, was…

“Hi?”

“……”

A white-haired woman with sparkling scarlet eyes.

Mother was sitting there.

…Why is she here?

I was too stunned to react in this completely unexpected situation.

“Hey,” Mother suddenly asked me, “Are you like me too?”

That was another question I hadn’t anticipated.

 

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