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Chapter 548: Sword Demon

Swish—!

The sword blade, enveloped in Sword Intent, dances in the air.

Swoosh—!

There was no pause, nor was there a shortage of strikes.

The Sword Path looks chaotic, almost overwhelming.

Yet, within that chaos, a clear order existed.

Years of hardship forged this proficiency.

Movements designed to block trajectories and punish the opponent.

Dozens of Sword Teams moved in unison.

All to capture just one person.

Looking at the situation, it seemed impossible to endure.

Astoundingly, the opponent nonchalantly withstood the onslaught.

The Branch Leader of the Martial Alliance’s Guangdong Division, Transformation Realm Martial Artist Wi Seok, furrowed his brows in confusion.

‘What’s happening?’

Boom—!

“Guh!”

Amid the chaotic scene, someone shot into the sky.

One person to start.

Bang—! Bang bang—!

One after another, Martial Artists from the Alliance collapsed.

‘What on earth…!’

Wi Seok’s eyes widened at the sight.

A typhoon.

A whirlwind of swords raged around, so how was this individual so calm?

As if at the eye of the storm.

The sword techniques were flashy and precise.

Especially in the Guangdong area, where the Demonic Faction was rampant.

In such a place, they trained not only to combat demon beasts but also to apprehend criminals.

Were their realms low? Not at all.

From the report he received from Seo Dong, they were definitely Transformation Realm Martial Artists, strong enough to handle the situation.

Excluding any Martial Artists below first-class.

Everyone was at peak prowess.

With two Great Lords and a Transformation Realm Martial Artist among them.

By standard calculations, they could easily capture the so-called “Clan Leader” level Martial Artists, yet the opponent remained unfazed.

Swish—! The swords surged forth.

No.

They tried to, but—

Crack—!

The one wielding the sword suddenly lost grip due to an unexpected shock.

Thud—!

“Guh!”

The subsequent impact threw him to the ground, eyes rolled back.

As one fell, two others rushed in from behind.

But they met the same fate.

They desperately swung their swords.

Bam—!

“Hah!”

“Ugh!”

Their angles twisted, the Sword Path shattered.

With another explosive impact, they were flung far away.

Each of them lost their senses upon flying out.

The battle had barely lasted a fraction of a moment.

“Grrrr…”

“Ugh…”

The once spacious plains were filled with groans.

Sharp swords stuck in the ground, others casually rolling about in the fields.

“…”

Wi Seok’s face was filled with horror as he witnessed this.

With everyone collapsed and gasping for breath on the ground.

In the center stood a young man.

Gripping the collar of a team member he’d just attacked.

His appearance showed no sign of sweat as he casually scanned his surroundings.

And then he chuckled, saying,

“Are you all feeling sleepy? How could you lie down so early? Am I wrong?”

“…”

Wi Seok had no reply to the question.

He was too busy understanding the situation.

‘This isn’t good.’

In barely that short of a time, so many Martial Artists had fallen.

Moreover.

‘Everyone is still breathing.’

They were merely gasping roughly. None were dead.

This meant he had subdued everyone without killing them.

Thud.

As the young man let go, the one whose collar he held tumbled down.

Now, only Wi Seok and this young man stood in the plains.

Feeling a chill, Wi Seok had to acknowledge.

‘He’s different.’

The youthful exterior and the odd atmosphere.

Just that was enough to register a sense of danger.

But his current combat style made Wi Seok realize much more.

‘I couldn’t intrude.’

Amidst the chaotic fight, Wi Seok should have intervened to subdue this individual.

But he didn’t.

It wasn’t because Wi Seok was merely watching.

‘He intended that.’

The individual had orchestrated everything to prevent Wi Seok from joining the fray.

Because of that, Wi Seok couldn’t even act while his subordinates fell.

‘How could he do that?’

In such a complicated scenario, how could he create this situation?

This required extreme experience in facing many opponents.

“…”

Wiping away the sweat, Wi Seok finally spoke.

“I have a question.”

With that, Gu Yangcheong allowed a smirk.

“In this situation? What an interesting fellow you are.”

“Nine Uniquely Cursed Demons Do Mun-gang.”

“Hmm?”

Wi Seok nodded as he recognized the name.

“You killed him, didn’t you?”

“Hmm….”

Do Mun-gang… Do Mun-gang.

“Ah.”

It clicked.

“That’s the guy.”

The man he’d dispatched just days prior.

The one who had been lingering around Biwaegun.

One of the reasons Gu Yangcheong had come here.

To procure the Evergreen Iron within Biwaegun, leading to an encounter with the one lingering nearby.

‘Turns out he was from the Demonic Faction, so I killed him.’

Wasn’t he one of the SAGDisciples?

Didn’t he proclaim that during the battle?

Wi Seok didn’t dwell on that too much.

‘Hardly worthy of that title.’

Though uncertain how he could have been called a SAGDisciple, Wi Seok judged Do Mun-gang to have been lesser than that.

Seeing that reaction from Gu Yangcheong, Wi Seok swallowed hard.

“…As expected.”

“How did you know?”

Gu Yangcheong appeared to have no intention of hiding anything.

“The sudden death of Do Mun-gang a few days ago alongside the appearance of a powerhouse like you in a not-so-distant region seemed connected.”

“Ahh.”

Only then did Gu Yangcheong understand Wi Seok’s actions.

“So that’s why you brought such strength?”

“…The answer is the same as before. I only wanted to invite you respectfully.”

“But you intended to capture me if I refused.”

“…”

Wi Seok had no answer to Gu Yangcheong’s statement.

He simply.

Swoosh.

Raised his sword toward Gu Yangcheong.

“What is your objective…?”

“That’s amusing. You’re the one trying to capture me and you’re asking about my objective?”

“This situation is your design.”

Wi Seok’s words made Gu Yangcheong erase the smile from his face.

“Oh.”

Then came a moment of admiration.

Gu Yangcheong squinted as he looked at Wi Seok.

“What’s your basis?”

“I came across a report from my subordinate. It mentioned the discovery of a powerhouse who tamed a demon beast.”

Saying so, Wi Seok glanced at Seo Dong who lay collapsed.

“For whatever reason, I heard that there’s been news of a murderous fiend causing trouble.”

“But.”

“I hadn’t thought much of it, yet now, in light of everything, it seems questionable.”

“What do you mean?”

Swallowing hard, Wi Seok stared at Gu Yangcheong.

“How did you leave someone alive to report?”

“…”

“Such a secretive matter isn’t something to let others know. Even if you could have killed him and gleaned information, you purposely let your subordinate live to report to me.”

The death of the Nine Uniquely Cursed Demons.

Simultaneously, a mysterious powerhouse appeared.

Not to mention he was hunting for a murderous fiend capable of devouring Red Demon Beasts.

“Were you perhaps trying to hint at that on purpose?”

Subtly directing it his way.

Wi Seok felt a passing thought.

At this, Gu Yangcheong responded.

“You’re surprisingly smart, aren’t you?”

He hadn’t shown any denial this time, making Wi Seok even more uneasy.

“…What is your goal?”

“My goal?”

Crack.

Gu Yangcheong slightly stretched his body.

“Originally, I intended to visit the branch directly before I left.”

“Are you talking about the Guangdong Division?”

“Exactly. I had business there.”

“What kind of…?”

“But that need is gone now. That business has come right before my eyes.”

Saying this, Gu Yangcheong pointed at something.

Wi Seok flinched at what was being indicated.

It was none other than himself.

“…You mean my objective is me?”

“Not exactly an objective, just a passing matter.”

“Why on earth?”

Wi Seok questioned, unable to grasp it.

There was no reason to harbor bad feelings toward someone like him.

Nothing came to mind where he could see how he might be entwined.

But, did that mean his purpose was him? Wi Seok found it incomprehensible.

In response, Gu Yangcheong looked at Wi Seok and said,

“Is there anything more to discuss?”

“…”

“Either way, you have only one task at hand right now, don’t you?”

Hearing Gu Yangcheong’s words, Wi Seok suddenly bit his lip as a thought crossed his mind.

“…There’s a tale that has been circulating through the Alliance’s letters.”

It was news he had heard just a week ago.

“Recently, several key members of the Alliance have been assassinated in the Central Plains.”

“Oh, really?”

Gu Yangcheong feigned surprise as if he’d heard something interesting.

Yet, Wi Seok frowned.

“Are you the culprit?”

“What do you think?”

As Gu Yangcheong took a step forward, Wi Seok raised his energy.

Cooling down his mind.

He had just witnessed a battle, so he couldn’t let his guard down.

‘No matter what the intention, I won’t back down.’

Swoosh—!

The sword in Wi Seok’s hand buzzed with strong energy.

The aura emanating from him embraced the area.

It would have been ideal if he could have suppressed them with his subordinates beforehand, but as that was not the case, he couldn’t hesitate.

‘I aim for the legs.’

With that determination, Wi Seok moved.

However, just as his sword was about to swing through the air—

Crack—!

“…!!”

Before he could even take proper flow, Wi Seok’s arm twisted in agony.

Gu Yangcheong had somehow appeared and shattered his joint.

“Guh!”

Nevertheless, Wi Seok contorted his body, changing grip on the sword from his twisted arm.

Crack! Thud—!

Before he could initiate his action, he was suppressed.

His knees buckled, a shock hitting his chest.

“Cough…!”

Thump.

Wi Seok dropped to his knees helplessly.

Drip.

Blood trickled from his mouth. In just the course of one engagement, Wi Seok was left in tatters.

“Grrrr….”

Wi Seok gazed at Gu Yangcheong with disbelief.

And before him, Gu Yangcheong looked down at Wi Seok with an utterly indifferent gaze.

“You asked before. Why am I aiming for you?”

“…C-cough….”

“I don’t harbor any grudge against the current you.”

Gu Yangcheong murmured as he lowered his gaze slightly and locked eyes with Wi Seok.

“I just had some business to attend to with the past you.”

“…What…what does that mean…?”

“Do you remember?”

Gu Yangcheong’s azure eyes shimmered.

“You will take command of a pretty decent troop in a war about three years from now.”

The name was likely the Snowfall Troop. It must have been that.

“Quite a decent troop, you see. The Clan Leader had done rather well.”

Although he spoke playfully, Wi Seok felt choked by an unknown energy.

“But then, they betrayed right in the middle of it all.”

“…Hoo…hoo…t-that….”

“In that process, a woman who stood nobly at the front was nearly mortally wounded.”

“What on earth…are you saying…?”

“While dripping blood, I carried her and ran like crazy. It was pouring rain, you know.”

His blood-soaked back.

The rain pouring down to wash it away.

That day’s memory was one that never faded.

So Gu Yangcheong needed to tell the current Wi Seok.

“That is the reason I wanted to see you.”

“What…that makes…no sense…”

With a crackle.

Wi Seok couldn’t finish his sentence.

For Gu Yangcheong had swung his fist, crushing Wi Seok’s skull.

Thud—!

The body of Wi Seok, with its head obliterated, collapsed to the ground.

Gu Yangcheong wiped the blood off on his clothing and stood up.

Immediately after, he walked over to where someone lay and prodded them with his foot.

“I know you’re awake.”

“…!”

The individual Gu Yangcheong was poking was none other than Seo Dong.

Having fainted during the battle, Seo Dong had just regained consciousness.

Gu Yangcheong spoke to Seo Dong.

“Don’t force yourself to get up right now. Just listen to me.”

“…S-save me…please….”

“I’m not going to kill you, so don’t panic. We’re still talking, so don’t interrupt it, okay? I could end something else, you know?”

“…”

Gu Yangcheong’s words sealed Seo Dong’s mouth tight.

“I just killed your Branch Leader, you see?”

“…”

“So, what should you do now?”

“…”

“You can answer this one.”

“…! I will never tell…! I will stay silent until death…!”

“Not like that. That’s not it.”

Gu Yangcheong seemed displeased by Seo Dong’s reaction.

“That’s not how a chivalrous Martial Alliance Sword Team should act, is it? You should follow the proper procedures.”

“What…do you mean…?”

“You can write a good report. Just detail the entire situation and report everything you saw.”

Gu Yangcheong’s eyes were certainly smiling.

“And, about the information of the suspect? Note it down like this.”

Gu Yangcheong leaned close to Seo Dong and said,

“The Heavenly Demon.”

At that voice, Seo Dong trembled.

“That’s why I’m letting you off. Remember it well?”

“…Wait….”

Thud!

“Cough.”

With no words left to say, Gu Yangcheong struck the back of Seo Dong’s neck, knocking him unconscious again.

As it was, no one remained standing, conscious in sight.

Except for Gu Yangcheong and the young man observing.

“It seems this matter is roughly settled…”

Gu Yangcheong said as he shifted his gaze.

It was directed toward the Sword Demon resting against the tree stump.

The Sword Demon looked on in disbelief at the current situation.

Toward the Sword Demon, Gu Yangcheong said.

“Hey.”

“…!!”

The Sword Demon jumped at the call.

Though there was still blood splattered on Gu Yangcheong’s face, for some reason, the Sword Demon couldn’t divert his gaze away.

Gu Yangcheong inquired.

“What’s your name?”

“…”

The seemingly casual question made the Sword Demon hesitate.

He felt an inexplicable urge to reply.

“…Seong Yul.”

“Seong Yul?”

As Gu Yangcheong heard the name, he laughed in a haphazard manner.

“Doesn’t quite fit you. What a good-sounding name for such a scary face.”

With that, he turned and began to walk away.

After taking a few steps, Gu Yangcheong turned back, looking at Seong Yul and said:

“What are you doing? Follow me.”

“…!”

Follow him?

As Seong Yul was taken aback, Gu Yangcheong continued.

“Oh, if you don’t want to go, just say so.”

If he said ‘no,’ would he be let off? Just then—

“I’ll break your leg and carry you if that’s the case.”

“…”

Seong Yul cautiously rose to his feet.

 

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