---

Chapter 561: I Am

Woo-woong–!

As an unknown tremor gradually resonated throughout the area, among the increasingly flustered Wudang members, Woo Baek faced the Sword Demoness.

The weather was clear, and a warm tea was set before them. However, the atmosphere between the two felt as cold as midwinter.

“This has turned unfortunate.”

After a brief silence, Woo Baek’s words prompted the Sword Demoness to lift her gaze.

Her eyes were no longer the kind, warm eyes he usually knew, but rather as sharp as ice.

“Did you just say unfortunate?”

Her voice was laced with anger.

“It was the Wudang who caused this, yet you act so brazenly.”

“It seems there has been much misunderstanding. We merely assessed the situation and took action accordingly.”

“So, you locked up a guest who came to seek out the Wudang?”

“Demoness.”

With a swift motion, Woo Baek pulled something out before the Sword Demoness. It was a bracelet made of jade.

This was the bracelet that had been stolen from someone at dawn and was found only recently in Gu Yangcheong’s residence.

“Can you still speak like that after seeing this?”

“…”

“Great caution was exercised to trade with Hwasan. This Dawn was once a symbol of the Wudang. It is indeed a valuable item for us.”

The bracelet, Dawn (黎明).

It was regarded as a precious possession of the past representative martial artist of the Wudang, known as the Supreme Sword of Wudang.

“Thus, when Hwasan expressed a desire to exchange Dawn for Gui Jeong, we were filled with joy. That’s why we were so thorough in our preparations.”

Woo Baek’s words were met with silent contemplation from the Sword Demoness.

She offered no rebuttal.

“Yet, in the midst of all this, the item was ultimately seized, and thereafter, we discovered it at the residence of one of our trusted guests. Hence, we took appropriate measures.”

Woo Baek spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, but all the Sword Demoness could do was let out a hollow laugh.

“Such a laughable jest.”

“A jest…?”

“Do you really think so? You call them trusted guests, but deep down, you never believed in the children, did you?”

From the moment they locked up the children, every subsequent action had been riddled with problems for someone who claimed to trust them.

Woo Baek chuckled in response to the Sword Demoness’s words.

“So, no problems arose?”

“Elder Woo…!”

Woo Baek’s demeanor finally made the Sword Demoness raise her voice.

“So, you lock someone up without hearing them out?”

“If it were merely a matter of the treasure, there would have been no need to do so.”

Creak.

Woo Baek’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Our child has met her death.”

“…That’s…!”

Wasn’t it a case of self-harm?

The Sword Demoness struggled to voice her thoughts but managed to restrain herself, aware such words should never be spoken about a deceased disciple.

Moreover, Woo Baek was keenly aware of the Sword Demoness’s character.

“A person has died. A talent who could have led the Wudang has perished overnight. While circumstances suggest it was self-harm, I refuse to believe that.”

“…So, you mean to say that you suspect our children did such a thing?”

“It’s not that I think that way, rather that I cannot affirm it.”

The circumstances did seem suspicious.

On the day a guest visited, a treasure was stolen, and that same day a prominent Wudang disciple died. Then, of all places, the treasure was discovered at the guest’s residence.

The facts were indeed sufficient for suspicion.

“What is it that you find displeasing in all this, Demoness?”

A frosty glint flickered in Woo Baek’s eyes.

“Are you suggesting that the people of Hwasan should be granted special treatment?”

“That’s different. My question is whether it’s right to imprison someone merely on suspicion.”

“Isn’t the situation as clear as day, yet you expect us to extend all courtesies? Would you have spoken so if it were Hwasan facing such circumstances?”

It felt stifling.

The Sword Demoness felt her chest tightening at Woo Baek’s words.

Though his argument wasn’t wrong, her position was filled with doubts and frustrations.

From the start.

‘What on earth are you scheming, Woo Baek?’

The Sword Demoness knew that something was brewing within the Wudang, which only made her feel more uneasy.

By following Woo Baek’s senses and intentions, it became evident that he had some objective in this incident.

Naturally, the Sword Demoness had intended to use him in this matter.

That’s why she reluctantly accepted their intentions to momentarily vacate their post while guarding the treasure.

But.

‘In that brief moment, something broke out.’

As expected, chaos ensued while the Sword Demoness was away.

Actually, it wasn’t confirmed just yet.

The incident occurred a bit later.

Only. The Sword Demoness believed with certainty that it happened in her absence.

The subtle, feeble presence she had sensed during her watch had vanished the instant she left her post.

Something did erupt then, that much was clear, though the nature of it escaped her.

With complicated emotions hidden, the Sword Demoness began to speak.

“The one who first committed such rudeness to prevent the incident was you, Elder Woo. Have you forgotten?”

“Rudeness, you say?”

“You forcibly made us wear monitoring devices under the guise of precaution. Moreover—”

Struggling to suppress her rising Qi, the Sword Demoness frowned as she continued.

“You weren’t able to perceive the child moving, were you?”

“…”

An item had been found in Gu Yangcheong’s drawer.

With so many events occurring, while the decision to imprison was somewhat justified, there was one critical issue.

That was the prior actions taken by Wudang.

An instruction had been given to monitor the other party’s movements using the very same devices.

Additionally.

At the time of the incident, Gu Yangcheong had remained completely still.

“Directly, didn’t you confirm that?”

The previous night, Gu Yangcheong did not move from his residence.

Yet suddenly, right after the incident, Wudang’s treasure was discovered in his drawer?

This strongly suggested the problem lay elsewhere.

“The one who went to such lengths to prevent issues is now ignoring the evidence.”

“…Demoness, I remind you once again, the circumstances were as such.”

“So just because an item was found in a drawer, the child becomes the culprit, huh? Are you really saying that child could be the Wind and Cloud Ghost?”

“There’s a possibility for that.”

“Such….”

They weren’t understanding each other.

They both believed they were right.

What to do now? They couldn’t simply withdraw.

Meanwhile, the Sword Demoness found herself thinking of a certain young man.

Once a small boy.

Now, after several years had passed, he resembled his father closely.

‘What are you thinking?’

As she continued to argue with Woo Baek, that thought was the only one occupying her mind.

Why?

Even though they hadn’t truly exchanged formal greetings, whenever she thought of that young man, it felt as if everything was tangled up in a knot.

It was always like this.

Somehow, during major incidents, Gu Yangcheong would invariably stand at the center.

The current situation was no different.

The Sword Demoness pondered each time.

Perhaps just like before.

Even in this tangled incident.

Might Gu Yangcheong also be at the center of it?

If so, does that imply this incident too harbors his intentions?

‘I just don’t know.’

What that child wanted to achieve.

Or if this was merely the Sword Demoness’s own delusion.

She would have never entertained such thoughts in her usual state.

‘Did seeing him directly create this problem?’

The moment she had laid eyes on Gu Yangcheong, she had sensed something.

Something had changed.

His gaze seemed to be looking farther away.

The energy he exuded was remarkably distinct.

To the point of being abnormal, it seemed the energy he was revealing was not hidden but rather, exposed.

What could she say?

It felt almost as if it was being offered for display.

He was showing how far he had come; precisely this much.

That was how it appeared.

‘I don’t suppose he’s hiding his power.’

Yet, to believe that, even the power he displayed was extraordinarily impressive.

A physical form and energy that exceeded the Transformation Realm—how could this possibly be achieved at his age?

It was a figure that seemed impossible to achieve even when seen directly.

Thus, that only fueled her doubts.

That child always looked further than now.

Were there intentions interwoven in all of this?

Such questions merely fleetingly crossed her mind.

“…Demoness.”

Woo Baek’s voice jolted the Sword Demoness back to reality.

Now was not the time to be lost in thoughts about Gu Yangcheong.

“Regardless of your opinion, this matter will be handled in accordance with principles.”

Woo Baek’s stance remained firm.

“Also, the Clan Leader will arrive shortly. Therefore, this matter will be discussed afterward….”

Boom-!

“…!”

“…!?”

Just as Woo Baek struggled to conclude his statement, both the Sword Demoness and Woo Baek raised their heads in unison.

They immediately sprang to their feet and dashed outside.

Once outside, several martial artists were already glancing up at the sky.

“What is that…?”

“What’s going on? Contact the Clan Leader immediately…!”

“Summon the Sword Team!”

In the flurry of motions among the bewildered martial artists, Woo Baek surveyed their focus.

There, in the sky,

“What…!”

Something enormous hovered, its massive body coiling, gazing down upon them.

A physique so vast that it cast shadows across the ground.

“What in the world…?”

Woo Baek’s eyes widened at the inexplicable size.

Grrrrrrr…-

Even the low growl resonated through the air, eerie enough to shake the heavens.

“A Demon Beast…?”

“There were no reports of a Demonic Gate opening nearby…?”

“Be on guard…! We have no idea what might happen!”

From the coloration of the scales, it appeared to be a Blue Demon Beast.

However, the overwhelming presence it radiated was anything but that.

To have such scale and such presence wasn’t at all the standard level for a Blue Demon Beast.

Even on Woo Baek’s wrinkled skin, a bead of cold sweat began to trickle down.

“…What on earth…?”

It was clear at first glance that it was a Demon Beast.

Yet beyond that.

“Just when did it sneak into Wudang?”

The problem arose from the fact that such a massive Demon Beast had appeared without any signs.

An entity of such size should have been detected while in motion.

Furthermore, if a Demonic Gate had opened nearby, the surrounding protective scrolls should have alerted them.

‘There was no reaction whatsoever.’

No one knew of such a creature until that Demon Beast manifested its energy.

It was a dangerous presence.

That was what Woo Baek’s instincts were screaming.

But.

“Focus your stance! It’s just a Demon Beast!”

Woo Baek bellowed, commanding the martial artists.

Yes, just a Demon Beast.

They had no idea what kind it was, but this was the heart of Wudang, fully prepared against the Wind and Cloud Ghost.

There was no way they couldn’t stop just one such creature….

“Elder…! Something is descending!”

“What?!”

At the words of one martial artist, Woo Baek focused his eyes.

Then he saw it.

Something was indeed falling from the position of the Demon Beast.

Gradually accelerating, as the outline became clearer, it became apparent that it was a person.

Eventually.

Boom-!

Someone landed heavily with a thud, creating a gust of wind.

Within the tumultuous current, Woo Baek furrowed his brows.

The wind that erupted began to settle, revealing a silhouette rising from the ground.

It was a giant.

A behemoth boasting an immense build.

He bore a spear the size of his own body on his shoulder.

Simultaneously.

Fwoosh…

“Crack…!”

“Urk…!”

An enormous aura radiated from the giant’s frame, causing the nearby martial artists to stagger under its weight.

Noticing this, Woo Baek bit his lip and waved his hand.

Huuuuuw-! As his Qi burst forth, he began to counter the giant’s formidable energy.

“…What…!”

Woo Baek immediately sensed something was off regarding the opponent’s energy.

His pure Qi was being ground down and swallowed whole by the giant’s energy.

“This is…!”

What in the world was happening?

While Woo Baek was still bewildered by this sudden situation,

“Shut your mouth.”

The giant spoke with a deep, resonant voice.

“The cult leader has yet to move. Do not dare to even breathe awry.”

“What on earth are you saying…!”

Woo Baek tried to generate a larger aura to adjust his stance but then stopped in his tracks.

Boom-!

Darkness fell all around them.

The once-bright daylight was abruptly consumed by gloom.

An unknown black veil enveloped the area.

In the midst of this otherworldly scenario,

Thud-!

The giant kneeled down, assuming a posture of respect.

Then.

Woo Baek lifted his head to stare into the void above.

He could feel it.

Something was descending from the distant sky.

Flap-!

A robe resembling darkness waved gracefully in the wind.

Unlike the poise of the towering giant, something was descending very slowly.

Suuuuuu-!

As something unidentifiable lowered itself, light began to gather in the air.

“Ha…!?”

Woo Baek let out a shallow breath upon witnessing this.

It was the Sun.

Light was coalescing to create the Sun above.

It seemed both blue and black, yet it was certainly not bright; it emitted a faint glow.

Conversing around it, the unusual light bathed the dark surroundings in radiance.

Everyone fell silent in awe at this incomprehensible scene.

And the figure slowly descending landed upon the earth.

Thud.

With the tips of its toes touching the ground, Woo Baek observed the figure standing before the giant.

Clad in a thick Dark Martial Robe, the figure stood upright, arms behind its back.

From the physique, it was evidently a male, but recognition eluded him.

His face was obscured behind an unrecognizable mask.

Yet.

He could see the dazzling bluish glow shining brightly from behind the mask.

Facing such an individual, Woo Baek spoke.

“…Who are you? What is your identity?”

His voice was coarse.

There was no way someone who had summoned this situation would possess a refined tone.

At that moment.

Step-!

The masked figure took a step forward.

The calm stride was clearly directed toward Woo Baek.

In response. Swoosh-! Woo Baek drew his sword, surrounded by other martial artists drawing theirs as well.

The aura and Qi radiating from the martial artists intensified, yet the figure walked forward unfazed.

Slowly—five steps.

The figure paused, glancing around.

All eyes were fixed on him as they wielded their swords.

Seeing this, the figure tilted his head slightly before speaking.

“Such high-held heads. I don’t particularly favor such gazes.”

“…What?”

“Thus, first.”

Creak-!

“Kneel.”

Boom-!

“Gaaah!”

“Ugh!”

With that simple command, the bodies of the surrounding martial artists crumbled.

Thud thud-!

Though they struggled to resist, one by one, they began to bow down.

A few managed to hold onto their swords, yet that was all they could do.

The only one still standing resolutely was Woo Baek, the elder.

His shoulders trembled, yet he refused to bend his knees.

Of course, his astonished expression remained unchanged.

“What… are you doing….”

Struggling to suppress his trembling, Woo Baek managed to inquire.

At this, the masked figure let out a laugh.

“Glad to meet you.”

With a heavy aura radiating from him, brightly glowing bluish eyes glared at Woo Baek. It felt as though he couldn’t maintain eye contact for long.

“I am.”

With a single utterance, the one who brought all the martial artists to their knees said,

“I am the Heavenly Demon (天魔).”

 

---