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Chapter 562: The Master Has Arrived.

Not long before everything went down.

I was in the prison, yawning like there was no tomorrow.

Must be because I hadn’t slept well, I felt a bit drowsy.

Seeing me like that, Gu Ryeonghwa next to me decided to chime in with some words.

“Are you yawning in this situation…?”

“It’s a physiological response; I can’t help it.”

Not like there’s anyone to mind me anyway, right?

I’d rather be sleeping, but alas, that’s not an option.

In contrast, Gu Ryeonghwa looked completely deflated as if she couldn’t comprehend the situation.

Noticing her expression, I asked, “Why the long face? Cheer up.”

“Am I looking pale?”

“Doesn’t seem like an abysmal situation.”

It’s just a bit of a pit stop in a prison, no need to be so bothered.

‘But I get it from her perspective.’

Given her status in the Hwasan Sect, she probably wasn’t accustomed to such things.

‘Not that I’m the abnormal one here.’

As I chuckled at my silly thoughts, Gu Ryeonghwa’s expression twisted even more.

“Oppa… I think you’re a bit off today, just like last time.”

“I’m always off.”

“That much is true.”

“What about you?”

In response to my jest, Gu Ryeonghwa nodded eerily.

It’s just absurd.

“Do you really think you’re the sane one?”

“What? I’m perfectly fine!”

“Ha! You’re kidding, right? Little sis, that’s a joke!”

“…What do you mean…?”

“There’s not a single sane person among those with the Gu family name.”

“…”

It seems Gu Ryeonghwa couldn’t refute my words and just mouthed silently.

Seeing her, I added, “Except for me, of course.”

“Ugh…!”

As I chuckled at my comment, Gu Ryeonghwa looked ready to explode.

“Haha.”

A certain someone who had been quietly listening let out a laugh.

It was Yeongpung, who had been dragged here too.

Suddenly the attention turned to him, and he seemed caught off guard.

“Ah… Sorry! You two look so close, I couldn’t help it…”

“You think this looks close? What do you mean by that?”

“Yeongpung, are your eyes that bad?”

Despite the unpleasant tone, Yeongpung just kept smiling.

At least one good thing was that, unlike Gu Ryeonghwa, he didn’t seem to be overly concerned.

“Unlike this fool, I have a bit of composure, you know?”

At that, Gu Ryeonghwa shouted, “Fool!?” but I ignored her.

Yeongpung blinked his big eyes and replied calmly, “It might look that way on the outside, but I have a lot of worries myself.”

Doesn’t appear so, but if Yeongpung says so, then I guess it must be true.

Nodding slightly, I asked something else, “Is your jaw okay?”

“Ah.”

Referring to the jaw I had slapped before.

I was just asking if it hurt, and he smiled awkwardly.

“It’s nothing. You were considerate enough.”

I had merely tapped it, though.

Had I hit him hard, he might’ve ended up with a fractured bone, so I had to be careful.

“On the contrary…”

Yeongpung looked at me. “Shouldn’t I be the one apologizing?”

He was referring to that time he had insisted on getting back a certain item abruptly.

“Yes, it’s all good.”

I was hardly bothered by it.

More accurately, I didn’t think it was Yeongpung’s fault.

‘It was… peculiar.’

The jealousy and heat I’d sensed from Yeongpung didn’t feel entirely like it was just his issue.

The energy woven into his gaze was too intense to be solely based on his feelings.

“By the way, I’m going to ask as a precaution.”

“Yes?”

“Do you by any chance hear the voice of an old man in your head…?”

“…What?”

Yeongpung’s face became utterly perplexed, as if I had just uttered the most ridiculous statement ever.

“Never mind.”

Realizing he probably didn’t hear anything, I decided to retract my question.

It was clear I was on the brink of sounding crazy if I asked anything further.

Clank!

As I moved my hand, I felt a slight irritation on my wrist.

Looking down, I saw the iron Restraint Device binding my arms.

I had to mentally scold myself.

‘Using something this pricey.’

A Restraint Device powerful enough to restrain a martial artist above peak level.

Just from its feel, I knew this wasn’t regular iron. Maybe it had a bit of Evergreen Iron mixed in?

On top of that, they even applied a Blood Qi seal, along with restraining cuffs like these.

“They’re thorough for no reason.”

Impressive treatment for a criminal, honestly.

‘Treating me like I’m a confirmed felon.’

It isn’t even official yet, and here I am being treated like this.

Of course.

‘I did commit it, but…’

What I did was indeed true, albeit I hadn’t been caught.

Also.

‘I have no intention of being caught any time soon.’

I leaned carefully against the wall, pondering.

How far should I go with this?

To what extent do I need to expose myself?

What’s the appropriate line to draw?

I was endlessly troubled.

Just enough to shoulder the burden.

I had to clarify that ambiguous line.

At that moment.

“Master will be okay, right…?”

Gu Ryeonghwa spoke, voicing her worries about the Sword Demoness.

Her words snapped me out of my thoughts.

The Sword Demoness.

There was a reason she wasn’t imprisoned with us.

‘She must have met with Woo Baek separately.’

Most likely, Elder Woo Baek was the one responsible for calling the Sword Demoness for a discussion.

Woo Baek probably knew that the present situation was not ideal.

So, they would want to negotiate with her.

‘They probably think someone else did this to me.’

Someone must have committed this act.

And they probably tried to pin the blame on me.

That’s the thought process they would have.

Even if I wished otherwise, it’s likely they’d come to that conclusion if they had any sense.

Only,

‘If they know this, they might also want to share the blame.’

Even if someone attempted to pin a crime on me.

The current Wudang – no, Woo Baek would certainly try to prove that there is guilt on my side as well.

Sure, we made a mistake in allowing something to be stolen.

But don’t you also have responsibilities here?

This isn’t solely our fault.

Or.

What if the thing they thought was lost, came from this fool’s place?

What if this guy is tied to the culprit in some way?

Many such thoughts would warrant them to show that our side had issues too. Only then…

It would make it easier for them to safeguard their own standing.

‘It’s just annoying.’

Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl.

Having witnessed all of this firsthand, I finally understood the reactions Woo Hyeok displayed in his past life.

Every time Wudang was mentioned, he clearly showed signs of avoidance.

Dressing himself in Wudang’s garb but hating it all the same.

‘No wonder he only gorged himself on meat.’

That might not have been merely a deviation.

Such thoughts flickered in my mind.

And then,

‘This should suffice…’

I had observed long enough.

It had been two days since I arrived at Wudang, and within that time, I had sorted through various things.

Nothing too significant. Just confirming the essence of Wudang itself.

I was concerned that it might differ from what I remembered in my past life, and I discovered one thing.

I was wrong.

Wudang was far more rotten than I had remembered.

Of course, that could also be the case, but that’s what my eyes saw.

I had gathered more than enough to conclude my judgment.

This was more than enough.

Thinking this, I gradually stood up.

Swish—

As soon as I rose, Yeongpung and Gu Ryeonghwa stared at me with puzzled expressions.

Looking at them, I stated, “The Sword Demoness will be fine.”

There shouldn’t be an issue.

“There won’t be any trouble here.”

I would ensure it.

“Oppa…?”

“Gu So-hyeob. What on earth are you talking about…?”

Leaving the two who looked utterly baffled behind, I walked closer to the iron bars.

The guards from Wudang at the prison immediately shot their gaze my way with sharp eyes.

“What’s the matter…?”

“Did you bring my clothes?”

“Wha…?”

Bringing up something so bizarre, the guard’s expression froze.

“Tell Tang Deok to prepare them. We’re about to begin.”

“N-no, what…!”

Thud.

“Gah…!?”

Suddenly, the guard in front of me seemed to be jolted awake and collapsed on the spot.

But that wasn’t all.

One by one, the other guards also fell like dominos.

It didn’t take long for everyone guarding the prison to lose consciousness.

Even Gu Ryeonghwa and Yeongpung had fallen behind me, losing their wits.

Seeing that, I reached out.

“Faster than before, huh?”

Curious, I remarked. Suddenly, a white hand popped out in front of me.

Not an actual pop-out, rather it likely had been there all along, faintly present and now finally visible.

The woman who appeared suddenly removed the Restraint Device from my wrist with the keys she held.

Clank-!

The Restraint Device hit the ground with a loud noise, but nobody came to investigate.

They must have already handled that earlier.

“Did you kill them all?”

I asked, remembering that detail.

“Just as you requested, not a single one was killed.”

The woman who had emerged responded. Thank goodness. I only needed one person dead here. No excessive slaughter from this point onward.

As she spoke, she knelt before me.

Then she took something from her bosom and handed it to me.

A Black Martial Robe and a White Mask.

I accepted them and promptly changed clothes.

Even though they fit me a bit loosely, that was no concern.

Crack—!

With a satisfying crunch, my bones adjusted as my body began to grow larger.

It took merely seconds to morph into a physique that suited the robe.

As I calmly adjusted my outfit, the woman spoke to me.

“Master, the Huangbo Clan has contacted us.”

“What did they say?”

“They mentioned that the Shaolin side made contact and requested direction on how to proceed.”

“Ah. Already?”

Faster than I expected.

As always, those bald ones were swift with their dealings.

“Send Jiseon over. He’ll manage things himself.”

“I’ll relay the message.”

After hearing her response, I donned the mask.

Turning around afterward, I looked back.

“…”

Before me, I could see Seongyul, her eyes wide as she stared at the wall.

She looked quite shocked.

“Remember how you asked what I intend to do with you?”

“…”

She had been wondering why I was dragging her around.

“Wait and see. This will be my answer.”

Creeeak—!

As I stepped beyond the opening iron bars, I naturally clasped my hands behind my back.

Chest broadened, posture as upright as possible.

Watching this, the woman asked, “Do you want me to release the Blood Qi seal?”

“No need. I’m not even restrained, to begin with.”

“Understood.”

With each step I took, I suppressed my presence.

On the third step, I became entirely undetectable to those around me.

By then, I lightly leaped into the air.

Pretty high up there.

Once I reached a certain height, I spoke to the woman, “Now release it.”

“Yes.”

Snap-!

At my command, the woman flicked her finger lightly.

Whoosh-!

The barrier that had shielded my presence vanished, revealing an enormous physique.

Tolly had grown to its full size, floating splendidly in midair.

On top of it stood a towering figure holding a spear.

That giant, Tang Deok, leapt into action as soon as he spotted me.

It was all a part of the plan discussed in advance.

Not too long after.

Boom—!!

A gigantic sound erupted from below.

As I glanced downward for just a moment, I summoned the Demon Energy within.

Whoosh-!

Blood Qi surged through my body, filling me with pure energy.

The Demon Energy spread through my physical form, affecting even my eyes.

My body escalated in heat, and it was instinctual to feel that warmth rising.

Feeling it, I proclaimed, “Heavenly Demon.”

As soon as I said the words—

Boom—!!!

Tremendous Demon Energy burst forth from my body.

Not spreading wide in all directions, but only upwards into the void.

The amassed Demon Energy engulfed the skies.

Once the excess energy settled, it fell lightly to establish a small domain beneath.

In this realm, night brushed against daylight.

Without the moon or stars, only an empty darkness blanketed the space created.

After confirming that this domain was set, I slowly began to descend.

Releasing subtle heat, I lowered my speed. I had to differ from Tang Deok’s plunging fall.

All eyes were on me.

I could feel everyone’s anticipation staring in my direction.

The fear of an unknown entity was exceedingly vivid.

But that was fine.

In fact, I relished it.

I had aimed to evoke such gazes, so it was fitting to enjoy it.

I raised my hand.

Whoosh.

The bet consolidated into a handful and began to gather at my fingertips.

The ominous energy mirrored its master, tremendously rough.

But I loved this sharp energy.

The more tightly packed it became, the more intense it would grow.

Twisting the flow into a sphere, I created one.

With the speed of rotation so rapid, it felt like a burst was imminent should it slip from my grasp.

But I held firm.

I had to. This moment was far too crucial.

Whoosh-!

The swirling sphere began to illuminate with light.

A peculiar hue of blue and violet combined.

It wasn’t the Flame Jade I had previously used.

Had I aimed to use something like that, I wouldn’t have conjured this bet at all.

‘Flame Wheel Sun.’

A realm of the unknown unachievable through mere flames.

An elusive technique I had finally managed to tap into just barely.

I gently lifted the sphere I had formed and released it into the air.

At that moment—

Fwoosh—!!

The airborne sphere erupted into a dazzling light, illuminating the surroundings.

I painted the sky with darkness, creating space.

And upon that canvas, I placed the sun.

Though the bet had diminished by over half, I truly didn’t mind.

Thud.

As my toes touched the ground amidst the multitude of gazes, I looked straight ahead.

There stood Woo Baek, the Elder of Wudang, staring at me with twisted eyes.

A gaze most pleasant.

Proof that the situation was falling into place.

I was grateful to be wearing a mask. Thanks to it, my smile wouldn’t be exposed.

I looked at Woo Baek, ready to deliver my prepared words.

“Good to see you again.”

The very words I wished to forget or avoid.

“I am…”

Now it was time for me to speak.

Yes.

“It’s the Heavenly Demon.”

The beginning of a nonsensical play was at hand.

 

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