765 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

# Chapter 765: The Northern Rabbit 'Oh dear.' I awkwardly scratched my head as the curious gazes fell upon me. Who would have thought this would unravel so quickly? I tried to muster a smile, but no one reciprocated; their eyes were wide and fixed solely on me. Although I felt a bit uneasy under their intense stares, I couldn't help but wonder. ‘Is it really that surprising?’ I genuinely found it hard to understand their astonishment. ‘Why can't they do something so simple?’ All you needed to do was tear it apart. No need to waste time with "this won't work" or "that won't work." I simply couldn't comprehend why they struggled with something so straightforward. ‘Is this really such a difficult task?’ What on earth was so challenging about seeing and acting accordingly? ‘Hmm…’ A thought crossed my mind. Could it be that I was the weird one? Their overwhelming surprise suggested that my actions might have been quite peculiar. ‘What could it be?’ I pondered carefully. What reason could they have for thinking I'm odd? Why was it so difficult for them? ‘Is it because of the Inner Eye?’ The ability to discern distinctions in energy. If that was the difference, it likely stemmed from whether one possessed the Inner Eye or not. The Inner Eye allowed one to read the flow of energy, making it easier to understand and unravel mystic barriers. Which means... ‘Could the Inner Eye be particularly suited to dispelling formations?’ Perhaps that's the case. Otherwise, I couldn't fathom their reactions. Then again, ‘Why didn't Master Pajeon mention this?’ That raises the biggest question. Master Pajeon would have certainly explained the functions of the Inner Eye in detail, yet there was no mention of this capability. It's rather peculiar. ‘Hmm.’ I decided to ask Master Pajeon about this later. The barrier that had been gradually dissolving was now completely gone from around the pavilion. The barrier that had bound several high-ranking experts and martial artists dissipated so easily. “It’s been broken!” “The barrier has been lifted...!” “Leader--!!” “Hurry, take the unit leader!” As soon as the barrier vanished, the martial artists sprang into action, as if they had been waiting for this moment. Although the pavilion stood tall, being martial artists, they ascended it in no time. Watching them move urgently, I narrowed my eyes slightly. ‘Done.’ Although the situation deviated somewhat from my expectations, the barrier was lifted successfully. And it was done much faster than half a day. That was enough. This served as a sufficient foundation for the last strategy planned. Thud. Someone landed next to me. For a moment, it felt as if the air had turned chilly. This meant that the person's aura was intensely cold. ‘Haha.’ I had to suppress my laughter upon identifying the figure. It was none other than the current leader, Sword Sage. He approached with a scowl, revealing his emotions prominently. No matter how dismissive he seemed, he was one of the ten greatest experts in the martial world. As he unleashed his aura fully, those around him instinctively cowered. Such was the strength of his presence. “...” Before anyone else could approach, Sword Sage, who had descended on his own, paused as if frozen upon seeing someone. None other than Heavenly Lord. “...Senior.” Sword Sage addressed Heavenly Lord, who replied with a smile. “It's been a while. I should now address you as leader, shouldn’t I?” “What brings you here?” Despite Heavenly Lord's smile, Sword Sage’s expression remained sour. Or should I say it worsened? “You told us you would step away from the frontlines for a while and not to contact you.” “I did. That sentiment hasn't changed.” “Then... why.” “Hm.” Pausing mid-sentence, Heavenly Lord glanced my way. I shook my head immediately as our eyes met. “I just had a little business to take care of.” “...” Thankfully, this time, the discussion didn’t involve the young master. Though the rumor would eventually reach Sword Sage, I didn’t intend for it to happen immediately. Following Sword Sage’s mention of Heavenly Lord, others began sending curious glances. It seemed they were in such a rush that they hadn’t realized Heavenly Lord was present. “Heavenly Lord is here?” “Could the thunder we heard earlier have been...?” The site where the demons appeared was quite a distance away, but the lightning strikes were apparently visible from here. It would indeed be strange not to notice something that prominent. “Did Senior lend assistance?” “Hardly. I merely offered a bit of help at the end. The ones who accomplished it were others.” “...” “Judging by your situation, it seems there were complications. Are you alright, leader?” “...Senior, you needn’t concern yourself.” In a voice as calm as still water, Sword Sage addressed Heavenly Lord. “This is a pressing matter for the alliance. I shall handle it myself.” “Hmm.” Heavenly Lord let out a light sigh upon hearing Sword Sage’s words. His disappointment was evident. “Leader.” “Yes.” Sword Sage appeared ready to burst. Heavenly Lord, observing him keenly, continued. “From my own experience, it’s a path that leads deeper in, not a way out.” “Why are you saying this all of a sudden?” “I hope you’ll understand someday, before it’s too late like it was for me.” “...” Sword Sage scowled slightly at the remark, but left it there. Further conversation was pointless. He had monumental tasks ahead of him. “Chief of the Blue Dragon Unit and Chief of the Flying Dragon Unit.” “Yes-!” “Y-yes…!” Responding to the call, Ilcheonggeom and Seomgeom approached the leader and bowed. The leader regarded them and asked. “I shall give you time. Report back to me once you’ve sorted out the situation.” “We shall obey.” With the command issued, the chief began to move. In the somber atmosphere, Sword Sage’s gaze shifted. That gaze soon landed on me. “...” His eyes conveyed a myriad of emotions; it was a gaze filled with thoughts impossible to articulate. I returned the look, wondering if he expected me to pay my respects. What was his intention, I pondered momentarily. “It seems you were the one to dispel this barrier.” “Yes.” I nodded in response to Sword Sage's question. I wondered what he might ask, and it turned out to be about that. “And how did you manage it?” “…What?” I was momentarily taken aback by his question. How did I do it... “…I just did it.” My vague answer clearly didn't satisfy him, as Sword Sage's expression soured. But what else could I say? “No, really… I just did it.” I mean, what could I do? I just did what seemed natural. “By pulling at it, it simply unraveled.” “...” To be precise, I found a spot that looked like it could be torn, so I tore it off. Even I didn't expect it to work. “…Anyway… it's a good thing it worked, isn't it?” I tried to reason that as long as it was dismantled, it was fine. But Sword Sage's expression remained unchanged. Just as I was wondering what the issue was, he spoke again. “The barrier was something even the Fenglong leader couldn’t easily undo, and you dismantled it with ease? It isn't easy to believe.” “...” Ah, so that’s it. Sword Sage’s words made me realize. ‘He's suspicious of me.’ The formation, known for its complexity, was even too much for Bima, revered as a master of such arts in the martial world. A formation she strained against, and I casually ripped it apart. Of course, to Sword Sage, it seemed odd. Moreover, ‘It's suspicious that I’m even here.’ Turning up out of nowhere alongside Heavenly Lord, my presence felt like it dropped from the sky in his eyes. ‘Well.’ He's more perceptive than expected. ‘Though I did act a bit impulsively considering the urgency.’ Still, to suspect me this immediately, as I mentioned before, Sword Sage isn't entirely foolish. However, “Even if you ask, I don’t have much to say. It worked when I tried.” What could suspicion change anyway? Would further explanation change the fact it worked after I tried it? Nothing would unravel from his doubts right now. Perhaps my nonchalant attitude came off as arrogant, causing Sword Sage’s frown to deepen. “…You…” Just when Sword Sage took a step towards me, “D, Leader--!!” “Stay with us, please!” A loud cry erupted from behind us. Everyone's attention immediately shifted to the source. It was the same spot where Bima had been working to dispel the formation, right near where the barrier had stood. Fenglong members urgently shouted, clearly distressed. Understandably, since Bima was collapsed, drenched in blood and breathing shallowly. “Hm…hm… hmhm…” “Leader... Please--!” Her eyes, unfocused and wandering, clued me in immediately. I was certain she was watching me. Others might not realize, but I was certain. Watching those eyes lose their vitality. I hesitated, watching silently. “Leaaaadeeerrr--!!” It wasn’t long after when Bima took her last breath. It was an abrupt passing that left everyone bewildered. ‘Now.’ I discreetly nodded to myself. This was the perfect moment. I thought as I steeled my heart. [Get ready.] A signal dispatched to the hidden insect familiar nearby. It was time for the final plan to spring into action. As fleeting moments passed, Swoooosh--!! “Hm?” Distracted by Bima's sudden demise, no one had noticed until one of the martial artists turned his gaze skyward. “What, what is that--! Everyone, look over there…!!” Heads snapped up at the shout. A massive figure was slowly emerging in the sky. Even without trying, it was impossible to miss. For beneath the slightly clearing sky, a gargantuan presence emerged. Though smaller compared to the crimson-scarred sigil from before, its incomparable nature was undeniable. The reason being, ‘It's a living creature.’ Unlike the sigil, which had been a phenomenon, this was undeniably a living entity. A colossal behemoth that not even clouds could obscure. On the contrary, this was far more fearsome. What on earth was it? Was it not over yet? As these thoughts filled everyone's minds, spreading a sense of despair across their faces, [Grooooooar---!!!] A thunderous roar rumbled, vibrating through the ground. Could it really be the cry of that beast? An unbelievable notion. So while everyone stared at the creature apprehensively, “…Something is coming.” From the shadows of the vast presence above, something began descending. Slowly, it became clear—it was a person. With hands behind their back, a black robe fluttering. It was unmistakably human in shape. “…Could it be? It's, it's…” Someone recognized the individual, speaking out in alarm. “…Heavenly Demon…!” The softly spoken words echoed profoundly. The self-proclaimed Heavenly Demon, the orchestrator of this attack. The mysterious figure, known widely for unleashing chaos across the martial world. The leader of the Demonic Cult. Heavenly Demon. He appeared once more. I watched the Heavenly Demon descend, my heart clenched tightly. ‘Half a breath…’ Just withstand for that much longer. Pushing my mind and energy boundaries to their limits, I focused. This was it. The last strategy I had prepared for them. ***************** Rumble---!! In the far-off distance, a gigantic shadow stretched across the skies of Hanam. It was visible even from considerable distances. Clearly, something unusual was unfolding. “…Hoo…this is bad.” A burly figure with deep green hair frowned upon observing the scene. Tangdeok grimaced. “…I forgot something crucial.” His face turned pale as the realization hit him. In the midst of all the heated activity, he had forgotten something critical. The command to arrive in time, he recalled. “...” Aware of this, Tangdeok's face gradually turned pallid. Acknowledging his oversight would certainly result in severe consequences. Shoosh-! Sensing an impending grim conclusion, Tangdeok yanked the blade embedded in his abdomen and tossed it aside, blood spurting profusely from the wound. Yet, he remained unfazed, fearing the repercussions more than the current pain. "This is all because of you," Tangdeok murmured, casting a resentful glance at someone. That someone was the owner of the weapon previously lodged in Tangdeok's stomach, a young man now knelt on one knee, trying to steady his breath. It was Peng Woojin, known as the Swift Sword. With his mangled appearance, he looked at Tangdeok. His left arm had twisted grotesquely, and blood gushed from a penetrating wound in his abdomen. It was a miracle he was still standing. Yet, despite his condition, Peng Woojin uttered no screams of pain. Instead, his eyes burned with determination. He wasn't finished yet; he was ready to continue. That fierce gaze forced Tangdeok to smile. "You're amusing. I like you," Tangdeok admitted. His own appearance was not much different. His wrist dangled precariously, and the blade he had removed left a slash rather than a puncture, indicating it had nearly severed him in half. Both of them resembled corpses still standing by sheer willpower. The only difference was Peng Woojin knelt while Tangdeok remained standing. How regrettable, Tangdeok thought. "I wished to kill you somehow...," Tangdeok lamented. With a lazy sigh, he hoisted his crescent blade onto his shoulder. "But if I linger any longer, I might die by someone else's hand, not yours." "...Are you... planning to escape...?" "It just ended up that way," Tangdeok replied with a deeper smile, looking at Peng Woojin. "...I'm not finished yet..." "What's your name?" Instead of continuing the conversation, Tangdeok asked for his name. Peng Woojin spat blood and answered. "Peng Woojin..." "I am Tangdeok." They exchanged names, though filled with malice rather than camaraderie. “I’ll kill you next time, Peng Woojin.” “…Wait…” Thud-!! With that, Tangdeok leapt away, leaving a trail of blood, as Peng Woojin struggled to remain upright, supporting himself on the ground. What remained of the battleground was unrecognizable; devastation painted a landscape once a forest. “Cough.” Peng Woojin spat more blood, glancing behind him. Amidst the ravaged woods stood a single surviving tree, under which a figure was seated—a corpse. It was Peng Zhou, his father. In his attempt to protect that spot, he sustained his fatal injuries. The final sight of his father he had killed with his own hands. Taking in the scene, Peng Woojin let out a faint, pained laugh. “…You’re really… utterly useless till the end.” With those words, Peng Woojin slumped into unconsciousness. It wasn’t long before the sound of the aftermath reached the ears of the Murim Alliance, who, during their search, found him there amidst the destruction.