766 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Chapter 766: The Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Repository** A massive shadow loomed over the sky. Beneath it, the Heavenly Demon, cloaked in a dark robe, descended. He wore a cracked mask and had his hands clasped behind his back as he slowly descended. Those gathered on the ground looked at the Heavenly Demon with fierce determination. "That man...!" "How dare he brazenly come here again...!!" *Clang-!* *Shing-!!* All the martial artists unsheathed their swords as the air grew thick with tension. The situation was on the brink of explosion. Everyone was eager to strike down the Heavenly Demon without a moment's hesitation. [Ha, ha.] Despite their hostility, the Heavenly Demon chuckled softly, seemingly amused. "...Heavenly Demon." Witnessing this, Sword Saint's expression twisted with intense displeasure. While everyone felt the oppressive aura, his was particularly extraordinary. As if ready to cut down the Heavenly Demon immediately, Sword Saint channeled his emotions through his blade. "I thought you had escaped long ago. What business do you have coming here?" The Heavenly Demon slightly nodded in response to Sword Saint. [Originally, I had no intention of appearing, but...] *Sssss.* The Heavenly Demon descended a bit further. He was now at a level where he could be struck by a sword aura. [I became curious about your sentiments. How do you find this?] There was a hint of laughter in his voice. [The gift I prepared for you?] "...Grit." The mocking tone made Sword Saint's teeth grind. A gift, he says? "It has taught us a lot. Far more than you'd expect." It would be a gift never forgotten in a lifetime. *Vroom.* The sword in Sword Saint's hand resonated, charged with his emotion. "Heavenly Demon. You made a mistake." *Whoosh-!* The wind blew, a cold autumn breeze swirling around Sword Saint. "By showing yourself, it is as if you wish to die here." Sword Saint, driven by anger, prepared to advance towards the Heavenly Demon. "I shall execute the traitor who attacked Hanam, here and now...!" As he leaped forward, Sword Saint suddenly narrowed his eyes and hesitated. Someone had stopped him. Instantly, Sword Saint turned to look at the individual. "...What is this? Plum Fairy." The Plum Fairy Toa. He pressed down on Sword Saint's shoulder. Amidst the scattering energy, plum blossoms descended, and the Plum Fairy, for reasons unknown, contained the aura, restoring calm to the surrounding chaos. As the air began to circulate slightly. "...Plum Fairy...!" Sword Saint glared at the Plum Fairy with burning eyes. Why obstruct him at such a critical moment? There was an enemy standing before them who needed to be eliminated. Nevertheless, Plum Fairy responded to Sword Saint's expression with calm words. "Leader. Please remain calm." "...What? How can I calm down right now...!" "If the Leader cannot maintain composure, others will perish. I implore you to see the forest, not just the tree." "...!" The Plum Fairy's weighty tone, stripped of any jest. Hearing this, Sword Saint momentarily turned his gaze back to the Heavenly Demon. There must be a reason for the Plum Fairy's words, he reasoned. Scrutinizing the Heavenly Demon once again, Sword Saint soon realized. "Heavenly Demon...!" [Why the sudden pause?] It was then he noticed. The Heavenly Demon had uncrossed his arms, and his right hand pointed towards a location. His outstretched hand aimed at the gatherers of refugees. The grasp it signified was unmistakable. Do not act rashly. Any reckless move, and who knows what fate may befall the refugees. It was an unspoken warning, clear as day. "Truly, that depraved creature!" "After turning Hanam into this state, does he intend to claim more victims?" "They are innocent!" Martial artists, filled with rage at this realization, voiced their anger. [How amusing.] The Heavenly Demon found their outcry insignificant and laughed derisively. [Do you intend to discuss justice within a well that has been exposed to its very bottom? Don’t delude yourselves.] *Rumble--!!* At his words, the demon in the air growled deeply. [I admit, it was I who created this situation. Yet, can any of you truly claim innocence?] It was the Heavenly Demon who brought ruin to Hanam. Yet. The Martial Alliance, purporting to uphold peace in the martial world and the honor of the righteous factions. If they crumbled at a mere tremor like this. [Arrogant.] Could they claim the Martial Alliance was entirely blameless? Faced with this question, everyone furrowed their brows, but none could refute. Even they recognized. Their own shortcomings were becoming painfully apparent. [You were arrogant, and indeed, ugly.] [Disappointing. Despite losing the glory of the past, I thought you might at least provide some amusement. It seems even that was too much to expect.] The disdain in his tone was palpable. Sword Saint gritted his teeth at the words that grated his ears. He wanted to charge in and slice off that contemptuous neck. To silence that repulsive mouth, but he couldn't. Was it because the Heavenly Demon was threatening the refugees' lives? No. Under normal circumstances, once the threat was neutralized, he thought they could handle it. Yet, Sword Saint hesitated. It wasn't the lives of the refugees. But. 'I can't see it.' The problem was that he couldn't gauge the Heavenly Demon's power. Gazing at the man suspended in the air, Sword Saint continued to project his sensing aura but. '...Why can't I detect anything?' He sensed absolutely nothing from this so-called Heavenly Demon. 'That even I...cannot feel even the slightest?' It was as if he was neither present nor absent, a situation where nothing could be sensed. Faced with this absurd circumstance, cold sweat dripped from Sword Saint's brow. No matter how weak, there should be at least a trace of presence. Such cases have only one explanation. If the gap in power between the two is too vast to perceive any presence. 'This is impossible...!' Despite coming to a realization, Sword Saint found it hard to believe. How could this be possible? His gaze shifted sideways. There stood Celestial Elder, one of the three most revered, calmly observing the Heavenly Demon. While his formidable presence was palpable, the Heavenly Demon appeared utterly imperceptible. ‘It must be sorcery.’ Such an occurrence could only be attributed to some trickery. Yet, his mind clung to a sliver of doubt. ‘But...’ What if, by some minuscule chance, the Heavenly Demon was an unfathomable monster with a power they couldn't comprehend? What if he had descended confidently, knowing the unsealing, because… ‘He truly believes he alone can annihilate this gathering?’ Though improbable, this small possibility kept holding Sword Saint back. Meanwhile... ‘Yes.’ Watching Sword Saint, Guyangcheon smiled quietly, pleased. ‘Stay like that.’ This was exactly the reaction he wished to elicit. Seeing it unfold, he couldn't help but smile. He hoped Sword Saint would remain hesitant in the face of the enemy, plagued by uncertainty. Driven by rage, yet unable to act due to unfamiliarity with his opponent—this was the scenario Guyangcheon had been aiming for. "Hoo..." He worked to steady his breath. Though his heart felt ready to burst, he had to suppress it. ‘What a mess my condition is.’ The Heavenly Demon in the sky wasn’t an actor; it was purely a creation of his power. Using the wind's power absorbed from the domain, Guyangcheon crafted the Heavenly Demon. ‘It’s something I’ve practiced endlessly, but to face this now…’ He possessed the ability to conjure whatever he deeply understood. This 'wind' was the key. Reflecting upon it, when Guyangcheon first acquired this power, he thought: ‘If used well... it could be quite formidable.’ He had gained an incredibly useful ability. Though feeling regret when he had to pass on the ability to regenerate to others, he consoled himself with the utility of the wind. It was powerful enough to create anything he truly comprehended—a near-unbelievable characteristic. From the moment he realized that not only could he wield this power, but also grow with it, Guyangcheon began to formulate this very plan. The plan had three conditions. First. Could he shape the wind into a human form? Second. Could the created human form produce ‘speech’ as well? Third. Could that creation be sustained for at least a quarter duration without issue? These requirements had to be met. Night after night, he trained relentlessly, exhausting his energy to refine this power. Thus, he succeeded in creating and maintaining the Heavenly Demon’s form for a substantial duration, but... ‘...It's challenging under real-world conditions.’ In reality, even a quarter of the intended duration proved difficult. Not only must the human form be created, but it must also move naturally. To breathe in and out, with a body that subtly moved with each inhalation and the hair gently fluttering—sustaining these details required every ounce of his strength. It was mentally taxing as well. ‘...This feels insane.’ Unlike the disorienting sensation felt when he lifted the barrier, this was overwhelmingly more difficult. By comparison, the barrier seemed trivial, despite the severe reactions it caused. With his body battered from battle, his reserves quickly ran dry. Even though the power doesn’t solely depend on his physical strength, every difficulty seemed amplified. ‘If I slip even a little, it'll all unravel.’ He had to endure. To falter now would mean the collapse of everything he'd worked for. He swallowed the metallic taste rising within him as he continued to maintain the illusion. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Demon kept speaking. [Justice has already crumbled and fallen. Do you truly believe yourselves to be righteous?] [You are mistaken.] [Righteousness lies in alliances and principles, something you cannot claim.] [Skeptical and arrogant wretches, you have long since forgotten your true essence, fixated only on securing your own positions.] Truly a fleeting moment remained. Sensing his limits approach, his body subtly hunched over. ‘Not yet.’ Just a bit longer. He merely needed to hold on a little longer. [You are not justice.] There were still words he intended to speak. [Today, I’m convinced.] Mustering every ounce of strength, he pressed forward. This rendered the Heavenly Demon’s voice even more pronounced. [You have no place in the world I plan to create.] His words struck with firm resolution. The martial artists began murmuring uneasily, growing ever more watchful. They couldn't predict the Heavenly Demon's next move, which heightened the tension. In that chillingly riveting atmosphere. [However.] Suddenly, the Heavenly Demon lowered the hand directed at the refugees. Caught by surprise, they widened their eyes, puzzled by his intentions. [In an act of generosity, I shall grant you one opportunity.] An opportunity? Their attention sharply focused on him. Then. Swiftly, he moved his hand, pointing towards the martial artists. The gesture seemed to single someone out, prompting everyone to follow his line of sight. There, a young man labored for breath, hunched over. His body, clearly battered, barely supported him as he slumped to the ground, bloodshot eyes fixed defiantly on the Heavenly Demon. [You. What is your name?] "..." With burning eyes, the youth responded, although his voice wavered due to his condition. "...Guy...ang...cheon." His voice broke with the strain. [Guyangcheon. I see.] As if committing it to memory, the Heavenly Demon continued. [Though merely an insect's struggle, I found it spectacular. In the midst of ignorance, I witnessed something rare and remarkable….] *Swoosh-!!* Even as he spoke, the Heavenly Demon seemed to ascend skyward. [I shall overlook it today. For now, stepping on such insects and dirtying my feet... I am in quite a pleasant mood today.] Though fully capable of eliminating them all, he chose to let this one slide. His words dripped with self-assured confidence. [So when I next visit, I hope you can offer me some entertainment.] With those words, the Heavenly Demon began to rise into the sky. "...Heavenly Demon! Are you trying to escape yet again...!" Sword Saint, unable to hold back, raised his voice against the scene unfolding. *Boom--!!!* "...!" "Huh!" Suddenly, an unexpected flash erupted. The sound of thunder accompanied the burst of energy. It was the lightning chi, emanating from Celestial Elder. With a thunderous roar, everyone covered their ears. There was more to it. "That...that's..." Someone muttered, their voice quivering as they observed the scene. The lightning chi unleashed by Celestial Elder had pierced the torso of the Heavenly Demon. Had the attack been successful? Hope flashed in their eyes as they began to feel a sense of elation. *Sssss….* "Huh!" "This can't be!!" Miraculously, the Heavenly Demon's pierced body started to regenerate. The hole in his torso filled seamlessly, and his robe returned to its original state, as if nothing had happened. It was a grotesque and terrifying sight. Someone whispered in awe, their voice barely audible. "Could he truly be...a god?" Under normal circumstances, such talk would be dismissed as nonsense, yet no one uttered a word of disagreement. It was just that shocking. [Hmm.] The Heavenly Demon gently touched his previously pierced torso before turning his gaze back to Celestial Elder. Would he truly engage in battle now that he had been taken by surprise? While everyone held their breath in anticipation. [Unfortunate.] With that single word, the Heavenly Demon continued to ascend, as if nothing had happened. *Rumble-!* He vanished together with the enigmatic being above. For such an enormous entity to disappear in an instant... In the whirlwind of events, words failed everyone present. “Cough—!!” Someone coughed up blood and collapsed. "So Yeomla!" It was Guyangcheon. He staggered, vomiting blackened blood, prompting the martial artists to rush to his side. They hurriedly assessed his condition. "…He's lost consciousness." "Notify the physician at once…!" They moved swiftly. Beyond Guyangcheon, many responsibilities needed tending, including those of the leaders. Amidst the devastated situation, they struggled forward, doing what they could. Except for one. Only Sword Saint remained in place, staring intently at Guyangcheon. In his distorted expression, a lukewarm fire simmered behind his gaze until Celestial Elder approached Guyangcheon. He continued watching, an indescribable expression on his face. --- Three days had passed since the attack on Hanam. While not a lengthy period, a multitude of events had transpired. The attack initiated a trail of destruction across the region. The guesthouses were mostly reduced to rubble, and many, including merchants and residents, lost their livelihoods. The damage was immense, with estimates suggesting days to merely clear debris and years to restore to previous conditions. Those abruptly rendered homeless and jobless cried out in despair. Yet, aid came swiftly. Within the martial world, the storied Baihua and Zhangyuan Trading Companies sprang into action. Immediately after the crisis began, they provided support. They erected tents for the refugees and began delivering food supplies. Moreover, they pledged space in their establishments until the restoration of the demolished buildings was complete. While financial issues started to resolve, graver matters remained. The attack had resulted in casualties, some of whom held significant positions. Firstly, the esteemed Eight Sword Divisions of the Martial Alliance. Three division heads perished in the assault. The official statement from the alliance confirmed the deaths of the First Dragon Division Head, Wind Dragon Division Head, and Iron Dragon Division Head. They reported that the First Dragon Division Head died bravely holding off a demon leader. The Wind Dragon Division Head supposedly sacrificed his soul to release a dark spell, saving the leader and others. And the Iron Dragon Division Head reportedly perished in a noble struggle, chasing an enemy to ensure mutual destruction. This alone was shocking, yet more substantial reports soon followed. The next revelation came as a greater blow. "The Duke has passed away...". "...Oh... is this truly so?" In the esteemed Hebei Peng Clan, there was Pang Zhou—the Duke. He, too, lost his life during the assault. "How...how could someone of the Duke's stature..." "They say it was the person who killed the First Dragon Division Head...this same villain killed the Duke." "Who could possess such strength...!" "They attacked as Visengdo supported the unconscious Duke. It was then they were ambushed." "Though Visengdo struggled to protect him…tragically, they failed." "Did…did someone really kill a father before his child? How could such wickedness exist...!!" The world learned of Duke Peng Zhou's demise, and Visengdo remained critically injured and unconscious. The depraved menace who fled after slaying both the Dragon Head and Duke. People began referring to this brutal being as the "Ghost Evil Lance." "Where is the world heading right now…." The speaker’s voice trembled as if they were about to cry. "Having lost so many precious lives... and now this catastrophe..." "A catastrophe... do you mean the Hundred-Tier Beast?" "Exactly… Damn it, how long has it been since the appearance of the Red-Tier Beast…!" The room fell into shared silence at the mention of this threat. The Hundred-Tier Beast—a menace perhaps unmatched in scale. It had been three years since the Red-Tier Beast first emerged. Though methods to hunt the beasts were eventually discovered, mitigating further disasters, the sudden emergence of a Hundred-Tier Beast was alarming indeed. "I heard firsthand accounts… It was nothing short of a disaster." "If it hadn't been stopped then… Hanam might have been annihilated." No one refuted the possibility that the deluge of dozens of Red-Tier Beasts might have brought Hanam to ruin if not contained. "Truly... it’s a great relief." "Indeed...we breathe freely now because of that person being there." The faces around reflected a peculiar sense of relief as they recalled someone significant. Despite the deaths of three division heads and a king-level leader, they felt reassured for some reason. "They say a hero emerges when the world is in chaos. Isn't that a fitting description?" "Indeed...a hero." "It is said even the Demonic Emperor acknowledged him in Hanam." "Is that true?" "Yes. My nephew is a martial artist with the alliance, and he knows well. Even that despicable Heavenly Demon recognized him." The being who had brought Hanam to its knees, summoned the Hundred-Tier Beast, and manipulated the martial alliance for amusement. The Master of the Demonic Cult, the Heavenly Demon, was now infamously known across not just Hanam but the entire Central Plains. However, "He saved my life." "You too? He rescued me as well. I almost died under a collapsed building." "I, too, was saved from a villain by him." Amidst the terror, recalling him gave them strength. "They say you shouldn't believe in rumors, and that was proven true." "Those were likely tales spun by those envious of a hero." "To call him a debauchee, ill-tempered…though he did have a stern appearance... But anyway." "Shame on me for being swayed by such petty rumors…." "Thankfully, we now know better." "Yes. To have even one person to trust in these dire times is truly a blessing." As they spoke, their relief deepened, remembering that day. When havoc struck, a man emerged—saving collapsing buildings’ victims and approaching those the martial alliance ignored without hesitation. Fearlessly, he confronted rampaging beasts, fighting fiercely without concern for his life to protect others. He tended to the injured martial artists present and, without rest, rushed to the alliance's aid, helping save the leader alongside the Wind Dragon Division Head. Despite possessing power unfathomable for his age, he did not let it corrupt him. Using it, he gave everything to save Hanam. In the end, even the mighty Demonic Emperor acknowledged this contemporary hero. As their thoughts lingered on this remarkable individual, someone recalled a recent development. "Oh, did you hear? The alliance decided to revise his moniker to reflect his achievements." "Moniker? What do you mean, out of the blue?" "Prepare to be surprised; his new title is…” Whilst people shared laughter amidst the ruins. Elsewhere, at the Baihua Trading Company's quarters. A figure quietly made their way through the corridor. A woman, pristinely adorned and stunningly beautiful—Moryong Hia. She carried some snacks in her hands and gently approached a room. *Kock kock.* She tapped the door with her white fingertips, but the inside remained silent. Was no one there? No, Moryong Hia certainly didn't think so. "Master, it’s time for your meal." She called out with a sweet enticement in her voice, yet still, there was no response. "Hmm." Considering her options, Moryong Hia pondered. Was he pretending to sleep? Surely not; he was the type to rise quickly when called. If anything, this was more like a show of defiance, of unwillingness to appear. Nevertheless, she had a way to coax out a solution. "Um...heh...!" Stifling a chuckle, she adjusted her expression. This was a challenging trick even for Moryong Hia. Finally, she gathered her voice. "Star King." She uttered the words. In that instant. "It’s time for your meal...!" *Thunk-!* The firmly shut door swung open, revealing a young man. Guyangcheon—the very man Moryong Hia sought. "See, you came out eventually." She beamed at Guyangcheon, who, upon seeing her smile, only sighed with a troubled expression. "Please...please don't call me that."