1164 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The Frontline. Sometime after the onset of the Blood Demon War. A peculiar phenomenon emerged at the fringes of Zhongyuan, causing considerable concern. This place had an unprecedented number of demonic realm gates appearing. Inexplicably, the gates manifested here far more frequently than elsewhere. Furthermore, the number of demonic beasts emerging from these gates was alarmingly high compared to other regions. The cause remained a mystery. All that was certain was the disproportionate number of occurrences and the emergence of demonic creatures. Conclusive information ended there. Many within the sects attempted rigorous research to uncover the reason, but ultimately, nothing definitive was learned. The massive appearance of demonic beasts. If not contained, the beasts could expand their territory directly from the frontlines. It became crucial to regularly reduce the number of these creatures, a task verified as a significant risk and hence supervised by the sects. Particularly the Nine Great Sects and Four Major Clans. In addition, members from equally prestigious houses often took turns managing the frontlines in a systematic order. “Move it! How do you expect to hunt properly at this pace!?” “Grab your weapons, you fools!” Amidst the harsh commands, the voices reverberated across the battlefield. Dressed in azure armor, the individuals from the Martial Alliance stood their ground. Among them were those yelling fiercely and laughing maniacally... ‘The Peng family, it seems.’ One of the Four Major Clans present. Apparently, these were individuals from the North Hebei Peng clan. ‘So, it's the Peng clan's turn this time.’ It appeared to be their scheduled rotation. ROAR!!! Slash-! The demonic beasts charged, but the martial artists handled them with ease. At most, only monsters up to the Green or Blue grade appeared, posing little threat. The very act of being sent to the frontlines was perceived more as a bothersome task than a hazardous one. With each rotation, it became regarded as a nuisance, and the Peng clan likely shared this view. ‘Let's see.’ Turning his gaze away from the Peng family's members, one scrutinized the surroundings from the hidden vantage above. ‘There they are.’ It didn’t take long to spot them. ‘One Blade Unit.’ The Blade Unit of the Gu family. Beyond their turn for frontline management, the Gu family, located closest to the frontlines in Shanxi, largely took care of the area. In his youth, there was puzzlement over why the Gu family handled half of these bothersome duties. ‘It's different now.’ The current understanding was different. The Gu family wasn't merely managing the frontlines. ‘They are preventing access to something deeper.’ Prohibiting other warriors from reaching it. Concealing and blocking this purpose seemed to embody the Gu family’s existence. ‘Perhaps that’s the role of the One Blade Unit.’ Within the tent erected inside the frontline. This served as the camp for the Gu family's Blade Unit. And then, ‘Hmm?’ A familiar presence was sensed inside. That was... ‘Elder Il.’ Elder Il was there. After arriving at the Gu family and causing chaos, he vanished only to reappear here. ‘He came to the frontline.’ It appeared that Gu Ryun was managing this section of the frontline. Naturally. ‘The current head of the One Blade Unit must be Gu Ryun.’ He was surprised to learn the elder he knew had taken up the position before earning the title of elder. Siii-! Suppressing his energy further to mask his presence even more. Given Gu Ryun was here, it was better to avoid being detected. ‘As quietly as possible.’ Landing softly, excluding any motion in the air and silencing the drop. He muffled the sound, concealed his presence, and swallowed his energy. Settling quietly onto the ground without being perceived by anyone. “Phew.” With a subtle exhalation, he spread his senses. Mind's Eye activated. His sensory perception intertwined like threads spread around him. He adjusted it delicately. Avoiding Gu Ryun's camp, letting it pass and extend throughout the forest instead. Hwaaaah--!!! He cast his senses far and wide. He could have crossed easily by merely masking his presence. ‘Just in case.’ He used his senses to be prepared, eliminating any unnecessary actions. While he gradually expanded his awareness to map out the path, “Argh.” “Ahhhh!” ‘Hmm?’ Something peculiar was captured by his senses. Inside the frontline. Quite a depth within. But, ‘It’s not the aura of demonic beasts?’ It wasn't a demonic presence. It was entirely of human origin. YVlkZG9rK2RzZkF4NGpaUUhCUEhwUjIwUmpWclhlcTkxdmdvT2RNTXBsbmhWYmRrb2R1a0l0cmRwWk5sY2gzOQ ‘What is it?’ He could feel bloodlust and screams. Human bloodlust and screams within the frontline? Given the circumstances, such occurrences shouldn’t be surprising, yet, ‘Something’s off.’ An unusual stench lingered in the air. ‘It’s on the way, anyway.’ Should he investigate? With that thought, he stepped forward. --- Serrk-! “Argh!” Amid the sound of something being sliced, a spray of blood followed. Although screamed in pain, it didn't last long. Thwack-! A sword was thrust into the opened mouth. “Gurgle” With a low murmur, another figure fell. Thus, another corpse joined the ground. “Phew.” A man sighed while pulling the sword from the fallen. “So, why even bother with curiosity?” If they had simply not intruded, such a thing wouldn’t have occurred. Staring at the dozens of lifeless bodies, the man lamented. “This is why you can’t handle these sect fools.” Had they stood still, without notions of righteousness or valor, they wouldn't end up in such a state. “Tsk…” He ran a blood-soaked hand through his hair. Fatigue was evident in his eyes, an indication of an arduous battle. “Damn scoundrels.” How on earth had they discovered his location? Although they weren’t from the main sect, the movement of those on the frontline suggested that some information might have leaked through. “Hmmm…” Should he abandon this place too? It required contemplation. “It’s not yet time, though.” He hadn't achieved his objective. Sure, he had hidden himself by slipping into the frontline, but there was something specific he needed to verify within. ‘Those righteous sect fools are hiding something.’ It wasn’t just about marking and clearing a danger zone. There seemed to be something hidden inside. That was his instinct. Even if it wasn't, though… “I can’t leave this place just yet.” It was still too risky. “Tsk.” A twinge of regret washed over him. “…If only I hadn’t meddled with that.” His impulsive dalliance with a woman had become his downfall. As a result, he knew well that the righteous sects were now relentlessly hunting him. “Damned thing. How did the 'Demonic Artisan' end up like this…?” Just as he muttered in irritation, he heard another voice behind him. “Demonic Artisan?” He froze. Turning around, he saw a young man standing there. This youngster, towering around six feet, had a ferociously intimidating appearance. Yet, his attire— “Azure Dragon Unit…?” The uniform was instantly recognizable as belonging to a familiar faction. “Ha…! I suppose even the main sect’s dogs have made it here!” The Demonic Artisan sneered. He thought he'd finally found some breathing room, and now even the main sect's people were coming after him? “What’s so special about that merchant girl? Why’s the main sect so insistent over a mere taste—!” He released his frustration, yet the young man remained silent, simply observing him. ‘What’s with this silence?’ What did that response mean? Was he scared stiff? Perhaps so, after all. He is... “One of the Five Fiends, the Demonic Artisan?” “Yes, I am indeed one among the Five Fiends.” A notorious demonic cultivator, one of the infamous Five Fiends. “Oh.” After hearing that, the youngster nodded, as if realizing something. “…So, you're the fool who got carried away and got killed.” “What did you say?” “Ah, nothing important. Anyway, what brings you here?” As the youngster casually stepped over a corpse, the Demonic Artisan’s expression twisted slightly. ‘What’s this about?’ The atmosphere felt peculiar. The way he stepped over the body of a fellow sect member without a care, and those emotionless eyes of his— “...You’re not one of the righteous sects, are you?” No matter how he looked, those weren’t the eyes of a righteous sect member. They carried an unfathomable and ominous quality. As the Demonic Artisan questioned him suspiciously, A smirk. The young man chuckled. “Something like that.” What a cryptic answer. Was that a yes or a no? ‘Anyway.’ It didn’t matter. Whoever that guy was, it wasn’t significant. “You came alone, didn’t you?” “As you can see, I’m not much of a people person.” “Really?” Alone, then? Indeed, there were no other presences nearby. Confirming this, the Demonic Artisan chuckled. “Kid. Know this one thing.” “What’s that?” “You made the wrong choice. You should’ve run while I hadn’t noticed you. That’s how you might’ve lived.” He shouldn’t have shown himself. If he had fled instead, he might have survived. But now, he’d given away his presence. There was no turning back now. ‘No point letting bodies pile up.’ This place reeked of blood anyway, and demonic beasts would soon devour the corpses. “Whoever you are, not even your bones will remain.” As he spoke, the Demonic Artisan moved to lick his sword. However. “Huh?” Strangely, the blade didn’t touch him. “What the...?" It was then he noticed. “What the...?” His arm was gone. His right arm, which held his sword, was torn off. ‘What’s this?’ How did this...? “Aaaah!!” The pain belatedly rushed through him as the Demonic Artisan screamed. “Looking for this?” In front of him, the youngster held an arm aloft. It was his arm. “Hah… ugh...” Before he even felt the pain, his arm was gone. As the Demonic Artisan looked at the youngster with trembling eyes, “Let me tell you one thing.” His azure eyes met them. “You wouldn’t have escaped anyway. I had no intention of letting you go.” As soon as their eyes locked, the Demonic Artisan’s body froze. “I have a few questions. Do you have a moment?” “Gah… Ugh...” Words wouldn’t come out. Whoosh. Sizzle—!! “Aaaah!!!” A sudden scorching pain from his shoulder caused the Demonic Artisan to scream in agony. “You should answer if you don’t want to die.” Despite the screams, the youngster, Gou Yangcheon, spoke nonchalantly. Hearing that, even amidst the screams, the Demonic Artisan realized one thing. ‘This guy…’ He was certainly not of the righteous sect. Not only was he not one of theirs, but— ‘...A demon.’ He was not human. The Demonic Artisan, who had dealt with countless notorious criminals, was certain in that moment.