〈Episode 544〉 Sword Demon.
The season is spring.
The time when flowers are just beginning to bloom.
In a small county in the Guangdong region, stories were in full bloom day and night.
“Brother Yun, did you hear that?”
“huh?”
Mr. Un, a herbalist, listens to the story of Mr. Joo, a woodcutter next door.
“What did you hear?”
“Oh my, brother. You’re late again.”
When Mr. Yun seemed unaware, Mr. Joo spoke as if he was excited.
“There’s a rumor that a martial arts festival will be held in Hanam this time.”
“No fighting?”
Yun-ssi reacted to Joo-ssi’s words.
A martial artist? All of a sudden?
It was a story I had never heard before.
“What kind of martial arts?”
Why is there suddenly a martial arts festival at this time?
When Mr. Yun asks with interest, Mr. Joo smiles and says.
“I don’t know about that… but I heard that the new leader is planning to open it as a commemoration.”
“Oh, right.”
It’s a commemoration.
“Come to think of it, I heard that the current leader is the head of the shaman clan.”
“Hasn’t that been the case for quite some time?”
Mr. Joo was right.
It has already been three years since the leader of the shaman clan, Mudang Geomseon, ascended to the position of leader.
At that time, he was the first leader from a sect.
As it was the eye of the storm in a time of upheaval, everyone expressed concern.
“It’s nice to see you leading so well.”
“hmm.”
Contrary to everyone’s expectations, Mudanggeomseon succeeded in winning the hearts of the people.
An era of chaos caused by the outbreak of the Red Magical Scriptures.
The first thing the new leader did was to redistribute the swords to each region.
As times changed, the danger of blue monsters became much lower. Even small local sects or unknown Sega were blocked.
The cracks have been formed as a result of the appearance of the red monster.
First of all, the Mudang Swordsman deployed the Maeng Swords to more areas.
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Plus.
“There, haven’t there been many instances of swords being pulled out?”
As more and more swords were deployed, the number of people selected also increased.
Originally, the Blind Sword is a place that ordinary people cannot enter.
A prestigious school and a prestigious family.
Or, if only promising players who were starting to make a name for themselves in the Central Plains could go to the Maeng Sword Academy.
Nowadays, anyone can become a member of the Swordsmen if they take the test, regardless of their nationality.
Since the Sword of Meng carries with it a great honor, it is only natural that many people took the Sword of Meng test.
Among them, outstanding talents stood out and became members of the Sword Corps.
As the number of swordsmen increased, the damage caused by the red monsters continued, but it was possible to deal with it somehow.
“He, Elder Baek’s grandson, is said to have become a member of the inspection team this time.”
“Hey… You’ve been strong since you were little. Is that okay?”
“He shouted that he would become unmanned, and in the end, he said he did.”
“Heh heh.”
Mr. Un burst into laughter at the news he heard.
“The world has changed a lot in just a few years.”
“Isn’t this all thanks to you, Brother Yun?”
“This guy, he always says it’s thanks to the leader. Let’s finish what we were talking about earlier. What about the martial arts?”
“ah.”
At Mr. Yun’s words, Mr. Joo claps his hands as if he just remembered what he said.
“It’s nothing else than that, this time they’re holding a martial arts competition to select members of the swordsmanship division.”
“A sword?”
Hearing this, Yun-ssi makes a subtle expression.
That would be the case, because it seemed strange to associate the martial arts master with the sword master.
As if he had anticipated Mr. Yun’s reaction, Mr. Joo continued speaking.
“Hey, don’t be surprised to hear that. Rumor has it that they’re going to re-select the Shinryongdae.”
Hearing Mr. Joo’s words, Mr. Yun’s eyes became as bright as lanterns.
It can’t be helped.
“… God, the Dragon King?”
When we talk about the Shinryongdae (神龍隊), it is a swordsmanship corps that includes the best masters representing the Murim Alliance.
It is the direct subordinate unit of the Murim Alliance Leader. It is a unit that has been called the symbol of the Murim Alliance throughout its long history.
It boasts of its infinite orthodoxy, and is a place where the best dragons and phoenixes of the time are recruited.
There was even a record that the great leader of Shinryongdae would later become the leader of the martial arts world.
but.
“That’s… isn’t that the unit that disappeared a long time ago?”
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By now, it was just a trace of the past.
In the past, when Geomjon was the leader.
In order to explore the Great Demonic Scripture Gate opened in Hanam, the Shinryongdae, led by the leader Geomjon, entered the Demonic Scripture Gate.
There was an accident where everyone was wiped out, except for a few people.
As a result, the leader of the clan, Geomjon, stepped down from his position, and the Shinryongdae was effectively disbanded.
A dozen years passed like that.
That kind of dragon bridge.
“You’re saying that the Shinryongdae has been reborn now?”
“Whatever. It would be nice if it happened.”
“… That is true, too.”
Mr. Joo was right.
Those in the Central Plains always admired the masters.
The Shinryongdae is like a proof of mastery in the history of the endless martial arts alliance.
As the Shenlongdae was a symbol of greatness to the people of the Central Plains.
Their reappearance is bound to be a thrilling experience.
“If this goes well, wouldn’t we do something like the Yongbong branch again?”
Mr. Joo spat out the words as if he was in awe.
“It’s the Yongbongjihoe…”
Immediately after the massacre of the late Jisoo at Shinryonggwan, the annual Yongbong branch meeting was not held for several years.
Every year, it was a festival of new talent and the future leaders who would take charge of the central region.
It was quite unfortunate for them that they did not hear any news about this.
The regret was especially doubled as this generation was known to be particularly outstanding.
“What? Since there’s no talk, isn’t it just rumors spreading?”
This is the biggest problem that arose because the Yongbong branch meeting was not held.
They are called the greatest generation in history.
Since the Yongbong branch was discontinued and their current status was unknown, rumors were only spreading based on this.
[A disciple of a certain sect got a chance to break through the wall]
[There is a rumor that the head of a household of Han Sega reached Hwagyeong in search of memories of being a master in his past life].
Among these absurd stories, the ones that have spread particularly widely are, of course, the geniuses representing the current post-secondary index.
It was a story about the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes.
The story that is being told dozens of times even in this small inn right now is theirs.
“I heard that Geomryong is receiving direct instruction from Maehwaseon this time.”
It is said that Hwasan Jeilgijae learned martial arts from Jangmunin and eventually made a plum tree bloom.
“I heard the brain dragon is in a closed room?”
Thunder Dragon Namgung Cheonjun said that he was learning swordsmanship in earnest from his father, the Sword King.
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However, for some reason, it is not going outside of Sega.
“There’s nothing special about the fighting dragon and the sleeping dragon, I guess.”
“They say that the two dragons were originally quiet, but there is a story about the sleeping dragon.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I heard someone saw it in the North Sea?”
“…North Sea?”
How could a sleeping dragon that was supposed to be in a shaman’s house suddenly appear in such a place?
Since the rumor that it was seen in the North Sea, where entry by outsiders is prohibited, was obviously a false rumor, there are significantly fewer people who will believe it.
In addition, various rumors continued to grow because they were not corrected.
The sword of Shanxi reached Hwagyeong.
Even though Seolbong was a member of the Murong family, he suddenly joined Baekhwasangdan.
There, the Tang clan that caused a huge incident and took responsibility for it, is no longer called the Four Great Clans.
There was even talk that Dokbong, a blood relative there, had joined the night-killing squad.
It was a time when many unbelievable stories were being exchanged.
“Brother Yun, have you heard that?”
“What are you talking about this time?”
“This time, there is news that a new dragon has emerged.”
Hmm?
Mr. Yun makes a subtle expression after hearing Mr. Joo’s words.
Just now, I was expressing my regret that the Yongbong branch meeting had stopped.
“Suddenly a divine dragon? What kind of nonsense is that?”
“It’s strange, but it’s not like anywhere else. It’s a fact that was announced in the Maeng.”
“In the Murim Alliance…?”
“Yes, I heard that the late Jisoo became a dragon in Shaolin. And… Don’t be surprised.”
Mr. Joo rolls his eyes as he speaks, trying to figure out what he’s going to say.
“… This time, the dragon is said to be a warrior from Hwagyeong.”
“Huh?”
The words he spoke carefully were somewhat shocking.
“You’re saying it’s Hwagyeong…?”
“They even say that it is a review index that has just passed the terms and conditions.”
“That’s nonsense!”
Mr. Yun raised his voice slightly as if he couldn’t stand it anymore.
How could it not be so?
“A friend who exceeded the terms and conditions reached Hwagyeong?”
Even if you say you’ve reached your climax right now, it’s surprising.
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To say that you reached the flower garden is nonsense.
Is that a review index too?
It was just absurd.
“How can we believe it or not? It is the fact that has been announced in the press.”
“No matter what, that’s true. Does that make sense?”
“Wouldn’t it be nice if it were true?”
Mr. Joo laughs heartily at Mr. Woo’s words.
“If Shaolin’s reputation is like that, then isn’t it good for us too, Brother Yun?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The fact that such hope has emerged for Shaolin is a great blessing in this day and age, isn’t it?”
With several incidents occurring one after another and the appearance of the Red Magic Mirror, the so-called era of upheaval has arrived.
The Central Plains was still changing even after several years had passed.
This was enough to make many people uneasy.
Even when the leader ran wild to settle the dispute and moved to seek peace, the conclusion that allayed such anxiety was always different.
Hope.
People always crave for possibilities.
Hope that this situation can be overcome.
The possibility that we might overcome it in the future.
and.
The one who makes it possible to do this.
In the Central Plains, it was commonly called hope.
In these times of upheaval, the youngest Hwagyeong of Shaolin, who was announced directly by Meng, would be enough to quell the anxiety of many.
“The fact that such hope has emerged for Shaolin is a great blessing in this day and age, isn’t it?”
With several incidents occurring one after another and the appearance of the Red Magic Mirror, the so-called era of upheaval has arrived.
Honey, I guess Mr. Joo also makes that kind of expression while speaking.
“…hmm….”
As if he understood this, Mr. Un nodded his head.
He was having strange thoughts inside.
‘Youngest Hwagyeong.’
It was a name given to a dragon that appeared out of nowhere. If it had gone beyond the terms and conditions and reached the realm of Hwagyeong, it would not have been an inadequate title.
but.
As he listened to those words, Mr. Woo thought of someone else.
‘Surely there were others too.’
Even if the dragon is an officially announced fact.
Just a few years ago, someone was spreading a similar rumor.
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If the current dragon has passed its term of service.
At that time, there was a rumor that a boy who had not even reached the terms had reached Hwagyeong.
The boy swept through the Yongbong branch and became a new dragon.
Later, during the Shinryongwan massacre, he also stopped the mastermind behind the incident.
Soon after, rumors began to spread that the boy had passed the climax and reached the state of enlightenment.
There was absolutely no one who believed this.
How can I believe it?
It was a fact that I would never have believed unless I verified it myself.
‘That friend’s name is….’
I couldn’t even remember the name.
This is because, compared to the huge rumors he had, his activities were quiet.
For the past three years, there have been virtually no rumors about the boy.
Thanks to this, unlike the uproar that occurred back then, things have quieted down a bit now.
‘He’s Geombong’s younger brother, so he must have the surname Gu.’
No matter how hard I try to remember, I can’t remember.
Perhaps the only fortunate thing is that the nickname is well-remembered in my head.
The boy’s nickname is clearly….
“Little Yanluo.”
It was quite an intense nickname for a person with no political power, so it was clearly remembered.
Mr. Joo tilts his head after hearing Mr. Yun’s words.
It was an expression that Mr. Joo also knew.
“Come to think of it, that friend was there too. I wonder what he’s doing.”
“Of course, they are descendants of a noble family. They must be living better than us.”
“That’s true.”
Mr. Yun snickered and took another sip of his drink.
“You and I. This is not the time to worry about the precious people who are living well right now.”
“yes.”
Unlike the cheerful conversation he had been having just now, his voice was filled with complicated emotions.
“… You still haven’t caught him?”
Mr. Joo nodded at the voice.
“It’s scary.”
“That’s what I’m saying. A murderer… .”
The atmosphere in the guest house turns cold as the words are spoken softly.
Not only the two people, but also those in the guest room held their breath.
A murderer, that’s the rumor that’s been spreading around the county lately.
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Since a month ago, somewhere in the area, after dark and after sunrise, dismembered corpses have been found somewhere.
The body looked as if it had been sliced with a sharp sword.
It means that he died a miserable death after being stabbed to death.
It’s already been a month since it was first discovered.
The culprit has still not been caught, and this continues to happen every few days, if not every day.
“What do you mean by blind?”
“What are you saying? Say you’re holding on. Say you’re trying.”
“Ugh.”
The progress of the work was slow because the swordsmen were already busy with the monsters and this was added to the mix.
In the past, I would have prioritized this task since the danger from monsters was low.
The reality is that this is not possible now.
Mr. Joo sighed as he took stock of the situation.
“What kind of crazy person would do something like this?”
“It’s obvious that he’s not in his right mind. How could people like us know what’s going on in someone’s head?”
He’s a guy who goes beyond killing humans and even cuts them up into pieces.
It was a truly cruel method.
“I hope you get caught quickly. Let me see your face.”
“Why are you looking at my face? Aren’t you shaking with fear right now?”
“Aren’t you curious, hyung? What kind of person is he that can do such things?”
“You have so many lives. You’re curious about all those things.”
Perhaps because of the trivial conversation, a small laugh could be heard in the guest room.
at that time.
Druk.
A sound was heard from the corner of the guest room.
In the midst of the noisy atmosphere, someone quietly stood up.
The noodles on the table were cold, but there was no sign of anyone touching them.
Apart from his white hair, he was a young man with pale skin and long, unkempt hair.
What’s strange is that the young man’s eyes are tinted yellow.
Squeak.
The young man, who had raised his body, looked in the direction where Mr. Joo and Mr. Woo were, with his gaze still completely blurry.
The young man was unmanned and had a sword hanging from his waist.
Swish.
He took a step forward and grabbed the handle of his sword with his pale hands.
At that moment, I was slowly walking towards where the people were.
“Sit down.”
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Stop.
The young man stopped in his tracks when he heard voices coming from around him.
The gaze turns.
As soon as Hwang An reached the sound, the owner of the voice came into view.
Someone with a deep sneeze is eating diligently.
For some reason, all the food was dumplings.
The young man knew him.
He is a person who has been established since he came here.
After he finished chewing and swallowing the dumpling he was eating, he looked at the young man and said.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to a delicious restaurant, so I’m in a good mood. I’ve been eating nothing but tasteless food lately, so I’ve been feeling a bit irritated.”
As he raises his head, the bamboo stick rises slightly.
The first thing I could see through the gap were clear blue eyes.
“I haven’t eaten yet, so just sit down. Don’t do anything stupid..”
“… What are you…?”
“Besides, the smell of blood is so disgusting that I endure it because it tastes so good. Do you understand?”
The young man’s eyes widen slightly at those words.
Because I understood the meaning of the words.
As if to confirm this, he continued speaking with a smile.
“Go wash up and go, you punk. You stink.”
“…”
Crunch.
The young man who heard the words moves his sword.
The man in Cheong-an sighed when he saw this.
“That’s right. If you listen to what he says, he’s not that idiot.”
As the conversation continued, the blade was already moving.
A sword filled with an eerie aura.
The moment when the tip was about to reach the opponent.
A bang! sound was heard.
“…!”
The vision shifts. It wasn’t what the young man intended.
It’s because my head moved on its own.
Only then did the young man realize that his face had been hit and he had turned around.
Immediately afterwards, the young man’s body floated up and quickly flew away, crashing into the wall.
Kwaaang!
The wall collapses, sending shards of wood and dust flying everywhere.
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Something that happened suddenly.
The people in the guest room were startled and sat up.
In the meantime, the person wearing the bamboo hat was still there.
Without moving at all, I just picked up the dumpling and ate it just like the first time.
The only difference is that the gaze is directed towards a shattered wall.
The person who had been quietly watching it finally got up after stealing a few dumplings.
Then he looked at my hand and snickered.
“also.”
The guests who saw that smile had to tremble.
The reason is.
“I told you that you like the taste of defeat the best?”
It was because the smiling face looked so scary.
