Boom, boom. The grandeur emanating from the massive red figure was truly astonishing. Could this be the legendary Red Hare? The red horse, exuding an overwhelming spirit that even the great tiger of the mountains dared not challenge, surveyed its surroundings with a haughty gaze.
And the man riding atop it was someone who matched the dignity of such a horse.
"...The Master of the Demon Sword Clan."
Ji Un-hui. The appearance of the current head of the Demon Sword Clan, known as the Sword King of the Demonic Path, was a sight to behold. With a commanding presence, a well-groomed beard, and hair untouched by frost, he seemed just past forty. However, his actual age was close to sixty. Thanks to his powerful martial arts and deep internal energy, he appeared twenty years younger than his age.
Whoosh. The demonic practitioners parted to the sides. All of them held their breath at the appearance of the Demon Sword Clan's master. It wasn't simply because he was a big shot. The aura that Ji Un-hui unconsciously exuded was truly murderous, and even skilled practitioners couldn't withstand the pressure.
From afar, Ma Dong-pil, who was watching the scene, inwardly clicked his tongue.
'Amazing.'
He had seen him from a distance before, but this was the first time seeing him up close. The martial arts of the Demon Sword Clan's master, seen up close, were shocking. It was natural for him to display the traits of a supreme master, and above that, he possessed both strict etiquette and unwavering dignity.
He wasn't just someone strong. The aura of a ruler who had governed many people overflowed from Ji Un-hui.
'This is the head of the Seven Great Clans, the pinnacle of the Demonic Martial World. Truly, this majesty...! I'm glad I came.'
As a fellow swordsman, Ji Un-hui's aura was a tremendous stimulus to Ma Dong-pil. In the past, he would have been purely amazed, but now, seeing such a master, he burned with a desire to compete. A small but significant change. It was the beginning of Ma Dong-pil's destiny as a swordsman that he would pursue in the future.
At that moment, Ji Un-hui's gaze turned to Ma Dong-pil. Ji Un-hui's eyes widened in an instant.
Flash!
In the eyes that seemed to emit fire, pure amazement was embedded. He realized that the strength of the swordsman, who appeared just over thirty, was comparable to the elders of his clan. Ji Un-hui subtly nodded his head. Ma Dong-pil slightly bowed his head, barely noticeable.
The opponent was a big shot who recognized him, regardless of being the father of Jin Beom. It was only natural to show this level of courtesy.
As Ji Un-hui passed by, people's gazes naturally followed behind him. Ten steps behind the leading Ji Un-hui, numerous swordsmen were walking. Two tall young men and over a hundred swordsmen were walking in perfect formation, each exuding an impressive aura.
"It's the Sword Echo Squad of the Demon Sword Clan!"
"The strongest organization within the Demon Sword Clan...!"
"Amazing."
"Look at their eyes! They're all sword demons."
The Demon Sword Clan, which hadn't participated in the Pasun Festival for several years, had brought the Sword Echo Squad to this festival. Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the audience remained silent. For some reason, it felt like they had to keep their mouths shut.
A fleeting smile crossed Ji Un-hui's face as he looked down at the silent crowd. He realized that even though it was still the beginning, they had shown enough strength to the Divine Sect.
However, neither he nor the demonic practitioners knew anything about the incredible situation that would unfold here. Even the bodyguards closest to the person who would cause the situation had no idea what was about to happen.
So, as Seo-ryang walked through the parted path, Ma Dong-pil was extremely flustered.
'Young Master? Young Master!'
It was just a silent echo. He was so flustered that he even forgot to use telepathy.
'Hmm?'
Ji Un-hui's eyebrows twitched. It was because he discovered a young man standing confidently thirty steps ahead.
"Oh."
An exclamation escaped him unconsciously. It wasn't because of the handsome appearance. Ji Un-hui was genuinely impressed by the young man's physique that blocked his path.
"What an impressive body."
A height well over six feet and perfectly developed muscles were dazzling. Though covered by clothes, it was surely a body tightly packed with muscles compressed to the limit.
'Even in the main family, there's no one with a body trained to this extent. But...'
Ji Un-hui tilted his head.
'What is this ambiguous aura?'
He had definitely learned internal energy. But the aura felt vague. It seemed quite strong, yet it also seemed like nothing special. His appearance exuded nobility, but his loose posture made him seem a bit lacking.
A warrior taught by a prestigious family would never stand so carelessly. At least, it was clear that the opponent wasn't of high status. So, naturally, a lower form of address flowed from Ji Un-hui's mouth.
"Who are you?"
The young man, Seo-ryang, smiled.
"Master of the Demon Sword Clan?"
"...?"
"Yes, that's right. Nice to meet you. It's our first meeting."
"...."
"Oh, I suffered a major injury in the past and lost quite a bit of my memory. I might have seen you before, but I don't remember, so anyway, nice to meet you."
What is this outrageous rudeness? Ji Un-hui's eyes narrowed.
"I don't know who you are, but I assume you know how great a rudeness you're committing right now."
"Rudeness? What rudeness have I committed?"
"What an ill-mannered young man."
"I asked for a reason, and you immediately called me ill-mannered. It's a behavior occasionally shown by stubborn old men, isn't it?"
"...."
"Are you old?"
At this point, it's hard to endure even with considerable patience. Of course, Ji Un-hui was someone who wouldn't be shaken by this level of provocation and rudeness. However, the swordsmen standing behind him were different.
Swoosh!
As if waiting, the fierce aura of a hundred swordsmen burst out in an instant, like a storm. The demonic practitioners, who had parted to the sides, murmured and retreated even further.
Seo-ryang shrugged his shoulders.
"Would a tiger be scared just because wolves raise their fur?"
"...!"
This time, even Ji Un-hui couldn't help but be surprised.
'He's not shaken? Even in front of the Sword Echo Squad's aura?'
The reason the Sword Echo Squad was called the strongest was not just because of their skills, but because they were true swordsmen. Sword demons who dedicated their lives to a single sword. The aura they emitted when they were determined was far beyond their actual skills.
Moreover, it wasn't just one, but a hundred. If he remained unshaken in front of the aura emitted by a hundred sword demons, it was proof that this young man's martial arts had reached at least the pinnacle realm.
"Indeed, you are a young man with some skills. I don't know why you're committing such rudeness, though."
"It's not just some skills, but several."
"I refuse wordplay. I'll generously overlook your rudeness so far, so step aside now..."
"Enough, just answer one question."
"...."
"As a father, if you witnessed your child's shameless crime, how would you act then?"
"...."
"Is it difficult to answer?"
"I'm someone who avoids unnecessary conversations."
Ji Un-hui raised one hand.
"It's the first day of the Pasun Festival. I'll overlook this rudeness as well. So step aside now."
Wooong!
In an instant, powerful demonic energy concentrated at Ji Un-hui's fingertips. At the same time, the demonic practitioners who had retreated took a few more steps back. The intense aura began to envelop the surroundings, making it difficult to endure with a clear mind.
Seo-ryang's eyes gleamed.
'Indeed.'
Just by creating a hand sword and amplifying the aura, it's this much. It was exciting to imagine how powerful his martial prowess would be when he actually drew his sword.
"It's more than expected, but not beyond imagination."
"...!"
"You didn't answer my question. Stop playing with your hands and answer quickly."
Ji Un-hui's eyes shook greatly.
'He's unaffected? Even in front of the Sword Wave Hand Technique?'
The Sword Wave Hand Technique is a martial art that creates sword energy with bare hands. However, it doesn't actually wield the sword energy. It's a high-level technique that melts the sword energy into aura, making the opponent retreat on their own.
At Ji Un-hui's level, even a supreme master should find it hard to endure. In fact, Ma Dong-pil, standing far behind, was tense with his hand on the sword hilt.
'Why? How?'
Seo-ryang, who was silently looking up at Ji Un-hui. Soon, his face showed irritation.
"Good grief."
Slowly, his right foot rose.
In an instant, urgency appeared on Ji Un-hui's face.
"Avoid...!"
Boom!
With an immense force, the ground split.
Neigh!
The red horse let out a fierce cry. Even the red horse, which had never been frightened since birth, had no choice but to be startled by the natural disaster of the ground splitting.
Swoosh!
Ji Un-hui, who flew into the sky in an instant, slowly descended. Adjusting the speed of descent with pure internal energy, this was also a divine skill comparable to walking on air.
Rustle.
Finally, as Ji Un-hui landed on the ground, his eyes were filled with murderous intent.
"How dare you attack me, relying on your meager martial arts?"
Seo-ryang chuckled.
"Attack? If it's an attack, you started it first, didn't you?"
"You brat!"
"So I returned it in kind. Anyway, I controlled the force of the step, so it didn't touch your body."
Seo-ryang pointed with his chin next to Ji Un-hui.
"Look."
Ji Un-hui, who was glaring at him with fierce eyes, turned his gaze to where Seo-ryang pointed.
In an instant, his eyes shook.
'...How can this be?'
The trace of the split ground stopped right in front of the red horse's hoofprints. It was just that everyone was surprised by the strong vibration, loud explosion, and fierce aura.
Ji Un-hui's Sword Wave Hand Technique was cold and sharp. In contrast, Seo-ryang's step was fiery and fierce.
There was only a difference in method, but the degree of warning they gave each other was similar.
'How can such a young man control his energy like this?'
If the split had reached the Sword Echo Squad, he would have been less surprised. Even if it was stronger than expected, it would have been a level he could sufficiently subdue if he seriously confronted it.
Rather, the fact that he controlled the split to the intended extent proved that the opponent's martial arts were beyond imagination.
'He didn't wield a weapon. Just controlling the aftermath of the step to this extent...'
His fist naturally clenched.
'A supreme master!'
Perhaps he was a strong person not much inferior to himself.
'How on earth?'
Isn't his appearance that of someone who wouldn't even be thirty? At that age, to have stepped into the supreme realm, the highest level? It was an impossible feat by common sense.
Ji Un-hui, who was staring blankly at Seo-ryang.
He adjusted his posture.
"Who are you?"
"The answer to my question?"
"I have no obligation to answer the question of someone whose identity I don't know."
"Hmm? Ah, well, that's true, isn't it?"
"...."
"Indeed. Come to think of it, I did act quite unreasonably."
"Tell me. Who are you?"
Flash!
Demonic energy flashed in Seo-ryang's eyes.
In that intense demonic gaze, not only Ji Un-hui but also the two young men standing behind him and the Sword Echo Squad felt a shiver.
"At least I'm not someone who deserves such unpleasant words from you."
At that moment, Ma Dong-pil stepped forward.
Swoosh!
The Black King Sword, drawn out, shone brilliantly under the sun.
Thud!
The Black King Sword was deeply embedded in the ground.
And next to it, Ma Dong-pil knelt.
"Unbeatable Divine Sect, all demons bow! Greetings to the Third Young Master of the Divine Sect!"
In an instant, shock spread across everyone's faces.
Seo-ryang grinned mischievously like a rascal.
"So it seems."
"Right now?"
"Yes. Currently, he's in a standoff with the Master of the Demon Sword Clan."
For the first time in over a decade, he almost let out a curse without realizing it.
With several deep breaths to calm his mind, Gogu spoke firmly.
"There might be an emergency. Dispatch the members to the outer hall without the knowledge of the sect members. Right now!"
"I obey the order!"
Gogu turned his gaze to the window.
His eyes were shaking uncontrollably.
"...The sword's edge wasn't only on both sides."
There was no mention of stepping forward in this manner.
Gogu already felt a headache from Seo-ryang's spontaneous response.