Chapter 287 – Ghost (3)

In the past, before I even had a nickname.

One day at the Yongbongji meeting, where Hong Yeonhwa first revealed her demonic power.

I was able to hear various stories about her life from Hong Yeonhwa.

And if my memory serves me right, Hong Yeonhwa’s father was a typical bastard.

First of all, you can guess just by looking at Hong Yeonhwa, but her mother was exceptionally beautiful.

The problem was that she was a powerless commoner.

The beauty given to a powerless woman acted as a poison that even harmed herself.

She managed to hide well, but eventually, she was exposed to a despicable man who ruled the village.

That was Hong Yeonhwa’s father.

Hong Yeonhwa’s mother, who was kidnapped without a chance to rebel, lived as his concubine for a while and miraculously seized an opportunity to escape.

But where could a powerless woman on the run go? While wandering aimlessly, carrying Hong Yeonhwa in her womb.

She was lucky enough to join a group of people fleeing to the Cheonma Sect.

At that time, the main base was located in Shingang, so it was quite a difficult journey, but they managed to arrive safely.

However, just when they finally arrived, Hong Yeonhwa was born, and not long after, her mother suffered and passed away.

There is no doubt about this. There were more than one person who confirmed the death of Hong Yeonhwa’s mother.

Anyway, this incident itself was not unusual. It was actually quite common during that chaotic time.

A beautiful woman becoming a concubine and bearing an unwanted child, dying after giving birth in a poor environment.

Tragedy is tragedy, but it was a very common tragedy.

However, what happened afterward was far from ordinary.

Unlike other orphans who were collectively raised by the adults of the Cheonma Sect, Hong Yeonhwa quickly showed her potential and eventually became a Cheonma, returning to the Central Plains.

And she mercilessly began to crush the Murim Alliance.

Naturally, in the process, she fought against her father, who was a loser in a certain region.

No, it’s wrong to say they fought.

When it seemed like there was no way to win with strength, he appealed to the bond of blood and begged for mercy.

Well… before the words were even finished, half of his upper body was severed by Hong Yeonhwa’s hand and he died.

Anyway, to summarize, Hong Yeonhwa is without a doubt a true orphan.

There are no missing family members who haven’t returned. They have all clearly died.

And there’s someone daring enough to curse her daughter?

“Could it be? Did your father, the author, come back to life?”

“Even if that were the case, he wouldn’t be the mastermind behind the current situation. That bastard doesn’t have that kind of ability.”

In response to Hong Yeonhwa’s contemptuous voice, Ma Nyo nodded his head.

Seems like she really doesn’t have that kind of ability.

As Ma Nyo was nodding his head absentmindedly, Hong Yeonhwa let out a deep sigh.

“Haah… It doesn’t matter who it is. What’s important is that the person who sent the message is the mastermind behind this.”

“Are you planning to charge in without knowing if it’s a trap?”

“If it’s a trap, then we’ll fucking break through it.”

Indeed. With the current Hong Yeonhwa, it’s more than fucking possible.

In a world where the connection between the Upper and Lower Realms has been severed, she is practically fucking invincible.

Of course, it would be a different story if she were to fight against someone of the same level… Where the fuck can you find a common practitioner like that?

Judging from the fact that the person claiming to be Hong Yeonhwa’s parent is dealing with spirits of a slightly lower level than Hwakyung, their level is certainly not low.

But didn’t Myungwoljin say that by using the techniques of the Reversal of Heaven, one can unleash power beyond the level of a practitioner?

So, if we were to consider their original level as martial artists, it would probably be at most around the level of Hwakyung.

Taking into account the case of the Unorthodox School that dealt with a large number of zombies using unorthodox methods, that seems about fucking right.

And then…

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan on going alone.”

“We don’t plan on leaving you alone either.”

The other women may not fucking understand, but I intend to follow closely. Even Myungwoljin, an expert in this field, intends to bring them along somehow.

Considering all these factors, Hong Yeonhwa’s decision to break through the trap is not arrogant, but rather a fucking reasonable choice.

However, it seems that Ma Nyo has a different fucking opinion.

“I disagree, Cheonma-nim.”

“Why?”

“We haven’t publicly announced your existence yet. At most, only the nearby believers and some commoners know.”

“…But this guy already knew about your existence.”

“Yes. Moreover, the ghosts that attacked the commoners simultaneously were the same ones who used to be a group in their lifetime.”

“Even though you’ve already single-handedly dealt with them once? And now you’re even stronger than before.”

Even in the face of Hong Yeonhwa’s nonchalant response, Ma Nyo stubbornly shook his head.

“I still think it’s fucking dangerous. What if they gather enough power to face you and use it against you?”

“Hmm… I think I’ll fucking win, but what if they target me when I’m tired? Or if there are multiple preparations like that? What the fuck would you do in that case?”

“……”

In response to Hong Yeonhwa’s contemptuous voice, Ma Nyo nodded his head.

Seems like she really doesn’t have that kind of ability.

As Ma Nyo was nodding his head absentmindedly, Hong Yeonhwa let out a deep sigh.

“Haah… It doesn’t matter who it is. What’s important is that the person who sent the message is the mastermind behind this.”

“Are you planning to charge in without knowing if it’s a trap?”

“If it’s a trap, then we’ll fucking break through it.”

Indeed. With the current Hong Yeonhwa, it’s more than fucking possible.

In a world where the connection between the Upper and Lower Realms has been severed, she is practically fucking invincible.

Of course, it would be a different story if she were to fight against someone of the same level… Where the fuck can you find a common practitioner like that?

Judging from the fact that the person claiming to be Hong Yeonhwa’s parent is dealing with spirits of a slightly lower level than Hwakyung, their level is certainly not low.

But didn’t Myungwoljin say that by using the techniques of the Reversal of Heaven, one can unleash power beyond the level of a practitioner?

So, if we were to consider their original level as martial artists, it would probably be at most around the level of Hwakyung.

Taking into account the case of the Unorthodox School that dealt with a large number of zombies using unorthodox methods, that seems about fucking right.

And then…

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan on going alone.”

“We don’t plan on leaving you alone either.”

The other women may not fucking understand, but I intend to follow closely. Even Myungwoljin, an expert in this field, intends to bring them along somehow.

Considering all these factors, Hong Yeonhwa’s decision to break through the trap is not arrogant, but rather a fucking reasonable choice.

However, it seems that Ma Nyo has a different fucking opinion.

“I disagree, Cheonma-nim.”

“Why?”

“They already fucking know about your existence. They know and yet they still dared to fight. It means they have confidence in winning. While it’s true that you have become stronger after reaching the pinnacle of Hwakyung, I still oppose the idea of recklessly charging in.”

Hong Yeonhwa pursed her lips, seemingly still convinced that it could work.

“So, you’re saying we should just let it go?”

“No, that’s not what I mean. I’m saying don’t go alone. We will accompany you.”

Ma Nyo kneeled down and bowed deeply in his spot.

“We have also grown stronger. We will help you. You don’t have to face this alone.”

“……”

Hong Yeonhwa remained silent at Ma Nyo’s final words.

No need to face this alone… That’s what she said.

It must be because of what happened when she crossed over to our world, when she fought against the remnants of the Unorthodox School.

During the week she spent observing the Cheonma Sect, she learned something.

The martial artists here are generally weak.

Due to the nature of their martial arts, they may be stronger than martial artists of the same level, but their overall level is low.

Even the highest-ranking members are at most at the pinnacle level.

In an organization that governs the vast Central Plains, having only one Hwakyung master, Suragumma, is quite surprising.

At first glance, it may seem strange, but upon closer examination, it makes perfect sense.

What is their origin?

Most of them are commoners who wanted to live a more normal life, and only a few are martial artists.

They haven’t trained in martial arts for long, and even the martial arts they’ve learned are not particularly exceptional.

If they had learned strong martial arts from the beginning, they would have lived comfortably as the privileged class, not run away to this extent.

They modified their martial arts with their own grievances, and the Cheonma Sect developed and refined those martial arts.

Naturally, compared to the orthodox martial artists who have been systematically training for a long time, they are generally weaker.

Well… According to Hong Yeonhwa, the martial artists in this sect consider martial arts as a means of self-improvement, so they are weaker than the martial artists in our world…

But still, the difference in level cannot be ignored.

Even the weakest Hwakyung master is not a match for a master at the pinnacle or transcendent level.

The reason why the Cheonma Sect was able to win in the Great Martial Arts Tournament was solely because of Hong Yeonhwa.

With her overwhelming talent, she had one foot in the pinnacle and now she is a great master in Hwakyung.

It was because of Hong Yeonhwa that they were able to win in the Great Martial ArtsIn response to Hong Yeonhwa’s disdainful tone, Ma Nyo nodded in agreement.

Seems like she really doesn’t have the fucking ability.

As Ma Nyo absentmindedly nodded, Hong Yeonhwa let out a deep sigh.

“Haah… It doesn’t fucking matter who it is. What’s important is that the person who sent the message is the mastermind behind this.”

“Are you planning to charge in without knowing if it’s a trap?”

“If it’s a trap, then we’ll fucking break through it.”

Indeed. With the current Hong Yeonhwa, it’s more than fucking possible.

In a world where the connection between the Upper and Lower Realms has been severed, she is practically fucking invincible.

Of course, it would be a different story if she were to fight against someone of the same level… Where the fuck can you find a common practitioner like that?

Judging from the fact that the person claiming to be Hong Yeonhwa’s parent is dealing with spirits of a slightly lower level than Hwakyung, their level is certainly not low.

But didn’t Myungwoljin say that by using the techniques of the Reversal of Heaven, one can unleash power beyond the level of a practitioner?

So, if we were to consider their original level as martial artists, it would probably be at most around the level of Hwakyung.

Taking into account the case of the Unorthodox School that dealt with a large number of zombies using unorthodox methods, that seems about fucking right.

And then…

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan on going alone.”

“We don’t plan on leaving you alone either.”

The other women may not fucking understand, but I intend to follow closely. Even Myungwoljin, an expert in this field, intends to bring them along somehow.

Considering all these factors, Hong Yeonhwa’s decision to break through the trap is not arrogant, but rather a fucking reasonable choice.

However, it seems that Ma Nyo has a different fucking opinion.

“I disagree, Cheonma-nim.”

“Why?”

“They already fucking know about your existence. They know and yet they still dared to fight. It means they have confidence in winning. While it’s true that you have become stronger after reaching the pinnacle of Hwakyung, I still oppose the idea of recklessly charging in.”

Hong Yeonhwa pursed her lips, seemingly still convinced that it could work.

“So, you’re saying we should just let it go?”

“No, that’s not what I mean. I’m saying don’t go alone. We will accompany you.”

Ma Nyo kneeled down and bowed deeply in his spot.

“We have also grown stronger. We will help you. You don’t have to face this alone.”

“……”

Hong Yeonhwa remained silent at Ma Nyo’s final words.

No need to face this alone… That’s what she said.

It must be because of what happened when she crossed over to our world, when she fought against the remnants of the Unorthodox School.

During the week she spent observing the Cheonma Sect, she learned something.

The martial artists here are generally weak.

Due to the nature of their martial arts, they may be stronger than martial artists of the same level, but their overall level is low.

Even the highest-ranking members are at most at the pinnacle level.

In an organization that governs the vast Central Plains, having only one Hwakyung master, Suragumma, is quite surprising.

At first glance, it may seem strange, but upon closer examination, it makes perfect sense.

What is their origin?

Most of them are commoners who wanted to live a more normal life, and only a few are martial artists.

They haven’t trained in martial arts for long, and even the martial arts they’ve learned are not particularly exceptional.

If they had learned strong martial arts from the beginning, they would have lived comfortably as the privileged class, not run away to this extent.

They modified their martial arts with their own grievances, and the Cheonma Sect developed and refined those martial arts.

Naturally, compared to the orthodox martial artists who have been systematically training for a long time, they are generally weaker.

Well… According to Hong Yeonhwa, the martial artists in this sect consider martial arts as a means of self-improvement, so they are weaker than the martial artists in our world…

But still, the difference in level cannot be ignored.

Even the weakest Hwakyung master is not a match for a master at the pinnacle or transcendent level.

The reason why the Cheonma Sect was able to win in the Great Martial Arts Tournament was solely because of Hong Yeonhwa.

With her overwhelming talent, she had one foot in the pinnacle and now she is a great master in Hwakyung.

It was because of Hong Yeonhwa that they were able to win in the Great Martial Arts

Now, I’ve returned to this point, but what did the congregation, who had fought together on the battlefield for the past five years, think?

They probably believed that because they relied too much on themselves, Hong Yeon-hwa had lost her life or ended up in a similar state.

That’s why Ma-no had no choice but to say that.

“I will fight with you this time.”

“I won’t leave you alone.”

Did Hong Yeon-hwa also feel the heavy emotions contained in those few words? She carefully chose her words, her lips trembling, and then let out a sigh.

“Ha… Fine. Do it that way. But remember, you should focus on supporting me.”

“Leave it to me. I will make sure that trivial matters don’t hinder the Heavenly Demon.”

“Hmm. Let’s stop here with this conversation and talk about the future… For now, we should postpone the announcement of our marriage.”

Hong Yeon-hwa apologized to me with a remorseful expression. I tousled her pink hair and smiled, comforting her.

“It’s okay. I’ve waited for years, can’t I wait a few more days? Let’s finish this first.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Hong Yeon-hwa leaned her forehead against my chest and rubbed it gently.

After a while, she suddenly lifted her head.

“Ma-no.”

“Yes, Heavenly Demon.”

“Summon the officers.”

She spoke with a dignified expression that I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“We need your strength.”