Is this how it’s done? (5)

Gradually, thoughts vanished into thin air. 

It wasn’t due to fear or terror. It was simply the moment when Heavenly Executioner’s overwhelming presence made their thoughts disappear.

Living as if mocking everything they have experienced and overcome until now, in the face of that intense and overwhelming presence, everything that is alive stopped breathing.

Uihyeongsal-in [의형살인(意形殺人)* – Manifested Killing Intent]. 

It was the moment when the concept of killing someone with just one’s will became clear to them.

Heavenly Executioner’s eyes, reminiscent of the chilling northern winds of the far north, scanned everyone present. The malevolence of his gaze was like the sharpest of knives poised at one’s throat. 

A single twitch of his finger felt like it would plunge that blade into their necks. In the ears of those who were clueless about what to do, his voice seemed to whisper:

“Hwasan… Right, Hwasan. It seems that they’ve managed to uphold their reputation quite well.”

Just that reaction alone made it clear that this new Bishop harbored intense grudges against Hwasan. 

And the result of that resentment… it was something anyone could foresee. 

Chung Myung and Jang Ilso, who were already worn out from fighting Danjagang, could never hope to face the Second Bishop. And if it was impossible for them, it was impossible for anyone here.

The remaining path was just one – escape. Instead of futilely resisting an opponent who was impossible to face, it was better to show your back if it meant surviving. Hadn’t Hwasan emphasize that countless times to it’s disciples?

However…

‘Is it really possible? To escape from that?’

Even imagining it seemed impossible. 

Attempting anything seemed even more impossible. All they could do was to remain in their positions. But how could they possibly escape from someone like that Bishop?

And then, at that moment, someone started moving within the intense pressure. It wasn’t Chung Myung, Baek Cheon, or even Jang Ilso.

Step by step, someone’s back moved forward. Not a very wide back. One sleeve hung awkwardly empty.

“Sa… Suk…”

Baek Cheon’s voice sounded like he was in pain. It was his sasuk, Un Geom, moving forward alone.

Baek Cheon swallowed hard without even realizing it. 

‘Sasuk, Un Geom sasuk!’

How could it be possible? Enduring without losing one’s mind in the face of that intense murderous intent was a challenge itself, but how could someone move like that?

Baek Cheon felt a sense of astonishment when he looked at Un Geom. He moved step by step, reaching right in front of Heavenly Executioner. It seemed like even standing upright was a challenge for him. 

Finally, he spoke with a suppressed voice.

“Great… Hwasan sect.”

The others standing behind couldn’t see Un Geom’s expression. All they could see was his trembling shoulders and voice, which was anything but authoritative.

However, who would dare to undermine him? Un Geom standing alone in front of the Heavenly Executioner appeared even more formidable than Executioner himself. At least in the eyes of Hwasan’s disciples.

“…Senior Disciple Un Geom.”

Heavenly Executioner silently stared at Un Geom with icy eyes, but the overwhelming pressure on the others lessened. However, it was obvious it would begin to bear down even more on Un Geom.

But he continued speaking to the end.

“Do you have any business with Hwasan Sword Sect?”

“Ha?…”

Heavenly Executioner couldn’t help but laugh as if he found the question absurd. Even if they didn’t know the details of the past between Hwasan and Magyo, didn’t this question seem entirely contrary to common sense?

They had waged a war against Magyo just a while ago, driving Magyo’s Bishop, Danjagang, to the brink of death. But now, they dared to ask the Heavenly Executioner about his business with them.

Heavenly Executioner couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Some business, you say…?”

As he laughed heartily, he suddenly stopped and stared coldly at Un Geom.

“What would you do in that case?”

Un Geom fell silent.

“In case I have decided to kill all of you right here and now, would you try to stop me, the descendant of Hwasan, with your meager abilities?”

He emphasized the word “meager,” and then he slowly raised his head as if to mock Un Geom.

“It’s an utterly ridiculous notion. You might have inhereted the name of Hwasan, but your power can’t even compare to that of the past. Even though they were my enemies, I couldn’t help but have some respect for them. Compared to them, you are nothing, not even worth being called an insect. Yet, you still dare to stand before me?”

At that moment, Heavenly Executioner’s intense murderous energy was directed entirely at Un Geom.

“You, who have inherited nothing but the name ‘Hwasan’…”

“…you?”

“Cough!”

Black blood spilled from Un Geom’s mouth as Heavenly Executioner’s oppressive murderous energy continued to affect him. It was a deadly killing intent that shook him to his core.

After coughing up blood and regaining some composure, Un Geom spoke after wiping blood from his face.

“…It seems there was a misunderstanding.” 

Although his face was pale due to internal injuries, Un Geom’s expression seemed a little more relaxed than before.

“Even though I may be lacking, I understand my position. Dreams don’t suit me.”

“Then why did you dare to stand before me?”

Un Geom laughed weakly, his lips trembling as he spoke.

“Even if your abilities are lacking, if there are those who follow you… well, at least I have to be the first to die, don’t I?”

With a determined grip, Un Geom reached for the sword at his waist. His hands no longer trembled.

“As you said, in your eyes, my abilities may be less than that of an insect. But even insects can cause harm to people. If you’re lucky, you might save at least one life.”

Heavenly Executioner’s eyes narrowed in contemplation.

“Is your life worth so little?”

Un Geom smiled.  

“So little? Not at all.”

His smile was both bright and disturbing, contrasting with his face smeared in blood.

“Is there anything more valuable than that?”

Un Geom questioned, looking Heavenly Executioner in the eye. He held his ground, determined not to back down.

Heavenly Executioner observed Un Geom for a moment, as if intrigued by his response. This unbeliever was indeed holding his ground in the face of overwhelming odds, and he refused to back down. It was evident that this was more than just a facade – it was a deep conviction.

Heavenly Executioner slowly nodded and looked up at the distant sky, as if reminiscing about the memories of the past.

“Even if hundreds of years pass, even if the power is lost, Hwasan is still Hwasan…”

Executioners expression softened momentarily. Simultaneously, the intense killing intent that could have devastated the surroundings dissipated, leaving an entirely different atmosphere.

“I got carried away for a moment.”

All eyes in the vicinity were filled with suspicion as they looked at him. He slowly shook his head.

“Do not look at me with such eyes. I won’t harm you here today.”

He continued, 

“Of course, there should be no misunderstandings. The Church does not show mercy to the unworthy infidels. Especially those who dare to use the name ‘Hwasan’ are not deserving of any compassion. However…”

Heavenly Executioner shifted his gaze briefly to another area. There lay the remains of Danjagang and Jeogil.

“Everyone has a perspective.”

“…”

“The responsibility of erasing the traces of Hwasan from the world is an unavoidable duty for me. However, taking over the work that the apostate intended to do is something I must avoid as a believer. So, you will not die, at least not in this place today.”

Suddenly, a subdued laughter emerged from somewhere. 

Heavenly Executioner’s gaze naturally turned toward the source of the laughter. There was flamboyantly dressed man who couldn’t contain his amusement. He seemed to have difficulty holding back his laughter, as he was covering his mouth. 

Heavenly Executioner silently stared at him, and then Jang Ilso waved his hand.

“Oh, I’m sorry. You’re speaking so seriously.”

“But I’m a bit of a twisted individual, you see. If someone acts like they have a noose around my neck, it’s hard for me to keep from laughing.”

Heavenly Executioner gave Jang Ilso a piercing look with his narrowed eyes.

“Central Plains have changed quite a bit.” 

“…”

“That’s right. It’s only natural. A hundred years have already passed, and there was plenty of time to forget about us.”

He slowly surveyed the desolate surroundings, a land with almost nothing left. Despite the scarcity of visible remnants, he could still sense the overwhelming presence of death that once consumed this place.

A city had disappeared, along with every life within it. However…

“Don’t think this is all there is. What you’ve seen is merely a fragment of the power the Church possesses.”

Silence followed.

“You’ll come to understand. You’ll remember, even if you wish you didn’t. You, unbelievers of the Central Plains.”

At that moment, an indescribable solemnity filled his face.

“He will return soon.”

The collective hearts of everyone present sank. No one here would fail to understand that “He” was someone Magyo referred to as “the Heavenly Demon.”

“Then you will meet it. The already predetermined result. A fate that can never be avoided.”

Heavenly Executioner turned away.

“Until then… Enjoy the remaining time you have, even if it’s short.”

He took a step indifferently. 

At least he tried. 

What caught his ankle was a relentless voice that pierced his ears.

“That’s not it, is it?”

Heavenly Executioner halted his steps, and still in his previous posture he turned around. A young swordsman of Hwasan, who had not yet shed his youthful appearance caught his gaze.

“It’s not that you won’t kill everyone, but you can’t, isn’t that right?”

“…”

“What should we do about this?”

The voice had an unpleasant mocking tone, piercing Heavenly Executioner’s heart.

“Who knows, right? Many people died here. Your cultists went on rampage because you didn’t properly control them. Among the dead there might have been that precious Heavenly Demon brat, don’t you think?”

“This…”

Thud! 

He gritted his teeth. Instantly, veins in his eyes popped out. It wasn’t because he raised his demonic energy and exhaled bloodthirst. It was purely because he was furious, causing the blood vessels in his eyes to burst.

Hearing this, Chung Myung laughed like a madman, 

“Are you angry?”

“You, you…”

“So, what are you going to do? Kill me?”

Heavenly Executioner’s immense rage was clearly felt by everyone. However, his anger no longer seemed to be directed at them as it had been just moments before.

“No. Can’t do that?”

Chung Myung sneered.

“What if I…”

“This…”

“… am the Heavenly Demon, perhaps? You never know, right?”

“Noooo!”

A thunderous scream filled with intense grudges, hatred, and a noxious scent of resentment erupted. Tears of blood streamed from the corners of Heavenly Executioner’s eyes.