"...!"
When his vision began to return, Cheon Myeong realized that he was in a different place.
Although he had been standing on an ice pillar until just a moment ago, when he looked around, the figures of Baekjo and Seolbaekmyo were no longer visible.
'What on earth is going on?'
It was truly a situation where even a ghost would be at a loss.
At what moment on earth had he been moved to a place like this?
Since the moment his vision had disappeared was also something that could be called a very short time, Cheon Myeong was even more at a loss.
"Baekjo! Young Palace Lord!"
Cheon Myeong shouted, looking around.
However, in this place surrounded by pitch-black darkness, no matter how much he shouted, only Cheon Myeong's voice returned as an echo.
In the end, Cheon Myeong realized that fact and no longer shouted.
'...Let's think calmly.'
First, Cheon Myeong, who calmed his mind and took a deep breath.
At times like this, he had to calm his excitement and judge the situation coolly.
If he did that, wouldn't he be able to realize the parts he had not noticed?
Cheon Myeong began to organize his thoughts, recalling the events up to now.
'So... it became like this the moment I drew the sword.'
Until just before that, he had definitely been standing on an ice pillar.
No, even when he had drawn the sword, he had definitely been there.
As far as his last memory went, when a suspicious radiance had begun to pour out of the drawn sword, he had no memory at all from that moment.
"...?"
At that moment, Cheon Myeong realized a certain fact.
Because he had been suddenly dragged into a strange space, he had not been able to notice it, but what should have been in his right hand had disappeared.
'The sword... is gone?'
Where on earth had the sword disappeared to?
Since he had the memory of it sticking to him like a leech even when he had tried to drop it, Cheon Myeong knew that he had definitely been holding the sword with his right hand.
But what is this?
Since the sword was now gone, Cheon Myeong felt as if he were dreaming.
'I thought that the cause of my becoming like this was related to the radiance that had occurred from the sword...'
Then, if he were to investigate the sword, he thought he might be able to find a way to return.
However, since that very sword had disappeared, Cheon Myeong felt as if he had become a duck egg floating on a river.
'No... there's still one more thing I can think of.'
The voice of a middle-aged man that had echoed in his head when he had drawn the sword.
Cheon Myeong suddenly remembered that fact belatedly.
'Is it that guy? Did the owner of that voice bring me to a place like this?'
If that were true, then why was no one visible?
If he had been called, it would be the minimum courtesy to show himself.
Moreover, if he had been called to a strange place like this, he should not be left alone like this.
"I don't know who you are, but if you called me, come out right now!"
Out of frustration, Cheon Myeong raised his head and shouted.
-Come out right now... come out right now..., come out right no...
Cheon Myeong's shout echoed continuously.
Although he had thought that he might feel a little relieved if he shouted like this, Cheon Myeong soon realized that that thought was wrong.
A feeling of being even more frustrated than before.
Cheon Myeong sighed and lowered his head again.
"...!"
It was then.
Although nothing had been visible in front until just a moment ago.
After shouting like that and lowering his head to look at the front, someone was standing there.
'Did he really appear?'
Cheon Myeong instinctively knew that the person in front of him was the owner of the voice he had last heard.
At the same time, the one who had led him to this incomprehensible place.
Perhaps because even Cheon Myeong had not expected that he would really come out just because he had told him to, he had a rather surprised face.
But soon, as if it were a good thing, Cheon Myeong's face returned to its original state.
'I have to find out from that guy where this is and how he led me here.'
If he didn't answer, he would make him answer even if it meant beating him.
Cheon Myeong thought so and approached the man in front of him.
Halt-
At that moment, Cheon Myeong's steps suddenly stopped.
At the same time, Cheon Myeong's face, which was filled with a question.
Cheon Myeong stopped and began to observe the face of the man in front of him carefully.
'That face... I think I've seen it somewhere?'
Where on earth had he seen it?
If it were a person he knew well, he would have recognized him as soon as he saw him, so the possibility of having seen him only once or twice, passing by, was high.
"..."
A face where a certain dignity was felt.
Although he looked quite old, he felt that his spirit was extraordinary.
Moreover, compared to his gentle impression, there was a sharpness that made one feel that one could not dare to approach him.
The black robe he was wearing seemed to have been originally made for that man, and it suited him so well that it could be said to be one with him.
If he had seen such a man somewhere, he would have surely remembered him even if he had just passed by...
At that moment, as if something had come to mind, Cheon Myeong's two eyes widened.
"...!"
Yes, he had seen that man.
No, to be precise, he had not actually seen him.
Because what he had seen was a painting of that man.
Therefore, he had not been able to grasp the identity of that man right away.
'Cheon Seon...'
The appearance in the portrait hanging at the innermost part of the Heavenly Demon Tomb.
Cheon Myeong realized that the appearance he had seen at that time and the appearance of the man in front of him now were the same.
If so, does that mean that that person is Cheon Seon?
'No, that can't be.'
Cheon Seon was already a person from hundreds of years ago.
Why on earth was such a person in front of him?
Since the person standing there was actually alive and not a painting in a portrait, Cheon Myeong immediately thought that that was absurd.
"..."
No, the fact that he was in a place like this was already far from reality.
Moreover, hadn't he already had an unrealistic experience?
A hundred years ago, and moreover, the fact that he was now in the body of a man he had never known was also sufficiently unrealistic.
"Are you... Cheon Seon?"
After a long silence, Cheon Myeong looked at the man and asked.
If he were to hear the answer to this question, he would be able to know more clearly.
Moreover, if that person were really Cheon Seon, he would have to ask why he had led him to a place like this.
"..."
Even at Cheon Myeong's question, the man still maintained his silence.
Could it be that he couldn't hear his words?
Since he was just looking at him without any reaction, surprisingly, Cheon Myeong had that thought.
"Are you the first leader, Cheon Seon?"
"..."
"...I asked if you are Cheon Seon."
"..."
"I asked if you are Cheon Seon..."
If a person asks, isn't it courtesy to at least blink?
Even at the same question, since the man was really motionless like a stone statue, in the end, Cheon Myeong couldn't hold back and his words couldn't help but become rough.
"If a person speaks, you should listen! Huh? Are you deaf? I've already asked you five times if you are Cheon Seon!"
"..."
"...Are you doing this on purpose? To make me angry?"
"..."
"...Fine, if I beat you with my fists, that mouth will open even if you don't want to."
In Cheon Myeong's words and actions, not even a bit of courtesy for the first leader could be found.
No, isn't the fact that that man is Cheon Seon still uncertain?
Since he thought he had already endured as much as he could, Cheon Myeong rolled up his sleeves and was about to approach the man.
Swish-
It was then.
The man, who had not said a word and had been motionless until now, finally began to move.
'What is it?'
Does he understand now that I said I would beat him?
Cheon Myeong stopped for now and silently watched the man approaching him.
Cheok-
The man stopped right in front of Cheon Myeong.
And his right hand, which was heading towards Cheon Myeong.
Cheon Myeong's gaze naturally turned to the right hand that the man was holding out.
"...?"
What the man was holding out to Cheon Myeong was a sword. And the very sword that Cheon Myeong had pulled out of the ice pillar.
Why on earth was the man, who he had thought had disappeared, holding the sword?
Moreover, since the man was holding the sword as if he were handing it to Cheon Myeong, Cheon Myeong looked at him with an even more puzzled face.
"What is it? Are you giving it to me?"
"..."
"As expected, there's no answer again."
It's better this way.
Did he think that being hit with a fist was weak, that the man was holding out a sword on his own?
If so, then he could use that sword to open the man's mouth.
"I'll take it that you don't want to open your mouth with a fist, right?"
"..."
"Ah, don't answer this. I'll just take it that I've already heard it."
Saying that, Cheon Myeong grabbed the sword that the man was holding out as if to snatch it.
The sword, which had moved from the man's hand to Cheon Myeong's hand.
Cheon Myeong held the sword and immediately got into a stance.
Woong-
It was then.
As a familiar pulsation was felt, Cheon Myeong looked at the sword with slightly widened eyes.
"W-wait..."
A pulsation that began to shake again as if it would explode.
Since he had been dragged to a place like this right after this pulsation had occurred, Cheon Myeong couldn't help but feel anxious again.
"No! I still have business with this guy..."
Flash-!
As if it had already been decided, a radiance flowed out of the sword.
A vision that narrowed in an instant, just like before.
However, at the same time, something began to come to Cheon Myeong's mind.
"...!"
What on earth is this?
Why am I... no, did I originally know this?
To the extent that he had that thought, a new knowledge was now clearly emerging in Cheon Myeong's mind, as if it were being hammered in with a nail.
"The Three Swords of the Heavenly Demon..."
Cheon Myeong muttered unconsciously.
A sword art made up of only three forms.
However, if you perform the first form, all people will tremble in fear at its majesty, and if you perform the second form, they will not be able to overcome their fear and will all kneel.
Finally, if you perform the third form, even the sky will break and will be covered in 'Ma', and that is the Three Swords of the Heavenly Demon.
'Why do I know this?'
Cheon Myeong certainly did not know about this sword art.
However, now he could vividly recall all the movements, sword paths, and even the breathing of the sword art.
As if he had originally known this sword art very well.
At this strange phenomenon, Cheon Myeong could not say anything and could only be blank.
"In the end, this moment has come."
It was then.
Suddenly, hearing a voice from somewhere, Cheon Myeong looked at that side.
'Did he speak?'
Looking at the man standing on the side where the voice was heard, Cheon Myeong thought with a surprised face.
And as if it were not Cheon Myeong's mistake, the man was looking at Cheon Myeong and was continuing to speak.
"Excessive power will shake the harmony of all things, and in the end, it will lead to destruction."
What on earth does that mean?
Although Cheon Myeong could clearly hear what the man was saying, he could not understand what it meant.
Therefore, Cheon Myeong shouted at the man.
"What on earth does that mean!"
"..."
"And who on earth are you! Are you really the first leader, Cheon Seon?"
"..."
"Answer me!"
The man, who was not saying a word again, like a mute who had eaten honey.
Cheon Myeong's vision became even narrower, and the man's appearance also became more and more invisible.
And at that moment, Cheon Myeong could barely hear the man's voice, which was faintly flowing out in the narrowing vision.
"Remember. Using that power is..."
Flash-!
As the light became stronger, in the end, Cheon Myeong could not see anything, just like before.
And the same went for the man's voice.
In the end, Cheon Myeong could not hear any answer from the man.
(End of Chapter)