Chapter 35

Chapter 35

***

Cheonma’s red eyes moved. Aku Ryun bowed his head.

“I know a place not too far from the entrance that might be suitable for her to hide in.”

“Speak.”

“If you keep going to the right at the first crossroads, you’ll find an open area. The ground is hard and won’t collapse easily, so tell her to stay there. It’ll be close enough to walk to with Young Miss’ steps.”

“How do you know that?”

“Ryun.”

“I’ve been there.”

“Do you mean you’ve stepped into the labyrinth?”

“Yes.”

“It must have been frequent enough to remember where the open area was.”

“……Yes.”

He replied calmly, as if he had given up. Surprised, the elders opened their eyes.

Looking at their reactions, Aku Ryun swallowed a bitter smile.

The labyrinth in the closed training center was the only way out of the sect.

However, revealing this now made it impossible to escape.

It was against the rules to enter the labyrinth so he would be punished for breaking the rules. Cheonma would no longer allow him to train in the closed-door training center.

All his efforts turned into nothing instantly, but it wasn’t a waste when thinking that this was for the sake of the child.

When did I become like this?

When it comes to that child, this doesn’t feel like a loss.

‘I was trying to stay away from you for fear of this.’

Realizing that it was already too late, Aku Ryun calmly endured Cheonma’s gaze.

“I’m saving the child with your help. Even so, the price of breaking the rules is great.”

“I’ll accept it.”

“I’ll punish you later.”

“Thank you.”

Cheonma immediately sent the message to the child.

And as soon as the promised time with the child passed, he moved on.

Explosive techniques.

A demonic skill that melts the earth and covers the sky with ash, turning the earth into hell.

The heat of the explosive energy, which began with his hands, stretched out to the entrance of the cave.

His red hair fluttered like a willow in a storm.

The rock melted by the heat turned into black sludge, flowed down, and hardened.

Cheonma stopped using his explosive powers until the inside of the training area, which had turned into complete chaos, was clearly visible.

It was because he couldn’t feel the energy of the child.

Cheonma focused his mind and searched for the child’s energy again.

However, it was impossible to detect the child’s energy. It was as if it had suddenly disappeared.

“The energy of the child…… disappeared.”

“Really? No way!”

Later, the elders’ expressions as they looked at the child’s signs were horribly distorted.

Did the cave collapse? Or was she caught in the explosive before she could reach the place?

Cheonma clasped his fist. His nails dug into his palms, but he didn’t feel anything.

‘My child…’

The evil magic didn’t miss the moment when his mind was weakened and emotionally agitated.

Even in the slightest gap, it penetrated like smoke and captivated his mind.

And manipulated him to destroy everything.

Thus, all the sect masters learned how to dull their hearts with martial arts.

The same was true of Cheonma.

He had been killing his emotions by learning the magic, and had come to the point where I felt nothing.

Until the child came to him.

Cheonma closed his eyes. The image of the child came to mind in front of his closed eyes.

The bright smile of the child suddenly changed.

Illusion.

The dark magic was digging into his mind.

The sound of Cheonma’’s breathing became rough.

He tried to control his breathing, but it wasn’t easy.

Huk!

A hot wind swept around him. The flames of the dying explosion started to burn again.

The elders around quickly escaped and shouted.

“My Lord! You must not lose your reason!”

“Think of Young miss! I’m sure she’s waiting for the sect master down there!”

Ugh!

Red blood dripped from Cheonma’s mouth. It’s because he had bit down on his tongue to stay focused. Nevertheless, the feeling of madness has not disappeared.

[If there is no child, I don’t need anything!]

[If the child disappears, everyone must die!]

[Kill!]

[Burn everything up!]

His head was boiling. Killing intent emanated from his body. Killing intent rushed to his neck so he couldn’t breathe.

Something cold cooled his head when he couldn’t stand it anymore.

Ice flower.

The chill felt in the hair accessory was very weak. But that alone was enough to disperse his anger.

‘Calm down. The child is alive. She’s alive.”

Cheonma concentrated again.

The elders held their breath and waited for him to open his mouth.

After a time that felt like eternity, Cheonma slowly opened his eyes.

Cheonma’s calm gaze was fixed on the cave that had an unsightly entrance.

“I caught onto the child’s energy.”

“But it is dim as if it were blocked. We don’t even know how far away she is.”

“Is it true?”

“You’ll see when you get in.”

The Xi King opened his mouth without delay.

“I’ll escort you in, Sect Master.”

“I’ll take the lead!”

“Then I’ll take the back.”

With the Xi King at the front, everyone stepped forward. They made a fuss on what the order of the procession would be.

It was possible that they could wander into the labyrinth and get lost as a group.

If the Heavenly Horse, who couldn’t find the child, went wild, they would die.

That would be the end of the sect.

The house where the roof and pillars are missing is bound to collapse.

But there were no elders who spoke of the safety of the sect.

At that time, Aku Ryun, who was looking at the cave with silent eyes, bowed his head.

“Teacher, I’m coming, too.”

When the elders stepped up, Cheonma, who didn’t say anything, raised his hand for the first time.

“I disapprove. Stay and protect the sectl.”

“Me!”

Unlike him, Aku Ryun exclaimed and breathed in.

“I told you about the open area. I’ll take you there.”

“I’m sure Young Miss isn’t far from the open area. Sp I have to be there to find her quickly.”

Cheonma turned away without answering.

Since then, ten elders and Aku Ryun have followed.

But they had no choice but to stop before reaching the entrance.

This is because the ground shook like an earthquake.

Boom! Boom!

There was a roar from underground. Then, they felt an unknown energy.

Raw power. Not refined at all.

It was approaching at a rapid pace.

The elders’ expressions immediately sharpened.

Gathering their qi at the same time, they kept an eye on one place. The center of the vibration.

The wind froze and even grassworms held their breath due to the power of the elders.

Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!

Suddenly, as the ground cracked, a huge creature soared and flew into the sky.

A long body that was about thirty meters in length.

Scales as smooth as a meteorite. Rhombus gray eyes, red tongue sticking out like a whip between thin lips.

Chiiiiiii!

Every time the body moved in a winding manner, the scales rubbed and a strange sound rang.

“I…Immoogi?”

It must have been Immoogi, a legendary creature.

The elders who were mesmerized by the sudden appearance of the snake opened their eyes dimly.

“But… don’t you think there’s something stuck to Immoogi?”

“Is there something wrong with my eyes? I think I’ve seen it somewhere…..….”

“Well, it looks small, but it’s strangely cute, just like my lady……!”

The elders, who were talking blankly, closed their mouths with ominous foreboding.

Don’t tell me…

Then, Imoogi flew their way.

The elders who were preparing for the attack stiffened. Because there was an incredible sound.

“……grandpas!”

That was not what Imoogi said.

The little thing on the back of Immoogi waved at them and shouted.

“Dad!”

Only then did the screams of the elders who identified the little thing split the sky.

“Young Miss!”