Chapter 1149: I’ve Done As Much As I Could For Now (Part 4)

An old man sat cross-legged with his eyes closed.

From his waist to his flowing white beard and his chest, even the long white eyebrows and the pure white robe covering his entire body. It was a demeanor that involuntarily brought to mind the phrase "godlike'.

Furthermore, the old man exuded an atmosphere that could not be found in ordinary people. It was an aura that made onlookers involuntarily respectful and humble.

Even those who did not believe in the existence of the divine would have had to acknowledge its presence if they had seen this old man.

The slightly faded lips of the elderly man opened a bit, and a whispered mantra flowed out.

In the dimly lit room, countless flickering candles illuminated, and in the center, a divine-like old man recited the mantra.

The peace and tranquility that had lingered around the old man dissipated at the sound of a sharp creak, as if an old door were being twisted open.

Creak.

The harsh sound mixed with the old man's recitation. However, as if the old man did not hear the sound, he continued reciting the mantra with unwavering composure.

Shuffle, shuffle.

The clear sound of footsteps drew nearer.

As the peace and quiet around the old man were shattered by the approaching footsteps, a low voice penetrated the old man's ears.

"I'm back."

The only one present here was the old man, so undoubtedly, the words were directed at him. Strangely, though, he showed no particular reaction even after hearing those words. The only response he showed was to stop the recitation that flowed like a song.

"It took longer than I thought. Because of those damn bastards."

Each time the voice flowed out, the candles in the room swayed uneasily. However, the settled demeanor of the old man remained unshaken.

"As instructed, I killed him."

A person's death was never a small matter. Nevertheless, the expression of the old man, who remained silent, showed no change.

"But... it seems like I did something unnecessary. I almost didn't have to go."

A slightly sharp emotion seeped through the voice.

"Even if I hadn't gone, he would have died at the hands of the Central Plains bastards."

Instead of answering, the mantra came out of the old man's mouth again.

It seemed difficult for anything to break the old man's composure.

"At the hands of that Mount Hua bastard."

And at that moment, the continuous recitation of the old man came to a pause. 

As the old man kept his mouth firmly shut, heavy silence filled the room where the two men existed. After a long silence, the old man finally spoke in a faint voice.

"Mount Hua...."

With closed eyes, he murmured softly.

"A nostalgic name."

"Hmph."

The man behind the old man, the Heavenly Executioner, frowned as he stared at the back of the old man.

"Still, it seems like those ears of yours can still hear the name 'Mount Hua'."

"Yes. A nostalgic name. I never it would still be around."

A gentle smile appeared on the old man's lips.

"If possible, I'd like to see it once. How Mount Hua has changed now. I hope it has remained the same as it was in the past. Because there aren't many things left that connect me to the past."

At these words, a slight twist appeared on the Heavenly Executioner's lips.

"It hasn't changed much."

"That's a welcoming sound."

"Even a guy like the Sword Saint is there."

It was that moment.

The old man's head, which had remained motionless until now, slowly turned backward. Simultaneously, the tightly closed eyes of the old man opened.

The old man's eyes were significantly different from those of ordinary people.

Crimson like blood, and dark like ink. The moment the eyes, mingled with red and black, were punctuated in the midst of the pure white appearance, the fresh features of the old man changed in an instant.

Anyone who saw the old man now would no longer be able to associate him with anything divine. The eyes were the mirror of the mind. However, in the eyes of this old man, there was nothing but deep and profound darkness.

"...What did you say?"

"Ha ha ha."

The Heavenly Executioner covered his mouth and laughed.

"Did you eat your ears?"

"I asked what you said."

"I said I saw someone like Sword Saint."

"Sword Saint?"

The candles began to flicker. No, strictly speaking, the entire place where the old man was sitting in began to shake.

"The Sword Saint you're talking about. Is it perhaps referring to that accursed bastard?"

"Was there another Sword Saint in the world?"

The head of the old man, who had been calm, began to rise steadily. Watching this scene, the Heavenly Executioner chuckled and then shook his head playfully.

"Relax, Archbishop. It's just a feeling. He was a kid. Yes, just a kid."

"..."

"Well, who knows. After fifty years, he might truly become a person like the Sword Saint."

"It's impossible."

The old man's head, which had risen sharply, sank back in an instant. Regaining composure, the old man spoke in a voice that had become somewhat sharp.

"Because there can't be another guy like that in the world."

"...That statement is correct."

The old man let out a sigh.

"It seems that Mount Hua has revived and is raising someone like Sword Saint again."

"One guy stands out... but there are undoubtedly others showing sprouts. Disgusting people."

"I guess that's how much time has passed."

Regret was evident in the old man's voice.

"A hundred years is by no means a short time. It's not insufficient for a sect whose foundations have disappeared to bloom again and bear fruit."

"While we rot away here."

The corners of the old man's lips curled slightly at the words.

"Heavenly Executioner."

"I know, so spare me the tedious stories. After a hundred years of hearing it, it's getting on my nerves."

The old man silently gazed at the Heavenly Executioner for a moment before turning his head. His gaze fixed forward once again.

"What happened to the practitioners?"

"They simply followed the dull guy's orders, but that doesn't mean they're sinless. They were told to enter the Demon Valley for a month to atone for their sins."

The old man remained silent. In response, the Heavenly Executioner, glancing at his back, spoke bluntly.

"Sure, I also think that youngster was wrong in some ways..."

"..."

"But among the things he said, there's one thing I agree with. There isn't much time left for you and me. If the Heavenly Demon doesn't return before we die..."

"The Heavenly Demon will return."

"Of course. Yes, it will be as you say. However, if He can't find Himself before we die, isn't that no different from not returning?"

"What are you trying to say?"

The old man shot the Heavenly Executioner a sharp look. In response, the Heavenly Executioner twisted a wry smile.

"I used to think that just waiting was proving my faith. However... I started to think that perhaps waiting aimlessly here might be too complacent."

"Even though you repeatedly said..."

"The situation in the Central Plains is getting interesting. A large-scale war is likely to break out. It'll be a massive war that sweeps across the entire Central Plains."

"..."

"Do you understand? Whether we step forward or not, the Central Plains will be engulfed in chaos. Do you grasp what that means?"

The old man's mouth tightened. However, unlike before, his lips were subtly twitching.

"For Him, even that will be a trivial matter. But not for us."

The Heavenly Executioner slightly clenched and unclenched his fist.

"Nevertheless, is merely waiting like this truly enough?"

"It's interesting."

At the interruption of the conversation, the expression on the Heavenly Executioner's face hardened as the old man spoke.

"You mentioned that he was a disciple of Mount Hua, right?"

"The current discussion..."

"I'm getting more curious. After all, he's just someone who hasn't even lived a hundred years, so what kind of person could he have been to shake you up like this?"

"..."

"Well, even if it's just a name, the title of a Sword Saint isn't something you can casually apply to anyone."

The sect despised the Sword Saint the most was the Demonic Cult.

If they could inflict even a small scratch on the Sword Saint's soul instead and fall into Infinite Hell, the cultists would do it without hesitation. This was because the Sword Saint was the one who damaged and destroyed an absolute divinity that should not be dared to be touched.

However, conversely, the place that acknowledged the Sword Saint the most was also the Demonic Sect.

If they disparaged the Sword Saint, then the sanctity of the Heavenly Demon, who had lost his life at the hands of that Sword Saint, would crumble.

That's why the Sword Saint had to exist as an absolute evil that should never be violated.

However, even setting aside doctrinal issues, for those who experienced the Sword Saint during the war, it would be impossible to disparage the Sword Saint. They might be able to curse, scream, and lament, but that was it.

"Listen carefully, Archbishop."

"..."

"I'm not doing this because I want to fight. It's not because I'm bored of this place either."

"..."

"I'm just worried. If numerous people are swept up in that war, even the Great Being who has yet to awaken cannot guarantee his safety. I was going to take some action..."

"It's just a lack of faith in Him."

"...Are you doubting my faith now?"

A glint of vitality surged in the Heavenly Executioner's eyes.

However, the old man simply met the gaze with a calm look. Unshaken, like a tranquil lake.

The Heavenly Executioner's expression subtly twisted.

"It's just that I don't like the idea that how long one can endure and wait has become the measure of faith." 

"That's an excuse."

"Oh, is it?"

A strange tension appeared in the Heavenly Executioner's eyes.

"I'm curious as well. Is it because you truly believe that we should just trust and wait, that he will indeed come looking for us?"

His lips also slowly twisted at the corners.

"Or... perhaps... are you merely afraid, not really convinced that he has been reborn?"

"Quite... "

At that moment, an immense demonic energy surged from the old man. The pure white aura instantly transformed into a dark hue, and a spirit-like aura swirled around his body like hungry ghosts.

"Did you get stabbed where it hurt?"

"Heavenly Executioner!"

"So don't think of stopping me. I only have different thoughts from yours. If you think differently, I will find my own way."

"He... "

"In my last moment!"

The Heavenly Executioner abruptly interrupted the old man's words with a howl.

"I don't want to regret not personally seeking him out at the very moment my breath is cut off. I would rather face a glorious death at the hands of Him when He returns as payment for my sins of moving without His permission."

"..."

"If you can, try stopping me, Grand Archbishop. But the only way to stop me is to kill me."

The Heavenly Executioner turned away.

"That's not a bad option either. Farewell, old friend."

The Heavenly Executioner left the chamber without hesitation.

Alone, the old man stared intently at the door The Heavenly Executioner closed, then let out a deep sigh.

'That's why one shouldn't set foot in the Central Plains.'

It shook the human heart.

That's why he couldn't send other disciples and had to personally sent the Heavenly Executioner, but he had never expected that even the Heavenly Executioner would be shaken.

'Heavenly Demon...'

The old man closed his eyes.

"How can you, who are perfect, understand our imperfect suffering? Please... Please be reborn as soon as possible. Please..." 

Another mantra flowed from the old man's lips. It continued incessantly, like a song, like a sob.