Published at 27th of August 2026 7:15 pm

Chapter 1121: The World of Ascension (51)

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The Magyeong Gate had turned white.

The color of the Magyeong Gate, which had stood atop the hill, had changed—no, it had already changed.

As everyone stood there in shock, bewildered by the sight—

"Division Leader!"

Namgung Jeohwi immediately called out.

At his shout, a man nearby rushed over in a hurry.

"Azure Sky Division Leader, what the hell is going on?"

The Azure Sky Sword Division, the representative sword unit of the Namgung Family. Its leader, Cheon Ilhwan, hastily knelt.

"...My apologies. I will assess the situation immediately."

"Not just assess. You mean to say this wasn’t the case when you were on watch yesterday?"

Since the Magyeong Gate stood atop the hill, the martial artists of the Namgung Family had set up a formation in advance, keeping a vigilant watch.

So if something had changed, a report should have been made immediately.

"...Yes. Up until now, it was definitely still red."

That meant—

It had happened in just a short span of time.

‘What the hell is going on?’

Not only was everyone around me confused, but even I, who had been observing from the side, was shocked.

What is that?

‘A White Gate?’

I had never seen anything like it before.

Not even once had I heard of such a thing.

A White Magyeong Gate?

Of all times...

According to Zhongyuan’s records, apart from the Blood Demon War, there had never been a recorded instance of a White Magyeong Gate appearing.

Even in my past life, Red Magyeong Gates were the worst we had encountered.

I had seen White-Grade Beasts before, but—

‘I have never seen a White Magyeong Gate.’

There had never been a single instance of a Magyeong Gate turning white.

And now, a Grand Magyeong Gate had turned white?

That could only mean one thing—

‘White-Grade Beasts may emerge.’

If the Magyeong Gate’s classification had changed to White, then that meant—

The creatures coming out of it would be White-Grade Beasts.

‘Damn it.’

I bit my lip.

A Red Magyeong Gate was already a serious problem.

And now, a Grand Magyeong Gate had turned White?

‘Is this... somehow my fault too?’

Most of the abnormalities in this era could be attributed to me.

The real question was—

‘Why?’

Why was everything changing like this?

What even is a White Magyeong Gate?

‘I’ve never even encountered something like this before.’

What kind of sudden difficulty spike is this?

I could feel the tension rising in those around me.

"...White?"

"Not Red, but White? Does that mean... White-Grade Beasts will emerge?"

"No way...! Why, of all times—!"

Panic spread.

Faces darkened with growing fear.

It was only natural.

Even a Red Magyeong Gate had put them on edge, filling them with unease and terror.

And now—White?

"Damn it... how are we supposed to—!"

"This is... this is..."

Just as the chaos threatened to spiral out of control—

"Silence—!!!"

Whooosh—!!!

A violent gust swept through the area with a thunderous roar.

The wind howled, carrying an underlying heat.

It wasn’t natural—it was an aura-infused shockwave.

And the one who unleashed it was none other than—

‘Father?’

It was my father.

Standing with his robes billowing, he had released his energy, commanding absolute attention.

"Calm yourselves."

His heavy, unwavering voice silenced the surroundings instantly.

After seizing control of the situation with just his words, his red-glowing eyes scanned the area.

Then, he fixed his gaze on Namgung Jeohwi.

Even Namgung Jeohwi, as composed as he was, visibly flinched under Father’s stare.

"Ah..."

He hesitated for a moment but quickly regained his composure and spoke.

"...We will assess the situation. No one panic. Follow the orders as given. Division leaders, carry out your assigned tasks."

"Understood—!"

The formations immediately reassembled, and a defensive perimeter was established.

As expected of a renowned martial family, they weren’t just a gathering of nobodies.

Even with unease lingering in the air, they moved swiftly.

Before long, several command tents were set up, and personnel were assigned their positions.

Since the terrain was at the mountain’s peak, only a limited number of troops were brought up.

The rest of the forces would be stationed across the mountain, waiting for the inevitable battle.

Once the troops had settled in, Namgung Jeohwi gathered his officers.

"Vice-Commander of the Azure Dragon Division."

"Yes."

At Namgung Jeohwi’s call, my father responded.

"...What do you think of this situation?"

Letting out a slight sigh, Namgung Jeohwi posed the question.

Father, wearing an unreadable expression, simply answered—

"It appears a White Magyeong Gate has emerged."

"......."

He stated the brutal reality as if it were nothing.

At those words, the heads of the major families and the commanders in the tent fell into grim contemplation.

"...White, you say. Truly...?"

Namgung Jeohwi muttered with difficulty.

Beside him, Soi frowned slightly and spoke up.

"Didn’t they say White Magyeong Gates hadn’t appeared since the Blood Demon War? Why is this happening?"

"The moment we confirmed the existence of a Red Magyeong Gate, this outcome was already within the realm of possibility."

"......."

Father cut off Soi’s words without hesitation.

He was right.

They had already confirmed the existence of a Red Magyeong Gate.

Would it really be so surprising if a White one followed?

It was simply a disaster unfolding before them.

"What matters now is how we respond. If White-Grade Beasts truly emerge from within... no one knows what might happen."

Red-Grade Beasts were massive, far stronger than Blue-Grade Beasts, and capable of summoning lesser monsters.

That had already been proven true in Hanam.

Which meant—

"Then... does that mean White-Grade Beasts will follow the records as well?"

White-Grade Beasts were literally considered calamities.

Their mere existence was enough to distort the natural world.

They could turn winter into summer—

Or create a massive river on barren land.

That was the White-Grade Beasts known to Zhongyuan.

And—

‘They’re not wrong.’

From my own experience, I knew their words held truth.

"Then, this force alone won't be enough. Should we request reinforcements—"

"Calling for reinforcements is the logical choice, but... I’m not sure it will help."

"......."

Soi fell silent.

She knew it was true.

If White-Grade Beasts were as powerful as the records claimed—

‘Martial artists below the peak realm will be useless.’

They would only be throwing their lives away like dust in the wind.

The weight of silence fell over the tent.

They had never faced White-Grade Beasts before—

But they had seen Red-Grade Beasts.

They knew just how bad this situation was.

And then—

"Lord Namgung."

Father called Namgung Jeohwi’s name.

He turned, his eyes trembling.

"Is there any way to speak with the Celestial Sage again?"

"...My father?"

"Yes."

Not just Red-Grade Beasts—but White-Grade Beasts.

At this point, they needed the power of the Celestial Sage.

"This isn’t just the Namgung Family’s problem anymore. This could be a crisis for all of Anhui Province."

"......."

Despite those words, Namgung Jeohwi hesitated.

‘What the hell?’

Even now, he was reluctant?

What kind of bullshit situation was this?

"Lord Namgung."

Father scowled and spoke again.

Finally, Namgung Jeohwi clenched his teeth.

"...I will send a message immediately."

Realizing there was no alternative, Namgung Jeohwi prepared to send the letter.

‘At least that’s a relief.’

I had worried that they might take the White-Grade Beasts lightly.

But since they were well-studied martial artists, their reactions were decisive.

‘The problem is...’

Even so, there was still a critical issue with our overall strength.

‘If the Celestial Sage were to come, that would be one thing...’

But that would only apply if the Celestial Sage’s mind was unsealed.

In his current state, it was highly likely he wouldn’t be able to exert his full power.

‘Hmm...’

In that case—

‘Do I need to step in?’

As I tapped my fingers against my waist, lost in thought—

"Baek Yangcheon."

"...Yes?"

Father suddenly called my name.

Startled, I looked up, meeting his piercing red gaze.

"Do you know something?"

"Huh...?"

I was caught off guard.

Did I know something?

Out of nowhere?

"Well... I mean, this is my first time experiencing this too."

What was his intent in asking?

I answered hesitantly, my eyes shifting slightly.

Father nodded.

"I see. Understood."

And he didn’t ask again.

‘What the hell?’

That reaction...

I couldn’t understand it.

Did he think I knew something?

How?

I felt a chill crawl up my spine.

Had Father sensed something from me?

I was about to say something when—

"Excuse me—."

"Lord Namgung—!!"

A soldier burst into the tent, panting heavily.

"T-The Magyeong Gate—something's wrong!"

"What?!"

Something else had happened.

Something absolutely miserable.

**********

"Move carefully!"

A countless number of people hurried along the road.

Caravans, carts filled with supplies, and refugees stretched in an endless line.

The sheer number of people was overwhelming—

A sea of desperate individuals, fleeing for their lives.

Their destination?

A Martial Alliance branch near Anhui Province.

Fear and dread were etched onto their faces.

No one expected to be forced onto the road like this.

Among them—

"Keep your veil on. Don’t take it off just because it’s uncomfortable."

"I got it!"

Mi Horan sighed as she spoke to the white-haired woman beside her.

The woman smiled brightly, pressing her veil down.

Seeing her carefree attitude, Mi Horan let out an involuntary sigh.

"Would you like one too?"

Another voice joined the conversation—

A beautiful woman, Hyun Soyeon, was offering a sweet snack to the smiling woman.

"I want one!"

"Hahaha."

Hyun Soyeon chuckled as if she found the reaction adorable.

Watching the scene unfold, Mi Horan frowned deeply.

‘What’s so great about this?’

How could they smile in this situation?

She was baffled.

‘Haa...’

How the hell did I end up in this mess?

And why was I even doing this?

It felt utterly ridiculous.

‘All of this is...’

Because of that damn man.

That selfish bastard who acted like the world revolved around him.

Because of him, she had even cried.

And that was humiliating enough.

But to make things worse—

‘And now I’m even going along with his request?’

I was actually helping him take care of another woman?

It was laughable.

"Haa..."

Mi Horan exhaled deeply, extending her hand.

As annoying as this was, she still had to do her part.

"What are you doing? Hurry—"

She reached out, trying to keep the woman from wandering off again.

But then—

"...Huh?"

Mi Horan froze, staring at the woman.

She wasn’t moving—she was staring straight ahead.

"What’s wrong?"

The woman simply pointed toward the distant mountains.

That was...

The place where he was.

"What about it? That’s—"

And in that moment—

KUUUUUUAAAAAAA—!!!

"—!!!"

"Hiiik!"

"Urgh!"

The ground shook violently.

A massive earthquake erupted beneath them.

"What the—!!"

Mi Horan snapped to attention, stabilizing her stance.

She moved to shield the woman, ready to react—

But then—

"Oh...?"

She turned toward the mountain—

And froze solid.

"What the hell...?"

Above the mountain—

Something unnatural was happening.

"The clouds...."

The sky was twisting.

The clouds were spiraling, coiling toward a single point.

An ominous, unnatural vortex had begun to form.

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