“Word has it that you’re getting a little too full of yourself.”
The one who reacted fiercely to Wi Seoryeon’s challenge to a match was surprisingly Hyeok Gi-rin. His eyes were filled with an unusually chilling aura.
“I simply avoided the fight because I had more important matters to attend to. Did you think I was cowering in front of you?”
Come to think of it, there were plenty of reasons for Hyeok Gi-rin to hold animosity towards Wi Seoryeon.
It was only natural that the Righteous Faction and Demon Sect would be enemies, and beyond that, Hyeok Gi-rin had his own reasons to dislike the Demon Sect.
As mentioned before, the Demon Sect was made up of lawless individuals. The Outcast Faction at least pretended to uphold the law, while the Demon Sect members completely disregarded it.
No matter how good-natured Hyeok Gi-rin was, coming from royal lineage and the Righteous Faction, it would be strange for him not to harbor ill feelings towards anyone from the Demon Sect.
“Are you that eager for a fight…?”
Hyeok Gi-rin looked at me with a puzzled expression because I hastily extended my hand to stop his words.
I shook my head silently.
From Hyeok Gi-rin’s perspective, I must have looked strange.
In fact, in this situation, it was in everyone’s best interest for Hyeok Gi-rin to step forward. If Wi Seoryeon and I ended up fighting, it would inevitably create a complicated relationship between us.
It would have been the best option for the one with the highest skill level in our group, who was already considered an enemy, to take charge. However…
Engaging in a fight with the Heavenly Demon in the first place was a foolish strategy.
“I have no desire to fight you. If you have something to discuss, I will listen.”
So it was better to avoid the fight if possible.
However, Wi Seoryeon appeared to have no intention of doing so.
She was looking at me with the gaze of a predator eyeing a sumptuous prey.
“You have no right to refuse, Ho Cheon-an.”
Of course, she would say something like that.
“I have already made my decision, so if you wish to stop me, come and try.”
And this is why Demon Sect members are troublesome.
Those Demon Sect members, who refuse to listen to anyone weaker than themselves, are the kind of annoying individuals who always need to sort out their hierarchy if somehow they get involved.
The problem was that the target for that hierarchy sorting was one of the top predators in the Martial World, the Heavenly Demon.
Feeling a surge of killing intent from behind, perhaps stimulated by Wi Seoryeon’s outrageous words, I glanced back and saw sparks in my companions’ eyes. If they were true members of the Righteous Faction, they might have already drawn their swords and started a brawl.
I let out a long sigh.
“Fine.”
“Senior!”
“Outcast!”
“Honorable Person!”
“My Disciple, I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“That’s right. There’s no reason to accept a challenge.”
My companions seemed ready to run away if I refused. I could sense their concern about getting involved with Jeong Cheol and the Demon Sect.
In fact, contrary to the title of “Heavenly Demon,” Wi Seoryeon’s martial arts skills were not overwhelming.
Currently, the Heavenly Demon’s martial arts skills were at the Peak Stage.
She might be roughly on par with me.
Noticing Wi Seoryeon’s martial skills, my companions likely thought that with this level, they could easily evade her using Bicheongmacha.
However, if that were the case, this Heavenly Demon would undoubtedly mobilize the Demon Sect’s martial artists to pursue us without hesitation.
The Heavenly Demon means business.
The Heavenly Demon Arts successor, Wi Seoryeon, was no different, so even if she missed us here, she would continue to send her lackeys after us.
In that case, it was better to settle things cleanly here and now.
Swoosh.
I would take down the Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon right here.
* *
“Once I mastered the Heavenly Demon Arts, I had no suitable opponent.”
Since becoming the Heavenly Demon, Wi Seoryeon had never faced a worthy rival.
She was blinded by the honor of defeating the successor of the Heavenly Demon Arts without even being aware of her own capabilities or the danger presented by her opponents.
She had not met a proper rival at all.
Heavenly Demon Wi Ji-cheon spoke to Wi Seoryeon in a calm tone, as if to express that mastering the Heavenly Demon Arts meant that was how things were.
And indeed, it was.
The opponents in front of Wi Seoryeon had all been boring.
Was this the fate of the Heavenly Demon?
One day, while calmly accepting this reality, Wi Seoryeon could see Wi Ji-cheon smiling and opening and closing his fists.
She was struck by how long it had been since she’d seen such a vibrant expression; it was so ingrained in her mind that she was starting to forget.
If there was something that could infuse vitality into Wi Ji-cheon, perhaps I could feel such stimuli too.
With that thought, she pursued Ho Cheon-an’s back and ultimately found herself face to face with him.
Could Ho Cheon-an truly serve as a source of stimulation?
As she pondered this, Wi Seoryeon unleashed her aura without hesitation. In an instant, her Qi colored the surroundings, causing unease among Ho Cheon-an’s companions.
Black Dragon Qi.
The ominous energy that was merely confined within Wi Seoryon’s body seized control of the atmosphere. The Qi, dark and red, took on the form of wings as it swelled, producing an overwhelming presence that transcended humanity.
Seeing her companions overwhelmed by the unleashed Black Dragon Qi, Wi Seoryeon felt little thrill.
Those who witnessed her releasing the Black Dragon Qi had always reacted this way.
What mattered was Ho Cheon-an’s response.
Seeing the look in Ho Cheon-an’s eyes made Wi Seoryeon involuntarily blame the Heavenly Demon.
“Father is really indifferent.”
Wi Seoryeon smiled as she looked at Ho Cheon-an in front of her.
Ho Cheon-an brandished his sword, launching an oppressive aura that truly sent chills down her spine.
How long had it been since she felt such a threat?
Even when faced with the ferocity of the enormous Black Dragon Qi that made her want to rip someone apart, Ho Cheon-an remained unfazed.
He must be feeling the tremendous pressure and threat of a giant black dragon looming before him, yet his eyes remained fixed, searching for openings.
From the sharp glint in his cold gaze, Wi Seoryeon understood Ho Cheon-an’s determination.
No matter how massive the creature in front of him, he would seek to strike at its vulnerable spot.
Acknowledging the dragon’s superiority and accepting his own inferiority, he nonetheless held an unwavering will to never concede defeat.
That fire in Ho Cheon-an’s eyes sent a tingling sensation down Wi Seoryeon’s spine.
“What a delightful Master and Grandchild to discover and enjoy all alone.”
Crack.
Electric sparks flew from the tip of Ho Cheon-an’s sword. In that moment, Wi Seoryeon momentarily set aside her enjoyment and focused all her attention.
Ho Cheon-an’s aura began to swell dramatically.
The moment he filled his entire body with inner energy to unleash Ilroe, Wi Seoryeon thought.
“Is this the result of insight? Or just coincidence?”
Territory competition for experts was a significant factor.
The more one occupied an area, the more it would automatically put them in a superior position.
Most people who encountered the Black Dragon Qi would typically choose to expand their territory.
The energy of the Black Dragon was clearly unusual, so it was understood that protecting oneself came first, even if they had to sacrifice their inner energy.
However, Ho Cheon-an restricted his territory to the minimum defense.
Though it seemed as if he had mastered a fatal one-hit martial art, it was an extreme choice for someone who had such skills.
His intent was transparent: to end things with a single blow, even if the Black Dragon Qi were to tear him apart.
And that choice proved correct.
“It’s too late to reclaim the spread-out energy.”
The ferocious Black Dragon Qi was rash and aggressive; while it could strike quickly, it didn’t heed commands when on the defensive. Wi Seoryeon, who had mastered the Heavenly Demon Arts, still had a few inexperienced areas.
So instead of forcing herself to fill in those gaps, Wi Seoryeon decided to maximize her strengths.
The blood-red Black Dragon Qi shrouded the space between Wi Seoryeon and Ho Cheon-an.
Her intent was simple.
“If you’re aiming for a fatal blow, come on and try to pierce through the Black Dragon’s domain.”
Wi Seoryeon looked at Ho Cheon-an as she spread her aura.
What choice would you make?
Ho Cheon-an’s choice was straightforward.
Crack-o-woosh!!
He unleashed Ilroe, rapidly closing the distance.
The movement of Ho Cheon-an’s strike, propelled by Ilroe, was as swift as lightning, yet his actions were akin to throwing himself into the lion’s den.
Ho Cheon-an charging directly toward Wi Seoryeon infuriated the Black Dragon Qi, which immediately lashed out at him.
The Black Dragon Qi sank into and tore through his whole body. Ho Cheon-an pushed through the encroaching Black Dragon Qi with relentless determination.
“Impressive.”
The Black Dragon Qi indeed tore into Ho Cheon-an’s entire being.
His actions were akin to casting himself as prey into the jaws of the Black Dragon. However, that bait was too resilient for the Black Dragon to swallow completely.
Teeth of the Black Dragon Qi sank into Ho Cheon-an’s body.
Yet, his inner energy control only wavered slightly; he did not lose his way.
In a situation where even ordinary martial artists should have lost control of their inner energy due to the penetrating Black Dragon Qi, Ho Cheon-an skillfully maintained his Ilroe.
Having faced countless impurities and overcome overwhelming obstacles throughout his journey, Ho Cheon-an had been trained to manage his inner energy under any circumstances.
Finally liberated from the impurities, it was no easy feat to maneuver his inner energy around the Black Dragon Qi lodged within his body.
But it was not impossible for Ho Cheon-an, who had conquered numerous overwhelming hurdles.
“Superb.”
As Ho Cheon-an reached her, unleashing a thunderstorm, Wi Seoryeon felt genuine admiration.
Since becoming the Heavenly Demon, no one had ever shaken off the Black Dragon Qi like this and unleashed their own powerful aura.
No one.
In that moment, Wi Seoryeon acknowledged Ho Cheon-an as a martial artist.
So, she clenched her fist and assumed a combat stance.
The Black Dragon Qi was undoubtedly one of the most powerful energies in the world.
But the nature of Qi was merely one of the achievements attained through martial arts training; it could not be referred to as true martial arts.
For the opponent she acknowledged, Wi Seoryeon unleashed her true martial art.
The Supreme Divine Skill, which could challenge the strongest in the world.
Heavenly Demon Divine Fist. First Strike.
Pacheon (Breaking Heaven).
The clash of her fist, infused with the Black Dragon Qi and Ilroe, created an explosive collision.
Kwaaaaaaaang!!!
The massive collision between two Peak Stage powers sent shockwaves rippling around them, creating an incredible explosion that carved into the earth and splintered stones while kicking up a thick cloud of dust.
In that moment of impact, Ho Cheon-an sensed the impending outcome.
He thought there was a chance of winning. Even while being bitten by the Black Dragon Qi, he had endured through the challenges he faced and somehow managed to preserve his inner energy, successfully unleashing a single strike.
Though Wi Seoryeon’s Pacheon seemed formidable, he gritted his teeth and tried to withstand it. Regardless of her being the Heavenly Demon, immense energy had been unleashed, and in a head-on confrontation, he would surely be on the defensive.
As he and her fist met, the scattering Black Dragon Qi converged in an instant.
In that moment, Ho Cheon-an realized.
The reason the Black Dragon Qi struggled to transition to a defensive stance was due to its aggressiveness. But could the spread energy be deemed defensive if it was about to revert to an attack?
“This is utterly absurd.”
As the gathered energy merged with his strike, the Cham Am Sword broke cleanly in two, and Ho Cheon-an lost consciousness.
