“…They’ve left.”
As Tang Do-yeon murmured in despair, Miss Yeo Il-ye gazed at the retreating cart that the Black Cat, Ho Cheon-an, and Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon were riding in.
Her fist was clenched tightly as she watched the cart disappear into the distance.
Tang So-yeol, noticing the tremor in Yeo Il-ye’s fist, opened his mouth to comfort her.
“Isn’t it fortunate that at least the Black Cat followed along? Two people are better than one, after all.”
“…Yes.”
[You?]
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[Isn’t that a decent proposal? If you’re truly seeking an opponent, I’d have potential too.]
The Black Cat drew up the Nine Yin and showed her stance, and upon seeing it, Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon pondered for a moment before permitting the Black Cat to accompany them.
[Hmm. Fine. However, you won’t receive the same hospitality as a guest of the Demon Sect. Will you still follow?]
[Of course.]
[How interesting.]
Miss Yeo Il-ye, seeing that, declared that she would join as well, but Wi Seoryeon rejected her participation.
[How can a disciple of the Righteous Faction freely enter the Demon Sect?]
“How frustrating.”
Miss Yeo Il-ye muttered while gazing at her sword.
“I thought I had confidence in my martial arts, but it seems it was just a delusion.”
“Miss Yeo Il-ye…”
Miss Yeo Il-ye recalled Ho Cheon-an’s words.
Didn’t he say that she had kept those who had things to do for too long?
Ho Cheon-an’s words resonated deeply in Miss Yeo Il-ye’s heart.
‘Ever since I gained realization from the Honorable Person, I’ve been too negligent with my martial arts.’
Even when seeking revenge or traveling with Ho Cheon-an after finishing her vengeance, she prided herself on never slacking off in her training, but if asked whether she truly dedicated herself to martial arts, she had no choice but to bow her head.
Miss Yeo Il-ye was a disciple of the Jeomchang Faction.
The fastest way for a disciple of the Jeomchang Faction to grow stronger was, of course, to receive guidance from the sect.
However, ever since she left the Jeomchang Faction for revenge, Miss Yeo Il-ye had never once returned.
‘How can a disciple of the Jeomchang Faction claim to hone their martial arts while having left Jeomchang?’
She occasionally received guidance from Hyeok Gi-rin, but since he also had to cultivate his own martial arts, it could not truly be considered the complete teachings of the Jeomchang.
Greed.
She wanted to avenge her parents.
She wanted to stay closer to Ho Cheon-an.
With such thoughts, she kept delaying her return.
“A disciple of the Jeomchang Faction, turning their back on the Jeomchang Faction and indulging only in their own desires—then this powerless state is only to be expected.”
“…Right.”
Tang So-yeol let out a puff of smoke.
“I thought I could just walk alongside and observe, but I must have been too complacent.”
She could have done more. She could have created things to help her companions, yet Tang So-yeol succumbed to laziness.
She was merely content with supplementing hidden weapons and repairing the Bicheongmacha, watching from the sidelines.
The price of that laziness was the current reality.
The Heavenly Demon had swooped in and taken the most entertaining spectacle in the world. Truly, she felt like a dog chasing a chicken.
“What a mess.”
“We shall grow stronger.”
Hyeok Gi-rin stated as he looked back at his gloomy companions.
“I am equally frustrated and saddened. But with our current strength, we cannot resolve this situation.”
“Yes. We must believe in Senior Ho and Miss Black Cat and… grow stronger, right?”
Everyone nodded at Tang Do-yeon’s words.
“It seems I must create some things.”
“I need to aim for horsemanship that even the Heavenly Demon cannot catch up to.”
“I will need to visit the main family and search for anything that might be helpful.”
The group shared their respective goals. Each goal was different, but the determination behind those goals was the same.
To be of help to Ho Cheon-an, whom they hoped to meet again.
The Bicheongmacha, carrying the determined group, began to move.
*
The journey was filled with suffocating silence.
What words could possibly be exchanged between me, the Heavenly Demon, and the Black Cat, all in the same cart?
Wi Seoryeon seemed to be quite accustomed to the silence.
It was clear she was the type of person who wouldn’t feel even a hint of awkwardness if she didn’t speak a word all day.
I sneaked a glance at the Black Cat beside me.
Even if the Black Cat had volunteered to accompany us, what was Wi Seoryeon planning by allowing her to join?
Excluding my confusion about Wi Seoryeon’s intentions, the Black Cat’s companionship was a stroke of luck.
Not just for me, but for the Black Cat herself.
“We should be arriving soon.”
Suddenly, Wi Seoryeon spoke.
– It’s the procession of the Heavenly Demon!
– Step aside!
As a commotion arose outside, people began to kneel and bow one by one.
“Long live the Heavenly Demon! Long live! Long live!”
“Long live the Heavenly Demon! Long live! Long live!”
…Countless people were bowing and shouting “Long live!” towards the open path created for the cart.
Continuous shouts of “Long live!” didn’t cease until the cart came to a stop in front of a grand estate.
In the bustling city, with numerous people using the street, how many were kneeling down on either side?
Easily hundreds, perhaps even thousands—maybe even over ten thousand.
While receiving the adulation of so many, Wi Seoryeon’s expression did not change even slightly.
Once the cries of “Long live!” dwindled and the cart halted, she quietly remarked.
“Welcome to the Heavenly Demon Sect’s headquarters, Black Dragon Castle.”
Seeing her pale face, I wondered if the Black Cat was feeling intimidated by the prestige of the Heavenly Demon.
To soothe her, I lightly patted her back.
“Hmm.”
…Though I was a bit unnerved by the meaningful gaze Wi Seoryeon cast at me, there was nothing I could do about that.
As we dismounted from the cart, the grand estate and the gathered people came into view. There were not just servants, but martial artists as well, all lined up in rows—at least a hundred of them.
“Let’s serve the guests.”
At the word “guests,” an intangible ripple of discipline spread among the orderly servants and martial artists. Though their posture didn’t falter, it felt like all eyes focused on me in an instant.
“See to it that my guests, Ho Cheon-an and that woman, are treated appropriately.”
– Honor!
The martial artists and even the servants responded in unison.
“Let them rest. They must still be feeling the effects of the Black Dragon Qi. Give them a day to recuperate.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Once the Black Cat and I received our assigned rooms and finally let out a sigh of relief afterward.
“Haaa…”
Perhaps the tension had eased, as the Black Cat flopped onto the desk. I too leaned against the backrest and relaxed my body.
Riding in a cart with the Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience.
Even just being in the same space as that ominous figure with jet-black hair and red eyes, who had mastered the Heavenly Demon Arts, was a strain on the mind.
Both the Black Cat and I silently enjoyed a mental repose.
Though the atmosphere seemed ripe for expressing opinions about or murmuring complaints against the Heavenly Demon, this was Wi Seoryeon’s domain entirely.
It wouldn’t be strange to find martial artists lurking on the beams above in this room.
In such a situation, to carelessly speak ill of Wi Seoryeon could elicit who knows what kind of cultivation in retaliation.
I might be safe since I was a guest of the Heavenly Demon, but for the Black Cat, merely being a mere visitor of the Heavenly Demon Sect could lead to an unbearable consequence.
The Black Cat seemed to think similarly, as she didn’t open her mouth either.
After adequately resting, I began to draw in my Qi.
Ssss…
Startled by my sudden action, the Black Cat sat up, but I calmed her with a gesture and continued raising my Qi.
I briefly glanced around to see if my actions might cause a commotion, but there were no noticeable reactions outside.
The marvelous Qi that I had acquired from the Unknown Elder enveloped us both.
“If you have something to say, wouldn’t it be alright to use thought transmission?”
“The Demon Sect has martial arts capable of eavesdropping on thought transmissions. While it’s unavoidable in certain situations, let’s minimize using thought transmission wherever possible.”
“…To think a martial art like that exists—it’s quite fitting for the Demon Sect.”
Though it wasn’t something anyone could easily master and eavesdropping was no simple task, the matter of the stealthy transmission technique wasn’t what was important now.
“First, let’s clarify the situation. Given how things have turned out, you might be fine, but I will likely need to stay in this Demon Sect until Wi Seoryeon releases me.”
“Probably. I am prepared for that.”
I looked into the Black Cat’s shining eyes for a moment. Her gaze held a determination as if she could endure any torture, but the resolve I sought from her was a bit different.
“Hey, Black Cat, have you thought about learning any martial arts from the Demon Sect?”
“…What?”
“Many of the martial arts from the Demon Sect with a yin-like nature would suit you well.”
The Black Cat looked at me as if asking, “What nonsense are you spouting?” but I resolutely continued.
“While the Unknown Elder did give you a bit of guidance on the Black Shadow Qi Technique, using it as your primary martial art is far beneath your potential. Isn’t it time to learn something from a higher level of martial arts?”
“So you want me to learn Demon Arts?”
“No, wait, just hear me out.”
The Demon Sect isn’t limited to just Demon Arts.
And if the Black Cat chooses properly regarding the nature of her martial arts, she could learn them without any side effects.
The Black Cat was born with a special constitution.
For an ordinary person, even a small amount of infiltration from the Nine Yin Qi would freeze their entire body.
But the Black Cat had completely tamed the Nine Yin Qi.
Martial arts that utilized or conjured powerful abilities from Qi can change a person.
Qi affects people in various ways.
The clearer the nature of Qi is, the stronger the manifestation of that nature becomes.
Those who learn ice-based techniques become calm, while those who learn fire techniques tend to flare up easily. It’s a universal truth.
But the Black Cat retained her distinct nature even after fully embracing the overwhelmingly potent Nine Yin Qi.
Changes in hair color?
If someone absorbed Qi in such a manner that they were unable to control it, they would typically fall into the condition called “Losing Control Over Qi.”
A mere change in hair color is just a minor side effect.
She could learn numerous martial arts from the Demon Sect without having to deal with side effects.
This was one of the reasons I didn’t obstruct the Black Cat’s companionship.
In fact, when considering the potential gains, it was much more beneficial for the Black Cat than for me.
The Demon Sect was a land of opportunity for the Black Cat, brimming with chances to grow explosively.
Whether my passionate persuasion worked, the Black Cat seemed to have calmed down a bit.
“Indeed, an advanced martial art would be necessary to raise my level, but…”
“You can just think about it. Whether you can truly acquire a useful martial art is a different issue altogether.”
“…Got it.”
I wanted to chat more, but time was running out for the Qi to remain stable; thus, I released it.
“Alright then, see you tomorrow, Senior. Be sure to practice your inner energy manipulation.”
“Sure.”
It was certain that tomorrow, the Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon could do anything. There was a substantial chance she would insist on competing all day, claiming it would help us grow.
I had to be extremely wary.
After enjoying a hearty meal, diligently manipulating my Qi, and getting plenty of sleep, I welcomed the next day.
Before me stretched a flawlessly arranged schedule.
“The Heavenly Demon has summoned the two of you.”
…It was a meeting with the Heavenly Demon.
