The encounter with the Heavenly Demon was shocking.
The shock of witnessing the Heavenly Demon in person was profound, but what lingered in my mind after the meeting was only the Heavenly Demon’s meaningful demeanor and the fact that she had met the Unknown Elder.
Wait, wasn’t the elder only in the Array Formation?
The answer came from the Black Cat through a transmission.
– On the last day, the Unknown Elder escaped from the Array Formation. At that time, I thought he only intended to vanish from our sight or scout for enemies outside… but it seems he went to meet the Heavenly Demon.
Gradually, I began to understand the situation through the Black Cat’s message.
Jeong Cheol had leaked information about the Unknown Elder to the Demon Sect to monitor him, and the Heavenly Demon likely came to confirm the Unknown Elder’s strength after receiving Jeong Cheol’s information.
And in that process, the Heavenly Demon and the Unknown Elder had negotiated some sort of deal.
The Unknown Elder probably asked the Heavenly Demon not to interfere between me and Jeong Cheol, and it seemed the Heavenly Demon accepted that request.
I had no way of knowing the details, but one thing was certain.
There was a time constraint to the promise made between the Heavenly Demon and the Unknown Elder.
If there wasn’t, there would have been no need to mention calling again later.
“Did you deceive me?”
Right after the meeting with the Heavenly Demon, I immediately confronted Wi Seoryeon.
Assuming Jeong Cheol’s actions and discovering the deal between the Unknown Elder and the Heavenly Demon, it wasn’t difficult to guess how Wi Seoryeon found me.
What would the Unknown Elder and the Heavenly Demon be up to?
They were the type that itched to have a match whenever they saw a capable martial artist.
Wi Seoryeon came to me out of nowhere to challenge me to a match; would the Heavenly Demon have been any different?
Of course, they must have had a match.
And Wi Seoryeon found out that the Unknown Elder and the Heavenly Demon had fought.
I wasn’t sure how she got the information, but it was clear that while investigating the Unknown Elder, she had also turned her gaze toward me.
“For now, I owe you an apology.”
Wi Seoryeon neatly bowed her head to me.
“As you saw, my father is honoring the promise with your master thoroughly. He hasn’t said a word about what happened, even to me. That’s why I could only move based on speculation regarding related matters.”
“That’s why I believed the deal with Jeong Cheol was completely over. Hence, I invited you as my guest to the Demon Sect. However, seeing my father’s demeanor today, that was not the case, and I unintentionally caused you trouble.”
“…It’s alright.”
It was true I was surprised by the unexpected situation, but honestly, the Heavenly Demon had somewhat supported me.
In the end, she had provided a clue as to what might happen.
If she had intended to maintain strict neutrality between me and Jeong Cheol, she wouldn’t have given me this hint.
Still, perhaps it was just a little consideration for her daughter’s guest.
“Given the situation, let’s start training right away. I don’t know how much time my father mentioned will last, or what will happen when that time ends, but wouldn’t it be best to prepare as soon as possible?”
“…That’s good.”
“Follow me to the Training Hall.”
*
In the Training Hall, Ho Cheon-an and Wi Seoryeon faced each other.
The Black Cat watched the two from a distance.
Wi Seoryeon had no intention of allowing the Black Cat to observe, but with Ho Cheon-an bringing up today’s events, she had no choice but to nod.
The Black Cat silently focused, observing the two.
This was a setup arranged by Ho Cheon-an.
It was an opportunity to learn from the Heavenly Demon, so it couldn’t be wasted.
“What do you think the Demon Sect pursues in martial arts? What do you think is the difference between the martial arts of the Heavenly Demon Sect and those of the Martial World?”
Having some knowledge of the Heavenly Demon Sect from the game, Ho Cheon-an had a general idea of what martial arts meant.
However, rather than bragging about that knowledge, Ho Cheon-an spoke his honest thoughts.
“The difference in practicality? Or perhaps the attitude toward martial arts?”
“A decent answer, but that is not the essence.”
The Heavenly Demon elaborated on what the Heavenly Demon Sect pursues in martial arts.
“To add to the essence of martial arts.”
“Hmm.”
To add, huh.
The Black Cat couldn’t quite grasp Wi Seoryeon’s enigmatic answer.
Ho Cheon-an also knew a bit but didn’t completely understand, so the Heavenly Demon continued explaining.
“Do you think the higher-level martial artists learn several martial arts?”
“They wouldn’t learn various ones. I’ve heard the Demon Sect freely transmits martial arts.”
“That’s right.”
The Black Cat pondered while listening to their conversation.
Is that what it means to add? Sure, knowing many martial arts would let you adapt to various situations.
However, Wi Seoryeon’s next statement far surpassed the Black Cat’s imagination.
“For your level, let me give you an example. The martial artists of the Demon Sect learn at least over a hundred martial arts before achieving the Peak Stage. I myself acquired hundreds of martial arts before receiving the Heavenly Demon Arts.”
Wi Seoryeon picked up a sword prepared in one corner of the Training Hall.
“What about the martial arts of the Righteous Faction? People follow the forms of martial arts and the meanings they contain. Most teachings from the sect have been proven right, and they adjust themselves to that proof.”
Wi Seoryon began performing swordplay.
The Black Cat watched Wi Seoryon’s swordplay and thought.
Can this truly be called martial arts?
No matter how diverse the sword techniques, they will always revolve around a few key principles.
However, the swordplay Wi Seoryon was demonstrating had different principles for every move.
Usually, elevated martial arts are compared to rivers, mountains, winds, or seas.
That’s because elevated martial arts aim to implement the principles of martial arts that can be compared to nature.
Legacy, Taeguk, Plum Blossom, Buddha, Lightning, Shadow.
The subjects may vary, but each martial art contains the principles that one aims to realize.
That had been the Black Cat’s understanding until now.
However, the Black Cat felt none of that rationale in Wi Seoryeon’s swordplay at all.
The Black Cat sensed her conventional understanding being completely shaken.
The swordplay, devoid of even a trace of martial principles, approached as an unyieldingly fierce force.
Even seamlessly receiving a single move seemed incredibly daunting.
“This first strike is from the Soul Rebirth Tossing Demons Path.”
“This move is a combination of the Spirit Ascendant Rebirth and Heavenly Illusion Shadow Blade.”
“The next three strikes will be based on the Spirit Ascendant Stealing Heaven Blade, the Crow’s Transformation Method, and the Integrity Shadow Fist.”
No principles of martial arts guided Wi Seoryon’s swordplay, yet her moves were completed with ferocity like no other.
“The martial artists of the Demon Sect learn and refine new martial arts every day, acquiring and discerning what’s needed, turning it into their own or discarding it.”
The essence of “ma” is to add.
The Black Cat realized what Wi Seoryeon meant by adding.
To add to oneself.
Rather than aiming for any specific target, one absorbs the fragments of martial knowledge deemed necessary to pursue their true self.
The Black Cat understood why Wi Seoryon’s swordplay was so fierce while lacking any martial arts principles.
She displayed herself independently; what principles could be discerned behind that?
It was only natural that all that was visible was Wi Seoryeon.
“Instead of waiting for the arrival of the enlightenment of martial arts, I grow and persevere to take a step forward.”
Even if there is no path, or perhaps unable to find one.
Even if it might not be a path.
Or even if it leads away from the path.
Still, I grow and walk forward.
“Someone might look at me and say, ‘That’s the wrong path.’ What you’re walking isn’t the righteous way and shouldn’t be pursued. Yet, in wandering around, you’ll merely become a demon.”
Steps do not always move forward. Sometimes they may lose direction and head toward unknown places. If the path is smooth, there’s no concern, but what lies ahead can be a burning pit or a cliff.
Perhaps through relentless walking, instead of progressing, one might regress.
Hazards exist in reality.
But even aware of those risks, one takes a step forward.
“Then I shall respond, even if this step I’m taking now leads me to become a demon, I will continue this step until I reach the heavens.”
Reflecting on Wi Seoryeon’s words, a single term emerged in the minds of Ho Cheon-an and the Black Cat.
Heavenly Demon.
“The path of martial arts must surely have been walked far enough.”
That said, the Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon pointed her sword at Ho Cheon-an.
“From now on, I shall teach you how to nurture yourself.”
