Three months.
It’s been three months since I started living in the Demon Sect.
The Black Cat diligently visited the commission office to gather Military Currency, while I strengthened myself by adding various martial arts, competing with Wi Seoryeon every week.
Of course, I never won even once against Wi Seoryeon.
I made progress every week, but Wi Seoryeon anticipated my developments and countered them.
In the end, my record was 12 matches, 0 wins, and 12 losses, but Wi Seoryeon was satisfied with my growth shown in every duel.
Whether it was thanks to that or not, my entry ticket to the Heavenly Demon Library remained valid.
Not to mention my martial arts, I also had the bonus of discovering martial arts that the Black Cat could learn along the way.
It seemed Wi Seoryeon noticed that I was looking for martial arts for the Black Cat, but she just dropped a hint and didn’t specifically discourage me.
I wondered if Black Cat and Wi Seoryeon were getting along well in their own way.
“So, how’s it going?”
“Not bad. Hmm… I never thought I’d say this, but the Demon Sect is a lot more decent than I expected.”
After roaming around the Demon Sect for three months, the Black Cat expressed her thoughts with a strange expression.
“Well, that’s to be expected. Organizations that lack structure don’t last long. Didn’t you have some information about the Demon Sect?”
“Of course, I knew some information about it… but I thought there would be some blood-stained secrets hidden within the core layers once you get closer to them.”
Various emotions crossed the Black Cat’s face: confusion, disappointment, relief, and so on.
It meant that the Demon Sect she imagined was different from the actual Demon Sect.
“Meeting various martial artists makes me feel completely deceived by the Heavenly Demon.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at those words.
It’s true that the portrayal of the Heavenly Demon Sect by Wi Seoryeon must have been a shocking concept for the Black Cat.
Instead of pursuing the School of Ascension, I sought my own path.
A romantic saying that stimulates a person’s ambitions.
“The martial artists in the Demon Sect aren’t too different from those outside either…”
The disappointment in the Black Cat’s unusual grumbling was undeniable. She must have expected the Demon Sect to be full of martial artists who walked their own paths based solely on the Heavenly Demon’s words.
I comforted her and corrected her misconceptions.
“Well, maybe it didn’t meet your expectations, but didn’t they all mix their martial arts in their own way?”
“…That’s true.”
“If you want to meet those who pursue their own martial arts like you wish, you might need to look for opponents with a lower level.”
“Ugh… don’t throw that harsh reality at me.”
The Black Cat plugged her ears and frowned. I chuckled at her expression.
Not pursuing a martial path but rather walking one’s own.
A path filled with sharp thorns just as much as the thick romance.
Reaching the peak stage known as ‘Peak Stage’ while navigating that thorny path is no simple task.
In the end, even the martial artists of the Demon Sect who reach a high level must have walked an efficient path.
Those who pursued the principles of martial arts.
“Not everyone can just pursue ideals. One cannot overcome brute strength with romance, right? You can’t just discard rational choices because you want to chase after romance.”
Brute strength cannot overcome military currency.
Every time one transcends a stage, the rank of a martial artist greatly elevates. A solid peak stage might surpass a mediocre Hwa-gyeong, but a typical peak stage won’t defeat an average Hwa-gyeong.
Martial artists of the Demon Sect also had to pursue level increases, and for level increases, they needed to acquire the School of Ascension.
So, for martial artists pursuing romance rather than ascension, they are forced to preserve some secrets of ascension while gradually modifying them to fit themselves.
However.
In this world, no matter how absolute the standards are, exceptions exist.
And that exception is exactly the Heavenly Demon.
A being that can climb to the top of the mountain of martial arts according to their own whims.
And the shoes that make that possible are the Heavenly Demon Arts.
The supreme martial arts that allow one to surpass the universally applicable criteria of the world.
“The Heavenly Demon Arts mastered by the Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon are rare exceptions. If you judge the martial artists of the Demon Sect based on Wi Seoryeon, you’ll surely be disappointed.”
“That might be true.”
The Black Cat, perhaps recalling Wi Seoryeon, nodded in understanding.
In fact, the Heavenly Demon Arts can’t unequivocally be seen as pure martial arts.
What exactly are martial arts?
They are learned to become strong.
To sharpen oneself for the goal that the martial arts present is what we call learning martial arts.
In other words, martial arts can be seen as something to develop oneself in order to reach higher places.
Yet, the Heavenly Demon Arts are different.
The Heavenly Demon Arts are not learned to become strong; only the strong can learn them.
One could say it’s a reversal of the typical martial arts notion.
As I contemplated the Heavenly Demon Arts, I wryly smiled.
In fact, the actions I was taking now also amounted to a reversal of the typical notion.
In the past three months, I had grown stronger day by day.
Thanks to my enhanced focus from the Soul-Connecting Heart Method, I was handling Ilroe steadily, and I had reached both the Three Shadow Magic and Four Extremes Trust based on strengthening my ankles through the Golden Iron Foot Technique.
Additionally, I also added several martial arts principles, significantly enhancing the stability and power of the Enlightened Cloud Thunder Technique.
I could confidently say that I had become strong enough to win against myself from three months ago.
However.
My level hadn’t grown compared to three months ago.
To use a game analogy, it’s like my level stayed the same, but my combat power skyrocketed.
“Hmmm.”
As I was nearing the end of the enhancement process of the Enlightened Cloud Thunder Technique with various martial arts principles and applications, I felt the time for a decision was approaching.
Should I witness the climax of the Enlightened Cloud Thunder Technique like this?
Or should I choose rising martial arts or the Divine Skill from the Heavenly Demon Library and take a different path?
I recalled the Unknown Elder in my mind.
The Unknown Elder was undoubtedly my future self.
And that elder certainly achieved that absolute realm based on the Enlightened Cloud Thunder Technique.
However, the current me is not the Unknown Elder.
There’s no guarantee that I could walk down the path that the Unknown Elder achieved.
Most importantly, I had many options right now.
Numerous rising martial arts and Divine Skills on the first and second floors.
All of those were vividly present in my mind’s eye.
“Egh.”
I shook my head and let out a sigh.
Whether I had options or not, I’d find a way to worry, so it seems I was fated to fret no matter what.
At that moment, a light tremor passed through.
It was a signal from outside, directed at me and the Black Cat who were chatting in the central room.
“Who’s coming?”
“Who do you think? It’s obvious!”
Seeing the Black Cat speak in a sharp tone made me smirk.
Indeed, who else would come to find me if not Wi Seoryeon?
Wi Seoryeon often visited to engage in conversation.
At first, we primarily discussed martial arts, but lately, when Wi Seoryeon was about to leave, we would occasionally chat about various personal matters.
I patted the Black Cat.
“Well, they’re a guest, after all.”
“Cheh, it seems like the other side isn’t thinking that way.”
The Black Cat grumbled with a grimace.
Gone was the expression of acknowledgment and admiration she’d shown towards the uniqueness of the Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon, replaced by a visibly bristling black cat.
It seemed Wi Seoryeon also thought well of the Black Cat to some extent.
Despite their mutual acknowledgment, whenever they met in the same space, they engaged in a fierce form of rivalry, which was quite the puzzling situation.
“Anyway, I have to open the door, so I’ll release the barrier.”
“Cheh.”
With the Black Cat’s complaints trailing off, I released the barrier and stood up.
Opening the door revealed Wi Seoryeon with a serious expression.
Seeing such a face on Wi Seoryeon, I instantly felt that something was amiss.
I had never seen her display such a tense expression, always presenting a relaxed demeanor.
And with Wi Seoryeon’s next words, I couldn’t help but stiffen my expression as well.
“Your father is calling for you.”
…It seemed a ticking time bomb had finally gone off.
*
Heavenly Demon Pavilion.
“I see the master of the Heavenly Demon Sect.”
“I see the master of the Heavenly Demon Sect.”
Accompanied by the Black Cat and Ho Cheon-an, Wi Seoryeon came to meet the Heavenly Demon and, upon seeing him, bit her lip.
The gloves she usually wore to cover her hands were missing today, exposing the injuries underneath.
“Alright.”
The Heavenly Demon Wi Ji-cheon looked at the tense Black Cat, the composed Ho Cheon-an, and the lip-biting Wi Seoryeon, before considering Ilroe.
A streak of lightning left by the Unknown Elder had been lurking in the wound.
‘It’s been long.’
The Heavenly Demon thought as he looked down at his hand.
The very small abrasions that had pierced from the back of his hand to his palm had now completely healed.
He never expected it would take this long just to heal that small injury.
‘But it was brief.’
The Heavenly Demon clenched his fist. The pain that had pricked him with every fist he squeezed was gone now.
He could no longer feel the stimulation that had brought on boredom.
The absence of that realization made the Heavenly Demon feel an unusual emptiness.
“Do you know why I called you?”
“…Is it because the deadline you mentioned before has come?”
“That is correct.”
The Heavenly Demon gazed down at Ho Cheon-an, recalling the Unknown Elder.
Had that individual planned this situation all along?
Even the Heavenly Demon couldn’t swiftly come to a conclusion about it.
He just repeated a certain phrase he had thought of three months ago in his mind.
‘Is it destiny?’
The Heavenly Demon silently opened his mouth to explain everything; Jeong Cheol’s tip-off, the exchange of notes with the Unknown Elder, and the significance of the injury left by the Unknown Elder, along with the present situation.
Surprise, shock, and a sense of crisis flickered across the faces of the Black Cat, Ho Cheon-an, and Wi Seoryeon as they absorbed everything.
“Normally, it would be right to inform Jeong Cheol of this situation right away.”
However.
The Heavenly Demon decided to give Ho Cheon-an an opportunity.
“Yet, dealing with it that way weighs on my mind. Because even though you’ve clearly come to this Demon Sect, handling it like that would be extremely disadvantageous for you.”
“What do you intend to do then?”
Wi Seoryeon stepped in to ask Wi Ji-cheon.
“I will return what your master left behind.”
…What the master left behind?
A question mark appeared on Ho Cheon-an’s face.
With the drawing formation, the only items that could be left behind were those that ended up on the altar. Even if there was something exchanged between the Heavenly Demon and the Unknown Elder at that time, that item should have long since disappeared.
The Heavenly Demon opened his mouth to clarify Ho Cheon-an’s questions while extending his palm.
“Hmm…?”
“What is that?”
Curiosity glinted in everyone’s eyes.
On the palm of the Heavenly Demon was a small piece of lightning radiating a distinct yellow light.
A fragment of lightning no larger than a grain of millet.
For a moment, silence fell over the pavilion.
When they pieced together the context of the story, they could surmise that this fragment of a lightning aura was the power left behind by the Unknown Elder in his wounds.
However, the three were completely baffled by the Heavenly Demon’s intention of offering it.
Were they really going to give such a fragment? But what could that possibly mean?
As if reading their confusion, a rare smile of irony appeared on the Heavenly Demon’s face.
“Look.”
The fragment of lightning began to levitate in the air.
And the next moment.
“Ugh!”
“Gah!”
“Ugh!!”
The three recoiled, gasping in surprise.
The Heavenly Demon had unleashed the Black Dragon Qi in earnest. Just that alone was enough to overwhelm the three who had reached the peak stage.
The Black Dragon Qi wasn’t aimed at the three; it was thoroughly enveloping the lightning fragment.
All were left gaping at the Heavenly Demon’s exquisite technique, as the lightning fragment, encased in the shape of a sphere… was undoubtedly Gang-hwan.
A perfect sphere crafted using the Gang-hwan!
As everyone was captivated by the Heavenly Demon’s skill in handling the form of Gang-hwan,
Crack!
The interior of the sphere released volatile sparks.
Crack, crackle!
And the bursts of light soon began to radiate from deep within the Black Dragon Qi.
Boom!!!
There was no audible sound, but it was definitely the explosion of Qi.
What had once been a small piece of lightning condensed within was now being unleashed in a cataclysmic explosion!
Ho Cheon-an, the Black Cat, and even Wi Seoryeon were all overwhelmed by the immense outpour of Black Dragon Qi erupting in an instant.
They hurriedly tried to gather their Qi, but it was as if they were trying to hold up an umbrella against a tempest.
Caught under such overwhelming force, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and brace themselves as they gazed towards the sphere.
The Gang-hwan, made of Black Dragon Qi, was trembling as if it would burst at any moment.
“Haaah!”
Wi Ji-cheon shouted, reaching out an arm. However, the Gang-hwan, which seemed as though it would explode at any moment, gradually grew more solid and began to condense slowly.
While the lightning was raging violently, the Heavenly Demon Wi Ji-cheon sincerely exerted his all-out effort to stretch the Gang-hwan.
Nevertheless, Ho Cheon-an, the Black Cat, and Wi Seoryeon watched repeatedly, swallowing their dry saliva as they observed the process unfold.
Every time the lightning rampaged, a colossal energy rippling through the air echoed against their bodies.
Thud! Thud!!
The insatiable rampaging of the lightning finally culminated in two shockwaves before it shriveled completely.
The Black Dragon Qi sphere constructed with Gang-hwan shrank down until it was smaller than a glass marble, ultimately reaching the size of a grain of millet.
The Heavenly Demon fully reclaimed the Black Dragon Qi and drew the lightning back into his palm.
The three stared at the tiny fragment of lightning, swallowing dryly.
Although it looked no different from before, the fragment appeared entirely different to the three of them.
Who knew such power was hidden within this tiny fragment?
Ho Cheon-an lamented late in realization.
“Given that monstrous Heavenly Demon failed to heal his injuries until now, I should’ve figured it out!”
“Do you understand what it means to give this lightning essence?”
“…Of course.”
Ho Cheon-an’s answer piqued the interest of Wi Ji-cheon.
Even though he couldn’t instantly recognize the lightning essence, he could glimpse its essence.
Wi Ji-cheon found that aspect intriguing.
“Then, please tell me.”
“The true value encompassed in that lightning essence isn’t the power itself, but rather the way to manipulate it.”
“Indeed.”
Wi Ji-cheon smiled with satisfaction.
“This lightning essence is the limit of lightning techniques filled to the brim, bursting forth to waste all the energy in an instant. The method of manipulating the lightning that overcomes this limit will bring you significant achievements even without fully grasping the entirety of this energy.”
“…Yes.”
“Now, we’re getting to the main point.”
A mischievous smile spread across Wi Ji-cheon’s face.
“If I were to give you this lightning essence, what would you be able to give me in return?”
