Chapter 347: Heavenly Demon (1)

Heavenly Demon (天魔).

A demon that descended from the heavens one day.

The master of the Demonic Cult, who sought to devour the entire Central Plains and dye it blood-red.

A monster who killed the Three Lords, said to have transcended humanity, all single-handedly.

Until the moment he was killed by the Divine Sword Wi Seol-ah.

He was known as the master of the Demonic Cult, and even as a villain, he was called the greatest under heaven.

It couldn’t be helped.

Every step the Heavenly Demon took, the ground he stepped on rotted away.

Just by breathing, he exuded an aura that pressed down on his surroundings.

The difference in level felt so immense that one couldn’t even properly perceive him.

Paradoxically, just by the Heavenly Demon’s presence, one could feel an immense aura.

Just facing him made one want to bow their head, a presence one might feel from an Emperor (帝王).

The Heavenly Demon’s existence itself was like that.

Master of Myriad Demons (萬魔).

The master and origin of the countless demonic cultivators spread beneath the heavens.

If one recalls the reason the Demonic Cult could invade the Central Plains in an instant.

It was ultimately due to the demonic energy (마기) used by demonic cultivators.

Demonic energy (마기) is a fatal aura for martial artists.

The moment it seeps into a martial artist’s body, it takes root in the dantian.

That root grows in size, quickly blocking the channels through which internal energy (내기) flows.

Internal energy (내기) that no longer flows smoothly becomes a major problem for using martial arts.

Moreover, not only does it block the internal energy (내기), but it also gradually causes the body infused with it to rot away.

For martial artists, demonic energy (마기) was like a potent poison.

The Heavenly Demon was the source of the demonic energy (마기) used by such demonic cultivators.

He was a god-like being who bestowed powers upon some of them.

Appearing by tearing through dimensions above the Murim Alliance.

Declaring that he would now cause a Blood Calamity.

His smiling face, as if daring them to stop him, was still etched in my memory.

Brushing back his long hair.

His gaze, floating in the air surrounded by energy, looking down upon the masses.

It held a chill that seemed capable of turning the bright daylight instantly into night.

The eyes from that time.

And the gaze I face now are no different.

“Why…”

The Heavenly Demon, who should have appeared years later, was standing before me now.

Though he looked younger than back then, and his expression was different-alluring and confident then.

That being was undoubtedly the Heavenly Demon.

Dudududuk….

The small amount of demonic energy (마기) within my body is stirring.

As if resonating.

This alone was enough to recognize the being before me as the Heavenly Demon, but.

What convinced me even more was his eyes.

Black hair that barely reached his shoulders.

Skin that looked unnaturally pale.

His emaciated body looked like it would snap if bumped, but what I was seeing was undeniable.

I was staring only at the face of the person before me.

Along with a face identical to Wi Seol-ah, who is currently in my arms.

And the purple eyes within them.

The Black Night Palace Lord’s eyes were also purple, but.

They were different from the Heavenly Demon’s.

The purple eyes shone more distinctly, filled with an unknown energy.

They were like jewels, really.

Meaning they were that beautiful.

However, no matter how beautiful they were, the energy they emanated was not beautiful.

‘Heavenly Demon.’

Knowing the being before me was the future disaster I feared so much.

I felt nothing but dread.

‘Why.’

Kkwak.

I tightened my grip on Wi Seol-ah’s shoulder, pulling her closer into my embrace.

Seeing that, the Heavenly Demon tilted his head, still gazing at Wi Seol-ah.

Her nose, eyes, and mouth were identical.

The Heavenly Demon was unnaturally thin, and the color of his hair and eyes were different, but.

All other external aspects were the same.

Truly strange.

To a degree that made one wonder how that was possible.

And.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one surprised.

The figure slumped behind, covered in blood, was also looking at Wi Seol-ah with surprised eyes.

“Two heavens…?”

I looked to see who it was and was surprised to find it was the Black Night Palace Lord.

I don’t know why he was sitting there with his entire body pulverized, but.

Judging by the aura he emitted, it was definitely the Black Night Palace Lord I met before.

‘He wouldn’t show up when I was looking for him…’

This was my first time seeing the Heavenly Demon in this life, at the Black Night Palace.

The Black Night Palace Lord was holding the Heavenly Demon, and I last saw him disappear through the Demonic Gate of Mirrors (마경문) that opened behind him.

After that, how much information did I release trying to find the Heavenly Demon and the Palace Lord?

Where on earth did they hide so well that I couldn’t find any trace, only to meet them here suddenly?

“How… is that…”

The Palace Lord was still staring at Wi Seol-ah in my arms with a dumbfounded expression.

Of course.

How could he not be surprised when they looked so alike?

The Heavenly Demon was also looking at Wi Seol-ah with a peculiar gaze.

Feeling that stare, I pulled Wi Seol-ah closer into my embrace.

As if trying to hide her.

Just then.

“Young Master…”

Wi Seol-ah’s fingertips wrapped around mine. Her touch made me tremble involuntarily.

I lowered my head and looked at Wi Seol-ah.

Wi Seol-ah’s Golden Eyes (금안) were also looking at me.

“I’m okay.”

“…What?”

Her sudden words of reassurance made me ask again involuntarily.

Okay about what?

“I’m fine. Let me go.”

“…!”

Was holding her tightly with a stiff body the problem? I loosened my grip slightly at Wi Seol-ah’s words, but.

I couldn’t let go completely.

Feeling that, Wi Seol-ah pushed against me with a little force, trying to break free.

If it were up to me, I would have kept holding Wi Seol-ah, but I couldn’t because of the eyes I saw just before.

Wi Seol-ah, having broken free from me, gradually began to stand up.

Then she faced the Heavenly Demon.

Sreureung.

She pointed the tip of the sword she held. The sight of their identically shaped faces facing each other in the same space felt unnatural.

Wi Seol-ah, facing him, opened her mouth as she looked at the Heavenly Demon.

“Who are you?”

She didn’t seem flustered even seeing a face identical to her own.

Of course, the Heavenly Demon was no different.

Sabak.

Hearing Wi Seol-ah’s words, the Heavenly Demon took a step forward.

My nerves were on edge with even that small movement.

I fully extended my senses, focusing solely on the Heavenly Demon.

Ready to react no matter what happened.

Though, I wasn’t sure if I could actually react.

Wi Seol-ah also gathered her energy upon seeing that movement.

A clear golden light.

So bright it felt like a stark contrast to the Heavenly Demon.

Even while facing such energy, the Heavenly Demon’s expression remained serene.

To be precise, it was as if he paid no attention to Wi Seol-ah’s energy at all. The Heavenly Demon’s steps were not towards Wi Seol-ah.

Towards me.

The Heavenly Demon was approaching me.

Seeing that, Wi Seol-ah’s eyes flashed, and she swung her sword. As if not allowing him to approach.

Swish-!

The sword cutting through the air was fast.

A golden trail remained in the path of the pure energy-filled sword strike.

An unwavering sword path, without any hesitation.

But.

Sssshhh-!

Black energy instantly shot out from the Heavenly Demon’s feet, deflecting the sword.

Ting-!

The clear sound of metal striking echoed. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Demon didn’t spare even a glance towards Wi Seol-ah.

The moment I saw it, I was certain.

It was demonic energy (마기).

The energy the Heavenly Demon had just emitted was the purest demonic energy (마기) imaginable.

Briefly caught in the demonic energy (마기), Wi Seol-ah twisted her body, evading the blast.

The energy erupted in the form of thorns, similar to the technique used by the Black Night Palace Lord, attacking Wi Seol-ah.

But Wi Seol-ah’s agile movements easily dodged them.

And then.

‘…Move.’

Watching that, my body inexplicably refused to move.

Kku-uk.

“…Gk…”

When I tried to gather my energy, my body wouldn’t obey.

To be precise, the demonic energy (마기) lodged in a corner of my dantian was running wild.

This was different from when my internal energy (내기) solidified upon seeing the Black Dragon Sword’s transformation earlier.

This time, the demonic energy (마기) was interfering.

As if delighted to meet its true master, it was rampaging within my body.

It was the same as last time.

The day I encountered the Heavenly Demon at the Black Night Palace.

When the demonic energy (마기) within me moved as if screaming at the Heavenly Demon’s gesture.

Its true master had appeared.

Was it refusing to obey me now?

‘Why aren’t you helping me now?’

Back then, perhaps it was because that beastly fellow howled and deterred the Heavenly Demon.

The demonic energy (마기) quickly subsided, but.

That damned beast.

It had howled and hindered me just fine earlier.

But now, it wasn’t howling.

‘Is it really hindering me?’

Suppressing the scream threatening to burst out, I tried desperately to move my body.

I couldn’t stop now.

Wasn’t he right before my eyes?

The being who would plunge the world into a Blood Calamity years later, the very one who would turn me into a demonic cultivator and ruin my future life.

Everything I had done, running around desperately to stop that monster.

Breaking through the Demonic Mirror (마경) to find the key to opening the Profound Realm (화경), crossing over to the mortal realm to raise my cultivation level.

Everything I had done, relentlessly searching for fortuitous encounters.

It was all to stop the Heavenly Demon.

‘Shit.’

To finally reach the Profound Realm (화경) only to be forced to my knees just by facing the Heavenly Demon.

It was unbelievable. I couldn’t let it happen.

Moreover.

Wi Seol-ah met the Heavenly Demon right before my eyes.

That was the situation I desperately wanted to avoid most in this life.

Geugeuk-!

Flashes erupted everywhere.

The golden-hued sword tip swung rapidly.

Consequently, countless lines appeared and disappeared in the air repeatedly.

It was enough to instantly understand how much effort Wi Seol-ah had put in.

A resolute and pure sword path.

If someone told you she was a girl who knew nothing of martial arts just a few years ago, no one would believe the brilliant growth she displayed.

Pak-!

The footwork stomping the ground was powerful.

Kkung!

She dodged the emerging thorns and swung her sword.

A perfect counter.

However.

Sseugeuk!

“…!”

The Heavenly Demon’s energy remained completely unscathed.

The demonic energy (마기) was as hard as steel.

Furthermore, the Heavenly Demon still hadn’t even looked at Wi Seol-ah.

Kkadeuk.

The sound of Wi Seol-ah grinding her teeth could be heard. Still, she seemed intent on continuing to swing her sword.

Suddenly, the Heavenly Demon turned his head and looked at Wi Seol-ah.

Simultaneously, a single gesture. With fingertips slicing gently through the air.

Paahhh-!

“Gk!”

Wi Seol-ah was swept away by the energy emanating from the Heavenly Demon.

Seeing that, I immediately got up.

“Wi Seol-ah!”

As I stood up, a tearing pain shot through my body.

Was it because I forcibly broke free from the demonic energy’s (마기) restraint?

I ignored it. I had to catch the flying Wi Seol-ah quickly.

I threw myself forward.

No, I tried to.

Kwak-!

If the Heavenly Demon’s slender hand hadn’t caught me.

My arm, trying to move, was caught by the Heavenly Demon.

My body’s strength drained away instantly.

Kkung.

My knees buckled. My body desperately trying to move.

And yet, the strength draining away conflicted, making it barely possible to kneel.

The moment that happened, a sense of futility washed over me.

Sick of this.

I thought I had tried hard enough, yet I was utterly powerless.

Was it because of the demonic energy (마기) contained within my body?

Or perhaps fundamental fear?

Whatever the reason, my body, which had reached the Profound Realm (화경), had become utterly helpless.

I tried to shake off his hand somehow, but.

I couldn’t break free from the Heavenly Demon’s grasp.

He wasn’t holding me tightly. He was probably just making a show of holding me.

Yet, strangely, I couldn’t resist the Heavenly Demon.

How could this be?

I had used a lot of internal energy (내기), and I was a bit tired from combat, but it shouldn’t be this bad.

‘…Bark, please just bark.’

I lamented inwardly.

I urged the beastly fellow, who had been barking so well earlier, to exert some strength again, but.

For some reason, there was no reaction.

Especially not at this moment.

“…What is this?”

A voice reached my ears.

A low voice, similar to Wi Seol-ah’s.

It was the Heavenly Demon’s voice.

I turned my eyes to meet the Heavenly Demon’s purple gaze.

It was a brilliant hue.

So beautiful it momentarily stole my attention, but the emotion welling up in my throat was not something so pretty.

“You…”

“…!”

Kkung-!

As if responding, the demonic energy (마기) within my body began to rage even more fiercely.

“Kuhuk.”

“What are you?”

Was it trying to burst out?

The backlash from the demonic energy (마기) was too strong.

It had listened obediently until now, but was it going to betray me now? Bullshit.

“What are you?”

The Heavenly Demon only uttered words filled with questioning, regardless of my reaction.

Every time I heard that voice, my body felt like it would explode.

“Heavenly Demon… what does that mean?”

Was he repeating what I muttered earlier?

The Heavenly Demon asked me in a voice laced with curiosity.

I was in no state to answer, trying to suppress the demonic energy (마기) threatening to burst from my throat.

The helplessness of being crushed by a non-entity was immense.

It made all my efforts feel futile.

As the desire to give up began to creep in.

Swish-! Kwaduduk-!

Suddenly, a powerful energy flew towards the Heavenly Demon.

The energy swept through the surroundings, blasting everything in its path.

Yet, the Heavenly Demon, who seemed completely unharmed, released his grip on me and distanced himself.

Despite the vast and powerful energy.

It caused no damage to me, who was nearby.

“Huff… huff.”

Released from the pressure, I exhaled the pent-up breath.

Then, with eyes bloodshot from exertion, I scanned the direction the energy had come from.

There.

Wi Seol-ah was walking over, brushing off her somewhat torn clothes.

Her expression was contorted in anger.

And the golden energy had changed.

“Take your hands off.”

It was a sharp tone I had never heard from Wi Seol-ah before.

Wi Seol-ah’s unique golden energy was now mixed with a faint white aura.

‘That…’

I recognized that energy.

How could I not?

That was the energy Wi Seol-ah displayed in her past life.

“How dare you touch him with those filthy hands.”