Chapter 350: Heavenly Demon (4)

That was the first sensation upon becoming a demonized person.

Everything from head to toe was burning hot.

It wasn’t the heat from the Fire Arts (Hwagong) I harbored within my body.

Even more so than Fire Qi (Hwagi) or Battle Qi (Tugi), which are already known for their rough energy, Demonic Qi (Magi) is far more belligerent.

It seeps into a martial artist’s body.

And ultimately, blocking the flow of Qi and causing it to rot is because…

…it dislikes any energy other than its own circulating within the body.

Just like the Heavenly Demon, who was called the source of Demonic Qi.

The meaning of ‘Supreme Being Above All Men’ flows through there.

And becoming a demonized person means…

…becoming a body capable of using such Demonic Qi, and…

…it means Demonic Qi can mix with martial arts to unleash even more intense power.

The ceaselessly boiling hostility of the Demonic Qi.

As it assimilated with my body, my body couldn’t help but heat up.

“Hoo.”

The heat naturally emanates.

A body heated not by Fire Arts, but solely by belligerent energy…

…offers another sensation.

Those experiencing this sensation for the first time get consumed by the energy and fall into madness.

As for me, I’ve experienced such things until I was sick of it.

I’ve taken considerable measures to avoid suffering that fate.

‘Stay still if you don’t want to die.’

Ssssuuuu….

When I applied strong pressure inwardly, it quieted down as if possessed by a spirit.

There’s one reason Demonic Qi runs wild.

It’s because it acts separately from its master’s will.

Since Demonic Qi was originally a power granted by the Heavenly Demon, the Demonic Qi might not consider the demonized person its master.

So, I subdued it early on.

I established my position, telling it, ‘I am your master, know your place.’

Although I almost exploded and died wrestling with the rampaging Demonic Qi,

I ultimately resolved it.

‘Is it severed?’

Did the line connecting the Heavenly Demon and the Demonic Qi break?

Even looking at the Heavenly Demon now, I don’t feel the same resonance as before.

‘This easily?’

The thin line I saw when I intended to become a demonized person.

It seems something changed the moment I severed it.

Could it have been something achievable so simply?

‘As if.’

That’s ridiculous.

If it were that easy, I wouldn’t have been rolling around in my previous life.

You mean I could have severed it if I wanted to? What a damn shame.

It’s simply a change.

One among the countless changes felt since entering this life.

And I vaguely sense that someone unknown to me has intertwined their wishes within that change.

I felt like I vaguely understood.

“…N-no…”

My gaze turned towards the startled voice.

It was Wi Seol-ah, covering her mouth with both hands and looking at me in shock.

I examined the white aura still surrounding her and the power gathered at her sword’s tip.

And then I looked up at her face.

Her appearance was indeed the Wi Seol-ah I knew, but…

Her eyes.

Seeing the way she looked at me made me frown.

The subtle difference emanating from it bothered me.

“You stay right there.”

“…”

Wi Seol-ah flinched at my words.

“It seems we have a lot to talk about.”

“…Ah.”

I could see Wi Seol-ah’s large pupils trembling.

Since her eyes were big, I could see things like that clearly.

Come to think of it, what do my eyes look like now?

Are they red, or perhaps purplish?

Swish.

I touched my face with my hand, but there was no way I could know.

To offer a slight impression, my skin, which should always be hot with overflowing heat, felt cold.

Inside, I feel like I’m gradually heating up due to the nature of Demonic Qi, but my skin is cold.

This contradictory sensation.

I’m feeling it after a long time.

Thump.

I turned my head towards the presence approaching before my eyes.

There stood the Heavenly Demon, with distinct violet eyes, looking up at me.

“…Ah.”

It wasn’t that I didn’t sense the approach.

I simply saw no hostility, so I let it be for the time being.

This is also a difference.

Being able to sense whether the Heavenly Demon harbors hostility or not, and…

…feeling the Heavenly Demon approach without feeling fear, only tension.

“How did you do it?”

Pronunciation that sounded slightly slurred yet precise reached my ears.

Was the Heavenly Demon’s way of speaking always like this?

Or is this how they are in this era?

“Do what?”

“That.”

The Heavenly Demon’s fingertip pointed towards my dantian.

“My… How did you do it?”

I wondered what they were talking about.

It seemed they were referring to severing the connection that linked me to the Heavenly Demon.

Or perhaps, it was about the Demonic Qi Absorption technique (Mado Cheonheupgong)?

Seeing this reaction, can I really assume it was severed?

“Why is that yours?”

“It’s mine.”

As I conversed briefly with the Heavenly Demon, a strange emotion brushed past me.

It’s because I’ve never conversed like this before.

Their facial features are clearly visible.

Unlike before, when their features were somewhat blurry, only recognized as looking identical to Wi Seol-ah.

The Heavenly Demon’s appearance feels much clearer.

Their somewhat vacant-looking gaze, and…

Conversely, eyebrows that seem displeased about something.

Even their distinctly visible violet eyes (Ja-an).

Was it always this way?

The being I feared so much now felt strangely close.

Is it because they resemble Wi Seol-ah?

That can’t be it.

-I am the Heavenly Demon.

It’s likely because many things are different.

Both the current Heavenly Demon.

And the current me.

‘Was it always this way?’

The Heavenly Demon was a being whose confidence pierced the heavens, like the meaning of ‘Supreme Being Above All Men’ transformed into human form.

The current Heavenly Demon is different, very different.

“That’s mine.”

The way they whine as if displeased.

And their shimmering hair whenever that happens.

-Master.

So different from her who used to look down at me.

‘Can it really be like this?’

Recalling when the Heavenly Demon appeared in my past life.

I was just past my late teens, barely a few years into my martial path.

Could this young being have changed so much within that time?

‘Maybe they aren’t the Heavenly Demon.’

Such thoughts flicker, but they are meaningless delusions.

Can’t I feel it through my skin right now?

The nonsensical energy contained within that small body.

So immense that it concealed its presence, making it difficult to properly perceive.

I looked into the Heavenly Demon’s eyes.

The way they glared, still looking displeased.

It’s the same look they had when snatching sweets from Wi Seol-ah.

For such a pushover to become the Heavenly Demon later on.

Is this act just an act?

Perhaps.

But it doesn’t matter.

“You say it’s yours? No, it isn’t.”

I fully draw up the Demonic Qi in my body.

It reached the upper dantian in an instant.

An energy faster and more violent than my own Qi.

Synchronizing with the martial arts I use to secure a much stronger position.

That’s the advantage of Demonic Qi.

The Demonic Qi surging up my shoulders quickly spread into the air.

“What… is that…”

The Black Night Palace Lord (Heukyagungju), watching while spitting blood, wore a somewhat despairing expression.

The Heavenly Demon’s eyes widened.

Is it because the energy emanating from my body is familiar?

The spread Demonic Qi revealed its true nature.

The instinct of Demonic Qi is domination and greed.

The energy, spreading as if to claim the surroundings as its own, rose into the sky.

And mixed with the black curtain.

Grrr… Grrr.

Then.

It began to gnaw away at the curtain covering the sky.

Feeling that flow, I opened my mouth, looking at the Heavenly Demon.

“It’s mine now.”

The Demonic Qi flowing through my body now does not belong to the Heavenly Demon.

Although its source may have begun with demons, or the Heavenly Demon’s authority, the Demonic Qi Absorption technique…

…pierced my heart.

…contained within my body.

…and I suppressed the Demonic Qi, stole its will, and imprisoned it.

It was mine now.

“…”

The Heavenly Demon remained silent after hearing my words, then…

Slide.

They reached out a pale white hand towards me.

I wondered what they intended to do, but…

I had no intention of complying willingly.

Grip.

Just before the Heavenly Demon’s hand reached my face, I grabbed their wrist.

It was a slender wrist, thin enough to be completely enveloped by my hand, even though mine isn’t particularly large.

The moment the Heavenly Demon and I touched…

Kiaaaaaaaah-!

The Demonic Qi within my body suddenly screamed.

This wasn’t the feeling of trying to return to the Heavenly Demon from earlier.

This time, it was hostility that surprised even me.

Just moments ago, it was fucking trying everything to go back, and now suddenly this bullshit?

This is absurd, truly.

Ha.

As I sighed inwardly in disbelief, it felt like the violent reaction of the Demonic Qi wasn’t just on my side.

Giaaaaaah!

Perhaps the Heavenly Demon also experienced an unexpected recoil, as they quickly withdrew their hand from me.

Their surprised eyes were quite a sight.

It means the Heavenly Demon can make expressions like that.

“…”

Their eyes, stroking their wrist while looking at me, were unusual.

Seeing those eyes, I drew up even more Demonic Qi.

It grew in size, consuming the black curtain.

It was incomparable to the power used moments ago to break through with Red Sky (Cheokcheon).

More than half of it had been consumed.

However, the sky visible beyond wasn’t red.

It was a deeper black than the curtain’s color.

This was the effect of the Demonic Qi and my own Qi mixing within my body.

So now, instead of Red Sky (Cheokcheon)…

Should I call it Black Sky (Heukcheon)?

‘Whatever.’

It’s baffling why martial arts incorporating the concept of ‘black’ inevitably become subpar, knowingly or unknowingly.

It was like that in my past life too, and I really hate seeing it.

Fwoosh.

Contrary to my thoughts, I manifested black flames around my body.

It was for the upcoming battle with the Heavenly Demon.

‘Can I defeat the Heavenly Demon here?’

Honestly, I’ve never thought about it.

I did think we’d clash someday. Wouldn’t we?

If I truly decided to take the place of the Divine Sword (Singum).

It means I would eventually have to block the Heavenly Demon in place of the Divine Sword.

Is it now?

‘It’s too early.’

Much faster than expected, but strangely, I feel no hesitation.

Perhaps it’s fortunate.

Rather than the Heavenly Demon who was close to their complete form.

It would at least be easier to kill this young Heavenly Demon right now.

I spread my palm.

Fwoosh!

The black flames surrounding my body gathered onto my palm.

As the energy coalesced, a flame prison (Yeomok) of the same color was formed.

I can feel it.

That it’s much stronger than the flame prisons I usually unleash.

It was power that, if unleashed thoughtlessly, could annihilate the surroundings.

‘It’s too much to change this drastically just by becoming a demonized person.’

It’s now at a level surpassing half of my previous life’s strength.

Just by choosing to become a demonized person, one can become this strong.

That must be why those craving power in my past life all rushed into the Demonic Cult (Magyo).

As the flame prison completed, I looked at the Heavenly Demon.

The Heavenly Demon, perhaps sensing my hostility, looked up at me with strange eyes.

Their hand moved, just like before.

“…!”

The hand reached towards the location of the flame prison.

I hesitated for a moment at this action, which was different from my expectation of an attack, but…

I moved to unleash the flame prison towards the Heavenly Demon.

Crackle.

“What?”

That is, until the Heavenly Demon casually grabbed and crushed the flame prison.

Even though it was power greatly enhanced by achieving enlightenment in the Martial Realm (Hwagyeong) and undergoing demonization.

Crushed it just by grabbing?

Boom-! Kwagagagag-!

The air pressure bursting from my palm due to the recoil messed up the surroundings.

It was enough to casually uproot trees that were firmly planted.

Of course, I wasn’t blown away by that level of air pressure, so I could maintain my stance, but…

I couldn’t calm my surprised emotions.

‘What the…’

What just happened?

As I looked at the Heavenly Demon with slightly dumbfounded eyes.

The Heavenly Demon still wore a sulky expression.

They briefly examined the trace left on their hand.

It wasn’t entirely without damage; there was a scratch on the Heavenly Demon’s finger, but…

That was all.

Just that, is what I mean.

The Heavenly Demon, examining their palm from which a little blood flowed.

Looked at me again and spoke.

“…I’m leaving.”

“What did you say?”

“I’m leaving now. It’s no fun.”

I asked again, thinking I misheard, but…

The Heavenly Demon left those words and truly turned, walking towards the Black Night Palace Lord.

As the Heavenly Demon finished speaking, the dimension behind the Black Night Palace Lord began to tear.

It was the same dimensional gate (Magyeongmun) seen in the Black Night Palace.

What is this?

They suddenly appear, and now they’re leaving?

Do I have to let them go like this?

“What kind of dogshit talk is that.”

Fwoosh.

I enveloped my entire body in flames.

There’s no way I’m letting them go like this.

Are they looking down on me?

I gathered the flames enveloping my body into my fist and thrust it forward.

Nine Flame Infant Separation (Guyeom Taearang).

Kwaaaaaaaah-!

A Family Secret Technique (Gu Clan-ui Jeolgi) taking the form of a beast.

It violently burst forth, mixed with Demonic Qi.

The heat emanating from it was enough to instantly dry up the field, but…

The Heavenly Demon, walking as if ignoring it, slightly turned their head towards me and…

Merely waved their hand with a graceful motion.

I wondered what they could possibly do with such a delicate movement, but…

The appearance was shallow.

But the result was not.

Whoooosh-!

Kugugugu!

“What the…!”

As if the confrontation with Wi Seol-ah just before was mere child’s play.

An aura completely different from before erupted from the Heavenly Demon.

The black energy swallowed the flames of Guyeom Taearang, and then…

…poured directly towards me.

An immense, tidal wave-like energy surged towards me.

The incredibly fast and vast energy directly struck the ground where I stood.

Kwadududuk-!

The surroundings repeatedly cracked and crumbled.

Rocks were crushed like paper; the ground easily split and vanished.

The terrain was overturned.

This was the result of a single, seemingly casual gesture from the Heavenly Demon.

What was surprising was that despite being hit by such energy…

…I suffered no damage whatsoever.

Because the Heavenly Demon’s attack grazed past me.

I could immediately tell it was the intended outcome by the Heavenly Demon.

It meant, ‘Don’t bother me.’

Does this mean the behavior shown until now was merely a game?

And the fight with Wi Seol-ah then…

Was it just playing around?

As I faced the Heavenly Demon with astonished eyes.

The Heavenly Demon looked at me and opened their mouth.

“Next time… let’s meet again.”

“What…?”

“You’re fun. I want to see you again.”

As the Heavenly Demon said this, they somehow seemed to be smiling.

Having spoken, the Heavenly Demon walked away nonchalantly.

As the Heavenly Demon’s steps passed the Black Night Palace Lord.

The Black Night Palace Lord was suddenly lifted into the air.

“Oh… Heavens.”

The Palace Lord uttered this as if gauging the situation, but…

The Heavenly Demon didn’t even spare a glance.

Finally, the Heavenly Demon and the Black Night Palace Lord disappeared through the dimensional gate.

Thump.

The dimensional gate quickly closed and vanished without a trace.

Watching that, suddenly…

I staggered and collapsed.

“…!”

Wi Seol-ah rushed over anxiously, embracing and supporting me as I slumped down.

I glanced at the half-vanished ground and let out a gasp.

I corrected my misconception.

Didn’t I say the Heavenly Demon wasn’t complete?

No.

That small being I met just before…

…was already complete.