Ch.14Chapter 14 – Inner Demon (3)

Han Do-hyeon knew that for martial artists who had reached a certain level, even verbal descriptions of techniques and martial arts could create a mental image of the combat path.

This verbal duel wasn’t merely an exchange of words—it embodied mutual respect for each other’s martial knowledge, internal energy distribution, and achieved realms.

It was a clash of everything they had seen, heard, realized, and mastered. The crystallization of martial arts created through effort and determination.

I closed my eyes. Immediately, Bi-wol’s energy became even more vivid.

In the pitch-black darkness where I couldn’t see an inch ahead, I envisioned the black-haired girl staring at me with wide eyes.

‘She used the Heavenly Demon Ruling Step to close the distance between us, then aimed for my weakness—my eyes—trying to slash me with the Heavenly Demon Blood Slash. This was different from the girl who usually acted cute around me.’

She was like a well-honed sword. I could vividly remember the moment when her killing intent enveloped me, with the tip of her blade aimed at my throat.

“Now for the final third technique, Master.”

Bi-wol’s Inner Demon spoke slowly and heavily. Her voice carried a hint of amusement, as if she believed I had barely succeeded in defending myself.

Bi-wol had fallen into a state of demonic possession and reached the threshold of Transcendence, while I had similarly attained the Transcendence realm.

‘Her judgment isn’t wrong. However…’

What ultimately matters in this verbal duel is filling in one’s weaknesses and understanding how to read the opponent’s moves.

New insights or breaking conventions only work at realms beyond Transformation.

To transcend the limits of Transcendence requires painful effort and proper foundations. All the basics must be in place.

“I will use the third technique of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, the Heavenly Demon Soul Attack, to break down your mind, Master. Now, how will you counter?”

A deadly technique that uses demonic energy to create illusions and bewilder opponents. Like closing in from all directions on a Go board, it was a move designed to prevent my escape.

This move from Bi-wol’s Inner Demon was extremely meticulous and sharp.

She first used the Heavenly Demon Ruling Step to prevent me from escaping, then forced me to focus on defense with the Heavenly Demon Blood Slash, waiting for a mental opening.

However, I decided to reverse this flow.

“I’ll use the Tang Clan of Sichuan’s Silent Dragon Blood Step to retreat four steps back, using your poison as my stepping stone.”

Like placing a white Go stone, I was moving one step ahead of Bi-wol.

In a time shorter than it takes to drink a sip of tea, I had countered all the attacks mentioned by Bi-wol’s Inner Demon.

Having countered the divine techniques of the Heavenly Demon—described as the strongest in my original novel, “Diamond Fist King”—I felt a burning sensation in my heart.

How long had it been since I felt this?

Exhilaration, or what some call the fighting spirit. It was the complete opposite of what I usually felt living with a terminal illness.

“Impossible! How could you, a master from an evil sect, use righteous sect techniques!”

Bi-wol’s Inner Demon shouted with a voice mixed with surprise and anger. But I responded with a light smile.

“Why not? In a verbal duel, there are no forms or limitations. Beyond the boundaries of good and evil sects, we’re discussing the essence of martial arts.”

I threw out words that Bi-wol’s Inner Demon hadn’t predicted. The essence of this duel wasn’t just a technical exchange of martial arts, but a discussion of what lies beyond conventional practice.

A verbal duel, by its nature, isn’t bound by form or format.

Bi-wol, who practices the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, could use the pure martial arts of the Wudang Sect, and I, with an Extreme Yin body, could use martial arts with Extreme Yang properties.

Evil sects could use righteous sect techniques, and third-rate martial arts could become first-rate depending on their application.

“But you should only use techniques you can actually perform…!”

Bi-wol’s Inner Demon scolded me, apparently not having anticipated this. If I had only used the Ice-White Divine Art, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to defeat her.

“In the vast martial world, gauging what techniques an opponent can use is only natural.”

This was Bi-wol’s first proper verbal duel. She probably thought it was like an actual fight, where one had to regulate internal energy consumption and could only use techniques they knew.

“I am the Ice Dragon. I’m a notorious figure from the evil sect in the war between good and evil, and I’m also someone who rescued children from a cult that calls itself the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.”

“……”

“Did you think I became strong without any effort? Did you think I was like an arrogant brat who believed the world was in the palm of my hand just because of my heaven-given physique?”

I added with a smile. For me, this verbal duel wasn’t just a technical contest but an exploration of the essence of martial arts and reading the Inner Demon’s mind.

“I will tear apart fragments of the Ice Spirit Wall to create a sharp sword and aim for your vital points. I will thrust with the Three Talents Swordsmanship.”

“That’s merely a third-rate martial art.”

“But in this world, there exists someone who elevated that third-rate art to first-rate. A man who became known as the greatest under heaven with simple movements—horizontal slash, vertical slash, and thrust.”

That was the man known as the Sword God in the novel “Diamond Fist King.” A character I wanted to write as having ascended to immortality in the novel’s conclusion.

I had sought to meet and learn from the Infinite Sword Emperor of the Namgung Family, the Poison Dragon of the Tang Clan of Sichuan, the Chief of the Beggar Sect, and the Leader of the Hao Sect.

Whether righteous or evil, within the martial world or beyond, I sought out anyone who could make me stronger.

“If you don’t block, you won’t be able to use your right arm anymore. Are you okay with that?”

My Yin energy was so strong that there were many martial arts I couldn’t learn, but that didn’t mean I hadn’t reached mastery in martial arts.

“Ahahah! I understand now, girl. This is breaking conventions! Master, you’re still teaching me!”

“Wrong…”

At that moment, I delved deeper into her mental image. In my mind, I saw Bi-wol wearing a black robe instead of her usual white one.

In this mental image, she was no longer a simple girl. She was now a Heavenly Demon ready to face me as an equal.

“Then I will also use sword techniques! I’ll decide the match with the Namgung Family’s Lightning Flash Thirteen Sword Thunder!”

As soon as Bi-wol’s Inner Demon drew her sword in the imagination, I countered her momentum.

“I’ll block that sword strike with the Fire Dragon Sword of the Jeonchang Sect.”

Clang—!

The sound of clashing metal echoed, and our swords flew toward each other, sparking like fire. Bi-wol’s Inner Demon shouted triumphantly.

“Are you surprised? I made you take a step back!”

As she said, I had unintentionally taken a step back. Questions began to rise within me.

‘…How?’

I couldn’t hide my surprise at Bi-wol’s display. How did she know the sword techniques of the Namgung Family, famous for their heavy swords?

“I wanted to cut off your right arm, but I’ll be satisfied with this.”

The sword path I hadn’t fully blocked had slightly penetrated my right shoulder.

“I’ll use the Zhuge Family’s Iron String Sword Technique as a feint, then aim to slash your ribs with the Moyong Family’s Flash Cloud-Splitting Sword.”

The Bi-wol I knew couldn’t use such sword techniques. Yet now, she was perfectly executing the martial arts of the Five Great Families.

‘The Namgung Family’s sword embodies the principle of heaviness, while the Moyong Family’s sword embodies the principle of speed. How does she know and use this?’

Bi-wol’s Inner Demon was no longer the Bi-wol I knew. She had transformed into the Heavenly Demon described in the novel.

A being who could devour all life under heaven, an invincible force no martial artist could match.

“Then I will use the martial arts of the Nine Sects and One Clan.”

If I used the same Five Great Families’ martial arts, I might actually lose. I needed to change the game to flip the situation.

“I’ll deflect your attack with the Mount Hua Sect’s sword, which embodies the principle of change, then strike your abdomen with the Qingcheng Sect’s Clear Wind Kick to create distance.”

“I’ll use the Heavenly Wandering Divine Step to increase the distance between us by three steps.”

I felt something different. Our verbal duel had changed character, evolving into an endless psychological battle.

We were both using martial arts we’d never used before, trying to overturn each other’s strategies.

To win this confrontation, I needed to accurately understand her Inner Demon.

“…Bi-wol.”

“Yes, Master. Please ask.”

I had to confirm this part. I thought that the demon hiding in her heart might actually be Bi-wol’s original future that I hadn’t been able to erase.

“Are you truly not Bi-wol, but the Inner Demon?”

“As expected, you noticed. I’m impressed.”

That’s the fate of the Star of Heavenly Murder. A destiny that requires killing.

“Actually, I’m not sure myself. One day when I opened my eyes, my admiration for you and the karma of killing became entangled.”

“How curious. How is that possible?”

As I talked with Bi-wol’s Inner Demon, I realized she had many similarities with Bi-wol.

Just as light casts shadows, this was her innermost feelings that couldn’t be separated from her.

“This is the love I learned from you, Master. The strength of emotion that can encompass all things.”

In the original “Diamond Fist King,” the protagonist Kim Hyul completely eliminated his Inner Demon and reached a new realm.

“If I can convey the good girl’s heart to you by burning this body, this evil spirit wouldn’t mind disappearing anytime.”

“Inner Demon, why do you think the heart is divided into good and evil?”

“…Pardon?”

I realized that I shouldn’t rashly eliminate Bi-wol’s Inner Demon. Gritting my teeth, I scolded her.

“Human weakness is precious. It’s the reason we can have compassion for others.”

This was a flow that didn’t exist in the original novel. Her Inner Demon had come because she was understanding human emotions and was struggling with them.

“Master…”

“…You call me Master too. All I did for you was extend my hand to help you up when you fell.”

Even Bi-wol’s Inner Demon, who bore the karma of the Star of Heavenly Murder and was compelled to kill, called me Master and tried her best to suppress those urges. It felt somehow familiar.

“Inner Demon, do you remember what I said when I first met you?”

A black-haired girl with her feet in shackles, curled up on the cold floor.

When I first saw Bi-wol at the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, she had empty eyes just like now.

I suffered numerous injuries protecting her.

“You said ‘pine and cypress in the snow,’ Master.”

Looking down at her body, now covered in ugly scars, the Inner Demon before me wore a sad expression.

“Yes, and do you now understand what it means?”

“It refers to people with unwavering integrity, as pine and cypress trees don’t lose their color even in snow. Like you, Master…”

I shook my head at her answer. In our mental image, the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect that I had destroyed began to appear.

I had finally managed to step into Bi-wol’s mental world.

“No, Bi-wol. When I spoke of pine and cypress in the snow, I was referring to you.”

“…? I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I knew that even in such circumstances, you were trying not to lose your humanity.”

I opened my mouth as I carefully took in this mental world. In front of the sect building where rain was pouring heavily, the black-haired girl I originally knew lay collapsed.

“I am not such a strong person…!”

Next to Bi-wol, the Inner Demon shook her head vigorously and shouted at me. Tears flowed from one eye, mixing with the rain.

“To save your friends, you endured the sect leaders’ beatings without a single scream, and to avoid eating blood and human flesh, you endured hunger by drinking mud and dirty water.”

I recited what I knew to persuade the Inner Demon and awaken Bi-wol’s original personality.

“How is this not ‘pine and cypress in the snow’?”

Before becoming a Heavenly Demon, Bi-wol was a pure and kind girl, just like she is now as she follows me.

“The sect leaders force-fed me flesh and blood when I was unconscious, and when I stayed silent to protect my friends, I had to clean up even more corpses…! How dare you speak as if you know!”

The Inner Demon gripped her sword tightly and lunged at me as if to kill me. Her tear-stained face was almost indistinguishable due to the rain.

“I’ll use the Heavenly Demon Divine Art’s sixth technique, Nine Heavens Demon Sword, to cut off your head!”

The verbal duel resumed.

Another technique.

“I’ll dodge your sword with the Lazy Donkey Roll, then strike the ground with the Ice Wave Fist. As an application, I’ll leap into the air and strike down with the Ice Descending Fist!”

As the Inner Demon tried to slash me with her sword, I rolled my body. This mental world was so vividly realized that I even felt as if mud was staining my clothes.

“Someone of the Transcendence realm using the Lazy Donkey Roll! The entire martial world will laugh at you, Master!”

“Let them laugh. What need is there for formality or honor when saving my one and only beloved disciple?”

“I’ll use the Asura Demon Sword to unleash a flurry of sword strikes targeting your Yeon-aek, Dan-jung, and Jung-wan acupoints as you descend.”

“Targeting below the ribs, the center of the chest, and the center of the abdomen—very well. I’ll use the tenth technique of the Ice-White Divine Art, the Ice Flow Kick, to flow past your sword strikes, channel cold energy into my foot to strike your abdomen again, and then drive my fist into your temple.”

“I’ll defend with the Heavenly Demon Divine Palm!”

“It’s already too late. How can you hope to block this technique with just one palm?”

Boom—!

“…I cannot lose! This is my mental world, the place where all my nightmares since birth reside!”

The noise shook the ground, thick dust clouds rose, and a large crater formed. Inside it, the Inner Demon was coughing and trying to get up.

“Inner Demon, pitiful inner heart of my beloved disciple. Why do you call this hell your mental world?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Just now, you called it a world. Like a baby bird breaking out of its shell.”

I clicked my tongue as I looked at her. She was still far from the realization I wanted her to have. She had not yet recognized her true self.

“But how can a world be a world? It’s calling the footprints of a person’s life a world.”

As soon as I uttered these words, the surrounding noise suddenly ceased. The heavy rain that had been falling stopped, and snow began to fall instead.

“Your world is not this gloomy place, but a pristine snow landscape where no footprints have been made.”

One step, then another.

I approached the original Bi-wol who had collapsed. She looked exactly as she did when I first saw her.

“You could have given up everything and run away. You could have accepted the karma of the Star of Heavenly Murder and lived by killing people.”

With a crunching sound, the cold snow field was trodden under my feet, and I brushed the snowflakes from Bi-wol’s hair.

“But you didn’t. Even in darkness, you didn’t lose hope and tried to save everyone.”

“Master…? Why are you here…”

The original Bi-wol I knew slowly opened her eyes and regained consciousness, and I smiled gently at the sight.

“How easy is it for a flower to bloom in snow? How can one not find beauty in life that has endured such cold and harshness?”

Then, I created a sword of ice and placed it in Bi-wol’s hand.

“You are the pine and cypress in the snow. A greenness that remains unchanged no matter what hardships come. So, do what you believe is right.”

After all, fighting and winning against the Inner Demon is something one must do for oneself.

“This master will be by your side to help.”