Chapter 1: Surviving as a slave in the Magyo

The Demonic Heavenly Sect.

A singular sect and religion residing in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.

Known by various names, such as the Sun-Moon Divine Sect, the Demonic Sect, and the Bright Sect, they venerate their leader, the Heavenly Demon, as a god.

They worship power, but don’t actively target the weak.

In fact, they treat them relatively well, attracting those weary of exploitation by the evil sects or the hypocrisy of the righteous sects.

Of course, even within the Demonic Heavenly Sect, some are exploited and suffer.

‘Like me.’

Directly harming commoners was forbidden, but the rules were different for slaves.

Those defeated in battles against the Demonic Sect, their core energies shattered, became slaves.

Their children, too, were born into slavery. I was a s*ave’s child, an orphan, forced into labor despite being kindergarten age.

Sure, after 15 years of labor, slaves were freed, but by then, the prime age for learning martial arts would have passed.

I’d just have to live like an ordinary commoner.

‘If they’re going to reincarnate me, they should at least give me some perks. What kind of S-rank Trait only gives you four reincarnations, each lasting a measly 30 years?’

The Sword Saint (S) Trait, allowing you to wield a sword like a master with decades of experience the moment you grip it, instantly unleashing sword qi. The Lord of Flames (S) Trait, enabling you to shoot hellfire at will.

There were so many other awesome Traits like Indestructible Body (S) and Great Magic Resistance (S), yet here I was, stuck in slavery.

“Yu-won, go shovel the sh*t.”

“Yes.”

I headed to clean the latrines as the overseer ordered, the stench overwhelming.

What did these self-proclaimed martial artists eat? Why did their excrement reek so badly?

‘F*ck this. I can’t live like this.’

What was the point of living another 30 years like this? I’d rather go crazy and bang my head against a wall; that would be more meaningful. Or just die.

In the martial world, especially in the Demonic Sect, martial arts was everything.

For a child to learn martial arts in the Demonic Sect, they had to be born to a Demonic Cultivator or enter the Demonic Arts Academy.

But how could I, working all day, barely fed, even hope to pass the academy entrance exam?

It was impossible. The next exam was six months away.

To have any chance of entering the academy, I needed martial arts.

‘Let’s think.’

If I could pass the exam, I could escape slavery.

I kept pondering how and from whom I could learn martial arts.

‘If I’m going to go crazy, I might as well go to the best. If I’m going to learn, I might as well learn the strongest martial arts.’

Even a stray dog in the streets knew who the strongest in the Demonic Heavenly Sect was.

The pinnacle of the Demonic Heavenly Sect, the Heavenly Demon.

I would go to her.

Of course, I couldn’t go right now.

It would be absurd for a s*ave to approach the Heavenly Demon during the day, when she was training or conducting business.

I had my own labor to do.

Night, when the day’s work was done, was the perfect time.

Some might question whether it was even possible to approach the Heavenly Demon’s quarters at night.

The answer was simple.

‘It is.’

I had heard that when the Heavenly Demon slept, she dismissed everyone except one personal guard.

During the day, the Heavenly Demon Guard accompanied her for prestige, but not at night.

The Heavenly Demon was the strongest in the Demonic Heavenly Sect. If anyone approached her quarters, she would be the first to sense it. Why would she need guards?

The one personal guard was essentially a servant.

Someone to fetch water or a snack if the Heavenly Demon wanted it during the night.

Once I had a goal, I stopped hesitating.

I finished my work, ate, did my usual calisthenics, and waited for nightfall.

Under the dark sky, I walked the streets of the Demonic Sect, guided by the light of the full moon.

It was so late that even the entertainment establishments had extinguished their lights.

I was heading towards the back of the Heavenly Demon’s quarters.

Countless thoughts flooded my mind.

Was this the right thing to do? What if I was killed instantly without a word? Shouldn’t I have just endured the 15 years of slavery and used whatever meager martial arts I could acquire in my next life?

Negative thoughts spiraled.

I saw myself trying to compromise, to back down.

Then, I remembered my first life.

The days of contentment and ordinary living.

As those memories flowed through my mind, I regained my resolve.

‘I don’t want to live like that again.’

I would become strong. I would change. I would learn martial arts, enter the Demonic Arts Academy, climb the ranks, and live a life of style.

To do that, I had to persuade the Heavenly Demon.

Clutching my pounding heart, forcing my trembling legs to move, I finally reached a spot about 50 meters behind the Heavenly Demon’s quarters.

I couldn’t go any further.

A large wall surrounded the Heavenly Demon’s palace.

The moment I tried to enter, the personal guard would catch me and I’d become Yu-gone with a single blow.

However, the Heavenly Demon was said to have reached the Transcendent Realm.

She should be able to hear me even from here. I cleared my throat and shouted like a madman.

“Please teach me martial arts! I don’t want to live like this anymore!”

The die was cast.

The quiet night carried my voice, ensuring it reached the Heavenly Demon beyond the wall.

Whether I died instantly or piqued her interest and learned some martial arts, my future would be decided now.

“Child, were you calling for me?”

A figure appeared before me without a sound.

Silky black hair, dark eyes like jewels, a stunning figure glimpsed beneath her martial robes.

This woman was speaking to me.

Despite her beauty, she exuded a chilling aura, and I felt a slight chill in the air.

True masters could alter the temperature around them with their profound inner energy, right? This was my first time meeting a true master, so it was a novel experience.

“Demonic Martial Arts Reign Supreme, All Demons Submit! Kim Yu-won greets the Heavenly Demon!”

I had diligently researched the proper etiquette when meeting the Heavenly Demon.

I knelt on one knee, bowed my head, and offered my greeting.

“Skip the formalities. You called out to me knowing who I am and where this is?”

The chill intensified.

I knew.

If I didn’t please her, I would die.

“Yes! I want to live!!!”

“Live?”

Confusion flickered across her face, and the chill lessened slightly.

I had successfully planted a seed of curiosity. I continued.

“I’m the child of slaves brought to the Demonic Heavenly Sect. My parents are dead, and I’ve lived as a s*ave with no choice in the matter.”

I looked at her. She met my gaze and spoke.

“Go on.”

“It’s unfair. My fate was sealed as a s*ave from birth. It’s miserable being ordered around by those who seem no better than me. But do you know what’s even more despairing?”

“What?”

“That there’s no hope for this life to improve.”

Her confusion deepened.

“Why? Aren’t slaves freed when they come of age? Or if they enter the Demonic Arts Academy, they’re released immediately. Slaves are given opportunities.”

This was why those born with silver spoons in their mouths were hopeless.

They took their privileges for granted, oblivious to the struggles of others.

“That might be true if all one wants is a passive existence. But to succeed, to live a better life in the Demonic Sect, one needs strength.”

She nodded.

“By the time a s*ave reaches adulthood, their pressure points are clogged with stagnant energy. They’ll always be inferior to those who started training from a young age.”

“Hmm… That’s true.”

She agreed.

“The Demonic Arts Academy? A s*ave whose parents were martial artists might have some basic training and stand a chance. But for an orphan like me, born to slaves, even that’s impossible.”

“But you’re alive…”

Hearing such words from a prodigy who had everything from birth, someone who knew nothing of hardship, made my blood boil.

I might die, but I had to speak my mind.

“That’s not living! A life without dreams, without hope, just drifting along… that’s not living…”

Yes, that wasn’t living.

It was merely existing, a cog in the machine.

“You’re the first to interrupt me, to raise your voice at me.”

Her words snapped me back to reality.

‘What… what have I done?’

Talking back to the Heavenly Demon? I should be dead.

“I… I’m sorry…”

“Interesting. You’re the first to have such a long conversation with me, the first to express your thoughts so unflinchingly. I like you! I’ll teach you martial arts.”

Against all odds, I had won the Heavenly Demon’s favor. I was so overjoyed I felt like I was going insane.

‘Thank you!’

“F*ck!”

Uh oh… In my excitement, my thoughts and words came out reversed.

“You’re also… the first to curse at me. Yes… before teaching you martial arts, I need to teach you manners.”

The Heavenly Demon cracked her knuckles.

“Wait… just a minute?”

“It’s alright. This is my first time teaching someone, but I remember the method my father taught me.”

Was that method teaching manners through physical discipline? I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t speak.

Her aura silenced me.

“Don’t worry. After this, you’ll remember the proper etiquette for addressing the Heavenly Demon. And I’ll teach you martial arts properly.”

‘Martial arts is great, but can we skip the other part?’

What followed was an intensive lesson in manners, forcefully instilled.