episode_0016

It was already the second time. I stayed up all night, unable to sleep properly.

Of course, thanks to having trained in martial arts, his body was strong enough to be described as strong, but he did not complain of extreme fatigue from only staying up for one night.

There are more things than this in the training I received before, but it’s only for a day.

However, he opened his eyes squintingly because he didn’t like the fact that his sister, who was the one who had been playing with people’s minds, had woken up after sleeping soundly for more than three hours.

While lying down, I occasionally turned my head to the bed next to me, and he was sleeping soundly, noisily.

“Um… … .”

After washing my face early in the morning and returning to the temple, I wiped my head with a cloth to prevent any water droplets from dripping from my wet bangs, and then performed the secret technique of the Heavenly Demonic Sect.

The four characters “Cheonma Shingong” written in elegant handwriting on the cover had a magical quality that made one expend a certain amount of mental strength just by turning the cover.

‘… … Is it definitely different from the general martial arts I’ve learned so far?’

My sister, who had gone to wash her face, hadn’t returned yet, so the spacious room was quiet. Every time I turned a page of the secret book, my throat would swell, and I could even clearly hear myself swallowing.

And when you look closely at the Cheonma Shingong, it is clear that it is different from regular martial arts.

In general, the secrets of a martial art are explained in the form of a summary.

It is easy to understand if you explain it as a method of understanding the intentions and direction of the creator of a martial art by realizing the true meaning contained in difficult, abstract, and seemingly meaningless sentences.

Now, to be a little more practitioner-friendly, it becomes an illustrated version that explains the meaning of the Gujeol and even includes pictures to help with understanding.

Among them, Cheonma Shingong took the former form.

But there was one crucial difference.

‘There is no herbivore.’

I quickly flipped through the pages, wondering if I had missed something, and scanned the short manual of the Heavenly Demonic Art, but there was nothing that could be called a recipe.

The first step is to have a set form and style. It is the essence that forms the backbone of the martial arts.

Even the famous Plum Blossom Sword Technique of the Hwasan School is also called the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique, and isn’t it made up of the twenty-four basic techniques that make up the Plum Blossom Sword Technique?

But I could vaguely guess the reason.

‘It must be because it’s the Heavenly Demonic Art and not some other martial art. It can’t be explained otherwise.’

I was convinced as I passed the martial arts level test again.

Heavenly Demon.

The title of Cheonma can only be used by the leader of the Cheonma Sect. The Cheonma Sect, governed by the law of the strong, determines rank solely based on strength, and being the leader of the Cheonma Sect means being the highest leader of the Cheonma Sect.

In other words, it means that he is one of the best martial artists in the world and is closest to being the best in the world.

And if Cheonma Shingong was something that only those who had reached a certain level were qualified to learn and was passed down from generation to generation, it would not be strange if the first-class technique did not exist.

“Do you assume that the future Heavenly Horse will not know what kind of weapon he will use, and that he will have reached the state of a masterless spirit who is basically not bound by laws and regulations?”

“That’s right.”

At the soft muttering, my sister, who had just finished washing up and returned, nodded her head as she stood in the doorway.

“Our Jinah is so good at understanding things quickly.”

As I turned my gaze with sullen eyes, recalling the events of last night, I saw my sister smiling while twisting her wet hair.

“Cheonma Shingong has no beginning. It is a martial art that has been transformed and developed over generations, although it is also assumed to be in the realm of no beginning. It is a martial art that has no set beginning or direction, or to be more precise, it is a martial art that only suggests a specific direction.”

“Direction? What does direction mean?”

“How can I give an example?”

What does it mean to provide direction? At least I could tell that it was a martial art that was completely different from the martial arts I had learned so far.

Martial arts are basically based on a set of basic techniques, and a style is formed by connecting the techniques.

And when you can judge all the tens or millions of throws derived from a single martial art according to the situation at that time, it is considered that you have reached the level of the Twelve Great Saints.

That was the obvious truth that I had seen, learned, and studied so far in this world where martial arts exist.

“Do you know about the martial art called Geon-Gon-Da-Na-I (乾坤大那移)?”

“… … I don’t know exactly, but I’ve heard the name.”

Of course I knew. However, since I didn’t know what kind of martial arts it was in this world, I cautiously answered that I only knew the name.

“That’s it. Geongon Daenai. Grabbing the sky and the earth and moving them greatly. The now-discontinued Hogyo Shingong of the old famous religion. Twisting the stem where the power of energy is applied and changing the direction. When you talk about it like this, it’s not a martial art but a function closer to sorcery.”

“Geon-Gon-Dae-Na-I is a martial art without a set form or formula. It only has the ability to change the direction of power. If that’s the case, then Cheon-Ma-Shingong would be of a similar type.”

“You understand quickly.”

The corners of my sister’s mouth went up as she leaned forward awkwardly. It was a playful smile, just like yesterday, but it was also a vague smile, as if stimulating something.

“The function of the Heavenly Demon God is the Way of Hegemony. It is an overwhelming power that subdues and dominates others just by existing. You will soon learn what this means.”

“… … .”

I kept my mouth shut. I vaguely guessed what it meant.

Cheonma Shingong is a martial art that only the Cheonma, the highest-ranking warriors in the Demonic Cult, can learn. And it is a martial art that has been improved by these Cheonma and passed down for hundreds of years.

The absolute ruler of the Demonic Cult, the leader who reigns over all demons.

The moment I remembered that it was a martial art that had been passed down and developed by the greatest warriors of all time, or those closest to them, I was able to understand the meaning of the word “Paedo.”

The only one in heaven and earth.

In a world where martial arts exist, I have come this far by learning martial arts against my will. Regardless of how different it is from my previous life, the moment I learn martial arts, it is a natural instinct for a martial artist to want to become a master.

It doesn’t matter whether martial arts are a means or an end result. If someone who aspires to become a master is given the opportunity to learn such a peerless new martial arts, would they give it up?

It seemed like there was another Yeonjin hiding in my heart who didn’t want to give up.

Was it because I couldn’t control my expression? Or was it because the excitement and anticipation that had begun to bloom faintly were clearly expressed on my face?

“You have a nice face.”

With the corners of her lips raised, her outstretched slender fingers caressed her cheek. The touch of her fingers touching her cheek was, of course, cold.

Several thoughts crossed my mind for a moment.

As the name suggests, Cheonma Shingong is a martial art that only Cheonma, the leader of Cheonma Shingyo, can learn.

Right now, the only people in the world who have the right to learn this are the leader whose face I don’t even know and the sister right in front of me. If the leader doesn’t know, then even the sister right in front of me doesn’t have the right to tell me this.

If it is discovered that I have learned the Heavenly Demonic Art, at the very least, I will die by disabling the Danjeon and cutting the tendons, and even that is only if I am lucky.

Even the sister in front of me, or even the leader of the cult, will have to bear full responsibility, if not to that extent.

“I thought it would be fun.”

But contrary to the worst-case scenario that came to mind, my mouth said something completely different.

“I’ll have to be careful for the next few years, but it’s worth the inconvenience to get the new knowledge.”

He answered, raising the corners of his lips.

They say that birds hear what you say during the day, and rats hear what you say at night. If you just watch out for the next few years, that’ll be enough. I don’t know what the odds are, but it was a gamble worth taking.

I wasn’t so picky as to refuse a meal that was prepared for me, and more than anything, since I was reincarnated into this world, I hadn’t made a single decision of my own.

Pretending to be cautious, pretending to be careful so that I don’t stand out. I was getting tired of this life of always pretending, always looking out for other people’s faces, and just getting what I wanted.

If I were to learn the Heavenly Demonic Art, wouldn’t it be okay for me to decide to that extent as I wish?

As I replied with that thought, the smile on my sister’s lips grew even deeper.

“Our Jinah is really easy to understand. Even if you just touch her a little, she reacts right away.”

“That’s not a bad thing, right? It means that the outside and inside are the same.”

“That’s why I really like you, Jin-ah.”

It’s been seventeen years since I started my second life without a saint, with only the name Yeonjin.

I decided to learn the Heavenly Demon Art.

* * *

“If you ever come to Seongdo, please stop by anytime. Dangmun is not a place that is rude when it comes to hospitality.”

On the way out of Danggata, there was a time to say goodbye to Sogaju and Dangryeong, who were naturally the ones who invited the guests.

Contrary to the image of the Sacheon Tangmun as portrayed by the world, Tangling was, to put it nicely, a kind person, but to put it badly, he was not the type of person who would be expected from a Tangmun.

Although they only talked while going down the mountain together and walking to Seongdo, the friendship they built in about half a day was enough for Dangryung to include Yeonjin in the category of a friend.

“If I ever come to Sacheon again, I will definitely visit you. I hope you take care of yourself during that time.”

“Maybe we’ll see each other again soon. Do you plan on attending the next Yongbong branch meeting?”

“Yongbongjihoe?”

“Yes. I have already participated, so I don’t plan on participating, but I plan on going to the next Yongbong branch meeting. It’s a three-year cycle, so it will probably be held around this time next year.”

Yeonjin was convinced by those words.

I think the nickname of the king was Poisonous Dragon. In this world, it is natural for a man to be nicknamed Phoenix and for a woman to be nicknamed Dragon.

If the head of the Sacheon Dangmun, who deals with poison and secret weapons, participated in the Yongbongjihoe and achieved results that were worthy of a nickname, it would be natural for him to be given the nickname of Poison Dragon.

“If it’s a small group, it’s probably worthy of being ranked, so if you’re interested, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to participate.”

“Yongbongjihoe, Yongbongjihoe… … . Let’s meet again when we can, Lady Dang.”

“Okay. Then take care on the long road. Oh, and you too, Miss Yoo.”

Yu Ye-hyang, who had been standing silently, nodded her head in greeting.

With those words, she said goodbye to Dangryung and started to grumble again on the way back.

“You don’t seem like a person from the Tang clan. You should have studied at a Taoist school, not the sinister Tang clan.”

“It’s good if people are kind.”

Yeonjin scolded Yuyehyang for grumbling.

Living a life where men’s chastity was considered important, Yeonjin had a good sense of humor to figure out what was going on.

It meant that one could distinguish between whether a favor from the opposite sex was a favor sent out of rational affection or whether it was simply a favor given out of good will.

And the Emperor’s favor was clearly the latter.

After talking to them, I felt like they got along better than I thought, and if they weren’t so polar opposites in status, being a warrior from the Demonic Cult and a small household head from the Tang Clan, I felt like it would be okay to become friends.

“So where are you going now?”

Yeonjin quickly got out of the dangga-ta and asked while walking along the well-paved road.

“Let’s stop by Bunta first.”

“There was a Bunta in Sacheon too?”

Were there secret branches or sects of the Demonic Cult that were hidden in more places than expected? Yu Ye-hyang nodded in response to Yeon-jin’s question, which seemed to show a puzzled expression.

“There is no place in the Central Plains where our school does not have a branch. If it is in Hanam and Hubei, where the Shaolin and shamans that the Central Plains martial arts world worships and respects are located, wouldn’t that be enough?”

“Wow.”

Yeonjin just nodded her head.

The political powers in Sacheon alone are Cheongseong, Ami, and Tangmun. Sacheon is a battleground where one-fifth of the Gupailbang and the Five Great Sects have established themselves.

The reason why it came as a surprise that even in such a place, he managed to squeeze in between the big sects and build a branch office.

Yoo Ye-hyang, who had been looking at Yeon-jin with warm eyes for a moment, added nonchalantly.

“And he said he plans to stay in Sacheon Bunta for the time being.”

“I guess there’s something to do here separately.”

“Haha, okay.”

Yu Ye-hyang, who was smiling, put her arm around Yeon-jin’s shoulder as if she had been waiting for it. It was physical contact that had become more natural and frequent since the first night they shared a room.

Yu Ye-hyang put her arm around Yeon-jin’s shoulder, who flinched for a moment, and whispered.

“I told you from the beginning. I made the great resolution to learn the Heavenly Demonic Art, but now it’s time to learn martial arts from the main girl.”

“… … I’m looking forward to that.”

Yeonjin answered with a trembling face.