In a secluded corner of Mucheon Ravine, the Heaven-Sundering Demon General burst into a sinister laugh.
“Uhahahahaha-!”
The smile on their face was full of satisfaction. The surrounding Four Great Demon Generals frowned and asked.
“Heaven-Sundering Demon General, what’s so amusing that you’re laughing so grotesquely?”
To this, the Heaven-Sundering Demon General exhaled a deep breath and replied. A thick concentration of malevolent energy mingled with their breath and dissipated into the air.
“Haa… It’s even better than expected.”
“What is?”
“The energy for the spell, it’s truly remarkable. The Gigu Valley is incredible. It’s very rare to gather such pure energies in one place.”
“Is it that serious? I honestly can’t tell…”
The Rakshasa Demon General looked perplexed.
The Heaven-Sundering Demon General smirked and showed a black orb forming on their palm.
Just by looking at it, one could tell it was extremely ominous as the darkness gathered in their palm.
Wooong…
While showing the orb, the Heaven-Sundering Demon General proudly began explaining.
“Even a top-tier expert would be driven insane by this.”
“Is that so? Honestly, I can’t really grasp it just by hearing it.”
“It’s not just about becoming insane. The malevolent energy will infiltrate every inch of their meridians and transform their dantian into a swamp of demonic possession. It could be seen as a type of supreme technique. Especially for martial artists who practice orthodox martial arts.”
While rambling, the Heaven-Sundering Demon General extended both arms.
As they did so, a massive orb began to gradually form centered around their outstretched arms.
“And now, I’ve gathered this much malevolent energy.”
“…!”
Even the Rakshasa Demon General, who knew little about malevolent energy, could only gasp in awe.
The size of the orb was vast, easily able to contain ten people.
The other two Demon Generals were similarly stunned, unable to close their mouths.
“It’s not for nothing that this place is called Mucheon Ravine. Even if we entered the main base of our sect, it would be hard to gather this much malevolent energy.”
“Remarkable. However, didn’t you say you would use this energy for a spell?”
“That’s correct. No matter how good the energy, if I release it as is, it would be easily detected by the Sword Sage.”
At the Rakshasa Demon General’s question, the Heaven-Sundering Demon General nodded.
At that moment, the orb of malevolent energy they created began to fiercely burn. The shadowy flames rippled and turned into smoke.
“Have you heard of the Cursed Face Art?”
“Cursed… What? It’s unfamiliar.”
“That’s natural. The Cursed Face Art is such a dangerous cursed technique that its mention has been forbidden in our sect.”
“…?”
The Rakshasa Demon General looked utterly confused. It was understandable.
Whatever the Cursed Face Art was, the Blood Cult, being one of the most sinister and shadowy sects in the martial world, was notorious for its horrifying skills and cursed techniques that no human should ever use.
Even in such a sect, a forbidden technique? One that even the Four Great Demon Generals hadn’t heard of?
“Just a moment, how do you know about that?”
“The Sect Leader taught me in the past.”
“Why?”
“To capture the Sword Sage using the Cursed Face Art.”
“At that time, I was too intimidated by the Sword Sage’s overpowering presence to even attempt it, but this time it will be different. With this malevolent energy, I will surely throw the Sword Sage into the depths of despair.”
The circular orb of malevolent energy had now completely dissipated.
However, a chill ran down the Rakshasa Demon General’s spine. She had caught a glimpse of something resembling a demonic form behind the Heaven-Sundering Demon General.
“Exactly… What is this Cursed Face Art? Does it involve separating every joint of the body while still alive?”
“Hmm, if it were just that, it wouldn’t have been banned.”
Like boasting about a well-raised child, the Heaven-Sundering Demon General spoke with satisfaction.
“In truth, it’s not much when you look at its immediate effects. It only causes nightmares.”
“Is that so? Then why was it forbidden…?”
“Because the nightmare lasts forever.”
“…! Ye, forever?”
“Yes, forever. It endlessly repeats the most horrifying memory of one’s life, without even granting death. That’s why it was forbidden. Of course, the degree of horror varies from person to person, but for those with severe traumatic memories, they will forever be trapped in that memory, flailing helplessly. One of the most wicked cursed techniques in existence.”
As they listened, the Rakshasa Demon General instinctively shrank back.
At that moment, a terrifying memory resurfaced—a memory of facing the Sword Sage.
The chilling killing intent and the overwhelming sword strikes of Tianwai Tian that could cleave one like sugar and candy.
What if it went on forever?
“Huff, huff…!”
It felt like their lungs had dried up, and the Rakshasa Demon General’s complexion paled with fear.
That was the level of terror. Just imagining it was enough.
“Now, you understand the power of the Cursed Face Art.”
“Hmm… What’s the possibility that the Sword Sage can detect it?”
“That’s the issue. However, once the spell is cast, it cannot be blocked, so all we need is to trigger it. The problem lies in finding an opportunity to trigger it while the Sword Sage is off guard.”
“Our role is crucial then.”
The Great Strength Demon General, Bloodsucking Demon General, and Rakshasa Demon General looked at each other. The Heaven-Sundering Demon General regarded them with firm trust.
“Suppress the Sword Sage however you can. Just one second, that’s all you need to buy me.”
“Is that enough?”
“What do you take me for? Haven’t you forgotten that there’s none in our sect who surpasses me in sorcery and cursed techniques?”
The Heaven-Sundering Demon General pointed at themselves with a thumb, an action filled with pride.
And the Four Great Demon Generals felt a strange sense of trust and a weighty sense of mission.
*
There was none.
There were no footnotes.
I searched through the entire underground level. Thoroughly, every nook and cranny.
Yet, it wasn’t there. Even forcing out my senses through the mist of malevolent energy, there was no sign of a secret warehouse.
– Tsk… Why won’t heaven help when time is pressing?
“…”
“Byul Rak…”
It seems the initial hypothesis was wrong.
The thought that the notes were likely in the basement because of the numerous traps was flawed.
In this labyrinth of deceptions that had fooled the world, there could be far more intricate traps.
“I’m sorry, I was too arrogant.”
“No, don’t say that.”
“Since we still haven’t spent much time, let’s search faster. If there’s no trace at all, we must also consider the option of destroying everything using martial arts.”
“Isn’t that the plan you abandoned due to the fear of collapsing the notes?”
“There’s no other option at this point.”
Though I made her make unnecessary trips, a sense of guilt washed over me towards Jade Flower.
Guilt turns into remorse, and remorse turns into self-contempt.
“Byul Rak, why are you so pale?”
“… Ignore it. It must be the malevolent spirits playing tricks.”
Negative thoughts seep in, spreading like wildfire.
This is a ghostly cave, where gloomy thoughts swell and hopeful thoughts wither.
It’s not a place to stay for long. If not careful, one could easily be dragged into the darkness.
Even knowing this, my heart leans towards the negative.
It’s inevitable. I am a person who can’t leave guilt alone, and self-loathing grows by consuming such guilt.
At that moment, Jade Flower, walking beside me, gently grabbed my collar and spoke.
“Byul Rak, I’ve said it before.”
“Hmm?”
“I am your subordinate, meaning I belong to you.”
“Such words. How can a person become an object?”
“It’s my choice. I want to rid myself of this meager self-loathing. So, you should treat me without burden. Don’t feel unnecessary guilt towards me. Where in the world does a master feel such guilt towards their belongings?”
With that, Jade Flower trailed behind me.
She undoubtedly read my mind.
“…”
Strangely, after Jade Flower consoled me, the endless plunge of my heart began to settle.
A few simple words, yet people’s words carry an inexplicable power.
“Hmm… Alright, let’s boost our spirits.”
“Hmm.”
With renewed resolve, I stepped forward.
That was when it happened.
Fwshh!
Paang!
Ssshhing!
Suddenly, three flashes of light emerged from the thick mist and darted towards us.
Given their speed, I didn’t try to deflect them. Instead, I grabbed the back of Jade Flower’s head and bent down.
Kwaaang!
A moment later, where our heads had been was obliterated by a massive explosion.
Had I not moved, even if I survived, Jade Flower would have surely been injured.
Whirr!
There was no time to contemplate. Another series of streaks of light charged towards us.
I had no intention of enduring even one more attack. Gritting my fist tightly…
Kudukduk.
Without channeling internal energy. I didn’t know who or what lay beyond the mist, but based on the previous encounters, there was no need to use internal energy.
If my dantian were normal, I might have unleashed it fully, but this was Mucheon Ravine, where countless explosives lurk.
Kwaaa!
I swung my fist in a large helical motion without restraint.
The wind pressure tore through the misty curtain like a fierce tiger.
The tiger-like force surged and struck one side of Mucheon Ravine, shattering everything—smoke, rock walls, anything in its path.
Kwakwakwakwakwaaang!
The wind streak cut across the space. The now empty side area came into view.
There, three men and women trembled.
“Byul Rak… Ba, just now…!”
“Hush.”
The Rakshasa Demon General, the Great Strength Demon General, and the Bloodsucking Demon General.
They were remnants of the Blood Cult present in Mucheon Ravine. They were also the ones behind our attackers.
Although they didn’t seem hostile a while ago, their minds must have changed in the interim.
Whatever the reason, I had no intention of extending any kindness to these dull-witted adversaries who chose to become my enemy.
Launching off the ground, I traversed the air. Time seemed to slow down in a surreal fashion.
In one leap, I approached the three who were wielding weapons.
They turned their heads belatedly, but their gazes couldn’t keep up with my speed.
A light punch sent a hole through the Great Strength Demon General’s forehead with a “Pooong!” Her eyes faded to white.
A faint breeze passed through the head, revealing something pale through the skull hole.
Frowning, I focused inward, and through the hole, I could gradually see what lay beyond.
‘What is this?’
It was a vast, pitch-black orb. Its diameter was likely five paces.
I faintly remembered its identity. I had encountered it during my past regression memories.
“You! Sword Sage! Just collapse after taking this!”
In the past, the Heaven-Sundering Demon General had unleashed this forbidden art of the Blood Cult towards me.
The Cursed Face Art, the orb’s true nature.
