Chapter 135

The Heavenly Demon headed deep underground. The ominous aura he had felt since first seeing this building was emanating from this vicinity.

Upon opening the massive iron door, what entered his sight were quite familiar faces. Well, to be precise, faces that had once been familiar.

The Blue Spirit Sword Master of the Cheongseong Sect, the Poison Forest Demon King of the Sichaen House, the White Flame Sword King of the Kunlun Sect, the Returning Spirit Old Monster of the Jeomchang Sect, and the Plum Blossom Sword Master of the Hwasan Sect—all of them were figures who had once rivaled the Heavenly Demon in his youth.

“Well, well, it’s been a while, you trash of the righteous sects… I’m just amazed that you’ve managed to regain your youth without even reaching the realm of the Rejuvenation Technique.”

The Poison Forest Demon King responded, his voice dripping with the bitterness and resentment of a defeated man.

“We formed an alliance with the Black Round Table to kill you! And thanks to the sacrifices they prepared, we were able to regain our youth.”

They had all regained their youth by absorbing the life force of children provided by the Black Round Table. Of course, in exchange for their youth, they participated in the experiments conducted by the Black Round Table, offering knowledge of acupuncture, spells, and more. The number of children who died in this mutually beneficial exchange was beyond count.

“Ha… So-called righteous sects resorting to such dark arts… The honor of the righteous sects has truly been buried in the ground. No, more like thrown into a cesspool.”

“Shut up! We will avenge the sects you destroyed!”

“Attacking our sect first with a cowardly preemptive strike, and now throwing a tantrum because you got what was coming to you… You really do look like monkeys. A child I care for once told me… ‘If you pick up a sword to kill someone, you must be prepared to be stabbed by that sword.’ That child is wise, but you’re even worse than a child.”

Unable to bear the Heavenly Demon’s provocation, the Blue Spirit Sword Master stood up and unleashed a slash. A slash that could cut through even castle walls like tofu, but the Heavenly Demon caught it bare-handed and twisted it away.

“You’ve improved somewhat. Though, since you’ve only grown stronger through dark arts, I have no desire to praise you.”

The time they had rivaled the Heavenly Demon was long past, back when he was not even twenty. He had continued to train rigorously under the Black Wing Sword Saint, and after personally overseeing his master’s funeral, he had become a completely different person.

Ocheonyoung, the disciple of the Black Wing Sword Saint who had suddenly appeared in the Central Plains and cut off the arms of the Martial Alliance Leader, had uniquely elevated his sword techniques to divine arts and founded the Heavenly Demon Sect, plunging the Central Plains into fear. There had been attempts to subdue him, but they only served to elevate his legend.

And when there were no more worthy opponents, he headed to the western continent, where he first met the succubus thief Squar and eventually joined a party of heroes.

“Today will be different, Ocheonyoung. Finally, the chance for revenge has come! Today, I will kill you and fulfill my long-held desire for vengeance!”

“Attacking first and then talking about revenge? How shameless. And… do you really think you can stop me?”

“Of course we can! You, who refused to reach the realm of the Rejuvenation Technique, preaching about providence! We, who have abandoned all scruples, cannot lose!”

The Heavenly Demon began to laugh. It wasn’t mockery or provocation. He simply couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the Blue Spirit Sword Master’s words.

“What are you cackling about?”

“You seem to be under a misconception. The reason you survived your defeat to me back then was never because of your strength.”

The vitality that had seemed to fade with age began to surge in his eyes.

“I spared you because I found the morals and discipline you upheld as so-called righteous sects amusing. But now… resorting to such deeds for mere youth… I no longer have a reason to let you live.”

Though the Heavenly Demon’s body had aged, his energy had not. If anything, it had become sharper and colder, like a finely forged sword.

“Come at me. Let’s end this long-standing grudge here. In the name of my master, the Black Wing Sword Saint, I will take the lives of those who succumbed to the temptations of the Black Round Table.”

Then, an unexpected response came from the Poison Forest Demon King.

“You’re quite the joker.”

“What?”

“Even that Black Wing Sword Saint… No, there’s no need to tell you more. Words are unnecessary for martial artists. Let’s settle this.”

—

Camelia silently gazed at the red-bladed sword Werner had given her. Since her encounter with her father, she had avoided any external activities and even conversations with Werner. After all, one of the culprits behind Werner’s condition was her own father.

The fact that she couldn’t find him despite decades of searching, and that he never appeared at her mother’s grave, now made sense.

Her father was no longer the stern yet kind man he once was. He had now become a disgusting evil aligned with the Black Round Table. If he were to target Werner’s life again… what would she do?

She pondered. No matter how evil he was, he was still her beloved father. But if he were to threaten the life of that innocent child again, she resolved to fight him with all her might.

“But you know, if you seriously confront your father now, you’ll be sliced to pieces in under ten seconds.”

The silver-haired girl’s spirit that emerged from the red-bladed sword stroked Camelia’s head, tempting her with a sweet voice.

“Then run away. Honestly, you’re scared, aren’t you? Or, you could follow your father. No one would blame you. You’ve been wandering in search of your father… It’s only natural to be by his side.”

“…Shut up.”

“Then do you want to fight? Honestly, even if you and your comrades gang up on him, you’d all be wiped out in 30 seconds. Splat, splat~.”

“Who are you to suddenly appear as a ghost and spout such nonsense…?”

The silver-haired girl chuckled, swallowing the answer she wanted to give. Instead, she gave a formal, superficial response.

“I’m the previous owner of this sword… and someone who can give you power.”

“What…?”

“Don’t you need it?”

Camelia instinctively knew. The girl before her could grant her immense power, and… she wasn’t the type to share power out of mere goodwill.

“There’s a price, isn’t there…?”

“You catch on quick. Unlike some who just whine for help… Honestly, it’s only fair to pay for power. It’s the basics of any deal…”

“Enough chatter. Just tell me the price.”

“Geez… Why are you all so rude and lacking in manners… Fine, the price is…”

The girl smiled quietly and viciously as she made her offer. The sinister smile born of curiosity and interest was enough to momentarily frighten even Camelia.

“Your lifespan. I don’t need money. In exchange for your lifespan, I’ll grant you power proportional to what you offer.”

It was an offer akin to a devil’s temptation. Selling her lifespan for power—such a ludicrous idea would have made her scoff in the past.

But now, she was different.

“Then I’ll offer my lifespan.”

“Oh… How much? 100 years? 200 years? 300 years? Ah, a half-elf’s lifespan is long, so it’s relatively less valuable compared to a human’s.”

She began to ponder. How much of her lifespan should she offer to protect Werner? And how could she spend as much time as possible with him? The answer was simple.

“Let me die when that child dies. Take all the lifespan until the moment that child dies… I don’t need the rest.”

Camelia wanted to protect Werner, who had approached her with a bright smile when she was lost after losing her family. And as Werner grew, she had always wondered about the shifting emotions within her. But now, she knew the answer and decided not to hesitate.

“Wow, you’re quite the lunatic. And your taste in women… Well, fine.”

The silver-haired girl placed her finger on Camelia’s forehead and infused her with power.

“Your technique’s precision, reflexes, and strength will all be different now, so get used to it. Oh, and I’ve modified that weapon, so don’t worry…”

Before the silver-haired girl could finish, Camelia headed toward the building where Werner and the others were. Watching her retreating figure, the silver-haired girl muttered to herself.

“Every potential daughter-in-law is a complete pain…”