“Ho-Nam’s Nine Great Sects wants to fund our school.”
“The Nine Great Sects of Yunnan have expressed their willingness to cooperate.”
“Followers of the doctrine are increasing mainly in the Gangseo area.”
Hearing the report from the Blood People, the Blood Ancestor nodded.
In the end, the Martial World always returned to the logic of power.
Of course, with the Five Great Clans and the Nine Great Sects all belonging to the Martial Forest Alliance, it was only natural that many would want to join forces with the Blood Sect, which was displaying its power to the whole world.
Other than the power of the Entity, the Blood Sect had been lacking in all aspects, but now it was rapidly assembling the components of a massive force.
The Blood Ancestor looked down at the piles of documents in front of him with a satisfied gaze.
As proof of its growing strength, his desk was stacked high with numerous reports.
All the documents piled up in front of him were information about the Martial World sent by its allied forces.
What was the Blood Sect’s most vulnerable point as an organization?
It was, indeed, information.
Up to this point, the Blood Sect had been categorized as a public organization in the Martial World, and the Blood People who learned its martial arts possessed the extremely obvious outward trait of being bloodthirsty, making it impossible to form an information network.
Hence, the Blood Ancestor couldn’t help but smile at the rich information sent by the groups he had allied with, or those wanting to form alliances.
To think he could know not just the movements of the Martial Forest Alliance but also the entire landscape of the Martial World from his seated position!
Compared to the past, when he had to gather rumors wandering about the streets with poorly dispatched Blood People, this was nothing short of a transformation.
The abundant information brought about by the immense power of the Entity.
Thanks to such abundant information, the Blood Sect was now capable of identifying and removing variables that could obstruct its dominance over the world. Wasn’t this what they called a virtuous cycle?
As the Blood Ancestor was instructing a new operation based on the analyzed information, he suddenly realized something strange.
Despite the flood of news about all forces in the world and other sects, why was there no mention of Oh Seong-jin?
No matter how independently he may act, it would be normal for some trace to surface.
“Is there any news about Ho Cheon-an?”
The Blood People assisting the Blood Ancestor with analyzing information raised their heads and looked at each other.
“Nothing has been heard.”
“Neither have I…”
“…Tsk.”
The Blood Ancestor quickly grasped how the situation was unfolding.
From the perspective of the Blood Sect’s allies, how should they treat Ho Cheon-an? Ho Cheon-an opposed the Blood Sect, yet the Blood Ancestor treated his actions as toddler-like rebellion, merely referring to the successor position.
The relationship between the Blood Sect and Ho Cheon-an was simply too unpredictable. However, if they took the risk of providing information about Ho Cheon-an, it might backfire if Ho Cheon-an were to become the successor of the Blood Sect later on.
It could result in a rift between the successor and the Blood Sect.
The aim of other factions providing information to the Blood Sect was simply to earn the Blood Sect’s favor. But clearly, getting mixed up in the disarray of the relationship between Ho Cheon-an and the Blood Ancestor would only bring about resentment, so they decided not to even relay any matters concerning Ho Cheon-an.
Information aimed at isolating Ho Cheon-an and causing confusion in the Martial Forest Alliance ended up reaching the ears of other factions, leading to unexpected developments.
“Shall we look into it now?”
“Let’s do that.”
“Honor!”
The Blood Ancestor recalled Ho Cheon-an.
It had been about two months since the news had stopped.
It was ample time for something to be plotted, yet the circumstances surrounding Ho Cheon-an were unfavorable.
Having been ostracized from the Martial Forest Alliance, rumors detrimental to his trustworthiness were rampant, so things would likely not go his way.
‘It would be best to ascertain his movements now.’
The Blood Ancestor cast aside his worries and shifted his gaze back to the documents.
Although the matter concerning Ho Cheon-an was not trivial, there were several priorities outweighing it at present.
Just as the Blood Sect began to track Ho Cheon-an’s direction, Ho Cheon-an was vigorously preparing for the transmission of the Heavenly Demon Arts.
*
“Hmm. Is this the one?”
Squeak!
Despite having been hiding in the Bicheongmacha to avoid suspicion about being tied to the Blood Ancestor or the Blood Sect, Seo Gong no longer needed to do so.
With Ho Cheon-an’s relationship with the Blood Sect now known by all within the Martial World.
Seo Gong had been doing just fine in the narrow confines of the Bicheongmacha, but keeping the lively Being cooped up felt uncomfortable.
Choosing to release Seo Gong, whom We Seorye had invited as a guest, seemed the best course of action.
It seemed We Seorye was curious about Seo Gong.
And Seo Gong, not particularly fond of We Seorye’s interest, was clinging to Hyeok Gi-rin’s back, trembling.
“Umm.”
I observed Seo Gong, who was burying his head to avoid We Seorye’s gaze, and pondered for a moment.
I hadn’t exactly expected failure, but looking back at Wi Ji-cheon’s reactions, I realized he could only guess what might happen during my transmission of the Heavenly Demon Arts without completely understanding.
With that in mind, the possibility of me possessing the Black Dragon Qi was not entirely out of the question.
Bringing my thoughts around to that, I casually lifted Seo Gong, who was clinging to Hyeok Gi-rin’s back, to approach We Seorye.
Squeak? Squeak!
Momentarily lost in thought, Seo Gong tightened its tail around my arm. If Seo Gong were human, it would likely exclaim, “What the hell are you doing? Is this betrayal?!”
Apologies were due, but considering potential unforeseen events, it might not be a bad idea for Seo Gong to adapt to the Black Dragon Qi.
“Hooh.”
With no hesitation, We Seorye reached out toward Seo Gong. Seo Gong desperately tried to raise its tail to block her hand, but its trembling tail lacked any strength, allowing We Seorye to easily brush it aside and grab its head.
…This looked unmistakably like a typical head-patting move one would use when wanting to bonk someone’s head.
Seeing Seo Gong tremble in fear, I hastily spoke up.
“The way you’re touching it…”
“Ah? Oh I see.”
We Seorye wore a distant look as though reminiscing about far-off memories and took on a more ordinary approach, spreading her palm to gently stroke Seo Gong’s head.
As her cautious petting continued, it seemed Seo Gong gradually relaxed, its once stiff demeanor slowly melting away.
“It’s warm and soft.”
“Have you never raised a pet?”
“I can’t recall the last time I had direct contact with a beast.”
The question slipped out thoughtlessly, but the weight of the answer surprised me.
“Most beasts would cause a ruckus even at my mere approach.”
“…I see.”
“Hmm. In that sense, this little one is definitely an Entity. How adorable.”
A rare bright smile appeared on We Seorye’s face as she spoke.
“It seems you want to give it a treat. What does it eat?”
“Spirit Herbs.”
“It’s quite the picky eater then.”
Without hesitation, We Seorye opened the storage of the Heavenly Demon Sect. A variety of Spirit Herbs appeared before me, their fragrance so potent that I felt like I had swallowed a peppermint candy.
“Eat up.”
Though much more at ease than before, Seo Gong still looked apprehensive as it reluctantly took a Spirit Herb from We Seorye’s hand.
Seo Gong nibbled on the Spirit Herb for a bit and then stuffed it into its cheek pouch.
It seemed he was only eating by force of We Seorye’s stare.
Seo Gong was originally a light eater, only consuming large quantities when replenishing its energy.
However, the way Seo Gong looked at We Seorye may have given the impression of gratitude, causing her to present more Spirit Herbs with a delighted smile.
With cheeks puffed up, Seo Gong begrudgingly accepted each offering.
“Your cheeks are getting all puffy, how cute.”
Squeak? Squeak! Squeak!
Seo Gong seemed to want to say something, but at the very least, it was clear that it was desperately trying to please We Seorye.
We Seorye would poke at Seo Gong’s cheeks, earning increasingly jittery reactions from the little Entity.
Occasionally, I caught a resentful glance from Seo Gong directed towards me for not rescuing it, but witnessing We Seorye enjoy herself like that was a new experience. For the time being, I decided to let it be.
After having played around with Seo Gong for a while, We Seorye released him.
Seo Gong promptly dashed over to Ding So-yeol’s side, wrapping his tail around her chair, letting out a heavy sigh with its puffed cheeks.
Ding So-yeol silently scratched Seo Gong’s head with a cigarette holder, finally relieving him of his worries, and he sprawled contentedly on the ground.
We Seorye quietly watched Seo Gong’s appearance and then spoke.
“Tomorrow is the day.”
“Yes.”
The rituals to inherit the Heavenly Demon Arts had concluded.
All that remained was the execution the following day.
The expressions of the group, who had been trying to maintain calm, changed as tension took hold. Hyeok Gi-rin held Seo Gong close, nervously petting him. Yeo Il-ye tried hard to keep a solid expression to alleviate my anxiety. The Black Cat wore a long face, while Moyong Yeon-hwa looked on at me with deep concern, and Dokgo I-seol nodded somberly.
And there was Ding So-yeol, lost in thought, and Tang Do-yeon, who wore a light smile.
Although they expressed it differently, I could tell that they all share the same goal to uplift my spirits.
“It’s already night. You should prepare to welcome tomorrow.”
While it hadn’t been long since dinner, the night was still early, yet We Seorye said those words as she stood up.
This too must be her way of supporting me.
“Come on, let’s let our senior get some rest.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Honorable Person. Take care of yourself.”
I neatly parted ways with the group and returned to my room.
“Phew.”
Afterward, I ordered some water, meticulously washed my face, towel-dried my body, and then flopped down onto my bed.
As I savored the comfort of the Heavenly Demon’s distinguished bedding, it soothed every ounce of my heightened sensitivity, thanks to my newfound martial expertise, ensuring I felt peace.
Sincerely, I felt gratitude towards my companions.
In truth, to them, I might have appeared to be someone on the brink of life and death. Which I essentially was.
The underlying truth remained unchanged: failing to inherit the Heavenly Demon Arts meant death.
Thus, they must have wanted to shake off whatever lingering sentiments they held. They might have even wanted to express their feelings or perhaps embrace or kiss me.
Hmm.
Reflecting on that, it may not have been so bad after all?
Though I couldn’t say for sure, the tranquility I maintained while reaching the Heavenly Demon Sect, and even after my arrival, may very well have been shattered.
Intense emotions have a tendency to move the feelings of others.
Ultimately, my companions had taken care of me until the very end.
As I rolled around, I rose and began practicing Qi circulation.
Woom.
Amidst the always-loud Brain Knife, I checked every corner of my body as if it were being cleaned. Today, the Brain Knife’s humming seemed like the sound of a vacuum cleaner’s motor, making me feel even more like I was cleaning.
Though I was conducting my Qi with a sense of major cleanliness, my heart remained as still as ever.
However, that calmness was not solely maintained by my own power.
It was merely a collection of many factors intertwining, allowing my heart to remain steady and at rest.
I just got lucky.
My thoughts were revolving around the current situation, curiosity about the original version of the Heavenly Demon Arts, the sweat and efforts shared with my companions, and the thoughts of my parents and grandfather, along with the anger directed at the Blood Ancestor.
In short, all my emotions and situations aligned perfectly, allowing me to challenge the Heavenly Demon Arts.
If one day, I wanted to possess a mentality as clear as I had now, no matter what I did, I would have been incapable of achieving the unwavering heart I held now.
That moment of serene clarity is something everyone experiences in their lifetime, yet having it arise right before such an important test seemed to be nothing short of fortune.
Grateful for the good luck that had come my way, I meticulously cleaned every last ounce within me. I hadn’t neglected my Qi circulation, but this time around, was filled with various energies.
Practically every day, directed by Six Star Chen, their energies accumulated within me unbeknownst to myself.
Rather than expelling my companions’ energies from my body, I decided to organize them instead.
While it could become a hindrance to inheriting the Heavenly Demon Arts, my desire to do so prevailed in that instance.
Once I discovered the remnants of the Black Dragon Qi, I swiftly rid myself of it.
Having completed my Qi circulation with an almost proud sense of cleanness, I opened my eyes to find the sun already high in the sky.
“Oh….”
Didn’t I plan to start the inheritance ceremony this morning? What on earth happened here?
In a hurry, I jumped up, only to find martial artists from the Heavenly Demon Pavilion waiting for me silently.
Had they been stalling my schedule, waiting simply for me to be ready?
But the silence waiting upon me was not just from the martial artists of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.
On the road from Wi Ji-cheon’s residence to the place of inheritance, a swarm of church members stood silently, awaiting my emergence.
….Did I keep all these people waiting?
A hollow chuckle escaped me.
Perhaps due to their long wait, the gazes of the church members were somewhat fierce. Well… to them, it didn’t matter whether I challenged the Heavenly Demon Arts or not. After all, I was merely an outsider to them, someone who had kept them standing silent for long minutes—insert petty annoyance here.
I felt an odd familiarity from those gazes.
As if they were unable to openly express their displeasure about being kept waiting for something important, throwing veiled angry glances instead, it felt eerily similar to when the People of Sacheon glares at the Sacheon Outcasts.
As though they wished to hurl insults, yet were afraid of facing repercussions from the Sacheon Outcasts, directing only hostility in silence.
An unexpected memory of my time as a Sacheon Outcast surfaced.
With the frail body of an Iryu martial artist, I’d stormed through the dark alleys of Sacheon City with nothing but confidence in my Wind-and-Dust Technique.
Recalling that memory, I unexpectedly spoke up.
“Shhh.”
As soon as I spoke, I felt the members of the Demon Sect perk up.
“Whew.”
In that moment, I sensed the queries arising distinctly in everyone’s minds.
And simultaneously, I felt the state of serene clarity in my mind shatter into pieces. The amusing emotion that flooded in began to spill into my heart.
Yes, this was it.
I was a Iryu pass, after all.
And receiving such stares made me anxious to repay them with something.
The fact was, I had maintained a Fame Value of 0, living silently in the shadows of Sacheon, even having stirred up chaos while a Sacheon Outcast.
Seriously, what was this reputation game they wanted me to play?
Any comfort I found was tied to the overwhelming sense of pressure that had filled my heart, binding my movements so tightly that even lying down was a struggle.
Thus, it felt comfortable, resting within restraints that had totally engulfed me.
I finally felt like I was free.
As I perceived the unseen dust swirling among the silent members of the Heavenly Demon Sect, a peculiar thought crossed my mind. I began to wonder if English existed in this Martial World? The map only showed countries in Asia, leaving me uncertain if Europe or even Britain existed.
Would it even matter if the church members recognized the significance of what I shouted at this critical moment?
Perhaps they would merely shift from being referred to as Brain Knife Outcasts to something as grandiose as Great Sword Outcasts.
In various ways, it did seem like a more impressive title—perhaps it was okay?
As I ruminated over this, I felt burdens within my heart shatter and disappear.
My state of clear mind wasn’t due to luck.
It may have been that, under the guise of maintaining a clear state of mind, I had been overly cautious and therefore ended up being late.
Isn’t it normal for someone who’s supposed to be attentive on such an important day to oversleep?
I had merely fallen into self-hypnosis, truthfully.
While revisiting these thoughts, we arrived at the place of the Heavenly Demon Sect’s inheritance.
The venue was packed with people.
Were they the seniors of the Heavenly Demon Sect? There were indeed many martial artists who exuded extraordinary force.
We Seorye and the rest of my group waited for me at the entrance.
“Wow~ I’m so sorry for being late!”
Many martial artists frowned as I displayed a short-lived flippant attitude, but I didn’t particularly care.
On the other hand, the Black Cat, Yeo Il-ye, and Hyeok Gi-rin had their eyes wide open.
I had caught them off-guard by sending them back to the days of the Sacheon Outcasts.
But their surprise faded quickly, replaced by smiles on their faces.
“Senior!”
The Black Cat halted me just as I was about to enter the chamber where Wi Ji-cheon and the Heavenly Demon Arts Secret Manual awaited.
With a thumbs-up, she extended her hand.
Did she still remember the thumbs-up?
“What are you doing?”
As the Black Cat pressed, the others followed suit without understanding a thing. I couldn’t help but chuckle, finding their confused faces entertaining, graced by the sweet gestures of support.
Feeling as though every fragment of burden was finally washed away, I swung open the door to the chamber.
Inside, it was as I had last seen: a dark-hued low table and cushions, with Wi Ji-cheon waiting, holding a blank book in his hands.
I took my seat.
Wi Ji-cheon lifted his brush and asked.
“Are you prepared?”
“No.”
Wi Ji-cheon stared coldly at me as though he couldn’t believe what I had just said. Seeing his expression, I couldn’t help but smirk.
“Nonetheless, I will challenge the Heavenly Demon Arts.”
“Very well then.”
Wi Ji-cheon lifted his brush.
“I will commence the transmission of the Heavenly Demon Arts.”
With each stroke that formed the characters for the Heavenly Demon Arts, a dark energy slowly began to emerge from the secret manual.
“The sole task of the successor is simple. Overcome the Black Dragon that dwells within the essence of the Heavenly Demon Arts and seize that essence’s truth.”
Szzzzzz!!
A powerful Black Dragon Qi enveloped the Heavenly Demon Arts Secret Manual as though it was about to ignite.
Wi Ji-cheon, maintaining an expression reminiscent of our last encounter, lowered the manual before me and began stepping out leisurely.
However, unlike before, he paused at the door to leave me with a parting remark.
“I wish you luck.”
Though I had already grasped my fortune, there was no harm in wishing for more, so I nodded respectfully. Wi Ji-cheon silently closed the door as he exited.
With that, I placed my hand upon the Heavenly Demon Arts Secret Manual.
As the Black Dragon Qi began to tighten around my hand, I could feel the intensity.
Swish.
Without hesitation, I turned to the first page of the manual.
[What is Martial Arts?]
[It is the technique to encapsulate the essence of the universe within the human body and spirit.]
[I hope that posterity reaches that essence.]
[I leave behind the techniques and realizations I have understood in this secret manual.]
[But Challenger, do not forget.]
[Even if you fathom all the truths contained in this manual, you remain human.]
[What sustains humanity is the connection of fate.]
As I read the prologue, I felt the Black Dragon Qi beginning to cover my body. Yet it didn’t invade my core.
The prologue was merely an introduction; the Heavenly Demon Arts itself had yet to materialize.
Now, the moment I turned to the next page, that Black Dragon Qi would penetrate into my being, triggering a battle with the Black Dragon.
I did not hesitate, flipping to the next page.
There was no reason to postpone, nor any need to dither at this point.
And in that instant.
My vision turned pitch black.
