Chapter 211: The First Sin (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 211: The First Sin (3)
As the barrier teetered on the brink of collapse, the Palace Lord surged toward the crimson sky forged by Gu Cheolun.
The authority bestowed upon him by his Heaven was near perfection. It compensated for his flaws and amplified the strength he already possessed.
A new world awaits me.
That was the Palace Lord’s conviction.
He assured himself he was no longer the man who once crawled in the dirt, trampled underfoot by the righteous scum of the Orthodox Faction. Just as before, he placed his faith in the power granted by his Heaven…
Crack…
But that faith shattered in an instant.
Through the blood-red sky, a figure moved with calamitous intent. Despite the Great Oni reinforcing the barrier with the power of Demonic Stones, this man was tearing through it layer by layer with sheer, absurd strength.
The Flaming Demon, Gu Cheolun.
The man who had once punched a hole clean through the Palace Lord’s stomach.
A monster who had forged treaties so powerful they rendered the entire Unorthodox Faction impotent.
They call the Sword Venerable the pillar of the Alliance.
Wi Hyogun had borne that title during his reign as Leader of the Murim Alliance…
But the Palace Lord knew it wasn't the almighty Sword Venerable the Unorthodox Faction truly feared.
It was the Flaming Demon, born of fire.
From a distance, he watched the man who embodied disaster.
At times, he had sworn to kill him by any means necessary. At others, the red-clad martial artist was an object of pure, burning envy.
Riiip-!
Another layer of the barrier was torn asunder. Gu Cheolun lifted his head slightly.
His eyes—a clear, horrifying crimson—locked onto the Palace Lord.
“…!”
In that single moment of eye contact, the Palace Lord understood everything.
He was certain.
Even after all these years, even with his newfound authority, victory against the Flaming Demon was impossible.
He knew it just by looking.
The fire standing before him was a living cataclysm. Contrary to rumors, its fangs had not dulled in the slightest.
The Flaming Demon showed no anger. No flames erupted to proclaim his Gu Clan heritage. His focus was solely on the barrier; their gazes had met, yet the overwhelming pressure he emitted wasn't even directed at the Palace Lord.
And yet, it’s still this intense?
He had thought the tiger was wasting away, hidden in some remote mountain. But in truth, the great beast was merely napping.
It could reign whenever it pleased.
So what was he doing now? Just taking a brief respite?
“…How absurd.”
The Palace Lord whispered to himself.
He had been granted immense authority. He had amassed power by taking lives.
And still, he couldn't measure up.
“…Not yet.”
After that fleeting moment of eye contact with Gu Cheolun, the Palace Lord turned and retreated.
Judging by the Flaming Demon’s relentless assault, the barrier’s total collapse was imminent. Having realized he stood no chance, the Palace Lord saw no reason to remain.
The Main Palace was disposable, meant to be discarded the moment his Heaven no longer required it. And with complications arising concerning his Heaven, his departure was overdue.
The incident with the flame is regrettable.
But there would be other opportunities.
Escaping with his Heaven was the top priority.
It was wise to inform the Great King in advance.
The moment Gu Huibi was brought to the Main Palace, the Palace Lord had notified the Black Dragon. Now, all that remained was to leave without a second thought.
His only disappointment was fleeing without a single exchange with the Flaming Demon.
Just wait a little longer.
He had abandoned his pride in the Abyss years ago, but his desire to rise had never faded. Confirming the Flaming Demon’s undiminished power only solidified his resolve.
He began preparing water to douse those disgusting flames.
A heavy rain to soak this degrading world.
He would fill the clouds to bursting and unleash it all upon the world.
Crack.
Blood trickled from his clenched fist.
The shame of turning tail and running, despite his granted authority—he tried desperately to ignore his own pathetic reflection.
* * *
Within the foul mist of Demonic Qi…
Under a violet moon that had twisted noon into night…
Dribble-
The bastard poured a drink, same as always.
With downcast eyes, deathly pale skin, and violet irises glowing amidst it all, I felt an inexplicable fear. I was being crushed by the unique aura that only he possessed.
When I dared to glance up, his moon-like eyes were fixed on me.
Noticing my gaze, he spoke.
-Your eyes seem strange.
-…I’m sorry.
-No need to apologize. I don’t mind it.
The Heavenly Demon raised the cup to his lips and drained it in a few gulps.
Slaking his thirst, he stared at me, unmoving.
That gaze was so uncomfortable I couldn’t hold it for long.
-From time to time…
Swish-
An inexplicable breeze accompanied his words.
-It seems you are looking at someone else through me.
His words sent a chill through my heart.
Each syllable was like salt sprinkled on a wound that had already scarred over. Even though I knew the words themselves would fade, the meaning behind them was freezing.
-Are you thinking of the girl in your heart?
-No…
-‘No,’ you say. How amusing.
It was true. A sophistry to escape.
-Chuckle.
The Heavenly Demon let out a soft laugh.
-The Demonic Sword Queen who died for you… If she saw you now, it would wound her deeply.
-…
-You still haven’t forgotten her? How stubborn your affection is.
-That’s not true, I—
-Lies do not work on me.
Thud.
An overpowering pressure slammed down on my shoulders. The Demonic Qi saturating my dantian surged violently, as if acknowledging its true master standing before me.
Agony stormed through my body, but I held my breath and endured.
-…I’m sorry.
Was my response finally satisfactory?
Dribble-
The Heavenly Demon poured another drink.
After draining the cup, he spoke again, his tone light with amusement.
-I am curious.
The very world seemed to tremble with his words. This was the Heavenly Demon’s sacred ground.
-Would you still be fine, if that girl were to die by my hand?
-…
The man offered no reply. The Heavenly Demon chuckled, seemingly entertained by his silence.
In that moment, the man could only watch the Heavenly Demon laugh.
Because that face resembled someone so much…
And seeing that expression of enjoyment, the rot festering inside him felt momentarily soothed.
Is it because I saw a smile on that face?
At that thought, the man laughed at himself.
It was a despicable thought to have.
Finding solace in his twisted life was impossible; he had burned the vessel that held any semblance of comfort with his own hands.
His insides were hollow.
All that remained was a regret that burned eternally.
Amidst the oppressive atmosphere, I lowered my head and closed my eyes.
* * *
Inside the Demonic Qi-filled room, I stared at the child in the Palace Lord’s arms, a question forming.
…Why does it look like a child?
Its emaciated frame and vacant, spaced-out eyes—so different from the being I remembered from my past life—were irrelevant.
The crucial point was that this child was undeniably the Heavenly Demon I knew.
…This is impossible.
Could I be mistaken? I tried to convince myself it was possible, but I knew better. I bit my lip.
The child’s face was uncannily similar to Wi Seol-Ah’s. And those distinctive eyes…
Others might not see it, but for me, recognizing that bastard was impossible to avoid.
Grrrgle-
…Shit.
Just look—the Demonic Qi inside me was raging uncontrollably.
How could this be a mistake?
The real question was why the Heavenly Demon was here, in this form.
The Heavenly Demon I knew had a far more mature body than its current state…
And it said it emerged from the Abyss.
It broke through the Alliance and descended upon the world via the Abyss. That’s what it told me.
But in reality, the Heavenly Demon already existed in the world before that… and it was here, in the Black Palace, looking like this?
…I don’t understand any of this.
What in hell was happening? None of this aligned with anything I could have imagined.
“It seems you cannot hear me.”
“…!”
A sudden sensation made me jerk sideways.
Crrrrggg!!
The Palace Lord’s energy erupted in the room and shot toward me.
“…You dodged it?”
The Palace Lord sounded surprised. He hadn’t expected me to evade.
Ignoring the searing pain in my dantian from the sudden movement, I spoke. “Your way of greeting is a bit rough.”
“That face and energy… I see. You are the Flaming Demon’s son.”
The Flaming Demon, huh… I hadn’t heard that title in a long time. I knew my father was called that, but meeting someone who actually used the title was unexpected.
“The True Dragon, was it?”
“I’m honored the Lord of the Black Palace knows of me.”
“Of course I know. How could I not? We have a bit of history.”
Did he mean my previous encounters with the Black Palace?
“You look identical to your father.”
“I’m sick of hearing that.”
“I thought your older sister was an extraordinary talent, but seeing you makes such a description inadequate.”
As he spoke, I detected an unidentifiable emotion in his eyes. Envy? Jealousy? It felt awkward for a martial artist at the Fusion Realm, perhaps even its peak, to direct such feelings at me.
“Now, will you answer me? How did you open that door?”
“What do you mean? I pushed it open, obviously.”
I glanced behind me as I answered. The dense Demonic Qi seemed to be preventing the Gu Clan swordsmen from entering easily.
What should I do?
If the child in his arms was truly the Heavenly Demon, I couldn’t let him escape.
“How fascinating.”
“…What is?”
“Your eyes… it’s as if you know who this is.”
The Palace Lord referred to the Heavenly Demon as a ‘person.’ The term alone suggested their relationship wasn’t a friendly one.
Did the Heavenly Demon turn the Palace Lord into a Demonic Human? And all the other martial artists of the Black Palace, too? Did the Heavenly Demon have a hand in it, just like with the Demonic Humans in my past life?
To understand this… I had to capture him, no matter the cost. Even if I stood no chance.
Blaze-!
I channeled my qi and summoned flames immediately. My dantian screamed in protest, but hesitation wasn’t an option.
Seeing me gather my strength, the Palace Lord formed a slight smile. “I don’t believe a child like you knows his place. Unless… my generosity seems amusing to you?”
He drew a line in the air with his hand. The energy saturating the room converged and shot toward me.
I pushed my speed to the limit, flames roaring around me.
Flash.
I lunged at the Palace Lord, but as I reached him…
Slam…!
“…Ugh…!”
His arm struck my exposed side. With an explosive sound, I was sent flying backward, tumbling across the floor.
…I can’t react properly. I can’t use my energy to its fullest.
The difference in our cultivation was already vast. With my dantian compromised, this was nearly impossible.
But am I supposed to let him go when he’s right in front of me?
How could I?
Even if I have to use Blood Qi… I would do whatever it took.
Even if it destroyed me in the process.
I had to capture that bastard.
“Given the circumstances, I’m sparing your life. You should be thankf—” The Palace Lord began, but abruptly stopped.
I had been about to activate my Blood Qi, but I halted as well.
The reason: the Heavenly Demon in the Palace Lord’s arms was pointing a finger at me.
A moment later, it spoke. “…That.”
“My Heaven? What is it…?”
“Is… mine?”
It tilted its head in confusion.
…Perhaps… It was reacting to the Demonic Qi inside me. If this child was truly the Heavenly Demon, such a thing was possible. After all, my ability to absorb Demonic Qi was, ultimately, the Heavenly Demon’s power.
Then…
Grrrrr-!
“…!”
The Demonic Qi sealed within my body began to boil. As it ran wild, my already agonized dantian screamed in protest.
“Ughhh…!”
“…Mine…”
The Heavenly Demon in the Palace Lord’s arms seemed to recognize something.
…Fuck…
My Demonic Qi was moving. It felt as if it had a will of its own, trying to tear its way out of my body. Such a violent expulsion would devastate me; I had to block its flow while enduring the pain.
“…How is this possible…?” The Palace Lord, noticing the wild energy inside me, widened his eyes further. “How… How do you possess that energy?!”
His voice was thick with an emotion I couldn’t place—anger, perhaps. I was curious why, but surviving the pain took precedence.
After what felt like an eternity of struggle…
[…Rrr.]
A sound emanated from the depths of my dantian. It sounded displeased.
[Grrr…]
A bestial growl.
“…Gasp…!”
The moment I registered the sound, the storm of Demonic Qi inside me abruptly calmed.
“Huff… Huff…”
Cold sweat drenched my body as I gasped for air. The pain had been excruciating.
But now, curiosity overwhelmed me. The Demonic Qi, moments from exploding, had settled instantly.
When I looked up at the Heavenly Demon…
Is it afraid?
The Heavenly Demon was trembling, its face a mask of pure terror. The sight, so resembling a frightened child, angered me.
“…My Heaven, what is wrong?” The Palace Lord asked.
The Heavenly Demon didn’t answer. It just kept staring at me, shaking.
A thought crossed my mind.
Did it sense it?
The Blood Demon, Dok Gojun, had mentioned a beast living inside me. Was that growl the sound of that beast? Was the Heavenly Demon afraid of it? How else to explain this reaction?
But what is this beast? What the hell is inside me? For such an existence to feel fear…
“This is incomprehensible,” the Palace Lord muttered, his tone bewildered yet laced with murderous intent. “So, I shall clean this up now.”
His energy coalesced into the shape of a sharp awl. I could tell from his Combat Qi that it was aimed at my heart.
But my body still wouldn’t obey me. At this rate, I would die, a hole drilled through my chest.
Just then…
“Tsk.” The Palace Lord, poised to strike, clicked his tongue. “…I’ve wasted too much time.”
As he spoke in a disappointed tone…
Blaaaze-!
Flames surged into the room from the passage behind me. They swirled around me protectively, then formed a solid wall in front of me.
I knew that heat, that color.
“You really go out of your way to find trouble.”
A voice, utterly devoid of emotion.
Thud.
An immense, heavy qi descended, pressuring the entire area. As if the suffocating Demonic Qi was nothing but a mild inconvenience, the Tiger Warrior Gu Cheolun—my father—stepped into the room.
“I told you not to act rashly, yet you still cause trouble.”
Demonic Qi was a deadly poison to any qi-wielding martial artist, making breathing difficult. But Father showed no sign of being affected. It should have been impossible.
“Palace Lord.”
Hearing Father’s call, the Lord of the Black Palace smiled. “It has been a while, Flaming Demon.”
“You broke the promise.”
“Surely you never believed I would keep that promise until the end of time.”
Despite the mocking tone, Father showed no reaction. It was as if he couldn’t care less.
“Even a demonic man like you cares for his child, to come all this way while neglecting your duties.”
“I will not engage in unnecessary conversation.”
True to his word, flames began to wreathe Father’s body. His qi was as overwhelmingly powerful as ever.
Yet the Palace Lord continued to smile, unafraid. “You needn’t act strong. I know you’re struggling.”
“Silence.”
A torrent of flame, forged by immense power, shot toward the Palace Lord to incinerate him…
Slam!
But a wall of the Palace Lord’s energy blocked the attack. The barrier shook violently, on the verge of shattering, but held.
…He’s not completely unaffected. It wasn’t my imagination; I saw Father tremble for a split second.
“Don’t be in such a hurry. We will meet again.” With those words, the Palace Lord stepped back, toward the violet-glowing Gate of Demons. “I, too, have matters to discuss with your son. I expect we will see each other soon.”
I gritted my teeth, watching him retreat. My body remained paralyzed.
I have to let him escape like this? With that calamity in his arms?
As I trembled in frustration, the Palace Lord’s quiet whisper reached my ears. “When that time comes, the Gu Clan will have to commit the First Sin.”
“…!”
With that final statement, the Great Oni, the Palace Lord, and the Heavenly Demon vanished into the Gate of Demons.
Until the very last moment, I stared at the Heavenly Demon.
And the young Heavenly Demon stared back at me.
When the Gate of Demons had swallowed them all, it disappeared from the air, closing like a falling eyelid. So quietly it was as if it had never been there at all.
…Why?
Despite letting the Heavenly Demon escape, the Palace Lord’s final words echoed in my mind.
Why did he say that?
The First Sin.
The Gu Clan’s First Sin.
That was when they first opened the Gate of Demons upon the world, long, long ago.
That was the First Sin, and the eternal duty of the Gu Clan.