Chapter 347: Heavenly Demon (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 347: Heavenly Demon (1)
Heavenly Demon.
A devil that fell from the sky, the leader of the Demonic Cult who sought to drown the Central Plains in blood. A monster who single-handedly slew the Three Venerables.
Though it was the embodiment of evil, it was once known as the Zenith before being struck down by the Celestial Sword. There was simply no other way to describe it.
Wherever the Heavenly Demon trod, the land itself festered and rotted. Its mere presence exerted a suffocating pressure on all who stood nearby. Its power was so immense that no one could even begin to fathom the chasm that lay between their strength and its own.
I was no exception. Just being in its presence was overwhelming. Simply facing it invoked a crushing weight, a feeling I had only ever felt before when standing before the Master of Swords.
Such was the oppressive aura of the Heavenly Demon.
It was the sovereign of ten thousand demons, the absolute ruler of all Demonic Humans under heaven. If one wondered how the Demonic Cult had swept across the Central Plains with such terrifying speed, the answer lay in the Demonic Qi they wielded.
Demonic Qi is a critical poison to a martial artist’s body. Once it invades, it spreads through their meridians like venomous roots, blocking and corrupting the flow of their own Qi. For a martial artist, being unable to circulate Qi is a crippling, fatal burden. But Demonic Qi does more than just block; it actively corrodes the body from within.
To martial artists, Demonic Qi is a lethal toxin.
And the Heavenly Demon was the wellspring of it all, the origin of this poison and the entity that granted its authority to a chosen few Demonic Humans.
I could still vividly recall the smile it wore as it descended from the heavens, declaring its intent to bring calamity upon the world. Its long hair and piercing eyes held a coldness so profound it felt as if daylight itself would be extinguished, plunging the world into eternal night.
The eyes staring back at me now were no different from the ones etched into my memory.
"Why…?"
The Heavenly Demon stood right before me, even though its appearance was not foretold for years to come. It looked younger than I remembered, lacking the absolute, commanding aura and supreme confidence, yet there was no mistaking its identity. This was the Heavenly Demon.
Gurgle…
A flicker of Demonic Qi deep within me began to stir, resonating with its source.
I knew instantly that this was the Heavenly Demon, but it was the eyes that confirmed it beyond any doubt. Its long, ink-black hair fell to its shoulders, and its skin was ghostly pale. Its slender frame seemed so fragile it might shatter at a touch, but my focus was not on its physique.
My gaze remained locked on its face.
Its features were identical to the girl I held in my arms, Wi Seol-Ah, with one stark difference: its eyes gleamed with a piercing violet light. The Palace Lord also possessed violet eyes, but they were nothing like these. The Heavenly Demon’s eyes were far brighter, shimmering with an enigmatic and mystifying aura, like a pair of mesmerizing gems.
They were beautiful.
But beauty of appearance did nothing to soften the sensation its presence evoked.
Heavenly Demon.
I knew the entity before me was the calamity I feared above all else, and that knowledge filled me with pure dread.
Why?
Clench.
I pulled Wi Seol-Ah closer, my grip instinctively tightening.
The Heavenly Demon was staring at Wi Seol-Ah, its head tilted slightly. Their noses, their mouths, their features—they were identical. Only the Heavenly Demon’s frame was thinner, and its hair and eye color were different. The resemblance was surreal, leaving me to wonder how such a thing was possible.
Yet, I was not the only one struck by shock.
From behind me, a blood-soaked figure stared at Wi Seol-Ah, his face frozen in utter disbelief.
"Two… heavens?"
When I turned, I was shocked to see it was the Palace Lord. I didn't know how he had become so grievously injured, but his aura was unmistakable.
Naturally, he appears now, after I had given up the search…
The last time I had seen the Heavenly Demon in this life was back at the Black Palace. Then, the Palace Lord had held it in his arms, and I hadn't seen either of them since they vanished into the Abyss. I had searched relentlessly for them afterward, without finding a single clue. And yet, here they both were, now of all times?
"How… is this… possible?"
The Palace Lord’s dumbfounded gaze remained fixed on Wi Seol-Ah. It was understandable. How could he not be stunned when they looked like mirror images?
The Heavenly Demon, too, seemed transfixed by Wi Seol-Ah, as if fascinated by its own reflection.
I instinctively tightened my hold on her under its piercing gaze.
Then,
"Master Gu…"
Wi Seol-Ah’s hand gripped my arm, causing me to flinch. I looked down at her. Her golden eyes met mine.
"It’s fine."
"…What?"
Her words confused me. What did she mean?
"I’m fine. You can let me go."
"…!"
Had I been holding her too tightly? I eased my grip slightly, but I couldn't bring myself to fully release her. Wi Seol-Ah then gently pushed against my arms, trying to free herself. I wanted to keep her close, but the resolve I saw in her eyes just now stopped me.
Once free, Wi Seol-Ah rose to her feet and faced the Heavenly Demon.
Shing.
She pointed her sword at it. It was a surreal sight, two identical figures facing one another.
"Who are you?" Wi Seol-Ah demanded.
Though they shared the same face, she showed little surprise. The Heavenly Demon seemed equally unperturbed.
Step.
At Wi Seol-Ah’s words, the Heavenly Demon took a single step forward. Even that simple movement sent a chill down my spine. I sharpened my senses, focusing entirely on the Heavenly Demon, readying myself in case it made a move—though I doubted I could actually do anything to stop it.
Wi Seol-Ah channeled her Qi. It radiated a brilliant golden light, a stark, blazing contrast to the Heavenly Demon’s dark aura. Yet, facing her radiant power, the Heavenly Demon’s expression remained utterly calm, even indifferent.
But the Heavenly Demon wasn’t walking toward Wi Seol-Ah.
It was walking toward me.
In an instant, Wi Seol-Ah swung her sword, blocking its advance.
Swish-!
Her blade was blindingly fast, leaving a trail of golden aura in its wake—a swift and forceful strike.
However,
Ssssss-!
A surge of black aura erupted from the Heavenly Demon’s foot, effortlessly deflecting the blade.
Ting-!
A delicate ring of clashing steel echoed, but the Heavenly Demon’s gaze never wavered from its original path, wholly unconcerned with Wi Seol-Ah’s attack.
Seeing it up close, I became certain. It was Demonic Qi. The aura flowing from the Heavenly Demon was pure, unrestrained Demonic Qi.
Wi Seol-Ah shifted her body with fluid grace, dodging as the black aura shot toward her, morphing into sharp spikes reminiscent of the Palace Lord’s technique. Her agile movements allowed her to evade them with ease.
But I…
…Move!
I could only watch, frozen in place, unable to act.
Squeeze.
"…Ugh."
My body ignored my command to circulate Qi. The Demonic Qi entrenched in my Dantian had suddenly gone wild. This was different from when my Qi had frozen during my battle with the Black Dragon. This time, it was my own Demonic Qi that was interfering, surging as if rejoicing at the presence of its true master.
This had happened before. When I encountered the Heavenly Demon in the Black Palace, my Demonic Qi had erupted in response, screaming from within the moment the Heavenly Demon raised its hand. Was it now rejecting my control, reverting to its original master?
Why won't you help me now?
Back then, the beast's roar had subdued the Demonic Qi. But now, that damned beast was silent, even though it had been growling just moments ago.
Are you trying to get in my way?
I tried with all my might to suppress the Demonic Qi raging inside me. I couldn't afford to be a spectator now. The entity destined to end the world, the being that had turned me into a Demonic Human and destroyed my life, stood directly before me.
I had done everything in my power to stop that monster. I had plunged into the Abyss to unlock the secrets of the Fusion Realm, consuming every possible resource along the way, all for the sole purpose of defeating the Heavenly Demon.
Damn it.
Despite reaching the Fusion Realm, I had still been forced to my knees before the Heavenly Demon—an unbelievable outcome. I couldn't let that happen again. And now, Wi Seol-Ah was facing it directly. That was the last thing I ever wanted to happen in this life.
Cgggck-!
Flashes of golden light ignited the air as her sword slashed with rapid, precise movements. Golden trails appeared and vanished in quick succession, each swing a testament to the immense effort Wi Seol-Ah had poured into her training. It was hard to believe that just a few years ago, she hadn't even known what martial arts were.
Tap-!
Her steps were firm, her movements sharp.
Swish!
She evaded a black spike and countered instantly with a swift swing of her sword. Her form was perfect.
Cggck!
"…!"
But her blade couldn't even graze the Heavenly Demon's aura; its Demonic Qi was solid as fortified steel. Moreover, the Heavenly Demon still didn't deign to focus its attention on her.
Crack.
I heard Wi Seol-Ah grind her teeth in frustration. It seemed she intended to press the attack, but then the Heavenly Demon suddenly turned its gaze directly upon her.
Then, with a casual flick of its hand,
Swoooosh-!
"Ugh!"
Wi Seol-Ah was thrown backward by a torrential wave of aura emanating from the Heavenly Demon.
I forced myself to stand the moment I saw it.
"Wi Seol-Ah!"
Agonizing pain seared through my body as I brute-forced my way to my feet. I didn't care. I had to catch Wi Seol-Ah, who was being hurled through the air at breakneck speed.
I leaped.
Or at least, I tried to.
Kwak-!
The Heavenly Demon’s slender hand caught my arm. The moment its fingers closed around me, all strength drained from my body.
Thud.
My knees hit the ground. The mere attempt to move had exhausted me completely. In that moment, it felt as if my very spirit had left me.
I was tired. I had fought so hard, and yet I was still utterly powerless.
Was it because of the Demonic Qi inside me? Or was it simply raw fear that paralyzed me? Whatever the cause, even after reaching the Fusion Realm, I remained helpless.
I struggled against its grip, but I couldn't even push its hand away. The hold was loose, almost delicate, yet I was completely trapped.
Why was this happening? I had expended a great deal of Qi in the earlier fight and was somewhat drained, but that didn't explain this absolute helplessness.
…Bark, damn it, come on!
I shouted inwardly, calling for the beast to help me just as it had before. But this time, there was no response. Of course, it would choose now, of all times, to fall silent.
"...Huh."
Then I heard a voice. It sounded uncannily like Wi Seol-Ah’s, but deeper, richer, and layered with an ancient resonance.
It was the voice of the Heavenly Demon.
I looked up, locking eyes with its brilliant violet gaze. They were dazzlingly beautiful, so much so that I was transfixed for a moment. But the feeling swelling inside me wasn't awe; it was pure dread.
"You are…"
"...!"
Slam-!
My Demonic Qi reacted violently, surging wildly in response to its voice.
"Kugh!"
A searing pain erupted within me.
"What are you?"
Was the Qi trying to escape my body? The backlash from my own power was overwhelming, agonizing. You listened to me until now, and now you betray me? Don't mess with me.
"What are you?"
The Heavenly Demon repeated its question, seemingly amused by my reaction. Each word made me feel as if my body was on the verge of bursting apart.
"Heavenly Demon… What does that mean?"
Did it remember what I had said earlier? It continued to question me with a tone of morbid curiosity.
I couldn't respond; I was too busy fighting the Demonic Qi that felt like it was trying to tear its way out through my throat. It was a horrible feeling, to be overwhelmed and undone by a power that felt so meaningless, so alien.
Just as I teetered on the edge of despair, ready to surrender entirely,
Swish-! Cgggck-!
A powerful wave of Qi, far more intense than before, charged toward the Heavenly Demon. It tore through the air, sparking violent explosions in its wake. The Heavenly Demon, which had been utterly unfazed by previous attacks, released my arm and took a step back.
The Qi was ferocious, yet, strangely, it left me completely untouched even though I sat directly in its path.
"Huff… Huff."
I finally released the breath I’d been holding, gasping for air. My bloodshot eyes followed the source of that tremendous power.
There stood Wi Seol-Ah, striding forward, her clothing in tatters. Her face was set in a fierce expression, and her golden aura had taken on a new, blinding intensity, now threaded with strands of brilliant white light.
"Let go of him. Now."
That is—
I had seen that aura before. How could I ever forget? It was the same aura Wi Seol-Ah had revealed to me in my past life.
"Don't you dare lay a single filthy finger on him."
This was the first time I had ever heard Wi Seol-Ah speak with such sharp, venomous command.