Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Second Growth (2)
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What came into view was the corner of the cave where I had moved the coffin.
But the coffin that should have been there was gone, and in its place was a pool of black water.
"What is that?!"
I had been so lost in my training for the past fortnight that I hadn't noticed a thing.
"My sword practice has stalled. I suppose I can check it out while I rest."
In truth, the missing coffin wasn't important, but I felt an inexplicable urge to investigate.
It was as if something was drawing me in.
*Step. Step.*
‘What is this feeling…?’
The closer I got to the black puddle, the more the internal energy in my core vibrated.
As if in response, ripples spread across the puddle's surface.
And when I finally stood before it, I threw myself into the water before I even realized what I was doing.
*Splash!*
It looked shallow from the outside, but it was deep enough to submerge my entire body.
Opening my eyes within it, I stared at an unbelievable sight, my pupils dilating.
"…!"
Incredibly, within the pitch-black water, a man in black robes stood as if he had been waiting, looking right at me.
It was as if the water's surface divided two separate places; the world within was completely different.
Just then, the man watching me spoke.
"Are you the successor who will follow in my footsteps?"
His voice was low, stern, yet heavy.
It carried an energy so potent that even I, who had now reached the perfected state of the Profound Realm, felt a chill run down my spine.
‘Successor?’
The man had clearly called me that.
Which meant…
"Are you the founding Heavenly Demon?"
"You could say that. I am the soul I left behind before my death."
My guess was correct.
The dense killing intent emanating from his entire being, even without being deliberately shown, and the overwhelming martial prowess that backed it, perfectly matched his affirmative answer.
‘This man is the real deal.’
By mastering half of the Sword Arts of the Heavenly Demon, I had become strong enough to overwhelm even my past self.
And yet, I could feel a gap between us so vast it was immeasurable.
‘So this is the presence of the one who single-handedly plunged the martial world into terror and created a hundred thousand demons…!’
As cold sweat trickled down my palms, the founding Heavenly Demon spoke again.
"I'll ask one last time. Are you my successor?"
His sharp gaze felt like a blade aimed at my throat.
But I remained composed and answered calmly, showing no sign of it.
"I am."
"Hmm… so it's because of the Heaven and Earth Body."
"Pardon?"
"I found it strange that I could sense a sinister energy from you, which shouldn't be possible for my successor. Now I see you've taken advantage of your Heaven and Earth Body."
‘Is that why he had to confirm I was his successor?’
It seemed the founding Heavenly Demon was unaware of the story about Master Maeng Eun-ho's ancestor.
So, I explained the coded diary that had been written on the cave wall.
"The thing is…"
The founding Heavenly Demon listened to my entire story without any particular reaction.
And as soon as I finished, he let out a sigh.
"Hah, so that's why it took so long?"
What was surprising was that he knew this wasn't my first life.
"It is all my fault. For having foolish subordinates who disappointed that child, Eun-ho, and for creating such a tenacious fate that forced you to live a harsh life twice over."
"You knew?"
"Even Taoist masters who have achieved ascension cannot deceive my eyes. How could I fail to notice a single soul inhabiting two bodies?"
"Then, what is the reason you summoned me here?"
"What an audacious child. Even the Abbot of Shaolin couldn't meet my gaze..."
Though he said that, the founding Heavenly Demon looked somewhat pleased.
‘It's understandable, seeing his long-awaited successor appear after decades.’
"I am not the one who called you here. The Heavenly Demon Sword did."
"The Heavenly Demon Sword…? There was only a manual in the coffin. Don't tell me..."
"Yes, the coffin itself is the Heavenly Demon Sword. I crafted it from the blood and flesh of a demonic dragon that lived in the Hundred Thousand Mountains where I made my home. Unlike other swords, it is not bound by a physical form and can change freely according to its master's will."
"Then did the Heavenly Demon Sword create this place as well?"
"This is my personal space, created with the power of the demonic dragon's magic. Seeing as it has allowed you entry, you will soon become its master. Then you too will be able to use this space as you wish."
"It's a lot to take in."
"Hmph, soon the Heavenly Demon Sword will inhabit your blade. When that time comes, you will come to understand it naturally."
The founding Heavenly Demon offered his final words after that cryptic statement.
"Ah, it seems the power of the soul I left behind is fading… O you who have become the second Heavenly Demon and my successor, carry on my will and pacify the Central Plains under the name of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
With those words, his body began to blur. At the same time, the world within the puddle started to collapse, and my consciousness faded.
‘There's still so much I wanted to ask…’
* * *
On the day Maeng Ak entered the cave, two of the most powerful figures in the Demonic Cult were sharing tea in the Cult Leader's hall.
"Cult Leader, how about we make our move during the fourth test, one month from now?"
"The fourth test? Didn't that brat Maeng Ak finish his by defeating Geom Cheon-ha?"
"The brat has quite a few followers. He's sure to show up for the fourth test."
"Hmm, I see. Then tell me what he's doing now. As the Council of Elders hosts the Divine Hall of the Latent Demon, you should be well aware of the cadets' activities, should you not?"
The Cult Leader posed the question, but the Great Elder couldn't answer easily.
Maeng Ak was currently a hot potato.
Anyone who interfered with him carelessly had to be prepared for a life-or-death battle.
"Ahem, it is not as simple as you say. We don't know his exact whereabouts, but we are certain he has been in contact with the Demonic Doctor."
The Cult Leader's brow furrowed at that answer.
To think the Great Elder couldn't even track the movements of a mere cadet.
However, he himself had no room to talk, as the assassins he had assigned to the task had also lost him.
"The Demonic Doctor?"
"Yes. It's likely for information regarding the founding Heavenly Demon."
"The Demonic Doctor…"
If he had his way, he would have immediately sent someone to fetch the Demonic Doctor and interrogate him relentlessly.
About what Maeng Ak had asked, and what he was planning to do now.
But even he, the Cult Leader, could not treat an elder of the Cult, one who had served since the time of his predecessor, with disrespect.
Besides, there was no one who could replace him.
"If he is indeed the one who inherited the founding Heavenly Demon's will, our plans will come to nothing. The only fortunate thing is that even he seems to lack conviction. We must deal with him as soon as possible."
The Great Elder's words were not wrong.
The Cult Leader was thinking the same thing.
If Maeng Ak was the inheritor of the Heavenly Demon's will, as the Hwan Cheon-hwa Gate claimed, there would be nothing they could do.
The power held by the name 'Heavenly Demon' was absolute within the Demonic Cult.
In fact, they would be lucky not to have their own heads cut off.
"There's no other way. Right Guardian."
The Cult Leader, stroking his chin in thought, called for the Right Guardian standing outside the door.
"Bring me the Demonic Doctor. I don't care what means you use, just bring him here alive."
"As you command!"
As the Cult Leader's order was given, the Right Guardian's response was heard from outside the door, and then his presence vanished.
A short while later, the Right Guardian returned, appearing before the Cult Leader with the Demonic Doctor.
"You summoned me, Cult Leader?"
The Demonic Doctor, showing no signs of resistance, stroked his beard, looking perfectly fine.
"I heard you made contact with Cadet number 1390, Maeng Ak."
"Yes."
"Tell me everything you know about him."
*Flash!*
The Cult Leader glared, treating him coercively.
In contrast, the Demonic Doctor simply told him everything he knew, without any particular reaction.
As if knowing wouldn't make any difference.
"He asked me about the founding Heavenly Demon."
"And?"
"What would a mere physician like myself know? I simply shared a legend that has been passed down."
"What was it?"
"You know it as well, Cult Leader, as does the Great Elder here."
"Don't tell me..."
The Cult Leader recalled the story of the cave, one that every cult member knew.
It was the tale of a stranger who brought the last will of the founding Heavenly Demon and left something behind in a certain cave before departing.
But despite searching every mountain since ancient times, no such cave had ever been found.
"Are you daring to play word games with me?"
"H-How could I commit such blasphemy against you, Cult Leader…!"
"Then, are you saying that brat Maeng Ak is off searching the mountains for the cave from that legend?"
"Th-That is correct."
"Puhahahahat."
The Cult Leader found it so ridiculous he couldn't hold back his laughter.
It was enough to make him feel ashamed for having been so wary of him until now.
To think he was such a fool as to believe in a legend and go rummaging through the mountains.
The Great Elder seemed to share the sentiment, making a scornful remark.
"Huhu, he should show himself in three days at the most."
"Yes, we'll deal with him then."
The Demonic Doctor felt a sense of foreboding from the Cult Leader and the Great Elder.
‘Since when did the Divine Cult become so rotten? The Cult Leader and Great Elder... trying to cover the rising sun with a single leaf.’
Even as he returned to the infirmary under the Cult Leader's order, he couldn't shake his feeling of regret.
Unaware of this, the Cult Leader and the Great Elder thought all they had to do was wait leisurely. They refilled their teacups with the blood of a spiritual beast and drank together.
However, even after the three days they had mentioned passed, Maeng Ak did not appear.
No, even after ten days, then a fortnight, no one had seen him.
Thanks to this, the Cult Leader and the Great Elder summoned the Demonic Doctor again and pressed him.
"Did you dare to lie to me!"
"N-Never!"
"Tch, then lead us to the place you last saw him!"
And so, the Cult Leader and the Great Elder followed the Demonic Doctor up the mountain.
The Demonic Doctor pointed to the place where Maeng Ak had truly disappeared and spoke.
"That was the last I saw of him, heading in that direction."
"If you continue this way, you'll reach a cliff. Are you sure this is the place?"
"Yes."
"Hmm…"
They could no longer afford to just wait around.
The legend had only been investigated long ago, and more than anything, he felt an unshakeable sense of unease.
"Right Guardian!"
"Yes!"
"Take the cultists and search the entire mountain."
In the end, the Cult Leader had the Right Guardian gather the cultists.
Not to be outdone, the Great Elder summoned the chief instructor and began searching the mountain with the other instructors.
* * *
I opened my eyes.
I couldn't tell if what I had just experienced was a dream or reality.
‘Pushing myself to swing my sword without rest for a fortnight was too much…’
The Black Plaque Sword in my right hand felt different.
Its damaged edge was now keenly honed, and its entire aura, from the hilt to the blade, had changed.
On the off chance, I looked down at my feet, but the black puddle was gone.
"Heavenly Demon Sword?"
I had called out the name of the Heavenly Demon Sword without realizing it.
In response, *Vwooom,* the Black Plaque Sword—no, the Heavenly Demon Sword—reacted.
*Gulp.*
I swallowed dryly.
‘It was real…’
Looking outside the cave, it seemed not much time had passed.
The heat of the sweat on my brow and my sweat-drenched robes were just as they had been.
The moment I recognized it was reality, a pain shot through the right hand gripping the Heavenly Demon Sword, and unfamiliar information flooded my mind.
"Kuh, this is!!"
It was the information the founding Heavenly Demon had spoken of in the world within the black puddle.
I could feel the life force contained within the blood and flesh of the demonic dragon that composed the Heavenly Demon Sword, as well as its residual magical power.
"This is a great fortune."
A power unattainable through training alone had become mine.
‘Then now, it's time to gain the power that comes from training.’
*Shing.*
The Heavenly Demon Sword let out a ring, as if it, too, desired it.