Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Mount Hua Heavenly Demon
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The Tianshan Mountains.
Though a barren mountain range unsuitable for human habitation, since ancient times, a massive organization had made its home there, hunkered down.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The demonic holy land, which could confidently claim to be the greatest single sect in all the world, encompassing both the Central Plains and the Western Regions.
And from ancient times, they had eyed the fertile Central Plains covetously...
But as of late, they had been strangely quiet.
As if they were plotting something.
At the heart of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Demon Eternal Palace.
The cult's leadership stared gravely at the throne above the dais.
The jade throne where the Cult Leader should sit.
Yet that throne had been empty.
For ten whole years.
"...What do you plan to do about the Cult Leader position?"
"We can't keep it vacant forever, so we may have no choice but to launch a Holy War."
"But the previous Cult Leader might still be alive."
A silence like cold water poured over the Demon Eternal Palace fell at the Flame Demon Lord's words.
At the same time, everyone's eyes shook violently.
And with it, the image of the previous Cult Leader rose in their minds—the one who had handed over his position ten years ago and vanished without a trace.
Among all those called Heavenly Demon throughout history, he was one of the top in terms of martial prowess.
The man who ascended to Cult Leader and earned the title of Heavenly Demon without ever cultivating the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, a divine skill known only to the Leader.
The supreme genius who had mastered not only the hundreds or thousands of demonic ultimate arts in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult but also medicine and all other miscellaneous studies.
The figure to whom countless praises were attached.
The Absolute Heavenly Demon.
Brrr—
Just thinking of him made everyone tremble with fear and terror.
But some shook their heads to dispel the fear and cautiously spoke up.
"It's been ten years, though."
"Th-that's right. Besides, the Cult Leader stepped down and left."
"That's true, but what if the Cult Leader doesn't approve of the new one...?"
Once more, the Flame Demon Lord's words shattered the mood, turning their faces pale.
In the past, exactly once.
Someone had tested the Leader's mood.
And the result had been horrific.
The five great families that had supported the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult dwindled to four.
Flinch!
Those recalling how the previous Leader had single-handedly massacred the Hyeolryeon Clan stiffened in fear.
Swish—
Exchanging glances filled with terror, they swallowed and whispered.
"Then let's discuss this another time..."
"Agreed."
"Y-yes, let's."
Watching the terrified lot, the cult's Military Strategist, Demon Brain, let out a sigh.
"Haa."
A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
"If only the Cult Leader had named a successor..."
How many times had this happened?
They held meetings every year, but the results were always the same.
Even though the Absolute Heavenly Demon had vanished, they could not escape his grasp.
No, they were even more bound than before.
The unseen was more frightening.
'If we just knew where he was, things would be so much better.'
They searched for the Absolute Heavenly Demon every day.
But whether he had sunk into the earth or soared into the heavens, they found not a single trace.
Thus, time simply passed without any results.
For a full ten years.
"Haa—"
Demon Brain, who had been letting out endless deep sighs lately, clutched his aching head and muttered toward the one who had caused this mess.
"Where on earth are you, Cult Leader?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In a small cave deep within the Tianshan Mountains, where eternal snow had piled up thickly.
A cave untouched by humans or even beasts for eons since the snow began to accumulate now held a warm glow for the past ten years.
Inside the cave was a man.
His hair and beard were disheveled.
Moreover, the clothes he wore were so worn from prolonged use that they seemed ready to tear at the slightest touch.
The man, Dokgo Goyeun, focused his gaze, and pitch-black energy surged forth.
His hand then moved gracefully.
Crack!
In an instant, a massive circle was etched into the ground, and mysterious patterns were swiftly inscribed atop it as if adding something more.
"You dare make me suffer like this?"
A chilling breath leaked from between his lips, subtly spreading through the surroundings.
A thrilled voice contrasting the cold air.
Dokgo Goyeun was immersed in euphoria.
At first, it had been mere mild interest.
After mastering all the demonic arts in the Heavenly Demon Library, he finally turned his eyes to other miscellaneous studies beyond martial arts.
In the process, he belatedly recalled the incomplete great law written at the end of the Absolute Dominion Art he was cultivating.
He had already reached great completion in the Absolute Dominion Art, so he thought he could finish it soon.
But as a year passed, then two, he painfully realized how arrogant that notion had been.
He could not deploy the great law.
No matter how many times he tried.
A crack formed in his towering pride.
At the failure to complete it.
He had no interest in the eternal life, immortality, or world domination scribbled there, but repeated failures sparked his defiance.
Thus, he casually dumped the burdensome Cult Leader position on someone and left the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult to arrive here.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Yes, finally complete."
Euphoria dominated my body.
How long had I awaited this day?
The day the great law would be perfected!
Before obsessing over this great law, my pride knew no bounds.
I could master any martial art in the world with a single glance, and even medicine, formations, and great laws in an instant.
Yet lately, that pride had been shattered.
By the Eternal Life Immortal Dominion Great Law drawn right here!
"A long time indeed."
A smile naturally formed on my face.
I had invested a full ten years in a single great law.
With completion now at hand, I could not contain the joyous laughter spilling from my lips.
All that remained was to stand atop the formation.
Good.
Savoring the imminent victory, I calmly surveyed my surroundings.
Though I had stayed here for ten years, it felt empty.
Just a single book and stacks of dried rice cakes.
That was all.
No water, no clothes, no blankets.
The only notable thing was the luminous jade illuminating the cave interior.
Having achieved immunity to heat and cold, I felt no chill, and as long as I filled my stomach, that sufficed.
"What a damn ordeal."
Shaking my head at the dried rice cakes.
No matter my absolute realm, the bodily sensations remained.
I was no Daoist immortal.
Yet I ate nothing but these tasteless, bitter dried rice cakes every day.
To save even a moment.
My desire for victory had overcome my appetite.
Now, that too was over.
Swish—
The moment I moved my halted foot.
Whoosh!
Brilliant multicolored light spread from the great law.
'Yes, just as expected!'
The colors I faced for the first time wrapped around me slowly like silk.
A warm sensation tickled my skin.
Sneer—
The corners of my eyes curved like crescent moons.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Mount Hua Sect, one of the pillars of the Nine Great Sects.
Though it was early dawn when they would normally be busy with training, today it was unusually quiet.
"......"
"......"
In the Medical Hall, the Wise Generation Taoists who formed the core of Mount Hua Sect gazed intently at one spot with grave expressions.
A small bed in the center.
The Medical Hall Leader was carefully inserting needles into the body of the young Taoist lying there with a pale complexion.
How much time passed?
"Hoo..."
Having inserted all the needles, the Medical Hall Leader exhaled the breath he had been holding and wiped his sweat.
"It's done now."
"Is Cheonhwi alright now?"
"Has he improved?"
"How is he?"
The Taoists who had been watching breathlessly bombarded Cheongo, the Medical Hall Leader and Sect Leader's disciple, all at once.
"I've taken every possible measure."
Swish—
No sooner had he spoken than Hyeonryeo, the female Taoist who had been biting her lip with bloodshot eyes, moved.
She clasped the tiny hand of the deathly still Cheonhwi and sent him a sorrowful gaze.
Was it because this winter was exceptionally harsh?
When she visited early that morning, Cheonhwi, who had already been unwell, had collapsed and lost consciousness.
"If only I had hurried a bit more..."
Tears welled in Hyeonryeo's eyes.
The Taoists expressed their regret at the tears of Hyeonryeo, known as the most rational and cool-headed among Mount Hua's Taoists.
Because they all knew how much she cherished Cheonhwi.
"No matter how fond you are of your martial nephew, he's still too young to follow in his master's footsteps..."
At her tearful words trembling with sorrow, everyone let out groans.
Cheonhwi was the sole disciple of their deceased martial brother.
From the moment he entered the sect holding his master's hand, his health had been poor, preventing him from learning martial arts, but his upright and pure nature had earned him everyone's love.
As they bit their lips in grief.
Twitch—
Cheonhwi's finger moved.
"...!"
Hyeonryeo whipped her head around.
Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
"Sect Leader Martial Brother."
At Hyeonryeo's urgent words, Mount Hua's Sect Leader, Hyeonsang, nodded immediately and addressed Cheongo.
"Is there no other way?"
"I can't be certain, but... if we use our sect's Perilla Seed Pill, it might have some effect even on a martial brother who hasn't learned any arts."
His calm voice spread through the room.
But contrary to that calm tone, the content was astonishing.
What was the Perilla Seed Pill?
Shaolin's Great Return Pill,
Wudang's Supreme Purity Pill.
It was Mount Hua's supreme elixir, boasting efficacy that rivaled those two elixirs renowned throughout the world.
And they would give such an elixir to a young Taoist who hadn't even learned a heart method?
If other martial artists heard, they would clutch their stomachs and faint.
Yet Hyeonsang didn't hesitate.
Cheonhwi was the sect's treasure.
More precious than the Perilla Seed Pill.
"Do it."
Cheongo's eyes gleamed as he turned his head.
"Jeokun."
As if waiting, Jeokun, the Deputy Medical Hall Leader, scurried in.
"You called?"
"Fetch the Perilla Seed Pill."
"The Perilla Seed Pill?"
Jeokun's eyes widened enormously.
Then, spotting the collapsed Cheonhwi, he nodded vigorously.
"I'll bring it right away."
Moments later, Jeokun returned with a wooden box.
Swish—
He removed the needles embedded in Cheonhwi.
Then slowly took out the Perilla Seed Pill.
The rich plum blossom scent of the revealed pill spread everywhere.
"Please, please..."
"We beg you."
"I'll do my utmost."
Listening to their earnest pleas, Cheongo drew a long needle. Without hesitation, he plunged it deeply into Cheonhwi's crown acupoint.
Plunge!
With that, he crushed the Perilla Seed Pill between his palms and slowly poured it into the opened mouth.
Thus, two crossed fates intertwined.
Dokgo Goyeun, deep in profound slumber, suddenly awoke to the thick fragrance forcing its way down his throat. But his mind was still hazy.
'The great law?'
The only thought that came clearly.
Then.
"...Pursuit of the blood vessels is... difficult..."
"What now... life..."
Muffled voices, like hearing them from underwater, reached him.
'Voices?'
His first thought was bewilderment. The cave he dwelled in was the deepest part of the Tianshan Mountains, inaccessible even to beasts, let alone humans.
Yet voices were coming.
Multiple voices heavy with the passage of ages.
For a moment, he thought of his cult's elders.
But he shook his head soon after.
'Even if they found this hidden place, those old fogeys wouldn't come.'
They found him troublesome.
After becoming Leader, he had dismissed most of their requests out of annoyance.
They must have been relieved at his disappearance.
Probably laughing.
As he pictured them smiling.
Kaboom!
Suddenly, his body twisted.
Immediately after, an indescribable excruciating pain surged in an instant.
'What the hell is this!'
His mind reeled from the sudden onslaught of pain.
Roughly fifty years ago, after reaching great completion in the Absolute Dominion Art and ascending to the absolute realm, he hadn't felt pain since.
Perhaps because of that.
The pain, felt after so long, hit even more intensely than before.
In shock, he urgently sought the cause.
His meridians throughout his body were so narrow not even a needle could pass, causing all his muscles to atrophy.
'Damn it!'
Swallowing curses he couldn't voice, he desperately widened his meridians.
Riiip—
Perhaps because he forced it.
Indescribable agony assaulted him.
'Damn! It hurts like hell!'
But he couldn't stop.
To move somehow, he first needed to widen the meridians leading to his crown acupoint.
After hastily stabilizing with a temporary measure, he racked his brain to grasp the situation, focusing his mind.
'The great law definitely succeeded...'.
Then the muffled voices, like drinking water, grew clear and rang in his ears.
"Ah, the Heavenly Lord has blessed us."
"The accumulated blessings of Mount Hua's ancestors shine through."
'What? Mount Hua Sect?'
He lost his wits as if struck in the back of the head with a massive hammer.
'What nonsense is this?'