The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult (2)
“Come, let us proceed.”
At Dan Cheonsang’s words, the airplane door opened, and we descended the stairs slowly. On either side of the long red carpet, roughly a hundred men in black robes stood in formation. Thud. As Cheon Hayeon stepped down, the black-robed men struck their swords into the ground in perfect unison. Then they shouted together.
“The Heavenly Demon descends upon the mortal realm, and all demons bow in reverence! The entire Demon Shadow Asura Division pays homage to the Young Sect Leader!”
The combined voices of over a hundred Peak Realm masters, amplified by their inner energy, made the entire airfield tremble. We received a grand welcome and boarded the limousine driven personally by the leader of the Demon Shadow Asura Division at the end of the red carpet.
Even the President probably wouldn’t receive this level of hospitality.
Han Yeoreum’s face stiffened at the overwhelming aura radiating from the Demon Shadow Asura Division.
In some ways, it’s even more than the President.
In certain aspects, they were astonishingly forward-thinking, yet in others, they remained remarkably conservative. It was a peculiar organization in many ways.
The place we landed was a private airport belonging to the Heavenly Demon Sect near Hallasan, inaccessible to ordinary civilians. Rather than a simple airport, it resembled a massive military base when viewed from the surroundings. As if to showcase the facility, the limousine moved at a leisurely pace through the interior.
“Impressive. It doesn’t feel like a murim organization at all.”
I spoke with genuine admiration. It wasn’t just martial artists present—soldiers armed with guns, futuristic tanks, large transport planes, and fighter jets filled the airfield.
“Haha… The Heavenly Demon Sect is no ordinary murim group. We sell military force across the globe. And while this may not be the largest military installation on Earth, it is certainly the most powerful.”
Dan Cheonsang spoke with a proud smile on his lips.
“Unlike national governments, the Heavenly Demon Sect requires no parliamentary approval to project force. Naturally, it is swift, efficient, and powerful. The world’s security has reached a point where it would be unthinkable without the Heavenly Demon Sect.”
From what I had heard, if this world were normal, such an extremely dangerous organization would never have been tolerated. But after the Gate incidents caused numerous nations to collapse and humanity continued its downward spiral, there was no longer time to worry about ‘minor’ issues—and the Heavenly Demon Sect had rapidly filled that void.
Though I knew it intellectually, seeing it with my own eyes as we passed through made me realize anew just how extraordinary it was.
“SR-72?”
A uniquely shaped aircraft painted pitch black inside a hangar came into view.
“Oh, you recognize it? Technically, it’s the SR-73 Dark Star.”
Dan Cheonsang’s eyes lit up with delight. Despite being a master of immense caliber, he clearly had an unexpected interest in this field as well.
“Isn’t that an unmanned experimental aircraft?”
“It was originally. The Heavenly Demon Sect has built its own supply chain and invests heavily in R&D. We salvaged a project that was nearly scrapped. For reference, this one is manned.”
“…Huh. Remarkable.”
“Haha… I’m delighted you recognize its value. This old man personally led its development.”
Dan Cheonsang wore an extremely satisfied smile. No wonder—his face had started sparkling the moment the topic came up. Building rapport with someone of his stature as Supreme Protector couldn’t hurt, so matching his enthusiasm was wise. Truthfully, I was genuinely intrigued as well.
“What’s its top speed?”
“Using a scramjet engine, it can reach up to Mach 11. It can reach any point on Earth within one or two hours. It was designed for emergency support from the start. Ordinary humans would struggle to endure the ride, but martial artists can easily withstand dozens of G’s of gravitational acceleration.”
“The fact that you even conceived of building something like this is truly impressive.”
“Haha, to think the Young Sect Leader’s close friend would also gild this old man’s face with praise.”
“I mean it sincerely. It exceeds anything I imagined.”
“Though we’ve only just met, I have a strong feeling that Student Kim Mugong and this old man will get along well.”
“I feel the same.”
Dan Cheonsang nodded with a satisfied expression. As expected, no one dislikes praise.
What are those two doing?
Han Yeoreum narrowed her eyes and glanced between me and Dan Cheonsang.
Now, now, what business does a woman have interrupting men’s conversation?
Good grief…
As we chatted amiably, we eventually left the base and passed between numerous buildings. The sight of massive skyscrapers scattered among dense forests felt utterly surreal. In a world where martial arts reigned supreme, this place alone felt like science fiction. The irony that it belonged to the strongest martial arts faction only made it more striking.
Escorted by vehicles carrying the Demon Shadow Asura Division, we followed the winding road and finally arrived at a building that towered like the Tower of Babel.
“We have arrived.”
The car door opened, and unlike the airport, we were guided quietly by Heavenly Demon Sect members into the building labeled Heavenly Demon Hall. Dan Cheonsang offered us a brief farewell upon entering and departed.
This is completely different from what I imagined.
Han Yeoreum’s eyes widened as she looked around the opulent interior. Honestly, I felt the same. Expecting a traditional Eastern palace for the Heavenly Demon Palace, the sight of this massive skyscraper was jarring. Everything since our arrival had been one surprise after another.
“How does it feel to be home?”
I asked Cheon Hayeon. She had been strangely quiet for a while.
“…I feel nothing in particular. Home is home. More importantly,”
Cheon Hayeon turned to me with a tone devoid of sentiment.
“You have something to say?”
“When you meet my father… the Sect Leader, I would prefer you exercise caution. He is someone even I cannot predict.”
“That goes without saying.”
No one would dare speak carelessly before the absolute ruler of the demonic path.
“I shall see you later.”
“Alright.”
As the Young Sect Leader, Cheon Hayeon was apparently assigned a different waiting area from us. Han Yeoreum and I were given a waiting room on an intermediate floor of the building.
“Aaaah…! I’m so nervous I could die.”
Han Yeoreum stomped her feet and let out a deep sigh.
“Just think of him as Cheon Hayeon’s dad. Oh, apple mango. Want some?”
I popped a piece of apple mango from the table into my mouth. An intensely sweet flavor melted across my tongue, followed by a hint of refreshing acidity. I wasn’t sure about tangerines, but apparently this world’s Jeju Island grew apple mangoes. Expensive, but the taste was overwhelmingly superior.
“I’m good. And that’s exactly why I’m more nervous. A friend’s father is always an intimidating presence, you know?”
“Now that you mention it, you’re right.”
Knock knock.
We hadn’t waited long before a woman with a calm demeanor came to escort us.
“The Sect Leader summons you.”
“Let’s go, Han Yeoreum.”
“…Yeah.”
Han Yeoreum followed timidly behind me. We rode the high-speed elevator straight to the top floor. There was no grand hall with a massive throne as I had expected. Creak— The enormous doors opened, revealing a room with an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling glass. Near the window overlooking the entire view below stood a middle-aged man in a plain black robe, hands clasped behind his back.
I exchanged a glance with Cheon Hayeon beside him, then approached slowly. Rather than the private chamber of the Heavenly Demon Sect’s leader, it felt more like a corporate chairman’s office. In a way, that made sense—he was arguably the most powerful chairman in the world.
When we reached the antique desk, the man gazing out the window turned toward us. He appeared to be in his mid-to-late thirties and strikingly handsome. I wondered if this was what Cheon Hayeon would look like after ten more years in male disguise.
Cheon Wigang. The Heavenly Demon, absolute ruler of the demonic path, and Cheon Hayeon’s father.
“Disciple Kim Mugong. It is an honor to meet the Heavenly Demon, ruler of the demonic path.”
“Disciple Han Yeoreum. It is an honor to meet the Heavenly Demon, ruler of the demonic path.”
As I performed a cupped-fist salute, Han Yeoreum hurriedly followed suit.
“Enough with the formalities.”
A flat voice echoed through the room. Cheon Wigang’s gaze turned toward me, and an oppressive pressure that made it hard to breathe washed over us. The energy of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art erupted explosively, pushing back against Cheon Wigang’s aura. As if refusing to yield, it fiercely resisted even the presence of a Profound Realm master.
“How curious.”
Cheon Wigang spoke coldly and sat down in his chair. Then, resting his chin on his hand with an indifferent expression, he continued.
“I heard you passed information about the Blood Sect to Hayeon. If you have rendered merit, it is only right that you receive a reward. Speak if there is something you desire.”
Something I desired. There was one thing.
“I would like to receive a diagnosis from the Heavenly Demon.”
“Trivial.”
Whoosh— The pressure Cheon Wigang exerted intensified. Once again, the energy of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art rose naturally to resist him. Tangible true energy rippled around us so intensely that the surroundings seemed to distort.
“Sect Leader!”
Cheon Hayeon cried out in alarm. Even the unflappable Cheon Hayeon could make such an expression. The thought struck me as absurd even amid the fierce resistance.
“Just what art have you cultivated?”
Cheon Wigang withdrew his aura and tapped the desk with his fingers. This was a turning point. Even if I kept it a secret here, Cheon Wigang would likely let it pass. Was that the correct answer? The question flashed through my mind.
In that instant, I spoke on instinct.
“It is the One-Horned Divine Art.”
I hesitated to mention the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, which shared the same name as the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. It could invite unnecessary misunderstandings. Strictly speaking, since the Heavenly Demon referred to Pegasus and the effects resembled a unicorn, One-Horned Divine Art seemed the more accurate term.
Cheon Wigang’s brow furrowed deeply.
…Had I given the wrong answer? He didn’t look pleased.
“An art I have never heard of. Which sect do you belong to?”
After a moment of contemplation, Cheon Wigang spoke in a cold voice.
“I have no sect… I obtained it through fortuitous encounter.”
“I see.”
Surprisingly, he accepted it without further question. Then Cheon Wigang’s gaze shifted to Han Yeoreum. After staring at her for a long while, his eyes gradually widened. He muttered softly.
“…Impossible.”
“Sect Leader…?”
Even Cheon Hayeon tilted her head, sensing something amiss in Cheon Wigang’s reaction.
“Your name was Han Yeoreum, correct?”
“Yes.”
Han Yeoreum bowed her head with a tense posture.
“Tell me the name of the heart art you cultivate. Immediately.”
Unlike before, his tone was an explosive command. His voice made it clear that refusal would not be tolerated.
Should I tell him?
If we don’t, it feels like he’ll force it out of us anyway. We might as well speak.
After hesitating, Han Yeoreum finally revealed her heart art.
“It is the Heavenly Mountain Divine Maiden Art.”
Thud—
The moment he heard the name, Cheon Wigang shot to his feet.