Chapter 187: Heavenly Demon Divine Sword (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 187: Heavenly Demon Divine Sword (1)
Seo-jun listened as the woman and the Administrator broke down the current state of the Demonic Cult.
He had already heard a fair bit from Namgung Jin-cheon, but he figured these two were locals. They might offer a different perspective.
And indeed, the results weren't bad at all. Above all, it was incredibly convenient. They answered every question he threw at them with earnest dedication, never once questioning his motives.
Occasionally, he would ask a question that bordered on basic common sense. Their expressions would momentarily twist into something strange, but they always quickly composed themselves and answered with the utmost sincerity.
‘So, the demonic forces are largely divided into two groups?’
Or, more accurately, the collective known as 'Demons' was split in two: the Demonic Cult, and everyone else.
The 'everyone else' referred to demons who didn't belong to the Cult. Surprisingly, there were quite a few of them. Apparently, the ratio of 'demons among demons'—meaning the absolute lunatics—was significantly higher in that unaffiliated group.
Of course, demons generally operated on a completely different wavelength to begin with. From the perspective of the Righteous Faction, finding a sane person in the Demonic Cult was no easy task.
However, it seemed that even by the standards of ordinary demons, these wandering strays were considered a massive headache.
"If they operate like two different factions, do those leftovers ever try to invade the Cult?" Seo-jun asked.
"It’s not common, but… since they are truly unpredictable, it’s hard to say for certain…"
"I see."
Watching Seo-jun nod, the woman, Gak-yu, thought to herself:
‘The Lesser Heavenly Demon must have spent his entire life training in the deepest, most secluded reaches of the Cult.’
That would explain why no one had ever heard of him before. Every time he asked a question that bordered on basic common sense, Gak-yu’s conviction only grew stronger.
Seo-jun, meanwhile, was thinking about something entirely different.
‘What should I do with them…?’
His original plan had been to thin out the Demonic Cult’s forces by causing a ruckus, gathering information on the side as he went. He had intended to squeeze whatever he could out of this woman, Gak-yu, and then finish her off… but she was being so incredibly cooperative that he felt a bit hesitant to just snap her neck.
Finally, Seo-jun let out a sigh and spoke.
"Do you know why I’m letting you live?"
Regardless of his actual intent, his words sounded utterly chilling to the listeners. The Administrator and Gak-yu immediately slammed their heads against the floor.
"We are listening intently…!"
"I was originally going to kill you. Especially you."
Under Seo-jun’s piercing gaze, Gak-yu trembled violently.
"I hate people who mess with children. Especially those who target runts who haven't even lost their baby fat—they deserve to be struck down on the spot."
"Hup…!"
Gak-yu flinched. She clearly had a guilty conscience.
With her head still bowed, she cried out.
"This lowly one deserves to die for daring to offend the Lesser Heavenly Demon! May you achieve the Demonic Rule over the Heavens!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she chose to take her own life. The Demonic Qi within her body twisted violently and began to explode.
‘What is wrong with this person, seriously?’
Seo-jun immediately clamped his hand onto her head and forcibly suppressed the rampaging Demonic Qi.
At that divine display of skill, Gak-yu’s body shuddered.
"O-Oh…! The Lesser Heavenly Demon’s mercy and ability are truly beyond measure…!"
Seo-jun stared at her as if she were a madwoman before continuing.
"Don't do anything stupid. I heard the Cult ordered you to increase the birth rate in Aechu County?"
"Yes! But if the Lesser Heavenly Demon wishes, I will scrap the plan immediately!"
"There’s no need for that. Instead, implement policies that actually look after the people’s livelihood."
The people’s livelihood? Why bother?
As Gak-yu pondered this, a realization suddenly struck her like lightning.
‘Ah…! Indeed, a fattened pig is much better to eat!’
To improve the taste of the pork, one must first improve the environment in which the pigs are raised. Gak-yu felt she had finally grasped a glimpse of the Lesser Heavenly Demon’s grand design.
She immediately signaled the Administrator with her eyes. He, too, prostrated himself and shouted.
"We shall obey your command!"
Seo-jun nodded. He wasn't entirely sure what conclusion they had arrived at, but it seemed settled.
Now, only the final task remained.
"I’m leaving now."
"Please take care of your precious health!"
"Before I go, let me ask one thing." After a moment of thought, Seo-jun asked, "Do you know where I can find a demon who uses lightning energy?"
"Lightning energy…"
Gak-yu narrowed her eyes, searching her memory. Having traveled all over Tianshan for her duties, a few specific demons came to mind.
"It’s a bit far, but I know the location of a man called the Purple Lightning Demon."
"Oh? What kind of guy is he?"
"The Purple Lightning Demonic Art he practices is a technique refined using human corpses. Because of that, he settled in a place where the Cult’s influence is weak so he can hunt nearby experts."
"I see. What’s his realm?"
"I believe he is around the late stage of the Super Peak Realm."
That was perfect. At that level, as long as his martial prowess wasn't exceptionally abnormal, Seo-jun could handle him without much trouble.
After obtaining detailed information about the Purple Lightning Demon’s location from Gak-yu, Seo-jun stood up.
"Then I shall be off. I hope I won't have a reason to take your heads the next time we meet."
"By your command!"
* * *
Seo-jun left Aechu County.
The primary reason he had come all the way to the Demonic Cult was to find clues about the Extreme Demon stage. Rather than staying on the outskirts of Tianshan, it would be easier to find those clues by heading deeper inside.
While traveling, he also planned to pick up a lightning technique to give to Namgung Su-ah as a gift.
Instead of using the Primordial Unity Step, which stood out entirely too much, Seo-jun crossed Tianshan using a decent lightness skill. Even though it was merely 'decent,' his speed was still incredibly fast due to his high level of cultivation.
By the time the sun began to set, Seo-jun stopped at a suitable spot and prepared to camp.
To set the mood, he gathered some branches, started a campfire, and leaned back against a tree to close his eyes.
"A light…!"
A bizarre shriek broke the silence. Seo-jun cracked an eye open and scanned the area where he felt the presence. Soon enough, a wild demon burst out from the shadows.
"You! Give me that campfire!"
What is this guy?
As Seo-jun watched blankly, the man lunged at him.
"Kyaaaah…!"
Demonic Qi coated the man’s fingernails. Moving on all fours like a beast, he traced an erratic, irregular path before suddenly leaping into the air.
Swish—!
With a casual wave of Seo-jun’s hand, the demon vanished. Looking at the fresh blood splattered nearby, Seo-jun clicked his tongue.
"What the… Does Tianshan have wild demons instead of wild animals?"
Grrr—!
Perhaps drawn by the scent of blood, several more presences began to close in.
Seo-jun sighed and stood up.
Thump—! Thump—!
A demon burst through the surrounding trees, riding a demonic beast that looked like a giant boar.
As Seo-jun stared at the beast, it suddenly jerked its massive head upward.
"Gah…!"
The demon riding the beast was violently tossed into the air. Seo-jun seamlessly unleashed the Black Water Great Demonic Palm.
Boom—!
The palm-shaped Astral Qi flew out and shattered the airborne demon into bloody pieces.
"You shouldn't hang out with guys like that. Go find your friends and get out of here."
He patted the boar beast’s head. It snorted happily before turning and scurrying off into the woods.
Once his new boar friend was gone, Seo-jun drew his sword.
"Stop wasting time and come out."
He swung his sword in a wide arc, spinning his body.
Screeeech—!
A massive wave of Sword Astral Qi erupted from the blade, cleanly severing all the surrounding trees in a perfect circle.
"Aaaargh…!"
"Kack…!"
A few hidden demons were caught in the blast and sliced apart instantly. Only one demon managed to dodge by quickly jumping upward. Seo-jun clicked his tongue at him.
"So you’re the leader."
He looked to be in the Super Peak Realm. Somewhere between the early and mid-stages.
The demon kicked off a falling tree trunk and lunged forward, dense Astral Qi coating his claws.
"You! You’ll make excellent material!"
Yellowed, jagged teeth were visible through his wide-open maw.
‘These must be the "leftovers."’
The ones who made up the 'everyone else' category outside the Cult. Seo-jun infused his sword with Demonic Qi and fired it like a projectile.
Whoosh—!
The demon twisted his body, barely dodging the Sword Control Art.
"Just die quietly!"
Kicking off the empty air, the demon closed the distance in an instant. His right arm suddenly bulged to a massive size, coarse hair rapidly sprouting from the expanding flesh.
‘A mutation type.’
It seemed to be one of the more popular demonic art lineages these days. Anticipating the move, Seo-jun thrust his empty hand forward.
BOOM────────!!
The massive impact sent debris flying in all directions. The demon, having firmly grabbed Seo-jun’s outstretched hand, let out a savage grin.
"My body is harder than steel!"
"Steel?"
Isn't that something that breaks if you just tap it? At the Super Peak Realm, steel wasn't exactly considered a 'hard' material anymore.
Crack-crack-crack—!
In an instant, Yin and Yang alternated dozens of times within Seo-jun’s hand. It was the Ten-Fold Yin-Yang Reversal.
Splat—!
The demon’s massive right arm exploded into a mist of blood and bone.
"Aaagh…!"
The demon retreated in agony. Seo-jun merely mocked him.
"You should watch your back."
Shing—!
The sword he had thrown earlier returned like a boomerang, cleanly severing the demon’s remaining arm.
"Guh…!"
Having lost both arms in an instant, the demon howled.
"Kyaaaah…!"
Simultaneously, a massive explosion of Demonic Qi erupted from within his body. It wasn't a suicide attempt. Seo-jun widened his eyes and watched the transformation intently.
‘Staining the Essence-Qi-Spirit with the Demonic and then merging them into one.’
That was the exact description of the Extreme Demon stage the Sword God had explained to him. Currently, something very similar was happening inside this demon’s body.
‘Didn't he say that even if they aren't qualified, demons can attempt the leap to the Extreme Demon stage?’
Seo-jun couldn't help but recall Namgung Jin-cheon’s words.
Right now, in real-time, the demon’s Essence-Qi-Spirit was twisting and evolving into something utterly grotesque.
Grrr…!
Monstrous, misshapen arms sprouted from the bloody stumps of his severed limbs. A third leg grew out of his torso, and his head distorted into a bizarre, dough-like mass of flesh.
"Kuaaaaaah…!!"
Seo-jun nodded as he watched the roaring creature.
"So this is what happens?"
Thump—!
The monster charged. It hadn't forgotten its martial arts; its massive, newly formed hands were wreathed in blazing Astral Qi.
It had certainly become stronger than before. Its reason was completely gone and its appearance had mutated drastically, but one could arguably call it an evolution.
But that was all it was.
Seo-jun gave a short laugh and raised the sword that had returned to his grip.
"You’re not a very helpful friend."
He had hoped to learn a useful demonic art from this encounter, but this was a dead end.
The monster was right in front of him. Watching the massive arm swing toward him, Seo-jun lightly brought his sword down.
Slaaaaaash──────────
The blade was infused with Heaven-Defying Sun-Moon Astral Qi. Moving smoothly without the slightest resistance, the sword sliced the monster cleanly in half, vertically from head to groin.
Split—
Thud—!
Steam hissed from the cauterized cross-section of the monster as it fell dead in two perfectly symmetrical pieces.
Seo-jun watched the scene for a moment before casually sheathing his sword.
‘Interesting.’
There really must be a lot of experts hiding in Tianshan. Even someone at the Super Peak Realm jumped out of the bushes like a common mountain bandit.
High risk, high return.
He felt like he finally understood the true essence of demonic arts.
* * *
"Aaaaaaaagh…!!"
He had caught a water deer beastman.
"P-Please spare me…!"
Wait, was it a water deer that had antlers? Or a stag?