My Friend Called the Heavenly Demon
Dae Yu Hag-gwan in the heart of Jungwon Hanam. An ancient academy of learning that had endured for a thousand years.
"What? So you're saying the one called the Heavenly Demon right now, and even the Cheonma Singong, are both fake?"
"That's what it says here in the bamboo slips from a thousand years ago."
"Heavens! If this is true, then the so-called greatest master under the heavens, the one who first unified the jianghu, was someone else entirely."
"Do you believe this record is authentic?"
"These slips were left by Jung Yu, the founder of this academy a thousand years ago. He may not have known much about the jianghu, but he wasn't one to leave false records."
"But it's been a thousand years. Why does it matter now? I don't know much about the jianghu myself..."
"History is written by the victors, so the truth is often buried. But if more records like this surface and become known as fact? It would uproot the entire order of the jianghu built over a millennium."
"Is that so? But isn't that just a problem for the jianghu warriors?"
"If only it stopped there. But with something like this, who knows how far the ripples might spread? That's what worries me."
"Then what should we do with these slips? I'm the only one handling the old archive sorting, so no one else knows."
"It's a jianghu matter—we shouldn't get involved. Still, just in case, keep them safe."
"Understood."
"Oh, right! What was the name of that greatest master?"
"Yeo Hwi. And the strategist was called Mu Lun."
"Yeo Hwi? 'The lingering glow that remains to the end.' Heh! Sounds just like a name meant to transcend a thousand years of time and space. Is that really what's happening?"
Jo Jaheon, one of the sages of this era, let out a sigh that grew ever deeper.
Heavens! If the truth buried in oblivion revives and is remembered by the world? History repeats itself. And if that tangled thread still remains... even more so.
A thousand years ago.
Sin-gang, at the northwestern edge of Jungwon.
How does time pass so swiftly!
On the pristine eternal snow peaks of Cheon-san, the waxing crescent moon licked at the old man's heart like a whisper. The twinkling stars reflected in the jade glacier lake only deepened the weariness in his eyes.
A faint sigh escaped the lips of the lonely elder, Mu Lun.
Winter again already.
The prairie grass bent low in the wind, heralding the long winter gales, making his body huddle. The crimson sunset sinking behind the ridges felt bitterly cold in the deepening late autumn. The growing darkness and scattered starlight fanned his troubled mind.
Looking back, his memories brought more belated regrets and lingering resentments like painful thorns stabbing his chest than fond warmth.
Mu Lun had his own answer.
I'm just old.
Not aged, but old. He'd finally cast off the lingering ambitions that had filled those long years, but the flowing river never looked back.
The chill wind, heavy with darkness, bit at his aching knees, reminding him he was nearing seventy. Yet even in that profound regret born of life's weight, his eyes—those that had delved deep into existence—held a profound depth.
There might be lingering regrets, but he'd lived without remorse.
He shook his head lightly to steady his heart.
Painful memories take deeper root.
A moment later.
As Mu Lun entered the depths of the grand hall, carrying unspoken sentiments, a bitter expression replaced the gentle smile born of realizing time's impermanence.
It was because of his lifelong friend, Yeo Hwi.
They had met as boys and spent their lives together.
But lately, the bastard only nagged more than ever.
Especially that rejuvenated, taut face after the Hwan-gol Tal-tae—just looking at it twisted Mu Lun's insides.
He'd become a narrow-minded old man without realizing it.
That guy's face!
It had been thirty years since they founded Cheok-go-ryeon to carve their path through the harsh world with their own strength.
Yeo Hwi, leader of Cheon-san's Cheok-go-ryeon.
Mu Lun, its strategist.
Those days felt like yesterday, yet it had been five years since they'd handed everything over and become backroom elders.
Suddenly, Mu Lun's eyebrows shot up.
That bastard again!
In the secret chamber laid with the Gi-mun Jin-beop taken from those illusion-obsessed fools he'd slain and brought back—there he was again.
At first, Yeo Hwi had made it as a pastime, saying it looked fun.
But his frequent visits lately felt ominous.
The usual nagging shook his lips.
"You bastard, cut it out. What mess are you trying to stir up with this nonsense?"
He was once called the Cheon-noe.
A nickname for knowing the most martial arts in the jianghu.
But ever since Yeo Hwi surpassed Hyeon-gyeong, everything he did robbed Mu Lun of his wits.
At first, he'd dismissed it as impossible.
But now, with phenomena right before his eyes, he couldn't outright berate him.
A glint sparked in Yeo Hwi's eyes, looking like a man in his thirties.
"Hah! You called it an illusion trick before, and now you believe this space exists?"
"Ahem! I don't believe it, but it's worth investigating."
"Heavens! That guy and his deflections."
Mu Lun glared.
"You! Acknowledging that space destroys the world's order. How can a scholar act so recklessly?"
Yeo Hwi waved dismissively, annoyed.
"It might destroy your world, but for me, it's pursuing truth."
"Fine, whatever. But what do you plan to do, open it? Go inside?"
"Right now, I only know the space exists. Don't jump ahead."
Mu Lun snorted.
Ridiculous.
Lifelong friend—he knew that tone.
It meant he'd do it for sure if possible.
Mu Lun wanted to stop this madness, even if it meant nonsense.
They'd weathered sixty years of harsh seas together; if Yeo Hwi left, even the remnants of his life's attachments would vanish.
His words carried half worry, half fear, gravely spoken.
"It could shatter the world's balance. Think carefully."
Yeo Hwi's face twisted in irritation.
"That damn 'think carefully'! How many times have I heard it?"
He knew well.
But no reason to play along.
"Who knows."
"You said it when we smashed Jungwon, burned Unnam, melted the North Sea, froze the Western barbarians in glacier lakes."
"Suddenly bragging!"
"Just stating facts."
"Who asked? Back then, fine—but now that you're ruling the jianghu, why not go easy? You always go for the kill!"
"Not something a partner should say."
"That's why I'm saying it. Should've stopped you more. Sigh! Body ages, regrets pile up. You'd know if you'd aged with me."
"Sorry, you bastard. Can't age together."
Two Hwan-gol Tal-tae hadn't just changed Yeo Hwi's body—his thoughts and actions had youthened too.
Words that didn't reach him.
Plus, he'd keep this body another fifty years at least.
But pushing more would just sadden his old friend.
"Go rest. I'll keep looking."
"Your time doesn't rot—why the rush? Tsk tsk!"
"...!"
Mu Lun had just lamented time's swiftness.
Now he had to say the opposite.
His friend Yeo Hwi defied time.
Three years later, one night.
Mu Lun awoke to a strange energy.
Woooong!
Weeeeng!
What is this?
His steps naturally led toward the source.
Thud thud!
Suddenly, the hand rubbing his sleep-heavy eyes froze.
This place!
The secret chamber with the Gi-mun Jin-beop.
The energy spilling out was no ordinary thing.
A sudden thought made his eyes and lips tremble.
No way!
An ominous premonition chilled his spine.
Still, he couldn't rush into that space.
Barging in might endanger even Yeo Hwi at Hyeon-gyeong.
He slowly opened the door, holding his breath, stepping in carefully.
Swish!
Peering inside, Mu Lun's eyes flew wide.
Gasp!
Brilliant light scattered like foam from crashing waves, filling his vision.
And Yeo Hwi, enveloped in it.
Embracing radiant sunlight to his chest.
Shaaa!
Shaaaa!
No time for thought.
Urgent shout and feet moved on instinct.
Just like thirty years ago, rushing to save Yeo Hwi—no hesitation.
Tatadak!
"Stop!"
Yeo Hwi's eyes quivered.
No need to check who.
Only one would enter here.
Mu Lun!
Now in a tug-of-war with the light's energy.
Two hours ago, he'd sensed the light gradually illuminating the chamber.
Puzzling—never happened before.
That's when it began.
At first, just observing, no intent to enter.
But the landscape beyond the light changed that instantly.
Mang-san—that peak!
Decades passed, unforgettable scenery.
Chim-ju, southernmost Honam, where he, Mu Lun, and another friend Yeo Dan spent their youth.
Mang-san's peak veiled in clear clouds.
Where they'd sent their first-departed dear friend Yeo Dan to the winds after cremation.
He saw it as fate.
Heaven's will.
So he'd poured all his power and will to enter.
But the curtain before the space rejected him despite his light.
Over two hours of near-battle exertion.
His ocean-like inner energy nearly depleted, Mu Lun's approach might bring unknown changes or dangers.
Yeo Hwi himself had long surpassed Hyeon-gyeong, ready for death anytime.
His worry was only for the aged, frail Mu Lun.
But the immense light pressure gave no chance to speak.
Knowing Mu Lun approached, Yeo Hwi could only scream inwardly.
You'll get hurt, you bastard. Don't come!
But as expected.
Panting Mu Lun's hands flailed wildly at the airborne light.
"No!"
Whoosh!
The light curtain rejecting a Hyeon-gyeong master rippled.
Weeeeng!
Mu Lun's body, aimed between the light and Yeo Hwi, seeped smoothly into the light space.
Sucked in gently, as if welcoming him.
Yeo Hwi's eyes bulged.
How!
He who was called unrivaled under heaven.
That light rejected his power, yet old Mu Lun passed through like air—who now knew martial arts only in theory since injuring his body saving him.
Soon, as Mu Lun nearly crossed fully, the energy squeezing Yeo Hwi eased.
Only then did Yeo Hwi urgently muster his inner energy and reach out.
"No! Grab my hand!"
But the irresistible light rejected Yeo Hwi again.
Then, Mu Lun's head, sinking into the light, turned.
His wistful gaze met his friend.
Yeo Hwi!
He couldn't hear Yeo Hwi's words.
But he knew the intent.
Friends who knew each other by a glance.
Mu Lun slowly shook his head.
The soulfire in his eyes conveyed it.
This path had no return.
Despair deepened his heart.
Heavens! To end like this!
But he'd resolved when stepping forward.
Indescribable emotions surged, but first things first.
Comfort the remaining Yeo Hwi and bid farewell.
His eyes moistened, a wistful smile on his lips.
He poured sincerity into his gaze at his friend.
You bastard, live long—for my share too!
Yeo Hwi's eyes trembled fiercely.
Bone-deep realization: powerless now.
Mu Lun!
A teardrop, unnoticed when shed, trailed his cheek.
Rage blazed through his body.
Even post-Hwan-gol Tal-tae, blood seeped from his clenched fist.
Furious roar echoed through the chamber.
"Wait! I'll follow! I will! Definitely!"
Mu Lun's head shook gently.
Couldn't hear, but knew the words.
Answering with eyes alone.
Yeo Hwi. Last request as a friend. Don't come. You must stay. For that world to be at peace. Never come.
Understanding the gaze, Yeo Hwi shook his head firmly.
The majestic voice of the supreme under heaven resounded.
"I! Am! Going!"
Mu Lun had made Yeo Hwi who he was.
Lifelong companion in joy and sorrow.
The friend who'd rushed to save him when the world abandoned him.
Who stepped forward heedlessly despite his frail old body.
That friend.
One he wouldn't trade for the title of greatest under heaven.
Couldn't let him go like this.
Especially not because of his own momentary lapse.
First, unravel the mystery.
A question essential to break this impasse.
Why only him?
He hadn't told Mu Lun, but he'd long surpassed Hyeon-gyeong, nearing Saeng-sa-gyeong.
Hiding it only to spare Mu Lun's deepening sighs.
Even he couldn't resist this light.
Only then, calmly scanning surroundings long.
Yeo Hwi's eyes fixed on Mang-san's peak behind Mu Lun.
His eyes lit intensely.
It's different.
Clearly the Mang-san peak where friend Yeo Dan was cremated and sent to the winds.
Yet an incongruity he couldn't shake.
Yeo Hwi realized the difference soon.
Definitely that peak. But the rocks eroded, inscriptions faded like that...
Not natural disaster.
Such change meant long years passed.
Not decades—centuries at least.
Perhaps a millennium.
That path opened not to him, but his old friend.
Why?