Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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Marriage?!
The thunderbolt-like declaration left me truly flustered, flailing about in panic.
Was it normal for a father with a daughter to be so attached that he became a doting dad? In the hall, Seomun Hye looked embarrassed yet pleased, while Miho just stared indifferently. Struggling to regain my composure, I said,
"I'm sorry, but... I have no intention of doing that."
"Why?"
That single, simple question was incredibly hard to answer.
'Why? What kind of why is that?'
Why refuse?
Why turn down a marriage to the prized daughter of the Shadowless Sect, the foremost among the evil factions of the world?
One wrong word, and I might incur the wrath of a top-tier evil master. I might even die right here. The fear of death washed over me. But I overcame the terror and calmly replied,
"I still have things to do, and I'm not particularly close to Lady Seomun Hye—we barely know each other. Rushing into marriage like this would bring unhappiness to everyone."
"That's not it."
"Pardon?"
"You're cowering because you're afraid to give your heart."
"......!!"
The Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong's indifferent response carried a sharp sting, almost casual. His words pierced right to the core of my feelings. By cutting through all my excuses to the truth, it showed he had already sized me up—what kind of person I was.
Before I could respond, the Sword Demon spoke.
"If you're not interested, fine. I respect Hye's wishes, but that doesn't mean the Shadowless Sect has to bend over backward repeatedly."
"Father..."
Seomun Hye gazed at him pleadingly, but he glanced at her once and turned away. It meant he had no desire to discuss it further. As Seomun Hye looked dejected, the Sword Demon continued,
"However, separate from that, the Shadowless Sect must treat you as a benefactor. What reward would you like, Baek Woong?"
"......"
In that moment our eyes met, I suddenly understood what kind of man Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong was.
An absolute being!
That endlessly detached gaze—I had seen it a few times before. In peerless masters like Han Baekryeong or Lee Gwang. It was the look of one with absolute confidence in their will, reason, and martial prowess, looking down upon the world. The Sword Demon might possess a similar mindset.
After much thought, I said,
"Please help the women who came to the Shadowless Sect live a second life."
"That's all?"
"Yes."
I desperately wanted the Shadowless Sect's help with my own affairs. But right now, I had to deliver a letter to the Azure Dragon Martial Hall and see how things unfolded. Accepting their help sloppily could complicate matters, so I planned to decline for now.
A glint appeared in the Sword Demon's eyes.
"They called you righteous and chivalrous—indeed you are. A rare talent."
"Will you grant that?"
"Of course. It was Hye's wish from the start to look after them, so that was my intention anyway."
He continued,
"But that alone isn't sufficient repayment. What shall we do about this?"
"Hmm..."
"Say something. I'll grant it if it's within my power."
I felt tempted. My initial refusal was out of modesty, but with him pressing like this, mentioning something wouldn't hurt. After pondering, I said to the Sword Demon, master of the Shadowless Sect,
"Then, would you spar with me and impart the way of the sword?"
"Hoh...?"
"I want to witness the skills of the famed Shadowless Sect Lord."
The Sword Demon burst into hearty laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha!! What an entertaining fellow! Very well, follow me to the training ground."
Without another word, he turned and strode off. As we followed him to the training ground, Miho said,
"Baek Woong, why not just marry her? You could've had your fun every night."
"Ah..."
Seomun Hye, walking beside me, looked utterly bewildered. Her face was beet red.
But I replied nonchalantly,
"No need for more talk. Don't tease me."
"Hmm..."
Miho smirked mischievously, while Seomun Hye let out a deep sigh.
We arrived at the training ground with the group. It was a massive arena, over a hundred paces in diameter, likely carved from an entire hillside. Amazed by the vast scale, I saw the Sword Demon standing three paces away from us.
"Ladies, step down from the arena."
Once Miho and Seomun Hye descended, the Sword Demon and I faced each other. He glanced at my waist and said,
"That's a saber, isn't it? Planning to use that?"
"No. I'll use a sword."
"It gives off a unique aura. May I see that saber?"
"Certainly."
I handed him the famed saber Village Purity without hesitation. After examining it closely for a long time, the Sword Demon said,
"What do you call this saber?"
"Village Purity."
He scrutinized the wave patterns on the blade and explained,
"This is one of the top ten demon sabers from the Eastern Seas."
"Hmm..."
"Its proper name is the demon saber Muramasa. It's at the pinnacle of Japanese blades, something any sword collector dreams of owning. I'd only heard the name, but it's truly an exceptional weapon."
Learning from the Sword Demon that it was the demon saber Muramasa filled me with wonder. I had shown it to Miho, but she had no interest in blades and ignored it. Cautiously, I asked,
"Demon saber? Is it cursed or something?"
"I'm not sure about that. But it's undeniably an outstanding weapon."
He tossed Muramasa back to me and continued,
"Still, use a sword now. Saber and sword arts are fundamentally different."
"Understood."
Clang
I drew a steel sword from the nearby rack, assumed the starting stance of Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship, and faced the Sword Demon. This arena seemed geared for near-real combat—no wooden swords in sight. The Sword Demon gazed at me leisurely and said,
"Come, begin."
"Pardon?"
"What's wrong?"
"...You don't have a sword."
Indeed.
Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong was unarmed—no sword at his waist or back. Just standing there with arms crossed, bare-handed. He had promised sword instruction, yet he held no sword himself. He chuckled softly and said,
"My nicknames are Sword Demon and Blood Sight Rest. Using a real blade on a guest seeking instruction would turn this into a sea of blood."
I bristled with indignation.
'What?'
His words sounded fine, but essentially, he was saying, "I can handle you without a blade." No matter that I hadn't reached the supreme realm in swordsmanship—no one could ignore that level of disdain.
Swoosh...
I abandoned the Thunder Shadow starting stance and drew forth the Universal Sword Formula's essence. With Mysterious Heaven Divine Art enabling complex movements, Acupuncture Formula Thunder Wind Scatter Palm allowing swift qi circulation, and recent insights from Sword Sage Yeo Dongbin's swordsmanship, my skill had surely advanced far beyond my ninth death.
Observing my stance intently, the Sword Demon said,
"You're mainly using another weapon besides the sword, aren't you?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Your movements and breathing suit a long weapon user—like spear or halberd."
"......"
My jaw dropped.
I was perfectly executing sword techniques, yet he read that from minute tremors not even habitual? We hadn't exchanged a single blow, and already the Sword Demon loomed gigantic before me.
But I couldn't be endlessly overwhelmed.
Calmly, I said,
"Then, please show me one technique."
"Come."
Time to see what nonsense it was to impart sword lessons without a sword.
With that thought, I shot forward in an instant. My powerful inner force propelled my advance, stomping the arena as my horizontal slash targeted his neck. The Universal Sword Formula's Slash essence accelerated fiercely.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, I missed my target. My sword cleaved empty air.
"......?!"
What happened?
"I'm right here."
His voice came from two paces behind me.
The leisurely-standing Sword Demon said,
"You've learned swordsmanship properly. Few bad habits."
"Judging so casually isn't ideal."
"But your breathing doesn't connect smoothly. Inner force and technique lack harmony."
Ignoring my complaint, he continued his critique and slowly raised his hand.
"Now, I'll show you one technique."
I tensed, watching his every move intently. I didn't have to wait just because he said so, but given his level, switching to defense was necessary. Holding my breath, sharpening my dynamic vision and qi sense, the Sword Demon moved.
Whoosh
A simple hand raise, like swatting a fly—slow. I thought I could easily slice him. But when his hand pierced another inch closer, my face paled.
Sword qi!
Meticulously refined sword qi swirled toward me. I hurriedly swung my sword to deflect, combining Universal Sword Formula's Change and Illusion essences, but blocking his assault was grueling. Limbs flailing, techniques tangling slightly, then an invisible sword qi lightly stabbed my solar plexus.
Ping
"......"
I realized his finger hovered before my solar plexus.
With exactly one technique, unarmed, he had pierced all my defenses to a lethal spot. If this weren't instruction, I'd be dead.
Stunned and limp, the Sword Demon said,
"Fine swordsmanship. It rivals our Shadowless Sect's Shadowless Swordsmanship. But your capacity doesn't fully draw out its potential."
He withdrew his finger. Only then did I breathe freely. Now I grasped Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong's true power.
'A peerless master on par with Lee Gwang...!!'
This overwhelming defeat without understanding came only from sparring Lee Gwang. Others like Twelve Rhythm Lords or Dharma Protectors existed, but my benchmark was Lee Gwang. I instantly felt why the Sword Demon, strongest of the Eight Demonic Lords, was unchallenged in discussions of the world's top martial artist.
"Wh-what was that? How can you wield sword qi without a weapon?"
It was bizarre.
Sword qi was the culmination for first-class experts after grueling practice with a sword. Naturally, it required heart-sword unity—unheard of without a weapon. Even major sect elders couldn't do it. Yet the Sword Demon casually emitted tangible sword qi from his hand, shaping it freely.
"Let me ask instead—what's your weapon?"
"......"
"You seem confident with spear. Use it this time."
He pulled a nearby spear with void grasp and tossed it to me. Caught off guard, I gripped it and assumed the Thunderbolt Martial Ultimate Spear stance. The Sword Demon stood unarmed again, intending bare-handed combat.
"Hah!"
This time, I unleashed chaotic variations of Scatter, Me, Pierce with rotational force, blocking his escape. Amid the ferocious spearhead rush, he glided like a butterfly through space. After about ten seconds observing my assault, he leisurely extended his hand.
I couldn't block it.
"......"
Again, I swung wildly, only to receive his finger at my solar plexus. Withdrawing it, he said,
"Indeed, you're better with spear than sword. But spear doesn't suit you."
"What do you mean?"
"You know it yourself."
He took the spear from me, glancing at the tip.
"Temperament can't be swapped for convenience or results."
Slowly swinging it, he demonstrated spear forms—movements not definable as techniques yet captivating. Far freer and more fluid than my Thunder Spirit Eight Forms. Like a dance, mesmerizing me until his final thrust into empty air.
Thud!
The air split from the stab. Realizing it was the flawless, powerful basic of Pierce, I flinched.
"Anyone can mimic this without mastering its essence."
Tossing the spear aside clangingly, he said,
"In my view, your martial arts achieve supreme strength through harmony of spear and sword. Yet you're enamored with spear's power, straying from its essence. Moreover, your true aptitude leans toward sword. With the Three Rings severed, it's a tough bind..."
I dropped to my knees. And said,
"I'm sorry. My talent is lacking—I can't comprehend your words."
I recognized his martial level dwarfed mine; he was discussing advanced arts. Choosing his instruction was wise. Kneeling or not, I needed his insights. Gazing down impassively, he said,
"You don't understand? At your age, mastering peak arts, I thought you'd grasp it... Nervous because I'm an outsider?"
"No."
"Simply put: whoever trained you, you honed spear to peak excellence through relentless effort under a master. But that's not your path—forcing spear alone will lead to regression."
"......!!"
He smirked wryly.
"Well, I agree spear outshines sword. Nothing matches spear's might. Equals favor spearmen over swordsmen. Yet countless swordsmen like me pursue sword knowing this. Know why?"
"Why?"
"The more enchanted by spear's combat prowess, the clearer it becomes: spear chooses its wielder. Sword is less picky, so for swift ascent to extremes, we choose sword."
The spear chooses its wielder!
Shocking, yet after decades at Azure Dragon Martial Hall, I understood. Lee Gwang always stressed [talent], refusing the untalented. It meant Thunder God Style arts required exceptional talent and insight for greatness.
Thunder God Style's core was spear—yet despite focusing on it with Lee Gwang, I couldn't surpass a certain level. Foundations reached peak, but my talent limited further spear progress. Advanced spear arts demanded harsh talent selection.
Patting my shoulder, he said,
"Overcome that contradiction, and you'll advance a step. Keep at it."
"Thank you for the profound guidance."
"From tomorrow, request spars as you wish."
Descending the arena with him, I thought,
'Sword suits my aptitude more?'
I'd pondered it, but hearing it from another hit differently. I majored in sword originally, but Lee Gwang insisted on spear, raising my level quickly. Now hitting a wall, he recommended returning to sword.
For the next month, I sparred daily with the Sword Demon, receiving pointers on my swordsmanship flaws. On the month's end, I realized it was time.
'Delay further, and rescuing General Hwang Yeon may become impossible.'
Without full details, endless training here wasn't ideal. I told the Sword Demon I was leaving the Shadowless Sect. He and Seomun Hye saw me off.
"Farewell, son-in-law."
"...I'm not."
"It'll happen someday, right?"
"......"
His deadpan delivery left me speechless. Miho, watching, giggled delightedly.
Leaving the Shadowless Sect, walking the mountain path, I recalled our talk.
[You're not pursuing Seomun Hye's kidnappers?]
[Naturally. Traced them to Pirate Isle, but it grew burdensome.]
[Lack of information...]
[Not that. I needed resolve of my own.]
[Resolve?]
[Beyond this, as an outsider, I can't reveal.]
He'd share the full story if I married Seomun Hye as his son-in-law. Refusing meant no full picture on her incident. Lost in thought, Miho following said,
"The Sword Demon's impressive. Spent a month probing for seduction openings—none."
"Makes sense. One of evil's top masters."
"Heading to Azure Dragon Martial Hall now?"
"I must."
I replied heavily.
Circumstances sidetracked me, but I had to reunite with Lee Gwang there. Miho eyed me and said,
"Hmm... I get you're fleeing emotions, but isn't it just a feeling? Marry casually, enjoy the woman— you'll reincarnate anyway, so what?"
"If it were that easy, I'd be living happily now."
"Hm...?"
I glared resentfully at tilting-headed Miho.
'You...'
Two beings already emotionally entangled.
Yet I couldn't abandon Mangnyang or Miho.
I could only fear further ties.
Unable to voice those feelings, I walked on silently.