Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: The First Demon's Resolve
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The First Demon declared.
"I'll show you that even if you combined every single one of those people who whispered 'disciple' to you, they still couldn't keep up with me."
The training itself had grown grueling. The First Demon didn't let me off easily.
From the moment the word 'disciple' was attached to me, the intensity of the training had doubled. Sweating all day wasn't enough; even Heavenly Tribulation cried out in alarm as it regenerated my collapsing body.
Pain so severe it was recognized not as 'fatigue' but as 'injury.'
But I was glad for it.
Because she was watching me more closely than before.
So I endured. No matter how agonizing, I just gritted my teeth and pushed through.
Honestly, it was even fun. Her changed training methods worked muscles I hadn't used before.
Regeneration and destruction. Repeating that cycle, my body grew a little stronger each time.
Those moments that any martial artist would delight in were gifts to me, not curses.
"The key is control."
The First Demon tapped the sheathed sword she'd raised against my shoulder.
"Fundamentals. You can't emphasize them enough. At the core of every martial art lies a foundational external technique. Internal energy? It's important. Unless you reach the Profound Realm, internal energy has its limits. But even so, training the body is more crucial."
"Why is that?"
"Because in the end, it's the body that has to withstand that internal energy. Only at the Cult Leader's level do you become free from the body's limits. The Profound Realm isn't much different. It may seem like you've become a different kind of being, but those limits are still tied to being 'alive.'"
"...Does that mean the Cult Leader is different even from the Profound Realm?"
"I don't know."
"Pardon?"
"I said I don't know. I've never seen the Cult Leader's limit. It's only natural I can't speak of what I haven't witnessed."
The First Demon squatted down in front of me as I held a handstand position. She rested her chin on her hand and gazed at me intently.
"You're aiming for a being even I, the First Demon, can't dare look up to. It's a harsh path. An absurd one, even."
"........."
"But you'd say you'll try anyway."
The First Demon smiled prettily.
"A disciple's dream is the master's dream too, so I'll teach you as far as I can go. Drawing what comes after is up to you."
"...Yes!"
"Repeat every movement slowly. Tense your muscles to the extreme, then repeat slowly... and you'll naturally grow accustomed to handling them quickly. All speed comes from slowness. You must know slowness to achieve speed. It's like knowing lightness to grasp heaviness. True teaching isn't limited to one thing. All arts return to the source. They all converge at one end."
The First Demon tapped my waist.
"Straighten it more. To the limit."
"...Yes!"
The day flew by. In the mornings, I followed her and read books.
"This is speed reading. There are times you need to read quickly. Knowing how to read is commendable, but you can't stop there. There may come moments when you have to scan documents fast, and your life might depend on it."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Broaden your knowledge. Being versed in both letters and martial arts is ideal. But no one's truly achieved it. I don't expect that much. Still, at least keep up with what others your age are doing."
"To what extent..."
"People who read books earn respect anywhere. The more diverse your thinking, the better you can apply it to strategy and tactics. A soft mind is better than a rigid brain. Read whenever you get the chance."
There were many phrases I didn't understand. When that happened, the First Demon kindly explained.
"Don't rush. Steadiness is your greatest strength. Just keep at it one step at a time, like always."
"Yes."
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art.
Now, I was reaching for its sixth stage.
"This is a technique you should've learned long ago... but no helping it. I didn't expect your realm to rise this quickly."
She pointed at me leisurely.
"Blood Shadow Two Flowers. An advanced movement technique that incorporates qi. It's a martial art fusing movement with qi. If I had to classify it, it's like the first half's Ghost Hand One Demon. The first and second halves connect like this. Advanced arts expand on the base techniques. So, what do you think the sixth form of the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art is?"
"It connects to Soul-Pulling Thrust."
"Exactly. It's learning to properly wield the sword with qi. The sixth form of the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art is Staining Blood Death. Among advanced martial arts, it's the one that truly handles the sword."
Blood qi surged over the sheath she held. The massive qi rippled as if dyeing the world.
Its end fell like mist. Blood-soaked haze.
Where the thick blood mist spread, the scent of blood flowed heavily.
"A sword that pursues the essence of 'heaviness' to the extreme. A single drop of blood is light, but weaving them turns it into the heaviest sword in the world-that's Staining Blood Death. Normally, no one masters it to this point. Inevitably, those who reach here are mostly devoured by their demonic nature, becoming monsters craving blood. That's partly why the Cult Leader left it unfinished. Why bother creating the latter half for those who won't reach the end anyway?"
"......"
"But don't worry. The unfinished art the Cult Leader left behind-I'm fixing it myself. I've compiled up to the eighth form in writing. The final form is still in progress, so it'll take some time."
"That final form is..."
"The realm of the Sword Heart."
Sword Heart.
I subtly inquired at the word I'd heard in ages.
"As far as I know, Master can wield the Sword Heart too."
"That's right."
"Then... you don't need a sword?"
"Looks like Wolhyang told you roughly, but you only heard half. The Sword Heart isn't that simple. Upon entering the Profound Realm, you commune with heaven, earth, and all things, freeing yourself from internal energy limits-but the body still has constraints. The body can hold an ocean, but you can't wield it freely because it risks collapse. That's why."
"......"
"Rewriting the world with your will-that's the Sword Heart. Its form is like sucking in the sea and shooting it out. No human body can endure it. It's not a technique for overuse. The Sword Heart is a final move. Those who reach the Profound Realm can overwhelm inferiors without it. Using the Sword Heart against the weak is..."
The First Demon declared.
"Flashy nonsense. Or the act of someone drunk on their own power."
"...Master. Then how many in this murim have reached the Profound Realm?"
"Hard to say exactly. Our cult has five: the sect leaders, me, and the Cult Leader. No one knows precisely where the Cult Leader stands, but she's definitely above us."
The First Demon tapped my shoulder with her sheath.
"If we're talking righteous sects, the Murim Alliance Leader tops the list. Called the Invincible Sword, he's famed for having no equal. That implies he's entered the Profound Realm too."
"Any others?"
"I've heard Volcano has one. One always mentioned for world's best. Wudang has one, Shaolin too. That's four..."
The First Demon pondered briefly.
"The Heavenly Dragon Society-smaller than the Murim Alliance but holding a pillar among righteous forces-has the Four Dragons, they say. Water Dragon, Earth Dragon, Human Dragon, and the Heavenly Dragon ruling above. The first three might not be, but the Heavenly Dragon is always named for world's best. So he's likely reached it. Word is... the unorthodox side has two as well."
"Even the unorthodox?"
"I've heard of the Unorthodox Young Leader and the so-called Unorthodox Supreme Sword under him, so they'd be worth clashing swords with. The Five Outer Palaces... they've been sealed for ages, so who knows."
"Sealed?"
"They're truly beyond the world. Matters of other places. They rarely meddle in murim, so calling it sealed is fair. They poked around in the past, but not now. Besides, the North Sea Ice Palace has crossed the Cult Leader before."
It was a story I'd heard before.
So that's why they weren't on good terms.
"This era is one of monsters. Over ten peak experts to be recorded in history- the entire murim brims with power. So if you go to the Murim Alliance, be extra careful with your actions. Red Cloud."
"Understood, Master."
"A hundred more in that position."
"Yes!"
I finished the remaining training. Grueling sessions taking half the day.
Combining an hour of study made time slip away.
Free time wasn't entirely absent. Late evening, she'd release me, leaving two hours before sleep.
But even then, I stayed with the First Demon.
Once she finished teaching me, she handled her remaining duties alone. Not liking that, I helped with what I could.
The First Demon would occasionally nod at me.
"I can do it myself."
"I want to."
"...Stubborn."
A month passed in a flash.
Late at night, acquaintances sometimes visited. People loitering at the door peeked into the underground training hall.
Wolhyang led, followed by four others scampering in.
"Big Brooo!"
The masked First Demon naturally pushed away the clinging Wolhyang.
"What's with the ones tagging behind?"
"I wanted to come alone, but they insisted. You know how soft-hearted I am. Ahaha!"
"...Tch."
The First Demon, clicking her tongue, mounted my prone form and thrust her sheath forward.
"Why are you here? He's training. Turn around and leave."
"Greetings to the Blood Demon Squad Leader."
"Greetings to the Blood Demon Squad Leader."
"Greetings to the Blood Demon Squad Leader."
"Greetings to the Blood Demon Squad Leader."
After the courteous bows, Silver Snow Orchid stepped forward.
"Squad Leader. Might I ask... when will the training end?"
"Even after, he has much to do."
"...Not even a short break?"
"Get up."
The First Demon nudged me. I sprang up like a shot and caught my breath.
The First Demon took a towel and wiped the sweat from my body.
"His training usually ends around the hour of horse. But even then, he helps me without being asked..."
"........."
"Today's lessons are done anyway, so you can go play early. But..."
The First Demon turned with a grin.
"If he wants to."
"...What'll you do?"
Silver Snow Orchid looked up at me. I shook my head.
"Training isn't over yet. I want to polish what I've been honing."
"And after?"
"I... have to help the First Demon. She's reviewing my martial arts during her work time, so I should assist even a little."
The First Demon chuckled. Silver Snow Orchid rubbed her face.
"I hoped it wasn't true..."
"...Wolhyang-unnie was right."
"This is... taming him...?!"
"Not the time to fight among ourselves..."
The four exchanged glances while muttering something incomprehensible.
Black Peony smiled brightly.
"Blood Demon Squad Leader. I have a request."
"A request? To me, no less?"
"Precisely, to the Soul-Pulling Pavilion Leader."
"...Soul-Pulling... Pavilion Leader..."
The First Demon glanced up at me.
"You told them?"
"They're trustworthy."
"I told you to tell, but I didn't think you'd actually... What do you plan to use it for?"
"I just said it. Haven't used it."
"What? Why?"
"Because they're trustworthy."
"...Anyway."
The First Demon tilted her head crookedly.
"So?"
"I want to join the Soul-Pulling Pavilion."
"What?"
"The two behind might be different, but Silver Snow Orchid and I are unattached. We have skills, so we're plenty capable of assisting him as Soul-Pulling Pavilion members."
"Same for me. Please allow it."
"Pardon? What... Ryeongryeong. Didn't you say you wanted to see the world?"
"You're my world."
"...Wow."
"Sudden strike."
"Sharp one, Ryeongryeong."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
The First Demon growled.
I hurriedly shook my head.
"I have no idea."
"...Right. You're the Soul-Stealing Enchantress? The last one..."
The First Demon strode forward.
As Ryeongryeong flinched, the sheath struck five points. She panicked before she could resist.
"Wh-what...?! How is it this fa-?!"
"Not bad for a novice. Nine Yin White Bone Claw? Thought it was lost... but you've mastered it properly. Soul-Stealing Enchantress. What can you do?"
"I handle spells and formations. With him, I can set one up on the spot, no cost."
"Odd skills."
"That's how I survived."
"Still, just parlor tricks. The Soul-Pulling Pavilion has no need of you. Get lost."
"As expected... But..."
Black Peony turned to me.
"What now?"
"Pardon?"
"...I want to stay by your side... but now I really have nowhere to go. No place in the Demon Hall. As a 'friend,' I wanted to help from nearby... but now even that's impossible..."
Ryeongryeong sighed. Her shoulders slumped like a rain-soaked puppy.
"Me too... as a 'friend,' I want to stay together... but I'm broke... hardly anything left... can't even find a decent job... might starve to death like this...?"
"Ryeongryeong. It's okay. At least we'll starve together? You won't be lonely."
"True... but still... a bit sad. No beasts to hunt here... we'll peel bark and die hungry to the end..."
"What schemes are you punks pulling...?"
"...Master."
"What?"
Come to think of it, wasn't it so?
Ryeongryeong had no connections in the Demon Hall. And no home to return to, practically. Sending her back inside after she'd finally come out felt wrong.
Black Peony was the same. She'd followed me here. My friend and benefactor too-I wanted to help if I could.
And right now, the Soul-Pulling Pavilion had only me.
"They're the ones who helped me in Yeokmin. Thanks to them, I completed the mission safely."
"Big Brooo. Without them, this baby would've died? They shouldered a pillar of the Blood Cult, so I survived too. Right?"
"...You I'd understand. But you can't, Wolhyang. Why take their side?"
"Huh? Side? No idea."
Wolhyang grinned.
"Just... seems more fun this way? Ahaha!"
"...You... bitch... we'll talk later."
"With the Squad Leader, you can make time anytime. Hng. In a quiet place... just the two of us... ehehe."
"Ignore that crazy bitch and..."
The First Demon's gaze swept over me. Her sigh was deep.
Still, she ended by clicking her tongue and turning away.
"...Even so, I can't just accept them. I'm soon to be Soul-Pulling Pavilion Leader. I need to check first."
"You mean..."
The First Demon drew her sword from the sheath.
Her voice was chilling.
"I won't kill you."
"...Quite the enthusiastic welcome."
Cold sweat dripped from Black Peony's face. She promptly drew her fan.
"I'll do it anyway. It's the fastest way."
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