Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Reverse Heaven Blood Flow Great Law
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The moment the massive needle pierced my body, I couldn't hold back a scream that tore from my throat.
A horrific agony, as if my entire body was being ground to dust. I could feel the Heavenly Demon's internal energy slithering into me through the spot where the needle had stabbed.
That sensation was, quite literally...
Horrific.
The pain from the Heavenly Tribulations I'd endured up to now felt like nothing in comparison.
"Kughhhhhh!!!!!!!"
"If you lose consciousness, you'll die, Red Cloud."
I endured. And endured again. I wanted to claw at the ground with my fingertips, but even that was impossible, so I clamped my mouth shut and wailed.
I felt something leaking from beneath my bloodshot eyes. Tears. Mixed with blood, they kept blurring my vision.
I couldn't see a thing.
Even breathing felt blocked; I thought I'd pass out.
Completely robbed of control over my body, I twisted in torment. My hands and feet trembled uncontrollably, useless.
But the Heavenly Demon's voice came through clear as day. Heavy and resolute.
"That's just the first one. Dozens more like this need to go in."
Dozens more of this pain...?
The agony from the one just embedded hadn't even faded yet?
"Puppy. If you want to give up, say so now. You can still talk, right?"
"Ah.... Ah..."
I opened my mouth. My vision shook.
I didn't want to go through this. No matter how many times, this pain wasn't something you could get used to.
Once one was in, another fresh wave of torment would crash in. The kind that made you want to rip your skull open to check inside.
...But...
This was a method endorsed by the Heavenly Demon herself. Whispers of becoming stronger echoed in my mind.
"Can I... get even a little... closer...?"
The Heavenly Demon laughed.
"Of course."
"Then..."
I gritted my teeth.
"Continue... please..."
"Whoever's dog you are, you're a clever one."
A delicate hand stroked my cheek.
"Let's finish up quick and rest."
The massive needle churned inside me.
I screamed amid the endless agony.
Endure it.
Endure it, Red Cloud.
Please...
Please endure.
...
Heavenly Demon Cheon So-so wiped her hands. She glanced at the blood soaking the bed.
The metallic stench of blood filled the air. Just by the volume, it looked like dozens of people had died.
But it all came from one person. A dog sprawled out like the dead, still bearing that pain.
The Heavenly Demon pushed the arm dangling off the bed back inside, pressing it firmly. She whispered, meeting his dazed gaze.
"Still alive?"
"......."
The response came late. The voice faint.
But it was audible.
"Alive... yes..."
The Heavenly Demon smiled.
What is the Reverse Heaven Blood Flow Great Law?
Defying the natural order. A supreme technique preserved only in records.
The traces of past Heavenly Demons who tried to forge a body capable of withstanding the Heavenly Tribulations. But they all failed.
Why?
---Because everyone who underwent it died.
No exceptions. Ten out of ten, a hundred out of a hundred. All dead.
The process demanded enduring unimaginable pain without ever losing consciousness-a brutal condition.
Plenty frothed at the mouth and fainted from a single needle; how could anyone endure dozens?
Defying the heavens.
It wouldn't be easy.
But the dog before her had succeeded. He'd shattered her half-doubting heart with his own two hands.
Tenacity.
And desire.
His trembling eyes, still wide open, were soaked in bloody tears. The Heavenly Demon gazed down at them fondly.
The perfect plaything. Ah, only someone like this is worthy of being my dog.
"Where did you even come from...?"
She reached out. Prodded his nose.
His eyes scrunched slightly, and she grinned.
"Why didn't you find me sooner? You could've avoided all this pain."
His bloodied eyes widened a fraction.
"Really...?"
"Of course it's a joke."
"......."
"Don't scowl at your master, puppy."
The Heavenly Demon toyed with the scarred cheek.
Of course, some of those words held truth.
If only she'd known about him sooner...
No helping it now.
She'd have to content herself with what she saw from here on.
"Red Cloud."
"...Yes."
His lips pursed faintly in his weak voice. She lightly kissed his forehead.
His eyes widened a bit. A bitter taste on her tongue tip.
She wiped the blood from his mouth with her fingertip and whispered.
"You did well enduring. Now rest."
...
When I opened my eyes, the Heavenly Demon was gone. Only a clean bed and the familiar maid looking down at me remained.
"You're awake."
"......."
I felt over my body. The horrific pain was gone, leaving only stillness.
Like a dream from one night-everything vanished. But things had changed.
I clenched my fist. Opened it lightly.
Profound internal energy. A seething power within.
My body at the peak of the pinnacle moved qi freely. And not just that-with focus, I could manifest sword ki at will.
It used to be that way. Definitely.
But now?
"...Hoo."
I circulated the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art. Gripped the sword amid the surging qi.
Drew it lightly. Held the blade between my palms, checking the edge.
The sword's edge still razor-sharp. Yet even pressing my hand against it, no cut.
My whole body had hardened like metal. Just tensing, and the blade's tip couldn't pierce my skin.
Muscles restructured, their strength altered...
Even my bones felt remade, like a new person.
And that's not all. The pain from Heavenly Tribulation was gone too. Vanished so completely it was unnerving.
I manifested sword ki and slashed my skin on impulse.
Only after seeing the wound vanish instantly did my unease settle.
My heart had awakened within the sword of Soul-Extracting Thrust. With a clear path forward, enlightenment followed naturally.
What of my qi ? I'd nearly died from side effects after devouring that ice crystal the Heavenly Demon called. But with help, I made it my own, gaining considerable power in the process.
Those two alone pushed me to the pinnacle's peak. A realm achieved despite imbalance in heart, qi, and body.
But now? Even my somewhat lacking body had reached that level. The tempering I'd planned after mastering Tyrant Demon Path's basics was complete in one night.
I could feel it.
A massive wall before me. Faintly visible, but cracked all over-unlike its former solidity.
Fragile now. As if I could touch it by reaching out.
Just one push away.
What happens if I surpass it? Will everything I know upend?
...No. Right now, I'm not that curious about the wall.
I just want to test this power I've gained. See exactly where I stand.
"Calm your excitement, Number 30. The Lord has a message for you."
"Pardon?"
"Subdue the Demon Valley Lord within half a year at Demon Valley and consume his blood. Devour his inner core too, to consolidate your foundation."
"Demon Valley Lord?"
"Yes. And if you do..."
The maid handed me clean clothes.
"Your power accumulation is complete, so prepare to return to your true duties shadowing the First Demon---that's what she said."
"......!"
True duties. That word hit home.
What was the reason the Heavenly Demon took me in from the start? None other than...
To use me as a double agent for the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
"...I shall obey the Lord's command."
Half a year.
In that time, I knew what I had to do.
Slay the Demon Valley Lord-and hone my sword.
Returning to the righteous sects, my tasks were clear. Fulfilling the Heavenly Demon's orders, I'd eliminate the spies who'd infiltrated the cult to betray and deceive her.
Repaying her grace while avenging myself on the Murim Alliance that tossed me away as mere bait. Yet my heart remained calm.
Returning to the Alliance wouldn't end it all. Their high-ranking infiltrators must be immensely powerful.
Peak of the pinnacle? Might not be enough.
The Heavenly Demon had said the Seventh Demon vanished the same day as those spies.
Among the enemy's agents lurked power on the level of the Heaven-Earth Eight Demons.
And I had to surpass even them.
But...
"Demon Valley Lord. Understood."
I set my sights on the Heavenly Demon's back.
If I can't catch even the Heaven-Earth Eight Demons, there's no point in walking this path.
Forward.
Ever upward.
"I'll prove my worth within half a year."
"Splendid."
The maid nodded.
"I'll guide you back to Demon Valley, Number 30."
...
Back at Demon Valley. Number 29 trailed after me.
"Y-you met the First Demon, right?! How was it?! Did she mention me at all?!"
"I didn't meet the First Demon."
"Then what?"
I looked at Number 29.
"Number 29. Still want to join the Blood Demon Squad?"
"Huh? Well... yeah?"
Once I leave Demon Valley, I probably won't see her again. We'll walk different paths.
I'll head to the Murim Alliance in the end. Even striving to return alive, I couldn't guarantee it.
In the worst case, I might not make it back to the cult.
Of course, I had no intention of resenting that.
She'd given me so much; I wanted to repay it somehow. Leaving those who threatened my benefactor's life untouched? I couldn't call myself a warrior.
"......."
...So.
I wanted to do something for Number 29 before we parted soon.
For her, who'd quietly followed my absurd decisions.
I requested an audience with the Blood Demon Squad Leader. He welcomed me with a beaming smile.
"Did you put in a good word for me with the First Demon?"
"Blood Demon Squad Leader. I have a request."
"...Another one?"
"I'd like to request an audience with the First Demon."
"......."
The Blood Demon Squad Leader's face fell.
"I'll try putting in a word, but... the First Demon isn't one for idle time. She has dozens of duties as is. And as the Lord's Grand Protector, ten bodies wouldn't suffice. I don't know exactly what you two are, but she's not the type to come running every time she's called..."
The First Demon arrived.
"What now?"
"First Demon."
I ignored the sweating Blood Demon Squad Leader from afar and addressed her.
"You must already know I met with the Lord."
"Obviously. So?"
"The Lord commanded me to take down the Demon Valley Lord within half a year."
"Yeah."
"I'll do it in one month."
"...Ha?"
Undaunted by the First Demon's twisted smirk, I pressed on.
This was the only way to repay Number 29.
"In that shortened time, I'll assist you at your side. In return... could you grant me one wish?"
"What nonsense is..."
"Whatever you command, I'll accomplish. Even if it means skimping on sleep to repay the favor."
"......."
The First Demon stared at me intently. She fiddled with her chin repeatedly, as if wondering what was up with this guy.
The First Demon prodded my body. Fussed with my hand suddenly.
"Being blackmailed or something?"
"No."
A brief silence, as if pondering.
She finally nodded.
"Let's hear it."
"......!"
I laid out everything I wanted. The First Demon gazed at me steadily.
"Love affair?"
"I just want to help pave her way a little. She and I..."
That would describe our bond.
Comrades who'd crossed life and death together. Trained swords side by side, backs to the wall...
"We're comrades-in-arms."
"Hm."
The First Demon stepped back from me.
"Not a tough ask. No reason to refuse. One month. Even if you keep your promise, know the remaining five months will be hell. Treat them as such."
"...Yes!"
"This is the last time I'll entertain such nonsense. Don't think it'll happen again. I'm the one in charge of you from the start. If I wanted, I could work you for free."
"And yet you agreed, so I'll repay with effort."
The First Demon smirked.
"Red Cloud. Remember this. I don't like men who break promises. Whatever you proposed, stake your life on upholding it. Like you always have."
"......?"
Her words struck odd as I listened, so I asked.
"Does that mean you've been satisfied with me so far...?"
"Why ruin it at the end?"
She kicked my shin.