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In the Dark Heaven Village, the ultimate technique selected by the Sword Demon for self-defense was the Eight Immortals Divine Art, specifically the Ninety-Nine Harmonious Returns.

This technique was crafted by Lee Cheong-un, who analyzed both the soft and strong aspects of Wudang’s martial arts. It was a unique art derived from the Seven Great Techniques, combining the profound elements of Tai Chi’s subtlety and the Cave-Collapsing Sword, allowing one to nullify all forms of power.

‘I must focus on letting the power flow.’

In a past life, even against Baek Woong wielding the Seven Luminaries, he had successfully executed the Ninety-Nine Harmonious Returns to abscond with overwhelming force. He managed to read the Sword Saint Miyamoto Musashi’s movements with a combination of techniques, defeating his opponent’s martial heart, making this the best response in his current dilemma.

Suddenly—

Crash!!

But in the next moment, he felt his whole body being thrown as he crashed into the ground, his eyes widening in shock.

So powerful! I can’t let the energy flow!

It was as if a force capable of toppling the universe had erupted, making all his attempts to read his opponent’s trajectory meaningless. In fact, though he succeeded in letting the power flow, he quickly realized that the disparity of strength was so great that it rendered any effort pointless.

At that moment, the Sword Demon realized his spine was shattered and his limbs mangled. He had sustained fractures from Twelve Joules’ assault but had managed to recover somewhat, yet this injury would not heal so easily. Normally, a strike of this magnitude would leave one in a vegetative state for life.

“Cough…!!”

He spewed blood across the ground, but fortunately, he wasn’t entirely overwhelmed; he managed to evade being completely drenched in his lifeblood. Despite having his bones crushed, the Sword Demon grit his teeth and channeled his internal energy.

In the Shadowless Gate, the moment of life and death was known as the Heavenly Mandate!

Within the Sword Demon’s body, every ounce of internal power spun rapidly, filling in the gaps between shattered bones. He quickly healed the ruptured blood vessels, managing to gain back enough strength to re-enter battle in mere moments.

This feat wasn’t medically feasible, yet it temporarily restored his vital energy and internal strength—a secret technique known as the Heavenly Mandate of Life and Death. The secret was that the Sword Demon could escape Musashi’s grievous injury while maintaining speed thanks to this skill.

Additionally, the Sword Demon’s current proficiency in the Wudang’s divine arts significantly boosted his recovery and defense, making it possible to immediately recover thanks to the Heavenly Mandate. However, he had to use it sparingly because it consumed massive internal power, meaning he could only utilize it to return to battle, not for further healing.

But for now, that was enough. He endured that one second and bought himself some time. He couldn’t think of attacking his opponent; instead, he relied on his reflexes to leap upwards. He had to divert his opponent’s attention, even if just a little, to save his daughter.

Gugugugugu

[Self…]

Suddenly, the ‘Miyamoto Musashi’ standing in the shadows materialized before him, gathering dark energy. The Sword Demon prepared to manifest all his techniques for optimal counterplay, but the opponent’s overwhelming strength rendered such plans futile, as he simply descended an enormous strike filled with incredible force.

Swish!

The Sword Demon staggered back and collapsed. This time, he couldn’t dodge a long deep cut from his left shoulder to his right hip. Expecting to meet his end, he was shocked to find that he was still alive.

“…?”

He finally realized the reason. Although the opponent could have split him in two effortlessly, he had deliberately struck lightly! When he looked up, the twisted face of the monstrous Musashi wore a sinister grin.

Playing with me.

Surprisingly, the Sword Demon didn’t feel angry. It was rare to encounter such a powerful opponent in the human realm. This being undoubtedly possessed strength comparable to the highest tier of overlay techniques, an existence nearly nonexistent in this world. Instead, he braced himself and stood back up.

‘I have to hold on.’

If they were just joking with him, it would be quite a favor. Even if they toyed with him like a bug, buying time was all he needed.

Creek!

Musashi looked into the Sword Demon’s eyes and seemed displeased, producing an ominous sound as if his body itself was a colony of horrors crying out. The unnatural creature released a series of shrieks, and with moments of silence, three words echoed in a voice resembling Musashi’s.

[Do you not understand you can’t win?]

“……”

[Why do your eyes remain resolute?]

The Sword Demon was too exhausted to respond. Instead, he prepared to let the Ninety-Nine Harmonious Returns flow again, ready to redirect the overwhelming power.

[This time… I will tear off your left arm. Then the right… each leg until finally, I will rip out your heart while it still beats.]

With a horrifying premonition, Musashi slowly raised his sword.

A desperate fight with no chance of victory. The Sword Demon felt the reality of being toyed with, destined to be slain, yet he remained unyielded.

Because – Baek Woong was there.

[Self…]

Just as Musashi’s dreadfully cursed sword was about to descend.

Snap!

Suddenly, the Sword Demon found himself standing at the entrance of the Grave of the God, miraculously unharmed. Beside him stood Berus and Seo Mun-hye, while in front of him, the Grave twisted and opened like an abyss of chaos.

“……?!”

What the heck just happened?

The Sword Demon touched his body to confirm he wasn’t a wreck. Though the injuries from the Twelve Joules still lingered, they weren’t critical. He felt perfectly fine.

“What… is this?”

He gazed at Berus, who met his eyes with calm understanding, undisturbed by the chaos around them.

“You have two chances to act.”

“What do you mean…”

“I turned the Small Cycle.”

Upon hearing this, the Sword Demon finally understood the situation.

‘Time regression!’

Berus had activated the Small Cycle to rewind time after losing his head, allowing their group to escape imminent doom! But the Sword Demon remembered from Baek Woong’s knowledge that such capabilities could only be wielded by an Old Ruler, a powerful divine being, or someone nominated at the level of an Apostle. This feat exceeded what an average human sorcerer could accomplish.

Indeed, the greatest sorcerer of the Western Jesuits! Berus spoke slowly.

The options are either to escape or confront, no other choices. However, I have learned that the assailant is possessed by a being equivalent to an Old Ruler, so even if we run, they will follow.

“Is that even true? A possession…”

“We have no choice but to confront. However, I cannot deal with the attacker.”

“You can’t deal with it? You just displayed tremendous time-reversing abilities!”

Berus offered a wry smile.

This isn’t so much my ability but more like a curse. I’m heavily restricted, and I can’t utilize my true powers, which means you’re the only solution.

“Solution? What are you talking about?”

This curse only allows minimal regression to a manageable state. But since I can’t destroy that being, it falls to you to find the solution.

“……”

I might not know how, but something will come to you. You have the potential.

While the answer seemed daunting, the Sword Demon quickly grasped its meaning.

‘I can defeat Musashi, which means I traveled back to this moment!’

But that didn’t add up. Just moments ago, he had felt the crushing disparity in their strength. There was no chance against Musashi, now evolved into a monster on par with the Eight Parts of the Divine.

As the Sword Demon pondered, Berus sighed.

“Hmm, they’ll attack soon. There’s no time to waste.”

Boom!

With a flick of his wrist, Berus conjured a luminous fish materializing in midair. The fish dissolved into transparency, entering the Sword Demon and Seo Mun-hye, disappearing into them.

“This time, I will keep them occupied while you go down to the ruins’ deepest level. Look for any artifacts or clues that can counter the assailant.”

“Wait! Are you saying there are only two chances?”

“If we fail this time, there won’t be another.”

Swiftly, the Sword Demon and Seo Mun-hye were enveloped in radiant light and began to vanish. Just before complete transference, he witnessed the monstrous Musashi attacking Berus.

Unlike before, Berus did not weakly submit to the beheading. Instead, he stretched forth his arms to block the attack.

Bang!

With an obscured curtain of darkness unfurling, Berus muttered with a voice tinged with despondence.

I am the one called. Unfortunately, you do not possess the strength to kill me…

Snap!

The Sword Demon realized he had arrived at the midpoint of the Grave of the God ruins. This was the last place he had been before the time reversal occurred, clearly now a result of Berus’ intervention.

He quickly turned to Seo Mun-hye and shouted.

“Hyea! We need to reach the very bottom of the ruins. Let’s hurry!”

“Yes, Father!”

With a swift series of light body techniques, they descended through the ruins. With no idea how long Berus could hold off Musashi, they needed to scour the ruins for any lead to counter him.

Before long, they reached the lowest level, where the darkness churned ominously. There, in the central shaft spiraling around, five enormous spears were embedded, sealing something crucial.

“What’s that?”

“It looks like a heart,”

Seo Mun-hye confirmed. It was indeed a massive, writhing heart, disturbingly oversized, with five enormous spears plunged through it. The Sword Demon thought for a moment.

‘The giant’s ruins… a heart… spears… a seal…’

Thus, the identity of the heart held critical importance.

And knowing who created this tomb, and why, was even more vital.

To test if he could extract the spears, the Sword Demon rushed forward, exerting all his might.

Crick! Crick!

In that instant, a bolt of energy surged like lightning through him, freezing his entire being. Following that, a power akin to a flood swept through his arms, and he gasped.

“Cough… Hah!!”

It was overwhelming! This was a power altogether different from internal energy, freezing him to the core. Desperately, he summoned all his internal strength to resist but merely avoided instant death, finding himself helpless. As he sank to the ground, Seo Mun-hye hurriedly placed her hand on his back to channel her energy.

“Father!”

Suddenly, it happened. The uncontrollable force flowing into him funneled into Seo Mun-hye, revitalizing him in moments. He felt an unusual energy lingering within him.

Turning to Seo Mun-hye, he asked.

“Hyea, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Hmmm….”

It was clear the intense energy had coursed from the spear to Seo Mun-hye. Yet, she appeared unscathed, her energy seemingly augmented. As the Sword Demon considered the possible connections in these events, he had no time to dwell on them now.

He spoke. “You are the only one who can pull those spears out. Hyea, I need you to try.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course! If we stay as we are, we’ll all be killed by Musashi.”

“Alright.”

With determination on her face, Seo Mun-hye dashed toward the spears and began to extract them. Unlike the Sword Demon, she pulled out the first two effortlessly without resistance.

Problems arose with the third spear. As she attempted to extract it, she suddenly staggered and collapsed.

“Ugh…”

A loud deafening roar echoed within her head, radiating immense power as it seemed to cry out invectives.

[How dare you!! Giant race, you dare to meddle with my seal to save your kin? Stay still, and I shall come for you all soon. However, if you retract that spear, I might spare you!]

“……”

The entity was undoubtedly a God, a remarkably powerful one at that.

Enraged, yet displaying signs of frustration, it was clear they would not offer mercy otherwise!

“Father… the creator of this seal threatens us.”

Seo Mun-hye, uncertain of how to proceed, looked toward her father, who nodded vigorously.

“Whether we live or die, it matters little. Do it.”

“Yes!”

Without hesitation, Seo Mun-hye began to pull out all the spears. They shrieked like banshees.

[You pests!! Are you truly set on this? Do you even know what it is you are releasing? Do you know what disaster awaits?!]

No more hesitation.

Seo Mun-hye withdrew the final fifth spear, and the massive heart began to thump heavily.

At that moment.

Everything was engulfed in light.

“……”

The Sword Demon found himself back at the entrance of the Grave of the God with Berus once again. Clearly, it had been Berus who initiated the time reversal.

Berus regarded him and asked, “What on earth did you do?”

“What do you mean…? I went down and extracted the sealing spears.”

“…Sigh.”

“I’m curious what just happened.”

“I died, and Musashi disappeared.”

“……”

What?! Both Berus and Musashi just died? What kind of nonsense was this?

When the Sword Demon glanced at Berus, he explained, “Even after death, I’ve been able to observe the situation around me as a spirit. The light that erupted from this Grave of the God engulfed the surrounding plains, and I heard something screaming. Then, everything fell into silence. All was gone.”

“What do you mean?”

“To put it simply…”

Berus stared into the abyss that was the Grave of the God, his face grim.

“Something just obliterated this world.”

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