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**

The lantern flickered.

At the very top of the demonic realm, the Heavenly Demon muttered.

“The Blood Sect is not everything…”

“Yes. That’s what was written.”

The Heavenly Demon’s face stiffened at Ilma’s report.

He naturally drummed his fingers on the armrest, the quick rhythm hinting at his anxiety.

Was there something he already knew?

Ilma read the letter he had been handed by the Heavenly Demon once more.

The handwriting was crude. It was not particularly beautiful, but…

Because it was a letter from one who had accomplished something yet again, its value was immense.

“It is written that Jeok-un will defeat the Blood Sect’s vice leader.”

“…Hmm.”

“Does the Master have any guesses?”

“I’m thinking.”

“Thinking means…?”

“I’m saying I’m thinking. There’s no other reason.”

“You seem to know something.”

“Well, maybe.”

The Heavenly Demon, trailing off, asked.

“Ilma.”

“Yes, Master.”

“You are a member of the Heavenly Eight, yet you declined affiliation with a sect and also refused to establish one. Isn’t that right?”

“That is correct.”

“You refused to get involved in politics and chose instead to take on the role of maintaining order for our sect. Isn’t that right?”

“That is also correct.”

“You consider loyalty to the main sect to be of utmost importance. That is the path you chose and the way you interpret repaying kindness. Isn’t that so?”

“…Everything you said is true, but… how…?”

“Then forget about it.”

“Excuse me?”

“This is not your concern. If you have no interest in power, then this is not a matter you should deal with.”

“At the very least, can’t you tell me what this is about?”

“There are stories worth knowing and stories better left unknown in this world. This is of the latter.”

The Heavenly Demon sighed.

It was a rare sight.

“This has become a troublesome matter. Though… I did think you would start moving soon…”

“I will not disappoint the Master.”

“It’s not a matter of disappointment, it’s about your role. Ilma. You’re doing well. There’s no clumsiness in your work, and you are overseeing everything of the main sect well. But that is where your role ends. Having decided to distance yourself from power, you hold no responsibility. Without responsibility, there’s not even room to interfere.”

The Heavenly Demon waved her hand.

Ilma stood and approached her.

Suddenly pulled in, she nestled against her. Ilma stammered.

“M-Master?”

“Hmm. It’s been a while since I’ve been hugged like this. By this troublesome child. You should be more cute sometimes, shouldn’t you? It’s frustrating when the main sect’s top disciple remains so stiff.”

“You seem to be talking about something else…”

“Anyway, I haven’t explained everything. You have no need to be involved in this. Just keep doing what you have been doing. That is all you need to do.”

Rubbing her face, the Heavenly Demon smiled mischievously.

“By the way… that cute little one has done something again. Truly a child of the main sect and you.”

“That sounds a bit strange…”

“Isn’t it correct? The main sect found her, and you raised her. She is a child between you two. Or maybe, hmm. Do you wish she were a real child? That would be a pity. The main sect doesn’t have a stick…”

“Master!”

“I see. I see. It’s not fun to tease you anymore. If she were a little puppy, she would have just turned red without saying a word.”

“…Was Jeok-un the same?”

“…Ahem! Anyway, the work was splendidly resolved, and from the report, it seems he has once again gone against my expectations. To be honest, it’s akin to the actions of a genius. The talent at that age, the martial arts stage? Absurd. Should I roam the world and pick up dogs and cats?”

“The main sect cannot operate without you, Master. I never thought anyone else could do that.”

“That’s right. This is a path that only someone with resolve stronger than anyone else can take. Let’s see… There’s not much time left for the main sect to retain the Heavenly Demon title. So should I use my power fully while I still have it? Many have become involved in this incident… and the three pillars supporting the main sect are also tied to the one who directly blocked the blood calamity…”

The Heavenly Demon waved her hand.

“It might be best to call all those involved and congratulate them. I’ll also need to pet the heads of all the sect leaders.”

“…That’s not wrong, but everyone is in a delicate situation. Wouldn’t it be somewhat dangerous to gather them all together?”

“What is there to worry about? The main sect has the Heavenly Demon.”

The Heavenly Demon.

Given her status, she nodded. Indeed, she had the right to say such things.

“I will prepare the venue.”

“Good to hear your quick response. That’s why I cherish the Blood Sea Master.”

“That’s embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing, what? And by this chance, I will borrow Jeok-un for a bit.”

“…Pardon?”

“If he comes along as the main sect’s bodyguard, it’ll make for quite the interesting scene. Of course, his face must be hidden.”

“…….?”

Ilma looked down at the Heavenly Demon.

Her expression was unreadable. But Ilma, having watched her for a long time, knew what kind of expression it was.

Playfulness and curiosity.

“…Are you planning to toy with him?”

“They think they have grasped every move I make. What would happen if, in the midst of this, my closest concealed bodyguard showed up? They would certainly react in bizarre ways. They’d be so nervous looking for hidden moves among themselves. Hehe. Especially that great sect leader… it’ll be fun to see his reaction!”

“The chance of Jeok-un’s identity as a double agent being discovered is quite high.”

“There’s no such possibility. After this event, Jeok-un’s movements will vanish into the orthodox sect.”

“…Does that mean…”

“With preparations roughly made, should we not set off? I need to settle matters before the main sect descends completely from its place…”

The Heavenly Demon smiled slyly.

“This will be both a congratulatory occasion and a farewell ceremony for Jeok-un. From now on, one could say it’s truly the time for a double agent.”

…

I grabbed the sword. I could now hear the growling of Bai Ya, sounding almost like a purr.

The sword I held felt different than before. Something had changed drastically…

It felt completely unfamiliar.

“…Huh.”

I took a breath. I checked what I had gained amid the swirling energy.

**Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique**

**Fifth Form**

**Blood Shadow Two Flowers**

I imbue meaning into the energy. That is why it is called Yi-hyeong Ki.

But exactly what does that mean?

First, solidify the meaning.

Second, with that meaning, draw a shape.

Third, embolden that into the energy, hence the name.

This is the stage before handling the Heart Sword. That is Yi-hyeong Ki.

It’s the entrance where the nature of the sword form starts to settle into the energy. For example…

The fist of the Huachun Quenma who has learned Huachun Explosion is intense. Its energy bursts forth with such explosive force, it feels as if a volcano is erupting.

What about the Nine Heavens Jade Woman? Though I don’t know exactly what sword she wields, everything that enveloped her flowed like mist. The deadly aura was like a silent death.

And the Blood Sea Member Wolhyang? I don’t know the details, but her energy is dense enough to sever the throat of the blood demon. Among the three who clashed, she alone faced the blood demon.

Even simple energy is powerful. To clash with that front is enough to shred even sword energy into pieces.

But energy filled with meaning is fundamentally different. It bears a shape, as if it carries a person’s desire.

The form of strength that one longs for.

The Huachun Quenma likened to a volcano.

The Nine Heavens Jade Woman likened to mist.

Wolhyang likened to Mount Tai.

Compared to those, what is mine?

“……”

I changed the hand holding the sword. I unhurriedly spread the blooming energy.

Amid the roiling power, an outline began to form. I could now surely engrave the meaning.

That meaning was just as I had imagined.

The very essence of my life.

The endless repetition of days of effort.

I swore I would not break even if I crumbled…

The traces of a second life.

**Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique**

**Fifth Form**

**Blood Shadow Two Flowers – Ten Thousand Penetration**

The blood-red shadow of a beast with four eyes suddenly enveloped my back.

Four swords.

Four energies.

Between those, there danced Cheongeop. The repetition of a single day connecting all things.

The beast’s fangs marked the tip of the sword, piercing through the training ground. The burst of wind devoured everything.

Droplets of sweat scattered. In that moment, I was convinced.

That I had truly entered the stage of martial arts.

“…Huh.”

Ilma warned me several times not to be overconfident.

So I suppose I shouldn’t. Yet it was evident that the energy of the Mi-jung-yu was raging within me.

Beyond the walls, my vessel has grown. Freely basking in the rapture of Cheongeop, I felt blissful.

Now it has not merely transcended the simple; it has taken complete residence within me. I could no longer distinguish whether I was Cheongeop or Cheongeop was me.

I now even questioned if the creature that once despised me was actually the same.

There were even fluctuations in the energy within my dantian.

The energy gathered through the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique.

The chill I could draw from Bai Ya.

The fiery energy of the Ear Sword Black Pearl I had yet to touch.

And even the malefic energy of the Ear Sword Gumang, which up to now had been unresponsive.

The energies I had merely absorbed strangely began to accumulate whenever I operated the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique.

During the energy circulation, Cheongeop itself rose to its feet, as if it were drawing the necessary energy from nature.

Thanks to that, even without doing anything specific, the four energies began to grow together as if trying to balance. The weaker ones grew rapidly, while the stronger ones advanced slowly.

Could this also be the original function of Cheongeop?

I had many questions. But since I could not solve them at the moment, I would need to ask the Heavenly Demon later.

I sheathed the sword. Yeon Mi-ryeong, who had been watching, clapped lightly.

“That’s amazing, Mu Oppa.”

“Thank you, Yeon So.”

“Please call me Mi-ryeong. You can drop the formalities.”

Walking awkwardly for rehabilitation, Yeon Mi-ryeong hugged me tightly. I subtly created some distance.

“…Mu Oppa?”

“I was worried you might smell bad.”

“You don’t smell bad at all. Rather… it’s more like no smell at all.”

I cautiously lifted my arm to smell. Now that I was in the realm of martial arts, it seemed all impurities had completely vanished from my body.

There was no distinct odor emerging from me. Perhaps the only remaining scent was that of faint grass. Even the scent of sweat had faded.

“It’s a pleasant smell.”

“But it’s still sticky.”

“When will you stop using honorifics?”

She was an oddly compliant child. Perhaps it was because she had nowhere else to lean on, I thought.

However, there was a reason I was hesitant to drop the formalities.

The Guqcheong I had defeated. I had briefly sympathized with the man who had killed her entire family.

Could I truly become close to her?

“Well… I don’t know.”

“…If that’s what Mu Oppa wants… I can’t help it…”

She shrugged visibly, and I sighed. After wiping my body with the towel I had set aside, I placed Yeon Mi-ryeong on my shoulder.

“Hic?!”

“Please bear with me for now, Yeon So.”

“…….”

Yeon Mi-ryeong gazed forward while perched on my shoulder. A small hand wriggled atop her hair.

“…Then at least could you call me by my name?”

That much… shouldn’t be a problem.

“Mi-ryeong.”

“Yes, Mu Oppa.”

“What are your plans moving forward?”

“…I am to be under the protection of the Nachal Sect. Thankfully, the Elder has promised to back me.”

“If you mean… the Huachun Quenma Elder?”

“Yes. He said to call him that… although I’ve no personal memory of meeting him.”

“He is a good person. You can rely on him, Mi-ryeong.”

“I suppose… that’s true?”

Yeon Mi-ryeong pulled me in closer.

“What about you, Mu Oppa?”

“I must return to the demonic realm for now. Since I came from there, it’s only natural to go back.”

“Then thankfully, we are on the same return path.”

“Are you heading that way as well?”

“Ah, didn’t you hear? This morning, news came in that all those who contributed to this matter must go to the demonic realm. The Heavenly Demon stated she would directly reward them.”

“The Heavenly Demon?”

I gently held her legs to keep her steady.

“At least it seems the journey won’t be boring.”

“I’m glad I won’t be separated from you, Mu Oppa.”

“Why are you being like this…”

“You’re the one who repaid my wish. Thank you. Truly.”

“I’m not someone who should receive such compliments.”

“Why not?”

“I…”

I swallowed my words. I felt that even mentioning it would hurt Yeon Mi-ryeong, so I changed the subject.

“The day is growing dark. It’s time to return, Mi-ryeong.”

“Can’t we stay just a little longer?”

“If your body gets cold, unnecessary things might cling to you. Even if your health is improving, you shouldn’t push it, right? Just in time, the Elder has arrived.”

From a distance, the Huachun Quenma waved his hand. I returned the gesture respectfully.

“We can talk again tomorrow, so for today, let’s head in.”

“…I understand. Mu Oppa, don’t overdo it either.”

Yeon Mi-ryeong turned to leave. I closed my eyes and sat upon the now quiet training ground.

I envisioned Guqcheong—not out of sympathy.

The Heart Sword I had seen last. That surely…

Even as a mere half-measure, it couldn’t be blocked. Though it wasn’t necessarily the Heart is Killing (心卽殺), it was close.

There were no limits to the power I possessed.

It was a realm where that power approached infinity.

Only the limits of the body could restrain it. Even if I drew upon the principles of all creation, if my body couldn’t endure it, everything would fall apart.

…So, having seen that, I must take a different path.

Unlike him. Without impatience. I should aim to slowly complete my vessel first.

Step by step, I will move forward. Just in time, the chatter of Bai Ya was also beginning to lessen…

It’s now gradually time to draw forth the Black Pearl…

“Jeok-un.”

In the empty training ground, a whisper settled. I turned around.

A woman covered in a veil was walking towards me. The light patter of her movements was instantly recognizable.

“Danhwa?”

“I came to show you first. So… please…”

The Black Danhwa placed her hand on the veil.

“Please see this first. With your own eyes.”

 

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