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“Military Officer.”

“…Yes.”

The man responded to the call.

The surroundings were quiet. There wasn’t a single sign of life.

As if it had been like this from the very beginning. As if he alone could represent the end of the world…

In the vast silence, everything was enveloped by a sea of tranquility.

There was no noise. No light.

Yet, it can be seen. At the same time, it could be heard.

The order of things was no longer the order of things.

The logic of things was no longer the logic of things.

Not because of an unusual terrain. It wasn’t like this from birth.

But simply because the man standing before me was there…

Everything that should be normal was turned upside down.

An inverted sky. An endless void of logic.

One warrior tried to grasp the sky with his hands…

It was a scenery brought about by a martial artist.

It’s been over a few years since I met him. I had assisted him for decades.

Yet even so, I still tremble. When standing before him, I dare not entertain other thoughts.

Like a rabbit before a lion.

To him, all humans must seem like cockroaches.

—Bang.

The man before me turned his head. He posed a question.

Beyond the limits of humanity.

Even surpassing that of the transcendents.

The tranquil sea that seemed to descend like a god suddenly broke in an instant.

The landscape crumbled, and everything reverted to its original state. The contracted energy that was sucked in completely disappeared through his hand.

Light returned. Sound returned.

The military officer, who let out a heavy breath moments later, struggled to control his trembling legs.

“What’s the situation with the Sado Clan and Cheonryong Association?”

“…They are engaged in an endless fight as planned.”

“And the Martial Alliance and Demon Cult?”

“They are preparing for battle. On the Demon Cult’s side.”

“Did the warning hit home?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I’m glad they regained their senses, even if late. It’s better to lose a part than everything. She doesn’t seem completely foolish.”

The man donned his martial attire. He swept his hair back and stood in front of him.

A god with a human body.

The military officer immediately lowered his gaze. With all his strength, he curled up like a cockroach.

“Master of Reverse Heaven, do you have anything else to inquire?”

“No. I simply want to ensure the sins are being appropriately dealt with.”

“……”

“What’s important is balance. A balance that will make them bleed endlessly. Once that system was severed, but this time, I will reconnect it. With more blood than before. However… this time, I’m a bit worried. I think the righteous faction might overwhelmingly win.”

“You needn’t worry about that.”

“Why?”

“The Shaolin has collapsed by itself. Master Jang Gyeong, who confronted Bul-jun Gongbaek, and Master Na Han clashed, uprooting the very pillar of Shaolin. The spies we had placed were also killed in the process. This has weakened one leg of the Gu Pae Il Bang, so the accumulated strength of the righteous faction has naturally dwindled as well.”

“…Bul-jun? Who is he?”

“Bul-jun Gongbaek. He is known as the Heavenly Seer.”

“Was he someone we contacted?”

“I found no worth in contact; we did not engage.”

“The Military Officer made a mistake.”

My breath caught. I trembled and buried my head to the ground.

—Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Please kill me!”

Blood flowed down from my broken forehead. The man shook his head.

“Enough. I never expected much, to begin with.”

“……”

“Does the dead one belong to someone I know?”

“A subordinate. You needn’t concern yourself with him.”

“He died in the midst of an internal struggle… You placed such a mediocre individual.”

“What are the Reverse Stars doing?”

“Except for one, they are always in contact with the Seoi O Gong.”

“That indicates they are slacking off.”

“……”

“Tell the Reverse Stars to be ready to move at any time.”

“What do you mean…”

“The current Heavenly Demon is a being born with more of that bloodline than any Heavenly Demon I have seen. He is quite similar to that one. Much so. Therefore… the possibility of him not moving according to my intentions is high. His current actions may very well be a deception.”

The master of Reverse Heaven nodded slightly.

“In a critical situation, I will bring all the Reverse Stars and clean up the Central Plains once more. When things feel amiss, restarting quickly may be the right path.”

A restart of the current Martial World.

To a person who casually stated such an immense plan, the military officer trembled and replied.

“I will… obey.”

For he had the capability to do so.

…

The holy light burns. Priestesses with their faces covered in cloth inscribed with words move silently.

A secret chamber where no one can enter except for the Heavenly Demon.

The heavenly maidens roam quietly in their surroundings. Dusting statues and maintaining the area, they softly murmur prayers.

The long history of the Demon Cult. The deepest place that has existed since the beginning.

The Holy Fire Secret Cave.

The elongated shadows strangely do not fit the form. Like whispering that reality and illusion have mixed, a peculiar tone whose origin couldn’t be discerned flowed everywhere.

The Two Demons opened their mouths. While surveying their surroundings, they quietly questioned.

“…Master, what is this place…”

“It is the Holy Fire Secret Cave. Why? Is it strange to enter before becoming the Master?”

He nodded.

The Heavenly Demon chuckled.

“You are correct, my dear disciple. This place is solely for the Master’s entry. But right now, the story is different. You have the qualification to be here. You have been receiving successor lessons, and though the position hasn’t changed yet… you’re already almost like the Heavenly Demon, aren’t you?”

“I’m grateful for your words.”

“Enough. It’s rather the holy maiden who should be thankful. Consideration was given to spare the lives of the Black Death Leader and the Notchal Clan Leader… I was quite pleased with the way you handled the Master.”

The man paused his steps.

“…Did I do well?”

“Of course, that was unexpected behavior. I thought you would prioritize tradition and eliminate those who fell behind in the successor battle, but you didn’t, so it’s worthy of praise.”

“I believe it was an incorrect judgment. Allowing a threat to live is hardly different. Even if a war is approaching, it wasn’t a good choice for me at all.”

“Having thought so, why then did you not kill them?”

“…I endured it thinking it might please my Master.”

The Heavenly Demon halted. She turned around.

She gazed intently at him. Then she burst into laughter.

“You are the same now as you were then. Before the holy maiden, you are like a child, so how could anyone dare to call you dear disciple now?”

“Can’t you see me as a man, not just a child?”

“There are positions we hold, you see.”

“I don’t care. Master. If I can have you by my side, I’d be willing to give up everything.”

He placed his hand on his chest.

He asked sorrowfully.

“I’ve proven that I am the most accomplished disciple. I can now say I’m stronger than anyone else. I align with the ideal type you described, am I not?”

“If it’s a joke, I want you to stop before it gets tiring.”

“You know I’m not joking.”

“I say it because I wish it to be a joke.”

The Heavenly Demon sighed.

“…Mugyeol. You are the holy maiden’s disciple. You are now an official dear disciple preparing to ascend to the Heavenly Demon’s position. So stop it. You have much to do. Do not be swayed by mere affections.”

“…Is that your reply? It hasn’t changed since ten years ago.”

“You are still walking your designated path.”

“I have changed.”

“You believe you have changed, but nothing at all has changed.”

The Heavenly Demon turned her body again.

“Don’t you know yourself?”

“…I won’t give up.”

“Give up. The holy maiden will choose her own partner. Even ten years ago, there was no room given, so why cling to me like this?”

“Because I swore to dedicate my life.”

“That’s not a suitable word for a disciple.”

“I will change that relationship itself.”

“A man who clings too much lacks charm. Moreover, the holy maiden prefers someone who does not compromise.”

“…….”

“You never compromised, did you? The holy maiden is not blind.”

“I had to inherit it. To lead the Manma Sect, I had to embrace that shadow.”

“Judging right and wrong will only prolong our discussion. I did not bring you here for that. Mugyeol. Set your feelings aside. Set your emotions aside. You must now be in front of the holy maiden, as dear disciple. Given your clever mind, I believe you understand.”

“…….”

Mugyeol nodded.

His title changed once more.

“Master, why did you bring me here?”

“To show you where the improved Cheongeop buried in your heart came from. At the same time, there is also a story that must be told.”

“What story…?”

—Bang.

The Heavenly Demon’s foot stopped. She glanced at the high altar end.

The priestesses shook their bells. In the peculiar music intertwined with their actions, flames appeared on the altar spontaneously.

The black flames blossomed.

Inside it, the Heavenly Demon asked.

“Can you believe it?”

“What about?”

“The existence of a warrior who has lived for over three hundred years.”

…

The head of Cheonmu Academy, Mo Yong-hwi, gazed out the window.

Children were visible. Intermediate class. Yet among them, only a handful were being truly attended to by the instructors.

While most were the children of influential families within the intermediate class, there were certainly those with exceptional backgrounds among them. As such…

A gap was inevitable.

The difference was clear even among those who had.

“…….”

Isn’t it really…

Isn’t it just an utterly foolish situation?

Mo Yong-hwi bit his tongue. Instead, he turned back and drank bitter tea.

Even if it displeased him, he had to endure. He had to follow him here to save his own grandchildren.

“…….”

He had to endure and endure again.

Even if he was faced with sights he disliked, he had to turn his head away as if he hadn’t seen.

But then a strange event occurred.

The one he had asked to watch over, had done what he himself had to do someday.

“…What?”

Mo Yong-hwi flinched, raising an eyebrow as he received the report.

That Jeok-un had…

Was he conducting extra classes with students that no one had taught?

Driven by curiosity, Mo Yong-hwi moved directly. He hid amidst the bushes and observed him.

The report wasn’t wrong. He was teaching the children even without gaining anything.

Surprisingly, the lessons were truly authentic, packed with essence. He emphasized the importance of the basics and layered direction on top of that.

There was no separate instruction on the mental arts. But Mo Yong-hwi preferred it that way.

Accumulating internal energy is indeed important. But to begin accumulating it before the body is prepared is not recommended.

Only when the vessel is somewhat complete can it finally hold the energy…

If done in reverse, the physical growth will lag. Inevitably leading to half-baked warriors reliant solely on internal energy.

And in the current time…

Only such people were overflowing.

“…….”

Mo Yong-hwi continuously observed Jeok-un’s swordplay.

As he had been informed by the Martial Alliance Leader, he was an expert in external arts. There was no sign of internal energy or spiritual movement, but that clearly defined muscle and build contained immense power with just his strikes.

He had been properly learned as a martial artist. No, it’d be an exaggeration to say he had ‘learned’ that properly.

It would be more accurate to say he had trained by striking down heavy iron blocks perpetually.

He was a hefty man. At the same time, he was refining his body amidst the nonstop lessons.

Loosening unused muscles, he trained the body’s vessel to its limits.

“…….”

It would be incredibly hard to find a physique as perfect as that among today’s martial artists.

Amazing. If a compatible internal energy were to accompany that physique…

Among the True Immortals and Five Sages.

Between the Seven Swords and Nine Dragons…

One more star would be added.

“…Such a shame.”

Mo Yong-hwi snapped back to attention from his unintended mutter.

A shame?

Didn’t the Martial Alliance Leader personally say to keep an eye on him? One must not harbor feelings.

For now, it’s best to retreat. Mentally note the peculiarity of his actions, and observe for a little while longer…

“Grandfather.”

He flinched.

Mo Yong-hwi quickly turned his head. A frail child was sweating and staring at him.

A shout involuntarily escaped his lips.

“Y-young Master?! What are you doing here?! Why aren’t you in the special management building?!”

 

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