“The Sicheon Secret Art?”
Geom Ujin knew nothing about the Sicheon Secret Art.
Geom Mugeuk quickly explained it.
“It is a secret art that can only be used within the Space-Time Transposition Art. When the Sicheon Secret Art is activated, one can gain more time here than passes outside. I just achieved its Great Mastery.”
Geom Ujin looked outside with a startled expression. Time truly seemed to have stopped, flowing only by the faintest fraction.
“I learned this from Cult Leader Pungcheon as well.”
Geom Ujin could now understand clearly why Cult Leader Pungcheon had kept lamenting that his divine treasure had been stolen. If he had taught even such a wondrous secret art, he had every right to say such things.
“Can Cult Leader Pungcheon use this secret art too?”
Geom Mugeuk shook his head. Cult Leader Pungcheon had only known the incantation; he had not been able to unfold the secret art.
“I am probably the first to have reached this realm.”
Geom Mugeuk could feel it.
Time was flowing like that because he had only just achieved Great Mastery. If that mastery matured further, or if he achieved Twelve-Star Great Mastery, perhaps time might stop altogether.
The reason he thought so was because of this.
The moment he achieved Great Mastery, Geom Mugeuk knew. From now on, even his own time would no longer flow in this place.
Originally, if he gained, say, nine times more time, his body would age by that much as well. Of course, until now, he had been so young that it had been fine.
Catching Hwa Mugi was so important that he had willingly accepted the side effects of the Sicheon Secret Art.
But the moment he achieved Great Mastery, even the time within the Sicheon Secret Art stopped. His body had stopped aging.
Geom Mugeuk could now possess perfect time of his own, as a bonus. This was like a gift bestowed by the heavens.
He respected and loved his father beyond measure, but he had no intention of telling him about this Sicheon Secret Art.
It was because of a worry he had long held. He feared that his father would become so absorbed in martial arts that he would never come out of the Sicheon Secret Art.
That thought had not changed even now. His father truly was someone who might pour everything he had toward the very end of martial learning.
Moreover, he might waste an immense amount of time to achieve Great Mastery of the Sicheon Secret Art, and unlike his young self, his father was in a different position.
Even in Geom Mugeuk’s own case, he had no idea how he had achieved Great Mastery this time.
He could only say that tremendous luck had followed him. He believed it was the result brought about by his desperate wish for time to pass slowly so that he could learn the ninth form.
Father, forgive me. I can do anything else for you, but not this.
“Father, right now there is something more important than the Sicheon Secret Art.”
Geom Ujin nodded. The time outside had not completely stopped.
“Hurry and ask about the parts you did not understand.”
Geom Mugeuk once again posed questions to his father. He asked about the parts of the incantation of the ninth form that he had been unable to understand no matter how much he pondered them alone.
“When sending true qi from the Yangji acupoint to the Yanggu acupoint…”
***
“No!”
The one who shouted the moment light burst from the eyes of Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul was the Sword King.
In that instant, the Sword King thought of Geom Mugeuk. He had sensed that the way Geom Mugeuk looked at the Heavenly Demon Soul was not merely as a part of martial arts.
If he were to lose that Heavenly Demon Soul, which he regarded like a friend, forever?
Geom Mugeuk would probably live the rest of his life blaming himself. Of course, given Geom Mugeuk’s personality, he would make even more deliberate jokes about the Heavenly Demon Soul and try somehow to get over it.
But it would remain a wound he would carry until the day he died.
If he could, the Sword King wanted to block it in its place, but in the very instant it flashed, the light was already crashing down upon the Heavenly Demon Soul’s face.
The Heavenly Demon Soul’s face, struck by the light, shone brilliantly. It shone so brightly that its face could not be seen.
Its face must have been melting under an energy as swift as light and as powerful as lava.
All the others watching also let out sighs of lament. Geom Mugeuk would lose his Heavenly Demon Soul, and the opposing Heavenly Demon Soul would become far stronger.
Just as everyone watched the Heavenly Demon Soul being extinguished with sorrow in their hearts—
The brilliant light on its face slowly faded, and the Heavenly Demon Soul’s face began to appear.
‘It didn’t melt!’
What astonished those watching was not only that its face had not melted.
Light was also bursting from its eyes.
Amazingly, Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul had also unleashed the ninth form of the Guhwa Demonic Art, Demon Soul Supreme.
Ziiiiing.
The light emitted by Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul began to push back the incoming light. Though it was the same light, the light of Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul was tinged with blue. Because of that, one could clearly see the other light being driven back.
Demon Soul Supreme against Demon Soul Supreme.
With the final move that would melt whatever it touched, the two Heavenly Demon Souls were locked in a fierce contest of strength.
Amazingly, Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul was not being pushed back. Even though it had unleashed Demon Soul Supreme belatedly, at the very moment the light had nearly touched its face, it was driving back the incoming radiance.
Not only the Sword King, but everyone watching was astonished.
What on earth had happened?
Geom Mugeuk’s cheer answered that question in their place.
“Hold on!”
Geom Mugeuk and Geom Ujin, who had been inside the Space-Time Transposition Art, were already outside.
Just before the light emitted by Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul struck his own Heavenly Demon Soul, Geom Mugeuk had perfectly comprehended the ninth form.
Boom!
The light that had been locked in a tense standoff midway between the two Heavenly Demon Souls vanished with a thunderous roar.
It had been a Demon Soul Supreme unleashed late, yet it had blocked the attack without suffering any damage. Once Geom Mugeuk mastered even the final ninth form, his Heavenly Demon Soul became even stronger.
Geom Mugeuk looked at his Heavenly Demon Soul.
“What a relief.”
It had truly escaped the crisis of annihilation in dramatic fashion.
The Heavenly Demon Soul glanced briefly at Geom Mugeuk. In those pitch-black eyes, Geom Mugeuk sensed one emotion.
The Heavenly Demon Soul was looking at him with gratitude.
Yes, the Heavenly Demon Soul had possessed emotions from the beginning. One could tell just by looking at Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul. It was just that, in ordinary cases, it never revealed those emotions.
Geom Mugeuk sent a sound transmission to his father.
—You saved my Heavenly Demon Soul. Thank you, Father.
Yes, it was thanks to him. Who else could have transmitted the ninth form of the Guhwa Demonic Art in such a short time?
But Geom Ujin knew. The only person in this murim who could allow him to take credit for it was also his son. No matter how much one taught, one had to be capable of understanding it in order to learn.
Jin Paecheon, Baek Jagang, and everyone else watched the situation with startled expressions.
They could all guess. What Geom Ujin had transmitted to Geom Mugeuk was the technique that the Heavenly Demon Soul had just displayed.
‘He transmitted the Guhwa Demonic Art, and a technique used by the Heavenly Demon Soul at that, right here on the spot?’
It was truly something they could not believe even after seeing it. Even they, who had witnessed it directly, found it hard to believe, so it was something no one would accept if told.
Jin Paecheon felt unease once again. Throughout his time here, he had been as conscious of Geom Ujin as he was of the enemy. The Demonic Cult Leader, who had erected the Great Demonic Wall for them, had transmitted the Guhwa Demonic Art in the middle of this chaos.
No matter how much Geom Mugeuk lowered his anxiety, Geom Ujin returned it to its original place. He knew that Geom Ujin dreamed of unifying the murim.
Baek Jagang, on the other hand, was thinking differently from him. In any case, this unease was not something that would be resolved by worrying over it.
Right now, he felt a fighting spirit that made him want to clash properly once.
The target was none other than the Heavenly Demon Soul. If he were to fight that Heavenly Demon Soul, how should he do it? Could he truly avoid that gaze from moments ago?
The Guhwa Demonic Art and the Heavenly Demon Soul were provoking Baek Jagang not as the Alliance Leader, but as a martial artist.
Of course, the one most astonished by the current situation was Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
Now he could understand clearly why that Heavenly Demon Soul before him was so special.
Because it was a Heavenly Demon Soul created from such a special Young Cult Leader.
“The more I see you, the more remarkable you are!”
It was astonishing enough that it had descended before him, but for a Heavenly Demon Soul that had only recently descended into the world to be this strong?
If he absorbed the power of that Heavenly Demon Soul?
He thought he might become the strongest Heavenly Demon Soul in history.
With that power, he might even be able to absorb him as well. If that happened…
An unknowable desire, along with demonic energy, sliced through the air.
Boom!
Once again, the two Heavenly Demon Souls collided.
Demonic energy more powerful than before swept through the surroundings. Those watching retreated several more steps.
Because an urgent battle had begun again between the Heavenly Demon Souls, Geom Mugeuk had no leisure to verbally express his gratitude to Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang. He merely bowed his head slightly to show his thanks.
But even in this urgent situation, Cult Leader Pungcheon sent him a sound transmission to confirm one thing.
—Just now, you used the Sicheon Secret Art, didn’t you?
—How did you know?
Although he had received the Sicheon Secret Art from Cult Leader Pungcheon, he had never told him about his accomplishments in it.
Perhaps seeing him enter and exit the Space-Time Transposition Art had made him think of the Sicheon Secret Art.
—I thought you would be able to do it.
—Thank you for believing in me.
Geom Mugeuk recalled the time when he first drew Cult Leader Pungcheon over to his side.
‘Strategist Go, your judgment was right.’
After becoming an ally, Cult Leader Pungcheon had been of enormous help to him. Even in this final battle.
Kwaang! Bang! Kwakwakwakwang!
Every time the two Heavenly Demon Souls moved, space warped, and the ground shattered and flew upward. Each time they clashed, the shockwave spread in all directions, sweeping away nearby buildings.
As if it had been newly born along with the final incantation, Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul was not being pushed back by Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul. No, it was gradually overwhelming Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
In strength, in speed, in demonic energy, and in momentum as well.
Kwaaang!
After being struck by a powerful blow and sent flying backward, Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul wore an expression of disbelief.
‘That Young Cult Leader’s understanding of the Guhwa Demonic Art is deeper than the Cult Leader’s.’
How could that be? It was unbelievable. No matter how outstanding his talent, he was still so terribly young, and on top of that, he had only just comprehended the final ninth form.
The next moment, Hwa Mugi’s pitch-black eyes returned to normal. He had returned to being Hwa Mugi again.
“Truly remarkable.”
Naturally, Hwa Mugi had been watching this battle. The Heavenly Demon Soul had been too preoccupied fighting the Heavenly Demon Soul, but Hwa Mugi had been paying attention to Geom Mugeuk.
“I thought this Heavenly Demon Soul would be enough.”
It was no ordinary Heavenly Demon Soul. It was a Heavenly Demon Soul that had existed for three hundred years, borrowing the body of the Heavenly Slaughter Star.
And it was even a Heavenly Demon Soul that used not only the techniques unique to a Heavenly Demon Soul, but all the other techniques of the Guhwa Demonic Art as well.
“And yet it is being pushed back?”
“It takes after me, so when it comes to fighting, it’s unmatched.”
Hwa Mugi’s gaze turned toward Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
“It does seem to have inherited your stubbornness.”
“Then please persuade it to go back in.”
Hwa Mugi said coldly,
“There is no need. I will make it vanish forever.”
His voice was filled with confidence.
His eyes turned black again, changing into the Heavenly Demon Soul.
It had already been pushed back by his own Heavenly Demon Soul, yet he was calling out the Heavenly Demon Soul again?
Geom Mugeuk could not understand.
But the next moment, he understood the reason. The reason it had briefly returned to Hwa Mugi before going back.
Sssssk.
Behind Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul, something enormous rose to its feet.
That thing, appearing with powerful demonic energy and an overwhelming presence, was a Heavenly Demon Soul.
Not the small-bodied one, but a gigantic, true Heavenly Demon Soul.
It was not that Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul had grown larger. Amazingly, a new Heavenly Demon Soul had descended there.
“Don’t tell me?”
The moment he saw it, Geom Mugeuk understood.
From the beginning until now, Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul had been trapped together with the other souls, and Hwa Mugi, who had inherited the Great Mastery of the Guhwa Demonic Art, had given rise to a new Heavenly Demon Soul.
The Heavenly Demon Soul that had just descended was Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
Everyone looked up at Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul in astonishment. It was completely different from the small-bodied Heavenly Demon Soul. Its overwhelming size was like that of a colossal stone statue, and the black sword at its waist was so huge it looked capable of smashing dozens of buildings to pieces with a single stroke.
The Heavenly Demon Soul looked down at everyone with arrogant eyes. Within its gaze was a unique aura where demonic energy and killing intent mingled. The presence and pressure emanating from it were immense, yet also singular.
The Heavenly Demon Soul of the Heavenly Slaughter Star.
The first Heavenly Demon Soul in the history of the murim had revealed itself.
The one who broke the silence was Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
“Your Heavenly Demon Soul was originally an existence that should never have been able to appear. It must have known that there was not only me, but another Heavenly Demon Soul inside this body.”
Geomugeuk looked at his own Heavenly Demon Soul.
“Did you know from the beginning? That there were two Heavenly Demon Souls over there?”
His own Heavenly Demon Soul still gave no answer. It merely glanced at Geomugeuk.
If that was so, it meant that from the very start, it had come out prepared to be annihilated no matter what.
That was why it had refused to go back in, no matter how many times he ordered it to hurry back since there were many other masters here.
It had not gone back because it knew there were two Heavenly Demon Souls on the other side.
“No matter how special your Heavenly Demon Soul may be, it cannot defeat the two of us.”
Swaaaaaaaaaang!
Hwa Mugi’s enormous Heavenly Demon Soul brought its sword down toward Geomugeuk.
At the same time, Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul rushed in.
Even under the attacks of the two Heavenly Demon Souls, Geomugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul did not dodge.
Even if it had to sacrifice itself, it intended to protect Geomugeuk. It had overcome the first crisis, but now the danger of annihilation had come again.
“No! Go back!”
Geomugeuk shouted, but the Heavenly Demon Soul did not dodge.
Left with no choice, Geomugeuk tried to take the Heavenly Demon Soul with him into the Space-Time Transposition Art.
But that was not the best course. There were others left behind, and this fight could not be ended by merely avoiding it for a moment.
Right then!
Thuuung.
The enormous sword descending from midair was blocked halfway.
Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul, which had been charging in, stopped in place and stared upward with a startled expression.
Geomugeuk also looked up, and everyone watching looked up as well.
Another enormous sword was blocking the incoming blade.
It was a newly appeared Heavenly Demon Soul.
It was the moment a fourth Heavenly Demon Soul appeared here. Truly, it was also the moment when the greatest number of Heavenly Demon Souls in the history of the murim had appeared in one place.
The final Heavenly Demon Soul was special.
Just as Geomugeuk’s evil spirit had differed in appearance and aura between the time it was at the ninth star and when it achieved great completion, the Heavenly Demon Soul that had appeared this time differed in appearance from the existing Heavenly Demon Souls.
If anything, its body was a little smaller, but its presence was even greater.
The flame burning in its chest was larger and more vivid. And on the back of its right hand, the symbol of the Heavenly Demon Soul was engraved.
The color of its body was different, and each part of its body differed slightly. Somehow, its overall appearance was refined.
But its face and gaze were so fearsome and intense that they overwhelmed any Heavenly Demon Soul here.
Looking up at that figure, Geomugeuk said in admiration,
“How did you endure until now when you must have wanted so badly to show it off?”
It was the moment when Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul, having achieved the great completion of the twelve stars, descended.