The First Sin. (3)
Just before the formation was torn apart.
The Palace Lord was heading towards the Crimson Heaven (赤天) created by Gu Cheol-un.
The authority granted by Heaven was close to perfect.
It filled his lacking reverse side.
And it reinforced the power he originally possessed.
'I will step into a new world.'
The Palace Lord was convinced of that.
He believed he was different from his past self—that the him who was crushed by the orthodox faction's grasp and crawled on the floor no longer existed.
Along with the passing time.
It was a belief born from the authority granted by Heaven, but...
"Grrgh..."
That deep belief shattered in an instant.
Beneath the crimson-dyed sky, a man who was like a disaster to the demonic faction appeared.
A man tearing through the barrier created by Tae Cheol-gwi using demonic stones, layer by layer, with an absurd amount of strength.
Flame Ghost (炎鬼), Gu Cheol-un.
One of Sima Oje's men, the man who had burned a hole through the Black Night Palace Lord's stomach.
A monstrous man who, including the Black Night Palace Lord, had forced a power-driven pact onto many demonic practitioners, bending their necks.
'Was the pillar of the Alliance called the Sword Sovereign?'
Even when the Sword Sovereign Wi Hyo-gun was the Martial Alliance Lord, the world clearly called him that.
But the Palace Lord knew.
That the person the demonic practitioners truly feared was not the Sword Sovereign, the Number One Sword Under Heaven.
But rather, that Flame Ghost born from flames.
Far away, the man akin to a disaster could be seen.
Once, he had wanted to kill him by any means necessary.
That crimson martial artist who had also once driven him to maddening jealousy.
Krrrrrk-!
Gu Cheol-un, having torn off another layer of the barrier, slightly raised his head.
Clear, or rather, chilling red eyes directed towards the Palace Lord.
The moment he met those eyes.
Even in a moment as fleeting as a split second, the Palace Lord could grasp many things.
The Palace Lord was convinced.
That even after years had passed, and even now having been granted authority, he would not be able to defeat the Flame Ghost.
He could tell just by facing him.
That the flame standing over there was like a disaster, and unlike the rumors, his fangs had not been worn down at all.
The Flame Ghost wasn't even emitting his signature fighting spirit.
Nor was he radiating flames as if to prove his lineage as a Gu.
Even as their eyes met, the bastard was solely focused on the barrier.
The direction of the power he was unleashing wasn't towards him.
'And yet, it's this much?'
He had thought the man was holed up in the mountains, merely breathing.
A great tiger had merely been sleeping.
Because he could dominate at any time.
Was he just taking a short rest?
"...How absurd."
The Palace Lord whispered to himself.
Having received so much authority.
And prolonging his life while gathering strength.
Did this mean he still couldn't stand on his own?
"...Not yet."
The Black Night Palace Lord, who had shared a gaze with Gu Cheol-un for a brief moment, immediately turned his back and headed somewhere.
Judging by that brute-force method, the barrier would break before long.
And having realized that he couldn't face the Flame Ghost right now.
He thought there was no need to stay here.
Originally, This Palace's purpose was to add value to Heaven, and right after that, it was meant to be used as a discarded piece.
Since a problem had occurred with Heaven, there was no need to linger here any longer.
'It's a shame about the matter concerning the flame.'
But this wouldn't be the only opportunity.
Taking Heaven and leaving was the priority for now.
'I did well getting a verbal agreement from the Taeju (太主) in advance.'
From the moment Gu Huibi was brought to This Palace.
The Palace Lord had already secured a word with the Black Dragon of Guangdong.
Now it was time to turn away without any regrets.
If there was a slight disappointment.
It was that he had to leave the Flame Ghost behind like this.
'Wait a little longer.'
His ugly pride had been left in the Demonic Realm several years ago.
But unfortunately, he couldn't bring himself to abandon his ambition for the heights.
He had confirmed that the Flame Ghost's fire had not died out.
Now, the Palace Lord merely had to prepare.
Preparing to throw water on that filthy flame.
As well as a downpour to drench the fallen Central Plains.
He would gather clouds high above the sky and make it rain endlessly.
Crunch.
Blood dripped from his tightly clenched fist.
It was a desperate struggle to ignore how infinitely pathetic his own figure was—gaining authority only to turn and flee.
#
Through the gaps in the fiercely settling fog of demonic energy.
Beneath the purple moon that had turned a perfectly fine day into a night sky.
*Gurgle.*
He poured alcohol into his cup just like any other day.
A slightly downcast gaze, and skin as pale as death.
The purple eyes that shone distinctly from between them evoked an ineffable terror.
He knew.
That this was purely because he was being overwhelmed by the aura that the existence called 'him' possessed.
When he carefully looked up.
Eyes resembling the moon rising behind him were looking at me.
The man, noticing my gaze, spoke to me.
-Your gaze is peculiar.
-...I apologize.
-There is no need to apologize. It doesn't bother me much.
The Heavenly Demon downed the cup filled to the brim with alcohol.
The alcohol poured so abundantly disappeared in a few swallows.
Having quenched his thirst, the Heavenly Demon looked down at me quietly.
That gaze was too burdensome, so I couldn't hold it for long.
-Sometimes, you...
*Whish.*
Along with the Heavenly Demon's words, an inexplicable wind blew.
-It seems you are looking at someone through me.
The Heavenly Demon's words dug coldly into my chest.
Like rubbing salt into a wound that was slowly becoming a scar.
Even though it was just a passing remark, the meaning within was too chilling.
-Are you recalling the wench harbored in your heart?
-That is not the case...
-If you say no, it's a laughably poor excuse.
He was right.
It was merely an excuse to escape.
-Heh-heh.
The Heavenly Demon let out a small laugh.
-Daeju, if the Demonic Sword Empress who died for you saw you like this, she would have felt very bitter...
-Still unable to forget? The Daeju's affection is certainly tenacious.
-That is not the case. I, from the start...
-Lies do not work on me.
*Thump.*
An overwhelming pressure pressing down on the shoulders, and...
The demonic energy packed into the dantian surged.
As if telling him to recognize the master standing before him.
Pain raged as if blades were clashing inside his body, but...
He inhaled sharply.
-...I apologize.
Did my answer finally satisfy him?
The Heavenly Demon filled his cup with alcohol again.
After quenching his thirst again with a full cup.
The Heavenly Demon spoke to me in a tone laced with laughter.
-I am curious.
With a single word, the world shakes.
This place was the Heavenly Demon's domain and sanctuary.
-In the future, whether the Daeju will be fine after that wench dies by my hand.
The man gave no answer.
The Heavenly Demon continued to laugh, as if enjoying the sight.
In that situation, the man simply watched the Heavenly Demon's laughter.
On a face that perfectly resembled someone.
Seeing him form a smile that seemed joyful, for some reason, his rotting insides felt like they calmed down, if only for a moment.
'Is it because I saw a smile formed on that face?'
Having such a thought, the man smiled a self-deprecating smile inwardly.
Because it was a thought too repulsive, even to himself.
To find small comfort in a twisted life.
He had already burned all the vessels that could hold comfort.
His insides must be an empty space.
What remained there would be a lingering attachment, barely held onto and burning so it wouldn't go out.
In the endlessly stifling air.
I bowed my head and closed my eyes.
#
In a room full of demonic energy.
I looked at the child in the Palace Lord's embrace and harbored a question.
'...Why is he in the form of a child?'
Whether it was the skinny physique.
Or the seemingly dazed eyes, different from his past life.
It didn't matter.
What was important was that this child was definitely the Heavenly Demon (天魔) I knew.
'...That's nonsense.'
Or was it a misunderstanding? I wondered if I was mistaken, but...
Knowing full well that it couldn't be a misunderstanding, I just bit my lip tightly.
A face that looked far too similar, from the atmosphere to Wi Seol-a.
Even down to those signature eyes.
Even if others didn't know, it was impossible for me not to recognize him.
*Gurgle.*
'...Fuck.'
Look, the demonic energy inside my body was running wild like this.
How could it be a misunderstanding?
The problem was, why was the Heavenly Demon here in such a form?
At the very least, the Heavenly Demon I knew had a much more mature appearance than this.
'He said he came from the Demonic Realm himself.'
That he pierced through the Bottomless Abyss and descended upon the Central Plains beyond the Demonic Realm.
He did speak about his own origins himself.
But for that Heavenly Demon to have actually existed in the Central Plains for a long time.
And to have been in the Black Night Palace in such a form?
'...I don't understand at all.'
What in the world was going on? It was truly something I couldn't have predicted at all.
"It seems you cannot hear."
"...!"
I twisted my body at the sudden chilling sensation.
*Krrrrrk!!*
The energy unleashed by the Black Night Palace Lord swirled around the room and attacked me.
"...You dodged?"
The Palace Lord let out a voice mixed with slight admiration.
It seemed he didn't think I could dodge.
I too ignored my throbbing dantian from the sudden movement.
And said to the Black Night Palace Lord.
"Your greeting is quite violent."
"That face and energy... Yes, you are the Flame Ghost's son."
Flame Ghost...
It was a nickname I hadn't heard in a long time.
I heard my father was called that too.
To actually see someone called the Flame Ghost.
"Surely, you were called Jinryong."
"It's an honor that the Black Night Palace Lord knows me."
"I know you well, how could I not? We have some ties, after all."
If he meant ties, did he mean the slight conflict we had with the Black Night Palace?
The Black Night Palace Lord looked at me and continued speaking.
"You take after your father."
"I've heard that so much it's become stale."
"I thought your sister also had an extraordinary talent, but seeing you, even those words cannot capture it all."
An incomprehensible emotion flickered in the Palace Lord's eyes as he said that.
Was it envy?
Or jealousy?
It was a very awkward emotion for a martial artist who had at least reached the Transformation Realm, or was at the tail end of it, to show me.
"Will you now give me an answer? As to how you opened the door."
"How did I open the door? It's only natural to open it by pushing."
Even while answering, I checked behind me.
Perhaps because there was so much demonic energy spread around, it seemed the Gu Clan's Guard Unit couldn't enter easily.
'What should I do?'
If the child in his embrace was the Heavenly Demon.
I couldn't let him slip away here.
"How fascinating."
"...About what?"
"Your eyes... seem as if you know Him."
The Black Night Palace Lord was referring to the Heavenly Demon in his embrace as 'Him'.
The very fact that he used such a title meant their relationship wasn't exactly a comfortable one.
'Then. Was it the Heavenly Demon who turned the Palace Lord into a demonic practitioner?'
Not only that, but even the other martial artists of the Black Night Palace.
Had they already been touched by the Heavenly Demon's hand?
Just like those demonic practitioners in my past life.
'In order to know this.'
Whatever it took, I had to catch him.
Whether I could handle him or not.
*Blaze-!*
I immediately pulled up the energy in my body and ignited flames.
My dantian was still throbbing with pain, but I couldn't hesitate because of that.
Seeing me emanate fighting spirit, the Palace Lord slightly raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.
"I don't think a kid of your level wouldn't know his place. If not, do you take my leniency for a joke?"
As the Black Night Palace Lord drew a diagonal line with his hand, the energy laid out in the room pounced on me in an instant.
It burned the flames and increased its speed.
*Swish.*
I shook off the energy, approached the Black Night Palace Lord, and took a stance, but...
*Boom...!*
"...Kuh...!"
I had no choice but to expose my side to the Palace Lord's outstretched arm.
With the sound of energy bursting, I was sent flying far away and rolled across the floor.
'...Since I can't use my energy properly, it's hard to react properly.'
It was already an overwhelming situation due to the difference in realm.
With my dantian not functioning properly, it was nearly impossible.
'And I'm supposed to let this slip away right in front of my nose?'
How could I do that?
'Even if I have to use blood energy...'
After doing everything I could.
Even if it meant destroying myself.
I had to catch him.
"Given the situation, you should be grateful I'm not killing you..."
The Black Night Palace Lord clicked his tongue and tried to speak to me, but stopped.
It was the same for me, who was about to use blood energy.
The reason was because the Heavenly Demon in the Palace Lord's embrace pointed at me with his fingertip.
Then, the Heavenly Demon opened his mouth.
"...That."
"Oh, Heavens, how..."
"My... thing?"
He tilted his head as if he didn't quite understand.
'...Don't tell me.'
Did he react to the demonic arts in my body?
If that child was truly the Heavenly Demon, it was entirely possible.
The Demonic Heaven Absorbing Art contained within my body was, ultimately, the Heavenly Demon's power.
At that moment.
*Rumble-!*
"...!"
The demonic energy sleeping within my body began to boil.
As the demonic energy ran wild and surged, my exhausted dantian naturally screamed out.
"Keugh...!"
...Mine...
It seemed the Heavenly Demon in the Palace Lord's embrace was doing something.
'...Crazy...'
The demonic energy gradually started to move.
The demonic energies burned with their own will, as if they were about to burst out of my body right away.
Since demonic energy was also a type of energy, it was obvious that my body would suffer an overload the moment it burst out all at once.
I had to forcefully stop the energy from twisting and endure the pain.
"...How is this..."
Amidst this, the Palace Lord seemed to have noticed the energy surging in my body.
He narrowed his eyes and reacted.
"How do you have that energy?"
As if in anger, emotion was carried in his voice.
I was curious as to why he was showing such emotion, but right now, I was too busy enduring the pain to ponder it.
While I was groaning and holding on for a while.
[...Grrr.]
A sound came from deep within my dantian.
Filled with an emotion that clearly showed its displeasure.
[Grrrr...]
It was the growl of a beast.
"...Hik...!"
Along with a sound of being startled, the demonic energy that had been boiling and surging instantly calmed down.
"Heo... Heok..."
Along with cold sweat streaming down, I continuously let out breaths mixed with screams.
It was that much severe pain.
On the other hand, I had a question.
The demonic energy that seemed like it would burst at any moment had gone quiet in an instant.
Upon raising my head to look at the Heavenly Demon.
'Why is he frightened?'
I could see the Heavenly Demon trembling with an expression completely filled with fear.
That sight was so much like an ordinary child that anger surged within me unknowingly.
"Oh, Heavens, why are you doing this."
At the Palace Lord's question, the Heavenly Demon said nothing.
He just trembled and glared at me.
Looking at that, a thought fleetingly crossed my mind.
'Did he recognize it?'
The beast inside my body, mentioned by the Blood Demon, Dokgo Jun.
Was the growl I just heard that thing?
If so, was the Heavenly Demon frightened of that thing?
If not, what was that reaction just now?
'What the hell is this guy...? What exactly is inside my body?'
That such an absurd existence is showing fear.
"This is an incomprehensible matter."
The Black Night Palace Lord seemed to be in the same boat of not understanding the situation.
He was speaking in a somewhat flustered voice.
However, killing intent was also mixed within that voice.
"Therefore, I must get rid of you first."
The energy gathered and formed a shape like an awl.
I could guess from the pouring killing intent that what he was aiming for was me.
But.
Due to the intense pain just before, my body wasn't listening to me.
If things continued like this, I would be pierced by the energy and die helplessly.
At that moment.
The Black Night Palace Lord, who was about to shoot out his energy at any moment, clicked his tongue shortly.
"...It seems I've delayed too much."
As soon as the Palace Lord spoke, as if regretful.
*Blaze-!*
Crimson flames dug into the room through the corridor behind.
The flames wrapped around my surroundings as if to protect me, then truly became a wall and blocked the way.
I didn't need to ponder to know whose power this sultry heat and deep-red flames belonged to.
"An unattached soul is acting recklessly."
Along with an emotionless, indifferent voice.
*Thump.*
A heavy aura arrived, as if trying to crush the surroundings.
As if the densely filling demonic energy had no effect at all.
The Great Guardian, Gu Cheol-un. My father stepped into the room.
"I told you not to act rashly. You're causing trouble."
It should definitely be stifling and suffocating due to the demonic energy.
But my father acted as if it was nothing.
It was an impossible thing.
For a martial artist with aura, demonic energy was no different from a deadly poison.
"Palace Lord."
At my father's call, the Black Night Palace Lord smiled fiercely.
"It's been a while. Flame Ghost."
"You broke the promise."
"You too wouldn't have thought a wretched promise would be kept forever, would you?"
Even at the Palace Lord's sneering words, my father didn't react much.
He acted as if it didn't matter.
"Even a demon like you must cherish your child, seeing as you forgot your karma and came all the way here."
...
"I won't engage in useless conversation."
As if to prove his words, my father began to envelop himself more and more in flames.
Truly, it was still an overwhelming amount of aura.
However, even at that sight, the Palace Lord merely smiled as if he wasn't afraid.
"No need to pretend to be strong. You must be having a hard time."
"Shut up."
The flames made of vast energy soon flew towards the Black Night Palace Lord as if to burn him, but...
*Boom!*
The wall created by the Palace Lord's energy blocked it.
For a moment, the energy seemed to crumble and shake.
But it looked like it couldn't pierce through.
'...It seems he's not completely unaffected by the demonic energy.'
Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, I could also feel that my father was slightly faltering.
"Don't be so impatient. We're bound to meet again anyway, aren't we?"
Saying so, the Palace Lord took a step back.
Towards the Demonic Realm Gate, which was distinctly tinted with a purple hue.
"I, too, seem to have some business with your son, so we'll be seeing each other again soon."
I gritted my teeth as I watched the Palace Lord gradually fade away.
Because my body still wouldn't move.
'Am I supposed to let him get away like this...?'
That disaster in the Palace Lord's embrace?
As I trembled furiously, the Palace Lord whispered in a quiet voice.
"If that happens, the Gu Clan will have to fulfill their first sin."
With those words as the end, Tae Cheol-gwi, the Palace Lord, and the Heavenly Demon disappeared into the Demonic Realm Gate.
Until the moment they disappeared beyond the gate, I stared at the Heavenly Demon.
And the young Heavenly Demon was also staring right back at me.
Having swallowed the people, the Demonic Realm Gate soon disappeared as if closing its eyes in midair.
Quietly, as if nothing had ever been there.
'...Why?'
Even amidst having missed the Heavenly Demon.
I had to chew over the Palace Lord's final words.
'Why did the Palace Lord spit out those words?'
The first sin.
The Gu Clan's first sin was...
In the distant past, opening the very first Demonic Realm Gate in the Central Plains.
That was the Gu Clan's first sin and karma.