The emptied dantian is exceptionally hollow.
The body, having lost not only demonic qi but most of its energy, is considerably exhausted.
Now that I think about it, it was an energy that wouldn't wear out even if it spewed flames all day.
It meant that a considerable amount of energy was used to corrupt another into a demonic human.
Feeling the humid summer air, I think.
‘Should I have killed him.’
Should I have killed Namgung Cheonjun back then.
Perhaps that would have been better.
This was not a matter of regret, but a matter of doubt.
If I had killed him, how should I have handled the aftermath.
And how should I clean it up moving forward.
Setting aside such detailed matters.
It was simply the worry that killing him might have been better than corrupting him into a demonic human.
‘Though in the end, I did corrupt him.’
I forced demonic qi into Namgung Cheonjun's body.
Not only did I make it settle deep within his dantian.
But I also made it spread little by little, seeping into his flesh.
This.
Was no different from how Namgung Cheonjun had received blood qi.
Along with being no different from what the Heavenly Demon did when turning others into demonic humans in my past life.
The problem is.
‘...The fact that I can do that is the problem.’
Why is that.
Even as I repeatedly clench and unclench my hands.
It's impossible to get a feel for it.
If I consider why I can do it.
I can only explain it as happening naturally.
‘It's strange to begin with that I regressed with demonic arts.’
The body I felt after regression.
Was clearly far from that of a demonic human.
Even now, I am not a demonic human.
What flows through my body is the Dao energy received from the eccentric of Huashan.
And the demonic qi is pinned in the corner of the dantian.
It was awkward to call myself a demonic human.
Yet I can freely use demonic qi whenever I want, which is also strange.
For example, it felt like it was accommodating a situation where I could act comfortably.
Wasn't it as if the demonic arts were growing to match my realm?
This felt like someone was pushing my back.
As if.
Telling me to become the Heavenly Demon.
‘This is bullshit.’
It really is ridiculous.
The entire situation right now, that is.
Previously, shutting Namgung Cheonjun's mouth was an easy task.
....
If I tell him not to die, he won't die.
If I tell him not to speak carelessly, he won't speak.
He is no different from a dog.
If I were to order Namgung Cheonjun to die right now, he would bite his tongue or cut his own throat to kill himself.
Originally, a relationship bound by demonic qi is like that.
To be exact.
The relationship between the Heavenly Demon and a demonic human is like that.
‘The problem is.’
Just like the demonic humans created by the Heavenly Demon.
Namgung Cheonjun too might be engulfed in madness due to the demonic qi.
Not knowing if such a situation might arise, I had taken measures.
- Forbidden from killing.
- Forbidden from emitting killing intent.
- Forbidden from pulling any fucking shit on me.
- Must slap own cheeks with the palm of the hand every morning.
Etcetera.
Aside from silencing him first, there were many other things I had ordered.
Fortunately, it seemed he was listening to all of it.
‘Is a restriction seal not even needed?’
Like the one the Heavenly Demon placed on me and other demonic humans.
A restriction seal where the heart instantly bursts and kills if one takes action to betray the Demonic Cult.
It seemed that without needing such a thing, simply speaking to Namgung Cheonjun was enough.
‘Is the reason for placing a restriction seal because the coercive force is different, then.’
If not that, perhaps the number of demonic humans became too large.
And the power of words (言力) became insufficient, so restriction seals were placed as well.
If not that....
Or perhaps, was there another reason for placing restriction seals?
‘I can't grasp the intention.’
Why did the Heavenly Demon do so?
Such doubts were abundant.
‘At least the difference is.’ Even though I knew I could corrupt someone into a demonic human.
I cannot bestow authority like the Heavenly Demon.
Should I call that fortunate?
Or should I be frightened, not knowing if even that will become possible someday?
I wasn't certain yet.
If I had to choose, wouldn't it be the latter?
‘First of all... it's about what to do with Namgung Cheonjun.’
Separately from corrupting him into a demonic human.
I was looking for a way to use him.
‘I tried to at least extract some information.’
Originally, I would have asked how he gained such power.
And tried to extract information regarding that faction.
When I asked about this, Namgung Cheonjun clearly said this to me.
-...I can't remember... No, I do not.
“Useless bastard...”
Namgung Cheonjun only showed a moronic appearance as if he had lost his memory.
‘He wouldn't be able to lie, so it must be the truth.’
At the same time the blood qi in his body completely disappeared.
Did that mean Namgung Cheonjun lost his memories related to blood qi?
However.
‘...He didn't do that during the Martial Arts Tournament, so is becoming a demonic human the problem?’
Probably so. He absorbed energy back then too, but his memories remained intact.
The only difference from now is that.
Even so, to cause confusion in memories.
Is that possible?
‘It must be. That's why it happened. Fuck.’
When even time is being reversed, what wouldn't be possible?
I had known from long ago that quite a few monsters were hiding in the world.
“Ha.”
Unfortunately, it seemed I wouldn't get information easily.
Then.
‘What should I do?’
I hold Namgung Cheonjun's lifeline.
He could escape if he kills himself.
Otherwise, it would be unavoidable.
Of course, kindly.
I haven't given the order not to die, so he'll make the choice himself.
‘It'd be convenient if he dies on his own.’
If not, the demonic human created by my demonic qi.
Would be worth checking to see what happens, so watching him for a bit wouldn't hurt.
‘And then.’
When I feel I've checked enough.
‘I'll have to dispose of him.’
The option to let him live didn't exist from the start.
I merely kept him alive because I wanted to check.
His value only went that far.
If there's something that bothers me a little.
‘Will that child be sad.’
It's only Namgung Bi-a.
If Namgung Cheonjun loses his life, will Namgung Bi-a truly be sad?
That was my only hesitation, if it could even be called hesitation.
If I were to hear of Gu Ryeong-hwa's death.
I probably wouldn't be perfectly fine either.
Actually.
In my past life, that very reason led me to burn down Huashan.
‘...’
Putting away distracting thoughts.
I pondered in various ways.
As expected, nothing but eventual death came to mind for Namgung Cheonjun's disposal.
I merely kept him alive a little longer.
This thought didn't waver.
Probably, even at the end, this thought would be the same.
At that moment.
Hwuk-
The sound of a sword cutting through the air could be heard.
Thanks to that?
It felt as if my head, trapped in distracting thoughts, slightly woke up.
Hwuk- Hwuk-!
Fast and concise.
As expected, it's on a different level from the excellence seen in Late-stage Supremes.
If I had to compare.
Wouldn't Namgung Cheonjun reach that level if he put in decades of effort?
That was the impression I got.
To speak more deeply, that was simply it.
After some more time passed.
“Huu...”
The man who had been swinging his sword with all his might finished his movements, wiped his sweat, and looked my way.
Those clear blue eyes were quite burdensome.
The man who came right up to my nose asked me.
“How is it?”
“...Excuse me? What do you mean?”
Answering flustered without realizing.
The man, the Patriarch of the Namgung Clan, Namgung Jin, answered again.
“I mean, how did the movements just now look?”
“...Ah.”
I had to quickly hide my expression at Namgung Jin's question.
The reason I was here.
Was because of Namgung Jin, who came looking for me first thing in the morning.
Thanks to that, Namgung Cheonjun was immediately kicked out, and I had to be dragged here by Namgung Jin, who looked extremely rushed.
The Patriarch of the Namgung Clan, one of the Three Clans and even called a Prestigious Clan.
Who would have thought he'd show up first thing in the morning like a puppy needing to poop?
I was doing so well running away, too.
Furthermore.
‘How my ass... How would I know.’
Namgung Jin displayed an extremely ordinary swordsmanship, but.
Even if I watched, what would I know?
‘Good job, just good job...’
As I said earlier, the impression was just that.
I know squat about swordsmanship, so what can I do?
It was even the sword path of a swordsman who had reached the Flower Realm.
Looking at the sword path of a swordsman who had reached such a level.
How could there be anything for me to point out?
‘What's certain is... it's become somewhat different from last time.’
Namgung Jin's sword path I saw in the past was neat and sharp back then too.
But the sword now was somehow different again.
I don't know much about the sword.
If Elder Shin saw it, he would probably have something to say. Because there's clearly a difference.
Looking with my crude eyes, the only thing I could say was.
‘It resembles the Demonic Sword Empress's sword.’
That was the only thought that came to mind.
Of course, since it's the Namgung Clan's swordsmanship.
It's only natural for it to be identical to the Demonic Sword Empress's sword.
‘The feeling is just a bit different.’
It's incredibly shoddy, but that really was all there was to it.
That Namgung Jin's sword had gotten a little closer to the swordsmanship the Demonic Sword Empress used to display.
That was all I could see.
If I were to express such a difference.
‘How should I express this?’
What difference did I feel.
That made me recall such an impression?
‘What was the Demonic Sword Empress's sword like?’
Actually, the Namgung swordsmanship I know.
Is only the swordsmanship the Demonic Sword Empress displayed.
Wrapping her entire body in lightning qi that lit up the night.
The figure of a woman striking down lightning, leisurely thrusting her sword in between.
It was a sword path full of killing intent and eerie qi that couldn't be seen in the current Namgung Bi-a.
It was at a level where just watching from the side made one tense up.
Should I say a heart resenting the world was contained within the sword?
‘Apart from that, the swordsmanship was also perfect.’
That was why, despite belonging to the Demonic Cult, she was boldly called the Sword Empress.
Even if she was mad for slaughter.
The swordsmanship she displayed was perfect.
As I was recalling the Demonic Sword Empress.
Namgung Jin's voice was heard again.
“I ask for any advice that could be of reference.”
Ugh,
Advice... Advice?
What advice.
‘...Elder’
I call out to the Elder inwardly with difficulty. There was still no answer.
‘You crazy old man! Please wake up...!’
No matter how much I call, it's the same. What on earth is he doing that he won't wake up?
Is he hibernating even though it's summer?
‘What should I do?’
I'm bearing the full weight of Namgung Jin's burdensome expectations.
I don't know what advice he's expecting.
And I don't know what I should say...
Let me say it again, I am not a swordsman.
The only time I held a sword was in my childhood.
When I held a wooden sword following Gu Hui-bi and Gu Yeon-seo.
After that, I put down the sword.
I know next to nothing.
Since we are fellow martial artists, I could give some advice if I wanted to.
But it wouldn't be what Namgung Jin is hoping for.
‘...What is there?’
A way to break through this situation, that is.
‘Ah.’
Since I was recalling the Demonic Sword Empress, a thought did slightly cross my mind.
Commonly, people in the world say.
The end of a swordsman is not a realm as a martial artist.
But the realm of Body-Sword Unity (Shenjian Heyi).
I become the sword.
And the sword becomes me, they say.
Actually, the name isn't important.
If you hold a spear, it becomes Body-Spear Unity.
If you hold a bow, it becomes Body-Bow Unity.
Names can be changed as much as you want.
What's important is the meaning inside.
The internal qi contained in the flesh flows.
And naturally seeps even into the held weapon.
Generating sword qi.
Wrapping oneself in sword gang.
It's not about such parts.
But just as internal qi naturally seeps into the flesh upon reaching the pinnacle.
It meant the realm of becoming one with the weapon held in hand.
I roughly understand what it means.
Honestly.
For the unarmed combat style, it's a difficult feat.
The moment the unarmed combat style shines.
Is from around the time one reaches the pinnacle.
As internal qi seeps into the flesh, it finally exerts its efficiency.
Though they call it Body-Fist Unity.
I didn't know it well.
I might not have reached that place.
Or perhaps I reached it without realizing.
At least, I could tell this was different from the sword.
‘What did she say when I asked back then?’
I definitely recalled it before, too.
When I asked the Demonic Sword Empress about this.
She definitely answered like this.
-You just get it by doing it.
It was something like that.
Naturally.
I was an idiot for asking.
Of course.
She added a few words after that.
But they were only stories I couldn't understand.
What did she say...
“...I think she told me to recall the flow of lightning.”
I think she said roughly that.
Since she used lightning qi, it seemed she explained it by comparing it to that.
‘How would I know from hearing that?’
What's the flow of lightning?
Do you realize it by staring blankly at the sky on a thunderous day?
Whatever it was, it meant there was no way for me to know.
No, actually.
I was foolish to try asking the Demonic Sword Empress something in the first place.
Since they're people bunched together purely on talent, I shouldn't have expected teaching.
To those people, you have to explain why it doesn't work in the first place.
‘Anyway, that's not what's important right now.’
Lightning or whatever, first how I should speak to Namgung Jin right now...
“...Hmm?”
Just as I thought I should say something and tried to part my heavy lips.
Namgung Jin in front of me was looking at me with a somewhat dazed expression.
“...What, why are you looking with those eyes...”
I stopped mid-sentence and had to clamp my mouth shut without realizing.
Because I felt something from Namgung Jin's expression.
Wow....
‘That's real bullshit.’
Isn't that an expression like he gained enlightenment?
He really got it? Suddenly?
What did I do for him to suddenly act like that?
I didn't particularly do anythi...
‘Don't tell me.’
A thought briefly crosses my mind.
‘Is he acting like that because I muttered something about lightning just now?’
It was something the Demonic Sword Empress told me in the past.
And it was a story that wasn't even a tiny bit of help to me.
It seemed Namgung Jin was different.
However.
‘It's not a thought he couldn't have come up with?’
Since they are people who use lightning qi due to the influence of their bloodline martial arts.
It didn't seem like they wouldn't have thought of this.
Even I, to gain something from flames.
Had experiences where I lit a campfire and stared at it for days on end.
For reference, gaining nothing, I lashed out by stomping on it wildly with my foot.
And got severely burned.
‘Crazy bastard...’
A martial artist of a clan that uses fire arts getting burned.
What kind of crazy act is that...?
...Anyway.
If Namgung Jin reached enlightenment with these words now.
‘It means this situation became one where these words were helpful.’
What difference is there.
That I don't know how recalling the flow of lightning is helpful.
It seemed certain that Namgung Jin had reached enlightenment.
The result of that enlightenment could be good.
Or it could be bad.
The thought that comes to me now is different.
“...Can I run away?”
Even if it was a lucky shot.
I did give him something.
It pricks my conscience a bit.
But originally I'm a man with no conscience to speak of, so wouldn't it be fine?
Additionally, I could also secure the justification that this much was enough.
I observed Namgung Jin, who was staring blankly into the air.
The energy he had hidden inside his body could be seen vividly.
It was lightning qi that made one shudder just by looking at it.
With this, I could feel the energies moving little by little as if they had their own will.
He hadn't taken a proper stance.
But the movement of the energy was real.
‘...If I touch him now. He'll die on the spot, won't he?’
In a state where his consciousness is concentrated in one place like that.
Even a light tap! would distort his blood pathways and cause instant death.
Looking at that, I quietly spoke to Namgung Jin.
“Um... I'll be going now?”
Even if I brought it up, there was no answer from Namgung Jin.
Naturally, who would talk in that state?
Originally, it would have been proper to stand guard for him in this situation.
But I had a mind that he would probably handle it himself.
In the meantime.
‘No matter how you look at it, gaining enlightenment from me muttering something about lightning or whatever is a bit cheap, isn't it?’
Originally, enlightenment is sudden and strange.
But isn't this a bit cheap?
If enlightenment was going to come, it should have come to me.
It felt like it was spoon-fed to him, making my stomach severely ache.
‘I'm suddenly getting mad. Should I just touch him?’
If it were now, even lightly bumping his shoulder could drive him into Demonic Deviation.
Creak.
Someone opens the door of the training hall and enters from behind.
I didn't bother to turn my head to check.
Because I felt a familiar scent.
“What... are you doing?”
The voice I felt was, as expected, Namgung Bi-a.
So, without turning my head, I answered Namgung Bi-a.
“...Guarding.”
It was a rather grave voice, even by my own standards.