< Episode 563 > This Seat.
It had been about two years since training began.
A year had passed since I opened the Mind’s Eye, and during that time, I was in the midst of learning the Third Form of the Tuapacheonmu.
Moreover.
Fwooooosh-!
It had already been about half a year since I had begun training under my father.
Most of the Gu Family’s training rooms were built using stone rather than wood.
The reason being, if things went wrong, it could all be burned to the ground.
If one were skilled enough, they could control it so that nothing caught fire, but there were situations where that wasn’t possible, and it was to prepare for such cases.
And right now was precisely such a time.
Fwooooosh-!!
Flames surged, filling the training room.
Meaning embers were flying everywhere, scorching the walls.
[Ghnnn….]
A groan escaped.
Compressing these fierce flames into one place was no easy task.
I had already experienced something similar while training in the Flame Prison, but this was on a completely different level.
This wasn’t merely about compressing and rotating them.
After manifesting and completing it, I had to make it sustain itself on its own.
[Maintaining this is insane.]
My internal energy was escaping endlessly.
It wasn’t as much as in my previous life, but the amount of internal energy filling me was nothing ordinary, yet to create this one thing, I was using more than half.
For several months, I had repeated this countless times, but.
Krrrrrr-!
[…!]
The result was the same this time too.
Cracks formed on the barely shaped sphere, and before long, it exploded.
Kwaaaaaaa-!
Light burst in every direction.
Because the compressed internal energy was so vast, the force of the explosion was immense.
At this rate, the training room and everything else were on the verge of being blown to pieces, but fortunately, no such disaster occurred.
Because the person who could stop it was in the training room.
Kuuuuung-!
The exploding blast was blocked by a qi barrier spread inside the training room, unable to advance further.
Meaning that even that vast explosion could not pierce this thin qi barrier.
And so, as the rushing aftereffects gradually subsided.
[You failed again this time.]
[…]
I turned my head at the heavy voice.
The owner of the qi barrier spread within the training room.
The Gu Family Patriarch, the Tiger Hero, Gu Cheol-un—my father—was standing there.
Answering while reeling in my energy.
[…You’re telling me. It isn’t easy.]
How many times was this now?
It was too late to count. By the calendar, exactly half a year.
All I could say was that I had tried like a madman within that time.
Though I hadn’t succeeded even once.
[It is only natural.]
Father said, looking at me.
[You have not reached the realm, so it is only logical.]
[…Yes. You’re right.]
I had not reached the realm.
There was nothing more accurate than those words.
As Elder Shin had mentioned before.
What I was trying to do now belonged to the realm of Mental Conception.
A so-called transcendental realm that had to be used solely through the power of the mind, leaving internal energy behind.
A place one could barely reach only after achieving grand mastery of learned martial arts, transcending them, and becoming one with them.
Yet here I was, trying it anyway despite knowing that.
[Huu.]
I wiped away the flowing sweat.
Repeating the compression and rotation of energy all day long, cold sweat poured down.
[Do you intend to continue this time as well?]
It was my father asking me.
Continue?
[I have to try.]
I answered that I would.
Hearing that, my father’s eyebrows moved slightly.
[Why?]
[…Yes?]
I was flustered. I hadn’t expected my father to ask such a thing.
[Why do you persist in accomplishing this? As I said, it is not suited to your realm.]
[…Hmm…]
A pointless endeavor. Father hadn’t said as much, but his tone implied it.
He was right.
Having not even reached the realm, persisting in this matter was the very picture of inefficiency.
And yet.
[Then, why are you helping me?]
I wanted to ask him in return.
[I asked, and you readily agreed to help. Is that not the same for you, Father?]
[…]
Half a year ago, I had gone to my father personally and asked.
The power he had shown at the Tang Clan at that time.
I told him I wanted to learn it.
At this, Father had made a puzzled expression, but he did not refuse.
And so half a year had passed, leading to now.
From then until now, contrary to my expectations, Father had been teaching me more intensively than I had thought.
I had spoken thinking I would be refused.
[Did you not ask?]
[Is that really the only reason you are doing this, even while saying it cannot be done?]
Doing it because I had asked.
A simple and laughable reason.
Then why didn’t you do this for me sooner?
That thought crossed my mind, but I deliberately erased it.
[And… I don’t think I’ve tried enough yet to say for certain that it won’t work.]
My damned master had said.
If it doesn’t work, keep at it until it does.
If it still didn’t work after that, it was usually due to my lack of effort.
He said that to have a reason to give up, one must first try hard enough to be convinced themselves.
At first, I had wondered what kind of bullshit hymn to effort that was.
But after living that way semi-forced, my thoughts changed.
If you try to do it, it somehow works out.
This time was the same.
I would do it until it became impossible. That was my mindset.
[…]
Watching that, Father’s expression remained impassive.
By now, even that was familiar.
Just as I was about to resume training, Father’s question rang out.
[Why exactly do you seek to accomplish this?]
The reason I was trying so desperately.
The concrete reason I kept trying to obtain this even while getting beaten by Paejon in the meantime.
[Hmm…]
I pondered for a moment, but there was no need. The answer was far simpler than I thought.
[Because I need it.]
Because I need it. Because I need this power enough to use it right now.
That was all.
[I have some things to do ahead. And the power you showed me is exactly what I need.]
I still remember.
That brilliant presence I had seen at the Tang Clan.
That small sun that devoured all presence around it and expressed its own presence alone.
I needed that.
If that power belonged to the Nine-Flame Fire Wheel Art, I wanted to obtain it if possible.
That was why I was trying to obtain it, even asking my father for something I had never done in my life.
Even while knowing that it couldn’t be done without reaching the realm.
Thinking so, just as I was about to draw up my internal energy again.
[In that case, your direction is wrong.]
[Yes?]
Father uttered words he hadn’t spoken before.
[There seems to be a problem with your perception. You must fix that part.]
[What do you mean by that?]
At the sudden words, I looked at my father with strange eyes.
Then.
[If you wish to learn it even superficially, you must change your perception.]
[What…]
[You are not me.]
I had to widen my eyes at those words.
It wasn’t that some realization had come.
I was simply surprised because it was such an obvious thing.
I am not my father. Is that not an obvious truth?
Seeing my blank face, Father continued.
[Only when you properly recognize that difference will you even brush it with your fingertips.]
I didn’t retort that it was bullshit.
Unlike that old man Paejon, there would be a reason why Father was saying such trivial-sounding words.
I thought so.
And indeed.
A few months after beginning training while focusing on these words.
Just as my father said, I was barely able to brush the tips of my fingers against what I desired.
\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*
I look up at the sky.
A small sphere floating in the center of a blackened space.
All the light brightly illuminating the surroundings was emanating from that sphere.
‘Fire Wheel Star.’
The small sun I had seen at the Tang Clan.
A power that, including its bright glow, disturbed the presence in the surroundings to hide my own presence.
Also, it was a power I had desperately learned during that time.
Fwoosh-!!
The blue light illuminating the surroundings was distinct.
The Fire Wheel Star emitted an exceptionally bright light, radiating its presence.
If there was a problem.
At a glance, it didn’t look very different from my father’s Fire Wheel Star, except for the color.
But digging into its meaning, it was a form diametrically opposed to his.
If my father’s Fire Wheel Star devoured presence to erase the caster’s existence, the Fire Wheel Star I used was, conversely, for amplifying my own existence.
A power opposite to the original intended use of the Fire Wheel Star.
This couldn’t be helped.
‘…That’s what superficial learning gets you.’
The rotation attempted when manifesting the Fire Wheel Star held the meaning of absorption rather than amplification.
Devouring the caster’s presence and trapping it within this sun.
That is what the Fire Wheel Star is said to represent.
‘For me, who hasn’t reached the realm of Mental Conception, this is the only way to use it.’
I tried to stop that rotation and use only the form.
When I did, far from absorbing my presence, it reversed and amplified it instead.
In short, it was a half-baked power.
However.
‘Rather, this is good.’
Absurdly, it was better this way.
Amplifying my presence and imprinting it on the opponent.
It deviated from the meaning of the Fire Wheel Star, but for me, there was no better power.
Trying to forcibly use something unsuited to my realm had resulted in a half-baked power, yet it had instead become an advantage for me.
Perhaps Father had said what he did because he knew this.
The Fire Wheel Star I was trying to use and the Fire Wheel Star Father used were fundamentally different, so he told me to grasp that.
Meaning that if I did, I could use it. Wasn’t that what he meant?
I lowered my gaze from the sky.
An old man with his face fully contorted in displeasure was visible before me. It was U Baek.
‘That flustered expression is top-class.’
With Ttolttoli attempting to overwhelm him with his massive physique and fighting spirit, and the groundwork laid by Dang Deok appearing beforehand.
And me appearing after that.
The dark space created using Black Heaven, and even the Fire Wheel Star amplifying my presence and creating light within it.
Just seeing this, U Baek must be thinking that I was no ordinary opponent.
I had hoped U Baek would think so, and right now, that intention was working well.
I spoke, looking at U Baek.
“It seems your lips are heavier than you look.”
Trying to use the tone I used in my previous life felt like thorns were sprouting on my tongue, but I had to endure it.
“This Seat even introduced Itself first. It seems that was insufficient.”
Speaking, I took a step.
Because I used the Fire Wheel Star in a way unsuited to my realm, I felt recoil not just in my energy, but in my body as well.
Even so, I didn’t show it.
Because the Heavenly Demon that I envisioned couldn’t be like that.
For that, I had to grit my teeth and endure.
I kept walking.
After a few more steps, I naturally knew.
That if I walked any further, I would enter the range where U Baek could attack.
Knowing that full well, I strode forward without hesitation.
“…You….”
Even though I had entered his range, U Baek did not swing his sword.
He must be gauging his angle.
Combined with this situation, it must be hard to grasp properly.
“…The Heavenly Demon, you said.”
“Indeed. This Seat is the Heavenly Demon.”
Though it should be an unfamiliar title, U Baek furrowed his brow upon hearing the words Heavenly Demon.
The reason was probably.
“…I have heard the rumors.”
Because he knew of the story gradually spreading through the Central Plains.
“There is a being attacking the regional branches of the Martial Alliance. That culprit calls himself the Heavenly Demon, it was said.”
Hearing that, this time I laughed aloud.
“Haha.”
Only then could U Baek know that I was smiling behind the mask.
“So it is you.”
“You are more well-informed than I thought. I commend you.”
“…What is your goal? Attacking the Martial Alliance wasn’t enough; what intention drove you to dare step foot in this Wudang with no fear!”
Hwooooo-!
A roar of rage burst forth.
His voice was permeated with blade qi.
Perhaps he intended to bring the surrounding martial artists, crushed by the Dragon’s Word, back to their senses.
“Grrrrk.”
“E-Elder….”
The Dragon’s Word did not release them with just that much.
Watching that, I acquired information inwardly.
So it wouldn’t easily release even with this much internal energy?
This was an unexpected gain.
“Goal, you say….”
Hiding my thoughts, I stroked my chin as if in thought.
The texture of the mask was slightly irritating.
After erasing the brief silence, I spoke to U Baek.
“Is a goal truly necessary?”
“…What?”
“You seem to be under some misunderstanding.”
A distance where I could reach him if I stretched out my arm.
Within that distance, I spat out words toward U Baek.
“It is merely Wudang.”
“…!”
“I know not what you are thinking. Must This Seat fear coming to find the likes of you?”
“You…!!”
“Truly laughable, old man.”
Looking at U Baek’s face twisting beyond measure, I continued.
“Do you tremble in fear at ants crawling on the ground?”
As those words were spat out.
Srrrng-!
U Baek swung the sword he held.
It was fast.
Already being within range was one thing, but the sword of one who had risen to become an elder of Wudang was far faster than sound.
Normally, it wouldn’t have been easy to react.
But.
Kwak-!
“…!?”
If one had been watching from the start, the story would be different.
U Baek was staring at his own wrist, grabbed before he could even swing his sword properly.
“You asked what my goal was.”
U Baek’s eyes trembled as he heard the voice.
“I shall answer you, you incompetent wretch.”
Watching that, I drew up demonic energy from within my body.
“This Seat merely wished to see.”
The rising demonic energy left my heart and permeated my flesh.
Soon, it climbed up my shoulders and began to billow like heat haze.
“The Nine Sects and One Alliance that comprise the Central Plains.”
The billowing haze shot into the sky and swelled in size.
“And the Lord of the Martial Alliance who is rotting the current Central Plains.”
As I poured out energy, my body screamed. Honestly, I was already in a dangerous state from just the Fire Wheel Star alone.
“I speak of that place called Wudang, which he is responsible for. For that, This Seat took precious steps. And yet.”
I released the strength in the hand holding him.
Because I wanted U Baek to react intentionally.
As expected.
Taak-! U Baek pulled back his caught hand and swiftly rotated his body.
Blade qi surged around U Baek’s body.
Sharp and fierce. As expected of one of the hundred great experts of the Central Plains.
“Seeing you, I now know. This place too is trash not worth seeing.”
“How dare you! A wretch like you insult Wudang-!”
The sword of U Hyeok, which I had seen several times.
A more polished and refined swordsmanship unfolded from the old man’s fingertips.
The blade-imbued sword was a delicate sword path, unlike the rough roar.
Then, the quiet blade qi became a single star as it unfolded.
The stars born from the sword path gathered and gathered to become a galaxy.
Beautiful.
It was a sword beautiful enough merely to watch.
Though I looked upon Wudang unfavorably, I could acknowledge their swordsmanship.
That only made it more regrettable.
That such a beautiful swordsmanship.
Crack-!
“Hurk!?”
Just before U Baek’s sword caught the flow along the sword path.
The opened Mind’s Eye captured how the old man’s sword intended to move.
The flow was clear.
Perhaps because the old man’s realm was high, the sword path was unwavering, showing its path clearly.
Thus, it was rather easy to catch.
Because all I had to do was reach out to the intended path and sever it.
The sword path twisted.
Kung-!
The body trying to put force into it was thrown off by the recoil.
Because of that, a gap that hadn’t been there was created.
U Baek urgently moved his body.
He knew the gap had formed and moved to conceal it.
It didn’t matter.
Because even that was seen all too clearly.
My body was already moving. My right hand had already grabbed U Baek by the scruff of the neck.
Only a fleeting concern.
‘Shall I drag it out longer to show more?’
Drag out the battle a bit more?
Or just end it now?
I reached a conclusion at the same time as the thought.
I couldn’t drag it out long.
Because it would get troublesome if the Wudang Sword Immortal arrived.
Hwooooo-!
Wind gathered in my left hand.
Giiiiiiik-!
Starting from the heart, energy rotated through the acupoints.
I felt pain as if my body were being torn apart by blade-like energy.
I ignored it. Pain I had already grown accustomed to.
Kung-!
Half a step forward.
The sole of my foot stomped the ground.
Kuuuuuung-!!
Vibration spread.
Center was secured.
I slightly twisted my waist.
At the same time, controlling the recoil.
It looked like nothing special, but not a single bit could be wrong.
The opened Mind’s Eye observed not just the opponent, but my own flesh as well.
I aligned my body along the visible line.
Then.
Hwoooooooaah-!!!
As if it had been waiting, a whirlwind swept along my body to the end of my arm.
Now was the time.
‘Tuapacheonmu.’
Second Form.
Tubiuicheonkwon.
The gathered whirlwind struck U Baek’s chest.
Immediately.
“Kkwek-?!”
U Baek’s body, along with a short groan.
Kwaaaaaak-!
Was torn to pieces by the exploding air pressure.