728 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**The Sword Demon** **Leader of the Sword Demon Brigade of the Demonic Cult** Known to be at a level of mastery surpassing the Flower Realm, when ranking sheer strength: "Lower tier of the top ten masters." That's roughly where it stands. Although not possessing immediate, overwhelming power, the true prowess of the Sword Demon was displayed in the heart of the battlefield. The reputation I earned was partly due to my being a defected member of the orthodox sect. However, the main reason was my specialization in mass destruction. Spreading flames and relentless challenges. With powers tailored for war, my notoriety spread instantly upon my arrival. The same applied to the Sword Demon. The battle-crazed Sword Demon, who wove an aura of murder that razed everything around him, was the perfect fit for war. Yes, the embodiment of killing intent. This was why the Sword Demon was known as the ‘Sword Demon’ (劍魔). It was evidence of the Celestial Killing Star within him. He never named it himself, but across the martial world, it was called the ‘Sha Steel’ (煞鋼). Killing intent isn't something directly released through the danjeon (elixir field). It’s the literal embodiment of a desire to kill. This mixes with the martial energy and radiates outward. The intensity of this murderous aura depends on how strong the murderous intent is. Of course, the martial artist's level matters as well. But it only enhances the result. The root of killing intent is as such. The ‘Sha Steel,’ utilized by the Sword Demon, turns into a monstrous attribute due to this connection. “The Sword Demon relished in killing and had a strong killing intent. Hence, his Sha Steel was formidable.” Because his desire to kill was endless, the Sha Steel never stopped, disregarding both foe and ally, making it all the more difficult to handle. Thus, there was a question to ponder. Truly. "Is the Sword Demon strong without Sha Steel?" After all, he’s a martial master of the Flower Realm. Although he couldn't have been weak, the reason the Sword Demon commanded such authority was probably because of his Celestial Killing Star. I thought so until recently. “He himself is a bundle of talent.” Confronting the reincarnated Sword Demon, Seongyul, I had to alter my perception. He was indeed strong. Compared to others his age, he was exceedingly formidable, not falling short even when compared to geniuses like the Six Dragons and the Three Peaks. However. "Just to that extent." If pursuing the extremity of strength, he fell slightly short. He wasn’t extraordinarily beyond others. Just at a genius level. "It’s almost comical to say 'just a genius,’ but…” It’s not like ‘genius’ is a common dog’s name, and using it as an example feels a bit dizzying. He wasn’t a monstrous figure like Namgoong Biya or Wi Seol-a. This means. “If Seongyul were to reach the Sword Demon’s level, he would need to harness the Celestial Killing Star.” Frankly, even without it, he might achieve it with medicinal elixirs and years of training, but. “I don’t have the luxury of time.” There was neither the manpower nor the time to nurture him. Besides, why waste precious elixirs on him? Even if I were to give, not to him. So, what should be done? To utilize Seongyul without killing him, he must be strengthened. To strengthen him, awakening and utilizing the Celestial Killing Star was essential. “That Celestial Killing Star…” The Celestial Killing Star is an anomaly said to be born once in a century. A being born for slaughter, destined to kill humans until their own death. How should one exploit this demon wearing a human guise? Could it be utilized at all? “It can be used.” If not anyone, then had not the Heavenly Demon done so? The Sword Demon operated as a demonic entity. Though he wandered like a rogue, ultimately, he followed the orders of the Heavenly Demon. Though not as obediently as the Demonic Swordsman or the Green King below him… This indicates that by turning him demonic, he could be controlled. “That’s why he was meant to be corrupted.” The plan was to corrupt him as soon as he was found, to bring him to heel. That was the meeting's intent. “An unforeseen anomaly occurred.” I hadn’t corrupted him yet. A petty sense of sympathy. The vague sense of anticipation. A sickening sense of kinship. Actions unfolded under these self-disgusting feelings. Thankfully, the results were not so bad. “He listened well.” Though I don’t know his reasons for following me, he was more useful than others. When told to wield a sword, he wielded a sword. When told to strike, he struck. He showed hesitation in killing people. While feeling an allure to murder himself, he struggled to suppress it. At that time, he was still human. That’s what caused my hesitation. Thus, I questioned myself. “So.” Would you leave him as he is? I asked myself this question. The answer had long been decided. This was a point that needed decision sooner or later. Perhaps it should have been done earlier. “Heugh…heugh!” Energy surged on the martial stage. Confirming it through mental vision, it was much clearer. An anomaly was occurring around Seongyul. It was due to the density of his killing intent being too intense. “Oh-ho.” I was impressed. Although I’d seen such a spectacle in a past life, the feeling now differed. The emitted killing intent resembled raw energy rather than mere intent. “Heugh…heugh!” His eyes gleamed. Life returned to the golden eyes. That life was filled with bone-chilling emotions. Slaughter. The conviction to kill as much as possible. Could anything be so honest yet so vivid? Not only I felt the change; reactions were felt from the audience as well. “What, what is this? I feel a chill.” “It suddenly feels stifling….” Ordinary people, sensing this subtle change, brushed their bodies as if to ward off cold. Though it wasn't yet the cold season, the audience began feeling chills due to the killing intent. If common folks sensed this much, how would martial artists react? Naturally, the response was more intense. “...Shouldn’t someone stop this?” “A killing intent like that in a martial performance...! What are the judges doing?” A killing intent strong enough to freeze people in place. It was not something a martial artist from the orthodox sect was expected to display. Especially in a mere martial exhibition. I frowned, observing Seongyul. “Just a little push, and he transforms completely.” The true nature of the Celestial Killing Star revealed itself immediately upon release. He reached that level effortlessly. One could see just how much he'd been suppressing it all this time. It was like a beast. All that was left was instinct, as if his wild nature had blossomed. "I'm going to kill you!" Crack—! It had worked. Seongyul charged at Paeng Woojin, his killing intent spilling forth. Clang—! Sparks flew as blades clashed. “He’s gotten faster.” His speed had increased dramatically. Whether this was due to the disappearance of hesitation or a trait of the Celestial Killing Star itself was uncertain. “His muscles have changed too.” They were becoming tougher and stronger, evolving to keep up with the speed. Even his skin was being infiltrated by the killing intent. Boom—! Bang—! With each clash, shockwaves erupted. “He’s gained strength, too.” Alongside speed, his strength was also increasing. The mystery remained: Was this increase due to the Celestial Killing Star, or was it the unleashing of some latent power he already possessed? The important part was: "Whatever the cause, it has been unleashed." A mere nudge led to such a startling transformation. It was the first time witnessing it fully in this life. In the past, I would have knocked him out if it seemed too dangerous, but now, seeing Seongyul surrender to his killing intent was entirely new. And my impression? “He’s strong.” The Seongyul consumed by the Celestial Killing Star was undeniably strong. A perfectly honed peak. At its pinnacle. Though he hadn’t yet pierced the barrier to the Flower Realm, he had unleashed every potential within his physical form. Movement, speed, the resultant strength—all beyond imagination. The swirling Sha Steel around him was overwhelmingly powerful. Yet. Clang—!! The opponent wasn’t exactly ideal. “Crazy bastard.” Paeng Woojin, who swung and shattered the Sha Steel with his black iron sword. Seeing him, I let out a dry laugh. “What the hell is that?” Seongyul was giving his all, unleashing his maximum power. Yet Paeng Woojin countered it with ease. “He passed the Flower Realm long ago.” From what I saw in previous martial stages, Paeng Woojin had already been a perfectly honed pinnacle. Now, as time passed, he had reached the Flower Realm. Strong. “Though he hasn’t reached the realms of minds, still.” He might even be stronger than the likes of Shinryong or Wi Seol-a. That’s the level Paeng Woojin displayed. “...No, at that level…” He might have surpassed his own father, Do Wang. He just hasn't completely shown his strength yet. And. “What the hell... he’s not even flinching.” With an unwavering resolve to kill his opponent, Seongyul pressed forward, enduring minor wounds. His instinct-driven actions were enough to oppress his opponent. All of this during a mere contest. It wasn’t a life-or-death duel, yet Seongyul pushed forward ruthlessly. It was a terrifying spectacle to witness. And yet. "Isn’t he the same?" Paeng Woojin seemed likewise unwilling to yield, mimicking Seongyul’s relentless drive. He smiled. That crazy bastard was grinning. A tenacity similar to the Celestial Killing Star—what exactly was this? “You’re grinning amidst all this?” What could be so enjoyable? Paeng Woojin’s face was filled with an overwhelming joy, as if he were deeply moved. Splash—! Blood splattered. With killing intent and fierce energy swirling, just watching felt suffocating. The point where it could no longer be called a contest. The arbiter couldn’t even interfere amidst the vicious aura. “Goodness.” Watching such an intense fight makes one wonder if Seongyul could actually win this. That thought never crossed my mind. “He can’t win.” The gap between their levels was significant. Impossible is impossible. That’s why I requested something from Paeng Woojin. I asked him to last for precisely ten exchanges with Seongyul, so I could confirm something. I had pleaded for them not to be taken down in a single blow. Paeng Woojin agreed with some conditions. Those conditions were a bit troublesome, but it was manageable. After all, he had agreed. Then. Clench—! “Hiek!” “He, the neck!?” The murmuring sounds drew my attention. I had a lapse in focus for a moment. Quickly assessing the scene, something had indeed happened. “Sigh.” I let out a breath, surveying the scene. A wound adorned Paeng Woojin's neck. Judging by the marks, it appeared to be a bite, and Seongyul, who was now some distance away, spat out a piece of flesh. “Did he just bite his neck?” Not a dog—what was he doing, biting a neck? Was there ever such a reckless contest? "And why is that guy like that after being bitten?” Though his neck had been bitten, Paeng Woojin seemed even more exuberant, laughter brimming from joy. It was now bordering on terrifying. The heat of the contest kept rising. Watching the two fight to the death silenced the breath of the crowd. “...Is it time?” I made a judgment. There seemed nothing left to watch. Leaving them to it seemed hazardous as well. Whoooo—! No sooner had that thought passed than a tremendous energy began to whirl around the martial stage. It was the aura emanating from Paeng Woojin; it was clear what it signified. “He intends to end it.” He intended to conclude this contest. Seongyul, too, was on the same track. With eyes ablaze, he clenched his teeth and began to concentrate his scattered killing intent into one point. Observing this, I nodded. This was the final observation. Seongyul, engulfed in energy. As I watched him, I whispered softly. [Stop.] Casting my words with a commanding tone. Flinch—! The Celestial Killing Star, or rather Seongyul’s body, visibly stiffened. It worked. “It takes effect.” I smiled brightly, confirming the effect. Even though influenced by the Celestial Killing Star, my words had an effect. Control was possible. Now then. "How far?” Now it was time to see how far it could go. The arena was prepared solely for this verification. Thump—! I focused my heart. The energy swirled, maintaining a steady flow. Inhale slowly. Mix the breath with the energy. Facing the rebellious figure, I spoke. [Now.] [Disappear.] “...Ack…!?” The moment the words were transmitted. Seongyul’s body gave a violent shudder. Whoooosh—!! The killing intent enveloping him vanished at once. With the energy maintaining his composure dissipating, Seongyul staggered immediately. Thud—! He crumpled to the ground, powerless. Only Paeng Woojin, amidst the sudden turn of events, opened his eyes wide. “What’s going on?” “What just happened?” “Why did he stop fighting so well…?” The audience, clueless about the situation, burst into questions, yet the result remained unchanged. “The winner is Paeng Woojin of the Ha Buk Paeng Clan!” The judge quickly approached and, after checking Seongyul’s condition, declared the outcome. Paeng Woojin had won. Wild cheers erupted. Though the match had been fierce and unruly, the excitement seemed to thrill the spectators. Curiously, Paeng Woojin, the victor, wore a peculiar expression. “Impressive.” The mirth drained from his eyes. His face turned impassive, with an undeniable air of displeasure. He sheathed his sword, glancing my way. It seemed he suspected that I had intervened in some manner. Sure enough. -What trickery is this? Paeng Woojin's voice rang in my mind. -What do you mean? Feigning ignorance, I responded. -As naïve as you may be, this does not sit well with me. Naturally, he didn’t buy it. For the first time, his voice carried a tone not playful but weighty, revealing his displeasure. -I didn’t do anything. Just fulfilling my promise. I will remember what you said. -... There was no hard evidence. I had left nothing behind, so there was no worry of being caught. Knowing this, Paeng Woojin just continued to glare at me. Perhaps he was irked that the fight hadn’t reached a proper conclusion. Having locked eyes with Paeng Woojin for a few moments. -Fine. He wiped his face clean of any expression and smiled again. -Though it’s regrettable. Since you are here, I will let it slide. However. Though he smiled, it wasn’t genuine. Perhaps it was something more unsettling. -When we meet again in this place, I hope you bring me greater joy than the defeated prince did. -... Joy. Though I wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Nonetheless. -Very well. I will try. I dared to predict it wouldn’t be too difficult. ****************** The matches continued thereafter. The intense duel between Paeng Woojin and Seongyul had stirred controversy, causing a brief pause, but it posed no significant issue. The most that happened was two participants withdrawing. “I’m here!” At that moment, Dang So-yeol arrived, having finished her match. Seeing her, I waved. “Good job.” The result of the match was Dang So-yeol’s victory. Her opponent barely surpassed a mature peak level, leaving Dang So-yeol with almost no chance of losing. “Hehe.” Perhaps pleased with consecutive victories, she beamed brightly. “What if I win at this rate?” “Then we celebrate.” I chuckled softly. “A celebration? No gifts?” “What sort of gift?” “…Well… that….” Dang So-yeol abruptly paused, glancing nervously to the side. She was looking at Bongsun. Why was she looking at Bongsun? “What’s this? You want her as a prize?” “…Young master, Bong… I mean, Lady Pi isn’t an object.” “Pretty much the same.” “Huh? Why me?” Bongsun, as if knowing we were talking about her, tilted her head questioningly. I ruffled her hair in playful irritation. “Eek! Why are you hitting me?” “Because you’re annoying.” “Then while you’re at it, a little more….” “Shut up.” “Okay.” Bongsun swiftly closed her mouth, and seeing this, Dang So-yeol sighed lightly. I chuckled softly at the sight and said: “Anyway, I’ll think about the gift.” “You’re not planning to give one anyway, right?” “Well. Who knows? If you actually win, it might happen.” Who knows what the future holds? “So, make sure you win.” “Huh?” I directed my comment at Bongsun. Seongyul was still lying unconscious. It didn’t matter. I had confirmed what I needed from him, and there was no need for him to advance any further. However, Bongsun was different. “I’d prefer if you climbed as high as possible.” For Bongsun, ranking higher would be advantageous later. It was part of the plan. “Oh… you’ll be happy if I win?” “Of course.” “Chief, shall we then-” “On second thought, you might not need a tongue.” “I’ll be quiet!” She clamped her mouth shut with her fingers. I barely restrained myself from yanking it out. “Stop rambling nonsense and get ready.” “Okay!” Though it was just a contest, if determined, one could aim to kill. This implied the levels were somewhat comparable, meaning Bongsun had a chance if she performed well. -Yeongpung of Mount Hua and Pi Yeonyeon of Seo An Pi Clan, please prepare for the next match! Soon after, the awaited announcement was made. “I’m off!” Bongsun grabbed her staff and stood up, realizing it was her turn. Watching her, I said wearily: “Win it.” “Yeah! Got it!” With those words, Bongsun stepped forward energetically. Shortly thereafter. “Oh! Chief!” Bongsun returned to me, her body covered in bruises. “I lost! That guy was really strong!” “...” Her cheerful proclamation forced me to cover my face with my hands.