348 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The Heavenly Demon. A demon that descended from the heavens one day. The lord of a demonic cult that sought to consume the entirety of Zhongyuan and stain it crimson. A monster who single-handedly vanquished the three revered beings known to have transcended humanity. At least, until she was brought down by the divine sword, Wi Seol Ah. Even though she was the lord of the demonic cult and labeled a villain, she was hailed as the unrivaled being under heaven. And it was no wonder. For with each step the Heavenly Demon took, the ground beneath her decayed. Her mere breath exerted an overwhelming presence on her surroundings. There seemed to be an insurmountable wall, one so significant it overshadowed comprehension. Her very existence paradoxically emanated a monumental presence. Facing her inspired an involuntary bow, a regal dignity that one might expect from an emperor. Such was the presence of the Heavenly Demon. Master of ten thousand demons. The lord and foundation of countless demonic beings spread beneath the sky. Reflecting on why the demonic cult could swiftly invade Zhongyuan, the reason lay in the dark energy wielded by these demonic beings. This dark energy was lethal to martial artists. The moment it seeped into a martial artist's body, it took root at their elixir field. These roots would swiftly grow, blocking the pathways where their inner energy flowed. Interference with the smooth flow of this energy posed a significant problem in utilizing martial arts. Moreover, not only did the dark energy block inner energy, but it also gradually led to the decay of the body it inhabited. To martial artists, this dark energy was akin to a deadly poison. The Heavenly Demon was the source of this energy for those beings, akin to a god granting them powers. I vividly remember the moment she emerged, tearing through dimensions above the Martial Alliance. Declaring she would embark on a bloodbath from then on, with an inviting smile, as if daring others to stop her. With a sweep of her long hair. She enveloped herself with energy, looked down upon the masses from above, and her gaze bore such frigidity that it seemed capable of turning a bright day into night. That gaze. And the eyes I now confront; there's no difference. "Why…?" The Heavenly Demon, who should only appear several years in the future, stood before me now. She appeared younger, without the alluring confidence of that time, but unmistakably, it was her. A low rumble resonated. The scant dark energy within me churned. It was as if it resonated. This alone was enough to recognize the presence before me as the Heavenly Demon, but what truly assured me were her eyes. Her black hair barely touched her shoulders. Her skin was as pallid as if bleached. Her body, extremely thin and fragile, seemed to break at a mere touch, yet what I focused on was none of this. I focused solely on her face, identical to the one nestled in my arms—Wi Seol Ah. And her amethyst eyes. Though Heukya Gungju also bore purple eyes, they were unlike what the Heavenly Demon possessed. Her eyes emitted a distinct brilliance, filled with an indescribable aura. Glinting like gemstones. Such beauty, however, did not translate to the aura they emitted. The heavenly demon. Knowing that the existence before me was the dreaded calamity I was so cautious of and dreaded in the future, I felt utterly terrified. "Why..." Tightening my grip around Wi Seol Ah's shoulders, I pulled her closer. The Heavenly Demon, watching this, tilted her head curiously, her gaze fixed on Wi Seol Ah. Their facial features were identical. The Heavenly Demon was abnormally gaunt and differed in hair and eye color, but everything else was identical. It was an enigma. How could such a thing be? And It seemed I was not the only one startled. The figure slumped behind, coated in blood, also gazed at Wi Seol Ah with a look of disbelief. "Two skies...?" I turned to inspect the source, surprised to see it was Heukya Gungju. I couldn't fathom why she was sitting there, battered, yet the aura she exuded undeniably matched the Heukya Gungju I met back then. 'She was nowhere to be found when sought...' The first time I saw the Heavenly Demon in this life was at Heukya Palace. Back then, Heukya Gungju held the Heavenly Demon, and I witnessed them disappear through a demonic portal for the last time. Since then, I had released my search to no avail for both the Heavenly Demon and the Palace Lord, only to encounter them here abruptly? "How... is that possible?" The Palace Lord was dumbstruck, gazing at Wi Seol Ah cradled in my arms. No wonder. It was miraculous they resembled each other so deeply. The Heavenly Demon, too, observed Wi Seol Ah with an intrigued gaze. Sensing her gaze, I pulled Wi Seol Ah even closer to me as if to conceal her. At that moment. "Young Master..." Wi Seol Ah's fingers intertwined with mine, and an involuntary shudder ran through me. I lowered my gaze to look at Wi Seol Ah. Her golden eyes were also directed at me. "It's okay." "...What?" She suddenly reassured me, and I inadvertently questioned back. What does she mean by 'okay'? "I'm okay. Let go of me." "...!" The possibility of me holding her too tightly with my tensed body crossed my mind. I slackened my grip slightly at Wi Seol Ah's words, yet I couldn't completely let her go. Feeling this, Wi Seol Ah gently exerted force to break away from me. In truth, I wished to keep embracing her, but the memory of her earlier gaze held me back. Having extricated herself from me, Wi Seol Ah slowly stood and faced the Heavenly Demon. Clang. She pointed the tip of her sword toward her. To witness two similar faces confronting each other in the same space was a disconcerting sight. Wi Seol Ah, facing the Heavenly Demon, opened her mouth. "Who are you?" Despite looking at a face identical to hers, she seemed unfazed. Of course, this was the same for the Heavenly Demon. Shuffle. Upon hearing Wi Seol Ah's words, the Heavenly Demon took a step. Even this small gesture set my nerves on edge. I expanded my senses, focusing them solely on the Heavenly Demon. Prepared for any forthcoming events. Though whether I could handle them was uncertain. Wi Seol Ah, observing the Heavenly Demon's movements, summoned her aura. It was a vivid golden hue. So vivid, indeed, that it seemed to starkly contrast the Heavenly Demon’s own aura. Yet, even in the face of such a presence, the Heavenly Demon’s expression remained serene. To be precise, it seemed as if she had no interest in Wi Seol Ah's aura. Her steps weren't directed toward Wi Seol Ah. She was coming toward me. Upon realizing this, Wi Seol Ah’s eyes flashed as she swung her sword with determination, as if to deny any advance. Swish—! The sword slicing through the air was swift. The path of the sword infused with pure aura left a golden trail. A calculated and unwavering trajectory. However. Ssss—! From the Heavenly Demon's stepping point, dark aura erupted, deflecting the attack effortlessly. Ting—! A clear, metallic sound resonated as the sword was repelled. Throughout this, the Heavenly Demon didn’t even glance at Wi Seol Ah. The certainty hit me as soon as I saw it. It was dark energy. The aura the Heavenly Demon exuded was pure dark energy, unmatched by anything else. Wi Seol Ah swiftly twisted her body to evade it. The aura, shaped like thorns, propelled itself just as Heukya Gungju had wielded, attacking Wi Seol Ah. But her agile movements evaded them with ease. And yet. ‘…Move.’ Despite witnessing it all, my body refused to obey. Grind. “…Ugh…” Trying to stir my energy, my body was irresponsive. To be precise, the dark energy lodged in a corner of my elixir field began to rebel wildly. It differed from when I saw the black dragon sword transmogrify and my inner energy solidify. This time, the dark energy obstructed me. Almost joyful to face its true master, it thrived enthusiastically within me. Just like before. The day I faced the Heavenly Demon at Heukya Palace. When her mere gesture made the dark energy within me roar into life, desperately moving akin to a scream. Now that its true master appeared. Does this mean it won’t heed my words anymore? ‘Why don’t you help me now?’ Back then, perhaps because that beast roared and unsettled the Heavenly Demon. The dark energy had quickly settled. But that damn beast. Which had interfered just recently, was now silent. Is it truly obstructing me? Suppressing a scream that threatened to erupt, I tried to move my body by any means. I couldn’t falter now. There she was, right in front of me. The being destined to bring a bloodbath to the world in the future, the one who would turn me into a demonic figure and ruin my future life. I had struggled tirelessly to stop that monster. Seeking the key to enlightenment in the demonic realm, elevating my state upon returning. Endlessly seeking opportunities, clinging ferociously to chance. All to thwart the Heavenly Demon. ‘Damn it.’ Even having barely reached enlightenment, merely facing her was enough to force me to my knees. It was absurd. I couldn't allow it. Moreover. Wi Seol Ah confronted the Heavenly Demon right before my eyes. A situation I deplored with all my being was manifesting. Crackling—! Sparks erupted all around. The golden-tinged sword's tip swung rapidly. In its wake, countless lines in the air appeared and vanished repeatedly. The resoluteness and purity of her swordsmanship clearly expressed the efforts Wi Seol Ah had put in. Her dazzling growth was evident, enough to make it unbelievable that she didn’t even know the basics of martial arts a few years ago. Bang—! Her footwork fiercely pounded the ground. Thud! Evading the emerging thorns, she swung her sword. Her response was impeccable. Yet. Crack—! “…!” She still couldn’t even scratch the Heavenly Demon’s aura. The dark energy was as solid as iron. Moreover, the Heavenly Demon's gaze hadn’t wavered toward Wi Seol Ah even once. A faint grinding of teeth could be heard from Wi Seol Ah’s direction. Despite that, she seemed intent on continuing her attacks. Then, the Heavenly Demon finally turned her gaze toward Wi Seol Ah. With a gentle gesture, she sliced through the air with her fingertips. Fwoosh—! “Ugh!” A gust of energy emanated from the Heavenly Demon, sweeping Wi Seol Ah away. Seeing this, I forced my body to lift. “Wi Seol Ah!” A tearing pain accompanied my rising movement. Was it due to forcibly lifting the restrictions of the dark energy? I paid it no heed. I needed to catch Wi Seol Ah as she was blasted away. I threw myself forward. Or rather, I tried to. Snap—! If not for the Heavenly Demon’s delicate hand that halted my movement. My arm, reaching to move, was caught by the Heavenly Demon. And my strength instantly drained away. Thud. My knees buckled. I struggled to force my body to move despite it feeling utterly drained. At that moment, despair wrapped itself around me. Crushed under the weight. I thought I had worked hard, yet I was powerless. Was it because I harbored the dark energy inside? Or the fundamental fear? Regardless, my body, which had reached the threshold of enlightenment, was undeniably powerless against her. Desperately, I attempted to shrug off her hand. But figuring a way to break free of the Heavenly Demon's grip was impossible. She wasn’t holding tightly. It was as if she was simply pretending to hold. Yet I couldn’t defy her. How could this be? Exhaustion from using a lot of inner energy during the battle contributed, but this was beyond that. ‘…Bark, please just bark.’ I lamented inwardly. Imploring the beast that had barked incessantly earlier to lend its strength now, but. There was no response. Why, of all times, now? “…What is this?” A voice whispered in my ear. A voice low and awfully similar to Wi Seol Ah's. The Heavenly Demon's voice. Turning, I locked eyes with her amethyst pupils. Radiant in their luster. So captivating that they nearly entranced my gaze, yet the emotions surging up my throat were far from admiration. “You are…” “…!” Thump—! In reaction, the dark energy inside me grew even more tumultuous. “Ugh.” “What are you?” Desperation twisted through me, forcing me to consider even fleeing. The recoil of the dark energy was overwhelming. For something that has obeyed me until now, why, only now, turn against me? This is madness. “What are you?” Despite my reaction, the Heavenly Demon only articulated her query with curiosity. Each time I heard that voice, it felt as if my body would burst. "The Heavenly Demon... what does that mean?" Was she echoing the words I had uttered moments ago? The Heavenly Demon asked with a voice tinged with curiosity. But I was in no position to respond, preoccupied with suppressing the dark energy that threatened to erupt from my throat. The sense of powerlessness from being crushed by something beyond martial capabilities was overwhelming. All my efforts seemed futile, a mere illusion. As the desire to surrender slowly crept up on me. Whoosh—! Boom—! Suddenly, a tremendous aura surged toward the Heavenly Demon. The energy exploded around us, disrupting the surroundings. For the first time, the seemingly untouchable Heavenly Demon released her grip on me and retreated. Despite the expansive, powerful energy, I, who stood close by, remained unscathed. "Hah... Hah." Released from the oppressive hold, I exhaled the breath I had been holding. My eyes, bloodshot from the strain, turned to where the energy had originated. There, I saw Wi Seol Ah dusting off her slightly disheveled clothes, walking toward us. Her face, scrunched in anger, held a transformative blend in her golden aura. "Let go." Wi Seol Ah's distinct golden aura now had a hint of white within it. 'That is...' I recognized that aura. How could I not? It was the energy Wi Seol Ah had wielded in a past life. "Do not dare touch him with those filthy hands." It was a voice filled with an edge I had never heard from Wi Seol Ah before.