55 - Travelling Relationship (5) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

Demons. Strange beings losing their sanity by mastering martial arts that go against the natural order. Although the dictionary definition was as such, to Mok Riwon, 'demons' conveyed a distinctly different meaning. Perhaps, a version of himself that could have been. Being born with the physique of "Heavenly Slaughter" and "Extreme Demon", it was inevitable for Mok Riwon to harbor such feelings. There was no doubt in his mind that the other wasn't a demon. Beyond the sensory, the man had openly confessed, hence the certainty. "I am a Fist Demon!" The words, shouted with a spread of his shoulders after an exchange of moves, stiffened everyone in the procession. The self-proclaimed Fist Demon, smiling as if immensely pleased with himself, continued, "And I wish to become the Fist Dragon!" His index finger pointed directly at Mok Riwon. "Like you!" Mok Riwon's expression hardened. He couldn't grasp the meaning behind the Fist Demon's words, prompting him to ask, "...Why is a demon here?" "I came looking for you." Mok Riwon's brow furrowed. Kwonma Paewungchwoo simply smiled slyly and then burst into demonic energy. The qi he released was different from the norm. Where the dispersed mist resembled the qi emanating from practicing traditional martial arts, the qi formed through demonic energy invoked the image of blazing flames. Paewungchwoo clenched his fist and stepped forward. Thud. In an instant, Paewungchwoo, having closed the distance, threw his fist toward Mok Riwon's forehead. Mok Riwon slightly twisted his head, extending his sword in a shallow attack meant more as a restraint, which was accordingly blocked. With a 'bang', the colliding qi set them slightly apart. Mok Riwon wasn't in good shape. Despite the lack of physical impact, the close proximity made the demonic energy palpably disturbing his sanity. His "Extreme Demon" physique instinctively craved demonic energy. Furthermore, his "Heavenly Slaughter" physique would strengthen upon absorbing demonic energy. Beyond that, there was another issue. The inevitable lack of experience. Mok Riwon was unaware of life-death battles. Even a sparring match that came close to such with Pyosan, due to the difference in their skills, hadn't incited him. However, the current situation was different. 'The peak of perfection.' At least, the Fist Demon's inner strength was aiming beyond that level. Given the intense murderous intent unlike anything Mok Riwon had felt before, he had to resist not only the offensive but also the rising urges within him caused by the murderous intent. "Huh!" His eyes wide, Mok Riwon took deep breaths. Cold sweat ran down his chin, yet he had no time to notice it because Paewungchwoo didn't allow him that leisure. "Why is there no vigor in you!" Crimson qi was fired. Mok Riwon responded in kind, employing the same method, a technique he'd comprehended upon reaching the pinnacle of excellence. Blood-red and dark qi clashed in the air, followed by the bodily lunge of both men. The sound of their collision echoed. Meanwhile, problems were brewing elsewhere. Kwonma Paewungchwoo hadn't appeared alone. "Argh!" A Pyosa's solar plexus was pierced by a sword. Swept downward, the Pyosa breathed his last. Dang Hwa-Seo clicked her tongue, dispersing the qi. Love. The poison she had mastered upon reaching the pinnacle. Unlike the casual dispersal at Yongbongjihoe, this time she meticulously scattered a poison that affected only a radius of just about 1 zhang from where the dagger hit the ground. It was a finely controlled method of inner energy usage, but as always, to Dang Hwa-Seo, it was a technique she must naturally execute. "Sister!" Jegal San called out urgently. Turning her head, Dang Hwa-Seo saw Jegal San barely avoiding the offensive from being surrounded by five demons. She threw a dagger to open a path for him, then continued her thought. 'The situation is not good.' The level of the demons was quite high. The Fist Demon who Mok Riwon faced was of a much higher level, and the roughly twenty demons following him were of an individual quality classified as first-rate. And what of their own ranks? Among them, the best, five first-rate warriors, were struggling even to take care of themselves. The second-rate and third-rate warriors were being swept away like leaves in the wind. Dang Hwa-Seo quickly decided, 'We need to conserve strength.' That is, to lure all attention to herself to reduce their burden. She took a deep breath and intensified her qi. A dark green wave flowed around her body, beginning to create a sinister atmosphere. Dash-! Dang Hwa-Seo stepped forward. Heading to where third-rate warriors were being cut down, she started engaging the demons. * Kwak Chil felt an overwhelming terror that made his whole body tremble. 'What, what is this….' Such chaos was unprecedented. Screams were coming from everywhere, belonging to comrades who had shared drinks with him just the day before. The scent of blood wafting in the air also originated from them. Despite being a third-rate warrior, his quick awareness was evident, and Kwak Chil, instinctively hiding in a safe spot, felt intense self-loathing but could not bring himself to move. After all, isn't the desire for life a common wish among all living beings? "Aaahh!" A Pyosa, split in half at the waist, sprawled on the ground. Hidden under a cart, Kwak Chil's eyes met with the Pyosa's. The lifeless eyes were profoundly empty, deepening Kwak Chil's terror. Kwak Chil forcibly shifted his gaze away. At the end of his diverted gaze was Mok Riwon. On his face, as he exchanged moves with the wild-haired man who introduced himself as the Fist Demon, there was no trace of the innocence Kwak Chil had seen in days past. 'What on earth...' It was an exchange of blows too rapid and bizarre for the eye to follow. The colors of the colliding qi were so dark that it was hard to even make out their figures, and only when the two briefly paused, creating some distance, could their expressions be discerned. Kwak Chil's body shook. Comparing himself, who had hidden away in fear, to Mok Riwon, who was facing such a ferocious demon, he felt a renewed wave of self-disgust. They had discussed camaraderie and what true comradeship meant, yet at the moment of truth, he showed such a contrary demeanor; it was understandably shameful. Tears streamed down Kwak Chil's eyes. They were tears intertwined with numerous emotions, among which anger at his own cowardice occupied the largest space. 'I, I wanted...!' He had aspired to be a hero. Despite possessing such mediocre martial skills, he had wanted to act heroically. That was why he wrote tales of chivalry, and even after being unable to continue, he remained in the martial world. He hesitated. And at the end of it, there was anger. Kwak Chil chided himself, constantly reminding himself in his mind why he admired warriors of the martial world. Eventually, Kwak Chil began to crawl out from under the cart, gasping for air. He no longer wanted to flee. * Paewungchu burst into laughter. "More! Show me more!" How long had it been since he'd fought like this? A duel not just about killing, but risking his own life was something he hadn't experienced in years. He had been that cautious. To reclaim the stolen star, he had suppressed his passion, patiently enduring. Bang! Paewungchu stepped into stance. For the first time, he used a leg technique instead of a fist technique. Twisting only his waist from the standing position, the leg he shot out aimed for Mok Riwon's knees, which Mok Riwon managed to block with his sword blade. Despite the clashing of blade and shin, to Mok Riwon's dismay, Paewungchu's shin didn't get severed. Thud! With such a sound, Mok Riwon was flung far away. Paewungchu pursued him. The fight had carried them far from their cohorts long ago. Mok Riwon felt a sense of urgency, but this was exactly what Paewungchu had intended. "Why do you hesitate!" The new religion seeks to reclaim the stolen star. They want to take back the Heavenly Slaughter imbued in this man named Mokryong. However, Paewungchu had no interest in such matters. He merely wanted to see how formidable the star of killing was. Therefore, he provoked Mok Riwon. "Isn't it the Heavenly Slaughter!" Startled, Mok Riwon's body stiffened. Paewungchu did not press his attack further but instead smiled slyly and said, "Isn't it the star of killing! Why then do you only struggle so!" "How did you..." Know that? As Mok Riwon spoke in a disheartened tone, Paewungchu laughed heartily and responded, "If you want to know, show some spirit!" Then he stepped back into stance. Again, it was a critical situation. * Mok Riwon felt profound disarray. It was natural to be startled by his secret spilling from the lips of a demon he knew nothing about. How did he know? Such questions lingered, but naturally, no answers were forthcoming. Mok Riwon simply clenched his lips tightly and defended against the incoming strikes. However, the longer he endured, the more disadvantaged he became. Mok Riwon began to be pushed into a defensive stance. Paewungchu's murderous intent was much too intense, and simultaneously, the bursting demonic energy continued to stir Mok Riwon's mind. He couldn't use the murderous intent, as he did at Yongbongjihoe. His instincts were telling him. This was a sensation that shouldn't be utilized. Hiss-. The dark-colored qi wavered. Paewungchu seized the moment to land an effective hit. Wham! Paewungchu's fist buried itself in Mok Riwon's waist. Mok Riwon let out a 'Gah!' and was miserably sent flying. Discontent appeared on Paewungchu's face. "Is this the end?" His demonic energy, initially resembling flames, now took the form of molten lava. It was a scene that perfectly demonstrated the characteristics of demonic energy influenced by emotions. "Mokryong! I asked if that's all you have, carrying the Heavenly Slaughter!" Anger laced Paewungchu's tone. The veins in his whites began to burst, unable to contain the emotion. "The stronger the murderous intent, the stronger you become! The denser the demonic energy, the stronger you become! Isn't that the kind of body you have! Then why are you still using such timid tactics!" Mok Riwon gasped for breath. Then, gritting his lips, he struggled to his feet once again. Though he had only allowed for a single strike, the backlash was terrible. "I didn't come here just to see that-!" Responding to the shout, laden with emotion, Mok Riwon said, "...I did not wield my sword to become a killer." Mok Riwon gripped his sword anew. He steadied his staggering body with sheer will. He didn't know who the Fist Demon was. Nor did he understand why the other knew his secret or why he was being provoked in such a manner. However, amidst all this, he could clearly discern the other's intentions. He wished for Mok Riwon to embrace being a killer. In response to the words just conveyed, Mok Riwon's answer was unequivocally clear. "I wielded my sword to become a hero. I will not swing a sword meant to be swallowed by the bloodlust." "Nonsense! Do you truly think that's possible!" "Even if deemed impossible, my resolve will not change." Mok Riwon's qi slowly found its place. It vividly overlaid his sword. Mok Riwon had no intention of dancing to the other's tune. "I will become a hero. My sword is meant to slay demons." Mok Riwon fixed his gaze on Paewungchu and assumed a stance. It was a starting position. "Indeed, the term 'hero' refers to those who choose the most difficult path." Mok Riwon launched forward. Towards the midst of bursting murderous intent and demonic energy, turning his back to the very sensations that made him up. He swung his sword, intending to fully enact what he had learned in his lifetime.