Chapter 401: A Pleasant Encounter (1)
In the endlessly repeating cycle of life, Seol-Hwi always thought—He would definitely land a punch on that guy’s face.
However, as the body’s reformation reached the realm of the divine, and his enlightenment expanded beyond nature to the universe, Seol-Hwi’s thoughts gradually changed.
Simply defeating him could not be the goal.
He realized that merely knocking him down and making him kneel would not properly resolve the essence of this situation.
And at some point, he became certain.
That this issue should not be approached with the childish notion of mere revenge anymore.
Something more fundamental.
A level of humiliation that the opponent cannot possibly endure. And beyond that, ensuring that they can never again engage in such childish antics.
That could truly be called revenge in its true sense.
‘That’s another reason I entered this system.’ One of the things that tormented Seol-Hwi throughout his life was precisely this system.
Like a carriage wheel turning, everything moved according to its plan in any situation.
This was also the cause that led the creator of this board to fall into the delusion of omnipotence.
‘Experience it once. When the board you designed doesn’t function properly, when you can’t find a solution, that’s when you’ll go insane.’
The so-called Absolute One created this game for mere amusement or entertainment.
Moreover, he artificially inserted a figure called Earth Demon to arbitrarily change the balance of power.
Thus, he designed a life where they had no choice but to kill each other, and he inserted players to gleefully watch others’ suffering.
But you know…
How would one feel if the person who must die in their carefully laid plan survives, or the one who must live starts dying, turning everything into chaos?
This was one of the reasons why Seol-Hwi chose Earth Demon as the starting point.
To prevent things from going according to the Absolute One’s plan.
No, to completely ruin it.
For instance, making an absurd situation where Earth Demon actively subdues disciples or brings them under his command.
If that happens, the Absolute One will surely be outraged and try to find out who messed up the system.
But they will never be able to discover that existence.
The ‘player’ he was looking for.
In other words, the ‘player’ not recognized by the system.
Only he knew.
“That aside, there’s an issue we need to address once again…”
When Earth Demon spoke, Seol-Hwi nodded as if he had been waiting.
“Go ahead and speak.”
“As I mentioned earlier, with this level of disguise technique, we surely won’t be able to deceive my sahyung’s eyes.”
“…Is that how it seems to you?”
“Indeed. The disguise technique that alters the facial structure with internal qi might fool ordinary eyes, but they are different. Their perception of appearance, speech, and the qi within will sense the difference.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Seol-Hwi agreed.
He had already considered this.
“Then how about this?”
Dududuk—!
At that moment, Seol-Hwi’s body began to change.
His physique shrank. And this time, the bones in his face settled perfectly.
He transformed into an even more perfect likeness of Earth Demon than before.
“Hmm.”
Yet Earth Demon remained indifferent despite witnessing such a change.
The Shadowless Martial Art was a technique he was familiar with as well.
It was at that moment.
“……?”
As the light flickered in Seol-Hwi’s eyes and turned blue, Earth Demon’s eyes widened.
Eyes resembling those of the dark beings.
They were the same as his own.
He never imagined the shape and color of his pupils would change.
But that wasn’t all.
“How about this kind of speech?”
“W-What!”
When even the voice became perfect, Earth Demon was taken aback.
This was… a phenomenon that defied nature.
It went beyond mere imitation, to the point where even he had difficulty recognizing it.
“How can this be! Even the sense……”
This time, Earth Demon’s body trembled.
For some reason, the unique senses of the Heavenly Killing Star Qi were warning him about the opponent.
As if the man before him possessed the same aura of Heavenly Killing Star.
“Did you think I wouldn’t come prepared to this extent?”
Earth Demon was at a loss for words.
What on earth is this person’s true identity?
This isn’t just about strength, it’s something that transcends the human realm… It felt like a transcendent being.
The understanding of martial arts wouldn’t be different.
The ability to control and even overcome the phenomena of nature.
It became clear that he was in a realm that even the Heavenly Killing Star hadn’t reached.
“Impressive. Just how much enlightenment does one need to reach such a state…?”
On the other hand, he felt fear.
Facing an opponent this strong.
And the enemy he was fighting against.
He couldn’t even begin to fathom how strong that might be.
“It’s not over yet.”
“…?”
“Come closer.”
When Seol-Hwi gestured, Earth Demon hesitated for a moment.
If he was a man who would eventually use his hands, he thought he would already be dead, and so he took a step closer to him.
Then the opponent placed a hand on his head.
At that moment, the tiny distractions in his mind slowly disappeared.
“Empty your mind. Only then can you shake off his pursuit.”
“What? What do you mean… Ah!”
Before he could finish speaking, he let out a short groan.
He felt a bizarre phenomenon, as if a strong energy was surging from the top of his head.
What Seol-Hwi did was open the upper dantian of Earth Demon and temporarily channel energy, but even that had great significance for him.
The reason for that action soon began to appear before his eyes.
[...Error! Unable to find NPC Earth Demon! Unable to find NPC Earth Demon! Checking...]
It seemed that there was an issue in the system as he intended, and Seol-Hwi waited for the right moment.
And soon, information reappeared before his eyes.
[Found NPC Earth Demon! You are re-registered as Earth Demon.]
‘As expected!’
Seol-Hwi’s eyes widened.
He confirmed that the system’s target had changed.
‘As I guessed, I could even change the target!’
This was another strategy Seol-Hwi devised when he came here.
He had figured out how to exit and enter the system.
So he thought there was no reason he couldn’t deceive it.
Thus, he pondered how to divert its attention, and this was what he attempted through Earth Demon.
By injecting qi through Earth Demon’s upper dantian to temporarily dispel Heavenly Killing Star Qi’s characteristics.
Then, changing the target by creating a similar qi himself.
Of course, it’s easier said than done, but Seol-Hwi easily demonstrated something that required abilities beyond the natural realm.
“What did you just do?”
Naturally, Earth Demon, who didn’t understand the situation, asked.
“I did two things. I deceived his eyes, and I created a way for you to leave this place…”
“What do you mean?”
“From now on, he will never be able to find you. More precisely, the system won’t be able to distinguish you.”
As Earth Demon still didn’t understand, Seol-Hwi calmly explained.
“There is a place called Dream Mountain, where fog and clouds are thick all year round. Just below the summit, there’s a clearing overgrown with high-grade tea leaves, perfect for recuperation. After about a year, if I’m still alive by then…”
Seol-Hwi chuckled lightly.
“How about we have a drink there and lament our misfortunes?”
“…”
“That’s all I need.”
Earth Demon’s eyes wavered.
It was a series of absurdities. What the other person was saying was like grasping at straws.
Even with the divine wonders before his eyes, he was filled with questions, but he intended to follow, believing in his sincerity.
But now, one thing seemed certain.
This person knew much more than he did.
Perhaps even more about himself than he did.
“It’s worth waiting for.”
Earth Demon smiled as he faced him.
No matter who the other person was, he thought it was enough now.
If he could open up about the past and share a drink, that would be enough.
If the subordinates who survived back then could join, it would be even better.
Earth Demon stayed for about another hour before leaving the place.
There were important pieces of information he needed to hear directly from him, including the organization members and the command structure.
When he left, he was accompanied by a secret warrior named Sun.
Naturally, Earth Demon had already covered his face with a mask, so the secret warrior did not recognize him.
‘The organization structure is quite simple.’
As expected, knowing the reality of Earth Demon’s forces brought a wry smile.
At least, he thought there would be one or two unknown special units, but there were none.
The only known group was the Hidden Truth Troops.
Of course, there were elite warriors, bodyguards, and secret warriors with the strength of a hundred, but their uses were different.
In the end, wars require strategy and tactics, and having large-scale units is inevitably advantageous.
‘The reporting places are also inadequate.’
Earth Demon’s information system consisted of two places.
Thousand Night Hall and Plum Night Hall.
The place that Earth Demon mentioned when he killed Go-eun and obtained the secret order was Thousand Night Hall.
The place is called an organization, a hall, but it’s much smaller in scale.
It’s not even gathering information about Central Plains, just collecting the internal affairs of the main sect.
The only reliable place is Plum Night Hall.
It collects information not only about the main sect but also about Central Plains, and it holds information on important figures.
However, there is one major problem.
This place could be used by elders and not just Earth Demon.
In a way, Plum Night Hall is an information group for high-ranking officials.
Naturally, they were unlikely to provide information that could cause friction among the disciples of Heavenly Demon.
‘That’s probably why Earth Demon has separate secret warriors.’
In the past, Seol-Hwi wondered why secret warriors were needed when there were core warriors.
Now it seems the secret warriors were used for information gathering.
There was a reason why their existence had to remain unknown to others.
After acquiring information from them, if something happened, the core warriors would step forward, operating within such an organizational system.
‘I should establish an information group centered around secret warriors when the time comes.’
Information is essentially a map that allows one to view the battlefield.
It is the most crucial element in planning and serves as the cornerstone that determines victory or defeat.
To overturn the system created by the Absolute One, it was essential to understand how this game was played.
Seol-Hwi organized his thoughts and picked up a document, throwing it toward the window.
This was a signal he had learned from Earth Demon to summon someone.
“You called for me.”
Before long, a man hurriedly bowed down.
He was Cheon Kwang, a trusted aide who directly conveyed Earth Demon’s orders.
“Escort the sahyungs and sajo to the Lingering Garden Palace.”
“……Pardon?”
“I said, escort them to the Lingering Garden Palace. I have something to convey.”
Cheongwang blinked, looking as if he had something to say. Then he knelt and showed his respect.
“N-No, I understand. When should this be…?”
“Now.”
“Do you mean right now?”
Again, he looked bewildered. Then he calmly questioned.
“Lord, please do not misunderstand. Isn’t there a meeting scheduled with the disciples in a few days? If we ask to meet without prior coordination, it might be declined.”
In truth, it’s not that it might be declined; it will simply be ignored.
That youngest one, whom they usually have little interest in, or even view with disdain, the Earth Demon?
Who would respond to such a demand to come immediately from someone like that?
“Don’t worry. If you deliver this message, they’ll come.”
“What…?”
“Just on my way back from killing the Supreme Hall Lord.”
“…!”
At that moment, Cheon Kwang’s eyes widened.
There was no way he didn’t understand what that meant.
“How about it? Isn’t this enough to pique everyone’s interest?”
Watching the astonished Cheon Kwang, Seol-Hwi chuckled.
Yes. With Cheon Kwang reacting like this, those guys won’t be able to resist coming.
The prideful first, End Demon.
The competitive second, Demon Lord.
And the third, Ah Ryeong (Fang Spirit), who loves witnessing interesting events, will surely come.
ED/N: The author updated the formatting style in the new part so we will be continuing with that format.