The Heavenly Demon Who Reigns

A red energy flickered from Cheon Myeong's sword.

That was undoubtedly sword ki.

Of course, the color and shape were slightly different from ordinary sword ki, but since the overall shape was the same, Soyeon Sang could immediately tell that fact.

'How can he have sword ki...'

That's why Soyeon Sang was so surprised that he was at a loss for words.

Sword ki was a possession that generally only a martial artist who had undergone long training could have.

And it wasn't something that could be obtained unconditionally.

Only a few among the martial artists who had trained and trained could reach the peak stage where they could form sword ki.

In other words, does that mean that Cheon Myeong has now reached the peak stage?

Soyeon Sang couldn't believe that fact right now.

'But that is undoubtedly sword ki.'

It had only been half a year since Cheon Myeong had started training again in earnest.

Could it be that he had grown to the point where he could form sword ki in that period of time?

"..."

It was an abnormal growth rate.

What on earth did one have to do to reach the peak in half a year?

Although Soyeon Sang was directly confirming the sword ki in front of him, he couldn't easily accept that fact because it was clashing with his common sense.

"Are you surprised?"

Cheon Myeong asked Soyeon Sang.

Then, Soyeon Sang barely closed his open mouth and said in a cautious voice.

"...What happened to that sword ki?"

"What?"

"What do you mean, what..."

Rather, as Cheon Myeong asked so nonchalantly, Soyeon Sang didn't know what to say.

He had many things he wanted to ask, but he felt that he couldn't find the right words.

In the end, after pondering for a long time, Soyeon Sang barely asked Cheon Myeong.

"...How did you obtain that much internal energy?"

In order to raise one's level, a minimum amount of internal energy was essential.

No matter how profound one's enlightenment was, if one lacked internal energy, one's level could never be raised.

Putting enlightenment aside, accumulating the internal energy to reach the peak was not something that could be done in half a year...

That was what Soyeon Sang was most curious about.

"..."

At that moment, as if he had realized something, Soyeon Sang's expression changed.

Until a while ago, he had thought that such a thing could never happen.

As far as Soyeon Sang knew, there was only one way for Cheon Myeong's internal energy to increase dramatically in a short period of time.

'Inner core!'

The spiritual beasts they had encountered in Musan.

Cheon Myeong had taken the inner cores from those spiritual beasts.

Of course, even if an inner core was precious, if it couldn't be used properly, it was just poison.

Thinking that Cheon Myeong would also know that fact, he hadn't said anything in particular.

But thinking about it now, the fact that Cheon Myeong had taken the inner core despite knowing that fact could only lead to one conclusion.

"Young Master, did you perhaps take the inner core?"

"That's right."

"By what means..."

"Are you curious?"

Nod- nod-.

He was curious.

And very much so.

Soyeon Sang moved his head up and down vigorously to express his feelings.

"The method I used to take the inner core was..."

Gulp-.

"...a secret."

To make him expect so much and then say it's a secret.

If the person in front of him wasn't Cheon Myeong, he felt that he would have gotten angry, asking if he was teasing him.

"A secret..."

"Don't be too disappointed."

"...I understand."

Although he was curious, Soyeon Sang decided not to ask Cheon Myeong about it in detail anymore.

No matter what means Cheon Myeong had used, wasn't the most important thing now the result in front of him?

Reaching a level where he could form sword ki in just half a year was a result beyond expectations.

"Soyeon Sang."

"Yes?"

"How long do I have to wait?"

"What do you mean..."

"Are you planning on having a duel with me in that state?"

"Ah..."

In order to face sword ki, this side also had no choice but to draw out sword ki.

Of course, that was not an absolute rule, but it was a rule that was generally accepted in a one-on-one duel.

Soyeon Sang finally understood why Cheon Myeong had told him to be on his toes before the duel began.

'I'm getting nervous.'

The duels he had with Cheon Myeong before were ones where he had gone easy on him.

But the story changes from the moment he draws out his sword ki.

No matter how much it was Soyeon Sang, he had no choice but to be serious in a duel using sword ki.

"Are you planning on drawing out your sword ki in a duel?"

"Yes, since I can finally draw it out, shouldn't I test it once?"

"..."

"And I told you, didn't I? That I would seriously beat you someday."

"..."

"There's no need to restrict your internal energy anymore. This time, come at me using everything you have."

As Cheon Myeong said that, a smile appeared on Soyeon Sang's lips.

Looking at his expression, he was really saying that seriously.

'I admit that the Young Master has made a dramatic growth.'

But there was still a gap between him and Cheon Myeong that could not be closed.

As a martial artist before being Cheon Myeong's escort.

Soyeon Sang had no intention of losing to Cheon Myeong at all.

"Don't regret it."

"..."

"At this moment, I will think of you as a single martial artist, Young Master."

"That's what I was hoping for."

Cheon Myeong answered and grinned.

And at the same time, sword ki formed on Soyeon Sang's sword as well.

Unlike Cheon Myeong, Soyeon Sang's sword ki was blue.

Woong-.

A clear blue sword ki.

The shape of the sword ki was generally similar to what Soyeon Sang had produced.

And depending on the skill, the purity of the internal energy that made up the sword ki changed.

The higher the skill, the higher the purity of the sword ki that could be formed, and on the contrary, if the skill was lacking, only a sword ki with a plausible appearance would be formed.

Of course, the higher the purity, the higher the strength and sharpness of the sword ki.

"..."

The sword ki rising from Soyeon Sang's sword looked quite pure at a glance.

As expected of someone belonging to the Guardian Hall.

Cheon Myeong could roughly guess his skill by looking at the sword ki Soyeon Sang had drawn out.

Grin-.

Soyeon Sang was trying to face him seriously, as he had said before.

And that was what he had been hoping for.

Cheon Myeong was also planning to do his best in this duel.

Fwoosh-.

As sword ki manifested from both of their swords, the figures of the two simultaneously headed forward.

The two rushed straight ahead without turning or avoiding in the middle.

And at the same time, they swung their swords at each other.

Kwang-!

As Cheon Myeong's and Soyeon Sang's swords clashed, a thunderous roar was heard.

It wasn't just swords, but sword ki clashing with each other, creating such a roar.

At that sound, Mihwa, who was cooking in the kitchen, was startled and ran out to the yard.

"What's going on!"

Could it be that a thunderbolt had struck the yard?

Mihwa thought so and came out to the yard, but all that could be seen were Cheon Myeong and Soyeon Sang with their swords crossed.

'Could it be...'

Was that sound just now created by those two clashing their swords?

But something was strange.

It didn't seem like such a loud sound was made when they clashed their swords before.

While Mihwa was thinking that, Cheon Myeong's and Soyeon Sang's swords clashed again.

"Kyaa-!"

As the roar was heard again, Mihwa crouched down with a small scream.

Every time Cheon Myeong and Soyeon Sang swung their swords, the impact was transmitted through the air, so Mihwa also instinctively felt fear.

However, regardless of whether Mihwa had come out to the yard or not, the two were only focused on each other and exchanged moves.

'A tremendous pressure.'

Soyeon Sang thought to himself as he directly received Cheon Myeong's sword ki.

A power that was unbelievable to be the sword ki of a person who had recently reached the peak stage.

Cheon Myeong's sword ki was by no means being pushed back by Soyeon Sang's sword ki.

'As expected, this sword ki is not just red.'

According to rumors, when Cheon Jin performed his martial arts, a red energy was also manifested.

And now, Cheon Myeong's sword ki was the same.

Soyeon Sang thought that the reason why Cheon Myeong's sword ki was red was also related to the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

If so, didn't that mean that Cheon Myeong was now fully using the Heavenly Demon Divine Art?

Thinking so, Soyeon Sang felt his heart tremble.

'To think I would directly face the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.'

The Heavenly Demon Divine Art, which was the exclusive possession of the leader and was said to be at the very top of all martial arts in this world.

Soyeon Sang was honored just to be able to be the opponent of that Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

Of course, Cheon Myeong was not yet performing the perfect Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

Wasn't that why he was able to face him now?

If he had performed the Heavenly Demon Divine Art perfectly, it was clear that he would not have been able to receive even the first move.

'I will never forget this moment!'

To be able to directly face the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, Soyeon Sang even felt that it would be fine to die now.

And at that moment.

Cheon Myeong, who was in front, took a step and leaped into the air.

'That's...'

Soyeon Sang saw Cheon Myeong's movement and immediately knew how he would move next.

Since he had had countless duels until now and had seen Cheon Myeong's techniques with his own two eyes, he was able to predict what would come next just by looking at one movement.

'Mad Dragon Tail Splitter Slash...!'

The technique that had defeated him in the bet with Cheon Myeong.

However, compared to that time, it was safe to think that the movement in front of him was a completely different technique.

The height of the leap was several times higher, and the rotational force was also incomparably faster.

On top of that, with the addition of the red sword ki, it felt like a high-speed fire wheel was rushing at him.

Woong-!

Soyeon Sang concentrated his internal energy on his sword ki.

Thinking that it was already too late to avoid that attack, he was planning to block it on the spot.

However.

Seeing the sword ki that instantly covered his vision in red, Soyeon Sang felt that even that judgment was wrong.

'I-I can't block it...!'

An overwhelming pressure.

Is this the power of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art?

As he tried to receive the awakened Cheon Myeong's sword technique in front of him, Soyeon Sang's whole body was instinctively trembling with the fear of death.

Drip-.

Blood flowed out.

And Soyeon Sang was frozen like a stone statue.

Fortunately, Cheon Myeong's sword strike had grazed Soyeon Sang's left cheek and missed.

"Are you okay?"

"..."

"It's the first time I've performed a technique with my sword ki drawn out. I changed direction at the last moment, but it seems I grazed your cheek a little."

Cheon Myeong said that and approached Soyeon Sang with a light smile.

And Soyeon Sang watched him blankly.

As if the sword strike that had just rushed at him was still lingering in front of his eyes, he couldn't easily come to his senses.

'If the sword strike had been aimed directly at me...'

What would have happened to him?

But there was no need to think deeply about it.

From the moment he had lost his will to fight at that time, it was the same as having already been defeated by Cheon Myeong.

Soyeon Sang thought so and barely opened his mouth to Cheon Myeong.

"It is my... complete defeat."

Soyeon Sang said, sheathing his sword ki.

Cheon Myeong just smiled silently after hearing those words.

'Now the preparations to return to the main headquarters are complete.'

At the very least, it seemed that he had met the minimum standards.

Cheon Myeong was able to confirm that fact in the duel with Soyeon Sang just now.

"Young Master!"

At that moment, Mihwa called out to Cheon Myeong and approached him.

Hearing the voice, Cheon Myeong turned his head towards where Mihwa was.

"What on earth is going on!"

As soon as she arrived in front of Cheon Myeong, Mihwa said as if she was angry.

"I'm sorry for being loud, were you surprised?"

"That's not the problem... what are you going to do about that!"

"...?"

As Mihwa pointed somewhere and said that, Cheon Myeong looked in that direction with a puzzled face.

And the miserable sight that was visible.

The wall was almost collapsed, as if a storm had raged there.

"..."

Seeing that, Cheon Myeong was at a loss for words for a moment.

Because he knew who the culprit who had made the wall like that was.

Although he could change the direction, he couldn't kill the power, so it seemed that the impact had reached that far.

"Uh... the wall is more fragile than I thought."

Cheon Myeong said nonchalantly and tried to get over this situation.

But in the end, that plan failed.

"Clean up the mess you made yourself!"

"Me...?"

"Then who else would I be talking to!"

"...But I'm still the son of the leader."

"That's a separate matter! My deceased mother also entrusted your etiquette education to me, so don't think you can get away with it."

"..."

"There's no food until you clean it all up!"

Saying that, Mihwa turned around and walked away.

Cheon Myeong sighed and scratched his head as if he was in trouble.

And he looked at Soyeon Sang and said.

"You're an accomplice too, so clean it up together."

"Me too?"

"Yes, were you planning on getting away by yourself?"

"..."

Soyeon Sang had no answer.

It seemed he was planning to do so.

(End of Chapter)