NOVEL NEXT Chapter 201
Chapter 201: One Year Ahead
Grrr…
Baek Cheon-hwa bit her lips. Her face was flushed with humiliation.
Thump.
Baek Cheon-hwa’s heart raced.
Her gaze landed on Lee Cheol-soo. She had lost. There was no denial in her mind. The law governing the New Religion was survival of the fittest.
Accepting defeat cleanly was the very spirit of the New Religion.
Her face grew warmer.
But separate from acceptance, she felt deep humiliation right now.
Goeryong Lee Cheol-soo.
She had heard he would always strip down opponents who gave their all. Yet her clothing remained intact.
Was I really that weak?
Baek Cheon-hwa, called the top late-stage practitioner of the New Religion, was surprisingly awarded the title of So Cheonma. But such cumbersome and grandiose titles proved useless in real combat.
He does not tear the clothes of those who do not qualify.
Just as Lee Cheol-soo said, he effortlessly defeated Baek Cheon-hwa with a single strike.
I thought I had grown stronger in the Demon Realm.
Demon Realm.
A place where the demonic energy of heaven and earth coalesces, producing fog year-round.
For a warrior who practiced demonic martial arts, the Demon Realm was akin to an opportunity from the heavens. The reason the Heavenly Horse Ceremony was held in the Demon Realm was to provide a chance for the late-stage practitioners of the New Religion to grow stronger.
Thus, Baek Cheon-hwa continuously trained in her father’s martial art, the Heavenly Demonic Destruction Technique. Reaching the pinnacle of peak performance, she faced Hwakyung’s Wall with conviction.
She believed she had surpassed Lee Cheol-soo from the Heavenly Horse Banquet.
But when they met again, Lee Cheol-soo stood at an incomparably higher level.
The trajectory of the Demon’s Sword he wielded was stunningly beautiful and flawless.
Baek Cheon-hwa closed her eyes and opened them again.
“I admit my defeat. Goeryong.”
She acknowledged her loss.
Strangely, her heart felt lighter. She had lost, but she didn’t feel bad. Instead, her eyes ignited with passion.
Thud, thud.
So Cheonma ascended onto the martial arts arena. All eyes, including Lee Cheol-soo’s, were fixated on Baek Cheon-hwa.
Baek Cheon-hwa’s viewpoint caught Lee Cheol-soo’s face.
He resembled a pretty boy, yet his handsome features made her face blush slightly. He was the one who had crushed her twice. Moreover, Baek Cheon-hwa now knew the truth.
Her true benefactor, who had persuaded her disinterested father to pass down the skills of the Heavenly Demonic Destruction Technique, was none other than Lee Cheol-soo.
If it weren’t for him, she would still be unrecognized by her father.
What if…
During the time the tall man had tempted her in the Demon Realm, perhaps she would have succumbed and betrayed the New Religion to join the Blood Sect.
If that had happened, her head would have rolled by her father’s hand.
It was Lee Cheol-soo who had prevented such a horrific future.
After doing such a thing, Lee Cheol-soo had never uttered even a word to her. In stark contrast to the hypocrites of the Orthodox Faction, too busy boasting of their achievements, he had hidden his merits.
He was different from ordinary hypocrites. That’s how she felt.
He was akin to an eternal benefactor. Thus, even more so, she wanted to show him her accomplishments. She wanted her clothes to be torn by him. She wanted to be recognized.
She wanted to express that he had indeed saved her, the So Cheonma.
Of course, even if she did that, fully repaying him for his kindness was impossible. It was a grand favor that couldn’t be repaid even in a lifetime.
But she couldn’t do it.
Her heart felt uncomfortably restless. However, she could not simply sit down and cry like the hypocrites of the Orthodox Faction. Accepting even this pain and forging ahead was the spirit of the New Religion.
Baek Cheon-hwa fixed her gaze directly onto Lee Cheol-soo’s eyes. Her face was flushed, her heart raced, but she spoke without caring about her body’s reactions.
*
I gazed at Baek Cheon-hwa standing on the platform.
I could see her lips quivering. It seemed like she was trying to say something. For some reason, it felt ominous.
Just as that thought crossed my mind.
“…Next time, I will definitely have you tear my clothes, Lee Cheol-soo! I will earn the right for you to tear my clothes!”
Baek Cheon-hwa declared to me in a loud voice with a serious expression.
What?
Right? Is she insane?
I was taken aback.
The audience erupted in cheers at Baek Cheon-hwa’s words.
“So Cheonma-nim!!”
“More impressively manly than any man!”
“She is a true woman of valor!”
“A perfect pair with Goeryong!”
“So Cheonma-nim’s match is none other than Goeryong!”
The audience began their nonsensical banter. Truly, this was the Demon Sect. No sign of normality here. I needed to get out of this godforsaken sect where the abnormal had become the norm.
I nodded.
“Uh, sure. Do as you please.”
“I will definitely earn your recognition.”
The moment Baek Cheon-hwa said that.
“Then the victor of this martial arts contest is Lee Cheol-soo. Thank you for your effort, So Cheonma.”
A soft but clear voice rang out.
Startled.
Baek Cheon-hwa shuddered slightly at the words of the Heavenly Horse.
The Heavenly Horse.
As soon as the Heavenly Horse spoke, everyone fell silent. The Heavenly Horse’s gaze shifted to me.
“I will confer the promised prize to the top late-stage practitioner, Lee Cheol-soo. Come with me. Also, Yujinhwi of the Gongdong Alliance, follow as well.”
The Heavenly Horse stood up. Finally.
It was prize time. I thought that as I followed the Heavenly Horse. Soon after, Sahyeong trailed behind me. Thus, Sahyeong and I exited the martial arts arena, walking alongside the Heavenly Horse.
…
…
Of course, we exchanged not a single word. It was exceedingly awkward.
[Saje, why did the Heavenly Horse call me? The victor is Saje!]
Sahyeong’s voice echoed in my ear.
The reason for bringing Sahyeong along when I was the victor.
I had my suspicions, but those were only guesses.
[Maybe it’s because Sahyeong is stronger than me?]
[Really? But the top late-stage practitioner is Saje! Anyway, I’m happy to be with Saje.]
Sahyeong said with a cheerful voice.
Top late-stage practitioner.
In other words, the number one late-stage practitioner in the world.
A title I was quite fond of. A title that could steal the hearts of many women.
I liked it.
Thus, we entered the temporary residence, used instead of the now-burned Heavenly Horse Hall, while maintaining our outwardly awkward silence.
Thud.
The door closed.
In the spacious office were only myself, Sahyeong, and the Heavenly Horse.
“Sit down.”
The Heavenly Horse said in a hushed voice.
On the table were three teacups and a teapot.
Sahyeong and I sat opposite the Heavenly Horse, placing him at the head of the table.
Whoosh.
The Heavenly Horse poured the tea.
A clear fragrance tickled the tip of my nose. It was Dongjeongbyeokrachun, a famous tea renowned in the Central Plains.
I lifted the tea, taking a sip.
Hmm. It tasted familiar from my past life.
“As promised, I will grant you a reward.”
The Heavenly Horse produced a stack of scrolls from his robe. Bang. The pile of scrolls formed a small tower.
I looked at the covers of the scrolls.
‘Current Solar Energy Technique and Primordial Yin Energy Technique, the cultivation technique of the Gongdong Sect is here.’
The one below was the martial arts manual stolen from another Gongdong Sect during the Demonic War fifty years ago.
Glancing through it, there was even a manual for the Gongdong Sect’s spirit pills.
Did Sahyeong confirm it too? Her eyes sparkled.
Sahyeong’s gaze turned to the Heavenly Horse.
“Heavenly Horse-seonbae. You weren’t thinking of declaring that this would settle our sect’s grievances with the Demon Sect, were you?”
Sahyeong asked with a cold voice.
We had forgotten due to various incidents, but the Gongdong Sect and the Demon Sect were sworn enemies.
At least, that was the case. In reality, it was the Blood Sect’s scheming rather than the Demon Sect.
Hearing Sahyeong’s words, the Heavenly Horse responded.
“That’s not my intention. However, this incident revealed the true villain of the Demonic War fifty years ago.”
Yujinhwi’s face hardened at the Heavenly Horse’s words.
“Since you are parties involved, you have the right to listen. Fifty years ago, before I was even born, our sect was a puppet of the Blood Sect. From the previous Heavenly Horse onward, we were pawns of the Blood Sect. The one who instigated the Demonic War was not our sect but the will of the Blood Sect. The Blood Sect wanted to incite discord between the Orthodox Faction and our sect, creating chaos in the Central Plains and ultimately reviving the Blood Demon.”
Yujinhwi’s eyes deepened.
“The reason the Blood Sect targeted the Gongdong Sect was due to the fear of the Primordial Sword Technique’s martial line. Three hundred years ago, the Blood Demon suffered grave injuries from the Primordial Sword Technique. After that, the Blood Sect feared the martial arts of the Primordial Sword Technique. Thus, they used our sect to eliminate the Gongdong Sect fifty years ago to sever the lineage of the Primordial Sword Technique.”
“But they failed.”
I interjected into the Heavenly Horse’s words. The Heavenly Horse nodded at my comment.
“You’re right, Goeryong. They failed. After all, you have continued the martial line of the Primordial Sword Technique.”
“So, what do you want to convey?”
“Due to the recent chaos, all pawns and minions of the Blood Sect have been dealt with. As for the main culprit behind the Gongdong Blood Temple fifty years ago and a slave of the Blood Sect, I personally took care of Changma. If you desire, I can present you with Changma’s head. It has already been salted for preservation.”
…
“However, if you still find that unsatisfactory, Yujinhwi, we can arrange for you to challenge me to a public duel anytime, anywhere on behalf of the Gongdong Sect to settle this enmity.”
The Heavenly Horse spoke to Yujinhwi.
With an actual villain’s head and a chance to publicly duel the Heavenly Horse. This should effectively resolve most grievances. Realistically, a direct confrontation between the Demon Sect and the Gongdong Sect was infeasible anyway.
…Understood. But don’t think that resolves all the grievances between our sect and the Demon Sect.”
“Fine.”
The sect leader of the Gongdong Sect and the Heavenly Horse exchanged glances.
“And also, take this.”
Thud.
The Heavenly Horse handed me a single scroll. The cover read, “Purple Lightning Demon Technique.”
It was the infamous martial art that constituted part of the Seven Demon Sects.
It was a martial art also practiced by Changma.
“This is the Purple Lightning Demon Technique. It may come in handy someday.”
I guess it was something I could receive because it’s the art of a traitor.
I had to accept it.
I tucked the Purple Lightning Demon Technique into my clothes.
“The spirit pills of our sect are imbued with demonic energy, so they may be of no use to you who practice righteous martial arts. Therefore, for you two, I prepared two roots of the Eternal Snow Ginseng, which only grow in the Heavenly Mountain. Take them from the attendant when you leave.”
“Understood.”
“Then, this concludes the awarding of the prize.”
The Heavenly Horse stood up.
It was a graceful dismissal.
Sahyeong and I rose, bowing to the Heavenly Horse, and just as we were about to leave—
[Goeryong.]
The Heavenly Horse’s voice resonated in my head.
He spoke.
[…Thank you for not stripping my daughter of her clothes.]
What was he talking about?
Was it about Baek Cheon-hwa?
[No need for such words.]
[Now, my words are done. You may go.]
Perhaps feeling bashful, the Heavenly Horse tried to appear firm as he transmitted the message to me.
Has he genuinely regained his humanity? Well, that’s better than being devoid of it.
‘But I worry more about Sahyeong, who seems to be getting odder lately…’
My concern was, oddly enough, Sahyeong. She seemed to be getting weirder these days.
She was always strange, but recently it felt like her humanity was slowly diminishing.
‘Is it a side effect of the Heavenly Body?
I received the pouch containing the two roots of Eternal Snow Ginseng from the attendant and stole a glance at Sahyeong’s face.
Our eyes met, and Sahyeong smiled brightly.
She’s really okay, right?
*
With the conclusion of the Heavenly Horse’s prize ceremony, our lengthy yet brief journey in the Demon Sect finally came to an end.
Sahyeong, So Cheonma, Heuksaryong, and I set out back toward Gongdong Mountain, bidding farewell to the Demon Sect members.
When we stepped outside the Demon Sect headquarters, Jeoksawol, disguised as a martial artist of Hao Mun, joined us, completing our party as we began our long journey from Xinjiang to Gansu.
Thus, during our journey, the sun changed, turning into the first month of the year, and it was not until my eighteenth birthday that we could finally arrive at Sweet My Home, the Gongdong Sect.
Upon arriving at the Gongdong Sect Mountain Gate, the first person to greet us was—
“You are here! Eungong!”
This year, a forty-nine-year-old, slender beauty with silver hair, the elegant Geumhu Eun Seol-ran.