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The Demon God’s Castle (2)

[You mean to say I’ll be learning the Demon God’s Secret here?]

I glanced up at the castle once more.

Its sheer size was enough to make anyone feel small and insignificant.

[Is this castle built with some kind of formation?]

[No, it’s a real castle.]

I only asked because it was so unbelievably massive. I could tell we weren’t inside a formation.

[You’re not using any magic or sorcery, right?]

[Of course not.]

[When was this castle built?]

[I’m not sure. Probably hundreds of years ago.]

[How could such a castle be built? More importantly, how could I not have known about its existence?]

If I, the leader of the martial alliance, didn’t know, then surely no one else did either. Even within the Blood Heaven Sect, only a select few knew of this place.

[It was built in secret. Unless you pass through the formation we did, it’s impossible to find. We call this place the Demon God’s Castle.]

[Demon God’s Castle!]

[If you become the Demon God, you’ll be the true master of this place.]

[So, it’s not yours yet?]

[Correct. Though it’s the holiest site of the Blood Heaven Sect, we’re merely guests here.]

The castle truly lived up to the name of the Demon God. Just like the powerful aura the name suggests, the castle exuded an energy that was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

I walked slowly across the field.

Rabbits hopped among the blooming flowers and grass, and birds flitted between the trees. The sky was high, and the air was crystal clear.

I hadn’t even entered the castle yet, but it felt like I had stepped into a paradise.

As I got closer, the castle revealed its full grandeur.

The Heavenly Demon explained to me.

[The Demon God’s Secret isn’t a martial arts manual.]

[If it’s not a manual, then what is it?]

[It’s a test.]

[A test?]

I had suspected as much. If it were just about passing down a manual and unlocking its secrets, there would have been no need to come all the way here.

[Yes, it’s a test you must take within the castle.]

[So, none of the previous Heavenly Demons have passed it?]

[That’s right.]

That would include the Heavenly Demon residing within me.

[What kind of test is it?]

[You’ll find out when you take it.]

[I have a question.]

[What is it?]

[Didn’t the previous Heavenly Demons pass down any information about the test? Future generations could have studied it and succeeded.]

[You can only attempt the test once. If you give up and leave, you forget everything about it.]

[Ah, I see.]

While my curiosity about the test was satisfied, a strange mix of anticipation and fear welled up inside me.

I continued walking until I reached the base of the castle.

The gate was so massive that even if I struck it with all my might, it seemed it wouldn’t break.

I was tempted to test it with a punch, but I refrained. If it did break, I’d be the first person to destroy the gate of the Demon God’s Castle before even taking the test.

The gate was firmly shut.

Beside it was a small stone tablet, the kind that required internal energy to activate, like those found in high-level institutions.

[Place your palm on it and use the Blood Thunder Technique.]

Following the Heavenly Demon’s instructions, I placed my palm on the tablet and channeled my energy. As the technique flowed to my palm, the next moment—

Rumble.

The enormous gate began to open. I expected it to open slowly due to its size, but it moved quickly and smoothly.

For such a massive gate to open like an ordinary door?

Just from this, I could tell how intricately the Demon God’s Castle was constructed.

With a trembling heart, I stepped inside.

A vast training ground spread out before me, fitting the scale of the castle.

I had never seen such a large training ground in my life. The buildings in the distance were equally impressive.

Looking at the training ground and buildings, the sheer scale was overwhelming, almost to the point of feeling like a waste of space.

What truly captured my attention were the statues lining the path from the main gate to the central building. Enormous statues of demons and fiends stood on either side.

The statues were posed in various stances, from crossing their arms and staring straight ahead to brandishing swords or spreading wings as if about to take flight.

I walked slowly down the path between the statues. They were so meticulously crafted that it felt like the giant statue with the outstretched sword might come to life and strike me at any moment.

[Is there someone maintaining this place?]

The path I walked was impeccably clean.

[Of course. But they’ll never appear before you.]

[I see.]

Following the path guided by the giant statues, I entered the central castle.

There, the door opened automatically as soon as I stood before it, without needing to touch any stone tablet.

Seeing no one behind the door, it seemed there was either a mechanism triggered by standing on a specific spot or someone watching and opening it remotely.

The interior was simple.

Beyond the door was a wide corridor, and at its end, a large door. I instinctively knew that was where I would take the test.

To the left was a large hall, and to the right, a single room. From the hall wafted the aroma of food.

Naturally, my steps led me there.

A large table was set with dishes that made my mouth water just by looking at them.

I knew these dishes were prepared for me.

Without hesitation, I picked up the chopsticks. I first tasted a dish made of beef. As soon as the meat entered my mouth, it melted away. I had never tasted anything so delicious. The spicy pork stew beside it was both stimulating and tasty, and the noodles were refreshingly clean.

I ate my fill of the dishes there. They were so good that I could say I had never tasted anything like them before.

[I feel like kidnapping the chef who made this.]

[That might be as difficult as passing the Demon God’s test.]

[Why’s that?]

[I came here to take the test too. I stayed here for nearly a month. I ate the food here every day. Whenever I got hungry during the test, I could come here and eat. But I never once saw a person in this castle.]

[How is that possible?]

Preparing such a feast would require more than just one or two people.

Yet the Heavenly Demon, with his martial prowess, couldn’t sense anyone? Even if he was preoccupied with the Demon God’s Secret, it was hard to believe.

[This is the most mysterious place in the martial world.]

[Maybe there’s something in the food. They could have prepared it while you were asleep.]

[Already…]

The Heavenly Demon, who would usually shout “You crazy fool!” at such a suggestion, fell silent. Perhaps because this was the sacred ground of the Blood Heaven Sect, he was being cautious with his words.

Of course, my comment was meant to tease him.

Just looking at today’s feast, it was hard to explain. The dishes were already prepared when I arrived. Even if they started cooking when I began passing through the formation, how did they manage to prepare so much?

I could understand if the food was prepared after I arrived and the test officially began. But today?

How did they know when I would arrive to have the food ready?

Could it be that they prepare meals every day for whoever might come? But only the Heavenly Demon can challenge the test here.

If that’s the case, the person planning and managing this place must be insane.

It would be easier to think they simply served the meals they usually eat, but the dishes were too exquisite for that.

In any case, I was able to enjoy a delicious meal.

Besides the food, there was an array of drinks, including fine wines and rare teas.

After savoring a good cup of tea, I opened the door to the room across the hall.

As I suspected, it was a sleeping chamber. The bed was neatly made with clean sheets.

I sprawled out on the bed.

The Heavenly Demon asked urgently.

[Hey, what are you doing?]

[I’m exhausted. I’m going to take a nap.]

[What? Are you crazy? You’re going to sleep now? How can you sleep?]

[You said the test could take a lifetime. There’s no rush now that I’m here. I’ll take the test after I wake up.]

And with that, I fell asleep. Though I usually had trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places, perhaps because I had eaten so well, I drifted off easily.

I slept soundly. The Heavenly Demon, who had been grumbling, soon fell silent.

How long did I sleep?

Judging by how hungry I was after eating and sleeping so much, it seemed I had slept the whole day.

I got up and went back to the hall. Sure enough, new dishes were laid out.

The amazing thing was that the dishes were different from the day before. Shaking my head at the sight of the steaming food, I muttered.

[This is truly insane.]

How did they know when I would wake up to have freshly prepared dishes ready?

The Heavenly Demon spoke.

[You’re the crazy one. You came to take the Demon God’s test and spent the whole day sleeping! What kind of person are you? Aren’t you curious?]

[Of course I’m curious.]

[Then why are you so relaxed?]

[Tests should be taken in the best condition. Both body and mind.]

I could sense the Heavenly Demon flinch at my words. He seemed to deeply agree. Perhaps he also felt some regret.

[You rushed to take the test as soon as you arrived, didn’t you? In a hurry. Right?]

The Heavenly Demon couldn’t respond. It seemed he realized something had gone wrong from the start.

After eating well again, I finally stood before the large door at the end of the corridor.

The Heavenly Demon spoke as I stood there.

[From here on, you’ll have to rely on your own strength.]

[Alright.]

[If there is a heaven you speak of… why do you think it brought you and me together?]

[Who knows.]

[I think it might be to unlock the Demon God’s Secret, the long-held wish of our sect.]

But would that really fulfill the Blood Heaven Sect’s long-held wish? I’m not even one of them.

[It’s nice that they have such high expectations of me, but I’m not sure I can pass this test.]

[You can do it.]

What if I actually succeed? Suddenly, a legend about the Blood Heaven Sect and the Demon God’s Secret came to mind.

“If you unravel the secret of the Demon God, you can master the greatest martial arts of all time and even become a Demon God yourself.”

If I uncover this secret, will I truly become a Demon God?

In my past life, I was the leader of the Martial Alliance, and now, in this life, I’m supposed to become a Demon God? Is that even possible?

It’s all so uncertain. Yet, here I am, led by fate to this very place.

My destiny will be decided beyond this door.

As I slowly reached out to open the door, the Heavenly Demon spoke.

[Hey, Hajin.]

[What is it?]

[Do your best.]

I don’t know what lies deep within his heart or what he truly feels about me. Even if he shares this friendship I feel, and considers me a friend… he’s still the Heavenly Demon.

How can I be sure that the friendship we’ve built isn’t just a sandcastle, ready to be swept away by a single wave?

[Hey, Cheongwang.]

[Yes?]

[Thanks for giving me this chance.]

With that, the Heavenly Demon fell silent.

I slowly opened the door and stepped inside.

The room was empty.

Just a single table and chair. On the table lay a solitary book. Yet, the air in the room felt different. Perhaps it was the tension, but there was an inexplicable pressure.

On the wall directly opposite the door I entered was another door, with an inscription above it.

“Master the contents of the book, and this door will open.”

I sat down.

The cover of the book read “Demon God’s Shadow Step.” A martial arts manual? I’d never heard of this technique before.

Why a footwork technique?

If this was a martial arts test, it should have been swordsmanship, blade techniques, or hand-to-hand combat.

My gaze returned to the door ahead.

Perhaps this wasn’t the only test. This might just be the first of many. Unraveling the Demon God’s Secret couldn’t possibly end with mastering a single footwork technique.

I wished the Heavenly Demon would tell me more about the test, but he remained silent. Even if he wanted to, he probably couldn’t. If what he said was true, he wouldn’t remember anything about this room anyway. Slowly, I began to read the Demon God’s Shadow Step. I read it from start to finish. My impression after reading it was this:

It’s difficult.

I could usually grasp most martial arts techniques after a single read.

But the Demon God’s Shadow Step was beyond my understanding. I couldn’t even comprehend the principles behind it.

This martial art is truly challenging.