In the Heart of the Sky (4)
“As you can see, I’m the old gatekeeper of this place.”
I had expected him to say that.
But if he were just an ordinary gatekeeper, we wouldn’t be drinking in a world crafted by Cheon Gi Sim Hwan Gong.
I looked the old man in the eye and asked boldly, “Are you the one who created the Test of the Demon God?”
Cheonma, who was with us, was startled by my unexpected question.
“My goodness!”
The old man, however, showed no surprise at all.
Cheonma’s eyes trembled as he looked at the old man. If there was even a slight chance that it was true, the old man before us could be a demon or something even greater.
Yet, I had a feeling the old man wasn’t a demon. His eyes held a depth of wisdom that seemed too profound for someone associated with demons.
The old man replied with a vague expression, “And if I am?”
A moment of silence passed. Though his answer was playful, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it might be true.
“In that case, could you help me clear the wall blocking my path?”
The old man laughed heartily. He seemed to understand my meaning immediately. This old man was no ordinary person.
“Hahaha. Isn’t a wall more valuable when you overcome it yourself?”
“I’ve been overcoming them alone my whole life. Can’t I get a little help just this once?”
I glanced at Cheonma. Without him, I wouldn’t have made it this far.
I was deeply grateful to him.
It seemed my gratitude reached Cheonma. He turned his head away from me, unable to meet my eyes, and looked at the old man instead. He was always awkward with gratitude and uncomfortable situations.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. Cheonma was probably dying to know who the old man really was.
“Alright. I’ll help you overcome the wall.”
“Are you serious?”
I was surprised by how readily the old man agreed.
“What do you want to know?”
Cheonma interjected, “Who on earth are you?”
“Wait!”
I raised my hand to stop Cheonma. From his perspective, that was the most pressing question, but everything has its order.
Right now, breaking through the block in my martial arts was the top priority.
“I’m stuck at the fifth form.”
“I thought so.”
His response was as if he had expected it all along. In that moment, I realized.
Encountering the wall at the fifth form was part of the test set by the Demon God, and finding this old man was the solution. Because I hadn’t thought of it as a test, I naturally found the answer.
Regardless, I felt like embracing my instincts and judgment for leading me here.
“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”
The old man calmly explained the fifth form to me.
It was the first time someone had taught me about the Test of the Demon God.
He explained the fifth form with the kindness of a teacher instructing a beloved student.
As I listened to his explanation, everything I hadn’t understood began to unravel. Once it started, the tangled threads quickly came undone.
With just a brief explanation, the wall that had been blocking my path vanished as if by magic.
Following his instructions, I would be able to master the fifth form within days.
I knew this was only possible when someone understood the level, the problem, and the solution, and could convey the essence clearly and concisely.
The old man had a perfect understanding of the Test of the Demon God.
Was he truly a demon? If not, who was he?
Cheonma’s eyes were filled with respect for the old man. He probably thought the old man was the Demon God of the Blood Heaven Sect.
“Who are you, sir?”
The title changed from “old man” to “sir.” Even if he were to reincarnate as a grandfather, the old man possessed an unapproachable authority and dignity.
“If you overcome this hurdle properly, we’ll meet again.”
I didn’t ask further about the old man’s identity. This was enough. According to him, we’d meet again soon.
I raised my glass high and shouted, “To the Test of the Demon God!”
It was the moment I felt the strongest desire to master it completely since learning about the Test of the Demon God.
“Who are you?”
Ma Cheol-gun, who had been confined to his room, widened his eyes at the unexpected visitor.
The person who came was the woman in white he had longed for even in his dreams. She was none other than Cheon So-seon, now in the form of a woman.
“Yes, it’s me.”
“Why are you here?”
“It’s a long story. I’m serving the person who took your place.”
Ma Cheol-gun couldn’t understand. Then again, nothing had made sense since the moment he first saw her.
“Damn it! Who is he?”
Ma Cheol-gun’s energy center had been sealed. Unless that man released it, he was no longer the leader of the martial alliance but just an ordinary man.
“You don’t need to know.”
Cheon So-seon’s attitude toward Ma Cheol-gun had changed. In the past, she had only used him for her grandfather’s sake.
But now the situation was different. If her grandfather’s transformation continued and took a turn for the worse, she would eventually have to kill him. For that, she needed Ma Cheol-gun’s strength.
Cheon So-seon lowered her eyes slightly and sighed lightly, as if hinting at an unspeakable story.
“For now, just do as you’re told.”
There was a subtle undertone suggesting a twist might come later.
“Alright. What do you want from me?”
“Summon all the leaders of the sects listed here.”
The paper Cheon So-seon handed over was filled with the names of renowned sects in the central plains. Among them were information organizations like the Cheonmang Association.
“What are you planning to do by gathering them?”
Compared to Ma Cheol-gun’s anxious question, Cheon So-seon’s answer was firm.
“You don’t need to know that. But you must understand this: if you don’t do as you’re told, he won’t hesitate to kill you.”
Ma Cheol-gun knew her words were true. The man’s presence that day was sheer terror.
“Consider this a warning out of old affection. Negotiations or tricks won’t work.”
“Do we even have any old affection left? Did we ever have any to begin with?”
Cheon So-seon silently gazed at Ma Cheol-gun.
Despite the situation, Ma Cheol-gun’s heart wavered under her gaze.
As she turned to leave, she left a lingering note.
“Make sure you survive.”
The unspoken “for me” was a tempting omission.
Gal Sa-ryang visited the Blue Pavilion the day after the martial alliance sent word to the Cheonmang Association.
The martial alliance had informed the major sects of the central plains. They distorted the incident where the Heavenly King Army was defeated by the Demon Extermination Squad as the work of the Demon Sect and ordered an important meeting related to it.
Ban Seo-jeong, the head of the Cheonmang Association, informed Gal Sa-ryang of this, and as soon as he heard, he rushed over.
“Under no circumstances should you go. Find any excuse not to attend.”
Ban Seo-jeong smiled faintly.
“Did you come all this way just to tell me that?”
“Yes. I thought you wouldn’t go, but I came just in case.”
Of course, that was part of it, but he also wanted to see Ban Seo-jeong.
“Since you’ve gone to such lengths, I won’t attend.”
She hadn’t planned to go anyway, but she said it was because of Gal Sa-ryang’s words.
“Thank you.”
“I should be the one thanking you.”
As Gal Sa-ryang turned to leave, Ban Seo-jeong spoke.
“Wait a moment. I have some good tea. At least have a taste before you go.”
Gal Sa-ryang knew it was difficult for her to make such a suggestion.
“Let’s do that.”
“Are you sure?”
Ban Seo-jeong was surprised.
“Why do we fight for our lives? Isn’t it to spend good times with good people? If I can’t even have a cup of tea with you, then all this fighting is meaningless.”
Ban Seo-jeong was deeply moved but hid her feelings with a playful question.
“Am I a good person?”
Gal Sa-ryang’s face turned red. In the past, he would have turned his head to the window or hurriedly left, but now it was different.
“Yes. To me, you’re a very good person.”
Now Ban Seo-jeong’s face turned red as well.
“You’ve changed.”
“Do you think I’ve changed?”
“Yes. You’ve changed a lot.”
Such conversations and atmosphere would have been unimaginable before.
Gal Sa-ryang smiled. If he had changed, he could guess why.
It was because of Cheon Ha-jin. Since entering the body of the young Biryedan, he had changed and continued to change.
It wasn’t that his body changed naturally, but he was consciously trying to change.
Through various conversations with Cheon Ha-jin, he realized how important and valuable change was.
He learned that striving to change and improve was as valuable as having an unyielding will like a diamond. Perhaps change was even more challenging. People tend to settle into comfort.
“From now on, I’ll try to change. I’ve lived too rigidly.”
“You look good.”
“Thank you.”
“No, I’m the one who’s grateful.”
As she walked toward the kitchen, she paused.
“To me, you’re truly a good person too.”
Thanks to the old man’s guidance, I was able to learn the fifth form.
The Demon God’s Sword Fifth Form: Light Speed Flying Sword.
The Light Speed Flying Sword was a technique executed with the Test of the Demon God. It had similar power and speed to the swordsmanship I had been practicing.
However, the traditional sword techniques were already perfected, while the Light-Speed Flying Sword was only at a mere third level of mastery.
The difference between the two techniques was stark. Even if one were to initiate the traditional technique first, it would never prevail against the new one.
It was only upon reaching the fifth form that I truly realized the demonic nature of the Demon God’s martial arts.
Up until the fourth form, I had my doubts.
If I were to attack myself with this technique, could I defend against it or not?
With the fourth form, it was a toss-up. It seemed like I might be able to block it, but then again, maybe not.
But now, that uncertainty was completely gone.
Even I couldn’t defend against it anymore.
A month later, I had mastered the sixth form.
The sixth form of the Demon God’s Sword: Blood Rain of the Demon Blade.
As I unleashed the technique, darkness enveloped the surroundings. In that void where the light of the world vanished, a rain of sword energy poured down.
Everywhere except the spot where I stood was drenched in this rain of sword energy. As my mastery grew, the darkness would expand, and the rain would become even more powerful.
If someone were to use the perfected Blood Rain of the Demon Blade against me, I would surely die.
I wouldn’t be able to avoid the rain of sword energy, and the blades falling from the darkness were far more potent than any before.
The Heavenly Demon summed it up in one word.
“I have nothing to say.”
I felt the same. If I were to unleash this martial art at its peak?
No matter who or how many the opponents were, a true hell would unfold.
Now, only the final form remained.
The seventh form of the Demon God’s Sword: The Sword of the Demon God.
The Sword of the Demon God.
From the name of the final form, I could guess what it was.
Could it be the state of mind-sword that the orthodox sects speak of?
The very state I had dreamed of.
Indeed, the seventh form couldn’t be mastered immediately.
It was a martial art that could only be unleashed once the previous six forms were perfected.
In any case, it was clear that this trial wasn’t about achieving perfection, so I had passed the test.
“You’ve finally done it.”
I expressed my gratitude to the Heavenly Demon for his praise.
“Thank you, it’s all thanks to you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Nonsense. You did it because you’re talented.”
“I am a genius, after all.”
I refrained from making the usual joke about how he always managed to say such things with a straight face. The Heavenly Demon was tense, and truth be told, so was I.
I walked to the room where the second trial had taken place and stood before the door that had remained firmly shut until now.
Then, the door to the third trial quietly opened.