Will I Become a Storm? (1)
From the moment I first heard the term “Demon’s Fate,” I felt an inexplicable connection, as if destiny itself had tied us together.
But that doesn’t mean I aspire to become a demon. I’ve merely followed the path destiny laid out for me.
“Is it really my choice?”
“Indeed, whether you become a demon or not depends on your choice. And not everyone who desires to become a demon can achieve it.”
“What kind of choice is that?”
“When you master the Demon’s Fate, the opportunity to choose will present itself. The decision will be yours to make then.”
I felt relieved. If I had to make that decision right now, it would have been overwhelming.
I’ve reached an age where I understand the double-edged sword of immortality. Living forever isn’t just a blessing.
“Let’s part ways for today.”
“Will I see you again?”
“Who can predict the future?”
At that moment, the Heavenly Demon spoke.
[Let me meet him for a moment.]
[Understood.]
I turned to the old man. “A friend I shared drinks with earlier wishes to meet you.”
“Very well.”
With his permission, I created a new space using my Heavenly Illusion Technique.
The old man stood as if he had always been there.
The Heavenly Demon appeared and bowed deeply to the old man.
[I greet the Demon God.]
The old man smiled mysteriously. [Do you think I am your god?]
[Yes.]
It was only natural for the Heavenly Demon to think so. How else could he know about the Demon’s Fate and enter this space?
The Heavenly Demon looked up at the old man. [Are you not?]
The old man smiled. [You’ll find out who I am in due time.]
He walked toward the wall, and a door appeared where there had been none. He opened it and disappeared.
I wondered if, when I mastered the Demon’s Fate, that door of trials would open for me again.
What choice would I make then? I couldn’t say.
Now, only the Heavenly Demon and I remained.
[It’s finally over.]
[You did well.]
[Hey, Cheongwang.]
[What?]
[Let’s shake hands.]
I approached the Heavenly Demon and extended my hand. He flinched and stepped back.
[What kind of nonsense is this?]
I could sense his embarrassment.
The Heavenly Demon quickly added, [Have you ever heard of the leader of the martial world and the demon cult leader shaking hands?]
[Let’s do it as Haji and Cheongwang, not as leaders.]
For a moment, a storm of emotions crossed the Heavenly Demon’s face, and his eyes wavered.
[You cheeky brat!]
[Didn’t you say before that we’re not that far apart in age?]
Remembering that moment, the Heavenly Demon chuckled.
[You rascal! Just this once.]
He took my hand. There was no need to thank him verbally. My gratitude was in that handshake.
Now, there was something I needed to ask him. He had mentioned a favor in exchange for teaching me the Demon’s Fate.
[What is it you want?]
[I’ve been away for too long. I should return first.]
It was a considerate suggestion to take care of my family and subordinates.
His quick response showed he had already decided on this course of action.
[Alright, let’s head back.]
In the grand hall of the Martial Alliance, masters gathered.
They were the leaders of various sects summoned by the Martial Alliance.
Each took their seat, marked with their name. Most were present, but there were notable absences, such as the Heavenly Network, the Shandong Bie Clan, the Song Family, and the Yang Clan.
While the Dark World had been exposed, the Heavenly Army and the Iron Army remained unknown. Thus, their absence was unexplained. Many other sects were also missing.
“I’ve heard strange rumors.”
The speaker was Chungyang, the head of the Righteous Sect. Those around him turned their attention to him.
Across the room, Joomyung, the leader of the Blade Sect, asked, “What rumors?”
“Rumors of trouble within the Martial Alliance.”
“What kind of trouble?”
Chungyang hesitated before lowering his voice. “A rebellion, they say.”
A hush fell over the room.
Then, Hongjong, the head of the Great Sword Sect, shook his head. “Nonsense. The recent defeat of the Demon Extermination Squad by the demon cult has spawned all sorts of rumors.”
“That’s a relief, then.”
At that moment, the doors to the grand hall opened, and three people entered. Leading them was the Iron Army, followed by the Heavenly Army and Cheonsoseon. Their youthful appearances made them seem like mere escorts.
Cheonsoseon’s beauty captivated everyone.
The gathered heroes were unaware that the two flanking the Iron Army had already seized control of the Martial Alliance. All deaths in the process were blamed on the demon cult.
With a grim expression, the Iron Army stepped forward. There was no need to feign seriousness; he embodied darkness itself.
“I’ve gathered you here because the demon cult’s evil deeds have severely damaged the martial world’s spirit, bringing a crisis to the central plains.”
Everyone wore grave expressions. The demon cult was a fundamental fear.
“Our investigation reveals that the demon cult has deeply infiltrated various sects in the central plains.”
The unexpected revelation caused a stir.
“So, we’ve devised a plan.”
As the doors opened, warriors entered carrying trays piled with pills.
“These are Demon Detection Pills. If you’ve had any dealings with the demon cult, these will reveal it.”
Everyone was taken aback.
“Of course, I don’t suspect any of you here, but given the gravity of the situation, it’s best to be certain. Please, come forward and take one.”
No one moved. Displeasure was evident on their faces.
Then someone spoke up.
“Did you summon us just to accuse us of being demon cult remnants?”
It was Chungyang, who had earlier mentioned the rebellion.
“Even if there are demon cult spies among us, this method is wrong. I’m leaving.”
As he turned to leave, Cheonsoseon called his name loudly.
“Chungyang!”
Furious, Chungyang turned back.
“How dare you!”
Even the alliance leader would be angered by a young woman he didn’t know calling his name.
Shing!
Thud!
A hole appeared in Chungyang’s forehead, and he slowly fell backward. He couldn’t evade the light-speed attack from Cheonsoseon.
Thud.
Everyone was shocked. It happened so quickly.
No one could have imagined such an event occurring in the presence of the alliance leader. Some thought it was a staged performance to scare them.
But the blood from Chungyang’s forehead soaked his face and the floor.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Gokju, the head of the Western Hero Sect and a close friend of Chungyang, stood up.
Whoosh!
Thud!
Gokju’s head exploded.
The one who killed him with a single strike was the Heavenly Army, his hand still outstretched.
A heavy silence descended. The astonishing display of power by the Heavenly Army and Cheonsoseon left everyone bewildered. How could such indiscriminate killing occur in the presence of the alliance leader?
The Iron Army spoke quietly.
“Those who collude with the demon cult cannot be forgiven.”
He spoke as if the two who had just died were in league with the demon cult.
But the gathered heroes knew the truth. Those two had no ties to the demon cult.
If they had, they wouldn’t have been the first to leave.
“Now, please take the pills.”
Doubt crept in. Perhaps these weren’t Demon Detection Pills. They might be poison meant to control them.
Someone needed to intervene. Something was terribly wrong.
Unable to hold back, the hot-tempered and notorious Makdaewi stepped forward.
“What’s the proof that these are Demon Detection Pills…”
Whoosh!
Thud!
Before he could finish, his body was torn apart.
Once again, the Heavenly Army’s hand was raised. Blood and flesh splattered everywhere. Those nearby trembled in fear.
The Heavenly Army looked down coldly, as if he wouldn’t mind killing everyone present.
The Iron Army looked at the person at the forefront and spoke as if giving an order.
“Take the pill.”
No one dared refuse.
One by one, they stepped forward and took the pills. But as expected, they weren’t Demon Detection Pills. They were a deadly poison requiring regular antidotes.
Without the antidote, they would suffer excruciating pain and die.
Everyone present had ingested the poison.
They glared at the Iron Army with eyes full of rage. The Iron Army was tormented. This wasn’t what he wanted. But he had been swayed by a woman’s persuasion. If he didn’t comply, he would die. It was too unjust to die like this.
But he hadn’t expected them to poison the heroes.
Cheonsoseon stepped forward.
“The Demon Detection Pills have a minor side effect. You’ll need to take the antidote regularly.”
Everyone’s expressions hardened. Internally, they all shared the same thought: “What nonsense.”
“Fortunately, there is a cure for the side effect, but it’s a rare medicine, so the supply is limited.”
She implied that only a select few would receive the antidote.
Cheonsoseon revealed her true intentions.
“Those absent today have betrayed the Martial Alliance and sided with the Demon Sect. From this moment, we will consider them rebels and declare them enemies of the martial world. Anyone who captures them will earn the right to receive the antidote.”
The crowd struggled to maintain their composure, their expressions barely concealing their disbelief at such audacious words.
As the warriors filed out of the grand hall, leaving only three behind, Ma Cheol-gun turned to Cheon So-seon.
“If you think they’ll betray their comrades, you’re gravely mistaken.”
Cheon So-seon responded with a cryptic smile. “Are you so sure? Many of them will be the first to hunt down the absent sect leaders. I’d bet on it.”
“Why are you doing this?” Ma Cheol-gun asked, perplexed.
Cheon So-seon had no answer. She herself was unsure of her grandfather’s true intentions.
In a languid tone, Cheon Wang-gun addressed her. “Find the whereabouts of the Dark Alliance.”
I was swiftly making my way back to Hubei after leaving Mount Wuyi in Fujian Province.
I was training in the Demonic Wind Step, specifically the Demonic Shadow Path, a remarkable technique that allowed me to move as if teleporting to any visible location.
With the profound inner strength of the Ten Great Masters as my foundation, I practiced relentlessly.
Gradually, the distance I could cover increased. At first, it was just a few steps, then several meters, and now I could traverse dozens of meters in an instant.
I continued to practice tirelessly. Mastery of this technique was separate from achieving the Demonic Resolution; it was all about perfecting the Demonic Wind Step. The best way to improve one’s agility was through constant movement and running.
In a flash, I covered dozens of meters. Another flash, and I was even further.
While stopping at an inn for a meal, I overheard some unexpected news.
Martial artists, drinking nearby, were deep in conversation.
“Did you hear? They’ve identified all the sects that sided with the Demon Sect.”
“Those traitors! Claiming to be righteous while colluding with demons!”
“I heard it’s not just one or two sects.”
“They’ve all been declared enemies of the martial world.”
“The new leader is doing a great job.”
“Yes, finally a leader who knows what they’re doing.”
“Once the Demon Sect is eradicated, we can finally sleep peacefully.”
Listening intently, I quickly sought out which sects had been labeled as enemies.
As I suspected, the Byeok Clan, the Song Family, the Yang Clan, and even the Cheonmang Society were all declared enemies. Several sects had already been accused of colluding with the Demon Sect and were annihilated.
[This is serious. It’s too large-scale to be Ma Cheol-gun’s doing alone.]
[Could it be the work of the Dark Alliance?]
[It’s possible. Or it could be the mastermind behind them.]
I believed the latter was more likely. The Dark Alliance’s schemes had always been subtle and manipulative.
But this was blatant, almost as if declaring war on the martial world.
[No matter who it is, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just wipe them all out.]
Cheonma laughed heartily at my words.
[Ha ha ha, that’s music to my ears.]
[Let’s head back.]
I launched myself into the air.
Whoosh.
I postponed further training in the Demonic Shadow Path and flew through the sky using the fastest technique, the Demonic Flight.