The Return of the Divine (3)
The relentless massacres had left the martial world in turmoil, and criticism of the Martial Alliance’s incompetence was growing louder.
Galsaryang remained unshaken, diligently handling the affairs of the Alliance. He subdued the Council of Elders with sheer force and quelled internal dissent with his unique political acumen. Where force was needed, he applied it thoroughly.
Forty days after the disappearance, the Martial Alliance officially announced it. Rumors had already spread outside, making further concealment pointless.
The martial world was in an uproar. Since the death of Cheonhajin, two leaders had already changed, and Byeokridan was the third. Now, even he had vanished.
In the taverns, the talk was all about this.
“The Martial Alliance is cursed.”
“Don’t say such things.”
“Otherwise, how could such things happen?”
“I’m afraid something terrible might happen.”
“They say there are countless sects that have been wiped out.”
“Hell is unfolding in the martial world.”
The conversations drifted from dark events to tales of alcohol, money, and women, eventually settling into crude jokes.
Sitting alone nearby, drinking, was Cheonma in the body of Macheolgun. He had already downed several bottles. In the past, he would have reacted to such talk, but now he quietly drank.
Recently, he had been focused solely on martial arts training, regaining much of his former prowess. After Byeokridan’s disappearance, he trained with a fervor he hadn’t shown even when he aspired to be the leader of the Demonic Cult or prepared for the Demonic Trial.
Though he hadn’t fully regained his old skills, his internal energy was still lacking, and his demonic arts weren’t as perfect as before, he could still perform at a similar level.
Facing numerous enemies alongside Byeokridan had significantly elevated Cheonma’s martial prowess.
A man wearing a deeply pulled-down bamboo hat entered the tavern. Spotting Cheonma, he approached and sat across from him. It was Galsaryang.
“How did you know I’d be here?”
“That’s my job, isn’t it?”
“Here, have a drink.”
“Thank you.”
Galsaryang showed respect to Cheonma. In the past, he wouldn’t have, but now he acknowledged the deep friendship between Cheonma and Cheonhajin.
Galsaryang, looking down at his drink, cautiously asked, “Do you have any idea where the leader might be?”
That was the real reason he had sought out Cheonma today.
Cheonma slowly shook his head. “No. But I can tell you this.”
“What is it?”
“If he can’t return on his own, knowing his whereabouts won’t help. Even if I go, or all your martial artists go, it won’t make a difference. Don’t misunderstand; it’s not because I underestimate you.”
“I understand.”
“Even if you find out later, don’t go looking for him. If he can’t return on his own, you’ll only be a burden.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Galsaryang accepted this as wise advice.
“I heard you’ve been focusing on martial arts training lately.”
“Given the situation, it’s good to have an extra hand to help you if needed.”
“Ah! Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. Honestly, it’s not because I like you. It’s because you’re the ones my friend cherished most. I feel I should protect you in his stead.”
Galsaryang was surprised to hear the word “friend” from Cheonma and even more so by his offer to protect them.
He expressed his gratitude by finishing the drink Cheonma had given him. Though he wasn’t much of a drinker, he only drank with those he was truly close to.
“You’ve changed a lot.”
“We’ve all changed a lot, watching his transformation.”
Cheonma had thoughts on “change.” He realized through Byeokridan that the greatest force to alter a stagnant, aimless life—or one spiraling out of control—was the will to change.
But he didn’t voice this. If he had felt it, Galsaryang likely had too, having witnessed Cheonhajin’s transformation into Byeokridan.
However, he did want to say this:
“Let’s not worry too much. If we trust in the efforts he’s made to change, worrying too much would be like dismissing him.”
Galsaryang nodded silently, then held out his glass. “One more, please.”
I opened the door to the Hall of Ascension and stepped inside.
Just as I was surprised when the old man first opened the door for me, another astonishing scene awaited.
As soon as the door opened, enemies were standing there.
A wide path stretched ahead, blocked by about twenty men lined up in a row. The Black Demon Army appeared human, but their eyes shone with the fierce light of nocturnal beasts.
Seeing them ready to fight as soon as the door opened, I thought it was fitting for the Demonic Trial. It only fueled my fighting spirit.
“Alright, let’s do this!”
I shouted confidently, drawing my Suramyeongwang Sword.
The enemies charged simultaneously. They were different from humans. Ordinary martial artists would have attacked with strategy, using formations and techniques that wouldn’t hinder each other.
But these were different. Twenty of them rushed in all at once.
For someone like me, it ended with a thought of surprise, but an ordinary person would have been overwhelmed, unable to use even half their skills.
Swish, swish!
I cut down the two demons at the front, then punched the next one in the jaw.
The ones with severed necks didn’t rise again, and the one punched in the jaw crumbled as it tried to stand.
I was trying to find the strength to take them down in one blow.
Fortunately, the demons’ vital points were no different from humans’.
Their martial skills were on par with the captains of the Martial Alliance’s elite units, but their endurance and resilience were greater.
Assuming these were the weakest of the demons, I could only imagine the strength of those yet to come.
I easily dealt with the twenty demons.
“Good!”
I moved forward slowly. The fact that there was a revival meant this trial wasn’t meant to be passed in one go.
So I had to face them calmly.
The first trial was straightforward. More demons kept appearing on the wide path. First twenty, then thirty, then forty. Each time, the number increased by ten.
I had been through countless battles. I was also experienced in controlling my internal energy.
But seeing so many elite captains of the Martial Alliance pouring out like this weighed heavily on my mind.
After defeating forty, I didn’t move.
I had to be cautious. I couldn’t forget that dying here meant truly dying.
As I stood, strategizing, I realized I needed to establish several rules for this trial. It was too perilous to charge through on instinct and determination alone.
Since it was the first day, I decided to return once half my internal energy was depleted.
The guide had clearly said:
“Don’t return recklessly. Trying to return carelessly could put you in more danger.”
This meant new enemies could appear when returning.
For now, let’s see how far I can go with half my energy.
I moved forward slowly.
The enemies on the main path numbered up to sixty. Starting from twenty and increasing by ten each time, I faced a total of two hundred demons on this path. It was like facing two hundred elite captains of the Martial Alliance.
After defeating them, I sat down to meditate.
But I quickly stopped and opened my eyes again.
“Just as I thought.”
I couldn’t meditate. It was somewhat expected. From the moment I entered, I had to rely solely on my existing internal energy for the trial.
The second trial was a forest. Among the dense trees, demons hid and shot projectiles. From darts to arrows and daggers, various weapons flew at me. Their skills were formidable.
Clang, clang, clang, clang!
I dodged or deflected the projectiles with my sword, taking down the demons one by one. But this method was tedious and distracting.
Well, since I’m planning to return today anyway.
I boldly used my internal energy without holding back, employing the Demonic Trial’s martial arts.
The technique I chose was the fourth form, True Sword Dance.
As soon as they appeared in my sight, I used True Sword Dance. To an observer, it might have looked like this: as soon as they peeked out from behind a tree to shoot, thud. When their bodies were exposed, swish, a silent sword energy would strike from somewhere.
It was a technique well-suited for dealing with the demons here.
I made it through the forest.
Checking my energy consumption, I shook my head. There were fifty demons ambushing in the forest. Using True Sword Dance fifty times consumed too much energy.
Next time, it would be more efficient to painstakingly hunt them down one by one.
The third trial was a swamp. It was quite vast, and even without looking, I could tell demons were lurking beneath the murky waters.
I couldn’t use my lightness skill to cross.
I went back to the forest and brought a log.
I tossed the log into the swamp and climbed on top.
Splash.
Using my energy, I maneuvered the log across the swamp.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Demons leaped out of the swamp.
Swish!
Swoosh!
The Sword of the Demon King sliced through the enemies charging at me. In a way, it was easier to deal with them. If I were in their shoes, I would have cut down the log first, but they were fixated on me alone.
I pushed through to the end of the swamp.
Having mastered the Demon God’s Art, my internal energy was being used efficiently. Yet, I had already expended a third of it. And this was only the third gate.
Moreover, the demons in the swamp were a level above those I had faced earlier. If the demons at the first and second gates were akin to squad leaders, those from the third gate onward were more like captains. The only silver lining was that there were about thirty of them, but considering how many gates lay ahead, the situation was far from ideal.
The fortress was still a distant speck. I couldn’t even begin to calculate how many more gates awaited me before I reached it.
And once inside, things could get even tougher. I couldn’t imagine what awaited at the very top of that fortress.
The fourth gate was a field. This time, the enemies were different.
Monstrous beasts emerged. To put it simply, they were beasts turned into monsters. Wolves that weren’t quite wolves, tigers that weren’t quite tigers.
Not dozens, but hundreds of these creatures appeared from all directions.
“This is impossible to handle.”
The sky darkened as a rain of sword energy began to pour down.
Whoosh.
“You’ve returned safely.”
The guide smiled at me as I emerged from the rejuvenating pool.
“My first attempt was a failure.”
After dealing with the monsters, I returned immediately. By the time I used the Blood Rain of the Demon God, nearly half of my internal energy was depleted.
On my way back, I encountered something astonishing. The third and second gates were empty, but the demons at the first gate had reappeared. I had to face two hundred demons again.
Luckily, I turned back at the fifth gate. Had I delayed, the second and third gates would have been repopulated with monsters. This place was designed to discourage retreat.
“What did you think?”
I looked at him and asked.
“Who on earth designed these gates?”
“Haha.”
The guide chuckled awkwardly, as if he couldn’t speak for himself.
After a hearty laugh, he said, “I’ll prepare a meal for you. Please wait a moment.”
“Do you have any alcohol?”
“Of course.”
“Make it strong.”
“Understood.”
The guide disappeared somewhere.
Splash.
I submerged myself in the rejuvenating pool, letting the water cover my head. The ceiling of the cave shimmered above the surface.