The early years of Wang Wiryong.
His life was a never-ending cycle of hard training.
Following his father’s instructions, he practiced with his sword every day, from sunrise to sunset.
It was a difficult life for a young boy.
One day, unhappiness grew in his heart. With a rebellious look, he announced that he would not participate in the training.
“Father always said the Demonic Cult was the greatest. But what’s the point of all this? I train to the point of exhaustion every day, but I don’t see any progress. In today’s world, power comes from missiles, not swords.”
Modern society.
In a world of advanced science, holding onto martial arts that seemed outdated felt pointless.
His father looked at Wang Wiryong with a complicated expression.
Usually, he would have been angry and punished him, but this time, Wang Wiryong’s question seemed to hit home.
“I have something to tell you.”
They moved to a different place.
It was a hill overlooking the city.
His father sat Wang Wiryong down next to him and began to tell him about the Demonic Cult’s past, something he had never spoken about before.
“Son, a long time ago, martial arts were important in this world. People who trained in martial arts formed groups based on their beliefs. The Orthodox, the Unorthodox, and the Demonic factions fought fiercely for control of the martial world for many years. Sometimes the Orthodox were strong, sometimes the Unorthodox, and sometimes the Demonic. But the balance always remained. No one faction could conquer the martial world. Then, something strange happened when conquering the martial world was just a dream.”
His father’s father.
And his father’s father before him.
It was a story passed down through the generations.
Wang Wiryong’s father remembered this story well, repeating what seemed like pointless tasks.
“The Heavenly Demon of the Demonic Cult conquered the martial world in that era. Even the combined forces of the Orthodox and Unorthodox were no match for the Heavenly Demon. For the first time in martial arts history, the Demonic Cult succeeded in conquering the martial world. The Demonic Cult at that time was more powerful than it is now. Even the Chinese Emperor didn’t dare to offend the Demonic Cult, and people bowed to the Heavenly Demon’s rule, chanting his name. The sword you have is special. It represents the Heavenly Demon’s achievement in conquering the martial world. We have inherited that. Even if we are not important now, the descendants of the Demonic Cult must never forget where they came from.”
The Heavenly Demon was real.
Many records proved the Heavenly Demon’s achievements. When looking at the murals that had been preserved for generations, one could not deny the Heavenly Demon’s existence.
The massive mural radiated intense energy. Even though it was just a painting, the Heavenly Demon overwhelmed those who looked at it.
“If he hadn’t disappeared suddenly, many things in the world would have been different. The Emperor’s plan to destroy martial artists would have failed, and you wouldn’t have to hide the fact that you are a descendant of the Demonic Cult.”
“…Did he really conquer the martial world with just a sword?”
“I promise you, the moment you fully understand the swordsmanship of the mural, the common sense of today’s world will be destroyed by the power of the sword in your hand.”
Desire grew within him.
He imagined himself ruling the world with a single sword.
With all his unhappiness gone, Wang Wiryong asked one last question.
“Tell me his name. His real name.”
His father smiled.
He was proud.
The father wanted to give his son, who was living a difficult life, hope.
“Remember this. The Heavenly Demon Baek Jung-hyuk. We are the descendants of the Demonic Cult who carry on his will.”
Baek Jung-hyuk.
A name he had repeated many times.
Whenever he struggled, whenever he reached his limit, Wang Wiryong remembered the image of Baek Jung-hyuk, pushing himself forward.
And now.
“I am the Heavenly Demon Baek Jung-hyuk.”
His mind was struck by lightning.
It was an unexpected name.
He was sure that Roman Dmitry was a descendant of the Demonic Cult, but he never thought he would call himself Baek Jung-hyuk.
His thoughts stopped completely. His confused expression was obvious, and he couldn’t say a word.
Could this be possible?
No.
It was impossible.
Baek Jung-hyuk lived a long time ago, and he couldn’t be alive now.
Besides, wasn’t Roman Dmitry clearly a foreigner?
Whenever he saw his appearance, which was different from that of an Easterner except for his hair, he wondered how a foreigner could be a descendant of the Demonic Cult.
His initial shock gradually turned into anger.
He felt that Roman Dmitry, who knew about Baek Jung-hyuk, was mocking him.
[Does he think I would believe such a ridiculous story? The Heavenly Demon Baek Jung-hyuk is a legend of the Demonic Cult. He is a great man who conquered the martial world, and his descendants, including me, have carried on his will for generations. But to call himself the Heavenly Demon Baek Jung-hyuk… You’ve crossed the line. No matter what you did, I was willing to show mercy to a fellow descendant of the Demonic Cult. But not anymore. From the moment you insulted the Heavenly Demon Baek Jung-hyuk, I, Wang Wiryong, will not stop until I punish you.]
He was furious.
He spoke strongly.
Wang Wiryong’s reaction was understandable.
It was hard to believe that Roman Dmitry, a foreigner, was claiming to be Baek Jung-hyuk, who had died long ago.
However, Roman Dmitry didn’t care about Wang Wiryong’s opinion.
He revealed his identity because he carried on the will of the Demonic Cult, but whether Wang Wiryong accepted it or not was his own problem.
Roman Dmitry didn’t acknowledge Wang Wiryong.
The Demonic Cult, founded by the Heavenly Demon Baek Jung-hyuk, wanted more than just present-day China.
They had built a great empire.
If he was a descendant of the Demonic Cult, he should have the power to match.
China?
It was one of the major powers.
Not unique, but just one of several great powers.
Moreover, since the world generally considered the United States to be stronger, Roman Dmitry spoke coldly to Wang Wiryong.
“Wang Wiryong, I won’t explain through this screen why I am Baek Jung-hyuk. In a world where great chaos has arrived, anything is possible. So, you must decide for yourself. You have exactly one hour. Come to the Empire of Korea and prove yourself to me. If you don’t come after one hour, I will consider you and China as enemies.”
[What is he saying……]
He didn’t wait for an answer.
It was a one-sided message.
Thud.
Roman Dmitry ended the communication.
The screen went black.
Wang Wiryong was stunned.
Roman Dmitry’s last words were shocking.
He was told to decide for himself without any explanation.
In fact, he wanted to destroy South Korea right now.
But.
‘What Roman Dmitry said might be true. Now that there are powerful beings and the ability to teleport, anything is possible in this world. If Roman Dmitry is the Heavenly Demon Baek Jung-hyuk, what should I do?’
Just in case.
Wang Wei-long felt overwhelmed.
Ever since his talk with Wang Wei-long’s father, the man had spoken of Chun Ma Baek Joong-hyuk constantly. Whenever he had a moment, it was Chun Ma this, Chun Ma that.
Chun Ma was a legend.
But also… a monster.
Some called him a hero for bringing peace. But to achieve it, he had killed countless people. Rivers of blood, his father said, not just oceans.
Chun Ma showed no mercy to anyone he saw as an enemy. Now, Wang Wei-long saw the same in Roman Dmitry.
Think about the Red Moon and the Central Government. There could have been peace talks. But Roman Dmitry chose to kill them all, simply because they stood against him.
And then America.
Going to Los Angeles and destroying the Vampire Lord alone? It was arrogant. It was confident beyond belief.
It was…
Like Chun Ma.
Chun Ma’s actions and Roman Dmitry’s were becoming the same.
‘If Roman Dmitry really is Chun Ma Baek Joong-hyuk,’ Wang Wei-long thought, his heart racing, ‘everything will change. Father said Chun Ma conquered the Murim world even before his Chun Ma Shin Gong was perfect. Imagine how strong he is now! No one dares challenge him. Even the Chinese Emperor treats the Murim world like its own country. If the Vampire Lord fight wasn’t even his full power… I might not even be a match for him at his weakest. And if he’s even stronger than that? Defeat is certain.’
The thought was terrifying.
The Sword of Chun Ma.
Wang Wei-long had trained his whole life to master it.
But facing the real Chun Ma? He felt frozen.
Humans are easily trapped by their own minds.
Imagination took over Wang Wei-long’s thoughts.
Even though it seemed impossible, the mere idea pushed him to the edge of panic.
That’s how powerful Chun Ma was.
For those who followed Chun Ma Shin Gyo, Chun Ma was like a god. They could not deny him.
After thinking for a long time, Wang Wei-long stood up quickly.
“I am going to South Korea now. Prepare the teleportation magic circle immediately.”
“Y-Your Majesty! There is an appointment with the Russian President in 30 minutes. If you unilaterally cancel it like this, there will be problems later….”
“Those things are not important now.”
Wang Wei-long said with a determined look on his face.
“Cancel all schedules for today. I must go to the Republic of Korea.”
***
Earlier that day, Roman Dmitry had given Park Min-woo a secret order.
“Wang Wei-long wants to come to South Korea,” Roman Dmitry had said. “Bring him to me quietly.”
Wang Wei-long’s visit was huge news.
That’s why Roman Dmitry trusted Park Min-woo with this task. He briefly explained that Wang Wei-long was coming because he was a descendant of the Chun Ma Shin Gyo, and he wanted to see Roman Dmitry for himself, after hearing rumors that Roman Dmitry was Chun Ma Baek Joong-hyuk.
Roman Dmitry was sure of what would happen.
The moment Wang Wei-long saw him, he would know the truth. He couldn’t deny it.
But Park Min-woo was worried about something else.
‘His Majesty’s secret is mine alone…’
Park Min-woo felt a pang of jealousy.
People didn’t understand.
Roman Dmitry was incredible.
Park Min-woo was bursting with pride. He wanted to shout it from the rooftops! But Roman Dmitry had ordered him to be silent. And it was more than just orders.
It was their secret. Knowing the truth about the great Chun Ma made Park Min-woo feel special, chosen.
But now, Wang Wei-long!
A real descendant of the Chun Ma Shin Gyo!
It felt like someone even more special was arriving.
Park Min-woo was just a commoner who had been lucky. But Wang Wei-long was from Chun Ma’s own lineage.
‘Surely,’ he thought, a knot of worry tightening in his stomach, ‘just because a real heir shows up, His Majesty won’t forget me? He wouldn’t treat me like I’m nothing. No, His Majesty isn’t like that. If he only cared about family connections, he wouldn’t have looked after the Dmitry people in his past life. I’ll be alright. He’ll always want me by his side.’
But the anxiety wouldn’t go away.
The Maron Church was another problem.
They were similar in a way.
Park Min-woo knew they were talking about Roman Dmitry when they spoke of their god, but he didn’t correct them. Why bother?
If they became a threat to Roman Dmitry, he would deal with them quickly.
But Chun Ma was unstoppable. Park Min-woo believed the Maron Church couldn’t truly harm Roman Dmitry, no matter what they did. So, he ignored them.
He remembered his past life.
He had died because he didn’t know who Roman Dmitry really was.
This secret was precious. He had risked his life for it. Why should he reveal it just to save the Maron Church?
Park Min-woo, or Kim Pan-seok as he used to be called, had become hardened by his past life as Aleksandr.
He valued his special bond with Roman Dmitry more than the lives of the Maron Church followers. He didn’t even care much about the people of Incheon who died in the war.
Why? Because they weren’t Roman Dmitry. Roman Dmitry came first. Then himself. Everyone else was far, far down the list.
For someone like Park Min-woo, Wang Wei-long was a threat.
The idea that Wang Wei-long might confirm the truth and become even closer to Roman Dmitry made his stomach churn.
It was a strange twist.
If Wang Wei-long had denied Chun Ma, Park Min-woo would have been angry, defending Roman Dmitry’s honor.
But because Wang Wei-long seemed to believe, Park Min-woo felt a growing unease.
‘I won’t let Wang Wei-long take my place. In this life, I am His Majesty’s second most important person, not him.’
Just then, the teleportation magic circle hummed to life.
A signal arrived.
Park Min-woo focused his magic. Bright light flashed, and Wang Wei-long and his guards appeared in a swirl of energy.
Park Min-woo looked at them, his face hard.
“Wang Wei-long,” he said sharply, “come with me. The rest of you, wait here.”
“You insolent fool!” one of the guards roared.
“How dare you speak to His Majesty like that!” another shouted.
The guards were enraged.
Such disrespect was unthinkable in China.
Wang Wei-long’s face tightened with anger, but Park Min-woo stood his ground, his eyes blazing.
“If you’re so proud,” Park Min-woo sneered, “you shouldn’t have bothered coming to the Great Empire. Listen to me, Wang Wei-long. Descendant of Chun Ma or not, you need to understand something. From this moment on, you have two choices: obedience or defiance. Choose wisely.” He leaned closer, his voice low and dangerous. “Look down when you speak to me. If you fight, you’ll face His Majesty’s wrath – and trust me, that’s a death sentence. If you obey… you’ll answer to me.”
Park Min-woo had seized control of the situation immediately.
Wang Wei-long, still unsure of the truth about Roman Dmitry, was thrown off balance from the very start.