Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 22

The Heavenly Demon’s body scattered rapidly, employing the Heavenly Demon Concealment Technique [a technique to hide one’s presence]. The opponent’s sword energy relentlessly pursued his traces, unerringly finding Pachaen even after he had cut off his aura with the Heavenly Demon Concealment Technique. The Mad Demon Lord was perched on the shoulder of the Heavenly Demon statue. He held a gourd of liquor in his hand, shaking it playfully. Catching sight of this, Pachaen instantly closed the distance, meeting the Mad Demon Lord’s sword energy head-on. A three-jang-long [about 30 feet] sword energy shot out towards his opponent.

“Hahahaha, not a mere whelp, I see.”

Using the Changing Form and Position technique [a movement technique focused on speed and agility], the Mad Demon Lord approached Pachaen’s rear in an instant. Having already anticipated his movement, Pachaen immediately attacked with his sword control technique. The Mad Demon Lord appearing behind Pachaen and Pachaen stabbing into that space with his sword control technique happened almost simultaneously.

*Clang!*

The stone chamber vibrated from the clash of sword energies. The Mad Demon Lord twitched his shoulder. It seemed he had finally realized his opponent was not to be trifled with. The playfulness had vanished from his eyes, and he unleashed a three-foot sword, which he had been holding in his other hand, with his sword control technique. Pachaen’s Heavenly Demon Sword and the Mad Demon Lord’s sword clashed between them.

*Clang!*

*Clang! Clang!*

The speed at which the two swords collided was so fast that their forms scattered before they could even fully manifest, and sparks flew in all directions with each clash of sword energies. The Mad Demon Lord’s sword energy was heavy and overbearing, while Pachaen’s was agile and swift. With each exchange, Pachaen’s sword was pushed back. A hint of bewilderment flickered across Pachaen’s face. He had thought that with his current skills, he was unmatched in the martial world, but the Mad Demon Lord’s abilities far exceeded his expectations. Pachaen’s sword drew a circle in the air, deflecting the Mad Demon Lord’s sword, and he advanced, but the Mad Demon Lord’s sword returned in an instant. Dozens of exchanges passed, but the outcome was still unpredictable. Both men carefully focused their inner energy, unleashing their sword control techniques. The playful demeanor from earlier was nowhere to be seen on the Mad Demon Lord; he was deeply engrossed. As if by agreement, both men retrieved their swords and simply glared at each other.

‘He has reached the level of Transcendental Demon [a high level of martial arts mastery]. Furthermore, his inner energy surpasses mine.’

Pachaen’s heart was heavy.

“Haha, excellent. Very good. To meet a master like you in my twilight years… I want to thank the heavens. You seem quite young, yet you’ve reached the Great Harmony Realm [a very high level of martial arts mastery]; truly astonishing.”

“That is what I wanted to say. I thought there were no more opponents left… I realize the world is truly vast.”

“Why did you come here? I don’t understand how the old men of the Heavenly Demon Cult let you in so easily. Who are you? Are you a member of the Heavenly Demon Cult? No… no. This place isn’t great enough to raise a master of your caliber… isn’t that right?”

He habitually brought the liquor gourd to his lips, emptying its contents.

“Hehe, let’s try again.”

“We both know we are evenly matched… To take the other’s life, one must be prepared to pay the same price. Is that what you desire?”

“You are quite different from what I’ve heard. And may I ask you one thing?”

“Anything…”

“With your skills, you could have easily escaped this place, so why didn’t you?”

It was true. With the Transcendental Demon sword control technique he had shown earlier, he could have easily destroyed the iron gate.

“…It’s uninteresting. Even if I went out now… there would be no one to welcome me, and I didn’t want to stain my hands with the blood of the cult members again. And there’s something I haven’t finished here… Why did you come here?”

“I… came to retrieve the Heavenly Demon Orb.”

The Mad Demon Lord didn’t seem surprised by his words. It was as if he had expected that answer.

“Did the Supreme Elder send you?”

“No!”

“No? If not the Supreme Elder, who could send a master like you? Everything is full of questions! Who are you?”

It seemed he was very curious. Indeed, to the Mad Demon Lord, the young man before him was like a being that had suddenly fallen from the sky. It was astonishing that someone who didn’t look older than twenty-five had reached the pinnacle of the Great Harmony Realm, and as far as he knew, even the Supreme Elder would have difficulty having a master like Pachaen under his command. Everything was a mystery.

“I am… the Heavenly Demon Sovereign.”

“…!!!”

For a moment, the Mad Demon Lord showed no reaction. He quickly took a gulp of liquor.

“Say that again! What did you say?”

“I am the Heavenly Demon Sovereign.”

“Heavenly… Demon… Sovereign? Wahahahahahahaha!”

“Why are you laughing?”

“Hahahahahaha!”

*Thud!*

Suddenly, the laughter stopped, and the vibration in the stone chamber ceased.

“There’s no doubt you are a master. Furthermore, it’s unprecedented in history for someone your age to have achieved such a level. However… the title of Heavenly Demon Sovereign is not something to be uttered lightly, young one.”

Pachaen merely smiled at the Mad Demon Lord’s belittling words.

“You smile? Hehehe, you’re a bold one! I like you very much. Isn’t that right, Heavenly Demon Founder?”

His gaze was fixed on the Heavenly Demon statue, as if nailed there.

“In the Heavenly Demon Cult… there have been past cult leaders called the Heavenly Demon Grand Masters, but there has only ever been one person called the Heavenly Demon Sovereign. The Heavenly Demon Founder is like a god to us, the Heavenly Demon Cult members. And yet, you dare to casually use that sacred title? I was going to let you be because you were amusing, but you are courting death.”

The liquor bottle fell from his hand, hitting the floor.

*Thud!*

Being made of metal, the sound left a strange echo, pressing down on the two men’s hearts.

The Mad Demon Lord gripped the sword hilt with both hands, and a red aura began to swirl around his body. It soon turned into a gale, sweeping through the stone chamber. He was so enraged that he was gathering all his inner energy.

‘That guy… he’s really something. If I’m not careful, I could die here.’

Pachaen also tensed up. He already knew his opponent’s skills; a moment of carelessness could cost him his life.

Pachaen also gathered all his inner energy, preparing for the Mad Demon Lord’s attack.

“Young one, be careful.”

*Whoosh!*

The sword energy unleashed from the Mad Demon Lord’s sword was different from anything before. The sword energy unleashed by someone who had reached the level of sword control was different in terms of destructive power and speed. Whether one unleashed sword energy by throwing the sword with sword control or by holding the sword in hand, there was no difference in power. Rather, in close combat, wielding the sword directly and unleashing sword energy was superior in terms of variation and precision. In an instant, the Mad Demon Lord’s sword energy came slicing at Pachaen.

*Clang!*

*Thud thud thud!*

“Ugh!”

Pachaen swallowed a groan, staggering backward. But this was just the beginning. A continuous stream of light, so bright it was blinding, poured from the Mad Demon Lord’s sword, pressing down on Pachaen’s vital points, and one sword energy was followed by another, and then another… the sword energies kept overlapping.

*Clang!*

*Crash! Crash! Crash!*

The Mad Demon Lord’s sword energies seemed to be blocked by Pachaen, but the impact Pachaen was receiving was not small. The Mad Demon Lord’s sword energies were gradually becoming faster and more powerful. He continuously stepped with dazzling footwork, aiming for Pachaen’s weak points, and his attacks were a relentless barrage of power, ignoring all variations.

‘This… this is not an attack I can withstand. At this rate, I will be in trouble in less than a quarter of an hour.’

His mind raced. He continued to receive the Mad Demon Lord’s sword energies, looking for an opening. It was at that moment.

“Heavenly Demon Sovereign’s Steps!” [a unique footwork technique]

Pachaen’s clones, now multiplied into twelve, each taking a different stance, rushed towards the Mad Demon Lord. The sword energy emitted from the Heavenly Demon Sword in his hand was somewhat weaker, but because of the sheer number, the overall power was even greater. The Mad Demon Lord was bewildered.

‘How can that guy use the Heavenly Demon Founder’s unique footwork? And come to think of it, that sword is… the Heavenly Demon Sword!’

He realized it only then. But he had no time to be distracted. Pachaen’s sword energies were already focused on him. Unlike other clone techniques, the Heavenly Demon Sovereign’s Steps were all real, and each attack was also real. However, their power was somewhat reduced. But since it was as if twelve Pachaens were attacking, the power was immense.

“Sword Barrier!”

*Clang!*

This time, it was the Mad Demon Lord who retreated. It was the first time in his life that he had been defeated in a one-on-one battle. He was excited. The thoughts he had about the Heavenly Demon Sword and the Heavenly Demon Sovereign’s Steps a moment ago had already flown far away.

“Yaa!”

The Mad Demon Lord’s sword was now spinning in the air, unleashing sword energies, even mixing in variations, curving, or turning back to attack from behind. Pachaen responded calmly. He used the Changing Form and Position technique and the Heavenly Demon Sovereign’s Steps to nullify the Mad Demon Lord’s attacks, retreating and widening the gap. And then, he immediately floated the Heavenly Demon Sword and the Ganjiang Sword into the air. It was the first time he was trying something that had only been in his mind. Pachaen began to skillfully control the two swords using the Dual Mind Technique [a technique to control two weapons simultaneously]. He unleashed sword energies with a slight time difference, and sometimes attacked from both sides simultaneously. Gradually, the Mad Demon Lord’s sword was being pushed back. It was dizzying to block one only to have the other attack. In the end, he could no longer endure it and retrieved his sword, holding it in his hand. Pachaen’s swords were relentless. The sight of the Heavenly Demon Sword and the Ganjiang Sword, both divine swords, swirling in the air, enveloped in sword energy, was a magnificent spectacle.

The Mad Demon Lord was constantly retreating! His face was contorted, showing the extent of his inner turmoil. Less than a quarter of an hour after Pachaen began using the two swords simultaneously with the Dual Mind Technique, the Heavenly Demon Sword grazed the Mad Demon Lord’s thigh.

“Ugh!”

Tearing through even his protective inner energy, it shredded his flesh. A large wound, exposing bone, was inflicted, but the heat had cauterized it, so no blood flowed. His movements were noticeably slower, and the power of his sword energy had weakened. At this rate, he would not even have a corpse left in a few exchanges. Despair was quickly engulfing the Mad Demon Lord’s face. He had lost. But he was not resentful. He comforted himself with the thought that he had lost to someone worthy, and perhaps he really was the Heavenly Demon Sovereign.

*Whoosh!*

*Clang!*

As the Heavenly Demon Sword aimed for the Jade Hall acupoint [a vital point on the chest] in the middle of the Mad Demon Lord’s chest, the Mad Demon Lord deflected it, and at that moment, the Ganjiang Sword struck the Mad Demon Lord’s sword, which was blocking from the side. The Mad Demon Lord lost his grip on his sword. It was an absurd defeat. What could be more humiliating for a warrior than dropping his sword? He stared blankly at the flying sword, not even thinking of retrieving it, and waited for death. He even closed his eyes.

……..

After waiting for a long time without the opponent’s sword piercing him, he cautiously opened his eyes.

“Hehe, do you still not believe that I am the Heavenly Demon Sovereign?”

Pachaen asked, smiling brightly and even winking. The Mad Demon Lord was dumbfounded!

“This is disappointing… Even if I’m a nobody, I’m still the 2nd Heavenly Demon Sovereign… To be ignored even by the Heavenly Demon Cult members…”

As Pachaen feigned a sorrowful expression, a bitter smile finally appeared on the Mad Demon Lord’s face.

“I’ll ask you one thing… Are you really the Heavenly Demon Sovereign?”

“Yes. I am Pachaen, the 2nd Heavenly Demon Sovereign!”

No further words were needed. The Mad Demon Lord’s knees, which seemed like they would never bend to anyone, slowly buckled, and his head touched the floor. And the words that flowed from his mouth!

“I greet the Heavenly Demon Sovereign!”

★ “What does that mean?”

Having already heard all the details from Pachaen, the Mad Demon Lord’s attitude towards Pachaen was one of utmost respect.

“I have learned an incredible truth here. I was just a frog in a well. As the Sovereign already knows, this place contains the Heavenly Demon Founder’s secret manuals and insights, as well as the relics he possessed. At first, I spent my time studying the Founder’s secret manuals, though of course, the Heavenly Demon Sovereign’s Steps, the Asura’s Annihilation Palm, and the final move of the Heavenly Demon Three Swords, the Shattering Heaven’s Majesty, were not there. It was truly incredible for me. I had once been possessed by a demonic influence due to the Heavenly Demon Orb, but I was still very proud of my martial arts. But when I encountered the Heavenly Demon Founder’s martial arts, I felt so insignificant. It was not human martial arts. However, the fact that even what was here was not his final insight made me realize how vast and great the path of martial arts is. I immediately put aside the Heavenly Demon Orb and began to study the Founder’s martial arts. Then, by chance, I read a text written by him. There were phrases there that I could not imagine… and because of that, I gave up all my ambitions and decided not to leave this place.”

“What is it that made you do that?”

Pachaen was curious. The Mad Demon Lord went to the glass case in front of the Heavenly Demon statue and took out a book. The parchment was faded, indicating that it was over a thousand years old.

“This is it. It would be faster to ask the Founder. In fact, this is just a fragment… Only the Founder within the Sovereign can give a definite answer.”

Pachaen took the book. Turning the first page, a somewhat crude script was revealed. Judging by the content, it seemed to be a diary.

“Heavenly Demon! Is this something you wrote?”

The Mad Demon Lord, who had initially found Pachaen’s conversations with the Heavenly Demon Founder awkward and strange, was now used to such scenes.

-That’s right. I started writing it when I was over 100 years old.

“What is the Mad Demon Lord talking about? It’s annoying to look at it one by one, so summarize the main points.”

-Hoo! I have to recall something I don’t even want to think about again.

‘What is it that makes such a proud guy sigh like that?’

-Listen carefully. I hope you won’t be shocked. In fact, when I wrote that diary, my martial arts were just over 12 cycles. It wasn’t that great. But even then, I was the best. I was the only one in heaven and earth… Once I surpassed Transcendental Demon and even the stage of Stability, there was no further progress. From then on, it was a study of the mind. Rather than pursuing the principles of martial arts, it was about feeling the truth of the universe with the mind. Since the human body itself is a microcosm, further achievement was impossible without enlightenment through the study of the mind. I thought there was nothing more to achieve since my sword had already reached the stage of Formless Sword. It was then! That they came. They were… not human.

“What do you mean? Not human?”

-They were beings like the immortals we often talk about. Even though I was well over 100 years old at the time, they treated me like a child. My Formless Sword disappeared without a trace with a casual wave of their hands. They showed me a sentence and asked if I understood its meaning. It was a sentence that was not even clear what it meant. I naturally said I didn’t know. They looked very disappointed and said they would come again before I died and disappeared. The shock I received then was immense. It was like a dream… no, I wished it was a dream. The feeling that everything I had achieved felt like child’s play… And I boldly left the Heavenly Demon Cult. There was no place I didn’t wander. Gradually, the wall of my martial arts began to crumble. But I wasn’t happy. I went beyond Transcendental Demon and entered the initial stages of Stability, Truth, and Emptiness. And I learned that there was a stage of Natural Sword after Formless Sword. But strictly speaking, I hadn’t even properly stepped into the stage of Emptiness. In my opinion, it was a wall that could not be overcome without at least several hundred years of training. So I became desperate, and by the time I was over 150 years old and facing death. I don’t know how they knew where I was, but they came again. And they said, “Have you realized it now?” That was all. I said I didn’t know at all. Then another person said to himself, “Is it true that humans cannot realize this in their lifetime? How much longer do we have to wait for a divine being to appear? It seems that expecting anything from martial artists is futile.” When I asked them how old they were, do you know what they said?

“Wh…what did they say?”

Pachaen swallowed hard. He was just like the young Yunmun when he first heard about the eccentric martial artists from his father, Pyo.

-“We have long forgotten how old we are.” How absurd was that? So I asked them, “How long do you live?” And they said, “We live for… about a thousand years.” So they are not human. How can a human live for a thousand years? They talked to each other for a long time in front of me, but I couldn’t understand what they were saying. Among them, there were a few words I still can’t forget: “Beyond the Heavens,” “Modern Humans,” and “Demon God.” And then they disappeared before my eyes. That’s all.

“Who are those people? Do such beings really exist in this world? I can’t believe it… By the way, Heavenly Demon, what was the sentence they showed you?”

The Heavenly Demon was silent for a long time. Then, he suddenly shouted!

-Do you know how surprised I was, you idiot! When I first entered your body, I was excited at the prospect of perhaps surpassing the stage of Emptiness. But when I heard those bastards, those double-damned bastards, babbling, I was so shocked… Even now, just thinking about it makes my heart pound…

“What are you talking about?”

-The sentence they recited was! Ugh! What was it? Hyeneung! The thing you taught me. That incantation-like thing!

=Ah! Are you talking about the Cheonbugyeong [a sacred text]?

-Yes! That… tsk, I never thought I’d hear that again.

“So… that was the sentence they showed you?”

-Yes.

Pachaen couldn’t hide his surprise. He also knew the Cheonbugyeong. But he didn’t know what it meant.

“But why? Why are they going around asking about that?”

-How would I know?

“Hyeneung! How did you come to know about the Cheonbugyeong?”

=I came to know about it by chance. Among the records left by Bodhidharma [a Buddhist monk], there was a Cheonbugyeong written down, but he had stopped halfway through the character analysis. Later, I realized that although I didn’t know the clear meaning of the sentence, it had the power to subdue demons.

-So those people also went to Bodhidharma… That kid Bodhidharma must have written it down. He was quite sharp…

“What kind of monk has a sharp mind?”

-Is that so?… I actually gave up early on. I have no interest in such things.

“Who are they? I’m really curious…”

-It’s better for you to stop thinking about it. If you think about it, you’ll get so angry that you won’t be able to do anything. Think about it. There are more than one or two people who have surpassed the stage of Emptiness in the Great Harmony Realm, and they are all over the place. And if they are immortals who live for a thousand years, wouldn’t you be angry? It’s better to just be a snake’s tail and wield supreme power in the martial world. If I had realized this earlier, my last years wouldn’t have been so miserable… It seems that that guy was also shocked after reading the diary I wrote… The stronger their pride, the greater the shock. Once it passes, it’s nothing.

“No.”

-What?

“It’s not like that… If… if they are beings who can turn the foundation I have built my whole life into a mess in a single day, even if they don’t show themselves in the world now… the very fact that such beings exist is annoying. Rather than living each day in anxiety, even if my head explodes…”

-Even if? What are you going to do…

“I’ll wipe them out.”

-Are you crazy? Hey, I told you they’re not human… Well, it’s not something to get angry about. They probably won’t interfere in the affairs of the mortal world… He hasn’t met them yet, so he’s like that… Oh, poor guy! Well, do you even know what the stage of Emptiness is? You’ve only just stepped into Transcendental Demon…

“Even if… I am just a child compared to them now, if… if they interfere with my affairs or meddle in my life, I will wipe them all out, even if they are immortals, not just those in the stage of Emptiness. Even if it takes a lifetime… I will no longer back down from anything.”

The Mad Demon Lord was lightly trembling at Pachaen’s words. He had seen the terrifying demonic energy rising from Pachaen’s back. For someone who had reached the stage of Transcendental Demon to emit demonic energy?

Title: [Serial] Emperor’s Sword 24. I Will Take You as My Subordinate. Related Data: None [59472]

Sender: Im Sam-yeol (logos333) 2000-12-30 00:09 Views: 2021

-Emperor’s Sword-