Chapter 14: Heart Demon (3)

Originally, for martial artists who had reached a certain level, even just verbally explaining techniques and martial arts created a battle path in their minds.

Now, this sword debate wasn't just an exchange of words, but contained respect for each other's martial knowledge, distribution of internal energy, and achieved realms.

It was a clash of what each had seen, heard, realized, and learned. It was the crystallization of martial arts created by effort and determination.

I closed my eyes. Then Bi Wol's energy felt even more vivid.

In a dark space where I couldn't see an inch ahead, I saw the image of a black-haired girl glaring at me.

'She tried to reduce the distance with Heavenly Demon Sovereign Step, then aimed for weak points like the eyes with Heavenly Demon Blood Dread Slash. Different from her usual self who acted spoiled with me.'

She was like a well-honed sword. Her killing intent wrapped around me, and I could vividly remember the moment her blade was about to aim for my neck.

"This is the final third move, Master."

Bi Wol's Heart Demon spoke slowly and heavily. Her voice held a slight smile, perhaps thinking I had barely succeeded in defending by a small margin.

Bi Wol had reached the entrance of the pinnacle realm in her possessed state, and I too had reached a similar level.

'It's not wrong judgment. However...'

What ultimately mattered in this sword debate was filling in the gaps and understanding how well one could read the opponent's moves.

New insights or breaking conventions only worked at realms above enlightenment.

To surpass the limits of the pinnacle realm required bloody effort and proper foundations. All basics needed to be prepared.

"I will use the Heavenly Demon Divine Technique Third Form, Heavenly Demon Soul Attack to break Master's mind. Now, how will you counter?"

A deadly technique that used demonic energy to create illusions and bewitch the opponent. Like being surrounded on all sides on a Go board, it was a move to prevent my escape.

This move thrown by Bi Wol's Heart Demon was very meticulous and sharp.

She first prevented my escape with Heavenly Demon Sovereign Step, made me focus on defense with Blood Dread Slash, and waited for a mental opening.

However, I decided to reverse this flow.

"I will use the Dark Dragon Blood Step of the Four Heavens Gate to retreat four steps back, using your poison as a stepping stone."

Like placing a white Go stone, I was moving one step ahead of Bi Wol.

In a time shorter than it takes to drink a cup of tea, I had blocked all the attacks mentioned by Bi Wol's Heart Demon.

Realizing I had countered all the divine techniques used by the Heavenly Demon, described as the strongest in my original novel "The King of the Vajra Fist," there was a sensation that resonated hotly in my heart.

How long had it been since I felt this?

The emotion called elation or fighting spirit. It was the opposite of what I usually felt living with a terminal condition.

"This is impossible! Master, from the evil path, using righteous path techniques!"

Bi Wol's Heart Demon shouted in a voice mixed with surprise and anger. However, I responded with a light laugh.

"Why not? In sword debate, there are no forms or limits. Beyond the boundary between righteous and evil paths, we are discussing the essence of martial arts."

I threw words that Bi Wol's Heart Demon hadn't predicted. The essence of this sword debate wasn't just a technical exchange of martial arts, but a discussion of what lay beyond.

Originally, a sword debate with words was a type of battle unbound by form or format.

Bi Wol, who had learned the Heavenly Demon Divine Technique, could use the Wudang Sect's orthodox techniques, and I, with my Extreme Yin Constitution, could use techniques with Extreme Yang properties.

The evil path could use righteous path techniques, and third-rate techniques could become first-rate depending on their principles.

"But you should only use techniques you can actually perform...!"

Bi Wol's Heart Demon scolded me, apparently not expecting this. If I had only used Ice White Divine Technique, I certainly couldn't have won against her.

"In the vast martial world, gauging what techniques your opponent can use is natural."

This was Bi Wol's first proper sword debate. So she thought it was like actual combat, where one had to manage internal energy consumption and could only use techniques they knew.

"I am the Ice Dragon. A practitioner of the evil path whose name remains from the Great War between Good and Evil, and also one who saved children from a cult claiming to be the Heavenly Demon Sect."

"......"

"Did you think I became strong without any effort? Did you think I was like some fool who relied only on heaven-given constitution and thought the whole world was under my palm?"

I added with a smile. This sword debate wasn't just a technical contest for me, but an exploration of martial arts' essence and reading the Heart Demon's mind.

"I will create a sharp sword by tearing apart the fragments of Ice Shadow Wall and aim for your vital points. I will strike with the Three Talents Sword Technique."

"Isn't that just a third-rate technique?"

"But in this world, there was someone who elevated that third-rate technique to first-rate. Someone called the Number One Under Heaven with simple movements of horizontal cuts, vertical cuts, and thrusts."

That was the man called Sword God who appeared in "The King of the Vajra Fist." A character I had wanted to write as ascending to immortality in the novel's ending.

I had sought teachings from the Infinite Sword Emperor of the Namgung Family, the Poison Dragon of the Four Heavens Gate, the Beggar Sect's leader, and the Hao Gate master who appeared in the original work.

I had sought out anyone who could make me stronger, regardless of whether they were from the righteous path, evil path, or outer martial world.

"If you don't block, you won't be able to use your right arm. Are you okay with that?"

Though there were many techniques I couldn't learn because my yin energy was too strong, that didn't mean I hadn't reached martial enlightenment.

"Ahaha! This disciple understands. This is breaking convention! Master is still teaching me!"

"Wrong..."

At that moment, I penetrated deeper into her mental imagery. In my mind appeared Bi Wol, not in her usual white uniform but dressed in black.

In the mental imagery, she was no longer a simple girl. She was now a Heavenly Demon ready to face me as an equal.

"Then this disciple will use sword techniques too! I will decide this with the Namgung Family's Flashing Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunder!"

As soon as Bi Wol's Heart Demon drew her sword in imagination, I met her momentum.

"I will block that sword strike with the Point Spear Sect's Fire Dragon Sword."

CLANG─!

The sound of clashing metal rang out, and our swords flew at each other with sparks. Bi Wol's Heart Demon shouted triumphantly.

"Are you surprised? I made Master take a step back!"

As she said, I had unintentionally stepped back once. Questions began creeping up inside me.

'...How?'

I couldn't hide my surprise at Bi Wol's appearance. How did she know the Namgung Family's sword techniques, famous for their heavy swords?

"I wanted to cut off your right arm, but I'll be satisfied with this."

The sword path I hadn't fully blocked had slightly penetrated my right shoulder.

"Using the Zhuge Family's Iron String Sword Technique as a feint, I will aim to slash Master's ribs with the Murong Family's Flash Cloud-Splitting Sword."

The Bi Wol I knew couldn't use such sword techniques. However, now she was perfectly executing the techniques of the Five Great Families.

'The Namgung Family's sword contains the principle of weight, the Murong Family's sword contains the principle of speed. How did she know and use that?'

Bi Wol's Heart Demon was no longer the Bi Wol I knew. She had transformed into the exact Heavenly Demon described in the novel.

A powerful being who could drink down all life under heaven, whom no martial artist could face.

"Then I shall use the techniques of the Nine Schools One Way."

Using the same Five Great Families' techniques could backfire. Instead, I needed to flip the situation by introducing variation.

"I will deflect your attack with the Flower Mountain Sect's sword containing the principle of change, and create distance by striking your abdomen with the Clear Sound Sect's Clear Wind Leg."

"This disciple will create three steps' distance from Master with the Heavenly Wandering God Step."

A different sensation arose. Our sword debate had changed character, becoming an endless psychological battle.

We were using techniques we had never used before, trying to flip each other's strategies.

To grasp victory in this confrontation, I needed to accurately understand her Heart Demon.

"...Bi Wol."

"Yes, Master. Please ask."

I had to confirm this part. The thought occurred to me that the demon hiding in her heart might actually be Bi Wol's original future that I hadn't eliminated.

"Are you really not Bi Wol, but truly a Heart Demon?"

"As expected, you noticed. How impressive."

Because that was the fate of the Heaven-Killing Star's karma. Because it required killing.

"Actually, I'm not sure either. One day when I opened my eyes, my love for Master and the karma of killing had become entangled."

"How curious, how is that possible?"

While talking with Bi Wol's Heart Demon, I felt she had many similarities to Bi Wol.

Like how light must have shadow, it was her innermost feelings that couldn't be separated.

"This is the love I learned from Master. The strength of emotion that can encompass all things."

Originally in "The King of the Vajra Fist," the protagonist Kim Hyul completely eliminated his Heart Demon and reached a new realm, but.

"If this body can burn to convey the good girl's feelings to Master, this evil spirit can disappear at any time."

"Heart Demon, how can you think the heart is divided into good and evil?"

"...Pardon?"

I realized I shouldn't thoughtlessly eliminate Bi Wol's Heart Demon. I scolded her while grinding my molars.

"Human weakness is precious. Because only that emotion can allow one to feel compassion for others."

This was a flow that wasn't in the original novel. The Heart Demon came because she was understanding human emotions, because she was struggling.

"Master..."

"...You call me Master too. All I did was extend a hand to help you up when you fell."

It felt somehow familiar how even Bi Wol's Heart Demon, who bore the karma of the Heaven-Killing Star and had to kill, called me Master and tried her best to suppress those urges.

"Heart Demon, do you remember what I said when I first met you?"

A black-haired girl with feet bound in shackles, curled up on the cold ground.

When I first saw Bi Wol in the Heavenly Demon Cult, she had empty eyes just like now.

I received numerous wounds protecting her.

"You certainly said 'Pine and Cypress in Snow.'"

Looking down at the body now covered in ugly scars, the Heart Demon before me made a sad expression.

"Yes, do you now understand what that means?"

"Isn't it referring to someone with firm principles, as pine and cypress trees don't lose their color even in snow? Like Master..."

I shook my head at that answer. In our mental imagery, the scene of the Heavenly Demon Cult I had destroyed began to appear.

Finally, I could step into Bi Wol's mental imagery world.

"No, Bi Wol. The Pine and Cypress in Snow I spoke of meant you."

"...? I don't understand what you mean."

"I knew that even in that situation, you were trying not to lose your humanity."

I opened my mouth while carefully taking in this mental world. In front of the cult building where rain was pouring heavily, the black-haired girl I originally knew lay collapsed.

"This girl is not such a strong person...!"

Beside that Bi Wol, the Heart Demon shook her head vigorously and shouted at me. Tears from one eye mixed with the rain.

"Didn't you endure the cult leaders' beatings without a scream to save your friends, and drink mud and sewage to stave off hunger rather than eat blood and human flesh?"

I recited the settings I knew to persuade the Heart Demon and awaken the original Bi Wol's collapsed personality.

"How is this not Pine and Cypress in Snow?"

Because before becoming a Heavenly Demon, Bi Wol was the purest and kindest girl, just like how she follows me now.

"The cult leaders force-fed me flesh and blood while I was unconscious, and when I stayed silent to protect my friends, I had to clean up even more corpses...! What do you know to speak like that!"

The Heart Demon gripped her sword tightly and rushed to kill me. Her tear-stained face was barely distinguishable through the rain.

"Using Heavenly Demon Divine Technique, Sixth Form Nine Heavens Demon Sword, I will take Master's head!"

The sword debate began again.

Another technique.

"I will dodge your sword with Lazy Donkey Rolling, then strike the ground with Ice Breaking Fist. As an application, I will use Ice Descending Fist to fly up and strike down!"

Watching the Heart Demon trying to cut me with her sword, I rolled. The mental world was so real it felt like mud was staining my clothes.

"Someone who has reached the pinnacle realm using Lazy Donkey Rolling! The whole world will laugh at Master!"

"I don't care if they laugh. What need is there for formality or honor when saving my one and only beloved disciple?"

"This girl will use Asura Demon Sword to show a storm of sword strikes targeting Master's descending vital points - the Connecting Fluid, Central Core, and Middle Complete!"

"Targeting below the ribs, center of the chest, and center of the abdomen, very well. I will use Ice White Divine Technique Tenth Form Ice Flow Kick to flow past your sword stream, deliver cold energy to your abdomen with my foot, and immediately plant my fist in your temple."

"I will defend with Heavenly Demon Divine Palm!"

"Too late. How can you be confident in blocking this technique with just one palm?"

KWANG─!

"...I cannot lose! This is my mental world, the place where all my nightmares of birth and growth reside!"

The noise shook the ground, thick dust clouds rose, and a large crater formed. Within it, the Heart Demon was coughing and trying to rise.

"Heart Demon, inner feelings of my poor beloved disciple. Why do you call this hell your mental world?"

"What... what do you mean?"

"Just before, you called me your world. Like a baby bird breaking out of its shell."

I clicked my tongue watching her. She was still far from the realization I wanted to give her. She still hadn't realized her true self.

"But how can a world be a world? That is calling the footprints of one's life journey a world."

As soon as I spoke these words, all surrounding noise suddenly fell silent. The heavy rain that had been falling stopped, and snow began to fall instead.

"Your world is not this gloomy place, but a pure white snow scene where no footprints have been made."

One step, then another.

I approached the original collapsed Bi Wol. She looked exactly as she had when I first saw her.

"You could have given up everything and run away. You could have accepted the karma of the Heaven-Killing Star and lived by killing people."

With crunching sounds, the cold snow field was pressed under my feet, and I brushed the snowflakes from Bi Wol's head.

"But you didn't. Even in darkness, you didn't lose hope and tried to save everyone."

"Master...? Why are you here..."

The original Bi Wol I knew slowly opened her eyes and regained consciousness, and I smiled gently watching her.

"How easy is it for flowers to bloom in snow? How can one not find beauty in life that endures such cold and bitter frost?"

Then, I created a sword of ice and placed it in Bi Wol's hand.

"You are Pine and Cypress in Snow. An evergreen that doesn't change no matter what hardships come. So, do what you believe is right."

After all, overcoming the Heart Demon was something one had to do oneself.

"This master will help you by your side."