My Alter Ego's Path to Greatness

A man in black robes, enveloped in wind, floated in the air, looking down. While he appeared to be in his thirties, the current Heavenly Demon had already been active three decades ago.

'For a monster like him to appear personally…'

Everyone froze. Master Wujin, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, was a Peak Master, considered one of the strongest in the orthodox Murim. For him to be defeated by the Heavenly Demon…

"…Hahaha. It seems my old body isn't what it used to be. This old monk's shortcomings…"

Fwoosh—

But fortunately, an old monk, covered in dust, emerged from the rubble of the collapsed temple building. While he looked worse for wear compared to his seemingly unscathed opponent…

…he calmly adjusted his torn robes, glanced at his severed right arm, and clasped his hands together with his left hand.

"But you seem to have grown stronger, Patron Heavenly Demon. Did you consume something… nutritious?"

"Heh— Indeed. Something very nutritious. I feel like I could fly. I'm willing to share it with you, if you wish."

"Amitabha, I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline. I'm a follower of the Buddha's teachings; I cannot stray from the righteous path."

"That's a shame. You're worthy. Let me know if you change your mind."

While their conversation was friendly, no one took it at face value. A palpable tension filled the air with each barbed remark, like walking on a tightrope.

The Heavenly Demon, seemingly enjoying the tense atmosphere, grinned and surveyed his surroundings. This was the grand debut of his sect, emerging from the shadows. He was pleased with the turnout.

'This momentum is unstoppable. There's no one left in this world who can oppose our sect— Hmm?'

But his smile didn't last long. His arrogant expression hardened as his gaze swept over the fearful orthodox martial artists.

"…Who are you?"

His cold voice echoed softly, as if freezing everything in its path. The tense crowd raised their weapons, but the Heavenly Demon's gaze remained fixed on a single point.

On Hugo, who was trying to avoid his gaze, his face pale with sweat.

Naturally, the Heavenly Demon didn't care about his attempts to hide.

"Why— Why are you still here?"

A question laced with an unknown emotion.

And it wasn't just a question.

'Ugh, this is…!'

He felt a gaze. And that was all it took for the surrounding air to become heavy as iron, crushing him, his senses going haywire. His sense of distance and balance distorted, his thoughts fragmented. While his consciousness remained intact, thanks to his connection with the other avatars, he lost control of his body.

'…I didn't know the Heavenly Demon was this strong. At this level…'

Now he understood why even Master Wujin, a Peak Master, was helpless. He, not even a Transcendent Realm expert, couldn't resist. All he could do was pray for mercy.

As he considered recalling himself…

"Haa—"

…he suddenly gasped, a wave of fresh air filling his lungs, and his distorted senses began to return to normal. He realized he had been holding his breath.

'…Terrifying. He can do this with just his will, without even using internal energy. And I'm at the peak of First-Rate, not a low level.'

He looked up and saw the fluttering robes of a monk, understanding how he regained his senses. Master Wujin, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, had moved in front of him.

"Hahaha, Patron Heavenly Demon. That's a bit harsh, isn't it? Picking on a junior."

"Step aside."

"Amitabha, are you really determined to fight? This won't benefit either of us."

"I see words won't work."

The Heavenly Demon's cold expression twisted slightly. Hugo's presence seemed to mean more to him than expected. His reaction was excessively sensitive, unlike his initial appearance.

"Great Guardian of Subjugation."

"May the Heavenly Demon's return bring ten thousand blessings! Jang Cheorik, Great Guardian of Subjugation, at your service!"

Clang!

A massive, dark-skinned man, his body wrapped in black chains, stepped forward and prostrated himself loudly. He was one of the Demonic Cult members who had surrounded the area.

"Make sure no one escapes. Especially him. I have questions for him. Leave only his ears and mouth intact."

"As you command!"

The Heavenly Demon, having given direct orders to a Transcendent Realm expert, grinned at Hugo, still hiding behind Master Wujin. A heavy, sinister grin, its meaning incomprehensible to Hugo.

'Oh, this is bad.'

Hugo, now the center of attention, forced a smile. While he enjoyed attention, he wasn't fond of this kind of obsessive fixation.

'It can't be helped.'

He tightened his grip on his sword and sighed softly, preparing for the incoming enemies. It seemed he had to hurry.

Near the Shaolin Temple's main gate…

Clang!

Sword Saint Nangun Wu frowned, glaring at the one-eyed old man clashing swords with him.

A black sword, engraved with the image of a demon, met his attacks without yielding. Its owner was Yeo Munjang, the One-Eyed Demon Sword, one of the Heavenly Demon Cult's Guardians, a Peak Master who had been active during the same era as him.

"Hehehe. You've grown old, Nangun Wu. Is this all you've got?"

"Heh— It seems like only yesterday you were running away after I took your eye, Yeo Munjang. Such arrogance, fueled by ill-gotten power."

"Hmph, how amusing. Coming from you, who grew up on elixirs instead of food?"

"You bastard, don't compare innocent people's life force to elixirs!"

"What's the difference? It's still power gained through external means."

Clang—

They had clashed several times in the past, their skills, talent, and level similar, both wielding swords. Nangun Wu had won their last duel, taking Yeo Munjang's eye…

…but their current rematch, after almost twenty years, was different.

'He's come prepared.'

The Sword Saint's expression hardened, feeling the heavy resistance from his opponent's sword. While Master Wujin was currently holding off the Heavenly Demon, he knew it wouldn't last. He had felt the monster's terrifying aura himself.

But he couldn't ignore the One-Eyed Demon Sword either. He planned to quickly defeat him and join Master Wujin, but…

"Distracted? Still have the leisure to think about other things?"

"Ugh!"

His opponent was stronger than he'd anticipated. He couldn't defeat him quickly. He would be defeated if he wasn't careful.

He gritted his teeth. While he was worried about the others, his main concern was his grandchildren. They had come this far, trusting him. He couldn't lose here.

"Hehehe— Your focus is wavering, Nangun Wu. Shall I take your other eye?"

His swordsmanship faltered as his thoughts wandered, his defense weakening. He couldn't fight properly with his mind elsewhere. As he was losing ground…

"Oops, excuse me—!"

…an unexpected guest barged into their duel.

"······!"

"What?!"

Despite their focus, they were still Peak Masters. They reacted instantly to the sudden intrusion. The Sword Saint stepped back, strengthening his defense, while the One-Eyed Demon Sword unleashed a sharp wave of Qi.

To eliminate the intruder instantly.

"…Whoa! Swinging such a dangerous thing around!"

But his attack only angered the newcomer, who had been peacefully passing through. As a great warrior, he couldn't ignore such reckless violence!

Rumble—

He didn't do anything special. He simply clenched his fist and punched the incoming attack with all his might.

And that was enough.

KABOOM—!

"Gah?!"

The One-Eyed Demon Sword's expression contorted as an immense force traveled through his sword, jarring his hand. He suffered internal injuries from the unexpected impact.

'Such brute force. I deflected most of it, and it still did this much damage?'

He created distance, regaining his grip on his sword, wary of a follow-up attack. But his opponent merely glanced at him. He had intervened because he was in the way, but he had other priorities. He could deal with this later.

"I interrupted a good fight! My bad! I'll be on my way, so don't mind me and carry on!"

"Is that old man the Sword Saint? Then his opponent… One-eyed, with a black demon sword. The One-Eyed Demon Sword? Then inside…"

"Hey, buddy! What are you waiting for? Come on!"

He grabbed the other man who had been muttering to himself and, with a casual wave towards the wary elders, turned and left, as if he had merely been passing through.

"…What was that?"

"…"

But neither the Sword Saint nor the One-Eyed Demon Sword could move recklessly. The grotesque stranger possessed surprising skill. Engaging him would create openings, and their current opponents wouldn't hesitate to exploit them.

'Who is he? I've never heard of a grotesque like him.'

The Sword Saint, who hadn't heard of the new Mad Demon yet, wondered. Judging by the One-Eyed Demon Sword's reaction, he wasn't from the Demonic Cult, but his level was surprisingly high for someone who appeared out of nowhere.

But the One-Eyed Demon Sword had different thoughts.

'…Mad Demon and the imposter. What are they doing here? He said he would handle it himself. What was the Military Advisor doing?!'

He hadn't paid much attention to the gossip, too preoccupied with the upcoming plan, but now that they had appeared, he was frustrated.

'Why are they both here? They have nothing to do with the orthodox Murim.'

The original Mad Demon was unaffiliated, leaning more towards the unorthodox side. And the imposter seemed similar.

But they quickly composed themselves, pushing aside their thoughts, and stared at each other.

And—

Clang—! KABOOM—!

—their fierce battle resumed. Their current priority was defeating their opponent.

End