SWNOVELXO Chapter 159
Chapter 159: It Must Be a Delusion?
[Yeomwang, what are you doing here?]
A pompous voice echoed in Yeon Sowol, or rather Jeoksawol’s mind.
It was Cheonma.
He conveyed his words directly through his thoughts.
Jeoksawol spotted Cheonma’s figure; he was casually perched in a relaxed stance, looking down on her. The narrowed eyes and subtly expressed disdain were unmistakable.
Yeon Sowol smiled slightly while Jeoksawol scoffed internally.
[As expected, Cheonma is indeed Cheonma. If you had failed to grasp my martial arts prowess, I would have been disappointed.]
Jeoksawol sent out a wave of her thoughts. Cheonma’s hand trembled slightly in response.
[Yeomwang, I heard this year is your coming of age. I called for the Post-Stimulation Indicator, not some faded old relic pretending to be it. You’re not senile, are you?]
Cheonma threw out the thought while gazing at Yeon Sowol.
It was the first time the Demon Sect had opened its doors after a complete cessation of communication and silence.
It was expected that the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions would play dirty.
However, Cheonma never anticipated that someone like Jeoksawol— the paramount of the Unorthodox—would come to the Demon Sect while risking personal humiliation.
Being called senile boiled Jeoksawol’s blood.
‘You’re several years younger than me… How dare you call me senile, you arrogant brat!’
This year, Cheonma was forty-five, which surpassed the age of rash youths like Geumhu.
[Of course not. If you’re so concerned, then request a private audience later, Cheonma.]
Jeoksawol said while pretending to be Yeon Sowol.
Cheonma narrowed his eyes. Requesting a private audience— it was such arrogance befitting the top of the Unorthodox. Even in the Demon Sect, which was practically on enemy territory, Jeoksawol stood tall.
‘Is he out of his mind…?’
It was said that among masters, there were many eccentrics. Especially among the absolute masters of Hyun-gyeong, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to consider them the most extraordinary of eccentrics.
But even Cheonma had never encountered a case like Jeoksawol.
Yet, he couldn’t treat her carelessly. With her status as Sado Ryeonju and the power of Hyun-gyeong, she was formidable enough to contend with him. Physically suppressing her would be challenging, and using other methods would be risky.
Cheonma pressed his throbbing temples. After all, she was the top of the Unorthodox.
She deserved to request a private meeting.
[Very well.]
[You should have said that earlier. And your guarantee for absolute safety, that’s genuine, correct?]
The question from Yeon Sowol, now in the form of Jeoksawol, was directed at Cheonma Baek Murang.
[Of course. This is a command issued in my name. There’s no possibility of my orders being defied in this sect.]
The absolute safety guarantee for the Black and White Paths’ Post-Stimulation Indicator.
It was Cheonma who agreed to the demands of the Goeryong Lee Cheol-soo directly. Jeoksawol’s eyes narrowed slightly upon receiving Cheonma’s certainty.
[Hmm. Is that so? Yet, do not touch the Goeryong recklessly, Cheonma.]
[Goeryong? Why is he referred to as Goeryong and not as Cheonmuji-che or Heuksaryong?]
Cheonma’s gaze turned towards Goeryong Lee Cheol-soo, the winner of the Yongbong Society and the disciple of Cheonmuji-che Yujinhwi.
That’s as far as his knowledge went. While there were rumors of his refreshing and candid behavior gaining favor among the followers of the New Religion, to Cheonma, that information was useless.
But why did Jeoksawol, the top of the Unorthodox, have any connections with Goeryong?
There was no interaction between the top of the Unorthodox, Jeoksawol, and Goeryong. They were separated by a rift formed by the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions. Unless Cheonma had forced interactions, they likely had never even met.
If he were to support someone, it would be more fitting to defend the fellow Unorthodox, Heuksaryong Wi Soryeon.
So why?
For the first time in a while, pure curiosity surged in Cheonma’s heart.
Upon hearing Cheonma’s query, Jeoksawol’s face flushed slightly. She conveyed through thoughts.
[Yeon Sowol… has feelings for Goeryong Lee Cheol-soo… That’s just how it is, Cheonma. Don’t ask for more details, and of course, do not harm anyone else in Lee Cheol-soo’s entourage. I’ll be watching.]
While trying to hide her blush quickly, Jeoksawol added hastily.
Cheonma’s eyes widened slightly at her words.
So it’s true.
‘What on earth does that mean? Surely not…’
Cheonma entertained a potential possibility that he quickly suppressed.
Yeah.
No matter how eccentric the top of the Unorthodox might be, she wouldn’t fall for a mere brat years her junior.
This was something that even the Colorful Horse of the New Religion wouldn’t do.
Just as she said, it must be an act.
Thinking so, Cheonma sent a response through thoughts.
[Do as you like. I will call shortly, so wait.]
[Hmph.]
An act… Right?
Ignoring Jeoksawol’s response, Cheonma’s gaze finally landed on Yujinhwi.
A figure so fitting for the term ‘genius,’ he resembled a beautifully crafted painting, a paragon of the Orthodox faction.
With refined features reminiscent of crystal and jade, he was an exquisite young man.
Cheonma’s transparent eyes traced Yujinhwi.
His lips were adorned with a smile.
‘I’ve exceeded expectations.’
The talents that Cheonma perceived through his probing matched and even surpassed those he had once possessed.
A prodigy that appears once in a millennium. It was a title truly fitting for him.
‘To break through to the Stage of Transcendence at seventeen.’
Though Yujinhwi was hiding his prowess, Cheonma could see through his art.
At seventeen, Yujinhwi was a peerless master who had reached the Stage of Transcendence.
He was still two years younger than Cheonma, who had reached the stage at nineteen.
Cheonma’s prior boredom vanished. A surge of intent surged within him. The Supreme Demon Art, created by the first Cheonma and refined over generations, was once again enhanced with the unparalleled talent of Cheonma Baek Murang.
The essence of the Heavenly Demon Technique resonated with Cheonma’s intent, erupting with overwhelming force.
Kwahahahahahaha!
As the power of the Heavenly Demon Technique burst forth from Cheonma’s body at that moment…
[Cheonma!]
Jeoksawol’s voice echoed in Cheonma’s ears.
[It’s a test. I have no intent to harm, so rest easy and step back.]
With a mere word, Cheonma made Jeoksawol take a step back. Just as the overwhelming force from the Heavenly Demon Technique filled the arena, the air crackled.
“…”
Yujinhwi stepped forward. Her transparent gaze fixed firmly on Cheonma seated in the sage’s throne.
‘Another test, huh?’
With innate talent that surpassed ordinary people, she was a Cheonmuji-che. Exceptional masters have a tendency to enjoy testing the talents that are rarely seen across the world.
The Jincheongyeomwang of the Seomun Family was like that, and the Unorthodox’s top Yeomwang Jeoksawol was the same, as was Geomma.
Hence, Cheonma would follow suit, naturally.
‘Cheonma.’
In the slowed-down sensation time, Yujinhwi locked his sight on Cheonma.
The Demon Sect.
Fifty years ago, they had nearly obliterated the Gongdong Sect during the Orthodox-Demon War, marking them as the arch-enemy of the sect.
Cheonma was the leader of that enemy. Had it not been for the sect’s supreme techniques, they wouldn’t have come to the battlefield today.
The explosive energy surging from Cheonma filled Yujinhwi’s senses, allowing him to apprehend the movement within Cheonma’s very essence.
Yujinhwi was naturally born with the ability to see Qi differently, allowing her to perceive even the flow of Qi in the air.
‘Reverse Blood, huh?’
The Heavenly Demon Technique, standing at the pinnacle of martial arts, rivaled the Shen Gong of the Orthodox faction. Yujinhwi began to decipher the flowing essence of the Heavenly Demon Technique’s movements.
Amplifying the explosive force through Reverse Blood felt reminiscent of the supreme techniques of the Gongdong Sect. As taught by her master, both the Demon Sect’s martial arts and the Gongdong Sect’s techniques utilized Reverse Blood Techniques.
However, their aims were different. Unlike the Gongdong Sect, which pursued the Reverse Taeguk, the Demon Sect aimed for the Reverse Heaven. The demonic essence clashed with Cheonma, counteracting the natural order.
‘Not just the Reverse Heaven.’
Yet the Heavenly Demon Technique wasn’t merely a Reverse Heaven technique. It was a Breakthrough to Heaven. This wasn’t merely the defiance of the natural order; it was the power to crumble it. An overwhelming wave of destructive force surged toward her.
Cheonma’s gaze sparkled.
It was a test. Yet the intent held within Cheonma’s energy was genuine. If left unchecked, her companions, and even her disciple, would be harmed. Therefore, she had to take the lead.
She had vowed always to protect her disciple. The power she attained was to fulfill that promise. She swore to become the best under heaven. Thus, she decided to let him embrace her.
To do that—
Cheonma was, of course, something she had to surpass. If she couldn’t surpass him, she would never become the best under heaven.
At that moment, as Yujinhwi devoted himself to the Primordial Unity Energy Technique…
Clutch.
Someone grabbed her hand.
Without needing to look, she knew who it belonged to; the sensation was unmistakable.
That was her disciple.
Lee Cheol-soo.
I grasped my disciple’s hand.
I could see her eyes tremble slightly. Turning my gaze forward.
Honestly.
Why is it that the behavior pattern of these martial masters is so identical? Each and every one seems obsessed with testing.
Is my disciple just a test subject for them?
[Disciple, why? I’ll protect you…!]
The voice of my disciple echoed in my mind.
[I’m okay.]
I conveyed through thoughts to my disciple.
A spark of interest flickered in Cheonma’s gaze.
I looked directly at the arrogantly seated Cheonma. Cheonma.
A dangerous individual. To see my disciple, he summoned the Post-Stimulation Indicator of the Black and White Paths into the Demon Sect under the pretext of their second-rate measure.
Her disciple could potentially become his only match; I could not allow Cheonma’s obsession with her to go unchecked.
I had to disperse it by any means necessary.
So I stepped forward. I held hands with my disciple and began to draw up the Primordial Unity Energy Technique together.
Cheonma’s energy pressed against me, threatening to crush me. The pain shot through me, and I gritted my teeth.
[Disciple. We are forming a united front with Wooje. Besides, you no longer need to protect me all the time. I intend to earn my keep from now on.]
We would face Cheonma together. My disciple nodded at my words, understanding the plan. She released her Primordial Unity energy to synchronize with mine.
Standing side by side, we formed a temporary united front. The lingering energy between us resonated and amplified.
I drove the Primordial Unity Technique to its limits. Alongside it, using the insight of Hyun-gyeong, I forcibly moved my intent. Gulping down a mouthful of blood that rose in my throat, I channeled the explosive energy outward.
The overwhelming force of Cheonma that threatened to crush the world clashed with the enchanting roots of our energy, creating a magnificent harmony.
Patsutsutsutsutsu!
With a sparkling sound, the energy burst in every direction. My disciple’s eyes shone with resolute fire. Upon witnessing this, Cheonma’s brows twitched.
“Ha, ha, ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!”
Clap.
Cheonma applauded.
The overwhelming demonic energy that filled the arena dissipated like smoke.
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
Cheonma continued to applaud.
He looked down at Yujinhwi—or rather, me—and spoke.
“Goeryong Lee Cheol-soo.”
A smile graced Cheonma’s lips.
“…You’re not just any ordinary Post-Stimulation Indicator of the White Path, are you?”
Cheonma spoke to me with serious intent while an ethereal energy began to rise from him.
I looked at Cheonma and grinned.
“That’s right, Cheonma-sunbae. I am… without a doubt, the number one Post-Stimulation Indicator of the White Path, Geomryong Lee Cheol-soo. I’m certainly not an ordinary Post-Stimulation Indicator, nor am I merely Goeryong.”
After hearing my words, Cheonma’s expression turned strange.
What? Is there a problem? I said I’m not Goeryong.