SWNOVELXO Chapter 174
174th Chapter: Do You Believe Me, Brother?
The Heavenly Horse, standing on the platform, spoke briefly with a blank expression.
“Today marks the start of the Ceremony of Martial Arts to the Heavenly Horse. Contestants, come forth and receive my wine.”
Swiiiish.
With a wave of his hand, the Heavenly Horse conjured a wine bottle from thin air, holding it firmly as he spoke solemnly.
The Ceremony of Martial Arts to the Heavenly Horse was a complex survival tournament where post-stimulation indicators were thrown into the Demon Realm beneath the Ten Thousand Demon Valley, competing to see who could first break through the Five Demon Gates at the exit.
Naturally, it was necessary to randomly distribute the post-stimulation indicators throughout the Demon Realm, and the wine cups that the Heavenly Horse was distributing served precisely that purpose.
‘That wine must have the Dreaming Potion mixed in.’
Dreaming Potion.
A medieval martial arts version of a sleeping drug, administered to put the post-stimulation indicators into slumber before randomly dropping them anywhere in the Demon Realm.
Once the post-stimulation indicators woke up, that would mark the official start of the Ceremony of Martial Arts to the Heavenly Horse.
Shhhhhh. Thwack.
Six wine cups were filled on the table.
Honestly, I’d have no problem detoxing from the Dreaming Potion. As a Dongchang agent, my first training program involved poison consumption.
Moreover, this time it was 100% likely that the Blood Sect had a hand in things. I decided to pretend to faint right after taking the potion.
“Drink up,” said the Heavenly Horse as six post-stimulation indicators stood on the platform. I lifted the cup and downed it. The harsh medicinal fumes rose. Casually extracting the medicine, I pretended to sleep.
As I collapsed to the ground, I felt someone catching my body. Soon after, my eyes were tightly bandaged.
‘Looks like it’s finally beginning.’
I kept my sensory awareness open, raising vigilance in case I needed to react to the Demon Sect members.
Thus began the Ceremony of Martial Arts to the Heavenly Horse.
*
Drip.
A cold droplet fell onto my cheek.
I felt the chill of earth on my back.
Looks like I’ve finally arrived at the famed Demon Realm. I opened my eyes. A hazy mist obscured my vision, and scattered beast bones littered the ground.
I opened my senses and spread my energy, but unlike usual, my energy didn’t stretch far, hampered by the mist and scattered.
A drastically reduced detection range. Plus, an eerie aura sent tingles across my skin.
It’s demonic energy.
The thick haze in front of me was solidified demonic energy.
‘The Demon Realm’s infamy is no exaggeration.’
Just like in martial arts novels, there were certain power spots in the world where specific energies gathered.
Like the Tai Chi Spot where yin and yang energies converged, or the Eternal Ice Cave, the sacred site of the Ice Palace, or the Ultimate Blood Grounds where extreme yang energy gathered.
Such locations with a dense concentration of specific energies allowed for the growth of elixirs and spirits infused with that energy, or remarkably improved the cultivation efficiency of martial arts deriving from the energies of that land.
The Demon Realm was indeed one of those places. The problem? The energy it harbored was demonic.
Without using internal energy, breathing was unpleasant, and moving was a struggle. It felt like I had been thrown into a horrific environment with 100% humidity and 40-degree heat.
“Sticky and unpleasant.”
Even the masters of Hwakyung, Sahyeong, or the masters of Hyeongyeong like Jeoksawol would face discomfort, albeit to varying degrees.
On the other hand, for demonic practitioners who had cultivated demonic arts, this environment was second to none for training.
So, they host the Ceremony of Martial Arts in such a dismal valley.
“In martial arts novels, such places are where hundreds of orphans are kidnapped, numbered like this, and forced into survival.”
I thought about that while quietly reciting the incantation of Dharma Wheel Holy King Technique I had received from Sinseung.
Woosh.
My dantian responded to the incantation of Dharma Wheel Holy King.
Dharma Wheel Holy King was a counter-demonic technique personally refined by Sinseung, a martial art specifically tailored for battling the Blood Sect.
Vroom vroom.
Internal energy transformed into anti-demon magical power as per the incantation. I opened my eyes.
Fsssssh!
With my body emanating energy infused with anti-demon power, the surrounding mist began to recede.
The detection range of my senses expanded immensely compared to before, as the energy carrying anti-demon magical power pierced through the mist.
I closed my eyes and scanned the surroundings to find any signs of life. Of course, while I was confident I could survive alone, “two heads are better than one” as they say.
Soon enough, a familiar presence was detected.
With my senses pinpointing the presence, I kicked off the ground and leapt using the Defensive Technique of Flowing Cloud and Water.
Whhoooosh!
With the explosive momentum cutting through the hazy mists, I eventually arrived at the spot where the presence felt strongest.
And I found it.
“Oi, brother!?”
A cute girl gingerly called me brother, and it was none other than Heuksaryong.
Thwack.
I landed in front of Heuksaryong.
“So it’s you, Heuksaryong. What a relief to find you.”
Sahyeong is the master of Hwakyung, and Jeoksawol is the master of Hyeongyeong. They will handle things accordingly no matter what happens.
But for now, the most dangerous factor in this scenario is Heuksaryong.
In this unpredictable Demon Realm, she was the most likely to be in danger. At the same time, she possessed significant power, so it was a stroke of luck that I encountered her first.
Heuksaryong’s face turned red upon seeing me. She shouted at me.
“W-What are you doing here…!?”
“I came looking for you.”
I approached Heuksaryong with a smile.
Heuksaryong Wi Soryeon.
This was our first meeting alone since the Orthodox Faction Competition two years ago. Following our reunion, she had always been with Yeon Sowol, or rather, Jeoksawol, so this was a rare opportunity to have a private conversation with her.
Well, while my finding Heuksaryong wasn’t a complete fabrication, it was partly true.
Hearing my words, Wi Soryeon’s cheeks flushed crimson.
“Eeeeh? W-Why… Why me…?”
Heuksaryong’s shoulders shrunk as her black eyes trembled.
Was she always this timid?
Seemed unlikely, right? What really happened during those two years? I grabbed Heuksaryong’s wrist energetically.
Flashing a charming smile, I said, “I’m not sure what all this worry is about, but I promise you this: Just trust your brother.”
Hehehehehe.
I never thought I’d get to say a line I’d dreamt of saying one day.
Upon hearing my words, Heuksaryong’s eyes wavered. She averted her gaze.
So shy!
“Hmph. Y-You haven’t changed at all since two years ago, brother! Always talking about taking responsibility, saying to trust you, just spouting nonsense like that—”
“It’s not nonsense; it’s sincere.”
Huh.
Why did she think like that? It’s absurd. Sure, I was no saint who only spoke the truth, but most of what I told Heuksaryong was sincere.
“Y-You’re lying… W-Why are you… why do you continue to… I might be more man than a woman…”
Heuksaryong’s gaze fell to the ground.
More manly than a woman? Was she talking about that time she dressed up for the banquet? My leaving mid-banquet wasn’t because of her.
“It’s been a while since we last met, and you never showed up after that day… W-Why…”
Thud.
Heuksaryong sank to the ground, lowering her head.
Seems like she’s got some strange misunderstandings. I need to clear those up.
Thwack.
I caught Heuksaryong by the shoulders and made her meet my eyes.
“You’re misunderstanding my actions. First, you looked beautiful wearing that outfit. Second, I never thought of you as anything less than feminine. In fact, your usual self is what sets you apart as uniquely charming.”
A glimmer returned to Heuksaryong’s eyes upon hearing my words.
“M-My charm…?”
“Exactly. There’s no need to conform. No need to berate yourself for being a tomboy. That very quality is your charm. At least, I find you attractive.”
A pretty girl, a tomboy, and a rough girl all have their charm.
It’s sad that she doesn’t recognize that.
Well, thinking back, it’s not surprising; in this medieval fantasy world, feminine traits are often considered the norm for a woman, so it’s natural for Heuksaryong to feel that way about herself.
Upon hearing my words, her face flushed vividly.
“Eeeh… W-Why are you saying this…?”
“And I’m not avoiding you. I’m avoiding Yeon Sowol… If I were avoiding you, I wouldn’t have come looking for you like this, would I?”
“Avoiding Yeon Sowol…?”
Heuksaryong muttered under her breath.
I lifted her wrist and helped her up.
“Now that you’ve understood and cleared up your misunderstandings, stand up and regain your composure. This place is dangerous.”
We needed to quickly find the next opponent; preferably, I’d want to meet Sahyeong.
“…”
Heuksaryong, silently with a red face, grasped my hand tightly. Again, I activated the Dharma Wheel Holy King Technique.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
With waves resonating like drums, the energy infused with anti-demon power surged forth, slicing through the thick mist.
“O-Brother… What is this…?”
Noticing the presence of anti-demon power, Heuksaryong began speaking beside me, but I ignored her.
The anti-demon energy that had been extending infinitely suddenly vanished.
Near the cliff, a cave-like formation devoured the anti-demon energy.
I opened my eyes.
‘The Five Demon Gates.’
Five Demon Gates.
If you escape the Demon Realm through any method other than the Five Demon Gates, you’re disqualified. This was the only exit built into the Demon Realm. Just like its name, you must break through five stages to escape to the surface.
Of course, like such a type of mechanism, it also tests the challenger’s power and serves as a training ground.
Even if I didn’t plan to escape right this moment, it wouldn’t hurt to note the location.
“Let’s go.”
“Uh, okay.”
Oddly obedient, Heuksaryong followed me as I stepped towards the cave that swallowed the demonic energy, using the Defensive Technique of Flowing Cloud and Water.
Naturally, I didn’t forget to map out the Demon Realm in my mind. When you fall into an unknown place, the first thing to do is draw a map. It was a lesson beaten into us during Dongchang agent training.
Upon arrival, we reached a cliff teeming with vines.
I couldn’t spot any caves, but I felt an artificial aura. A formation perhaps? No doubt the entrance was hidden by a formation setup.
Swoosh.
I drew my sword and unleashed a sword energy infused with anti-demon power to clear away all the vines.
As the formation disappeared, the entrance to the cave was revealed. I caught sight of the characters engraved above the entrance.
“Heavenly Horse Mound…?”
Heuksaryong read the characters beside me.
Indeed, the entrance bore the name, Heavenly Horse Mound.
Heavenly Horse Mound.
Translated, it means the grave of the Heavenly Horse. The grave of the Heavenly Horse, the Sect Leader of the Demon Sect? Why on Earth was the grave of the Heavenly Horse here? This isn’t some Egyptian valley of kings!
I was certain I was looking for the Five Demon Gates, yet something entirely different appeared.
“There’s exceptionally potent demonic energy emanating from there.”
Heuksaryong remarked. She was right; a horrendous concentration of demonic energy flowed from the cave interior.
Not the Five Demon Gates I had hoped for, but an even more suspicious place had presented itself. Hmm, a suspicious cave in a suspicious location.
This is a 100% chance of opportunity. No harm in checking it out.
“It’s an undeniably suspicious place. Let’s go inside.”
“W-Wait! I want to go too, brother!”
Suddenly, Heuksaryong clung to me. Did she also catch a whiff of this opportunity that I intended to hoard?
Well, fine. I don’t mind sharing a little.
“Sure, let’s do that.”
I said as I entered the Heavenly Horse Mound. Heuksaryong was still tightly beside me.
Drip, drip.
Cold droplets fell from the ceiling.
I continued utilizing the Dharma Wheel Holy King Technique, focusing the anti-demon power to pierce through the thick demonic energy inside the Heavenly Horse Mound like night vision goggles.
‘This isn’t a natural cave.’
I noticed the stone walls bore traces of human intervention.
True to its name, the Heavenly Horse Mound appeared to be a natural cave that had been converted into a tomb. How long had we walked? At what seemed to be the end of the cave, we arrived at our destination.
Within the chamber marked by high ceilings was a massive lake. There were no further paths to tread.
Moss grew near the lake. Being infused with demonic energy, it must be an excellent elixir for cultivating demonic arts.
Is this really the end? Absolutely not.
“Brother…”
I unleashed my anti-demon power toward the heart of the lake.
Fsssssh!
As the anti-demon energy infused with my power sparkled and spread through the lake, a sudden roar resonated throughout the entire chamber. My anti-demon energy had provoked a counteraction of the demonic energy that had amassed in the area.
Before me was a formation fueled by demonic energy. That could only signify one thing.
A smile crept onto my lips.
“I’ve found it.”
The true Heavenly Horse Mound lies beneath the lake.
This…
I must be really lucky!
*
At the same time.
Yujinhwi opened her eyes. Before becoming a master of Hwakyung, the Heavenly Body had rendered her immune to the Dreaming Potion.
Thus, Yujinhwi had pretended to be asleep, only waking after being transported to the Demon Realm.
Rising from her place, she closed her eyes.
‘The demonic energy is thick.’
The mist of demonic energy surrounded her. An unpleasant sensation crawled upon her skin.
However, for Yujinhwi, naturally gifted with sensory awareness, it was barely bothersome. She broadened her senses.
‘I need to find my disciple.’
From the moment she learned about the progression of the Ceremony of Martial Arts to the Heavenly Horse from her disciple, Yujinhwi resolved to be together with her disciple in the Demon Realm. To that end, she had sprinkled the long-lasting tracing powder on the bandages before handing them over to her disciple.
In order to meet her disciple in the Demon Realm.
‘Our lovely, innocent, kind disciple, I must protect her.’
She couldn’t leave her in someone else’s hands.
Yujinhwi thought that as she extended her senses widely. Yet, no traces of the tracing powder could be detected no matter how far she reached.
‘Where did my disciple go?’
Yujinhwi’s brow wrinkled.
Thump, thump, thump.
Her heart raced frantically. Anxiety. It felt like she would go crazy with worry.
This isn’t good. If she couldn’t find her disciple. The moment she thought that, a presence was caught in her senses. Yujinhwi opened her eyes.
Someone was there. In the Demon Realm, everyone was an enemy. She must eliminate anyone who might harm her disciple.
Having quickly resolved her thoughts, Yujinhwi launched herself in the direction of the detected presence. The thick mist posed no hindrance to her vision.
Arriving at her destination, the person she faced was…
“Oh my, Young Master Yu. It’s been a while. Should I call you Young Miss Yu instead? Hohohoho.”
A beautiful girl with crimson eyes smiled seductively from the mist.
It was Yeon Sowol.