Chapter: 35

A little over half a month had passed, and Gwi-yeong was still unable to answer Storm Blade's question on her own.

She would wake up in the morning and finish her meditative breathing exercises when her mind was at its clearest.

Originally, she would then tour her businesses to check on their status or review and confirm the reports written by her executives, fulfilling her duties as the head of a clan, but these days, she couldn't focus on anything.

She had practically abandoned everything except for the most essential tasks.

The Black Demon Clan Executives thought that Gwi-yeong was preparing for the upcoming Black Dragon Society, but in reality, she was so deeply engrossed in contemplating Storm Blade's story and question that she couldn't bring herself to work.

"What mask was I wearing, anyway?"

Introspection consumes a great deal of mental energy.

Just the thought of dragging the suppressed shadows of her inner self to the surface was enough to make her head ache and feel unpleasant.

It would be easier to just ignore it, but the words she had heard back then continued to plague Gwi-yeong's mind.

'Is this what they call Entering Demonhood?'

When a demon takes root in the heart, causing one to dwell on it all day long.

Usually, this is both an opportunity and a dangerous moment for martial artists.

If one can awaken to and understand the demon in their heart, they can lay the foundation for advancing to the next realm.

However, there were also many cases where people became discouraged and their spirit as a martial artist dulled.

Therefore, she continued to contemplate herself in order to correct the demon that was clouding her mind.

'I tried not to resemble Father. I didn't keep anyone around who would be a burden, and I constantly trained to become stronger on my own. Then what am I...'

Seeing her close her eyes and think, Storm Blade said.

[You still seem to have many worries.]

"I've been thinking about the question you asked me."

[Have you found the answer? What your pain and fear are. Can you face them now?]

"...I don't know yet."

[It seems you're still averting your gaze. But it's no use. Once you've become aware of it, you'll eventually realize it.]

At Storm Blade's words, Gwi-yeong scoffed and replied.

"Hmph, ridiculous. To be honest, I don't think I have any flaws. I reached the pinnacle of mastery before I even turned thirty, and I possess outstanding looks and meticulous strategies. What could I possibly be afraid of?"

Hearing those words, Storm Blade also replied in a mocking tone.

[Heh heh, I've seen someone far superior to you. So don't act presumptuously in front of me.]

"Someone with as much talent as me? Hmm, that's rare. Who was it?"

[Have you ever seen someone reach Detachment from Demonic Influence a little after thirty?]

Hearing Storm Blade's question, Gwi-yeong replied almost reflexively, as if dumbfounded.

"Don't lie. How could such a person exist? I wouldn't even believe it if you said Transcendental Realm or Entering Demonhood. Detachment from Demonic Influence? A Mystic Realm martial artist a little over thirty?"

In fact, that would be almost superhuman.

[I do not lie.]

"Hmph, nonsense. If there was such a person, there's no way I wouldn't know. No, rumors about that person would have spread throughout the Central Plains. Unless they were some Grand Master of the Demonic Cult."

[Oh, you're quite perceptive. That's correct.]

"...That's a boring joke, so stop it. You have to say something believable. No matter how great an Archfiend of the Demonic Cult is, that level of achievement is impossible for a human being."

Gwi-yeong had never actually seen the Sword Demon, the Grand Master of the Celestial Demon Church and the despair of swordsmen, so she couldn't help but think this way.

Who in the world could achieve the absurd feat of reaching the Mystic Realm a little over thirty?

[Nothing is impossible in this world.]

But Storm Blade had actually seen it, so he replied confidently.

Seeing that, Gwi-yeong narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth.

"You really don't suit saying things like that."

As Gwi-yeong and Storm Blade were talking, someone hurriedly rushed into the office and knocked hard on the door.

-Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

"Ship Lord! Ship Lord! Something terrible has happened!"

Gwi-yeong could roughly guess what had happened, even though her subordinate hadn't even explained the situation yet.

'What's coming has come.'

[He's here.]

Storm Blade was thinking the same thing.

Gwi-yeong grabbed Storm Blade and opened the door to the office.

The pale face of the subordinate waiting in front of her indicated that the situation was quite serious.

"The Black Dragon Society Lord, has he come?"

"Yes! He's brought his subordinates with him!"

"I don't care about the subordinates. What about his disciples? Are all three Branch Lords here?"

"Br, Branch Lords, you mean..."

"There should be guys wearing strange snake masks."

"...I'm sorry. I don't think I saw them..."

Hearing those words, Gwi-yeong immediately walked down the hallway towards the main gate of the building.

-Thud!

When she forcefully threw open the front door, the Black Dragon Society Lord was sitting arrogantly on a portable chair in the courtyard, looking at the building where Gwi-yeong resided.

"Hmm, is this the Black Demon Clan's building? It's quite large, but not particularly pleasing to the eye. It's too bland."

"Black Dragon Society Lord."

"Oh, welcome, Black Demon Ship Lord."

His voice was very dry.

He didn't seem to feel any emotional change, as if the entire situation was under his control.

He didn't even seem to have the slightest bit of tension.

On the other hand, Gwi-yeong swallowed hard and coldly analyzed the situation as she looked at the Black Dragon Society Lord and the forces he had brought with him.

'I don't know why, but the other three Branch Lords didn't come. Moreover, the number of subordinates is also very small. Is he that confident?'

He was acting somewhat similar to the White Snake Lord, but fundamentally, they possessed different strengths.

That's why the White Snake Lord was nothing more than a foolish person who underestimated his opponent.

But the Black Dragon Society Lord was different.

As the top executive of the Evil Path Alliance and a member of the Black Sky Four Pillars, there was no point in having insignificant personnel when he was involved.

Considering that there were only a handful of masters above the Transcendental Realm in the Central Plains, the fact that his realm was approaching the Transcendental Realm was enough to justify his arrogance.

"As the rumors say. To have already reached the pinnacle of mastery at such a young age. And you have outstanding looks as well."

Heukryonghoeju Yonggak, who had used his keen senses to grasp Gwi-yeong's realm, looked at Gwi-yeong with interest.

"Black Dragon Society Lord, why have you come all the way here?"

It was really hard to see Gwi-yeong speaking politely to someone.

She herself felt a little awkward as she spoke, as if she wasn't used to it.

But even Gwi-yeong, who had a fierce temper, couldn't dare to speak carelessly in front of a senior member of the Evil Sect and an overwhelming master.

"I think you're the one who knows best why I came."

"Well, I don't know."

"Hmph, how brazen."

The Black Dragon Society Lord scoffed and replied.

"Are you saying you don't know even after killing my disciple and executive so brutally?"

"You should know that they attacked me first. Since the enemy attacked first, the justification lies with me."

"Justification, huh? Yes. Justification is quite important even in the ruthless world of the Black Road."

The Black Dragon Society Lord leaned slightly forward from the chair he was leaning on and replied.

"But that's only if the levels match each other. Right? You know very well that it doesn't matter how much you talk about justification when I've come because I'm simply in a bad mood."

"...".

It was frustrating for Gwi-yeong, but it was true.

Justification is merely a means for the strong to attack the weak at will.

Didn't Gwi-yeong also brutally behead the White Snake Lord and the Branch Lord of the Martial Arts Pavilion under the pretext of justification?

Seeing Gwi-yeong's flustered expression, the Black Dragon Society Lord smiled slightly and opened his mouth leisurely.

"Well, don't worry too much. If you listen to me, there won't be any bloodshed."

"Too bad. I'm not one to listen to others, so that's unfortunate."

"Those kinds of guys become docile dogs when they stand in front of me."

-Twitch

Seeing the Black Dragon Society Lord compare her to an animal and mock her, a vein popped out on Gwi-yeong's forehead.

"I'm treating you like a senior since I'm a junior, but the way you talk is quite disgusting."

"Give up if it's too hard. After all, your relationship with me won't end with just being senior and junior."

Gwi-yeong looked at the Black Dragon Society Lord with a look of surprise, wondering what he meant.

And he invariably revealed his ugly desires.

"Black Demon Ship Lord, Gwi-yeong. Bear my son. Then I will forgive your mistakes. It's not a bad offer for you either. Aren't you looking forward to a child who combines your talent and my talent?"

"You crazy..."

Gwi-yeong was the most surprised, but the Black Demon Clan martial artists around her were also taken aback.

"Wh, what..."

"How dare you to our Ship Lord...!"

But the Black Dragon Society martial artists didn't change at all, because they knew very well that Heukryonghoeju Yonggak was very obsessed with talented sons.

Yonggak revealed his desire for sons late in life, so he only had seven children.

You might say that seven is enough, but you should know that all seven of them have different mothers.

He secretly attacked and kidnapped young and pretty female masters from promising Evil Sects or Orthodox Sects and forced them to have children.

Of course, not only did they have children they didn't want, but they were also abused and imprisoned, so their minds collapsed and they didn't take care of their children. In fact, more than half of them hated and abused their children.

Yonggak's twisted children, who grew up like that, caused many accidents under the name of the Black Dragon Society.

The Black Dragon Society martial artists were well aware of Yonggak's behavior, so they were not flustered even in this situation.

"How absurd. You're like a crazy, horny monkey."

Gwi-yeong threatened the Black Dragon Society Lord, emitting killing intent.

"This is the end of me speaking nicely. Black Dragon Society Lord, I'll send you to your youngest disciple's side."

"Heh heh, you have quite the feisty personality. And your eloquence is top-notch. Well, shall we get along?"

Yonggak slowly rose from his seat and pulled out a uniquely shaped sword from his waist, with a black blade and a black dragon carved on the handle harmonizing with each other.

-Whoosh

Seeing that, Gwi-yeong immediately activated the Storm Blade and increased its output even further, revealing the dark blue threads of 'Blade Silk'.

Seeing Gwi-yeong's unique Saber, the Black Dragon Society Lord stroked his chin as if he was interested.

"Oh, you have a weapon that's quite unique. I like it a lot. I'll take that too."

[What an arrogant bastard. All talk for someone who's just reached the pinnacle of mastery.]

Since the Black Dragon Society Lord was better at handling swords than Sabers, he was actually planning to mainly carry the Black Dragon Sword even if he took the Storm Blade.

However, it was almost instinctive for a martial artist to want to collect unique weapons.

"If you can."

Gwi-yeong held the Storm Blade with a fierce momentum and charged towards Heukryonghoeju Yonggak.

Seeing her, Yonggak smiled slightly and tried to respond by activating his sword energy as well.

-Whoosh

The heads of the two forces bared their sharp teeth at each other.