Childhood Friend of the Zenith
Chapter Summary
In a way, its force was strong enough to get rid of a noble clan from the Central Plains, but the one drinking quietly right now, was responsible for ending them with simple hand gestures. The Central Plains had only managed to hold out because the Heavenly Demon hadn’t acted directly until now. Even now, after reaching Fusion Realm since my regression, I still couldn’t grasp what the Heavenly Demon meant by the decision I was to make.
Underneath the moon, a figure sat atop a giant boulder, pouring a drink.
Strands of their long hair dipped into the cup, unnoticed or simply unbothered.
The moon’s reflection glistened in the drink.
After seeing it, the figure lifted up the cup and took a sip from it.
Despite the simplicity of the act, there was an air of dignity about them, a quiet power in their poised stance.
Behind them, the green forest was stained with puddles of blood.
Scattered across the ground were the bodies of once-renowned masters of the Central Plains.
They ranged from Peak Realm to Fusion Realm.
In a way, its force was strong enough to get rid of a noble clan from the Central Plains, but the one drinking quietly right now, was responsible for ending them with simple hand gestures.
After finishing the drink, the figure turned, their gaze falling in this direction.
As I met those violet eyes, it felt as though the very moon had taken on their color.
[ Captain.
][ …Yes.
]I lowered my head at its call.
After a brief glance at me, the Heavenly Demon poured another drink.
Dribble.
The quiet dribble of liquid into the cup echoed through the still forest.
[ Are you disappointed?
][ About what, if I may ask?
][ I’m asking if you’re disappointed that I took your prize.
][ … ]I remained silent.
As if expecting this, the Heavenly Demon lifted the cup and took another sip.
The bodies littering the ground behind us were those of an army sent by the Murim Alliance to eliminate me.
Judging by the presence of non-alliance fighters, it seemed they’d spent a fortune to recruit additional martial artists.
[ …Not at all.
If you weren’t kind enough to help me, it might have been dangerous for me.
]The Heavenly Demon smiled at my response.
[ You, in danger?
That’s a funny one.
]The Heavenly Demon swung its hand lightly, laughing.
Swooosh-!
The bodies were engulfed in black flames, disappearing without a trace.
[ The Alliance must be desperate, to resort to something so pointless.
]The strongest of the Central Plains, the Three Venerables were all killed, Mount Hua was burnt to ashes, and Namgung Clan was destroyed.
Once the leading powers of the Orthodox Faction, they were now either being absorbed into the Demonic Cult or completely annihilated.
Funnily enough in the Central Plains, followers of the Heavenly Demon and the Demonic Cult started to form.
People had made their choice as the almighty Murim Alliance crumbled.
Knowing the Central Plains would inevitably fall and the Demonic Cult would rise, they chose to align with the Heavenly Demon.
Did Central Plains have any hope left?
No, it seemed unlikely.
At least, that’s what I believed.
Hope for the Central Plains had vanished the moment the Heavenly Demon appeared.
Such was the nature of the Heavenly Demon’s existence.
Its very existence was a calamity, as though the end had taken human form.
Such was the Heavenly Demon.
After finishing the drink, the Heavenly Demon looked up at the sky.
Light breeze drifted past, stirring the Heavenly Demon’s hair.
[ Captain.
][ Yes.
][ I will head to Henan in a week.
][ …!
]I masked my shock upon hearing this.
The Heavenly Demon was planning to initiate the war in Henan personally.
There had been many wars thus far, but this was the first time the Heavenly Demon had chosen to act personally.
[ You seem surprised.
][ Not at all.
I just… ][ Are you worried?
][ … ]Worried, huh.
Those words struck a nerve, and I held my tongue.
Did it read my expression?
The Heavenly Demon continued to speak.
[ It doesn’t seem like you are worried about me.
]It moved its white hand towards its chin as though amused, studying me with those violet eyes.
Unable to hold its gaze, I lowered my head.
[ Then, I wonder who it is that our Captain is worried about.
][ It’s not like that… I am not worried… ][ You are bad at lying, Captain.
You know that?
][ … ][ Despite your age, you still have a childish side on you, Captain.
]Chuckle.
The Heavenly Demon’s chuckles echoed in my ears.
[ The only one who stayed alive after telling me a lie, was you Captain.
Do you know that?
][ … ][ You’re also the only one who can remain silent and live to tell of it.
][ Leader… ]The Heavenly Demon rose slowly, as if never intending to hear my response.
[ The Sword Demon will soon return.
][ The Deer King in Sichuan must have finished preparing by now.
He will go against the Dao Emperor.
]Mid-sentence, the Heavenly Demon began to hover above the ground.
The black aura surrounding it resembled a pair of wings.
However, I was taken aback, I hadn’t known anything about what the Heavenly Demon had just revealed.
The Sword Demon was my subordinate and the Deer King was Zhuge Hyuk’s escort, but he became one of mine after Zhuge Hyuk’s death.
The fact that I was unaware of their missions suggested this was the Heavenly Demon’s plan all along.
Was the Heavenly Demon trying to get rid of me?
My thoughts even reached that far.
Then, the Heavenly Demon continued.
[ I will now be commanding the army.
][ Leader…!
]It wasn’t all that strange.
The Demonic Humans belonged to the Heavenly Demon from the start, so it wasn’t unusual for it to take command, but until now, the Heavenly Demon had acted only indirectly.
ŘαＮꝋ?ÈṡZhuge Hyuk and I had command over the Demonic Humans, and I had most of the command over the armies.
After Zhuge Hyuk’s death, the bulk of the forces fell to me, with some shared among the other Vice Captains.
But the Heavenly Demon’s decision to assume control now signaled it would act directly, bringing certain calamity to the Central Plains.
The Central Plains had only managed to hold out because the Heavenly Demon hadn’t acted directly until now.
I knew the Heavenly Demon could easily reduce the Central Plains to ashes.
But… why?
Why was the Heavenly Demon choosing to act now?
I knew it was inevitable, but I couldn’t help but wonder why.
I wondered why the Heavenly Demon had waited until now to act directly.
Perhaps it was due to the death of the Three Venerables and the loss of most of their forces?
Maybe it was waiting for assured victory?
The thought crossed my mind, but judging by the Heavenly Demon’s nature, I doubted that was the reason.
Unable to curb my curiosity, I finally asked.
[ Leader… ][ Yes.
][ …May I ask why?
]The Heavenly Demon’s will was the will of all Demonic Humans.
To question it was unthinkable, an offense that would not be forgiven.
Despite this, I had to ask.
[ Reason, you say.
]The Heavenly Demon looked down at me from above, amusement flickering in its gaze.
Its form eclipsed the moon, blocking out the light, with only its violet eyes glowing in the darkness.
[So, you were curious.
][I’m sorry…]The curve of its eyes told me the Heavenly Demon was smiling.
[ The time has simply come.
]The time has come?
The Heavenly Demon’s response struck a chord deep within me.
[ From now on, everything I say will be an order you must follow, without question.
][ …Understood.
][ When I go to Henan, you will have to make a choice.
]I listened intently to the Heavenly Demon’s words.
[ You must choose either to accompany me to Henan or remain here.
][…Leader.
What do you…?
]I couldn’t understand.
To choose if I want to go to Henan or not?
The leader of thousands of Demons was going to war; naturally, I had no choice but to follow.
[ Captain, I’m certain you’d go to Henan even if I gave you the choice not to.
][ Of course.
][ However, is that really for me?
][ …!
]I struggled to conceal my shock at the Heavenly Demon’s words.
[ Those eyes of yours are just as they’ve always been.
][ …Leader.
][ It seems like that girl is still in your mind, Captain.
][ Not at all.
How could I be concerned about such a… ][ I won’t hold it against you for lying to me this time, Captain.
][ … ]Whether intentional or not, the Heavenly Demon brushed its hair aside.
This allowed me a clear view of the Heavenly Demon’s face.
The familiar face stirred countless emotions, making it difficult for me to hold my gaze.
[ I am fond of you, Captain.
][ …Thank y- ][ However, there are times where I want to strike your neck.
Do you know when?
][ … ][ It’s whenever you look at my face with that longing in your eyes.
Each time, it makes me want to gouge them out.
][ If you wish, I will burn my eyes to ash here and now.
]I was serious.
The Heavenly Demon’s lips curved in a satisfied smile at my response.
[ That would be a pity.
I’m rather fond of your eyes, Captain.
]Rustle.
As the Heavenly Demon ascended, the forest around us began to wither, rotting as it lost its life.
It was from the Demonic Qi pouring from the Heavenly Demon.
[ When all is finished, ][ There will come a time where you will have to make a decision, Captain.
]Decision.
A time for me to make a decision?
I still couldn’t grasp the Heavenly Demon’s meaning.
[ When that time comes, ]The Heavenly Demon’s words reached me, but somehow, I could not recall them later.
I was left without any clarity about the choice I was meant to make.
It was because the Heavenly Demon was killed by the Celestial Sword in the war.
All Demonic Humans in Henan were captured by the Alliance, facing either death or torture.
It was the Demonic Cult’s defeat.
No one expected the Orthodox Faction to win.
Not even me.
Even now, after reaching Fusion Realm since my regression, I still couldn’t grasp what the Heavenly Demon meant by the decision I was to make.
******************Blaaaze-!
I tore through the forest, flames blazing around me as I pushed my Qi to its limit, racing toward my destination.
No…I clenched my teeth, trying to keep my fear in check.
Thud, thud.
My Dantian pulsed, resonating with something beyond me.
It was the very source of my fear.
Every one of my senses responded to the vibration.
I felt my Dantian tremble, strange sounds filled my ears, and a bitter taste coated my tongue.
I was able to see something from far away, as my hands shook.
Only one presence could cause such a reaction.
My instincts screamed it, the ruler of thousands of Demons was there.
In that place, the Heavenly Demon awaited.
That’s impossible.
This wasn’t the time for the Heavenly Demon to reappear.
It should have happened by the time I reached the age of twenty, which was still a few years from now.
Has history twisted?
That was possible.
Much had changed since my regression; it could be happening again.
But this… I couldn’t afford this.
Of all things, the Heavenly Demon’s arrival couldn’t be now.
I wasn’t prepared at all.
Faster.
I pushed myself harder, stoking my flames to go even faster.
I didn’t bother dodging, I simply melted every obstacle to ash.
I pushed aside every thought, the chaos at the Academy, the ambush, all the strange happenings.
Only the Heavenly Demon occupied my mind.
I kept running.
Craaack-!
I scorched the trees, tearing through the forest in a straight line.
How long had I been running?
At last, I reached the center of that ominous presence.
Then, I saw it.
The destruction lay before me, with Bi Eejin seated amidst the wreckage, gasping for breath.
Why was he in such a state?
I moved my eyes around.
I then saw Wi Seol-Ah.
She was pouring her fierce Combat Qi with her sword out.
The golden aura enveloping her was unmistakably the martial art of the Sword Venerable.
The power in that aura was staggering, and Wi Seol-Ah’s presence matched it.
She had reached a level far beyond what I’d imagined.
But my gaze shifted to something else.
Someone was standing and facing Wi Seol-Ah.
The moment I looked at the figure, it felt as though time stopped.
Only a few seconds, perhaps.
In those brief seconds, countless thoughts flooded my mind.
I felt nothing.
But I saw it, clearly, with my own eyes.
I saw the figure standing there.
I saw its face.
Yet somehow, it stirred nothing within me.
Then, the figure facing Wi Seol-Ah turned to look at me.
I thought I might be mistaken, but no, they were staring right at me.
Then, time began to move again.
I charged forward, pulling Wi Seol-Ah into my arms.
“Ah…!
”Wi Seol-Ah gasped, startled by my sudden action, but I held her firmly, pulling her away from the figure.
“Huff… Huff…”Panting, I gathered my Qi, shielding Wi Seol-Ah within my embrace.
My pupils ignited with Flame Qi, and my hair began to stir.
Despite my abrupt entrance, the figure remained emotionless.
“…Why.
”I addressed it directly.
“Why have you appeared now?
”The aura had already told me, but facing it now, I was certain.
The figure before me, an identical mirror of Wi Seol-Ah, tilted its head.
I felt like my breath seize as our eyes met.
I felt both nothing and everything, all at once.
Masking my fear, I spoke its name.
“…Heavenly Demon.
”At my words, the Heavenly Demon’s violet eyes glowed.
In that instant, I knew with chilling certainty, the Heavenly Demon had returned to this world.