Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound of explosions echoed one after another. His legs moved slowly, but his hands were so fast they were almost invisible. It was impossible to tell whether he was using fists or palm strikes at that speed.
Rumble!
The air trembled as he manipulated demonic energy, even though he hadn’t released it. His martial arts were so fast and intense that it seemed like even the space around him was shaking.
From a distance, Wei Honglian, with her arms crossed, watched the scene. Suddenly, she felt a presence and turned her head. Ma Dongpil was approaching.
"What is it?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Ma Dongpil replied.
"Do you have business with me?"
"Not really."
"Then why are you here?"
"This is the best spot to watch the Young Master’s training."
Wei Honglian frowned.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Has the Third Young Master always been like this?"
Ma Dongpil’s eyes sharpened.
"If you’re implying something about the Young Master, be careful with your words—"
"Shut up, it’s not like that."
"Then what?"
"The Third Young Master is showing off his training too openly, don’t you think?"
"..."
"He just told me to watch if I wanted to. I was surprised too."
Ma Dongpil chuckled.
"The Young Master always says something."
"What’s that?"
"Don’t flaunt martial arts you can’t confidently show to others."
"..."
"He also says that there’s no world as dangerous as the martial world. If you have to live in constant tension, it’s better to reveal your strengths and weaknesses openly."
"That’s contradictory, isn’t it?"
"He says that’s how people stay alert. Instead of wasting time guessing, it’s better to take a step forward."
"..."
"He also says that even he feels uneasy at times. But he knows that true freedom begins with honesty."
Ma Dongpil turned his gaze to Seo Ryang. Whether Seo Ryang noticed or not, his expression was extremely serious.
"If you want to learn, learn. If you want to figure it out, figure it out. My path is already set, so it doesn’t matter what you see or say. That’s how the Young Master lives every day."
It was a complete misunderstanding. Seo Ryang simply wanted to escape the bizarre group known as the Heavenly Demon Sect.
But Wei Honglian was deeply shocked by those words. As a demon, she had never met anyone who spoke like Seo Ryang.
‘To achieve true freedom, don’t hide—reveal yourself. Honesty is the first step to freedom...’
She had lived every day prepared for death, but she had never wished for it.
Yet, the Third Young Master was willing to risk his life for freedom. The difference in their perspectives was so vast that it left her feeling conflicted.
‘To think that someone with such thoughts could survive...’
She focused even more intently on Seo Ryang’s martial arts.
She couldn’t even see how his movements worked. If she were to face him, she’d likely fall within five exchanges.
But she understood one thing.
How profound his martial arts were, and how much a master could learn from them.
After some time...
Boom! Crash!
The ground shook with the final strike.
"Phew."
Seo Ryang exhaled deeply, his body drenched in sweat.
‘It’s done. Now it’s perfect.’
His martial arts had reached a level where he could unconsciously execute them flawlessly. His Heavenly Demon Arts had transformed into something entirely different from what they were during the era of the Demon King.
‘There’s no need to abandon killing techniques. No, there’s no need to even separate them.’
As he opened his clenched fist, a faint mist rose. He had condensed dark demonic energy in his palm.
‘If you intend to kill, it becomes a killing technique. If not, it’s a subduing technique. It all depends on the user’s intent.’
Though he already knew this, mastering demonic arts gave him a new perspective. His horizons broadened, and the range of techniques he could apply expanded.
Enlightenment was a cycle. As long as one made the right decisions at the right time, the path of martial arts would always open.
As Seo Ryang wiped his sweat and prepared to rest...
"You’re incredible," Wei Honglian said.
"Oh, you’re still here."
"I can’t even grasp what kind of martial arts that was. I didn’t know our sect had such astonishing techniques."
Seo Ryang felt a bit awkward but tried to brush it off.
"Your martial arts are impressive too. They’re fast and unconventional, unlike the usual sect techniques."
"Ah, is that so?"
"It’s not something just anyone can use. You must have a natural talent for it. There’s a boldness to it."
As the evaluation of her martial arts came out, she couldn’t help but listen intently.
"However, since it’s a relatively new technique, it feels a bit rushed. The idea of chaining techniques is good, but it’s too focused on speed, lacking finesse."
"..."
"Take your time to refine it. It’s a very good technique, after all."
Wei Honglian was stunned.
"Can you just tell me all that?"
"Why not?"
"The strengths and weaknesses of my martial arts."
"Why wouldn’t I? It’s not rude or illegal. Besides, understanding martial principles isn’t something you can just grasp by being told. Even if you work yourself to the bone, you might not get it. Don’t act like it’s already yours."
"...Ah, understood."
"Do you need a drink?"
"No, I’m fine."
"Ma Dongpil, have you eaten? Then I’ll go eat."
A short while later, Seo Ryang was eating with Yinghua, chatting and laughing. Jinho, who had been sleeping, climbed onto the table and chewed on the fish Seo Ryang had prepared.
Wei Honglian stared at Seo Ryang.
He was laughing heartily while eating, as if everything was amusing. Even Yinghua, the maid, was laughing and chatting without a care.
‘He’s such a strange person.’
Despite being the Third Young Master, he shared a table with a mere maid and talked to her like a friend. The more she knew, the more she couldn’t understand him.
After finishing the meal and changing into clean clothes, Seo Ryang strapped a sword to his waist.
Ma Dongpil looked puzzled.
"Where are you going?"
"Huh? Oh, to meet the Fourth."
The casualness of his words made Ma Dongpil and Wei Honglian nod.
Nod...
"Wait, what?!"
"What did you say?"
Seo Ryang snorted as he looked at their shocked faces.
"Why are you so surprised?"
Wei Honglian asked nervously, "You’re going to meet the Fourth Young Master? Now?"
"When else should I go?"
"But we don’t even know if he’ll come out..."
Seo Ryang frowned.
"Where did the infamous reputation of the Fiery Demon Lord, who’s said to be as fierce as hellfire, go? Are we supposed to sit around sucking our thumbs and waiting?"
"Well... of course..."
"Since we don’t know if he’ll come out, we’ll go and see for ourselves, maybe catch him off guard."
"..."
"This isn’t some martial arts performance where we have to match moves. The one who takes the initiative has the advantage. Whether we cause a scene or clear up misunderstandings, we need to meet him to get answers."
Wei Honglian, at a loss for words, stared blankly at Seo Ryang. Gradually, a smile spread across her face.
A sinister smile that sent chills down the spine of anyone who saw it.
"I like it."
"What?"
"Your boldness, Young Master."
"I am quite charming, aren’t I?"
"Extremely."
If this were a normal conversation, Wei Honglian might have thought, ‘So she has this side too.’ But the way she smiled with such vitality made the listener’s spine tingle.
"Since you’re going, why don’t I come with you?"
"..."
"I don’t need to prepare anything."
Seo Ryang looked at her incredulously. Ma Dongpil was no different.
"Aren’t you supposed to be in charge of the Demon Lord? Where are you going?"
"Who knows if the Demon Lord will be there? And as you said, waiting for the fruit to fall isn’t a good look."
"..."
Seo Ryang scratched his head. Even he hadn’t expected this turn of events.
"Yesterday and today, can I really leave you kids like this?"
"The gathering is for five days. Only the first day is spent drinking, the rest are just breaks. Since we’ve made our point, they won’t cause any trouble."
Thinking of how they had trembled earlier...
Wei Honglian smirked.
"I don’t like my nickname either, but today, let’s go wild."
"...This is already giving me a headache, damn it."
"Huh?"
"Ah, nothing. Fine, let’s go together."
As you said, it might be an unexpected move.
And so, the three of them, along with a beast sleeping peacefully in one of their arms, headed toward the residence of the Red Veil Gate.
"Phew."
Blue smoke filled the room.
Sinhye wondered what kind of tobacco the Young Master was smoking this time.
It seemed like he smoked a different kind each time, but the color and scent were getting stronger, and the Young Master’s expression was growing more lethargic.
"Young Master."
"Do you have something to say?"
"It’s presumptuous of me, but perhaps you should cut back on the tobacco."
Hong Weimen chuckled.
"You said that before, and now you’re saying it again?"
"I don’t know exactly what herbs are in it, but usually, tobacco is harmful to the lungs. It might not be a problem for you, but still..."
"Well, you might be right."
"..."
"Thank you for your concern, but it’s fine. If it gets dangerous, I’ll stop on my own."
Sinhye sighed.
"I’m sorry if I’ve upset you with my unnecessary words."
Hong Weimen tapped his pipe. The color of the tobacco and smoke varied, but the ashes were always gray.
Everyone lives their own way, but in the end, death comes for all. With that thought, Hong Weimen spoke.
"Sinhye."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Don’t worry. I’m always prepared for the worst."
"...I don’t know what worst-case scenario you’re thinking of, but if such a situation arises, I will die before you."
Hong Weimen smiled.
It was his usual smile, one that wiped away all lethargy.
"I know your loyalty. Don’t worry. That day will never come, but even if it does, I won’t use you until the very end."
Sinhye bowed his head at Hong Weimen’s rare warmth.
"By the way, has there been any movement from the Third Young Master?"
"Ah, yes. There’s been no reported movement so far. But since he’s in a remote area with many paths..."
At that moment, Hong Weimen raised his hand. Sinhye immediately fell silent.
"Someone’s here."
"..."
"But this dense demonic energy... it’s hard to find..."
"What do you mean?"
Hong Weimen didn’t answer. He seemed to be confirming whether his senses were correct.
After a moment, he turned his head toward the window.
Creak!
Hong Weimen opened the window and looked outside.
At the same time...
"Hey!"
From a considerable distance, someone was waving enthusiastically.
Hong Weimen’s eyes shook.
‘Seo Ryang?!’
It was quite far, but with enhanced vision, he could clearly see.
Not only that, but on either side of Seo Ryang were a familiar-looking woman and a man in his early thirties, standing tall.
Seo Ryang shouted with a smile.
"I came to see my little brother, man! Open the gate wide! Got it?!"