Boom! The training ground echoed loudly. Ma Dongpil's eyes widened.
"What is all this?"
"The weapons I'll be using."
"That's not just one or two."
"Yeah, I'll use them all."
Ma Dongpil shook his head inwardly. 'Truly a remarkable person.' He couldn't express how surprised he was when he first saw the young master's martial arts while fighting the demonic creatures. It wasn't because he was strong, but because it defied common sense. The young master seemed to have no weapon he couldn't handle.
What was even more amazing was that he could skillfully use all kinds of weapons without lacking in any. Of course, every martial artist has different talents and tendencies, so some focus on one weapon, while others handle various weapons. But even considering that, it was impressive. The young master seemed to go beyond handling multiple weapons, not being restricted by the shape or purpose of any weapon.
"By the way, did you have a good trip?"
"Yes? Oh, yes."
"What did the small sect leader say?"
"He said he understood the young master's intentions well. He also said he would treat you to good liquor soon as an apology."
Seoryang smiled broadly. "Well done." Although he had drawn his sword, he didn't really want to be at odds with Hoyo Castle. The same went for So Yeonsim. Both were people wielding immense power within the Divine Sect. However, he had no intention of appearing overly friendly either. No matter how good a person is, if you only show a gentle side, it's natural for them to think less of you over time.
A person who is moderately difficult but doesn't create a sense of discord. Seoryang wanted to be seen that way by others. At least, to survive in the Divine Sect, such an appearance was necessary.
"What about Leader Wi?"
"He left. It seems it's quite late."
"I see."
Though he spoke harshly, saying things like "Don't slack off, are you really a leader?" Wi Hongryeon was a person with a sense of responsibility. By now, he was probably organizing the members and preparing for future missions.
"It's a bit late at night, but shall we take a look at the goods?"
Seoryang overturned the bundle.
Chiriririring!
Ma Dongpil's eyes wavered. 'Except for one sword, they're all blades. But...'
What are these uniquely characteristic swords? Excluding the sword, Seoryang brought a total of four blades. A pair of small swords that looked like twins, a single curved sword, and a large sword as big as the one he used when he faced the Beast Palace.
'Will he really use all of those... huh!'
Saaaak.
Ma Dongpil unknowingly took a step back. His eyes were fixed on the three-foot-long curved sword. It was slightly shorter than the one Seoryang used before but was still worthy of being called a long sword. The long sword, dyed in a subtle black from the hilt to the blade, emitted an intense murderous aura.
Seoryang chuckled. "It's a fierce one, isn't it?"
"...Could it be that sword?"
"Do you know what this sword is?"
Ma Dongpil swallowed unconsciously. "Could it be the Seven Night Sword?"
"Oh? You know it? I just brought it because I liked it."
"The Death Weapon, Seven Night...!"
Seoryang spoke lightly, but this sword was by no means ordinary. The Seven Night Sword, officially named the Black Demon Night Sword, was characterized by its simple appearance and subtle murderous aura. It was the beloved weapon of one of the seven great Heavenly Demons who once spread terror across the martial world. Regardless of the sword's craftsmanship, it was the sword that accompanied the strongest in the history of the Divine Sect from the moment he joined until his death.
There were many stronger demonic weapons, but the significance of the Seven Night Sword in the Divine Sect was no less than any divine weapon.
"In our sect, the symbolism of the Seven Night Sword is immense. In the entire demonic martial world, it's one of the weapons that swordsmen most desire. You've found an incredible weapon."
"I just liked it. If it doesn't suit me, there's no need to cling to an old, smelly relic."
Ma Dongpil smiled. 'As expected of the young master.' He wasn't interested in the history contained in that sword. He only thought about whether the sword suited him. If he were a swordsman, he might have hesitated even if the Seven Night Sword didn't suit him. That's how great the reputation of the Seven Night Sword was.
"Then do you know what this sword is?"
Seoryang, who had strapped the Seven Night Sword to his waist, picked up a pair of small swords. Though called small swords, they were half a foot longer than typical small swords. One was red, and the other was blue. Except for being more agile than the Seven Night Sword, they didn't have any distinct features. But Ma Dongpil couldn't ignore those swords.
Srrrng.
The swords drawn from their sheaths emitted a chilling sharpness. It couldn't even be compared to the murderous aura of the Seven Night Sword. Though they didn't contain demonic energy, they were sharp enough to cut objects without touching them.
Ma Dongpil's Adam's apple bobbed. Thanks to the young master, he was getting a real treat for his eyes today.
"The Blue and Red Northern Wind, the Meteor Twin Swords."
Seoryang looked at Ma Dongpil with curiosity. "You really know everything, don't you?"
"I have an interest in weapons, so I looked into various things before."
He couldn't bring himself to say that these weapons were famous enough to be known without studying. The Seven Night Sword was called an ancient demonic weapon due to its owner's fame, but the Meteor Twin Swords were truly divine weapons. Especially for swordsmen skilled in fast blades, they were divine weapons worth exchanging their lives for.
Interestingly, the Meteor Twin Swords weren't demonic weapons. Therefore, even righteous swordsmen drooled over the Meteor Twin Swords.
'Come to think of it.'
Ma Dongpil glanced over the other weapons. 'The swords, except for the Seven Night Sword, don't emit demonic energy.'
Then what kind of sword is the last one? His eyes turned to the five-foot-long large sword. The hilt was as long as one and a half feet, covered with dragon scale patterns. Unlike the other swords, it seemed to have been crafted with great care. But that was all. The handle was ornate, but there were no other decorations, and it didn't even have a scabbard. The blade was ten inches wide and quite thick, exuding tremendous power, but its appearance was rather plain.
"Do you know what this sword is?"
"...I don't know."
Seoryang nodded. "It was stuck in a corner of the armory. Want to try holding it?"
"Yes, yes?! May I?"
Seoryang snorted and tossed the large sword to him. Ma Dongpil carefully caught the sword. At that moment.
'Huh!'
He was startled. The weight of the sword was far greater than he had expected. 'Fifty pounds? No, it must be sixty pounds...'
Swinging such a sword with internal energy would be terrifying in itself. Though there are martial artists in the martial world who use weapons over a hundred pounds, it's never easy to actually see such martial artists. If one's skills are good, they can split rocks with a wooden sword, so there's no reason to handle such heavy weapons. Therefore, more than half of those who use heavy weapons don't possess great martial arts. But...
'If the young master were to wield such a sword?!'
He got goosebumps all over his body. He could almost see the illusion of a person being cut in half with one swing, and the rocks and trees beyond flying away.
"Heavy, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is."
"Considering a long battle, it's not something to use with effort. But my eyes keep going to it."
Ma Dongpil, who was fiddling with the large sword, respectfully handed it back to Seoryang. Seoryang easily lifted the sword with one hand.
"Unlike the other weapons on the shelf, it was stuck in a corner, so I don't know its name. I decided to call it the Dragon Scale Sword because of the handle."
Dragon Scale Sword. A sword engraved with dragon scales, named Dragon Scale Sword. Though Seoryang's naming sense was the lowest, it seemed that such a name suited this sword.
"Somehow..."
Uuuuuung!
As dark demonic energy was infused, the Dragon Scale Sword let out a fierce sword cry.
"I feel like I can use it well."
Ma Dongpil swallowed. Holding the giant weapon in one hand, Seoryang's serious face seemed to exude an indescribable majesty. It was subtly different from usual. It somehow exuded the atmosphere of a noble martial artist. The sharp and pointed seriousness now had a weighty feel.
After looking at the Dragon Scale Sword with serious eyes for a long time, he grinned. "If it turns out to be useless after trying it out, I might sell it later. I think I could get a good price."
Ma Dongpil sighed. Seoryang strapped on the four swords. The Seven Night Sword on his right waist, the Meteor Twin Swords on his back, and the Dragon Scale Sword diagonally on his right side. The sight of Seoryang carrying four swords of different sizes at once looked somewhat clumsy yet fitting.
As Ma Dongpil thought he looked like a human weapon warehouse, he tilted his head. "Young master."
"Yeah."
"But what is this sword?"
"Oh, that one?"
Seoryang picked up the long sword. The long sword with a dark blue handle on a black scabbard was neither too flashy nor too plain. He tossed the sword to Ma Dongpil. Caught off guard, Ma Dongpil looked at Seoryang.
"Draw it."
"Me...?"
"You should draw it. I brought it for you."
Ma Dongpil's eyelids trembled. Seoryang shrugged.
"No matter how good my eye is, I'm not the one using it, so I don't know if you'll like it or not. But since your martial arts are heading in a heavy and serious direction, I picked it out for you."
"..."
"Draw it, and if it really doesn't suit you, give it to someone else."
"I can't do that."
A weapon that doesn't suit him? Even if it doesn't suit him, he can't give it to someone else. He mustn't. This sword was brought from the 'Heavenly Demon Armory,' 'personally by the young master,' for him. If it doesn't suit him, he might have to change his martial arts instead. Even if he thanked him a thousand times, it wouldn't be enough, but Ma Dongpil kept his mouth shut. He felt that such gratitude would belittle Seoryang's kindness.
Srrrng.
The sword was slowly drawn. The blade, like the color of the scabbard, was a dark hue. It was half a foot longer than the three-foot sword he usually used.
Whoosh.
As the sword was drawn, intense demonic energy spread around the training ground. It wasn't the demonic energy emitted by a demonic person, but the demonic energy emanating from the weapon itself. The fact that an inanimate object contained demonic energy was a marvel, and the concentration of that demonic energy was quite thick.
"It's heavy, isn't it? I thought it would suit your martial arts and tendencies, so I brought it. It's called the Silent King Sword, and I've heard of it too."
Ma Dongpil's hands trembled. He also knew well about the Silent King Sword. It was one of the Five Great Demonic Swords of the Divine Sect and was considered one of the Ten Great Demonic Swords of the martial world, a top-tier demonic sword. The Silent King Sword is also known as the Sword of Silence. If the owner doesn't show their full potential, it doesn't emit more than a certain level of demonic energy. But once the owner grows and becomes a demonic person worthy of the sword, it begins to exhibit terrifying power.
"To handle it properly, you'll have to work hard until you bleed. You won't become a fool who can't even use a weapon, will you?"
"Young master."
Ma Dongpil sheathed the sword and took a bow. It wasn't a bow but a fist salute, yet it exuded a solemn atmosphere more than ever.
"I will become the greatest demonic person. I will become stronger than anyone and protect you for life."
Seoryang chuckled. "I don't expect you to do it for life, so just focus on training."
The next morning. Seoryang and Ma Dongpil, who had sweated profusely the day before, came out to the training ground again from the morning. Having obtained new weapons, they intended to familiarize themselves with them.
"Alright, you practice over there. I'll be here... huh?"
Suddenly, Seoryang frowned. "Who's here so early in the morning?"
Soon after, someone knocked on the gate. "A message from the Demon God Palace. Third Young Master, please open the door."
Clunk!
Seoryang opened the door without even responding. A demonic person bowed his head. He was from the military department.
"Unyielding Divine Sect, all demons bow! Greetings to the Third Young Master of the Divine Sect."
"Enough, what's the matter so early?"
"The sect leader has summoned you."
"..."
Seoryang sighed. "It's a suffocating time."