Chapter 10

Eternal Heavenly Demon, All Demons Bow

Crash!  

The opponent, charging at terrifying speed, tripped over their own feet and slid right up to Chi Yulang.  

“….”  

“….”  

A brief silence fell at the sudden, clumsy spectacle.  

The chat erupted with question marks.  

- ?  

- What’s that?  

- What did she say?  

- She said it too quietly, couldn’t hear T_T  

- What did she say to make him trip and fall on his own? Did she use a sonic attack?  

- Nah, sounded like she chanted a spell.  

- Was he a mage?  

- Wait, does Heavenly Demon actually mean genius mage? Damn.  

- Whoa!  

- Chills damn.  

- Get outta here lol.  

After a short silence, the silver-masked figure dusted themselves off, standing up as nonchalantly as possible.  

Then, they glared at Chi Yulang.  

“You. Who are you?”  

“HeavenlyMaiden.”  

“….”  

The brazen response left the silver mask momentarily speechless.  

Regaining their composure, they spoke again.  

“I’m not Chilbok.”  

“I see.”  

“….”  

They didn’t seem convinced at all.  

In fact, Chi Yulang was certain the opponent was his closest confidant, Chilbok.  

There’s no way I wouldn’t recognize that unique footwork, sliding like a fool on ice.  

It was he who had advised Chilbok, who had been sulking over not finding a suitable light movement technique, so there was no forgetting it.  

Chilbok was a frail figure, always plagued by cold yin energy in her body.  

She had been diagnosed as unlikely to live past her youth, yet she overcame her fate on her own.  

All Chi Yulang had done was say one thing.  

“I want you to come with me, so follow me.”  

With that single sentence, she had thrown everything into following him to the end, a loyal and admirable subordinate.  

His most cherished confidant.  

A loyal vassal and younger sibling who made his heart ache with gratitude and guilt just thinking about her.  

The fact that she had survived all this time filled him with immense gratitude.  

“Hmph, Chilbok? What kind of tacky name is that? If I had such a name, I’d have buried my face in a plate and died long ago.”  

“….”  

Chi Yulang’s eyes, gazing at his long-time confidant, were filled with complex emotions.  

But to the opponent, it seemed to appear differently.  

For some reason, as HeavenlyMaiden’s eyes deepened with what seemed like pity, the silver mask felt a surge of anger.  

“I said I’m not!”  

“…If you’re not, you’re not. Why are you getting mad?”  

After shouting, the silver mask realized they were being overly emotional.  

“Hoo…”  

They touched their forehead, letting out a long sigh.  

Abandoning the name Chilbok was a long time ago.  

The Cult Leader used to call her that in private, with a gentle voice, saying, “Chilbok, are you there?”  

“….”  

Was it that longing?  

She had lost her composure without realizing it.  

It was a mistake she’d never make normally.  

What was she doing, tripping over herself in front of a kid not even fifteen?  

She felt unbearably pathetic.  

A wave of self-loathing washed over her.  

How did the great Heavenly Black Feather, Dam Wolrin, who served as the Heavenly Strategist of the Heavenly Demon Cult, end up like this?  

The current “her” was undeniably different from the “her” who served as the Heavenly Strategist of the Heavenly Demon Cult over a decade ago.  

It was all because of the heart demon.  

An uninvited guest that had crept in over ten years ago.  

No matter how much she tried to drive it out, it stubbornly lingered in her inner sanctum.  

When she closed her eyes, that day came back like a nightmare.  

A sky suddenly overturned.  

When she came to, terrifying monsters roamed the sacred grounds of the Heavenly Demon Cult like it was their backyard.  

Screams, blood, cult members crying out to the heavens as they were devoured, calling for the Cult Leader who never appeared…  

Did he flee?  

No, he’s not that kind of person.  

Did he die?  

No, he couldn’t have.  

Cult Leader! Please answer my prayers! Can you hear me?  

“Huff… huff…”  

Her breathing grew ragged.  

The heart demon, draped in a blood-soaked robe, was crawling out of her inner sanctum.  

She desperately tried to hold it back, but the heart demon, grinning ear to ear, rose to its feet.  

“Chilbok, are you unwell?”  

Flash!  

Opening her eyes, she saw a cute twin-tailed girl looking up at her with concern.  

“Your complexion doesn’t look good.”  

For a moment, captivated by the girl’s purple eyes, Dam Wolrin snapped back to reality and leapt backward as if repelled.  

Breathing heavily, she said, “…Don’t come closer.”  

The girl silently stared at her.  

The symptoms are getting worse.  

Cold sweat poured down like rain.  

Dam Wolrin took deep breaths, observing her inner state.  

For some reason, the heart demon, which had been creeping out with a sinister grin, was now trembling in a corner.  

“?”  

It was a first.  

…Not important.  

Shaking off distractions, Dam Wolrin looked at HeavenlyMaiden.  

My condition isn’t good.  

This wasn’t the time to mess around with this cocky girl.  

“You fearless girl.”  

Dam Wolrin revealed her identity.  

“I am, in fact, Heavenly Black Feather Dam Wolrin, who once served as the Heavenly Strategist of the Heavenly Demon Cult, or more precisely, the Sun and Moon Divine Cult.”  

Her sudden confession sent the chat into a frenzy.  

- Heavenly Black Feather!  

- Holy crap!  

- She’s alive?  

- Holy moly!  

Most of the reactions came from martial artists.  

Those from other worlds, confused, demanded explanations.  

- Why? What’s going on?  

- Tell us so we can be shocked too!  

- Don’t keep it to yourselves!  

- Heavenly Black Feather was a big shot, the strategist of the Demonic Cult.  

- Basically, the brain of the cult.  

- Didn’t the cult get wiped out?  

- That’s why everyone’s shocked, dumbass. Who knew there was a survivor?  

- Why’s she called Heavenly Black Feather?  

- Like smoke and black feathers in the night sky, an invisible presence.  

- ?  

- In simple terms, she’s the Heavenly Demon’s closest confidant, scheming behind the scenes.  

- A strategist who advises the Heavenly Demon and makes detailed plans for his orders.  

- Got it.  

- But aren’t strategists usually weak?  

- Depends on the strategist. Don’t you get what being the Heavenly Demon’s closest confidant means?  

- For real, she could probably thrash most sect leaders.  

“Originally, I intended to harshly discipline you for daring to usurp the heavens’ name, but I’ll show mercy.”  

Feeling cold sweat trickle down her back, Dam Wolrin spoke.  

“Swear to change your nickname, and I’ll let you go. That name isn’t something the likes of you can use.”  

She spoke as kindly as possible, as if granting a favor.  

And it truly was a favor.  

Crushing this budding girl would be like squashing an ant with a fingernail.  

Even in virtual reality, she didn’t want to commit such an act.  

Her condition wasn’t great either.  

But the girl, staring at her with those sparkling eyes, said,  

“No.”  

“…What?”  

“I said no.”  

“What kind of…”  

She’d graciously offered mercy, yet this arrogant attitude?  

Anger surged again, and the heart demon, trembling in the corner, seized the chance to creep out once more.  

Dam Wolrin struggled to suppress her anger and roared, “Kid, do you think this is a game?”  

“That’s my line.”  

HeavenlyMaiden spoke calmly.  

“Let’s raise the stakes. You said ten million cookies? If I win, you become my subordinate.”  

“Ha… hahahaha!”  

Dam Wolrin threw her head back and laughed.  

It was so absurd she couldn’t even be angry.  

“Fine, I’ll teach you your place.”  

The heart demon cheered from her inner sanctum, but she forced herself to stay calm.  

It’ll be quick. One strike will do.  

Dam Wolrin summoned her inner power.  

Her hair fluttered as white cold energy billowed out.  

Crack!  

The ground around her began to freeze.  

It was a terrifying chill that could freeze anyone who got too close.  

Chi Yulang, still calm with hands behind his back, watched quietly.  

Suddenly, the ice creeping along the ground like a snake reared its head.  

Sharp ice spikes shot up, aiming to pierce Chi Yulang.  

But without even glancing at them, he took a single step forward.  

Crash!  

The white snake’s ambush shattered into pieces.  

At the same time, Dam Wolrin closed the distance with her signature sliding footwork, striking with a palm enveloped in white cold energy.  

Tap.  

HeavenlyMaiden dodged with a light step back, and Dam Wolrin followed, unleashing a flurry of techniques.  

The more violently she moved, the more the screams from that day echoed in her ears like a nightmare, and the heart demon slowly rose.  

HeavenlyMaiden hopped around like a sparrow, dodging nimbly, while Dam Wolrin, running out of time, grew increasingly anxious.  

“You! Can’t you stay still?!”  

Hiss!  

Dam Wolrin unleashed a powerful burst of cold energy.  

The surroundings froze solid.  

Water vapor in the air condensed and fell to the ground with a plop.  

The nimble, squirrel-like movements of HeavenlyMaiden slowed.  

She wasn’t one to miss such an opportunity.  

Got her!  

With a triumphant smile, she launched a palm strike at HeavenlyMaiden.  

At that moment, the heart demon, dressed in a blood-soaked robe, stood at the entrance of her inner sanctum, grinning at her.  

When did it—!  

Startled, Dam Wolrin tried to retract her energy, but it was too late.  

Boom!  

A surge of white cold energy exploded uncontrollably, scattering in all directions.  

It was as if it could turn the world into winter.  

“Aaagh!”  

Blood dripped from her eyes, freezing into red gems.  

A sign of qi deviation, the prelude to a rampage.  

No, no!  

Before she could act, her palm strike turned into a hand-blade.  

The sharp edge aimed straight for the young girl’s chest.  

As her consciousness faded—  

Grab.  

Her attack was stopped.  

Far too easily.  

In the moment of shock, HeavenlyMaiden’s other hand reached her mask.  

Tap.  

It was a light touch, but the result was anything but.  

Boom!  

“Urgh!”  

Ziiing!  

The shock rattled her entire head.  

The overwhelming impact, as if striking her brain directly, left Dam Wolrin unable to think.  

Amid the daze, a familiar girl’s voice pierced her ears.  

“Look closely, Chilbok.”  

The girl began to dance.  

Dam Wolrin, clutching her head with a grimace, suddenly felt her eyes widen.  

“Ah, ahh…”  

She crossed the river of time, returning to that moment.  

A dark night sky with a moon overhead, reflected in the cup she held.  

- Haha!  

The moon’s taste was cold yet fiery.  

Footsteps approached.  

- What are you doing here?  

- What? Drinking cold fire. Mixing it with the moon makes it taste pretty good.  

Chi Yulang, the Third Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Cult, known as the cult’s Little Wolf, looked at her with hands behind his back.  

Drunk and flushed, Dam Wolrin, no, Chilbok, giggled.  

- What’s wrong with a guy about to die having a drink?  

- No, you won’t die.  

Chilbok poured another drink, muttering.  

- Brother, I’m hopeless. Unlike you, my body’s damn weak, I lack the aptitude to learn martial arts, and my origins are lowly. I’ll just live and die like this.  

- …  

Chi Yulang, watching her silently, turned and walked down from the pavilion.  

Giggle! Giggle— 

A self-deprecating laugh escaped Chilbok’s lips.  

At the same time, she felt the fragile hope she’d built crumbling completely.  

What had she expected? That he’d stop her? How pathetic. It was all pointless.  

Pour—  

As she poured another drink, a voice called her.  

- Chilbok.  

It was Chi Yulang.  

She thought he’d left, but he was looking up at her from below the pavilion.  

- Look closely.  

He stepped into the moonlight and began to dance in the midnight training arena.  

The sword dance under the moonlight was beautiful.  

A dance intertwined with the moonlight, a seamless flow of countless techniques.  

Chilbok watched, entranced, from start to finish, captivated by the mesmerizing sword dance.  

Finishing, Chi Yulang walked back and looked up at her.  

- Did you see?  

- …Brother, that was—  

- This is my gift to you.  

- …!  

- Chilbok.  

- Y-Yes, brother.  

- I plan to become the Cult Leader.  

- I… see.  

- Follow me to where I’m going. I won’t hear any objections.  

- I-I have no talent for martial arts. My body’s weak, my origins are nothing, and all I’m good at is scheming—  

- Chilbok.  

He smiled under the moonlight.  

- Does that matter?  

- …!  

- I like you. That’s enough.  

- Brother…!  

- No more talk, just follow me.  

Thud!  

Chilbok dropped to her knees.  

Tears poured uncontrollably.  

“Cult Leader! No, brother! Brother! Is it really you?!”  

“Yes, it’s me.”  

Chi Yulang smiled as he did that day.  

“It’s been a while, Chilbok.”  

Memories of their time together flooded from her eyes.  

Chilbok sobbed, bowing to the leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult, returned after ten years.  

“Eternal Heavenly Demon, All Demons Bow! Eternal Heavenly Demon, All Demons Bow!! Eternal Heavenly Demon, All Demons Bow!!!”  

A man dies for those who recognize him.  

Something hot surged in Chilbok’s chest.  

The heart demon that had tormented her was torn to pieces and dead.