Chapter 45
Wija-gang asked about the identity of the old monster.
“Who are you to display your martial skill before me?”
“I am searching for the one who will devour the world. I see that potential in you, tsk tsk. Don’t you want to become strong—stronger than even me?”
“How can I become as strong as you?”
The old monster handed him a martial arts manual.
“Master this, and the world will lie beneath your feet.”
“This is…”
“It can be given to anyone, but not just anyone can master it. However, I believe you could achieve greatness.”
Before Wija-gang could stop him, the old monster vanished.
The sudden encounter sobered Wija-gang immediately. He examined the manual—
it was, to his shock, a demonic martial arts manual.
The martial arts of the Demonic Sect—one he had vowed never to learn.
The Demonic Sect had supposedly been annihilated a hundred years ago.
But Wija-gang had once read records related to demonic techniques while studying various martial arts to defeat Cheon Yu-jin. Those records described the demonic arts as excessively domineering, designed solely for slaughter. He had no desire to learn something so vile.
No matter how much he wanted to surpass Cheon Yu-jin, he believed it was wrong to practice demonic arts.
Yet, at the moment when Cheon Yu-jin became the Great Disciple of the Zhongnan Sect—
when everyone sang praises of his greatness,
when he looked down at Wija-gang with arrogant eyes,
“Ja-gang, you’re still a long way off. Haha!”
—when that playful remark sounded completely sincere,
Wija-gang finally reached for the demonic manual.
He wanted to crush Cheon Yu-jin,
and the senior brothers who treated him as insignificant,
and the entire martial world beneath his feet—
so that all would revere him and never again dare to look down on him.
The technique he began to learn was called Asura Blood Heaven Sword (阿修羅血天劍).
“…But not long after, Cheon Yu-jin discovered the truth. He tried to kill Wija-gang, yet Wija-gang escaped with mortal wounds, leaving behind only the words—
‘You alone, I will kill with my own hands.’”
Ten years later, Wija-gang reappeared—
having completely mastered the Heavenly Demon’s martial art.
And with him came a legion of demonic followers.
“At that time, Wija-gang was said to be the strongest of all the Heavenly Demons ever to appear in martial history. Partly because of his natural martial talent, but mostly because his burning obsession with surpassing Cheon Yu-jin made him a perfect Heavenly Demon.”
“…”
“Wija-gang turned the entire martial world into a sea of blood. Even with the Murim Alliance uniting sects and clans against him, they were no match. The war lasted three years—
countless people died, though new heroes also emerged.”
One such hero was Cheon Yu-jin.
He became so renowned that people called him “The Soul-Chasing Sword.”
Cheon Yu-jin personally led the charge to kill Wija-gang,
believing it was his own fault that Wija-gang had turned into a demon.
“Cheon Yu-jin fought Wija-gang many times, suffering grave injuries each time. He faced death repeatedly—but he never died. And that was because of the Golden-Clad Divine Maiden.”
The Golden-Clad Divine Maiden.
At last, the name So-so had been so curious about was spoken.
Her eyes sparkled like stars.
“He was healed by the Golden-Clad Divine Maiden.”
“…!”
“Those who were close to Cheon Yu-jin said that golden light flowed from her hands whenever she treated his wounds.”
My goodness… someone like me truly existed.
So-so couldn’t help the way her lips parted in awe.
“The Namgung Clan reveres her because Cheon Yu-jin met her in Anhui Province,
and because our grandfather—who fought alongside Cheon Yu-jin against the Heavenly Demon—also received her aid and survived.”
Eager with curiosity, So-so asked impatiently,
“What happened to her? Who was she really? Is she still alive?”
Namgung Jin’s expression grew somber.
“Her true identity was never revealed. She always wore a veil,
and never spoke of her origin or family.”
“Ah…”
“Perhaps Cheon Yu-jin or my grandfather knew,
but both of them have long since passed away.”
So-so let out a wistful sigh.
“It’s said that the Golden-Clad Divine Maiden also perished
in the final battle against the Heavenly Demon.”
“I see…”
She had hoped to learn more about that golden energy—
but now she could only feel sorrow for the mysterious woman’s death.
“…Wait, Namgung Swordsman,” Jeogal Hae-su suddenly interjected.
“Forgive my interruption, but from what you’re saying, she did a lot of good.
So why does no one acknowledge her?”
Namgung Jin looked at him in surprise,
clearly not expecting such insight from him.
“Your gaze toward my sister is unclean.”
“…Was it that obvious?”
“Haha.”
“The reason,” Namgung Jin said at last,
“is because the Golden-Clad Divine Maiden healed everyone—
orthodox, unorthodox, even members of the Demonic Sect.
Because of that, some called her a villainess.”
He added that the Zhongnan Sect’s decline was also related to this.
The Zhongnan Sect had produced Cheon Yu-jin,
the man who slew the Heavenly Demon—
but it had also produced Wija-gang, the Heavenly Demon himself.
Thus, some labeled the sect “the source of evil.”
For that reason, despite having fought the hardest in that war fifty years ago,
the Zhongnan Sect had remained closed off from the world ever since.
“So, she wasn’t a hero in the chivalric sense,” Jeogal Hae-su murmured.
“No,” Namgung Jin replied. “It was her own form of chivalry—one few could understand.”
Then, turning back to So-so, he continued,
“She even treated Wija-gang. It’s said she cured the madness that befalls anyone who masters the Heavenly Demon’s martial arts.”
Madness!
So-so immediately thought of the maniacs who had attacked the Namgung Clan.
“Wait, Namgung Swordsman—the madmen who appeared at your clan…”
“Yes,” he nodded. “They likely lost their minds after attempting to practice the Heavenly Demon’s techniques,
or from misusing the Demonic Sect’s elixirs.”
How many such madmen could there still be?
If the Golden-Clad Divine Maiden had once healed Wija-gang’s madness—
could So-so perhaps do the same for them?
Could her own energy cure them?
Seeing the worry on her face, Namgung Jin said as if reading her mind,
“Minor madness can be treated, but once a person is completely lost, even you would not be able to help. The Golden-Clad Divine Maiden herself could not restore them.”
“I understand.”
“Returning to the story—Wija-gang fell in love with the woman who had cured his madness. Though it was never officially recorded, it’s said he treated her with great devotion during her stay within the Demonic Sect.”
“Ah…”
“Some even say that the reason Wija-gang lost that final life-or-death duel with Cheon Yu-jin was because of her.”
“Because he died protecting her?”
Namgung Jin tilted his head slightly.
“I’m afraid I don’t know. Almost everyone who witnessed that last battle has long passed away.
Wija-gang died first, but Cheon Yu-jin—fatally wounded—soon followed.”
“…”
“And the Golden-Clad Divine Maiden, too, is believed to have perished in that final confrontation.”
What truly happened in that last life-and-death duel?
