The world seemed to sink into darkness.
'This is unusual.'
It wasn't just a matter of strength. The martial arts of the Demon Cult were different from those of the Central Plains, and they felt different from the ones Wei Yanho knew.
'It won't help.'
Wei Yanho recalled his conversation with his master about the Demon Cult.
"Demon Cult?"
"Yes, the Demon Cult."
Baek Muhan asked with disbelief.
"They still exist?"
"Not only do they exist, but they are causing trouble. Fifteen years ago, there was a great war. If the people of the Central Plains hadn't united, the world would be dominated by the Demon Cult."
"Huh?"
Baek Muhan tilted his head, not understanding, and clicked his tongue.
"How weak has the martial world become to be invaded by those guys?"
"They are not insignificant. They say there is no larger clan than them."
"What?"
Baek Muhan opened his eyes in disbelief.
"No, it's just… uh, this is…"
Wei Yanho shrugged as he saw Baek Muhan's confused expression.
"It's been three hundred years."
"That's not solved with time."
"Was the Demon Cult that bad three hundred years ago?"
"Hmm…"
Baek Muhan organized his thoughts.
"Sure, the martial arts of the Demon Cult had potential."
"So, they can resurge."
"It's not that easy. The martial arts of the Demon Cult are different from those of the Central Plains. There are no intermediate steps."
"...Huh? What do you mean?"
"The martial arts are different, and they are very careless, so they don't teach their martial arts to future generations. If they give them an idea, the talented will learn by themselves. 'Only those who are good enough can learn my martial arts'."
"Brave."
"Although it's admirable, it's crazy from the perspective of a clan. Many martial arts were lost, and those that were passed down lack intermediate steps or key ideas. To regain their status, they must fill those gaps…"
Baek Muhan shook his head.
"Even a genius can't do it."
"If an exceptional genius appears, it might be possible."
"No. That's impossible."
Baek Muhan affirmed.
"Why?"
When Wei Yanho didn't understand, Baek Muhan explained with examples.
"Can a young scholar create a new school of thought?"
"Yes."
"Can a young scholar restore ancient knowledge that he has never learned?"
"…Huh?"
Wei Yanho tilted his head. That was ambiguous.
"Restoration requires a deep understanding of martial arts. To restore those martial arts, one must surpass their level, but it is impossible to recreate martial arts that have already been lost."
"Then what should we do?"
"The safest way is for an expert who has reached the level of a grandmaster to join the Demon Cult and restore the martial arts…"
Baek Muhan frowned.
"Why would anyone do that? Besides, it's not easy. In my time, the demonic martial arts were weak, but they are not weak. They are as profound as the righteous martial arts. It's impossible for a normal expert."
"Even you, master?"
"Me?"
"Yes. Even…"
*Thwack!*
Wei Yanho grabbed his head and fell to the ground.
"Ugh! I just asked!"
"Your lack of respect is evident. Who am I? I am Baek Muhan. If those demonic martial arts fell into my hands, I would not only restore them, but I would recreate them."
"If you can, others could do it too."
*Thud!*
"Ugh."
Wei Yanho, who received an intense blow, grabbed his head and rolled on the ground.
Baek Muhan clicked his tongue as he saw Wei Yanho.
"You receive a lot of blows. Even if it's your nature, there's no one who does as many things as you."
"I didn't say anything wrong!"
"Do you want more?"
"My great master didn't explain it to me, so I was frustrated."
"Hmm."
Baek Muhan stroked his beard and spoke.
"There is someone who can do it."
"Who?"
"The Heavenly Demon."
"The Heavenly Demon? The founder of the Demon Cult, the incarnation of the Asura?"
"Yes."
"That person lived a thousand years ago."
"A thousand years? In my time, they said five hundred years, have two hundred more years passed?"
"Well, a thousand years is not an exact time. It's just to say it was a long time ago."
"Yes. Many warriors have existed, but few can reorganize the demonic martial arts and make them stronger. Buddha, Sanbong, me, and the Heavenly Demon."
"But they are all dead."
"Yes. That's what I thought. But…"
"Yes."
"Aren't I alive?"
"…Master."
Wei Yanho looked at Baek Muhan sadly.
"Master, you already died. You are a ghost. You are confused because we are talking. Your death was three hundred years ago. Now…"
"That's not it!"
"Huh?"
Baek Muhan clicked his tongue.
"Of course, I'm dead. But my spirit is here talking to you."
"Yes, that's true."
"If I can do it, they can too."
"Huh?"
Wei Yanho's eyes trembled.
That made sense.
"Although their martial arts are not as good as mine…"
"If you say that outside, they will kill you, master. Ah… you're already dead. Do whatever you want. You won't be afraid."
Baek Muhan's fist trembled.
What did this guy eat to be so insolent?
"If the Heavenly Demon sealed his spirit somewhere, and someone opened it… it's possible."
"Ah, yes. That's an interesting story. If someone tells that in an inn, they will earn a lot of money."
"That guy!"
Wei Yanho rolled on the ground to dodge Baek Muhan's fist.
"It's not a joke."
"I didn't take it as a joke."
"Tsk, you must know how great I am."
"Huh? What are you saying?"
"Do you think the Heavenly Demon would simply teach his techniques? If he uses the demonic arts, he can resurrect using someone else's body. Considering there are limits to maintaining the mind with internal energy…"
"Huh? Really?"
Baek Muhan sighed as he saw Wei Yanho covering his chest.
'Forget it.'
No matter what crisis the martial world faces, that guy won't solve it. Nothing has happened in three hundred years, what could happen now?
"That's my opinion."
"What is the probability of that happening?"
"…The probability of someone being struck by lightning thirty-six times and surviving to eat at home."
"Yes. An incredible probability."
"It's possible."
"Yes, I understand."
Baek Muhan's gaze turned serious.
"But remember this."
"Huh?"
"If they have completely revived the demonic martial arts, they will be very powerful."
"..."
"I don't respect Buddha or Sanbong, but I respect the Heavenly Demon. If I had to choose someone who could face me, it would be the Heavenly Demon. His martial arts are very profound and ruthless."
Wei Yanho's eyes narrowed.
His master was arrogant. If he said that, the martial arts of the Heavenly Demon must be extraordinary.
'Could he be stronger than my master?'
He wouldn't say that if he thought he could win.
"His martial arts are not just powerful. The martial arts of the Heavenly Demon affect the emotions."
"Emotions?"
"They stimulate fear and hatred, causing people to lose their calm. It's difficult to fight even without losing your calm."
"Then what should we do?"
"You?"
"Yes. Me."
"You…"
Wei Yanho repeated the words that came to his mind.
―Since you are not afraid, just fight. That only works with normal people.
"...That sounds like an insult."
An intense white glow emanated from Wei Yanho's sword.
***