Chapter 72: Each One’s Thoughts (2)

“Lady Baek… you’re quite bold.”

Sa Biyeon let out a breath of admiration.

“As someone from a noble family, I could never use such a method.”

As a direct descendant of the Black Gold Sa Clan, and as a close aide to the Young Cult Leader, there were things she could never say or do.

Someone by the Supreme One’s side must always maintain cool-headed and rational judgment, no matter the situation.

“Oh my, are you criticizing me?”

“No, I’m praising you.”

“But even you won’t be able to avoid being involved in this matter, will you?”

“……”

Sa Biyeon’s expression slightly clouded.

Now that there was no way to completely step away, she too had to make a decision that differed from her usual stance.

Either step over the wall and seize this opportunity—or die.

The time for choosing between the two had arrived.

A faint sigh came from Sa Biyeon.

“It can’t be helped. If there’s a wall that can’t be bypassed, I’ll just have to go over it head-on.”

“Well said, Biyeon.”

Cheon Yura, too, smiled approvingly and praised her decision.

“Hehehe, what fascinating children.”

Yoo So chuckled softly.

“You chose the correct answer.”

“……!”

Yoo So gave them a look of genuine approval.

“Do you think you can cross it?”

“Probably not on my own.”

Cheon Yura acknowledged honestly. It hadn’t been long since she’d crossed one wall, and here she was already preparing to overcome another.

She knew better than anyone how dangerous that was.

“If alone is difficult, then…”

Clack!

I stepped up beside Cheon Yura.

Then, Sa Biyeon and Baek Sang-ah walked a short distance behind Yoo So.

“Oh?”

“If we can reach the realm of ‘no-self’ together, the success rate should increase significantly.”

The Heaven-Slaying Demonic Sword Art and Heavenly Record Demonic Sword were sword arts that stemmed from the same lineage.

In fact, when I had caught up to Cheon Yura’s destructive power, the combination had produced impeccable synergy.

“In that case, I suppose I should join in to some degree.”

Shiiing!

For the first time, a faint black aura shimmered over Yoo So’s sword.

“Now that I think about it, I never properly taught my disciple the essence of this sword art. Judging by the form, you must’ve learned it only from a secret manual.”

“Ugh!”

She hit the mark, and I instinctively shrank my shoulders.

I could execute all ten sword forms of the Heavenly Record Demonic Sword without obstruction, but the combination of forms and transformations was based purely on personal insight or guidance from elders.

Of course, my transformations couldn’t possibly reach the level of Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden.

“This is a perfect opportunity to pass it on.”

Gulp!

I swallowed hard and focused on Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden’s sword.

Perhaps… I was the one who stood to gain the most from this grand technique.

Yoo So readied her sword stance toward us for the first time.

‘That stance!’

It was a sword stance I knew all too well.

The starting stance of the first form of the Ten Heavenly Record Demonic Sword—Opening Heaven, Scattering Blossoms.

‘Perfect!’

Even Cheon Yura was in awe, as was I.

Especially Cheon Yura, who had firsthand experience facing that form from me, must now be feeling just how vast the gap truly was.

‘There’s no opening at all!’

No matter how we approached, we’d be countered!

“Jin Yeomyung, in the end, we have only one task.”

“Yes, I understand.”

We had to chip a crack into that flawless perfection!

Cheon Yura and I circulated our internal energy without hesitation.

Preparing the opening sword forms of our respective sword arts, we faced her.

Cheon Yura, eyes fixed on Yoo So, whispered softly.

“Can you keep up?”

“To the ends of the earth.”

“Good.”

The moment a faint smile formed on her lips—

“Form the Four Symbols Formation!”

Cheon Yura shouted toward the others and drew out her Heaven-Slaying Qi.

At that same moment, Sa Biyeon and Baek Sang-ah moved in unison behind Yoo So.

“Jin Yeomyung! You and I are the Sun and the Moon. Match me even if it kills you!”

“With pleasure!”

The Sun and the Moon, at the center of the Four Symbols Formation.

To support that fierce and overwhelming force, I too needed strength on par.

I amplified my strength, rotating it through a full major meridian cycle and channeling it into my sword!

Not falling behind the overwhelming force of the Heaven-Slaying Qi, the aura of the Heavenly Record Demonic Sword extended like a strip of taffy.

“Splendid!”

Yoo So seemed deeply moved by how we stood shoulder-to-shoulder, perfectly coordinating our sword formations.

“If you survive, you’ll turn out quite fine.”

“Shall we begin, then?”

“Very well… But before that.”

Just before clashing swords, Yoo So flicked her gaze slightly toward Baek Sang-ah.

“That girl… her internal energy is starting to change. Is that alright?”

“……”

“……”

She murmured so softly that Baek Sang-ah and Sa Biyeon behind her couldn’t hear.

“Judging by her swordsmanship, she must be a descendant of Namcheon. If this continues… hmm…”

Naturally, Cheon Yura and I turned our attention to Baek Sang-ah behind Yoo So.

When she had first come under the influence of this formation, she had struggled just to breathe and couldn’t even circulate her internal energy properly.

But now?

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Oh, nothing.”

“It’s nothing at all.”

“Just hurry and begin. My condition isn’t exactly great either.”

Despite her words, it was clear that she had fully adapted to this formation and was now not only accepting the demonic energy but thriving in it.

The moment I saw her, I was certain.

‘She’s not aware of it herself!’

Cheon Yura and I locked eyes briefly and came to a silent agreement.

We wouldn’t say a word!

If she lost consciousness and descended like this without realizing what was happening—what would be the outcome?

Because her true internal energy had been subtly tainted by demonic energy, purifying it would take at least ten full years of recovery and cultivation!

In effect, it would mean the end of her life as a martial artist!

‘In that case, it’d be better…’

‘To just become a full-fledged demonic practitioner instead?’

If someone from the Orthodox Faction had witnessed this scene, they would’ve hurled every imaginable curse and insult, accusing us of being the worst kind of demonic scum… But unfortunately for them, the only people here were demonic cultivators of the Heavenly Demon Cult, who worshipped martial prowess above all.

These demonic martial artists despised weakness, encouraged strength, and didn’t care whether one’s internal energy was righteous or evil as long as it made them stronger.

…Not that I was just trying to avoid getting blamed by being the one to speak up first or anything.

Cheon Yura and I quietly turned away from the inevitable truth that was about to unfold.

Cheon Yura whispered to me softly.

“I did tell her to step down.”

“Lady Cheon…”

It was the first time I ever heard Cheon Yura sound so defeated.

* * *  

And now, back to the present.

“You’re the first to awaken from the ‘no-self’ state. It must be because your mind was so full of thoughts, my disciple.”

“Huff, huff!”

Still gripping my sword, I tried to steady my breath.

Now that I, who held the position of the Moon, had left my position, the Four Symbols Formation had started to unravel.

‘If this continues, everything will fall apart!’

If the formation collapsed and the energy flow was cut off, the remaining three would suffer fatal internal injuries.

That would be the end of everything.

“Damn it!”

Just before the formation broke, I managed to maintain the Four Symbols Formation by syncing my breath with Cheon Yura, who was still fighting to maintain the offensive.

But then—

‘The crack in the formation isn’t closing?!’

There was only one explanation for that.

There was a gap forming somewhere else—other than me!

“There’s someone else… whose mind is too full.”

“Ugh… Ugh…”

Behind Yoo So, in the position of the Lesser Yin, was the one who had been holding out until now.

“Lady Sa!”

It was Sa Biyeon. She could no longer continue attacking and was now gasping for breath, frozen in place.

Even from a distance, I could tell her condition was worse than expected.

Instead of saliva, blood spilled from her lips as she failed to control the demonic energy that was now overflowing.

“If this continues, it’s over. Honestly, that child was the weakest of you all from the beginning. In a way, this result was inevitable.”

Sa Biyeon hadn’t even reached the threshold of the Master Level.

Not only was she beneath Cheon Yura and me, she was also below Baek Sang-ah in cultivation level.

Her body simply wasn’t ready to absorb this opportunity.

‘What do I do? If I break formation on my own, it’ll completely collapse.’

While I was torn between choices—

“Go…”

“Lady Cheon?!”

“I’ll hold the formation… somehow. You take care of Biyeon.”

Miraculously, Cheon Yura had regained enough clarity to speak rationally!

I immediately broke formation and rushed over to Sa Biyeon.

Then, I pressed several acupuncture points above her Dantian and forcibly released the demonic energy congesting her meridians.

‘They’re Death Points, but right now…!’

Her true energy would drain rapidly, and her meridians would take damage, but considering her current condition, this was the better option.

“Guh! M-Master Jin?”

“Are you conscious?”

Sa Biyeon grabbed hold of her balance with hazy eyes.

“I’m sorry… I made a mistake…”

“Can you move?”

“Yes… somehow…”

But her condition was clearly far from okay.

Yoo So clicked her tongue as she looked at Sa Biyeon.

“She got devoured by her thoughts while in the ‘no-self’ state.”

“Are you saying…”

“She’s entered the initial stage of Qi Deviation.”

“…!”

“And…”

A faint smile tugged at Yoo So’s lips.

“It means the real trial of this formation has now begun for all of you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean exactly what I said. Surely you didn’t think you could overcome the wall just by swinging swords around, did you?”

Twitch!

“If you’re still thinking that simplistically, you’d best abandon that now.”

At her words, something clicked within me.

“Don’t tell me… this formation was designed to induce Qi Deviation?”

“Exactly. Now, take a look around.”

Following Yoo So’s gesture, I turned my eyes—

At some point, both Cheon Yura and Baek Sang-ah had also frozen in place.

Upon closer inspection, they too had changed, their states now similar to Sa Biyeon’s.

“When the overwhelming energy surpasses your physical and mental stamina, what do you think happens if that imbalance continues?”

“The balance between body, mind, and Qi will collapse.”

“And?”

“…Eventually, it’ll lead to Qi Deviation.”

Even if the balance was broken, in normal conditions one might be able to recover or suppress it.

But this place… was a unique environment where sheer willpower alone wouldn’t help.

“When that balance collapses, the gap in the heart will give rise to intrusive thoughts. And those thoughts will become inner demons that seek to shatter your mind.”

Thud!

Thud!

As if coordinated, Cheon Yura, Baek Sang-ah, and Sa Biyeon sat down and crossed their legs in meditation.

“There are no exceptions. Unless one has reached the level of overcoming demonic nature, no one can escape the influence of this formation.”

I frantically searched for the underlying meaning in Yoo So’s words.

If this was merely about inducing inner demons, it wouldn’t be a fortuitous opportunity.

There had to be a key to overcoming it.

“There must be a reason why you only allowed people under the age of thirty to enter, isn’t there?”

A flicker passed through Yoo So’s eyes.

“Indeed. It’s because children like you haven’t yet solidified your inner nature.”

For martial artists, inner nature typically solidifies by their forties.

Even the most talented ones under thirty were still considered promising juniors, not fully matured.

“And the more complete one’s inner nature is, the more severe the backlash from Qi Deviation becomes.”

I fully understood Yoo So’s intention now.

“By forcibly inducing an experience of Qi Deviation during a stage when the mind is still unformed, you’re pushing them to overcome it. That experience will act as a preventative lesson later and naturally guide them toward completion of a higher realm.”

“…You understand this very well.”

“I’ve had a bit of experience myself.”

Yoo So felt a momentary sense of discord wash over her entire body.

“My disciple… you…”

I gave a small laugh, guessing why Yoo So trailed off.

“My circumstances are a bit… unique. It seems this experience of Qi Deviation doesn’t quite apply to me.”

“……”

While the other three had already entered their own internal circulation to overcome their inner demons, I—ever since awakening once—had felt no pressure from the demonic energy.

“It looks like I’ll need a slightly different kind of guidance for you.”  

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