Chapter 65. Heavenly Demon

Five years had passed. Jecheon Kang had turned nineteen, and Jecheon Seong was now sixteen.

In those five years, Jecheon Kang had led the Divine Sect’s battle units, earning countless accolades. Countless clans fell at his hands, and the name of the Divine Sect rose to new heights.

As a result, his followers grew steadily. Not because Jecheon Kang actively tried expanding his influence, but simply because he trained in martial arts and displayed the results.

In the Divine Sect, where power was revered, that was enough. Now, because of his followers, even the elders could not touch him recklessly. The name of the Young Master, Jecheon Kang, had become significant within the Divine Sect.

Just like this, Jecheon Kang was on a winning streak. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Jecheon Seong, was slowly dying.

I don’t have much time left...

Jecheon Seong, who was reading, turned to look outside the window. A lone leaf fell from a barren tree branch. He could instinctively feel that he didn’t have long left.

Records indicated that some with an Absolute Meridian could live up to twenty years, but it seemed that he wouldn’t be as lucky. Besides, the records belonged to patients who had consumed various elixirs.

It seems that I’m fated to depart this world without accomplishing anything...

In his hand was a letter that came from a renowned royal scholar, offering him admission to the Imperial Academy at any time. It was a reply to the letters he had persistently sent for a long time.

But now, there's no time.

Jecheon Seong didn’t have time to visit the Imperial Academy, let alone study there. His condition was such that it wouldn’t be surprising if he collapsed tomorrow.

"Can I come in for a moment?"

A voice came from outside the door. It was Chul Mu-Ryong.

"Come in," Jecheon Seong replied.

The door slid open, and Chul Mu-Ryong entered. He looked at Jecheon Seong with his usual expression.

"The Young Master is calling for you."

"My brother?" Jecheon Seong’s eyes widened.

He had not seen his brother properly for years, especially in the last two. They barely had any conversations. Now, suddenly, he was being summoned.

"I’ll take you there.”

"Oh, okay...”

Chul Mu-Ryong walked ahead. The direction was to Jecheon Kang's private, underground training hall. Following behind, Jecheon Seong glanced at Chul Mu-Ryong’s face.

Then he asked suddenly, "Is something wrong?"

Chul Mu-Ryong’s expression hardly changed. However, Jecheon Seong could detect the subtle shifts in his expression. After all, he’d always been by his brother’s side, looking after Jecheon Seong in his own way. Chul Mu-Ryong was like a third family member to him.

Chul Mu-Ryong frowned slightly, but then his expression relaxed.

"Nothing at all," he replied, shaking his head.

Jecheon Seong suddenly felt a bad premonition.

"We've arrived. I’ll wait here so you can go in," Chul Mu-Ryong said.

"...Alright," Jecheon Seong replied, wondering what this could be about.

Feeling an inexplicable sense of unease creeping up, Jecheon Seong opened the door to the training hall and stepped inside.

In the darkness of that bleak training hall, Jecheon Seong could see the legs of Jecheon Kang ahead. His face was obscured by the shadows.

"Come closer," Jecheon Kang called.

The voice sounded eerie, perhaps because of the dim surroundings. Jecheon Seong found his brother's voice awkward, having not heard it in years.

However, he could not disobey a summons. Therefore, hesitantly, Jecheon Seong approached. As he drew closer, Jecheon Kang’s face came into view. Unlike before, when he had been practically ignored, his brother was now looking directly at him.

“W-what’s going on?” Jecheon Seong stuttered.

Instead of responding, Jecheon Kang silently reached into his robe and pulled out an old book.

“Nine Yang Demon Art?” Jecheon Seong’s eyes widened in shock.

Nine Yang Demon Art was a legendary martial art thought to be lost long ago. It was one of the highest forms of martial arts for accumulating positive energy. Despite its name, it had characteristics closer to orthodox techniques. It was also called a demon art for a reason. Unless supplemented with negative energy from an external source, the practitioner could die from an excess of positive energy.

“Where did you get that?” Jecheon Seong asked, his voice trembling.

Jecheon Kang answered nonchalantly, “I received it along with the Scarlet Blood Demon Art from my master. He assured me that mastering this would make me the greatest in the world.”

Jecheon Seong’s body stiffened. Only one person could be his brother’s master: the one who had taken in the brothers in the sect. He, whose name was known to everyone in the martial world: the Heavenly Demon, Mok Se-Hyeok.

Jecheon Kang took a step forward, and Jecheon Seong instinctively stepped back. However, Jecheon Kang was faster.

Tap!

Jecheon Kang’s finger pressed on Jecheon Seong’s pressure point. In an instant, Jecheon Seong was rendered immobile, unable to speak or move.

Brother!

Only his eyes could move, and he stared at Jecheon Kang, questioning what was happening. An ominous thought crossed his mind.

To survive the Nine Yang Demon Art, one had to absorb negative energy. One of the most efficient ways was to take it from someone who naturally possessed it.

No, it can’t be...

Jecheon Seong shook his head. His brother wouldn’t do such a thing!

“Your body has become very cold,” Jecheon Kang remarked.

When he had pressed the pressure point, he had felt Jecheon Seong’s skin, as cold and hard as ice in the dead of winter. Jecheon Seong was filled with an excess of negative energy, and was on the verge of death.

Jecheon Kang reached out toward the immobilized Jecheon Seong. His hand, approaching like the maw of a serpent, made the younger one’s eyes tremble with fear.

“I will unblock your Meridian now. It will hurt like you’re dying, but...”

B-brother?

Despite his sharp mind, Jecheon Seong couldn’t comprehend his brother’s words. Or perhaps, subconsciously, he refused to.

“Don’t die,” said Jecheon Kang.

At that moment, a heat like molten lava emanated from Jecheon Kang. It was the culmination of internal energy built from consuming countless elixirs, including the core of the Millennium Dragon.

But it was more than that. It was the explosive energy of innate true qi, the raw life force of a human being. Due to the strain of drawing out all his true qi, Jecheon Kang’s hair turned white in an instant. Yet he didn’t stop, continuing to draw upon his inner strength.

Watching this, Jecheon Seong’s eyes widened in horror.

No, Brother!

***

It occurred when Jecheon Kang was nine years old. He met the Lord of Demons, the man who stood at the pinnacle of all evil in the world.

A man stood in front of a child, who was holding his seemingly asleep younger brother.

“Choose,” the man said.

With a look of keen interest, as if conducting an intriguing experiment, the man spoke.

“If you choose the one on the left, in twenty years, you’ll be hailed as the greatest in the world. You have that much potential. I guarantee it.”

The child gulped.

Even at such a young age, no, precisely because he was so young, that title “The Greatest in the World,” resonated sweetly.

“The one on the right is a flawed martial art. However, with it, you might be able to heal your brother. After curing him, you’ll most likely die.”

The child bit his lip and started to think. A look of disappointment flickered in Mok Se-Hyeok’s eyes. Hadn’t the child said he would do anything to heal his brother? He was still just a child, after all.

Finally, Jecheon Kang spoke, “I will choose...”

There was a slight pause.

“I’ll choose both of them,” said Jecheon Kang.

It was a greedier answer than Mok Se-Hyeok had anticipated. However, that very greed delighted him, and he laughed heartily.

“Fine. Do as you wish.”

Mok Se-Hyeok took in the two young brothers.

“I look forward to seeing if your resolve holds after ten years.”

With that, Mok Se-Hyeok set a course for the future.

***

“For ten years, I haven’t wavered even once, Master,” Jecheon Kang said, placing his hand on his brother’s body.

Nine meridians were blocked, harder than the glaciers of the North Sea. He had to unblock them all with his own qi, costing him his life.

“

Ugh! Ugh!

”

His brother, Jecheon Seong, tried to get away, but it was futile. How could this frail child break free from his grip? This was the end. Jecheon Kang remained silent, doing what he had to do.

“I owe you, Demon Healer. Though you came at my master’s command,” Jecheon Kang muttered.

Then, a massive amount of positive energy struck the first meridian.

Bang!

With each strike, his brother's body convulsed. Blood spurted from Jecheon Kang’s nose.

“Wiji Chun-Ho, you were always so arrogant and I regret leaving you alive. I should’ve shattered your limbs too,” Jecheon Kang muttered.

Despite the immense pain that surely rivaled his brother’s, Jecheon Kang’s expression remained calm, and his voice steady. The flow of his internal energy was unimpeded.

How many nights had he spent training just for this moment? How much had he pestered his reluctant master for his knowledge? This moment was the culmination of ten years of relentless effort.

“Master, forgive your foolish disciple for leaving first. But I believe you’ll understand.”

This death was preordained. Mok Se-Hyeok had supported this plan, knowing everything.

Still, Jecheon Kang was curious about his master’s reaction to his death. Would he pour a drink over his grave? That was probably the best he could hope for.

“Mu-Ryong, I’m counting on you for what comes next. Who knows how the Wiji clan will react once they find out I’m dead. I trust only you,” Jecheon Kang muttered.

There was a faint knock at the training hall door. No more words were needed, so Jecheon Kang smiled faintly. One by one, Jecheon Kang’s qi unblocked the meridians.

Each time, a wave of excruciating pain washed over Jecheon Seong. However, he wasn’t concerned about the pain. Seeing his brother’s eyes gradually lose their light was far more painful.

“Seong, I heard you received a letter from the royal scholar yesterday,” Jecheon Kang said.

Jecheon Seong’s eyes widened in shock. He thought his brother had not cared about him at all. Yet he knew about the letter he had just received.

“You can practice the Nine Yang Demon Art for self-defense. It’s a decent martial art. You won’t get beaten up if you master it. You shouldn’t have any side effects either.”

To call one of the greatest martial arts ever created merely decent—was that his way of joking?

Jecheon Kang’s qi continued to rage fiercely. Even after unblocking several meridians, his strength did not wane.

Ten years, or rather, the willpower that had persisted since Jecheon Seong’s birth sixteen years ago, was melting away the frozen negative energy.

And, finally, when he reached the last meridian, Jecheon Kang said, “Live your own life.”

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Bang!

Then, Jecheon Kang collapsed, blood spraying from his body.

***

"Brother!"

Jecheon Seong caught the falling body of his brother, Jecheon Kang. At that moment, he felt more alive than ever before. The negative energy that had plagued him for sixteen years had dissipated. Now, his body brimmed with vitality that was perfectly balanced with positive energy.

However, his brother's condition was dire. Jecheon Kang’s hair had turned completely white, his skin was ashen and brittle, and his face was deeply lined with age. Holding him felt like clutching a lifeless log.

"You're all healed..." Jecheon Kang said, struggling to open his trembling eyelids to check on his younger brother.

It seemed the treatment had worked.

"But what's the point if you die, brother? You have to live!" Jecheon Seong cried out.

"I knew you'd react this way... That's why I silenced you before starting the treatment," Jecheon Kang chuckled weakly, his laugh reminiscent of their childhood days.

Tears that hadn’t flowed for the past ten years streamed down Jecheon Seong’s face. Jecheon Kang raised his trembling hand to wipe away his brother's tears.

Then staring blankly into space, he murmured, "Mother... I’ve fulfilled your last wish...”

Not a long after, his hand fell lifelessly to the ground, and his eyes gently closed. Only a peaceful smile lingered on his lips.

"Brother! Brother!" Jecheon Seong desperately shook Jecheon Kang’s body, checking his pulse and slapping his face, trying anything to bring him back.

“...”

However, the realization of Kang's death became more apparent. Jecheon Seong’s keen intuition left no room for false hope.

Tap.

Chul Mu-Ryong entered silently and placed a hand on Jecheon Seong's shoulder. He looked as calm as ever, but the faint traces of tears were visible around his eyes.

"You knew, didn't you?" Jecheon Seong asked with a hopeless look.

"I was informed by the lord two years ago," Chul Mu-Ryong replied.

Jecheon Seong wanted to shout, “Why didn’t you stop him?!” but he knew it would be pointless. He held his tongue, knowing he’d just be venting his frustration.

Silence enveloped them. Then, after a while, Jecheon Seong spoke, his eyes now filled with a determined light.

"My brother always dreamed of becoming the greatest in the world, right?"

He fixed his gaze on Chul Mu-Ryong, his resolve strengthening with every word.

"With the life my brother saved, I will fulfill his dream," Jecheon Seong declared.

"What?" Chul Mu-Ryong rarely showed surprise, but he was genuinely taken aback by the fierce spirit emanating from Jecheon Seong, so different from the frail man he once knew.

This newfound strength was more than just physical healing; it was a powerful will, blazing like fire.

"Using my brother’s name, I shall become the greatest in the world," Jecheon Seong said with determination.

"That’s not what your brother would want," Chul Mu-Ryong objected.

"I know," Jecheon Seong replied standing up.

For a moment, Chul Mu-Ryong saw Jecheon Seong as a towering giant. The commanding tone, the confidence—it was as if he was seeing Jecheon Kang himself. However, it was not awkward.

"From now on, you will serve me as if I were my brother. Tell no one of his death. Today, it is Jecheon Seong who has died," Jecheon Seong said.

Jecheon Kang had told Jecheon Seong to live his own life. Therefore, this decision might not align with his brother's wishes, but Jecheon Kang had also defied his own desires for Jecheon Seong’s sake. Just this once, Jecheon Seong was planning to do the same.

"But..." Chul Mu-Ryong hesitated, thinking this plan would not work out.

Although they looked similar, their physique and martial arts were greatly different.

"It doesn't matter," Jecheon Seong cut him off. "From today, I will enter seclusion for five years."

Five years might change his appearance and elevate his martial arts.

"But that might put you in an even more dangerous situation. I think it’d be better for you to leave the Sect now...” Chul Mu-Ryong insisted.

"Is it because of the Wiji family?" Jecheon Seong asked.

"Yes, because five years is more than enough time for the Wiji family to consolidate his power," Chul Mu-Ryong replied.

"It doesn't matter," Jecheon Seong said firmly, picking up the manual for Nine Yang Demon Art from the floor. "In five years, when I re-appear, I will stand at the pinnacle of the demon world."

So that the name Jecheon Kang would never be forgotten.

Chul Mu-Ryong didn’t try to stop him anymore.

"As you command," he said, bowing deeply.

***

The next moment, Kim Do-Joon saw the old man swinging a sword at him.

Bang!