The Heaven-Slaying Sword

Mok Seon-oh once said.

“Won, when you step into the martial world, there will come a day when you too, must cut down a person.”

In the world of martial arts, where one’s worth is proven through the sword, there will be moments when the tip of that sword must pierce the flesh of a human.

This is the inescapable reality of the martial world.

“Your Master cannot foresee who your adversary will be on that day. It could be a vile demon, someone driven to evil by circumstance, or simply a madman.”

“…Then whom should I cut down?”

“Do not try to cut anyone down.”

Young Mok Riwon could not grasp those words then.

He was puzzled by what Mok Seon-oh meant, especially with his gentle smile.

The words spoken at that time held a complex meaning.

“You should merely swing your sword to prove yourself.”

“Prove what?”

“That you are not evil. That your sword stands for chivalry. You must wield it to prove that.”

Now, Mok Riwon seemed to grasp the depth of those words.

“Swing your sword according to your beliefs, not at people.”

Thus, he steadied his stance.

And Pae Woongchu lunged forward.

Keeping his feet planted firmly on the ground, Mok Riwon drew his sword.

The ink-black qi sharpened, shooting forth.

It was the first sword form completed by the Founder of the Star God Sect while observing the Big Dipper.

The Big Dipper Sundering Sword.

Baaang–!

The ink-black qi pierced through Pae Woongchu’s joints, splattering blood.

His eyes widened, then he laughed.

Mok Riwon did not relent.

His sword had been drawn for merely a second.

Tak–

In an unwavering stance, he continued to swing.

Two seconds, three seconds, four seconds, then targeting the lower body from five to seven seconds.

He executed the complete form, pressuring his opponent.

That wasn’t the end.

My belief, what I learned, is merely in a form meant for swinging.

Mok Riwon repeated those words to himself.

Ignoring the sensation of his blade slicing flesh and the burst of bloody scent, he maintained his composure.

What I have learned, in a form meant for swinging.

Mok Riwon saw it.

The openings and weaknesses where he could fatally strike his foe if he plunged his sword now.

The trajectory of a fist loaded with killing intent aimed at him.

And himself, who would grow while crushing them.

But he looked away.

Not to slay his opponent, but solely to uphold the chivalry he had been taught.

Focused only on that, his qi surged.

The ink-black qi condensed.

It gently wrapped around his sword, forming flowing waves.

Second Form, Meteor Sword.

The man who became the Founder of the Star God Sect had been practicing his swordsmanship on a night when, by chance, he saw a shooting star. Inspired, he devised this basic form, embodying a meteor through his sword.

It was undeniably a swift sword.

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The sword, falling straight down from above his head, momentarily traced a long, ink-black line through the air.

Rip–

Pae Woongchu’s clothes were torn apart.

A crimson line was cut into the skin underneath.

Mok Riwon ignored this as well.

And he proceeded to the next form.

–Won, the Star God Sect is a sect of chivalrous heroes. The Star God Technique is the martial arts of chivalrous heroes. Thus, we imbue our swords not with killing intent, but with romance.

Hwaaak–!

The qi emanating from Mok Riwon’s body dominated the surroundings.

The third form was one he could barely manage at present, having reached the realm where he could project qi far beyond his physical form.

–So Won, when you swing your sword, do not aim for the vital points. Ignore the killing intent. You should merely look at what you want to achieve with this sword.

Pae Woongchu’s body stiffened.

He felt a sense of crisis.

Thus, he grinned, exhilarated.

I must not block it.

This form must not be blocked.

What would stretch out now was something clearly in the domain of qi arts.

If that’s the case…!

He had to counter with his own qi art.

Pae Woongchu’s demonic qi boiled, enveloping his entire being and expanding outward.

As this occured, Mok Riwon swung his sword with a resolute expression.

–The Founder practiced a single sword form for a year. Yet, as the constellations shifted, so too did the essence engraved in that sword form.

Mok Riwon’s widely dispersed qi faintly shimmered. Pale white dots, brighter than the surroundings, emerged sporadically.

–The Founder’s Journal had written down these words. There are twelve constellations that signify the changing seasons and times, thus I observed my sword’s evolution through their movements.

The stars that rose above the dark night sky illuminated light.

–Won, from today onward, you will observe those constellations with your Master for a year. Capture them with your eyes, and imprint them into your memory so distinctly that you can visualize them at will.

Mok Riwon recreated the constellations he had studied nightly, etching them into his gaze.

His sword extended.

It brushed past the shimmering, translucent dots.

Third Form, Sword of Twelve Earthly Branches.

The dots touched by the sword exploded.

Boom–!

A resonant explosion followed.

Yet, Mok Riwon continued the sequence without pause.

Pae Woongchu extended his palms, channeling the demonic qi surrounding his body into a concentrated form.

This was a martial law only achievable by those at the end of the Peak Realm.

It was a technique that could only be performed when the realm of martial arts transcended the norm, and one could exert physical force projected through qi alone.

Qi Arts.

Pae Woongchu eyed the glowing dots that seemed to open their mouths toward him with a grin that appeared ready to tear open, then hurled his condensed qi sphere at them.

Demonic Orb Throw.

He concentrated his boiling demonic qi into a single point and launched it.

Mok Riwon’s sword and Pae Woongchu’s orb clashed.

Shortly after, the surrounding area was engulfed in blinding white light.

* * *

In the aftermath that had laid waste to the surrounding trees and bushes.

Mok Riwon stood gasping in the epicenter.

His miserable state was inevitable.

In the first place, he had unleashed the basic form in a dire situation after absorbing a direct hit, and under the torment of conflicting impulses.

The strain was manifold greater than what he would normally endure when executing the form.

His view was obscured by scattering dirt.

Mok Riwon's gaze pierced through the haze.

Soon, the air cleared.

“That’s quite something!”

Pae Woongchu stood, laughing, albeit on unsteady feet.

He wasn’t in the perfect condition either.

His torso, blasted by the explosion, was scorched red and molten, one arm hanging limply like a rag.

The situation was dire for Mok Riwon.

His body could no longer keep up with his will, barely able to continue wielding his sword.

Prolonging the fight could lead him to succumb to his instincts.

Clench–

Mok Riwon gritted his teeth.

With the last of his strength, he grasped his faltering arm and gripped his sword once more.

Pae Woongchu observed the entire process as though savoring it.

Then he spoke.

“Is that the sword of a chivalrous hero?”

Mok Riwon flinched.

Without launching an attack, Pae Woongchu pressed further.

“Is that the sword you swing while suppressing the Heaven-Slaying Star? Hm? Do you have nothing more to show?”

Despite not being in the best shape, Pae Woongchu’s spirit remained unbroken.

He merely took a step forward joyfully, in a truly delighted mood.

“It’s exhilarating! The sword you desperately swung in defiance is so destruction! It’s so aggressive yet bears no killing intent!”

It was the most peculiar sword he had ever faced in his life.

A sword that defeated an opponent without killing intent – a paradox that delighted him immensely.

“Show me more! That can’t be all! Isn’t that the chivalry you were so confident in?! Didn’t you say a chivalrous hero is someone who walks the hardest path?!”

Pae Woongchu’s demonic qi surged again, focusing in his one functioning arm.

And Mok Riwon squeezed out the last drops of his qi from his dantian.

Crunch–

The sound of his blood vessels crushing echoed in his ears.

He was suffering from internal damage.

How…

How can I overcome this crisis?

In that moment, as Mok Riwon’s thoughts turned parched.

“Aaaaargh!”

A scream not far off pierced the air.

Pae Woongchu turned towards the sound, and so did Mok Riwon.

However, Mok Riwon’s expression bore greater gravity.

Gwak Chil!

The scream he heard was familiar.

It was coming from Gwak Chil, whom he had become friends with over the past few days.

Something unexpected had transpired.

As he grappled with this alarming development, Pae Woongchu frowned and clicked his tongue.

“…Ugh, they’ve come all the way here so soon.”

Then, he extinguished his demonic qi.

What followed was shocking.

Crack–!

He twisted and completely broke his limp arm.

Mok Riwon’s eyes widened.

He couldn’t understand.

“…What are you doing?”

When Mok Riwon questioned sharply, the answer that came back was.

“What am I doing? I’m letting you go.”

He grumbled as if he had lost all interest, with an attitude as if he didn’t care in the slightest about the pain of his broken arm.

“I can’t get caught already. There’s still much to witness.”

Saying that, he took out a signal flare from his pant leg and set it off.

Immediately after, he turned around.

Toward the opposite direction of the scream.

“Let’s meet again soon! Ink Dragon!”

Then he ran off.

Mok Riwon stood there, staring blankly at the last place he saw him.

How long had he remained like that?

“G-Great Expert…!”

Gwak Chil appeared in that place instead.

For someone who had just screamed, he looked surprisingly unharmed.

* * *

“Boss. Did you fail?”

“Indeed! I failed! The Heaven-Slaying Star is more tenacious than I thought!”

Returning to the mountain house, Pae Woongchu showed his tattered arm to his adjutant.

The adjutant swallowed dryly and lowered his head.

“…Was he that strong?”

“He was strong! But I was stronger!”

The adjutant’s brows narrowed, unable to understand what he meant.

Pae Woongchu laughed.

“I mean, I would have won if capturing him alive wasn’t the goal!”

“Ah…!”

The adjutant finally understood.

Leaving him behind, Pae Woongchu entered one of the buildings of the mountain home that was still somewhat intact.

It’s not time yet!

He had something else on his mind.

Crazed with demonic qi and seeking only battles to the death, he prioritized his own desires above the Divine Cult’s orders.

He wasn’t ready to capture Mok Riwon just yet.

The qi art he had used as his last move, and the sword that stretched forth with intent imbued within.

Pae Woongchu wanted to see it again.

No, it wasn’t just to see it again, but he wanted to see it in a more advanced form.

For that reason, he must not capture him.

The Ink Dragon had to become stronger to perfect that strange sword.

Pae Woongchu laughed, sitting cross-legged.

He channeled his demonic qi with his eyes closed.

It’s fun.

With an air filled with joy, he sent his demonic qi flowing through his blood vessels.

As the bearer of the Heaven-Slaying Star, his growth would be exponentially faster than anyone could imagine, so he too had to become stronger, at least for their next encounter.

With such thoughts, Pae Woongchu pushed his demonic qi to its limits.

Boil–

The demonic qi enveloped the interior of the building, heavily blanketing the mountain home and beyond.

His subordinates sensed the change and began to guard the surroundings of the cliffside dwelling.

Thus, a week passed.

Fist Demon Pae Woongchu reached the Supreme /genesisforsaken