Chapter 57
“It will be different this time,”
Do-wi declared as if making an announcement and launched his counterattack.
Swish!
The sword energy infused into his swift strikes was sharp and relentless.
“Hap!”
Though my martial training was brief, I endured Jeok I-geon’s grueling lessons. I evaded his sword energy with ease and swiftly activated the White Jade Sleeve Demon Art.
A faint red energy gently coated my glowing white jade-like hands.
Clang!
As Do-wi’s sword came slashing down again, I deflected it upward and struck his exposed shoulder with my hand.
“Haagh!”
Do-wi let out a roar as he attempted to slash my arm with his sword.
‘Hmph!’
Did you think I’d fall for that so easily?
The White Jade Sleeve Demon Art was not only a hand technique but also a sleeve technique.
I drew a circle with my arm, wrapping his sword hand with my sleeve. Infusing my inner energy into it, I hardened it like armor.
Clang!
Do-wi’s sword rebounded, and I immediately swung my weapon like a windmill, aiming at his head.
Swoosh!
Startled by the powerful wind pressure from my blade, Do-wi retreated diagonally three steps.
But my movements were faster.
Slash!
His shoulder was quickly stained with red blood.
Though it grazed him, it was a satisfying blow. The dismay on Do-wi’s face as he pressed a pressure point to stem the bleeding was apparent.
What’s the matter? Surprised that I’m more skilled than you expected?
I knew all too well his tendency to underestimate women.
He was likely on the brink of losing his temper now.
Look at that.
The venom in his gaze.
I can hear the curses you’re muttering about me in your head.
I know everything—I’ve read it in the book.
From this point onward, he would attack me with full force.
This was the Demon Cult. Without strength, you were nothing but a sinner.
Do-wi knew that if he failed to defeat me, he’d lose all recognition.
The anger etched on his twisted face, the twitching eyebrows, the flaring nostrils, and the trembling lips—it all matched the descriptions of Do-wi before he committed atrocities.
Particularly when he assaulted women or slaughtered innocents, he always exhibited such behavior when excited.
Now I was his target, wasn’t I?
But do you think things will go your way?
Bang!
I took the initiative, closing the distance in an instant and slashing my blade.
Do-wi defended himself and attempted to entangle my blade with his using the Absorbing Palm Technique.
Our swords clashed and locked, bringing our faces uncomfortably close.
Click.
A faint sound reached my ears.
‘What is that?’
I realized in an instant that I needed to dodge, even at the cost of falling to the ground.
Swish!
A hidden dagger barely missed my face.
If I had reacted even a second later, I would’ve been left with a severe wound.
‘You’re asking to die, aren’t you?’
I slammed the ground with my energy-infused sleeve, launching myself upright. The impact shattered the martial stage, but it was a temporary venue anyway.
Fine, today I’ll end you for good!
Igniting the fury of the phoenix within me, I executed the Demonic Phoenix Flowing Steps.
Whoosh!
With a single leap, I soared high above Do-wi’s head as if standing atop a towering mountain.
The first verse of the Demonic Overlord’s Sword:
“Rule as if the heavens and mountains bend to your will.”
And I was the phoenix soaring to the peak of that mountain!
Hooom!
Energy erupted like a storm from my dantian, flowing through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and into the Demonic Phoenix Sword.
A red glow enveloped the blade, intensifying and taking a vivid form.
Hoooong!
The sword infused with energy let out a cry.
Was it the cry of a phoenix?
Or the cry of dominion?
“Hyaaaah!”
I roared, and a crimson wave of sword energy surged toward Do-wi.
“Guh!”
In desperation, Do-wi crossed his sword and detached dagger in an X-shape to block the attack.
But, of course, that alone was not enough to withstand the all-consuming phoenix’s sword energy.
The blade and dagger split apart too easily, slashing across Do-wi’s chest.
“Gaaah!”
The impact sent Do-wi crashing to the ground, blood spraying everywhere.
Such a bastard deserves to be eradicated.
Forgetting the context of the spar for a moment, I leaped onto his body.
One of my feet landed squarely on Do-wi’s dantian.
Of course, I didn’t just step on it casually.
‘Weighting Force Technique isn’t just for hands, you know.’
Jeok I-geon always insisted that I master anything I learned completely, so I even trained to use the Weighting Force Technique with both feet.
What’s learned must be put to use.
Crack!
Crack-crack-crack!
I felt his dantian shatter beneath my foot, and the sensation was immensely satisfying.
“Graaaah!”
Do-wi’s scream echoed across the sparring arena, a sound fundamentally different from before.
It must hurt terribly.
The loud noise made me furrow my brow slightly.
Then I saw it.
The shocked gazes of the demonic followers directed at me.
Even though I’d won, they didn’t cheer like before, clearly stunned by my brutality.
After destroying his dantian, I had planned to ensure he’d never become a threat again, but the atmosphere suggested I should save that for another time.
Hey, announcer.
Hurry up and declare my victory.
I stood confidently, showing no remorse for leaving my opponent as a cripple.
In the martial arts world, shattering someone’s dantian was akin to sentencing them to death.
Yet, my unapologetic demeanor left them all stunned.
The moment Do-wi fell, bleeding, the match had ended.
To any observer, what I did afterward was unnecessary.
Was that why they were demanding an explanation?
Fine. I’ll give you one.
I pointed my Demonic Phoenix Sword at Do-wi and spoke.
“This man humiliated me, the First lady, throughout the match.”
Did I use the word ‘the lady’ correctly?
Maybe I should’ve just said I.
Ugh, so cringey!
While my inner thoughts debated, my mouth kept moving.
“As the Heavenly Demon’s disciple, I cannot stand by while being belittled as a mere woman. To insult me is to insult my master. Should anyone behave like this man again, I will not hesitate to sever their heads!”
I couldn’t very well reveal Do-wi’s future atrocities, so I acted with brazen confidence.
I am the first disciple of the Heavenly Demon, after all.
What can you do about it?
This was my strategy.
“Well done!”
The Heavenly Demon, seated in the VIP section, praised me and gracefully stepped down from the air using Air-Stepping Technique.
My eyes widened at the sight.
It was the first time I had witnessed the Air-Stepping Technique in action.
Seeing it in person was incredibly impressive!
I want to try it too.
“As my disciple, you must always act this way!”
The Heavenly Demon’s approval instantly shifted the atmosphere.
While some still looked stunned, cheers erupted soon after.
“Waaaah!”
“The Heavenly Demon’s disciple has won!”
“The successor of the Demon Empress has descended!”
As planned, my debut was an unforgettable one.
Those who dismissed me as just a young girl had now witnessed firsthand that the Heavenly Demon’s disciple was no pushover.
“Is there anything you desire as a reward for your victory?”
“Are you referring to the prize money?”
“No, aside from that, if there’s something you need, speak freely.”
Aside from the prize money?
Perhaps because I had won all my matches decisively, the Heavenly Demon seemed to be in a great mood.
“May I offer the prize instead?”
An elderly man stepped onto the stage and greeted the Heavenly Demon.
The Heavenly Demon’s expression turned to one of shock, as if he had seen a ghost.
Who was this old man?
My question didn’t linger long.
“It’s Head of Hyunma Tak!”
“The head of the Hyunma Tak Family is here!”
“Has he finally broken his seclusion?”
The appearance of Tak Joong-hak, the leader of the revered Hyunma Tak Family, caused another uproar among the demonic followers.
Oh, so this is the elder they respect so much.
In the original novel, he had already passed away due to old age, so his character wasn’t deeply explored.
Nonetheless, the Tak Family, being the most prestigious lineage within the Demonic Cult, remained strong even under Jeok I-geon’s eventual rise.
Though their relationship didn’t seem particularly amicable, they were consistently portrayed as an honorable and powerful group.
“It is an honor to meet you, First Lady. I am Tak Joong-hak.”
Despite my youth, Tak Joong-hak greeted me with utmost courtesy.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well. I am Shin Seol-ha.”
I responded politely in kind.
“The master has taken a first disciple. How could I ignore such a momentous occasion for our cult? I humbly offer a gift in your honor. Please, do not refuse.”
“…Am I allowed to accept this gift?”
“Of course. The Tak Family is prepared to offer anything for the First Lady.”
Anything?
This elder is quite generous for someone I’ve just met.
But why does he look at me like that?
Though his face was kind, I couldn’t shake the feeling that his expression held both joy and sorrow.
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