Chapter 37. Brocade Demon Library (2)
The Brocade Demon Library stood deep inside a rugged valley where no ordinary traveler could ever reach by accident.
Even using lightness techniques, one had to run for around four hours along rough animal trails just to reach the place.
“An ordinary person might collapse from exhaustion before even arriving.”
“Anyone incapable of reaching this place has no right to enter the Brocade Demon Library.”
The Sword Demon, who had been running ahead, looked toward me and made a slightly surprised sound.
“Oh? You are impressive too, little brother. We came all this way, yet you are not even breathing hard.”
“Is that really impressive enough to praise? Once someone reaches the Peak Realm, becoming short of breath is extremely rare.”
“The air around the Brocade Demon Library has been made much thinner through a formation. Even a fairly strong expert will be breathing heavily after running here without stopping.”
I see.
No wonder my body had gradually begun feeling heavier.
“Perhaps it is because of the Body Reformation.”
“Throughout the history of our Cult, only a handful of people have endured the pain of the Spirit Returning Demon Pill. The Cult Leader also achieved Body Reformation with the Spirit Returning Demon Pill when he was young.”
“Really?”
“The martial world is a place where promising young geniuses die every day, but I have a feeling you will become an important figure in the future.”
I was beginning to understand why the Sword Demon treated me so warmly.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult worshiped the doctrine of Respecting the Strong.
The Sword Demon probably believed I would eventually hold an important position inside the Cult.
In other words, he was investing in a promising martial artist who had survived the Spirit Returning Demon Pill.
That kind of attention did not bother me in the slightest.
Thanks to him, I could enter the Brocade Demon Library.
And Wolyeong really had contacted him for my sake.
She said she would find a way for me to enter the Brocade Demon Library, and she had certainly delivered.
That was some impressive support from a wife.
“Ah, look over there, little brother. That is the Brocade Demon Library.”
The Sword Demon pointed deep between two cliffs.
Just as he said, a tall building resembling a tower stood between them.
“Little brother, move back about five steps. You may get hurt.”
“Pardon?”
I did not understand, but there was no reason not to listen.
“He should be coming around now...”
The Sword Demon slowly drew his sword while looking around as though waiting for someone.
The instant the blade completely left its sheath, an old man wearing blue robes fell from the sky like a meteor and landed directly in front of him.
Boom!
He must have fallen from an incredible height.
Spiderweb cracks spread across the ground beneath his feet.
“You came, Sword Demon!”
“I have come, Senior Brush Slayer!”
The two smiled at each other like old friends finally reuniting.
However, completely unlike their friendly faces, their hands immediately unleashed deadly techniques.
The Sword Demon's blade created hundreds of sword shadows that rushed toward the old man.
The old man blocked every attack with a Judge's Brush and immediately counterattacked.
Within a moment too short to properly describe, hundreds of deadly moves passed between them.
Then, as though they had made a promise beforehand, both suddenly stopped.
The Sword Demon's blade was a breath away from cutting the old man's neck.
The old man's Judge's Brush was a breath away from piercing the Sword Demon's heart.
“...”
“...”
Whooosh.
A dry wind passed between the two men holding weapons against each other's vital points.
Then both simultaneously withdrew their weapons and burst into loud laughter.
“Hahahahaha! You are as strong as ever, Senior!”
“Your skills have improved since the last time we met! Hahahahaha!”
As if their exchange of deadly techniques had been nothing more than a joke, the two warmly embraced.
Greeting each other happily, immediately trying to kill each other, then finishing with a hug.
I still could not get used to Demonic Cult culture.
“I heard you were controlled by a Blood Gu, so I feared your martial arts might have weakened. Seeing you perfectly healthy is a relief.”
“Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. Still, without little brother over there, I would probably still be controlled by that Blood Gu.”
The Sword Demon turned toward me.
“Greet him, little brother. This is Senior Brush Slayer Demon Venerable, one of the Eight Demon Venerables.”
“Bi Anso, Demon Soldier of the Black Blood Unit, greets the Brush Slayer Demon Venerable.”
I gave him a fist-and-palm salute.
The Brush Slayer Demon Venerable looked me up and down with obvious interest.
“You are the Demon Soldier the Cult Leader summoned into the main hall, are you not? I heard you made great contributions toward resolving the Sword Demon Clan incident.”
“The Cult Leader merely showed consideration toward this lowly person and gave me more credit than I deserved.”
“Forget that kind of false humility. The Cult Leader would not praise someone like that even if it were one of his own children.”
Hmm.
He did seem like the kind of man who would be even stricter with his own children.
“Judging from the situation, it seems the Sword Demon brought you here to enter the Brocade Demon Library. Am I correct?”
“You are.”
“Hmm...”
The Brush Slayer Demon Venerable suddenly placed a hand on my shoulder.
Surprised, I instinctively tried to move away.
But the Sword Demon shook his head and sent me a secret transmission.
He will not harm you. Remain still, little brother.
I listened.
The Brush Slayer Demon Venerable began pressing and tapping various places across my body.
At first I wondered if he was simply an old pervert.
Then I realized he was examining my bones and muscles.
...He could still be an old pervert, though.
“Flexible bones and muscles. You were trained to emphasize speed and endurance rather than overwhelming strength. Did you learn assassin martial arts?”
Crazy.
He understood the general nature of my martial arts just by examining my body?
“You have plenty of real combat experience, and this body has undergone Body Reformation. Who taught you martial arts?”
“I cannot tell you.”
“Is that so? If you cannot reveal it, then forget I asked. Either way, seeing a talent like you enter our Cult from outside is fortunate. I dislike the fact that you are buried inside the Black Blood Unit, but never mind that. Why have you come to the Brocade Demon Library?”
“I intend to transform my original martial arts into demonic arts.”
“Really?”
A smile appeared on the Brush Slayer Demon Venerable's lips.
“What an admirable idea. If you wish to become a true member of the Demonic Cult, that is the level of effort you should show. Let me think. The section containing manuals that would suit you...”
He thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers and shouted loudly.
“Disciple! Are you there?”
His voice echoed throughout the valley.
A young man emerged from the forest.
“Disciple Jong Yu awaits Master's command.”
“Guide this Demon Soldier to the third floor, bookshelf twelve!”
“You intend to allow a Demon Soldier into the Brocade Demon Library?”
Look at that bastard's face twist.
