Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 1

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

 

 

Chapter 1

 

 

Bright full moonlight, a Mountain Temple sleeping in tranquility.

An old Taoist standing on the Moon Platform of a darkened hall looks up at the sky.

“Heh, truly a peaceful night indeed.”

A Taoist Crown with a clear Taiji pattern, an old White Robe that felt modest, a refined appearance with gentle eyes, and a white beard reaching down to his chest—truly the bearing of an immortal.

Hyeoncheonja Yu Gilcheon, the current sect leader of the Wudang Sect.

He who was praised as having achieved the highest enlightenment among all Taoists in the Central Plains was intoxicated by the softly shining moonlight for once.

How wonderful it was.

Evil demons do not leave their dwellings and calamities show not even a sign—truly a peaceful world.

However, if there was one worry…

“Heavenly Demon.”

A thread of concern passed over his previously gentle face.

Heaven is truly heartless. If You were going to give something, why not give only peace? Why did You send down such a being as well?

Of course, it wasn’t that he had led the Demon Cult followers to conquer the world and cause chaos.

He had appeared in the Martial World only once.

His wandering journey, starting from the edge of the Western Mountains and reaching the Eastern Sea, seeking out strong warriors throughout the land, had continued for quite a long time.

And on that path, sword, saber, spear, fist, staff… those who were called supreme in their respective domains all fell without exception.

 

-Tch, there’s no one worth fighting.

 

Grumbling as if he had lost interest, he returned to where he had been staying.

Revenge?

It wasn’t that there were no attempts.

A disciple of the Evil Path Alliance who witnessed the death of the Evil Path Alliance Leader, who had claimed to be the patriarch of the Central Plains’ Unorthodox Sects, attacked seeking revenge, and they saw firsthand what happened.

At his touch, as he smiled saying he wouldn’t refuse the Evil Path Alliance’s revenge, all three thousand warriors died without exception.

They say the battlefield from that time still bears a red tint even now, twenty years later.

The Righteous Martial Alliance watched, no, remained silent.

Since it had been an honorable duel from the beginning, they said there was no justification to seek revenge against him…

In truth, for them, the troublesome Evil Path Alliance had been almost completely destroyed, so they had gained the fisherman’s profit.

When he said he found it boring and would return on his own, was there really a need to fight?

Thus he became the ‘Heavenly Demon’ acknowledged not only by the Demon Cult but by all under heaven.

After that, he never appeared in the Martial World again.

But it was a peace that could shatter at any moment.

The general consensus was that if he ever changed his mind and decided to conquer the Central Plains, there would be no way to stop him.

He must be dead by now, right?

Surely?

Though he was younger than himself, there was no guarantee of longevity… and those who practiced Demonic Arts sometimes fell into Qi Deviation.

“Immeasurable Buddha, that would be good.”

Yu Gilcheon muttered the Taoist invocation with the hope that it would be so.

Whoooosh.

Then the wind blew.

Yu Gilcheon sent his worries away on the refreshing wind that fluttered his sideburns and spread coolly to every corner of the temple, then looked up at the moon again…

“Hm?”

A black shadow like a dot was overlapping the round moon.

It was a strange sight.

A night bird that couldn’t sleep?

“Hmm?”

But that shadow seemed to grow larger and larger, as if devouring the moon. The location where it was heading at increasing speed was…

“Eek!”

Startled, Yu Gilcheon could only widen his eyes and step backward.

Wasn’t that black shadow falling toward him?

And the face of the now-clear form was…

“Baek, Baek Ganghwi?”

Yu Gilcheon’s eyes became as wide as lanterns as he immediately recognized the shadow’s identity.

But this was strange.

The bloody incident with the Evil Path Alliance during his journey across the land was twenty years ago.

He had been fifty even then, so after twenty years he should normally be a white-haired old man… but why was he so firm without a single wrinkle?

No, he looked much younger than back then… huh?

“It’s been a while, baldy.”

“…”

“Have all those broken bones from before healed?”

The one greeting him with a bright smile was… the Heavenly Demon himself.

This potential calamity of the Central Plains.

‘Damn it! Don’t tell me he’s achieved Rejuvenation too?’

Heaven wasn’t just heartless but disappointing.

If You were going to distribute things, You should have done so fairly—why did You give that monster even legendary realms?

He should immediately shout to announce that a calamity had appeared… but he couldn’t.

He had seen the Evil Path Alliance.

This was someone who didn’t avoid fights that came to him.

He had been the best under heaven even then, and now he was a monster who had achieved Rejuvenation.

He had directly witnessed him flying all the way to Wudang from afar without setting foot on the ground once—what was there to fight?

If he showed bravado talking about personal justice, Wudang would become a handful of dust…

 

* * *

 

“Ascension to Immortality?”

“That’s right.”

“No, what kind of…”

Yu Gilcheon, who had guided the unwelcome guest who visited in the middle of the night into his room, couldn’t bring himself to say the words “bullshit” that followed.

His opponent was Heavenly Demon Baek Ganghwi.

A being whose martial prowess reached the heavens and whom all under heaven feared.

A transcendent who could make all the world’s masters fall with a single sweep of his hand, even if they were all gathered together.

A strong warrior who could devastate everything in his path one after another even without issuing battle orders to his followers.

‘Damn it, he was quiet for twenty years and now this.’

It was said in the world that Hyeoncheonja Yu Gilcheon had achieved the highest enlightenment… but at this moment, curses rose to the tip of his throat, making decades of cultivation seem meaningless.

Why did it have to be him?

There was Kunlun near the Demon Cult, and if he went a bit further south there was Gongdong, and in Sichuan there was Qingcheng too… No, on the way to Hubei he would have passed through Shaanxi, so he should have asked Zhongnan or Huashan.

He didn’t understand why he had to come all the way to Wudang, deep in the mountains at the very center of the Central Plains, to pull this nonsense.

Meanwhile, no matter how much he didn’t care about age differences, this young punk was speaking informally throughout.

But at least he could try to compete with others.

Standing tall before a monster who might achieve unification of the world single-handedly was a reckless act.

Wasn’t avoiding crazy people originally the best strategy?

“But why Ascension to Immortality all of a sudden…?”

“I’m bored because there’s nothing to do.”

“Ah…”

How very like him.

To think his purpose for ascension is boredom.

“Teaching kids has its limits too. I thought it would be nice if they became skilled enough to kill me, so I tried teaching a few of them, but the kids have no talent, no talent.”

A hollow laugh escapes.

To think he taught them hoping to raise an opponent who could kill him.

Even if he taught them, could they really kill him?

They couldn’t even leave a scratch.

“It’s not like I can go out to conquer the Central Plains either. Bullying those weaklings would just be bothersome.”

How fortunate that he considers them weak and bothersome.

Yes, thanks to you(?), the Central Plains are this peaceful.

“So I thought I’d try ascending to immortality while I’m at it. No matter how I think about it, that’s all that’s left.”

“Well, you’ve even achieved Rejuvenation.”

“That’s what I’m saying. You’ve reached the highest level of enlightenment, haven’t you?”

Yu Gilcheon, who had been nodding, was startled in shock.

“M-me?”

“That’s right.”

In that moment, he denied all the times he had been proud of his enlightenment.

“Oh my, that’s just rumors, rumors. You know better than anyone that worldly rumors can’t be trusted, don’t you, Cult Leader?”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“That’s right.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. But it’s still true that there are people in Wudang who have ascended, right?”

“Ah, that’s…”

It was truly the height of rudeness, but Yu Gilcheon couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.

He had to speak well.

It was said that the ultimate enlightenment transcends even good and evil to reach a childlike heart. Martial arts were the same. When anything transcends its boundaries, it reaches the same place.

What exactly was a childlike heart?

Becoming a child.

The Heavenly Demon was a child.

He was someone who had to do whatever he wanted to do.

And he was strong enough to definitely accomplish whatever he wanted to do and more.

Right and wrong?

What use was there in considering them?

Though he didn’t want to admit it, the Martial World was a place where the strong were right.

If this person, who had become childish in both appearance and thought, got upset for no reason and just waved his hand, Wudang would be destroyed.

Yu Gilcheon didn’t want to become like an insect having its wings plucked by playful hands.

“That’s the most baseless of all baseless rumors.”

“What?”

“Heh heh, don’t you know, Cult Leader? Our sect places great importance on appearances… We have to consider watching eyes and listening ears, so we used to spread such rumors.”

Yu Gilcheon slandered his own sect.

“Rumors? Hmm… I heard that Gonyang spoke of seeing the Immortal Realm before he died?”

“…”

Gonyang was Yu Gilcheon’s master.

The former sect leader of Wudang.

If Sahae was called Eastern Dao, then he was a person one generation higher than the Heavenly Demon.

But Gonyang?

If his master were still alive, he would have given a thorough scolding about where this junior had thrown away all courtesy.

“Don’t even mention it. You know Taiji Cave, right? That cave. My master spent a long time in Wall Meditation in his later years. It’s embarrassing to say this, but… does staring at a wall really bring enlightenment? It only drives people mad.”

“…”

“This is something I’m only telling you, Cult Leader, but he often saw illusions in his later years. It seems you heard those words from that time, exaggerated and spread by the world.”

Yu Gilcheon insulted his master with a very serious expression.

Amitabha Buddha, I’m sorry, Master. But is deceiving one’s teacher and destroying one’s ancestors important right now? Wudang might be destroyed at any moment.

“Damn, and I came all this way.”

“Exactly. That’s how worldly rumors are. Why don’t you try visiting Shaolin instead? Ascension to Immortality and Enlightenment are basically the same thing.”

“Hmm…”

Yu Gilcheon finally sold out Shaolin, and the Heavenly Demon frowned.

“I don’t like those monks.”

“Pardon?”

“Somehow I don’t want to mix with those guys even after death. With their demon subjugation and whatnot… It’s very uncomfortable.”

“Ah… that’s true.”

It didn’t sell.

He was firmly rejected.

Damn…

But he absolutely must not upset his mood.

Yu Gilcheon appeased him as carefully and cautiously as if facing a mortal enemy.

“You’ve come a long way, so let’s have some tea first.”

“Don’t you have alcohol?”

“Heh heh, alcohol in a Taoist temple? If we had any, I would have offered it to you… Shall I go down and buy a bottle?”

Of course, Wudang had been drinking alcohol for quite some time.

The Ten Precepts created for the abstinence of Taoists had been changed long ago.

He only said that because he disliked the Heavenly Demon occupying this place.

“Never mind. I don’t feel intoxicated even when I drink anyway. Just give me tea.”

“Yes.”

Yu Gilcheon, relieved, hurriedly began heating water in the brass brazier, worried that he might change his mind.

“But does Ascension to Immortality really exist?”

“Well, there are such sayings in Taoism.”

Unconsciously agreeing and nodding was a mistake.

“Then find it.”

“…Pardon?”

Yu Gilcheon barely caught the tea set he almost dropped.

“I said find it. About the method of Ascension to Immortality.”

“…”

“Why?”

“No, it’s not something you can find just by looking for it…”

“Wouldn’t an expert be better for anything? If I move, there’ll just be fights. I’ll wait here.”

A bolt from the blue struck Yu Gilcheon’s ears.

This crazy bastard!

No matter how close to a childlike heart he’d become, he wasn’t a kid throwing a tantrum on the market floor demanding candy—suddenly telling him to find it? Am I your disciple? Your subordinate? Find what!

“Heh heh, Cult Leader, really… You’re joking, right?”

“Joking? Hmm. Then would you prefer I search for it myself? How? Shall I stir things up a bit?”

“…”

“I’ll give you one year.”

Murderous intent flashed in the eyes of the smiling Baek Ganghwi.

In an instant, the air froze solid as if winter had come to the room, and the pillars of the pavilion cracked, making Yu Gilcheon’s heart shrink.

This bastard… he’s serious right now.

The pavilion that had endured for a thousand years nearly collapsed entirely from his aura in just a moment.

A human in whom good and evil coexisted.

Good today, evil tomorrow.

No, someone who could become evil at any time according to his whims, even while breathing.

That smile contained cruelty as well…

At his attitude displaying the arrogance befitting the strongest position, Yu Gilcheon unleashed his internal energy in a burst, throwing open the door so forcefully it nearly shattered.

“Right now, immediately! Go find a method for ascension to immortality! You must find it even if you have to turn the entire world upside down!”

It was a voice that rivaled the Buddhist Lion’s Roar.

The Heavenly Demon was seeking an Ascension Method.

If Wudang couldn’t answer, then next would be… you, you, you, you…

At those words that echoed throughout the entire Central Plains, truly all of the martial world joined forces.

The Orthodox Sects to survive, the Unorthodox Sects fearing the sparks might fly to them.

From what they heard, the Demon Cult said there was no reason to refuse since their terrifying leader would voluntarily leave on his own.

Those guys had it tough too.

As the entire martial world’s efforts to help the Heavenly Demon ascend to immortality began, heaven was moved.

Before a year had passed.

Starting with the Moshan Sect famous for their mystical arts, the Five Great Dao Sects joined forces to search through the ruined records of Quanzhen, and with support from the Beggar’s Sect and Haomen, they gathered countless experiences and records from various places, finally completing an Ascension Method.

It was a great treasure.

But no one coveted it. Rather, they volunteered to guard it so no unpleasant incidents would occur.

The Ascension Method was something difficult to achieve even for Taoist masters who devoted their entire lives to alchemy, but what madman would covet Baek Ganghwi’s possession?

“Cult Leader, we found it! This is the Ascension Method!”

Yu Gilcheon shouted with a vigorous and confident voice, offering the Ascension Method with both hands.

“Oh? You’ve done it.”

“That’s right.”

Baek Ganghwi looked at the booklet with joyful eyes and said.

“This is certain, right?”

“…”

Actually, he had changed a few characters.

What was this talk of a Demon Immortal?

Would there be reason to be cursed at in the Immortal Realm?

But Yu Gilcheon abandoned his pride as a Taoist that day.

If not me, then who would walk this thorny path?

“That’s right! It’s certain!”

“Good. Then clear out Taiji Cave. And block the entrance with a large stone so no one can approach. Prepare plenty of things like Fasting Pills too.”

“Yes! Of course… Yes?”

“I need to cultivate. Gonyang did it here too, didn’t he?”

“…”

“I won’t take a single step out of Taiji Cave until I achieve ascension to immortality, so know that.”

Yu Gilcheon felt terrible killing intent as he personally swept and cleaned Taiji Cave.

Damn it! Taiji Cave wasn’t the Demon Cult’s secluded cultivation chamber, so if he wanted to ascend to immortality, he should go do it at his own home instead of trying to leech off Wudang!

But!

On the other hand, he thought that might actually be better.

At least peace would be maintained while he cultivated for ascension to immortality.

The martial world, on this day, revived the old custom of laying down weapons at the trees by the mountain gate entrance to honor Wudang for bearing the burden alone.

The tradition of Sword Release Pool, which had become meaningless over the years, began again.

After the Heavenly Demon entered Taiji Cave like that.

Yu Gilcheon blocked the entrance to Taiji Cave with the largest boulder on Wudang Mountain. He even carefully attached talismans in case the Heavenly Demon failed to ascend and became a vengeful ghost.

And on a certain day when twenty years had passed since the Heavenly Demon entered Taiji Cave.

Yu Gilcheon, whose lifespan had ended and who faced Power Dispersal, stood before Taiji Cave with the leaders of various sects, his bent back leaning on a walking stick.

Such was the passage of time.

Where there is birth, there is also death.

Feeling his natural lifespan had ended, Yu Gilcheon wanted to confirm the Heavenly Demon’s survival as his final duty before death.

“Open it.”

At his command, dozens of martial artists pushed the boulder, and soon the interior of Taiji Cave was revealed.

Inside sat the Heavenly Demon with his back straight.

“Cult Leader…”

He called out, but there was no answer.

He didn’t even flutter an eyelid.

Tap, tap, tap.

When Yu Gilcheon approached leaning on his walking stick and carefully reached out his hand, the Heavenly Demon’s body crumbled like ash and scattered in the blowing wind.

“Ahh…”

Tears of joy flowed from the wrinkled eyes of Yu Gilcheon, who had now reached the age of ninety-one.

Crack!

Squeezing out his last strength to straighten even his bent back, Yu Gilcheon roared toward the world.

“The Heavenly Demon is dead!”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————