NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15
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The demon of Bi-Wol was originally the fate she was supposed to have.
Heavenly Demon Star.
A backlash from the setting written by Han Do-hyeon, the variable created by him twisting Bi-Wol’s fate, and what the future would have looked like if he hadn’t saved her.
“Master…? How are you in my Imaginary World?!”
Bi-Wol had no choice but to cover her face with her hands, alternating between glancing at Bing Yeon and her demon. What an ugly sight to show her master. No matter how much it was her true feelings, she never expected it to be so uncontrollable.
“Did you think this master wouldn’t be able to find his disciple?”
Bing Yeon said, gently petting Bi-Wol’s head. Feeling the rough yet warm touch, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Master, I’m sorry. It’s my immaturity that’s causing this to happen…”
Bi-Wol felt the heat rising on her face again. Memories of her desperate yearning for love from Bing Yeon came flooding back.
“It’s fine. I didn’t know how much I had suppressed my emotions. Therefore, let’s correct it together.”
“Correct together…?”
“You will continue this swordsmanship in my stead.”
Bing Yeon smiled at Bi-Wol.
From now on, it would have meaning only if she repelled her demon herself. If he helped her, he could simply appear again anytime.
“Do I just have to chop off that despicable demon’s neck, Master?”
Bi-Wol shouted, feeling the sensation of the sword she held for the first time. Even though it was a sword made of ice, it felt as solid and heavy as steel.
“Yes, I shall assist you with whatever you lack.”
The sword that her master Bing Yeon made just for her. Just recalling that fact filled her heart with emotions.
“Hahaha…!!!”
Watching the two of them, Bi-Wol’s demon began to laugh like a madman. It was as if witnessing a martial artist lost in madness or fervently bewitched.
“Good Bi-Wol, I told you! I am you, and you are me!”
“…No, you are not me. To be precise, you are the darkness within me. A weak spirit afraid of not receiving love from Master, and terrified of the world where Master might one day leave.”
“What’s wrong with that? You love your master! Your feelings are more affectionate than anyone else in this world! What’s wrong with matters concerning someone you love!”
“The love my master taught me is not an emotion that hurts or harms others.”
Bi-Wol aimed her sword at her demon. The sharp tip of the blade pointed directly at it, and the firmly grounded stance radiated intense determination.
“…The world is consumed by darkness! How dare you, a child born to slay your own master, debate with me!”
Seeing that, the demon also drew its sword. The shadowy form of the black sword emitted a dreadful aura.
“The name of this girl is the Heavenly Demon, Heavenly Demon Star! Now, let’s see if you can win against that so-called master!”
The demon’s tone and energy had truly transformed into that of the Heavenly Demon from the original King of Diamond Fist. Each breath it took caused the earth to tremble, and she could feel the biting cold.
“My name is Bi-Wol of the Ice Dragon Blossom Heart. I shall kill you and overcome the demon.”
However, even knowing she was stronger than her current self, she couldn’t back down. That was the darkness within herself that she had to confront.
“I will shorten the distance with you using the Heavenly Demon’s Imperial Walk and target your dantian with the Heavenly Demon Blood Killing Slash, striking from below and cutting upwards.”
Like lightning, a murderous intent surged from the tip of the blade toward Bi-Wol, but without fear, she recited the sword formula.
“No. Bi-Wol. You must use the Unruly Sequence here. Isn’t the ground covered in snow? If you focus purely on strength like that, your feet will slip, and you will lose your balance easily.”
That was Bing Yeon pointing out what was wrong. Normally, Bi-Wol would have made a mistake since it was her first time with swordsmanship, and the demon clicked its tongue at that.
“Now, follow this.”
Footprints appeared atop the thick blanket of snow. The footsteps ahead showed that following them would ensure safety.
Taking those footprints as a guide, Bi-Wol gingerly stepped and started sparking the sword route.
“…I shall flow with the Taekwondo sword of the Mount Hua Sect! I will infuse the mysteries of flow into the sword, using the principle of flower relocation to reverse your attack!”
Suddenly, the space shimmered, and she could see her sword bending. Her own blade, extending like a branch, aimed to stab at her dantian.
“If this continues, my dantian…!”
“The principle of flower relocation is not exclusive to the Mount Hua Sect. Bi-Wol. Focus on the twisted space of your opponent, think of a means to twist it.”
At that moment, Bing Yeon provided advice to his disciple. The martial principle of utilizing the opponent’s power without them knowing was not unique to the Mount Hua Sect.
It referred to the ultimate martial arts handed down from Persia, the strongest in the Western Region, boasting the miracles of the Divine Sect.
The Great Shifting of Heaven and Earth.
“Using the Great Shifting of Heaven and Earth, I shall reverse the direction of the attack used against you.”
Bi-Wol shouted as she flicked away the blade that was flying toward her using her foot. Each one focused on correcting the twisted space.
“Drawing another sword from behind, I shall use the Twin Dragon Whirlwind Sword! Let the whirlwind shred you apart!”
Perhaps thinking one sword wouldn’t be enough to face her, the demon was revealing the martial arts of wielding dual swords. Was there any way to withstand the windstorm that’s generated at such close range?
“Using the Heavenly Demon Art, Nine Heavens Demon Sword, I will spin my body and aim for your side!”
Bi-Wol swung her sword while spinning to withstand the storm, yet it wasn’t enough to block the attacks flying from all directions.
“Bi-Wol. If you do this without any preparation, your spinning speed will be inconsistent. Lower your center of gravity more, bend your knees further. You must stabilize your center of balance to reverse the flow of the opponent.”
A sharp blade wind brushed her cheek, causing her to bleed, and in that moment, Bing Yeon offered her another strategy.
Like a master revealing a hidden move to a novice, Bing Yeon continued to indicate what she could not see.
“Aren’t you ashamed as a martial artist? Thinking of accomplishing greatness alone, and simply following in your master’s shadow! Is this really martial ethics?”
The demon laughed at the sight of Bing Yeon and Bi-Wol. Unlike the self-trained master, the one receiving assistance from her master appeared weaker.
Weak and flimsy.
Immature and delicate.
Like seeing a poorly sharpened sword, not a single part was properly refined.
“The ‘Martial’ in martial arts means the strength to protect the weak, and ‘Hero’ is the heart that pities and observes the weak.”
Beside her was already a refined master. As for the integrity of martial arts, no one could catch up to that sage.
“Bi-Wol, that is your darkness. After sharing swords, do you understand what went wrong?”
“Every time I shared a sword with the demon, the angle of my wrist became unstable. The trajectory of the sword keeps twisting.”
Bi-Wol trembled as she spoke. The figure before her was another version of herself, so why was there such a stark difference?
“The opponent is aiming for that. You haven’t reached adulthood yet, so your strength is weak and your stature is small, and you’re trying to overpower them with strength.”
Bing Yeon understood the cause of the discrepancy. No matter how much the martial world warns against women, children, and the elderly, one could not help but be overpowered by the strength of a robust adult.
“So, what should I do?”
“You must match the rhythm of your opponent’s breathing and lead by one step ahead. Find the shortcomings in their fingertips, toes, and stance…”
“No. Bi-Wol. Here, you should identify your own shortcomings first. If you attempt to use techniques without first mastering the basics, you will only find yourself in a losing position.”
Bing Yeon shook his head while listening to Bi-Wol’s words. To face a strong martial artist, it is indeed correct to use an even stronger martial art.
“The demon’s weakness is your weakness as well.”
This was a sparring session for discussing martial arts.
“This is a discussion held in an Imaginary World. Ultimately, discovering what you lack is the key to victory.”
Bing Yeon petted Bi-Wol’s head once more. From the beginning, the realization he wished to impart to her was precisely this.
Awareness of one’s shortcomings and pondering how to attain a higher level.
“The opponent’s breath is faster than yours and their toes are always pointed forward. Against such an opponent, even if you strive to be one step ahead, you cannot change the game.”
He was merely helping to hold the door open.
“So, what should I do?”
“To control the trajectory of the sword, keep your wrist straight and distribute the force evenly throughout your entire wrist. The tip of the sword should remain stable, which is the foundation and something you must keep in mind.”
Bing Yeon was adjusting her sword grip here and there with his hands. Like a finely sculpted statue, she was transforming into a refined and restrained figure.
“If you wish to break through the norms, you must fully master the basics first. That is what constitutes breaking the mold.”
In Go, to play remarkable moves, one needs a proper understanding of all the foundational moves.
“Let’s attempt the Heavenly Demon Blood Killing Slash again.”
“But, that’s the technique I failed at just now….”
“This time, you can combine the angles with the sword techniques. Use your small stature and flexible movements as your strengths; even with a demon, there will be a gap to exploit.”
Even if you fail as the stone caught in a trap, using it wisely to foster a victory is the beauty of strategy.
“This damned child…!”
“Master, I did it! Quickly, the next move….”
Bi-Wol’s kick slammed into the demon’s solar plexus. It spewed blood and was pushed back several steps.
“…”
“…Master?”
Watching that, Bi-Wol had been anticipating her master’s next advice, but Bing Yeon remained silent.
“With the Heavenly Demon Art’s tenth formula, Heavenly Demon Annihilation, I will shatter both you and this Imaginary World. Come, try to stop me if you can!”
Seizing the moment, the demon was preparing its final strike. Bi-Wol had never used or even recognized that technique.
Seeing the sharp murderous intent, Bi-Wol was filled with fear. Why isn’t Master helping me?
Her hands trembled, and the tip of her sword started to shake. At this rate, she would lose in the spar and would be entirely consumed by the demon.
‘Master, Master, Master, why won’t you help this inadequate disciple…!’
Bi-Wol repeated her master’s name in her heart, and as if answering her, Bing Yeon whispered softly.
“Bi-Wol. This time, I cannot help you.”
In that instant, Bi-Wol’s eyelids flew open wide as she began to see a new landscape. It was something floating above the snowy sky.
No matter how dark the world is, it is a sign of hope that dawn will arrive, something that can rise even in the bright sunlight.
“…I will follow Master’s final teaching.”
Bi-Wol.
It was a name that held such simple meaning.
Bi-Wol poured her gratitude for her master into the fingers gripping the sword, distributing all her strength evenly, and straightening her wrist to keep the tip of her sword steady.
She focused strength into her legs, bent her waist to ensure her center of gravity was correct, and with a strong push off her left foot, she made sure not to dissipate the strength of the sword.
Without breaking her breath, slowly but deeply inhaling and exhaling, when she swung her sword, she had to explode all her strength.
“I hate the sky that abandoned me, but I feel grateful to the sky that brought me and my master together.”
The tip of the raised sword took the form of a swirling vortex, ready to swallow all the sorrow of the world.
“How could the sky be the sky? Just like your heart, Master, it is immeasurable in height. It allows all beings to look up, thus creating another world.”
A path of escape emerged.
Amidst the suffocating haze of magical energy, she found an opening for her blade to penetrate.
Widened perspectives and regained breaths.
Surpassing the immediate threats falling before her, she observed the flow of action.
“The cold snow falling like white powder would reveal warmth, and the ocean that engulfs everything exists to cool the heat of summer.”
All of this was the foundation she learned from her master, Bing Yeon.
“Therefore, I will cherish all that Master has taught me and shout out to love myself.”
As she proclaimed these words, Bi-Wol gazed straight at her demon, the embodiment of her darkness.
“The girl’s name is Bi-Wol.”
Heavenly Demon Art,
Eleven Formulas,
Bi-Wol.
“I am the moon that floats upon your boundless heart, Master Bing Yeon.”
Ka-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa—!
Like a huge moon falling from the sky, a circular sword strike rained down upon the demon.
“…Well done.”
And as she observed that sight, Bing Yeon softly patted his disciple’s head, his voice barely above a whisper.