Episode 459

The time when End Demon mastered the Absolute Supreme Demonic Arts was about half a year after Seol-Hwi had left.
Although he succeeded in learning the Four Supreme Demonic Arts in less than a month, it took considerable time to properly implement them.
In fact, that half year was possible due to the arrangement of an absolute existence named Seol-Hwi.
Without his help, he might have been trapped in a cycle, unable to take a single step forward for a lifetime, let alone half a year.
Seol-Hwi’s annotations played a decisive role in learning and operating the martial arts.
Moreover, he had detailed the potential side effects that could occur at each stage transition, so when End Demon reached the state of Profound Demon, he couldn’t help but feel immense respect for Seol-Hwi.

“Is there a higher level than this?”

Even after reaching Profound Demon, End Demon was again shocked by the annotations detailing the next steps to advance further.
Martial arts refined to the point of eliminating any sense of self-conceit.
He felt an immeasurable gap, wondering just how far Seol-Hwi had reached.

End Demon once again began training to move beyond the beginning of Profound Demon towards Qi God state.
In other words, he started training again to reach the second stage.

Four months later.
When End Demon succeeded in reaching Qi God, he couldn’t remain still.
He recalled what Seol-Hwi had said, that once he surpassed the beginning of Profound Demon, he could confirm his existence.

“He said a new world would be visible.”

He wanted to see it with his own eyes.
To see what kind of new world it was going to be.
And where the boundary started from.
With that, End Demon first took the second member of the Strange Killing Troops, who had the most profound knowledge of the celestial phenomena in the world, and stepped out of the main sect.

“If there is a barrier, it should be around here…”

It had been about half a month since End Demon had ventured outside.
Gwal Jang pointed to a spot.
In fact, the first place they visited was the boundary of a huge mountain.
It was the area dividing the Demonic Cult and the land beneath it, but now they had settled slightly above it.

“There’s nothing particularly unusual here.”
“If a god intervened to create a barrier, you wouldn’t see the phenomenon of the boundary from the inside. Therefore, we need to look outside the barrier.”
“Where is that?”
“There, the sky.”

Gwal Jang pointed to a spot where the change was expected to begin.
And it was in the night, not day.
He said they had to observe the movement of the world by looking at the constellations in the sky.

Thus, the two ended up camping unexpectedly.
When night fell, End Demon began by identifying the constellations he knew.

“Isn’t that the Big Dipper?”

The first constellation he found was the Big Dipper.
Originally, there should have been one in the north, but he confirmed that there were three gathered together.

“Huh? What’s different about it…?”

However, Gwal Jang’s reaction was unexpected.
He said he could see only one.
He couldn’t see the constellation that End Demon was observing at all.

‘This is it.’

At that moment, End Demon realized.
He had entered another world.
And it was because he had reached enlightenment that he could see it.
Realizing this, he came to trust the existence of Seol-Hwi even more.

“I too have lived merely a human life. To think I tried to conquer the world without knowing how it truly operates…”

As End Demon realized the new world, a sense of emptiness washed over him.
At the same time, he felt a fear of the being who created that world.
Even in the state he had reached now, it was difficult to control that power.
Just how strong was this Seol-Hwi, and how much stronger was the god he intended to fight?

“Everything seems so futile.”

And this led to a sense of disillusionment with the world.
Of course, that wasn’t all.
There was also a desire for even stronger power.
If he could still gain stronger power and use it, perhaps he could fight against the Creator.

Around that time, he met ‘him.’

“I figured you’d be somewhere around here.”

End Demon was more intrigued by the old man who came with him than the existence who had shown him the world.
A familiar figure he had to meet at least once.

“It seems we have much to discuss. Is there a suitable place?”

At Seol-Hwi’s words, End Demon guided him to a nearby cave.
And Goo Jong-myung followed behind.

A peculiar tension arose between the two.
Although they didn’t seem to converse during the journey, Seol-Hwi could see the subtle aura flowing between them.

“Their competitive spirit is boiling over.”

The two who had once been allies.
Now meeting each other in a different context.
Naturally, they would want to test who was superior in skill.
Of course, there would be plenty of time for them to compete against each other.
It was necessary for their skill improvement as well.
But now was not the time.

“Since we’re gathered here, let’s talk.”

Upon entering the suitable cave, Seol-Hwi spoke first.
The two figures quietly listened to the already anticipated action.

“You both have seen it yourselves. What the new world I spoke of is.”

The day before, Seol-Hwi had shown Goo Jong-myung the new world near this place.
In fact, rather than being shown, it was more accurate to say he realized it on his own.
Without reaching Profound State or Profound Demon, it would be difficult to understand the strange world.
And it turned out that his prediction that End Demon would be nearby was correct.
He thought that based on his martial arts achievements, End Demon would be around here at this time.

“To put it briefly, a new world was created by a being called the Creator. Within that world, all of you were used as his puppets. Of course, I couldn’t avoid it either.”
“Hmm.”
“Hmm.”

Now that they knew about the new world, Seol-Hwi’s words were quite convincing.
Like frogs in a well, if they hadn’t known about the new world, they wouldn’t have realized they were being used.

“The reason we need to eliminate him is simple. We have escaped it, but those inside will be exploited for life. And they will die without even realizing they are being used. We must stop that.”

In life, there would sometimes be brothers, comrades, or juniors with whom one shared joys and sorrows.
Or perhaps there are masters or elders with whom one would unfold grand plans along with trusted subordinates.
There were countless reasons to fight against the Creator. There was no need to point out just one.

“Then, I will tell you my plan to fight the Creator, so listen carefully.”

Now was the time to lead them and convey the plans he had made so far, and the things he needed to say.

“Understood.”
“We will listen.”

They immediately expressed their agreement to Seol-Hwi’s words.

“First, End Demon, move all the forces of the Demonic Cult to the south of Sichuan, if possible, towards Hubei.”
“…?!”

End Demon’s eyes widened.
The Xinjiang region, where the Demonic Cult had a stronghold, was almost like their home.
A geographically very narrow and difficult place to live. Many efforts by ancestors were made to settle in such a place.
Yet, moving the entire Demonic Cult?

“You know the reason. The Demonic Cult is the center of the new world created by the Creator. It is a special space where no attempts can be made. We must escape.”
“…Then, is Sichuan okay?”

At Goo Jong-myung’s question, Seol-Hwi shook his head.

“I don’t know. At least from the information we have so far, it seems certain that we are moving away from the Creator’s influence.”
“Is there perhaps another way?”
“There isn’t. This is the conclusion I reached after fighting myself.”
“……”
“We don’t have time to spare. End Demon, will you just watch as the members of our main sect become toys of the gods and are used?”

At Seol-Hwi’s words, End Demon no longer hesitated.

“Understood. I will move immediately.”

One could ponder until seeing the new world, but for now, there was no choice but to agree.
The future, too, depended on avoiding the immediate catastrophe.

“And Goo Jong-myung.”
“Yes. Please speak.”

Even when addressed informally, Goo Jong-myung did not express dissatisfaction.
He was such a person to the one who allowed him to be reborn and showed him a new world.

“Inform all the skilled warriors of Mount Hua that the battle with the gods is imminent, and convey that we need to cooperate with everyone who can fight the gods.”
“…I will try to persuade them, but it may take some time.”

Unlike the Demonic Cult, which has the law of the strong, he belongs to a righteous sect—One with a long history and tradition as its backbone.
Even if convinced with words, what they believe in is another matter.

“Don’t worry. If Wudang moves with Mount Hua, they will agree.”
“Is there anyone who can help from Wudang?”

Goo Jong-myung showed a surprised expression.

“Yes, indeed. It’s the Training Hall Leader, someone who has reached the same realm as you.”
“Ah…”
“Where is he now?”

As Goo Jong-myung groaned and asked again, Seol-Hwi replied.

“Currently, he is working on persuading Kongtong, Kunlun, and the Qingcheng Sect. All the sects need to unite.”

Seol-Hwi’s plan was not just for a few sects to participate.
Seeing the martial arts competition of the three sects, he proceeded with the task of persuading them.
The one executing this was none other than the Training Hall Leader.
Once the martial arts competition ends, he will preach about the new enemy, and the competition will serve as a favorable place for him to shine.

“Even if Mount Hua and Wudang move, what about Shaolin?”

Goo Jong-myung mentioned the most important one—On the Great Mountain, Shaolin.
In a way, if they decided to mobilize the Nine Great Sects, it was the sect they should have approached first.
Since their sect is different, even if Mount Hua and Wudang move this time, that alone wouldn’t be persuasive enough.

“They will be persuaded directly by the Emei Sect.”
“Emei Sect? Are they joining as well?”

Goo Jong-myung was genuinely surprised.
Not just any sect, but the Emei Sect.
A place with not only martial artists but also the bhikkhuni.
If they have seen something about the future and go to preach to Shaolin, Shaolin would surely cooperate.
Though they are in the same sect lineage, they cannot ignore their sense of mission.

“When Shaolin moves, eight of the Nine Great Sects will also move. Then, naturally, the last remaining Southern Edge Sect will join…”

Seol-Hwi continued speaking while gazing at the direction where the wind was blowing.

“When the Nine Sects move, the Beggars’ Sect will inevitably follow. The Five Great Families will also take action.”

The beginning and end of all plans were ultimately people.
All the sects and families of the Central Plains rising like a swarm of bees, preparing to fight against the gods.
The Creator will have to constantly fight against them.
Regardless of victory or defeat, one will only know what it feels like by experiencing it firsthand.

Having heard all of Seol-Hwi’s plans, Goo Jong-myung and End Demon naturally nodded their heads.
Indeed, this was the utmost preparation one could make.

“How long is the preparation period?”
“One month.”

Seol-Hwi decided on that timeframe.

“In about a month, I will gather all of you. Earth Demon, Training Hall Leader, Goo Jong-myung, End Demon. The four of you, superhumans, will move together.”

Seol-Hwi paused for a moment before continuing.

“When the combined strength of all of you approaches that of the Creator, I will awaken him.”

That was Seol-Hwi’s plan.
Afterward, the Creator will search for a leader in a completely changed world.
And soon, he will make them fight against the four superhumans led by Earth Demon.

‘And if my prediction is correct, it won’t be easy to decide the outcome.’

Of course, the Creator might overwhelm them. However, due to Earth Demon’s existence, it will be difficult to conclude the battle.
He can exert all the power that the Creator can muster.
Even beyond the system, that is.

“How strong is the Creator?”

End Demon asked.
As expected of someone with a strong competitive spirit, he felt the urge to fight his opponent.

“Hmm……”

Seol-Hwi pondered how to express his strength.

“You can consider it the strongest form that can exist in the world.”
“……!”

A form that is not even human.
Goo Jong-myung and End Demon seemed shocked by those words.
It seemed they finally realized the impending sense of reality.

“Then, elder Seol-Hwi, how strong are you?”
“My strength?”

Seol-Hwi chuckled at Goo Jong-myung’s question.
There was no need to answer, but.

“If that guy is the strongest form that can exist in the world……”

Still, it seemed better to say a word to reassure them.

“I am a being from outside the world.”
“…….”
“Another god.”