5 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

**Chapter 5** Rustle—rustle— He flipped through the martial arts manual without pause. The verses of the Okhwan Mystical Step passed by swiftly. To an observer, it might seem like a child playfully turning the pages of a martial arts book, but Cheon Hui was earnest. Eventually, he reached the end. Thud. He shook his head and closed the manual. "This isn't what the old hag demonstrated." He spoke with certainty. Afterward, he briefly flipped the book upside down, glancing at the corners for any discrepancies. Rub, rub. He scratched the back of his head. "What's going on? Wasn't what the old hag demonstrated the Okhwan Mystical Step? That couldn't have been it." He couldn't quite comprehend it. The cover of the martial arts book clearly read Okhwan Mystical Step, and its content matched the footwork style Hyun Ryeo had exhibited. Thus, it was puzzling. Okhwan Mystical Step was a supreme footwork coveted by even the Wudang and the Shaolin. He once believed all that was needed was speed, without any need for understanding or enlightenment regarding footwork. But what shattered that belief were the Cheonma’s Dominion Step recorded in the Cheonma Divine Art, the Kunlun Sect's Yunlong Nine Steps, and lastly, this very Okhwan Mystical Step. The Cheonma’s Dominion Step demonstrated that overwhelming power was possible even with footwork. The Yunlong Nine Steps taught the importance of footwork in executing martial arts techniques. And from the Okhwan Mystical Step, he realized that footwork was the core of all martial arts, allowing him to refine the previously lacking footwork through study. And now this was supposed to be that Okhwan Mystical Step? He clicked his tongue. The Okhwan Mystical Step still vividly engraved in his mind was an enigmatic but unique footwork derived from Bagua (Eight Trigrams). Qian (乾), Dui (兑), Li (离), Zhen (震), Sun (巽), Kan (坎), Gen (艮), Kun (坤). Each trigram symbolized elements: heaven, marsh, fire, thunder, wind, water, mountain, and earth. The Okhwan Mystical Step made use of these trigrams in its execution. The arms and legs represented Qian and Kun, and the footwork aimed to express the principles of the remaining six trigrams. 'Just like this.' Slowly, he stepped forward with his left foot. Swoosh— Cheon Hui’s foot landed in eight directions. As deep as a marsh, as gentle as water. As powerful as fire, as swift as thunder. Swaying like the wind or standing firm like a mountain. In the blink of an eye, his footwork became elaborate. Instantly, dozens of footprints marked the ground he had stood on. Thud. After a moment of moving restlessly in every direction, his feet came to a stop. Glancing at the martial arts manual, he furrowed his brow. He couldn't execute it to completion due to a lack of internal energy, but towards the end, the trigrams were supposed to converge into one. By doing so, a true Qian-Kun would be created, completing the Okhwan Mystical Circle. That was the Okhwan Mystical Step as he knew it. Yet in the manual’s steps, the middle portion was missing. What remained were heaven and earth, and three trigrams—fire, thunder, and wind. So what could be expected of it? ‘It has become a half-paced footwork that solely pursues speed.’ But was it even fast? Not really. The original Okhwan Mystical Step was much swifter. Moreover, without the transformations it originally possessed, it lacked freedom. ‘How did that old hag read this and perform such an Okhwan Mystical Step?’ A puzzling question invaded his mind, forcing him to tilt his head. With only the middle part missing, it was nearly impossible for anyone but himself to complete the Okhwan Mystical Step. Did this mean the old hag was a genius like him? No, it wasn't that. She had reached the pinnacle of martial arts through relentless effort, not sheer talent, but was rather of mediocrity. Creating this martial art was beyond belief. Questions bred more questions. Lost in thought about the matter, he eventually considered two possible answers. ‘Either the missing steps in the manual were orally passed down, or some intentionally left only a partial version to prevent anyone from stealing the Okhwan Mystical Step.’ He shrugged his shoulders. There still existed sects that passed down martial arts orally, and there were places where key instructions of martial arts manuals were deliberately hidden. ‘In the Cheonma library, there were bizarre manuals written with a twisted logic, so that no one else but their creator could master them.’ Furrowing his brows, he looked at the library. Countless martial arts manuals. Who knew how many of those books contained incomplete instructions like the Okhwan Mystical Step. ‘Not that it would matter to me anyway.’ Indifferently, he placed the martial arts book back where it belonged and flicked his eyes around. “Shall I read the next one?” With a curious gleam in his eyes, he pulled out the book next to the Okhwan Mystical Step. “Hmmm, this one…” After placing the Okhwan Mystical Step back in its place, he grabbed the adjacent book. And so, he delved into its contents. Time passed by unnoticed. Meanwhile, Hyun Cheong, who was amending a book on the desk, stood up. “Another day is coming to an end.” The sun lingered on the edge of the mountain. The sky was turning a deeper shade of red. The setting sun slowly embraced Mount Hua, casting beautiful colors. Gazing at the scenery, he suddenly stood up. In his work, he had momentarily forgotten. Cheon Hui, who had come in at dawn, hadn’t exited the library. He hurried up the stairs. Soon arriving on the third floor, he halted his steps. There sat Cheon Hui, engrossed in the martial arts book in his hands. "...He must have been starved for martial arts." A wry smile graced his lips. He reaffirmed his resolute decision. ‘Disciple. Though I was of no help at the time, if Cheon Hui wishes to learn martial arts, I will impart everything I have mastered in my lifetime.’ Hyun Cheong's resolve was astonishing. A fact known only to the venerable within the sect, his martial prowess was amongst the top in Mount Hua. The reason he had become the head of the Hall of Records was due to the untimely death of his youngest disciple, Hyun Gang. Hyun Gang perished alongside the master of Baekgwiseong, in mutual destruction with the Deadly Sword Sect. Mount Hua wished for revenge. But it was not possible. The Martial Allegiance of the nine great sects was centered around the Martial Alliance. The Eight Major Clans and the factions in-between the righteous and the demonic formed the Fei Tian Society, while the demonic and dark paths gathered to create the Sha Heilian. It was an era known as the Three-Way Division of the World, the Age of the Three Dominions of the Nine Provinces. Baekgwiseong was one of the Six Imperial Doors that supported the Sha Heilian. A clash between the two core sects of the Martial Alliance and Sha Heilian would inevitably ignite a war between the two great forces, undoubtedly disrupting the balance that had preserved the Central Plains for so long. In a way, it was a choice made for the greater good. However, Hyun Cheong was shocked. Would the Wudang or the Shaolin have behaved differently? They would have risked war immediately. But it was Mount Hua, and thus, the issue was overlooked. If Mount Hua's influence had been as strong as in the past, they wouldn't have been treated this way. This was why he secluded himself in the Hall of Records. Everything was because no absolute master had emerged from the main sect. Thus, he devoted himself to uncovering the martial arts in the Hall of Records, attempting to resurrect the scattered or lost martial arts of Mount Hua. For eight years, he stayed in the Hall of Records, fixing martial arts manuals and dedicating himself to his task. Yet he took an interest in Cheon Hui, who was as frail as could be. ‘With that body, becoming a master would be difficult, so teaching him enough martial arts to defend himself should suffice.’ Of course, his interest was more out of pity than expectation. Tap. At that moment, Cheon Hui closed his book. “Cheon Hui, it's closing time.” “Understood...” Hyun Cheong smiled as he looked at Cheon Hui, who seemed reluctant to leave the library. Soon, Cheon Hui turned away and descended the stairs. Moments later, Hyun Cheong, watching Cheon Hui leave the Hall of Records from beyond the railing, began organizing a shelf labeled with lightness techniques. Thud. His gaze froze on the floor. Footprints overlapped chaotically. "Wow, he must have been restless upon first reading the manuals." He imagined Cheon Hui, likely excited beyond measure at the joy of reading martial arts manuals, and a fond smile lingered on his lips as he moved past the spot. Little did he know that the mysterious essence of the forgotten supreme martial art, the Okhwan Mystical Step, lay there, unnoticed by him. * * * Thud― Cheon Hui closed another book. ‘Next.’ Four days had already passed. During that time, he had continued to search through the third floor of the Hall of Records, yet he still hadn't read most of it. It would have been unbelievable for his former self. With his exceptional comprehension, he could master the contents and full forms of martial arts manuals with a single read. But there was a reason he hadn’t been able to accomplish that now. Skillfully, he approached the bookshelf again, grabbed a martial arts manual, and opened it. Tsk, tsk, this one’s a mess too. The Jade Maiden's Heart Sword Technique. The interpretation of this sword technique, which centers on yin energy, was completely different from what he knew. ‘What? The Jade Maiden's Heart Sword Technique is an advanced form of the Lady's Sword?’ He shook his head. The nature of the two was entirely different. The Lady's Sword was more about physical conditioning than an actual combat sword technique, unlike the Jade Maiden's Heart Sword Technique, which harnessed yin energy. Whoever wrote this… it was ridiculous. ‘Not again?’ “Sigh.” He closed the manual with a sigh. There were many manuals written incorrectly. Naturally, it took time to revisit each martial art and identify the issues. Tap. He returned the Jade Maiden's Heart Sword Technique to its place. At least new martial arts, which he didn’t know at all, he could peruse lightly and move on with interest. But with some techniques like these, he was already familiar or had seen them before. So unknowingly, he examined and compared them critically. "Completely wrong." Shaking his head in displeasure, he grabbed the manual slanted next to the Jade Maiden's Heart Sword Technique. “Falling Petal Sword Technique?” Seeing the manual of a sword technique he had only heard about in rumors piqued his curiosity, and he opened the book. As he continued to read through the manual with focus, he naturally clenched his fist as if holding a sword. “This part is a bit lacking. Wouldn't withdrawing be more effective than thrusting in terms of power?” He extended his hand. Whoosh— His tiny hand shot out like lightning, tearing through the air with a resonating sound. Bang— “This way, it’s powerful and sharp, but this is how they interpreted it? Is this really the Mount Hua I knew?” The more he read the martial arts manuals in the Hall of Records, the more questions arose. The Mount Hua he knew was one of the leading places within the Nine Great Sects. They stood shoulder to shoulder with Wudang and Shaolin. So what was this? It was hard to believe that these lackluster martial arts belonged to such a Mount Hua. At least the distinguished arts, like the Twenty-Four Petal Plum Blossom Sword Technique and Anxiang Pyo, truly represented Mount Hua’s martial arts prowess. They were so excellent that they could compare favorably with the top magical arts of the Heavenly Demon Sect. But those were the minority. Most were in such a state. Sigh, no wonder the head of the sect is of that level. He understood the headquarters master's martial competence level. No matter how outstanding the advanced techniques were, if the foundational ones—like the supporting pillars—were flawed, what was the point? A fertile plot is necessary to yield bountiful fruits. And yet, given such barren soil, one couldn't expect much from even the best seeds. I'd rather change it. Following most of the manuals as they are wouldn’t be useful anyway. Clicking his tongue and shaking his head, he paused. Huh? His eyes fell on an old book placed at the highest point of the shelf. Annihilation Sword Technique. An oddly domineering martial art name, unfitting for the Taoists, prompted his hand to move automatically. He promptly opened the manual. Oh? Reversing demonic energy? He chuckled softly. Demonic energy is an absolute force. It couldn't be defied. And yet, reversing demonic energy? That's nonsense... Eh? Wait a minute, this seems possible? Could it be... Shrrrk— Enthralled, he was completely absorbed by its contents. Thud. Looking into the void, he closed the martial arts manual. The profound impression lingered. Especially the final sword technique. “This is insanity. Sacrificing one’s innate true energy for a single strike?” A deadly sword play with the intention of mutual destruction while risking one’s life was truly a sight to behold. Cheon Hui couldn't help but admire the skill displayed in the Sword of Subduing Demons, yet the ruthlessness of the final strike sent shivers down his spine. But as he continued reading, he found himself nodding in acknowledgment. Though it could be executed only once, it was a formidable technique. Had he been careless in the past, he might have fallen for it at least once. “Though it might not kill me, it could definitely cause injury… But who in the world would have created such a martial art? Unless one harbored an intense hatred for the demonic path, they wouldn’t even think of inventing such a crazy sword technique.” He combed through the martial arts manual to discover the creator of the Annihilation Sword Technique. Then he found it. “Sang Woon?!” His eyes widened with shock. Sang Woon was none other than that notorious Marukodosa! Recalling the Marukodosa who tormented him endlessly, Cheon Hui frantically perused the manual once more. The book was exceedingly worn. As if many years had passed. ...How on earth did this happen? His hand began to tremble. Momentarily stunned, he hurried to find Hyun Cheong to resolve the bewildering situation. Soon, he found him in a corner of the Hall of Records, calmly working on a manuscript as usual. “Senior Master.” Leaving his brush aside, Hyun Cheong turned to Cheon Hui, a look of curiosity and anticipation on his face. “What brings you here?” He steadied his thoughts, pondering how best to teach martial arts. Yet, Cheon Hui's next words threw him into confusion. “Do you know of someone named Sang Woon Jin... In?” Cheon Hui's face grimaced. ‘To think I have to honorably address that peculiar and nasty Marukodosa as an elder.’ Hyun Cheong tilted his head, puzzled. “Sang Woon Jin In?” After furrowing his brows and pondering, he noticed the manual in Cheon Hui’s hand and lit up with recognition. “Ah! You must mean Elder Sang Woon Jin In, who was the 23rd leader of our sect. Back during his time, three hundred years ago, when our sect was in its prime….” Hyun Cheong continued explaining. But Cheon Hui couldn't hear the rest. For one word from Hyun Cheong’s explanation had burrowed into his mind and stirred everything up. “Th-three hundred years ago?!”