So? Did Someone Force You to Become the Heavenly Demon?

Chapter 6: Demonic Arts (1)

Master’s words were true indeed.

The moment our fates intertwined, I was destined to be hunted and killed by the Murim Alliance or to suffer the same end at the hands of the Imperial Court.

The only remaining option was to survive as Master’s disciple, but even this wasn’t entirely smooth. I could still die in a year.

With renewed urgency, I focused on the lesson.

The doctrines of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult were entirely new to me, yet I quickly grasped her explanations.

It wasn’t because I was particularly intelligent.

It was because I was accustomed to studying.

‘Comparing it to Donghak makes it surprisingly easy to understand.’

One of the best methods for learning something new is connecting it to existing knowledge.

This was related to why instructors, professors, and teachers frequently use analogies in their lessons.

The human brain is more adept at learning interconnected concepts than entirely isolated ones.

Of course, the doctrines of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult weren’t identical to those of Donghak. And I hadn’t memorized all of Donghak’s principles either.

What I had studied was national history, not Donghak specifically.

But that hardly mattered. The differences actually helped. I could understand by noting that ‘this part differs from Donghak’ and making comparisons.

And for those parts unrelated to Donghak, I found other analogies and reference points to build understanding.

***

After finishing my morning studies, I had lunch and then began martial arts training according to the schedule.

“We’ll start with the lower body, Young Master. It’s a common saying, but the lower body is the foundation of all martial arts. It’s common precisely because it’s so vital. This is an undeniable truth.”

Jin Hayeon said so with an impassive face and demonstrated the horse stance first.

While I might have excelled academically, she was undoubtedly the expert in physical training and martial arts.

Therefore, I willingly began to mimic her movements.

‘It’s easier than I thought?’

Even in the modern world, I occasionally frequented the gym for health management.

However, I often skipped due to the fatigue from working overtime or battles with difficult clients.

In any case, I felt no particular discomfort in holding the horse stance.

There was no awkwardness in maintaining balance while squatting still, nor did my knees ache or muscles strain.

As I comfortably held the horse stance, Jin Hayeon, who had been observing me, suddenly picked up a sandbag and placed it on my shoulders.

‘Hmm?’

With the sandbag added, it became a bit more challenging but still manageable.

The external training continued.

“Please stand up, Young Master. From now on, I will count to ten while you maintain the horse stance, and then you will stand up and rest briefly. We will repeat this.”

We repeated actions similar to squats.

“Now, please circle the estate grounds once. I’ll demonstrate first.”

We also performed movements like the duck walk, a punishment from my school days.

‘This is basically a lunge, isn’t it?’

As I continued to train my lower body with the sandbag, I didn’t know how much time had passed.

“Huff… Huff…”

At first, I thought it was nothing, but as the repetitions increased and the number of sandbags grew, my breathing gradually became ragged.

Observing me, Jin Hayeon suddenly asked,

“Have you truly never practiced martial arts before?”

“That’s correct.”

“Now I understand why the Heavenly Demon chose you, Young Master. I noticed it last night while attending to your bath, but you possess a truly remarkable physique.”

As expected, she had been analyzing my body while attending to my bath the previous night.

A cold sweat ran down my spine as she continued,

“At least in terms of external martial arts, there seems to be no significant obstacle to entering the Demonic Path Academy in a year.”

I unconsciously sighed in relief at her words.

It felt as if my life had been extended.

She continued teaching various external training methods and…

“It’s hard to believe you’ve never trained in external martial arts, given your strength.”

…her praises poured forth each time.

“Yours is a body truly bestowed by the heavens, Young Master.”

But for some reason…

“As expected, the Heavenly Demon had a plan all along.”

…the more she praised…

“It seems the Heavenly Demon anticipated that you would be fully capable of entering the Demonic Path Academy.”

…the less I could tell whether she was complimenting my body or praising the Heavenly Demon who had found me.

“The Heavenly Demon has sought you out, Young Master, rescuing you from squandering your talent.”

It seemed to be the latter.

‘No wonder this emotionless person was suddenly showering praise…’

***

After an hour of external martial arts training, I rinsed the sweat from my face with water and consumed the snacks Jin Hayeon had brought.

‘Hmm. Though they may not know the concept of protein, is this because they’re a military organization?’

Surprisingly, the snacks provided weren’t sweets but fruits and meat.

Apparently, they knew from experience that consuming meat before or after exercise was beneficial.

After consuming this rather substantial snack, I opened the notes I had organized in the morning and began to review.

There was still about half an hour left until Master arrived.

I wondered if it would be better to combine the external training time with my Master’s lesson and extend the morning study time by an hour, but I thought that four hours of continuous exercise without rest might be too strenuous.

On the other hand, if I were to conduct the external training early in the morning and study until my Master’s lesson later…

‘I’d be too exhausted to concentrate on the lesson.’

Studying in a fatigued state was inevitably inefficient.

Therefore, instead of studying new material while exhausted from external training, I chose to use this time for review.

‘Once I’ve adapted to the external and internal martial arts training to some extent, I should adjust the schedule a bit then.’

While resting my body and reviewing the material I had studied in the morning, I heard Jin Hayeon’s voice from beyond the door.

“I greet the Lord of Ten Thousand Demons.”

At her voice, I rose and opened the door to see Master standing in the garden with a relaxed expression and Jin Hayeon prostrating herself on the ground, showing utmost respect.

“I greet Master.”

I hurriedly bowed to Master, following her example.

“Hahaha. That’s enough. I wonder if this old one has unnecessarily interrupted your studies.”

“Not at all, Lord Heavenly Demon. The Young Master’s intellect is exceptional; he has grasped all of today’s objectives.”

“Oh?”

Master expressed interest in her words, which she gave while maintaining her prostrated position with her forehead on the ground.

“Hahaha. I had some expectations when he arrived, but it seems his intellect is truly remarkable.”

Master, letting out a joyful laugh, instructed Jin Hayeon and me to rise.

Then, as I tactfully stood up, Master spoke to me.

“If your intellect is exceptional, your understanding of martial arts should also be outstanding. I am quite looking forward to today’s training. Hahaha.”

It was a moment filled with a strange sense of anticipation.

Ever since I realized that this was a world where Murim truly existed, I had vowed never to set foot in it.

No matter how I thought about it, it was a dangerous world where even ten lives wouldn’t be enough.

However, paradoxically, I also longed to experience martial arts.

Shooting energy blasts, cleaving rocks with a sword, running on water…

The possibility of physically realizing feats that are impossible in the modern world naturally sparked my curiosity. It was just that my life took precedence over curiosity.

But now, I had no choice but to learn martial arts. Since I had to learn them anyway, I found myself strangely excited.

Perhaps sensing my enthusiasm, Master spoke with a hearty laugh.

“Hahaha. Before teaching you martial arts, there’s something I must tell you.”

“This disciple will listen attentively.”

“Then let me ask. Il-mok, do you know what the unbelievers of the Central Plains call our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s martial arts?”

After pondering this unexpected question briefly, I answered with a thought.

“Don’t they call it Demonic Arts (魔功)?”

“Correct. Then, do you know why they call our martial arts Demonic Arts?”

“Well, I think it’s just a derogatory term the unbelievers use to slander us.”

“Hahaha.”

I had made a reasonable deduction, but Master burst out laughing and shook his head.

“That’s half correct. They do intend to slander us, but there’s another, more significant reason why they call it Demonic Arts.”

“What is it?”

“It’s because of the high risk of Qi Deviation. Because it offers rapid progress but carries dangerous side effects, it’s called Demonic Arts.”

After his explanation, Master looked at me with a seemingly peaceful expression. Jin Hayeon, standing beside me, also wore her usual expressionless face.

It seemed I was the only one taken aback.

“M-Master? Does that mean the Demonic Arts I’m about to learn have dangerous side effects?”

“Indeed.”

Master nodded, his face still peaceful, and Jin Hayeon remained impassive.

Unable to hide my bewilderment, I asked them,

“W-Why must I learn such dangerous martial arts?”

“Hahaha. That’s a very fundamental question I haven’t heard in a long time.”

“My deepest apologies, Lord of Ten Thousand Demons. It is because this lowly one has not yet sufficiently educated the Young Master.”

As soon as Master finished speaking, Jin Hayeon suddenly prostrated herself, banging her head on the ground in apology.

No, just as she was about to, an intense wave of energy emanating from Master forcibly stopped her.

“I do not blame you, so think nothing of it.”

Master, who had momentarily exuded a terrifying aura, helped Jin Hayeon up and looked at me with a gentle demeanor.

‘How am I supposed to survive here?’

What good was a gentle facade?

At a single word, his subordinate was about to bash her head on the ground, and he had unleashed a terrifying aura to stop her.

As I unconsciously swallowed hard from the tension, Master asked me:

“Have you heard about how our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult came to be?”

Master’s question sent me scrambling to recall the notes I’d just reviewed.

The unnerving feeling that a wrong answer could have disastrous consequences kept my mind surprisingly sharp despite my exhaustion.

“I heard it was for the salvation of the people from evil men like corrupt officials,” I responded.

“Hahaha. You know well. Then, consider this: the people are suffering now. How can we afford to leisurely practice martial arts? Even if there are side effects, isn’t it our duty to choose the path of rapid strength?”

“…”

“That is why those self-proclaimed righteous are nothing but hypocrites. How can those who claim to learn martial arts to protect the people choose arts that take decades to master? They are merely cowards prioritizing their own safety.”

Listening to this made my head spin.

‘Why does this sound so convincing?’

Startled by my momentary thought, I quickly shook my head.

It seemed the intensive review had deepened my indoctrination.

But there was no time to ponder as Master continued his questioning.

“Do you remember when this old man first tested you?”

“I remember.”

It would be strange to forget an experience that nearly killed me.

“At that time, this old man tested your character. The reason lies here. Since you will be learning martial arts with side effects, only those with righteous hearts can overcome those side effects and achieve rapid progress.”

“Ah…”

‘Me, having a righteous heart?’

Ah, I’m fucked.