Chapter 119: Just Because Part 4

– Why do you live?

It had been quite some time since the girl who once commanded an entire country from its peak became a wanderer who drifted through the imperial capital like a beggar.

Her status as the dethroned Heavenly Maiden now felt like a distant tale from long ago, and she had grown accustomed to following Seol Tae Pyeong through the capital and living a life that flowed aimlessly.

Wandering the world without purpose wasn’t as bad as she had imagined.

There were many sights she had never seen while living in the grand halls of the Heavenly Dragon Hall.

Whether it was strolling along the foothills, walking through the reeds by the riverside at night with fireflies around her, or wandering through bustling market streets filled with life…

She realized over and over again that the world was far broader than she had thought.

And so she grew curious to know more of the world.

So many people lived in this world. Each one was living their lives for different reasons.

Some must have their days filled with happiness, while others would be steeped in sorrow.

Though there were occasionally those who chose to abandon their lives, most people in the world lived in their own ways.

Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyu had lived to uphold the world.

As the Heavenly Maiden, she had dedicated her life to protecting the country. Even though it ended with her being sacrificed and dethroned, she still believed the noble efforts leading up to it were worth it.

Yet now, even though she had lost every reason to live, food still went down her throat easily.

In the morning, her eyes would open, she would marvel at the sun rising between the mountain ridges, and a bite of sweet pastry would jolt her awake. Drinking wine would lift her spirits, and the cool breeze of late evening would wrap her body in an inexplicable freshness.

Even though she had lost all reason to live.

Her life had crumbled; she had been betrayed by the people she had loved so dearly, and there were no longer any beliefs or values left for her to protect.

Yet, the day still began.

Yet, life went on.

Life was so tenacious, it never ended easily.

So one day, as she sat with her chin in her hand, and stared blankly at the boy swinging his sword among the reeds, she asked him.

– Why do you live?

This boy who had no grand dream or purpose.

Who claimed his goal was to work little and earn much. The man who was wandering the imperial capital with no clear direction.

This man with no ambition, no dream, and none of the convictions she had lived by. This man who was simply maintaining his gray empty life.

Why did he live?

To that question, the boy answered so plainly.

It was so simple and clear; she couldn’t even manage a hollow laugh.

The boy who had paused his sword swings to wipe the sweat from his brow gave an answer that day.

Little did she know that his response would become the driving force that would carry her through countless cycles of reincarnation in the years to come.

***

A deer with large antlers that was covered in plum blossoms split the sky.

If its flesh had not rotted and decayed, it might have looked like a mythical beast from a fairy tale.

The mythical beast that had leaped into the sky with a mighty roar charged toward Seol Tae Pyeong, only to be split in two and disappear.

Even with his sword cut in half, Seol Tae Pyeong continued to slice through the beasts one by one.

The sight of him jumping up and down on the ruins of the collapsed White Tiger Palace was impressive.

The killing intent flowing from the broken tip of his sword was aimed solely at the demonic spirits.

Before him stood the White Demonic Spirit wearing Yeon Ri’s form, but no matter what anyone said, it was undoubtedly a demonic spirit.

Keeping that fact in mind over and over, Seol Tae Pyeong jumped into the night sky of the inner palace.

Whoooosh! Kwaak! Hwaaak!

With only half of his sword left, he steadily sliced through the beasts before closing the distance to the White Demonic Spirit.

Watching the beasts he had cut down turn into mere chunks of flesh, it became hard to tell who the real monster was.

White Demonic Spirit Ah Hyun.

Even though it was the masterpiece of the Plague Demonic Spirit, and someone capable of wielding the power of the Heavenly Dragon, it could not easily handle the Sword Master standing before it.

Through countless cycles of reincarnation, Seol Tae Pyeong’s soul had been honed to the point where he could face even the Plague Demonic Spirit in battle.

The White Demonic Spirit was well aware of this fact.

That’s why it had used the crown princess consorts to stir up chaos within the palace in an attempt to weaken him.

If it came down to a clash of strength, could anyone truly defeat Seol Tae Pyeong?

No one could say for certain.

Even the Plague Demonic Spirit, the ruler of all demonic spirits, was wary of the talent Seol Tae Pyeong possessed with a sword.

Because of this, the White Demonic Spirit resolved to unleash its full power, leaving no room for complacency.

Whooosh!

As Seol Tae Pyeong cut through the beasts like they were mere paper, the energy of the Heavenly Dragon flared around him.

The White Demonic Spirit’s gaze grew sharper, and the blue energy swirling around its body expanded, almost covering the sky.

Boom!

“Grrk!”

Suddenly, lightning struck from the heavens.

It wasn’t a metaphor. Lightning fell from the sky in the truest sense.

It was divine punishment, the wrath of the heavens.

A judgmental light meant to punish anyone foolish enough to defy the power of the Heavenly Dragon.

“Kuhhah!”

Thud!

Crackle!

Seol Tae Pyeong took the full force of the lightning strike and was thrown across the courtyard of the White Tiger Palace.

It was the kind of attack that should have killed even the strongest warrior instantly.

Yet, without showing even a hint of dizziness, Seol Tae Pyeong rose to his feet, kicked off the ground, and in an instant, charged directly at the White Demonic Spirit once more.

Claang!

The defensive barrier surrounding the White Demonic Spirit blocked Seol Tae Pyeong’s strike.

Seol Tae Pyeong gritted his teeth and tried to break through the barrier with all his strength, but the barrier didn’t break. Instead, the entire body of the White Demonic Spirit was pushed back by the sheer force of his blow.

Thud!

The White Demonic Spirit was sent flying and crashed into the rubble of the collapsed White Tiger Palace.

When it rose from the rubble, its red glowing eyes focused on Seol Tae Pyeong, who stood in the courtyard, shaking the blood from his sword.

He gripped the hilt of his sword that now returned to its sheath, and a breath escaped his lips. He was like a predator, salivating at the sight of his prey.

It wasn’t even a proper sword. It was just a broken one.

It wasn’t the sturdy Cold Iron Heavy Sword he usually used, nor the Jade Leaf Sword passed down from White Immortal Lee Cheol Won. It was merely a ceremonial sword he wore out of habit.

He couldn’t fight with his full strength. Even so, he was holding his own against the formidable White Demonic Spirit.

Sword Master Seol Tae Pyeong was strong.

He wasn’t unaware of that simple fact.

Even Sun Demonic Spirit Pyeong Ryang, who far surpassed the White Demonic Spirit in raw strength, had been defeated in a fair sword duel with him and had turned to dust.

That crazy Sword Master couldn’t be beaten through straightforward tactics. He was the ultimate predator, someone who could slay any demonic spirit.

To capture someone like him, one had to rely on weaknesses and trickery, not on a fair contest of strength.

White Demonic Spirit Ah Hyun was a demonic spirit who was well aware of such things.

Whoooosh!

The overwhelming energy of the Heavenly Dragon began to blanket the courtyard of the White Tiger Palace once more.

The White Demonic Spirit who had risen from the rubble of the White Tiger Palace staggered to its feet. Then it glared with eyes where the whites stood out starkly.

As it clenched its fist tightly, the energy of the Heavenly Dragon engulfed the area, wiping out all visibility.

The power of the Heavenly Dragon defied the natural laws of the world with ease.

Even the moonlight that shone down was scattered without resistance, robbing Seol Tae Pyeong of his sight.

No matter how great a Sword Master he was, without sight, he couldn’t swing his sword properly.

With his vision completely obscured, the White Demonic Spirit used Taoist magic to summon countless iron weapons buried in the rubble of the White Tiger Palace.

As if they were drawn by telekinesis, countless kitchen knives and ceremonial swords emerged from the wreckage.

Without sight, there was no way to block the incoming strikes. Dozens of blades whirled toward Seol Tae Pyeong like a dance.

His choice in response was simple. He charged straight through the storm of swords.

Whoooosh!

It was reckless to the point of absurdity.

He leaped forward once more towards the White Demonic Spirit, weaving through the blades with his eyes closed.

He couldn’t block every sword flying at him, but just before he lost his sight, he had confirmed the White Demonic Spirit’s location.

If he couldn’t block the enemy’s attacks, then the only option was to take the enemy down with him.

He had to act quickly before the White Demonic Spirit could change position. That’s why he dove into the storm of blades without a moment’s hesitation.

It was the most viable choice, one that required both quick reflexes and immense courage.

By the time Seol Tae Pyeong broke through the swirling energy of the Heavenly Dragon and reached White Demonic Spirit, his body was covered in cuts from the swords.

Blood flowed like a river, but Seol Tae Pyeong didn’t care. He swung his sword while aiming for White Demonic Spirit’s neck.

Claaang!

The powerful barrier infused with the energy of the Plague Demonic Spirit deflected Seol Tae Pyeong’s sword once again, but cracks were beginning to show.

Even the defensive Taoist magic personally bestowed by the Plague Demonic Spirit was slowly breaking under the relentless blows of that brute.

It was hard to believe, but there was no time to admire it.

Just as the White Demonic Spirit’s robes fluttered and it prepared to summon a new surge of Heavenly Dragon’s energy—

Whooosh!

At that moment, the White Demonic Spirit’s body was forcefully lifted.

The Plague Demonic Spirit’s barrier only protected vital points directly tied to survival.

There was no way someone with Seol Tae Pyeong’s extreme battle instincts wouldn’t have noticed that.

As soon as he realized the weakness, Seol Tae Pyeong grabbed the White Demonic Spirit by the collar and slammed it down into the courtyard.

Thud!

Keurk!

A burst of blood spewed from the White Demonic Spirit’s mouth.

Seol Tae Pyeong drew his sword and drove it into the White Demonic Spirit’s side. The Taoist magic of the Plague Demonic Spirit wouldn’t activate unless it was a vital point leading to death.

It was more efficient to cut off and regenerate instead. The senses of these demonic spirits were different from humans; they could easily discard any part of their body they deemed unnecessary.

Even the Sun Demonic Spirit, who kept charging despite Seol Tae Pyeong slicing at its neck, was the same. As long as it wasn’t death, it didn’t matter if it lost a few limbs.

As long as they didn’t die.

That was the overarching rule that dominated the demonic spirits’ battles.

But what about pain?

Thuck! Thud!

[Kuhuk!]

The sword embedded in the White Demonic Spirit’s side shook once.

Seol Tae Pyeong’s hand that was gripping the hilt tightly didn’t waver.

“It must take quite a bit of energy to maintain the force cutting off the inner palace from the outside. Let’s see how long you can hold out.”

Seol Tae Pyeong’s gaze as he looked down at the White Demonic Spirit was quite terrifying.

The first thing he had to do was restore the inner palace, which had been severed from the outside world, back to its original state.

[Kuhuhu. Do you think physical pain can break my spirit?]

“You won’t know until you try.”

Thuck!

[Kuhuk!]

Seol Tae Pyeong twisted the sword once more.

A fresh spurt of blood erupted from the White Demonic Spirit’s mouth, but Seol Tae Pyeong had no intention of making this demonic spirit’s suffering any easier.

Despite his human-like appearance, Seol Tae Pyeong showed no mercy when faced with demonic spirits.

Which meant, if necessary, he could carry out torture without hesitation.

Though the opponent in front of him wore a human form, it was undoubtedly a demonic spirit.

He knew well that although it had taken on Yeon Ri’s form, shared Yeon Ri’s memories, and had the same past as Yeon Ri, all of it was merely a fabrication created by the Plague Demonic Spirit.

He had already made several promises to Yeon Ri.

No matter how much the opponent took on her form, he would never hesitate.

There was no wavering in that promise.

A person was a person, and a demonic spirit was a demonic spirit.

If the opponent was a demonic spirit, Seol Tae Pyeong was someone who became more merciless than even a devil.

Pook! Whiik! Pook!

[Kruuuugh!]

Each time Seol Tae Pyeong twisted his sword, blood continued to spray from the mouth of the White Demonic Spirit.

Until the demonic spirit could no longer maintain its mental strength and unlocked the seal of the inner palace, Seol Tae Pyeong’s sword would relentlessly pierce its side.

[You… bastard…]

“Release the seal of the inner palace. If you don’t, I’ll make you beg for death.”

[Haha… Do you think I’ll move according to your will? I’ve already decided to drag this Cheongdo Empire into the pit of death.]

However, the White Demonic Spirit’s hatred toward the world was no ordinary thing.

This demonic spirit was a crystallization of pure determination to bury the Cheongdo Empire.

[Even if I meet my death here, every human in this inner palace will die.]

“What a meaningless act.”

[Yes, I always do meaningless things. If I hadn’t dedicated my whole life to this wretched country, I wouldn’t have felt this betrayal.]

White Demonic Spirit Ah Hyun was a monster that had inherited the hatred toward the world held by Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun of the first cycle.

Because of that, it was a clear representation of the kind of hatred Yeon Ri from the first cycle had harbored.

No one could know what kind of past that frivolous maid—who would lie on the floor, pat her full belly, and hum a tune—had lived through.

But just by looking at the current White Demonic Spirit, it was clear.

She had hated the world.

[The Cheongdo Empire, which I had protected all my life, stripped me of my status and dethroned me. I now… have nothing left to protect.]

She had lost her reason to live.

[That’s why… I’d rather die here than fail in my revenge against Cheongdo. Do you think I’ll submit to this physical pain?]

She had resolved to take revenge.

The Yeon Ri of the first cycle was someone who would not have hesitated to use her power to overthrow the Cheongdo Empire once again.

What could have changed her heart?

Who, or what, had made her love the world again?

Some things could be guessed, others not…

But one thing was certain. The current White Demonic Spirit hated the world completely.

Therefore, there was no reason to let it live.

Sword Master Seol Tae Pyeong intended to save the world.

If convictions did not align, only the one who cut down their opponent would move forward.

Clang!

As Seol Tae Pyeong struck down with his sword, cracks began to form in the seal carved into the White Demonic Spirit’s neck.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Killing the White Demonic Spirit would make all these strange occurrences disappear. That much was certain.

If it did not submit, he would simply kill them. That was all there was to it.

Though Sword Master Seol Tae Pyeong might have been a righteous swordsman who refrained from indiscriminate killing when facing humans…

When it came to dealing with demonic spirits, he was nothing more than a butcher who slaughtered all he saw.

Still, wouldn’t one hesitate if the demonic spirit took the form of an old acquaintance?

However, with demonic spirits, there was no need for words.

Clang! Clang!

The cracks in the seal of the Plague Demonic Spirit widened slowly and were nearing their limit. The White Demonic Spirit couldn’t just stand there any longer.

Fwoosh!

The energy of the Heavenly Dragon, which it had gathered with great difficulty, spread across the battlefield and lifted Seol Tae Pyeong’s body high into the air.

Taking advantage of that moment, the White Demonic Spirit rose to its feet and used its Taoist magic again to summon a giant tiger.

The blazing white tiger made of the blue energy of the Heavenly Dragon lunged at Seol Tae Pyeong and sunk its teeth into his shoulder.

Blood spurted out, and for a moment, it seemed his arm would be torn off… but Seol Tae Pyeong let out a battle cry and grabbed the tiger’s jaws before hurling it back.

It seemed more appropriate to call that Sword Master the real monster rather than the demonic spirit.

The White Demonic Spirit gritted its teeth in anger and rose to its feet before gathering energy to kill Seol Tae Pyeong.

It was an instinct carved into the core of its being. Kill Seol Tae Pyeong.

Countless spirit beasts leaped toward him, but Seol Tae Pyeong tore each one apart with his bare hands as he charged at the White Demonic Spirit. Though he was called a Sword Master, no sword remained in his hands now.

At fifteen, he had beaten a wild boar to death with his bare fists, and by adulthood, he had hunted bears the same way. He was an utter madman.

What did it matter if they were spirit beasts? If he caught them with his bare hands and ripped them apart, they would die all the same. That is, they would spray blood as they got torn to pieces.

Fear gleamed in the White Demonic Spirit’s eyes as Seol Tae Pyeong’s gaze pierced through the torn flesh of the spirit beasts.

There were limits to strength.

But this man… was disgustingly strong.

Forgotten curses hovered on the tip of the White Demonic Spirit’s tongue.