Chapter 18Translated by : FluffyKHZ* * *Boom!

“Cough!”

The spectators impatiently waited as Woon-seong’s opponent flew to the other side of the platform, smashing into the floor. But they waited in vain. Previously ranked Number 1 for talent, Gwan Tae-ryang, had fainted and could not stand up.

Woon-seong looked at the instructor who was in charge of the duel.

Sang In-hyo, who had been watching from a distance muttered, “‘The Art of Six Seals and Destruction’…” Even though it was not originally a demonic art, it became one and even surpassed many others of its kind. He had never imagined its successor would come from the Cave of Latent Demons.

Maybe he will become the rear wave of the Yangtze River and sweep through the Cult. [1] Somehow, Sang In-hyo felt his heart beating in his chest.

It wasn’t difficult. Either way, Woon-seong had made sure that he would be in the finals. Well, I think he would barely make it as a Demon General.

Honestly, Woon-seong felt that he was lucky to have met Number 1 at this time. He was quite glad that he wouldn’t have to fight seriously twice in a row. 

“Next, Number 17, Number 109. Come up!”

Meanwhile, the second match had started.

Among them, the winner would fight against Woon-seong in the finals. Woon-seong returned to his seat and watched the two carefully. If either side was hiding their real strengths, it would not be easy to beat them. Despite the current exchange of twenty seconds, no one had gained the advantage. Sword met sword and created little sparks. Countless skills were shown as each tried to drag the other down, causing tatters to appear on their clothes.

Both the other trainees and the instructors held their breaths. It was clear that Demonic General-level fights proved that they were skilled. 

Ah-young was going to win. It was only Sang In-hyo, the instructors, and Woon-seong who believed this for sure. 

Number 109 had conviction that he would be the winner and eventually became impatient, leaving openings. On the other hand, Ah-young remained steady and did not reveal her high-level martial arts. In addition, there was a crucial difference in their breathing. While Number 109’s was rough, Ah-young’s was steady.

It will probably take another dozen seconds.

Woon-seong calmly assessed the situation, and his judgement proved to be correct. After three more seconds, Ah-young finally showed her strength.

Hut! That’s ‘The Dark Flower Red Heart’!

Ah-young had shown it for just a moment, but Woon-seong had clearly seen it. The unique energy of the ‘Dark Flower Red Heart’ was revealed in that short moment!

As soon as he saw it, Woon-seong was able to know Ah-young’s full name. 

That’s why you didn’t tell me your last name! Chun Ah-young.

Why hadn’t she said her last name before? ‘Chun’ was the most noble surname, only one person in the Demonic Sect had it!

‘The First Connection of the Cult of the Heavenly Demon’, the direct descendent of the Cult Leader, Chun Hwi!

Woon-seong looked surprised and looked around at the instructors. They nodded, as if it was natural. It seemed that they already knew that Cheon Ah-young had the bloodline of the Heavenly Demon.

The divine art of the Heavenly Demon was inside the Cave of Latent Demons.

Woon-seong’s eyes were deeper than ever as his fighting spirit surged.

Meanwhile, Ah-young had overwhelmed Number 109. It had taken about ten seconds, like Woon-seong had guessed. 

How awesome.

Woon-seong put a hand to his chest, his heart was pounding hard for a win. He felt the desire to compete instead of fear.

The duel between him and Ah-young was passionate. They struck like lightning over and over, sparks flying everywhere.

This was not a confrontation between those who were Demonic General-level in name, but one between those who had truly entered that stage. 

Woon-seong gripped his spear tight and wielded it. Ah-young’s sword seemed to melt into the air, blocking his spear. 

Boom!

With this collision, they were simultaneously pushed back.

They crossed weapons again quickly. Woon-seong could feel his spear trembling.

So this is the heritage of the Heavenly Demon.

She was strong enough without using divine arts, but if possible, he wanted to see the strength of the ‘Dark Flower Red Heart’. There was the question of whether she could still use it though.

‘The Dark Flower Red Heart’ is the ‘First Connection of the Cult of the Heavenly Demon’. But Chun A-young’s body does not have enough qi to use it.

It seemed that Ah-young could only use it for a short period of time. Woon-seong stepped back against the storm of attacks, before advancing with increased vigor. A few sword winds blocked in front of him like a folding screen, which Woon-seong countered with his qi. The waves of energy caused by their fight shook the platform.

However, Chun Ah-young  still had not used the ‘Dark Flower Red Heart’ yet.

I guess you want me to show my sincerity…?

Woon-seong rolled his feet and pushed Ah-young before slowly gathering his energy. Though it was not enough of a crisis to use his ‘intimidation qi’, he was willing to show some of his tricks. 

‘Erase from the stars to the sun!’

Woon-seong drew his energy into his arms and prepared to strike. 

“Oh, I can’t beat him. I surrender!” Chun Ah-young actually shook her hands and stepped back.

Woon-seong faltered at her words, his eyebrows twitching with annoyance. This was a good chance for him to compete with her and he did not want to miss it. 

Ah-young  shrugged her shoulders when asked by Woon-seong. “My physical condition is not very good, I have internal injuries.” 

“Internal injuries?”

She shook her head and closed her eyes, as if she refused to speak anymore.

Woon-seong smelled the faint smell of blood as she spoke. Blood was flowing from the corner of her mouth. It was likely caused by a backfire in her earlier fight, when she had forcefully used the ‘Dark Flower Red Heart’. It was possible that her qi had been sealed to conceal her true strength, either by herself or by someone else.

Anyways, fighting against Ah-young would not have let him confirm the true strength of the divine martial art. Winning as it was and taking the black iron weapon was enough for the current Woon-seong. 

“I see.”

He dissolved the energy that he had raised to the maximum and pulled back his spear. 

As Woon-seong accepted her surrender, Ah-young laughed. “You owe me one.”

Woon-seong scoffed at her reply, “That’s ridiculous.” He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, warning her to do the same and to watch her injuries. 

Ah-young, listening to him, descended from the platform and continued to laugh. “You’re something special Number 900.”

He did not dignify that with a reply.

At the end, the Senior Instructor shouted loudly. “The winner of the ‘Strife of Life and Death’, champion of the Latent Cave of Demons is Number 900!”

“Congratulations.”

“I was lucky.”

Sang In-hyo’s mouth twitched as he watched Woon-seong answer his congratulatory remarks. His eyes turned to the latter’s wrists and ankles, where his bracers remained intact. 

“Luck huh…It could be.”

Woon-seong felt the eyes of the General Director, but did not make any comments. 

“Number 900. When the Cave started, you were one of the weakest. So be proud of yourself. In the history of the Cave of Latent Demons, no champion started from the 900s. The highest was maybe the 200s.”

Woon-seong accepted these words of Sang In-hyo, who continued to talk as if he did not care about the other’s response. 

“But despite that fact, you setting a new record can only mean two things.” Sang In-hyo paused to watch Woon-seong, whose eyes were clear. “You either have something that we don’t know, or your wisdom surpasses your potential. Which one do you think it is?”

Woon-seong shook his head. “I am not sure.”

Did he like Woon-seong’s answer? Sang In-hyo did not show it on his face. Instead, he put his hand inside his sleeves and removed a lump of black iron. 

“If you have the image of the weapon you desire, tell it to the senior instructor. Since you use the spear, we will forge the shape you want with this iron.” 

When he finished talking, he put the black iron back into his sleeves. It would only come into the hands of Woon-seong once it was a complete weapon. 

“You may go back.”

Sang In-hyo sent Woon-seong back and slowly looked around. Each survivor made eye contact. 

“Everyone has worked hard. Only a fraction of you survived, but I’m glad that only the real ones had survived.” But what came out of his mouth next shocked the children. “But did you know? The Cave of Latent Demons still has six months left.”

The Cave of Latent Demons had a total of ten years. It had only been a little over nine at this point. 

At this, the trainees groaned but were silenced just as quick.

“For the rest of this time, you will face the last trial of the Cave of Latent Demons. And this final trial …” Sang In-hyo laughed viciously.

Just like he said, the training was not over yet. 

[1] 長江后浪推前浪, literally translating to ‘the rear waves of the Yangtze River drive on those before’; an idiom that means the new is constantly replacing the oldhttps://www.patreon.com/moonchildkhz