When I received the new sword, the first impression is always the most important.

A sword connects with its wielder, and a peerless sword like the Black Demon Sword has a deeper connection than other swords, one that can’t even be compared.

There is never a case where a sword rejects its wielder, but if the bond is not formed well, the sword’s full potential cannot be realized.

The same goes for understanding the nature of the sword. Using a weapon imbued with the extreme yin energy like a Black Demon Sword with someone whose energy is extreme yang, or using a Buddhist weapon by someone who practices evil techniques.

Moreover, how you handle the sword is also crucial. A rough sword like the Black Demon Sword cannot be handled too gently, nor can a gentle sword like the White Flower Sword be handled too roughly. In such cases, the sword cannot unleash its full power.

In my past life, I had once seen a sword harmonize with its master to the point that it wept on its own. That scene was magnificent, and I wished for a sword like that.

‘Can I harmonize with this sword like that?’

After calming my mind with Unifying Qi, I drew the Black Demon Sword.

Even though I hadn’t infused it with Qi yet, the sword’s inherent sharp aura made the surroundings feel cold.

―It’s nice to meet you. I will be your master from now on.

Slowly, I infused my inner energy into the sword. This was the first moment that my Qi met the Black Demon Sword.

Then the sword’s aura began to stir.

A blue wave, resembling the sky, shimmered along the sword’s edge.

‘This is definitely different!’

The aura’s color was unlike anything I had experienced before. I had expected the Black Demon Sword to emit a darker and heavier aura, but instead, the blue aura was brighter and gave off a more vibrant feeling. Sometimes, even small things can deeply move you, and I was so pleased with the change in the sword’s aura.

‘I like you.’

I hoped that my emotions would be conveyed to the Black Demon Sword.

After withdrawing the sword’s [N O V E L I G H T] aura, I performed the basic move of the Radiant Sword Art.

The Black Demon Sword is not a soft sword. I must put all the force and rough energy I can muster into the first move to match the sword’s nature.

The Radiant Sword Art performed with the Black Demon Sword felt different from any I had done before.

After finishing the first form, I spoke to the sword in my mind.

―For the time being, we will survive with this sword technique. Later, I will teach you some truly exceptional techniques. Let’s hold on until then. Got it?

I tried to connect with the Black Demon Sword.

Merely sending my thoughts wasn’t enough, so I practiced over and over again until the sword felt familiar in my hands.

I practiced after meals, first thing when I woke up, sometimes even without eating. I slept with the sword in my hand. I practiced even in my dreams.

I focused solely on training for a long while.

Today, as I was heading out to the training grounds, I was taken aback by the sight before me.

Hundreds of demon soldiers, the Dogwi under the Blood Heaven Butcher, filled the large open space in front of my house.

Whether they had come under Blood Heaven Butcher’s orders or had come on their own was unclear, but one thing was certain—their feelings toward me were hostile.

With cold eyes, the demonic energy they emitted poured toward me.

Without realizing it, I gritted my teeth. Even in my long life before the regression, I had never received so much energy from so many people at once. Even if it was positive energy, it would be overwhelming, but this was clearly murderous intent.

If I endured any longer, I would suffer internal injuries!

However, as I didn’t retreat, their demonic energy became even more intense. The dark energy poured into my body like a torrential downpour. My whole body felt as though it would tear apart, and in that moment, a specific technique suddenly came to mind.

I began to channel the energy as I executed the secret technique I had learned in my past life.

It was one of the techniques I had learned before my regression, and it was used to strengthen the blood meridians.

The blood meridians, which serve as the channels for Qi, are the most vital parts of a martial artist’s body, but they are also the hardest to strengthen.

The Thousand Meridians Strengthening Technique is a technique where multiple martial artists simultaneously release their energy to strike the target’s body, strengthening their blood meridians. The more people involved, the more effective the technique becomes.

Such an opportunity to absorb so much demonic energy at once was rare, so I took the risk and began to execute the Thousand Meridians Strengthening Technique.

I had hoped that I would be able to use it one day, but I never expected today to be that day.

As I closed my eyes and pretended to show signs of suffering, the demons, sensing my pain, released even stronger demonic energy.

‘More, more, more!’

I furrowed my brows as the energy surged.

They must have hoped that I would retreat. They probably wanted me to run inside and hide from the energy, to pressure me into being trapped here for days, turning me into a coward who couldn’t even leave my home.

As I continued with the Thousand Meridians Strengthening Technique, I took one step forward.

The demonic energy grew even stronger.

The blood meridians throughout my body spasmed, and my inner Qi rushed through the meridians in a terrifying whirlwind, following the technique’s formula.

The Thousand Meridians Strengthening Technique was progressing from its second phase to the third, then to the fourth.

‘More, more, more!’

With each step I took forward, the demons’ energy grew even more erratic. It was a battle of wills, a clash of pride.

How many steps had I taken by now?

The Thousand Meridians Strengthening Technique had reached the fifth and final phase.

Normally, such rapid progress would be impossible. The hardest part of the technique was aligning the user’s spirit to create a single, unified energy.

The demonic energy flowing toward me was filled with a singular emotion—hostility.

The relentless torrent of energy began to subside. The Dogwi’s internal energy had its limits, and they could no longer maintain the intensity.

When the energy finally dissipated, I opened my eyes. The final phase of the Thousand Meridians Strengthening Technique had been completed, and my blood meridians were now significantly stronger than before.

I could see the Dogwi staring at me, their faces filled with shock and horror. They must have never imagined that I would endure their demonic energy until the very end.

Their behavior, rushing at me like a pack of dogs and unleashing their energy without restraint, was cowardly and dishonorable, but I decided to forgive them for today.

I slowly walked toward them.

Even with hundreds gathered, the only sound was my footsteps.

If someone shouted “Kill him!” at that moment, it felt like the entire place would erupt into a bloodbath.

But the winner of this battle of wills was me. Having endured the demonic energy, I had already broken their momentum.

The leader of the Dogwi stepped aside, allowing me to pass. One by one, the demons followed suit, clearing the way.

Their expressions were varied. Some were surprised, some were horrified, others were impressed, and some were angry.

But none of them dared to provoke me as our eyes met.

I didn’t speak. Though I had won the battle of wills, I knew that provoking them further would only send them into a frenzy.

Thus, I quietly made my way through.

As I took my final step out, I felt their emotions change. They now held respect for me, acknowledging my strength and the courage it took to walk past them after withstanding their energy.

Demons are simple creatures. They crush the weak and worship the strong. It’s more of a nature than cowardice, I believe.

Once I had fully exited, I exhaled deeply.

“Phew.”

We hadn’t exchanged a single word, but it felt like I had just fought a great battle.

I then headed to meet someone.

I walked the red carpet and made my way to the empty Taesari’s throne.

I couldn’t dare to sit on the throne, but I wondered how it would feel to sit there and look down upon this place.

At that moment, a deep voice came from behind me.

“Do you wish to sit?”

The voice belonged to my father.

I didn’t turn around but answered instead.

“No, I don’t want to be trapped in that chair.”

“You’re starting to spout nonsense again.”

I smiled, turned around, and bowed respectfully to my father.

My father passed me by and walked toward the throne.

“Come up here.”

He called me from beside the throne.

I slowly ascended the stairs and stood next to him.

“Sit.”

It seemed like there was going to be some idle talk, but I quietly sat down. This was a seat I had always wanted to try.

“How does it feel?”

I gazed down from the Taesari’s seat. The first things that caught my eyes were the evil spirits etched on the pillars and walls, flanking the crimson carpet. Though decorated with grandeur, the view from this seat made the hall look strangely desolate.

“I thought it would be thrilling, but it’s rather dull.”

To my surprise, my father spoke unexpectedly.

“I felt the same.”

I turned to look up at him. His indifferent gaze didn’t seem to show any regret from the years gone by, but as always, my father was unchanged.

“Earlier, the Dogwi came. I don’t know whether Blood Heaven Butcher sent them or whether they came on their own, but...”

My father interrupted me.

“They came on their own.”

“I see.”

As expected, my father knew everything. Both I and Palmazon were under his watch.

“They showed obvious hostility toward me. I resisted the pressure of their energy, and I didn’t mind when I was holding my ground, but when I left that place, I felt a chill.”

“Were you afraid of them?”

“No, I think I was more afraid that my judgment was wrong. If someone had gotten too excited and attacked, I might have died there. Even if I survived, there’s no way I could have become the successor after massacring the Dogwi. That’s why I think I was afraid. The moment when I’ll have to make a choice where everything is at stake... it might come again.”

I spoke honestly about my feelings.

I wanted to share this with someone, and it wasn’t Ian—I wanted to share it with my father. Why? Emotionally, Ian was closer to me.

“When I thought like that, I wanted to see you, Father.”

He spoke without care.

“Demons don’t look back. They only move forward.”

Moving forward without looking back... I knew better than anyone what kind of life that is.

‘As Father says, I won’t look back, but that doesn’t mean I’ll only look ahead either.’

We both stared at the view from the Taesari’s throne for a while.

“The view here is too desolate. Is it really necessary to have these evil spirits set up?”

“We can’t forget that we are demons.”

I felt a sense of alienation from that statement. Maybe I wasn’t cut out to live as a demon.

“How about a statue of a beautiful woman instead? The famous Four Beauties of the Central Plains. One at each corner.”

I glanced sideways and saw my father looking down at me with a look of disdain.

“Such nonsense. I guess it’s time for us to rise. Sit down, Father.”

I stood up from the Taesari and slowly descended the stairs.

As I turned at the bottom of the stairs, my father was still standing beside the throne.

Staring back at me, I calmly asked:

“Can I kill Blood Heaven Butcher?”