I followed my father down an unfamiliar path.

It was a route behind Cheonma Hall I had never walked before. Even when I returned to the main hall to collect great law materials before my regression, I had never come this far.

When we reached a beautifully arranged garden, my father informed me that there was a formation here.

“Step exactly where I step and follow.”

The formation spreading across the garden was the Gucheon Evil Spirit Maze Formation (九泉惡靈迷路陣). If one failed to find the precise life gate, they would be chased by evil spirits until death—a horrifying trap formation.

I carefully followed by stepping exactly where my father stepped.

Once we escaped the Gucheon Evil Spirit Maze Formation, the view ahead changed drastically. Where there had been nothing before, a massive building towered like a fortress.

More secret than anywhere else in Cheonma Sin Gyo, this was the Ninth Calamity Demon Palace (九禍魔宮).

My father placed his palm on a small plate beside the door. When he infused it with internal energy, the massive door slowly began to open. Only those who had mastered the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill could enter here.

I stepped into a new world.

The moment I entered, one overwhelming sight met me.

A gigantic statue in the form of the Cheonma Spirit sat on a throne straight ahead, resembling how my father sat in the Grandmaster’s seat.

And that Cheonma Spirit extended its hand forward. I instinctively knew that the palm was the place meant for Cheonma.

Seeing the Cheonma Spirit, a thrilling shiver ran through my whole body. I wanted to climb onto that outstretched palm and stand tall. Desire to meet my Cheonma Spirit engulfed me. Today, it was especially difficult to keep calm.

Then my father’s words made my heart tremble even more.

“I, too, received the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill from my father here.”

His eyes reflected memories of the past.

‘What kind of man was grandfather to you?’

My father never spoke about grandfather.

‘I have so much to say about you to my children,’ I thought.

I slowly looked around.

That vast place was where past and present coexisted.

On one wall was a mural depicting the original image of the Demon Sect—terrifying, grotesque, and primal. The paintings and statues were so vivid they seemed ready to leap out and move.

Next to it was another depiction of the Demon Sect. Over time, the Demon Sect had changed. Majon and demons were portrayed differently.

“The Ninth Calamity Demon Skill changed little by little over countless years. It was improved, refined, sometimes lost in practice, then revived.”

The wall contained detailed records about the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill.

It recorded its birth and detailed the era when it consisted of nine techniques.

Then, it split into Ninth Calamity Demon Sword, Saber, and Fist styles, dividing the front and rear seven techniques, before being lost in darkness for a time.

Every step until it returned to the nine techniques was meticulously recorded.

“The Ninth Calamity Demon Skill has kept evolving.”

“It had to. Every era had its fools and geniuses.”

My father’s gaze returned to the Cheonma Spirit statue.

“But the only thing that never changed was the Cheonma Spirit.”

Though the techniques changed with the times, the Cheonma Spirit remained unchanged.

The ultimate being that could be summoned only by one who mastered the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill to its pinnacle.

Before coming here, I had already seen images of the Cheonma Spirit several times. I felt it staring at me from the cave of the Master of All Laws, and also while enduring the ruthless prayers of the Martial Alliance leader.

I could never forget the look in the Cheonma Spirit’s eyes then. It seemed to mock me, to long for me, and to pity me all at once.

“Have you ever summoned the Cheonma Spirit?”

My father nodded in response to my question.

He had mastered the pinnacle of the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill and could summon the Cheonma Spirit.

Father, did you summon the Cheonma Spirit and still lose to Hwamu Gi? Or did you fight without summoning it? What kind of battle happened that day?

Even now, his profile looked so firm that defeat was hard to imagine. Whether I would ever learn about that day was uncertain, but one thing was clear.

That event would never happen again.

“If I reach the pinnacle of the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill, can both father and I summon the Cheonma Spirit separately?”

“Yes. It is said the Cheonma Spirit differs slightly depending on the summoner. The one I summon and the one you summon will be different.”

Imagining two Cheonma Spirits standing tall, facing each other, filled me with eager anticipation.

“My Cheonma Spirit might… be quite talkative.”

A faint smile appeared at my father’s lips. That was practically laughter.

“I don’t know if I’ll live to see that.”

Though teasing, it also meant that reaching the pinnacle of the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill was incredibly difficult.

My father leapt lightly onto the palm of the Cheonma Spirit statue.

“Come up here.”

I also leapt as if waiting for the invitation and stood there.

I reached out and touched the statue’s cold stone hand.

In the center of the palm was the symbol of the Cheonma Spirit, designed for a person to sit. Apparently, my father also received the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill here.

My father gazed at me and asked again,

“Are you ready?”

I looked at him and answered,

“I want to feel the real touch of the Cheonma Spirit.”

Then my father’s solemn prayer filled the hall.

Finally, the words I longed to hear flowed ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) from my father’s mouth.

“From now on, I will teach you the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill.”

Before a great fate, my body trembled involuntarily. My once-quiet heart began pounding wildly.

I straightened my back and sat properly.

My breathing was thin, long, yet stable. Breath and consciousness became one, and finally, I was ready to accept fate.

This palm was no ordinary place. For some reason, the flow of internal energy and demonic aura moved more smoothly.

“Techniques are merely processes for a single result: killing. They are optimized movements for that process. How well you understand this will determine your achievement.”

Beginning by conveying the deep martial principles, my father started chanting the formulas of the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill.

I closed my eyes and began memorizing them.

This was harder than any martial art I had ever experienced. Usually, one roughly understands upon hearing, but the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill was composed of entirely new concepts.

I only memorized what my father said. Understanding and interpreting would come later. I focused all my mind on memorization.

“...The divine palace must be cold, and moisture must be hot. If the lower stomach is the leaf, the kidney must be the root; chaos becomes order, and loud noise becomes silence—only then the middle stomach will become life, and the outer palace death. When the center is clear and still, the danjung is…”

Incomprehensible formulas passed endlessly. After a long time, the final formula of the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill concluded.

“...Standing alone in this world—that is the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill.”

When my father finished, I involuntarily gasped. Whether I understood or not was irrelevant. I instinctively knew how magnificent this martial art was. The dignity and elegance of absolute martial arts overwhelmed me with awe.

“How much have you memorized?”

“The formulas themselves—I have memorized them all.”

My father was different than usual. Normally, he would have stood up saying “Let’s go.” But he repeated the formulas.

“Listen again.”

At this moment teaching the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill, he was more serious than ever. It was not a secret manual passed down silently but direct teaching; a single mispronounced word or misinterpreted meaning could cost one’s life.

My father repeated the formulas three times, then told me to recite them.

I began chanting the formulas of the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill.

When I accurately recited from beginning to end, my father showed a satisfied expression.

“Accurate.”

I bowed deeply to my father.

“I am truly grateful. Thank you, father.”

Emotion overwhelmed me; no other words came. Only joy and gratitude.

I thought the martial art teaching had ended. He taught me, and now it was up to me to master it.

But no.

My father imparted some key points and essentials of the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill. Not the entire skill, but precise corrections on parts I might misunderstand.

“Have you memorized these as well?”

“Yes, I have.”

“This is to prevent you from wandering on unnecessary paths.”

“Thank you, father.”

My father perched on the tip of the Cheonma Spirit’s finger. I sat beside him.

“My father lectured me on the full essentials of the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill—from beginning to end. How to interpret and how to train. Yet, mastering it to the pinnacle took him many years.”

His gaze turned to me.

“I will not teach you the full essentials.”

It was not surprising—very like him. But his reason was astonishing.

“You know even the same martial art differs greatly depending on interpretation.”

And the most surprising thing he said after meeting me:

“I want to see your interpretation of the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill.”

“!”

I was startled. Truly startled.

Then I understood. Those words meant my father recognized me as a warrior equal to him. No, more than that.

“Show me your Ninth Calamity Demon Skill.”

He wanted to see a version superior to his own. That proud father was saying this now.

“So carve your history here!”

My heart surged. At that moment, the joy of being recognized by my father outweighed even the joy of receiving the skill. The tears that didn’t fall then almost welled now.

Before I could respond, my father stood.

“Let’s go.”

He was back to his usual stern self.

I didn’t say I would show him. I would really show him.

Thank you, father.

I think I’ve truly returned well.

After leaving the Cheonma Divine Palace, I climbed to the peak of Great Heaven Mountain.

There, I stood alone reciting the formulas of the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill repeatedly. I tried to imprint them in my mind forever.

My life was at stake here. Everyone’s life was at stake.

I repeatedly pondered the essentials and insights my father taught me. Without knowing these, it would have taken much longer to master the skill.

I forgot hunger and immersed myself only in the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill. My mind was clear and pure, filled with rapture.

Neither I nor my father existed. Eventually, even the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill vanished. In a state of no-self, I perfectly imprinted the skill.

Descending Great Heaven Mountain, the first place I went was the Pungnyu Tavern.

As I entered, Jo Chunbae ran out to greet me.

“Junior Sect Leader! Congratulations! I heard the news and wanted to visit you on campus.”

He looked like he wanted to hug me.

So I embraced him tightly. Jo Chunbae was startled as if he might faint.

“You shouldn’t treat me so humbly.”

“This is the last time you call me humble. It’s rude to say that to a friend.”

Hearing the word friend, Jo Chunbae waved his hands with a sheepish ‘oh no.’ What more needed to be said? His wrinkled face was full of emotion.

“There has never been anyone like you, Junior Sect Leader, and there never will be.”

“Show me that passion through your cooking! I’m starving!”

I went upstairs.

I saw the wall left behind by Mabool and Duke Dok, and next to it, another inscription.

Hyeolcheon, drinking with a disciple.

Surprisingly, Hyeolcheondoma had come with Seodaeryong and left that phrase.

It was impressive that they came drinking together and that even the disciple was mentioned. I smiled happily recalling the two.

Soon after, Jo Chunbae brought up drinks and snacks.

He looked at the newly inscribed phrase on the wall and said,

“Master Doma came recently and left that. It’s all thanks to you, Junior Sect Leader.”

“At first, maybe it was thanks to me, but now it’s because of our owner’s taste in alcohol and cooking. Those guys are very picky.”

Then I grabbed Jo Chunbae’s sleeve.

“Let’s have a drink.”

“Yes, I’ll raise a toast to your promotion.”

“You know this? This is my first congratulatory drink.”

“Oh! Humble… I mean, is it okay for me to have the first drink?”

“Exactly. I thought of the owner first, leaving the Majon behind. Why do you think that is?”

Jo Chunbae answered wittily.

“Maybe because you were hungry?”

“Actually, I was starving for a few days.”

We laughed together.

I was different now.

I was the Junior Sect Leader of Igongja, and I had learned the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill.

But I would live an unchanged life.

A life sharing drinks like this with Jo Chunbae.

I could reach the ten-stage pinnacle of the Ninth Calamity Demon Skill in the training hall.

But I believed the twelve-stage pinnacle could not be reached there. The path to twelve stages would be found in drinking sessions with Jo Chunbae, in a single line drawn on the wall of Geugak Soma, and on moonlit walks with Ian.

My absolute, unchanging principle on martial arts:

People must change for martial arts to change.

And I also knew this.

A magic art that destroys is ten times easier than one that does not. Jo Chunbae is the landmark of the magic art I must protect. If the smile disappears from his face, my magic art is going down the wrong path.

So this is enough for my celebration. Just the two of us, grandly.

“Come, let’s drink. Owner!”