CDF Chapter 15

“…That’s everything I know about the Solitary Bamboo Forest.”

“Chomp chomp, I see.”

“Y-yes.”

“Hm? What are you doing? Eat too, Mr. Ma. It’s great having so many legs.”

“I’m fine. Please eat more, Young Master Seo.”

“Come on, have one. Just one leg is incredibly filling. The meat’s tender with no gamey smell. It’s a delicacy, truly a delicacy.”

Ma Dong-pil’s face was completely rigid.

Seo Ryang chomping on the meat with oil smeared all over his hands and mouth was shocking to behold.

For years, he had traveled through the Solitary Bamboo Forest managing the grove. To him, Azure Phoenix was something to guard against and kill, absolutely not food.

To think he’d consider boiling it.

And it was a beast of prey that had tried to kill him, no less.

Seo Ryang looked incredibly happy as he chewed and swallowed the meat he had meticulously shredded. Well, he hadn’t eaten properly for several days, so it was understandable, but…

Urp!

The scratch wound on his waist from Azure Phoenix’s claws while fleeing after fending off several demonic beasts still remained. Thinking of that made the rising soup smell nauseating.

Seo Ryang frowned.

“What’s with that expression? Disgusted?”

“Ah, no!”

“You people never ate them like this?”

He wanted to ask the opposite. How did you even think of boiling such a vicious demonic beast?

“We didn’t particularly…”

“Well, I guess when your mission’s done you’d go back and eat lots of delicious dishes, so there was no need to personally prepare something like this.”

“Th-that’s right.”

“Tsk tsk, but it’s perfect for nourishment. Should at least try it. What fools.”

Ma Dong-pil screamed internally.

Fools? There are plenty of nourishing dishes without using demonic beasts! No, beyond that, how could demonic beasts possibly be nourishing?!

He barely swallowed the words that nearly burst from his throat. Thoughts should remain thoughts. The moment such irreverent thoughts left his mouth, he would find it hard to forgive himself.

But Seo Ryang hadn’t called them fools just because of the taste.

“You said the bamboo becomes spiritual bamboo because of concentrated spiritual energy? That it becomes incredible medicine material enough to be the main ingredient in spiritual medicine?”

“Yes.”

“Then wouldn’t these creatures be similar?”

“…?”

“Look at this body. Its form is leagues away from common sense. Why did it change like this? Isn’t it because of concentrated spiritual energy, just like the bamboo here?”

“…?!”

“Meaning these creatures’ bodies must be packed full of spiritual energy too, right? Who knows, eating them might help increase internal energy? Even if not that, it might at least boost vitality.”

Ma Dong-pil’s pupils shook violently.

I never thought of it that way?

But listening to it, doesn’t it make sense?

“There’s one more thing I’m curious about.”

“…”

“Mr. Ma?”

“Yes? Ah, yes! Young Master Seo. Please inquire.”

“Why is this chicken-head called Azure Phoenix?”

Ma Dong-pil scratched his head. It wasn’t a gesture that suited someone who looked like a stern soldier.

“The seniors called it that, so I’m not really sure…”

“Is that so? Well, must be the reason then.”

Seo Ryang wiped his hands on his clothes. Ma Dong-pil’s expression instantly darkened seeing the front of the robe glistening with sticky oil.

I have to wash those clothes.

It was already covered in blood, which would be trouble enough to clean, and now oil too. He seriously considered requesting new clothes from the Joyous Pavilion.

Need to repair the Young Master’s room too, and rebuild the defensive formations in the forest. Since Azure Phoenix might appear again, should sprinkle some vinegar fragrance^[1] that they hate…

As he was sighing deeply lost in various concerns, Ma Dong-pil suddenly realized Seo Ryang had disappeared and was startled.

“Yo… no, Young Master Seo?!”

Just then, a voice came from the courtyard.

“Stay there. Just came out for some water.”

“Ah, yes.”

As Ma Dong-pil squatted down awkwardly, his eyes suddenly fell on the pot.

“…”

There is quite a lot left.

Internal energy enhancement?

The tempting possibility made Ma Dong-pil flare his nostrils.

Why? The thick soup smell didn’t feel as nauseating as before.

After hesitating briefly, he tore off some breast meat. Though he tore it thinly, it was as long as noodles since the creature was so large.

Ma Dong-pil put the meat in his mouth and chewed.

Hm?

Better than expected?

He thought it would be dry but surprisingly not. Though not fatty, it was chewy and plain – seemed quite edible.

Ma Dong-pil tore off and ate a few more pieces of breast meat. Somehow it seemed to wrap around his tongue more with each bite.

If you put aside prejudice, it has quite a proper culinary taste…

As he was tearing off another long strip of meat, he flinched feeling a dark shadow.

He turned his head.

Seo Ryang, who had silently entered the kitchen, was snickering.

“How’s the taste?”

Ma Dong-pil answered awkwardly.

“…It’s excellent.”

“That’s why I told you to eat, you punk.”

“My apologies.”

“Stop apologizing and let’s eat properly. Take a leg.”

“I’m fine now…”

“Take it, man.”

“Yes.”

Thus the two squatted in the kitchen and devoured the enormous soup like snatching a morsel.

Even Lee Cheonsang of all people couldn’t have imagined his disciple would live in the Solitary Bamboo Forest eating demonic beasts.

“Ugh, I’m about to burst.”

“Slurp.”

“You’re drinking the soup too?”

“…”

“Eat up.”

“Slurp.”

***

The two entered the bamboo grove around the quarters.

“You set it up around here?”

“Yes. It’s a formation occupying eight directions, a basic one that can be built with just branches if you’re skilled with the terrain…”

“Eight Trigrams Formation^[2].”

“Ah, you’ve studied formations too?”

“Well, somehow. Anyway, you built it well. It’s doing its job even with the unorthodox modifications.”

“You can tell?”

“Nothing to tell. It’s obvious just looking.”

Admiration filled Ma Dong-pil’s eyes.

Formations follow a different track from martial arts. It’s not something light enough to understand at a glance just with some knowledge.

How amazing.

Seeing things like this, it was clear that not just anyone could become the Cult Leader’s disciple. It seemed one needed to be talented in multiple areas, not just martial arts.

Moreover…

Those eyes.

Seo Ryang carefully examining the bamboo grove.

Confusion colored Ma Dong-pil’s face as he watched Seo Ryang.

Just what kind of person is the Third Young Master?

Sometimes appearing endlessly frivolous, yet when serious occasionally emanating an unapproachable presence.

Just his gaze was so impressive you’d believe he was already a supreme master who had reached the peak of the martial world. Moreover, he showed no signs of despair despite losing his martial arts to qi deviation. If it were himself, he probably couldn’t have lived normally due to extreme depression.

Additionally, his knowledge of formations, which takes normal people at least two to three years just to begin learning, is remarkable. He lost memories about the cult but retained memories needed for the dangerous martial world.

A person who raises more questions the more you learn about him.

“Mr. Ma.”

“Yes, Young Master Seo.”

“Eat dinner alone tonight.”

“You have no appetite, Young Master?”

“No appetite for dinner, but too many other thoughts. Need to organize them. Do rough repairs and get some rest yourself.”

“Ah, understood.”

Seo Ryang walked casually into his bedroom.

Sitting on the bed, he picked up the True Demonic Art manual from his bedside and seriously read it again.

No matter how I think about it, this is right.

Learning demonic arts again now?

Yes. He could do it. Though he was an assassin, he had participated in developing Dark Shadow Energy. His eye for martial arts was a level above other top ten masters.

But even with such insight, it’s hard to quickly master high-level demonic arts. Because they’re unfamiliar.

Though he’d be several times faster than others, that wasn’t enough.

The fastest, strongest, most far-sighted martial art.

“I definitely can’t give up Dark Shadow Energy. Must absolutely go with Dark Shadow Energy.”

Then not learn demonic arts?

No.

Seo Ryang waved the manual.

“No matter how I look at it, nothing compares to this.”

True Demonic Art.

One of two foundation arts supporting the cult along with the Demonic Transformation Art^[3].

Not because of their high level. Rather, these two arts were like fireflies before the full moon compared to the Ten Great Demonic Arts.

But True Demonic Art and Demonic Transformation Art had one advantage incomparable to the Ten Great Demonic Arts.

“I’m sure. I don’t know about Demonic Transformation Art, but several of the Ten Great Demonic Arts were created based on True Demonic Art.”

Over eighty percent of the verses from two of the three Ten Great Demonic Arts Cheon Hajin had mastered were infused with True Demonic Art’s principles.

Though twisted to be unrecognizable, they couldn’t fool his eyes. Clearly both Blood Calamity Demonic Art and Heaven-Capturing Forbidden Demonic Art^[4] were modified versions of True Demonic Art.

Especially Heaven-Capturing Forbidden Demonic Art was combined with several other demonic arts from among the other fourteen manuals.

Blood Calamity was superior in sophistication, but Heaven-Capturing Forbidden was ahead in power. They had created a far more advanced demonic art by dismantling and reassembling lower-level demonic arts.

And that was like Dark Shadow Energy.

Unlike the Nine Major Sects’ ultimate arts that were perfected through generations of refinement, Dark Shadow Energy is a young art not even a generation old.

An excellent art in itself but incomplete. Meaning its nature, character, and level could all change depending on how it’s modified.

And for that piece, Seo Ryang chose True Demonic Art.

Then what happens?

“…It becomes demonic art.”

Drop one drop of ink in clear water and the whole vessel becomes contaminated.

Demonic arts are just like that. Especially True Demonic Art far surpassed the Ten Great Demonic Arts in utilizing primitive demonic qi. It could truly be called the parent of the countless demonic studies the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult possessed.

Seo Ryang hesitated.

Because there might be problems modifying it? Not at all.

Rather, the problem was that combining them was too easy. Dark Shadow Energy itself was a martial art with room for improvement, and True Demonic Art was a perfectly suitable demonic art as its piece.

They say extremes meet.

Though they were martial arts at opposite poles, if he focused intently, the two arts had such good compatibility he could organize all the verses within ten days.

The newly born martial art would likely be at least more destructive than Dark Shadow Energy and more stable than True Demonic Art.

Seo Ryang bit his lip.

Damn it! No choice. I already decided, right? If I waffle here, I’ll never escape.

It’s not just about being unable to escape. He might die by some random person’s blade after getting caught in political struggles while living as an incapable Third Young Master.

Crucially, this Solitary Bamboo Forest.

Though extremely dangerous, it’s also an opportunity. If he handles things well, he might even consume enormous amounts of spiritual medicine from here.

They say spiritual bamboo could become poison? Nonsense!

He has the Boundless Arts that purifies even turbid qi in the air. Though it would take some time, converting it to pure spiritual medicine isn’t a problem.

“Every situation is forcing my choice to one option.”

Light of determination filled Seo Ryang’s eyes.

“Then let’s try it. There’s no other way anyway.”

Maybe there is, but wasting more time with complicated thoughts is more wasteful.

“Let’s begin.”

Seo Ryang began modifying martial arts in earnest, selecting his Dark Shadow Energy, True Demonic Art, and several demonic arts that would serve as cornerstones.

As expected, modifying the martial arts wasn’t difficult. It went so smoothly it felt like bringing Dark Shadow Energy to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was destiny itself.

Thus after twelve days, he created a new martial art.

The new martial art was of such high level it blew away even a trace of bitterness. He created such an advanced martial art that he questioned whether he could achieve mastery even though he had established the system himself.

He gradually adapted to the Solitary Bamboo Forest while cultivating his newly created art.

Fifteen days after beginning to cultivate the new art.

He was attacked by demonic beasts and easily achieved victory.

Another month later.

When he ventured deeper inside for proper exploration of the Solitary Bamboo Forest, he encountered other demonic beasts. In that battle, he nearly died.

Three months passed and riding the momentum of his martial art, he went even deeper into the Solitary Bamboo Forest.

And there he discovered one spiritual bamboo that hadn’t fully ripened yet.

The spiritual bamboo he barely obtained after a bloody fight with the demonic beast guarding that area could fortunately have its poison removed with the Boundless Arts’s purifying true energy.

Adventures toward deeper regions, martial arts quickly becoming second nature, and countless life-and-death experiences.

One month, another month, and another month.

Eight months had passed since Seo Ryang entered the Solitary Bamboo Forest.