Now, nearly four years after leaving the Central Plains, Zhuge Xiaohui had reached the mature Life-Death Realm, and Cheon Won-ryeo had also broken through a wall and reached the early Life-Death Realm.
"You've both now reached the Life-Death Realm, so I have nothing more to teach you. Your martial arts are also nearly perfected, so you must develop on your own from now on."
"Understood."
"One final piece of advice: the next stage, the Natural Realm, is a state where you can freely handle and contain the energies of nature within your body. If you reach the Natural Realm alive, lifespan becomes meaningless. You will be able to live forever."
At that, Zhuge Xiaohui and Cheon Won-ryeo seemed a bit surprised.
"I-Is that so?"
"Yes. So do your best."
Now, I would let them train on their own. I began sending shadow soldiers to scout the martial arts world. I needed to know how things were progressing.
There was a reason I had spent four years traveling the world. It was to see the confrontation between Cheon Un-woon and the Extreme God.
'I absolutely have to see the 'Supreme Heavenly Demon Sword' before I leave.'
The Supreme Heavenly Demon Sword was a technique created by the Heavenly Demon Patriarch to destroy immortal beings. It truly achieves the demonic path, destroying even the opponent's regeneration. It was a one-hit, sure-kill sword technique. However, I didn't really need it. I already had many abilities that could even annihilate souls. Still, you never know, so I wanted to check it out.
A few days later, I received news of the martial arts world from the shadow soldiers. The North Sea Ice Palace incident was already over, and Cheon Un-woon had set out for Jangbaek Mountain. So the Jangbaek Mountain episode seemed likely to begin soon.
I also informed Zhuge Xiaohui and Cheon Won-ryeo.
"Hey, Servant One, Servant Two."
"Huh?"
"Yes?"
"Start wrapping up your life here. I'm planning to return to the Central Plains."
At that, they looked quite pleased. They too seemed happy to return to the Central Plains. Both were still in the prime of their youth, so it must have been hard being stuck in a mountain village like this, training all day.
We rested at the house for a few days, packed our things, and loaded them onto the carriage.
"I've grown quite attached to this house. Haven't you, sister?"
"Yes, I have, sister."
While they were happily packing, I overturned the training grounds and erased our traces. Because I didn't know what kind of butterfly effect these traces might cause in the future.
When we were ready, we took the carriage and moved to near Jangbaek Mountain to the north. I warned my servants.
"I'm going to show you what I mentioned now. But no matter what happens, don't even think of intervening. Got it?"
"What on earth do you mean by that..."
"You'll see when we get there. I've clearly warned you. If you intervene, you will surely die. So stay close to me."
When I spoke seriously, Zhuge Xiaohui and Cheon Won-ryeo realized it was something serious and agreed.
"Ah, okay."
"I will."
We arrived near Jangbaek Mountain, left the carriage with the coachman, and began walking up. We could feel a fierce battle shaking the heavens and the earth taking place at Cheonji on Jangbaek Mountain. Because of that, they also grabbed their swords, tense.
By the time we reached Cheonji, Cheon Un-woon and the Extreme God were in the midst of battle. Dongtu Sin Ak-ui was dying, both arms severed. We hid in a suitable place and watched their battle. I had taught them to conceal their energy, so it would be difficult for those focused on fighting to know we were here.
Cheon Won-ryeo trembled as she watched the fight.
"Even with all my effort, I still can't match Cheon Un-woon..."
Cheon Won-ryeo, realizing that Cheon Un-woon was at a higher level than her, was frustrated.
"Were you still thinking of revenge?"
"No, I gave up on revenge, but I still wanted to land at least one blow. Watching him fight, it seems that would be difficult. But who is the one overwhelming even that Cheon Un-woon?"
"The Extreme God."
"Wh-What?!"
Cheon Won-ryeo and Zhuge Xiaohui seemed very surprised at my words. They too knew of the Extreme God, the founder of the Extreme Six Martial Arts Sect and once the best under heaven.
"Be quiet. You'll get us caught. You still can't control your emotions. Does that mean you need more special training?"
At that, they flinched. They knew how painful and difficult my special training was.
"W-We're sorry..."
"You just watch the fight and try to gain something."
"Okay."
After watching their fight for a while, Ak-ui, who was dying nearby, suddenly shouted something, ignited his fighting spirit, and charged at the Extreme God. It was like a final flash of life before death.
Though his arms were severed and he had no means of attack, he spun his body as if swinging his arms and attacked. At that moment, a tremendous explosion sounded, and the Extreme God was pushed back.
BOOM!!!
"That's the 'Heart Fist'."
At my words, Zhuge Xiaohui asked.
"What's the Heart Fist?"
"It's the power of will that only those who have reached the Natural Realm can use. You'll learn about it in time."
"I see."
Ak-ui died standing in a fist-throwing posture. Just before dying, he had poured his entire being into an invisible fist and unleashed it at the Extreme God, even breaking through his own realm in the process. As a martial artist, I couldn't help but admire the sight.
"It's a shame to let him go like this. Wait a moment."
"Huh?"
Zhuge Xiaohui asked, but I ignored her and teleported to in front of Ak-ui's corpse. The Extreme God was very flustered to see me.
"You are Dark Jade Heaven Taejin??!!"
"Wow, I'm surprised you know me."
This was truly unexpected. That this guy knew me.
"Of course I know you. No matter what I did, I could never defeat you. But weren't you uninterested in everything? Playing around with women on Mars? Why are you here now?"
Listening to him, it seemed I had been developing Mars and playing with women in the future of the Nano Machine universe. That certainly sounded like something I would do. And if I had known the Extreme God knew me, I could have proceeded in an easier direction, which was a bit disappointing.
"Ah, I see. I understand now. I'm just here because I felt sorry for this guy. I'm just taking him. Good luck."
At that, the Extreme God was incredulous. I ignored him, used [Telekinesis] to lift Ak-ui's corpse, and teleported back to where the women were.
"Arise."
At my command, a dark shadow flickered from Ak-ui's corpse. Ak-ui rose as a shadow soldier, cupped his fist, and greeted me.
"I greet the Master."
"From now on, you are Ak-ui."
"Understood, Master. I have one request. Please allow me to watch this fight to the end."
Ak-ui seemed to want to see the rest of the fight. As expected, he was a strong-willed fellow.
"Fine. Do that. But don't intervene."
"Understood, Master."
Zhuge Xiaohui and Cheon Won-ryeo, watching from the side, were flustered.
"What is this... Demonic arts? No? The feeling is different... What is it?"
"Knowing will get you hurt."
"Haa... Asking was my mistake..."
While we were doing that, the Extreme God and Cheon Un-woon began fighting again. Their fight, due to the earlier incident, had turned into a battle of vitality. The Heart Fist that Ak-ui had landed on the Extreme God seemed to have affected him. As a result, the balance felt even.
KWA-KWA-KWANG~!!! BOOM!!!
They fought desperately, almost to the death, so both were in bad condition. A figure who seemed to be from the Extreme Six Martial Arts Sect, perhaps judging it dangerous, began to help the Extreme God. Cheon Un-woon's side also responded, with figures coming out to help: Dan Ju-cheon, the acting leader of the North Sea Ice Palace, and Mara Gyeom, the Great Dharma Protector of the Demonic Cult.
And that wasn't all. Starting with them, figures from the Demonic Cult began to join and help Cheon Un-woon one after another. Among them was Cheon In-ji, the former leader. Seeing that, Cheon Won-ryeo was surprised and tried to go help.
"Gasp! Grandfather!"
I immediately grabbed her shoulder.
"Nothing will happen, so don't worry."
Even though I said that, Cheon Won-ryeo fidgeted anxiously.
Contrary to her worry, as more Demonic Cult members joined, the tide began to turn in Cheon Un-woon's favor. The Extreme Six Martial Arts Sect, judging the situation unfavorable, had one figure hurriedly carry the injured Extreme God away. The remaining personnel blocked the Demonic Cult members.
Then, suddenly, Cheon Un-woon's body began to levitate. Various energies simultaneously arose, creating resonance, and began to emit brilliant light.
The Demonic Cult members couldn't hide their surprise.
"Gasp! Cult leader!"
"What is this..."
Cheon Un-woon's body cracked, undergoing bone exchange and body refinement. The energies around him seemed to harmonize. Suddenly, the demonic black energy among them, which felt ominous, began to devour the other energies, dyeing them in its own color. The identity of that black energy was the Heavenly Demon Energy.
Then, the Heavenly Demon Sword on Cheon Un-woon's arm emerged on its own and merged into one, forming the shape of a sword.
The Demonic Cult members who saw this went wild.
"Oooooh! The Heavenly Demon!"
This was the moment Cheon Un-woon not only fully accepted the energies of the five spiritual creatures as the Heavenly Demon Energy but also truly achieved the demonic path.
'Finally, I can see it. The Supreme Heavenly Demon Sword.'
As the energies swirling around Cheon Un-woon were completely devoured by the Heavenly Demon Energy and stabilized, Cheon Un-woon opened his eyes. He immediately grabbed the Heavenly Demon Sword and swung it lightly.
Swish! Thud!
Then, space split, and the figure from the Extreme Six Martial Arts Sect was cleanly cut in half. Seeing that, Zhuge Xiaohui couldn't hide her surprise.
"This can't be... Cutting through space..."
Cheon Un-woon's growth might be good for them, but he had come to his senses too late. The Extreme God had already fled long ago. So Cheon Un-woon and the Demonic Cult members had no choice but to clean up the area.
I asked my servants.
"Did you gain anything from this fight?"
"Yes, I gained a lot. I saw the path I need to take."
"Me too."
Zhuge Xiaohui and Cheon Won-ryeo seemed to have felt a lot while watching the fight.
"I'm glad. First, let's go say hello."
I used [Telekinesis] to float Ak-ui's corpse and, with my servants, went to where Cheon Un-woon was.
"Hey~ Nice to meet you. As expected, you survived to the end."
When I appeared, Cheon Un-woon's expression wasn't good.
"What were you doing, showing up only now? If you had helped, catching the Extreme God would have been nothing."
"You're still a rude brat. As I said, I don't care who rules the world. And if I had actively intervened, would you have reached that state? This is just the beginning, Cheon Un-woon. It's going to get interesting."
"What's going to get interesting?"
"It's a secret."
Cheon Un-woon was incredulous at that.
"Hah... Good grief... You only say incomprehensible things. And even seeing you here, I still can't fathom your level. Just how strong are you?"
"That's also a secret. More to the point, come here."
I used [Telekinesis] to pull Cheon Un-woon towards me. Cheon Un-woon resisted somewhat, but with an EX-rank ability, he was ultimately helplessly pulled in front of me.
"Ugh!"
I touched the flustered Cheon Un-woon's head, read the memories related to the Supreme Heavenly Demon Sword, and let him go.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"I had something to check. Fortunately, there's no particular problem."
"Were you checking if my mind was corrupted by the demonic nature?"
Cheon Un-woon seemed to think that my touching his head was for that purpose. I immediately agreed.
"That's right."
"That won't happen."
"That's a relief. And I took custody of Ak-ui's corpse. I couldn't stand to see such a martial artist's body dishonored by being caught up in your fight."
After saying that, I slowly lowered Ak-ui's corpse in front of Cheon Un-woon.
"Thank you."
Cheon Un-woon seemed genuinely grateful that I had protected Ak-ui's corpse.
"Well then, I'll be off. I'll be staying in the Central Plains for a while, then go back to Joseon. I probably won't see you again for a few hundred years. See you then."
"A few hundred years... It's hard to imagine. Anyway, understood."
I said my goodbyes and called Zhuge Xiaohui and Cheon Won-ryeo. They seemed to have finished greeting Cheon In-ji and the other Demonic Cult members as well.
We took the carriage back down to the Central Plains and booked a lodging near the Martial Arts Alliance. I gave Zhuge Xiaohui some money and told her to visit her family. I stayed with Cheon Won-ryeo, sightseeing in the cities near the Martial Arts Alliance. When Zhuge Xiaohui returned, we traveled around the Central Plains, then returned to Joseon, set up a base on Jirisan Mountain, and began living there.
And so, I built a house on Jirisan and lived there, researching the Supreme Heavenly Demon Sword. It turned out to be a technique I couldn't use, as I lacked the Heavenly Demon Energy, and the demonic path itself registered as a debuff. This was something I had expected to some degree. So I didn't have high hopes. Fortunately, with the help of the Martial God Primordial True Martial Arts and Nano, I was able to modify it to suit me.
Now, thinking that I had completely finished my business in the Nano Machine universe, I spent a few pleasant days with Zhuge Xiaohui and Cheon Won-ryeo, then ended the Game Life.
[Ending the world of Nano Machine.]
[Settling rewards.]
[Zhuge Xiaohui Affection Level 9]
[Cheon Won-ryeo Affection Level 8]
[Cheon In-ji Affection Level 5]
[Cheon Un-woon Affection Level 4]
[Seop Maeng Affection Level 4]
[Yi Mok Affection Level 3]
[Pung Cheon-un Affection Level 3]
[...]
[...]
[For progress in Nano Machine, you have earned 17,425 points.]
[You can no longer progress the story. Do you wish to see the ending?]
Since Nano Machine is connected to Demon God Descension, I decided to just watch the ending.
"Yeah."
Ten years after settling on Jirisan, I married Zhuge Xiaohui and Cheon Won-ryeo. We had three sons and two daughters. Afterwards, I created an organization called the Heavenly Sword Association, teaching martial arts. During the Imjin War, the disciples' great achievements led to the organization being recognized by the state, becoming a martial arts group, but also receiving checks from the royal court. Enraged, Cheon Won-ryeo caused a disturbance, even overturning mountains, and the checks disappeared thereafter.
As time passed, Japan, due to the existence of the Heavenly Sword Association, judged that annexing Joseon through diplomatic means alone was difficult. Consequently, they declared war and, leading an army armed with the latest weapons, launched a full-scale invasion. However, Japan was pushed back significantly, even ceding the Kansai region to Joseon, and had to pay a massive indemnity.
From then on, Joseon changed its national name to the Great Korean Empire. Taking advantage of the chaos in China, they annexed Manchuria. At Taejin's strong suggestion, they maintained friendly relations with the United States. Later, during World War II initiated by Germany, they supported Europe. When the war ended, the Great Korean Empire emerged as a superpower.
"Wow! That's amazing?"
[The story connects to Demon God Descension. Do you wish to start Demon God Descension?]
"No."
I planned to go to Demon God Descension much later. Having returned to the modern era, I had things to do.