OGHOU C10

Chapter 10

Tianshan of Xinjiang1), the stronghold of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

In its deepest reaches lay an underground prison, a place avoided by human footsteps. In that pitch-black space, where not a single ray of light seeped through, a lone boy sat.

The stench of blood and rotting corpses that drifted through the prison had long since become familiar to him. Of course, it was natural — he had endured and survived alone in this place.

He had been captured when he was five years old; it had already been ten years since. He was not the only one brought here. Once, this prison had been crammed full of children of his age.

As soon as they were captured, the children began training in demonic martial arts2). Half of them dropped dead in the process, unable to withstand the murderous schedule and abuse.

Those who survived the brutal training were thrown into the arena for combat practice. And that was when it truly began. A living hell where if one failed to kill, one would be killed.

The boy endured that hell for ten years. The five-year-old child who had once cowered in fear had grown into a murderous beast.

Beast…

Was there a more fitting word? His life had been an existence of killing to survive, and surviving only by killing. A beast that lived purely by instinct. Though today, that life was finally reaching its end.

Tomorrow, new children would be captured and thrown into the prison. He would once more be forced to slaughter them and, once again, survive alone. That was his fate. But this time, he would not submit to fate.

For today, he would escape this place.

Footsteps echoed through the empty corridor. The boy took a deep breath.

The sound stopped before the massive iron door. The lock rattled, and the door creaked open. Through the door walked in a man draped in black robes, his voice void of emotion as he addressed the boy.

“Sibchil. It is time for the match.”

The boy known only as Sibchil(Seventeen) obeyed quietly, rising to his feet. The man approached and tied a black cloth over his eyes.

With his sight completely cut off, Sibchil was led onwards, guided by the man’s rough grasp. He sharpened his remaining senses. The underground corridors were laced with all manner of trap-formations3). Without intimate knowledge of breaking them apart, no one could enter, nor leave.

Sibchil had once broken through the formations and managed to escape. But he was soon recaptured by patrolling cultists. After that, the formations were completely overhauled, and since then, he had been forced to wear a blindfold whenever moved.

When they arrived at the training arena, the man shoved him harshly inside and departed. Only then was he able to remove the cloth from his eyes. His pupils, accustomed to absolute darkness, contracted sharply against the sudden flood of light.

Standing in front of him was a young man, leaning carelessly to one side.

“You’re tough, I’ll give you that. Been… what, ten years already?”

The one speaking with such mockery was none other than Sama Han, the Young Cult Lord of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

The sole son of the current Cult Lord, and heir apparent. He was effectively the master of the children captured here, delighting in watching their bloody duels, and at times even killing some with his own hands inside the arena.

“It’s the first time someone’s survived alone, huh.”

“……”

“Honestly, I knew it would come to this. The moment I first saw you, I recognized your talent. The aura that radiated from you, a child, was so overwhelming it was unforgettable.”

Now accustomed to the light, Sibchil’s eyes clearly fixed upon him. A pale face clad in robes red as blood. Eyes dripping with madness. Though the sight had haunted him for many years, today it looked even more loathsome.

As Sibchil’s muscles tightened in response, Sama Han pulled his lips into a twisted smile.

“No need to be tense. I didn’t call you here for a mere match today.”

Not for a match?

“I just want to talk. Calmly. You and me. Just the two of us.”

“…Talk about what.”

“Hmm… about the future of the Heavenly Demon Cult?”

Walking over, Sama Han casually draped an arm over Sibchil’s shoulder. Sibchil tried to shove him away, only to be immediately suppressed.

“Don’t get riled up. Unless you want to die.”

“……”

“Sibchil. You do know why we abduct children, don’t you?” Sama Han’s twisted lips curled further.

“People think that because I was born of noble blood, I naturally stand here as Young Lord of the Cult. But you know the truth. The succession of the Heavenly Demon Cult isn’t decided by bloodline.”

“……”

“We worship strength. What we seek is the power to overthrow those arrogant orthodox sects4) and dominate the Central Plains. That is why we search for the Seed of the Heavenly Demon.5”

The Seed of the Heavenly Demon. At those words, Sibchil snorted in contempt.

The Heavenly Demon — the absolute existence, ruler of all demons, one said to be chosen by the heavens themselves. The sect revered such a being like a god. But to Sibchil, they were nothing more than fearful humans. Pitiful humans, desperately clinging to the strong to survive.

All of it resembled nothing but a puppet show. Watching them exalt the strongest individual as their leader and calling him Heavenly Demon only compelled laughter.

“People say that one day I will become the next Cult Lord. But it won’t be easy. The moment someone stronger than I appears, even my father would discard me without hesitation.”

“……”

“That’s why children are brought here, brainwashed, and trained in demonic techniques. Should any survive, they’ll be of use. Especially children are easier to indoctrinate, after all.”

To Sibchil, there had never been any intention of letting more than one survive.

“Oh, of course—brainwashing never worked on you. In any case, I will never relinquish my place as Young Lord to anyone. One day, I will ascend and become the Cult Lord, expand the strength of the sect, and ignite war.”

“War…?”

“Yes. The Great War of Righteous and Demonic Paths6).”

The clash between the orthodox sects and the demonic cults. Decades ago, during such a war, the Heavenly Demon Cult had been utterly defeated. Since then, they had skulked in Xinjiang, silently regaining strength. And now he claimed he would begin the war anew.

“My father is far too cautious. He believes we would be defeated if we commenced war now. But I disagree.”

“……”

“We will reclaim the Central Plains. Bloodshed is inevitable, but so be it.” Sama Han’s eyes glimmered with feverish crimson.

“So, you’d better think carefully. Will you spend your life fighting and killing in this arena until you die… or will you join me and rule the world?”

“…What are you saying.”

“I’m saying, become my right hand. I acknowledge your talent. Serve me with everlasting loyalty, and I’ll spare your life. You’ll never return to that dungeon again.”

Loyalty? Disgust welled up in Sibchil’s throat.

“Do you realize how good an opportunity this is? With a single word, I could release you, give you fine clothes, the best food. You’d live in luxury.”

“……”

“So kneel, and swear yourself now. There will be no second chance.”

He smiled as he awaited Sibchil’s response. But the boy’s words froze his expression cold.

“You’re wrong.”

“…What?”

“I said you’re wrong. About becoming Cult Lord.”

“Ha. Are you claiming that you will challenge me and steal my place?”

“No.”

Sibchil spoke with unyielding resolve.

“I’ll kill you today. And walk out of here.”

At that very moment, he thrust forth his palm, demonic energy condensed into lethal force, striking toward Sama Han’s vital point. Unprepared for the surprise attack, Sama Han staggered back, clutching at his chest.

“You… you bastard—!”

What Sibchil had unleashed was unmistakably a killing strike. Had Sama Han been of weaker cultivation, he might have died on the spot. Grinding his teeth, Sama Han lowered into a battle stance.

“I told you. There won’t be a second chance.”

The oppressive intent to kill burst forth from both of them, their bodies surging with ruthless demonic energy the color of dried blood.

It was Sama Han who charged first, striking like a blade for Sibchil’s throat. The boy just barely deflected the blow, though the force reverberated painfully through his body.

Countering, Sibchil lashed out at his opponent’s vital point, but Sama Han twisted aside, narrowly evading.

He had fought countless battles within the arena before, but to face the Young Lord himself was truly formidable. The only saving grace was that Sibchil had memorized Sama Han’s movements after ten years of constant observation.

Fierce strikes and parries passed back and forth. As Sibchil launched another blow, Sama Han caught his wrist with uncanny speed, wrenching his arm and slamming him to the ground.

Crash! Dust smoked up as Sibchil’s body slammed into the earth face-first, dirt filling his mouth.

Pressing his neck down beneath his foot, Sama Han sneered.

“Perhaps you’ve forgotten.”

Sama Han crouched, seizing the boy’s hair and jerking his head back. Sibchil, bloodied and caked with soil, glared up with frenzied defiance in his eyes.

“I am the Young Lord. The rightful heir of the Cult. Did you truly think I was the same as those pitiful children you slaughtered?”

Gripping tighter, Sama Han smashed his head brutally into the ground. His face split open, blood pouring from nose and lips.

“Kh—! Kghrk—!”

“You should’ve seized the chance I offered. Fool.”

Grinding him mercilessly, Sama Han toyed with the boy’s head like a predator savoring prey. Every slam drew more blood until the dirt was wet and red. Struggling to breathe, Sibchil spat out a mouthful of blood.

“What? You said you’d kill me? Ha! You’re insane.”

“Hh… khhh…”

“Say it again. Go on. Tell me again you’ll kill me.”

“Ki… kill…”

“What? I didn’t hear you. Too much blood in your throat? Can’t speak properly?”

Sama Han jerked his hair back once more. His swollen, bloodied face gasped unevenly for air.

“Ungrateful wretch…” Sama Han sneered, twisting his grip, ready to snap his neck.

But then, suddenly — light flickered in the boy’s unfocused eyes. From his bloodied lips slipped a low murmur.

“…Die.”

And at once, a surge of demonic energy erupted violently from Sibchil’s entire body.

Footnotes

1. Xinjiang, Tianshan – Tianshan (Heavenly Mountains) in the Xinjiang region of northwestern China, often used as a remote, isolated setting in wuxia/xianxia stories.

2. Magong (마공, 魔功) – “Demonic Martial Arts” or forbidden inner cultivation techniques, usually cruel and destructive in nature.

3. Trap-Formations (기관진식, 機關陣式) – A blend of mechanical traps and mystical formations, commonly used in martial arts fantasy as elaborate defense mechanisms or mazes.

4. Orthodox sects (정파, 正派) – Refers to righteous martial clans and sects that oppose the demonic cults.

5. Seed of the Heavenly Demon (천마의 씨앗) – A concept referring to a chosen one or potential reincarnation of the “Heavenly Demon,” the mythical supreme martial being venerated by the cult.

6. Great War of Righteous and Demonic Paths (정마대전, 正魔大戰) – Legendary large-scale war between orthodox and demonic martial sects in wuxia lore, often marking a pivotal historical event with heavy casualties.