CHAPTER 3: DEMON LORD

As the boy carried his father home, his steps grew heavier. He dragged his father with the last bit of strength he had, for most of his energy had already been spent during the arrival of the carriage. Exhausted, he decided to rest. He laid his father down beside a tree and sat against the trunk, trying to catch his breath.

But as he closed his eyes, a sudden pressure crashed down on him. It squeezed his entire body, leaving him helpless. His chest tightened, and for a moment he thought he would collapse. Then, just as suddenly, the pressure vanished.

Confused, the boy wondered what had just happened. Before he could make sense of it, he felt his strength return. His body no longer felt heavy but alive, as if filled with new energy. He glanced at his father, worry filling his mind, yet the questions had no answers.

A strange sound broke through his thoughts. His instincts screamed of danger. Without hesitation, he lifted his father onto his back and ran as fast as he could. He did not dare to look behind him. The only thought in his mind was to escape.

But then, a figure appeared ahead of him. Startled, the boy tried to stop, but the sudden power flowing through him was too new and uncontrollable. He pushed off the ground with too much strength, his body soaring upward while still carrying his father. Somehow, he landed safely, then continued to run until at last, they reached home.

Inside, he laid his father on the bed and quickly locked the doors and windows, making sure no one could see inside. Knowing danger was near, he reached for his father’s sword, unsheathed it, and held it tightly in his hands. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he waited in silence, ready to strike at any moment.

Hours passed. Five hours went by, yet no one appeared. The boy no longer felt the same pressure, but he stayed on guard, refusing to lower his blade.

Finally, he sighed. “There’s really a lot of things that happened today. I wish tomorrow will be different.”

He turned to his father and placed a chair beside the bed. Sitting down, he whispered, “Father, I know you only want the best for me. But I only want to be with you, and repay everything you’ve done for me. Even though I know I’m not your child by blood, you gave me happiness and everything I ever needed.”

Tears rolled down his cheeks. “Why can’t we just live a normal life, far away where no one can find us?” He wiped his eyes, then fetched a blanket and laid it gently over his father. Sitting back in the chair, he watched and guarded in silence.

But the boy did not realize he was already being watched.

In the shadows, a man stood, his face hidden beneath black silk and his clothing befitting one of high rank in the Murim world. He observed the boy and his father closely.

“So this is the child who endured that pressure,” the man thought. “That level of power could have killed an ordinary person, yet he survived. Impressive. He is only at the first realm, beginner stage, but he withstood it.”

As the man studied him further, his eyes widened in shock. He could feel a strange energy within the boy.

“This boy… he carries qi in his heart. That is no longer qi. Once it enters the heart, it becomes mana. If the mages discover this, they will lose their minds. They might even start a war.”

The man smirked and approached. He stretched out his hand, intending to test the boy. But just as his fingers drew near, the boy stirred, sensing the presence.

“Incredible,” the man thought. “He can sense me even while I use my hiding technique. Only those of equal or higher realm should be able to notice me, yet this boy feels it vividly.”

He shook his head with a faint smile. “Rest now, child. Let this senior help you.”

He placed his hand on the boy’s chest and poured qi into him, forcing the boy into a deep sleep. Then, with careful precision, he unclogged the boy’s blocked meridians, letting qi flow smoothly through his body.

Before leaving, the man whispered, “See you at the top.”

Then, as quietly as he came, he vanished into the night.

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