"How dare you!"
To think the successor of Majeon was a madman who denied the authority of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors!
Boom!
Infuriated, Nahu exploded the pure white energy dwelling within his entire body. Had he been at a level where he couldn't even detect the petty tricks of the Beast Way, he would never have come to Majeon so brazenly.
However.
"Do you intend to destroy my library?"
Sizzle.
The energy flowing from Nahu’s body vanished in an instant. Because the energy he was spreading was so powerful it seemed as if it would blow the entire library away, the Demon Emperor had blocked that power.
"My Lord!"
As Nahu burst out in indignation, the Demon Emperor spoke calmly.
"The ancient books here cannot be bought even for ten million gold."
He wore a leisurely expression, as if fluffy clouds were floating behind his back. At that moment, Bu Eunseol spoke coldly.
"Did you think I would prostrate and worship you just because you are a servant of the Vajra Demon Ancestor?"
"Wh-What?"
"The so-called Seven Great Demon Ancestors are nothing more than legends passed down in the martial world."
In truth, by bringing the heads of the White Horse Temple’s high-ranking officials, he had already displayed the might of the Vajra Demon Ancestor. However, Bu Eunseol was completely denying the authority of the Vajra Demon Ancestor.
"You brat, step outside of Majeon."
"I am in the middle of a conversation with the Lord. You are the one who intruded late."
Nahu, incensed to the tip of his head, turned his eyes white with rage. But was not that obnoxious fellow sticking close to the side of the Demon Emperor?
Tremble.
Swallowing his fire-like anger, Nahu looked at the Demon Emperor. But something was strange. Wasn’t the cold gaze of the Demon Emperor filled with contempt?
Realizing the situation late, Nahu snorted and spoke.
"Lord, I wondered why a person like you chose such a madman as a successor."
A white mist was clearly rising in his eyes.
"You intended to do everything as you pleased through that rogue."
The Demon Emperor did not say a word and simply gave a thin smile.
"Are you saying you will deny the authority of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors?"
"The Demon Ancestors will soon appear in the martial world to regain their complete power. And Majeon will bear the responsibility for that chaos."
Nahu spoke with an expression full of malice.
"Lord, in the end, you will be the one to personally strike down and kill that arrogant successor!"
After pouring out a curse that sounded like a scream, he vanished instantly like mist.
The interior of the library was filled with a heavy silence.
"How peculiar."
Given the Demon Emperor's personality, regardless of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors' emergence, he would have cut off the head of that arrogant Nahu immediately. Why did the Demon Emperor, who valued dignity so much, watch such an insult unfold?
"Is there an agreement of non-combat?"
Bu Eunseol eventually had to ask. If he hadn't been in the presence of the Demon Emperor, Bu Eunseol himself would have surely wanted to sever at least one arm of Nahu, who had insulted his master’s sect.
"To me..."
The Demon Emperor curled the corners of his mouth slightly, wearing a thread-like smile.
"Do you think agreements or oaths have any meaning?"
As he smiled, chaos bloomed from the deepest part of the soul.
A pitch-black demonic qi, seeking to devour everything, squeezed through the cracks of the soul and caused a rupture. At the same time, an eerie aura of destruction and slaughter that shook the very root of all living things decorated the surrounding air.
The Demon Emperor was the Demon Emperor.
He was a person who was not bound by the norms, formalities, or etiquette passed down through generations, and even in martial arts, he did not follow form but created anew in his own way.
A great demon who rejects existing frameworks.
Even if there were an agreement among the Seven Great Demon Ancestors, there was no way he would be bound by it.
"Even so," Bu Eunseol spoke while looking directly into the Demon Emperor's eyes. "It seems there is a reason you cannot take action."
In the past, he wouldn't have dared to talk back or question the Demon Emperor’s words. However, this was a place where even the existing formalities of the demonic path were being shattered.
If he couldn't speak comfortably with the Demon Emperor even here and had to walk on eggshells? Not only would there be no reason for a private meeting, but this precious time would be wasted in vain.
"Did you wish for the demonic path to be split?"
Bu Eunseol threw an incredibly direct question. At that, the Demon Emperor nodded.
"That is so."
It was expected, but still a difficult answer to understand.
The emergence of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors was not simply a splitting of the demonic path, but was no different from invading the domain of the Demon Emperor, who completely dominated it.
So why did he wish for such a thing?
"However, the arrow will fly toward you, not me. Not only did you lower the prestige of the demonic path, but you also provoked the servant of the Vajra Demon Ancestor."
Only then could Bu Eunseol feel it.
The Demon Emperor intended to use him as bait to draw out the Seven Great Demon Ancestors. He had been prepared for conflict from the moment he learned they were behind the Seven Demonic Sects. No, rather, he wished for them to reveal their true colors. He intended to pull them out by the roots this time.
"I don't mind such a thing," Bu Eunseol spoke calmly. "If beings like the Demon Ancestors appear, won't the Orthodox faction take care of it on their own?"
The Demon Emperor wore a meaningful smile.
"Perhaps."
"Then why do you leave such Demon Ancestors alive?"
This question was a clear provocation. It meant he doubted the Demon Emperor's ability. Even if this question had been asked by the Chief Instructor, Yeop Hyocheon, it would not have been overlooked.
'But he will overlook it.'
Because he was still an excellent chess piece that should not be discarded. Bu Eunseol provoked the Demon Emperor to confirm that point once more.
The Demon Emperor smiled instead.
"To think the time has come for you to doubt my ability."
In an instant, Bu Eunseol's hair stood on end, and he almost unleashed his power unconsciously. Due to the energy flowing from the Demon Emperor's darkened eyes, the energy within his body reflexively tried to protect itself.
"Excellent."
Hearing that one word, Bu Eunseol realized.
Had he failed to suppress the bursting power, the Demon Emperor intended to pluck out his life immediately.
However, Bu Eunseol was able to suppress the power that tried to leap out reflexively, and through that, he gained recognition from the Demon Emperor once more.
Recognition that he was an extremely useful existence.
"In any case, it means this Demon Emperor also has a reason not to clash directly."
Though he spoke as if it were nothing, the Demon Emperor ultimately had some reason why he could not touch the Seven Great Demon Ancestors directly.
"I will tell you one more thing." The Demon Emperor smiled. "Along with my intentions, you will soon learn the truth about the Seven Great Demon Ancestors."
After a moment of silence, Bu Eunseol spoke. "May I ask one more thing?"
"Ask."
"If the Seven Great Demon Ancestors die, does the True Demon really become stronger?"
The Demon Emperor looked straight into Bu Eunseol's eyes. "The term 'becoming stronger' is relative, but..." The corners of the Demon Emperor's mouth rose slightly as he continued. "On the surface, yes."
On the surface.
The Demon Emperor enjoyed layering multiple meanings into a single phrase. That meant the death of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors would not simply make the True Demon stronger.
If something split in two becomes one again? According to the laws of nature, it is right that it should become stronger.
But the Demon Emperor was saying that the existence of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors was not that simple.
"Thank you."
"You may go."
Bu Eunseol showed his respect.
Until now, the Demon Emperor had never revealed his inner thoughts and never informed him of anything clearly. Though it wasn't a completely satisfying exchange, it was valuable enough.
'I will destroy the demonic path.'
Because the Demon Emperor had clearly expressed such an intention.
"It is a very good idea to scrape them out even at the cost of chaos."
The Demon Emperor wore a faint smile toward the turning Bu Eunseol. It was a common old man's smile, but in Bu Eunseol's view, it was like the demonic laugh of a demon lord annihilating the world.
"Because then, everything will emerge in its complete form, and you will become even stronger."
Strange words. But there was no more room to ask.
"Then."
Bu Eunseol turned back once more and paid his respects. Leaving the Sacred Demon Hall, the look in Bu Eunseol's eyes had sunk boundlessly.
'I am also included in his plan.'
In fact, he had known for a long time. That the Demon Emperor was plotting something using him.
'But it will be different now.'
Bu Eunseol was also plotting various things using the Demon Emperor. In fact, he had guessed from the beginning that the Demon Emperor and the Seven Great Demon Ancestors were in conflict. If not, forget the Extinction Palace, he never would have been able to strike the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.
'The only thing that bothers me is the phrase "complete form."'
Why would everything appear in its complete form just by stirring up the martial world? What was certain was that the Demon Emperor knew what that complete form was.
A heavy sigh escaped him. The silver lining was that the secret of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors would soon be grasped. Because the Demon Emperor always makes what he says a reality. If he didn't realize it himself, the Demon Emperor would personally let him know.
"Chaos is coming."
With the emergence of the Seven Great Demon Ancestors, opposing figures would appear. The balance of the martial world, packaged in the two paths of Orthodox and Unorthodox, would crumble, and forces hidden in the abyss would sprout like bamboo shoots after a rain.
"Call Protector Tak."
Entering the Suppressed Demon Pavilion, Bu Eunseol called for Tak Ilhon, who was training the members, for some reason.
***
After leaving Majeon, Bu Eunseol was walking across a quiet suburban field.
Nahu, the Heavenly Scribe.
A confidant of the Vajra Demon Ancestor, one of the great Seven Great Demon Ancestors who can be called the origin of the demonic path. In particular, the Vajra Demon Ancestor, while leading a force, had built his own independent domain with a special power.
Therefore, Nahu, who could step into the martial world, must be the right-hand man of the Vajra Demon Ancestor.
For such a man to be disgraced by a young person and even insulted as a 'servant'... No matter if the opponent was the successor of Majeon, there was no way he would receive such humiliation and simply withdraw.
How long had he walked?
Suddenly, a gale began to blow across the field.
Vwoom.
A white shadow slowly formed in front of him.
It was Nahu, the Heavenly Scribe.
"As expected of the successor of Majeon, you have guts."
When Nahu saw Bu Eunseol walking alone in the suburban field outside Majeon, he realized that he was being lured. However, he did not reveal himself immediately but closely examined the situation within dozens of miles. After confirming that there were no ambushes and that he was truly walking alone, he revealed himself.
"I suppose you judged that I couldn't kill you because of the Lord. But you miscalculated."
Nahu's mouth twitched. "Did you think I wouldn't be able to kill you just because you are the successor of Majeon?"
He wore a cruel smile while looking at Bu Eunseol’s calm expression. "Even if I cannot kill the Lord, it matters not if I take the life of a mere successor."
"Where is the Vajra Demon Ancestor?"
"There is no need for you to know."
"Then I shall ask one more thing," Bu Eunseol asked with a calm expression. "Why does the Lord wish to eliminate the Seven Great Demon Ancestors?"
Nahu had originally intended to cut off his arm immediately, regardless of what Bu Eunseol said. But hearing such words, he couldn't simply overlook it.
"The Demon Emperor is having such thoughts?"
"You didn't know?"
"You are playing petty tricks."
"Would I have been waiting for you, walking leisurely in the field during this busy time, just to speak nonsense?"
The Demon Emperor seemed to have told Bu Eunseol many things in their private meeting, but in reality, he hadn't provided the most important information. Specifically, information about the Vajra Demon Ancestor who would soon appear.
Of course, he could investigate by moving the Death Shadow Corps, but that would take a long time.
Therefore, Bu Eunseol, knowing Nahu held a grudge against him, used a strategy to make him seek him out intentionally to extract information.
"It seems to be true."
Looking into Bu Eunseol's eyes, Nahu snorted. "The Demon Emperor... that man always tried to destroy the demonic path first."
He was leaking important, unexpected information right from the start. "It was strange that he prevented anyone from touching the Sacred Domain in the past."
At those unexpected words, Bu Eunseol's eyes changed slightly. the Demon Emperor protected the Sacred Domain?
"Well, since the Demon Ancestor has come out anyway, the martial world will slowly crumble. Your Majeon will be the same."
"Are you saying you will attack this sect?"
"Attack? Hehe... you know nothing." Nahu curled his lips. "Now the entire martial world will fall into chaos, and the responsibility will lie with Majeon."
"Why would this sect take responsibility?"
"Check that for yourself."
Before long, a white radiance was wrapped around Bu Eunseol's right arm. Was it a supernatural power? B
efore he could even perceive it with his super-senses, Nahu had used a bizarre technique to wrap a silk thread around Bu Eunseol’s right forearm in an instant.
"Did you think the Beast Way was the only method that deceives the senses?"
Nahu gnashed his teeth.
He thought Bu Eunseol had snatched an opportunity while behind the Demon Emperor's back, deceived his senses, and slapped his cheek—so he intended to take revenge using the same method.
"Today, I will only take one of your arms."
Swish!
And before there was even time to speak, the white whip began to rotate at high speed. Having made the thread as sharp as a blade and then rotating it, he deployed a technique that could sever an arm in an instant, even if it were the Body of Vajra Invincibility.
White sparks were flying from Bu Eunseol’s right forearm.
Nahu's expression, which had been confidently controlling the thread, gradually hardened. Despite deploying the Hundred Demons Severing Shadow technique, which could instantly cut even a diamond, only sparks were flying, and the forearm was perfectly intact?
"How..."
Nahu gaped. He finally intuitively realized that Bu Eunseol had reached a realm beyond imagination. "How can the successor of Majeon reach such a realm?"
In the past, Bu Eunseol looked at the Demon Emperor and described his realm as unexplainable. Now, Nahu was feeling the same sensation looking at Bu Eunseol.
A distant realm that continues endlessly, such that one cannot even put a name to it.
"As expected of a servant, your technique is not profound."
Bu Eunseol had originally intended to wrap his body in Harmony. Since he was a supreme founder of the demonic path who hadn't appeared in the martial world until now, he surely would have that much capability.
However, seeing Nahu's urgent personality, he guessed that his martial attainment was not that great.
From the moment Nahu swung the thread, he understood that the target was his right arm and simply injected all of the powerful internal energy circulating in his body into his forearm.
"Your skill is only enough to take down low-level trash."
As Bu Eunseol walked slowly toward him, Nahu's body trembled slightly in spite of himself. "Is it the Heavenly Steel Body?"
The technique of the Hundred Demons Severing Shadow could smoothly cut even divine steel. He had no idea that Bu Eunseol had concentrated internal energy exceeding ten jia into his forearm; he mistakenly thought he had reached the legendary Heavenly Steel Body.
"What on earth is happening!" he shouted in disbelief.
Even the high-ranking officials of the White Horse Temple couldn't block his single move and had their heads fall. How could this brat have risen to such martial might?
'He isn't connected to the abyssal forces.'
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Nahu.
He didn't know the situation of the other Seven Great Demon Ancestors, but it was clear that the Vajra Demon Ancestor had not properly examined the current state of the martial world. If he had, there was no way he wouldn't have grasped Bu Eunseol’s martial power, which could fight on equal terms with masters of the Ultimate Realm.
"Heavenly Steel Body, my foot."
Bu Eunseol snorted.
Shing.
Before long, the Silent Tiger Soul Sword, emitting a blackish haze, was held in his right hand. "Go see hell for yourself."
Screeeech!
Along with a ghostly wail that seemed to tear the sky, black blade energy began to wrap around the entire world. In an instant, Nahu's eyes widened.
Seven Blood Tear Forms.
As the exclusive martial art of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade, which once dominated the world, was deployed right before his eyes, he intuitively felt the reaper's scythe that could never be avoided was at his neck.
Slash!
In that moment, a spray of blood flew in all directions, and an arm tumbled onto the ground. Realizing that he could not avoid the Seven Blood Tear Forms piercing his neck at such close range, Nahu had unhesitatingly sacrificed one of his arms to attempt an escape.
"He's fast."
Bu Eunseol looked in the direction Nahu had disappeared.
His footwork speed was the best under heaven. Tracking an expert of Nahu's level was not a difficult task.
However, he had let him go on purpose.
Because...
"Protector Tak, can you pursue him?"
At Bu Eunseol's words, a low voice spread from the air.
[This old servant will risk his life to do so.]
Simultaneously, a black meteor sliced through the sky.
When he left Majeon, he had called Tak Ilhon and ordered him to hide nearby.
Because Nahu would surely attack him.
Through him, he intended to catch the tail of the Vajra Demon Ancestor.
"If it's Protector Tak, he will surely be able to catch the tail."
Tak Ilhon's qinggong was second to none, and he possessed the experience and insight of a battle-hardened veteran, making him peerless in tracking, unlike Nahu, who was only strong in martial arts and merely delivered the orders of the Vajra Demon Ancestor.
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