Being a candidate for the successor of Majeon means embarking on a journey stained with blood, fighting battles with no end in sight.
Yet, the moment one steps into Majeon, the status of a successor candidate commands unparalleled respect. After all, it signifies the qualification to become the next leader of Majeon, the ruler of the demonic martial world. In other words, one receives treatment so lavish it does not tarnish the dignity of being the heir to the Demon Emperor.
“Step aboard.” Before Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin stood warriors clad in black, standing at attention.
Behind them, a palanquin adorned with the Twin Dragons Contending for Supremacy, the emblem of Majeon, stood with its banners fluttering. As the two entered the region of Changsha, where Majeon was located, these envoys had come to escort them with utmost courtesy.
Click.
As Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin boarded the palanquin, the envoy respectfully closed the door.
In a low voice, he called out, “Depart.”
Clatter clatter clatter.
As the palanquin moved, warriors on swift horses flanked it for protection, while others followed the procession silently, concealing their presence. Hyeok Sojin, perhaps overwhelmed by the solemn and extravagant reception, kept his mouth tightly shut.
“We have arrived.” Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin disembarked from the palanquin, which had passed through Majeon’s main gate.
Following the envoy’s guidance, they reached the entrance of the Sacred Demon Pavilion, where the Demon Emperor resided.
“His Majesty commands that both of you enter together.”
“Understood,” Bu Eunseol nodded, and the envoy bowed lightly before departing.
“…” Bu Eunseol’s gaze deepened as he looked up at the towering pavilion that seemed to pierce the heavens.
The Sacred Demon Pavilion.
The abode of the Demon Emperor, who stood above a million demonic martial artists. Suddenly, a peculiar question arose in Bu Eunseol’s mind.
The word “sacred” was typically used by righteous factions or Taoist sects. Why, then, would the residence of the Demon Emperor, the symbol of hegemonic dominance over the demonic world, bear such a term?
“Thanks to you, Brother Bu, I’m climbing the ranks,” Hyeok Sojin said, swallowing hard and wiping sweat from his brow.
Outside of battle, he was always languid, devoid of any tension. Yet even he couldn’t hide his nervousness standing before the Sacred Demon Pavilion, where the supreme figure of the demonic world resided.
Boom.
The massive doors of the Sacred Demon Pavilion slowly opened.
The interior seemed shrouded in darkness, but in reality, seven-colored luminous pearls cast a light as bright as day. As Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin ventured deeper, a grand hall unfolded before them. At its far end, seated deeply in a grand throne, was the giant who ruled the demonic world.
The Demon Emperor.
When Bu Eunseol first met him, the Demon Emperor seemed an indefinable presence, shifting through myriad forms.
But now, he was different.
He exuded the majesty of the demonic world’s supreme ruler, a grandmaster who had reached the pinnacle of mysterious and profound demonic martial arts.
‘So that’s how it was.’ Bu Eunseol realized something. The Demon Emperor’s shifting appearances, which had stirred his mind, were also a test.
Crack.
Hyeok Sojin shuddered, clenching his fists tightly.
“Ugh.” His eyes reddened, and thick veins bulged on his neck and forehead.
Unable to withstand the overwhelming aura emanating from the Demon Emperor, he was suffering internal injuries.
“Are you alright?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“Of course,” Hyeok Sojin forced a smile.
But beads of sweat formed on his cheeks, and his skin began to burn as if scorched by fire. Having just entered the Transcendent Realm, Hyeok Sojin couldn’t endure the aura filling the hall.
“Step outside,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Brother Bu.”
“It seems the Demon Emperor has changed his mind and wishes to meet me alone.”
If the Demon Emperor hadn’t intended to let Hyeok Sojin enter, he would have been stopped at the pavilion’s entrance. It seemed the Demon Emperor sensed Hyeok Sojin’s martial prowess was lacking and wished to dismiss him.
“…Understood,” Hyeok Sojin said, bowing to the Demon Emperor.
Biting his lip, he exited the Sacred Demon Pavilion, unable to even glimpse the Demon Emperor directly.
“Your disciple Bu Eunseol greets the Demon Emperor,” Bu Eunseol said, clasping his hands below the dais.
The Demon Emperor slowly rose from his throne.
“…!” As their eyes met, Bu Eunseol’s gaze wavered.
The Demon Emperor’s aura, once ordinary yet ever-changing, had grown even more complex. Outwardly, he appeared as an ordinary old man, but the mysterious presence within had become even more formidable.
“Hmm.” The Demon Emperor nodded lightly, as if sensing that Bu Eunseol’s aura had changed since their last meeting.
Swish.
Rising from the throne, the Demon Emperor seemed to tower over Bu Eunseol like a giant.
“You handled the matter better than expected,” he said, his voice resonating like a temple bell tolling from the heavens. He smiled at Bu Eunseol, who kept his head bowed. “You subdued the villains of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect in a most ingenious way.”
“Thank you,” Bu Eunseol replied.
“But what’s even more surprising is that you made the Affectionate Blossom Sect, who avoided staining their hands for so long, join the battle willingly.”
The Demon Emperor described the Affectionate Blossom Sect’s participation as “staining their hands,” as if chiding them for manipulating other factions to fight proxy battles.
“What method did you use?” he asked, fixing his piercing eyes on Bu Eunseol’s.
It felt as if a pair of eyes, brimming with lightning, were probing every inch of his body and soul. It was as if his gaze could see through appearances, laying bare everything within.
“I simply gave them a choice,” Bu Eunseol answered.
“A choice?” The unexpected brevity of the response made the Demon Emperor pause.
But then, staring intently at Bu Eunseol, he slapped his knee. “Indeed. What they truly desired wasn’t power but someone who could grant them a choice.”
Despite being a female sect, Affectionate Blossom Sect maintained its place among the Ten Demonic Sects with vast wealth, unique mind-manipulating techniques, and extensive connections across both righteous and demonic factions.
Yet what they truly wanted was the power to make their own decisions—the power of choice.
Without power, there could be no choice. Understanding this, Bu Eunseol had given Affectionate Blossom Sect the strength to stand on their own. And when he chose to fight alone, risking his life, they protected him.
By their own choice.
“You came with the heir of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect,” the Demon Emperor said quietly, his gaze shifting to Hyeok Sojin. “Are you using him as an assistant?”
“We happened to travel the martial world together due to timing,” Bu Eunseol replied.
“A journey through the martial world,” the Demon Emperor said, a faint smile on his lips. But his next words were cold and harsh. “If you wish to become the heir to lead this place, erase notions of comrades or friendship. They’ll soon become burdensome obstacles in your path.”
Bu Eunseol could neither affirm nor deny it. His values had once aligned with the Demon Emperor’s. But through various experiences, he had unwittingly gained comrades and friends.
‘If I become the heir of Majeon…’
He could perhaps maintain ties with his friends Black Leopard or Hyeok Sojin, another heir of the Ten Demonic Sects. But what about Tang Gon or Namgung Un?
‘Now’s not the time for such thoughts.’ As if seeing through Bu Eunseol’s complex emotions, the Demon Emperor spoke in a low voice. “Well, you can think about that later.”
With a faint smile, he changed the subject. “Since you carried out my orders well, you deserve a reward.”
Swish.
A door on the left side of the hall opened, and a woman cautiously approached, holding a wooden box in both hands. Her skin was exceptionally fair, and her eyes were long and beautiful, like a phoenix’s.
It was Jin Seol, who had once taken the injured Bu Eunseol to Elder Jeok Bung.
“It’s been a while, Young Master,” she said, approaching Bu Eunseol with a casual smile.
Her demeanor was so relaxed, as if she were the Demon Emperor’s granddaughter.
‘She’s not a mere servant.’ No servant could greet so naturally in the Demon Emperor’s presence. Bu Eunseol realized he knew little about the figures associated with Majeon.
‘She wasn’t from the Elder Hall?’ She had personally escorted the injured Bu Eunseol to Jeok Bung. But now, it seemed she was directly under the Demon Emperor. ‘Another matter to think about later.’
“Greetings,” Bu Eunseol said, brushing aside his thoughts.
Jin Seol smiled and opened the wooden box, revealing a resplendent plaque shimmering with five colors, placed on ornate cloth.
“I bestow upon you the Qilin Token,” the Demon Emperor declared.
Bu Eunseol instinctively recalled the Gold Origin Plaque he had received before.
The Myriad Demon Scripture Vault, a treasury of secret manuals.
The Gold Origin Plaque, the lowest rank, granted access to the first floor, housing 78,000 martial arts manuals.
The Qilin Token must be of a higher rank.
‘A pity.’ Before entering the Sacred Demon Pavilion, Bu Eunseol had harbored a faint hope.
Perhaps the Demon Emperor would personally impart martial arts? But receiving the plaque made him realize that hope was in vain.
‘Of course, he wouldn’t teach me directly.’ The Demon Emperor’s martial arts were said to surpass the Heavenly Realm, reaching the edge of the Limitless Realm.
Considering no one in martial history had reached the Seamless Realm, he was at the pinnacle of human potential. To pass such profound insights and martial arts to a mere successor candidate, not even the confirmed heir, would never be tolerated by the Ten Demonic Sects.
“Thank you,” Bu Eunseol said, bowing and respectfully accepting the plaque.
Jin Seol spoke in a clear, melodious voice, “The Qilin Token grants access to the second floor of the Myriad Demon Scripture Vault.”
Her voice lingered beautifully in Bu Eunseol’s ears.
“You have ten days,” the Demon Emperor’s deep voice cut through the lingering echo. “Choose and master one martial art there.”
Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide his confusion.
The first floor of the Myriad Demon Scripture Vault held 75,000 demonic manuals.
Though the number of advanced martial arts was fewer, mastering just one in ten days?
“And then return to me,” the Demon Emperor added.
A thought flashed through Bu Eunseol’s mind. ‘Another test…’
He was certain.
This was another trial to select the successor candidate. If the martial art mastered in the Myriad Demon Scripture Vault didn’t meet the Demon Emperor’s approval, his status as a candidate would be revoked.
“Understood,” Bu Eunseol said, bowing.
The Demon Emperor slowly turned away.
“Good luck,” Jin Seol said with a smile, cautiously following him.
The light from the seven-colored luminous pearls illuminating the hall vanished.
The forms of the Demon Emperor and Jin Seol were swallowed by the darkness.
***
“Ha… ha…”
Emerging from the Sacred Demon Pavilion, Hyeok Sojin panted heavily.
“Damn it.” After catching his breath, he bit his lip and shook his head.
‘I thought I’d made leaps in skill traveling with Brother Bu…’ The reality was that he wasn’t even worthy to stand before the supreme figure of the demonic world.
The fact tormented him endlessly.
‘Still so far to go.’ Hyeok Sojin had abandoned martial training after age ten. Had he diligently trained since then, he might not match Bu Eunseol but would have reached a level befitting an heir of the Ten Demonic Sects.
“Are you the one following the heir of Nangyang Pavilion?” a low voice asked.
Turning, Hyeok Sojin saw an old man, over seven feet tall, looking down at him. A long scar marked his cheek, and his fierce eyes were intimidating. His extraordinary presence and aura suggested he was no ordinary figure.
“Who are you?” Hyeok Sojin asked.
The old man replied calmly, “I am Sang Hak, the master of the Eight Demon Hall.”
The Eight Demon Hall was Majeon’s armory, housing divine weapons.
Sanghak, its master, was a legendary demonic figure known as the Hundred Weapon Demon, a master of weaponry.
“No, I’m not following…” Hyeok Sojin waved his hands, then slumped his shoulders as realization hit.
He had given up martial practice, indulging in gambling and drinking at Heaven and Earth Severing Sect. Though Bu Eunseol’s help had rapidly advanced his skills, he still wasn’t fit to claim the title of an heir of the Ten Demonic Sects.
“…I begged to come along,” he admitted.
Sanghak frowned at Hyeok Sojin’s nonsense, then said in a low voice, “By the Demon Emperor’s command, follow me.”
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