*Quick T/L Note: The name of the Demon Emperor is Sado Muryeong and the name of Nangyang’s Sect Leader/ Pavilion Leader is Ak Muryeong. In previous chapters you may have seen a different name, which I have fixed now, but these should be the accurate names.
Bu Eunseol’s face turned cold.
‘The Pavilion Leader ended seclusion?’ Coincidentally, around the time he defeated Geul Wang, the Nangyang Pavilion Leader emerged from seclusion.
Having heard of all events, the Corps Leader ordered his immediate return.
Human Demon Ak Muryeong.
One of the Three Demons and Three Saints, capable of facing the Demon Emperor alone, with unimaginable martial prowess.
‘Neither demon nor human, an anomalous existence.’
That described Ak Muryeong in the martial world.
Born with superhuman strength and physique, his martial skill surpassed human limits, earning him the title Human Demon.
‘I longed to meet him, but why now?’
Bu Eunseol had hoped to meet the Pavilion Leader since joining Nangyang Pavilion, but forgot him during his seclusion. Now, at a critical time returning to Majeon, he was summoned back.
‘This doesn’t feel good.’ Staring at the sky, he had no choice.
The Pavilion Leader’s direct order meant immediate return.
Leaving Chengdu, he used qinggong toward Iron Staff Mountain.
Midway up, he landed.
He had arrived at Nangyang Pavilion.
Though it appeared a peaceful village, it housed the martial world’s most fearsome masters.
‘What’s this?’ At the entrance, Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide his shock. A high, thick wall and a massive iron gate, three zhang tall, stood where none existed before, resembling Majeon’s entrance.
“No guards for such a grand gate?” he said, smiling wryly, entering.
His eyes widened further.
The rustic village-like Nangyang Pavilion was gone. Polished pavilions lined the area, and uneven paths were paved for carriages, resembling an imperial capital.
‘Did the Pavilion move, and another sect take over?’
No one was around; even Wang Geol’s forge was gone.
Sensing something amiss, he hurried inside.
“You’re here.” A middle-aged man in scholar’s robes approached from the opposite path.
Baek Yeon, the Peongan Leader.
“Leader.” Bu Eunseol bowed deeply. Raising his head, he saw a face cold as carved ice, yet Baek Yeon was the most caring figure toward him. “All is well?”
“You’ve changed,” Baek Yeon said, smiling, his face softening like spring on a frozen lake. “You’re now a true successor of the Pavilion.”
His expression was elated.
A disciple of a few years had killed a Four Gods and Seven Kings member—an unprecedented growth.
“You worked hard.” Baek Yeon shook Bu Eunseol’s shoulders vigorously, revealing rare emotion.
Geul Wang killed eight of Baek Yeon’s trained Peongan members.
Blood debts demanded blood, but false accusations of a joint attack prevented retaliation. Bu Eunseol single-handedly killed Geul Wang, avenging them and raising the Pavilion’s prestige.
“What happened here?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“What?”
“I thought I was in the capital.”
“Haha, thanks to you,” Baek Yeon laughed heartily. “We invested the immense wealth from Affectionate Blossom Sect Pavilion.” Shrugging, he continued, “Our disciples no longer need economic activities, focusing solely on martial arts. With abundant resources…”
“Haa!” Boys’ spirited shouts echoed.
As Bu Eunseol tilted his head, Baek Yeon smiled. “Countless youths flocked to join.” His smile was like a spring breeze. “We built ten grand training grounds, and our masters are busy teaching.”
Bu Eunseol realized why no Pavilion members were visible—they were training new disciples.
“You didn’t know?”
“My apologies,” Bu Eunseol said, embarrassed, bowing. “I was too busy to keep up with Pavilion affairs.”
“You were occupied. No need to feel sorry.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression turned serious. “I heard the Pavilion Leader ended seclusion.”
Baek Yeon’s eyes darkened. “Yes, you must meet him now.”
“It doesn’t seem for a good reason.”
“Hmm.” Baek Yeon nodded gravely. “You know the Pavilion Leader feels rivalry with Majeon’s Leader.”
Looking at the sky, he said, “Our greatest talent striving to be Majeon’s successor…”
The rest was clear.
Ak Muryeong was furious, believing the Demon Emperor stole his disciple.
“Is it okay to meet now?”
“No, the Vice-Sect Leader will come soon. Go with him.” Baek Yeon’s tense eyes hinted at Ak Muryeong’s temperament.
“Where’s the Vice-Sect Leader? I’ll find him.”
“With so many new disciples and the Pavilion’s expansion, he’s busy. Plus, Affectionate Blossom Sect Pavilion sent elite disciples to us and Annihilation.”
“Affectionate Blossom Sect Pavilion?”
“I don’t know how you persuaded that eccentric Pavilion Master, but they fully support us, sharing their intelligence network.”
“Their intelligence network?” Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide his shock.
A sect’s intelligence was its core secret.
Sharing it was akin to giving away the sect.
“Yes. The Vice-Sect Leader sent our disciples to Affectionate Blossom Sect Pavilion in return, and they sent theirs here.”
Nangyang Pavilion’s masters were unparalleled.
Their exchange would elevate both factions.
“I see,” Bu Eunseol said, stunned, unprepared for this.
“Sect exchanges differ from personal ones,” Baek Yeon said. “Open exchanges lead to rapid growth and expansion.”
“But the Pavilion Leader dislikes this and was being persuaded when he heard of you, issuing the return order.”
“Bu Eunseol.” A tall, middle-aged man appeared, his languid expression occasionally flashing with light—the Vice-Sect Leader, Dan Cheong.
‘His skill advanced further.’ Dan Cheong’s aura was softer, yet deeper, indicating progressed martial arts.
“Vice-Sect Leader.” Bu Eunseol bowed, and Dan Cheong nodded with a smile.
“I raised you diligently, and you’ve bitten like a swallow.” Despite his words, his expression wasn’t bright. “Thanks to you, the Pavilion grew, and disciples flocked like clouds. We’ve had no time to sleep.” Most would rejoice, but for Dan Cheong, who found everything but martial arts bothersome, the expansion wasn’t entirely welcome.
‘Similar.’ Bu Eunseol smiled faintly, realizing Dan Cheong’s personality mirrored Hyeok Sojin’s.
Dan Cheong looked at Baek Yeon. “The Pavilion Leader awaits. Coming?”
“Absolutely not.”
“You haven’t told him about the Pavilion Leader?”
“No.”
“I’ll explain. You handle your tasks. You’re busy replacing Peongan members.” Eight Peongan members died saving Bu Eunseol, and Baek Yeon was selecting replacements.
“Understood.” Baek Yeon patted Bu Eunseol’s shoulder. “Don’t argue with the Pavilion Leader. Just agree. I’ll handle the rest.”
“I understand.”
“You’ll do well.”
Baek Yeon turned, and Dan Cheong said, “Let’s go.”
“Where’s the Pavilion Leader?”
“Iron Staff Peak,” Dan Cheong replied calmly.
Walking side by side, they passed the Pavilion’s center, where disciples trained in grand arenas and practiced qinggong in the forest.
Reaching the path to Iron Staff Peak, Dan Cheong spoke. “You’ve heard martial world rumors. The Pavilion Leader’s temper isn’t good.” In a low voice, he added, “He’s displeased you’re aiming for Majeon’s successor.”
“That’s why he summoned me?”
“If it was just that, I’d have persuaded him.” Sighing, Dan Cheong looked at the sky. “He’s furious you requested a leader position.”
Bu Eunseol gasped.
To defeat Geul Wang and continue the successor race, he needed loyal followers. But choosing to become a Corps Leader had angered the Pavilion Leader.
“Can’t Pavilion disciples hold that position?”
“It’s a political role,” Dan Cheong said bitterly. “Gaining it means you must preserve Majeon’s power.”
The Pavilion’s mission was to achieve martial perfection.
Requesting the Leader role made Bu Eunseol seem power-hungry or corrupted in the Pavilion Leader’s eyes.
“I…”
“I know. If you craved power, you wouldn’t have chosen the Pavilion.” Sighing, Dan Cheong said, “I tried reasoning with him, but it was futile.”
The peak of Iron Staff Peak came into view.
A thunderous voice echoed from the sky.
“I’ll meet the boy alone.” The voice, like Six Harmonies Voice Transmission, resounded from all directions and the ground, laced with a strange magic that dizzied Bu Eunseol.
“Pavilion Leader, this boy…”
“I said alone.”
Dan Cheong bit his lip at the cold reply, looking at Bu Eunseol. “You’ll have to go alone.” Via voice transmission, he added, “He’ll likely tell you to abandon Majeon's successor role. Don’t argue, just agree. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Dan Cheong!” An angry voice rang, detecting the transmission.
“Understood, Pavilion Leader.” Dan Cheong gave a wry smile, patting Bu Eunseol’s shoulder. “Go up.”
Bu Eunseol ascended Iron Staff Peak.
‘Why wait here?’ This was where Blood Vajra taught him the Ban-geuk Method, a special place.
Why summon him here instead of a pavilion?
Swish.
At the peak, a massive figure stood at the cliff’s edge, hands behind back.
His back was three times wider than a man’s, his arms thick as logs. His hair was carelessly tied with twigs, and he wore tattered robes, exposing his arms, like a hermit warrior.
“Hmm.” With a low hum, the figure turned.
A middle-aged man with lion-like eyes and a straight nose appeared.
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
The Demon Emperor, Blood Vajra, Dark King—all peak masters seemed human.
But this being wasn’t.
He felt like a demon lord from another realm descended to earth, exuding an otherworldly, terrifying presence.
Flash.
The gleaming gaze of Ak Muryeong, the Nangyang Pavilion Leader, locked onto Bu Eunseol.
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