“Come this way, young master.” As Bu Eunseol descended the stairs, a servant standing nearby politely guided him to a window seat. “What would you like to order?” Gazing out the window, Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
Where the desolate landscape of Hell Island should have been, an ordinary marketplace street stretched out before him.
“Young master?” Snapped out of his daze by the servant’s prompting, Bu Eunseol asked, “Where is this place?”
“This is the heart of Hell Island.”
“The heart…” Bu Eunseol nodded as if realizing something.
During his exploration of the Hell Path, the one area he could never access was this central region.
“Would you like to order later?”
“What’s available?”
“We can prepare any dish you desire. Our chef specializes in Six Delicacies Cold Platter, stir-fried shark fin, fried shrimp, and…”
“Noodles.”
“Pardon?” The servant, who had been rattling off dish names, widened his eyes, and Bu Eunseol said quietly, “Two bowls of noodles will do.”
“Understood.” The servant headed to the kitchen and soon returned, placing two steaming bowls of noodles on the table.
“Enjoy your meal.” As the servant left, Bu Eunseol stared at the noodles with a blank expression.
“You rascal, we finally come to an inn, and you order noodles?” The year Bu Eunseol turned ten.
Bu Zhanyang had taken him to the largest inn in the city. But even there, all Bu Eunseol ordered was a plain bowl of noodles without any garnish. When Bu Zhanyang asked why, Bu Eunseol answered with clear, bright eyes:
“You said that once a person tastes sweetness, they’ll never want bitterness again.” Bu Zhanyang nearly burst into laughter at the response. But Bu Eunseol’s gaze was so earnest that he could only sigh.
“You rascal, that meant… if you give in to the temptation of an easy, comfortable path even once, you won’t walk the righteous path anymore.”
“Either way, I won’t fall for the temptation of delicious food. If I do, I might never touch noodles again.” It was an absurd statement, but Bu Zhanyang laughed and nodded. And so, they truly ate only a bowl of noodles each before leaving.
“Do you know why your grandfather went along with your choice of noodles?” When Bu Eunseol shook his head, Bu Zhanyang chuckled heartily and ruffled his hair.
“Because today will be an unforgettable day for both you and me.” Bu Zhanyang’s words proved true. Bu Eunseol could never forget that day for the rest of his life.
“Bu Eunseol.” A bright shadow appeared across from Bu Eunseol, lost in his memories. “What’s wrong? Still not feeling well?” Snapping back to reality, he saw a pretty boy with long hair cascading down, seated across from him. It was Seo Jinha.
“You like noodles that much? Ordering two bowls?”
“…”
“So, is your body okay now?”
“If you have something to say, don’t beat around the bush—just say it.”
“Cheeky brat. I was worried about you for once.” Frowning, Seo Jinha shook his head and let out a deep sigh. “No, I’m not in a position to get annoyed with you.”
“What do you mean?” Clearing his throat, Seo Jinha smacked his lips.
“I’m saying thank you. If it weren’t for you, I’d be a wandering ghost in the afterlife by now.”
“I didn’t save you. I just cut down the enemies in front of me.” Seo Jinha blinked, studying Bu Eunseol’s expression.
“Are you… really clueless? Or are you pretending not to know?”
“Know what?”
“They say only twelve were supposed to survive the Third Trial.”
“And?”
“And?!” Seo Jinha, crossing his arms, couldn’t hide his incredulous expression.
“When you cut down three of them in an instant and were about to be killed by the killing spirits, the Chief Instructor stopped the Third Trial midway. That’s why you and I are still alive.”
“What?” Bu Eunseol’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, and Seo Jinha, looking flustered, scratched his cheek.
“What? You really didn’t know? Well, it’s been four days already…”
“Four days?” Only then did Bu Eunseol realize why his limbs felt thinner.
He thought he’d only been unconscious briefly, but four days had passed.
“I thought it was just a day.” At Bu Eunseol’s words, Seo Jinha gave a bitter smile.
“You were damn lucky. The Mad Doctor was staying on this island.”
The Mad Doctor, Tak Sanrim.
Once called the Divine Hand, he fell into madness after failing to cure his beloved’s illness. Yet his medical skills remained unmatched, earning him the title of Mad Doctor in the martial world.
‘The Mad Doctor.’ The physician who had perfectly healed his injuries was none other than the legendary Mad Doctor, said to save anyone with a breath left in them.
“Anyway, I owe you my life. So, I’m saying thanks.” Seo Jinha’s nature was cold and aloof, not one to casually converse with others.
But having crossed the line of life and death with Bu Eunseol, and recognizing that his swordsmanship rivaled his own achievements, he felt considerable goodwill toward him. ‘He’s cold, but he’s not the type to betray or stab someone in the back.’ Keeping an exceptional rival close is wise. Knowing this, Seo Jinha approached Bu Eunseol with friendliness.
“Hm.” Bu Eunseol glanced around the inn.
He saw the faces of the boys he had fought to the death with. Their expressions were bright, with no trace of murderous intent or hostility.
“Then everyone here has become a Ten Demon Successor candidate?” Seo Jinha nodded at Bu Eunseol’s question.
“For now.”
“For now?”
“They say the leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects will soon visit the Hell Path to select the Ten Demon Successor candidates.”
“How do you know that?”
“You were unconscious, but the rest of us got an explanation from the Master of Manbak Hall.” Hearing this, Bu Eunseol stood up immediately. He realized that during the four days he was unconscious, he alone was unaware of critical information.
“No need to go running around.” Guessing Bu Eunseol’s thoughts, Seo Jinha said calmly, “Ask me anything you’re curious about. I’ll tell you everything I know.”
“Why?”
“Call it goodwill toward a former comrade.” Seo Jinha gave a subtle smile. "And I want to talk with you a bit.”
“Hm.” Sitting back down, Seo Jinha looked out the window and spoke. “Ask anything. I’ll tell you everything I know.”
“How do the Ten Demonic Sects choose from the survivors?”
“How?”
“Do they decide based on the Chief Instructor or the Master of Manbak Hall’s opinions?” The only ones who had directly witnessed the bloodbath of the Hell Path were Hyeok Ryeon-eung and Baek Jeoncheon.
If so, it would mean the successors of the Ten Demonic Sects were chosen based on their opinions. But considering the scale and importance of the Ten Demon Trials, this seemed unlikely.
“Oh.” Seo Jinha chuckled and shook his head.
“The Third Trial was directly observed by the masters of the Ten Demonic Sects. Or rather, they participated in it.”
“Participated?” A thought flashed through Bu Eunseol’s mind. “No way… it was them?”
“Exactly. They say the Death Wraiths were masters dispatched from each of the Ten Demonic Sects.” Seo Jinha gave a bitter smile.
“They watched us fight to the death, already deciding who would become Ten Demon Successor candidates and who they’d take with them if any were spared.”
“I see.” Only then did Bu Eunseol understand why the killing spirits, mere enforcers meant to eliminate participants, had martial arts skills rivaling those of the instructors. “But what did you mean earlier about the Chief Instructor stopping the Third Trial to save me?”
“They say the Third Trial was supposed to end when twelve remained. But the Chief Instructor stopped it midway to save you.” The question why? lingered, and Bu Eunseol stared at Seo Jinha.
“To be honest… the Master of Manbak Hall didn’t explain why. But it’s obvious, isn’t it?” Uncrossing his arms, Seo Jinha’s eyes gleamed.
“The Chief Instructor wanted you in the Ten Demon Successors at all costs.” After a brief pause, he asked calmly, “So, I’m curious… what’s the connection between your sect and the Chief Instructor? Or do you know him personally?”
“What are you talking about?”
“No matter how talented you are… I can’t understand why he’d break the rules to save you.”
“There’s no connection.” Seo Jinha, staring into Bu Eunseol’s eyes, shook his head.
“Now I really don’t get it.”
“Don’t get what?”
“The Chief Instructor was heavily punished for this.” Seo Jinha’s gaze remained fixed on Bu Eunseol’s face. “He was removed from his position as Chief Instructor and sent back to the Demon Trials. There’s even a rumor he’s been tasked with dealing with demonic factions that refuse to join the Demon Trials.”
Not all demonic sects are part of the Ten Demon Successors Plan.
Some independent factions openly oppose them, and it seemed Hyeok Ryeon-eung had been assigned to handle them as punishment. ‘It’s all incomprehensible.’ Bu Eunseol had no connection with the Chief Instructor and had never even spoken to him. So why had he risked such punishment to save him? Bu Eunseol couldn’t even imagine.
His desperate tenacity to survive, his murderous intent, and his exceptional ability to mimic practical swordsmanship in a short time—all of it had set Hyeok Ryeon-eung’s heart ablaze.
Ding ding.
A loud bell rang in the distance. Seo Jinha’s brows furrowed deeply.
“If you’re done eating, let’s go.” As Bu Eunseol looked at him silently, Seo Jinha bit his lip. “That’s the signal summoning everyone left on the Hell Path.”
“Then…”
“Exactly.” With an utterly serious expression and gleaming eyes, Seo Jinha said in a low voice, “The leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects have arrived on the Hell Path.”
***
At the southern shore, shadows disembarked one by one from ten anchored sailing ships. Their attire varied, but each exuded an aura sharp enough to tear the heavens. They were the ten pillars upholding the current demonic martial world, masters of sects and clans that had reached the pinnacle of demonic martial arts.
They were the elite dispatched from the Ten Demonic Sects.
“Welcome.” Baek Jeoncheon, standing before the ships, clasped his hands together. “You’ve had a long journey. A banquet has been prepared at Seoleum Pavilion…” As the Master of Manbak Hall, he held a high rank, equivalent to the 20th in protocol, yet his demeanor toward them was exceedingly respectful.
“We’re not here for sightseeing.” Among the ten masters, a gaunt man with twin long swords strapped to his back cut Baek Jeoncheon off sharply. “Let’s begin.”
“Pardon?”
“No need to waste time. Bring all the Ten Demon Successor candidates now.”
“Understood.” Baek Jeoncheon nodded without hesitation.
He had prepared a banquet for contingencies, but he knew they wouldn’t attend. There was an invisible tension among the Ten Demonic Sects. Some factions were on good terms, while others growled at each other like sworn enemies.
“The selected prodigies are waiting at the Eternal Demon Pavilion. Follow me.” The ten masters glanced at the Death Wraiths behind Baek Jeoncheon.
When the Death Wraiths nodded lightly, the masters finally began to move.
The Eternal Demon Pavilion.
A massive pavilion at the heart of Hell Island. Originally, it was a place where the Demon Successors' masters secretly trained their martial arts or underwent secluded cultivation. Now, fourteen boys stood inside with stern expressions.
Boom.
With a low rumble, the doors opened, and Baek Jeoncheon, dressed in scholarly robes, entered, followed by over twenty figures.
They were the masters dispatched from the Ten Demonic Sects and the Death Wraiths who had remained on the Hell Path.
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