Do Cheonlin trembled with surging joy.
Especially the seventh, the wisdom gate—a hellish one where even the world’s transcendent geniuses were trapped for three full days. But Do Cheonlin, with single-minded resolve to defeat Bu Eunseol, poured heart and soul. He had cleared all Seven Blood Dragon Gates in a mere half-day.
“The Seven Blood Dragon Gates verify abilities in all fields like this.” Panting deeply, Do Cheonlin thrust both hands high.
“Bu Eunseol. You can never defeat me....”
His face, shouting with arms raised, froze cold.
From the opposite path, a man in black robes walked thud thud. It was Bu Eunseol.
“You’re here now.” Incredibly, Bu Eunseol had already passed the Seven Blood Dragon Gates and waited outside for him.
Not a single drop of sweat on him.
Tremble tremble.
Do Cheonlin’s eyes shook violently.
Are you even human? In this short time, a divine being who surpasses me, trained in kingly arts since childhood.....
“You’re right.” Then Bu Eunseol spoke. “If we compare various abilities, I can’t match you, who learned all sorts from childhood.”
“Then how....” As Do Cheonlin asked with unfocused eyes, Bu Eunseol said calmly.
“I just broke them.”
“What?” Bu Eunseol repeated calmly. “No matter the gate, I just broke it.”
Do Cheonlin burst into hollow laughter.
Now he saw—Bu Eunseol had brute-forced through the Seven Blood Dragon Gates’ trials.
“Then why wait for me? If you’d gone straight back to Majeon, you’d be acknowledged as successor immediately.”
“I didn’t think you’d accept defeat that way.” Bu Eunseol slowly extended his hand.
And in a low voice, said.
“Let’s clash once. Without regrets.” In that instant, Do Cheonlin drew a deep breath.
There was a time he thought he could win with martial arts. But now, even clashing full force, he knew he couldn’t win. Yet Do Cheonlin gladly drew his Blood Flame Sword.
“Fine.” Passing the Seven Blood Dragon Gates, Do Cheonlin had sworn many times.
Never again to overthink everything with his head. Even if it seemed impossible, like Bu Eunseol, he would not evade but clash head-on.
Paang!
As Do Cheonlin raised his inner energy to full, a fierce wind and terrifying aura rose from his body.
Sreung.
Drawing the Blood Flame Sword, a rainbow of five colors bloomed on the gleaming silver blade.
“One word before we fight.”
“Speak.”
Slowly raising the Blood Flame Sword, Do Cheonlin swallowed his anguish and shouted.
“Bu Eunseol.... You are Majeon’s successor!”
Flash!
Simultaneously, brilliant radiance bloomed from the Blood Flame Sword.
***
Inside the Death Shadow Pavilion.
The Death Shadow Corps members moved busily with flushed faces.
For this morning, Bu Eunseol’s successor inauguration ceremony would take place before the Sacred Demon Pavilion.
Majeon’s official successor.
It proved one was the next lord to lead the Ten Demonic Sects and a million demonic path denizens—the foremost genius of the demonic path.
“But where’s the captain?” Won Semun, dressed in clean branch robes for once, peeked around Bu Eunseol’s office. “He hasn’t been seen since morning.”
Then Wi Cheongyeong, arms crossed and standing, replied.
“He went to the Sacred Demon Pavilion.”
“Oh, I see. What about Myo-hyung and Yoo-hyung?”
Jo Namcheon answered that.
“I saw earlier—some Council warrior came and took them?”
“Why the Council?”
“How should I know.”
Rustle rustle.
Then, light footsteps sounded, and graceful women in ornate robes walked toward the Death Shadow Pavilion. Following them, a cute girl in pale pink and a white-haired old woman entered side by side.
“Who’re they?” Won Semun, picking his nose, alternated glances between the old woman and girl. “Who’s this kid....”
Smack!
Then Jo Namcheon struck Won Semun’s acupoint with full force. Grabbing his hair, he forced his head to bow toward the old woman.
“Sorry. He’s always a bit off in the head....”
“What the hell are you doing!” As Won Semun bellowed, Jo Namcheon clamped his mouth and whispered urgently.
“Shut your trap, you madman.” Jo Namcheon thrust his bloodshot, wide eyes close to Won Semun’s face. “How are your eyes made? You don’t recognize the Pavilion Lord of the Affectionate Blossom Sect?”
“Affectionate Blossom....!” Only then did Won Semun’s mouth gape open.
That tree-like old woman was the Pavilion Lord of the formidable Affectionate Blossom Sect among the Ten Demonic Sects?
Then Wi Cheongyeong stepped forward, cupping his hands.
“Second Squad Leader of the Death Shadow Corps, Wi Cheongyeong, greets the Pavilion Lord.”
“Hmm.” The old woman, Geuk Hyeryeong, who had been scanning the surroundings, looked around. “Is the… no, the successor not here?”
“The captain ascended to the Sacred Demon Pavilion early this morning.”
“Mm. I see.” As Geuk Hyeryeong smacked her lips regretfully, Geuk Hyebin wore a sullen expression.
“Gran… ma.” Incredibly, she spoke in a clear, pure voice. “I miss… Eunseol… oppa....”
But her voice was small, a mere whisper.
The honey from the jade bee Bu Eunseol had given her. That mysterious elixir had partially restored her vocal cords.
“Don’t worry. You’ll see him right after the ceremony ends.”
Rumble rumble.
Then, warriors in purple robes flooded into the Death Shadow Pavilion in an instant.
And at their fore, a valiant youth in blue robes grinned broadly. It was Hyeok Sojin, heir of the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
“Everyone been well?”
“Vice Captain—!”
Those who spent the most time with Hyeok Sojin were Won Semun and the First Squad members, who mainly trained in sword arts. Seeing Hyeok Sojin, Won Semun and the First Squad rushed over and embraced him.
“It’s been ages!”
“You look even more radiant!”
As not just the First Squad but all Death Shadow Corps members swarmed and surrounded Hyeok Sojin, A white-haired elder, neatly combed, followed.
It was Hyeok Gongbaek, the Sect Leader of the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
—The Death Shadow Corps greets the Sect Leader!
Spotting Hyeok Gongbaek, the members bowed their heads in resounding cheers.
For an aura like a mountain emanated from his whole body, and his eyes resembled Hyeok Sojin’s strikingly.
Hyeok Gongbaek nodded with a benevolent smile.
While at the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, he had heard in detail from Hyeok Sojin about his Kangho exploits. He knew especially well of the deep bonds between Hyeok Sojin and the Death Shadow Corps members.
“Indeed, a gathering of one-man-army geniuses.” Chuckling warmly and nodding, Hyeok Gongbaek looked around. “But the successor isn’t here, it seems.”
“The captain ascended to the Sacred Demon Pavilion early this morning.” As Wi Cheongyeong replied politely,
“Long time no see, Sect Leader.” Geuk Hyeryeong, recognizing Hyeok Gongbaek, approached with a smile. “Last we met was ten years ago at the Transverse River.”
“Hahaha. So it was. You look even healthier, Pavilion Lord.”
Originally, the two weren’t on particularly good terms.
Hyeok Gongbaek disapproved of Geuk Hyeryeong’s expansion through broad networks regardless of righteous or demonic. And Geuk Hyeryeong didn’t particularly like Hyeok Gongbaek, who focused only on the elders’ welfare—closed-off and solitary.
But through Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin, the two sects began exchanges…
Resulting in both possessing might and forces unmatched by any other Ten Demonic Sect. Thus, now they overflowed with smiles just seeing each other.
“Pavilion Lord.” Hyeok Sojin also approached Geuk Hyeryeong and greeted warmly. “Have you been well?”
“I have.” Geuk Hyeryeong smiled fondly.
If Bu Eunseol had cured Geuk Hyebin of her heart’s ailment, Hyeok Sojin had diligently taught martial arts to Hundred Flower Maidens, for the first time bolstering the Affectionate Blossom Sect’s chronic weakness.
Of course, that too was on Bu Eunseol’s orders.
“Geuk Hyebin… greets… Sojin… oppa.” As Geuk Hyebin greeted in a clear voice, Hyeok Sojin’s eyes nearly popped out in shock.
“Huh? You can talk now?”
“Eunseol oppa… got me… good medicine....” As the shyly smiling Geuk Hyebin whispered, Hyeok Sojin beamed.
“I see! That’s great!” Then, alternating glances between Hyeok Gongbaek and Geuk Hyeryeong, he extended both hands.
“Instead of standing here, how about entering and chatting inside?” As the Death Shadow Corps’s vice captain, Hyeok Sojin guided them as if it were his own home. “Brother Bu might take quite a while.”
“Very well.”
As Hyeok Gongbaek and Geuk Hyeryeong smiled and followed Hyeok Sojin, the disciples of the two sects trailed behind.
“Truly impressive, isn’t it?” Won Semun, watching Hyeok Gongbaek and Geuk Hyeryeong converse from afar, let out a sigh of admiration. “Now our captain stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Ten Demonic Sect Lords.”
As Majeon’s successor encompassing the demonic path, Bu Eunseol would follow only the Demon Emperor’s commands.
In status, it was akin to becoming another Ten Demonic Sect Lord. At Won Semun’s words, Jo Namcheon tilted his head.
“Then what about us? Our captain’s no longer captain?”
As the two whispered, a graceful woman in blue robes entered the Death Shadow Pavilion.
It was Jin Seol, the Upper Flower who flawlessly managed all Majeonevents.
Rustle rustle.
Approaching like a butterfly with two maids, she looked at Wi Cheongyeong before the door and asked.
“Are the Death Shadow Corps Leaders here?”
“That’s us.” Wi Cheongyeong pointed to Jo Namcheon and Won Semun together.
“Follow me.”
“What’s this about?” Jin Seol turned with a subtle smile instead of answering.
She served not only the Demon Emperor but terrifying figures like Elder Council Lord Jeok Bong…
Wi Cheongyeong followed her, stunned yet entranced. Then Won Semun and Jo Namcheon followed helplessly.
Their destination was none other than the Council interior. Jin Seol issued a few commands to the Council disciples, who presented three sets of robes to Wi Cheongyeong and the others.
“Change into these.” Feeling something odd, Wi Cheongyeong asked at Jin Seol’s words.
“What’s all this?”
“Captain’s robes.”
“Captain’s robes?” Wi Cheongyeong blinked at Won Semun and Jo Namcheon, and Jin Seol smiled.
“What’s going on?”
“The Death Shadow Corps has been reorganized into the Shadow of Death Battalion. The two vice captains receive second-grade captain status. You remaining three have been reinforced with squad members and granted third-grade captain-equivalent positions.”
“Third-grade captains? Us?”
“Shadow of Death Battalion? What’s that?”
As Won Semun and Jo Namcheon jumped up asking, Jin Seol continued.
“Originally, the Shadow Horse Unit was to be formed as the successor’s direct vanguard. But the Lord has reorganized the Death Shadow into the Shadow of Death Unit as his personal battalion.”
“Lord?”
“The Demon Emperor has enshrined Captain Bu, now official successor, as the Martial Soul Command Lord.”
Wi Cheongyeong and the others gaped.
The Martial Soul Command Lord headed the inspection agency overseeing Majeon’s irregularities.
A supreme, unbound position that could oppose the Demon Emperor with just cause and mobilize units single-handedly?
“Attend the inauguration in captain’s robes. Then.” Jin Seol smiled at the dumbfounded group and turned away.
As she left, Won Semun stared fixedly at Jo Namcheon.
“What? Why stare?”
Slap!
Instead of answering, Won Semun slapped Jo Namcheon’s cheek hard.
“You madman! Why hit me?”
“Does it hurt?”
“Of course!”
Then Won Semun’s mouth fell open in a daze.
“It’s not a dream?”
***
Following the narrow path from the Sacred Demon Pavilion’s West Gate leads to vegetable plots with various crops.
At the center stands a pavilion for resting while viewing the scenery.
Whoosh.
A cool breeze brushed the pavilion under the clear sky.
Bu Eunseol, as before, stood facing the Demon Emperor before this vegetable plot’s pavilion.
At their first meeting, he was a Ten Demon Warriors member, not even a successor candidate. But now, he faced the Demon Emperor as the next to lead this vast Majeon.
“The inauguration will start soon.” The Demon Emperor, gazing at the distant sky, slowly spoke.
“Becoming this seat’s successor means becoming the one to lead the Ten Demonic Sects and a million demonic path denizens in the future.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression was peculiar.
From the Demon Emperor emanated no mysterious aura, no soul-piercing resonance as before. Even now, his demeanor exuded more ‘humanity’ than anyone Bu Eunseol had seen.
“You sought not power or honor—why strive so to become this seat’s successor?” At the Demon Emperor’s question, Bu Eunseol answered.
“Because it was necessary.”
“Necessary.” Mulling the reply, the Demon Emperor smiled faintly. “That’s a fine reason too.”
“I have questions.” Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
And posed the one doubt he’d harbored long to the Demon Emperor.
“Why me?” From their first meeting, Bu Eunseol had known.
That the Demon Emperor intended to elevate him to successor.
Thus, he revealed the paths to Heaven and Earth Severing Sect and Affectionate Blossom Sect, left the Emotion-Severing Secret on the second floor of the Myriad Demon Scripture Vault. And with each merit, he raised his status.
To make him Majeon’s successor.
So none could deny Bu Eunseol becoming Majeon’s successor.
“The same answer, I must give.”
The Demon Emperor smiled ever so faintly.
“For now, that is.”
—This seat did it out of necessity as well.
That was the Demon Emperor’s answer.
But Bu Eunseol intuited it wasn’t the truth. And a strange thought flitted through his mind.
‘Perhaps the Demon Emperor is a demon crueler than any other?’
Perhaps even the Dark King Yeop Hyocheon’s attempt to kill him in their duel was the Demon Emperor’s order?
In truth, he was an unimaginably vile great demon, who had reached the end of martial arts, and was bored enough to…
Manipulate human fates emotionlessly? Such a bizarre notion.
“Still, as successor in name, was that too harsh a reply?”
Had he pierced Bu Eunseol’s inner thoughts? The Demon Emperor smiled deeply and spoke.
“Now a formal successor… you can resolve some of those doubts you held.” At those words, a massive wave stirred in Bu Eunseol’s previously spirit.
Confusion.
Nausea.
Even an impulse to draw his sword and attack the Demon Emperor.
‘Just how much does he know?’
The Demon Emperor always seemed to know everything.
No—he did know.
Why he became successor, what he planned next.
Revenge for his grandfather.
And uncovering the identity of the force toying with him.
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