Chapter 103
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: He Who Gazes into the Mind of a God (3)
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The next morning.
“The Sacred God has departed! Everyone, show your respects!”
The central plaza of the inner palace, though lavishly and elegantly decorated, was filled with a solemn atmosphere unlike before.
The plaza, vast and open on all sides with a colossal demon statue at its center, was incredibly spacious. And that immense space was packed with a countless number of people.
Yet, no one opened their mouths. No, they were careful even with their breathing.
For the one and only absolute ruler of the demonic martial world was now making his way to this central plaza.
*Duuung! Duuuuung!*
The magnificent sound of drums echoed from the distance.
From the Palace of the Demonic God to this place, it was a distance that would take an ordinary person at least half an hour to walk. Even so, everyone gathered here had already bowed their heads.
The Cult Leader of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon, the sun of the demonic martial world.
This showed just how fearsome and revered the existence of the Heavenly Demon was to them.
The front row of the crowd was occupied by the inner and outer Demonic Chiefs of the cult. Directly behind them, the high-ranking members of the Seven Demonic Houses were lined up in order.
Among them, Ji Unhoe stood directly behind So Yeonsim.
Ji Unhoe's face, with his head bowed, was different from usual. His sharp eyes and stubborn mouth were the same, but he looked inexplicably gaunt.
*Duuung! Duuuuung!*
The sound of the drums grew closer, slowly but surely.
Listening to the sound, it felt as if his heart was sinking. The heavy echo piercing his ears felt like the fiery commands of his ancestors.
Ji Unhoe's eyelids trembled.
Beyond the drumbeats, an unwelcome conversation seemed to faintly echo.
- ...I can't believe it.
- It's the truth. If you wish, I can summon the Head of the Hall of Punishments to this very spot.
- ...!
- Do you understand why I detained your third son? Ji Yeonghyeon was clearly not in his right mind. Are you telling me you didn't even know what kind of power was lurking within your son's body?
- That... that child would never...!
- Furthermore, this is a situation where your eldest son, Ji Ganghyeon, is suspected as the true culprit of such a horrific crime.
Could it be that the Demonic Sword House is hiding something? Are you plotting some scheme that must never be revealed to the cult?
- Nonsense!
- Then prove it. Along with that promise you made with your own lips.
*Thump! Thump!*
Before long, an incredibly enormous palanquin appeared in the distance.
*Rustle! Shimmer!*
It was called a palanquin, but it was practically a house unto itself. Beneath a large roof adorned with all sorts of treasures, thick golden tassels hung down, swaying back and forth.
To move the palanquin, no fewer than fifty cultists had to act as bearers.
Considering they were all practitioners of considerable Demonic Arts, one could guess just how large the palanquin was.
No powerful figure in the martial world would have ever ridden in such a palanquin. Even the emperor's palanquin would not be like this.
A treasure crafted over hundreds of days by the finest artisans to serve a god.
The Demonic Emperor's Carriage finally revealed its full form.
As Ji Unhoe glanced at the Demonic Emperor's Carriage, his eyes wavered uncontrollably.
Behind the carriage, numerous cultists followed. They were the secret guards of the Palace of the Demonic God, whose true identities were unknown even to the inner palace's leadership, loyal only to the Cult Leader.
And among those secret guards, a young man in splendid attire could be seen.
It was his own son, Ji Ganghyeon.
- I can't believe it. Could it be that you're jealous of my son? Or perhaps to eliminate a rival...!
- The fourth is already broken by my hands. He's now cooped up in his residence, neither dead nor alive, just receiving treatment.
- ...!
- The succession battle began long ago. As you can see, I could kill someone like your son anytime I set my mind to it.
- You...!
- So don't harbor any useless suspicions.
I don't know why you're trying to make your son a disciple of the Cult Leader, but he's already a felon who has murdered seven of our cult's followers.
Do you truly wish to send such a son here?
- ...
- As I said before, I can't give you much time to think. I hope you'll make up your mind soon.
- I need to see Yeonghyeon first. Take me to where he is right now!
- I will show you. But before that, call your eldest son. After I have a word with him, you can go see your third son with him. That should work, right?
- ...
- Why? You refuse?
- It's not that I refuse. I can't call for Ganghyeon right now even if I wanted to.
- ...Damn it, he's already entered the Palace of the Demonic God. I suppose he needs to learn the ceremonial etiquette in advance. Still, isn't this too soon?
- ...
- Since it's come to this, there's no other way. I'll show you your third son.
- Hurry, hurry and lead the way!
- Very well. But before that, promise me one thing.
- What promise are you talking about?!
*Kuuuung!*
The Demonic Emperor's Carriage was set down before the great demon statue.
Although it was set down gently, the impact still traveled through the ground. The lavishly decorated carriage was heavier than it looked.
Just then, two of the cultists acting as bearers approached the rear of the carriage with solemn steps and pulled on a long, thick rope.
*Shhhhrrrk!*
A massive curtain rose slowly, slowly. It concealed the Cult Leader inside from view, but allowed him to see outside clearly.
The artisans called it the Heavenly Demon's Veil.
*Clank!*
At last, the Heavenly Demon was revealed, seated upon a silk cushion easily twice the size of an ordinary blanket.
Everyone bowed where they stood.
“Reign over the Sacred Cult! The Heavenly Demon is immortal!”
After the reverent and thunderous roar of the cult's members, all the cultists gathered here cried out.
“We, the unworthy children of the Demonic Path, are granted an audience with the Sacred God!”
The moment the voices, drawn up from the depths of their bellies, passed through their throats and spread out into the world.
*Kraaaackle!*
All the cultists heard the sound of thunder rolling from the far side of the sky.
It was not real thunder. And yet, it was.
*Fwoosh!*
Lee Cheonsang revealed his aura for the first time in a long while before the eyes of all.
Everyone who faced his aura was seized by the illusion of standing alone on a desolate cliff.
Merely by facing his aura, this great number of cultists was collectively experiencing hallucinations and auditory illusions.
‘This is it.’
His tightly clenched fist trembled.
‘I wanted to see my son revered as a god, in that place where I could not stand.’
Ji Unhoe gritted his teeth.
‘I never doubted that my proud son could achieve it. But!’
But… But!
‘Why in the world did you commit such a heinous act?!’
- How is it?
- ...
- You should know from checking his pulse. Just how terrifying this power hidden in your third son's body is.
- ...
- What in the world have you been doing all this time? How could you not know that something this immense was hidden in his body?
When it was contained, it was so subtle that even a master who had reached the pinnacle of demonic arts would have had trouble detecting it, but are you not his father?
- I... I...
- This boy was after that friend's sword. It was to a degree that could almost be called blind obsession.
- ...!
- Very well. Questioning how such a power came to be hidden in your third son's body now would only be a headache.
However, we wish to have you, the House Lord, confirm that we have proven our innocence. Do you admit it?
- ...I admit it.
- Then what will you do now, House Lord?
- ...
- Do you wish to see your son become the Cult Leader's disciple, only to become a shameless villain who murders our cult's followers once again?
Do you wish to see him bring shame upon the family name by being covered in all sorts of disgrace as a result?
- That is...!
- Let me be clear, don't say you'll just scold him so he doesn't do it again. You know as well as I do that's nonsense.
- ...
- Furthermore, he must be punished for the crime he has already committed. It might be a different matter if it happened within your House, but your eldest son has harmed a follower of our cult.
- ...!
- Make your choice. The fate of the Demonic Sword House, built over hundreds of years, rests on your conscience.
“Welcome, everyone.”
Though not a loud voice, Lee Cheonsang's words pierced clearly into everyone's ears.
Just hearing that one phrase made the strength drain from their limbs. At the same time, their backs straightened with tension.
With a rustle of silk.
Lee Cheonsang rose from his seat.
For today, it seemed he too was observing formalities, properly dressed in a dragon robe, unlike his usual self.
He wore no crown, but his long, flowing hair seemed to suit his aura all the better.
“As you all may know.”
He looked around.
As he surveyed the crowd, his gaze suddenly shifted to the roof of a five-story pavilion in the distance.
On the roof stood a tall young man and a golden fox, still a cub.
‘Still a cub, I see.’
He had known of its existence, but this was the first time he had seen it in person.
*Flash!*
The fox, as if recognizing his presence, let out a strange five-colored gleam from its eyes.
‘I see. So, though you have the form of a cub, the power you've accumulated over the years remains intact?’
The corners of Lee Cheonsang's mouth lifted.
Interesting.
“I do not care for cumbersome formalities.”
That was undoubtedly the truth. This was the first time he had ever dressed so formally for the annually held Festival of Papiyas.
It was not a show of respect for the cultists gathered here. A god has no need to show respect to mortals in the first place.
The reason he had come to this place, observing formalities in his own way.
Was for a meeting with a certain demon god, one he was sure would be here—and who, just as he expected, was watching him from afar.
Another demon, one who had become a spiritual beast after accumulating power for hundreds of years, yet had deceived the world and repeated its own cycle of reincarnation.
Seeing this being, who was in no way beneath his own station, Lee Cheonsang was truly satisfied.
“However, you have come a long way, so I should at least show some sincerity.”
With a soft shimmer.
Four bottles of Six Heavens Heart Wine appeared at the foot of the great demon statue.
No one saw where or how they had appeared. Everyone had their heads bowed, but even if they had been staring, they would not have understood the phenomenon.
“The heads of the Seven Houses may take the Six Heavens Heart Wine. It is a brew I made myself, so the taste should not be bad.”
At the same time, the House Lords, including Ji Unhoe, cried out.
“We are moved to tears by the Sacred God's grace!”
Lee Cheonsang nodded.
“We will conclude this audience with one simple introduction.”
In that moment, Ji Unhoe's eyes widened and trembled.
Seo Ryang and So Yeonsim were no different. Everyone, except for Go Gu, who could not leave the Hall of Punishments unattended, was gathered here to catch the true culprit.
“As of this day.”
*Tremble.*
His trembling fist was filled with turmoil. Ji Unhoe agonized until the very last moment.
‘Can't I just let this pass? Must I tarnish the honor of my house with my own mouth?’
As he hesitated, Seo Ryang's cold face came to mind.
- The fate of the Demonic Sword House, built over hundreds of years, rests on your conscience.
Conscience? Is that conscience more important than my pride? More important than the honor of the Demonic Sword House?
An incident that happened two years ago, an incident almost no one even remembers!
Suddenly, he thought of the cultist who was said to have died unjustly.
A nameless cultist he had never even seen, who was said to have been praying for the Cult Leader until the very end.
Even now, two years later, that cultist must be wandering the nine heavens, still bearing that false accusation.
‘...I was foolish.’
If the Third Young Master had been determined, he could have reported the truth to the Cult Leader long ago.
If he tried to bury this matter now, it could make the Demonic Sword House look even more ridiculous.
Because the Third Young Master would never let this matter rest.
‘Was he giving me a chance to choose?’
Is speaking the truth with my own mouth truly the way to protect the honor of the Demonic Sword House?
The moment Ji Unhoe closed his eyes, Lee Cheonsang finished speaking.
“I shall accept Ji Ganghyeon, the eldest son of the Demonic Sword House, as my disciple.”
Instantly, all the cultists cried out.
“We sincerely congratulate you on gaining a new divine bloodline!”
Since this was news all the high-ranking members already knew, the reaction was immediate. Even if they hadn't known, it was only natural to shout their congratulations when the Cult Leader announced he was taking a disciple.
And so, in the moment a new disciple of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon was born.
It was at that very moment.
“Please wait!!”
*Thud, thud.*
Bowing his upper body, Ji Unhoe came forward with small steps and knelt before the demon statue.
“I, Ji Unhoe, Lord of the Demonic Sword House, risk death to offer my counsel!”
Seo Ryang's eyes gleamed, and So Yeonsim clenched both her fists.
Ji Unhoe cried out, his voice filled with an indescribable emotion.
“I am terrified to speak, but my son has committed a great sin—!”
“Enough.”
*Wuuuuung!*
At the Demonic God's dignified voice, the plaza sank into silence.
Glancing down at Ji Unhoe, Lee Cheonsang closed the Heavenly Demon's Veil.
“Lord of the Demonic Sword House, take the Six Heavens Heart Wine and come to the Palace of the Demonic God.”
*Kuuung!*
The veil closed, and the Demonic Emperor's Carriage was lifted.
A bewildered Ji Unhoe looked up at the carriage. But it had already turned in a wide arc and was heading toward the Palace of the Demonic God.
He wasn't the only one who was surprised.
“Wh-What?”
Neither Seo Ryang nor So Yeonsim could hide their bewilderment. They hadn't expected Lee Cheonsang to end the declaration so simply, nor had they expected him to cut off the Lord of the Demonic Sword House in front of everyone.
At this point, as everyone was experiencing their own surprise and confusion.
The situation was entering an unexpected phase.