Chapter 169
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Power (4)
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The Hall of Demonic Protection was a place primarily used by the cult's high command for their secluded training. It was the deepest, most sacred sanctuary within the Hall of Protectors, a forbidden zone where no one could trespass.
Furthermore, the underground training grounds of the Hall of Demonic Protection were directly managed by the successive Heads of the Hall of Punishments.
Anyone without permission, even if they managed to breach the guards' perimeter, would wander lost in the hall's labyrinth until they died.
The Hall of Demonic Protection, infamous for its ironclad security and intricate maze.
The doors to the third chamber of the hall opened.
Creak.
"Hmm."
A middle-aged man who emerged from the door frowned.
Was it because he hadn't seen the sun in a long time? His pale skin and shabby attire created a strange dissonance.
But his physique was magnificent, deserving of the word 'imposing'. Though slightly lean, his large, solid frame was reminiscent of diamond, and his long, well-proportioned limbs and broad shoulders were like a perfectly balanced work of art.
"Is it summer?"
From between his thick beard, the voice that flowed past his full lips was low and resonant, like the beat of a war drum.
A satisfied smile spread across the man's face as he took a deep breath.
"The air is good."
The hot, humid summer air, characteristic of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
As he inhaled it deeply, demonic energy surged within him.
Tsssss.
A heavy demonic energy emanated from his entire body.
Perhaps sensing this extraordinary presence?
Fwoosh!
A dozen or so cultists rushed over from the distance.
Each one displaying top-tier movement techniques, they were members of the Seventh Squad of Protectors, currently guarding the Hall of Demonic Protection.
"Who..."
A squad member asked, his posture tense.
The squad member couldn't continue.
"Gasp!"
"Hah!"
The ten protectors froze on the spot.
It wasn't for any other reason. The moment their eyes met the man's, they felt as if they were being sucked into a bottomless abyss.
The man spoke.
"Guards from the Hall of Protectors, are you?"
Though his tone was low, almost a mumble, his voice rang louder than thunder in the protectors' ears.
"Take me to Lee Gunseong, the First Squad Leader."
His sudden, informal command held an undeniable authority.
Surprisingly, upon hearing his words, the protectors all knelt and bowed their heads.
Anyone emerging from the Hall of Demonic Protection was surely a high-ranking member. Still, it would have been normal to perform a minimal identity check, yet they knelt first.
The man's presence exuded a powerful familiarity, that of a kindred spirit.
The squad members guided the man in silence.
The man, following them with his hands clasped behind his back, wore a refreshed smile.
"Three years already, I see."
* * *
"Hmm?"
Seo Ryang tilted his head.
"What is this?"
This strange, tingling sensation.
He scratched the back of his neck.
"It's not my extrasensory perception... but it's strange."
He definitely felt something unusual. But he couldn't explain this peculiar feeling.
He searched for Gwan Pyeong's presence.
The presence that had been clear just a moment ago could no longer be felt.
‘Did he enter a completely sealed place?’
Whether through the five senses or energy sense, one needed a medium like the flow of air to detect something. In a sealed place where energy stagnated, it was difficult to discern even with the senses of a supreme master.
"Well, I'll just have to wait."
He looked around.
"Quite simple. Different from that guy Hong Wi-mun's place."
The reception hall in Gwan Pyeong's residence was more barren than expected. Aside from the bare necessities, there wasn't even a single piece of common pottery.
"A frugal character, is it?"
He recalled Ma Dongpil's words.
- The Second Young Master is known to have a particularly simple character among the successors. He enjoys taking walks, doesn't try to assert his authority, and is even said to discreetly offer help when other cultists are in trouble.
- He is famous for taking excellent care of his own people. For example, I've heard he doesn't spare any support, even for the families of his servants and subordinates.
He might be different with his enemies, but he takes good care of his own.
Looking at his residence, he didn't seem to have much desire for material possessions either. At least, based on Ma Dongpil's words, he sounded like a decent person.
‘A simple and affectionate character. But he had someone spy on that block of ice?’
This is interesting.
At first glance, it seemed contradictory, but it wasn't impossible to understand.
Whether his usual disposition was simple or affectionate was a completely different matter from vying for the throne. Throughout history, weren't there many rulers whose affection was as abundant as their ambition?
Just look at himself. Regardless of his motives, he was striving to become the next successor, but wasn't he the type to give his all to those he considered his own people?
"The problem is what kind of person he shows himself to be right now."
He had a subordinate spy on a competitor. A much younger sibling, at that.
In a bloody fight for succession, it wasn't something to be ashamed of. But it wasn't something to be brazen about either.
How would Gwan Pyeong react?
Seo Ryang pondered deeply, his feet propped up on the tea table.
A moment later.
‘…?’
Seo Ryang's eyes flashed.
‘Huh?’
He looked toward the door.
More precisely, not at the door, but at 'some place' beyond it.
Welling up.
The presence erupting in an instant was tremendous. A look of surprise crossed Seo Ryang's face.
‘This energy... it was definitely that guy Gwan Pyeong's, wasn't it?’
It was Gwan Pyeong's energy, but it was completely different from what he had felt just a moment ago.
He was trying to contain the massive energy, but the parts he couldn't hide rippled like a mist. It was an overflowing internal power, a chillingly sinister demonic energy.
‘Moreover…’
Seo Ryang's eyes deepened.
‘Its nature has changed, too.’
Before coming to the reception hall, he had faintly sensed Gwan Pyeong's energy.
The energy he'd felt from Gwan Pyeong then was as cold as ice. A different kind of cold from that of Yeo Ganghui, the young lord of the Ice Palace—like a frosted mist, so to speak. It was a yin-type art, tinged with a certain gloominess.
Now, that chill was gone. The magnitude of his power had increased overwhelmingly, and its yin and yang were achieving a sort of balance.
A balanced demonic energy. It was so sinister and wicked that it seemed capable of invoking fear in people on its own.
"Damn it, what happened?"
Was he hiding his true strength?
Whoosh.
Seo Ryang's eyes gleamed.
The presence that had seemed so far away was suddenly close.
An outstanding movement technique. He was faster than Ju Seoyun, not to mention Ma Dongpil or So Yeonsim.
Shhk.
He took his feet off the tea table and stood up.
Just then, a friendly voice came from outside the door.
"May I come in?"
"Be my guest."
Creeak.
The door opened, and Gwan Pyeong appeared.
This was the first time the two of them had met face-to-face like this. But Seo Ryang paid no mind to Gwan Pyeong's appearance.
Swoosh. Swoosh.
The energy that had been overflowing was being rapidly contained. Even now, as they faced each other.
‘He wasn't hiding his strength. He used some kind of trick. It looks like he took an elixir that enhances yang energy…’
Seo Ryang tilted his head.
‘How is this possible? Is there a way to fully assimilate that energy into his own in just an hour?’
For Seo Ryang, who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, it was possible.
To reach the pinnacle, the state of a true Martial God who transcends even existence (the person) and concept (the art), or to attain the Realm of Harmony, one had to master energy and physically embody that enlightenment.
Yet Gwan Pyeong had accomplished it without having reached that supreme state.
‘And he's even balancing it with his original yin energy.’
He recalled the man who had introduced himself as Je-hwan.
A man hiding a massive mass of yang energy, with not a trace of yin. Despite its size nearing that of a transcendent master, he could only use an amount of internal energy comparable to Ju Seoyun's.
‘Something smells fishy.’
Gwan Pyeong smiled and spoke.
"It's been a while. Is this the first time since the great assembly?"
"That's right."
It was hardly the way one would speak to a superior, but Gwan Pyeong didn't bother to correct Seo Ryang's tone or manners.
"For now, let's sit."
"Sure."
The two sat facing each other.
"Would you like some tea?"
"Whatever you want."
Gwan Pyeong smiled.
Though he was known for his affectionate nature, he had never been seen smiling, yet today he was smiling a lot.
Supporting that smile was surely confidence. The confidence that he could sway anyone in the world if he so chose.
"It seems you don't particularly enjoy tea. Then perhaps some wine..."
"Before that."
Seo Ryang tilted his head.
"What happened?"
"Hmm?"
"You were clearly at a level where you'd just barely broken through the wall. What the martial world commonly calls a transcendent master."
"...!"
"But in the last hour, your internal power has more than doubled. And it's not some crude energy; it's been completely assimilated as your own."
Gwan Pyeong's face stiffened.
Seo Ryang said with interest.
"Did you eat some sort of healthy tonic in the last hour?"
Astonishing. He never imagined the third child would see through his power so completely.
"Your energy sense is incredible."
"I hear that a lot."
"In the Divine Cult, and in the world, there are many martial arts you do not know. As you experience more of the wider world, you will come to realize this."
Seo Ryang scoffed.
He had encountered all sorts of martial arts throughout the world. From the orthodox arts of the prestigious sects to the miscellaneous skills of the unorthodox factions, and even the demonic arts of the Divine Cult—the number was in the thousands. And this man was spouting such nonsense to him.
"Well, whatever. That's not what's important."
"What do you mean?"
"You know why I'm here, right?"
Gwan Pyeong nodded briskly.
"It must be because of my inadequate subordinate."
"This'll be quick then. So..."
"You've come to the wrong place."
"Huh?"
"If Seoyun had come, I could understand. But not you. You are not the one I am watching."
"Your subordinate ran off and even set off a poison bomb. Thanks to that, my escort was almost in deep trouble. I'd say that's enough to get us tangled up in an uncomfortable relationship."
"I will apologize for that part."
An apology.
Even for a serious person, it's not easy to readily apologize to a younger sibling. Especially for a member of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon, the pinnacle of the demonic martial world.
"But I'll say it again, my target is not you."
"Of course it isn't."
"So there's no need to be so hostile. Let's have a drink..."
"Your target is the throne, isn't it?"
"...?!"
"That's why you're starting with the fifth child. If not, are you actually interested in her?"
Gwan Pyeong's gaze darkened.
"I tried to listen patiently, but this is truly a spectacle. I won't tell you to be polite, but must you make this situation so uncomfortable?"
"That's not something the one who caused the problem should say, is it?"
"What on earth have I..."
"Besides, even if there's no reason, are we not allowed to be uncomfortable?"
"What?"
Seo Ryang's face grew cold.
"Just as you're targeting the fifth child, I can target you too. Isn't that right?"
A corner of Gwan Pyeong's mouth lifted slightly.
"I won't waste my breath with a long speech."
"..."
"Can you handle me?"
Seo Ryang scoffed.
"Your senses are in disarray, aren't they?"
"What?"
"I don't know how you made that much power your own, but while your internal energy is complete, your demonic arts are not. It's no wonder your senses are a mess."
"What are you trying to say?"
"It means you still don't get it."
Vwoooom.
Seo Ryang's eyes turned blood-red.
In that instant, Gwan Pyeong's face paled. A chill ran down his spine at his opponent's terrifying demonic eyes.
"Did you say 'handle'?"
"...!"
"Shall I, right here and now, show you the true nature of that pathetic power of yours?"