Chapter 198
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: An Unpleasant Seed (4)
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Demonic Lord.
Since when did that happen? The title, Lord of Demons, King of the Demonic Path, had become an inseparable descriptor when speaking of Seo Ryang.
His martial arts were second to none, but in truth, Seo Ryang’s presence hadn't quite warranted such a title. Yet, the cultists called him that. Why?
It stemmed from Lee Cheonsang's passive policies.
When Lee Cheonsang ascended to the position of Cult Leader, the Central Plains had braced themselves for the emergence of another Heavenly Demon.
Indeed, in the early days of his rule, Lee Cheonsang was infamous for his aggressive policies toward the Central Plains. With the Demonic Masters, who were now the Nine Great Demonic Masters, as his vanguard, he had annihilated numerous sects.
But seven years into his reign, Lee Cheonsang abruptly forbade the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon from all activities in the martial world.
Some speculated he was consolidating internal power, others that he was plotting something sinister; all sorts of rumors flew about. But as Lee Cheonsang’s defensive policies stretched beyond a decade, those rumors died down.
And just like that, thirty years had passed.
Even the fangs of innate belligerence and ferocity were bound to dull with time. The new generation of cultists, one by one, desired peace more than battle.
Yes. That was how it appeared on the surface.
But in their blood flowed the unique ferocity that only those exposed to the environment of the Demonic Path could possess. It was just that they were either unaware of it or willfully ignoring it.
And the existence of Seo Ryang had awakened that ferocity.
The Third Young Master was at times arrogant, at times magnanimous, and at times excessively timid.
But the Third Young Master was never swayed by the opinions of others. If something bothered him, he got rid of it. If there was something he wanted, he would obtain it by any means necessary.
There was an infinite freedom packaged in his radical nature. Seo Ryang’s image was the very ideal the cultists yearned for.
And now, once again, the cultists had to feel a thrill at Seo Ryang’s ridiculously bold words.
"Hmm, now that I think about it, I feel a bit bad."
"Pardon?"
"I'm the one who failed to deliver the message properly. Is there any need for you to go back in and announce it again? That would be too much trouble."
What does he mean?
As the gate guard wondered inwardly, Seo Ryang took a deep breath.
Then he bellowed.
"Hey!"
The thunderous shout spread in all directions.
"I know you're all listening! Get out here, quick! We're going together!"
It was loud enough to burst the eardrums of anyone listening. Everyone who heard his voice clapped their hands over their ears in shock.
Yet, Chae Yeomin and So Dang, who were right next to him, were perfectly fine. Seo Ryang had protected them with his energy.
A moment later.
*Fwoosh.*
An eerie wave of energy flowed out from within the open gates.
Everyone's face stiffened at the terrifying aura. The moment the absolute demonic energy erupted, the splendid gate looked like the entrance to hell.
*Thud, thud.*
The sound of steady footsteps. Everyone swallowed hard as the sound echoed in their ears.
"I've heard you enjoy making a scene."
*Swoosh.*
The final appearance of Jin Gwanyong was dazzling enough to be called the king of a nation.
"Did you really have to cause such a ruckus?"
He spoke in a lecturing tone, his face characteristically expressionless.
That heavy voice possessed a tremendous magical power, enough to make Seo Ryang’s aggressive words and actions seem like a child's tantrum.
Seo Ryang shrugged.
"Isn't it better than scheming behind someone's back like a certain someone?"
"Watch your mouth. The only reason I've tolerated your insolence until now is because I had a great personal fondness for you. To dare cause a disturbance at my residence—do not expect any more patience."
"You said it."
A glint appeared in Seo Ryang’s eyes.
"I suppose I won't need any more patience for the bastard who tried to turn me into a shameless son of a bitch with a mere rumor."
Jin Gwanyong stared at Seo Ryang in silence.
But only for a moment.
"Are you referring to the disgraceful rumor that you intend to use the youngest as a sacrifice in the succession battle?"
"Well, well."
"I am neither that petty nor that foolish. Why would I take such a risk to employ such a trick?"
"You would."
"...I will hear no more of this wordplay."
*Kwoong!*
A thick cloud of dust rose from beneath Jin Gwanyong's feet.
"I am the First Young Master of the great Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon and the one closest to the throne. I may burn with a competitive spirit at a rival's growth, but I am not so timid a man as to use mere rumors to break them."
It was astonishing.
His confident declaration, delivered with a dignified voice amidst the magnificently surging aura, was incredibly persuasive.
The eyes of the cultists gathered there glazed over. The moment they heard Jin Gwanyong’s words, they were convinced.
A voice that displayed an ability akin to Soul Seduction.
Seo Ryang, who had been watching Jin Gwanyong, licked his lips.
"Hmm... I don't know if this is possible with Demonic Arts, but..."
"What?"
*Wooooong!*
A terrifying demonic energy began to rise from Seo Ryang’s body.
Chae Yeomin, who had been looking at Jin Gwanyong with dazed eyes, whipped her head around and looked up at Seo Ryang.
"I guess I'll have to break the promise I made this morning, just this once."
"What are you talking about?"
*Kwang!*
Just as with Jin Gwanyong, a cloud of dust billowed up from beneath Seo Ryang's feet.
The light in Seo Ryang's eyes turned blood-red. Seeing this, Jin Gwanyong's gaze wavered.
"Hah!!"
*CR-CR-CR-CRACK!*
"Kuaaack!"
"Aargh!"
All the cultists who heard his lion's roar fell to their knees in unison.
Their trembling faces were deathly pale. They hadn't suffered internal injuries, but they were mentally shocked.
A flicker of bewilderment crossed Jin Gwanyong's face.
'This is?'
The Shaolin Lion's Roar.
While shouting with internal energy was often called a lion's roar, the actual martial art known as the Lion's Roar belonged to Shaolin.
He had performed the Buddhist Lion's Roar using Demonic Arts.
Amazingly, all who heard his roar were not only shocked but also able to naturally shake off their blind faith in Jin Gwanyong. If Seo Ryang had mastered the divine arts of Buddhism, dozens of cultists would have died or fainted on the spot.
"You seem to have done a lot of research on me, but did you happen to hear this too?"
Seo Ryang smiled chillingly.
"If my opponent comes on strong, I counter with overwhelming force. My head is so stiff, it just doesn't seem to bow."
"..."
"I don't know what trick you used to bewitch these cultists, but you won't be able to use that method again. These people aren't fools either."
"You."
Jin Gwanyong's eyes grew eerie.
"How do you know the Buddhist Lion's Roar?"
Seo Ryang said nonchalantly.
"What's so special about a lion's roar? You just scream your lungs out, and that's a lion's roar. I'm more curious about the method you used to bewitch these people."
In reality, the Shaolin Lion's Roar was incredibly simple, unlike most Shaolin techniques. Anyone could learn it easily if they put their mind to it. It was just that the measure of the roar's power was determined by the practitioner's internal energy and mental cultivation.
Jin Gwanyong, who had been staring at Seo Ryang, nodded his head.
"Let's go to Zimei-ru."
"Fine."
With his hands clasped behind his back, he began to walk ahead. He didn't spare a single glance for Chae Yeomin or So Dang.
Seo Ryang picked Chae Yeomin up in his arms again and said.
"Shall we go too?"
"...Yes."
Chae Yeomin's face was a little pale. She was tense from the powerful demonic energy and the verbal sparring between her two older brothers.
Seo Ryang patted her on the back.
"Don't worry. Nothing bad will happen. At the very least, you won't get hurt, Yeomin."
"What about you, Brother?"
"Hmm?"
A look of concern filled Chae Yeomin's eyes.
"First Brother seems really angry..."
Seo Ryang nodded.
"Yeomin."
"Yes?"
"You said you wouldn't become the successor, right?"
"Yes."
"But even if you give up the position, you know that as a member of the Divine Cult, you must become as strong as anyone else, right?"
Chae Yeomin answered boldly.
"Yes!"
"If you ever get into trouble, I'll come to help you anytime, anywhere. But if I have to leave the cult like before, there will be times when I can't help you."
"..."
"At times like that, you'll have to get help from someone else, or if that's not possible, you'll have to solve it on your own."
"Like when I was attacked by that bastard Hong Wi-mun?"
"Oh? Uh... right."
Seo Ryang glanced at So Dang. So Dang hung his head low.
"When you have to solve a problem on your own, the most important thing you need is wisdom."
"Wisdom?"
"Yes. And that wisdom can't be gained from books."
Seo Ryang said as he followed behind Jin Gwanyong.
"You have to see more, experience more. You have to carefully consider what principles this world operates on, and how you can move within those principles to gain an advantage."
"Umm... that sounds difficult."
"It's not difficult. Once you experience it for yourself, you'll be good at it too."
Seo Ryang smiled.
As he smiled while looking at Jin Gwanyong's back, his face was tinged with a strange coldness.
"Right now, let's open the door to that lesson."
* * *
After the major clash between the Berserk Demon Unit and the True Demon Unit in the past, Zimei-ru had been rebuilt and was now far more magnificent than before.
Its exterior was splendid, and it had been so well promoted that its average sales had jumped by thirty percent compared to the past. With the recent profits being so handsome, a smile never left the face of the proprietor, Do Wigyeong.
That's right. That was until yesterday.
"Invincible Divine Cult, All Demons Submit! Do Wigyeong, proprietor of Zimei-ru, greets the First Young Master!"
Do Wigyeong's body trembled pitifully.
Not only him, but all the cultists eating on the first floor were in a similar state.
Jin Gwanyong nodded.
"Is there a table?"
"Yes, yes! We will escort you to the top floor!"
"Do so."
As Jin Gwanyong ascended the stairs, Seo Ryang, holding Chae Yeomin, appeared behind him.
"Hoh? This place has gotten quite neat. Looks like you've spent some money."
"Gasp!"
Do Wigyeong prostrated himself on the floor.
"Invincible Divine Cult! All Demons...!"
"That's enough, just show us the way."
"Ah, yes!"
The cultists glanced at Seo Ryang.
They too knew of the rumors circulating within the cult. But seeing Seo Ryang appear openly holding Chae Yeomin left them bewildered.
'What's this? Why is the Third Young Master with the Seventh Young Mistress?'
'So it was just a baseless rumor?'
'No, maybe he's doing it because he's conscious of the rumor.'
'You bastards! Shut up!'
The whispers couldn't escape Seo Ryang's sensitive ears. But he paid them no mind at all.
And so, the four of them ascended to the top floor of Zimei-ru.
This place, accessible only to the most distinguished guests in the cult, was decorated not with flamboyance but with elegance and antiquity.
"Then, I shall bring some tea."
"Do that."
Once Do Wigyeong left, only the four of them remained.
Seo Ryang sat opposite Jin Gwanyong, and Chae Yeomin sat beside Seo Ryang. So Dang, not daring to intrude, stood at the entrance to the stairs with his head bowed.
Jin Gwanyong's eyes deepened.
"You seem to be quite close with Yeomin."
"Well, you could say we have a rather strong bond."
Chae Yeomin lowered her head.
"Third Brother saved me."
"Saved you?"
"Yes. That bastard Hong Wi-mun tried to poison me."
A glint shone in Jin Gwanyong's eyes.
'Did something like that happen?'
He had investigated Seo Ryang to some extent, but he hadn't bothered to look into Hong Wi-mun or Chae Yeomin. Hong Wi-mun was already a ruined man, confined to the Blood Soul Pavilion, and he had never considered Chae Yeomin a rival in the first place.
'A miscalculation.'
He knew the two were acquainted from his visit to the Second Young Master's residence, but he hadn't realized they were this close.
"Youngest, you said you wouldn't become the successor?"
"What? Ah, yes."
"Leave."
"...Pardon?"
Jin Gwanyong spoke calmly, but with a terrifyingly subdued voice.
"This is a stage only for those who are permitted to ascend. Having given up the fight, you have effectively thrown away your right to stand on this stage. Get out."
Chae Yeomin bit her lip. She didn't understand his words exactly, but she realized that her First Brother felt not an ounce of affection for her.
"Th-Then I'll just..."
"It's fine."
Seo Ryang patted Chae Yeomin's head.
"It's fine. You don't need to leave."
"But..."
"Don't worry, just have a cup of tea. The proprietor is bringing it himself, so imagine how much care he's putting into it."
Chae Yeomin smiled brightly.
"Okay!"
Jin Gwanyong's eyes narrowed.
She reacted more strongly to the third brother's words than to his, the first. He could see how much Chae Yeomin trusted and followed Seo Ryang.
"I truly don't know what has happened to you. You've changed so much from before my seclusion..."
"Let me say one thing before the tea arrives."
Seo Ryang, cutting off Jin Gwanyong, spoke with a serious face.
"Let's settle it here."
"...What?"
"Let's decide, the successor."
Seo Ryang smiled coldly.
"If you don't have the confidence to win in a head-on fight, then you can step off the stage like Yeomin."