Chapter 25
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Leaving the Bamboo Forest (3)
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“...And so, the estimated expenses for the upcoming Festival of Papiyas have been calculated at approximately fifty-seven thousand taels of gold.”
The vast, dark hall was, for once, brightly lit.
To the left and right of the high throne, countless demonic practitioners stood respectfully. The demonic energy they emanated was so immense that the very air in the hall seemed to heat up.
But no matter how great their demonic energy, it could not compare to the presence of the Demonic God sitting on the throne.
A colossal figure. With an elbow resting on the armrest and his chin cupped in his hand, his expression was utterly languid. He held a wine cup ostentatiously in one hand, and beside him stood an exquisitely beautiful woman holding a wine bottle.
“...”
A strange silence fell.
Lee Cheonsang raised his cup.
Gulp, gulp.
He emptied the cup slowly, one sip at a time.
Even with the Divine Cult’s greatest masters standing before him, with key figures from the Inner Sanctum watching and the heads of the Outer Sanctum listening, his demeanor was one of complete indifference.
It was a display of lofty power and limitless freedom. For the sake of the elders' authority, he should have shown some restraint, but he displayed no such inclination.
And not a single person dared to challenge him.
Just then, a middle-aged man with a dignified build, who had been bowing on the left side of the throne, straightened up.
“The expenses are a full twelve thousand taels higher than last year. With the Outer Hall Strike Force away on missions, our numbers should be lower. It is curious that the costs have risen instead of fallen. I ask the Lord of the Garden of Joy to explain the reason.”
At his words, a woman standing in the sixth position on the right stepped forward and bowed her head.
She possessed a stunning beauty that matched her alluring figure. Though she appeared to be in her early thirties, this was So Yeonsim, the Lord of the Garden of Joy, whose actual age was nearing fifty.
“This humble servant, the Lord of the Garden of Joy, reports to the Holy God. It has been confirmed that four houses, led by the Demonic Sword House, will participate in this year’s Festival of Papiyas. As the Seven Houses have been prestigious families protecting our cult for hundreds of years, I believe that appropriate compensation is suitable to display the authority and generosity of the Divine Cult.”
Mu Dam nodded.
“The Lord of the Garden of Joy’s words have merit. However, the authority of our cult has been proven by history, continues to this day, and will last for a thousand years to come. Furthermore, the heads of the houses participating in the rite will receive the Six Heavens Heart Wine from the Cult Leader.”
“...”
“The cult’s authority and generosity are demonstrated by the Cult Leader himself, not by money. Therefore, I order you to reduce the estimated expenses and resubmit the documents for approval.”
“I have come to realize the shallowness of my thoughts. I apologize for my inadequacy and promise to submit the new approval documents before the hour of the horse tomorrow.”
So Yeonsim took a step back.
He who disseminates the holy word on behalf of the Cult Leader and makes decisions on the reports of the officials as his proxy.
At a glance, the Great Protector’s authority seemed to pierce the heavens, but everyone gathered here knew the truth. The Great Protector was, in the end, nothing more than a puppet.
The words spoken by the Great Protector, Mu Dam, were the words of the Cult Leader. It was not a position held due to friendship with the Cult Leader, but one that only spoke the words the Cult Leader wished to hear.
That was why the demonic practitioners neither envied nor were jealous of Mu Dam.
Though he had the Cult Leader’s trust, he was ultimately the one furthest from true power.
Mu Dam turned toward Lee Cheonsang.
His reverence was overflowing as he slowly knelt and bowed his head.
“This concludes the progress report from the heads of the Inner and Outer Sanctums.”
Lee Cheonsang turned his cup to the side.
The woman carefully refilled it.
As he accepted the cup, Lee Cheonsang spoke.
“You have all worked hard.”
Every demonic practitioner in the hall knelt.
“Reign, O Holy Cult! The Heavenly Demon is Immortal!”
The kneeling practitioners then bowed their heads to the floor.
“We are moved to tears by the Holy God’s blessing!”
A devotion to their god, shouted with all their hearts, even by the Lord of the Elder's Council, who was second in power only to the Cult Leader.
Though many powerful figures vied for control across the land, there was likely no one with power as absolute as this.
“Rise.”
*Shhhk.*
All the demonic practitioners rose. Their movements were swift but did not lack etiquette.
“...”
Silence flowed.
After emptying his cup once more, Lee Cheonsang spoke.
“It seems the first is still in seclusion.”
Mu Dam bowed his head.
“He has not yet emerged from the Three Halls of Demonic Protection.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
Lee Cheonsang looked to his left.
His gaze fell upon the young men and women lined up in front of a giant stone statue at the rear of the left row.
“Second.”
“You called, Cult Leader?”
The young man standing closest to the throne stepped forward.
The young man’s appearance was ordinary. He was quite tall, but his overall impression was one you could find anywhere.
However, the young man had one feature that set him apart from everyone else.
It was his extremely cold aura, so frigid it seemed a mere breath from him could cool a furnace.
“Will you enter training again?”
The Second Young Master of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon, Gwan Pyeong, clasped his hands in a salute.
“The martial path is already woven into my life. I believe seclusion is meaningless until I face another period of change.”
It was quite a bold statement. Considering his position, it could be seen as disrespectful.
But Lee Cheonsang did not take issue with it at all.
“One who knows where he stands needs no instruction. Do as you see fit.”
“Thank you.”
A look of surprise flickered across the faces of the demonic practitioners in the hall.
Lee Cheonsang had never summoned his disciples to such a public gathering before. Though their status was high, they held no official positions.
They had wondered why he had summoned even his disciples, and now, his words to the Second Young Master were truly shocking.
For a man who was so sparing with his praise, especially concerning martial arts, to say such a thing was an incredible compliment, considering Lee Cheonsang's usual demeanor.
“Fourth.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
The Fourth Young Master, Hong Wi-mun, stepped forward.
“You are different again from a few days ago. It seems you are pouring your passion into it.”
Hong Wi-mun bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
“But you are too slow.”
“...”
“If you wish to overwhelm all others, you must cast yourself into the fray again and again. Even then, enlightenment is difficult to attain.”
“...”
“Continue your devotion.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
Hong Wi-mun stepped back.
His expression was calm. It was not an act; his heart was truly undisturbed.
This was because Lee Cheonsang’s words were no different from usual. He had been somewhat surprised when the Second Young Master received praise, but that was all. What he needed now was not martial prowess, but the expansion of his influence.
Lee Cheonsang spoke again.
“Fifth.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
A woman stepped forward.
In an instant, the great hall seemed to brighten.
Her aura, slightly different from the Second Young Master’s coldness, was one of seeming indifference to all things. But her beauty was so striking that it seemed to mask even that indifference.
A beauty that was glamorous but not overwhelming, approachable yet possessing a class that kept others at a distance. And on top of that, a figure honed by martial arts.
This woman, who brought to mind phrases like 'a beauty that could topple nations' and 'utter perfection', was none other than the Fifth Young Mistress, Ju Seoyun.
Lee Cheonsang gazed at her silently. Likewise, Ju Seoyun stared straight ahead with an impassive expression.
A moment of silence.
Then, Lee Cheonsang’s next words stunned everyone.
“Remarkable.”
The eyes of the high-ranking members wavered.
Gwan Pyeong’s eyes deepened, and a muscle twitched in Hong Wi-mun’s cheek. Never before had Lee Cheonsang given such an evaluation to a disciple.
“Your current martial arts are limiting your talent. After this meeting, follow the Head of the Hall of Protectors. Choose one of the Ten Great Demonic Arts.”
Ju Seoyun bowed her head.
“I shall never forget the Cult Leader’s grace.”
“Well done.”
She stepped back.
Despite receiving praise no one else had, not even an eyebrow twitched. She looked like a doll devoid of all emotion.
*Fwoosh.*
The air inside the hall grew hot.
Lee Cheonsang evaluating the Fifth Young Mistress, after the Second and Fourth Young Masters.
Evaluating his disciples in a public setting could be interpreted in many ways. This evaluation would be a boon to some and a poison to others.
Of course, the Demonic God did not care how the squabbles of the mortal world unfolded. He simply spoke when he wished, evaluated as he pleased, and observed the stage he had set.
Like a god looking down upon the humans on earth.
“When does the sixth return?”
“As the Giant Whale House is participating in the festival, he has stated he will attend alongside the house lord.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
Lee Cheonsang looked at one last girl.
She couldn't have been much older than ten. She was so adorable one might feel the urge to pinch her cheeks.
But it was clear to anyone that she was not well.
Her face, which must have once been bright, looked terribly gaunt. Her complexion was pale, the skin under her eyes was dark and sunken, and her body was so thin that her clothes hung loosely.
She was Chae Yeomin, the Seventh Young Mistress of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon and Lee Cheonsang’s final disciple.
“Youngest.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
Her voice, straining to be strong, evoked a sense of pity in those who heard it.
A look of confusion crossed Gwan Pyeong’s face, while Hong Wi-mun’s eyes glinted coldly. Only Ju Seoyun’s expression remained unchanged.
“It seems you have been negligent in caring for your body.”
The one who sat on the throne above the heavens and looked down on all.
Despite knowing Chae Yeomin’s condition, Lee Cheonsang feigned ignorance.
“I apologize, Cult Leader.”
“This cult does not coddle the young. If you were more ruthless, you would not be in this state.”
*Squeeze.*
Chae Yeomin clenched the fist hidden inside her sleeve.
Tears welled up from the sorrow, but she held them back. Though she didn't yet know much of the world, she knew she could not show tears in this place.
“Devote yourself further.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
Lee Cheonsang held out his cup to the side. The woman refilled it. Beside the jade table, three empty bottles already lay.
Lee Cheonsang spoke calmly.
“I did not teach you how to rest. If you truly wish to seize the next seat of power, do not be bound by such things as limits.”
In that moment, the air in the hall turned frigid.
The words 'next seat of power' had come from Lee Cheonsang's mouth. As it was the first time he had mentioned it in an official capacity, the tension it created was palpable.
Gwan Pyeong’s gaze sharpened, and Hong Wi-mun unknowingly clenched his fists. In contrast, Ju Seoyun’s expression was unchanged, while Chae Yeomin was busy catching her breath, panting softly.
Lee Cheonsang drained the cup.
He did not savor it slowly as before. He downed it in one go and carelessly tossed the cup aside.
*Clang!*
The ornate wine cup shattered into pieces. Everyone froze at the Cult Leader’s sudden action.
Lee Cheonsang rose from his seat.
He looked toward the doors of the great hall.
“Enter.”
Simultaneously, a clear voice rang out from beyond the doors.
“The Third Young Master, Seo Ryang, has come at the call of the Holy God!”
*Rumble!*
With a heavy sound, the doors opened to either side.
The crimson carpet that ran down the center of the hall gradually revealed its brilliant colors under the encroaching sunlight, flaunting them more than ever.
And from there, a young man appeared.
Over a spotless white martial robe, he wore a deep blue silk outer robe that was both simple and elegant. A golden tassel hung naturally from beneath a red sash, and the hem of his robe, fluttering with the wind, seemed endlessly free.
The faces of the demonic practitioners watching the young man were filled with awe.
The young man, properly attired, looked like a young king from the land of immortals. His stoic face, much like Lee Cheonsang’s, and his confident stride were in themselves noble.
The high-ranking members of the Divine Cult, who had been unable to contain their admiration, soon showed expressions of disbelief. They had only just realized that this handsome young man was the Third Young Master, who had awakened from qi deviation.
*Fssssss.*
A translucent red mist rose from beneath his feet. The demonic energy that naturally emanated from him was the finishing touch that perfected the handsome young man’s aura.
How incredible must the quality of his demonic energy be to create such tension? What immense demonic power must he possess for it to leak out unintentionally?
His towering height, well over six feet, his distinct features, and the dense, magnificent demonic energy that suited him were truly a masterpiece.
Gwan Pyeong’s jaw dropped. Hong Wi-mun’s eyes became bloodshot. Even Ju Seoyun, whose expression had not changed until now, watched the young man with a wavering gaze.
*Step, step.*
In the silent hall, only the young man’s heavy footsteps echoed. Though everyone’s eyes were fixed on him, the young man himself did not so much as bat an eyelid.
Finally, having reached the steps before the throne, the young man looked up at Lee Cheonsang.
Their eyes met in mid-air.
It was a rather disrespectful way to face the Cult Leader. But Lee Cheonsang did not mind, and the young man, too, wore a relaxed expression.
After a moment, the young man bowed his head.
“The Third Young Master, Seo Ryang, presents himself before the Cult Leader.”
*Flash!*
A faint demonic energy flickered in Lee Cheonsang’s eyes.
As he looked down at the young man, his face held an admiration that no one had ever seen before.
“Magnificent.”
The demonic practitioners were aghast.
Lee Cheonsang continued.
“How was that place? Was it a decent spot to get some fresh air?”
The young man, Seo Ryang, raised his head.
His expression was bizarre, neither smiling nor crying.
“It was so refreshing, it felt almost wrong.”
Lee Cheonsang nodded.
Seo Ryang, looking up at him, suddenly glanced around.
Every single demonic practitioner was staring at him as if he were some strange curiosity. There was not a single exception.
Seo Ryang’s face began to contort like a crumpled brass bowl. He figured he would draw less attention dancing naked in the middle of a marketplace.
That Cult Leader really has a talent for making people uncomfortable.
‘...Damn it!’
And so, Seo Ryang had returned.