Chapter 104
Chapter 104
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Partake of the True Demon
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“People… why are there so damn many?”
Yi Cheolsan widened his eyes at the spectators packing the area around the sparring ground.
He knew crowds had flocked to the Nine Dragons District.
But this place held more than half of them, leaving not even room to stand.
“What do you think’ll happen in the match?”
“What do you mean? The Lion Sword King wins, obviously.”
“That’s not what I’m asking. How many seconds?”
“Hmm? One… five seconds?”
“Aren’t you aiming high? Sure, he’s a rising star, but his opponent’s the supreme of Geiju’s martial world. Three moves at most. That’s my bet exactly.”
“Nah, that’s too low—”
Three moves at most?
Yi Cheolsan picked up snippets of conversation as he pushed through the crowd.
It seemed the Lion Sword King was about to duel someone from the Tang Clan.
The supreme of Geiju’s martial world coming all the way here was shocking enough.
But for a mere clan disciple—not even Tang Mountain—to face his blade? Equally astonishing.
‘Who the hell is it?’
Since descending the mountain, Yi Cheolsan had wandered remote paths for a scenic tour, so he hadn’t caught proper rumors about Yunhwi yet.
“It’s the Young Branch Leader.”
As if reading his thoughts, Sima Seonui answered from beside him.
Yi Cheolsan startled.
“Young Branch Leader?”
“Yes.”
“Then Junior Sister ended up—”
Yi Cheolsan knew how badly Tang Gyujin wanted to leave Cheongsung Mountain.
Even that she wandered, unable to tear away from branch duties to her clan.
But in his eyes, no one else could succeed the Nine Dragons Branch Family except her.
She possessed such unparalleled talent and character.
‘A bit miffed at Junior Sister. If it was such a big decision, she could’ve at least tipped me or Master off.’
Meanwhile, a strange, hard-to-name emotion stirred at the thought he might never see her bright smile on Cheongsung Mountain again.
Yu Sumin suddenly cut in.
“You skipped the subject again, didn’t you? No, Big Brother Cheolsan!”
“Huh?”
“It’s not Sister Gyujin. The Young Branch Leader.”
Yi Cheolsan’s eyes widened slightly.
“Then who?”
“Young Master Yunhwi.”
“Young Master Yunhwi… the illegitimate son?”
“Yes.”
Tang Gyujin had occasionally shared family tales, so he knew Yunhwi well.
Even that his fame had recently spread like wildfire.
But surpassing Tang Gyujin to become Young Branch Leader?
And dueling the Lion Sword King?
Yi Cheolsan’s curiosity exploded over what had happened in his absence.
Yu Sumin explained it all: Yunhwi’s feats at Dosung County, his duel with the Lion Sword King, how he took up the sword, and their chain of spars leading here.
Yi Cheolsan’s eyes gleamed fiercely throughout.
‘The guy’s totally changed. And suddenly a swordsman?’
At the same time, he faintly read the deep shadow over Yunhwi’s path.
A shadow like the one on himself.
‘Dark Lord.’
Yi Cheolsan clenched his fist unwittingly.
‘You young master must’ve felt the elder’s touch too.’
He’d suspected the Dark Lord might have multiple such disciples.
But meeting one in person made his heart race.
Thump thump thump!
What teachings had Yunhwi received?
What had he realized in the process?
Could something be gained there?
Thoughts chained endlessly.
Just then, cheers erupted from spots in the crowd.
Waaaaah!
“It’s starting.”
The Lion Sword King ascended to the sparring ground.
His aura was so intense, goosebumps prickled Yi Cheolsan’s skin from afar.
If it felt this way from here, what must it be like facing it head-on?
‘Then what about Young Master Yunhwi?’
He turned to the opposite side.
But Yunhwi didn’t appear, no matter how long he waited.
“?”
Murmurs rose—what was going on?
Some even whispered Yunhwi had fled in fear.
Yet the Lion Sword King, who might feel slighted, seemed utterly unperturbed.
‘Heard he’s hot-tempered and aggressive… guess not?’
It differed so much from the Lion Sword King Yi Cheolsan knew, sparking doubts.
He even chided the crowd: ‘Why the rush? He’ll show when it’s time. Not the type to run.’
Finally, someone from the Nine Dragons Branch Family dashed off, soon returning with a young man in his twenties presumed to be Yunhwi.
And.
‘!!!’
The moment Yi Cheolsan saw him, he jolted as if electrocuted.
* * *
Half a shichen earlier.
When Yunhwi still hadn’t shown at the sparring ground, Tang Gon irritably scratched his head.
“This damn guy! Where the hell did he go?”
Wasn’t Yunhwi the one who’d set this duel?
He’d boasted of a plan.
Yet the man himself was nowhere, leaving everyone stunned.
The crowd buzzed noisily.
“Maybe… he, he didn’t run, did he?”
“No way—”
“‘No way’ kills people! His opponent’s the Lion Sword King! Even I’d wanna bolt!”
The Lion Sword King’s notoriety was known to nearly everyone in the martial world.
Who hadn’t suffered from his arrogance and pride?
Even after the Azure Heaven Sword Emperor crushed him in one go, his unbowed spirit had tongues wagging.
So the consensus: a young warrior not yet thirty fleeing pressure? Not odd at all.
Of course, it disappointed those hyped for the fight.
“Heard the Gale Wind’s successor was chosen, got my hopes up—”
“Can’t be helped. Tsk tsk. Let’s head back.”
As some turned to leave, the Nine Dragons Branch Family scrambled.
“Where the hell’s the Young Branch Leader?”
“D-don’t know!”
“Anyone seen him? No one?”
“N-no one!”
“Damn it! Where’d he go!!”
If this dragged on, the branch’s reputation would tank, so Branch Leader Jeong Punggak urgently eyed Tang Gon.
“Gon!”
“There’s one spot I suspect—”
“Then what’re you waiting for! Hurry up!!”
“Too much hassle.”
“I’ll kick your ass if you don’t move!!”
Tang Gon finally raced to the White Formation’s training ground to find Yunhwi.
“What’s everyone so rushed about? He’ll come when it’s time. Not some flighty friend.”
The Lion Sword King’s casual voice, brushed past, made Tang Gon doubt his ears.
‘…Is this really the Lion Sword Sect Leader I know?’
He knew Yunhwi and the Lion Sword King had started buddying up.
But he’d thought it mere drunken fun, not lasting days—yet their bond seemed deeper now.
What puzzled Tang Gon most was the word ‘friend.’
‘Damn… what trick did he pull? Research subject, total research subject.’
As always, Yunhwi’s actions were endlessly fascinating.
Planning to grill him later, Tang Gon arrived.
Fortunately, Yunhwi was deep in meditation, fully sealed from the outside.
But.
“!!!”
The instant Yunhwi finished and opened his eyes, Tang Gon froze stiff.
A chill ran down his spine.
As if invisible hands gripped his ankle.
Tang Gon had surpassed Peak Energy Realm, now peeking at Summit Realm—a transcendent master.
Yet even he tensed at Yunhwi’s monstrous aura.
It was like inaudible voices rang his ears with a bell’s toll.
Dong! Dong!
—Worship.
—Revere.
—Submit.
.
—Offer your faith. He alone is your true master.
.
.
—Bring all you have to the one before you. Offer your soul, your body, your heart, and infinite bliss shall be yours.
—All the world’s pain and torment will wash away like water, filling your soul with peace and tranquility alone.
The voices buzzed like swarming bees, words indistinct.
But Tang Gon felt an overwhelming urge to bow and kneel before Yunhwi.
It differed utterly from loyalty to his lord Tang Mountain or the Dark Lord.
Far from the familiarity he’d held for Yunhwi.
More transcendent, metaphysical—or primal, instinctual.
Like the reverence when lighting incense at a shrine and praying...
“Master! What’s wrong, all sudden?”
Tang Gon snapped from his reverie.
Yunhwi had finished meditating and draped his robe.
“Huh? Yes! N-nothing.”
“You sick? You look pale.”
“I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Probably overdid it last night.”
Tang Gon brushed off Yunhwi’s concern.
His heart still pounded, hot iron scent filling his mouth, but some instinct screamed not to let Yunhwi notice, so he switched topics.
“More importantly, what were you saying earli—”
“I asked where to go. You really look bad. Rest up today.”
“…Yes. I will.”
Tang Gon swallowed the indescribable aftertaste and turned away.
Yunhwi watched his retreating back with an inscrutable gaze.
‘He held up well.’
Yunhwi curled his lips in a grin.
「The Voice of Submission was heard, no doubt—」
「He already held loyalty to the Young Cult Leader, and Pure Demon was firmly imprinted in his mind, so he can never escape the Young Cult Leader’s fold now.」
「Pure Demon is impossible to defy. He’ll slowly succumb to the Demonic Path and one day be deeply moved by the Young Cult Leader’s grace.」
The wraiths prostrated flat.
「Congratulations on Small Success.」
「Congratulations, Young Cult Leader!」
「Finally, the foundation for the true demon’s rise is laid!!」
「Now on this land—」
「The demon’s blessing.」
「The demon’s grace.」
「The demon’s will!」
「Partake of the True Demon!!」
Reborn Demon God Chronicles