Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Eternal Emissaries
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Late at night.
Hyeok Mulin crossed the forest of the Lone Valley Clan's main estate alone.
As he did, he glanced down at the fresh sprouts emerging from the ground.
'This place has changed a lot too.'
Clearly, no one was visible in his field of vision.
However, when he had first arrived here, the atmosphere of the Lone Valley Clan that his senses had picked up was merely gloomy and dark.
It had felt as if the entire clan, just like Dokgo Myeong, was dead—utterly devoid of vitality.
But after Dokgo Myeong's treatment, it felt like the clan had come back to life.
The presences his senses detected had grown stronger and more vibrant.
And that made perfect sense.
The existence of an heir to succeed the clan was precisely that kind of thing.
After leisurely making his way forward, he came upon an elegant palace hall.
It was markedly different from the inner quarters where Dokgo Myeong had been before.
This hall, facing a pond that reflected the moonlight, was the reception room reserved exclusively for the Lone Valley Clan's honored guests.
As the invited Hyeok Mulin opened the door and entered, a middle-aged man who had been waiting inside turned his head.
Though it was an unfamiliar face, Hyeok Mulin recognized him immediately from the man's gaze.
Sharp and resolute eyes reminiscent of an eagle.
Lips pressed firmly shut, with the corners nearly in a straight line.
And a long scar running from his left eyebrow down to his cheekbone.
The true face of Dokgo Wi, hidden beneath his black robe, was revealed without concealment.
"You've arrived."
Hyeok Mulin, who had been staring at him, nodded and took a seat in a chair.
Then, gesturing to the seat opposite, he said,
"Sit."
"Yes."
The two sat facing each other, and after a brief silence, it was Dokgo Wi who spoke first.
Above all else, he first bowed his head politely and expressed his gratitude.
"Thanks to the Cult Leader's grace, our clan has been saved. As you said, if it hadn't been for Gwang Ui, no one could have saved my son."
In truth, there had been a time when the entire clan had given up on the young master.
The people of the Lone Valley Clan cherished and adored Dokgo Myeong, but what could they do when his soul had fled his flesh?
Even the King of Poisons had given up on treating him, so as they searched for the Divine Physician, everyone's spirits visibly flagged.
Everyone in the clan, except for him as a father, had lost hope that Dokgo Myeong would ever recover.
'Even I had nearly given up.'
But just as even his own resolve was beginning to waver...
The Cult Leader's letter had arrived, and for the first time, he had met him face-to-face.
He was a young man, but with a lively glint in his eyes that inexplicably inspired trust.
And at the end of their conversation, he had been persuaded and entrusted everything to him.
'I never imagined he'd go all the way to the Central Plains himself to bring back Gwang Ui.'
When he had claimed to know Gwang Ui's whereabouts, he had been skeptical.
But upon hearing it was the Thousand-Year Prison Tower, he had half-given up, only for the Cult Leader to traverse the Central Plains in person to retrieve him.
It was astonishing, and in the end, he succeeded in bringing Gwang Ui back for the treatment.
And the changes after his son's miraculous recovery weren't limited to that.
The entire clan had come back to life.
How long had it been since he last saw smiles on the faces of his clansmen?
With the revival of the young master, who had borne the expectations of everyone, the clan had regained its vitality.
To the point where the years it had stagnated seemed meaningless.
Thus, Dokgo Wi could only express his gratitude, but Hyeok Mulin instead credited him.
"No. It's your victory for never giving up over that long period."
"Cult Leader..."
As Dokgo Wi swallowed his words in a choked voice, Hyeok Mulin spoke.
"It took several months to bring back Gwang Ui."
It had by no means been an easy decision.
It was the first time since his return to the past that he had left the Cult vacant for such an extended period.
But looking back now, it had undoubtedly been excellent nourishment.
Not only had it broadened the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's insights and given Cho Sa-hyeon new experiences, but it had also confirmed that Sima Jin could fill his absence if he had to leave the Cult temporarily in the future.
'And I've confirmed the Lone Valley Clan's resolve as well.'
The Lone Valley Clan had truly entrusted everything to Hyeok Mulin and waited.
They had ceased their search for the Divine Physician and neither questioned nor pressed him; they simply awaited his return with Gwang Ui, day and night without forgetting.
Hyeok Mulin conveyed his thanks for the trust and faith he had shown.
"Thank you for believing in me and waiting. There won't be a need for that again."
"Yes. It will surely be so."
Dokgo Wi nodded with resolute eyes, then took a sip of tea.
With that, he moistened his throat and exhaled.
Hoo—
As a father, Dokgo Wi ended there.
Now, he returned as the patriarch of the Lone Valley Clan.
Having caught his breath, he looked at Hyeok Mulin and said,
"I have something to ask the Cult Leader."
"Speak."
Dokgo Wi was well aware that Hyeok Mulin's activities had been quite active lately.
Not only had he made contact with the Seven Great Demon Clans here and there, but he had even reached out to the Demon Realm Sects.
So, what exactly was his ultimate goal?
Truly.
"Does the Cult Leader intend to subjugate the Seven Great Demon Clans?"
Dokgo Wi's eyes sharpened intensely as he posed the question.
"Subjugate, you say."
How interesting.
Hyeok Mulin, with a faint smile tugging at his lips, turned the question back on him.
"Why do you think that?"
"From the moment you ascended to the throne, Cult Leader, the Seven Great Demon Clans have been at odds with you, haven't they?"
The strong influence of the Cheon Clan, and Hyeok Mulin, the Heavenly Demon, placed as a puppet to suit their tastes.
But now that this Heavenly Demon had severed those strings and was making contacts with various parties, they couldn't help but take notice.
Even the Seven Great Demon Clans, who had dismissed it as fleeting efforts, could no longer ignore his successful maneuvers and had grown alert.
And in their hearts, strong wariness had taken root.
In the end, wasn't the Cult Leader plotting to drag all the Seven Great Demon Clans under his feet in revenge for what they had done in the past?
However, Hyeok Mulin responded indifferently.
"If things are at odds, we just need to align them. I harbor no ill will toward the Seven Great Demon Clans, including your clan."
"...Is that true?"
As Dokgo Wi asked with eyes full of disbelief, Hyeok Mulin answered immediately.
"Yes."
"Then what the Cult Leader desires is... symbiosis with us?"
Dokgo Wi ventured cautiously.
Subjugation or symbiosis.
Those were the only possibilities he had considered.
But Hyeok Mulin shook his head lightly.
"No. Symbiosis is merely cooperating for mutual benefit, isn't it? I don't want that kind of relationship."
Having both options denied, Dokgo Wi tilted his head.
Neither subjugation nor symbiosis.
Then what remained?
As bewilderment filled his face, Hyeok Mulin provided the answer.
"What I want is neither subjugation nor symbiosis—it's mutual prosperity."
"...!"
Dokgo Wi's body stiffened at the completely unexpected response.
Mutual prosperity.
Where both sides need each other and live together.
But was that truly possible between the Seven Great Demon Clans and the Cult Leader?
Mutual prosperity, instead of subjugation, submission, or symbiosis?
Uncertain, Dokgo Wi tried to question Hyeok Mulin again.
But the moment their pupils met, he realized it instantly.
"You're sincere."
That every word the Cult Leader had spoken was the unvarnished truth.
"I've always been sincere."
"...So you have."
Thinking back, he had never once shown a false face in their encounters.
However, whether that made him suitable for the position of Heavenly Demon was something he couldn't quite be sure of.
It was worlds apart from the typical Heavenly Demon he had seen and heard about.
He wasn't cruel, arrogant, or overbearing.
But.
'He is the Heavenly Demon.'
He was different.
Fundamentally different from ordinary people.
His thoughts, actions, gaze, aura—everything felt subtly like he belonged to another world.
And Dokgo Wi was certain.
That was the life of a Heavenly Demon.
"Cult Leader, there's one more thing I must tell you."
Having organized his thoughts, Dokgo Wi spoke.
"Speak."
"While you were away from the Cult, the Cheon Clan requested a meeting with us."
"...The Cheon Clan."
The Lone Valley Clan was a family that had established its power independently among the Seven Great Demon Clans.
As such, they had very little contact with other clans.
Even in the regular assemblies that Hyeok Mulin had previously abolished, the Lone Valley Clan had never shown up.
Yet they had reached out even to them.
The Cheon Clan.
What were they plotting?
Cheon Jungak, the patriarch of the Cheon Clan, was not the type to sit idly by watching his movements, and Hyeok Mulin knew this well.
As Hyeok Mulin's eyes cooled, Dokgo Wi concluded in a heavy tone.
"We refused the request, so I don't know their intentions, but I thought you should be cautious, so I mention it."
"That's very helpful."
Hyeok Mulin nodded.
Now that he was certain the Cheon Clan was scheming something behind the scenes, he had no intention of staying passive.
If they extended a hand, he would extend one back.
If they brandished a sword, he would do the same.
Dokgo Wi slowly rose from his seat.
And without a word, he walked to the entrance and opened the door.
"...!"
At that moment, an unexpected sight unfolded before Hyeok Mulin's eyes.
When he had entered, it had clearly been a lush forest path, yet now outside the door stood the grand estate lined with somber, achromatic palace halls.
And that wasn't the end of it.
On the eaves, roofs, courtyards, and everywhere his gaze reached where darkness still lingered, clansmen of the Lone Valley Clan clad in black uniforms stood at attention.
And leading them, Dokgo Wi slowly advanced toward Hyeok Mulin from the front.
Their gazes met for a moment, after which Dokgo Wi bent one knee and offered utmost reverence.
"From this day forward, the Lone Valley Clan vows to become the immortal emissaries serving only the Cult Leader."
Clack—
Then, all the clansmen present knelt on one knee in unison and raised their voices.
"We vow—!"
"We vow—!"
"We vow—!"
Hyeok Mulin slowly turned his head, taking in their figures with both eyes.
He knew.
That this—the true face of the Lone Valley Clan's main estate—was visible only to those recognized as true members of the clan.
Sneer.
With a deep smile on his lips, Hyeok Mulin looked at Dokgo Wi straight ahead.
"Looking forward to working with you."
As per their agreement, one pillar of the Seven Great Demon Clans had pledged loyalty to Hyeok Mulin.
Having gained an impeccable ally, Hyeok Mulin gazed up at the night sky with a pleased expression.
Not a single cloud in sight, mirroring the clarity of his mind.