Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Demon God Realm
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Normally, if one had to describe the atmosphere of Pure Heaven Pavilion in a single word, it would be utter silence.
Aside from the sound of Sima Jin reviewing documents and signing them with his brush, or the rustle of turning pages, there was no other noise to be heard.
But right now...
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Anxious footsteps echoed through the profoundly quiet Pure Heaven Pavilion.
The person pacing nervously inside was none other than Sima Jin.
Today could prove to be a turning point for the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and he couldn't calm his trembling heart.
Yet all he could do at this moment was trust and wait.
As he paced and waited—and waited some more—a faint presence stirred from outside.
Creak.
The door swung open, and Sima Jin's head whipped around in an instant.
At the same time, he spotted Hyeok Mulin entering Pure Heaven Pavilion.
"...You've arrived, Cult Leader."
He swallowed hard, then slowly continued.
"How did it go?"
In response to the question, Hyeok Mulin answered with a faint smile instead of words.
Seeing that expression, the corners of Sima Jin's mouth gradually lifted until he was grinning broadly, clenching his fist in excitement.
"Finally...!"
"Indeed. The Lone Valley Clan has sworn loyalty to me."
One of the pillars of the Seven Great Demon Clans.
The Lone Valley Clan, which had walked its own isolated path without mingling with any others until now—they had granted their support.
Excluding the Hyeok Clan, Hyeok Mulin's own family, this was the first clan to pledge full loyalty, so Sima Jin couldn't hide his joy.
'And the fact that it's the Lone Valley Clan makes it all the more significant.'
Even if the Lone Valley Clan had faltered somewhat due to the absence of a young clan leader up to now, no one could deny their mid-tier status among the Seven Great Demon Clans.
And the assassination and bodyguard prowess of the Lone Valley Clan, which dominated the shadows, would undoubtedly prove a tremendous asset to Hyeok Mulin.
"It feels like we've advanced not one step, but three. Who could have predicted that the Lone Valley Clan would become Your Excellency's steadfast ally? Especially since they didn't even attend your enthronement ceremony."
Sima Jin's smile refused to fade, prompting Hyeok Mulin to ask,
"Does it please you that much?"
"Of course!"
"Heh. Then let's share a meal together after so long. Have you eaten dinner yet?"
"Not yet. I'll prepare it right away."
Sima Jin answered readily, quickly straightening his robes and readying himself to leave.
Just as the two were about to step outside...
Knock knock.
Jang Wi knocked from beyond the door.
"What is it?"
Hyeok Mulin's question drew an immediate reply from Jang Wi.
"Cult Leader, the Great Military Strategist has arrived at the pavilion."
...The Great Military Strategist?
Sima Geuk was someone who rarely set foot outside the Demon Scripture Pavilion.
With no prior appointment, why had he come to Pure Heaven Pavilion in the dead of night?
Hyeok Mulin glanced at Sima Jin, silently asking if he knew anything or had received prior word.
But Sima Jin shook his head vigorously, indicating he was just as clueless.
'...I see.'
So be it.
"Let him in."
Whatever the reason, the Great Military Strategist wouldn't come here without cause.
At Hyeok Mulin's command to usher Sima Geuk inside, the door opened promptly.
Sima Geuk entered soon after, bowing his head in greeting.
"It's been a while since I've laid eyes on Your Excellency. I hope you've been well."
Hyeok Mulin nodded faintly and replied,
"As you say, it's been some time. No incidents on your end?"
"None, Your Excellency. I've simply fulfilled my duties smoothly, thanks to your consideration."
Hyeok Mulin nodded and asked,
"So, what brings you here? To see your son, the Deputy Military Strategist, whom you haven't met since he arrived?"
Hyeok Mulin's question was reasonable enough.
As far as he knew, the father and son hadn't seen each other once since Sima Jin entered Pure Heaven Pavilion.
But Sima Geuk cleanly denied it.
"No."
Shaking his head, he met Hyeok Mulin's gaze directly and continued.
"The reason I've come to Pure Heaven Pavilion is to see you, Your Excellency."
"...Me?"
Hyeok Mulin's eyebrow arched.
"Yes. I have something to discuss, so I took the liberty of visiting at this late hour."
Sima Geuk bowed his head slightly, then glanced briefly at Sima Jin.
Hyeok Mulin ordered Sima Jin,
"Step out for a moment."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Sima Jin quietly slipped outside.
Once he was gone, Hyeok Mulin gestured for Sima Geuk to sit.
"Have a seat."
Sima Geuk took his place, and Hyeok Mulin followed suit in the head seat.
Looking around the interior of Pure Heaven Pavilion, Sima Geuk remarked,
"It's remarkably well-organized inside. In some ways, it even surpasses my own office."
"It's more the Deputy Military Strategist's achievement than mine. Without him, nothing would have been accomplished here."
"You're too kind. You've guided my still-inadequate son in the right direction."
They exchanged light words about their subordinate and son, respectively, before getting to the point.
Hyeok Mulin spoke first.
"So, what is it you wished to say to me, enough to send even the Deputy Military Strategist outside?"
"......"
Sima Geuk fell silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"Your political acumen is truly impressive. To secure the support of two clans with nothing but your bare hands."
As the Great Military Strategist of the current Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, Sima Geuk oversaw all the cult's intelligence—and even had access to the Sima Clan's networks. Naturally, he had been observing Hyeok Mulin's movements.
And he had noticed the noticeable changes rippling through the Seven Great Demon Clans as a result.
'Hyeok Clan and Lone Valley. Already two clans.'
The Hyeok Clan standing by Hyeok Mulin's side was only natural. But the Lone Valley Clan was different.
Yet Sima Geuk, keenly attuned to the cult's undercurrents, was now half-convinced that the Lone Valley Clan had shifted to support Hyeok Mulin.
Recently, the Hyeok Clan had bolstered its martial forces while gaining financial leeway, and the Lone Valley Clan's atmosphere had begun to change after the Cult Leader's visit.
He couldn't grasp the exact details of what had transpired within, but one thing was clear: both clans had spread their wings anew after connecting with Hyeok Mulin.
'He noticed already.'
No matter that Sima Geuk managed the cult's information—even with Hyeok Mulin hiding his tracks meticulously, this was merely a minor shift amid the greater flow.
But Sima Geuk hadn't missed even that.
Of course, there was a probing tone to his words, but acknowledging the man's insight, Hyeok Mulin saw no need to deny it.
"That's how it turned out."
"As I suspected."
His suspicion confirmed, Sima Geuk nodded as if he'd known all along.
"From one to two—that's a world of difference, like the gap between nothing and everything. Your influence now carries incomparable weight compared to before."
Hyeok Mulin nodded, fully aware of the burden he bore.
But Sima Geuk's praise ended there.
A sharp voice pierced Hyeok Mulin's ears next.
"Yet it's still not enough to let out a sigh of relief. Surely Your Excellency knows this as well? That even with two clans' loyalty, it's ultimately just two."
The Seven Great Demon Clans numbered seven.
Among them, those supporting Hyeok Mulin: Hyeok Clan and Lone Valley Clan.
Those hostile: Gu Clan, Cheon Clan, and Man Clan—the upper echelon of the Seven Great Demon Clans.
Of course, the neutral Sima Clan and Yagul Clan leaders—Yagul Hyeon and Sima Geuk—harbored friendly feelings toward Hyeok Mulin, but that was the extent of it.
Such sentiments could shift at any moment.
Without securing the clans as a whole, they remained neutral.
'In summary, out of seven clans, only two on my side.'
Hyeok Mulin knew this better than anyone.
He had only just laid the foundation to rise from his seat.
Sima Geuk glanced at Hyeok Mulin's expression and continued.
"What Your Excellency has accomplished thus far is nothing short of astonishing, but it's far too early to relax."
He was right.
Out of the seven peaks rising on Heavenly Mountain, he had only surmounted two.
However, Sima Geuk had overlooked one thing.
"I've never grown complacent. Not before, and not now."
Since returning to the past, Hyeok Mulin had pressed forward relentlessly, never once resting on his laurels in the present.
Sima Geuk's concern was valid, but unnecessary for him.
"I see. That's reassuring, then."
Fixing Hyeok Mulin with a steady gaze, Sima Geuk pressed on.
"Even so, time is not infinite. Recently, one of the Seven Great Demon Clans has been leaping over walls into other clans' territories..."
"You're speaking of the Cheon Clan."
"...You knew."
Hyeok Mulin cut in midway, drawing a flicker of surprise in Sima Geuk's eyes.
The Cheon Clan's aggressive moves were almost predictable.
After their link with the Hyeok Clan severed, they had approached the Yagul Clan and Lone Valley Clan, only for both to grasp Hyeok Mulin's hand and cut off talks.
"I've been keeping a close eye on the Cheon Clan's movements for some time. Their contacts with other clans have grown more frequent lately."
"I see."
Sima Geuk regarded Hyeok Mulin with an impressed look before speaking.
"But this, you wouldn't know."
"...?"
"That Cheon Jungak requested a private meeting with me, and we met in secret."
At those words, Hyeok Mulin's fingers twitched faintly.
"Naturally, you wouldn't. It happened just yesterday—not even a full day has passed."
...Why bring it up if you're not going to finish the story?
Swallowing a wry chuckle, Hyeok Mulin asked,
"So, by telling me this, are you saying you'll reveal what the meeting was about?"
"I can't do that. As I said earlier, the Sima Clan hasn't yet gained the conviction to stand firmly on your side."
Sima Geuk was the Great Military Strategist of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
He was loyal to the cult in that role, but as the Sima Clan Patriarch, not yet to Hyeok Mulin.
"Then what must I do for you to gain that conviction?"
Ever since bringing Sima Jin to his side, Hyeok Mulin had desired the Sima Clan's allegiance.
But with the odds slim, he hadn't pushed aggressively until now.
Yet with Sima Geuk approaching first and broaching deep matters, Hyeok Mulin sensed the highest potential yet and leaned in proactively.
"Conviction..."
Sima Geuk closed his eyes briefly, then opened them to meet Hyeok Mulin's gaze.
"Your Excellency, do you realize? Even if we Sima stand behind you now, it wouldn't bring dramatic change."
"......"
"You've always moved in the right direction thus far. But now that you've reached this point, you've hit a wall."
"...A wall."
"Yes. And that is..."
Sima Geuk's eyes sharpened as they fixed on Hyeok Mulin.
"Your own martial prowess."
Sima Geuk's pointed words stabbed into Hyeok Mulin's chest.
The demonic cult followed the law of the strong, a principle unchanged since its founding.
Of course, Hyeok Mulin had grown at an absurd pace in a short time, but he still fell short compared to the patriarchs of the Seven Great Demon Clans.
He was not yet at a higher realm than the Gu Clan, Cheon Clan, Man Clan, or even Lone Valley Clan patriarchs.
If the Sima Clan—specializing in intellect over might—backed him now, they couldn't offer substantial martial aid.
Before expanding his power base, Hyeok Mulin himself needed to grow once more at the root.
"I know you've grown far stronger than during your time as Hyeok Clan Patriarch. But you must grow even more."
With the Cheon Clan moving swiftly in the current situation, time was short.
And Hyeok Mulin had felt it viscerally upon encountering Dokjon, one of the Nine Demon Lords.
He needed to grow beyond his current level.
Or he could protect nothing.
"I know."
Then only one path remained.
And Hyeok Mulin already knew it.
The place permitted only to the current Heavenly Demon.
The place where past Heavenly Demons had gone to test themselves.
"I..."
Hyeok Mulin's eyes gleamed fiercely as his voice sank low.
"...will enter the Demon God Realm."