Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Elders Assemble
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Deep within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult lay Lushdeep Mountain, Myriad Blossoms Peak.
Blossoms bloomed there out of season in all four colors, scattering through the air, while hundreds of peaks thrust skyward.
And at the heart of them all, atop the loftiest summit that seemed to graze the clouds, the silhouette of a lone man cast its shadow.
"...Am I the first?"
Hyeok Gongun, uncle to Hyeok Mulin and current patriarch of the Hyeok Clan, murmured softly.
No other souls had arrived yet. A long table stood alone, flanked by eight teacups.
Hyeok Gongun glanced at them, then swept his gaze across the surroundings.
The sunset-tinged vista of crystalline peaks and violet waters was breathtaking, a sight for the ages. Yet in that moment, he couldn't fully savor it.
'Never thought I'd end up in a place like this.'
The first to arrive for the Elder Council's regular meeting, Hyeok Gongun let out a faint sigh.
He was merely an interim patriarch, while the others were the mighty leaders of the Seven Great Demon Clans who upheld the cult.
Even as fellow elders, an invisible wall divided them.
Hyeok Gongun had dealt with the elders for decades in the Divine Province, so they weren't total strangers. Still, they weren't close either.
And with his clan's troubles mounting, the weight on his shoulders had grown heavier.
'That must be the head seat.'
Scanning the arrangement, he took the spot at the farthest end from it.
As the Seventh Elder, he had no other choice.
"Nice and warm."
Holding a teacup, Hyeok Gongun marveled at the heat.
It must have sat there for at least half a shichen, yet steam rose from it as if freshly brewed.
He'd encountered mechanisms and formations before, but nothing this ingenious. Curiosity lit his face as he examined the cup.
Then, as he studied it—
Thud. Thud.
Footsteps echoed from somewhere.
Hyeok Gongun looked up to see a man approaching from afar.
With thick lashes and elegantly elongated limbs, he could almost pass for a woman. In a soft, feminine voice, he said,
"A guest already."
Disaster Sound Enchanting Demon Yagul Hyeon.
Patriarch of the Yagul Clan, unrivaled masters of sonic arts in the world.
Rumors held he mastered every instrument and could shift his voice endlessly to suit any situation or place. No one had ever heard his true voice.
'Just as I figured.'
Hyeok Gongun had predicted he'd be next.
The Yagul Clan ranked among the lower tiers of the Seven Great Demon Clans, alongside the Hyeok Clan.
Though their power dwarfed the Hyeok Clan's, they paled next to the others.
Such gaps couldn't be ignored. To gauge the situation, Yagul Hyeon had arrived early.
"It's been a while."
"Indeed."
Yagul Hyeon gave a curt reply and eyed the table.
He glanced briefly at the head seat, then headed to a spot without hesitation.
Slightly ahead of Hyeok Gongun's opposite side.
Settling lightly there, he savored his tea and turned to the scenery.
Confirming his lack of interest in talk, Hyeok Gongun looked away now and then.
'Not easy, as expected.'
There wasn't much to say anyway, but to declare no intent to converse from the start.
Hyeok Gongun felt his place anew as patriarch of the Seven Great Demon Clans' weakest link, the Hyeok Clan.
A long silence descended, growing natural with time, until a new voice broke it.
"Two already here."
Sima Geuk, giant of the Sima Clan and the cult's Great Military Strategist, appeared. Yagul Hyeon's gaze turned to him.
Meeting his eyes, Sima Geuk smiled faintly.
"Hard to catch sight of you. First time since the ascension ceremony?"
"No chances to meet face-to-face since then. Everyone's in the same boat."
"Half a year... just half a year."
Sima Geuk gazed vaguely into the distance for a moment, then exchanged recent news.
With a conversation partner, Yagul Hyeon recalled something and asked,
"Heard your second son has awakened his potential."
"He's still learning."
"Must've been worrying. To draw out talent from that dullard—your skills as Great Military Strategist are truly wondrous..."
"Not me."
Sima Geuk cut him off firmly. Yagul Hyeon blinked in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
Silent for a beat, Sima Geuk smiled and changed the subject.
After brief talk on Yagul Clan matters, he ended it and took his seat midway along the table.
Turning, he looked at Hyeok Gongun.
"Long time. Heard you became patriarch—sorry for the late greeting. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"So, how fares the Hyeok Clan these days?"
"Can't say it's great, but it's improving bit by bit."
In truth, crises screamed from every corner, but Hyeok Gongun saw no need to bare weaknesses and answered obliquely.
"Glad to hear it. If things get tough, ask the cult for aid. We're all rooted in the Seven Great Demon Clans—gotta help each other."
Hyeok Gongun brightened at Sima Geuk's words, though puzzlement lingered.
Half a year ago at his nephew's ascension, the man had glared murderously. Now he inquired after the Hyeok Clan and offered help.
Some change of heart, no doubt, but they weren't close enough to pry.
Hyeok Gongun was content just to have a clan viewing his positively among the Seven.
As talk flowed between Hyeok Gongun and Sima Geuk, a middle-aged man emerged from behind, radiating savage aura.
"Huddling like mice, are you!"
Hyeok Gongun stiffened at the abrupt bellow.
Sima Geuk and Yagul Hyeon ignored him as if accustomed.
Thump! Thump!
With a bull-like bulk, he lumbered forward heavily.
Eying the table, he plopped down one seat ahead of the front, sprawling.
"Hah! Tongues tied or what? All mute now!"
His roar echoed. He gulped the steaming—far from hot—tea in one go.
"Heh."
Sima Geuk shook his head at the absurdity, falling silent.
Hell Blade Man Ho.
Patriarch of the Man Clan, foremost blade house in the Divine Province and Third Elder of the cult.
In one word: unbound. He acted on whims, freely.
Strong foe or weak, proper place or not—irrelevant.
If words stirred him, he spoke. If action called, he moved.
His moniker Hell Blade held double meaning.
'All paths he treads lead to hell.'
Where his interest took him, life vanished—hence the name.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Man Ho stared hard at Hyeok Gongun, then clapped.
"Violent Slaughter Sword Hyeok! When'd you become patriarch?!"
"...About half a year ago."
"Hahaha! That so! Well, you're qualified for elder!"
Hyeok Gongun smiled bitterly at the hearty words.
He knew better than anyone they were mere pleasantries.
If Man Ho truly saw him as elder material, he'd demand a blade duel, not congratulations.
"Living better now? Clan had rough times—Seventh Elder taking heavy duties in tough days!"
Man Ho monologued noisily; Hyeok Gongun half-listened, half-ignored—the farce continued.
Responding appropriately, Hyeok Gongun endured until Man Ho whipped around at a rear presence.
Second Elder Cheon Jungak.
He appeared.
Glancing coldly at the head seat, he sat right before it, to the right.
Unlike usual, he exuded sharp hostility. All watched warily.
All but one.
"In a foul mood?"
Cheon Jungak ignored Man Ho's jab.
Man Ho snorted, pressing harder.
"No wonder—your kid divorced."
"...!"
The known but unspoken topic.
Voicing the Cult Leader and Cheon Seohee's divorce widened watching eyes.
"Bald tongue spews what can't be swallowed."
Cheon Jungak's icy gaze fixed on Man Ho.
Killing intent erupted tyrannically.
"Hahaha! Can't even say that among elders? Touchy bunch!"
Man Ho laughed delightedly, countering with sturdy aura.
Their energies clashed; teacups trembled, table shook.
"Cut that tongue, and you'll change your mind."
"Try it."
Amplifying, they pushed until the world quaked.
Hyeok Gongun, watching, struggled to breathe as it peaked—
Clink.
Sima Geuk set down his cup with a clear sound and spoke.
"Enough. Planning a spectacle before the meeting starts?"
"......"
"......"
Rebuked, the elders glared, then withdrew power.
Cheon Jungak turned away disdainfully; Man Ho scratched his neck, disappointed.
In the awkward air, Man Ho slyly eyed Hyeok Gongun and spoke.
"Seventh, need help, just say."
"Third Elder!"
Prodding Cheon Jungak's ire to the end, Man Ho turned only after Sima Geuk's second shout.
"Tch. Why so late?"
"Fifth Elder sent regrets. First won't show, obviously."
Man Ho nodded at Sima Geuk's reply.
"Fair. So one's left?"
Gazing at the head seat, Man Ho sighed deeply.
"Dragging feet uselessly. No talent, at least don't hinder—irks me."
"...Agreed."
Even reticent Yagul Hyeon voiced displeasure.
Impatient with the Cult Leader's tardiness, elders grew edgy; Hyeok Gongun stayed mute.
"No difference without him—start now..."
Man Ho, patience spent, proposed as all froze in place.
Not sensing energy or aura.
But their honed instincts rang alarms.
Something approached.
Swish—swish—sw—
Restless branches stilled.
Highland breeze halted; birds and beasts vanished.
On this towering peak remained only five elders, and...
"A bit late."
Hyeok Mulin appeared, presence vast yet pure.
Shock silenced the elders.
Sima Geuk's pupils quivered; Yagul Hyeon's eyes hardened.
Cheon Jungak was most stunned.
'Really that green kid from back then?'
Just one or two months ago in his office, he'd been surprised.
Deflecting his killing intent unscathed.
But this energy dwarfed that.
'Such explosive growth in so short a time—possible?'
Lifetime experience deemed it impossible.
"Cult Leader, learned some sorcery?"
Man Ho blurted in awe.
Half a year ago, mere novice.
Unbelievable, yet real.
Staring at the changed leader, sulfurous light gleamed in Man Ho's eyes.
Under that piercing gaze, Hyeok Mulin calmly took the head seat and spoke.
"Third Elder's jokes have sharpened."
It felt unlike ordinary demonic qi, yet not aberrant energy.
Man Ho hadn't truly meant sorcery, so he dropped it.
In silence laced with shock, disbelief, and alarm, Hyeok Mulin broke it.
"All here. Let us commence the Elder Council's regular meeting."
Under his lead, eyes shifted.
Each had prepared points for self and clan.
Who'd open as they gauged—
"No agenda? I'll start. Useless excess Martial Force Units to my command..."
"First item from me."
Hyeok Mulin sliced Man Ho's words.
Unprecedented, all eyed him puzzled.
Under converged gazes, he declared gravely.
"From today, I disband this council."
Forever.