Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: The Demonic Martial God Tournament
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Shwaaaaa―
Hyeok Mulin finished speaking, but all that remained in the garden was silence.
Only the sound of bamboo rustling in the wind could be heard.
At that moment, Cheon Jungak, doubting his own ears, turned to Hyeok Mulin and asked,
"What did you just say?"
"I said we'll hold the Demonic Martial God Tournament."
Hyeok Mulin gave a firm confirmation, but Cheon Jungak still looked incredulous, his face filled with doubt as he stared at Hyeok Mulin and asked again.
"Is that truly real?"
"No competition better represents our cult's laws, does it? What, are you backing out now?"
"That's not it..."
Cheon Jungak swallowed his words at Hyeok Mulin's sudden declaration.
All the points he'd been about to raise had become meaningless.
The Demonic Martial God Tournament.
It was from the early to mid-period after the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult rose to prominence, when systematic rules hadn't yet been fully established.
Back then, the cult's laws were simple.
If the Central Plains emphasized righteousness and chivalry, the Demonic Territories prioritized the supremacy of the strong above all else.
―The word of the strong is law, and the word of the weak deserves to be ignored.
With this simple axiom, all demonic cultivators staked their lives on increasing their martial prowess.
After all, when many martial artists gather, they naturally want to prove their strength.
It was the Fourth Generation Heavenly Demon, the Martial God, who formally opened a battlefield for those bloodthirsty warriors eager for combat.
―Prove your strength in the demonic path and claim your rank.
The rules of the Demonic Martial God Tournament were straightforward.
Status, origin, age—none of it mattered.
All that counted was mercilessly crushing the opponent before you and climbing higher.
The sole survivor of that bloodbath would receive immense wealth and honor.
This was knowledge Cheon Jungak had from ancient records of the event.
The most recent tournament had been held centuries ago.
The modern Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had established firm discipline and order, eliminating the need to throw its demonic cultivators into the fire.
Thus, the tournament had naturally faded away.
'But that's not the important part.'
If that were all, Cheon Jungak wouldn't have been so shocked.
The reason he doubted his ears was that the Demonic Martial God Tournament had no restrictions on challengers—as long as they were demonic cultivators.
That meant even the Cult Leader of the era could be targeted.
Previous Heavenly Demons had nearly all been the supreme under heaven or held comparable divine status.
So winners among the participants—or those of comparable skill—would humbly seek guidance and enlightenment from the Heavenly Demon of the time.
'But the situation is entirely different now.'
Unlike back then, when challenging the Heavenly Demon meant seeking instruction from the pinnacle of martial might, the young Heavenly Demon today didn't possess such overwhelming prestige.
No matter how much the cult prioritized laws and rules, everyone harbored the supremacy of the strong deep in their hearts.
What if the Heavenly Demon lost in the tournament?
A Heavenly Demon stripped of trust would struggle to retain the leadership position.
It was highly likely they'd have to step down.
'He must know that.'
So why propose holding the Demonic Martial God Tournament despite such risks?
Was it to break the Cheon Clan's all-out assault with no other way?
Or did he plan to impose restrictions on participants and use his subordinates as proxies?
The offer was too sweet, so suspicion came first.
But the moment their eyes met, all of Cheon Jungak's doubts vanished cleanly.
"...Your confidence overflows. Do you truly believe your current power as Cult Leader can claim victory in the Demonic Martial God Tournament?"
This wasn't some minor sparring match for ragtag late-stage disciples.
It was a contest open to every demonic cultivator in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult without restraint.
Yet the eyes Hyeok Mulin fixed on him held not a shred of anxiety over defeat.
"Well, we'll see when it happens. But I have no intention of losing."
Cheon Jungak's lips twisted at Hyeok Mulin's baseless bravado.
Even if he'd entered the Demonic God Realm and gained enlightenment, he hadn't reached an unrivaled height.
Besides, that enlightenment was recent.
He surely hadn't fully adapted to it yet.
What Hyeok Mulin showed wasn't confidence—it was arrogance.
"Simply advancing a realm means nothing without the experience to back it up. In my view, you need more time, Cult Leader."
"So, will you refuse?"
A provocation wrapped in calm tones.
Cheon Jungak's brow furrowed.
"No reason to refuse when you're tightening the noose around your own neck."
"Good. I'll arrange the Demonic Martial God Tournament soon."
Hyeok Mulin rose from his seat.
Having conveyed the key point, there was no more to discuss.
"Then we'll meet at the tournament. Stay well until then."
"May your martial prowess abound."
After Hyeok Mulin departed, Cheon Jungak, left alone, gazed at the garden in deep thought.
Moments later, he raised his right hand, and a martial artist appeared from behind, dropping to one knee.
Still staring at the garden, Cheon Jungak issued his command.
"Recall all our forces outside to the main clan."
There was no need to continue picking fights over the Cult Leader's affairs.
Regardless of the minor skirmishes, the final outcome would reveal itself in the Demonic Martial God Tournament.
"Understood!"
Sushuk―
Once the subordinate vanished after receiving the order, Cheon Jungak closed his eyes against the creeping fatigue.
Suddenly, he recalled the day he'd heard of his daughter's divorce.
At first, he'd assumed the son-in-law would bow his head and return soon enough.
How could someone with no power or backing shoulder such a noble position?
But as time passed, he realized he'd been wrong.
'To grow this much.'
He'd gathered people on his own and built a faction.
And through relentless effort, he'd achieved astonishing growth in martial arts.
It was like creating something from nothing.
'An enemy, but impressive nonetheless.'
He didn't like it, but he couldn't deny the man's genius in martial prowess and intellect.
Of course, now that they opposed each other, it was all pointless.
"Cult Leader."
Cheon Jungak picked up the teacup before him.
He sipped the now-cold tea and continued.
"Even so, the one who survives till the end."
Thud.
"Will be me."
A few days later.
Sima Jin reviewed the documents from Pure Heaven Pavilion and reported to Hyeok Mulin.
"The Cheon Clan's pressure has completely vanished. We've also confirmed that their martial artists, who were harassing us from all sides, have ceased activities and returned to their main clan."
"Knew it. No point wasting energy anymore."
In the end, if they just defeated him in the Demonic Martial God Tournament, they'd gain honor, revenge, and even the chance to seize the leadership—all their desired rewards.
So he'd predicted they wouldn't bother with petty interference, and it had played out exactly as expected.
"Now we can breathe a little."
"Yes. It'll take some time to rebuild, but we'll identify the weak points and construct something even more perfect than before."
The trading companies and businesses had suffered the most from the Cheon Clan's interference.
They were clear targets, easy to sabotage directly.
Yet Hyeok Mulin hadn't worried much, even when their funds were hit.
A sturdier golden lifeline remained in the Central Plains anyway.
"Request support from the Myriad Gold Exchange for any funding shortages."
The Myriad Gold Exchange had successfully monopolized Sichuan, amassing plentiful funds.
The trading post he'd trusted and invested in had returned as a golden pig.
One letter requesting aid would bring back more than enough gold to fully recover everything.
'It's all my money anyway, so it doesn't matter.'
Like transferring a money pouch from the right pocket to the left.
"Compensate the cult members who suffered losses in the conflicts generously."
"As you command."
Sima Jin smiled and accepted the order.
After noting the instructions on the documents, Sima Jin brought up the next topic.
"Cult Leader. It's time to discuss the Demonic Martial God Tournament. Have you given any prior thought to how it should proceed?"
Sima Jin had been surprised at first by Hyeok Mulin's announcement of the tournament.
A bloodbath for demonic cultivators unseen in centuries.
He knew the risks well, and for a moment, he'd worried for the Cult Leader's safety.
But he'd quickly cast aside stray thoughts and begun preparations.
Every path the Cult Leader had walked so far had been flawless.
As his closest confidant, Sima Jin simply trusted and followed.
"The tournament's proceedings... I have something in mind."
He sketched a rough layout on paper with his brush and handed it over.
Sima Jin's eyes lit up with interest as he examined it.
"Different from before... This looks highly entertaining. Both participants and spectators will be fully immersed."
"Good to hear."
"Huge crowds will flock here. It's been centuries since the cult held an official martial tournament."
Sima Jin's mind already pictured martial artists and spectators pouring in from all regions, high-ranking cult officials with power, merchants great and small, and even visitors from beyond the Demonic Territories coming to Heavenly Mountain—figures from every walk of life.
After pondering how to leverage them, their money, and influence, he spoke to Hyeok Mulin.
"For tournament-related business, partnering with the Yagul Clan Patriarch would be best."
The expected scale and scope were too vast.
No matter Sima Jin's brilliance, handling it alone would be impossible.
That's why they collaborated at times like this.
The business genius Yagul Hyeon would surely be a great asset.
"Do so. It's a win-win for them too. But secure at least seventy percent of the shares for us."
"I'll bring back eighty."
"Reliable as ever."
Hyeok Mulin chuckled at Sima Jin's assurance.
With the discussion wrapped up, Hyeok Mulin rose to leave Pure Heaven Pavilion.
Just then, Sima Jin spoke up.
"Oh, right. A letter arrived for you this morning, Cult Leader."
A letter?
No one he expected correspondence from right now.
Hyeok Mulin turned and asked,
"Who sent it?"
Sima Jin replied with a meaningful smile.
"It's from the Great Military Strategist."
Sima Geuk...!
A flash crossed Hyeok Mulin's pupils.
The time had finally come.
To seize the third pillar of the Seven Great Demon Clans in his grasp.