Chapter 176
Chapter 176
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 176
Chapter Title: Namman Wild Beast Palace
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Is this the Namman Wild Beast Palace?
Leading the delegation, Hyeok Mulin gazed steadily at them.
'They've put quite a bit of effort into setting the atmosphere.'
Stairs stretching skyward as if reaching the heavens.
Warriors and ferocious beasts lined up on either side, casting stern gazes downward.
And at the top, the palace lord seated on a jade throne, the blinding sun at his back.
When facing outsiders from afar, they didn't start on equal footing.
It was structured so one side looked up unilaterally while the other looked down.
They had crafted an atmosphere that would intimidate most people from the very beginning.
'Well, it's not a bad thing.'
There was no need to play along with their intentions.
Thud. Thud.
Hyeok Mulin stepped forward.
At his movement, the Namman Wild Beast Palace warriors widened their eyes in fury.
Surye Tae, watching from the summit, also let out a soft exclamation.
"Ho..."
One step. Another step.
Hyeok Mulin ascended the stairs alone, slowly.
To the demonic cultists watching from behind, their eyes held respect and trust toward him.
In contrast, the warriors he passed on the sides of the stairs eyed him with wariness.
But as time passed, something strange began to happen.
Grrr. Grrr.
As Hyeok Mulin climbed, the nearby beasts averted their gazes or turned away.
He wasn't emitting any aura at all.
Yet they were overwhelmed by the natural energy radiating from his entire body, losing their will to fight.
The warriors holding the beasts' leashes couldn't hide their panic and ultimately failed to restore them to their former state.
Step.
Finally, after conquering the long, arduous stairs,
Hyeok Mulin faced Surye Tae at eye level.
Now up close, two black tigers flanked him.
One had snow-white eyes, the other golden ones.
Each was twice the size of a normal tiger—truly spirit beasts in their own right.
At that moment, Hyeok Mulin glanced at the black tigers.
Grrrrr—!
They both raised their tails in alert simultaneously.
At the sight, a ripple stirred deep within Surye Tae.
'I've never seen these two wary of anyone before.'
The instinct of beasts, perhaps.
The man before him carried no aura whatsoever.
Yet both black tigers were on high alert.
Did that mean he could threaten their lives at any moment?
Surye Tae looked at Hyeok Mulin again with a peculiar gaze, thanks to the tigers' wariness.
'As expected of the Heavenly Demon.'
He hadn't expected much from the young Heavenly Demon, but this one seemed more interesting than anticipated.
From the jade throne, Surye Tae lifted the corner of his mouth and spoke first.
"Welcome. I am Surye Tae, lord of the Namman Wild Beast Palace."
"I am Hyeok Mulin, leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, whose every move the world watched.
The Namman Wild Beast Palace, a legitimate powerhouse of the outer reaches.
The leaders of these two factions now met in one place.
After a brief exchange of greetings with Surye Tae, Hyeok Mulin scanned him.
He was a middle-aged man with sharply defined, beast-like musculature and an intimidating presence.
'So this is the ruler of the Namman Wild Beast Palace, the Myriad Beast Emperor Surye Tae.'
The man who dominated the southern frontier.
They said a single gesture from him would send every beast in Namman charging until death—not just over people, but beasts as well, wielding absolute dominance.
"Thank you for making the long journey to Namman. I never dreamed the Heavenly Demon himself would grace us."
"It's nothing for forging new bonds. Our cult hopes to build deep ties with the Namman Wild Beast Palace."
With that, Hyeok Mulin gestured behind him, and the delegation unpacked their gifts.
Rare herbs, spirit pills, silks, and statues from the carts were presented. Surye Tae glanced down at them.
"So we've brought modest gifts."
"Modest? They seem a bit excessive for that."
"The true value of a gift lies in the sincerity behind it, not the objects themselves. Know that our cult holds the Namman Wild Beast Palace in high regard."
Sincerity...
For decades, the two had no contact whatsoever.
Was it truly coincidence that they sought friendship now, in this chaotic time?
Doubting, Surye Tae stirred his aura at the base to probe Hyeok Mulin's energy.
But...
'...Is this really the Heavenly Demon?'
He detected not a trace of demonic qi from Hyeok Mulin.
It felt as if there was no inner energy in his dantian—like an ordinary commoner who never cultivated martial arts.
Unable to quell his budding suspicion at this bizarre sensation, but not yet at the stage to confirm it,
Surye Tae soon burst into hearty laughter.
"Understood. I won't forget your sincerity."
With a pleased expression, he continued.
"You must be tired from the long trip. Shall we discuss details later? We have plenty of time, after all."
"Agreed."
"Stay in our palace as long as you like."
"I'm grateful for the offer. I won't refuse."
As Hyeok Mulin accepted, Surye Tae nodded and saw him off.
"We'll meet again soon."
Surye Tae then instructed his subordinates to guide them to their quarters.
The guide who had vanished reappeared, calling others to escort the demonic cultists.
He remained, then approached Hyeok Mulin as he descended the stairs slowly.
"Follow me."
Hyeok Mulin followed the guide with Man Ho, who had been waiting. Beasts were visible everywhere along the path.
Yet they showed no aggression toward the guests—not even growling threats.
Guided along, Hyeok Mulin entered a small palace adorned with golden crowns.
Just inside the building, the guide stopped abruptly and asked,
"This is the Noble Palace. Do you have a preferred room?"
"Give us one with two beds."
Hyeok Mulin glanced at Man Ho.
"You'll need a place to sleep too."
He had planned to share quarters with Man Ho, of course.
He wasn't one to keep protectors close usually, but the reason was clear now.
Given the unique nature of the outer martial world, he aimed to spend as much time as possible with Man Ho to understand him better.
Just as Man Ho observed Hyeok Mulin with questions.
Likewise, Hyeok Mulin was scrutinizing Man Ho's actions and personality.
After all, he was a clan patriarch of the Seven Great Demon Clans whom Hyeok Mulin needed to claim.
"Then this room..."
Thus, Hyeok Mulin was led to a room that, unlike the gleaming gold exterior, was rather plain inside.
No decorations—just hard stone beds covered with leopard hides.
But Hyeok Mulin and Man Ho nodded in unison.
"This'll do."
"Not bad."
The two, minds aligned, met eyes and chuckled.
The leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and a patriarch of the Seven Great Demon Clans.
By status alone, one might think they'd spent lives on luxury beds, but accommodations meant little to them.
In his previous life, Hyeok Mulin often dozed off while training in the hard Heavenly Demon Secret Vault, and Man Ho had slept outdoors countless times on his wanderings.
"Thanks for the guide. You may go."
Dismissing the guide, Hyeok Mulin soon began simple training suitable for the room.
Man Ho shook his head at the sight.
"Even here, no rest."
After nonstop travel with the delegation, it was time to be weary, yet Hyeok Mulin trained until bedtime. Man Ho clicked his tongue.
"Join me?"
"I'll stand guard tonight."
"Fair enough. Not a bad choice."
Agreeing, Hyeok Mulin added,
"And it seems we need someone in that role right now."
"...?"
Man Ho paused in confusion.
Soon sensing a presence, he looked out the window.
Hyeok Mulin smirked.
"Go."
"Yes."
Man Ho nodded and vanished from the quarters in an instant.
Not long after, he returned dragging a man by the collar.
A man had come snooping at night.
More accurately, Man Ho had caught him lurking nearby.
"He was peeking from behind a pillar."
Hearing Man Ho's explanation, Hyeok Mulin looked down steadily.
"Who are you?"
At the question, the man flinched, then flailed and made excuses.
"I swear, I'm not here to harm the cult leader!"
"Then why spy like a bat instead of coming officially?"
"That's..."
As he faltered, Hyeok Mulin cut to the chase.
"Never mind. Why were you hiding here?"
The man brightened and stated his purpose.
"My lord urgently wishes to meet the cult leader."
My lord.
"The palace lord?"
"No."
Denying it, the man spoke with pride.
"The one I serve is the palace lord's heir and eldest son, the young palace lord. He desires a meeting with you."
Hyeok Mulin pondered briefly.
Then smiled faintly.
"Can't sleep anyway. A walk sounds good."
"Then...!"
"Lead on."
"Yes!"
The man beamed and strode out.
Leaving the quarters, he glanced back curiously at Man Ho.
"But my lord requested only the cult leader..."
"Leaving my Left Protector behind? Sounds suspicious."
"N-no! Just curious. This way, please!"
With Man Ho's company approved via brief exchange, the three proceeded.
Following closely, they stopped at a building entrance.
The man opened a door adorned with a round skull, revealing a small table inside.
A man waited before it.
Similar age to Hyeok Mulin, tall and pale-skinned.
His body was covered in countless snake tattoos that sent chills down the spine.
Spotting Hyeok Mulin enter, he grinned slyly.
Bowing slowly, he greeted him.
"It is the supreme honor of three lifetimes to meet the leader of the divine cult that rules all under heaven."
Receiving the flattery-laden greeting, Hyeok Mulin knew in that instant.
'It was you.'
The one who, in his previous life, killed his father in the Namman Wild Beast Palace and usurped the throne.
The young palace lord himself.