Chapter 220
Chapter 220
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 220
Chapter Title: The Supreme Patriarch's Shadow
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“……”
A profound silence settled over them.
Cheon Seohee's mind swirled with tangled thoughts, leaving her unable to easily part her lips.
She had told Yagul Soho to ask whatever she wanted and promised to answer anything, yet now that the question had come, she stood frozen, speechless.
What did she think of the Cult Leader?
'What on earth is the intent behind that question?'
She had expected inquiries about the Cheon Clan's interests and ties to the Yagul Clan, but never imagined a question about Hyeok Mulin.
Still, Cheon Seohee masked her inner turmoil beneath a calm surface, maintaining a cold expression.
Soon, she spoke to Yagul Soho in a frosty voice.
“The Cult Leader...”
She paused as if pondering, then gave her answer.
“I believe he is an exceptional leader with the outstanding abilities needed to guide our cult well.”
Cheon Seohee's words focused not on the man Hyeok Mulin, but on Hyeok Mulin as the Cult Leader.
And they were sincere.
Having closely observed his policies and actions, she could not deny the demonic path he walked.
“I see.”
Yagul Soho smiled faintly, her eyes crinkling with amusement.
It was unclear if she was satisfied with an answer matching her intent or simply intrigued by the unexpected response.
Cheon Seohee stared straight ahead for a moment before turning the question back on her.
“You seem to have quite an interest in the Cult Leader. So, what are your thoughts on him?”
“My thoughts...”
Yagul Soho closed her eyes briefly in thought, then spoke.
“I share the same view as you, Lady Cheon. The current Cult Leader gives off a different impression from all the previous leaders recorded in our history.”
Come to think of it, the Yagul Clan had been the first among the Seven Great Demon Clans to ally with Hyeok Mulin.
They must have observed him closely from up close for a long time.
Intrigued by what this young head of the Yagul Clan had to say about him, Cheon Seohee listened quietly.
“He excels in both civil and military arts, and his knack for spotting talent is unparalleled. There are countless stars who would never have risen without him.”
Cheon Seohee agreed that Hyeok Mulin had a special eye for people.
He cleanly separated those worth keeping from those to discard and unearthed countless hidden talents from the shadows.
“And don't they all devote their loyalty to him, captivated by his presence? One might say he possesses an intangible force that draws people in—a trait unmatched by anyone else.”
A force that draws people in...
Cheon Seohee mulled over her words.
Did that mean her own inability to fully erase him from her thoughts was due to being pulled by that very force?
As complex emotions churned within her, Yagul Soho gently raised her cup to her lips and continued.
“That's why I'm certain our cult will flourish under his leadership.”
Of course, achieving that would require overcoming many more obstacles ahead.
But above all, if the Seven Great Demon Clans united their strength, the cult's growth would become unstoppable.
Aware of this, the Cult Leader had prioritized unity, bringing five clans under his wing—yet two still firmly turned their backs.
Yagul Soho glanced sidelong at Cheon Seohee before asking her directly.
“Does the Cheon Clan still harbor resentment toward the Cult Leader?”
Cheon Seohee met her gaze steadily.
'How bold you've become.'
To pose such a question directly to her—the very cause of the rift between the Cheon Clan and Hyeok Mulin.
Though phrased with the Cheon Clan as the subject, Cheon Seohee sensed it probing her own intentions and those of her father.
“I've long cast aside such feelings, and Father fully resolved his old grudges during the Demonic Path Martial God Battle.”
It was the truth.
Right after the divorce notice, she had felt a momentary absurdity, but that was all.
Afterward, watching Hyeok Mulin expand his influence within the cult, her emotions shifted from hatred or resentment to something else.
And she still couldn't quite define what that something was.
“Then why does the Cheon Clan still close off communication with the Cult Leader? If you stood by his side, not only would the cult advance, but the Cheon Clan could achieve tremendous growth as well.”
Every clan among the Seven Great Demon Clans that pledged loyalty to Hyeok Mulin was enjoying greater prosperity than before.
Even if the Cheon Clan had once despised him like an enemy, with those feelings gone, what reason remained to hold back?
For the clan's future, allying with the Cult Leader was the best choice.
They surely knew this, yet they persisted in isolation—Yagul Soho couldn't help but question it.
Cheon Seohee, who had listened silently, finally spoke measuredly.
“I agree with you. But it's not as simple as words make it sound.”
“...?”
Doubt flickered in Yagul Soho's eyes.
Soon, Cheon Seohee continued.
“Even Father cannot make a final decision on matters that could determine the clan's fate.”
“What? If even the clan patriarch can't decide, then who...?”
She froze.
A name flashed through her mind like lightning.
Her body stiffened at the mere thought, and with trembling eyes, she slowly parted her lips.
“No way...?”
Yagul Soho looked at Cheon Seohee with fear in her gaze.
Cheon Seohee nodded slowly and confirmed it.
“Yes. The final decision in our main family rests with the Supreme Clan Patriarch. With him in secluded cultivation, we cannot decide such a grave matter ourselves.”
The Cheon Clan's Supreme Clan Patriarch.
One of the only two ancient martial sovereigns in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
His name alone made sweat bead on Yagul Soho's forehead unbidden.
Just thinking of him made her posture uncomfortable and filled her with tension.
'Indeed, if that lord is absent from the clan, it makes sense.'
No one could make such a weighty decision without the final authority present.
Yagul Soho nodded, sorting her thoughts.
And in that moment, as she recalled him, something flashed through her mind.
'...No way.'
Gulp.
She swallowed dryly and slowly lifted her head to meet Cheon Seohee's eyes. Then she posed a single question.
“May I ask how long the Supreme Clan Patriarch has been in seclusion?”
“Quite some time. Several years, I believe.”
“Then...”
Yagul Soho held her breath for a moment, taking a deep one.
Once she calmed herself, she asked the crucial question.
“Does the Supreme Clan Patriarch in seclusion... know of your divorce?”
“...”
A heavy silence enveloped them.
An abyssal quiet hung in the air, as if the world had stopped.
After what felt like an eternity...
Slurp.
Cheon Seohee lightly lifted her cup and took a sip.
She set it down and slowly opened her mouth.
“He doesn't know.”
“...!”
Yagul Soho's eyes widened in shock, like a startled rabbit.
Cold sweat trickled down her spine as she stammered in a trembling voice.
“Th-then...!”
Cheon Seohee nodded calmly in response.
“If the Supreme Clan Patriarch emerges from seclusion and learns of the divorce...”
Without a doubt.
“A massive storm will sweep through the cult.”
The miners and foremen, celebrating the rediscovery of the Namgok Mine, soon returned to work.
Guided by Yang Un-sik, they relocated the buried iron ore deposits and began constructing new shafts to develop the mine's interior.
And as soon as they extracted the ore, they shipped it all to the Southern Iron Gate.
“Mm, top-grade for sure.”
Upon inspecting the iron ore's quality, the foremen rippled with emotion, as if reuniting with long-lost family.
Hyeok Mulin watched the scene with interest from a short distance away. That's when Gun Do-sang approached him.
He expressed his gratitude once more.
“Thanks to the Cult Leader's keen eye, we didn't lose the Namgok Mine.”
“It's also thanks to the miners who never gave up their search.”
Thanks to their persistent exploration as they expanded paths deeper into the mine, they had penetrated the depths with ease.
Thus, their contributions could not be downplayed.
Gun Do-sang let out a pleased laugh at Hyeok Mulin's words.
“Then I owe them as well. I hope a day comes when I can properly repay them.”
The two stood side by side, watching the foremen cheer and rejoice over the iron ore.
Just raw material arriving had them this overjoyed.
Their pure joy as artisans shone through unmasked.
“We'll prioritize forging the items per the Cult Leader's orders with that ore.”
Now, every member of the Heavenly Division Wind and Cloud Corps would have personal weapons suited to them.
Crafted by top-tier artisans, using the finest materials, into the highest-quality arms.
And with those in hand, the Heavenly Division Wind and Cloud Corps would truly be reborn as Heavenly Demon Troops.
“I'm looking forward to it.”
The Heavenly Division Wind and Cloud Corps was a special unit even among the Heavenly Demon Army and Demon Army combined.
Led by a commander from the Central Plains, manned by hunter recruits, all wielding bows and excelling in scouting and pursuit.
With their unique traits unmatched by any other unit, their utility would be extraordinary—though they'd face trials because of it.
'My part ends here.'
Hyeok Mulin had no intention of meddling in the issues they'd face within the cult going forward.
From now on, it was for the Heavenly Division Wind and Cloud Corps to handle themselves.
However.
'Defeat is not an option.'
The name Heavenly Demon Troops carried that weight.
And the Heavenly Division Wind and Cloud Corps held ample potential. The potential to stand at the pinnacle alongside units like the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad.
So until they reached that height.
“I'll watch and see, at my leisure.”