Chapter 240
Chapter 240
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 240
Chapter Title: Confirmation of the Heavenly Demon
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A clear voice rang out from within, laced with solemnity.
Its direction and intent were unmistakably aimed at Hyeok Mulin.
It was undoubtedly a question, yet his tone carried not a shred of doubt.
As if it were less a query born of suspicion and more one seeking confirmation.
In the ensuing silence that followed, Hyeok Mulin finally spoke.
"I see. So it wasn't the divine art that took time, but this."
Hyeok Mulin had hit the mark.
In truth, Yeon Jeha had faced the same proposal as Yeon Jeokhwa and accepted it without much hesitation that very day.
Yet the reason he had dragged it out for three days...
He had conducted an exhaustive background check on Hyeok Mulin in that short span.
Mobilizing the full intelligence network of the Blood Heaven Divine Palace had yielded far more information than what was available during Yeon Jeokhwa's time, unraveling key clues one by one.
Hyeok Mulin, leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
They had assumed it was just a namesake coincidence, but comparing the acquired intel on his demeanor, personality, and appearance confirmed he was the true Heavenly Demon.
And finally, upon learning that Hyeok Mulin had not made any official appearances on Heavenly Mountain lately, Yeon Jeha's suspicions solidified into certainty.
'Whatever his purpose for stepping onto these lands, that's another matter.'
Opinions on the current Cult Leader Hyeok Mulin were rampant across the world.
Some dismissed him as a feeble Heavenly Demon unable to unify the cult, while others anticipated he would become a sovereign stronger than any before.
But amid all those varied assessments, one thing was certain.
'He's no ordinary man.'
In truth, Hyeok Mulin had been a frequent topic in the martial world of late.
A man thrust into the Heavenly Demon's seat with nothing to his name, yet who had seized the Seven Great Demon Clans one by one through his own power alone, expanding his influence.
At the end of it all, he had absorbed five of the seven clans—a feat Yeon Jeha knew all too well was no small task.
Of course, that wasn't all.
'Even just witnessing it firsthand is proof enough of his capabilities.'
The mere fact that Hyeok Mulin had deciphered the Blood Rainbow Heavenly River Divine Art was testament enough to his prowess.
The geniuses of the Blood Palace had racked their brains in vain for years, only to fail—yet he had unraveled it perfectly in a single month.
It showed he wasn't merely a leader with commanding talent; he was a martial artist of profound depth.
'But the concern is...'
This was the heart of the Blood Heaven Divine Palace, deep in the Central Plains.
As good as being in enemy territory, far from the demonic frontier—he wouldn't so easily admit his true identity.
Thus, Yeon Jeha had prepared evidence to prove he was the Heavenly Demon...
"You are correct."
But Yeon Jeha found he didn't need to present any of it.
"Truly the Heavenly Demon?"
"Indeed."
Hyeok Mulin had acknowledged it so readily.
That simple affirmation left the questioner himself more flustered than expected.
Yet with that, Yeon Jeha's mind cleared completely.
'He really is the Heavenly Demon.'
Any lingering sliver of doubt washed away, leaving the tangled threads of his thoughts fully unraveled.
The unflinching attitude even when facing him directly, the subtle aura emanating from his entire being, and the composure unshaken by sharing quarters with his daughter, hailed as the realm's greatest beauty...
Every sign before him screamed that this was no ordinary martial artist.
Such a Heavenly Demon.
"What brings you to our palace, concealing your identity?"
Yeon Jeha fixed him with a gaze of suspicion and wariness.
Hyeok Mulin responded to that look with casual ease.
"I've never hidden myself."
"What do you...?"
"I simply didn't proclaim myself the Heavenly Demon first. I've never denied it or lied about it."
Hyeok Mulin's words were the unvarnished truth.
When introducing himself, he had given only his name—no claims of not being the Heavenly Demon.
In the carriage here, his conversation with Yeon Jeokhwa had even subtly hinted at it.
But they had scanned his energy with their senses, deemed him no demonic practitioner, and jumped to conclusions.
'Can't argue with that.'
Yeon Jeha had no retort.
He still couldn't detect any demonic qi from Hyeok Mulin, even now.
As Yeon Jeha conceded his own oversight with a nod, Hyeok Mulin continued.
"As for why I've come to the Blood Heaven Divine Palace..."
Smoothly,
Hyeok Mulin's hand pointed toward Yeon Jeokhwa outside the door.
"At that woman's request."
Then it shifted to the martial arts manual.
"To decipher this."
True to his word, since setting foot on Blood Lord Mountain, Hyeok Mulin had done nothing but interpret the manual—no other actions whatsoever.
Nothing suspicious in the slightest, by all appearances.
As Yeon Jeha glanced down at the manual, Hyeok Mulin spoke again.
"So, what will you do?"
The moment of truth could be delayed no longer. It was time to decide.
Yeon Jeha's eyes turned to Hyeok Mulin.
'If he truly deciphered the Blood Rainbow Heavenly River Divine Art...'
There was no reason to refuse.
The formation was defensive and static, but the divine art allowed fluid motion.
And instinctively, he knew:
Missing this chance meant he would never decipher the art again.
But one final concern lingered.
'That I'd have to fully trust the Heavenly Demon to learn it.'
He was no mere palace servant—he was an outsider, from beyond the demonic frontier, no less. The leader of those very demons.
Could he truly place absolute faith in such a man?
If even a hint of malice crept in during the teaching, plunging him into qi deviation would be child's play.
Yeon Jeha's deliberations reached their peak.
And his final conclusion was:
"I'll trust you."
To seal away his formation and embrace the Blood Rainbow Heavenly River Divine Art.
It was tantamount to extending his trust to Hyeok Mulin.
Yeon Jeha didn't fully trust the Heavenly Demon yet.
But having witnessed his obsession and resolve with his own eyes, he believed the man wouldn't toy with the art.
"Understood. Then I'll explain the Blood Rainbow Heavenly River Divine Art from now."
Right there, where Yeon Jeha accepted his proposal, Hyeok Mulin began reciting the art's structure on the spot.
Its framework deviated from ordinary manuals, forming a highly complex system, but Yeon Jeha barely managed to follow.
Hyeok Mulin had broken it down far more simply than before.
By the end, having etched the Blood Rainbow Heavenly River Divine Art into his mind, Yeon Jeha couldn't hold back his admiration.
Not yet fully internalized, but he could already sense its tremendous power.
Joy overflowing, Yeon Jeha clenched his fist tightly, ecstasy blooming across his face.
But only for a moment—he soon calmed his excitement.
It wasn't over yet.
The transmission of the art was complete, but an even greater hurdle remained.
Looking at Hyeok Mulin, Yeon Jeha said,
"Thank you. This is all thanks to you."
Bringing this divine art to light for acquisition was entirely Hyeok Mulin's achievement.
No need to deny it, nor could it be denied.
He had accomplished alone what all had forsaken as impossible.
Now, it was time for Yeon Jeha to confirm the price.
"What is it you desire?"
The Heavenly Demon had come to the palace himself, deciphered their core divine art, and taught it outright.
How staggering a price might he demand? Yeon Jeha's face stiffened, unable to relax.
"What I desire."
But Hyeok Mulin's response left him dumbfounded.
"Nothing in particular."
"...What?"
Yeon Jeha's head tilted involuntarily.
After imparting such a divine art, he wanted nothing?
"It was fun researching a divine art like this after so long."
Hyeok Mulin meant every word.
How many arts in the world demanded a full month of stationary study to unravel?
Reviving memories of his past life and glimpsing the essence of Blood Palace arts—it had been a thoroughly satisfying experience.
And truth be told, what Hyeok Mulin gained wasn't just that.
'Finally ready to face the wall.'
In researching the Blood Rainbow Heavenly River Divine Art, he had glimpsed a thread of enlightenment.
He had laid the foundation to advance to the next stage.
That alone was ample reward for Hyeok Mulin.
'...A complete defeat for me.'
Yeon Jeha shook his head, gazing at Hyeok Mulin.
To have misunderstood such a benevolent and noble Heavenly Demon from start to finish.
A meaningful smile crossed Yeon Jeha's lips as he turned away.
"Very well. I'll prepare a reward befitting it myself."
"Do as you like."
He didn't particularly care, but no reason to refuse if offered.
Hyeok Mulin watched Yeon Jeha's retreating figure with light steps, as if unburdened after setting down a heavy load.
Once he had fully vanished.
Tadak!
Yeon Jeokhwa rushed in as if she'd been waiting.
Her bright eyes fixed on Hyeok Mulin as she asked,
"How did it go?"
Hyeok Mulin nodded slowly in response.
"It's done."
"...!"
Her pupils widened at his words, and a cheer burst from her rounded lips.
"Finally!"
Her voice mingled pent-up frustration with relief for the future.
Uncovering the Blood Rainbow Heavenly River Divine Art—the Blood Heaven Divine Palace's greatest future asset—owed its primary credit to Hyeok Mulin, but second place undoubtedly went to Yeon Jeokhwa.
She had brought him here and encouraged the research, after all.
Letting an outsider interpret their palace's divine art was a massive gamble, yet Hyeok Mulin had succeeded.
Just bringing him had earned her unparalleled merit in the Blood Heaven Divine Palace.
From here on, no one could challenge her position as Little Palace Lord.
A radiant smile lit Yeon Jeokhwa's face.
But only briefly—soon, shadows darkened her eyes as she spoke apologetically.
"Um... sorry. I ended up trapping you in the Blood Palace."
"What do you mean?"
"Now that you've memorized that divine art, the Palace Lord will never let you leave Blood Lord Mountain."
Yeon Jeokhwa felt only guilt toward Hyeok Mulin.
He had interpreted it for her and the palace, yet all he got in return was confinement.
"Hmm."
But at her regretful tone, Hyeok Mulin smirked.
"I doubt the Palace Lord sees it that way."