Chapter 308
Chapter 308
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 308
Chapter Title: Blood Heaven Divine Palace's Delegation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"The Blood Heaven Divine Palace's delegation...!"
Sima Jin had vaguely anticipated it after first checking the letter's origin.
The trust that the Cult Leader had built with the Blood Heaven Divine Palace, and the relationship forged on that foundation.
When he saw the letter sealed with luxurious golden thread.
He had assumed it must contain some official exchange, or something on par with it.
But a full delegation? Truly?
"Congratulations. This is the first delegation to visit since Your Excellency ascended to the throne, isn't it?"
For a force as grand and historic as the Blood Heaven Divine Palace to send a delegation to their cult was no common occurrence.
This, too, marked another monumental achievement under the Cult Leader's reign.
"We'll need to prepare to receive our guests."
Hyeok Mulin handed the letter to Sima Jin so he could review it.
Sima Jin took it and slowly read through, then spoke in a slightly surprised tone.
"The Palace Lord and Young Palace Lord are both joining the delegation? It seems they place firm trust in you, Your Excellency."
Delegations were typically granted safe passage by an unspoken rule of the world, but it was far from absolute.
Envoys venturing into enemy territory often never returned intact.
Thus, for a leader to join their own delegation, there could only be one reason.
'When heading to an alliance, or a force in extremely amicable relations.'
Only with absolute certainty that no harm would come.
Which made this situation a clear sign of how deeply the Blood Palace Lord trusted the Cult Leader.
After all, it had been the Cult Leader himself—not the cult—who had met him in the past.
But that thought brought to mind Hyeok Mulin's journey to the South Barbaric Beast Palace, prompting Sima Jin to let out an involuntary chuckle.
A place with no prior contact, shrouded in mystery like an unknown foe.
Yet the Cult Leader had plunged straight into its heart.
And returned triumphant with the best possible outcome.
Recalling that, Sima Jin couldn't even begin to fathom the Cult Leader's courage.
"Considering the location and timing when they sent the letter, it should take them just over a fortnight to reach the main palace."
"Perfect timing."
It matched the deadline Shim Hyo had mentioned exactly.
The day to unveil the new ceremonial robe would arrive sooner than expected.
"Though something feels a bit off."
After finishing the letter, Sima Jin set it down and raised a question.
"Usually, they'd send advance notice for confirmations and preparations before departure, but this seems rather last-minute, doesn't it?"
Hyeok Mulin had noticed the same while reading.
Still, he didn't see it as a major issue, even without prior notice before their departure.
He had already discussed matters with the Palace Lord during his previous visit to the Blood Heaven Divine Palace.
So there was no need for an extra confirmation letter beforehand.
Yet, as this was an official affair, the Palace Lord surely wouldn't have overlooked protocol.
'Sending it after departure rather than before...'
It likely meant some problem had arisen.
Something so pressing it filled his mind, leaving no room for other thoughts.
'Which means this delegation—and the meeting—'
'Might not go entirely smoothly.'
Twenty nights after the letter from the Blood Heaven Divine Palace arrived.
"Hm..."
Hyeok Gongun, clad for the first time in ages in a finely pressed ceremonial robe over his training garb, emerged from his clan manor with his courtesans.
He strolled through the inner castle and entered the Heavenly Demon Palace, heading straight for his destination.
Soon, he arrived at the Heavenly Demon Hall.
Rumble—
Hyeok Gongun stepped inside alone through the open doors.
Surveying the interior, he spoke.
"Am I the first?"
No one was in sight, and the throne at the head remained empty.
Not even the high-ranking demon cultivators, let alone Hyeok Mulin, had arrived yet.
Scanning the surroundings, Hyeok Gongun took a position to the right of the central path, at a suitable distance from the throne.
As he waited briefly, Yagul Hyeon appeared next.
Naturally taking the spot opposite him, Yagul Hyeon spoke.
"You're early."
"Couldn't sleep last night from the excitement."
It was the day the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would receive the Blood Heaven Divine Palace's delegation.
A recent cult proclamation had plastered the streets, drawing all eyes to the envoys.
Even the Seven Great Demon Clans couldn't hide their astonishment.
How had the Cult Leader forged such close ties with the Blood Palace?
Amazed by it all, Hyeok Gongun resolved to stand by Hyeok Mulin's side when the delegation arrived.
It was standard for high-ranking demon cultivators to flank the Cult Leader during such receptions.
As patriarch of one of the Seven Great Demon Clans, he couldn't be absent.
Thus, buzzing with anticipation through a sleepless night, he had entered the hall.
"It's been quite some time since the cult last received an outside delegation."
"Decades, at least."
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult wasn't a place bustling with envoys.
Of course not.
Righteous sects? Unorthodox factions? The outer martial world?
Who could mingle freely with them?
Moreover, a delegation personally received by the Heavenly Demon demanded a certain caliber.
Yagul Hyeon could barely recall the last time one of this scale had visited, and Hyeok Gongun felt the same.
As they waited with keen interest.
Swish—
Dokgo Wi entered silently.
Hyeok Gongun gave him a brief nod; Dokgo Wi responded with a subtle dip of his head.
The man had always been hard to approach, and conversation still felt awkward.
But after the Seven Great Demon Clans had united against the Cheon Clan's threat, things felt a touch easier.
They had all confirmed their shared loyalty to Hyeok Mulin.
Next came Sima Geuk, back straight as ever, followed by Man Ho stifling a yawn as he found his seat.
Now, five of the Seven Great Demon Clans supporting Hyeok Mulin were assembled.
Gazing steadfastly at them, Hyeok Gongun smiled faintly.
'Truly, a rare gathering.'
Figures who seldom convened in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Yet for Hyeok Mulin's needs, they united as one.
Just sharing the space with the four other patriarchs filled Hyeok Gongun with reassurance and warmth.
Then, as the doors opened, their eyes turned.
Hyeok Mulin was due any moment.
No one else would come here now, so they assumed it was him.
But the figure who met their gaze was utterly unexpected.
"Why are you here?"
Even Man Ho tilted his head in bewilderment.
Bathed in all their stares, he wordlessly walked the central path to the throne.
Passing them all, he slowly lifted his head to regard the throne.
As they watched him with faint tension under that inscrutable gaze, his body moved again.
He stepped to the right side of the path, right before the throne, and halted.
Turning to face the central path like the others, he stood at attention.
The patriarchs' eyes widened in shock.
"You don't mean...!"
In the midst of their astonishment.
Rumble rumble—
The doors parted, spilling light as a silhouette entered.
And as they closed once more.
Gasp.
Hyeok Gongun swallowed hard at the sight of Hyeok Mulin stepping inside.
Hyeok Mulin wore a new ceremonial robe of inky black silk, woven from deep, smoke-like threads that absorbed the darkness.
It gleamed with profound, subtle luster.
Its wide sleeves flowed in graceful curves with every motion, like rippling water.
Step. Step.
All eyes were captivated by Hyeok Mulin as he approached the throne.
The broad collar and hem exuded a faint ink fragrance, while the outer black harmonized mysteriously with hints of inner crimson, radiating intense pressure.
Finally, intricate patterns embroidered in gold thread across the robe showcased the artisan's masterful skill.
This was no mere garment.
It felt like another entity amplifying the Heavenly Demon Hyeok Mulin's presence.
Grand and imposing, yet coolly elegant, it inspired awe in all who beheld it.
Thud.
Having ascended leisurely to the throne and taken his seat, Hyeok Mulin surveyed them all.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.
Six of the Seven Great Demon Clans' patriarchs stood before him.
His gaze lingered especially on the newest, most welcome face nearby, and he spoke.
"Cheon Clan Patriarch. I welcome your decision."
"I pay my respects to Your Exalted Excellency, the Cult Leader."
The man there was none other than the Cheon Clan's patriarch—and Hyeok Mulin's former father-in-law—Cheon Jungak.
Stoic-faced, he stood tall before Hyeok Mulin.
Like the other patriarchs, he had joined as a high-ranking demon cultivator to receive the outside delegation.
And this act equated to Cheon Jungak—no, the entire Cheon Clan—pledging loyalty to Hyeok Mulin.
With the words coming directly from Hyeok Mulin's mouth, it was sealed. The patriarchs showed varied expressions, but their meaning was one.
'Incredible.'
The Seven Great Demon Clans—now six—were united.
All but the Gu Clan followed Hyeok Mulin's will.
Even Hyeok Mulin hadn't been entirely certain this would come to pass.
In truth, his connection to the Cheon Clan stemmed from their former supreme patriarch, the Sword Sovereign, during his wandering days in the Central Plains.
Yet here sat Cheon Jungak, not the Sword Sovereign, confirming the elder had stepped back from leadership.
Still, Cheon Jungak's presence meant the Sword Sovereign had swayed the clan his way.
"Forget the past. Let us think only of advancing together."
The whys and hows didn't matter.
Only the result.
Had they not become one body now?
He had set aside all past clashes with Cheon Jungak.
Hyeok Mulin offered pure welcome to his joining.
"How fares the Sword Sovereign?"
"Well, Your Excellency. He said he'll visit you again soon."
Hyeok Mulin nodded and addressed them all once more.
"Thank you for attending to receive the delegation. Your presence reassures me."
These were no empty words, but sincere truth.
In his previous life, Hyeok Mulin had never received outside delegations, and even if one had come, no one would have stood by him.
But now, six patriarchs representing the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult flanked him proudly.
"Heh."
What a splendid day.
Unveiling Shim Hyo's masterpiece robe, and welcoming the Cheon Clan anew.
But his joy ended there.
Hyeok Mulin steadied his elation.
Now was the time.
"Your Excellency, the Blood Heaven Divine Palace delegation has arrived."
To focus fully on the matter at hand.