Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: The Leader's Return
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Hyeok Mulin and Black Night traveled through Qinghai Province by carriage for over ten days.
Since overexertion could cause Black Night's wounds to fester, rot, and lead to necrosis, they applied golden sore medicine and proceeded with utmost care.
By the time they passed Qinghai and entered Xinjiang, his condition had recovered enough that they began using lightness skills to move.
'As expected, he was someone from the Demonic Cult.'
Even at such a young age, a master with that level of skill would surely have a known moniker and distinctive traits, yet no one matching the description came to mind. Black Night figured he must be a demonic path expert not widely known in the Central Plains.
As Black Night layered on his own speculations, they pressed deeper into Xinjiang.
Before long, they entered the Tianshan Mountains and approached the outer fortress. Just then, Black Night halted Hyeok Mulin.
"Hold on. From here, can I hide in your shadow?"
Having reached the front yard of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, Black Night wanted to conceal himself in case of any mishaps.
"Do as you please."
"My thanks."
Hyeok Mulin permitted it nonchalantly, and Black Night melted into his shadow.
Now alone, Hyeok Mulin entered the outer fortress and headed straight for the inner one.
Watching this, Black Night roughly guessed his identity.
'No way... from one of the Seven Great Demon Clans?'
He moved in and out of the inner fortress without any challenge, clearly from a high-ranking family.
Given his age, not a clan patriarch, but perhaps direct lineage from one.
Black Night had paid little attention to anything beyond revenge, so he hadn't studied the demonic clans in detail.
Thus, he estimated him as direct lineage from one of the Seven Great Demon Clans, maybe even a young clan heir if lucky.
Yet his footsteps didn't stop there, venturing even deeper.
'......Huh?'
He reached the end of the inner fortress and entered the Heavenly Demon Palace.
Coincidence?
No cult member crossed his path.
Black Night watched him enter the palace as naturally as his own home, a bewildered expression crossing his face.
Still, his steps didn't halt.
He headed deeper, the paths empty save for him.
『Wait, is this the right place?』
Startled, Black Night sent an urgent transmission.
But Hyeok Mulin simply pressed on without reply.
No way, no way, no way...!
At that impassive demeanor, Black Night's pupils shook like an earthquake, sweat dripping from his collarbone.
Thud.
He arrived at an antique hall deep in the Heavenly Demon Palace.
Hyeok Mulin opened the door to reveal a resplendent throne straight ahead.
To the left sat an elderly man with deep wrinkles from a lifetime of battles; to the right, a youthful scholar-like man.
Hyeok Mulin naturally walked toward the throne.
The young man on the right bowed respectfully and spoke.
"Cult Leader, we congratulate you on your safe return."
Black Night had doubted it all the way here.
But when that doubt became reality, he couldn't help but be stunned.
How had the Cult Leader ventured out alone beyond Xinjiang, and why had he helped him?
Recalling the days they'd fought and traveled together, goosebumps erupted across Black Night's body.
"Over a month already. It took longer than expected."
Hyeok Mulin said impassively as he lounged on the throne.
Sima Jin glanced briefly outside.
'Failed to bring back the Three Assassins, then.'
Sima Jin rarely left Pure Heaven Pavilion.
But before the Cult Leader departed, he'd boasted of recruiting talent from Qinghai, so he'd waited here in the Heavenly Demon Hall.
If a new figure close to the Cult Leader emerged, he—as the one forming units—needed to assess them first.
Yet Hyeok Mulin returned alone, contrary to expectations.
No other presence besides him inside or around the hall.
'Well, who are the Three Assassins to be so easily swayed, even by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.'
Sima Jin was simply grateful the Cult Leader returned unscathed from Qinghai alone.
But then, Jang Wi, standing quietly on the left, glanced around Hyeok Mulin and trailed off.
"Cult Leader, that thing is..."
That thing?
Sima Jin tilted his head, clueless.
"You noticed."
"So it was a success, then."
"Indeed."
Noticed what? Success at what?
Unable to follow, Sima Jin finally asked.
"Pardon me, but I haven't understood a thing. What exactly did you succeed at?"
"Didn't I tell you before leaving? I'd bring back one of the Three Assassins."
"...No way?"
"Yes. I've taken him under my wing and brought him here."
"Really? You actually succeeded?!"
Sima Jin's eyes widened as he whipped his head around frantically.
"Wh-where is he, then...?"
He scanned the ceiling, behind pillars, the entrance—no sign of anyone.
As Sima Jin looked around in bewilderment, Hyeok Mulin smirked.
"You can come out now."
A black-robed youth abruptly emerged from Hyeok Mulin's shadow, standing tall before them.
"Eeeek—!"
Sima Jin jolted back in shock at the eerie sight.
Then he stepped forward, face pale with astonishment.
"What in the world? An illusion array on the Heavenly Demon Hall?"
Hmph.
Hyeok Mulin chuckled lightly at his fussing and introduced the men to Black Night.
"This is my Left Protector, Jang Wi. He's served the cult loyally for years and possesses vast knowledge. He'll help you adjust here."
Black Night's gaze met Jang Wi's.
"And this is the cult's Deputy Military Strategist and my closest aide handling all affairs, Sima Jin. First impressions aside, he has a brilliant mind, so feel free to ask him anything in my stead."
"Understood."
Realizing the man he'd traveled with was the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Leader, Black Night's speech naturally turned deferential.
Hyeok Mulin nodded and instructed Jang Wi.
"He's unfamiliar with the cult's layout and rules. For now, as Left Protector, guide him personally."
Recalling how Ji Wolhon had recovered swiftly from the underground prison with Jang Wi's aid, Hyeok Mulin assigned him the task again.
"Yes. I will guide him thoroughly."
Jang Wi stepped forward and called to him.
"Follow me."
As they left the Heavenly Demon Hall, Sima Jin alone remained, asking incredulously.
"Y-you really succeeded in bringing one of the Three Assassins?"
"Yes. He's the lord of the Slay Hall. And that's all of them—the Slay Hall was run single-handedly by him from the start."
"...!"
"Raised among isolated assassins since childhood, this environment feels alien to him. But Jang Wi will handle that. His skills are the real deal, though. If he seizes first strike from the shadows, few in the world could survive."
"Ooh...!"
"He'll serve as my personal guard henceforth, without forming a separate unit."
Someone who could melt into shadows was Hyeok Mulin's ideal protector.
No matter how well the Left Protector concealed his presence, he couldn't match a former assassin's stealth.
The perfect match for Hyeok Mulin, who desired unhindered movement.
Sima Jin, who had exclaimed in admiration, asked curiously.
"A fitting choice. So what of the remaining Three Assassins?"
"Of the Three Assassins, only the Death Soul Hall survives. The Blackshade Hall was annihilated, and the Slay Hall dissolved naturally when we took its lord."
"The idle Death Soul Hall profits as the fisherman, then. They might rebrand as the One Life Slayer and dominate unchallenged."
"Who knows. I doubt it."
Sima Jin spoke logically, but reality wouldn't unfold so neatly.
The Blackshade Hall claimed final victory over the Slay Hall, but their losses were too great, and they soon fell to the Death Soul Hall.
In his previous life, only the Death Soul Hall remained among the Three Assassins.
But new assassin groups soon filled the voids of Slay and Blackshade Halls.
The world disliked monopolies and favored balance.
This time too, the Three Assassins would soon be replenished.
"I see. Truthfully, I care little for such matters. I'm just grateful for your safe return, Cult Leader. Especially with such a sturdy guard in tow."
"Actually, I brought one more thing."
Hyeok Mulin pulled something from his bosom and offered it to Sima Jin.
"This is...!"
Sima Jin took it, examined it, and raised his voice in surprise.
It was the Blackshade Hall's assassination ledger, listing commissions.
After the battle with Black Night ended, Hyeok Mulin had checked the annex and found it by chance.
Assuming no outsider would reach their base's annex, it lay unsecured on the desk.
Flip, flip, fliip.
Sima Jin's eyes gleamed as he turned the pages.
The names were diverse heavyweights dominating the Central Plains.
Tae Won Hong Clan Patriarch, Hong Heo Jae — Accepted, In Progress, Completed.
Hoiam Iron Clan Patriarch, Jeok Gyu Hak — Accepted, In Progress, Completed.
Suzhou Sword Sect Leader, Gi Jong Hwi — Accepted, In Progress, Completed.
Fengxia Merchant Guild Chief, Joo Song Gok — Accepted, In Progress, Completed.
'Listed sequentially by commission progress.'
The ledger neatly cataloged countless slain by the Blackshade Hall.
Many labeled as suicides or missing in the world were here.
Sima Jin nodded as he flipped through.
"You've recovered something vital. Each piece of intel here will greatly aid the Secret Affairs Hall."
"Good. But the most crucial part is at the end."
"...Pardon?"
Sima Jin looked puzzled at Hyeok Mulin, then hurriedly turned to the last page.
Finally reaching it, his movements froze upon seeing the words.
Fury filled Sima Jin's round eyes.
For the first time since entering the Heavenly Demon Palace, killing intent rose from him.
His hand trembled clutching the ledger, teeth grinding.
"What scum dares such blasphemy...!"
The sole entry on the ledger's final page.