Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Holy Flame
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Subduing Demon Hall, more commonly known by that name, houses the Ludelra Magic Tower and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Rule of the Strong.
That is the law reigning over the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Thus, the cult does not hide itself. At the heart of the Divine Capital stands a massive crimson palace—that is the Crimson Blood Palace, the cult's main headquarters.
The Divine Demon Hall of the Crimson Blood Palace is the place where the cult leader has resided for generations. Every leader in history has inherited the name of the Heavenly Demon, challenging for divinity, and sought the title of Divine Demon—but in the cult's history, a Divine Demon has never been born.
The Heavenly Demon of this era, Wi Jin-hwa, is regarded as the greatest and strongest among all past leaders. The cultists, whom he affectionately calls his followers, worship him, proclaiming that this Heavenly Demon will ascend to godhood and bring an end to the chaos of the age.
Biyeon is his one and only disciple.
Clad in scarlet robes, Biyeon walked with steady steps. She had just returned to the Crimson Blood Palace from the Fragrant Valley, but she had no need for time to shake off the fatigue of the journey.
Her first priority was to report the details of her travels to her master.
“Tch.”
A click of the tongue leaked from beneath her pure white mask. It was impossible for her not to feel irritated.
Even before she arrived in the Divine Capital, the Orsia Family had already issued a public statement about the events in the Fragrant Valley.
Naturally, the statement mentioned Biyeon as well, and the newspapers that fawned over it filled their articles with all sorts of speculation about her. From the reason for her mask, to her age, to her activities before becoming a disciple.
The most common speculation was that Biyeon was a Possessor, followed by claims that she was the Heavenly Demon's illegitimate child.
Either way, it was unpleasant to Biyeon, the subject herself. Regardless of truth or falsehood, she found it infuriating that they prattled on without her saying a word.
“The Sword Emperor seems to want to use our cult as a shield.”
Sword Shadow, following behind, chuckled.
“Well, from the Sword Emperor's perspective, devil-worshipping heretics who defy death and sow chaos in the world must look no different from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
“Is he begging to be called a venomous snake?”
Biyeon twisted her lips in a sneer.
“He must hope his precious Sword Dragon won't become a target of the Chaos Cult.”
“That makes sense. The Sword Emperor must be under no small mental strain. Given the situation at the time, the Sword Dragon likely acted alone without seeking his family's permission.”
At the end of the corridor stood a door as red as blood, flanked by a massive demon statue guarding it like a sentinel.
—Swish.
The statue's eyes moved, gazing at Biyeon and Sword Shadow.
It was a gift from the Sight Sovereign some time ago—a toy. A golem infused with the souls of demon heads synthesized by magic. Its combat capabilities were mediocre, but solely for its imposing appearance, the Sight Sovereign had placed it before the doors of the Divine Demon Hall.
Whatever their connection, the Sight Sovereign was the Heavenly Demon's oldest friend. In the Divine Capital, only she and Biyeon could enter the Ascension Pavilion of the Divine Demon Hall without prior permission.
—Rumble.
As Biyeon and Sword Shadow drew near, the firmly shut doors of the Divine Demon Hall began to open slowly. Biyeon hardened her expression beneath the mask and strode toward the doors. Sword Shadow, who had received prior permission, followed without hesitation.
Beyond the fully opened doors lay a familiar sight they had seen many times.
But the moment they crossed the threshold, Biyeon and Sword Shadow realized that everything they perceived was an illusion.
In an instant, they were somewhere entirely different. A serene sea without even a ripple. A night sky illuminated by countless stars and a brilliant moon. At the center of it all, a pavilion floating in the heavens.
This pocket dimension created by the Heavenly Demon's will—this was the Ascension Pavilion. Normally, one had to walk into the lake behind the Divine Demon Hall to enter, but the Heavenly Demon had skipped the procedure and brought them directly inside.
The moment they entered the Ascension Pavilion, Biyeon and Sword Shadow knelt. Unlike Biyeon, who merely bowed her head, Sword Shadow raised both arms high and shouted.
“Heavenly Demon Ascends, Divine Demon Returns, Ten Thousand Gods Perish, Sole Sovereign Reigns!”
“Quiet.”
A grumbling voice came from the sky.
“I don't care for your religion's grandiose doctrines, but the ritual of kneeling and bellowing every time you see the Heavenly Demon annoys me the most. Isn't it inefficient to shout it every single time?”
The Lord of Ludelra Magic Tower, Sight Sovereign Heraine Ludelra. Wrapped in a massive, fluffy cloak like a blanket, she snapped her book shut with a thud and looked down at Sword Shadow and Biyeon.
“Little Cult Leader, don't you think so? You must hear that shout dozens of times a day being with the Heavenly Demon.”
Biyeon stared straight ahead without responding. Sword Shadow did the same. Though openly ignored, it was familiar to the Sight Sovereign. She clicked her tongue, twirling a strand of gray hair around her finger.
“Why not just write it on your clothes? Or carry a flag. That would be more efficient than kneeling and shouting every time. And it wouldn't bother those around you.”
Grumbling, the Sight Sovereign floated through the night sky. With her misty cloak draped around her, drifting lazily, she resembled a cloud wandering the heavens. Thus, she approached the Ascension Pavilion beneath the full moon.
“What do you think? Heavenly Demon. I think it's a brilliant idea. You're not going to give some boring answer about tradition, are you?”
“It is a form of worship as well.”
From atop the pavilion's roof.
The Heavenly Demon, sitting cross-legged with the full moon at his back, spoke. His closed eyes slowly opened.
—Boom.
The motionless sea trembled as one, sending massive ripples outward.
“The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is a religion that worships me, the Heavenly Demon, even though any follower could become one. I take no pleasure in their reverence, but I am not so stingy as to reject even the words they shout while kneeling in service.”
The Heavenly Demon seated in the sky looked down. At his gaze, Biyeon and Sword Shadow both shivered.
As the Heavenly Demon said, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was a religion that worshipped the Heavenly Demon. To them, the cult leader Heavenly Demon was a being born human, ascending to godhood through the demonic path to reign as the Divine Demon.
Among all demon practitioners pursuing demonic arts to become the Divine Demon, the strongest claims the name Heavenly Demon. The current Heavenly Demon, Wi Jin-hwa, has reigned for forty years already.
Though the Heavenly Demon claimed any follower could become one, that was not the case. No matter how much Sword Shadow desired it, as long as the current Heavenly Demon existed, he could never become one. The Heavenly Demon was that overwhelming, and the followers who revered demons and power deemed such power worthy of worship.
“You carried out the task well.”
The Heavenly Demon's gaze turned to Biyeon. She flinched but did not bow her head in fear.
“I failed to fulfill Master's will.”
“My will?”
“I could not defeat the Old Tree Witch... the Evil God's High Priest alone.”
“I heard the Sword Emperor's statement. You fought alongside his grandson the Sword Dragon, and two children called Thunder Cloud and Dark Flame.”
“Yes...”
As she answered, the Little Cult Leader bowed her head slightly. Not out of fear, but shame and guilt.
“I have no intention of scolding you.”
The Heavenly Demon, who had been cross-legged, sat comfortably in the night sky. Propping his chin with his hand, he stared at Biyeon.
“As you might guess, I sent you to convey my will to the Chaos Cult. Sending a letter to their unknown headquarters is difficult, and it would be laughable for me to step forward and declare enmity toward you myself.”
“...”
“The presence of the Sword Dragon, Thunder Cloud, and Dark Flame there was mere coincidence. Had you withdrawn, you would not have accomplished my task. Or what? Do you think it would have been better to kill the Sword Dragon, Thunder Cloud, and Dark Flame first?”
“I do not know what answer Master desired.”
“The correct answer is the one you decide. I told you to kill the Old Tree Witch and return, and you did so. That ends the matter.”
A faint smile spread across the Heavenly Demon's lips.
“So, what did you feel?”
“...?”
“In the world, there. I hoped your perspective would broaden, but your delayed response shows it remains narrow.”
“I am sorry.”
Biyeon bowed her head again, and the Heavenly Demon clucked his tongue.
“Being my disciple makes your head far too light.”
“I bow my head to no one but Master.”
“The problem is bowing so lightly because I am your master. You, my disciple and the cult's Little Cult Leader, are the closest to becoming the next Heavenly Demon. Revering your master is proper, but as my successor, hide ambition beneath that reverence.”
“I will strive to do so.”
Biyeon raised her head and replied.
“The battle with the High Priest was not easy.”
Her voice continued.
“Alone, I would have had to steel myself for death.”
“My Heavenly Demon Divine Art holds advantage over most magic. Had your attainment in the divine art surpassed the limits of your tier, even a higher-tier mage would not have overwhelmed you.”
“As Master says, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art did not yield to the High Priest's magic, but with divine power added to her spells, she was a formidable opponent.”
“Not easy means you were not defeated despite the difficulty.”
“Yes. Had I resolved to die, I could have killed the High Priest somehow.”
The Sight Sovereign, who had been floating near the Heavenly Demon listening, tilted her head.
“So the Old Tree Witch never managed to use Exhaustion Eternity?”
“Yes.”
“Foolish and pitiable thing. I was curious how she would bloom my magic, but in the end, she achieved nothing and faded into nothingness.”
Though speaking in pity, the Sight Sovereign giggled.
“Knowing your limits means this outing held no meaning. What else did you feel?”
“I felt the world is vast.”
“What made you feel that?”
“Before seeing the Sword Dragon, I thought his reputation overhyped and he was nothing special in truth. But that was my arrogance. The Sword Dragon was strong enough to live up to his name, family, and acclaim.”
The Heavenly Demon neither urged nor prompted a response. He smiled faintly, waiting for his disciple to continue.
“I saw little of Dark Flame, as she was not on the same battlefield as me facing the High Priest. But I saw Thunder Cloud clearly. Forgive me, Master, but on that battlefield, the strongest was Thunder Cloud.”
“Hoo.”
The Heavenly Demon's eyes gleamed. His body, seated in the night sky, slowly descended to stand upon the sea.
“That means this child Thunder Cloud was stronger than you, who inherits my lineage.”
“Yes. There, I was utterly inexperienced. Swept by impatience and complacency, I nearly fell to the High Priest's mutual destruction, but Thunder Cloud saved me.”
“An intriguing tale.”
He had expected evaluations of the Sword Dragon and insights from the fight with the Old Tree Witch, but to hear her praise an unknown child named Thunder Cloud so highly.
“Sword Shadow.”
“Yes.”
Sword Shadow rose slowly, bowed his head, and approached the Heavenly Demon respectfully.
Sword Shadow removed his necklace and held it toward the sky. Then, a different scene projected onto the night sky.
The battle with the Old Tree Witch. Having watched from above without participating that day, Sword Shadow had recorded the fight using a magic tool.
Kneeling silently before the Heavenly Demon watching the projection, Biyeon felt her face burning. In retrospect, that battle was riddled with mistakes. She could have fought better. Especially the final mutual destruction—she would never have fallen for it had she kept a cool head.
“...”
But the Heavenly Demon was not watching to critique Biyeon now. She knew that and felt shame anew. In other words, the Heavenly Demon was more interested in Thunder Cloud than in her at the moment. As his disciple, failing to capture her master's attention was shameful.
‘Thunder Cloud was that strong...’
Rather than envy the absent Thunder Cloud, she wanted to acknowledge a worthy rival. It was fact that Thunder Cloud was strong. So she just needed to surpass him someday.
With that thought, the heat of shame cooled. Composing herself, Biyeon watched Thunder Cloud's movements in the projection.
“Huh...”
The Heavenly Demon exhaled a breath—astonishment or sigh unclear—when Thunder Cloud's steps cleaved through the Old Tree Witch's magic.
The movement Biyeon had failed to see properly. Diving into countless hands, using both legs, both arms, and his entire body organically to counter them—and finally, the Sword Dragon's light sword incinerating the hands.
No, before that. Watching Thunder Cloud intently, the Heavenly Demon unwittingly smiled.
“So that's it.”
Other demon practitioners might not recognize it, but the Heavenly Demon knew what that ‘flame’ was. The martial art of a once-cherished young priestess, diverging from the same root as the Heavenly Demon Divine Art into polar opposites.
‘Not exactly the same. Lorellia, are you guiding him down a different path from yours?’
The Holy Flame Divine Art, which turns oneself into fire to burn away ten thousand demons and heavens.
Thunder Cloud had inherited its lineage.
‘Is that your answer?’
When she first declared she would become the Heavenly Demon.
The face of the priestess, shedding blood tears with eyes full of venom, remained vivid in memory.
That day, Wi Jin-hwa's Holy Flame Divine Art became the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, granting the name Heavenly Demon.
The young priestess's Holy Flame Divine Art became an entirely different art, granting the name Fierce Star.
“Indeed, splendid.”
The Heavenly Demon murmured with a faint smile. His chosen Heavenly Demon Divine Art dominated and reigned without burning.
The Fierce Star still harbored that flame.
Among the ten thousand demons she sought to burn, the Heavenly Demon was undoubtedly included.
He knew well that her killing intent endured.
The Heavenly Demon recalled the young priestess.
Already, a Heavenly Demon Divine Cult training ground had been established in the mountains near the Order Cult's sanctuary. Thanks to it, the area was excluded from the War Cult's searches, and the War Cult's elites were currently embroiled in the Bernok border dispute with the Tosseng.
Perhaps because of that. Even after over two years, Lorellia remained in the Order Cult sanctuary's penance chamber, facing the wall.
She could leave anytime she wished. No archbishop of the Order Cult could stop her if she chose to go.
But Lorellia had not emerged. With no enemies threatening the cult nearby, there was no reason to venture out, and her wall-facing had shifted from atonement to cultivation.
‘Can she transcend the wall bearing such delusion?’
The Heavenly Demon thought with delight.
*
Two years.
To Lorellia, it was not a particularly long time. Though called the penance chamber, she was free, could do as she pleased, and leave whenever she wanted.
She did not. During her stay, the only time Lorellia left the chamber on her own was when the Heavenly Demon visited. About a year ago, the archbishop himself came and urged her to come out, but she refused.
The current Order Cult had no need for Lorellia's violence. The damned demonic cult's barrier loomed high, and the cult's pursuers no longer approached.
Thanks to that, Lorellia could spend two years sitting before the wall, focused on cultivation.
The archbishop had already declared her penance sufficient, but Lorellia remained faithful to her ‘atonement.’ Since entering, she had touched no food but the wall rice balls.
Hunger was no trial to Lorellia. Her only trial was her own incompetence, trapped by the wall.
‘Thunder Cloud.’
Lorellia's lips curved into a faint smile as she glared at the wall with open eyes. Despite eating nothing but wall rice balls for two years, her body was only slightly gaunt, not withered grotesquely. Her realm allowed her to sustain her flesh with qi alone.
‘I did not teach that child a martial art worthy of such a moniker.’
Recent news from outside had greatly excited Lorellia.
‘Fifth tier in two years...’
Unprecedented speed. Lorellia suppressed her fluttering heart and the urge to shatter her shackles and burst from the chamber.
‘I must meet him and praise him.’
She had heard he defeated the Evil God's High Priest. She thought he wouldn't, but—what if, just what if! She had worried Lee Soo-hyuk might defect to the Evil God side, but it was needless concern.
‘No... should I scold him instead of praise?’
That loathsome disciple of the Heavenly Demon. She heard he joined forces with the demonic cult's Little Cult Leader.
That was unforgivable. He should have killed her on sight, not allied with her? Amid her conflicted heart, Lorellia steadied herself and closed her eyes.
‘Praise first then scold, or scold first then praise...’
She resolved to do both, differing only in order.
She couldn't do it immediately anyway. Seeking him out first would be dangerous and foolish. If they moved toward the same goal, they would meet naturally someday.
‘I should leave soon.’
She had gained a small enlightenment from over two years of wall-facing. Greater insights were hard to attain by merely staring at the wall.
Lorellia's moniker was Fierce Star. She was the Order Cult's representative violence.
The advancements in her martial path came mostly from violence.
To advance her halted steps, she had no choice but to return to the battlefield.