Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: The Jip-ma-bu Lord's Test
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Bu Eun-seol emerged from the main gate of the Seong-ma-gak.
But an unexpected scene unfolded before him as he stepped outside.
About thirty warriors stood respectfully in front of the Seong-ma-gak.
Judging by the twin dragon emblems embroidered on their sleeves, they seemed to be the heads of various organizations awaiting the Demonic Heavenly Emperor’s summons.
—So that’s the disciple from Nang-ya-gak who just arrived.
A uniform sneer appeared on the faces of the warriors as they watched Bu Eun-seol emerge.
“It’s a shame, but becoming the successor takes more than just martial skill.”
As one of the warriors muttered, another low voice chimed in in agreement.
“How could a disciple of Nang-ya-gak even dream of becoming the successor to the Sanctum? It’s absurd.”
The position of the Demonic Sanctum’s successor required one to subjugate more than half of the Ten Demonic Sects, gaining their power and support.
But Nang-ya-gak focused solely on the martial path, neither building its own power base nor engaging with any of the other demonic sects.
In short, they had isolated themselves for the sake of martial arts. And now a successor from that sect was a candidate for the Demonic Sanctum’s heir?
To them, it was unacceptable.
“Young Master Bu.”
At that moment, a figure in light pink passed through the crowd of warriors and approached Bu Eun-seol.
She was a beautiful woman in a flowing blue dress with a golden ornament in her hair.
It was Dan So-ok, the daughter of the Jip-ma-bu Lord, whom Bu Eun-seol had saved from assassins back when he was part of the Gu-sal-dae.
“So you really were the Sip-ma-jeon-in of Nang-ya-gak.”
Dan So-ok smiled brightly, revealing her white teeth. Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together.
“It’s been a while.”
A murmur went through the crowd.
As Dan So-ok treated Bu Eun-seol with such familiarity, the warriors watching from a distance tilted their heads in confusion.
—Isn’t that Lady Dan, the one favored to be the next Chief Inspector of the Sanctum?
—How does she, who is always by the Jip-ma-bu Lord’s side, know the Sip-ma-jeon-in of Nang-ya-gak?
*Thud, thud.*
Just then, a figure approached, surrounded by dozens of guards.
The warriors’ expressions turned peculiar.
Only a select few could appear before the Seong-ma-gak, where the Demonic Heavenly Emperor resided, with an escort of dozens of warriors.
*Rumble.*
The guards stopped in front of Bu Eun-seol and fell into a solemn formation.
Simultaneously, the ranks parted, and a large, middle-aged man in a black robe strode forward.
At his appearance, all the warriors before the Seong-ma-gak lowered their heads and hastily showed their respects.
*Swoosh.*
The large, middle-aged man strode up to Bu Eun-seol and spoke.
“Are you Bu Eun-seol?”
An overwhelming authority that could dominate all creation flowed from the man.
“I am.”
As Bu Eun-seol replied politely, Dan So-ok whispered softly.
“This is my father, who is in charge of the Jip-ma-bu. Lord Dan Wol-hon.”
The Night Star that Defies the Heavens, Dan Wol-hon.
He was the lord of the Jip-ma-bu, holding command over all the Demonic Sanctum’s military forces, save for the direct retainers of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and the Council of Elders.
“Bu Eun-seol, disciple of Nang-ya-gak, greets the Jip-ma-bu Lord.”
Dan Wol-hon nodded and spoke in a low voice.
“I heard you risked your life to save Ok-i.”
“I was merely carrying out my given task.”
Dan Wol-hon glanced around before placing a hand on Bu Eun-seol’s shoulder.
“Let’s move somewhere else first.”
He then led Bu Eun-seol away with surprising familiarity.
The warriors who witnessed this were utterly dumbfounded.
—The successor of Nang-ya-gak knows the Jip-ma-bu Lord?
The Jip-ma-bu Lord, one of the top ten most powerful figures in the Demonic Sanctum’s hierarchy, was treating Bu Eun-seol with such warmth?
“…”
The warriors who had been looking at Bu Eun-seol with disdain now averted their gazes and cleared their throats, pretending they had done no such thing.
The Jip-ma-bu, Jeong-ma-gak.
This hall was a place for entertaining those who had rendered great service or other honored guests.
Dan Wol-hon led Bu Eun-seol to the front of the Jeong-ma-gak.
Was he planning to throw a grand banquet to welcome him?
But the inside of the Jeong-ma-gak was empty, with no banquet prepared.
Not only that, but the friendly expression on Dan Wol-hon’s face had vanished.
Yet Bu Eun-seol stood confidently in the silence, as if he had anticipated all of this.
“You don’t seem very surprised.”
Dan Wol-hon’s tightly sealed lips slowly parted.
“Then I take it you know why I brought you here.”
“As I said, it was merely the mission I was assigned.”
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and bowed once more.
“Nevertheless, I am simply grateful for the kindness you have shown me.”
Dan Wol-hon’s expression was cold.
“To be frank, today’s events were not my will, but a request from So-ok.”
He paused for a moment before continuing.
“From the moment she learned you were heading to the Sanctum for an audience with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, she pleaded with me every single day.”
Bu Eun-seol had already guessed as much.
The Jip-ma-bu Lord’s sudden hospitality was due to Dan So-ok’s request.
Though he was a candidate for the Demonic Heavenly Emperor’s successor, Bu Eun-seol had no foundation or support within the Demonic Sanctum yet.
She knew this all too well and had asked her father, the Jip-ma-bu Lord, to help save Bu Eun-seol’s face.
“So-ok even anticipated that the leaders would be gathered here as you came out from your audience. Do you understand what that means?”
Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod.
As a talented woman considered for the position of the next Chief Inspector, Dan So-ok could have easily predicted his movements within the Demonic Sanctum.
Dan Wol-hon’s gaze grew deeper.
“Nang-ya-gak may hold a significant position in the martial world, but from the Sanctum’s perspective, it is nothing more than the lowest-ranking of the Ten Demonic Sects.”
He scanned Bu Eun-seol’s face with a sharp gaze.
“If you were to leave after simply receiving the successor’s approval, some of the Sanctum’s leaders might have sent their forces after you.”
Being a candidate for the Demonic Heavenly Emperor’s successor was a position that required shouldering immense risk.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor would likely consider all such trials as part of the test to become his heir.
“So-ok was concerned about that, which is why she prompted me to step forward. Do you understand?”
“I see. I am truly grateful for the lord’s kindness.”
“Kindness?”
In that instant, Dan Wol-hon’s eyes turned cold.
“Is that all you have to say?”
“…”
“That child has never pleaded with anyone in her life, nor has she ever knelt.”
As he continued, his eyes gradually widened.
“But to help you, she went so far as to kneel before me when I remained opposed.”
A murderous aura began to emanate from Dan Wol-hon’s eyes.
“My warm reception has allowed you to leave the Sanctum safely. And yet, all you have to say is that you’re grateful for my kindness?”
Bu Eun-seol’s brow twitched slightly.
He had received a favor and had expressed his sincere gratitude for it. What more was there to do?
“Is there anything else you require of me?”
This time, it was Dan Wol-hon’s brow that twitched.
Even the highest leaders of the Demonic Sanctum found him intimidating and bowed their heads before him. Yet this young disciple from Nang-ya-gak stood with his head held high, questioning him?
“It seems becoming a candidate for the Sanctum’s successor has made you blind to your place.”
Dan Wol-hon’s pupils turned a burning red.
The Jip-ma-bu was akin to the grand marshal that commanded all the military forces of the Demonic Sanctum.
And yet Dan So-ok, a candidate for the next Chief Inspector and the daughter he had raised like a precious jewel, had knelt for a mere warrior…
His pride had been deeply wounded.
“Let me personally teach you what kind of place the Sanctum is, and what kind of man I am.”
*Crack.*
As Dan Wol-hon extended his hand lightly, a cracking sound echoed from Bu Eun-seol’s spine.
He was using his immense internal energy to force Bu Eun-seol to bend at the waist.
“When expressing gratitude to someone of my stature, you are to bow. Do you understand?”
*Fwoosh.*
At that moment, red points of light began to bloom all over Bu Eun-seol’s body.
Simultaneously, a crimson glow, redder than blood, began to form in his eyes—the light of the Ban-geuk Blood Aura.
If he had been asked politely, he would have gladly bowed.
But the attempt to force him to bend his back only stirred defiance within him.
As Bu Eun-seol remained standing tall, Dan Wol-hon’s thick eyebrows shot up.
“From your attitude… are you telling me you will not bow?”
“I will not.”
“What? You will not?”
“No one can force my decisions.”
*Creeak.*
A faint light emanated from Bu Eun-seol’s body, pushing back the energy pouring from Dan Wol-hon.
‘How dare this brat…’
Subtly infuriated, Dan Wol-hon doubled his power.
*Crack.*
As a mountain-like pressure bore down on him, the sound of cracking bones once again echoed from Bu Eun-seol’s body.
But despite it all, his head and back remained ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on Dan Wol-hon.
‘He’s withstanding half of my power?’
The internal energy Dan Wol-hon was currently exerting was equivalent to over a hundred and twenty years of cultivation.
And yet, Bu Eun-seol was still looking straight at him, resisting.
‘Could it be that this brat’s energy surpasses one hundred and twenty years?’
Dan Wol-hon’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The Demonic Sanctum was a place where geniuses gathered like clouds.
Even so, there was not a single person who possessed such a level of internal energy at his young age.
“Fine. I shall show you that there are heavens above the heavens!”
*Kuuuuung.*
With a sound like a giant temple bell ringing, a powerful true qi spread out from Dan Wol-hon’s body.
*Crack. Craaack.*
Simultaneously, the ground beneath Dan Wol-hon’s feet sank, and not just the garden but the entire Jeong-ma-gak began to shake.
The true qi erupting from his body became a formidable whirlwind, shredding the flowers and trees in the garden, and a splintering sound came from the thick trees.
“Kneel!”
As Dan Wol-hon let out a thunderous roar, a strange light flickered in his eyes.
Bu Eun-seol’s body glowed red, and instead of bending, he seemed to stand even straighter than before.
‘Impossible.’
A bizarre thought shot through Dan Wol-hon’s mind as he witnessed the scene.
Does this brat’s internal energy surpass one hundred and eighty years… In that case, is he not a young man but an old master secretly wearing the skin of one?
“Father?”
At that moment, a woman with a clear voice walked toward the Jeong-ma-gak’s garden. It was Dan So-ok.
Instantly, the eyes of both Bu Eun-seol and Dan Wol-hon wavered like ships in a storm.
They then widened their eyes and stared at each other.
“…!”
“…!”
As their gazes locked in mid-air, their expressions turned solemn and their eyes narrowed.
Then, as if by agreement, they instantly withdrew their internal energy.
*Shhhk.*
With a sound like air being released, the storm vanished, and the trembling ground regained its stillness.
“…”
A strange silence followed for a while.
Amidst the quiet, Bu Eun-seol remained calm, but Dan Wol-hon kept nervously glancing at Dan So-ok.
“Father.”
“Hm?”
“Why were you using your energy on Young Master Bu?”
Her constitution prevented her from learning martial arts, but her insight and knowledge were second to none.
“…”
“Father?”
When Dan Wol-hon avoided answering and looked away, Dan So-ok asked again.
“May I ask why you were using your energy on Young Master Bu?”
For a moment, anger surged within Dan Wol-hon.
Dan So-ok, who had always maintained a quiet demeanor since childhood and rarely showed her emotions.
And now his well-mannered daughter was glaring at him with daggers in her eyes over something so trivial?
‘Because of this brat…!’
And that anger was directed not at Dan So-ok, but at Bu Eun-seol.
As Dan Wol-hon glared at him as if to kill him, Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to offer an excuse.
“The lord was just testing my energy. Please don’t worry about it.”
At that, Dan Wol-hon’s expression instantly softened as he looked at Dan So-ok and nodded.
“Yes, that’s what happened.”
“Testing his energy? But why…”
“Well…”
The authoritative gaze of Dan Wol-hon had lost its focus.
“His internal energy was stronger than I expected…”
He was the Jip-ma-bu Lord who could make a million demons kneel with a single look, but before his daughter’s questioning, he was just a doting father at a loss for words.
“In any case, he was quite impressive. This one.”
To restore his crumpled dignity, Dan Wol-hon walked over to Bu Eun-seol and patted his shoulder with a friendly expression.
“He is quite skilled. He will soon become a fine successor to the Demonic Sanctum.”
As he spouted praise he didn’t mean, Dan Wol-hon’s gaze grew increasingly vacant.
In contrast, Dan So-ok’s eyes sparkled with life as she chattered away.
“Right? Even when hundreds of assassins surrounded us in Akyang, Young Master Bu bravely protected me.”
As she praised Bu Eun-seol, flames once again erupted in Dan Wol-hon’s eyes.
‘This pretty-boy bastard has completely stolen So-ok’s heart!’