Chapter 204
Chapter 204
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 204
Chapter Title: The Successor's Test
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed as he looked up at Dok-myeong-gak.
‘This doesn't make any sense.’
The Ma-jeon had always encouraged conflict among the successor candidates.
So why arrange a gathering for all of them now? Were they planning to hold some kind of martial arts tournament here in Dok-myeong-gak?
“You’ve arrived.”
Hyeok So-jin, standing before Dok-myeong-gak, came to a halt.
He was not a successor candidate.
He had simply sensed that something significant was about to happen and had escorted Bu Eun-seol to Dok-myeong-gak, hoping to offer some support, however small.
“Go on, Brother Bu.”
Knowing his friend's intentions, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
“Alright.”
As Bu Eun-seol stepped toward the entrance of Dok-myeong-gak, one of the solemnly standing guards stepped forward and clasped his hands.
“Please follow me.”
The warrior carefully led the way, guiding Bu Eun-seol.
However, he did not lead Bu Eun-seol to the main hall in the center of Dok-myeong-gak, but toward a corridor in the west wing.
Past a quaintly decorated garden, a small annex stood in the distance.
“You may enter here.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded and opened the annex door without hesitation.
Inside was a simple room, as unadorned as an earthenware pot. A large table and a row of neatly arranged bookshelves filled the space.
It seemed to be a meeting place for the high-ranking officials summoned to Dok-myeong-gak.
*Ssk.*
And as he stepped through the door, the tranquil air inside instantly froze.
On the large table sat teacups from which steam gently rose, and seated around it were four young men.
Bu Eun-seol had shed the formal attire symbolizing his position as a Dae-ju of the Ma-jeon and was dressed in plain clothes.
They, in contrast, wore martial robes so ornate and luxurious they would stand out even from a distance.
The legitimate successors of the Ten Demonic Sects, acknowledged by the Ma-jeon as candidates for succession, were finally gathered in one place.
Four pairs of piercing eyes.
Bu Eun-seol calmly met the gazes of the four men, whose eyes flashed with inner light.
In that instant, a tension so thick it felt as if the heavens would crumble and the earth would shake swept through the room.
‘They are strong.’
Bu Eun-seol was struck by a sudden realization.
These men were strong.
As strong as he himself had become after enduring countless trials and growing ceaselessly.
‘So this is what it means to be the legitimate successors of the Ten Demonic Sects.’
Each one had inherited innate talent and had received an excellent education from a young age.
Not only that, but they must have also undergone grueling training, pushing themselves to the brink to constantly improve their skills.
Furthermore, considering their status as legitimate successors, designated long ago…
They held far more advantages over Bu Eun-seol in many areas, not just martial arts.
*Step, step.*
Bu Eun-seol moved toward the table.
The air in the room grew even more hostile.
It felt as if the slightest twitch of a finger would erupt into a bloody battle.
*Ssk.*
With a composed expression, Bu Eun-seol sat down in an empty seat.
The precarious atmosphere vanished in an instant, and the air, once heavy as lead, became peaceful again.
“So you finally came.”
The long silence was broken by Do Cheon-rin, who sat opposite him.
“I was hoping you wouldn't.”
Do Cheon-rin.
He had never personally displayed his martial prowess.
But ever since the Island of Hell, he had been manipulating people and plotting from the shadows, always wearing a relaxed and leisurely expression.
Like a master puppeteer controlling every situation as he pleased.
“It's been a while.”
Bu Eun-seol offered the greeting with an enigmatic smile.
“I received the warm welcome sent by the Hyeol-yeom-do-ga.”
“…”
“Though I doubt it was a welcome you sent.”
“My spitfire of a sister brings shame upon her older brother.”
Do Cheon-rin sighed as if he had expected those words.
“Her actions have long been beyond my control.”
From Do Cheon-rin's perspective, the attack orchestrated by Do Chae-ryeong had actually damaged his own reputation.
Perhaps because of that, though he was smiling, the leisure in his expression had largely vanished.
“Bu Eun-seol of Nang-ya-gak.”
At that moment, the man sitting across from Do Cheon-rin looked directly at Bu Eun-seol and spoke.
“I have eagerly awaited this meeting, and now, we finally meet.”
His features were exceptionally clean, and with his clear eyes and voice, he looked like an innocent child.
Moreover, sitting opposite the decadently beautiful Do Cheon-rin, he created a strange contrast.
It was as if a god had sculpted Do Cheon-rin and then created his complete opposite.
“And you are?”
At Bu Eun-seol's question, the man revealed his white teeth. He smiled brightly and clasped his hands.
“I am Wi-ji Hye-sang, the successor of the Flower Rain Sword Sect.”
Surprisingly, the successor of the Demonic Path's foremost sword sect was a handsome young man with such delicate features.
As their gazes met, Wi-ji Hye-sang's eyes curved into crescents.
“Elder Geom-ma spoke of you a great deal, Young Master Bu.”
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
Geom-ma Wi Hyeok-gun.
When Bu Eun-seol had refused to join the Flower Rain Sword Sect, he had flown into a rage and unleashed his formless energy.
If Nang-ya-gak's Lord Dan Cheong hadn't intervened, Bu Eun-seol would have suffered irreversible internal injuries.
And now this man was mentioning Wi Hyeok-gun so cheerfully to his face?
“And that you are the sole inheritor of Lord Cheon Un-gwang's unique sword art, the Jeon-roe-mu-ssang-sik.”
“Sole?”
“Ah, it seems you were not aware.”
Wi-ji Hye-sang said with a bright smile.
“The true essence of Lord Cheon's Jeon-roe-mu-ssang-sik… was taught only to you, Young Master Bu.”
Only then did Bu Eun-seol understand.
Why Geom-ma Wi Hyeok-gun had been so furious with him, and why Cheon Un-gwang had been severely punished for teaching him the Jeon-roe-mu-ssang-sik.
‘So that was it.’
As Bu Eun-seol's expression grew heavy, Wi-ji Hye-sang continued with an utterly innocent look.
“Ah, please don't misunderstand. I'm simply repeating what I've heard.”
“It's fine.”
Bu Eun-seol smiled and nodded.
“Because it's all true.”
Even if the words were spoken with malice, Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to smile.
It wasn't just Cheon Un-gwang; Jin Gak, the instructor at the beginner's hall, had taught him the fundamentals of swordsmanship.
And Dan Cheon-yang, the elder of the Flower Rain Sword Sect he met in the advanced hall, had taught him the principles of advanced swordsmanship.
Although it was all part of the process to select the Sip-ma-jeon-in…
Bu Eun-seol owed a great debt to the Flower Rain Sword Sect.
“How ridiculous. Anyone watching would think this was a social gathering to befriend that Sip-ma-jeon-in.”
The man sitting to Wi-ji Hye-sang's left scoffed.
His gaze and aura were sharp as a blade, but in contrast, he wore very loose-fitting clothes.
Bu Eun-seol instantly identified him as the successor of the Geuk-sal-mil-gak.
Assassins often wear loose clothing as their daily attire. It allows them to create secret pockets and conceal numerous hidden weapons.
“Is there a need to be so hostile already, Yong Jeok-bi?”
The young man sitting next to Yong Jeok-bi, the successor of the Geuk-sal-mil-gak, chuckled.
He had long, curly hair hanging down, and his hands were very large.
It was Sin-do Un-hwi, the successor of the Myeol-in-gung.
“After all, we won't be seeing him again.”
A subtle remark.
Just as Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow,
*Step, step.*
The sound of soft footsteps approached, and the door to the private room opened.
An elderly man in the twilight of his years, his hair neatly combed back, entered the room.
He looked like an ordinary old man one might see anywhere, but in reality, he was a master who had perfected a terrifying demonic art.
He was the Commander-General of the Ma-jeon, Yeop Hyo-cheon, a man whose position was second to one and above all others.
“So, everyone is here.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon smiled, his gentle eyes sweeping over the successor candidates.
“Seeing the successors of the Ten Demonic Sects gathered like this… it brings back memories.”
His expression held an unreadable sense of wistfulness.
He had spent his entire life with the Heavenly Demon Emperor, so perhaps he was reminiscing about the Emperor's own days as a successor candidate.
“The future of our order rests in your hands.”
Suddenly, Bu Eun-seol felt something was amiss.
He had been told that successor candidates could be designated not only by the Ten Demonic Sects but also by the Council of Elders and the Heavenly Demon Emperor.
So why were only the successors of the Ten Demonic Sects summoned?
Just then, Yeop Hyo-cheon spoke in a low voice.
“To be the successor of this order requires the talent and qualification to lead the entire Demonic Path. And you all have passed the tests given by the order.”
He paused for a moment before continuing.
“So, from now on, we will test your abilities under the assumption that you have already become the successor.”
The Am-wang nodded to someone behind him.
A warrior carrying a large wooden box approached carefully and placed it on the table.
*Click.*
Yeop Hyo-cheon opened the box, revealing a pile of scrolls inside.
“Within these scrolls are various tasks that the future successor of the order must handle.”
Gazing at the scrolls in the box, he spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.
“You are to choose one of the tasks written here and complete it.”
At that, the attendant warrior began to carefully unfurl the scrolls from the box one by one.
“Is there a time limit?”
Bu Eun-seol asked, and Yeop Hyo-cheon nodded.
“None of these can be completed in a short enough time to set a deadline. Even determining success or failure… will take a long time.”
He then added another remark.
“However, there will be certain advantages for those who succeed faster than the others.”
In other words, completing the assigned mission as quickly as possible would be advantageous in the race for succession.
While the warrior was placing the scrolls on the table,
“This one will do.”
Do Cheon-rin, who had been swiftly scanning the scrolls, quickly picked one up.
“There's no better task for my family to handle.”
In the moment everyone's attention was focused on Bu Eun-seol's question, he had instantly grasped the contents of the scrolls and taken the one most advantageous to him.
He had even instantly shuffled the order of the scrolls, concealing which one he had taken.
“As expected of the Young Master of the Hyeol-yeom-do-ga, you're quick on the uptake.”
Wi-ji Hye-sang offered the praise with a nod.
“Since no order was set, it's best to find and choose the most favorable one quickly.”
At that, Yong Jeok-bi scoffed.
“Hmph. What does it matter what others choose? All I have to do is complete my own task.”
And he lifted one of the scrolls from the table.
—Eliminate all of the Sip-i-ji.
The Sip-i-ji.
They were a group of fixers who handled all sorts of covert affairs for the upper echelons of society.
Since they would do anything for money, they were, in a way, similar to assassin sects that disregard all principles.
And the Ma-jeon had long sought to deal with the Sip-i-ji.
However, the Sip-i-ji operated in cells and were deeply connected with the dregs of the underworld, making them difficult to eradicate.
“Indeed! For the Geuk-sal-mil-gak, the grandmasters of assassination, dealing with factions lurking in the underworld would be advantageous.”
Wi-ji Hye-sang never failed to offer a word of admiration each time one of the others chose a scroll.
Watching him, Sin-do Un-hwi's expression turned peculiar.
“Wouldn't it be better to choose quickly? Aren't you being a little too relaxed?”
“Perhaps.”
Wi-ji Hye-sang smiled serenely.
“If one cannot be the first to choose, then it's not a bad idea to choose after seeing what everyone else has selected.”
At the unexpectedly sharp reply, Sin-do Un-hwi's eyes flashed.
Though he appeared carefree, Wi-ji Hye-sang was making terrifyingly cold calculations.
“But this isn't something that can be solved just by using your head.”
Averting his gaze from Wi-ji Hye-sang, Sin-do Un-hwi carefully examined the scrolls before picking one up.
On it was a mission concerning the resolution of issues with the small and medium-sized factions that had been absorbed into the Ma-jeon but had failed to assimilate.
“You've chosen a truly difficult task.”
Once again, Wi-ji Hye-sang offered words of praise. And they were not empty.
To solve the deep-rooted problems of each faction and help them integrate smoothly into the confederation that was the Ma-jeon.
In other words, it was a task of managing sects and expanding influence.
And that was a far more difficult task than destroying a single faction.
“You have chosen a difficult one.”
As even Yeop Hyo-cheon voiced his admiration, Sin-do Un-hwi gave a faint smile.
“I suppose it's because I'm not very confident in my martial arts.”
He said that, but he was the successor of the Myeol-in-gung, capable of facing the world's masters with nothing but his bare hands.
Sin-do Un-hwi, too, was clearly a genius who appeared ordinary while concealing a portion of his true skill.
Just then, Bu Eun-seol, who had been approaching the unfurled scrolls, suddenly turned his head to look at Wi-ji Hye-sang.
“Are you still planning to yield your turn?”
“Of course.”
Bu Eun-seol smiled coldly.
“You don't plan on choosing today.”
“What do you mean?”
Bu Eun-seol stared intently at Wi-ji Hye-sang.
“The Commander-General said there was no time limit for these tasks… which also means there's no need to choose a mission right now.”
At that, the expressions of Yong Jeok-bi and Sin-do Un-hwi changed, while Do Cheon-rin wore the faintest of smiles.
He, too, had seen through Wi-ji Hye-sang's scheme and this loophole.
And yet, he had chosen a scroll first…
Do Cheon-rin had likely chosen the mission that was not only the most advantageous but also the easiest for him to complete.
“Then I take it you won't be choosing either, Young Master Bu.”
Wi-ji Hye-sang's eyes twinkled.
He assumed that since Bu Eun-seol had seen through the loophole, he would also wait until no one was around to choose his mission, or perhaps watch how things developed before making a choice.
“No, I will choose now.”
But Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
“Because I can't let anyone else take this mission.”
At those words, Wi-ji Hye-sang blinked.
No matter how he looked, there were no easy missions, nor any that the other successors would covet.
*Ssk.*
Bu Eun-seol walked up to the scrolls and chose one without hesitation.
In that instant, the atmosphere turned frigid.
Even the expression of Yeop Hyo-cheon, who had been watching silently, hardened.
For on the scroll Bu Eun-seol had chosen, these words were written:
—Assassinate one of the Orthodox Faction members belonging to the Four Gods and Seven Kings.