Chapter 206
Chapter 206
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: A Fair Competition
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Mok In-cheong, on the contrary, broke into a smile.
“Heh heh heh.”
Ordinarily, Bu Eun-seol, a Third-Rank Grand Lord, ordering a hall master of Myeolin Palace? It would be utterly unthinkable.
However, the Demonic Emperor had decreed that missions related to the position of successor candidate could be carried out independently.
In other words, when it came to matters of the succession, he held the same authority as the First-Rank Grand Lords.
“I see. So that's how you’re going to play this.”
Mok In-cheong smiled as if he had expected it. He then looked at the guard and nodded.
“If that's truly the case, then so be it. Bring him here.”
How much time had passed?
*Thud, thud.*
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the path leading up to the pavilion.
*Thud, thud… Thud, thud.*
The footsteps were highly irregular, and the center of gravity with each step was off-balance.
*Shhhk.*
The man who appeared beside the approaching guard was dressed in gray martial arts robes.
As if he had endured extreme torture, all the fingernails on both his hands were missing, and his gray robes were soaked in blood.
He was none other than Myo Cheon-u, a Sip-ma-jeon-in of Myeolin Palace.
“It’s been… a while.”
Spotting Bu Eun-seol, Myo Cheon-u grinned, revealing blood-soaked teeth.
“Have you been well?”
“Myo Cheon-u.”
Bu Eun-seol’s gaze grew incredibly grave.
“What happened to you?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
Myo Cheon-u spoke with a nonchalant expression.
“I just underwent the Blood-Robed Corpse Torture, is all.”
The Blood-Robed Corpse Torture.
One of the most heinous punishments handed down by Myeolin Palace, it involves pulling out all the fingernails on the sinner's hands and shoving long tubes into the raw flesh.
Then, through these tubes, the Sixfold Agony Elixir—a concoction said to maximize a human's sense of pain—is poured in.
The torture is then administered in this state of heightened sensitivity. The process is said to be so agonizing that the sinners tear at their own clothes and flesh.
In the end, their appearance becomes like that of a bloody corpse, which is how the gruesome punishment earned its name.
Despite having endured such a vicious ordeal, Myo Cheon-u maintained a calm expression.
‘His body is broken.’
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
Though he wore a stoic expression, Myo Cheon-u's eyes were dim, and his hands and legs trembled uncontrollably.
He was clearly still suffering from unimaginable pain.
“Why did you torture him?”
At Bu Eun-seol’s question, Mok In-cheong let out a sneer.
“You seem to be misunderstanding something. Do you think you own the world just because you became a Grand Lord of the Demonic Cult?”
“…”
“You brandished your status as a Grand Lord, so I showed you the man from the dungeon. And now you wish to interfere in the affairs of my palace?”
He wasn’t wrong.
Even if Bu Eun-seol were a First-Rank Grand Lord of the Demonic Cult, he could not interfere in the affairs of another sect.
On the contrary, an act like this was an overreach of his authority as a Grand Lord.
“Stop meddling in matters that don’t concern you and go back.”
But Bu Eun-seol spoke with even greater confidence.
“Is this 'affair' you speak of in Myeolin Palace nothing more than torturing one of your own Sip-ma-jeon-in?”
“Nothing more?”
As a murderous glint appeared in Mok In-cheong’s eyes, Myo Cheon-u staggered forward.
“No need to worry. This is something I asked for myself.”
“You asked for it?”
As Bu Eun-seol’s eyes flashed, Myo Cheon-u offered a dry smile.
“For a long time now, I’ve decided to cast off the shackles of the Sip-ma-jeon-in and leave Myeolin Palace.”
“And so?”
“I heard you were coming, so I took the opportunity.”
Ever since the incident at the Janggeom Mountain Manor, Myo Cheon-u had resolved to cast off the shackles of the Sip-ma-jeon-in and follow Bu Eun-seol.
And when he heard that Bu Eun-seol, now the Fourth Shadow Grand Lord, was visiting Myeolin Palace, he had unhesitatingly announced his intention to leave.
“Then, Hall Master Mok presented a condition. That if I wanted to leave Myeolin Palace to follow you, I had to undergo the Blood-Robed Corpse Torture.”
Bu Eun-seol’s eyebrows shot up.
It turned out Myo Cheon-u was enduring this horrific torture to break free from the chains of the Sip-ma-jeon-in and sever his ties with Myeolin Palace.
Myo Cheon-u turned his body and clasped his hands toward Mok In-cheong.
“Then, I shall take my leave now.”
When Mok In-cheong gave no response, Myo Cheon-u spoke again.
“Did I not undergo the Blood-Robed Corpse Torture? You commanded that I receive that punishment if I wished to leave Myeolin Palace with this friend.”
“Of course, you may leave Myeolin Palace.”
Mok In-cheong continued with a sinister smile.
“But that is all. If you are summoned by the palace, you must return.”
“Are you breaking your promise?”
“Not at all.”
Mok In-cheong wore a malicious grin.
“All this palace promised you was that you could leave Myeolin Palace.”
*Thump.*
In that moment, Myo Cheon-u’s eyes widened.
He now saw that Myeolin Palace had never intended to let him go.
“Hall Master, how can you deceive me with such cunning wordplay?”
“I am not deceiving you. I am simply keeping my promise.”
“I cannot accept this. I will report this to the Palace Lord myself.”
“It’s useless. The Palace Lord has delegated all authority concerning the handling of the Sip-ma-jeon-in to me.”
Instantly, a shadow of despair fell over Myo Cheon-u’s eyes.
“Why does the palace treat me so harshly? What have I done wrong?!”
Myo Cheon-u's grief-stricken cry echoed through the air.
He possessed outstanding talent and had done his utmost as a Sip-ma-jeon-in of Myeolin Palace.
But because he was seen as an obstacle to the succession structure of Myeolin Palace, which was already set on Shin Do-un-hwi, he was always left to fend for himself.
He could gain no factional power or support.
In the past, had they not deliberately exposed his movements, plotting to have him and a Dae-ui-go-su destroy each other?
He had faced death at the Janggeom Mountain Manor, only to survive thanks to Bu Eun-seol.
After that, they had only given him the most perilous missions.
He had clung to life so tenaciously, thinking he had finally found a chance to escape the shackles of the Sip-ma-jeon-in…
But Myeolin Palace had betrayed him once again.
“If you want me dead so badly, why won’t you let me go?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Mok In-cheong said calmly.
“That man is a successor candidate of the Demonic Cult, competing with our palace’s own successor. If you were to help him, it would be very troublesome for us.”
Myo Cheon-u blinked his eyes weakly.
When he thought about it, it was all too obvious.
Myo Cheon-u was a prodigy of martial arts, but from Myeolin Palace’s perspective, he was an outsider who could never be embraced as family.
And now, he intended to become a sword to aid Bu Eun-seol, a rival to their successor, Shin Do-un-hwi?
From Myeolin Palace's perspective, it was a wiser choice to simply break that sword.
“My apologies.”
Myo Cheon-u’s body trembled as he lowered his head and muttered.
“It seems I won’t be able to help you after all.”
A look of resignation clouded Myo Cheon-u’s eyes.
As long as Myeolin Palace refused to release him, there was no way for him to escape the shackles of the Sip-ma-jeon-in.
But it was strange.
Even in the face of Myo Cheon-u's fervent loyalty, and even while watching him suffer so intensely…
Bu Eun-seol’s expression remained unchanged.
As if he had anticipated everything.
“Bu Eun-seol.”
Mok In-cheong then said coldly.
“Even as a Grand Lord of the Demonic Cult, you cannot interfere with this palace’s Sip-ma-jeon-in. It is time for you to leave.”
After a long silence, Bu Eun-seol’s lips slowly parted.
“Of course.”
A faint smile graced his lips.
For a moment, a strange thought crossed Mok In-cheong’s mind.
That smile was a triumphant grin only a victor could wear.
‘I should be the one smiling, so why is he?’
“Let us depart.”
Bu Eun-seol spoke to Wi Cheon-gyeong, who stood behind Hyeok So-jin.
“Treat Myo Cheon-u’s wounds and prepare to leave Myeolin Palace at once.”
“Understood.”
Wi Cheon-gyeong and the members of the Second Squad nodded and carefully approached Myo Cheon-u.
“We will examine your wounds for a moment.”
“It’s no use, Bu Eun-seol.”
Myo Cheon-u shook his head, his face a mask of despair.
“Did you not hear what was said? Even if I leave with you… Myeolin Palace will just order my return.”
“So?”
“What do you mean, ‘so’? If I refuse to return, Myeolin Palace’s pursuers will hunt me down. In the end, no matter what I do, I can’t escape my status as a Sip-ma-jeon-in!”
His desperate cry once again echoed through the air.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been silently gazing at Myo Cheon-u, nodded and spoke gravely.
“Of course. Don’t escape it. Ever.”
“What?”
“Because you will soon become a powerful successor candidate for Myeolin Palace.”
“What…? What do you mean by that?”
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol looked at Mok In-cheong and smiled faintly.
“When I become the successor of the Demonic Cult, I have promised to hold a fair competition for the succession.”
His gaze remained fixed not on Myo Cheon-u, but on Mok In-cheong.
“That is how I was able to gain the support of Jeolcheon Myeolji and Muhasuyujeong.”
Turning his head, he looked at Myo Cheon-u and said in a solemn voice.
“And that fair competition will not just include Jeolcheon Myeolji and Muhasuyujeong… but all Ten Demonic Sects.”
*K-thump.*
At that moment, not only Myo Cheon-u, who had been listening blankly, but also Mok In-cheong standing behind him, wore expressions as if they had been struck on the back of the head.
‘That bastard…’
Mok In-cheong was flustered.
In truth, the Sip-ma-jeon-in were always a double-edged sword.
Despite being barred from becoming successors, they possessed the talent and martial skill to threaten the position.
Therefore, even if Bu Eun-seol took Myo Cheon-u, Myeolin Palace would suffer no real loss.
He had blocked it simply because he didn’t want to give Bu Eun-seol an advantage.
But what if Bu Eun-seol really did become the successor of the Demonic Cult? What if he then elevated the Sip-ma-jeon-in to the same status as successor candidates?
Myeolin Palace would have acted out of petty spite, only to face a much larger storm in the future.
‘Bu Eun-seol. You…’
Admiration and shock mingled in Myo Cheon-u’s eyes.
Only now did he truly realize how formidable Bu Eun-seol was.
‘The reason everyone in the Isle of Hell feared this man… it wasn't just because he was strong.’
Bu Eun-seol always calmly assessed the situation and prepared various countermeasures.
As proof, countless prodigies had launched surprise attacks on him, but not a single one had ever succeeded.
It wasn't just because of the keen senses of his Beast Arts.
“If you understand, let’s get moving.”
“W-wait!”
A flustered Mok In-cheong loudly stopped Bu Eun-seol.
If he let him and Myo Cheon-u leave like this, an unmanageable situation would unfold.
“Myo Cheon-u, you will not take a single step out of this palace!”
“Are you going back on your promise?”
Bu Eun-seol said with a solemn expression.
“The promise that he could leave Myeolin Palace if he underwent the Blood-Robed Corpse Torture. I, this Grand Lord, certainly heard it.”
“O-of course, that is true.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
As Bu Eun-seol turned to leave, Mok In-cheong shouted again.
“But are you not a man who will become an adversary of this palace?”
Gritting his teeth, a menacing light gleamed in his eyes.
“Are you not competing with this palace’s successor candidate? You are now in the heart of my palace… I have no choice but to slaughter you all.”
“Hahahaha.”
Bu Eun-seol, on the contrary, found it amusing and laughed heartily, revealing his white teeth.
“That’s not a bad choice either.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded readily.
“Make your move. Now.”
“What did you say?”
“Don’t worry. No matter what our Fourth Shadow Squad does, we won’t be able to survive in the heart of Myeolin Palace.”
Though he said this, Bu Eun-seol’s expression was relaxed and full of laughter.
Not only that, but the lined-up members of the Fourth Shadow Squad showed no fear, instead exuding a powerful aura.
“However, you must surround us well and ensure my death. If you fail…”
An icy chill, like that of a ten-thousand-year-old ice cave, flowed from Bu Eun-seol’s eyes.
“The Young Palace Lord of Myeolin Palace will be eliminated from the succession race before he can even begin the mission assigned by the Chong-gyo-ryeong.”
Mok In-cheong’s eyes widened.
The reason why Baekma Temple, the Hellblood Fortress, and the Four Spirit Gate were eliminated even from the successor candidate race.
Was it not because of their history of having collectively attacked Bu Eun-seol and failed?
“This is…”
Faced with this unexpected situation, Mok In-cheong’s mouth fell open.
He realized he was utterly incapable of resolving this matter with his own judgment.
“Hahaha. Truly impressive!”
Just then, a laugh suddenly rang out from the empty air.
Simultaneously, a man clad in magnificent silk robes appeared before Mok In-cheong as if he had shot up from the ground.
It was none other than the Young Palace Lord of Myeolin Palace, Shin Do-un-hwi.