Chapter 270
Chapter 270
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 270
Chapter Title: Martial Soul Lord
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Do Cheon-rin trembled with surging euphoria.
The seventh gate, the Gate of Wisdom, was particularly infamous—a trial so wicked that even the greatest prodigies of the age were said to be trapped within it for three or four days.
But Do Cheon-rin, driven by the sole desire to defeat Bu Eun-seol, had poured his all into the challenge. He had broken through all seven Blood Dragon Gates in a mere half-day.
“The Seven Blood Dragon Gates are trials that test one's abilities in every field.”
Taking a deep breath, Do Cheon-rin threw his hands into the air.
“Bu Eun-seol. You can never defeat me—”
His triumphant cry froze on his lips, his expression turning cold.
A man in a gray robe was trudging toward him from the opposite path. It was Bu Eun-seol.
“You're finally here.”
To his astonishment, Bu Eun-seol had already passed through the Seven Blood Dragon Gates and was waiting for him outside.
He didn't even show a single bead of sweat.
*Shudder.*
Do Cheon-rin's eyes wavered violently.
*Are you even human? In such a short time... are you some kind of demigod, capable of surpassing me, who has studied the arts of kingship since childhood?*
“You're right.”
Bu Eun-seol spoke then.
“When it comes to a variety of skills, I suppose I can't compare to you, who has learned so much since you were a child.”
“Then how…”
Do Cheon-rin asked, his eyes unfocused. Bu Eun-seol replied calmly.
“I just broke them.”
“What?”
Bu Eun-seol repeated calmly.
“Whatever the gate was, I just broke it.”
A hollow laugh escaped Do Cheon-rin's lips.
He now realized that Bu Eun-seol had simply smashed his way through the Seven Blood Dragon Gates with pure force.
“But why did you wait for me? If you had returned to the Demonic Cult right away, you would have been acknowledged as the successor immediately.”
“Because I didn't think you would accept it if I did.”
Bu Eun-seol slowly extended his hand.
And said in a low voice.
“Let's have one match. No regrets.”
In that moment, Do Cheon-rin took a deep breath.
There was a time when he thought he could defeat him in martial arts. But now, he realized he could never win, even if he fought with all his might.
Yet, Do Cheon-rin willingly drew his Bloodflame Saber.
“Fine.”
While passing through the Seven Blood Dragon Gates, Do Cheon-rin had made a vow.
To never again try to solve everything with his head.
Even if something seemed impossible, he would face it head-on without avoidance, just like Bu Eun-seol.
*Fwoosh!*
As Do Cheon-rin raised his internal energy to its peak, a fierce wind swirled around him, and a terrifying aura began to emanate from his body.
*Shing.*
As he drew the Bloodflame Saber, a five-colored rainbow bloomed upon its gleaming silver blade.
“Let me say one thing before we fight.”
“Go on.”
Slowly raising his Bloodflame Saber, Do Cheon-rin swallowed his anguish and shouted.
“Bu Eun-seol… you are the successor of the Demonic Cult!”
*Flash!*
At the same time, a brilliant light erupted from the Bloodflame Saber.
***
Inside the Sa-yeong-gak.
The Sa-yeong-dae members moved about busily, their faces flushed with excitement.
This morning, Bu Eun-seol's succession ceremony would be held in front of the Seong-ma-gak.
The official successor of the Demonic Cult.
It was proof that he was the next master of the Demonic Cult, destined to lead the million followers of the demonic path, including the Ten Demonic Sects, and the greatest prodigy of the demonic arts.
“So, where's the Captain?”
Won Se-mun, dressed in a rare, clean martial uniform, peeked around the front of Bu Eun-seol's office.
“I haven't seen him since this morning.”
Wi Cheon-gyeong, standing with his arms crossed, answered.
“He went to the Seong-ma-gak.”
“Ah, I see. What about Myo-hyeong and Yu-hyeong?”
Jo Nam-cheon answered that question.
“I saw a martial artist from the Privy Council come and take them away earlier.”
“The Privy Council? Why?”
“How should I know?”
*Swish, swish.*
Just then, the sound of light footsteps was heard, and a group of beautiful women in splendid martial uniforms walked toward the Sa-yeong-gak.
Following them, a cute girl in a light pink dress and an old woman with snow-white hair entered side by side.
“Who're you?”
Won Se-mun, who had been picking his nose, asked as he looked back and forth between the old woman and the girl.
“And who's this little brat—”
*Thwack!*
At that moment, Jo Nam-cheon smacked the back of Won Se-mun's head with all his might.
He then grabbed a handful of his hair and forced his head down toward the old woman.
“My apologies. He's not quite right in the head…”
“What are you doing!”
Won Se-mun yelled, but Jo Nam-cheon clamped a hand over his mouth and whispered urgently.
“Shut your trap, you crazy bastard.”
Jo Nam-cheon brought his wide, bloodshot eyes close to Won Se-mun's face.
“What are your eyes made of? Can't you even recognize the Matriarch of the Muhasu-yujeong?”
“Muhasu-yu…!”
Won Se-mun's jaw dropped.
That old woman who looked like a withered tree was the Matriarch of the Muhasu-yujeong, one of the Ten Demonic Sects, which boasted immense financial power?
Just then, Wi Cheon-gyeong stepped forward and clasped his hands.
“Wi Cheon-gyeong, Second Squad Leader of the Sa-yeong-dae, greets the Matriarch.”
“Hmph.”
The old woman, Geuk Hye-ryeong, scanned her surroundings.
“Is Bu… no, is the Successor not here?”
“The Captain went up to the Seong-ma-gak early this morning.”
“Hmm. I see.”
As Geuk Hye-ryeong clicked her tongue in disappointment, Geuk Hye-bin's face fell.
“Grand… mother.”
Surprisingly, her voice was clear and beautiful.
“Eun-seol… oppa. I want to see him…”
However, her voice wasn't loud, but a very soft whisper.
The honey of the Jade Bee that Bu Eun-seol had given her.
That mystical elixir had partially restored the muscles in her vocal cords.
“Don't worry. You'll be able to see him as soon as the ceremony is over.”
*Rumble.*
Just then, a group of martial artists in purple uniforms swarmed into the Sa-yeong-gak.
At their head was a strapping young man in blue robes, smiling broadly. It was none other than Hyeok So-jin, the successor of the Jeolcheon-myeolji.
“How has everyone been?”
“Vice-Captain—!”
Won Se-mun and the First Squad members, who primarily practiced swordsmanship, had spent the most time with Hyeok So-jin.
Upon seeing Hyeok So-jin, Won Se-mun and the First Squad members rushed over to embrace him.
“It's been so long!”
“You're looking even better than before!”
As not only the First Squad but all the other Sa-yeong-dae members gathered around Hyeok So-jin, an old man with neatly combed white hair followed behind. It was the Lord of the Jeolcheon-myeolji, Hyeok Gong-baek.
—The Sa-yeong-dae greets the Lord!
Spotting Hyeok Gong-baek, the members bowed their heads and paid their respects with a thunderous shout.
An aura as imposing as a great mountain emanated from him, and his eyes bore a strong resemblance to Hyeok So-jin's.
Hyeok Gong-baek nodded with a benevolent smile.
While at the Jeolcheon-myeolji, he had heard detailed accounts from Hyeok So-jin about his time in the martial world.
He was particularly well-aware of the strong bond between Hyeok So-jin and the Sa-yeong-dae members.
“Indeed, a gathering of prodigies, each worth a hundred men.”
Nodding with a pleased smile, Hyeok Gong-baek looked around.
“But it seems the Successor is not here.”
“The Captain went to the Seong-ma-gak early this morning.”
As Wi Cheon-gyeong answered politely,
“It's been a long time, Lord.”
Geuk Hye-ryeong, recognizing Hyeok Gong-baek, approached with a smile.
“The last time we met was ten years ago at Hoeng-gang.”
“Hahaha. Indeed it was. You seem to be in even better health, Matriarch.”
The two of them had not originally been on good terms.
Hyeok Gong-baek disapproved of Geuk Hye-ryeong for expanding her influence through a wide network of connections, regardless of whether they were righteous or unorthodox.
And Geuk Hye-ryeong, for her part, disliked the reclusive and stubbornly aloof Hyeok Gong-baek, who seemed to care only for the well-being of the elderly.
However, thanks to Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin, their two factions had begun to interact…
As a result, both sects now possessed military might and influence that could rival any of the other Ten Demonic Sects.
Because of this, they had now become so amicable that they couldn't help but smile just by looking at each other.
“Matriarch.”
Hyeok So-jin also approached Geuk Hye-ryeong and greeted her warmly.
“Have you been well?”
“Ah, it's you.”
Geuk Hye-ryeong smiled warmly.
If Bu Eun-seol had cured Geuk Hye-bin of her emotional ailment, then Hyeok So-jin was the one who had diligently taught martial arts to the Baekhwa-nangrang, reinforcing the chronic weakness of the Muhasu-yujeong for the first time.
Of course, that too had been on Bu Eun-seol's orders.
“Geuk Hye-bin greets… So-jin… oppa.”
As Geuk Hye-bin greeted him in a clear voice, Hyeok So-jin was so surprised his eyes nearly popped out.
“Huh? You can speak now?”
“Eun-seol oppa… got me some good medicine…”
Geuk Hye-bin whispered with a shy smile, and Hyeok So-jin beamed.
“I see! That's wonderful!”
Then, looking back and forth between Hyeok Gong-baek and Geuk Hye-ryeong, he gestured with both hands.
“Instead of standing here, why don't we go inside and chat?”
As the Vice-Captain of the Sa-yeong-dae, Hyeok So-jin guided them into the Sa-yeong-gak as if it were his own home.
“It seems Brother Bu will be a while.”
“Let's do that.”
As Hyeok Gong-baek and Geuk Hye-ryeong followed Hyeok So-jin with smiles, the disciples of their two sects followed suit.
“He's really something else.”
Won Se-mun exclaimed in admiration as he watched Hyeok Gong-baek and Geuk Hye-ryeong chatting in the distance.
“Our Captain is now on equal footing with the leaders of the Ten Demonic Sects.”
As the successor of the Demonic Cult, which encompassed the entire demonic path, Bu Eun-seol would now only take orders from the Ma-cheon-je.
In terms of status, Bu Eun-seol was essentially another leader of the Ten Demonic Sects.
At Won Se-mun's words, Jo Nam-cheon tilted his head.
“Then what happens to us? Our Captain isn't a Captain anymore, right?”
While the two were whispering, a beautiful woman in a blue dress entered the Sa-yeong-gak.
It was Jin-seol, the Sang-hwa, who ensured that all events in the Demonic Cult proceeded without a hitch.
*Swish, swish.*
Accompanied by two maids, she glided like a butterfly toward Wi Cheon-gyeong, who was standing at the door, and asked.
“Are the Sa-yeong-dae Squad Leaders present?”
“That would be us.”
Wi Cheon-gyeong gestured to himself, Jo Nam-cheon, and Won Se-mun.
“Follow me.”
“What is this about?”
Instead of answering, Jin-seol turned away with an enigmatic smile.
She was someone who personally served formidable figures like the Ma-cheon-je and Jeok-bung, the Elder Hall Master…
Wi Cheon-gyeong, though stunned, followed her as if mesmerized.
Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon had no choice but to follow.
The place they finally arrived at was none other than the Privy Council's interior.
Jin-seol gave a few orders to a Privy Council disciple, who then presented three sets of clothes to Wi Cheon-gyeong and the others.
“Please change into these clothes.”
Sensing something odd, Wi Cheon-gyeong asked.
“What is all this?”
“They are Captain's uniforms.”
“Captain's uniforms?”
As Wi Cheon-gyeong blinked and looked at Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon, Jin-seol smiled.
“What's going on?”
“The Sa-yeong-dae has been reorganized into the Sa-yeong-jeon. The two of you who served as vice-captains will receive the rank of Second-Class Captains. The other three will receive reinforcements and be granted a rank equivalent to Third-Class Captains.”
“Third-Class Captains? Us?”
“Sa-yeong-jeon? What's that?”
Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon jumped up and asked, but Jin-seol continued.
“Originally, the Jam-ma-dan, a unit directly under the successor, was scheduled to be formed. However, the Lord Commander decided to reorganize the Sa-yeong-dae into the Sa-yeong-jeon and make it his personal division.”
“Lord Commander?”
“The Ma-cheon-je has appointed Captain Bu, now the official successor, as the Muhon-ryeong-ju.”
Wi Cheon-gyeong and the others stared, their mouths agape.
The Muhon-ryeong-ju was the head of the inspection agency that monitored corruption within the Demonic Cult.
It was a position of supreme authority, with the power to oppose the Ma-cheon-je's opinion with just cause and to mobilize entire divisions independently, was it not?
“Please attend the ceremony in your Captain's uniforms. Well then.”
Jin-seol smiled at the dumbfounded men before turning to leave.
After she left, Won Se-mun stared intently at Jo Nam-cheon.
“What? What are you looking at?”
*Smack!*
Instead of answering, Won Se-mun slapped Jo Nam-cheon hard across the cheek.
“You crazy bastard! Why did you hit me?”
“Does it hurt?”
“Of course it does!”
At that, Won Se-mun's jaw dropped in a daze.
“It's not a dream?”
***
Following the narrow path leading to the west gate of the Seong-ma-gak, one would find a vegetable garden where various crops were planted.
And in its center stood a pavilion, a place to rest and admire the surrounding scenery.
*Rustle.*
Beneath the clear sky, a cool breeze swept past the pavilion.
Just as he had before, Bu Eun-seol stood facing the Ma-cheon-je in front of the garden pavilion.
When they first met, he had been one of the Sip-ma-jeon-in, not even a candidate for the succession.
But now, he faced the Ma-cheon-je as the next successor, destined to lead this colossal Demonic Cult.
“The ceremony will begin soon.”
The Ma-cheon-je spoke slowly, his gaze fixed on the distant sky.
“To become this Cult's successor is to become the one who will lead the million followers of the demonic path, including the Ten Demonic Sects.”
Bu Eun-seol's expression was peculiar.
Unlike before, he could feel no mystical energy from the Ma-cheon-je, no resonance that pierced the soul.
In fact, his current appearance exuded more 'humanity' than anyone Bu Eun-seol had ever seen.
“You never desired power or honor. So why did you strive so hard to become this Cult's successor?”
Bu Eun-seol answered the Ma-cheon-je's question.
“Because I needed it.”
“Need.”
The Ma-cheon-je mulled over the answer and smiled faintly.
“That is as good a reason as any.”
“There are things I wish to ask.”
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
And he posed a question to the Ma-cheon-je that he had been holding onto for a long time.
“Why was it me?”
From the moment he first met the Ma-cheon-je, Bu Eun-seol had known.
He knew the Ma-cheon-je intended to elevate him to the position of successor.
That was why he had shown him the way to the Jeolcheon-myeolji and the Muhasu-yujeong, and left the Sak-jeong Secret Arts on the second floor of the Manma-yujin-gak.
And with every achievement, he had raised his status step by step.
All so he could become the successor of the Demonic Cult.
So that no one could deny Bu Eun-seol's claim to the succession.
“I suppose I must give you the same answer.”
The Ma-cheon-je smiled faintly.
“For now, at least.”
—*I, too, acted out of need.*
That was what the Ma-cheon-je was implying.
But Bu Eun-seol instinctively felt that this was not the truth.
And a strange thought crossed his mind.
‘Could it be that the Ma-cheon-je is a more cruel demon than anyone else?’
Could it be that Chong-gyo-ryeong Yeop Hyo-cheon's attempt to kill him during their duel was also on the Ma-cheon-je's orders?
Perhaps he was truly a great demon of unimaginable evil who, having reached the pinnacle of martial arts, had grown bored and…
…was now manipulating the fates of men without any emotion?
Such was the bizarre thought.
“Still, you are the successor. Was my answer too cold?”
Had he seen through Bu Eun-seol's thoughts?
The Ma-cheon-je spoke, a deep smile on his lips.
“Now that you are the official successor… you should be able to resolve some of the questions you've held.”
Those words sent a great wave through Bu Eun-seol's usually calm mind.
He was confused.
He felt sick to his stomach.
He even felt the urge to draw his sword and attack the Ma-cheon-je right then and there.
‘Just how much does he know?’
The Ma-cheon-je always acted as if he knew everything.
No, he probably did know.
Why he had become the successor, and what he planned to do next.
Avenge his grandfather.
And uncover the identity of the power that was meddling with him.