Chapter 359
Chapter 359
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 359
Chapter Title: Fiery Rain Sword Sect
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fiery Rain Sword Sect.
Known as the First Sect of the Demonic Path, it was situated near the Jinryeong Mountain Range in the Stone Gate region.
It was a natural strategic stronghold, with the Jinryeong Mountain Range serving as a solid barrier, and the valleys and rivers formed by Mount Jinryeong provided an abundance of food.
It was a place lacking nothing for a great faction to establish its base.
*Rumble, rumble, rumble.*
A carriage, flying the flag of Twin Dragons Fighting for an Orb that symbolized the Demonic Palace, was traveling down the main road.
After speeding along for some time, the carriage gradually began to slow. A massive fortress built on a large hill had come into view.
That was the Fiery Rain Sword Sect, known as the First Sect of the Demonic Path.
However, several li before the entrance to the Fiery Rain Sword Sect, warriors armed with swords were blocking the road.
They were the guards of the Fiery Rain Sword Sect.
"Halt!"
The guards protecting the road blocked the carriage Bu Eun-seol was riding in.
*Neigh.*
As the carriage stopped, the guard at the very front spoke with a solemn expression.
"From this point on, you must proceed on foot."
"What nonsense is this?"
The bearded man sitting in the driver's seat scowled.
He had a sturdy build, twin swords strapped to his back, and a domineering energy blazing in his eyes.
It was Won Se-mun.
"This carriage is occupied by the successor of the Demonic Palace, the Martial Soul Lord."
"It matters not who you are. To enter our sect, you must dismount and walk from here."
"You're telling us to walk when we have a perfectly good carriage?"
"That is the law of our sword sect. Have you not heard of it until now?"
As if to prove the guard's words, numerous demonic practitioners visiting the Fiery Rain Sword Sect were ascending the hill in a long procession.
"Are you insane? Is this Wudang Mountain?"
An ordinary person would have naturally dismounted, but he was dealing with the Demonic Palace's number one scoundrel, Won Se-mun.
To him, the solemn rules of the First Sect of the Demonic Path were nothing but utter crap.
"What do you mean by that?"
As the guard scowled, Won Se-mun scoffed.
"What? Why don't you just build a Sword-Releasing Pond and tell us to leave our weapons behind too?"
"Are you ignoring the rules of our sect?"
"Rules should be applied depending on the person, shouldn't they?"
As the guards glared, Won Se-mun bared his teeth and said.
"Would you tell the Heavenly Demon Emperor or the Ten Lords of the Demonic Path to walk if they came?"
For a moment, the guards were at a loss for words.
No matter the rules of the First Sword Sect of the Demonic Path, they couldn't possibly be applied to the supreme ruler of the million demonic practitioners or the Ten Lords.
"But the Martial Soul Lord is neither the Heavenly Demon Emperor nor one of the Ten Lords."
As the guard stammered, Won Se-mun roared.
"What's the difference? Even setting aside his position as the successor, isn't the Lord one of the top ten in the Palace's order of precedence?"
Seeing Won Se-mun bellowing, the guards exchanged flustered glances.
*'This isn't how it was supposed to go.'*
In truth, the guards had been instructed to make sure that when the carriage of the Martial Soul Lord, Bu Eun-seol, arrived, he would be forced to dismount and walk.
—He has a gentle disposition, so he will surely comply. And make sure the other martial artists ascending to the sect see it.
But contrary to their expectations, some crazy scoundrel had stepped forward to ruin their plan, hadn't he?
"If your eyes are crooked, you should at least have your ears unplugged, shouldn't you? How dare you tell the Lord to get out of his carriage and walk? Do you have a death wish?"
Now, as outright insults poured out, a fierce light flashed in the guards' eyes.
"What did you just spew?"
Though they were guards, they were still warriors of the First Sect of the Demonic Path, the Fiery Rain Sword Sect.
Their pride was on a level incomparable to that of the Demonic Palace's guards.
"Did you come here to pick a fight with our sect?"
Killing intent flickered in the guard's eyes.
At that, Won Se-mun let out a thunderous roar.
"If you're a dog guarding the gate, you should act like one! Who are you glaring at?"
"What? A dog?"
The guards' faces turned crimson.
In all their time serving as guards for the Fiery Rain Sword Sect, had they ever seen such a madman?
*Creeak.*
Just then, the carriage door opened, and a tall figure emerged. It was Bu Eun-seol.
"Lord."
As Bu Eun-seol came out, Won Se-mun waved his hands to stop him.
"Just stay put. I'll knock out all of that arrogant bastard's teeth and drive the carriage up right away."
"That's enough."
Bu Eun-seol said, waving his hand.
"Have you not heard the saying, 'When in a new land, follow its customs'? We've come to another's territory, so we should follow their laws."
"Lord."
"It is the Sect Leader's seventieth birthday celebration. Let's not cause a scene and just go up."
For a moment, the guards' expressions twisted.
Just as that madman escalated the situation, the Martial Soul Lord had stepped in as if on cue, preserving his dignity.
As a result, even if he dismounted and walked, his dignity would remain completely intact.
*'As expected, how petty.'*
Looking down at the guards, Bu Eun-seol inwardly clicked his tongue.
The Fiery Rain Sword Sect was the First Sect of the Demonic Path, and its leader, the Profound Demon, was an absolute master of the Supreme Realm, one of the Three Demons.
And yet, they showed such a contemptible attitude?
Moreover, the Head Instructor, Sword Demon Wi Hyeok-gun, had unleashed his Formless Energy on Bu Eun-seol on Hell Island when he had just begun to learn martial arts.
And hadn't he tried to forbid him from using a sword simply because he had learned Cheon Un-gwang's Peerless Thunder and Lightning Style?
—The Fiery Rain Sword Sect always acted pettily. From the moment you arrive, they will raise hell trying to diminish the dignity of the Martial Soul Lord.
Yu Un-ryong's prediction was spot on.
And the solution Bu Eun-seol had prepared was none other than Won Se-mun.
Won Se-mun feared neither heaven nor earth; he was what one would call a true scoundrel.
A man whose wild nature wouldn't soften in the slightest, even with a knife to his throat.
He was the perfect person to counter the Fiery Rain Sword Sect's petty schemes.
*'And there is something only Won Se-mun can do.'*
Just as Bu Eun-seol was lost in thought with a faint smile,
"Consider yourselves lucky the Lord spoke!"
Won Se-mun was still berating the guards as if cornering a rat.
They seemed to have nothing to say, avoiding his gaze.
"Take good care of the Palace's carriage!"
Dissatisfied with their attitude, Won Se-mun let out another thunderous roar.
"If there's so much as a single scratch on it, I'll pull out that many of your teeth. Got it!"
*Tremble.*
The guards trembled with rage but dared not defy him.
"Understood."
It was not because they feared Won Se-mun, but because the Martial Soul Lord, whose name shook the world, stood behind him.
"What are you staring at? Hurry up and guide the Lord!"
At Won Se-mun's roar, the guard on the left bit his lip and extended a hand.
"Please follow me."
Bu Eun-seol and Won Se-mun followed the guard into the Fiery Rain Sword Sect.
The guard led the way up the hill.
They could see wide roads reminiscent of a capital city and splendidly constructed pavilions.
The Fiery Rain Sword Sect, said to house over ten thousand warriors within its walls. Its interior looked like a miniature version of the Demonic Palace itself.
*'Indeed. The Fiery Rain Sword Sect.'*
The Fiery Rain Sword Sect, which had never once relinquished its position as the First Sect of the Demonic Path since its founding.
As if to prove it, the sect's interior was filled with a grand and solemn atmosphere, and all the warriors passing by exuded a sharp energy.
*'I'll be able to confirm it soon.'*
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
With this visit, he would be able to ascertain the situation within the Fiery Rain Sword Sect, which had long been veiled in secrecy.
The pettiness that was unbecoming of the First Sect of the Demonic Path.
Whether it was an order from the Profound Demon, one of the Three Demons, or simply due to the contemptible disposition of the Head Instructor in charge of practical affairs, Sword Demon Wi Hyeok-gun.
"You can go up that way."
The pavilion the guard pointed to had its doors wide open, and a line of martial artists snaked out from it.
They were martial artists who had brought gifts to celebrate the seventieth birthday of the Profound Demon, Wi Ji-mu-a.
The procession was so long it seemed endless, stretching from outside the main gate all the way inside.
A banquet was being held further inside, and even a quick glance revealed it was packed with high-ranking figures rarely seen even in the Demonic Palace.
It was a moment that made the common saying of it being the "second Demonic Palace" feel real.
*'Indeed.'*
The saying, "In the Demonic Palace, the Heavenly Demon Emperor; in the martial world, the Fiery Rain Sword Sect Leader," was not passed down in vain.
"Martial Soul Lord."
Just then, a middle-aged man exuding a sharp aura appeared behind Bu Eun-seol, followed by a dozen or so disciples.
Wi Hyeok-gun.
The man who had inherited the title of Sword Demon, signifying the greatest swordsman of the Demonic Path.
He was also the contemptible man who, back on Hell Island, had unleashed his Formless Energy on Bu Eun-seol for refusing to join the Fiery Rain Sword Sect.
"It has been a while, Head Instructor Wi."
Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands nonchalantly, as if greeting a passing old man, not the Head Instructor of the great Fiery Rain Sword Sect, Sword Demon Wi Hyeok-gun.
At that, Wi Hyeok-gun's thick eyebrows twitched.
"I have been constantly lamenting as I hear of how the Lord's fame shakes the martial world. About how I missed the chance to recruit you on Hell Island."
Though his words were such, his eyes were not smiling at all.
Far from being complimentary, they showed a glint of contempt.
*'How could such a man become the Sword Demon?'*
Bu Eun-seol couldn't help but sigh.
For generations, the Demonic Path had bestowed the title of Sword Demon upon outstanding swordsmen.
In the past, the title of Sword Demon had belonged to the master of the Fiery Rain Sword Sect, Wi Ji-mu-a, and it had now been passed down to Wi Hyeok-gun.
But how this contemptible and narrow-minded man had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship and inherited that name...
Bu Eun-seol simply could not understand.
"It seems the Lord has brought something as well. There was no need."
Bu Eun-seol glanced down at the cloth-wrapped bundle held by Won Se-mun, who stood like an attendant.
"How could I come to the Sect Leader's birthday celebration without a gift?"
"Give it here. I will be sure to deliver it to the Sect Leader."
Though he said that, he looked ready to unwrap the bundle at any moment.
It seemed he had come to personally inspect the gift Bu Eun-seol had brought.
"Very well."
Bu Eun-seol, fully aware of his intention, ordered Won Se-mun.
"Give that to the Head Instructor."
"Yes."
Won Se-mun bowed his head and offered the bundle he was holding to Wi Hyeok-gun.
"Hmm."
Feeling the texture of the object inside the bundle, Wi Hyeok-gun's eyes flashed.
*'Could it be.'*
He had realized it was a dagger of a very unique shape.
*'The Seven-Branched Demonic Sword...?'*
Wi Hyeok-gun was a master of the sword.
Just by feeling the shape and texture of the sword through the cloth, he could discern what kind of dagger it was and what material it was made from.
"Guide the Lord to the banquet hall in the Coral Pavilion."
His expression changed, Wi Hyeok-gun ordered a disciple standing beside him.
Then he lightly clasped his hands towards Bu Eun-seol.
"Then, please enjoy the banquet."
Leaving those words behind, Wi Hyeok-gun hurriedly went inside without a backward glance.
Watching him go, Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
He was probably going to deliver the gift he had brought directly to the leader of the Fiery Rain Sword Sect.
*'The die has been cast.'*
Turning his head, Bu Eun-seol followed the guiding disciple into the pavilion with Won Se-mun.
But something was strange.
They passed the area where the masters of the Demonic Martial World were seated and were heading to a different banquet hall.
"Where are you going?"
Won Se-mun asked, and the guiding disciple replied.
"The Head Instructor told me to guide you to the Coral Pavilion."
Before long, the disciple had guided Bu Eun-seol to another banquet hall where a feast was in full swing.
Here, none of the martial artists who dominated the Demonic Martial World were to be seen.
Instead, it was filled with pot-bellied middle-aged men guzzling down alcohol.
"Well then."
The disciple from the Fiery Rain Sword Sect clasped his hands and hurriedly left.
The people inside the banquet hall blinked as Bu Eun-seol and Won Se-mun appeared.
"Let's sit first."
Bu Eun-seol gave them a light nod and sat down in a seat further inside.
The middle-aged men, seeing Bu Eun-seol's exceedingly handsome features and dignified air, approached him with friendly intentions.
But when Won Se-mun, who looked like a mountain bandit, scowled and glared at them, they smacked their lips and returned to their seats.
"This seems to be a place for people from merchant guilds."
Weren't the people gathered here all talking about things like the atmosphere in the Imperial Palace, or the price of tea leaves and furs?
"My Lord. Please wait a moment."
Won Se-mun scowled and rolled up his sleeves.
"I'll go flip some tables and make them guide us to a proper banquet hall."
"There's no need to worry."
"No, I can't let this be."
Won Se-mun had the disposition of a scoundrel, but he wasn't brainless.
He said with a resolute expression.
"Just the fact that you, my Lord, sat and drank with merchants at a banquet is enough for them to spread strange rumors and disgrace you."
Bu Eun-seol filled his cup with alcohol and shook his head.
"They won't be able to."
"Pardon?"
"Someone will be here soon to ask for a private audience with the Sect Leader."
"The leader of the Fiery Rain Sword Sect, you mean?"
"Indeed."
Won Se-mun couldn't understand.
Right now, the Fiery Rain Sword Sect was intentionally giving Bu Eun-seol the cold shoulder.
And yet, the Sect Leader, Wi Ji-mu-a, who supposedly never showed himself within the sect, let alone in the martial world...
was going to request a private audience with Bu Eun-seol?
"Drink. Your throat must be dry after the long journey."
"Pardon?"
"We have to drink anyway, don't we?"
As Bu Eun-seol smiled, Won Se-mun's lips twitched.
Loosening his belt, Won Se-mun brought a bottle of wine to his lips.
*Guzzle, guzzle, guzzle.*
He wasn't one to overthink things, and he had absolute faith in Bu Eun-seol's intellect.
And wasn't there a secret mission he'd been entrusted with?
"We're out of wine!"
Having emptied all the bottles on the table in no time, he called for a servant in a loud voice.
"This old man can drink a lot, so bring at least twenty bottles!"
Seeing Won Se-mun's tiger-like face, the frightened serving maids brought the wine bottles.
"Allow me to pour you a drink, my Lord."
Won Se-mun respectfully poured wine for Bu Eun-seol.
"No need to drink so quickly."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly with a faint smile.
"There's plenty of wine, after all."
Though he said that, there were probably few who had the nerve to drink so leisurely within the Fiery Rain Sword Sect.
But Won Se-mun was the type of man who could drink heartily without batting an eye, even if he were in the hall of King Yama, let alone the Fiery Rain Sword Sect.
"That's true. Hahaha!"
Laughing heartily, Won Se-mun began to chug straight from the bottle.
"Gulp, gulp."
With Bu Eun-seol's permission granted.
he began to drink incessantly without a care in the world.
The wine prepared by the Fiery Rain Sword Sect was White Serpent Wine from the Eastern Winery, the most famous in the Stone Gate region, an expensive vintage costing over twenty nyang a bottle.
Yet, Won Se-mun downed twenty bottles of White Serpent Wine in less than half an hour. Seeing this, the complexions of the servants changed drastically.
"Does no one in the Fiery Rain Sword Sect drink? Instead of these tiny bottles, bring it by the jug!"
At Won Se-mun's words, the servants wore troubled expressions.
But upon meeting his glaring eyes, they had no choice but to bring a large jug filled with White Serpent Wine.
*Thump, thump.*
Just then, two disciples of the Fiery Rain Sword Sect dressed in black hurriedly came inside and clasped their hands at Bu Eun-seol.
"My Lord. The Sect Leader requests a private audience."
At that, Won Se-mun, who was drinking, widened his eyes.
*'It's really happening?'*
Rising from his seat, Bu Eun-seol sent a mental message to Won Se-mun.
「Drink your fill and do as instructed. There is no need to be reckless.」
「Don't you worry.」
Bu Eun-seol nodded towards the disciples.
"Lead the way."
In the rear garden of the Fiery Rain Sword Sect, there was a small hill.
Ascending a steep slope, a small house surrounded by a fence made of stacked stones came into view.
A faint aroma of tea wafted from this small house, bathed in the languid sunlight.
From a distance, it felt like a small teahouse.
But the person who actually resided here was the leader of the most powerful sect in the Demonic Path, an absolute powerhouse ranked among the top five.
This was the residence of the Fiery Rain Sword Sect's leader, Wi Ji-mu-a.
*'Unexpected.'*
The leader of the Fiery Rain Sword Sect, which possessed the strongest military power among the single sects of the Demonic Path, was living alone in such a humble little house?
And wasn't it the middle of his seventieth birthday celebration?
"Well then."
The disciples who had guided Bu Eun-seol to the door clasped their hands and left.
"Hmm."
Looking around, Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and slowly stepped inside the fence.
"......!"
For a moment, his pupils dilated slightly.
As he stepped inside, he felt the illusion of having entered another world.
*'I've only just stepped inside the fence, yet it feels completely cut off from the secular world...'*
Bu Eun-seol realized that this was not due to a formation or any special power.
He realized it was a phenomenon created by the person residing in that small house.
"Welcome."
Just then, a low voice came from inside the house.
It was not the voice of an old man, but a clear, resonant voice, like that of an elegant scholar reciting poetry.
"Come inside."
As the gentle, low voice continued, Bu Eun-seol responded politely.
"Then I shall enter."
And he carefully opened the door and went inside.
Contrary to its outward appearance, the interior was quite spacious, and in the center, there was a kettle and a brazier for boiling water.
And on one side, porcelain jars for storing well-dried tea leaves were displayed.
*'He seems to be fond of tea.'*
The cool, dark space was a perfect place for storing tea.
The leader of the Fiery Rain Sword Sect, Wi Ji-mu-a, had probably built this house to enjoy his tea.
*Slurp.*
After telling him to enter, once Bu Eun-seol was inside, the host paid him no mind, sipping his tea with his eyes closed.
*'So that is the Profound Demon.'*
The Profound Demon, Wi Ji-mu-a.
He wore a knee-length robe with a dark blue sash tied around his waist.
If he had been holding a folding fan instead of a teacup, one might have mistaken him for a commander of the Fiery Rain Sword Sect.
The man who seemed like he would have the most demonic appearance among the Three Demons, unexpectedly exuded the air of a scholar.