Chapter 483
Chapter 483
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 483
Chapter Title: The Heavenly Demon's Riddle
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dam-jeung let out a deep sigh as he watched Bu Eun-seol kneeling, clutching the book.
Bu Jan-yang.
He had gained fame as an unparalleled swordsman of the demonic path, but in the end, he vanished, leaving only riddles behind.
He had hidden his identity, quietly left the martial world, and lived as a mortician.
Then one day, he was brutally murdered by an unknown assailant, but he left a legacy in the martial world.
That legacy was Bu Eun-seol.
A legacy that neither the renowned heroes of the orthodox factions nor the great demons of the demonic path could wield, one that only he could fully master.
He had left behind a part of himself, one who could unleash the peerless blade art, the Seven Forms of Blood Tears.
“The threads of fate are truly unknowable.”
I thought it was just a brief, passing connection.
The young prodigy who had risked his life training in the caves of Jeokyeonji had become a peerless swordsman who shook the martial world.
And now, his successor has been sent back to the Blood Shaolin.
“Just as birds that flock together fly their separate ways at dawn, so too do people meet and part. Even when together, in the end, we all journey to the next world alone.”
Dam-jeung said, his palms pressed together.
“This foolish monk burned himself in the flames of rage… I pray you do not walk the same path.”
Dam-jeung, a disciple of Buddha, had burned with vengeance for decades, chasing the killer.
In the end, he was not a guardian deity protecting Shaolin, but a man unable to die with his martial brothers in the past.
He had become a lingering ghost of the Blood Shaolin, living on reluctantly.
And he hoped that Bu Eun-seol, at least, would not follow in his footsteps.
*Grrrnd.*
When he pressed the corner of the table, a section of the meditation room's wall opened, revealing a small passage.
It seemed to be a secret passage for quietly leaving Shaolin.
“You may take that scripture.”
Dam-jeung said.
“It was something this monk had kept separately anyway.”
Bu Eun-seol looked at Dam-jeung with his hands clasped and bowed respectfully.
“Then.”
It was a memento that could wash away the pain and sorrow of a fragile mortician.
Who had been unable to keep a single possession of his grandfather's from when he was alive.
A smile touched Dam-jeung's lips as he watched Bu Eun-seol leave.
He had a premonition that simply by receiving that respectful bow from the young man, Shaolin would be able to overcome a great crisis in the future.
Because that young grandmaster would never live indebted to anyone.
Dam-jeung could confidently say that he had made the best decision since becoming the abbot of the Blood Shaolin.
*Rumble.*
As Bu Eun-seol exited through the underground passage, the door closed on its own.
Dam-jeung watched blankly.
Then, as if a thought occurred to him, he sighed.
“I hope he does not clash with *him*.”
Shaolin had nurtured a young grandmaster comparable to him.
And that man was someone who would never tolerate a figure from the demonic path stirring up the martial world... Suddenly, he worried for the future.
***
Upon returning to the Demonic Cult, Bu Eun-seol did not go to the Hall of the Four Shadows but headed straight for the Sacred Demon Pavilion.
Since becoming the Lord of the Martial Soul, he was required to report all his activities and duties only to the Heavenly Demon.
But the Heavenly Demon had been in seclusion, so whether he entered the cult's grounds or took any other action.
There was no particular need to report.
It was the same now.
He had been out in the world, but there was no need to report what he had done.
Nevertheless, he had made a point of going to the Sacred Demon Pavilion.
To report to the Heavenly Demon.
No, for the first time, to question an injustice.
*The Heavenly Demon must have known.*
Before Bu Eun-seol achieved Spiritual Awakening and formed a mental barrier.
In other words, until he was attacked by Hyuk-ryeon Eung at the Prince of Wei's estate, the Heavenly Demon must have been peering into his mind.
Even if he couldn't see every single thought, he would have at least known about the burning desire for revenge.
*And that my grandfather was the Seven-Branched Demonic Blade.*
Perhaps the Heavenly Demon knew his grandfather's identity.
The fact that he said nothing—did it mean he was watching from a distance, amused by his actions?
*Was it amusing? My struggle?*
Looking back, even becoming the successor of the Demonic Cult had all been the Heavenly Demon's arrangement.
He gave him the opportunity to build his merits step by step, despite all the persecution and obstruction.
He had molded him into a successor that the demonic followers had no choice but to acknowledge, even if the Ten Demonic Sect Lords did not.
Of course, overcoming all the trials and accumulating merits was Bu Eun-seol's own ability.
But the reason it was possible...
...was because the Heavenly Demon had seen through Bu Eun-seol's abilities and character completely.
Otherwise, he would not have given him so many trials without hesitation.
*I am not a puppet.*
Bu Eun-seol, walking at a brisk pace, lifted his head.
In the distance, the Sacred Demon Pavilion came into view, and the events at Shaolin flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.
*Not just Dam-jeung, but even the current abbot of Shaolin. They might be nothing more than pawns on a board...*
The Seven-Branched Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang.
The peerless swordsman who had dominated the demonic path was none other than a fictional demonic figure created through the Absolute Demonic Path Project.
Not only that, but numerous prodigies had entered various orthodox and unorthodox sects or acted as shadows to assist him.
And this project had been carried out in none other than the most secret place in Shaolin, the Blood Shaolin.
It was said that everyone who knew of this project was later killed.
But Bu Eun-seol realized there was one critical flaw in this.
The Buddha Revered One, Hong Hyeon.
The great elder of the orthodox faction, a living Buddha over two hundred years old, called the legend of Shaolin.
Could he really have been unaware of the Absolute Demonic Path Project?
Even if the previous abbot was dead, wouldn't he know everything?
Could Cheol Mu-hon and the previous abbot, Hong Yeop, truly have proceeded without informing the Buddha Revered One?
Of course, there was a chance.
The Buddha Revered One did not reside in Shaolin.
But to proceed with such an important project while excluding someone like the Buddha Revered One... no matter how he thought about it, it made no sense.
*In the end, everything concerning Shaolin will only be revealed once I find the Buddha Revered One.*
Bu Eun-seol had thought that meeting the abbot of the Blood Shaolin would be enough to learn the truth.
But only now did he realize that he had to meet the Buddha Revered One to grasp the full picture.
“My Lord.”
When he finally arrived before the Sacred Demon Pavilion, the guards standing there bowed politely.
“What brings you here?”
“I am here to see the Heavenly Demon.”
“The Heavenly Demon is in seclusion.”
The only person who could have an audience with the secluded Heavenly Demon was the Grand Commander, Yeop Hyo-cheon.
But Bu Eun-seol also had a special privilege.
His position as the Lord of the Martial Soul.
“An urgent matter has arisen that greatly threatens the security of our cult. As the Lord of the Martial Soul, I must see the Heavenly Demon immediately.”
When Bu Eun-seol presented the Martial Soul Token, the guard stammered.
It was a nominal authority.
In the history of the Demonic Cult, not a single person had ever used the Martial Soul Token to force an audience with the Heavenly Demon during his seclusion.
“I-I will report it first.”
Just as the guard stammered and bowed his head,
“Let him in.”
A clear, melodious voice, like rolling jade beads, came from beyond the pavilion's window.
The guards bowed with expressions of relief, as if saved.
“Please enter, my Lord.”
Entering the Sacred Demon Pavilion, he saw the large hall where one had an audience with the Heavenly Demon.
Bu Eun-seol had always had his audiences with the Heavenly Demon here.
And he had always left him in great chaos.
*Not this time.*
Having reached the sixth stage of the Counter-Polarity Divine Art, Bu Eun-seol possessed a mental barrier...
...so powerful that even masters at the Transcendent Realm could not dare to break it.
Even the power of the Wolf Fang Pavilion Master's Illusory Return had failed to affect his mind.
No matter how powerful the Heavenly Demon was, he would no longer be able to peer into his mind.
*Swoosh.*
Passing through the main hall, a large, elegantly decorated reception room came into view.
As he finally stood before it, the door opened as if in waiting, and a woman in a purple palace gown appeared.
“Welcome.”
The one who greeted Bu Eun-seol was not the Heavenly Demon, but a beautiful woman with a clear, flawless complexion.
Her eyes were as cold and still as carved ice, yet within them lingered an unidentifiable warmth.
It was Jin Sang-hwa, Jin Seol.
“Jin Sang-hwa.”
Unsurprised, Bu Eun-seol calmly clasped his hands.
He had already known that the clear voice from the window was hers.
“My Lord.”
Jin Seol returned the gesture impassively.
Her appearance seemed slightly thinner than before, and the cold, arrogant aura had been replaced by a hint of loneliness.
She had been engaged to Sim Wol, a disciple of the Blood Demon Jeok Bung and the Myriad Arts Hall, but it had ended in a tragic manner.
Because Sim Wol, fed an artificial internal core by the traitor Hyuk-ryeon Eung, had turned into a murderous demon, slaughtering innocent people.
And of all people, it was Bu Eun-seol who had revealed these facts.
At the time, Jin Seol had ignored Bu Eun-seol's advice and consideration, trying to change Sim Wol's mind.
In doing so, she had only caused more innocent deaths.
In the end, she stepped down from her position as Sang-hwa and entered the Sacred Demon Pavilion where the Heavenly Demon resided.
And she had been staying there, running errands without showing herself.
“Have you been well?”
Bu Eun-seol asked, breaking the awkward silence.
“Thanks to you.”
Jin Seol nodded with a calm expression and moved her thin lips.
“You said you had urgent business.”
“That's right. I came knowing the Heavenly Demon is in seclusion.”
“The Heavenly Demon is not here.”
Bu Eun-seol's eyebrows shot up.
The Heavenly Demon, who was said to be in seclusion, was not actually here?
Did that mean his seclusion was a sham?
“Please go into the office.”
Jin Seol then said something unexpected.
“He gave you permission to enter.”
“What do you mean by that, all of a sudden?”
“The Heavenly Demon knew that you would be visiting soon, my Lord.”
Jin Seol said in a clear but low voice.
“And he said to show you his office when you arrived. That it would be the answer.”
*Grip.*
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol clenched his fist tightly.
The Heavenly Demon.
He was still...
...predicting his movements, and even his actions.
In the past, he would have suspected some grand technique was at play.
But now, having achieved Spiritual Awakening, he was free from any mental attacks.
That meant it was one of two things.
Either the Heavenly Demon was aware of every detail of Bu Eun-seol's actions and affairs,
*Or he is predicting all my thoughts and actions.*
It was impossible to know the truth right now.
“I see. Thank you.”
Swallowing the questions and anger that threatened to erupt, Bu Eun-seol walked past the reception room with a calm expression.
The Heavenly Demon's office.
The only people who could have a private audience with the Heavenly Demon here were the Ten Demonic Sect Lords, the Grand Commander, or the Chief of the Assembly of Demons.
Only those of extremely high rank, who could converse with him about the state of the martial world over drinks, were permitted.
*Creeak.*
Bu Eun-seol opened the door and entered without hesitation.
He had expected the place where the Heavenly Demon resided to be filled with luxurious and splendid furnishings, with an elegant atmosphere.
But the office before him looked no different from that of any other high-ranking official.
The only difference was that it was about ten times larger than a typical office, and the bookshelves, packed tightly with books, were also about ten times more numerous.
Was it because it was so spacious?
The office lacked the natural scent of a person that should have lingered in a place of residence.
*Strange.*
Walking to the desk, Bu Eun-seol's eyes glinted.
The Heavenly Demon had the unremarkable appearance of an ordinary old man and was not large in stature.
But the desk and chair in the office were sized perfectly for Bu Eun-seol, who stood over six feet tall.
*It's as if these furnishings are used by someone else.*
Was it to create confusion?
It was possible.
The Heavenly Demon had never told Bu Eun-seol anything easily; their conversations always ended in chaos.
Even now, the mere size of the desk and chair was causing him all sorts of confusion.
“Or is he revealing that he's using another identity?”
The Divine Calculator's true identity was presumed to be Jeong Cheon-je.
Therefore, it wouldn't be surprising if the Heavenly Demon had a new identity.
As Bu Eun-seol stared at the desk, a messy pile of letters caught his eye.
“Am I supposed to read these?”
There were hardly any letters that came directly to the Heavenly Demon.
Because the Grand Commander, Yeop Hyo-cheon, handled most affairs, big and small.
Bu Eun-seol boldly began to unfold the letters on the desk.
“This...”
His eyes widened before he had even finished looking through a few of them.
They contained completely unexpected information.
“The Ten Demonic Disciples.”
He bit his lip.
“They're doing this again?”
The Ten Demonic Disciples Project—a plan to gather outstanding prodigies regardless of their lineage or sect and teach them the ultimate arts of the Ten Demonic Sects.
Through this, Bu Eun-seol had become a disciple of the Wolf Fang Pavilion and the successor of the Demonic Cult.
But the Demonic Cult was still gathering talented prodigies, confining them in one place.
And forcing them into life-or-death battles to ascertain their talents in every field.
However, unlike the Ten Demonic Disciples Tournament.
Instead of teaching the martial arts of the Ten Demonic Sects and selecting a successor, they were teaching the martial arts of the Myriad Demon Annihilation Pavilion and making them direct warriors of the Demonic Cult. That was the only difference.
“So that's why the Myriad Arts Hall Master went outside the pass so often.”
According to the letters, the person in charge of this project was Baek Jeon-cheon.
In other words, in place of the former Grand Instructor Hyuk-ryeon Eung, he was conducting these battles to the death and selecting outstanding prodigies.
“Why.”
Bu Eun-seol's pupils wavered.
Why would the Heavenly Demon deliberately leave these documents here?
If this project became known, Bu Eun-seol would surely oppose it.
*No, from the Demonic Cult's perspective, can I even oppose it?*
The Ten Demonic Disciples Project had, in the end, produced an excellent result.
They had learned that a prodigy's abilities could not be judged by their physical constitution alone.
And they had selected the ultimate prodigy: Bu Eun-seol.
Looking at that point alone.
The Demonic Cult had more than enough justification to continue such a competition.
*This is not a problem that can be solved immediately.*
If it's an issue that can't be resolved right now, there's no need to dwell on it.
Furthermore, if this project was run directly under the Heavenly Demon, he shouldn't touch it rashly.
It was a matter to be discussed later at a Demonic Assembly meeting with the high command.
“Hmm.”
Suddenly, a strange intuition flashed through his mind.
Did the Heavenly Demon really leave these documents in his office just so he would find out about the Ten Demonic Disciples Project?
Absolutely not.
The Heavenly Demon was not such a simple man.
He was a man who valued the unseen more than the seen.
He also utterly despised and was wary of others telling him the truth.
Bu Eun-seol was sure that the desk and chair that didn't fit the Heavenly Demon's physique, and this slaughter similar to the Ten Demonic Disciples Project...
...were not the whole story the Heavenly Demon wanted to tell.
—*Find it. The truth, with your own hands.*
The Heavenly Demon had given Bu Eun-seol another test.
It was irritating. Infuriating.
But he had to endure it.
Because he still couldn't defeat the Heavenly Demon.
Not in martial arts, nor in power and subordinates. Not with any of the cards he held.
“Hoo.”
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eun-seol carefully scanned his surroundings.
There was no need to even use his Mind-Reading Art.
The Heavenly Demon knew him too well. As if he were a worm in his gut, he understood every single one of his abilities.
In that case, this was probably not a test of his abilities.
It must be a process designed to produce a desired outcome.
*Even if I find something, it will either be something he planted, or a truth that only adds to the confusion.*
The Heavenly Demon was a symbol of chaos.
He could layer countless lies over a single simple truth.
A man who could, with a single word, give a riddle that couldn't be solved for years.
*Nothing.*
After searching for a while, he couldn't find what the Heavenly Demon was trying to say.
Instead, his confusion only deepened.
Was he supposed to stop the Ten Demonic Disciples Project? Or was he supposed to find his hidden dual identity? What on earth did he want?
As his mind grew muddled, the image of his grandfather suddenly came to him.
For Bu Eun-seol, who couldn't even remember his parents' faces, his grandfather Bu Jan-yang was his only pillar of support, his only sanctuary.
*Grandfather.*
As he recalled his grandfather's benevolent smile, Bu Eun-seol unconsciously thought of the Buddhist scripture tucked inside his robes.
*A scripture?*
In that moment, Bu Eun-seol noticed something strange.
Among the books on the Heavenly Demon's shelves, wasn't there one with an appearance remarkably similar to the one his grandfather had annotated?