Chapter 82: How About We Spar?
I stood before the main gate of the Nine Yin Kwak Family.
It might look like I was going around challenging the Six Demonic Families one by one, like some dojo-crawling martial artist...
'But that's just how thoroughly my plans are coming together.'
My standing within the Sado Family was now so immense it didn't need saying.
I didn't know what the truth of it all was, but on the surface, I'd seized the family head position through sheer skill. And since I'd taken over, the family's fortunes had changed dramatically.
The old corrupt elements were being purged, and those occupying positions beyond their abilities were being ousted without mercy or favoritism.
By promoting the Black Shadow Corps to Black Shadow Guard Captains, I'd made it clear: rack up achievements, and swift promotions awaited.
The crowning achievement had come just yesterday with the agreement from the Iron Family.
The Goe Mountain Iron Family had publicly announced their alliance with the Sado Family. And looking at the terms, it felt less like equals and more like they were offering tribute to us—naturally, it caused an uproar.
Nor was the commotion limited to within the Sado Family.
Word had it the entire Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was buzzing about it. By tomorrow, even this remote edge of the 6th Demon Realm would hear the news.
'Those Cheon Gi-ja bastards must be panicking a bit, right?'
Not even Sado Gwang—or his 0.7 version—could handle me now. That's what I decided.
Anyway.
I refocused on the situation at hand.
"Greetings to the Sado Family Head."
The Kwak Family's gatekeepers, clad in pristine white robes, bowed politely to me. The Iron Family's guards had done the same, but they'd seemed tense. These men showed reverence and respect instead.
'A true prestigious house, indeed.'
Even facing me—a publicly acknowledged Super Peak expert—they weren't tense, but expressed other emotions. That spoke to their composure in dealing with me.
Such was the bearing of the Nine Yin Kwak Family, the mightiest house in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
"Sado Family Head!"
Kwak Jeong came dashing up from behind the guards, using the Kwak Family's signature slippery footwork.
'Uryu Sinbeop (Feather Flow Body Technique)...'
Named for how feathers dance in the wind, it was a technique that used the family's unique true energy to reduce friction, allowing swift advances or retreats.
Its nasty part?
'It drives opponents insane.'
Try catching a tiny floating fluff in midair—it's incredibly hard. The merest puff of breath sends it drifting back, or it slips away in bizarre directions along your hand.
Wind, static, various factors probably played in, but as a liberal arts guy, I couldn't explain further. Martial arts bent physical laws anyway.
In any case, Uryu Sinbeop mimicked that motion perfectly.
"You've arrived!"
Kwak Jeong slid to a halt precisely one pace before me.
I nodded.
"I'll guide you straight to my father! This way!"
Kwak Jeong's energy was sky-high. I followed at a leisurely pace.
"Can't we go a bit faster?"
"A young master of the family must maintain decorum. Especially you, heir to the Nine Yin Kwak Family—the foremost house in the cult."
I couldn't use lightness skills myself, so it was an empty remark, but Kwak Jeong looked deeply moved.
[Even if that kid's intelligence drops due to some protagonist law bullshit, the family head won't be like that.]
Pa Cheon warned quietly. I agreed.
'Kwak Family Head is no one to underestimate.'
That's why I had to stay sharp. What I trusted in was that he wouldn't stoop to cowardly ambushes or petty provocations.
The minor issue? As a traditional prestigious house, the Kwak Family was notoriously old-school. They hammered on rules and customs.
'Being the cult's top house also means they're the top boomer house.'
Still, surely fellow family heads wouldn't bicker over it.
We'd walked about half a gak following Kwak Jeong.
"That's our family head's hall."
A modest building appeared in the distance. Compared to the Sado Family Head's Hall, it was barely a third the size, only two stories tall.
Yet its refined elegance outshone any building I'd seen in the cult so far.
The wide-open doors revealed the interior clearly, guarded by a few warriors.
[Even at a glance, those are Peak experts.]
Peak realm guards for the family head's hall. Peak experts could lord over any region.
'As expected of the Kwak Family.'
But there was a problem.
"Greetings to the Sado Family Head."
As I nodded and moved to pass—
"By the Nine Yin Kwak Family's customs, outsiders must relinquish their weapons before entering the family head's hall."
"What do you mean by that!"
Kwak Jeong stepped forward in my stead.
"Outsider? The Sado Family Head is my master!"
"Nothing has been decided yet, Young Master."
"Guard Captain!"
The middle-aged warrior at the front blocked us with a resolute expression.
"No sword, no entry to the Kwak Family."
I hadn't expected even them—the cult's top boomers—to pull this on me.
"This is the Sado Family Head."
Sa Wol, now truly my right hand, wouldn't stay silent.
"Even as Black Shadow Guard Vice Captain, the rule stands."
"How dare you—!"
Sa Wol bristled with killing intent. Not because she was hot-tempered, but in the cult, showing weakness was taboo.
"Enough."
I stopped her.
"When in Kwak territory, we follow Kwak customs. However."
I channeled my inner energy through my gaze as I spoke.
"Can you Kwak Family handle it?"
Gulp!
The guards' eyes shook violently. But soon they gritted their teeth and held firm.
[That's the might of a prestigious house.]
Pa Cheon murmured in admiration.
'The problem is, I'm in the inferior position here.'
Securing the Iron Family's seal had earned one of the Six Demonic Families' approval. I needed Kwak's too.
'But I can't look like I'm being led around.'
In a strength-worshipping cult, weakness meant being devoured.
'No absorbing energy if anyone touches you. Possible?'
[Of course.]
I drew Pa Cheon. Up to chest height so all could see the sword, now even more ornate after Cheol Mu Geuk's upgrades.
'Float for a bit.'
"...Flying Sword!"
I released my grip. Naturally, Pa Cheon hovered motionless in the air, as if time had frozen.
With the hall's doors wide open, they'd seen everything. Shocked murmurs followed: "How does he circulate true energy so naturally...!"
This body couldn't use inner energy freely, but the Heavenly Demon Divine Art's power made its physical prowess immense—only natural.
"Let's see you handle this."
'Now, use Domination and slam into the ground.'
[Tch. Hate being forced like this, but fine.]
Pa Cheon grumbled but obeyed, unleashing Domination on itself fiercely.
Kuung!
A tremendous vibration shook the entire hall as it plunged deep into the ground, scabbard and all.
Sa Wol, still displeased but proud, embedded her dagger beside it.
"May we enter now?"
"Y-yes, sir!"
The guards recoiled in awe. Kwak Jeong looked even more triumphant.
Sa Wol and I entered the hall slowly. People lined both sides in stunned silence, the family head's seat at the end.
As was customary, the head's dais was elevated. I naturally looked up at Kwak Ri Yeon.
He was a refined middle-aged man who could pass for a righteous sect leader, hair bound in the heroic style, exuding dignity.
Unlike my all-black attire, his robes were pure white.
'...That's Kwak Family Head, Kwak Ri Yeon.'
Paeryok Jincheonkwon Kwak Ri Yeon.
Cult rank 11.
The previous previous-generation Heavenly Demon's secretary, Gu Jin-gyeong the Life-Death Judge, ranked 12th.
Outranking him meant immense skill. Naturally a Super Peak expert.
'And that's not all.'
Four more Super Peak experts lined the sides. Fitting for the Kwak Family, holding the most in a single house.
With that power, they could wipe out a lower righteous sect in three days flat.
Kwak Ri Yeon ruled such a force—no room for carelessness.
As I halted, he rose.
"Welcome, Sado Family Head."
"Likewise. Sado Hwan."
"We met at the Six Families Gathering before."
Kwak Ri Yeon smiled faintly.
"Never thought that young heir would grow into such a valiant man."
Coming from the Kwak Family Head—the cult's top boomers—that meant:
'Know your place and act accordingly, since I'm above you.'
I couldn't let that slide. In the cult, yielding equaled contempt.
I hadn't deferred to the 70-year-old Iron Family Head for nothing.
"I didn't come all this way for idle chatter, Kwak Family Head."
Kwak Ri Yeon's eyebrow twitched slightly.
"Sa Wol."
At my call, she unfurled the bundle. Inside was a scroll stamped with the Iron Family seal.
"As you requested, Kwak Family Head, I've brought the Iron Family's seal."
One lesson from my salesman days: words like "eo" and "ah" make all the difference.
Fetching the seal was their test for me. By framing it as their request, I flipped the dynamic, putting us equals—or me superior.
"...Indeed, that's the Iron Family seal."
"Father!"
Innocent Kwak Jeong spoke up, oblivious.
"The Sado Family Head has the Iron Family seal, so he's officially my master now. And you promised your seal too!"
First thing I'd teach Kwak Jeong: reading the room. Though right now, he was helping me.
Kwak Ri Yeon had probably planned a hands-off win: Sado and Iron were on bad terms, so I'd fail, giving him excuse to withhold his seal.
Partly due to Sado Gwang's past grudges, of course.
"I trust the Kwak Family Head won't go back on his word."
"...Naturally. Take good care of my son Kwak Jeong, Sado Family Head. You're his master now. And I'll grant the seal."
I nodded arrogantly, as if it were obvious.
If Kwak Ri Yeon hadn't continued.
"In that vein, Sado Teacher."
From family head to teacher. He'd flipped the frame back, just as I had.
"I need to see how you'll teach my son. How about a spar between you and me?"