The Heavenly Demon's New Disciple
Even after becoming the disciple of the Heavenly Demon Cheon Wigang, nothing changed much at first. I was simply granted a building called Heokryong Hall near the Heavenly Demon Palace. As befitting a residence prepared for the Heavenly Demon's disciple, the interior boasted extravagant luxury. It was so vast that it was practically impossible to use alone. ...Come to think of it, that alone was a pretty big change.
Anyway, I heard the official announcement would come in a few days, so I could enjoy a brief peace until then. The moment it was officially announced, things would probably get chaotic.
Is the Academy going to be okay?
Cheon Hayeon had been sent in crossdressing because she was already a mysterious successor candidate within the cult, but I was different.
I don't know.
It wasn't the kind of problem that would be solved by worrying about it right now. After a quick shower, I flopped down onto the fluffy bed.
Despite all her complaining, the fact that she hadn't messaged first until now made it seem like she was holding up better than expected.
Knock knock.
While I was blankly staring at the unfamiliar antique ceiling, I heard a knock on the door from afar. The place I was staying was the penthouse-like top floor of Heokryong Hall. When the door opened, a beautiful woman in a neat suit stood there. Her skin was pale to the point of being white, and she had a brown bob cut. Her eyes were a light brown close to the color of her hair. She looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight. She didn't seem over thirty, but she was definitely older than me.
The woman bowed politely to me.
"Greetings. Starting today, I will be assisting you. My name is Ryu Eun-chae, affiliated with the Honghwa Hall of the Heavenly Demon Palace."
Her voice was calm and soothing to the listener.
"Calling me 'young master' feels awkward. You look older than me, so please speak casually."
The woman who introduced herself as Ryu Eun-chae furrowed her brows for a moment.
"It's fine. Young master."
Her tone, with each word sharply cut off, carried a firm will that would not allow any rebuttal. She seemed to have quite the stubborn streak.
"If it's assistance, what exactly...?"
"I will help with your overall daily life while you stay in the cult. I heard you come from the orthodox side. Since you probably don't know much about the cult, I'll also provide basic education."
"Understood."
I wasn't really from the orthodox side, but correcting her felt like too much trouble.
"Then, if you'll excuse me for a moment."
She strode into my room and headed toward the kitchen. Before long, she had prepared refreshments and set them on the table.
"Honghwa Hall is originally a group meant to support those residing in the Heavenly Demon Palace. If you need anything, you can request it from anyone in Honghwa Hall."
"How do I tell who's affiliated with Honghwa Hall?"
"Within the Heavenly Demon Palace, if someone is wearing this hairpin, you can assume they belong to Honghwa Hall."
Ryu Eun-chae tilted her head slightly to show me the hairpin. I had thought it was just a hair ornament, but it apparently held its own meaning.
"I understand."
"For now, I'll explain the cult to you. And please, speak casually."
"I'm the one who's uncomfortable. You're older than me."
Ryu Eun-chae's eyebrows twitched strongly once again.
"I'm the one who's more uncomfortable. Please speak casually."
"...."
She wore a gentle smile on her lips, but her eyes were quite fierce. In the end, I averted my gaze slightly.
"Uh... Is this okay?"
"Yes, that's perfect. You are the cult leader's disciple. Unless you intend to disgrace the cult leader's face, you must act with dignity wherever you go."
"Got it. So don't push it too much."
"Very well. Then let's begin with the basic introductory education for the cult."
Ryu Eun-chae skillfully operated the nearby devices and brought up a PPT on the front screen.
"Surprisingly systematic, huh?"
"Plenty of people join the cult, so the education has developed accordingly."
Taking out a pointer as well, Ryu Eun-chae began her explanation. At this moment, she gave off the strong vibe of an ordinary career woman.
"The structure of the cult is...."
The explanation that followed contained both things I knew and things I didn't. As expected of basic education, it seemed centered around publicly known information. While quietly listening, a sudden question occurred to me, so I opened my mouth.
"Question. I understand that the cult's core is centered around the Heavenly Demon Palace and Sinnyeo Palace with the Ten Demon Halls, but there are only five listed on the organizational chart?"
Ryu Eun-chae nodded and opened an entirely different screen.
"I've been permitted to disclose a certain level of information to you, so I'll tell you in advance. Currently, only five of the Ten Demon Halls remain in the cult: the Sword Demon Hall, Blade Demon Hall, Spear Demon Hall, Fist Demon Hall, and Ice Demon Hall."
Five against five. I'd heard of it before.
"The other half broke away and became the Blood Sect?"
Meeting my gaze, Ryu Eun-chae gave a small nod.
"Yes. That's correct. The Blood Sect was created by the rebellion of the Five Demon Halls led by the Blood Demon Hall, along with the Sound Demon Hall, Illusion Demon Hall, Enchanting Demon Hall, and Poison Demon Hall. The cult leader is planning to gradually restore the Ten Demon Halls while subjugating the Blood Sect."
I already knew the Blood Sect's structure to some extent. Aside from the Blood Demon Hall having risen to Blood Demon Palace, it was the same as in the future. If I added a few independent organizations like the Blood Brain Pavilion or the Sacred Blood Order, the Blood Sect's organizational chart would be complete. Moreover, among those five halls, the Poison Demon Hall, after the Blood Sect's fall, would gather overseas forces and become another villain called the Ten Thousand Poison Gate.
This time, we'll definitely uproot them.
They were the kind of people who wouldn't be of any help to the world. Madmen who went around indiscriminately spraying extremely dangerous biochemical weapons. Especially poison—when misused, it caused severe collateral damage to civilians.
That aside, there was way too much to memorize. The more I looked, the more my head throbbed. I had to memorize hundreds of faces alone. And that was just the key figures....
I wonder if that girl Han Yeoreum can handle it.
I had no choice but to trust the cult's education. After the lesson continued for a while—
"We'll end today's education here."
Ryu Eun-chae spoke politely as she tidied up.
"I have one request."
There had been something that bothered me a bit since I arrived. It would be better to mention it in advance.
"Yes. Please feel free to command me."
I pointed with my finger at a specific spot.
"I'd like you to withdraw the hidden guards from here. It keeps bothering me. If it's difficult, even just this floor would be fine—just keep it empty usually."
Most of the top floor was occupied by the penthouse where I stayed, but part of it was space for the hidden guards and servants. Even if their purpose was protection, the feeling of being watched wasn't pleasant.
"...Understood."
After a brief pause, Ryu Eun-chae nodded.
"Ah, and also let me know when the Heavenly Demon has time. I've already gotten permission from my master."
"Yes. I'll check the schedule and inform you."
"Thanks."
"Then I'll take my leave."
I quietly watched Ryu Eun-chae's retreating figure as she left without a sound. Whether it was intentional or coincidence, judging by how the Unicorn Divine Art was snorting, Ryu Eun-chae was also a virgin. Despite her age and appearance suggesting otherwise. As expected, you can't judge people by looks alone. Well, it wasn't a particularly important fact anyway.
A grand manor stood in a scenic spot overlooking a vast expanse of emerald-green mountains and fields. Even within the future-oriented Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, this place boasted a harmonious appearance that blended with nature. The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Council of Elders. Though the Council of Elders, composed of retired great masters, held no official power on the surface, it actually wielded tremendous influence. At the center of that Council of Elders, in a building with a massive glass dome on the ceiling, elders exuding imposing auras began gathering one by one. This place, called the Cloud Dragon Hall, was where the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's elders held meetings or made decisions. Like some kind of parliament. With the Council Head's seat at the center, the other elders' seats were arranged in a fan shape sloping outward. Although more than half the seats were empty, an unusual atmosphere hung in the air inside the Cloud Dragon Hall.
Once all the attending elders had taken their seats, Vice-Head Pa Sword Demon Lee Hyun announced the opening.
"The reason I hastily convened this meeting today is because word has spread that the cult leader has taken on a new disciple. The announcement is scheduled to be made within a few days."
At the mention of the cult leader's new disciple, sighs of dismay echoed from various places.
"Heh... How strange. The cult leader, who has never taken a disciple despite the elders' constant recommendations, must have caught some strange wind."
Red Sun Demon Lord Buk Gung-byeok, the Council Head, stroked his beard as he spoke.
"I also heard he designated a new Holy Maiden candidate using even the Heavenly Demon Decree."
"The Heavenly Demon Decree? There hasn't been a Holy Maiden born in hundreds of years. What on earth is the cult leader thinking?"
"A new disciple and a Holy Maiden candidate. The cult leader couldn't have been unaware of the upheaval these would bring."
"Anyway, the Council of Elders has long been on the same boat as Young Sect Leader Cheon Hayeon. There shouldn't be any major problems, right?"
Meetings held in the Council of Elders were mostly like this. Having known each other for a long time, their conversations felt quite informal.
"The elders from the Ten Demon Halls didn't attend today's meeting. They might be harboring other thoughts."
"Haha, other thoughts? They shouldn't do that when the Blood Sect is running rampant like this."
"Have you forgotten how the Blood Sect was born?"
"Suspecting the former heads of the Ten Demon Halls seems like going too far!"
As the conversation continued, voices gradually grew louder. Dan Cheonsang, the Supreme Protector who had been silently listening to the elders, exchanged a glance with Buk Gung-byeok.
"May this old man say a word?"
At Dan Cheonsang's low voice, spoken with a gentle smile, the surroundings instantly fell quiet. Though he now always wore a friendly expression, back when he was active, Dan Cheonsang had been called the Heavenly Killing Demon Emperor. It was a title given due to his killing-intent-filled martial arts and cruel methods. Naturally, even within the Council of Elders, there was no one who wished to provoke his temper.
As if he had been waiting, Council Head Buk Gung-byeok immediately responded.
"Supreme Protector, please speak."
"This old man sees a good method."
"A good method?"
"There has been a method frequently used since ancient times as a means to prevent conflict."
"What kind of...?"
Dan Cheonsang answered with a gentle smile.
"Marriage."