The Heavenly Demon Divine Art

I stared blankly at the Heavenly Demon Divine Art entry in the status window. The five-star stage that refused to climb any higher, as if blocked by a wall, was already a problem. But now it had created a whole new headache.

Sura Demon Emperor, Cheon Woo-jin. An EX-rank supreme martial art. The twelfth cult leader of the Divine Cult. Putting it all together, it seemed beyond doubt that he was the one who had created the Heavenly Demon Divine Art I practiced. I wasn't sure why he'd gone to the trouble of changing the name, but the title Sura Demon Emperor obviously marked him as a figure of the demonic path, so I'd vaguely suspected some connection to the Divine Cult. Of course, I'd never imagined the Sura Demon Emperor might ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠actually be the previous Heavenly Demon.

Still. The tyrannical trait that crushed lesser demonic arts. The insane ability that devoured demonic energy until it was hard to even breathe and converted it into power. The resonance I'd felt with Cheon Hayeon when we raised our energy together. Even setting aside the unicorn-like properties, it was easily worthy of EX rank, and it was now almost certain the art had been built on the foundation of the original Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

Why it resonated with Cheon Hayeon yet repelled my master's energy was still a mystery. But a far bigger problem existed.

Master had clearly told me, "The Heavenly Demon Divine Art is not permitted for two people to learn in a single generation." So I had no idea how he would judge the fact that I had already ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠learned it. In the worst case, he might invoke that principle, declare that what I practiced was also the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, and try to destroy my dantian.

I have to hide it.

There was no other choice. In this world, having your martial arts crippled was no different from having your life taken. Even if suspicion arose, he couldn't be certain. Since I had no idea how Master would react, the only option for now was to keep it hidden.

I sat at the desk, lost in thought, when a message suddenly arrived from Ryu Eun-chae.

Even Master couldn't escape being a handful. From Heokryong Hall to Cheonmajeon, the distance wasn't far if I used light footwork, but Ryu Eun-chae stubbornly insisted I travel by car.

When I went downstairs, Ryu Eun-chae stood there with an elegant hairpin in her hair. She bowed politely the moment she saw me.

"Did you hear what this is about?"

"I was only told to escort you, Young Master."

"I see. Must be for training, then."

Once we got in the car, Ryu Eun-chae drove us to Cheonmajeon herself. As always, Master stood on the top floor with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing down below.

"Disciple Kim Mugong has arrived."

"Sit."

Master jerked his chin toward the sofa. After I took a seat, he settled into the head position and simply stared at me. An oppressive silence stretched between us.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and spoke first.

"Is there something on my face?"

"Your face is annoyingly handsome. I don't like it."

"Y-yes?"

Master's sudden remark hit me like a stun grenade.

"Never mind. Forget I said anything."

Master clicked his tongue with a distinctly uncomfortable expression. Something was clearly bothering him a great deal, but no matter how hard I thought, I couldn't guess what it might be. At least I was certain I hadn't made any mistakes.

"This disciple is too dull to understand what you mean, Master."

Just in case, I lowered my eyes and spoke with utmost respect.

"Don't overdo it."

Master frowned deeply. Guess that was overkill. Still, telling me not to overdo it... he had a surprisingly youthful side.

"And stop smiling like that. You look like a gigolo. A man should possess the solemn dignity of Mount Tai."

"Yes, sir."

The moment the corner of my mouth lifted, he immediately called me out.

"Enough. I don't know why I'm even saying these things. Let's get to the main topic. The Elder Council has made a request."

"The Elder Council...?"

The hidden power of the Divine Cult. The Elder Council, composed of retired grandmasters, might not take direct action, but they undoubtedly possessed enormous influence. Supreme Protector Dan Cheonsang alone proved that. However, I didn't know much about the Divine Cult's Elder Council. They rarely engaged in external affairs unless the cult itself was in danger.

"Yes. To put it bluntly, they want you and Cheon Hayeon to marry."

"Pardon?"

The conversation was moving too fast. Marriage all of a sudden?

"I'm barely of age."

"Which is why they're suggesting an engagement first."

"No, how can they decide something this important without even asking our opinions?"

No matter how powerful the Elder Council was, this crossed the line by a mile.

"Watch your tone. How dare you raise your voice in front of your master?"

"My apologies."

"I have absolutely no intention of marrying Hayeon to you, so you needn't worry too much."

For some reason, Master's firm declaration left a bad taste in my mouth. Still, feelings were feelings. I analyzed the situation coldly. A sudden marriage proposal looked suspicious no matter how you sliced it.

"Does that mean there's a hidden motive?"

"They probably didn't like that I accepted a disciple without consulting them. The marriage is merely an excuse."

"...It's faster than I expected."

I had predicted ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I would eventually be dragged into the center of the Divine Cult's political games in some form. Even so, this reaction was much quicker than I'd anticipated. And it came from the core of the Elder ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Council, not the Ten Demon Halls.

"Does Senior Sister Cheon Hayeon know about this?"

"I'm telling you first. I can't burden Hayeon with such trivial nonsense."

....

From Master's stiff expression, I caught a glimpse of the classic doting father. Even if she was his one and only precious daughter...

"I plan to reject the Elder Council's request. We will not form an official engagement as they desire."

"That's a relief."

"However, to placate those old men in the Elder Council, I must concede certain things on my end as well."

"What kind of...?"

"It means we must acknowledge a non-official engagement."

A non-official engagement, even if not formal.

"If they acknowledge it even unofficially, what happens?"

"Since marriage is one of the great human rites, they will use the pretext of thorough verification to try to tear you apart."

"...I currently possess no power. I'm not sure if I'm even worth the effort for the Elder Council to bother tearing apart."

"True. You have no power at the moment."

Master suddenly waved his hand, and a thick bundle of documents floated up from behind him, flying toward me. His air manipulation was so smooth it drew a sigh of admiration.

"This is...?"

The thick stack contained personal information on a wide variety of people. It felt like reading a pile of resumes.

"Now that you are my disciple, you must establish your own independent military force."

"Like the Demon Shadow Asura Unit?"

"Yes. Like the Demon Shadow Asura Unit."

Master nodded heavily. I flipped through the documents one by one, examining them carefully. I could roughly guess what this was about.

"This was the condition the Elder Council put forward?"

"You're not entirely stupid. Correct."

Most of the martial artists in this thick bundle would have connections to the elders. The specific ties would differ, but whoever I chose, they would report my every move to the elders they were linked with.

"Actually, this is good."

This was an opportunity. If they wanted to test me, they wouldn't have included useless people. Setting aside the strangely high number of women, every single one was an outstanding expert just from reading their files. It was hard to decide who to pick.

"A wise judgment. This is also a test I am giving you. Turn four of them into your people."

"Thank you for your consideration."

"And even if you pass the verification, remember that something like that alone will not allow you to marry Hayeon."

"Of course. Marriage is something the two people involved should decide. It isn't something for those above to force upon them."

Master's eyebrow twitched. He looked extremely displeased, but my words were fundamentally and completely correct. In this day and age, who would accept a forced marriage?

"Enough about marriage. Review the documents thoroughly. If you wish, you may conduct separate interviews. Handle it as you see fit."

"Please give me a name for the military unit."

"Jeokryong Squad."

Master answered immediately, as if he'd already thought of it beforehand.

"This disciple likes it very much. It is an honor."

"...Enough. Carefully select the members of the Jeokryong Squad."

"Yes. I will ensure nothing brings shame to your respected name, Master."

"Always with that silver tongue. You may withdraw."

Master waved his hand dismissively. I bowed politely, picked up the bundle of documents, and left the room.

When I went downstairs, I saw Ryu Eun-chae standing ramrod straight near the entrance.

"Were you waiting the whole time?"

"Yes."

"Next time just rest. There's no need."

"It is my duty. You need not concern yourself, Young Master."

Who could break that stubbornness? The extremely rude thought that this was why she might still be a virgin suddenly crossed my mind.

Even while riding back to Heokryong Hall in the car, I continued examining the documents.

It's ambiguous.

As expected of talents the elders had poured their heart and soul into selecting, it was difficult to determine superiority.

I kept wrestling with the documents even after returning to my room, when a chat window floated into my vision.

I pushed the flood of incoming messages that followed into the corner with a swipe. Just like that, more than two days passed without a single chat from Han Yeoreum. I was starting to wonder if she was really upset and thinking about contacting her again when someone rang the doorbell.

Ryu Eun-chae?

I naturally opened the door. Then my eyes widened.

There stood a black-haired girl looking up at me with her eyes raised in a glare. The smile on her lips was quite menacing.

"Kim Mugong?"

"You said you couldn't come...!"

The moment I instinctively stepped back, Han Yeoreum lunged at me. The soft, fluttering strands of her hair carried the usual sweet scent.

Instead of the punch I'd expected, Han Yeoreum simply burrowed into my arms. I wrapped one arm around her slender waist as she rubbed her cheek against my chest, while my other hand slowly stroked the back of her head.

"Welcome back."

I gave her a light greeting and patted her head. The arms holding me tightened faintly, and Han Yeoreum moved her lips in a whisper.

"...Yeah."