Chapter 498 -the end-
Chapter 498
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 127
>Chapter Title: Epilogue (Finale)
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One month after the great war in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains that determined the life or death of the Central Plains martial world,
Late at night, in the former Cheonjihoe grand conference hall.
Two days before the ascension ceremony, an urgent agenda had been raised, leading to a final vote.
The agenda had started as something utterly trivial.
Yet, surprisingly, it passed unanimously.
Gu Cheon-mu, the sect leader of Yeongeom Sect and the First Elder seated at the head of the table, announced the agenda's approval.
-Tang tang!
"Then, with all votes unanimously in favor, we shall proceed accordingly."
"Ohoho. So be it."
Seventh Elder Hwanya-seon, who was serving as the meeting's scribe, closed the neatly organized minutes.
With that, the executives rose from their seats.
At that moment, someone approached Seventh Elder Hwanya-seon from the opposite side where he had been sitting.
It was Fourth Elder Ho Tae-gang, the sect leader of Pabu Sect.
"Never in my life did I imagine we'd hold a meeting over something like this, let alone put it to a vote."
"That's how earnest everyone is about this new organization. For a name that will endure for a hundred, nay, a thousand years, it only makes sense."
"True enough. But it seems you've had a change of heart yourself."
"A change of heart?"
"Yes. We're unifying all martial clans and sects under the term 'sect,' so there was no need to change, but you renamed your shadowy organization Amjong to Biwhangwijong, drawing from the name of your unique martial art."
At his words, Hwanya-seon wore a peculiar expression before replying.
"Though we were called 'Am' because we handled spies and intelligence, shouldn't this new organization step forward as a martial house from now on?"
"As a martial house stepping forward... Ambition? Not bad at all."
Much had changed in a short time.
Though it took the form of a '教' (cult), this new organization pursued true martial arts without being bound by righteousness or evil.
It had become the very organization he had truly desired.
And all of it was thanks to his lord, the Heavenly Demon Cult Leader.
"But with the vote already decided, why didn't our lord attend the meeting?"
"Ah, there's an informal sparring match going on."
"An informal sparring match?"
Fourth Elder Ho Tae-gang tilted his head in confusion.
* * *
A sparsely populated plain not far from the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.
The entire area had been reduced to scorched earth, and in the center of a massive crater lay an unparalleled beauty with golden hair and nine tails, sprawled out in a 大 shape, exhausted and breathing raggedly.
She was the Golden-Furred Nine-Tailed Fox, one of the Six Demons, the Hundred-Faced King.
The Golden-Furred Nine-Tailed Fox, panting heavily, let out a furious scream.
"Aaaaaah! Damn human, why have you gotten so strong?!"
Just a few months ago, he had been a mere novice, but now even her full power couldn't touch him—he had become a monster.
Someone approached her prone form and looked down, saying,
"This is already the fourth time. Enough already."
That someone was Mok Kyung-un—no, the Heavenly Demon.
He had fully embraced the title of Heavenly Demon and discarded the name Mok Kyung-un.
Unable to rise, the Golden-Furred Nine-Tailed Fox barked back.
"Who asked you?!"
At her stubborn attitude, the Heavenly Demon shook his head.
Not long after the great war ended, she had come to him, insisting they were fated and demanding they spend their lives together.
Of course, the Heavenly Demon had firmly refused.
Enraged, she challenged him: if she could defeat the Heavenly Demon, he must accede to her wishes. This was how things had escalated.
"Just give up. I've sparred with you enough times now to call your debt repaid..."
"No! No! No! It's nowhere near enough. I won't give up until I have you, so prepare yourself!"
"Prepare myself..."
The Heavenly Demon chuckled at her outburst, shrugged, and then vanished.
Staring at the faint afterimage of the Heavenly Demon shimmering in the air, she grumbled.
"Damn Heavenly Demon. Wicked Heavenly Demon. Evil Heavenly Demon."
Still, she wanted him.
More desperately with every glance.
* * *
As noon approached.
The sun climbed toward the center of the sky, its rays warmly illuminating the earth.
The inner castle of the former Cheonjihoe opened, and the plaza before the main hall building teemed with so many people there was no room to step.
With outer and inner castle residents, along with emissaries from Haeseon-gak and other guard units, as well as clans from the Yu family and guests from organizations like the Sa-ryeon Alliance, tens of thousands had gathered in the plaza alone.
"What's with all these fires?"
"Fires everywhere?"
-Hwaruruk!
Even in the bright midday sun, braziers dotted the plaza.
The heat made the air swelter.
The braziers were odd enough, but atop the altar-like platform stood an enormous one that drew every eye.
Engraved on it were the words "Holy Fire Altar."
"Not yet?"
"When does the founding ceremony start?"
Everyone stared at the main hall entrance, awaiting the founding ceremony.
Then,
-Dung! Dung! Dung!
Drums echoed from atop the inner castle walls.
"It's starting!"
"Oooo!"
"Look over there!"
Warriors emerged from the main hall entrance, unfurling a long red silk carpet.
Soon after, the high-ranking officials who would take key roles in the founding ceremony lined up on either side and slowly walked out.
First Elder, Gu Cheon-mu of Yeongeom Sect – Profound Realm
Second Elder, Baek Sa-ha of Dokma Sect – Transformation Realm
Third Elder, Sword Demon Ji Oe of Geom Sect – Transformation Realm
Fourth Elder, Ho Tae-gang of Pabu Sect – Transformation Realm
Fifth Elder, Gyu Jong-sin of Yeongchang Sect – Transformation Realm
Sixth Elder, Lee Ji-yeom of Jeokyeom Sect – Transformation Realm
Seventh Elder, Hwanya-seon of Biwhangwijong – Peak Transcendent Realm
Eighth Elder, Son Yun of Myeongdo Sect – Peak Transcendent Realm
Ninth Elder, Mong Mu-yak of Monghwan Geom Sect – Peak Transcendent Realm
Tenth Elder, Seop Chun of Gwangmu Do Sect – Peak Transcendent Realm
Eleventh Elder, Go Yeon-baek of Ma-gwon Sect – Peak Transcendent Realm
Twelfth Elder, Hang Yeo-ryang of Eumma Sect – Peak Transcendent Realm
"It's the Elders!"
"Waaaaah!!!!"
Two weeks before the founding ceremony, a new hierarchy had been announced, one that strictly verified martial prowess to grant positions.
The Elders emerging now were the strongest warriors in the cult.
They represented an all-time high in power, incomparable to the former Cheonjihoe.
The sect leaders of each sect—who were also the twelve Elders leading the new organization—walked out and took positions along either side of the red silk path, clasping their hands in reverent poses.
Dressed in ceremonial robes, the atmosphere was profoundly solemn.
Then,
-Dung! Dung! Dung! Dung! Dung!
-Puuuuuuu!
Five drumbeats rang out, followed by a long horn blast, and someone appeared at the main hall entrance.
A majestic figure strode forth in a dragon robe of black and red with a golden dragon embroidered upon it.
He was the Heavenly Demon, the supreme martial artist of the world, the pinnacle of the current martial realm, who would ascend as the founding Cult Leader in this ceremony.
Regardless of appearance, his overwhelming dignity and aura forced all present to bow their heads involuntarily.
-Thud thud!
Following him,
Great Protector, Gu Yang-so of Hapma Dok Sect – Transformation Realm
Right Protector, Ma Ra-hyeon of Pungsin Sect – Transformation Realm
Left Protector, Ja Geum-jeong of Bokma Sect – Supreme Great Ability
Cult Leader's Direct Guard Captain, Jang Neung-ak (Go Chan) – Shikshin
They marched in step.
In the solemnity, everyone held their breath and watched.
Passing the red silk path flanked by the cult's top executives, the Elders,
The Elders he had forged ties with bowed their heads, offering smiles and greetings, to which the Heavenly Demon lightly returned the courtesy with nods.
'Kuuh! My choice was right after all.'
Seop Chun, who had risen to Elder at a young age, gazed at the Heavenly Demon with an emotional expression.
He had secretly hoped for a Protector position to stay close, but his skills weren't yet a match for them, so he bided his time for the future.
If not in his generation, he hoped his descendants could stand by the Cult Leader.
-Thud thud!
Upon reaching the altar platform, the Protectors and Captain halted, and the Heavenly Demon ascended alone.
Watching his back, Go Chan—now back in Jang Neung-ak's body—couldn't hide his satisfied, teary-eyed face.
"Sniff."
Who could have dreamed, when he became a lingering spirit in the Heavenly Demon's hand, that such a moment would come?
Now, he was openly called the right hand of the world's greatest.
From a lowly assassin, it was nothing short of a human triumph.
Then, drums sounded once more from the inner walls, accompanied by horn blasts echoing throughout the castle.
-Dung! Dung! Dung!
-Puuuuuuu!
Someone emerged from the main hall doors.
An unparalleled beauty approached in resplendent white robes evoking pure white lotuses.
It was Cheong-ryeong.
In her past life, Ryu So-wol; in this one, Wi So-yeon. But with her soul now whole, she called herself Cheong-ryeong.
Her breathtaking beauty, approaching with reverence, left everyone entranced, sighing in awe.
"It's the Divine Maiden."
"A true beauty under the moon."
She slowly walked the red silk path and ascended the steps.
The waiting Heavenly Demon gazed at her with a gentle smile as she stood close by his side.
The Holy Fire Commander approached her, handing over a torch and whispering quietly,
"Divine Maiden, please prepare the Holy Fire."
-Tak!
Cheong-ryeong nodded and took the torch.
The Holy Fire Commander then shouted loudly,
"Great Protector, bring the spirit tablet."
At her call, Great Protector Gu Yang-so personally carried the pedestal bearing a coronet and the spirit tablet inscribed "Heavenly Demon Command" up to the platform.
With the spirit tablet arrived, the Holy Fire Commander raised it high and proclaimed,
"We now commence the founding ceremony and the Cult Leader's ascension!"
"Waaaaaaaah!!!"
All onlookers erupted in cheers.
-Puuuuuuu!
The long horn blast silenced the crowd once more.
The Holy Fire Commander stepped forward, raising the Heavenly Demon Command, and declared,
"For the founding ceremony, we have this sacred relic: the Heavenly Demon Command, forged from fragments of the Holy Fire, symbolizing the Cult Leader. Founding ancestor and First Generation Cult Leader Heavenly Demon, receive the Heavenly Demon Command!"
The Heavenly Demon stepped forward and took it with one hand.
Ascending to the highest platform of the altar, he raised the sacred relic—symbol of the Cult Leader—high toward the heavens and proclaimed to all,
"First Generation Cult Leader Heavenly Demon hereby declares the founding of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which shall forge a myth for a thousand, ten thousand years, from this place today!"
-Chachachachachachak!
With that, countless flags rose atop the inner castle walls.
The plaza boiled over at the sight of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult banners fluttering majestically.
The fervor swelled into an immense roar.
-Waaaaaaaah!!!!!
Thus, a new force in the martial world was born.
But it didn't end there. First Elder Gu Cheon-mu of Yeongeom Sect raised both hands and shouted for all to hear,
"Great Heavenly Demon Divine Cult! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Eternal reign!"
The other Elders echoed him.
"Great Heavenly Demon Divine Cult! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Eternal reign!"
The chant spread throughout the inner castle.
"Great Heavenly Demon Divine Cult! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Eternal reign!!!!"
Amid the cries, the Holy Fire Commander, holding the torch, pointed to the brazier on the Holy Fire Altar and said to the waiting Cheong-ryeong,
"Ignite it."
She stepped forward and lit the Holy Fire Altar's brazier.
-Hwarurrrruk!
Strangely, unlike the red flame of the torch, a blue flame rose from within.
"Oooo!"
"The flame's color?"
Everyone marveled at the sight.
How had such a mystical flame appeared?
It was because the remnants of the Holy Fire fragments used to forge the Heavenly Demon Command had been incorporated into the altar.
-Tak!
The Holy Fire Commander stood before the Heavenly Demon, facing the blue flames. She clasped her arms across her chest and knelt on both knees, chanting softly,
"This body burns in the Holy Fire, free of attachments to life and death. For righteousness, we purge evil and illuminate the light; joy and sorrow alike become mere dust."
As she began the incantation, the Elders and everyone in the plaza followed suit, crossing their arms over their chests and chanting in unison,
"This body burns in the Holy Fire, free of attachments to life and death!!! For righteousness, we purge evil and illuminate the light; joy and sorrow alike become mere dust!!!"
It was an incantation passed down from the Zoroastrian Cult, or Persian Cult.
Zoroastrians revered fire, and its incarnation was the king of demons, the Heavenly Demon—thus, it was adopted as the official incantation of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
"Pitiable are the suffering mortals."
"Pitiable are the suffering mortals!!!"
The invited guests from outside wore strange expressions at this ritual incantation.
Its content evoked not the demonic path, but the veneration of righteousness.
Through this, they realized the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult bore a religious hue.
Amid it all, Cheong-ryeong's eyes sparkled.
'Yes. That's the form I dreamed of.'
The Heavenly Demon's stalwart back, standing before the packed plaza.
A grand master embracing all humanity.
It seemed her dream had been realized through him.
-Dung! Dung! Dung!
With the drums and the end of the incantation, the Holy Fire Commander stepped back, signaling the successful close of the ascension and founding ceremonies.
But then,
-Tatata tak!
Guard Captain Go Chan suddenly leaped onto the platform, grinning at the Heavenly Demon and Cheong-ryeong before shouting loudly,
"Following the ascension and founding ceremonies, the grandest event of all: the wedding of the Cult Leader and Divine Maiden!"
'!?'
Cheong-ryeong had thought it was just the founding ceremony.
Stunned by Go Chan's announcement, maidens appeared as if on cue, bearing a bride's gown blending beautiful red and golden patterns.
"Ah!"
It closely resembled the one she had meant to wear in her past life.
[It was beautiful... So beautiful, like a single red peony.]
Tears welled in Cheong-ryeong's eyes.
The Heavenly Demon extended a gentle hand to her and said,
"Become my bride."
A proposal before all humanity.
At this moment she had longed for since her past life, Cheong-ryeong's trembling lips bloomed into a radiant smile.
* * *
That night.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult reveled late into the night with grand festivities for the founding, ascension, and wedding ceremonies.
Yet the protagonists, Cult Leader Heavenly Demon and Divine Maiden Cheong-ryeong, were nowhere to be seen.
Where could they be?
Atop a peak in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.
A full moon hung in the star-studded black night sky.
Beneath its silvery light, amid faintly glowing white flowers, stood two beautiful figures.
As they strolled among the blooms, the Heavenly Demon asked Cheong-ryeong,
"Now that we've wed, shouldn't you call me husband or spouse? Why still 'mortal'?"
"Don't you know why?"
"Hm?"
"You're my eternal mortal."
The Heavenly Demon chuckled at her words, gripped her hand tightly, and said,
"Then I suppose I can't call you 'wife' either. Cheong-ryeong."
She beamed up at him slyly.
Enchanted by her loveliness, the Heavenly Demon wrapped his arms gently around her waist, slowly drawing his lips to hers.
Cheong-ryeong softly closed her eyes, rose on tiptoe, and soon the two shared a deep kiss under the moonlight.
A bond begun atop a Ten Thousand Great Mountains peak had, after a hundred years, bloomed into sparkling flowers right there.
[Chapter 127: Epilogue (Finale) (Complete)] End
Author's Note
I sincerely thank all the readers who loved Monster Force Chaos God for two years and journeyed alongside Mok Kyung-un (Heavenly Demon) and Cheong-ryeong! ^^