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<Tianshan, Demonic Cult's Sun and Moon Divine Palace.>
"It has been a while, Father."
The young man, Grand Duke Ju-ji, knelt before the Heavenly Demon. Dressed in nothing but rough trousers, his upper garment discarded, he faced the middle-aged man who lounged upon a throne fit for an emperor. The Heavenly Demon acknowledged him with an indifferent expression.
"Yes. What is it?"
The supreme sovereign of the Demonic Cult, the Heavenly Demon, didn't appear the slightest bit interested in Ju-ji. His attention was wholly absorbed by the seductive woman, Ma-hwa, perched on his lap and feeding him fruit.
"The Shandong matter has been completely wrapped up. With this, if we turn back north and strike the Murim Alliance — Father, right now is the moment—"
"Rejected."
Before the Grand Duke could even explain his full-fledged plan, the proposal was shot down. The Heavenly Demon took a red fruit from Ma-hwa's fingers and dismissed Ju-ji with a wave of his hand.
"While I am enjoying Ma-hwa, you come here insisting you had to speak, and all you bring is a half-baked scheme? Get out of my sight."
"Father."
"I don't want to hear it. The Demonic Cult's conquest campaign can only begin after we have crossed over Kunlun."
Crunch. Ju-ji ground his teeth.
"Kunlun, Kunlun. They're nothing but a bunch of Taoists. Why must we annihilate them before marching into the Central Plains Murim? Why does that decide victory?"
"Because Kunlun has a monster."
"I know! That monster! But that person cannot leave Kunlun!"
"Fool. How many times must I tell you?"
The Heavenly Demon's irritation was genuine.
"The moment we head to the Central Plains without crushing Kunlun first, the Kunlun Sect will pour out of the mountains and strike our rear."
"Then we stand and fight! If Kunlun's monster doesn't come out, if that wench alone is absent, then Kunlun is no different from the rest of the Nine Sects and One Gang!"
"No. If that happens, the wench will definitely leave the mountains. Even if it costs her life."
The Heavenly Demon spoke with utter conviction.
"You've observed the martial artists of the Orthodox Faction and still don't understand? The people of the Orthodox Faction are ones who will throw away their lives like scraps of straw for righteousness, the greater cause, and chivalry."
"They are still human. If that's the case, we merely take something they value above their own lives as a hostage."
Despite the Heavenly Demon's visible displeasure, Ju-ji did not back down.
"Take the Mount Hua Sect Leader's most cherished youngest disciple hostage. For Shaolin, we plunge them into debauchery, make them violate their precepts, and force them to seal their sect in shame. For the Eight Great Families, holding family and honor hostage settles it. And if even that fails, didn't you see what happened with Wudang? We spread the Smallpox and forced them to seal their sect for half a year. That was me, Ju-ji! I sealed them!"
"Indeed. You incited the Sword Demon to spread the Smallpox."
The Heavenly Demon knew everything. Ju-ji also knew that the Heavenly Demon knew. Yet the Heavenly Demon did not stop Ju-ji, and Ju-ji had placed no constraints on his own actions.
"Son, you are unmistakably intelligent. But your plans haven't always succeeded, have they?"
Because Ju-ji was still his son, the Heavenly Demon scolded him in a voice both gentle and stern.
"You sealed Wudang, but now Wudang has grown strong enough to rank among the leaders of the Nine Sects and One Gang. Yes, thanks to the Taiji Wisdom Sword."
"Kh...!"
Ju-ji's voice caught in his throat.
"Those madmen of the White Path Murim — the more adversity approaches, the stronger they become, and the stronger they grow, the more they come at us as enemies intent on stopping us. Why do you still not understand that? Fine, let's suppose we do things your way. We kidnap wives, daughters, whoever, and use them as hostages."
The Heavenly Demon continued in a weary voice.
"Hostages are only effective when there are one or two. Too many, and the effect becomes counterproductive. They'd abandon their daughters' lives if it meant annihilating the Demonic Cult."
"Father, that is absolutely not true!"
"No. It is. Countless histories have proven it, and countless Heavenly Demons have proven it. The Heavenly Demon three generations ago bypassed Kunlun and reached Xi'an, but Kunlun struck from behind, and they were completely annihilated before even setting foot in the Central Plains."
"That was decades ago. Even if the demoness from that time is still alive, if I can lead the entire Hundred Thousand Demonic Practitioners, I can surely seize the world."
Ju-ji was brimming with confidence.
"Therefore, grant me the authority to command the Ten Demons and the Hundred Thousand Demonic Practitioners."
"Huh. Is that all you think it takes?"
The Heavenly Demon exuded killing intent. His body hair began to take on a golden hue, and as he raised his head, he looked down upon Ju-ji.
"You?"
"...I will."
Crackle, crackle.
Golden electric sparks burst from Ju-ji's body. It was for only a very brief moment, but the Heavenly Demon's haughty expression faintly hardened. Ma-hwa covered her lips with her hand, her eyes glittering.
"I shall surely reign over the world. Please believe that."
"...Hmph, I understand. But I cannot grant your request."
His intimidating air subsiding, the Heavenly Demon shook his head firmly.
"Authority over the Hundred Thousand Demonic Practitioners? That doesn't exist. If you want it, kill me and become the Heavenly Demon."
"... ..."
"That isn't what you truly wish for, is it. What you really want is to know whether the Sky-Soaring Lust Demon who ruined your plans is genuinely one of the Demonic Cult's Ten Demons, isn't it? Whether he is a Ten Demon appointed by me, or a fraud?"
"...Yes."
The Sky-Soaring Lust Demon, Uisa-baek.
Because of that being who suddenly appeared calling himself the Lust Demon, everything had fallen apart. Although, in fact, it had helped slip Ice Demon Yoo Seol-ra into the Murim Alliance, Ju-ji felt an unbearable fury over the kidnapping of the woman called Dokgo Yeon.
He had to uncover his identity and kill him.
"That is something I cannot tell you. Discover it yourself."
"Father. Do you truly intend to do this?"
But the Heavenly Demon would tell him nothing about it, and Ju-ji's expression twisted.
"The Flying Heaven Three Demons, the Earth Qilin Three Demons, and the Wild Three Demons — they already know perfectly well who is who. You alone likely know the remaining one... but at least Ice Demon is not a Sky-Soaring demon. She is Earth Qilin."
Ju-ji let his killing intent show.
"Shouldn't we kill someone who impersonates a Ten Demon of the Demonic Cult? Or is he someone you, Father, have acknowledged and permitted to call himself a 'Ten Demon'? Did you attach such a person to Si-a? Father, you have always spoken of a fair succession competition, but are you now allowed to side with Si-a like this?"
"That is not the case. He is..."
The Heavenly Demon began to say something but shook his head.
"Let me clearly judge whether he is truly a new Divine Demon called the Sword Demon, or a cur who has dared insult the great Demonic Cult and belittle the Little Princess. If the former, I will persuade him and take him under my command; if the latter, I will kill him and raise the Demonic Cult's prestige."
"...I will consider it. Leave for now."
"As you command."
Ju-ji withdrew at the Heavenly Demon's order. Once Ju-ji had fully left, Ma-hwa, who had been quietly cradled in the Heavenly Demon's arms, rose and stepped aside.
"What do you intend to do?"
Ma-hwa's words were extremely respectful. The Heavenly Demon accepted that as a matter of course.
"What are your thoughts?"
Ssreureuk.
No sooner had the Heavenly Demon spoken than figures who had been hidden in the shadows revealed themselves one by one. Each was a master who had at least reached the Peak Realm, but all of them were either half-bald or completely bald.
"Ice Demon was always a woman."
"Except for one. Heh-heh."
"But isn't that fellow in the Northern Sea? That one is clearly an impostor."
Opinions were divided even among the Old Demons. These elders, who had retired from active service and become senior advisors, could still wield martial arts at the upper levels of the peak even if not at their prime, and were key executives of the Demonic Cult.
"Heavenly Demon. Perhaps because we have grown old, we old ones have grown a little weary even of joking. Would you not give us a clear answer?"
At the words of an elder with pure white hair, the Heavenly Demon nodded. To render an accurate judgment, the Heavenly Demon had to share a certain amount of information with the elders.
"...Very well. Beast Demon, come forth."
Caw, caw.
A single black eagle flew into the great hall and settled. A mist spread from the massive bird's body, and with a poof, she transformed into a black-haired woman.
"Beast Demon receives the command."
"Beast Demon? Is she not one of the Earth Qilin Three Demons? Isn't she the Grand Duke's person?"
"Venerable Elder, before I am the Grand Duke's person, I am the one upon whom the Heavenly Demon condescended to bestow the epithet Beast Demon."
"Compose yourselves, and you will understand once you hear. Beast Demon, tell us exactly what you witnessed in Sichuan without omission."
"Yes. My report comprises what I personally saw, what I subsequently heard, and what I have inferred to fill in the intermediate process."
Beast Demon related everything she had seen in Sichuan without missing a single detail.
"The Lust Demon who defeated the Flying Heaven Three Demons seized the name Sky-Soaring from them, took the Little Princess, and fled from Hubei..."
"The Little Princess fell for the man who called himself the Lust Demon and threw herself at him first..."
"Under the name 'Geomdam,' the Lust Demon turned the entire region of Sichuan upside down..."
As Beast Demon's story progressed, the Old Demons began to steal glances at the Heavenly Demon. Even though his daughter had thrown herself at a lust demon and cast aside her most precious thing, the Heavenly Demon merely nodded silently and listened.
"...And then, before the White Path's assassination squad, he revealed his true power. Alongside a twin-blade technique he himself called the Dragon Emperor Sword, he used the Heavenly Demon Divine Art."
"!!"
The elders' faces were painted with shock. In particular, the expression of a middle-aged woman wearing thick makeup was ominous.
"Ho-oh... Have you taken in a new Sword Demon without any consultation with me?"
"Calm yourself, Demonic Sword Consort. The most important part remains. Beast Demon, continue speaking."
"Yes. Do not be surprised. He... that Geomdam, who unleashed the Heavenly Demon Divine Art to its pinnacle, turned his entire body hair gold!!"
"!!!"
All the elders shot up from their seats as one.
"A Transcending Demon Cultist!!"
"Beast Demon, report with absolute certainty! Is there no falsehood in what you witnessed?!"
"Was he wearing a wig?! Did even his eyebrows distinctly turn gold?! What of other places! His armpits or his—!"
"Hi-ik!!"
The elders surrounded Beast Demon as though cornering a rat, fiercely demanding the truth. Surrounded by masters of the peak and above, Beast Demon wore a tearful face and appealed to the Heavenly Demon for rescue.
"Enough."
When the Heavenly Demon raised his hand, the excited elders immediately calmed down and returned to their places.
"He has unmistakably mastered the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. He even knows the formula, and he made a pact with me."
"A pact?"
"He said he would transcend demonhood, become a Transcending Demon Cultist, and take my daughter as his wife. And..."
Crack, craaack.
The Heavenly Demon lifted the corners of his lips as though genuinely amused.
"He declared that if I wouldn't approve the marriage, he would take her by force! Aha-ha-ha-ha!"
"M-my... That boy must be utterly and completely insane."
"Yet he is not a Ten Demon recognized by the Heavenly Demon. How then did he learn the Heavenly Demon Divine Art?"
"I do not know either."
At the Heavenly Demon's words, everyone's faces stiffened.
"I don't know whether he inherited the true transmission of an ancient Heavenly Demon, or whether some mad Ten Demon distributed the Heavenly Demon Divine Art without permission. But that man is sincerely intent on matching himself against me and taking my daughter."
The elders sank into silence. They could not understand why the Heavenly Demon would leave alone someone who called himself the 'Lust Demon.'
"Heavenly Demon. Even so, is it not problematic to leave alone someone whose identity remains unknown?"
"In truth, his identity no longer matters much. I will tell you all plainly. That man is already my son-in-law. He dared call me his father-in-law and sent me a gift."
"A gift?"
"The Miyeom Divine Art."
"!!!"
The elders realized just how the self-proclaimed Lust Demon had won over the Heavenly Demon. No wonder — today, the Heavenly Demon's eyebrows looked particularly thicker.
"He is the one who gifted the Miyeom Divine Art to the Demonic Cult. His audacity in giving me a post-report is insolent... but for a Transcending Demon Cultist, that degree of guts is only to be expected."
"That is true."
"A legendary Transcending Demon Cultist... and one who becomes a Transcending Demon Cultist while retaining his hair, no less...!"
"In that sense."
The Heavenly Demon lightly flicked his fingers. Books that flew through the air with Void Object Retrieval landed neatly in the elders' bosoms.
"This is the formula for the Miyeom Divine Art sent by that self-proclaimed Lust Demon. Regrettably, he stripped out the formula for the Cloud Dragon Crescent Moon Spear and left behind only the Miyeom Divine Art. Well... how he came to possess all the world's martial arts is not my concern. Whatever the source of power, does using that power not embody the very essence of the Demonic Cult?"
"As you command!!!"
The elders clutched the books containing the Miyeom Divine Art formula to their chests and vanished. In their eyes shimmered gratitude toward the Heavenly Demon, who had bestowed not only the Heavenly Demon Divine Art but also the Miyeom Divine Art.
"Demonic Sword Consort, do you have something to say?"
"Of course. Heavenly Demon, grant me leave to depart from the cult."
The woman called Demonic Sword Consort knelt before the Heavenly Demon.
"That man who dares to call himself not the Sword Demon but the Lust Demon. I intend to test with my own hands whether this Transcending Demon Cultist is truly capable of inheriting the Sword Demon's position."
"He's the Lust Demon, not the Sword Demon."
"No. He must be the Sword Demon. As the former Sword Demon, I cannot accept this."
The Demonic Sword Consort pointed to the sword at her waist and laughed savagely.
"How can it be that the Ten Demons lack the sword, the King of All Weapons, and instead include something as depraved as lust?"
"...Ahem."
The Heavenly Demon found no rebuttal. He simply answered by radiating displeasure instead.
"I understand. Handle it as you see fit. However, ensure no harm comes to the Little Princess."
"As you command. Do not worry. The Little Princess is like a grand-disciple to me. Ah, also, regarding that Lust Demon. If I should defeat him..."
The Demonic Sword Consort licked her lips with her tongue and gave a sly smile.
"Would it be all right for me to violate him?"
The Demonic Sword Consort merely smiled like a crescent moon.