Chapter 280
Chapter 280
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 280
>Chapter Title: Return in Glory (2)
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It had been half a month since they left Nanju Province.
After what felt like a long—or perhaps short—journey, they finally arrived at the entrance to the main headquarters.
"Take care on your way in, Pavilion Leader An Jeok-un."
"You as well, Young Master."
Exchanging greetings with a strangely pleased expression, Pavilion Leader An Jeok-un headed toward the Eight Trigrams Hall.
Slung over his back was a cloth bundle.
It contained the iron plaque that had been used to disguise the Hao Gate's schemes as the work of the Blood Cult. More precisely, it had undergone various sorcerous treatments to conceal the eerie ghostly energy and blood qi embedded within it.
While there was some intent to destroy evidence by bringing the iron plaque back to headquarters with him,
'Something about it felt similar to Seo the physician.'
A greater motivation was to satisfy his own research cravings.
'The Eight Trigrams Hall or the An Clan might just be overflowing with stuff like that.'
A place already filled with hazardous substances like sulfur and mercury, now with such an unusual item added to the mix.
It only reinforced his strong feeling that sorcerers were best kept at arm's length.
After parting ways with Pavilion Leader An Jeok-un and strolling through the headquarters for a short while, they reached Wind Rock Hall—their home after truly a long absence.
"I'll prepare the bath water."
With that, Jin Ha-yeon swiftly issued orders to Jeong-hyeon and Joo Seo-yeon.
"Jeong-hyeon, prepare the bath water right away. Seo-yeon, start cleaning the Young Master's quarters from now on. I'll go report to the Venerable One that the Young Master has returned."
Even upon returning to headquarters, prioritizing a bath and purification wasn't solely due to Il-mok's germaphobia.
He was on the verge of Transcending Demon now, so he wouldn't have a meltdown over a bit of dirt on his body.
It was simply because they were meeting his master after so long—he wanted to ensure his body and attire were immaculate.
"Seon-a, you'll accompany me only as far as the clan on the way back."
At Jin Ha-yeon's instruction, Hyeok-ryeon Seon-a—who hadn't even entered the Demonic Path Academy yet but was already half a member of the Silver Guard—gazed at Il-mok with a wistful expression.
"Then, I'll come see you tomorrow, brother."
"Yes. It was a long journey, so you're tired. Head back now and get some good rest."
After a light farewell with Il-mok, Hyeok-ryeon Seon-a left Wind Rock Hall with Jin Ha-yeon, followed shortly by Jeong-hyeon heading out to prepare the bath water.
Watching Joo Seo-yeon diligently clean Wind Rock Hall for a moment, Il-mok soon saw Jeong-hyeon return carrying a jar of bath water.
After thoroughly washing up with the water she brought, he emerged to find Jin Ha-yeon already back.
"Young Master, the Venerable of Ten Thousand Demons awaits with the cult's heavyweights."
"And why are they waiting for me?"
When Il-mok asked in bewilderment, Jin Ha-yeon replied with a matter-of-fact expression.
"Because of the contributions you made in the Central Plains."
Her usual impassive demeanor aside, her tone suggested it was only natural.
As if saying it was obvious, given all the major feats he'd accomplished in the Central Plains.
"However, to keep the relationship between the Maitreya Bright Cult and our Divine Cult secret, it will be disclosed only to the heavyweights."
At Jin Ha-yeon's addition, Il-mok let out a light sigh and quickly prepared himself.
Keeping his master waiting was rude enough, but with other high-ranking cult members gathered, he couldn't afford to dawdle.
Dressed in neat attire, Il-mok left Wind Rock Hall with Jin Ha-yeon and headed to the Heavenly Demon Hall.
Upon reaching the entrance, Jin Ha-yeon stopped as if to wait there, and Il-mok entered the hall alone.
Inside, just over ten people had gathered.
His master and the Heavenly Demon, Hyeok-ryeon Il-hwi, sat on the throne with a serene expression, gazing at him.
Behind him, standing as attendants, were the Silver Guard Leader and the Left and Right Guardian Lion Wardens flanking the throne's lower dais.
Flanking the Left and Right Guardian Lion Wardens were the heads of various institutions and the patriarchs of the Five Great Clans on either side.
Some faces he had met before, others were new.
He had personally spoken with his senior brother Wi Jin-hak, now the Demonic Tower Master, and the Guardian Warden, but the newly appointed Elder Warden and Cult Defense Warden were first-timers.
Likewise, among the Five Great Clans' patriarchs, he knew Hyeok-ryeon Cheon-gang of the Hyeok-ryeon Clan, Baek Un-hak of the Baek Clan, and Gu Yang-pae of the Gu Yang Clan, but the Dugu Clan patriarch and An Clan patriarch were new.
'...Just looking at them, I can tell who's who between the Dugu Clan patriarch and An Clan patriarch.'
One middle-aged man emanated an aura and features strikingly similar to Dugu Pae, and an elderly scholar-type with a somewhat listless expression occupied another seat.
'Hmm. The newly selected Elder Warden and Cult Defense Warden haven't reached the Profound Realm yet.'
Perhaps because he himself was on the cusp of Transcending Demon, Il-mok vaguely sensed their levels weren't quite a match for his own.
The Shadow Guard Leader gave off a similar vibe.
'Well, the Profound Realm isn't some neighborhood dog's name.'
Even in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which revered martial prowess and trained in demonic arts from childhood like madmen, ascending to Transcending Demon via superior demonic arts and entering the Profound Realm was no easy feat.
'So, the Profound Realm experts left in the cult number about ten.'
The An Clan and Eight Trigrams Hall patriarchs among the Restricted Four Great Clans. Senior Brother. Guardian Warden and Silver Guard Leader. Left and Right Guardian Lion Wardens. And the absent Demonic Path Academy Master Yeom Ga-hwi.
The An Clan and Eight Trigrams Hall leaned toward sorcery, making the Profound Realm boundary feel somewhat ambiguous for them.
The Peach Blossom Commander, tending to the demented elders of Peach Blossom Ridge, also didn't seem to have reached it yet.
'She seemed to gain some enlightenment escaping dementia, but without shedding her mortal form, she's probably around my level.'
Finally, there was his master on the throne, but Il-mok instinctively realized: the one called Heavenly Demon transcended the confines of the 'Profound Realm.'
He hadn't noticed before, but on the verge of Transcending Demon, he could vaguely perceive it.
Beyond the ridge where the end of one mountain finally came into view loomed another absurdly towering peak.
And atop that lofty summit, his master sat, overlooking the world below.
'...So that's why the cult fanatics revere the Heavenly Demon like a god.'
It felt like he'd only now glimpsed the truth behind all the "heretical cult" sneers he'd harbored inwardly, upon reaching this height himself.
Meanwhile, as Il-mok gauged the levels of those in the Heavenly Demon Hall, they were sizing up his own cultivation.
'...Absurd.'
'We'd heard he was a genius, but this much?'
All of them were at least his peers in age, most his seniors, yet they struggled to conceal their shock.
The youngest Young Master had only graduated the Demonic Path Academy a year ago—he was still a novice.
For him to have reached such a realm already was a growth rate unprecedented even in the cult's history.
'Heh heh heh. As expected of our little junior!'
Only Wi Jin-hak swallowed his admiration, laced with delight amid the surprise.
Having surveyed those in the Heavenly Demon Hall, Il-mok hurriedly prostrated himself and paid respects to his master.
"Your lowly eighth disciple Il-mok pays respects to Master."
Even knowing Il-mok had been assessing him, the Heavenly Demon merely chuckled serenely.
"Heh heh heh. Though it's only been about a year, it feels longer than the two years I sent you to the Demonic Path Academy."
"I apologize for not visiting more often, Master."
"Heh heh heh. Excess courtesy becomes discourtesy. You were busy, so it's unavoidable."
Stroking his white-bearded chin with a smile, the sight stirred complex emotions in Il-mok.
'...Somehow, he looks much older after just one year.'
It was peculiar.
An old man's changes were harder to discern than a youth aging.
Yet in merely one year, signs of senescence had etched onto the Heavenly Demon's face.
Whether aware of Il-mok's thoughts or not, the Heavenly Demon spoke again with a smiling face.
"The year might feel even longer because of the reports you sent. So much happened in just one year. Heh heh heh."
"All of it is thanks to your teachings, Master."
The Heavenly Demon burst into laughter at Il-mok's blatant flattery. Though he usually disdained such praise, he inexplicably felt pleased hearing it from his youngest disciple.
"Heh heh heh. Indeed. I've gathered the cult's heavyweights and you here to hear about your experiences over the past year. Since it was a top-secret mission, even most heavyweights are unaware of your deeds."
Il-mok gave an awkward smile at the Heavenly Demon's words.
Having to boast of his own achievements felt like becoming a braggart.
Sensing his inner reluctance, the Heavenly Demon led the way.
"Right. As I recall, your first deed was wiping out the Black Dao riffraff in Goryang County?"
"Yes. After driving them out, I began proselytizing there under the name Maitreya Bright Cult."
"I heard you used quite an unusual method for conversion."
At the Heavenly Demon's question, Il-mok recounted the various proselytizing tactics he'd employed under the Maitreya Bright Cult name.
From "Do you know the Way?" to the hymnals that followed.
As Il-mok's tale unfolded, the Heavenly Demon and Wi Jin-hak—who knew some details—chimed in or prompted him.
Of course, some occasionally showed discomfort at his methods.
"Venerable of Ten Thousand Demons, even if concealment was necessary, hiding our Divine Cult's name and using the peculiar Maitreya Bright Cult goes against doctrine."
But before Il-mok could even defend himself, the Heavenly Demon and Wi Jin-hak framed his actions positively.
"What matters ultimately is the doctrine itself. Spreading our Divine Cult's teachings to the masses and caring for them is enough. Why bind ourselves to a mere name?"
And so, Il-mok's story continued.
Subduing Nanju Province to establish the Maitreya Bright Cult's grand estate, tricking the Beggars' Clan into serving as laborers.
Slaying the wretch Gu Gak-ja at the Communal Mountain and aiding the pitiful folk of Pyeongryang County.
Countering the Hao Gate's schemes by turning it into a faith education center.
Traveling to Sichuan, learning of the Heavenly Demon's Secret Cave, thwarting the Blood Cult's plot, and recovering the Blood Tower Heavenly Demon's remains.
From that point onward, no one voiced dissatisfaction with Il-mok's recounting.
It wasn't solely due to the Heavenly Demon's protection.
'Those are feats a fresh Demonic Path Academy graduate accomplished in just one year?'
Hearing such outlandish tales, astonishment overtook them.
Those gathered in the Heavenly Demon Hall had, before they knew it, become like children listening raptly to elders' folktales.
And when he reached the climax of executing the Hao Gate Lord and stoking conflict between the Blood Cult and Martial Alliance, the assembly applauded Il-mok fervently.
Having unwittingly turned it into a self-praise session, Il-mok could only smile sheepishly at their cheers.
As the applause began to die down, the Heavenly Demon spoke with a laugh.
"Heh heh heh. Accomplishing all this in a mere year—truly splendid, isn't it?"
Praise for his youngest disciple before others might seem like bragging, but given the outrageous nature of Il-mok's feats, no such thought arose.
"Indeed, Venerable of Ten Thousand Demons."
"It is the grace of the Venerable who discovered the Youngest Young Master's talent."
"He is truly the Divine Cult's great fortune."
As they offered words half-sincere, half-flattering in their own ways, the Heavenly Demon nodded and added,
"However, our youngest's tasks are not yet complete. Especially since the Maitreya Bright Cult is expanding in the Central Plains right now—his deeds there must absolutely remain secret."
"We shall obey the Venerable's will."
"We shall keep it in mind. Ever in mind."
"We shall not divulge a word of what was heard here to anyone."
After issuing this final warning, the Heavenly Demon nodded at the heavyweights' oaths and said,
"Then, I have private matters to discuss with my youngest, so you may all withdraw. If any wish to speak with him separately, visit Wind Rock Hall within the next few days. After that, he'll likely be away."
Had he truly summoned them just to boast about his youngest? The Heavenly Demon dismissed the cult's heavyweights first.
Perhaps it was to let the high-ranking officials get a good look at him.
But Il-mok had no leisure now to ponder such political maneuvers.
'Damn. Just as I feared.'
His mind swirled only with his master's parting words.
That within a few days, he would vacate Wind Rock Hall.