Chapter 127
Bu Eun-seol wasn't particularly surprised.
After all, it was a situation he had anticipated. In fact, he was almost grateful for the year-long reprieve he had been granted.
A brief silence lingered before Dan Cheong let out a deep sigh.
"Though it's a demand from the Demonic Path Ten Gates and the Elders' Hall, considering the Great Righteous Experts as our enemies, the timeframe is nearly impossible. It's practically telling us to either lose or self-destruct."
The Ten Demonic Heirs had not only inherited the Divine Arts and Supreme Techniques of the Demonic Path Ten Gates but were also uniformly gifted with exceptional talent.
Because of this, the existing successors of the Demonic Path Ten Gates viewed the Inheritors with extreme wariness, leading to a situation where they were actively ostracized.
In the end, after much deliberation, they pressured the Demon Hall into cutting short even the time needed to cultivate their martial arts—all in the hopes that the Inheritors would die fighting the Great Righteous Experts.
"Reports have been coming in for the past few days that the Ten Demonic Heirs are making their way to the Demon Hall. Since the gathering is set for the Qingming Festival, you'll need to depart soon as well."
At that moment, Baek Yeon, who had been standing beside Dan Cheong, spoke with a hardened expression.
"The Great Righteous Experts have been renowned throughout the martial world long before the Ten Demonic Heirs existed. No matter how much of a prodigy you are, you still wouldn't measure up to them."
Baek Yeon's tone was grave as he continued.
"It's not too late even now. If you declare that you will be Langya Pavilion's successor instead of a Ten Demonic Heir, and if the Deputy Pavilion Master and I exert some influence... you wouldn't have to go to the Demon Hall at all."
In the past, Baek Yeon had proposed a plan to Bu Eun-seol—to shed the shackles of being an Inheritor by becoming Langya Pavilion's successor instead.
But back then, Bu Eun-seol had firmly refused.
His goal was a monstrous swordsman who wielded the supreme sword arts of the demonic path—someone the Great Righteous Experts couldn't even compare to.
"I will go to the Demon Hall."
"Bu Eun-seol."
"How could a disciple of Langya Pavilion flee from battle? I will return victorious without fail."
When Bu Eun-seol answered calmly, Dan Cheong nodded approvingly.
"Good. If you've made up your mind, then it's all the better if you crush the Great Righteous Experts and make your name known throughout the world."
"Deputy Pavilion Master—"
"You refused before, didn't you? Don't try to dissuade him any further."
Dan Cheong gripped Bu Eun-seol's shoulder firmly and spoke with conviction.
"This boy will undoubtedly overcome this trial. That's what I believe."
Faith. It was the greatest kindness one could offer another, a bond as strong as rope tying them together.
Feeling the weight of that profound trust, Bu Eun-seol bowed his head deeply and clasped his hands together.
"I will never disappoint you."
Somewhere within the Demon Hall, in a secret chamber.
The interior of the chamber was shrouded in pitch-black darkness, with only the faint moonlight seeping through the window providing any illumination.
On one side of the chamber stood an armchair with armrests, where an old man with his white hair neatly combed back sat.
His appearance and bearing were akin to an immortal's, yet flashes of divine light occasionally flickered in his gaze.
"How are the Ten Demonic Heirs faring?"
At the old man's question, the black shadow prostrating before him lowered its head.
"Most of them are exceptional martial prodigies, absorbing the martial arts of the Demonic Path Ten Gates at a terrifying pace."
"If they were to fight the Great Righteous Experts?"
"Their chances of victory... are estimated to be around thirty percent."
"Thirty percent, you say."
The old man's eyes, burning like torches, narrowed slightly.
"Thirty percent isn't too bad, all things considered. Especially in such a short time."
"It seems the proposal of Protector Hyeokryeon, who served as Chief Instructor, was effective. If they had only been those with exceptional bone and muscle structure, they wouldn't have achieved this much."
"So you're saying we selected prodigies who excelled in every aspect..."
"Indeed."
"Where is he now?"
The shadow hesitated briefly before answering.
"As punishment for arbitrarily halting the trial, he has been stationed Beyond the Pass for the past three years, handling various matters."
"Is that so? Recall him at once."
At those words, the prostrating shadow bowed its head and replied.
"But since the Demonic Heavenly Emperor has yet to emerge from seclusion... If we lift the punishment without authorization, while the Elders' Hall may not object, the Demonic Path Ten Gates will surely lodge a strong protest."
"Three years rotting Beyond the Pass is enough for a Protector, isn't it? That should suffice—bring him back."
"Understood. I will arrange for his immediate return."
"Hmm."
The old man rose from the armchair and gazed out the window before speaking.
"Very well. Let's see if there are any worthwhile talents among the Ten Demonic Heirs."
The Demon Hall's gatekeepers were divided into three shifts, each consisting of two-person teams.
Moreover, the guards stationed at the entrance serve as the Demon Hall's first impression, and thus must possess martial prowess and presence befitting that role.
Considering this, Mo Gwang and Jang Sam were not particularly ideal candidates for the Demon Hall's guard unit.
Their martial arts were nothing exceptional, the energy coursing through their bodies was unremarkable, and even their personalities were utterly ordinary.
Yet the sole reason they had managed to hold their positions as gate guards for over twenty years was simple:
They had never once violated their duty hours, remaining steadfastly diligent, and had never caused trouble while on watch.
But today, Mo Gwang and Jang Sam faced the greatest crisis of their lifelong careers as gate guards.
Not long after beginning their night shift, they spotted a young martial artist approaching with his back to the moonlight.
"What do we do?"
Cold sweat trickled down Jang Sam's forehead as he looked at Mo Gwang.
And then, the warnings they had heard before their shift flashed through his mind.
—Starting today, the Ten Demonic Heirs will be visiting the Main Hall. Exercise extreme caution.
The morning shift guards had reportedly taken the message from the Guard Captain lightly and carried out their duties without much concern.
But the problem was this: the Ten Demonic Heirs carried no swords, uniforms, command plaques, or marks that symbolized their affiliation with the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
—How may we address you?
When a young man strode boldly into the Demon Hall, the morning guards had asked for his identification.
But the youth walked past without answering.
—Please sign the visitor log.
—I am one of the Ten Demonic Heirs.
—No exceptions are made. Outsiders must—
In that instant, the guard collapsed into a bloody mess.
All because he had asked for a signature in the visitor log.
Later, several more Ten Demonic Heirs arrived, and without fail, fists flew the moment they were asked to sign.
In the end, the morning shift guards suffered injuries so severe they would need a full year of recuperation—and promptly resigned from their posts.
—Let's just let them through! Any young man coming to the Demon Hall today must be one of the Ten Demonic Heirs anyway.
Upon hearing this news, the afternoon shift guards reportedly let any young man who even remotely resembled a Ten Demonic Heir pass without question.
—Who allowed outsiders into the Main Hall?!
This time, the Guard Captain's wrath descended like a thunderbolt.
Some of those who had passed through the gates were completely unrelated to the Demon Hall—some even had no ties to any Demonic Path Sect.
—Get out, now!
Furious, the Guard Captain immediately expelled the afternoon shift guards.
And now, during Mo Gwang and Jang Sam's night shift, yet another young man had appeared.
Thud. Thud.
As the shadow of the approaching youth drew nearer, Jang Sam spoke again.
"What do we do? Just let him through?"
"And if he's the wrong person? We'll be dismissed on the spot."
"But didn't they say the Ten Demonic Heirs all throw punches the moment they're asked to sign the log?"
As if resolving himself, Mo Gwang turned to Jang Sam with a grave expression.
"Don't worry. I'll handle this."
"What? You're going to—?"
Mo Gwang immediately stepped forward to meet the approaching youth.
"How may we address you?"
The youth only glared coldly at Mo Gwang, saying nothing.
Swallowing dryly, Mo Gwang spoke again.
"Please sign the visitor log."
True to his role as a guard of the Demon Hall, his tone was both courteous and firm.
"This is the Main Hall's rule, and no exceptions are made for outsiders. Therefore—"
But his words were abruptly cut off.
Because the youth had seized Mo Gwang by the throat.
"Outsider?"
"Ghk— No, that's not—"
"Are you saying the Ten Demonic Heirs... are outsiders in the Demon Hall?!"
Crunch.
As the man tightened his grip, the sound of cracking bone echoed from Mo Gwang's neck.
The young man's grip strength was beyond imagination—just a little more force, and Mo Gwang's vertebrae would shatter like dust.
"P-Please... spare me..."
Mo Gwang's eyes rolled back, the whites fully exposed.
Just as Jang Sam was about to strike the alarm bell to summon the Guard Unit—thud, thud.
Another set of footsteps sounded from behind.
When Jang Sam turned his head, he saw a youth with an inky-black sword strapped to his back walking toward them.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"You—?"
The man gripping Mo Gwang's throat spotted Bu Eun-seol and his eyes flashed.
"So you've come too."
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol extended a finger toward the wrist of the man holding Mo Gwang's throat.
Swish.
With just the lightest touch of his finger, a razor-sharp energy rippled outward.
Simultaneously, the fingers gripping Mo Gwang's throat splayed open involuntarily.
"Hahk— Hahk—"
Gasping for air, Mo Gwang collapsed to the floor, his breaths ragged and desperate.
Meanwhile, Bu Eun-seol stepped past them with an indifferent expression, heading toward the table where the visitor's ledger lay.
—Langya Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol.
He signed the ledger in a single fluid stroke and was about to pass through the Demon Hall's gates when—
"Bu Eun-seol!"
The man stormed forward, blocking his path with a furious shout.
"Are you ignoring me right now?"
Bu Eun-seol turned and stared at him coldly.
"Who are you?"
"What?"
The man's face twisted in disbelief before he suddenly laughed, as if realizing something.
"Huhuhu. I suppose I've changed too much for you to recognize me."
Grinning, he jabbed a thumb at his own face.
"Me. Yu Un-ryong. Remember? The one who fought you to the end on Hell Island..."
"A Ten Demonic Heir, boasting brute strength to gate guards."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was laced with a glacial sneer as he gestured to the ledger.
"Sign this first."
"What?"
"No exceptions, wasn't it?"
Despite having arrived far later than Yu Un-ryong, Bu Eun-seol had clearly observed everything that had transpired.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Placing the brush down, he strode past as if nothing had happened, stepping through the palace gates without another word.
Yu Un-ryong stood frozen, momentarily stunned.
Crrk—
Veins bulged like writhing worms across his bloodshot eyes as he glared at Bu Eun-seol's retreating back.
"Right. I'd forgotten."
A chilling killing intent rose like heat haze from his gaze.
"Because of you killing Kang Mu-ryun—the headquarters' heir—even I, who was at White Horse Monastery, was despised by them."
His words dripped with venom as he shoved past Mo Gwang and Jang Sam.
Tap.
Snatching the brush, he scrawled violently onto the ledger.
—White Horse Temple, Yu Un-ryong.
His jaw clenched as he stared at the ink-stained page.
"No. I can't let that bastard walk away like this."
With quick strides, he stormed into the Demon Hall.
Jang Sam, who had been watching intently, hurriedly helped Mo Gwang up.
"So that demon was one of the White Horse Temple's Ten Demonic Heirs..."
Wiping sweat from his brow, Jang Sam exhaled deeply.
"We got lucky."
"Not luck."
Mo Gwang, however, was staring blankly at where Bu Eun-seol had disappeared.
"He saved me."
"Huh? What did you say?"
"No... Nothing."
Shaking his head, Mo Gwang pressed his palms together solemnly toward the path Bu Eun-seol had taken.
Inside the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol surveyed the sprawling complex of majestic halls, towering like an ancient forest.
The solemn, silent grandeur of the palace's interior evoked both awe and intimidation.
"Young Hero Bu."
A figure in white robes stood waiting ahead, hands clasped in greeting.
"It's been a while."
The youth had refined, clean features, with long, deep-set eyes—none other than Sim Wol, the Myriad Erudition Hall disciple who had guided Bu Eun-seol during the five-form test.
"Do you remember me?"
"Of course. It has been some time."
Bu Eun-seol returned the gesture, and Sim Wol smiled warmly.
"Your presence has grown even more imposing since we last met. You must have made great strides."
"Bu Eun-seol!"
A rough voice cut through the air as a scowling figure approached with aggressive strides.
Yu Un-ryong, the White Horse Temple's Ten Demonic Heir.
"Look at me for a second."
Baring his teeth, he stepped into Bu Eun-seol's space.
"We've got unfinished business, you and I."
On Hell Island, he had nearly died to Bu Eun-seol's single sword stroke.
Though he had buried that humiliation after becoming a Ten Demonic Heir, the shame and rage had surged back the moment Bu Eun-seol dismissed him.
"Today won't end like it did on Hell Island—with you getting lucky."
"Lucky?"
"That's right."
Yu Un-ryong grinned, flashing white teeth.
"There's no Chief Instructor here to coddle you this time."
Whoosh.
Without a single gust of wind, Bu Eun-seol's long hair began rising slowly into the air.
At the same time, millions of crimson light points swirled around his body.
"What?"
Bu Eun-seol's pupils, now burning like embers, reflected the Counter-Extreme Fire Light.
"What was that you just said?"