Chapter 1276
The air in the chamber turned icy.
Anyone affiliated with the Demon Hall knew exactly what it meant to provoke Bu Eun-seol.
They had witnessed, time and again, the ruinous fates of those who had dared to incite him.
Just as the suffocating silence stretched on—
"Hahahaha!"
Deung-gwang pointed a finger at Gwak No-woon, whose beard had turned white with age, and let out a raucous laugh.
"I merely proposed a way to strengthen our faction's influence—why are you dragging the Martial Soul Lord into this?"
"Well, naturally—"
Gwak No-woon clamped his mouth shut.
He couldn't bring himself to say that the Demonic Path Ten Gates had fallen to rock-bottom prestige precisely because of the Martial Soul Lord.
"Is killing the Martial Soul Lord the only way for the Demonic Path Ten Gates to regain their former glory?"
Deung-gwang's eyes gleamed with madness.
"Have you never considered that the Demon Hall could provide multi-faceted support to help them rebuild their power, or that we could eliminate the Righteous Faction forces within their territories?"
It wasn't an unreasonable argument.
But the Demonic Path Ten Gates had stubbornly provoked Bu Eun-seol, only to be ruined time and again.
As a result, the Demon Hall's members had come to deeply associate the Demonic Path Ten Gates' sworn enemy with Bu Eun-seol.
Strengthening the Demonic Path Ten Gates or expanding the Demon Hall's influence—
Strictly speaking—had nothing to do with the Martial Soul Lord in the first place.
"It seems I misspoke."
Unable to endure Deung-gwang's sharp gaze, Gwak No-woon lowered his head.
Thud.
At that, Deung-gwang strode forward, grabbed Gwak No-woon's shoulder, and shook him with a laugh.
"Hahaha! How admirable that you admit your mistakes so readily!"
As Deung-gwang treated the white-bearded Gwak No-woon like a child, the Hall Masters frowned in displeasure and turned their heads away.
Though Gwak No-woon was merely the Hall Master of the Guanma Hall, he was over sixty years old and had built considerable rapport with the senior members.
And yet, this freshly appointed Lord—barely more than a greenhorn—was shaking him by the shoulder?
—This is going too far.
Even if the Demonic Path established hierarchy based on strength and skill rather than seniority or age—
Such brazen arrogance—
Was not something that should be tolerated in a clearly structured demonic alliance.
"Oh? Why the sour faces?"
Deung-gwang glanced around the frigid atmosphere of the meeting hall.
"If you have any good suggestions, speak freely!"
He smirked and shook his head.
"Stop dithering like a nun."
The Hall Masters' eyes darkened.
Was this a meeting or a bandit chief berating his underlings in a mountain stronghold?
"Lord Deung. This can hardly be called a meeting."
At that moment, Cheok Mu-gang, Hall Master of the Sinum Hall, rose from his seat.
"A meeting requires an agenda and a proper forum for discussion, does it not?"
"Huhuhu—hahahaha!"
Deung-gwang burst into laughter again, then pointed a finger directly at Cheok Mu-gang's face.
"A forum for discussion? I can't tell if this is the Martial Alliance or the Demon Hall."
After cackling for a long while, he finally stopped laughing and spoke in a low voice.
"Then allow me, your Lord, to clarify the agenda."
Like shards of ice dropping one by one, a frigid chill emanated from Deung-gwang's pupils.
"The official agenda is—the immediate execution of those who have weakened our Hall into a pathetic local martial school, as well as the spies who have extended their reach to other factions!"
Flash!
A streak of light blazed through the meeting hall—
Thud.
Cheok Mu-gang's left arm dropped to the floor.
Deung-gwang had struck like lightning.
"Lord Deung! Are you killing again?"
Unable to stand by, Sang Dae-woong, Hall Master of the Black Demon Hall, shouted.
"Killing?"
Deung-gwang's eyes flashed.
"Cheok Mu-gang is a spy who leaked critical information from our Hall to outsiders."
"Hall Master-rank officials have the discretion to engage with not just the Demonic Path but also Righteous Faction organizations when necessary!"
Sang Dae-woong retorted in frustration.
"How many in our Hall have their own intelligence networks like the Martial Soul Lord does?"
"......"
"If you kill everyone who's made contact with external intelligence groups, how many of our senior members will even survive?"
Then, Gu In-hoe, Hall Master of the Goksang Hall, spoke up loudly in agreement.
"My Lord, it seems you wish to emulate the Martial Soul Lord in enforcing discipline. If so, you should have conducted thorough investigations and executions like he does—"
Splurt!
This time, a fountain of blood erupted from Gu In-hoe's arm.
Deung-gwang had struck again.
"Ugh—"
"You people keep invoking the Martial Soul Lord at every turn."
His voice was icy.
"This Hall is the Sacred Land of Ten Thousand Demons. The strong live, the weak die. That is the law."
Sang Dae-woong and the other senior members in the hall could say no more.
They had realized that Deung-gwang was not just utterly insane—he was a Great Demon who treated human lives like flies.
"Lord Deung."
At that moment, a deep voice, so resonant it seemed to shake the earth, echoed through the hall as a towering, dark-skinned middle-aged man in a flame-patterned robe stood.
It was none other than the head of Jipma Manor—Dan Wol-hon, the Defying-Heaven Night Star.
"Every senior member gathered here is a meritorious servant of our Hall. Even if punishment is necessary, you must at least follow due process."
Originally, he had no reason to attend a Lords' meeting.
But he had shared a close bond with the previous Hall Master, Deung Ryeol.
More importantly, he harbored deep suspicions about Deung-gwang's background as the leader of one of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's secret organizations.
And upon hearing that this man had immediately killed Wi Mu-dok—one of the Demon Hall's most competent members—
He had attended the meeting out of sheer curiosity about what kind of person he was.
But now that Deung-gwang was arbitrarily attacking Hall Masters—he could no longer stand by.
"Haven't I shown sufficient courtesy?"
Deung-gwang bared his teeth in a grin.
"If anything, this is the height of respect."
He turned his body and pointed at each of the faction leaders seated in the conference room as he spoke.
"Those people once swore loyalty to my grandfather to obtain martial arts and status, promising me peace and safety."
A murderous smile played on his lips.
"And yet, aren't they still breathing perfectly fine?"
The faction leaders who met Deung-gwang's gaze trembled as if struck by lightning.
They had all sworn to serve Deung Ryeol's grandson Deung-gwang with sincere devotion.
But when the Demonic Heavenly Emperor ascended to the former lord's position, they broke those promises as if they'd never made them.
They hadn't even attempted to trace the whereabouts of Deung-gwang after his sudden disappearance.
"That's because Lord Deung disappeared so abruptly—"
"Had you even pretended to look for me once, I wouldn't be saying this now."
Deung-gwang spread his arms wide.
"By sheer luck, my life thread was long enough that I survived—I could've been screaming in hellfire by now."
Then, narrowing his eyes, he addressed Dan Wol-hon:
"With the Venerable Spirit Lord's privileges, I could execute every one of them. I believe showing restraint itself is the pinnacle of courtesy."
At these words, Dan Wol-hon had nothing to say.
Deung Ryeol's death had been far too sudden.
The process of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's ascension had spilled the blood of far too many demonic practitioners.
Moreover, had they not submitted to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, the entire Demon Hall would have been crushed.
No one had dared breathe a word about the previous lord's affairs.
"Fine. I understand."
Dan Wol-hon nodded bitterly and rose from his seat.
"Deputy Leader Dan."
When Deung-gwang called, Dan Wol-hon turned with a wry expression.
"Does the Deputy Leader have orders for this humble one too?"
"I've heard you're exceptionally close with the Martial Soul Lord."
Deung-gwang bared his white teeth.
"As a true demonic practitioner, I trust you'll choose the right side moving forward."
Instantly, the faction leaders' expressions froze.
Dan Wol-hon held fifth rank in ceremonial precedence, commanding half the Demon Hall's forces like a grand general.
Yet here was Deung-gwang, now a lord leading barely a thousand troops, daring to provoke him?
"This deputy leader has never stood in any line before."
Far from anger, Dan Wol-hon smiled.
"Come to think of it, I've always stood on the best possible line."
Having watched over Bu Eun-seol since the Ten Demon Halls era,
He knew all too well the extent of the young man's capabilities.
Every trial overcome to reach his current position.
No matter how much of his grandfather's blood flowed in Deung-gwang's veins, he could never surpass Bu Eun-seol's towering presence—this Dan Wol-hon knew full well.
"You'll learn soon enough."
Deung-gwang raised the corner of his mouth and nodded.
"Which line was truly the best."
"I'll be watching."
Thud.
As Dan Wol-hon closed the door behind him, Deung-gwang's eyes narrowed to slits.
"Let's adjourn the meeting here."
Rustle.
At his words, all the senior officers in the conference room streamed out like a receding tide.
Who knew when another head or limb might go flying in Deung-gwang's presence?
"Those who cherish themselves seize the world."
Alone in the empty conference hall, Deung-gwang murmured low:
"While those who cherish others vanish into history."
Looking back through the long annals of struggle,
Rulers who prioritized self-preservation always conquered the realm, while those who cared for their people quietly disappeared.
Not from lack of ability—but because they revealed weaknesses they couldn't erase.
Bu Eun-seol belonged to the latter category... No matter his extraordinary talents, he was fated to fade into history's pages.
Deung-gwang's arrival turned the Demon Hall's atmosphere into thin ice.
Before the sudden deaths of former lord Deung Ryeol and his household,
The hall's martial artists had sworn undying loyalty.
Yet those vows ultimately went unfulfilled.
Now the sole surviving bloodline, Deung-gwang, had returned with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's trust as Venerable Spirit Lord—
Effectively granting permission to unleash a bloodstorm within the Demon Hall.
—Was the lord dissatisfied with our peace?
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor valued the useful, discarding the worthless without hesitation.
In recent years, apart from the Martial Soul Lord, the Demon Hall's members had achieved no notable merits,
Reduced to mere functionaries obeying the Supreme Cult Commander's orders.
From another perspective, the arrival of the so-called madman Deung-gwang
Actually served to reintroduce vital tension to the stagnant Demon Hall.
—Could it be because of the Martial Soul Lord?
Some officers sensed something peculiar.
Originally, the Empress Dowager incident had placed the Martial Soul Lord at risk of losing his successor position.
But Deung-gwang's emergence made that discussion vanish overnight.
—Truly a man worth considering.
His appearance
Renewed appreciation for Bu Eun-seol's true worth—a man who handled all affairs with fairness despite his overwhelming power and status.
Clack, clack.
Having finished lunch at Xianglufan near the Demon Hall's East Gate, Won Se-mun returned to the Hidden Demon Pavilion with his subordinates.
"Bloody hell. Since when did our hall become this ominous?"
Clicking his tongue repeatedly while scanning their surroundings, Won Se-mun shook his head.
The usually bustling Xianglufan at lunch hour now hosted only a few faction leaders and martial artists.
Too terrified of encountering Deung-gwang and losing their heads, most simply stayed indoors.
"One lunatic turns our entire hall upside down."
"Squad Leader Won, you should mind your words."
His adjutant Jin Rip cautioned in a low voice.
"Isn't the Venerable Spirit Lord precisely the man our hall's leaders betrayed to wander Beyond the Frontier, barely surviving? Given his position, he'd probably want to slaughter every last one of us in sight."
Jin-rip's expression darkened beyond measure.
"Moreover, there are rumors that he has his sights set on our Lord as well. For a while, we should keep a low profile and exercise restraint."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor had acknowledged the special privilege of the Revered Spirit Command Token, which allowed Deung-gwang to kill anyone without facing punishment.
Because of this, Deung-gwang—
Like Bao Zheng gripping the Shangfang Sword bestowed by the Emperor—now wielded absolute, unchecked authority.
If they provoked him carelessly, even Bu Eun-seol would struggle to clean up the aftermath.
"Even so, does that mean he can just roam around the main hall at will, cutting down warriors' heads or arms?"
Won Se-mun spat out a glob of phlegm and raised his voice.
"Besides, that damn Venerable Spirit Lord—what the hell? If even dogs and cows can become lords, then I might as well be one too!"
At that moment, the expressions of Jin-rip and the surrounding warriors stiffened.
Because from the opposite side, a man with crescent-moon eyes was approaching, leading a dozen subordinates.
The Venerable Spirit Lord—Deung-gwang.
As if he had been waiting for this moment, he made his entrance.
"Oh?"
Deung-gwang brightened as if noticing Won Se-mun for the first time and strode forward with a smile.
"If it isn't Squad Leader Won, renowned as the most valiant warrior under the Martial Soul Lord's command?"
"Venerable Spirit Lord."
Won Se-mun bowed his head reluctantly in greeting.
"About what I just said—"
No matter how much of a brat he was,
he wasn't so reckless as to ignore the fact that his misbehavior could bring harm to Bu Eun-seol.
So he hastily lowered his head in apology.
"Ah, don't worry about it."
Deung-gwang laughed.
"After all, saying even dogs and cows can become lords isn't entirely wrong. Hahaha!"
Instantly, Won Se-mun and his subordinates' faces froze.
Those words might have sounded self-deprecating, but in truth, they were an insult to Bu Eun-seol.
"But calling yourself a 'damn lord'—that's the crime of treason, undermining the authority of Hall Master Sado."
His beaming smile—
resembled a viper flicking its tongue in amusement.
Squelch!
At the same time, blood spurted from Won Se-mun's chest.
Before anyone realized it, Deung-gwang had clawed out a chunk of flesh from his torso with his nails.
"Ghk—"
Won Se-mun gritted his teeth against the pain.
If he let out even a groan, it would diminish the dignity and prestige of his superior, the Martial Soul Lord.
"My, what impressive endurance."
Deung-gwang clapped his hands.
"This is going to be quite an entertaining time, isn't it?"
Then, he turned to the subordinates behind him.
"Take this man to the Bottomless Prison. I'll personally conduct the torture—no, the interrogation."
"Venerable Spirit Lord."
At that moment, Jin-rip bowed respectfully and spoke.
"It's true that Squad Leader Won made a grave mistake with his words. However, he has achieved many merits and is recognized as one of the Demon Hall's most exemplary demonic warriors."
During a previous assembly,
Deung-gwang had proclaimed the true Demonic Path and pressured the Demon Hall's senior members, scorning the incompetent.
So Jin-rip subtly emphasized that Won Se-mun was a true demonic warrior who had accomplished countless feats.
"Of course I'm aware."
Deung-gwang chuckled.
"That's precisely why I didn't behead him on the spot, no?"
"My Lord—"
"One more word, and you'll be dragged away for insubordination too—do you wish to continue?"
Jin-rip sealed his lips.
The moment Deung-gwang laid hands on Won Se-mun, the arrow had already been loosed.
Now, Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to step in.
***
"This is bad."
Yu Un-ryong, who had been immediately briefed on the situation by Jin-rip, burst into Bu Eun-seol's office.
"The problem isn't just what he said—it's that he mocked the Venerable Spirit Lord's title directly."
After relaying the full account, Yu Un-ryong wore a troubled expression.
"If Deung-gwang insists on enforcing the law to the letter... he could easily fabricate charges justifying Won Se-mun's execution."
"He even studied the habits and tendencies of the Death Shadow War Unit's warriors in advance. To ensnare me."
Won Se-mun was the type to fear neither heaven nor earth, simple-minded and prone to verbal slip-ups wherever he went.
No doubt Deung-gwang had tracked his movements beforehand, waiting for the precise moment of his mistake to strike.
"That's likely the case."
Yu Un-ryong's expression darkened.
"Perhaps from the very beginning, he was targeting you."
The Demon Hall's hierarchy was rigidly strict.
The only ones entrusted with lordship at such a young age were Bu Eun-seol—the successor who had amassed towering achievements—
and Dan So-ok, the Secret Order, slated to become the next Chief Inspector.
Yet despite his accomplishments in covert operations, Deung-gwang had been abruptly elevated to the position of Venerable Spirit Lord.
Perhaps this had been the plan all along—to undermine Bu Eun-seol from the start.
"To think Hall Master Sado would allow such a madman to emerge at this juncture... I thought he might've released a troublemaker into the hall because he didn't want to let you go."
Yu Un-ryong's face twisted bitterly.
"But maybe he's preparing a successor suited to the Demon Hall, smoothly transferring power... knowing you intend to leave."
Perhaps the Demonic Heavenly Emperor was subtly pressuring Deung-gwang to seize the Martial Soul Lord's position—
and ordering him to claim the next Hall Master's seat for himself.
"That could be it."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned equally bitter.
"Without even knowing it was me who destroyed his Secret Vault."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor had long scrutinized his every move.
Perhaps he had belatedly realized Bu Eun-seol was the one who infiltrated the Secret Vault—and orchestrated all this in retaliation.
"Hmm."
Yu Un-ryong's gaze deepened.
"If the Demonic Heavenly Emperor is pulling strings again..."
"Then the time has come."
If the Demonic Heavenly Emperor stood behind Deung-gwang? There was no longer any reason to remain in the Demon Hall.
"Once we resolve this matter—"
Yu Un-ryong, who had been staring into empty space, took a deep breath.
"You intend to leave the Demon Hall."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"If Deng Guang came here as the next successor with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor backing him..."
His resolve to leave the Demon Hall without hesitation was absolute.
Yet how could he have known?
Because of Deng Guang—
He would instead uncover both the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's true objective and the very gate the Empress Dowager had so desperately sought... within the Imperial Palace itself.