Chapter 129
Sim Wol deftly evaded giving a direct answer, subtly steering the conversation elsewhere.
"What is certain is that the elder made such a proposal because he cherished your exceptional talents, Young Master Bu."
Bu Eun-seol silently fixed his gaze on Sim Wol.
His eyes gleamed with a piercing light, sharp as the tip of a sword, yet also flickering with a radiance that seemed to penetrate straight to the heart.
But Sim Wol's pupils were filled with warmth, as if gazing upon a beloved.
"I see. Now I understand."
There had been something Bu Eun-seol couldn't comprehend about Sim Wol all this time.
Why did a mere disciple of the Myriad Talents Hall possess a presence that nearly matched his own as a Ten Demonic Heir?
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Your true identity."
A smile similar to Sim Wol's curled at the corners of Bu Eun-seol's lips.
"You may be a disciple of the Myriad Talents Hall, but you could also be a member of the Dark Heaven Squad. Or perhaps... even a disciple of the Elders' Hall Master."
For an instant, Sim Wol's smile vanished.
But it was an extremely brief moment. Before one knew it, an even brighter smile had returned to his lips.
"Who knows?"
Sim Wol, his crescent-moon eyes narrowing, spoke with an air of nonchalance.
"Whatever role I may play, whatever position I may hold, the fact remains that I am a devoted disciple of this hall."
By then, Bu Eun-seol and Sim Wol had arrived before a small pavilion.
Through the open gates, a beautiful garden and a small pond came into view.
Sim Wol gazed at the tall pavilion rising to the south and said,
"This place not only boasts splendid scenery but is also not far from the Holy Demon Pavilion where the Demonic Heavenly Emperor resides."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"Attendants are stationed inside, so feel free to request anything you need at any time. And..."
Sim Wol's voice was calm but carried a faint chill.
"This will be the last act of goodwill the elder extends to you, Young Master Bu."
In other words, this residence was a gesture made possible through the influence of Jeok Bung, the Elders' Hall Master.
Understanding the implication behind Sim Wol's words, Bu Eun-seol gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"Please convey my gratitude to the elder. I will rest well here."
"Understood."
Sim Wol clasped his hands together and quietly took his leave.
As he watched Sim Wol's retreating figure, Bu Eun-seol suddenly realized two things.
First, that Jeok Bung was a man who manipulated those around him like chess pieces under his control.
And second, that he was someone who would stop at nothing to obtain what he desired.
The next day, the Demon Hall delivered a rather absurd schedule.
They announced they would host a feast for the visiting Ten Demonic Heirs and requested their attendance.
The feast was purportedly meant to foster camaraderie among the Inheritors.
In fact, the Demon Hall officials themselves would not be attending, so there was no obligation to go. Naturally, Bu Eun-seol did not attend.
Though they were fellow Ten Demonic Heirs, these were people who had fought life-and-death battles against each other on Hell Island.
With the exception of Seo Jin-ha, with whom he had fought back-to-back, Bu Eun-seol harbored no particularly warm feelings toward them.
Take Yu Un-ryong, whom he had encountered before.
'Surely this isn't another test, is it?'
A creeping sense of unease welled up from the depths of his mind.
If their sole purpose was to face the Great Righteous Experts, there would be no need to summon the Inheritors to the Demon Hall. A simple order relayed to each sect would suffice.
Yet they had gone out of their way to gather them here, providing lodgings and hosting a feast?
If so, then all of this was likely part of a meticulously orchestrated plan directed by someone.
'It would be easier if I were officially part of the Demon Hall.'
Bu Eun-seol shook his head as he thought of Seo Jin-ha.
Having joined the Heavenly Killing Squad early on, Seo Jin-ha could be said to have been the first to cast off the shackles of being an Inheritor.
'He probably isn't here.'
Knowing Seo Jin-ha's temperament, if he had been at the Demon Hall, he would have sought Bu Eun-seol out by now.
'Hall Master Neung is also away, as I heard.'
Neung Gak, once the head of Langya Pavilion's Celestial Scheme Hall, had been recruited to lead the Demon Hall's Mystery Faction.
He was the man who had aided Bu Eun-seol during the White Horse Temple's trial—a figure of extraordinary martial prowess and wisdom.
Had Neung Gak been present, he would have offered invaluable advice and assistance in this situation.
'Perhaps the Demon Hall anticipated this and orchestrated things accordingly...'
Meanwhile, the sun set, and night fell.
Just then, a knock came at the door, followed by the low voice of an attendant.
"A martial artist from the Red Star Faction requests your presence, Young Master."
"Come in."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, the door opened, and a martial artist carrying a crimson-stained sword bowed his head.
"I am Jang Yu, a disciple of the Red Star Faction."
"What is the matter?"
"An order has been issued to summon the Ten Demonic Heirs to the Singular Light Pavilion."
'So it begins.' Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat and nodded.
At last, the one presiding over all of this had summoned the Ten Demonic Heirs.
Following the martial artist outside, Bu Eun-seol headed not toward the central district where the Demon Hall's main buildings stood but to the western outskirts.
There, a seven-story black pagoda loomed imposingly.
Towering into the sky with a grandeur that seemed to pierce the heavens, the pavilion resembled the form of a massive double-edged sword, its silhouette jagged like a serrated blade.
"Why the haste?"
Bu Eun-seol asked as he observed Jang Yu leading the way at a brisk pace.
"Surely I am not the last to arrive?"
"You are, indeed. The notification of Young Hero Bu's separate quarters was delivered rather late, so..."
"I see."
A faint smirk touched Bu Eun-seol's lips.
It seemed that the special quarters assigned to him—likely due to Jeok Bung's consideration—had not been communicated to the ordinary warriors.
"Please enter this way."
Jang Yu opened the inner door after stepping into the pavilion. Bu Eun-seol nodded and stepped inside.
Beyond the door lay a vast great hall.
Inside, crystal-clear pillars stood erect, and the walls and ceiling were embedded with luminous Night Shining Pearls, casting a bright glow throughout.
Below the stone altar stood seven martial artists—none other than the Ten Demonic Heirs.
'Seven?'
A flicker of doubt crossed Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
The Demon Hall had planned for twelve Ten Demonic Heirs, with two to be selected as direct subordinates of the palace itself.
But due to Hyeokryeon Eung's intervention to save Bu Eun-seol, fourteen had survived.
Excluding the two who had become direct warriors of the Demon Hall's Secret Shadow Pavilion and Seo Jin-ha, who had joined the Heavenly Killing Squad...
There should have been eleven heirs present, including Bu Eun-seol.
'The Fire Rain Sword Sect said they wouldn't select a Ten Demonic Heir.'
Even accounting for that, ten should have arrived.
'It must be one of two things.'
Bu Eun-seol's pupils sharpened like scattered blades.
'Either they were recruited by the Elders' Hall Master, or, like my sect, they were accepted as true disciples.'
Whatever the case, it made no difference.
After all, what they desired was the annihilation of the Great Righteous Experts.
"Bu Eun-seol."
At that moment, a young man with a white whip at his waist curled his lips and approached. It was Yu Un-ryong.
"So you rejected the Fire Rain Sword Sect and joined Langya Pavilion... only to be cast aside like a dog, I hear."
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"They say those who didn't arrive here were all under the protection of the Demonic Path Ten Gates. Or else they became direct warriors of the Demon Hall."
Bu Eun-seol, too, had received an offer—to be designated as a successor by Langya Pavilion.
And then there was Jeok Bung, the Elders' Hall Master, who had proposed he become a direct warrior of the Demon Hall.
But he had refused both and chosen to come here on his own.
Yu Un-ryong, oblivious to this, sneered at him.
"Acting all high and mighty throughout Hell Island, but in the end, you're just waiting to be boiled alive like a hound."
When no retort came, Yu Un-ryong's voice grew even more venomous.
"I heard the Chief Instructor was exiled to some remote frontier just to save you. So what now? In the end, you—"
"You're noisy."
Suddenly, a figure stepped between Bu Eun-seol and Yu Un-ryong—a man with a short spear strapped to his back.
His complexion was deathly pale, his body gaunt, and a bluish energy seeped from his pupils.
It was Yeong Mun-ho, the Ten Demonic Heir of the Spectral Sect.
"Yu Un-ryong. Are you projecting your own despair onto others?"
"What?"
"Not everyone here was dragged along unwillingly like you."
At Yeong Mun-ho's icy retort, flames flickered in Yu Un-ryong's eyes.
"What did you say?"
His face twisted as he gripped the White Snake Whip at his waist and shouted.
"Yeong Mun-ho, you—"
"Though I must say, this treatment hardly befits our status."
A man clad in light green martial robes adorned with strange patterns cut between Yu Un-ryong and Yeong Mun-ho.
It was Seok U-haeng, the Ten Demonic Heir of the Ultimate Assassin Pavilion.
"Regardless of the process, we are the Ten Demonic Heirs. Yet they've embedded us in the Demon Hall like thieves, left us waiting in this hall without explanation..."
At those words, even Yu Un-ryong, who had been raging in agitation, froze mid-motion.
Seok U-haeng's remark voiced the shared sentiment of all the Ten Demonic Heirs gathered here.
They had expected, if not a glorious homecoming, at least treatment befitting the inheritors of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
Yet aside from a perfunctory feast, they were being treated like mere peddlers hired for menial labor.
Krrrrr—
Just then, a sound like rolling stones echoed from the wall near the altar, followed by the opening of a door.
And from within, a man clad in black robes slowly emerged.
"...!"
In an instant, suffocating silence filled the Grand Hall.
The razor-sharp qi radiating from the black-robed man's body surged violently, engulfing the entire chamber.
'Strong.'
Bu Eun-seol's pupils dilated slightly as he observed the sudden arrival.
Not only was the qi enveloping the man's body overwhelmingly powerful, but his entire being exuded a killing intent so sharp it felt like thorns were being hurled outward.
This was unmistakably a cold-blooded butcher—one who could slaughter hundreds, even thousands, without hesitation.
Swish.
The black-robed man ascended the altar at the center of the hall and spoke in a low voice.
"I am Deung Ryun, Lord of the Soul Annihilation Corps."
A frigid air instantly condensed throughout the chamber.
The Lord of the Soul Annihilation Corps—one of the Three Great Legions of the Demon Hall, whose name shook the heavens—had appeared without warning?
'But he's not the mastermind.'
Unlike the others, who were stunned, Bu Eun-seol inwardly shook his head.
He sensed that the one who had summoned the Ten Demonic Heirs and orchestrated this entire scheme was not the Lord of the Soul Annihilation Corps.
'There's definitely someone else behind this.'
"I'll be brief."
Deung Ryun swept his gaze over the assembled heirs and spoke.
"From this day forth, you are to venture into the martial world and eliminate the Great Righteous Experts—by any means necessary."
It was an exceedingly short command.
When silence lingered, Deung Ryun added,
"If you have questions, ask now."
At that, Yu Un-ryong—who had been wearing a dissatisfied expression all along—stepped forward.
"I'd like to know why it was necessary to summon all the Ten Demonic Heirs here. Couldn't this have simply been relayed to our respective sects?"
His tone was less a question and more a challenge.
Had this been on Hell Island, he wouldn't have dared speak like this even if his guts had swollen with rage.
But now, they were all Ten Demonic Heirs who had mastered the Ultimate Arts of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
No matter how fearsome Deung Ryun was, they had the standing—and the right—to voice their grievances.
"There are two reasons you were summoned in person."
Deung Ryun paused, then curled his lips into an enigmatic smile.
"First, we intended to assign targets based on your martial prowess. But aside from one, you've all reached a uniformly high realm. So that plan was scrapped."
At those words, every Ten Demonic Heir except Bu Eun-seol narrowed their eyes.
—So someone was observing us again. Just like on Hell Island.
But one person reacted differently—Yu Un-ryong.
When Deung Ryun said "aside from one," his gaze had locked directly onto him.
—You're the weakest.
That was what Deung Ryun was implying.
Humiliation burned through Yu Un-ryong, and he bit his lip.
But his opponent was the Lord of the Soul Annihilation Corps—a figure whose name resounded across the martial world. He didn't have the audacity to throw a tantrum in front of such a man.
"I know you have grievances. Given time, you could refine your martial arts further."
Deung Ryun continued,
"But the same applies to the Great Righteous Experts. They've long been trained as Joint Heirs under the Martial Alliance, honing their skills together."
His eyes swept over them once more.
"That gap won't close in an instant. In fact, the more time passes, the stronger they may become."
His words held some truth. Time alone didn't guarantee limitless growth.
The real issue was that they hadn't even been given enough time to develop.
"May I ask something?"
This time, Seok U-haeng stepped forward.
"It's said that not only the Lord, but even the warriors of the Soul Annihilation Corps possess martial prowess that shakes the world. If so, why go through the trouble of training us to kill the Great Righteous Experts?"
"That is precisely the second reason you were summoned."
"What do you—"
"Listen well."
Deung Ryun's gaze swept over every figure in the hall before he delivered his shocking proclamation.
"The Ten Demonic Heir who slays the most Great Righteous Experts..."
"...will become a candidate to succeed the Demonic Heavenly Emperor!"