Chapter 165
When Bu Eun-seol arrived before the Holy Demon Pavilion, the massive gate—thirty feet high—swung open of its own accord.
Kuuung.
Whether due to the sheer weight of its iron construction, the friction produced a low, beast-like growl that reverberated through the air.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been staring as if entranced by the pitch-black darkness beyond, slowly stepped inside.
The interior was majestic, soaring to a height of over a hundred feet.
The floor was paved with stones tinged with a blue glow, and throughout the space, round pillars stood supporting the structure.
Embedded densely across the ceiling were Seven-Colored Night Pearls, illuminating the hall brightly.
At the far end of the great hall stood a high altar, upon which a towering shadow loomed.
Despite the soft radiance cast by the Seven-Colored Night Pearls, an eerie darkness lingered over the altar.
And there, standing within it—the shadow.
Its form felt as though it were projecting his own reflection, standing tall within the abyss.
The deep shadows made it impossible to discern the figure's face clearly, yet Bu Eun-seol recognized its identity in an instant.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor, Sado Mu-myeong.
The Number One of the Demonic Path of this era, the master of the Demon Hall, who divided the world alongside the Martial Alliance.
That colossal being now stood before him.
'The Demonic Heavenly Emperor is alone?'
Bu Eun-seol found the thought puzzling.
When entering the Holy Demon Pavilion, he had expected to find the Demonic Heavenly Emperor seated upon the throne, gazing down from above...
And beneath the great hall, naturally, all the high-ranking officials and leaders of every faction under the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's command would be bowing their heads in reverence.
Yet contrary to his expectations, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor stood alone, filling the vast hall by himself.
"A disciple of Langya Pavilion..."
Bu Eun-seol lowered his head, intending to offer a respectful bow toward the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
But the moment the word disciple left his lips, his mouth refused to open further.
"Bu Eun-seol..."
When he forced himself to speak again, white teeth gleamed from within the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's shadow.
"Not bad."
What exactly did he mean by not bad?
As Bu Eun-seol struggled to open his mouth once more, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor turned.
"Follow me."
It was an order that brooked no refusal.
Thud. Thud.
Like a man entranced, Bu Eun-seol ascended the altar and followed the shadow of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor out of the great hall.
After passing through a long corridor, the western gate of the Holy Demon Pavilion came into view. Stepping outside, an unexpected scene unfolded before him.
'A garden?'
Surprisingly, beyond the western gate lay a cultivated vegetable garden.
And at its center stood a small pavilion, perfectly positioned for enjoying the scenery.
Swish.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor, who had been gazing up at the sunlight, slowly turned toward Bu Eun-seol.
At last, under the full light of day, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's appearance was revealed in its entirety.
"...!"
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened as their gazes met.
Simultaneously, a strange resonance pulsed deep within his chest.
The image he had envisioned of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor was that of a ruthless Absolute One, bearing a majesty as towering as Mount Tai.
But the appearance of the Number One of the Demonic Path under the sunlight...
Was that of an ordinary old man, the kind one might easily encounter in any village.
"A disciple of Langya Pavilion..."
Snapping back to his senses, Bu Eun-seol hastily bowed his head in deep respect.
"Bu Eun-seol pays his respects to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor."
Then, raising his head, he looked upon the Demonic Heavenly Emperor once more.
Boom.
Again, that strange resonance echoed through his chest.
Just moments ago, the figure before him had been an ordinary old man in the twilight of his years.
But now, what stood before Bu Eun-seol was a monster wearing human skin—no, an unknown existence whose true nature defied comprehension.
'Am I seeing illusions?'
Blinking several times, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor before him suddenly shifted into hundreds of different forms.
At times, he appeared as a plain old man; at others, as an Absolute One who overwhelmed all.
Then, in another moment, he seemed a carefree immortal exuding an air of serene composure—only for Bu Eun-seol to blink and find the supreme leader of all demonic fiends standing before him.
Gurgle.
A surge of blood erupted from the depths of his stomach, rising all the way to his throat.
Merely meeting the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's gaze had inflicted a deep internal injury.
'This... isn't an injury caused by momentum or internal energy.'
Bu Eun-seol clenched his teeth tightly, struggling to hold onto his fading consciousness.
'I must fortify my spirit and mind. If not, I'll suffer irreversible damage.'
Focusing his mind, he drove out the intrusive thoughts clawing at his psyche.
"Hohoho."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor let out a low chuckle.
"Not only your internal energy, but your cultivation of spirit and mind is also considerable."
Then, his unmoving gaze lightly swept over Bu Eun-seol's body once more.
Though it was merely a passing glance, it felt as though not only his flesh but even his mind had been completely laid bare, exposing every inch of his being, inside and out.
'This is the Martial Extreme Realm...'
The Martial Extreme Realm—a state said to transcend even the Extreme Heaven Realm, reaching the very limits of martial arts.
And standing at its precipice—the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
That realm was something Bu Eun-seol couldn't even dare to comprehend.
'If one reaches the Martial Extreme Realm... can they truly embrace everything under heaven?'
From the Demonic Heavenly Emperor who ruled the Demonic Martial World, down to the aura of a peasant living in some remote mountain village.
The being before him possessed everything a human could possibly achieve, encompassing all facets of human existence.
'If I reach the sixth layer of the Counter-Polar Internal Art... no, if I attain the seventh layer... could I ever exude such overwhelming presence?'
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor, who had been observing Bu Eun-seol lost in thought, finally spoke.
"You seem to have gained some insight from observing me."
"That is correct."
"And what might that be?"
"That upon reaching the Martial Extreme Realm, one can embrace and contain both phenomena and truth."
"Hohohoho."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor wore an amused expression but shook his head.
"That is merely the realm I have achieved—not a phenomenon confined within the boundaries of the Martial Extreme Realm."
"..."
"Foolish martial artists divide the realms of martial arts and bind themselves to them. If you wish to reign above all others, you must never climb the steps that another has built."
"Steps built by another...?"
"Indeed."
A flash of lightning flickered through the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's pupils.
"You must first destroy everything that others have created. Even the boundaries and doctrines written in the Divine Arts and Supreme Techniques."
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol felt the hairs on his body stand on end.
'Did he peer even into the depths of my mind?'
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor had grasped even the doubts Bu Eun-seol had harbored about martial principles.
Thump-thump.
His heart began to pound uncontrollably.
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
In Bu Eun-seol's eyes, he was no longer human. He felt closer to something transcendent—an existence beyond definition.
That was why the ruler of the Demonic Path was not called by the name Sado Mu-myeong... but by the title Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
"Yet... you are remarkable."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor smiled faintly as he observed Bu Eun-seol's unconcealed astonishment.
"To be able to vaguely grasp my realm at your age... That is no easy feat."
Then, as if murmuring to himself, he added:
"Ak Mu-ryeong... He must be feeling rather bitter."
Ak Mu-ryeong.
That was the name of the Pavilion Lord of Langya Pavilion.
But why would the Pavilion Lord suddenly feel bitter?
Unable to immediately comprehend the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's words, Bu Eun-seol silently turned them over in his mind.
'Ah, right. He said they entered closed-door training together.'
According to Dan Cheong, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and the Pavilion Lord of Langya Pavilion had once crossed blades in martial combat, and due to their injuries, both Absolute Masters had entered closed-door training simultaneously.
But while the Pavilion Lord had yet to emerge, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had already completed his secluded cultivation...
Meaning it had been proven that, at least for now, the Pavilion Lord's martial arts could not yet match the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's.
'But why would that make the Pavilion Lord feel bitter?'
As Bu Eun-seol's pupils flickered repeatedly in thought, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor spoke as if to resolve his confusion.
"If he were not in closed-door training, he would never have sent a disciple of Langya Pavilion as a candidate for the Heir of the Demon Hall."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor smiled, revealing teeth as white as jade, like those of a great beauty.
"After all, he is the only one who could be called my equal."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol understand the meaning behind the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's words.
Regardless of the process, the result was that his rival's disciple had been brought into the Demon Hall through political maneuvering...
From the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's perspective, that must have been inwardly satisfying.
"I heard all about how you came to the Main Hall. Truly, you are every bit the disciple of Langya Pavilion—reckless and relentless."
Though his words seemed critical, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's tone carried unmistakable praise.
"After completing my closed-door training and returning to the Holy Demon Pavilion, I personally observed the successors of the Demonic Path Ten Gates and the outstanding prodigies recommended by the Elders' Hall."
As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
"And among them, you are by far the most unique."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor let out a deep sigh, murmuring as if to himself.
"A candidate for succession... who has no interest in succession itself..."
Bu Eun-seol was greatly startled but carefully kept his composure as he spoke.
"How did you know?"
"Every single person who has stood before me has displayed intense aspirations—for success, status, authority... all manner of desires. But you... you are like a monk cultivating the Dao, seeking nothing at all."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor wore a faint, hollow smile.
"If you have no desire to become my successor... then why did you come to the Main Hall?"
"I came... to challenge a new fate."
"A new fate."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor's lips curled into an enigmatic smile.
As if he had already discerned that what Bu Eun-seol truly desired was not status... but to grow endlessly stronger.
"Perhaps... you are the kind of prodigy I have been searching for."
"I do not understand."
"Look. Behold this Demon Hall."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor gestured toward the vast landscape of the Demon Hall stretching behind the Holy Demon Pavilion.
"This colossal place is not an organization bound by master-disciple ties, but an alliance formed for power. And where countless desires intertwine... decay is inevitable."
He spoke impassively.
"Precisely because I understand that point well, I implemented the Ten Demonic Heirs Plan."
Bu Eun-seol remained silent.
The Ten Demonic Heirs Plan was meant to create expendable chess pieces for the power struggle between the Demonic Path and the Righteous Faction.
In other words, they were nothing more than disposable pawns to be discarded at any time.
"Hohoho. So that was your grievance?"
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor spoke calmly.
"Human life is generally like that. It may seem as though one moves by their own will. But... if you look closely, are we not all merely puppets dancing to the tune of fate?"
Bu Eun-seol didn't even need to voice his thoughts.
As if employing mind-reading, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had thoroughly discerned his innermost feelings.
"I became the master of the Demon Hall to defy fate. But in hindsight, even that could be considered fate itself."
Muttering these cryptic words, he continued.
"I will ask you again. Do you wish to succeed me and become the heir who will lead the Main Hall?"
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and bowed his head.
"I do."
"But as you are now, you lack the qualifications to be my successor."
The unexpected response made Bu Eun-seol's eyes widen.
"You are the successor of Langya Pavilion, the weakest among the Demonic Path Ten Gates. Moreover, your relations with White Horse Monastery and Hell Blood Citadel are far from amicable."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor stared straight at Bu Eun-seol.
"To be the master of the Demon Hall, one must, at the very least, possess the ability to unite all Demonic Path Ten Gates."
When he thought about it, it was an obvious truth.
The Demonic Path Ten Gates were the pillars that upheld the Demonic Path—the core factions that constituted the Demon Hall.
Without their support, the position of the Demon Hall's heir was unattainable.
"And yet, do you know why I summoned you to the Main Hall?"
After a brief moment of contemplation, Bu Eun-seol answered respectfully.
"Setting aside those qualifications... I believe you called me here to personally assess whether I have the potential to be your successor."
"Correct. Uniting the Ten Gates is a problem that can be resolved later. First and foremost, I wished to evaluate your nature."
"..."
"Had you arrived at the Main Hall leading Langya Pavilion's forces, or shown any sign of avoiding the enemies that pursued you... I would not have allowed you inside."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor smiled faintly.
"But even in the most unfavorable circumstances, you never once avoided your enemies and instead displayed a momentum that could overturn the heavens. That is a crucial trait for one who would lead the Million Demon Blades."
Then, he continued impassively.
"Without such a temperament, no matter how exceptional one's martial arts may be, they cannot become the successor of the Main Hall."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor's tone grew increasingly gentle, almost as if he were speaking to a grandson.
"Therefore... I shall grant you the opportunity to become a candidate for the Main Hall's successor."
"Thank you."
"There is no need for gratitude. For someone like you, who lacks any foundation, the path to gaining the strength befitting a successor will be far more arduous and fraught with hardship than for others."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor, who had been staring intently at Bu Eun-seol, spoke again.
"Do you understand what you must do from now on?"
Having experienced the struggle for succession in the Sichuan Tang Clan alongside Tang Gon, Bu Eun-seol knew better than anyone that to become the successor of any sect, one needed the support of existing factions above all else.
"I must gather factions who will support me as the successor."
"Indeed. To do so, you must first seek out those among the Ten Gates who remain neutral regarding the matter of succession."
"Are you referring to Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying?"
Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying.
That was the place where Great Demonic Persons of the past, who once shook the heavens and earth, now lived in seclusion.
Their secret demonic arts were stored within Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, and in exchange, their remaining years were guaranteed to be spent there.
Thus, for those who could not become sect elders or Great Demonic Persons without heirs, it was a place they had no choice but to enter.
"Correct. Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying is where demonic practitioners spend their remaining years. Though counted among the Ten Gates, they refrain from almost all martial world activities."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor continued.
"Additionally, the Fleeting Moment Boat is also uninvolved in matters of succession. They are a female-only sect, after all."
Fleeting Moment Boat.
It was a renowned faction of the Demonic Path, home to arts such as the Soul-Stealing Great Technique, Sound Arts, and Harvest Yang and Nourish Yin.
However, as a female-only sect, they strictly limited their activities in the martial world, manipulating factions from the shadows. Thus, while they held their position as one of the Ten Gates under the Demon Hall's banner, they remained largely neutral.
"Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying and the Fleeting Moment Boat—though they are part of the Ten Gates, they are ultimately neutral factions. You must secure their support."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor spoke with solemnity.
"The matter of succession can be discussed afterward."
No demonic practitioner would dare refuse the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's august command.
Bu Eun-seol immediately bowed his head and clasped his hands together.
"Understood."
"Go."
It was a brief dismissal.
Bu Eun-seol bowed deeply once more. Then, with utmost courtesy, he turned and walked through the fields, leaving the Holy Demon Pavilion behind.
"Hoh."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor's eyes narrowed as he watched Bu Eun-seol's retreating figure.
"A born demonic practitioner with overwhelming killing intent... yet he also bears the temperament of a Renowned Chivalrous Hero... How intriguing."
A peculiar light flickered in the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's eyes.
"Indeed... So it is."
It was a gaze not of the supreme grandmaster who ruled the Demonic Path—but of a mere human.