Chapter 167
Bu Eun-seol's gaze naturally fixed upon Dan So-ok.
This was the only way to naturally evade Dan Wol-hon's persistent, smoldering stare.
"Then I shall take my leave now."
As Bu Eun-seol turned and clasped his hands together, Dan Wol-hon responded immediately as if he'd been waiting.
"Go on then. Return quickly."
He waved his hand dismissively, as though shooing away an annoying fly.
"This Manor Lord has a mountain of work waiting."
"You're leaving already?"
Dan So-ok, completely oblivious to Dan Wol-hon's burning inner turmoil, approached Bu Eun-seol affectionately and said,
"Since you've come all this way, why not stay a little longer?"
At this, Dan Wol-hon's eyes, which had just softened, began blazing fiercely once more.
Noticing that scorching gaze, Bu Eun-seol shook his head firmly.
"That won't be necessary. I too have much to attend to..."
"Not even time for a single meal together?"
"My apologies. Next time."
Whether he glared or not, as Dan So-ok continued speaking familiarly to Bu Eun-seol, the corners of Dan Wol-hon's eyes twitched upward sharply.
'Useless! All that coddling was for nothing! Absolutely useless!'
Yet strangely, he felt conflicted.
Dan So-ok's flower-like beauty.
And Bu Eun-seol's handsome features illuminated by sunlight. The two looked like a perfectly matched pair of lovers.
'What nonsense. He's just a wretched inheritor of the declining Langya Pavilion.'
From the perspective of the Jipma Manor Lord who commanded the Demon Hall's forces, Bu Eun-seol was merely somewhat skilled in martial arts.
Just a disciple from a pitiful sect barely clinging to the lowest rank among the Demonic Path Ten Gates, without power or wealth.
"Then."
Clasping his hands in farewell, Bu Eun-seol turned to leave.
Dan Wol-hon watched his retreating figure silently before speaking to Dan So-ok.
"So-ok."
"Yes?"
"Do you fancy him?"
At the blunt question, Dan So-ok's cheeks flushed crimson.
"What kind of question is that all of a sudden...?"
"Hm? No no. This father was just curious. You've been acting so familiar with him."
"His martial arts and internal power are profound... and above all, he risked his life to protect me."
"He seemed rather arrogant."
"That's the bearing of a true man."
"His manner and speech weren't overly haughty?"
"It's because he always carries an aura of dignity about him."
"Still, his looks are somewhat... like a male courtesan. From afar, he could be mistaken for a tall woman."
"They say that's what makes a peerlessly handsome man."
'Just admit outright that you fancy him!'
As the conversation continued, Dan Wol-hon's lips twisted into deeper wrinkles.
Never had his beloved daughter seemed so exasperating as today.
"I also have matters to attend to... I shall take my leave now."
After hurriedly bowing, she immediately ran off in Bu Eun-seol's direction.
"Hmph."
Dan Wol-hon shook his head as he watched her go.
Then he suddenly recalled Bu Eun-seol's display of formidable internal power.
"Well, his internal power is likely the strongest among the successors."
His footsteps slowed and grew heavy as he turned back toward the Jipma Manor.
"It seems I'll need to observe this successor competition a while longer."
Gazing at the distant sky with profound eyes, he eventually turned away.
Just as Bu Eun-seol passed through the gardens after exiting the Jipma Manor's inner courtyard,
"Are you leaving right away?"
A clear voice called from behind.
Turning, he saw Dan So-ok approaching with slightly labored breaths.
"You walk astonishingly fast, Young Hero Bu. Even when you seem to move leisurely, you keep getting further away."
"Is there more you wish to say?"
"Yes."
Smiling brightly, she gestured toward the expansive gardens.
"Might we stroll awhile as we talk?"
Dan So-ok had persuaded the Manor Lord to act, doing Bu Eun-seol a great favor. He could hardly refuse anything she asked of him now, and exchanging a few words was a simple enough request.
"Of course."
He walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Dan So-ok through the gardens.
After walking perhaps eight minutes, Dan So-ok, who had been deep in thought, slowly spoke.
"I heard you had an audience with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor."
"I did."
"Did His Majesty suggest you visit the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying or the Fleeting Moment Boat?"
Even Bu Eun-seol, who always strictly restrained any display of emotion, couldn't conceal his surprise this time.
"How did you know?"
"That Young Hero Bu lacks foundations compared to other successor candidates isn't exactly a secret."
She smiled knowingly and continued in a low voice,
"In fact, before your arrival at the Main Hall, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor summoned all other successor candidates together to the Holy Demon Pavilion."
"So that occurred."
"I've been contemplating why His Majesty summoned Young Hero Bu alone to the Holy Demon Pavilion."
As Bu Eun-seol nodded, Dan So-ok's eyes sparkled as she said,
"Perhaps it wasn't just to acknowledge you as a successor candidate, but maybe to reveal how one might secure the position of successor."
'Indeed. As expected of a candidate for Chief Strategist.'
With minimal information, Dan So-ok had deduced much.
That was possible not only because of her exceptional intelligence, but also because she had deeply grasped the personalities and behaviors of those involved.
"Correct. The Demonic Heavenly Emperor instructed me to visit two places and secure their support."
"I thought as much. Then will you be going to Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying first?"
"Yes."
"I see."
Dan So-ok nodded, then untied the necklace from around her own neck.
"Other places might be different, but the Fleeting Moment Boat is wary of men. To enter, they demand a grueling trial."
Then she held the necklace out to Bu Eun-seol.
"The Ferry Master of the Fleeting Moment Boat has some ties with me. If you show her this, she won't treat you coldly."
The necklace Dan So-ok offered had a small, blue-tinged jade pendant strung on it.
Even at a glance, it was clearly no ordinary precious artifact.
"This is..."
Bu Eun-seol had initially intended to refuse.
But the gaze Dan So-ok fixed on him was so clear and resolute that he couldn't bring himself to reject her outright.
"Understood."
Reluctantly, Bu Eun-seol took the necklace and fastened it around his own neck.
At that, Dan So-ok's face flushed red.
She hadn't expected him to put it on so casually.
"Come back safely."
Come back safely.
Those words carried her earnest feelings.
But Bu Eun-seol, assuming she only said it because this was the Demon Hall, merely gave a calm nod.
"Understood."
Growing old was a perfectly natural thing.
But from the perspective of a Demonic Path Sect, which pursued dominance and profit, aging meant losing power.
Unlike the Righteous Faction, which maintained tight-knit, family-like bonds, the Demonic Path Sects gathered and scattered based on personal gain.
As if to prove this, unless a sect was of considerable size, it didn't even bother establishing an Elders' Hall.
Recognizing this flaw, the Demon Hall created a sanctuary for the demonic warriors who had once shaken the Murim.
That was the origin story of Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
The sanctuary of Great Demons—Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying.
To enter this place, one had to meet two conditions.
First, they had to leave behind all their Divine Arts and Supreme Techniques within Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying.
Their ultimate arts would prove useful in nurturing future talents of the Demonic Path.
Second, only those who had reached the Extreme Demon Realm—where they could suppress their killing intent—were permitted to stay.
What would happen if bloodthirsty demons who couldn't control their murderous auras gathered in one place?
A massacre on a massive scale, of course.
Clack, clack.
Bu Eun-seol, who had departed the Demon Hall by carriage, soon arrived at Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying.
Deep in the mountains.
Following a river's winding path and then ascending a maple-covered mountain trail, he came upon a large, albeit shabby, palace complex.
That was the Demon-Subduing Palace—Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying—where the retired Great Demons rested.
'It looks peaceful.'
Stepping out of the carriage, Bu Eun-seol gazed up at Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying.
Whatever lay inside, the exterior was so tranquil it resembled the serene scenery of a secluded mountain temple.
Creak.
Even after entering the palace grounds, no guards were in sight.
Left with no choice, Bu Eun-seol pushed open the gate and stepped inside.
"...!"
The moment he saw the interior, he couldn't hide his surprise.
Though the outer walls were crumbling and dilapidated...
The inner halls were immaculate, as if newly built, and grand sculptures stood throughout the compound.
"Hmm."
As Bu Eun-seol scanned his surroundings, his brow furrowed.
Muffled voices chattered here and there, yet not a single person moved about outside.
'Worse than the Main Pavilion.'
A refined way of saying this place is a mess, Bu Eun-seol strode deeper inside.
Then, in the distance, he spotted a single-story building with its doors wide open.
Inside, young men in guard uniforms were gathered around a table piled high with bone tiles and money.
They seemed to be gambling.
'Guards gambling on duty?'
As Bu Eun-seol stood there dumbfounded, a young man in blue robes stepped out from the building.
Had he just passed his twentieth year?
His features were strikingly handsome, but his eyes lacked vitality, and his expression was gloomy.
'Doesn't seem like a guard.'
"May I ask something?"
When Bu Eun-seol approached and spoke, the young man frowned with irritation.
"Who are you?"
"I'm looking for someone to guide me."
The youth's face twisted as if he'd bitten into a spicy pepper, muttering under his breath.
"Annoying. Another one?"
'Another?'
"Where are you from?"
Bu Eun-seol, who had been deep in thought, suddenly brightened and answered.
"Langya Pavilion."
"Ah. Langya Pavilion."
Despite hearing that a disciple from one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates had arrived, the young man showed no surprise, only a look of utter weariness.
"Hmm. Let's see. Right now, the person who can guide you is..."
His eyes swept over the gambling guards inside the building before his shoulders slumped.
"...just me, I guess."
With a resigned sigh, he gestured for Bu Eun-seol to follow.
"Come along."
Leading the way with sluggish steps, the youth eventually pointed to a massive gate at the eastern edge.
"Head out that way, and you'll find a bunch of old-timers who can't even die properly huddled together."
"Is the Sanctuary Master there as well?"
"Who knows."
As if even speaking was a bother, the man yawned and waved his hand dismissively like a waiter.
"Go see for yourself."
And before Bu Eun-seol could say another word, he swiftly turned on his heel and strode back into the palace grounds.
'He's no ordinary man.'
Though the man wore an expression of utter boredom, his gait was remarkably steady, and his eyes occasionally flickered with a divine light.
Moreover, the fact that he referred to the demonkin residing in the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary as "old-timers" suggested his status was considerably high.
"Hmm."
Exhaling softly, Bu Eun-seol stepped through the open gate.
A wide path lined with trees came into view. Following it, he soon spotted a small village.
At the village entrance stood a pavilion, where two elderly men were leisurely playing a game of go.
"Pardon my intrusion."
At Bu Eun-seol's words,
"Who might you be?"
One of the go players—a clean-cut old man—blinked at Bu Eun-seol.
The other, a grouchy-looking elder seated across from him, shot Bu Eun-seol a sidelong glance and muttered,
"Who else? Looks like another successor sent from one of those factions."
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed.
Judging by the situation, it was clear that another successor from one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates had come and gone.
"I am—"
Just as Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands to bow, the grouchy elder tossed a go stone aside and grumbled.
"Damn it, so much for a peaceful game. I'll be back later."
"Indeed."
As the ill-tempered elder left, the refined old man stepped out of the pavilion and stood before Bu Eun-seol.
'A giant.'
The elder before him carried an air of rustic tranquility.
Yet, behind him, the faint silhouette of a Demon God Statue, cast in deep violet, seemed to flicker into existence.
If the Demonic Heavenly Emperor embodied nature itself, encompassing all things under heaven, this old man felt like the ruler of the underworld, concealing endless malice beneath his calm.
"Hohoho."
The elder grinned at Bu Eun-seol's startled expression.
"Impressive. To recognize this old man's qi at your age."
"Are you the Illusion Demon, venerable one?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, the elder nodded.
"Correct. This old man is the Sanctuary Master of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary—Hyeok Gong-baek."
The Illusion Demon, Hyeok Gong-baek.
Sixty years ago, he had been a Great Demon of the Demonic Path, one of the Ten Demonic Paragons.
By today's standards, his power would place him near the ranks of the Four Gods and Seven Kings—a truly monstrous figure.
"Bu Eun-seol, inheritor of Langya Pavilion, greets the Sanctuary Master."
"Langya Pavilion, was it?"
Hyeok Gong-baek smiled faintly as he observed Bu Eun-seol's respectful bow.
"Well, among the Demonic Path Ten Gates, none carry such an air of unconstrained freedom quite like Langya Pavilion."
With a dry chuckle, Hyeok Gong-baek gestured.
"Shall we stroll through this Peach Blossom Paradise and talk?"
Peach Blossom Paradise.
The name evoked a realm of immortals.
Seeing Bu Eun-seol's puzzled expression, Hyeok Gong-baek explained,
"Originally, this place bore the ominous name 'Gathering Palace of Ten Thousand Demons.' But it hardly suited a resting place for the elderly, so I changed it."
"I see."
As Bu Eun-seol followed Hyeok Gong-baek through the village, he couldn't suppress his astonishment.
The residents of Peach Blossom Paradise were all white-haired elders.
Some were fishing, others reading books at leisure.
He had heard these were once Great Demons who once shook the martial world to its core...
Yet here they were, living out peaceful, mundane lives, indistinguishable from any other elderly folk.
"So, what do you think of Peach Blossom Paradise?"
At Hyeok Gong-baek's question, Bu Eun-seol hesitated before answering.
"It's nothing like what I expected."
"And how is it different?"
Hyeok Gong-baek took a step closer, his expression amiable.
His qi remained tranquil and unhurried as he studied Bu Eun-seol intently.
Yet this very demeanor was more unsettling than the terrifying visage of a Great Demon capable of rending mountains.
—To subjugate all without even unleashing one's qi, to sever an enemy's life with a peaceful smile.
Such was the Illusion Demon, Hyeok Gong-baek—one of the legendary Ten Demonic Paragons.
"Answer me."
Hyeok Gong-baek took another step forward, his friendly expression unwavering.
"How is it different?"
Ooom.
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol's extrasensory perception blared a warning.
Having reached the realm of Empty Mind Spirit Communion and trained in the Wind and Cloud Creation Formula of the Fluorescent Sword Control, he was acutely sensitive to killing intent.
The very air grew heavy, and from somewhere, a faint murderous aura coiled around his throat like an invisible noose.
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol recalled his encounter with Jeok Bung, the Hall Master of the Elders' Hall.
'Just like the Hall Master, he's a demon who cannot be swayed by emotions.'
Bu Eun-seol understood instinctively.
If his answer proved unsatisfactory—Hyeok Gong-baek would slit his throat without hesitation.
The Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sanctuary.
This was no leisurely retreat for elderly men.
It was the resting place of demonkin who once dominated the martial world, and its ruler, Hyeok Gong-baek, was an Absolute Demonic Lord who surpassed them all.
'To kill a candidate for the Demon Hall's succession over a single answer...'
Bu Eun-seol's gaze grew colder as he met Hyeok Gong-baek's eyes.
"Answer me."
Drawing a deep breath, he spoke with deliberate, unwavering clarity.
"It's a mess... A complete disaster."