Chapter 234
Pung Yeo-ryang continued speaking with deeply worried eyes.
"Hiding it won't change anything. They'll find out eventually anyway."
"Whether they learn now or later makes no difference."
"You, really..."
"It's fine. It's fine."
Hyeok Gong-baek smiled faintly.
"Isn't it the kind of truth that will only bring pain once known? If so, then delaying that moment as long as possible is the right thing to do."
Then he patted Pung Yeo-ryang's shoulder, who was looking at him with concern.
"Well then, let's see just how much our grandson has changed."
Hyeok Gong-baek couldn't believe it.
His grandson, Hyeok So-jin—once perpetually pessimistic and disinterested in everything—had now matured into a composed martial artist with dignified bearing and solemn eyes.
"Grandfather."
In the past, his grandson would have rushed over and hugged him tightly.
But now, he stood tall and proud, bowing deeply in greeting.
"Hahahaha!"
Hyeok Gong-baek burst into hearty laughter at the sight of Hyeok So-jin's newfound maturity.
Wasn't this a presence and demeanor he could never have imagined in the past?
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol, standing nearby, clasped his hands together respectfully.
"Disciple of Langya Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol, greets the Sanctuary Master."
"You've worked hard."
Hyeok Gong-baek placed a hand on Bu Eun-seol's shoulder, his expression deeply moved.
"Even though I set an excessively harsh condition... you've given me far more than I asked for."
Bu Eun-seol shook his head calmly.
"You honor me too much."
"Hahaha."
Hyeok Gong-baek laughed heartily.
In life, one occasionally meets a noble person—a true benefactor.
To Hyeok Gong-baek, Bu Eun-seol was precisely that.
"Enough of this. Let's move to another place. I've prepared a feast."
Leaving Mountain and River Hall, Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin made their way to Silver Glow Pavilion, where the banquet was set.
As they walked side by side, Hyeok So-jin, who had been surveying their surroundings, finally spoke.
"It's changed a lot. Even the main estate."
Thanks to the financial support from Fleeting Moment Boat, the living conditions of Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary had improved beyond comparison to the past.
Everything old and worn had been replaced with new. Young attendants and servants had also been hired to tend to the demonkin residing in Peach Garden Village.
"Sanctuary Master."
Moreover, the young people passing by bowed deeply upon seeing Hyeok Gong-baek.
Not only had they recruited young masters of the Demonic Path with formidable financial backing, but they had also accepted young disciples eager to learn the various martial arts of Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary.
"Here, take this seat."
Hyeok Gong-baek seated Bu Eun-seol in the Seat of Honor and personally poured him wine.
Upon entering the banquet hall, a large table laden with delicacies and fine wine came into view.
And seated on either side were young martial artists—the future hall leaders and division chiefs who would lead Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary.
Bu Eun-seol, glancing around, wore a puzzled expression.
The great demonkin of Peach Garden Village—the very essence of the sanctuary—were nowhere to be seen.
"The elders of Peach Garden Village aren't here."
"Hahaha. Of course, you'd be the one to notice their absence."
Hyeok Gong-baek chuckled softly.
"Did you think we'd simply accept Fleeting Moment Boat's generosity without reciprocating?"
"Then..."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed with sudden understanding, and Hyeok Gong-baek nodded.
"We've sent them to Fleeting Moment Boat. To personally instruct them in various demonic arts."
Well aware of Fleeting Moment Boat's circumstances, Hyeok Gong-baek had ordered the demonkin of Peach Garden Village to pass on their martial knowledge.
Though aged and weakened, their Internal Power no longer at its peak, they still retained enough strength to teach.
And if these demonkin—veritable repositories of demonic arts—passed on their Internal Power?
The martial prowess of Fleeting Moment Boat's disciples would skyrocket in a short time.
Moreover, with the knowledge and experience they had gained over years of battle now being passed down...
Even without venturing into the martial world, those disciples would gain profound insight.
"That must have been a difficult decision for you as well, Sanctuary Master."
Originally, Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary had been a closed-off place, refusing exchanges with any of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Hyeok Gong-baek smiled wryly.
"It's all thanks to you breaking the ice."
Then, with a deep sigh, he continued.
"The only reason this sanctuary belonged to the Ten Gates was out of necessity. This was the only place left for demonkin—ailing and weakened—to reside."
His voice carried deep regret.
"But because of you, exchanges between sects have begun. And the results are what you see now."
Inter-sect exchanges.
Unlike personal bonds between individuals, when sects open their hearts to one another, filling each other's gaps and offering support...
The growth that follows is beyond prediction.
"Sanctuary Master."
Just then, Un-gyeom, leader of the True Guard Unit, cautiously entered the banquet hall and whispered something to Hyeok Gong-baek.
After listening in silence, Hyeok Gong-baek's expression shifted slightly before he shook his head.
"There's no need to let them in. Send them away."
"But..."
As Un-gyeom hesitated—
"Hahaha! Elder Hyeok, why are you trying to turn this little brother away?"
The man who entered the banquet hall was a middle-aged man of average build with a goat beard.
Though his appearance was as crude and vulgar as a common street ruffian, he was in fact one of the ten foremost Poison Art masters of Hell Blood Citadel—Cauldron Blood Star, Yu Hyeok-sim.
Originally, he was an old man around the same age as Hyeok Gong-baek, but due to cultivating a terrifying Poison Art, he had maintained his youth.
"How did you get in here?"
Hyeok Gong-baek frowned.
Even if the True Guard Unit's commander, Un-gyeom, couldn't stop him, wasn't the Mad Master, Pung Yeo-ryang—whose strength was no less than his own—guarding the entrance?
"Hahaha. Of course, I explained the situation to Elder Pung as well."
"Situation?"
"This humble one merely brought a precious gift for you, Elder Hyeok."
Yu Hyeok-sim stretched out his wide sleeves and clasped his hands together.
Suddenly, a small wooden box rested atop his palms.
"I heard that you've been searching for Crimson Tube Leaf and Azure Blossom Soft Jade."
For a moment, Hyeok Gong-baek's eyes wavered.
Within Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary, only his closest friend, Pung Yeo-ryang, knew of that fact.
"Indeed. From Elder Pung's perspective, what matters most is your well-being."
Hyeok Gong-baek swept his gaze around and waved his hand.
"We are in the middle of a banquet. Let us discuss this elsewhere."
"Haha, very well."
Hyeok Gong-baek turned to Bu Eun-seol and spoke in a low voice.
"I will step away for a moment. Continue enjoying the feast."
"Understood."
Bu Eun-seol nodded calmly.
As Hyeok Gong-baek and Yu Hyeok-sim left the banquet hall, Bu Eun-seol spoke quietly.
"So-jin."
"Yes."
"Go and stand guard by the Sanctuary Master's side."
Bu Eun-seol's gaze was deeply grave.
"There's no need to worry."
Though sensing something amiss, Hyeok So-jin forced a smile as he replied.
"Though the Demonic Path Ten Gates have little interaction, our relations with Hell Blood Citadel aren't particularly bad."
"Stand guard."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was low.
"Ensure the Sanctuary Master does not make an ill-considered decision."
Mountain and River Hall, Office Interior
A small wooden box rested atop the large table prepared for receiving guests—precisely the one Yu Hyeok-sim had brought.
"You wouldn't have come empty-handed."
Hyeok Gong-baek swept a sharp gaze over Yu Hyeok-sim.
"State your terms."
"It's simple."
Yu Hyeok-sim wore a genial smile as he spoke.
"Just promise to remain neutral and refrain from interfering in the Successor's struggle."
"What did you say?"
"Bu Eun-seol—our citadel has determined that man must never become the Heir of the Demon Hall."
"Hohohoho."
Hyeok Gong-baek let out a hearty laugh before abruptly cutting it short.
"Are you telling this Sanctuary Master to speak with a forked tongue?"
Purple lightning seemed to crackle endlessly in his pupils.
Yet Yu Hyeok-sim maintained his relaxed expression.
"Supporting a successor is something that can always be withdrawn, is it not?"
Not only that, but a faint smile played at the corners of his lips.
"I've heard your grandson has grown into an outstanding heir. But isn't this still a time when he needs your guidance and support?"
"..."
"After all, this too falls within the scope of the Successor's struggle. Our citadel will take full responsibility for everything that follows."
Yu Hyeok-sim's voice was insinuating.
"Doesn't Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary remain indifferent to who becomes the Heir of the Demon Hall? Now that your grandson has come to his senses... shouldn't you remain by his side to ensure he becomes a worthy Sanctuary Master?"
"Hmm."
"Your Internal Power has already reached the Heavenly Human Realm. If you recover, you could easily live another forty or fifty years."
Yu Hyeok-sim's eyes glinted darkly as he pointed to the wooden box on the table.
"There are only two pieces of Azure Blossom Soft Jade left in the martial world—and right now, our citadel is the sole keeper of one."
"Hmm."
Hyeok Gong-baek exhaled deeply and rose from his seat.
The truth was, his condition was dire. Without the peerless Spirit Medicine and treasure artifact—Crimson Tube Leaf and Azure Blossom Soft Jade—he would not survive.
Only Pung Yeo-ryang knew of this.
To others, he had merely claimed exhaustion from overexertion...
Yet somehow, Hell Blood Citadel had learned of it and was now bargaining with him using the Azure Blossom Soft Jade.
"Hmm."
With a heavy sigh, Hyeok Gong-baek turned his head and gazed at the crescent moon beyond the window.
If he refused Yu Hyeok-sim's offer, he would breathe his last before that crescent could wax into a full moon.
"If you consider your beloved grandson, if you consider the future of Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary... shouldn't you choose pragmatism over pride?"
"Hmm. If my body recovers, living past a hundred wouldn't be anything extraordinary."
"Precisely, Elder Hyeok."
"But do you truly believe this Sanctuary Master would cling to life so desperately—breaking his word and living in disgrace?"
Hyeok Gong-baek's gaze bore down on Yu Hyeok-sim with solemn intensity.
"Leave."
A violet light flashed in Hyeok Gong-baek's eyes.
Had this been the past, he would have slain Yu Hyeok-sim on the spot and seized the box, even if it meant staining the mountains with blood.
But his current physical condition was far from normal, and Yu Hyeok-sim had arrived with over four hundred Poison People in tow.
He couldn't possibly expose Hyeok So-jin to such danger yet.
"As expected, Elder Hyeok, you possess a dignity worthy of the leader of the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary."
Yu Hyeok-sim, who had been watching the exchange with a raised thumb, curled his lips into an enigmatic smile as he glanced outside.
"But I wonder if your grandson shares the same opinion."
In an instant, Hyeok Gong-baek's eyes widened in shock.
How could Yu Hyeok-sim have detected Hyeok So-jin's presence when he himself had failed to sense it?
Hyeok Gong-baek's body was far from its peak, and his internal power had drastically diminished.
Whoosh.
A faint Sound of Breaking Air whispered through the room before a tall, imposing shadow stepped into the office.
Hyeok So-jin, who had been eavesdropping from the rooftop while concealing his presence, had been discovered by Yu Hyeok-sim and immediately entered.
His gaze was dark and subdued.
"Grandfather."
"It's nothing. Just a minor discomfort."
Yu Hyeok-sim abruptly interjected.
"Did you not know? The Sanctuary Master is afflicted with Broken Chain Affliction, where his qi and blood are gradually hardening."
Hyeok So-jin's vision darkened.
Broken Chain Affliction.
A terminal illness that slowly blocks the Brain Meridians—first slowing movement and reaction time, then worsening until muscles and joints petrify like stone, rendering the body completely immobile.
'First, Heaven took my father and mother. Now, it seeks to take Grandfather too?'
Hyeok So-jin clenched his fists.
What sin had the Hyeok Clan committed to deserve such relentless punishment from the heavens?
"The only cure for Broken Chain Affliction is Crimson Tube Leaf and Azure Blossom Soft Jade."
Yu Hyeok-sim spoke again.
"Only two Azure Blossom Soft Jades have been passed down in the martial world. One was lost from the Fleeting Moment Boat, and the other is in our possession."
Hyeok So-jin's sharp eyes swept over Yu Hyeok-sim.
"So. Are you threatening to kill Elder Brother Bu here?"
"I merely ask for the withdrawal of your support."
Yu Hyeok-sim smiled faintly.
"Promise to revoke your backing, and I will hand over this Azure Blossom Soft Jade immediately. Then, the Sanctuary Master will recover fully... and maintain his health for decades."
Hyeok So-jin bit his lip.
Most martial artists afflicted with Broken Chain Affliction chose to end their own lives.
No one wished to live as a mummy—paralyzed, barely breathing, a prisoner of their own flesh.
"As I said, the Demonic Path has always prioritized pragmatism, has it not?"
Yu Hyeok-sim chuckled.
"Hot-blooded loyalty is admirable, but the life of one's blood relative is far more important, wouldn't you agree?"
For a moment, a violet light flickered in Hyeok So-jin's eyes.
In the past, he would have attacked without hesitation, consequences be damned.
But now was different.
From Bu Eun-seol, he had learned cold rationality—how to swiftly assess a situation and make the optimal decision.
"Elder Hyeok. Judging by your expression, your grandson seems to have a differing opinion."
"You're mistaken."
Though he forced his voice to remain steady, violet lightning crackled in the depths of Hyeok So-jin's pupils.
"My stance is the same as Grandfather's."
"Hmm. If that is the will of both of you, then so be it."
Yu Hyeok-sim's response was unexpectedly compliant—as if he had anticipated this outcome.
"Then, until next time."
Watching Yu Hyeok-sim's retreating back as if nothing had happened, Hyeok So-jin's killing intent surged.
If he mobilized the masters of the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary, he could slaughter Yu Hyeok-sim on the spot.
But doing so would trigger an all-out war with Hell Blood Citadel.
Not only that—killing a master of the Demonic Path Ten Gates without justification would invite sanctions from the Demon Hall.
"You did well."
Once Yu Hyeok-sim had left, Hyeok Gong-baek nodded in approval.
"The moment we negotiate with such people, this sanctuary is finished."
A faint smile lingered at the corners of his lips.
In the past, Hyeok So-jin would have either accepted the offer without hesitation to save him or lost his temper and lunged at Yu Hyeok-sim.
But the current Hyeok So-jin saw the bigger picture—like a true sect leader.
If they betrayed the agreement between sects for such shallow tricks, what then?
Hyeok Gong-baek might survive, but the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary would never become one of the Ten Pillars upholding the Demonic Path.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I didn't even know—"
As Hyeok So-jin bit his lip, Hyeok Gong-baek smiled faintly.
"What would change if you knew? It would only prolong the suffering."
"There's no need to worry."
Hyeok So-jin tightened his fists.
"Now that I know where the Azure Blossom Soft Jade is, I'll obtain it by any means necessary—"
Mid-sentence, an inexplicable sense of dissonance flashed through his mind.
It was like gripping an unknown object, only for filthy gutter water to seep out between his fingers.
"...This was his plan from the start."
"Hm?"
"That bastard never intended to give us the Azure Blossom Soft Jade in the first place."
Hyeok So-jin's eyes widened. Only now had he pierced through Yu Hyeok-sim's sinister scheme.