Chapter 270
Do Cheon-rin trembled with rising elation.
Especially the seventh gate, the Gate of Wisdom—it was an infamous trial that even the most renowned prodigies of the martial world would remain trapped in for three to four full days.
But Do Cheon-rin had poured his entire being into a single thought: defeating Bu Eun-seol. And so, he had cleared all seven gates of the Blood Dragon Seven Gates in just half a day.
"The Blood Dragon Seven Gates test one's abilities in every conceivable field," he muttered, taking a deep breath before raising both hands triumphantly.
"Bu Eun-seol. There's no way you could ever—"
His voice cut off as his face stiffened with cold realization.
From the opposite path, a man clad in gray robes was trudging toward him.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"You're finally here."
To Do Cheon-rin's shock, Bu Eun-seol had already cleared the Blood Dragon Seven Gates and had been waiting for him outside.
Not only that—there wasn't even a trace of sweat on him.
Shudder.
Do Cheon-rin's pupils trembled violently.
Are you even human?
In such a short time, you surpassed me—someone who has trained in the Art of Kingship since childhood? Are you truly a Divine Being...?
"You're right," Bu Eun-seol said, breaking the silence.
"If we compare abilities one by one, I could never match you, who has trained in countless disciplines since childhood."
"Then how...?"
Do Cheon-rin's voice was hollow, his gaze unfocused.
Bu Eun-seol answered flatly.
"I just broke through."
"What?"
"I just broke through every gate. No matter what it was."
Do Cheon-rin let out a hollow laugh.
Now he understood—Bu Eun-seol had smashed through the Blood Dragon Seven Gates with sheer force alone.
"Then why wait for me? If you had just returned to the Demon Hall, you would've been acknowledged as the successor immediately."
"Because I knew you wouldn't accept it otherwise."
Bu Eun-seol slowly extended his hand.
Then, in a low voice, he said:
"Let's settle this. With no regrets."
For a moment, Do Cheon-rin inhaled deeply.
There had been a time when he believed he could defeat Bu Eun-seol with martial prowess. But now, he knew—even if he fought with everything he had, victory was impossible.
Yet, Do Cheon-rin gladly drew the Bloodflame Blade.
"Fine."
While clearing the Blood Dragon Seven Gates, he had made several vows to himself.
Never again will I overthink everything.
Even if something seems impossible, I'll face it head-on—just like Bu Eun-seol.
CRACK!
As Do Cheon-rin channeled his internal energy to its limit, a fierce wind erupted around him, and a terrifying momentum began to surge.
Shiiing!
When he unsheathed the Bloodflame Blade, the gleaming silver blade shimmered with a radiant, five-colored aura.
"Before we fight," he said, "I have one last thing to say."
"Go ahead."
Slowly raising the Bloodflame Blade, Do Cheon-rin swallowed his bitterness and shouted:
"Bu Eun-seol... you are the Heir of the Demon Hall!"
FLASH!
At the same moment, a dazzling brilliance erupted from the Bloodflame Blade.
Inside the Death Shadow Pavilion, the members of the Death Shadow Squad bustled about with flushed excitement.
That morning, Bu Eun-seol's inauguration as the successor would take place before the Holy Demon Pavilion.
The official successor of the Demon Hall—this title signified that he would become the future ruler of the Demon Hall, leading not just the Demonic Path Ten Gates, but all one million followers of the Demonic Path. It was proof that he stood as the foremost prodigy of the demonic martial world.
"But where's the Captain?"
Won Se-mun, dressed in an unusually clean martial uniform, peeked around Bu Eun-seol's office.
"Haven't seen him since morning."
Wi Cheon-gyeong, standing with his arms crossed, answered:
"He went to the Holy Demon Pavilion."
"Oh, right. What about Brother Myo and Brother Yu?"
Jo Nam-cheon replied this time:
"Earlier, warriors from the Privy Council came and took them away."
"The Privy Council? Why?"
"How should I know?"
Tap, tap.
Suddenly, the sound of light footsteps echoed as a group of stunning women in ornate martial robes approached the Death Shadow Pavilion.
Behind them, a cute young girl in pink robes and an elderly woman with snow-white hair walked in side by side.
"Who're they?"
Won Se-mun, picking his nose, glanced between the old woman and the girl.
"Who's this little brat—"
WHACK!
Jo Nam-cheon slammed the back of Won Se-mun's head with full force.
Then, grabbing him by the hair, he forcibly bowed his head toward the old woman.
"Apologies. He's always been a bit... mentally deficient."
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Won Se-mun roared, but Jo Nam-cheon clamped a hand over his mouth and hissed urgently:
"Shut your damn mouth, you idiot."
His bloodshot eyes bore into Won Se-mun's face.
"Are your eyes just for decoration? You don't recognize the Ferry Master of the Fleeting Moment Boat?"
"The Fleeting Moment Boat—?!"
Only then did Won Se-mun's jaw drop.
That withered old woman was the Ferry Master of the Fleeting Moment Boat—one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, renowned for its immense wealth and influence?
Wi Cheon-gyeong stepped forward, clasping his hands respectfully.
"Wi Cheon-gyeong, Second Squad Leader of the Death Shadow Squad, greets the Ferry Master."
"Hmph."
The old woman, Geuk Hye-ryeong, scanned her surroundings.
"So... the successor is not here?"
"The Great Lord ascended to the Holy Demon Pavilion early this morning."
"Hmm. I see."
Geuk Hye-ryeong clicked her tongue in disappointment, while Geuk Hye-bin wore a sullen expression.
"Grand... mother."
Surprisingly, the girl spoke in a clear, delicate voice.
"I... miss Eun-seol... Big Brother."
Her voice was barely above a whisper, soft as a murmur.
The Jade Phoenix Honey that Bu Eun-seol had given her—
That miraculous elixir had partially restored the muscles of her vocal cords.
"Don't worry. Once all the ceremonies are over, you'll see him right away."
Rustle, rustle.
At that moment, martial artists clad in violet uniforms swiftly entered the Death Shadow Pavilion.
And at their forefront stood a dashing young man in blue robes, grinning from ear to ear. It was none other than Hyeok So-jin, the heir of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sect.
"Everyone doing well?"
"Vice Chief—!"
Hyeok So-jin had spent the most time with the members of the First Squad, particularly Won Se-mun and the other swordsmen.
Won Se-mun and the First Squad members rushed forward and embraced him.
"How long has it been?!"
"You look even more handsome than before!"
Not just the First Squad, but the rest of the Death Shadow Squad soon swarmed around Hyeok So-jin in excitement.
Then, an elderly man with neatly combed white hair followed behind. It was Hyeok Gong-baek, the Sanctuary Master of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying Sect.
—The Death Shadow Squad greets the Sanctuary Master!
The squad members bowed deeply in unison, their voices booming.
An aura as vast as Mount Tai emanated from his entire being, and his sharp eyes bore a striking resemblance to Hyeok So-jin's.
Hyeok Gong-baek nodded with a benevolent smile.
While residing in the sanctuary, he had heard detailed accounts of Hyeok So-jin's travels in the martial world.
He was especially well-informed about the deep bonds between Hyeok So-jin and the Death Shadow Squad.
"Indeed, a gathering of prodigies, each worth a hundred men."
He chuckled warmly as he surveyed the surroundings.
"But it seems the heir is not present?"
"The Great Lord ascended to the Holy Demon Pavilion early this morning."
Wi Cheon-gyeong answered respectfully just as—
"It's been a long time, Sanctuary Master."
Geuk Hye-ryeong, recognizing Hyeok Gong-baek, approached with a smile.
"The last time we met was ten years ago, at Crosswise River."
"Hahaha. Indeed. You seem even more robust now, Sect Leader."
Originally, the two had not been on the best of terms.
Hyeok Gong-baek had disapproved of Geuk Hye-ryeong's indiscriminate expansion of influence, networking across both orthodox and unorthodox factions.
And Geuk Hye-ryeong, in turn, had little fondness for Hyeok Gong-baek's reclusive, solitary ways, caring only for the safety of the elderly within his sect.
But through Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin, the two factions had begun to interact...
As a result, both sects now possessed martial prowess and influence unmatched by any other among the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
Now, just seeing each other brought smiles to their faces.
"Sect Leader."
Hyeok So-jin also approached Geuk Hye-ryeong and greeted her warmly.
"Have you been well all this time?"
"So it's you."
Geuk Hye-ryeong smiled in return.
If Bu Eun-seol had healed Geuk Hye-bin's emotional wounds,
Hyeok So-jin had diligently trained the Lady of a Hundred Flowers, strengthening the Fleeting Moment Boat's long-standing weakness for the first time.
Of course, that too had been under Bu Eun-seol's orders.
"Geuk Hye-bin... greets... So-jin... Big Brother."
When Geuk Hye-bin spoke in her clear voice, Hyeok So-jin's eyes nearly popped out in shock.
"Oh? You can talk now?"
"Eun-seol Big Brother... got me... good medicine..."
Geuk Hye-bin whispered shyly, and Hyeok So-jin beamed.
"That's wonderful! I'm so glad!"
Then, glancing between Hyeok Gong-baek and Geuk Hye-ryeong, he stretched out both hands.
"Rather than standing here, why don't we go inside and converse?"
As the Vice Chief of the Death Shadow Squad, Hyeok So-jin guided them into the Death Shadow Pavilion as if it were his own home.
"It seems Brother Bu will take quite some time."
"Indeed."
Hyeok Gong-baek and Geuk Hye-ryeong followed him with smiles, and the disciples of both sects trailed behind.
"Truly remarkable."
Won Se-mun, watching from afar as Hyeok Gong-baek and Geuk Hye-ryeong engaged in conversation, let out an admiring sigh.
"Now our Great Lord stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the leaders of the Demonic Path Ten Gates."
As the heir of the Demon Hall, uniting the demonic factions, Bu Eun-seol would answer only to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
In terms of status, he had effectively become another leader among the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
At Won Se-mun's words, Jo Nam-cheon tilted his head.
"Then what does that make us? Is our Great Lord no longer our Great Lord?"
While the two whispered among themselves, a beautiful woman in blue robes entered the Death Shadow Pavilion.
It was Jin Seol, the Upper Blossom of the Demon Hall, who flawlessly orchestrated every major event within its walls.
Tap, tap.
Fluttering in like a butterfly with two attendants in tow, she looked at Wi Cheon-gyeong standing by the door and asked,
"Are the squad leaders of the Death Shadow Squad present?"
"That would be us."
Wi Cheon-gyeong gestured to Jo Nam-cheon and Won Se-mun.
"Follow me."
"What's this about?"
Instead of answering, Jin Seol curled her lips into a cryptic smile and turned away.
She was someone who personally attended not only the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, but also terrifying figures like the Elders' Hall Lord Jeok Bung.
Wi Cheon-gyeong wore a dumbfounded expression but followed her as if entranced.
Seeing this, Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon had no choice but to trail behind as well.
The place they finally arrived at was none other than the inner chambers of the Privy Council.
After Jin Seol gave a few orders to the disciples of the Privy Council, they promptly presented three sets of robes to Wi Cheon-gyeong and the others.
"Please change into these robes."
Sensing something odd, Wi Cheon-gyeong asked,
"What are these?"
"Commander's uniforms."
"Commander's uniforms?"
Wi Cheon-gyeong blinked rapidly at Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon, prompting Jin Seol to smile faintly.
"What's going on?"
"The Death Shadow Squad has been reorganized into the Death Shadow War Unit. And the two of you, as adjutants, have been granted the rank of Second-grade Commander. The remaining three of you will receive reinforcements for your unit members while also being granted status equivalent to Third-grade Commanders."
"Third-grade Commander? Us?"
"Death Shadow War Unit? What's that?"
As Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon jumped up in surprise and questioned her, Jin Seol continued.
"Originally, the Hidden Demon Squad—a direct combat unit under the successor—was scheduled to be formed. However, our Lord chose to restructure the Death Shadow Squad into the Death Shadow War Unit and made it his personal unit."
"The Lord, you say?"
"The Demonic Heavenly Emperor has bestowed upon Vice Chief Bu, the official successor, the title of Martial Soul Lord."
Wi Cheon-gyeong and the others gaped.
The Martial Soul Lord was the head of the supervisory body that monitored corruption within the Demon Hall.
With justifiable cause, he could even oppose the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's opinions and had the authority to mobilize entire battalions at will—wasn't this a position of supreme, unparalleled power?
"Please attend the inauguration ceremony in your commander's uniforms. That will be all."
Jin Seol smiled at them as they stood there dumbfounded, then turned to leave.
Once she was gone, Won Se-mun stared intently at Jo Nam-cheon.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
SMACK!
Instead of answering, Won Se-mun slapped Jo Nam-cheon's cheek with all his might.
"You crazy bastard! Why'd you hit me?!"
"Did it hurt?"
"Of course it did!"
At that, Won Se-mun's expression went blank, his mouth hanging open.
"So... this isn't a dream?"
Following the small path leading to the Holy Demon Pavilion's West Gate, one would find a vegetable garden where various crops were planted.
And at its center stood a pavilion where one could rest while admiring the surrounding scenery.
Whoosh.
Under the clear sky, a cool breeze swept past the pavilion.
Just as before, Bu Eun-seol now stood facing the Demonic Heavenly Emperor in front of this very pavilion.
When they had first met, he had been nothing more than one of the Ten Demonic Heirs—not even a candidate for the Demon Hall's successor.
But now, he stood before the Demonic Heavenly Emperor as the future successor who would lead this colossal Demon Hall.
"The inauguration ceremony will take place soon."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor, gazing at the distant sky, slowly spoke.
"Becoming this hall's successor means you will become the one to lead a million demonic practitioners, including the Demonic Path Ten Gates."
Bu Eun-seol's expression was inscrutable.
Unlike before, he could no longer sense any mysterious energy from the Demonic Heavenly Emperor—no resonance that pierced through his spirit and mind.
In fact, the man before him now exuded more "humanity" than any other figure Bu Eun-seol had ever encountered.
"You never sought power or glory. So why did you strive so hard to become this hall's successor?"
Bu Eun-seol answered the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's question.
"Because I needed to."
"Needed to, hm?"
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor mulled over the answer before smiling faintly.
"That's as good a reason as any."
"There are things I wish to ask."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
Then, he voiced one of the questions he had long kept buried.
"Why me?"
From the moment he first met the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, Bu Eun-seol had known.
That the Demonic Heavenly Emperor intended to raise him as the successor.
That was why he had been guided to the Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary and the Fleeting Moment Boat, why the Emotion Severing Secret Art had been left for him in the second floor of the Ten Thousand Demonic Secret Archive.
And why, with each achievement, his status had been elevated step by step.
So that he could become the Demon Hall's successor.
So that no one could deny his right to that position.
"I suppose I must give the same answer."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor smiled—ever so faintly.
"For now, at least."
—I, too, acted out of necessity.
That was what the Demonic Heavenly Emperor was saying.
But Bu Eun-seol instinctively knew that answer was not the truth.
And a strange thought flashed through his mind.
'Could it be... that the Demonic Heavenly Emperor is the most ruthless demonkin of them all?'
Could it be that Supreme Cult Commander Yeop Hyo-cheon's attempt to kill him during their spar had also been the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's doing?
In truth, he was an unimaginably wicked Great Demonic Person, one who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts and grown so bored that...
...he now manipulated human fates without a shred of emotion?
Such a bizarre thought.
"Still, you are the successor now. That was too cold an answer, wasn't it?"
Had he seen through Bu Eun-seol's thoughts?
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor smiled deeply and spoke again.
"Now that you are the formal successor... you should be able to resolve some of the doubts you've harbored."
At those words, a massive wave of turmoil surged through Bu Eun-seol's spirit and mind, despite his usual composure.
He was confused.
His stomach churned.
He even felt the impulse to draw his sword and strike the Demonic Heavenly Emperor down right then and there.
'Just how much does he know?'
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor always carried himself as though he knew everything.
No—he did know.
Why Bu Eun-seol had become the successor.
What he intended to do from now on.
His grandfather's revenge.
And that he sought to uncover the truth behind the forces that had meddled with him.