Chapter 271
Bu Eun-seol could no longer suppress his surging emotions.
"Then, does the Demonic Heavenly Emperor know the answer I seek?"
His voice had grown too loud in his excitement. Barely managing to restrain his emotions, Bu Eun-seol spoke again.
"If so, why haven't You told me the answer?"
"Heh heh heh."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor's laughter reverberated in his ears.
At that moment, something as thin and transparent as a silk thread seemed to block his nostrils.
"This is the first time you've shown your emotions before This Sovereign."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol realize.
That even if he were to kneel and beg, the answer would never be given. That even this reaction had been entirely anticipated.
"There is only one answer This Sovereign can give you."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor stared intently at Bu Eun-seol with eyes tinged by a mysterious radiance.
"That if you seek an answer, you must unravel it yourself."
Cutting off his laughter abruptly, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor spoke each word with crystalline clarity.
"An answer handed to you by another may be false, and that could forge an entirely unforeseen destiny."
As Bu Eun-seol pondered these words, his eyes flew wide open.
'An answer given by another may not be the true answer...'
What if the Demonic Heavenly Emperor falsely named the one who killed his grandfather?
What if Bu Eun-seol believed those words and killed that person? Wouldn't that mean his fate was being manipulated by another's mere words?
This was why the Demonic Heavenly Emperor wanted Bu Eun-seol to find the answer himself.
"Thank You."
Bu Eun-seol bowed his head and clasped his hands together.
From the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, Bu Eun-seol had learned two crucial truths.
That the answers one seeks must always be found for oneself.
And that those who stand at the pinnacle like the Demonic Heavenly Emperor can easily manipulate others' fates with a single word.
'I must be wary even of this.'
Even this lesson in truth could be another method of steering him in some desired direction.
"I am grateful for Your enlightenment."
"The position of successor carries many burdens, but also considerable authority."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor smiled faintly.
"Stir the waters with it. With the power you've seized for yourself."
With those final words, He slowly turned away.
Bu Eun-seol pressed his palms together deeply toward the retreating figure.
Just when he thought he'd finally grasped the nature of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor... in the end, he'd gained nothing.
The Unknown. And Chaos.
With his current abilities, Bu Eun-seol couldn't reach the essence of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
The only faint understanding he'd achieved...
Was that the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's existence resembled a chaotic vortex where good and evil were violently intertwined.
At last, the inauguration ceremony began.
Upon the massive platform erected in the Holy Demon Pavilion sat the sect leaders of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
Below them gathered all the high command and hall leaders of the Demon Hall.
They stood at rigid attention, barely breathing, their expressions tense.
Because from the Demonic Heavenly Emperor towering above the platform poured forth overwhelming energy.
The aura normally kept sealed was now unleashed without restraint to welcome the successor who would govern the Demon Hall.
—This was the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
Under the ceaseless torrent of suffocating pressure, sweat beaded on their foreheads.
How could human power suppress the air throughout this hall spanning over roughly ten thousand square meters?
Thud. Thud.
Then, through the assembled ranks walked a figure clad in martial robes dark as ink, as if fashioned from the hide of the Eighteen Dragons.
Lustrous long hair filtered the light, revealing crystal-clear pupils within.
With each step, embroidered decorations and gemstones reflected the sunlight.
He resembled nothing so much as a shimmering ink dragon manifested in human form.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
Crunch. Crunch.
The energy flowing from the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's body pressed down on Bu Eun-seol like hundreds of Repelling Field Stones.
Yet Bu Eun-seol climbed the stairs with perfect composure.
Finally reaching the platform, Bu Eun-seol faced the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
And slowly knelt on one knee.
Behind him, Jin Seol and two martial artists carefully brought forth a black iron case.
Click.
As Jin Seol cautiously opened the iron case, a sword blade gleaming white under the brilliant sunlight was revealed.
'What kind of sword is that now?'
Every person in the hall wore expressions of bewilderment.
The sword traditionally bestowed upon successors was the Red Thunder Sword, passed down through generations of the Demon Hall.
Yet here was a sword with its blade mysteriously dyed white?
Swoosh.
Drawing the sword, she presented it to the Demonic Heavenly Emperor with reverent, careful movements.
"The successor of Our Palace bears both grave responsibility and formidable authority."
Holding the sword, the Demonic Heavenly Emperor looked at Bu Eun-seol as He spoke.
"And it is also an exceedingly dangerous position."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor extended the sword toward Bu Eun-seol, who remained kneeling on one knee.
"Disciple Bu Eun-seol of Langya Pavilion. We hereby appoint you as head of Our Palace's supervisory division, Martial Soul Lord, and simultaneously proclaim you as Our Palace's designated successor."
Swish.
Bu Eun-seol accepted the sword solemnly with both hands.
"Ice Soul."
Had the sword whispered its name?
Or had Bu Eun-seol known it all along?
The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, the name Ice Soul surfaced in his mind unbidden.
"As the successor who will lead the Demon Hall, demonstrate your abilities without reserve."
Boom.
Simultaneously, the massive gong installed on the platform reverberated.
At last, Bu Eun-seol had ascended to the position of the Demon Hall's heir.
"You may speak now."
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor, wearing a faint smile, gazed at Bu Eun-seol and spoke.
"As the successor."
Bu Eun-seol bowed respectfully, then turned.
His eyes swept over the countless figures gathered below the platform.
"There may be those among you who resent that this lord, a former Ten Demonic Heir, has now become the successor."
"But know this—this lord rose to this position without factional backing or foundation. The sole reason I stand here is because I honed my strength."
His voice, brimming with authority, rang out.
"And from this day forth, as long as this lord remains, every member of the Demon Hall will be granted fair opportunity."
His words, shaking the very foundations of the Holy Demon Pavilion, ignited a fire in the hearts of all demonic martial artists present.
"Hone your skills! Challenge and rise!"
Whoosh.
Raising the Ice Soul Sword high, he declared in a thunderous voice—
"All the way to where this lord stands!"
Traditionally, at the end of such a proclamation, every martial artist below the platform would bow in unison—a sign of submission, acknowledging the new successor and marking the end of the inauguration.
But instead of bows—
"WAAAAAAAH—!"
—a deafening roar of cheers tore through the heavens.
"As long as I am successor, strength alone will decide your fate."
"Every opportunity will be distributed fairly."
"If you desire it, challenge even the place where I stand. I will accept you anytime."
This was Bu Eun-seol's promise—to the warriors of the Demon Hall, and to the one million demonic martial artists.
And for those who had long suffered discrimination—not for lack of skill, but for lack of backing or noble lineage—
—for the warriors of the Demon Hall, and the disciples of countless demonic sects—
—this oath washed away their sorrow and humiliation in an instant.
"BU EUN-SEOL! BU EUN-SEOL!"
"MARTIAL SOUL LORD! MARTIAL SOUL LORD!"
Hearts aflame, the demonic martial artists roared his name, their cheers unending.
Perhaps out of dissatisfaction, once the ceremony concluded, the sect leaders and factions of the Demonic Path Ten Gates—save for Langya Pavilion, Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary, and Fleeting Moment Boat—immediately departed the Demon Hall.
As the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had said, the position of successor came with immense authority.
Officially appointed, Bu Eun-seol was immediately granted residence in the Hidden Demon Pavilion, located not far from the Holy Demon Pavilion.
Hidden Demon Pavilion.
A structure rivaling the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's own dwelling in grandeur, it stood upon vast grounds manned by five hundred elite troops under his direct command.
Traditionally, the successor would be granted the Concealed Demon Unit as their personal force.
Moreover, as the Martial Soul Lord, Bu Eun-seol was also expected to lead the warriors of the Martial Soul Order.
But instead of the Concealed Demon Unit, Bu Eun-seol expanded the Death Shadow Squad, reinforcing its ranks to form the Death Shadow War Unit.
He then promoted each squad leader to the rank of Third-grade Commander, assigning them duties befitting their new station.
Meanwhile, Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong were elevated to Second-grade Commanders and appointed as his adjutants, tasked with managing both the Death Shadow War Unit and the Martial Soul Order.
Myo Cheon-u possessed keen insight and excelled at handling personnel.
Yu Un-ryong, born into a family of officials, was adept at bureaucratic affairs.
With these two at his side, Bu Eun-seol could entirely detach himself from the administrative burdens of being successor.
Thus, he was free to spend his days in the Demon Hall in pleasant company—with those from Langya Pavilion, Heaven-Severing Earth-Ending Sanctuary, and Fleeting Moment Boat.
Hidden Demon Pavilion - Bu Eun-seol's Office.
"The matter of the Qinghai Seven Sword Gates has been settled."
Yu Un-ryong, seated across the table, handed Bu Eun-seol a ledger.
"And this—contains the financial and personnel resources at your disposal as both the Demon Hall's successor and the Martial Soul Lord. Every authority you hold is compiled here."
Upon appointing Yu Un-ryong as adjutant, Bu Eun-seol had assigned him two tasks.
First—to formally integrate the Qinghai Seven Sword Gates into the Demon Hall and, in the name of the Martial Soul Lord, reward their successors for their contributions in the Black Alliance Annihilation campaign.
Second—to compile a comprehensive record of all the successor's privileges into a single volume.
'It suits him well.'
Taking the ledger, Bu Eun-seol stole a glance at Yu Un-ryong, now clad in scholarly robes.
After assigning him to bureaucratic duties, the Privy Council had issued him official civil attire.
At first, Yu Un-ryong had refused to even look at the robes. But as paperwork piled up, he reluctantly donned them—realizing that, unlike his martial uniform, they allowed him to move documents freely without question.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing Bu Eun-seol's blatant stare, Yu Un-ryong frowned.
Even as successor, nothing had truly changed between them.
Myo Cheon-u and Yu Un-ryong still treated Bu Eun-seol with the same casual ease, and he never enforced strict hierarchy upon them.
He governed loosely in ordinary times—only tightening discipline when absolutely necessary.
"It should all be properly organized."
"No, it's not that."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol return his gaze to the ledger.
Everything was meticulously recorded—from the gifts received during the inauguration ceremony to the personnel and financial resources at his disposal.
"You've organized it well."
Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod.
Yu Un-ryong had compiled the contents far more neatly than he had expected.
'Status truly shapes a person.'
Back when he was one of the Ten Demonic Heirs, Yu Un-ryong's personality had been exceedingly arrogant and simple-minded.
But now that he had seriously taken on administrative duties, not only was his latent talent as a strategist gradually emerging, but his temperament had also grown more cautious.
Flick.
Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed as he swiftly scanned the contents written in the ledger.
"So that's how it was."
"What do you mean?"
"No, it's nothing."
A peculiar smile curled at the corner of Bu Eun-seol's lips as he skimmed through the list in the ledger.
"Now I can repay my debt."
Dan Wol-hon sat in his office, his pupils clouded with deep contemplation.
Only one thought occupied his mind.
'The Supreme Spirit Immortal Fruit...
The Supreme Spirit Immortal Fruit submitted to the Demon Hall by the Bloodflame Blade Family.
It is one of the greatest treasures in the martial world—consuming it instantly grants a hundred and twenty years (120 years) of internal energy.
Not only that, it is a peerless miracle capable of curing even the most severed meridians.'
"Could you not bestow the Supreme Spirit Immortal Fruit upon this subordinate, my lord?"
At the Demon Hall's council of high-ranking officials, Dan Wol-hon had bowed his head for the first time and pleaded with the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
Dan So-ok suffered from Triple Yin Meridian Blockage—a vicious condition that worsened with age and would claim her life before she turned forty if left untreated.
But if he could just obtain the Supreme Spirit Immortal Fruit...
Not only would it cleanse the meridian blockage that had tormented his daughter, but it would also allow her to cultivate martial arts.
"The distribution of the Supreme Spirit Immortal Fruit shall be postponed for now."
Yet as time passed, the fruit became a treasure that could not be granted to anyone.
After all, Dan Wol-hon was not the only one—countless high-ranking officials within the Demon Hall had their own desperate reasons for needing it.
If the fruit were bestowed upon someone now? It would inevitably spark uncontrollable division.
"Hmm..."
Even Dan Wol-hon, who commanded the Demon Hall's military forces, had no solution to this predicament.
His heart was being torn apart.
'This useless father can't even protect his own So-ok properly.'
Dan Wol-hon's wife had been frail since birth.
That was why he had opposed her bearing a child.
—"But I want a child who resembles you."
Yet his wife had refused to yield. In the end, Dan Wol-hon relented, and they conceived a child.
But his physically frail wife ultimately passed away while giving birth to Dan So-ok.
Dan Wol-hon couldn't conceal his grief. Despite his outward demeanor, he was a man of profound love.
So devastated that he nearly lost the will to live, he steeled himself upon seeing Dan So-ok, who bore an uncanny resemblance to her mother.
And so, he poured all the love he had meant for his wife into his daughter, cherishing her fiercely.
He had raised her like a jewel, yet now...
Just as the flower was about to bloom, he had to fear its withering.
'I'll find one. There must be another treasure comparable to the Supreme Spirit Immortal Fruit.'
But peerless treasures were gifts from heaven.
No matter how hard he searched, nothing could rival the Supreme Spirit Immortal Fruit.
Just as he was about to shake his head in anguish—
Knock, knock, knock.
"Manor Lord. It's Jeong Mun."
"Enter."
Snapping back to his senses, the Demons-Control Department's Manor Lord spoke, and his trusted aide, Jeong Mun, entered with a bow.
"What is it?"
"Well... It's just..."
Jeong Mun hesitated, then lowered his head further.
"The successor has summoned you, my lord."
"The Martial Soul Lord? Why?"
"...You'll understand once you see for yourself."
Flash!
A chilling killing intent flared in Dan Wol-hon's eyes.
"What did you just say?"
"I—I merely—"
"You'll understand once you see?"
Even if Bu Eun-seol had been chosen as the next successor, his status was still only that of the Martial Soul Lord.
Dan Wol-hon, the Manor Lord of the Demon Command Office, ranked within the top five in ceremonial hierarchy—he was not someone to be summoned at will.
"Having grasped the staff of authority, he must be eager to wield it."
Dan Wol-hon had witnessed countless times how those who seized great power at a young age changed.
Already pushed to the brink by the matter concerning Dan So-ok...
And now, Bu Eun-seol—barely acknowledged as the successor—had the audacity to summon him, disregarding all propriety and protocol?
"I shall convey your refusal to the Martial Soul Lord."
As Jeong Mun bowed, Dan Wol-hon shook his head.
"Heh heh heh..."
A low chuckle escaped Dan Wol-hon's lips as his expression turned icy.
"No, I'll go. After all, the esteemed successor of the Demon Hall has summoned me."
Then, without hesitation, he rose from his seat and commanded Jeong Mun:
"Mobilize the entire Myriad Demons Faction and assemble them at the Hidden Demon Pavilion."
The Myriad Demons Faction was an elite battalion composed of the most outstanding martial artists within the Demons-Control Department.
"The Myriad Demons Faction...?"
Jeong Mun, about to question the order, hastily bowed upon meeting Dan Wol-hon's gaze.
"Y-Yes, my lord!"
After offering a hurried salute, he swiftly retreated.
Having served Dan Wol-hon for years, he instantly recognized the depth of his lord's fury.
"This is the perfect opportunity."
Dan Wol-hon's eyes, fixed on empty space, glinted with a murderous light.
"To show him exactly what kind of man I am."
His voice dripped with thick, suffocating killing intent.
Even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor—the Number One of the Demonic Path—knew better than to treat him lightly.
And now, he would make Bu Eun-seol understand that firsthand.