Chapter 37
It was a clear day without a single cloud.
Mo Gwang, a gate guard watching over the entrance to the Demon Hall, let out a long, drawn-out yawn.
"Ah-ham."
Having been looking up at the sky, he spoke to his colleague Jang Sam beside him.
"When it was busy, I wished it would just quiet down for once... but now that it's quiet, this is boring in its own way."
"What are you talking about? You were the one praying for no one to come."
"Who? Me?"
"You don't remember? Back then."
In that moment, Mo Gwang recalled the carts that had been carried out of the Demon Hall several months ago.
The Ten Demonic Heirs Tournament.
For that, the countless boys and girls who had entered the Demon Hall had come out as cold corpses.
"Let's not talk about that."
Mo Gwang, who had shuddered, shook his head.
Although he lacked outstanding talent and was thus working as a gatekeeper, he too was someone who had entered the Demon Hall in his younger days with lofty aspirations.
And so, having witnessed the young heroes who had come bearing dreams being carried out as gruesome corpses, he had felt an indescribable anguish.
"Anyway, I wonder what those chosen as the Ten Demonic Heirs are doing."
Jang Sam murmured while gazing at the distant sky.
"From what I've heard, it seems they each entered the Demonic Path Ten Gates to receive the True Body Martial Art... but how would lowly guards like us ever come by such information?"
"Didn't I say to drop that subject?"
Just as Mo Gwang was frowning and growing irritated,
Step, step.
Far off in the distance, a shadow could be seen walking toward the entrance of the Demon Hall.
Though clad in a patched martial uniform, his build was excellent and his eyes gleamed sharply. His face looked as though he had just shed his boyishness, yet a majestic momentum like that of a lion could be glimpsed.
'He's no ordinary person.'
Mo Gwang, too, had been a gate guard for twenty years now.
Having devoted his entire youth to this work, his eye for people had reached a level that would put a fortune teller to shame.
"What business brings you here?"
Mo Gwang was courteous, yet maintained a dignified bearing befitting a gate guard of the Demon Hall.
'What kind of gaze is that...'
The moment he met the boy's eyes, his dignified energy vanished without a trace and his neck shrank back.
"I have come to see the leader of Myriad Talents Hall."
"The leader of Myriad Talents Hall, you say?"
At the boy's words, Mo Gwang tilted his head.
This was because Baek Jeon-cheon, the leader of Myriad Talents Hall, rarely showed himself and always remained in the heart of the Demon Hall.
"That person is not someone you can meet just by seeking him out. Do you have an appointment?"
At that moment, Jang Sam, who had belatedly come to his senses, poked Mo Gwang in the side and said,
"Wasn't there a directive that came down from the Myriad Talents Hall yesterday?"
—Within a few days, someone seeking the hall leader will visit the Main Hall. Do not ask his identity, and escort him courteously to the Myriad Talents Hall.
"What directive? I didn't hear about it."
However, Mo Gwang had been away and had not heard that news.
"You just stay out of it. I'll handle it myself, so don't worry."
Jang Sam, having pushed Mo Gwang aside, scratched his head and said,
"Please follow me. I will guide you to Myriad Talents Hall."
And just as he was about to lead the way, Mo Gwang waved his hand.
"What about the guestbook? You have to sign the guestbook before going in."
"Shh. This is an order from Go Hong, the deputy leader of Myriad Talents Hall."
As Jang Sam whispered and tried to leave, Mo Gwang grabbed his shoulder.
"Don't you remember the Mirror Flower Hall leader's recent admonition not to bring people into the Main Hall while skipping procedures?"
"Ah, you inflexible fellow. Didn't I say this isn't something for you to step into?"
Just as Mo Gwang and Jang Sam were bickering in low whispers,
"I will sign the guestbook."
When the boy stepped forward readily with an expression free of malice, Mo Gwang politely pointed to the table.
"You may write here."
The boy, having nodded, picked up the brush and began writing.
—Jan Yang-pa...
The boy, who had been writing, wore a bitter smile.
"I will write it again."
Shaking his head, he picked up the brush once more and wrote in a single fluid stroke.
'Jan Yang-pa?'
At that moment, Mo Gwang, who had been looking at the guestbook, suddenly recalled a past memory upon seeing the characters "Jan Yang-pa."
'The boy who came on the last day of the Ten Demonic Heirs Tournament?'
Mo Gwang could not forget the memory of that day.
The harrowing image of the boy, wearing vestments, who had without hesitation torn off his finger with a crack and drawn blood...
'He's grown this much in that time?'
Mo Gwang quietly rubbed his eyelids.
The scruffy boy in vestments had, before he knew it, become a martial artist of dignified bearing.
"Will this do?"
At the sound of the voice, Mo Gwang came to his senses and looked back down at the guest register.
—Langya Pavilion, Bu Eun-seol.
'Langya Pavilion!'
This time, Mo Gwang's eyes nearly popped out of his head as he stared down at the register.
The Demonic Path Ten Gates.
One of the names of the ten sects said to uphold the Demonic Martial World was written in the guest register!
'He became one of the Ten Demonic Heirs!'
Mo Gwang's chest swelled with emotion.
The last boy he had guided had finally overcome every adversity and become one of the Ten Demonic Heirs?
He even felt a sense of pride, as if he himself had played a part in that accomplishment.
"Th-this humble one..."
Clutching his pounding chest, Mo Gwang bowed his head respectfully.
"Please follow me!"
Guided by Mo Gwang, Bu Eun-seol slowly stepped into the Demon Hall.
'This feels strange.'
Bu Eun-seol, too, was filled with newfound emotion.
When he had first come to this place, he had been nothing but a lowly undertaker who knew no martial arts. Yet now, he was walking boldly through the Demon Hall as the heir of Langya Pavilion.
'Am I the only one who has changed?'
The Demon Hall he had returned to was still as grand as ever, and a solemn atmosphere hung over it.
Just like that day.
"This is the Myriad Talents Hall."
When they finally arrived before the Myriad Talents Hall, built near the western wing of the Demon Hall, Mo Gwang bowed his head.
"Once you enter, a personage of the Myriad Talents Hall will guide you."
Bu Eun-seol gave a light nod and stepped into the Myriad Talents Hall.
Watching Bu Eun-seol's back as he entered the hall, Mo Gwang gently clasped his hands together.
Hoping that blessings would grace the path ahead of the boy who had survived adversity and trials.
"May fortune be with you."
The Myriad Talents Hall.
A gathering place for the brilliant scholars who could be called the brain of the Demon Hall, it was comparable to the Grand Strategy Hall of the Murim Alliance.
The only slight difference was that, unlike the Grand Strategy Hall, where strategists gathered to handle only strategy and tactics, the Myriad Talents Hall also took full charge of the Demon Hall's operations and management.
"Young Hero Bu."
As soon as Bu Eun-seol entered the Myriad Talents Hall, a young man gave a light bow, as if he had been waiting.
"I am called Sim Wol of the Myriad Talents Hall."
The one called Sim Wol not only had a very clean appearance but also seemed to be around the same age as Bu Eun-seol.
Seeing someone close to his own age, Bu Eun-seol was freshly reminded that Langya Pavilion was filled with old men.
"I am Bu Eun-seol of Langya Pavilion."
"I have heard much about you from the Hall Leader. Now, please follow me."
As Bu Eun-seol followed Sim Wol's guidance deeper inside, he saw a firmly shut iron gate.
"Hall Leader. It is Sim Wol."
Sim Wol spoke in a very respectful voice before the iron gate.
"Young Hero Bu of Langya Pavilion has arrived."
The moment those words ended, the iron gate opened with a rumbling sound.
Judging by the heavy sound, it seemed not to be opened and closed by a person, but by a special mechanical device.
"Please, come in."
Stepping inside, he saw bookshelves filled with books, and beyond a wooden partition, an office with a desk and writing materials.
And before them sat a middle-aged man of refined appearance.
It was Baek Jeon-cheon, the Hall Leader of the Myriad Talents Hall.
"Your qi has grown even more dignified in the meantime."
Bu Eun-seol wore a puzzled expression.
Baek Jeon-cheon's position was not low, and his intelligence and quick wits were second to none among masters.
So why was he showing such courtesy even to a greenhorn like himself?
"Hohoho. There is no particular reason. It has simply become a habit."
Having seen through Bu Eun-seol's inner thoughts, Baek Jeon-cheon spoke calmly.
"Unlike the Murim Alliance, the Demon Hall tends not to place much importance on scholars, you see."
In the Righteous Path, brilliant scholars were greatly cherished and given important roles.
But in the Demon Hall, strategists were treated as weaklings who lacked martial arts and only used their heads.
That was also due to the unique atmosphere of the Demonic Path, which revered only the overbearing and the strong.
"Bu Eun-seol of Langya Pavilion greets the Hall Leader of the Myriad Talents Hall."
Coming to his senses, Bu Eun-seol bowed toward Baek Jeon-cheon with the utmost respectful posture.
He had seen him continuously since the Ten Demonic Heirs Tournament, and along with Hyeokryeon Eung, Baek Jeon-cheon had been of great help in keeping him alive.
"The Ten Demonic Heir of Langya Pavilion is being far too courteous."
Baek Jeon-cheon wore a playful smile.
"How is it? I heard that Langya Pavilion, unlike ordinary sects, lives a rather unique lifestyle."
"For me, it couldn't be better."
"That's fortunate."
After smiling gently, he spoke with deep eyes, as if about to bring up the main point.
"You must have heard all about the matter, I presume?"
"That is correct."
"Because of this incident, our Demon Hall is also in a very difficult situation. We cannot simply ignore the demands of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, after all."
Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brows.
Since he was in the dark regarding the state of the martial world, he also knew little about the relationship between the Demon Hall and the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
"Are the Demon Hall and the Demonic Path Ten Gates separate entities?"
"It seems Langya Pavilion is still indifferent to the affairs of the martial world. Seeing as they do not even tell you about the Ten Demonic Heirs."
After smiling faintly, Baek Jeon-cheon spoke again.
"The Demon Hall is a coalition of Demonic Path Factions, formed by the combined strength of the Demonic Path Ten Gates. The two cannot be separated from each other, but neither can they be called one body."
When Bu Eun-seol made a puzzled expression, Baek Jeon-cheon spoke again.
"Ordinarily, someone from one of the Demonic Path Ten Gates would ascend to the position of Demon Hall Leader, but the current leader is not from the Demonic Path Ten Gates. Moreover, not all Demonic Path Factions are favorably disposed toward the Demon Hall."
From Baek Jeon-cheon's explanation, Bu Eun-seol was able to grasp two key points.
That the Demon Hall Leader, who stood at the apex of the Demonic Martial World, and the Demonic Path Ten Gates were merely in a cooperative relationship.
And that not all Demonic Path Factions looked kindly upon the coalition known as the Demon Hall.
"And to be honest, the Ten Demonic Heirs Plan is only called 'successors' in name. It is not about selecting heirs for the Demonic Path Ten Gates. It was solely meant to forge ten sharp blades for dealing with the Righteous Faction's Great Righteous Experts."
Bu Eun-seol's expression did not change.
Because he had already anticipated that much.
"You do not seem particularly surprised."
After smiling faintly, Baek Jeon-cheon continued.
"In other words, the Ten Demonic Heirs Tournament is the Demon Hall's plan, created to counter the Martial Alliance's Great Righteous Experts. Originally, most of the Demonic Path Ten Gates refused it."
Wearing a bitter smile, Baek Jeon-cheon continued.
"Because there is no need to bring in outside disciples just to strike down and kill the Great Righteous Experts. That is why the current situation has come about."
—The current Demon Hall is in a position where it has no choice but to be mindful of the Demonic Path Ten Gates.
That was probably what Baek Jeon-cheon wanted to say.
Even if only to explain why he had no choice but to forcibly summon Bu Eun-seol, who was learning martial arts at Langya Pavilion.
"I am fine. Whatever trial it may be."
When Bu Eun-seol answered with composure, Baek Jeon-cheon let out a deep sigh.
"Do you happen to remember Kang Mu-ryun, the grandson of the White Horse Monastery leader?"
When Bu Eun-seol shook his head, Baek Jeon-cheon said,
"He was one of the three who attacked you, Young Hero Bu, at the very end. He inherited the True Body Secret Art of White Horse Monastery, but he was killed because he underestimated you, Young Hero Bu."
"Are you saying that the three of them attacking me together... was them underestimating me?"
"Please do not misunderstand. I am well aware of how extraordinary your talents are, Young Hero Bu."
Baek Jeon-cheon continued.
"However, what makes White Horse Monastery's whip technique fearsome is that, no matter how many enemies there are, one can fight as if facing a single person."
Baek Jeon-cheon spoke in a subdued voice.
"But because Young Hero Kang used a combined attack with his comrades, his mental power was dispersed, and as a result, he could not properly display the might of the White Horse Whip."
A combined attack requires extremely precise rules and principles.
If allies fight in a chaotic tangle, they may end up destroying each other. It is not for nothing that a martial combat method called the 'Combined Attack Art' exists in the murim.
"If it had been a one-on-one fight... perhaps you, Young Hero Bu, might not have been able to withstand Young Hero Kang."
Bu Eun-seol did not answer that remark and instead changed the subject.
"Is the Chief Instructor not at the Demon Hall?"
Chief Instructor Hyeokryeon Eung had been prepared to face punishment in order to save Bu Eun-seol.
If he were at the Demon Hall, Bu Eun-seol thought, there was no way he would not come to see him.
"He has gone out into the martial world to handle various matters."
"Is it because of me?"
"It is."
Baek Jeon-cheon answered frankly.
"The Chief Instructor originally serves as the Protector of the Main Hall. But he set aside his position as Hall Leader and went out to handle affairs of the martial world... so in his own way, he is receiving a heavy punishment."
"Why is that?"
Bu Eun-seol voiced the question he had held in his heart ever since surviving Hell Island.
"The Chief Instructor and I have no relationship whatsoever."
A brilliant light poured from Bu Eun-seol's eyes as he stared at Baek Jeon-cheon.
"Then why did he help me, even at the risk of punishment?"