Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Captivated by the Heavenly Demon
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"......"
I knew the Heavenly Demon was a beauty. Even though I'd grown accustomed to her, her looks still made me naturally turn away whenever our eyes met.
But the woman standing before me now was on another level entirely. The beauty that had seemed pretty even in loose robes was now fully adorned, every last bit of her allure on display from one to ten.
Just... was that charm the usual kind?
I wanted to shake my head no.
"......"
It was an arrogant beauty.
But it was an arrogance she had every right to, a beauty that could only shine because of it.
From the tips of her toes to her fingertips. It left me entranced, unable to look away. The suffocating air wasn't from inner energy-it was purely her presence.
Her jewelry swayed with every movement. Her hair, which had been loosely tied on one side, now flowed free like silk.
The Heavenly Demon.
Suddenly, the weight of that name hit me. She didn't even seem like another living being.
Just something to revere... that strange feeling.
"Smitten?"
I snapped out of it. Embarrassed at having been so entranced, I hurriedly nodded.
"Y-yes..."
"Smitten, you say?"
"Huh? Oh, yes...!"
I belatedly realized what she meant and jumped in surprise.
"Ah, no, that's not-"
"Kuhuhu. Am I that pretty?"
"...Yes. You are."
"Hm. Really? Hearing that from my puppy makes me feel good. Come here and massage my shoulders."
The ornate robes looked heavy just from the decorations. I placed my hands on her slender shoulders.
She looked like the world's greatest beauty. But the moment my hands touched her shoulders, I felt it.
"......"
She really was different.
Not a woman-a warrior.
"They're stiff. More than before. But... you're more clear-headed than earlier."
"........."
"You're a warrior through and through. Getting lost in a woman's looks. How utterly ridiculous."
"...I'm sorry."
"What do you have to be sorry for? You've been stunned twice by the same woman in one go. It just means my charms know no bounds."
The Heavenly Demon laughed with a kyokyokyo.
"If my puppy is this stunned, imagine the men who cross paths with me-they must all faint dead away. You know that? Dozens court me every day. From noble heirs to... even the Second Demon once wanted me."
"........."
"But I turned them all down. Know why?"
"I... don't."
"My tastes in men are a bit unique."
Her jewelry tinkled as she looked up at me.
A playful smile played on her lips.
"Curious?"
"Honestly, yes."
"I like stupid men. The ones who give up early? They don't appeal. No boldness, no persistence, no real charm."
The Heavenly Demon snorted. She waved her hand lazily.
"They prattle on about making me happy... But what weight do words from those who never even challenged the impossible carry? Boring, so boring. Surrounded by dull men, it's suffocating. A partner should be someone you can learn from. I'm not like the First Demon. I don't want a man tucked under my skirts-I want one who pins me down. Getting taken by someone inferior? That's either impossible or just theater, no thrill in it."
"........."
"So, puppy. Since we have our deal, hurry up and climb on. Didn't you say you'd surpass me? Then come at me. Beat me, and I'll be yours. The perfect ideal only one in the world-how could I refuse? You're cute now, but add some coolness on top, and I might even wag my tail for you up front."
"Cult Leader... please..."
"Ahaha! Look at that face! Such a cute guy."
The Heavenly Demon propped her chin on her hand. She pondered briefly, then beckoned me closer.
I leaned in my ear. Her sticky voice nibbled at my earlobe.
"Just in case... since this is my first time, be gentle?"
"...Cult Leader. Please."
"Kuhuhu. Your earlobe's tasty too. I get the First Demon's tastes now... cute has its flavor. Better watch out before I change mine."
The Heavenly Demon stood. She reached out and fiddled with the mask I'd removed.
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, she stared piercingly at my face. A small gasp followed.
"The scar's still there, but color's returned to your face. The First Demon would drool. Careful not to break her waist."
"........."
"Well. No need to worry now. You're at the Profound Realm."
Overwhelmed by the flood of lewd talk, I finally covered my face.
"Enough now..."
"Ahaha! Come here. I'm gonna devour you."
"Cult Leader."
A voice came from beyond the door.
The laughing Heavenly Demon patted my shoulder. She handed me back my mask.
Unconcealed delight still hung on her lips.
"I'll handle the merit ceremony appropriately, then enjoy the feast from the highest seat. Once that's done, the Left and Right Protectors will guard me. After them, you're free to roam."
"But the escort warriors..."
"Don't you want to enjoy the feast too? There are tons of attendees. Even upright sects are mixed in, so you'll see familiar faces. Go play to your heart's content. It'll be a while before you see them again, leaving for missions."
"......!"
It was consideration.
A farewell gathering for me.
"...I doubted your intent, Cult Leader."
"The First Demon's a bit possessive. It's probably grown from past incidents. So you need a pretext to join the feast, right? Of course..."
The Heavenly Demon smiled.
"...it might be fun too."
...Is it really consideration?
...
"Heavenly Demon eternal, long live!"
"Heavenly Demon eternal, all demons eternal!"
The merit feast began.
The vast hall could easily hold thousands. The events unfolding inside were unlike anything I'd seen before.
High experts of the cult swarmed the place. And their unified chants proved just how absolute the Heavenly Demon's authority was.
Complicated rituals passed. Amid grand odes worshiping the Heavenly Demon, representatives from each sect received swords along with treasures.
Once the feast started, rituals alone ate up two hours. When that ended, the Heavenly Demon finally whispered to me.
"Go play, puppy."
I bowed lightly in respect, then descended from the high seat. I felt eyes tracking me as I passed.
The tiger mask watched me. The Second Demon. Lord of the Myriad Demons Sect.
A haughty gaze joined it. Rabbit mask. Third Demon. Lord of the Raksha Sect.
A familiar wolf mask waved casually at me. Fourth Demon. Lord of the Black Serpent Sect.
The only one to speak was the Fourth Demon.
"Kuhuhu. You've grown a lot. Impressive energy. Somehow faster than my disciple... Maybe I should've snatched you that day."
"Long time no see, Fourth Demon."
"No need for formalities. Between us? Nan-seol's down below. Catch up on lost time yourself."
"...You know each other?"
"Know? We're close. Back off. She's taken."
"Fourth Demon. Mind your manners. This is before the Cult Leader."
"Got it, senior brother. Where's big sis, though?"
The lords chattered as they passed. Their energy felt almost like that of ordinary folk.
Perfectly restrained. To fool like that...
Must be their sheer power.
I descended endless stairs. In the vast hall, countless eyes turned to me.
Whispers reached my ears.
"The one next to the Cult Leader..."
"Who the hell is he? She only let the Grand Protector sit beside her."
"Some influential heir? Or... a new disciple?"
"Go find out."
The attention wasn't welcome. I slipped through the creeping crowds, seeking out those I needed to meet.
First up: Nan-seol, surrounded by men.
"Greetings. Ma Cho-ryeon of the White Guard Demons..."
"Oh. Sure."
"If I may say..."
"I see."
A faint vein pulsed on her forehead as she gave half-hearted replies.
She hated it but couldn't speak out due to position.
I smoothly wedged between them and took her hand. Pulling her surprised self from the men.
"Wh-what..."
"It's me, Senior Nan-seol."
"...You!"
"You bastard! What do you think you're doing?!"
"How rude! Miss Yin was talking to me...!"
Nan-seol shoved the crowding men away. She smiled for the first time and gripped my wrist instead.
"Let's move. Fun chat, guys. Bye now."
"M-Miss Yin?!"
"W-Wait...!"
We toured the hall. Her eyes sparkled.
"Never imagined you'd be the Cult Leader's escort... For real?"
"Thanks to her consideration. My skills are still lacking."
"Doesn't feel that way... You broke through?"
"Yes. I did."
"No way. I knew you'd catch up eventually. How?"
"Effort, I guess... Honestly, still dazed."
"Ahaha! Dazed my ass!"
Come to think of it, Nan-seol looked different too. More beautiful, at her peak.
Already pretty, now radiant. The murmurs around matched.
"Heard the Black Serpent Lord's disciple was pretty, but... who knew this stunning?"
"Upright clans eyeing Black Serpent entry will pounce. And not just them-men smitten by her looks will line up."
"Power, beauty, and skill-who'd refuse?"
"Her dad's the Myriad Demons vice-commander too, right?"
"Go chat her up. Hurry."
"D-don't push. Father..."
All praise.
"As expected of senior. Impressive."
"Can't hear. Can't hear."
"Impressive."
"Impressive what? Oh, know what? Remember Black Heaven Axe Sect? That joint mission."
"Yes."
"They joined Black Serpent. Leader's... Jeok Dae-gwang. A mere gatekeeper took the throne. Thanks to his reputation. Solid skills too."
"Jeok Dae-gwang... you say?"
I recalled the warrior who'd paved my path. A man whose words carried weight.
"Hope things go well for him."
"Wish I could've told him myself... but he didn't attend. Not his scene anyway."
Nan-seol smacked her lips at the gathering stares.
"Wanna lap first? Gotta tell these creeps off. What's your name now?"
"No Name."
"No Name? Weird. Obvious alias. See ya later."
"Later, senior."
I moved on.
Chatter turned to bickering. Two familiar voices clashing.
"No, I don't know, okay?!"
"If you don't, who does?!"
"I went to his house-no one! Probably on a mission!"
"Lie better next time. Same as ever... Tsk tsk."
"Ugh! Just-!"
"Not interested without him. Scram."
"You started it! Called me benefactress before! This how you treat her?!"
"Take it back."
"Pisses me off. For real!"
The white-haired woman glancing at onlookers: White Enchantress.
Opposite her: the black-haired man I'd met before.
I called out to him.
"Long time, brother."
"...Only one calls me that."
His sharp glance hit my mask. Sima Ak, head of Sima family, paused then asked.
"Damn punk. How many secrets you hiding?"
"Quite a few."
"Quite?"
Sima Ak smirked.
"Long time, stupid little brother."