Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Secret Technique
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"If the Heavenly Demon's daughter lacks the qualifications befitting an heir and turns out to be utterly worthless, I will handle her myself. Even if that goes against... the Heavenly Demon's will."
'Now I get it. Why Dad caused a bloodbath in the cult over this.'
Hyeong-po was truly a 'loyal retainer' devoted solely to the cult.
He had no interest whatsoever in my well-being, which Dad valued above all else.
This kind of loyalty must have been a massive threat to Dad, who lived in constant fear of losing me every single day.
"The issue of the cult's heir is indeed a great concern for me as well. I understand the Heavenly Demon's deep affection for his daughter, but entrusting the cult's future to her just because of blood ties is difficult."
A number of elders, including Cheol-geun, expressed agreement with the heir issue Hyeong-po had raised.
'I've got zero trust from anyone here.'
Well, the original novel's Seol Cheon-seong really wouldn't have been able to shoulder the cult's future— she couldn't even protect herself.
I could understand the elders' position.
They were the ones striving hardest for the cult's revival, and accepting an incompetent heir would bring crisis to the cult.
But I'm different.
I'm not like the original novel's Seol Cheon-seong, a flower grown in a greenhouse, clueless and relying solely on Dad's protection!
But right now, I couldn't reveal the truth to them.
'Here, I'm not the Heavenly Demon's daughter Seol Cheon-seong. I'm just Seol.'
If I carelessly revealed my identity and word got back to Dad, with his fragile mental state, he might slaughter the elders again, repeating that tragedy.
But if I just sat on my hands, I might end up dead by Hyeong-po's hand?
"If that's what the elders think, how about we try this?"
As I was agonizing alone, Gwang-yu spoke up.
"We send a letter to the Heavenly Demon expressing our hope for his return to the cult, reporting on his daughter's abilities, and letting him judge if she can be the heir candidate. If all eleven elders agree, even the Heavenly Demon can't refuse our proposal."
"That's true. Gwang-yu, you've gotten a lot smarter since I last saw you."
Yaksha looked at him with admiration as he listened to Gwang-yu.
"My brain's always worked pretty well."
Gwang-yu, quickly swelling with pride, brushed back his black hair.
"It spins best on useless stuff, that's the problem."
"Hwa-jak, you always pick on me specifically?"
As Gwang-yu and Hwa-jak traded barbs, Hyeong-po spoke again.
"Good idea. But what if the Heavenly Demon's daughter doesn't meet our standards? He became Heavenly Demon from the start with the intent to pass the cult to her. Changing that won't be easy."
"In that case, each elder handles themselves. The eleven elders won't do anything harmful to the cult. What do you think, Young Cult Leader?"
Gwang-yu shifted his gaze from Hyeong-po to the Young Cult Leader.
"If all eleven elders are in agreement, we'll deliver the letter to the Heavenly Demon swiftly."
The Young Cult Leader, who had been staring at me for a moment, replied in a calm voice.
"So, what do you say? Any other opinions?"
No elders stepped forward to Gwang-yu's question, all seemingly in accord.
"Then let's end today's meeting here. On behalf of the eleven elders, Five Elements will submit the document bearing all eleven seals, signifying agreement with today's outcome."
"Yes, Young Cult Leader."
With Five Elements' response, the meeting concluded.
"Ha... ."
'This is bad. If all eleven elders agree on this agenda, Dad will want to bring me back to the cult! Then my identity gets exposed?'
Even if I somehow convinced Dad, if I wasn't recognized as heir, the conflict between him and the eleven elders would continue.
Come on, Seol Cheon-seong!
Wrack that little brain of yours.
First, let's sort out the problems I need to solve right now.
Number one: Cure Dad's mental fragility.
That way, he won't impulsively start a bloodbath over fears of losing me.
Number two: Gain the elders' recognition as heir through martial prowess.
That eliminates clashes between the eleven elders and Dad, preventing division in the cult.
Next, solutions.
For the first, find the Tang Clan of Sichuan for a cure.
Should be doable by sweet-talking Ppippi well.
The second is getting recognized as heir...
Show Dad I can protect myself, ease his worries, while getting all eleven elders' approval— is there a perfect way?
Like giving the eleven elders the power to voice their desires...
"Sparring Tournament!"
"Whoa! You scared me! Kong-al, why are you yelling all of a sudden?"
Lost in thought, I shouted, startling Gwang-yu who was approaching me.
"Master, I'm entering the sparring tournament!"
"I thought you'd given up on that?"
"I just found a reason why I have to win it!"
Gwang-yu watched me clench my fist with burning passion, gazing at me warmly with a smile.
"That's why I like you, Kong-al."
"Suddenly?"
"Yeah. Watching you fills me with energy too."
As Gwang-yu, in a good mood, playfully reached to pat my head—
"Gwang-yu, are you flirting with my aide right now?"
The Young Cult Leader snatched Gwang-yu's hand before it touched me.
"Flirting? This is just affection for my disciple...!"
"Unnecessary between teacher and student exchanging knowledge."
The Young Cult Leader casually shook off Gwang-yu's captured hand.
'Master does this casually all the time, why's the Young Cult Leader making a fuss?'
"You've decided to enter the sparring tournament?"
While I was baffled, the Young Cult Leader brushed past Gwang-yu and approached me, asking directly.
"Ah, yes!"
"I see losing as my own loss for my aide."
"Pardon?"
"So win it."
'Is the Young Cult Leader cheering me on right now?'
"No need to come to the office until the tournament. Focus on training."
"Yes, I'll train hard!"
'Yes! No work starting tomorrow!'
I still had to wake early for training, but hearing I didn't need to show up at the office was thrilling just the same!
Want to hear it again!
"Let's go, Five Elements."
"Yes, Aide Seol! I'll cheer for you too."
With those words, the Young Cult Leader vanished from the meeting hall with Five Elements.
"Yahoo!"
The moment he left, I let out a joyful cheer.
"Kong-al, what's got you so happy?"
Gwang-yu, watching my glee, laughed and asked.
"Master, you heard, right? I'm free now!"
"You skipped right over the 'focus on training' part?"
"I'll train hard too?"
"Sure, sure, you will."
Watching Gwang-yu's half-hearted reply reminded me of something I'd forgotten.
'Oh yeah, I had something to ask Master.'
"Master!"
"Yes, Kong-al? Master's right here."
"If I can freely control my internal energy, could I win the sparring tournament with just the Seven Demon Sword Arts?"
"If you master free control of your martial arts, it's possible. A seven-year-old who can summon lightning or split trees with the Seven Demon Sword Arts forms is rare even across the entire martial world."
"So if I can operate my internal energy as I wish, winning the tournament isn't far-fetched?"
"Right, though who participates is the variable."
"Who entered the last tournament?"
"Oh, come to think of it, the last winner's someone you know."
'I know the cult's last sparring tournament winner?'
Maybe I could pick up winning tips!
"Who was it?"
Gwang-yu pointed to the empty head seat of the meeting hall.
"The Young Cult Leader."
"The Young Cult Leader was the last winner?"
"Yeah. He was young, and since the Heavenly Demon unilaterally decided to make him Young Cult Leader, plenty doubted his skills."
'True, I was shocked how young he was when I first came to the cult.'
"It got so bad that elders like O-lak, Cheol-geun, and Yaksha entered that year."
"Can the eleven elders participate in the tournament?"
"Anyone in the cult can enter. Regardless of status or gender, it's purely to select the strongest martial artist. Even the Heavenly Demon could join."
'That's why participant lineup is such a big variable.'
"Wait, even with elders participating, the Young Cult Leader won— meaning he beat the elders?"
"Exactly. Honestly, his skills are great, but he has another trump card."
I'd never heard of the Young Cult Leader's trump card, so I looked up at Gwang-yu with wide-eyed curiosity.
"What's the trump card?"