Bu Eunseol emerged from the main gate of the Divine Demon Pavilion. But the scene that unfolded before him as he stepped outside was unexpected. Thirty or so martial artists were standing respectfully in front of the Divine Demon Pavilion.
Judging by the Twin Dragons Contesting for the Pearl pattern embroidered on their sleeves, they seemed to be the leaders of various organizations waiting for the Divine Demonic Emperor’s summons.
So this is the disciple of Wolf Fang Pavilion who arrived this time.
Uniform sneers appeared in the eyes of the martial artists watching Bu Eunseol as he came out.
“It’s a pity, but one cannot become a successor with martial arts skills alone.”
When someone among the warriors muttered, a low voice chimed in agreement.
“How dare he dream beyond his station? Does it make sense for a disciple of Wolf Fang Pavilion to become the successor of this Palace?”
The position of the Demonic Palace successor required subjugating the majority of the Ten Demonic Sects to gain their power and support base. But the Wolf Fang Pavilion focused only on the Martial Way, not expanding its influence, and maintained little interaction with other Demonic sects. In short, they had isolated themselves for the sake of the Martial Way. Yet the successor of such a sect was to become a candidate for the Demonic Palace successor?
From their perspective, it was unacceptable.
“Young Hero Bu.”
Just then, a light pink figure passed through the gathered warriors and approached Bu Eunseol. It was a beautiful woman wearing fluttering blue robes with golden ornaments in her hair. The daughter of the Gathering Demons Manor Master whom Bu Eunseol had saved from assassins when he was part of the Nine Assassination Squad in the past. It was Dan So-ok.
“As I thought, you were the Ten Demonic Successor of Wolf Fang Pavilion.”
As Dan So-ok smiled brightly, revealing her white teeth, Bu Eunseol gathered his hands.
“It has been a long time.”
Buzz, buzz.
As Dan So-ok treated Bu Eunseol with familiarity, the warriors watching from afar tilted their heads.
—Isn’t that Captain Dan, who has been marked as the next Chief Administrator of this Palace?
—How does she, who always sticks by the Gathering Demons Manor Master’s side, know the Ten Demonic Successor of Wolf Fang Pavilion?
Thud, thud.
At that moment, a figure approached, surrounded by dozens of guards.
The warriors’ eyes turned strange. Because the number of people who could appear leading dozens of warriors in front of the Divine Demon Pavilion, where the Divine Demonic Emperor resided, was extremely limited.
Rumble.
The guards stood in front of Bu Eunseol and lined up solemnly. Simultaneously, the formation split, and a giant middle-aged man draped in a black robe strode forward. At this, the warriors in front of the Divine Demon Pavilion bowed their heads and hastily paid respect.
Thud.
The giant middle-aged man strode up to Bu Eunseol and spoke, “Are you Bu Eunseol?”
An aura overwhelming all people flowed from the middle-aged man’s entire body.
“I am.”
As Bu Eunseol answered politely, Dan So-ok whispered low, “He is my father, who is in charge of the Gathering Demons Manor. Manor Master Dan Wol-hon.”
Heaven-Defying Night Star, Dan Wol-hon.
He was the Manor Master of the Gathering Demons Manor, holding command over all military forces of the Demonic Palace, excluding the direct units of the Divine Demonic Emperor and the Council of Elders.
“Bu Eunseol, disciple of Wolf Fang Pavilion, greets the Gathering Demons Manor Master.”
Nodding, Dan Wol-hon spoke in a low voice, “I heard you risked your life to save my dear Ok.”
“I merely did what was given to me.”
Dan Wol-hon glanced around, then placed a hand on Bu Eunseol’s shoulder and said, “Let’s move first.” And he led Bu Eunseol very familiarly.
The warriors watching were dumbfounded.
The successor of Wolf Fang Pavilion was acquainted with the Gathering Demons Manor Master?
The Gathering Demons Manor Master, a top magnate ranking within the top ten of the Demonic Palace’s protocol, treating Bu Eunseol friendly?
“…”
The warriors who had been looking at Bu Eunseol with disregarding eyes averted their gazes and coughed as if nothing had happened.
***
Dan Wol-hon led Bu Eunseol to the Refined Demons Pavilion, a place reserved for entertaining distinguished guests and those who had made significant contributions.
Did he intend to offer hospitality and hold a grand banquet?
But there was no one inside the Refined Demons Pavilion, nor was a banquet table set up. Not only that, but Dan Wol-hon’s very friendly expression had vanished without a trace. However, Bu Eunseol stood proudly even in silence. As if he had expected everything.
“You aren’t very surprised.”
Dan Wol-hon’s tightly closed mouth opened slowly.
“Then you must know why I brought you here.”
“As I said, it was merely my assigned duty.” Bu Eunseol gathered his hands and paid respect once more. “Even so, since you have shown such favor, I am simply grateful.”
Dan Wol-hon’s expression remained cold. “To be honest, today’s matter was not my decision as the Manor Master, but rather So-ok’s request.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “Since I learned that you were going to this Palace to meet the Divine Demonic Emperor, she persistently begged me every day.”
Bu Eunseol had made a rough guess.
The sudden arrival of the Gathering Demons Manor Master to welcome him was due to Dan So-ok’s request. Although he was a candidate for the Divine Demonic Emperor’s successor, Bu Eunseol lacked a solid foundation or support base within the Demonic Palace. Dan So-ok, who was acutely aware of this had asked her father, Dan Wol-hon, to intervene and save his reputation.
“So-ok even anticipated that the leadership would be gathered on your way out after the audience with the Divine Demonic Emperor. Do you understand what that means?”
Bu Eunseol nodded lightly. Since Dan So-ok was a talented woman discussed as the next Chief Administrator, she could easily predict Bu Eunseol’s movement path within the Demonic Palace.
Dan Wol-hon’s gaze deepened. “The Wolf Fang Pavilion might hold a significant position in the Murim, but from this Palace’s perspective, it’s the lowest seat among the Ten Demonic Sects. That’s all there is to it.” He scrutinized Bu Eunseol’s face with a piercing gaze. “If you leave after receiving only ratification as a successor, some of the Palace’s leadership might send troops after you.”
The position of candidate for the Divine Demonic Emperor’s successor demanded immense risks. The Divine Demonic Emperor would view all these processes as tests to determine the rightful successor.
“So-ok, worrying about that made me step forward. Do you understand?”
“I understand. I sincerely thank the Manor Master for his kindness.”
“Kindness?” Dan Wol-hon’s eyes turned cold in that instant. “Is that all you have to say?”
“…”
“That child has never begged anyone or knelt in her life.” His eyes widened as he continued. “But to help you, she even knelt before me, her father who opposed it to the end.” A murderous aura gradually enveloped Dan Wol-hon’s eyes. “Because I welcomed you, you can leave this Palace safely. Yet all you say is that you are grateful for the kindness?”
Bu Eunseol’s brow twitched slightly. He had received favor and expressed sincere gratitude for it. What more was he supposed to do?
“Then is there anything else you command?”
This time, Dan Wol-hon’s brow twitched.
Even the leadership of the Demonic Palace found him difficult and bowed their heads. Yet a mere young disciple of Wolf Fang Pavilion was arguing with his neck stiff?
“It seems becoming a successor candidate of this Palace has blinded you.”
Dan Wol-hon’s eyes burned red.
The Gathering Demons Manor held a position like a Grand General commanding all military forces of the Demonic Palace. Yet Dan So-ok, the next Chief Administrator of the Demonic Palace and the daughter he raised like gold and jade, had knelt for a mere martial artist… His pride was greatly wounded.
“What kind of place this Manor is, what kind of person this Manor Master is… I shall teach you directly.”
Crack.
As Dan Wol-hon extended his hand lightly, the sound of bones rang from Bu Eunseol’s spine.
He intended to use mighty internal power to force Bu Eunseol to bend his back.
“When expressing gratitude to one with a status like mine, you must bend your waist. Do you understand?”
Fwoosh.
At that moment, red points of light began to rise from Bu Eunseol’s entire body. Simultaneously, Extreme Reversal Crimson Radiance redder than blood began to form in his eyes. If the old man had recommended it with good words, Bu Eunseol would have gladly bowed. But when the former tried to force him to bend, resistance arose instead.
As Bu Eunseol still held his head high, Dan Wol-hon’s thick eyebrows shot up to the sky.
“Looking at your attitude… surely, you don’t mean that you won’t bend?”
“I will not bend.”
“What? You won’t?”
“No one can force my decision.”
Creak.
Soft light flowed from Bu Eunseol’s entire body, pushing back the energy Dan Wol-hon was pouring out.
This bastard dares…
Secretly infuriated, Dan Wol-hon doubled his internal power.
Crack.
As pressure like Mount Tai poured down, the sound of bones rang from Bu Eunseol’s body again. But despite that, his head and waist remained stiffly upright, and his gaze was fixed on Dan Wol-hon.
He withstands fifty percent of my power?
The internal power Dan Wol-hon was exerting now exceeded two cycles. Yet wasn’t Bu Eunseol still looking straight at him and resisting?
Surely this bastard’s power doesn’t exceed two cycles?
Dan Wol-hon widened his eyes as if he couldn’t believe it.
The Demonic Palace was a place where outstanding talents gathered like clouds. Yet, there was not a single person past the age of twenty with this level of internal energy.
“Fine. This Manor Master will teach you that there is a sky above the sky!”
Boom!
With the sound of a massive temple bell ringing, intense true energy spread from Dan Wol-hon’s body.
Crunch. Crackle.
Simultaneously, the ground beneath Dan Wol-hon’s feet sank, and not only the flower garden but the Refined Demons Pavilion itself began to shake entirely. The true energy emanating from his whole body became a formidable whirlwind, tearing away the flowers and trees in the garden, and the sound of snapping wood came from the thick trees.
“Kneel!”
A strange light appeared in the eyes of Dan Wol-hon, who was shouting like a thunderclap.
Wasn’t Bu Eunseol’s body glowing red and straightening up even more than before?
Impossible.
Seeing that, a bizarre thought surged in Dan Wol-hon’s mind.
Did that bastard’s internal energy exceed three cycles…? Then was he not actually a young man, but an elder expert of a previous generation secretly wearing a young man’s skin?
“Father?”
Just then, a woman walked in front of the flower garden of the Refined Demons Pavilion with a clear voice. It was Dan So-ok.
In that instant, the pupils of Bu Eunseol and Dan Wol-hon trembled violently, as if a boat were encountering a fierce storm. Simultaneously, their eyes widened and they locked gazes with each other.
“…!”
“…!”
As their gazes intertwined in the air, their expressions grew solemn, and their eyes narrowed. As if in agreement, they simultaneously withdrew their internal power.
Whoosh.
With the sound of wind deflating, the storm disappeared, and the shaking earth regained its calm before anyone knew it.
“…”
A strange silence continued for a while.
Even in that silence, Bu Eunseol remained calm, but Dan Wol-hon was constantly checking Dan So-ok’s reaction.
“Father.”
“Mm?”
“Why did you use internal power on Young Hero Bu?”
She merely couldn’t learn martial arts due to her constitution; her discernment and knowledge were not inferior to any Murim warrior.
“…”
“Father?”
As Dan Wol-hon avoided answering and feigned ignorance, Dan So-ok asked again.
“May I ask why you used internal power on Young Hero Bu?”
In an instant, anger rose in Dan Wol-hon’s mind. Dan So-ok, who had maintained a quiet attitude since childhood and rarely even showed emotion. To think that well-behaved daughter was looking at him with axe-eyes over such a trivial matter?
Because of this bastard…!
And that anger poured onto Bu Eunseol, not Dan So-ok.
As Dan Wol-hon glared as if to kill, Bu Eunseol had no choice but to make an excuse for him. “The Manor Master merely tested my internal power for a moment. Do not mind it.”
Then Dan Wol-hon looked at Dan So-ok with instantly gentle eyes and nodded. “Right, that is what happened.”
“Tested internal power? Why would you…”
“That is…” The focus had vanished from Dan Wol-hon’s eyes, which had been full of dignity. “Because this man’s internal energy was higher than expected…”
He was the Gathering Demons Manor Master who could make a million Demonic practitioners kneel with just a glance, but in front of his daughter’s pressing, he was merely a doting father who had become a fool for his daughter, was at a loss for words.
“Anyway, he was impressive. This man.”
To restore his crumpled prestige, Dan Wol-hon approached Bu Eunseol and patted his shoulder with a friendly expression.
“Your skill is quite decent. You will become an excellent successor of the Demonic Palace before long.”
As he threw out praise he didn’t mean, Dan Wol-hon’s gaze became increasingly empty.
In contrast, Dan So-ok’s eyes sparkled with life as she chattered.
“Right? Even when surrounded by hundreds of assassins in Yueyang, Young Hero Bu protected me proudly.”
As she praised Bu Eunseol, fire poured from Dan Wol-hon’s eyes again.
This pretty boy bastard has completely stolen So-ok’s soul!