Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes as he gazed up at the imposing silhouette of the Solitary Brightness Pavilion.
‘This is incomprehensible.’
Until now, the Demonic Palace had deliberately incited conflict among the successor candidates, pitting them against one another in isolation. But to arrange a gathering for all of them at once? Did they intend to hold a martial arts tournament within the sacred grounds of the Pavilion?
“You have already arrived.”
Hyeok So-jin halted his steps before the towering structure.
He was not a successor candidate. He had merely accompanied Bu Eunseol because his intuition warned that something momentous was about to unfold, and he hoped to offer even a shred of assistance.
“Take care, Brother Bu.”
Knowing the weight of his heart, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“I will.”
As Bu Eunseol stepped toward the entrance, one of the guards standing in solemn vigil stepped forward, bowing with hands clasped.
“Please follow me.”
The martial artist took the lead, guiding Bu Eunseol with practiced precision. However, he did not head toward the main hall in the center of the Pavilion, but rather toward the western corridor.
Passing through a modestly decorated garden, a small detached annex stood in the distance.
“You may enter here.”
Nodding, Bu Eunseol pushed open the door without hesitation.
Inside, the aesthetic was simple, almost rustic—akin to unglazed earthenware. A wide table and shelves lined with books dominated the space. It appeared to be a tactical room where key figures summoned to the Solitary Brightness Pavilion gathered for private counsel.
Swish.
The moment he crossed the threshold, the peaceful atmosphere instantly condensed into a suffocating, cold tension.
Teacups with steam still rising sat upon the large table, where four young men were already seated.
Bu Eunseol had removed the uniform symbolizing his rank as a Squad Captain and wore plain, unassuming clothes. In stark contrast, the others were clad in splendid, luxurious garments that commanded attention even from a distance.
The orthodox successors of the Ten Demonic Sects, recognized by the Demonic Palace as true candidates, had finally gathered in one place.
Four pairs of intense eyes locked onto him.
Bu Eunseol calmly stared back at the men whose gazes flashed with predatory light.
Instantly, a pressure swirled within the room, heavy enough to suggest the sky was collapsing and the earth fracturing beneath their feet.
Strong.
Bu Eunseol realized the fact anew.
They were formidable.
Just as he had constantly grown through trials and blood, so too had they.
So this is what an orthodox successor of the Ten Demonic Sects looks like.
They had inherited innate talent and received supreme education from the moment they could walk. They had endured bone-carving training to constantly hone their skills. Furthermore, considering their status as designated successors… they possessed advantages far stripping Bu Eunseol’s, extending beyond mere martial arts into influence and resources.
Thump, thump.
Bu Eunseol moved toward the table.
The air inside grew even more hostile. If anyone twitched a finger, it felt as though a bloody battle would erupt instantly.
Rustle.
Bu Eunseol took the empty seat with a composed expression.
Then, the precarious atmosphere vanished in a heartbeat, and the air, previously heavy as lead, turned deceptively peaceful.
“So, you came eventually.”
The one who broke the heavy silence was Do Cheon-rin, sitting opposite him.
“And here I hoped so much you wouldn’t show.”
Do Cheon-rin.
He had never openly displayed his martial prowess. However, since his arrival on Hell Island, he had consistently manipulated people and plotted from the shadows. His relaxed, leisurely demeanor always conveyed a sense of absolute control, as if he were a mastermind orchestrating every situation to his advantage.
“It has been a while.” Bu Eunseol offered a greeting with a profound smile. “I received the welcome sent by the Blood-Stained Blade Clan well.”
“…”
“Though it probably wasn’t a welcome sent by you.”
“That tomboy sister of mine is shaming her brother completely.” Do Cheon-rin sighed, anticipating the remark. “That child’s actions left my hands long ago.”
From Do Cheon-rin’s perspective, the ambush orchestrated by Do Chae-ryeong had actually damaged his reputation. Perhaps because of that, although he smiled, the leisure usually hanging on his lips had largely evaporated.
“Bu Eunseol of the Wolf Fang Pavilion.”
At that moment, the man sitting opposite Do Cheon-rin looked straight at Bu Eunseol and spoke.
“I looked forward to meeting you so much, and finally, I meet you like this.”
His appearance was immaculate. With clear eyes and a crystal-like voice, he resembled an innocent child. Sitting opposite the decadently beautiful Do Cheon-rin, he evoked a strange feeling—as if God had molded Do Cheon-rin and then immediately created a figure to be his exact opposite.
“Who are you?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, the man revealed white teeth. Gathering his hands with a smile brighter than the sun, he said, “I am Wiji Hye-sang, the successor of the Flower Rain Sword Sect.”
Surprisingly, the successor of the greatest sword sect of the Demonic Path was this handsome young man with delicate features.
Meeting Bu Eunseol’s gaze, Wiji Hye-sang curved his eyes into half-moons. “Elder Sword Demon spoke of you truly often, Young Hero Bu.”
Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes.
Sword Demon Wi Hyeok-gun.
When Bu Eunseol refused to enter the Flower Rain Sword Sect, the Elder had become enraged and unleashed formless energy. If Deputy Pavilion Master Dan Cheong hadn’t stepped in, Bu Eunseol would have suffered irreversible internal injuries.
To mention the regards of such a man with a welcoming face?
“And he mentioned that you are the sole inheritor of Hall Master Cheon Woon-gwang’s unique sword art, the Peerless Thunderbolt Form.”
“Sole?”
“Ah, you must not have known.” Wiji Hye-sang spoke with a bright smile. “Hall Master Cheon’s Peerless Thunderbolt Form… he imparted its essence only to you, Young Hero Bu.”
Only then did Bu Eunseol realize.
He understood why Sword Demon Wi Hyeok-gun had been so furious, and why Cheon Woon-gwang had received such great punishment for teaching him the Peerless Thunderbolt Form.
‘So that was it.’
As Bu Eunseol’s expression turned grave, Wiji Hye-sang continued with an expression of utter innocence. “Ah, please do not misunderstand. I merely spoke of what I heard.”
“It is fine.” Bu Eunseol nodded with a tight smile. “Because it is all true.”
Even if the words were laced with malice, Bu Eunseol had no choice but to smile. Not only Cheon Woon-gwang, but Jin Gak, the instructor of the Beginner’s Hall, had taught him basic sword arts. Furthermore, Elder Dan Cheon-nyang of the Flower Rain Sword Sect, whom he met in the Advanced Hall, had taught him the dharma of advanced sword arts.
Although it was part of the process to select the Ten Demonic Successors… Bu Eunseol owed a great debt to the Flower Rain Sword Sect.
“Ridiculous. Anyone watching would think this is a gathering to promote friendship with that Ten Demonic Successor.”
The man sitting to the left of Wiji Hye-sang scoffed. His eyes and spirit were sharp as blades, yet he wore clothes with an exceptionally loose fit.
Bu Eunseol instantly deduced his identity: the successor of the Extreme Assassination Pavilion.
Assassins wore voluminous robes as everyday wear to create secret pockets capable of concealing a myriad of hidden weapon devices.
“Is there a need to sharpen your blade already, Yong Jeok-bi?”
The young man sitting next to Yong Jeok-bi smirked. He had long curly hair hanging down and disproportionately large hands.
He was Shin Dowoon-hwi, the successor of the Annihilating Seals Palace.
“After all, we probably won’t see that fellow again.”
Subtle words, dripping with implication.
Just as Bu Eunseol frowned—
Thump, thump.
The sound of low footsteps approached, and the door to the detached room opened.
An elderly man with neatly combed hair walked inside. He looked like an elder one might see anywhere, but in reality, he was a master who had perfected terrifying Demonic Arts. It was Yeop Hyo-cheon, the Grand Commander who held the position of “under one person, above ten thousand” in the Demonic Palace.
“Everyone has gathered.”
Yeop Hyo-cheon swept his gaze over the candidates with soft eyes and smiled.
“Seeing the successors of the Ten Demonic Sects gathered in one place like this brings new feelings.”
There was an indefinable regret in his expression. Having spent his life serving the Divine Demonic Emperor, perhaps he was recalling the days when the Emperor himself was merely a candidate.
“It seems the future of this Palace depends on your hands from now on.”
Suddenly, Bu Eunseol felt something amiss.
The Council of Elders and the Divine Demonic Emperor had the authority to designate candidates, not just the Ten Demonic Sects. Yet, why had they summoned only the successors of the Ten Demonic Sects?
Yeop Hyo-cheon spoke in a low voice. “To inherit this Palace, one must possess the talent and qualifications to lead the entire Demonic Path. And you have successfully passed the tests set by this Palace.”
He paused for a beat before continuing.
“Therefore, from now on, assuming you have become the successor of this Palace, I intend to assess your abilities.”
The Darkness King nodded toward the rear.
A martial artist holding a large wooden box approached carefully and placed it on the table.
Clack.
When Yeop Hyo-cheon opened the lid, a pile of missives lay stacked inside.
“Inside these missives are written various tasks that the successor of this Palace must handle in the future.”
Looking down at the box, he spoke in a voice barely audible.
“And you simply need to choose one written here and handle it.”
The attending warrior began to carefully unfold the missives inside the box, laying them out one by one.
“Is there no deadline?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Yeop Hyo-cheon nodded. “None of these can be succeeded in a short enough time to set a deadline. Even knowing success or failure… will take a long time.” He added a crucial detail. “However, if you succeed faster than others, there will be distinct advantages.”
In short, speed was power.
As the warrior placed the missives on the table—
“This looks good.”
Do Cheon-rin, who was quickly scanning the papers, snatched one up.
“There is no task better than this for my clan to handle.”
In the split second gazes had focused on Bu Eunseol’s question, Do Cheon-rin had instantly grasped the contents and seized the one most advantageous to him. He even used a sleight of hand to shuffle the order, ensuring no one knew exactly what he had picked.
“Indeed, your hands are fast, befitting the Young Patriarch of the Blood-Stained Blade Clan.” Wiji Hye-sang threw a compliment and nodded. “Since the order is not determined, it would be best to quickly find and choose an advantageous one.”
Yong Jeok-bi scoffed. “Hmph. What does it matter what others choose? I only need to complete my own task anyway.”
He lifted a missive from the table.
- ―Deal with all of the Twelve Earthly Branches.
The Twelve Earthly Branches.
A fixer group known for handling clandestine matters for the commercial and financial sectors, they operated with a mindset that prioritized profit over morality. They were akin to assassin sects that disregarded ethical principles. Consequently, the Demonic Palace had been grappling with them for an extended period. However, their cellular organization and deep ties to the underworld’s lowest echelons made them nearly impossible to eradicate.
“Indeed! If it is the Extreme Assassination Pavilion, the grand sect of assassins, it would be advantageous in dealing with sects crouching in the shadows.”
Wiji Hye-sang did not forget to exclaim every time someone chose a missive.
Shin Dowoon-hwi, watching him, wore a subtle expression. “Wouldn’t it be advantageous to choose even a little faster? Aren’t you being too relaxed?”
“Well,” Wiji Hye-sang smiled brightly. “Unless I choose first, it wouldn’t be bad to choose after checking everything others have selected.”
When an answer that poked at a strategic weak point returned, Shin Dowoon-hwi’s eyes flashed. Even though the man in front of him seemed airheaded, Wiji Hye-sang was making terrifyingly cold judgments.
“But this kind of work isn’t done by rolling your head.”
Withdrawing his gaze, Shin Dowoon-hwi carefully examined the missives and lifted one. It detailed a mission regarding the resolution of small and medium sects that had been incorporated into the Demonic Palace but refused to harmonize.
“You chose a truly difficult task.”
Again, Wiji Hye-sang offered praise. And it was not empty talk. To solve the chronic problems of internal sects and force them to melt into the alliance called the Demonic Palace was a task of management and influence expansion. It was far more difficult than simply destroying a force.
“You chose something not easy,” Yeop Hyo-cheon noted.
Shin Dowoon-hwi smiled faintly. “You see, I’m not very confident in martial arts.”
Despite his humble words, he was the successor of the Annihilating Seals Palace, capable of confidently competing with the world’s experts using his Six Palms. It was clear that Shin Dowoon-hwi was also a genius who hid thirty percent of his skills while appearing ordinary.
At that moment, Bu Eunseol, who was approaching the spread of missives, suddenly turned his head to look at Wiji Hye-sang.
“Do you still intend to yield the order?”
“Of course.”
Bu Eunseol smiled coldly. “You intend not to choose today.”
“What do you mean?”
Bu Eunseol stared intently at him.
“Since the Grand Commander said there is no deadline for this work… that also means it doesn’t matter if you don’t choose a mission right now.”
While Yong Jeok-bi and Shin Dowoon-hwi’s complexions changed, Do Cheon-rin wore a faint, knowing smile. He had also seen through Wiji Hye-sang’s scheme and this blind spot in the rules.
Even so, he had chosen first… likely because he found the mission most advantageous and easiest for him to handle before anyone else could take it.
“Then you won’t choose either, Young Hero Bu.” Wiji Hye-sang’s eyes twinkled.
Since the man had seen through the blind spot, he assumed Bu Eunseol would also choose a mission later when no one was around, or wait to watch the trends.
“No, I will choose now.”
But Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“Because no one else should choose this mission.”
Wiji Hye-sang blinked. No matter how hard he looked, there was no mission on the table that could be easily handled or that other successors would covet.
Rustle.
Approaching the table, Bu Eunseol chose a paper without hesitation.
In that instant, the atmosphere turned glacial.
Even the expression of Yeop Hyo-cheon, who had been watching silently, hardened into stone.
On the missive Bu Eunseol chose, these words were written:
- ―Assassinate one figure of the Orthodox Faction belonging to the Four Gods and Seven Kings.