Chapter 234

Pung Yeo-ryang’s eyes were heavy with profound worry as he looked at his old friend.

“Hiding it will do no good. Is it not something they will discover eventually?”

“Whether they learn of it now or later makes no difference.”

“You… truly…”

“It is fine. Really.” Hyeok Gong-baek wore a calm, reassuring smile. “It is a story that will only bring pain the moment it is known. Therefore, delaying that moment for as long as possible is the right choice.”

He patted the shoulder of Pung Yeo-ryang, who still looked at him with concern, and turned his gaze outward.

“Now, let us see how much our grandson has changed.”

Hyeok Gong-baek could hardly believe his eyes.

The Hyeok So-jin he remembered—the boy who had always been pessimistic, weary of the world, and shadowed by gloom—was gone. In his place stood a mature martial artist possessing a dignified presence and stern, focused eyes.

“Grandfather.”

In the past, the boy would have run over and leaped into a childish hug. Now, he stood tall and imposing, bowing deeply with the respect due to a sect elder.

“Hahaha.”

Seeing the dignified transformation of Hyeok So-jin, Hyeok Gong-baek burst into hearty laughter. Was he not displaying a presence and demeanor unimaginable in the past?

At that moment, Bu Eunseol, standing beside the young master, politely clasped his hands.

“Wolf Fang Pavilion disciple Bu Eunseol greets the Area Master.”

“You have suffered much.” Placing a warm hand on Bu Eunseol’s shoulder, Hyeok Gong-baek wore an expression of deep, unmasked gratitude. “Even though I placed such unreasonable conditions on you, you have done far more than I asked.”

Bu Eunseol shook his head calmly. “Not at all.”

“Hahaha.”

Hyeok Gong-baek laughed heartily again. Living a long life, one sometimes meets a true benefactor; Bu Eunseol was exactly that to Hyeok Gong-baek.

“Enough of this standing around. Let us move. I have prepared a banquet.”

Leaving the Hall of Mountains and Rivers, Bu Eunseol and Hyeok So-jin moved toward the Silver Radiance Pavilion where the feast was set. Walking side by side with Bu Eunseol, Hyeok So-jin looked around, his mouth slightly agape.

“The main sect has changed a lot.”

With the massive infusion of funds from the Momentless Fleet, the livelihood of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying had become incomparably prosperous. Everything old and worn had been replaced. Young maidservants and servants had been hired to attend to the demons staying in the Peach Blossom Spring.

“Area Master.”

Passing young people bowed deeply upon seeing Hyeok Gong-baek. Based on their immense new financial power, the sect had not only recruited young masters of the Demonic Path but also accepted young disciples to learn the various martial arts of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying.

“Come, sit here.”

Hyeok Gong-baek seated Bu Eunseol in the seat of honor and personally poured him a drink.

The banquet hall featured a large table laden with delicacies from land and sea alongside fine wine. Young martial artists were seated in rows on either side—the young Hall Masters and Captains who would lead the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying into the future.

Looking around, however, Bu Eunseol wore a puzzled expression. The Great Demons of the Peach Blossom Spring, who could be considered the very essence of the sect, were nowhere to be seen.

“I do not see the elders of the Peach Blossom Spring.”

“Hahaha. You are indeed the only one who looks for those old folks.” Hyeok Gong-baek laughed quietly. “How could we simply accept the favor of the Momentless Fleet without giving anything in return?”

“Then…”

As Bu Eunseol’s eyes sparkled with realization, Hyeok Gong-baek nodded.

“I sent them to the Momentless Fleet. To personally teach various demonic arts.”

Knowing the situation of the Momentless Fleet well, Hyeok Gong-baek had ordered the demons of the Peach Blossom Spring to instruct them. Although they were old and sick, and their internal energy was not intact, they still possessed enough strength to teach.

If demons who were living repositories of martial arts passed on their knowledge, the martial power of the Momentless Fleet disciples would skyrocket in a short time. Furthermore, since they were passing on the knowledge and experience gained from the battlefield, the disciples would gain rich insight without even journeying through the Gangho.

“You’ve made a difficult decision, Area Master.”

Originally, the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying was a closed sanctuary that did not interact with any of the Ten Demonic Sects. At Bu Eunseol’s words, Hyeok Gong-baek smiled broadly.

“It is all thanks to you opening the floodgates.”

He let out a deep sigh.

“The reason this sect could belong to the Ten Demonic Sects was merely due to ‘necessity’. Because this was the only place where sick demons with declining power could stay.” Hyeok Gong-baek spoke with a voice full of deep regret. “But thanks to you, interaction between sects has been achieved. And the result is what you see now.”

Interaction between sects.

It was different from connections between people. If sects opened their hearts to each other, filled each other’s gaps, and helped one another, they would develop immensely, beyond prediction.

“Area Master.”

Just then, Woon Gyeom, Squad Captain of the True Guard Squad, entered the banquet hall carefully and whispered to Hyeok Gong-baek. The Area Master listened silently, his complexion changing slightly, before shaking his head.

“No need to let him in. Send him back.”

“But…”

Just as Woon Gyeom began to protest, a voice cut through the air.

“Hahaha. Brother Hyeok. Why do you try to turn away this little brother?”

The man who entered the banquet hall was a middle-aged figure with an ordinary physique and a goatee. Though he looked sleazy, like a common street thug, he was actually Yu Hyeok-sim, the Bloody Star Cauldron, a master of poison arts ranked within the top ten of the Infernal Blood Fortress.

Originally an old man similar in age to Hyeok Gong-baek, he maintained his youthful appearance through the cultivation of terrifying poison arts.

“How did you enter here?” Hyeok Gong-baek frowned. Even if Woon Gyeom couldn’t stop him, wasn’t Pung Yeo-ryang, the Mad Teacher whose skill rivaled his own, guarding the entrance?

“Hahaha. Naturally, I explained the situation to Brother Pung as well.”

“Situation?”

“This little brother merely brought a precious gift for Brother Hyeok.”

Yu Hyeok-sim extended his wide sleeves and brought his hands together. Suddenly, a small wooden box sat in his palms.

“I heard that Brother Hyeok has been searching for Crimson Tubular Leaf and Soft Jade of Azure Brilliance for a long time.”

In an instant, Hyeok Gong-baek’s eyes wavered. Even within the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, only his best friend, Pung Yeo-ryang, knew that fact.

“Indeed. From Brother Pung’s perspective, what matters is Brother Hyeok’s safety.”

Hyeok Gong-baek looked around and waved his hand dismissively.

“We are holding a banquet here, so let us talk elsewhere.”

“Haha, very well.”

Hyeok Gong-baek looked at Bu Eunseol and spoke in a low voice. “I will be away for a moment, so please continue drinking.”

“I understand.” Bu Eunseol nodded calmly.

As Hyeok Gong-baek and Yu Hyeok-sim left the banquet hall, the apprentice spoke quietly.

“So-jin.”

“Yes.”

“Go and guard the Illusion Demon’s side.”

Bu Eunseol’s eyes were incredibly grave.

“There is nothing to worry about.” Though he felt a strange foreboding, Hyeok So-jin forced a smile. “Even if the Ten Demonic Sects don’t interact much, our relationship with the Infernal Blood Fortress isn’t that bad.”

“Guard him.” Bu Eunseol’s voice dropped, imperative and low. “So the Illusion Demon does not make a wrong judgment.”

***

Hall of Mountains and Rivers, Inside the Office.

A small wooden box sat on the large table used for receiving guests. It was the box Yu Hyeok-sim had brought.

“This won’t be for free.” Hyeok Gong-baek scanned Yu Hyeok-sim with sharp eyes. “State your conditions.”

“It is simple.” Yu Hyeok-sim wore a genial smile. “Just make one promise: that you will remain neutral and not participate in this successor battle.”

“What?”

“Bu Eunseol. Our Fortress’s decision is that he must absolutely not become the successor of the Demonic Palace.”

“Hahahaha.”

Laughing loudly, Hyeok Gong-baek stopped abruptly. “Are you asking this Illusion Demon to speak with two tongues?”

Purple lightning seemed to strike constantly within his pupils, but Yu Hyeok-sim maintained a relaxed expression.

“Supporting a successor is something that can be withdrawn at any time, is it not?”

A faint, insinuating smile played on his lips.

“I heard your grandson has become an excellent successor. But isn’t this still a time when he needs the Illusion Demon’s teachings and guidance?”

“…”

“Besides, this also falls within the category of the successor battle. Our Fortress will take full responsibility for everything that happens hereafter.” Yu Hyeok-sim’s voice grew oily. “After all, isn’t the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying a place that doesn’t care who becomes the Demonic Palace’s successor? Now that your grandson has come to his senses… shouldn’t Brother Hyeok stay by his side so he can become a great Illusion Demon?”

“Mm.”

“Brother Hyeok’s internal energy must have already reached the Realm of Heaven and Man. If you only recover your health, you could live at least another forty or fifty years.”

Yu Hyeok-sim pointed to the wooden box on the table with gloomy eyes.

“There are only two Soft Jade of Azure Brilliance in the Murim, and currently, only our Fortress possesses one.”

“Hmph.”

Groaning, Hyeok Gong-baek rose from his seat.

In truth, his body was in a critical state. Without the peerless elixirs and treasures of Crimson Tubular Leaf and Soft Jade of Azure Brilliance, he could not sustain his life. Only Pung Yeo-ryang knew this fact. To others, he had simply claimed to have collapsed from overexertion, but somehow, the Infernal Blood Fortress knew and was bargaining with him using the very cure he needed.

“Mm.”

Groaning again, Hyeok Gong-baek turned his head to look at the crescent moon visible through the window. If he refused Yu Hyeok-sim’s proposal, he would breathe his last before seeing that crescent moon turn full.

“If you think of your beloved grandson, and the future of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying… shouldn’t you choose practicality over pride?”

“Mm. If my body recovers, living past a hundred would be nothing strange.”

“Precisely, Brother Hyeok.”

“But do you think this Illusion Demon covets the remaining years of his life so much that he would live servilely, unable to keep his spoken word?”

Hyeok Gong-baek looked down at Yu Hyeok-sim with solemn eyes.

“Leave.”

Purple light flashed in Hyeok Gong-baek’s eyes. If it were the past, he would have struck Yu Hyeok-sim dead and seized the wooden box, even if it meant moving mountains. But now his body was failing, and Yu Hyeok-sim had brought four hundred Poison Men. He could not burden Hyeok So-jin with such danger yet.

“Indeed, Brother Hyeok possesses a spirit worthy of the master of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying.”

Giving a thumbs-up, Yu Hyeok-sim looked outside with a strange smile. “But I wonder if Brother Hyeok’s grandson shares the same opinion.”

In an instant, Hyeok Gong-baek’s eyes widened in shock. He hadn’t sensed Hyeok So-jin’s presence, yet Yu Hyeok-sim had? Hyeok Gong-baek’s internal energy had truly declined severely.

Rustle.

A faint sound of wind whispered, and a tall shadow entered the office. Hyeok So-jin, who had been eavesdropping from the roof while hiding his presence, entered immediately upon being detected.

His gaze was low and sunken.

“Grandfather.”

“It is nothing. My health just worsened a little.”

Then Yu Hyeok-sim abruptly interjected. “Did you not know? The Area Master is suffering from the Ruptured Binding Fatal Syndrome, where the blood and qi harden.”

Hyeok So-jin’s vision went dark.

Ruptured Binding Fatal Syndrome.

It was a terminal illness where the brain vessels slowly blocked. At first, movements and reactions slowed; then, as the condition worsened, muscles and joints hardened like stone, rendering the body completely immobile.

Heaven took my father and mother, and now it tries to take even my grandfather?

Hyeok So-jin clenched his fists. What sin had the Hyeok family committed for the heavens to repeatedly send down such punishment?

“The only cure for the Ruptured Binding Fatal Syndrome is Crimson Tubular Leaf and Soft Jade of Azure Brilliance,” Yu Hyeok-sim spoke again. “There have only ever been two Soft Jade of Azure Brilliance in the Murim. One was in the Momentless Fleet but was lost, and the other is possessed by our Fortress.”

Hyeok So-jin scanned Yu Hyeok-sim with sharp eyes.

“So. You mean to kill Brother Bu here?”

“We only ask for the withdrawal of support.” Yu Hyeok-sim smiled broadly. “If you simply promise to withdraw support, I will give you this Soft Jade of Azure Brilliance immediately. Then the Illusion Demon will recover… and maintain his health for decades.”

Hyeok So-jin bit his lip.

Most martial artists who contracted the Ruptured Binding Fatal Syndrome took their own lives, for no one wanted to become a living mummy, breathing but paralyzed.

“Like our Palace, isn’t the Demonic Path always a place that runs on practicality?” Yu Hyeok-sim said with a laugh. “Hot-blooded loyalty is good, but surely the life of one’s flesh and blood is more important.”

In an instant, purple radiance bloomed in Hyeok So-jin’s eyes.

If it were the past, he would have attacked without thinking. But now, it was different. From Bu Eunseol, Hyeok So-jin had learned coolness, as well as how to quickly assess situations and make the best decisions.

“Brother Hyeok. Judging by his expression, your grandson seems to have a different opinion.”

“You saw wrong.”

Though he forced himself to maintain composure, purple lightning was blooming in Hyeok So-jin’s eyes as well.

“My opinion is the same as my grandfather’s.”

“Hmph. If that is the will of both of you, it can’t be helped.”

Yu Hyeok-sim’s reaction was surprisingly mild, as if he had expected this.

“Then, let us meet again next time.”

Watching Yu Hyeok-sim leave as if nothing had happened, Hyeok So-jin felt murderous intent rise. If he mobilized the masters of the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying, he could kill him right now. But that would trigger an all-out war with the Infernal Blood Fortress. Not only that, but killing a master of the Ten Demonic Sects without cause could invite sanctions from the Demonic Palace.

“Well done.”

Once Yu Hyeok-sim left, Hyeok Gong-baek nodded. “The moment we negotiate with people like that, this sect is finished.”

A faint smile hovered on his lips. The Hyeok So-jin of the past would have accepted the offer without hesitation to save him or lost his reason and attacked Yu Hyeok-sim. But the current Hyeok So-jin was looking at the bigger picture like a true sect leader.

If they abandoned a promise between sects for such a shallow trick? Hyeok Gong-baek might sustain his life, but the Heaven-Severing, Earth-Destroying could never become one of the ten pillars supporting the Demonic Path.

“Why didn’t you tell me beforehand? I didn’t know…”

When Hyeok So-jin bit his lip, Hyeok Gong-baek smiled faintly. “What would change if I told you? It would only increase the time of suffering.”

“There is no need to worry.” Hyeok So-jin clenched his fists tight. “Now that I know where the Soft Jade of Azure Brilliance is, I will use any means necessary…”

As he spoke, an unknown sense of incongruity flashed through his mind—the visceral sensation of grasping an unidentified object only to have dirty sewage flow out.

“This was their plan from the start.”

“Hm?”

“That man never intended to give us the Soft Jade of Azure Brilliance.”

Hyeok So-jin’s eyes widened. He had finally seen through Yu Hyeok-sim’s insidious scheme.