It was a clear day without a single cloud. Mo Gwang, a Gatekeeper Guard guarding the entrance of the Demonic Palace headquarters, yawned languidly.
“Yawn.”
Looking up at the sky, he spoke to his colleague Jang Sam standing next to him.
“When we’re busy, I beg for some free time… but now that it’s quiet, it’s boring in its own way.”
“What are you talking about? You were just praying for no one to come.”
“Who? Me?”
“Don’t you remember? Back then.”
In that instant, Mo Gwang recalled the carts carrying bodies out of the Demonic Palace headquarters a few months ago.
The Ten Demonic Successor Tournament.
Countless boys and girls who had entered the Demonic Palace for that very purpose had left as cold corpses.
“Let’s drop that subject.”
Shuddering, Mo Gwang shook his head.
Although he worked as a gatekeeper due to a lack of outstanding talent, in his youth, he too had entered the Demonic Palace harboring lofty ambitions. Witnessing young heroes full of dreams being carried out as gruesome corpses caused him unspeakable distress.
“Anyway, I wonder what those chosen as the Ten Demonic Successors are doing,” Jang Sam muttered, gazing at the distant sky.
“I heard they entered the Ten Demonic Sects to receive the transmission of supreme martial arts… but how would guards like us know such information?”
“Didn’t I say let’s stop talking about that?”
Just as Mo Gwang frowned with irritation…
Thud. Thud.
A shadow was walking toward the entrance of the Demonic Palace from the distance.
Though clad in tattered martial robes, his physique was imposing and his eyes burned with intensity. His face looked as if he had just shed the traces of boyhood, but a solemn aura like that of a lion radiated from him.
He’s no ordinary person.
Mo Gwang had been a Gatekeeper Guard for twenty years. Having dedicated his youth to this job, his eye for people rivaled that of any fortune teller.
“What business brings you here?”
Mo Gwang maintained a polite but confident attitude befitting a guard of the Demonic Palace.
What kind of eyes are those…
But the moment he met the boy’s gaze, his confident aura vanished without a trace, and his neck shrank back.
“I have come to see the Hall Master of Ten Thousand Knowledge.”
“You mean Ten Thousand Knowledge Hall Master?”
At the boy’s words, Mo Gwang tilted his head.
Baek Jeon-cheon, the Hall Master of Ten Thousand Knowledge, rarely showed himself and always stayed deep within the headquarters.
“He is not someone you can see just by looking for him. Do you have an appointment?”
At that moment, realizing the situation belatedly, Jang Sam poked Mo Gwang in the ribs.
“Wasn’t there an instruction from the Hall of Ten Thousand Knowledge yesterday?”
—Within a few days, someone looking for the Hall Master will visit the headquarters. Do not ask for his identity; escort him politely to the Hall.
“What instruction? I didn’t hear about it.”
Mo Gwang hadn’t heard the news because he had been away from his post.
“Forget it. I’ll handle it, so don’t worry.”
Pushing Mo Gwang aside, Jang Sam scratched his head and spoke, ”Please follow me. I will guide you to the Hall of Ten Thousand Knowledge.”
Just as he was about to lead the way, Mo Gwang waved his hand. “What about the visitor log? He has to sign the log before leaving.”
“Shh. Elder Go Hong, the Deputy Hall Master, gave the order.”
As Jang Sam tried to whisper and leave, Mo Gwang grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t you remember Hall Master Gyeong-hwa’s request a while ago not to let anyone into the headquarters without following procedure?”
“Ah, you inflexible old man. I told you, this isn’t for you to step in!”
As Mo Gwang and Jang Sam whispered and bickered…
“I will sign the log.”
The boy stepped forward refreshingly with an expression devoid of malice. Mo Gwang politely pointed to the table.
“You can write here.”
Nodding, the boy picked up the brush and began to write.
—Janyang Sect…
Writing the characters, the boy smiled bitterly.
“I will rewrite it.”
Shaking his head, he lifted the brush again and wrote with a fluid stroke.
Janyang Sect?
Looking at the log, Mo Gwang saw the characters for ‘Janyang Sect’ and a memory suddenly flashed in his mind.
The boy who came on the last day of the Ten Demonic Successor Tournament?
Mo Gwang couldn’t forget the memory of that day.
The desperate image of a boy in dharma robes, tearing his own finger without hesitation with a sickening crunch to draw blood…
He has grown this much in that time?
Mo Gwang rubbed his eyelids subtly.
The scruffy boy in dharma robes had transformed into a martial artist with a dignified appearance.
“Is this sufficient?”
Snapping out of his thoughts at the voice, Mo Gwang looked down at the visitor log again.
—Wolf Fang Pavilion, Bu Eunseol.
Wolf Fang Pavilion!
Looking down at the log, Mo Gwang’s eyes nearly popped out this time.
The Ten Demonic Sects. One of the names of the ten sects that upheld the Demonic Murim was written in the visitor log!
He became a Ten Demonic Successor!
Mo Gwang’s chest swelled with emotion.
The last boy he had guided had finally overcome all adversity and become a Ten Demonic Successor? He felt a sense of pride as if he had contributed to the feat himself.
“P-Please forgive this humble one…”
Clutching his pounding chest, Mo Gwang bowed deeply.
“Please follow me!”
***
Guided by Mo Gwang, Bu Eunseol slowly walked into the Demonic Palace headquarters.
This feels strange.
Bu Eunseol also felt a new wave of emotion.
When he first came here, he was a lowly mortician who knew no martial arts. Now, he was walking proudly through the Demonic Palace as a Successor of Wolf Fang Pavilion.
Am I the only one who has changed?
The Demonic Palace headquarters he visited again was still magnificent, flowing with a solemn atmosphere. Just like that day.
“This is the Hall of Ten Thousand Knowledge.”
Finally arriving in front of the Hall built near the west garden of the headquarters, Mo Gwang bowed his head.
“If you go inside, someone from the Hall will guide you.”
Bu Eunseol nodded lightly and stepped into the Hall.
Watching Bu Eunseol’s back as he entered, Mo Gwang gently clasped his hands together. Hoping for protection to be with the boy who had survived adversity and trials, he wished:
“I wish you fortune in war.”
***
The Hall of Ten Thousand Knowledge.
It was a place where brilliant minds, the brains of the Demonic Palace, gathered and a place comparable to the Chief Strategist Hall of the Martial Righteous Alliance.
The only difference was that while the Chief Strategist Hall gathered strategists solely for tactics and strategy, the Hall of Ten Thousand Knowledge also handled the operation and management of the Demonic Palace itself.
“Young Hero Bu.”
As Bu Eunseol entered the Hall, a young man bowed lightly as if he had been waiting.
“I am Sim Wol of the Hall of Ten Thousand Knowledge.”
The man named Sim Wol had a very clean appearance and seemed to be about the same age as Bu Eunseol. Seeing someone his own age, Bu Eunseol realized anew that Wolf Fang Pavilion was filled with older men.
“I am Bu Eunseol of Wolf Fang Pavilion.”
“I have heard much about you from the Hall Master. Here, please follow me.”
Following Sim Wol’s guidance deeper inside, Bu Eunseol saw a tightly closed iron gate.
“Hall Master. It is I, Sim Wol.” Sim Wol spoke in a very respectful voice in front of the iron gate. “Young Hero Bu of Wolf Fang Pavilion has arrived.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the iron gate opened with a rumbling sound. Judging by the heavy noise, it seemed to be operated by a special mechanism rather than opened by hand.
“Please enter.”
Stepping inside, he was greeted by towering bookshelves brimming with books. Beyond a wooden partition, he found an office with a table and writing materials. Sitting there, exuding a clear and elegant presence, was a middle-aged man.
It was Baek Jeon-cheon, the Hall Master of Ten Thousand Knowledge.
“Your aura has become even more dignified in the meantime.”
Bu Eunseol made a puzzled expression.
Baek Jeon-cheon’s status was not low, and his intelligence and agility were no less than any master. Yet why was he showing such courtesy to a novice like himself?
“Hahaha. There is no special reason. It has just become a habit.”
Reading Bu Eunseol’s thoughts, Baek Jeon-cheon spoke calmly.
“Unlike the Martial Righteous Alliance, there is a tendency in the Demonic Palace not to particularly value intellectuals.”
In the Orthodox factions, brilliant minds were highly cherished and employed in important positions. However, strategists in the Demonic Palace were treated as weaklings who only used their heads because their martial arts were weak. This was also due to the unique atmosphere of the Demonic Path, which revered only domination and the strong.
“Bu Eunseol of Wolf Fang Pavilion greets the Hall Master of Ten Thousand Knowledge.”
Regaining his composure, Bu Eunseol bowed to Baek Jeon-cheon with the utmost respect. Not only had he seen him since the Ten Demonic Successor Tournament, but Baek Jeon-cheon had also greatly helped save his life alongside Hyeok Ryeon-eung.
“The Ten Demonic Successor of Wolf Fang Pavilion is too polite.” Baek Jeon-cheon wore a playful smile. “How is it? I heard Wolf Fang Pavilion has a unique lifestyle unlike ordinary sects.”
“For me, it couldn’t be better.”
“That is fortunate.”
Grinning, he spoke with deep eyes, as if bringing up the main topic.
“You must have heard everything?”
“I have.”
“Our Demonic Palace is also in a very difficult situation because of this matter. We cannot simply ignore the demands of the Ten Demonic Sects.”
Bu Eunseol furrowed his brow. Being ignorant of the political situation of the Murim, he didn’t know much about the relationship between the Demonic Palace and the Ten Demonic Sects.
“Are the Demonic Palace and the Ten Demonic Sects separate entities?”
“It seems Wolf Fang Pavilion is still indifferent to the politics of the Murim. Seeing as they haven’t even told you about the Ten Demonic Successors.”
Smiling faintly, Baek Jeon-cheon spoke again, ”The Demonic Palace is a coalition of demonic factions created by the combined power of the Ten Demonic Sects. The two entities cannot be separated, but they cannot be called one body either.”
When Bu Eunseol looked confused, Baek Jeon-cheon explained further.
“Normally, someone from one of the Ten Demonic Sects would ascend to the position of Demonic Palace Master, but the current Lord is not from the Ten Demonic Sects. Also, not all demonic factions are favorable toward the Demonic Palace.”
From Baek Jeon-cheon’s explanation, Bu Eunseol grasped two key points.
The Demonic Palace Master standing at the apex of the Demonic Murim and the Ten Demonic Sects were merely in a cooperative relationship. And not all demonic factions viewed the coalition called the Demonic Palace favorably.
“And frankly speaking, the Ten Demonic Successor plan is ‘Successor’ in name only. It is not about selecting heirs for the Ten Demonic Sects. It was solely to create ten sharp blades to deal with the Masters of Great Righteousness of the Orthodox factions.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression remained unchanged. He had already expected as much.
“You don’t seem very surprised.”
Smiling, Baek Jeon-cheon continued.
“In other words, the Ten Demonic Successor Tournament is a plan by the Demonic Palace created to counter the Masters of Great Righteousness of the Martial Righteous Alliance. Originally, most of the Ten Demonic Sects rejected this.”
Wearing a bitter smile, Baek Jeon-cheon added.
“Because there’s no need to bring in external disciples just to kill Masters of Great Righteousness. That is why the current situation has occurred.”
—The current Demonic Palace has no choice but to be wary of the Ten Demonic Sects.
Perhaps this was what Baek Jeon-cheon wanted to say. To explain why they had no choice but to forcefully summon Bu Eunseol, who was training at Wolf Fang Pavilion.
“I am fine. Whatever test I must face.”
When Bu Eunseol answered resolutely, Baek Jeon-cheon sighed deeply.
“Do you happen to remember Gang Mu-ryun, the grandson of the White Demon Monastery Lord?”
When Bu Eunseol shook his head, Baek Jeon-cheon spoke.
“He was one of the group of three who attacked Young Hero Bu at the end. He had inherited the supreme arts of the White Demon Monastery, but he was killed because he underestimated you.”
“Are you saying… attacking me with three people was underestimating me?”
“Do not misunderstand. I know well how exceptional your talent is.” Baek Jeon-cheon continued, ”However, what is terrifying about the Whip Arts of the White Demon Monastery is that no matter how many enemies there are, one can fight as if dealing with a single person.”
Baek Jeon-cheon spoke in a subdued voice.
“But because Young Hero Gang coordinated his attacks with his companions, his mental focus was divided, and consequently, he failed to show the true power of the White Demon Whip.”
Coordinated attacks require very precise rules and laws. If one fights in a tangled mess, allies can destroy each other. There is a reason why the martial tactic called ‘Combined Attack Art’ exists in the Murim.
“If you had fought one-on-one… perhaps you might not have been able to handle Young Hero Gang.”
Bu Eunseol did not answer that but changed the subject.
“Is the Head Instructor not at the headquarters?”
Head Instructor Hyeok Ryeon-eung had prepared himself for punishment to save Bu Eunseol. If he were at the headquarters, he surely would have come to see him.
“He has gone out into the Gangho to handle various matters.”
“Is it because of me?”
“That is correct.”
Baek Jeon-cheon spoke honestly.
“The Head Instructor originally holds the position of Guardian of the headquarters. However, since he went to handle matters in the Gangho after laying down his position as Hall Master… he is receiving a rather heavy punishment in his own way.”
“Why?”
Since surviving Hell Island, Bu Eunseol confessed the doubt he had held in his heart to Baek Jeon-cheon.
“The Head Instructor and I are strangers.”
Light poured from Bu Eunseol’s eyes as he stared at Baek Jeon-cheon.
“So why did he help me, even accepting punishment?”