Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 168

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 168

 

In the darkness.

 

The back of the man with his upper body fully exposed showed muscles as clearly defined as if they had been sculpted.

 

Though the surroundings were so dark that even nearby objects could not be properly distinguished, it seemed as if a single ray of light was falling on him alone from the ceiling.

 

His pleasing muscles formed graceful curves from his broad, solid shoulders down to his waist.

 

Below his shoulder blades, the distinct ridges of muscle rose like gentle ridges, and the erector muscles stretching long along his spine created straight, deep grooves.

 

His physique, which stood out more for its structure and balance than size, seemed to have power condensed within it like a sword forged over a long time.

 

Rustle.

 

The servant girls, overwhelmed by his naked form, draped red silk clothing over him with trembling hands.

 

The dark chamber was filled only with the sound of fabric brushing against flesh, making the nervous breathing of the servant girls feel like noise.

 

Finally, after the servant girls finished arranging his attire and fastened a belt engraved with a five-clawed dragon around his waist, they carefully withdrew.

 

“This is Snow Lotus Tea.”

 

What filled the empty space was a beauty who came carrying a single cup of tea on a jade tray.

 

Unlike the other servant girls, she was beautifully adorned with ornaments in her hair, and she held up the tray with her head bowed as if she was not in a position to dare meet the man’s eyes.

 

Snow Lotus Tea.

 

It was tea brewed from flowers that had endured the north wind and persevered with tenacious vitality in frozen ice to finally bloom.

 

Even with countless riches, it was a spiritual herb-grade item difficult to obtain, requiring such concentrated brewing that only sips were possible, yet the man gulped it down in one go as if accustomed to it.

 

“The secret camp didn’t return?”

 

At the words spoken in a tone neither heavy nor light, an old man standing in one corner of the chamber answered.

 

“Please forgive our mistake.”

 

It was not the old man’s fault.

 

But the figure before him was an echo of terror, and the old man apologized like some pitiful captive thing.

 

Then, as if that was a signal, those who had appeared one by one from spaces that had been invisible until now began to cry out in unison.

 

“Please forgive us!”

 

The voices filling the chamber echoed and reverberated.

 

Below the platform where the man stood.

 

Between the columns supporting the ceiling on both sides, people of various dress, age, and gender were prostrating themselves like Buddhist disciples with their foreheads pressed to the ground.

 

The man slowly turned his body and plopped down on the massive stone throne, crossing his legs with a smile.

 

“You have no reason to be sorry. Get up now. The floor is cold.”

 

The man who waved his hand dismissively was very young.

 

Younger than anyone else in the great hall, younger than the servant girls who had dressed him and the beauty who had brought the tea.

 

He appeared to have just passed his coming of age, with an expression full of mischief, yet with just a gesture he made all those prostrating raise their heads at once.

 

“People, why are you all so serious? Let’s not think too deeply about it. Sometimes failures happen, don’t they? And it’s Milying’s fault, not yours.”

 

“….”

 

Though his tone seemed almost cheerful, not a trace of relief appeared on the faces of those prostrating.

 

Hyeok Wollin.

 

That was the name he had received at birth.

 

Like a viper that devours the mother that raised it, he had massacred the family clan of his birth and brought the family clans called the Six Demonic Path Families and the masters of the Twelve Heavens to their knees one by one, ending the civil war.

 

Even before reaching his coming of age.

 

In just one month since taking the first steps of conquest, the Demonic Path was unified.

 

For the first time in two generations, since Heavenly Demon Baek Ganghwi, the Demonic Path had gathered under a single owner.

 

And the first thing he did was to behead the leaders of each family clan and use them to decorate the area below the platform where his throne was placed.

 

Six heads that couldn’t even close their eyes were lined up side by side.

 

Then he captured and executed all those who were around his age.

 

Those who were roughly within ten years of his age, both older and younger.

 

Even for the Demonic Path, what he did was enough to make one frown, yet he carried it out with laughter and without the slightest hesitation.

 

He even clapped his hands and found it entertaining.

 

Wrong?

 

Such things didn’t matter to him.

 

He was like a child who purely enjoyed tearing off insect wings and dismembering their bodies for the simple satisfaction of fun.

 

He was innocent and pure.

 

As if he had no emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure, he seemed to feel no guilt even for cruel acts.

 

He was terror itself.

 

Even witnessing their blood relatives dying before their eyes, no one dared to open their mouth in defiance.

 

Because he was someone who could treat everyone exactly the same way.

 

It seemed he wouldn’t care even if he killed everyone in the Demonic Path.

 

The worst, most vicious, strongest in history…

 

He was a human being who embodied all those words mixed together.

 

One born as pure evil.

 

One who reigned as a god beyond the title of Heavenly Demon.

 

The Demonic Path came to exist solely for that one person.

 

As a sect, not a path.

 

The followers, captivated by his strength, came to follow him within the newly organized structure and dream of conquering the Central Plains, a goal they had been unable to achieve for so long.

 

“The secret camp has already been annihilated, hasn’t it?”

 

“That is correct.”

 

“I heard that the Tang Family doesn’t forget grudges?”

 

“That is correct.”

 

“Will they try to take revenge?”

 

“It won’t be easy. Although the civil war ended not long ago, they would have too much to lose if they were to attack our sect.”

 

“That’s a shame. It would be nice if they came looking for us…”

 

Hyeok Wollin frowned as if disappointed, then spoke indifferently.

 

“Fill it with new people.”

 

“I will do so.”

 

“Now then, is it time to receive another boring report? Begin.”

 

Though Hyeok Wollin’s appearance was very casual as he rested his chin on his hand, there wasn’t a single person who wasn’t tense.

 

They quickly sorted through what they needed to say in their minds, practicing to reduce mistakes.

 

Because they knew he was both good and evil, unpredictably changing from moment to moment, capable of tearing off limbs with an innocent smile.

 

“Begin the report.”

 

Following the command of Left Dharma King Hong Ma, who assisted the Sect Leader, reports began in sequence.

 

“Reporting to Blood Flame King. We have recently resumed the supply of materials. Currently one hundred have arrived, and approximately one thousand children per year are expected to be replenished to the training center.”

 

After the report ended, Hong Ma cautiously observed Hyeok Wollin’s expression. Whether there was any change in his face, or if he had anything else to say…

 

However, Hyeok Wollin seemed only interested in the alcohol brought by the servant girls, showing an indifferent face, so Hong Ma felt relieved and supplemented his instructions.

 

While the Sect Leader made the decisions, it was Hong Ma who presided over the meetings.

 

“One thousand is too few. It might be acceptable in peacetime, but there has been no supply of warriors due to the long internal war. Work harder.”

 

“But… if we move too suddenly, the Central Plains might become suspicious…”

 

Hong Ma frowned at Blood Flame King’s troubled expression.

 

Even after being treated like that…

 

If he had something to say, he should come find him later and say it then. How could he be so tactless?

 

He had no choice but to fearfully observe the Sect Leader’s complexion.

 

He was someone who lacked patience.

 

The moment he felt bored, there was no telling what might happen, so he quickly scolded.

 

“Even if they become suspicious, what can they do? Their alliance collapsed long ago, and the Nine Sects and Martial Families have been scattered for a long time. We have united as one, but they are still divided, so don’t worry about it and work to supply two thousand materials.”

 

“Y-yes, I will do so.”

 

“Next, Chaos King, report.”

 

“Yes. We are rapidly restoring relationships with trading companies. Trade with the North has already begun, and we plan to secretly start negotiations with the Central Plains side soon.”

 

“Make sure to secure sufficient funds, and don’t leave it to subordinates – Chaos King should personally handle and resolve matters. Also, examine old records and approach trading companies that had connections with us in the past.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Next, Ma Ryeong…”

 

As he was about to continue with the next report, the Sect Leader quietly raised his hand. Hong Ma hurriedly stopped speaking and turned around to ask respectfully.

 

“Do you have something to add?”

 

“Do you really need me here?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Anyway, the Left Dharma King can handle the sect’s operations, can’t he?”

 

“Th-that’s true, but…”

 

“But?”

 

“No. I will preside over it to completion and give you a comprehensive report.”

 

“Good. That works then.”

 

Had he been bored despite the rushed reports?

 

When Hyeok Wollin, who had already emptied a bottle of alcohol, rose from his seat, Hong Ma and the other kings quickly prostrated themselves on the floor.

 

“Is the Right Dharma King still not back?”

 

“That’s correct. He is carrying out the instructions you gave him.”

 

“Hmm… it’s taking longer than expected.”

 

“Shall I call him back?”

 

“No. I’ll go see for myself.”

 

Having finished speaking, Hyeok Wollin descended from the platform and walked through the center of the ten pillars.

 

No one opened their mouth.

 

Thud!

 

“You crazy bastard! How can you be so thoughtless! Don’t you know that a single word can mean the difference between life and death?”

 

“…I apologize.”

 

“Everyone, keep this in mind. The Sect Leader is testing us. If we fail to complete our assigned duties without fault, both you and I will have our heads placed beneath that platform.”

 

At Hong Ma’s words, the Demon Kings subtly turned their heads to look below the platform.

 

The memory was vivid.

 

The sight of severed heads lined up in a row, and Hyeok Wollin’s face wearing an innocent smile as he gazed upon them came to mind.

 

* * *

 

“Kuk, kukkuk… Look at those frightened fools… What amusing fellows they are.”

 

Hyeok Wollin, who had left the hall where the meeting was held, couldn’t stop laughing at whatever he found so entertaining.

 

“The way they struggle so desperately.”

 

He wasn’t unaware of their purpose.

 

The normalization of the Demonic Sect.

 

And the conquest of All Under Heaven.

 

However, that was completely unrelated to Hyeok Wollin.

 

He didn’t care what happened to the world.

 

He had taken control of the Demonic Sect only because he needed subordinates to command while he regained his past power.

 

“Who could have known I would be reincarnated as a member of the Demonic Sect?”

 

A smile formed on his lips along with words of unclear meaning.

 

“That bastard must have returned as well.”

 

Hyeok Wollin recalled a certain figure.

 

The reason he had purged all the previous generation who would become obstacles as soon as he took control of the Demonic Sect, and massacred all the warriors of his generation, was because of that bastard.

 

Heavenly Demon Baek Ganghwi.

 

A pitiful life who sought to transcend the boundaries of humanity and reach immortality.

 

Perhaps he was among the lives he had killed, or maybe he existed somewhere else entirely.

 

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Even if that bastard was reborn somewhere other than the Demonic Sect, he’ll just repeat a pathetically insignificant life without realizing the method to ascend to immortality.”

 

A cold smile formed on Hyeok Wollin’s lips.

 

He was one who had returned.

 

Due to the Destruction Method that Hyeoncheonja had unknowingly altered.

 

Some had called it an attempt that could cost him everything, but he had lived a half-complete life, never achieving immortality, and had grown weary of it.

 

As a result, he had returned.

 

“It’s a bit regrettable that I couldn’t secure the Thunder Stone. I desperately needed a spiritual treasure for my future endeavors.”

 

He clicked his tongue as if disappointed, but soon erased the irritation that had appeared on his face.

 

“Well, it can’t be helped. I can’t be revealed to the world just yet. If those damned bastards notice, my plans will be disrupted. If the Right Dharma King moves according to plan, I’ll soon regain my past spiritual power… and I can just steal spiritual treasures from others.”

 

Hyeok Wollin’s eyes sparkled transparently as he headed toward where the Right Dharma King was.

 

Like glass marbles.

 

Or like something eerie.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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