Bu Eunseol could no longer suppress the surging emotions.
“Then, does the Heavenly Demon Emperor know the answers I seek?” His voice grew too loud in his excitement. Barely reining in his feelings, Bu Eunseol opened his mouth again.
“Then why haven’t you told me the answers?”
“Hahaha.” The Demon Emperor’s laughter echoed in his ears.
It felt as if something slender and transparent, like a silken thread, was choking his throat.
“This is the first time you’ve shown emotion toward this seat.”
Only then did Bu Eunseol realize.
Even if he knelt and begged, he would never reveal the answers. He had even predicted this very reaction.
“The only answer this seat can give is one.”
The Demon Emperor stared piercingly at Bu Eunseol with eyes tinged in mysterious radiance.
“If you seek answers, you must uncover them yourself.”
Cutting off his laughter, the Demon Emperor spoke each word clearly. “Answers passed from another may be false, and they could forge an unpredictable new fate.”
Mulling the Demon Emperor’s words, Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed open.
‘Answers handed by others may not be true…’
What if the Demon Emperor falsely revealed the enemy who killed his grandfather?
If Bu Eunseol believed it and slew that man? Wouldn’t his fate be utterly manipulated by another’s word?
For that reason, the Demon Emperor wished for Bu Eunseol to find the answers himself.
“Thank you.” Bu Eunseol bowed his head and cupped his hands.
From the Demon Emperor, he had learned two vital truths.
That the answers he sought must be found by his own hand.
And that one at the pinnacle like the Demon Emperor could easily manipulate another’s fate with a single word.
‘I must guard against this too.’ Even teaching such truths might be a ploy to steer him in some direction.
“Thank you for the enlightenment.”
“The successor’s seat bears heavy burdens, but it wields immense power as well.” The Demon Emperor smiled calmly. “Wield it once. With the strength you claimed yourself.”
Leaving those words, he slowly turned away.
Bu Eunseol deeply cupped his hands toward the Demon Emperor’s retreating back. He had thought he finally grasped the man called the Demon Emperor… yet in the end, he gained nothing.
The unknown. And chaos.
With his current abilities, Bu Eunseol could not yet reach the Demon Emperor’s essence.
The only faint realization was…
That the being called the Demon Emperor was like a turbid chaos, where good and evil swirled indistinguishably.
***
At last, the inauguration began.
On the massive platform erected at the Sacred Demon Pavilion sat the lords of the Ten Demonic Sects.
Below them gathered all Majeon’s high command and division heads.
They stood rigidly in tense silence, not even breathing.
For from the Demon Emperor, towering atop the platform, poured a formidable aura. The presence he usually sealed away was now unleashed without restraint, to greet the next to manage Majeon.
—This is the Heavenly Demon Emperor.
The suffocating pressure poured endlessly, sweat beading on their foreheads. How could human power suppress the air in a hall spanning over three thousand pyeong?
Thud thud.
Then, through the ranks, a figure in ink-black robes—crafted as if from the hide of a black dragon—approached.
His lustrous long hair allowed light to pass through, revealing crystal-clear eyes like gems. With each step, embroidered ornaments and jewels reflected the sunlight.
He resembled a flashing dark dragon incarnated in human form.
It was Bu Eunseol.
Thud thud.
The aura flowing from the Demon Emperor pressed upon Bu Eunseol like hundreds of chi-long stones.
Yet Bu Eunseol ascended the stairs calmly.
At last, atop the platform, Bu Eunseol faced the Demon Emperor.
And slowly knelt on one knee.
Then, from behind, Jin Seol and two warriors carefully emerged bearing pitch-black iron armor.
Clack.
As Jin Seol cautiously opened the armor, beneath the gleaming sun emerged a blade dyed pure white.
‘What kind of sword is that?’
All in the hall wore puzzled expressions.
The sword bestowed upon the successor was the Crimson Thunder Sword, handed down through Majeon for generations. Yet this one had a blade dyed white, out of nowhere?
Swoosh.
She drew the sword and, with reverent caution, presented it to the Demon Emperor.
“The successor to this seat bears grave responsibility and immense authority.” The Demon Emperor, gripping the sword, gazed at Bu Eunseol. “And it is a profoundly dangerous position as well.”
Holding the sword, the Demon Emperor extended it toward Bu Eunseol, kneeling on one knee.
“Disciple of Nangyang Pavilion, Bu Eunseol. I appoint you head of this sect’s inspection unit, the Martial Soul Command Lord, and proclaim you this seat’s next successor.”
Clasp.
Bu Eunseol reverently accepted the sword with both hands.
‘Ice Soul.’
Did the sword whisper it?
Or had Bu Eunseol known this blade all along?
Merely grasping the hilt, the name ‘Ice Soul’ surfaced in his mind.
“As the successor to lead this seat, show your abilities without restraint.”
Boom.
Simultaneously, a resounding toll echoed from the massive gong on the platform.
At last, Bu Eunseol had ascended to Majeon’s successor.
“Speak a word.” The Demon Emperor, with a faint smile, looked at Bu Eunseol.
“As the successor.”
Bu Eunseol bowed politely and turned.
Gazing down at the multitudes below the platform.
“Some among you may resent that this Command Lord, from the Ten Demon Warriors, has become successor.”
“….”
“But know this: that I, this Command Lord, with no faction or base, could ascend here solely by honing his prowess.” Bu Eunseol shouted out with a serious expression.
“And as long as this Command Lord stands, all under this seat shall receive fair opportunities.”
His voice, shaking the Sacred Demon Pavilion, ignited the hearts of every demonic path denizen arrayed below.
“Grow your talents! Challenge and rise!”
Clasp.
Raising the Ice Soul Sword overhead, he declared loudly.
“Up to where this Command Lord stands!” By tradition, at his words’ end, all demonic path denizens below the platform should bow in unison.
A sign of submission acknowledging Majeon’s next successor, and marking the ceremony’s close.
—Waaaaah!
But instead of bows, a thunderous cheer tore through the heavens.
—As long as I am the successor, strength shall be all that matters.
—All opportunities shall turn fairly.
—If you desire, challenge even the seat I hold. I shall accept anytime.
Bu Eunseol had thus promised Majeon’s warriors, and the million demonic path denizens. And it was a promise that instantly soothed the resentments.
Of Majeon warriors discriminated by their lack of faction or origin and not strength…
And of countless disciples of demonic path sects.
—Bu Eunseol! Bu Eunseol!
—Martial Soul Command Lord! Martial Soul Command Lord!
Hearts aflame, the demonic path warriors chanted Bu Eunseol’s name in cheers that lingered long.
Whether from resentment or not, as the inauguration ended, the Ten Demonic Sect lords and factions—excluding Nangyang Pavilion, Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, and Affectionate Blossom Sect—immediately departed Majeon.
***
As the Demon Emperor said, Majeon’s successor wielded considerable power.
Upon becoming official successor, Bu Eunseol’s residence was promptly assigned to the Suppressed Demon Pavilion, not far from the Sacred Demon Pavilion.
Suppressed Demon Pavilion.
It rivaled the Demon Emperor’s Sacred Demon Pavilion in scale, with five hundred direct subordinates stationed on its vast grounds.
By custom, the successor received a separate Latent Demon Battalion to command. Moreover, as Martial Soul Command Lord, Bu Eunseol led the Martial Soul warriors.
But instead of commanding the Latent Demon Battalion, Bu Eunseol reinforced the Death Shadow Corps, expanding it into the Shadow of Death Battalion. He elevated each squad leader to third-grade captain status, assigning fitting roles and duties.
He also promoted Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong to second-grade captains, appointing them as his aides to escort him and manage the Shadow of Death Battalion and Martial Soul operations.
Myo Cheonwoo excelled in insight and managing people.
Yoo Unryong, eldest son of a long line of officials, was adept at paperwork.
With just the two, Bu Eunseol could fully detach from successor duties.
Thanks to this, he spent joyful times in Majeon with folk from Nangyang Pavilion, Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, and Affectionate Blossom Sect.
Suppressed Demon Pavilion, Bu Eunseol’s office.
“The Qinghai Seven Sword Sect matter is fully handled.” Yoo Unryong extended a ledger to Bu Eunseol at the desk.
“And this compiles all the financial and human resources, and every authority, available to you as Majeon successor and Martial Soul Command Lord.”
Upon appointing Yoo Unryong as aide, Bu Eunseol tasked him with two things.
First, formally incorporate the Seven Qinghai Sword Sect into Majeon. And bestow great rewards, in the Martial Soul Command Lord’s name, upon the Seven Sword Sect heirs who aided in the Black Alliance annihilation.
Second, compile a book overviewing all successor authorities at a glance.
‘It suits him well.’ Picking up the ledger, Bu Eunseol slyly eyed Yoo Unryong in scholar’s robes.
Upon naming him aide for paperwork, the Council had supplied him official scholar garb.
At first, Yoo Unryong ignored the robes, but as documents piled up, he began wearing them. In scholar robes, unlike martial attire, he could carry files without questions.
“What’s wrong?” Sensing Bu Eunseol’s stare, Yoo Unryong furrowed his brow.
Even as successor, nothing had changed.
Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong treated Bu Eunseol casually as always, and he imposed no rigid hierarchy on them. He kept things loose daily, enforcing strict discipline only when needed—a mercenary’s art.
“It’s neatly compiled, right? Any problem?”
“No.” Only then did Bu Eunseol return his gaze to the ledger.
It detailed everything from inauguration gifts to his commandable manpower and finances.
“Well compiled.”Bu Eunseol nodded.
Yoo Unryong had organized it far more meticulously than expected.
‘Status shapes the man, indeed.’
As a Ten Demon Warriors member, Yoo Unryong had been arrogant and simple. But delving into official duties awakened his latent strategist talent, and his temperament grew prudent.
Chwarak.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes sparkled as he swiftly scanned the ledger.
“So that’s how it is.”
“What do you mean?”
“No, nothing.” A subtle smile curved Bu Eunseol’s lips as he skimmed the lists.
“Now I can repay the debt.”
***
Dan Wolhon, seated in his office, had eyes full of worry.
Only one thought occupied his mind.
‘The Extreme Spirit Elixir…’
The Extreme Spirit Elixir submitted to Majeon by the Blood Flame Blade Sect.
It was one of the martial world’s supreme treasures: an instant century’s worth of inner energy upon consumption. Moreover, an unparalleled wonder that cured all blocked meridians.
—Can we not bestow the Extreme Spirit Elixir upon this Vice Lord?
At Majeon’s elder council, Dan Wolhon had bowed to the Demon Emperor for the first time, pleading his case.
Dan So-ok’s Three Yin Severed Meridians worsened with age, a dire blockage fatal around forty without swift treatment.
But with the Extreme Spirit Elixir…
It would not only cleanse the tormenting blockage but enable martial arts cultivation.
—We shall hold the Extreme Spirit Elixir’s disposition in reserve.
But as time passed, the elixir became a treasure undeliverable to any. Not just Dan Wolhon—countless Majeon elders had compelling reasons to claim it.
Bestowing it upon one in this situation would spark irreparable schism.
“Mm.” Even Dan Wolhon, commanding Majeon’s forces, found no solution.
His heart tore asunder.
‘This father is unworthy, failing to properly care for So-ok.’
Dan Wolhon’s wife had frail health from birth. He opposed her bearing children.
—I want a child like you, no matter what.
But she held firm. Yielding at last, he relented. Yet his fragile wife perished birthing Dan So-ok.
Dan Wolhon could not conceal his grief. Outwardly stern, he harbored pure, devoted love. In utter despair, he nearly lost will to live, but seeing Dan So-ok—so like her mother—steadied him.
He poured all the love meant for his wife onto his daughter, cherishing her fiercely.
Yet having raised her like fine jade…
Now he fretted her flower would wither before full bloom.
‘We’ll find it. Searching yields something rivaling the Extreme Spirit Elixir.’
He spoke boldly, but supreme wonders were heaven’s gifts. Despite pulling strings, no treasure matched it.
As he shook his head in torment,
Knock knock.
“Vice Lord. It’s Jeong Moon.”
“Enter.” The Majeon’s Strategic Division’s Lord, regaining composure, spoke. His trusted aide Jeong Moon entered, bowing.
“What is it?”
“Well…” Jeong Moon stammered, head low.
“The successor seeks the Vice Lord.”
“The Martial Soul Command Lord? Why?”
“…You’ll know upon coming.”
Flash!
Azure killing intent surged in Dan Wolhon’s eyes.
“What did you say?”
“Well…”
“Come and see?”
Even as successor candidate, Bu Eunseol’s status was merely Martial Soul Command Lord. He could not summon the Majeon’s Strategic Division’s Lord, top five in protocol.
“Power’s a staff in hand—he yearns to swing it.” Dan Wolhon had witnessed countless youths corrupted by early great power.
He was already irked near death over Dan So-ok.
Now this fresh successor ignored courtesy and procedure to summon him?
“I shall convey refusal to the Martial Soul Command Lord.” As Jeong Moon bowed, Dan Wolhon shook his head.
“Hahaha.” Chuckling lowly, Dan Wolhon said coldly. “I must go. It’s the successor of Majeon who summoned me, after all.”
Rising without hesitation, he commanded Jeong Moon.
“Assemble all Ten Thousand Demon Hall forces at the Suppressed Demon Pavilion.” The Ten Thousand Demon Hall was the Majeon’s Strategic Division’s elite battalion of top warriors.
“Ten Thousand Demon Hall…?” Jeong Moon, about to question, caught Dan Wolhon’s glare and bowed hastily.
“Y-yes.” Bowing, he fled the room.
Long serving Dan Wolhon, he instantly gauged his fury.
“I’ll show him now.” Staring into void, Dan Wolhon’s eyes gleamed murderously.
“What sort of man this Vice Lord is.” His voice dripped viscous killing intent.
Why even Majeon’s foremost, the Demon Emperor, could not trifle with him…
He would demonstrate personally to Bu Eunseol.
Blud is reaching