At that moment, Bu Eunseol felt the gut-wrenching pain gradually subside. Unbeknownst to him, Dan Cheong, who had stepped forward, was deflecting the overwhelming formless aura.
“That’s enough.” Dan Cheong, glancing at Wi Hyeok-gun, scratched his disheveled hair. “Our pavilion needs to take at least one person, doesn’t it? Since this one volunteered himself, we have no choice but to accept him.”
The formless aura emanating from Wi Hyeok-gun was so intense that even the gathered experts couldn’t easily dismiss it. Yet Dan Cheong’s expression was as calm as if he had run into an acquaintance while out for a stroll.
“Hmph.” Wi Hyeok-gun, staring intently at Dan Cheong, raised an eyebrow.
‘Dan Cheong…’ The Nangyang Pavilion, often mocked as a failing sect due to its small numbers and the frequent deaths of its disciples. Yet it firmly held its place among the Ten Demonic Sects because the individual prowess of its members was truly formidable.
“Hmph.” Wi Hyeok-gun, still glaring at Dan Cheong, let out a cold snort. “Take him and leave quickly. I might draw my sword without realizing it.”
“My thanks for your understanding, Brother Wi.” As if nothing had happened, Dan Cheong leisurely led Bu Eunseol out of the Eternal Pavilion.
“Hmm.” Once outside, Dan Cheong looked at Bu Eunseol and asked in a flat tone. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
“Enduring pain isn’t always the answer. If someone asks, be honest from now on.” Then he grasped Bu Eunseol’s pulse.
A warm surge of energy coursed through his body, and Bu Eunseol felt as if he were floating on clouds, his body at ease.
‘He’s healing my body.’ Bu Eunseol stole a glance at Dan Cheong’s profile as he channeled his internal energy. A robust figure, with the carefree demeanor of a wealthy idler who had never known worry. Yet in reality, he was a supreme master capable of effortlessly blocking the formless aura of the greatest sword of the demonic path.
‘Huh, there’s truly no trace of martial arts training.’ Releasing Bu Eunseol’s pulse, Dan Cheong asked.
“I heard you learned the Beast Way without any prior martial arts training. Is that true?”
“Yes.” A flicker of pride passed through Bu Eunseol’s eyes as he nodded.
No one on Hell Island had failed to be astonished at the fact that he had mastered the Beast Way. But Dan Cheong’s reaction was different.
“That’s troublesome.”
“Pardon?”
“That means the only martial arts you’ve learned so far are the basic techniques of our pavilion and the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.” Dan Cheong sighed as he looked down at Bu Eunseol. “You’re in for some hardship.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“To put it simply, the martial arts of our pavilion combine the strengths of countless martial arts across the martial world, optimized for real combat.” Dan Cheong’s narrowed eyes shifted to the distant sky as he continued. “In other words, to master our pavilion’s martial arts, one must diligently train from a young age to build their body and establish a foundation.”
Bu Eunseol’s puzzled gaze was now fixed entirely on Dan Cheong’s face.
“But since you’ve never properly trained in martial arts… you’ll have to work several times harder than the other disciples to learn our techniques.”
“The harder it is to learn, the more deeply it will be ingrained in my body.”
“Hohoho. I’ll look forward to it.” Taking a deep breath, Dan Cheong looked at Bu Eunseol. “Shall we get going?”
Patting Bu Eunseol’s shoulder, Dan Cheong gave a faint smile.
“To Nangyang Pavilion.”
***
Nangyang Pavilion was originally situated in the barren lands of Xinjiang. But when Majeon, known as the martial world’s demonic headquarters, was established in the Jangsa region, Nangyang Pavilion also expanded into the Central Plains.
Iron Staff Mountain.
This place, renowned for its rugged terrain, was home to the Nangyang Pavilion, known for its peerless combat-oriented martial arts among the Ten Demonic Sects.
“We’ve arrived.” Dan Cheong, who had been walking through the rugged mountain as if it were flat ground, muttered.
At about the midpoint of the mountain, a grand manor stood proudly. From a distance, it resembled the Green Forest Headquarters, but up close, its magnificence and scale were incomparable.
‘This is Nangyang Pavilion.’ Following Dan Cheong into the pavilion, Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened. He had expected a solemn, serene atmosphere with numerous grand halls, like in Majeon. But upon entering, he found a scene resembling a small village.
“This is…” Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide his bewildered expression.
People dressed in all sorts of clothing passed by, showing no particular reaction to Dan Cheong. Moreover, few carried weapons, making it look, at a glance, like a rural settlement.
“Surprised?” As if reading Bu Eunseol’s mind, Dan Cheong smiled faintly. “Unlike other sects, our pavilion adheres to a self-sufficient lifestyle.”
Most demonic sects dominate the commerce of their surrounding territories. But Nangyang Pavilion had no interest beyond honing martial arts and held no territorial influence, so it had no source of wealth. As a result, most of the pavilion’s experts lived self-sufficiently, moving between Iron Staff Mountain and nearby villages.
“Is there an age requirement to join Nangyang Pavilion?” Bu Eunseol suddenly asked an unexpected question.
Among the people filling the pavilion, there were none his age; even the youngest appeared well past their twenties.
“Right now, our pavilion’s young elites, like the vanguard or the great lords, are absent.”
“No, I mean people my age.”
“Well, in the past… many young disciples came to the pavilion, drawn by its legend.” Dan Cheong cleared his throat and fell silent.
In short, those who remained were the ones who had survived the pavilion’s brutal training. Avoiding Bu Eunseol’s gaze, Dan Cheong continued.
“Soon, when the pavilion leader returns… many will come seeking our pavilion again.”
“Is the pavilion leader absent?”
“He’s in secluded training.”
“I see.” As Bu Eunseol nodded blankly, Dan Cheong pointed to a corner at the edge of the village.
“This place will do.” It was a modest house surrounded by a bamboo fence.
However, it seemed long uninhabited, with parts of the gate broken and sections of the outer walls collapsed.
“It needs some repairs.” Dan Cheong pointed to a forge not far from the empty house.
There, various tools and stacks of timber were piled up.
“I heard you’re skilled enough to craft fake rocks out of wood.”
‘They were watching everything from the start.’ Bu Eunseol finally realized. The assassins hadn’t just observed the third trial; they had been watching all the trainees from the first trial to the last.
‘No wonder… they chose the heirs without hesitation based on the assassins’ reports.’ The Ten Demonic Successors competition had felt somewhat lackluster in the final selection process compared to the intense trials. But now it made sense. The Demonic Alliance had meticulously observed every trainee from start to finish.
“That’s Master Wang Geol, the Iron Smith.” Dan Cheong pointed to a muscular old man hammering iron in the forge. “He crafts not only weapons but various tools. If you need tools for repairs, ask Master Iron.” The man met Bu Eunseol’s gaze with eyes burning like a furnace.
“By the way, despite his appearance, Master Iron is the kindest and most knowledgeable in our pavilion. Ask him anything.” It was unclear whether this was a joke or serious.
Dan Cheong spoke to Bu Eunseol in a flat tone.
“Now, start the repairs.”
“Right now?”
“Yes.” Standing firm, it seemed Dan Cheong wanted to see Bu Eunseol’s craftsmanship firsthand.
“Understood.” Without hesitation, Bu Eunseol entered the forge and pointed to a table neatly lined with tools. “May I use these tools?”
Wang Geol glared at Bu Eunseol with blazing eyes.
“Do as you please.” Despite his expression, his voice was gentle.
It seemed Dan Cheong’s words weren’t a joke.
“Thank you.” Picking up the tools, Bu Eunseol began repairing the house.
Tap, tap.
With every movement of his hands, the worn and broken parts were neatly restored. Bu Eunseol was skilled enough to craft coffins from wood scraps. In no time, the dilapidated house was tidily repaired.
Dig, swish.
Having finished the house, Bu Eunseol began digging the ground in front of it. As the hole grew deeper, Dan Cheong narrowed his eyes.
‘That guy Sa Woo. He even passed down the Heart-Eye Breaking Void technique.’ He discerned that Bu Eunseol had mastered the technique to expand his Beast Way senses while digging.
‘He doesn’t even consider the pavilion’s interior safe.’ A satisfied smile crept across Dan Cheong’s lips. Bu Eunseol’s preparedness for any situation was thoroughly to his liking.
“Not bad skills. With that, you won’t go hungry anywhere.”
“Is there no initiation process for Nangyang Pavilion?”
“Initiation process?”
“Like bowing before the ancestral shrine or learning the sect’s rules.” To join the Wudang Sect, one bows at the True Martial Hall; to enter Shaolin, one receives precepts from the abbot.
In most demonic sects, disciples are accepted with the leader’s approval. Afterward, they are typically taught the sect’s rules or assigned duties.
“Bu Eunseol.” Suddenly, Dan Cheong said something shocking. “Unfortunately, you’re not yet a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened. After surviving countless trials to become a Ten Demon Successor and arriving at Nangyang Pavilion… he wasn’t a disciple?
“You’ve become a Ten Demon Successor, but you’re not yet a disciple of our pavilion.”
“Why not?” In a low, solemn voice, Dan Cheong said.
“Because there are no weaklings among the disciples of Nangyang Pavilion.” A strange statement.
Looking into Dan Cheong’s eyes, Bu Eunseol began to understand its meaning. He wasn’t strong enough yet.
But as he grew stronger, he would one day be recognized as a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion.
“If I become strong, can I become a disciple without any other procedures?”
“Hohoho. If by procedures you mean formalities, then yes. Our pavilion has no such things.” Dan Cheong spoke with a proud expression. “Every disciple of our pavilion is Nangyang itself. There’s no need to impose oaths or a sense of belonging.”
For once, Bu Eunseol couldn’t fully comprehend. Nangyang Pavilion’s philosophy was utterly incomprehensible as a sect.
“You’ll understand in time. Why our pavilion, despite its small numbers, is part of the Ten Demonic Sects. Its greatness.”
“What should I do here from now on?” At Bu Eunseol’s question, Dan Cheong smiled faintly.
“Train in martial arts. To be recognized as a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion. Everyone here is your teacher.”
Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide his astonishment. Did that mean he could learn martial arts from all the masters in the pavilion? But as Dan Cheong gazed at Bu Eunseol’s excited expression, he added one more thing.
“However, whether they teach you is up to them.”
