CHAPTER 510: EPILOGUE EARTH DEMON (7)

“You are quite amusing, contrary to the rumors.”

Dam Cheon’s eyes sparkled with interest.

Whether it was his audacity that caught his attention, or his plan that moved his heart, Seol-Hwi couldn’t tell.

But at least, he was certainly showing interest unlike before.

“Then let me ask you one thing. What is your unique weapon?”

Dam Cheon, not completely open yet, asked with a cautious demeanor.

“Please, make it clear for me to understand.”

“I’m talking about what you’ve accomplished on your own.”

Dam Cheon continued to speak slowly.

“The First Disciple has long been recognized for his talent and skill by our Cult. On his journey through the martial world, he elevated the prestige of the Demonic Cult by beheading the Justice Faction’s leaders. The Second Disciple won the heart of the Blood Demon Commander, seizing his power, and even succeeded in persuading the sorcerers. The Third Disciple convinced reclusive warriors to join his side.”

Dam Cheon listed the achievements and influence the Heavenly Demon’s disciples had accumulated over time, then cast a sharp gaze back at him.

“Your spirit and ambition are commendable, but one needs a foundation to stand on. Unlike the other disciples, you have shown nothing, so why should I follow you?”

Seol-Hwi nodded at his sharp critique.

Dam Cheon was not a simple man who would follow anyone blindly.

“Show something… I’ve already shown the greatest thing. Something the other disciples wouldn’t dare even imagine.”

“…And what is that?”

“I deceived the eyes of our Lord, the Heavenly Demon.”

Dam Cheon’s brows furrowed noticeably.

The words about deceiving the leader must have sounded arrogant, yet they inevitably sparked intense curiosity.

At that moment, Seol-Hwi raised his hand and pressed the last remaining vital point.

“What are you doing!”

Dam Cheon shouted in shock.

He instantly recognized that the point Seol-Hwi pressed was the forbidden 36 Deadly Blood Cultivation of the Demonic Cult.

Judging that Seol-Hwi had chosen suicide, his reaction was naturally one of bewilderment.

Fwoosh.

In an instant, all the qi erupted as if it were exploding.

Stones around them floated up, and sparks flew in the air, creating a bizarre phenomenon where the fierce qi and tranquility intertwined.

Dam Cheon unconsciously stepped back at the overwhelming momentum.

It seemed he instinctively succumbed to the power that surpassed the Supreme Demon Martial arts.

“You, what are you doing now…!”

“Just watch a little longer.”

It was when Dam Cheon, seemingly thinking he had to stop the activation of the Heavenly Killing Star, was about to rush forward.

Wang Mo-rok blocked his path.

At that very moment.

Sssss—

The rampaging qi began to subside as if it were a lie.

And then it completely disappeared.

It became calm as if nothing had happened from the start.

“You… you’re not Heavenly Killing Star.”

Dam Cheon spoke with a voice that seemed to carry deep meaning. Heavenly Killing Star was a lethal qi condensed over decades, unstoppable once it erupted. 𝘙Äɴ𝙤ＢЁş

Even warriors who learned the Supreme Martial Arts could lose their lives in an instant to that power, which was not something that could be controlled.

Yet, this one could freely control the power. Dam Cheon realized that fact.

“Yes. As you can see.”

“This brat, you deceived me?”

“Not just you, elder.”

“What?”

Facing his questioning gaze, Seol-Hwi confidently spoke.

“You asked what my weapon is, didn’t you? It’s this. A false Heavenly Killing Star, acquired by deceiving even the eyes of the Cult Leader, which no other disciple dared to attempt.”

Seol-Hwi met his eyes squarely and continued.

“With this, no disciple will dare to challenge me. Should anyone try, I will subdue them with overwhelming power. What do you think? Isn’t this the most powerful weapon of all?”

Dam Cheon’s expression subtly changed.

He seemed at a loss for words to counter the idea of using a fake Heavenly Killing Star as a weapon.

Moreover, deceiving the Cult Leader’s eyes was proof of having reached a significant level.

It also meant Seol-Hwi could potentially aim for the Cult Leader’s position if Seol-Hwi wished.

“Hahaha. You’re no ordinary person.”

His expression was noticeably brighter than before, and his tone reflected that change.

“Now, let’s go inside.”

“…Elder?”

Wang Mo-rok, standing beside Dam Cheon, asked with a curious look.

Dam Cheon answered with a relaxed smile.

“He’s someone with the power to shake the world, so it’s worth hearing his plan. I’m very curious about why he used deception despite having such power.”

Seol-Hwi could read his expression.

His interest had already shifted. Moreover, his eyes were filled with an insatiable curiosity.

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His room was quite a distance from where we had been earlier.

According to Dam Cheon, the place in the crevice was not his residence but a place for training.

Only then did Seol-Hwi understand.

As Seol-Hwi entered the room, Wang Mo-rok, who had been observing, spoke first.

“Elder, are you joining our lord’s side now? If so, I should start preparing…”

“I haven’t given a definite answer yet.”

His tone was formal, yet there was still a hint of caution in his eyes.

Once Seol-Hwi sat down, he initiated the conversation.

“Let’s hear it then. What is your detailed plan?”

If the previous discussion was about confirming intentions, this was a stage to test the feasibility of the plan.

Seol-Hwi knew well that persuading someone with such a meticulous nature wouldn’t be easy.

Yet, Seol-Hwi was equally certain that if Seol-Hwi could bring such a person to his side, the successor dynamics would be significantly shaken.

“If you stand with us, the Third Disciple will soon come looking for me.”

“…Indeed.”

The news of recruiting a reclusive master would inevitably draw the attention of the Third Disciple, Ah Ryeong.

Especially upon hearing the name of the renowned Dam Cheon, who had distanced himself from the succession fight, she wouldn’t remain idle.

“The Third Disciple, Ah Ryeong, will surely ask how I managed to persuade you. And naturally, she will propose negotiations.”

Though termed negotiations, it would essentially be a form of persuasion. As the disciple with the least power among the three, she would likely seize this chance to recruit him.

She would want to stand on equal footing with the other disciples.

“What is your assessment?”

“When she attempts to persuade me, I will offer her a sweet proposal.”

“What proposal?”

“I will suggest that I submit myself to her.”

“…”

At those words, Dam Cheon quietly stared at him.

Seol-Hwi judged that this was the decisive moment to persuade him.

“You must be well aware of the Third Disciple’s nature, Elder. Constantly compared to other disciples, she has always shown emotional instability. If I were to propose something like a wager or gamble, she would certainly suspect my intentions or try to break the rules.”

Dam Cheon listened silently. Seol-Hwi took a breath and continued.

“But if I propose to go under her first, even though she’ll try to understand my intentions, she’ll ultimately accept, thinking it’s beneficial to her.”

“If you go under the Third Disciple, won’t your plans all go to waste?”

“It is customary to preserve the territory of a general who surrenders. I will assert my own domain, and she will accept it to seize the opportunity to expand her power. And that’s when the real issue will begin.”

Seol-Hwi strengthened his voice.

“When the Third Disciple rises as the new successor, she will face far more severe challenges from the other two disciples than ever before. There will be skirmishes and conflicts everywhere.”

“And then?”

“Ah Ryeong will be bewildered by the sudden change in environment. That’s when I’ll step in. I’ll protect her while claiming territorial rights. My territory, with its fake Heavenly Killing Star, won’t be invaded by the First or Second Disciple.”

“Ho.”

Dam Cheon’s eyes sparkled with interest.

The plan to go under the Third Disciple only to make her more vulnerable.

Given her nature, she won’t be able to refuse a beneficial proposal, and as a result, the power dynamics will become even more unstable.

Especially since First Disciple and Second Disciple, who know her well, won’t just stand by.

The plan was to exploit her anxious state to achieve our goals.

“Truly remarkable. Speaking with you feels like conversing with someone who has lived through many lifetimes.”

Seol-Hwi was momentarily taken aback, but there was no need to show it. Observing his reaction, he nodded and continued.

“After securing the power of the Third Disciple, what is your next objective?”

“I will persuade Yu Pae to join our side.”

“Indeed!”

Dam Cheon nodded as if he had anticipated this. Naturally, he raised a critical point.

“But you see, Yu Pae has long been associated with the First Disciple. He won’t be easily swayed…”

“The timing to persuade him must be when war is imminent. Being someone who understands the dangers of war, he’ll know which choice benefits our Cult, and I’ll leverage that.”

“A good thought. He is indeed someone who loves our Cult.”

Dam Cheon nodded deeply as if he finally saw the whole picture.

“If we can recruit him, we can also recruit the Second Disciple. Then… the balance of power will tip.”

First Disciple may attempt resistance, but it would be nothing more than a fleeting dream.

With the Fourth Disciple absorbing the forces of Second Disciple and Third disciple, that power already far surpasses First Disciple’s influence.

“The fate of our sect… I shall place my bet on you.”

Dam Cheon said with a smile.

Another powerful pillar to topple the Third Disciple was being established.

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Seol-Hwi headed to the Supreme Pavilion with Wang Mo-rok and Dam Cheon.

“How did you manage to bring such people…?”

The Supreme Pavilion Lord looked bewildered.

It was hard for him to believe that Seol-Hwi had brought two supreme martial arts warriors from the Silver Demon Hall.

Especially since Dam Cheon was one of the top warriors among the extreme martial artists.

“Prepare a place for Elder Dam Cheon.”

“Of course.”

“And from now on, move together with Wang Mo-rok and Elder Dam Cheon.”

“Ah…”

The Supreme Pavilion Lord looked flustered, but Seol-Hwi didn’t bother to explain further.

He, too, knew the need to prepare for any sudden attacks from the First Disciple’s side.

“Oh, and I have something to ask.”

“Please command.”

“Have you met Seol-Hwi?”

“Ah, you mean that child you mentioned before.”

The Supreme Pavilion Lord eagerly reported the recent events.

He said he had a conversation with Seol-Hwi last night, and now he was working at the Heavenly Pavilion as he wished.

‘Indeed, I, too, wanted to work at the Heavenly Pavilion.’

Having once lived in Seol-Hwi’s body, Seol-Hwi knew well his intense desire for martial arts.

That was why he so desperately wanted to join the Heavenly Library.

“Then take care. If there’s an urgent matter, contact the Hidden Troops.”

“Where are you headed this time?”

When the Supreme Pavilion Lord asked, Seol-Hwi answered briefly.

“There’s someone I want to see.”

Seol-Hwi was curious—about the real Seol-Hwi, and the thoughts he harbored.