CHAPTER 514: EPILOGUE EARTH DEMON (11)

As Seol-Hwi entered the building labeled ‘Central Courtyard,’ a three-story pavilion majestically revealed itself. Independent tea rooms and spaces with various purposes were neatly arranged.

“This way.”

The reception room door opened, and a subtle fragrance brushed past his nose.

Smoke rising from a white heron incense burner flowed quietly, while furniture made of fine wood filled the room with elegance.

Wardrobes, display stands, and tables caught the eye in turn, and in the corner, vases and folding screens were harmoniously placed.

Click-clack.

Just as Seol-Hwi was about to sit on the cushion, a woman carrying a tea tray appeared from somewhere.

She gracefully offered a teacup.

Her neat face and tidy side bun made her look like a painting.

As Ah Ryeong’s teacup was placed, she spoke.

“Sajae, let me introduce you. This girl is the person in charge of this building.”

“I am Miju, the owner of Central Courtyard.”

Miju stepped back and bowed elegantly.

Her delicate gesture of adjusting her clothes showed traces of long training.

Seol-Hwi stood up and returned the courtesy.

“I am Earth Demon.”

“Since you are from the Main Cult, how could I not know?”

Miju’s voice carried dignity.

“I have also heard that you will undertake great matters with our lord in the future. Though my power is limited, please feel free to tell me if you need anything.”

Ah Ryeong immediately gave instructions to Miju.

“We need to find someone from Jungwon; deploy the members.”

“What is the personal information?”

“Her name is Seo Ryeong, a young woman in regards to age.”

“Which direction should we search?”

“First, inquire within our sphere of influence, and if not found, gradually expand the search.”

“Is this a matter of urgency?”

“Not immediately urgent, but it shouldn’t drag on too long.”

“Understood. Any other instructions?”

Ah Ryeong turned her gaze to him.

“Well, sajae. Is there anything else you need? Feel free to say.”

Seol-Hwi shook his head at her words.

“Nothing more.”

“Good. You may go.”

At Ah Ryeong’s gesture, Miju bowed once more.

As she slowly stepped back to the doorway, Seol-Hwi spoke.

“By the way, sajo, can you find her with only her name and age?”

“Who do you think has the strongest intelligence in the Central Plains?”

“That would be Beggars Union or Lower District Sect, wouldn’t it?”

“They are strong too. But the real information comes from those who control them.”

Her eyes deepened.

“Starting from the gate lords, the heads of each merchant guild, to the elders of the Martial Alliance. They all visit the escort pavilions. While drunk enjoying the sound of the guqin or reciting a poem, information naturally leaks out.”

Seeing his interest, Ah Ryeong smiled gently and said,

“A single word they spill in the pavilion is more valuable than dozens of members running for a month. Moreover, they hold each other’s weaknesses. If we just hint a little…”

She grinned.

“They will move by any means to hide their weaknesses. Lower District sect’s intelligence network and Beggars Union’s forces are all in their hands. In the end, they will act for us.”

Only then did Seol-Hwi understand Ah Ryeong’s meaning.

Powerful figures controlling both Beggars Union and the Lower District Sect. How could one stop those who move to hide their weaknesses?

Seol-Hwi nodded and changed the subject.

“I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“As I came in, the signboard said Central Courtyard. Isn’t this the Jade Maiden Hall?”

“Ah, right. I forgot to mention that.”

Ah Ryeong responded cheerfully.

“Originally, this was Jade Maiden Hall. But it changed after that day.”

“That day?”

“Before the successor structure was reorganized, some Jade Maiden Hall priestesses left independently. Hmm… Yes. Let me explain this way. Do you know Si Ah-yeong, one of the Great Sahyung’s subordinates?”

‘Ah!’

Only then did his vague memory become clear.

There was a woman who used to carry a cat under the First Disciple.

The cat was called the Musk Black Cat, and she was accompanied by sensual and captivating women.

‘Come to think of it, I think she was said to be the head of Jade Maiden Hall.’

“Were those people from here?”

“Only those from here are that beautiful and skilled. They were the best elite. Though they are gone now…”

Ah Ryeong explained why the Jade Maiden Hall changed to Centre Courtyard.

She realized late that the top Jade Maiden Hall expert warriors united and went under the First Disciple, so she took measures to prevent this from happening again.

Among those measures was reorganizing Jade Maiden Hall into Centre Courtyard.

“By the way… Sajae, do you know the power structure of the Cult Leader’s disciples?”

“I know to some extent, but not in detail.”

“Well, you haven’t been here long…”

Ah Ryeong paused in thought and then continued.

“Since we’re on the same boat, I’ll tell you one by one. It will help to know in advance.”

“I’ll listen carefully.”

She nodded and continued explaining.

“Usually, power means outstanding generals and forces. There are also factors like morale and potential, but roughly that’s how it’s understood. Among them, the most important is the number of Supreme Demon warriors. You know what that means, right?”

“I know. They are the ones who change the course of war.”

“Right.”

Ah Ryeong calmly continued.

“How many Supreme Demon Warriors do you think are on the First Disciple’s side?”

“Including the Great Sahyung, about three, right?”

“Oh, that’s quite a few.”

A smile flickered on her lips.

“Officially, yes. But as I understand, there are four in total.”

“Four, you say…”

“End Demon, Hyang-gae, Demon General, and Heavenly Poison.”

Demon General and Heavenly Poison were names Seol-Hwi had never heard before. Even in his past life, Seol-Hwi had not seen them.

“Then, now there could be up to six.”

Hearing that, two more figures came to mind.

If Seol-Hwi persuaded Cho Ah-ran and Ak-bi, two more Supreme Demon Warriors would be added.

Indeed, that would be a superior force.

“And on the Demon Lord’s side, there are three.”

“Weren’t there two?”

“Two are known to all, but we believe there is one more.”

She hardened her expression and continued,

“The problem is not only the unknown figure but also that they possess two or three Peak Demon Warriors capable of killing Supreme Demon Warriors. It’s still speculation, but not something to overlook.”

“Peak Demon Warriors who can kill Supreme Demon Warriors…”

Seol-Hwi was curious who they were but kept silent for now.

Because her explanation was not finished yet.

“On our side, there are two. Both are reclusive warriors, named Sama Ryeong and Ban Yong.”

Seol-Hwi nodded and thought.

‘Originally, Wang Mo-ryeok became Ah Ryeong’s subordinate over time. Even then, there were two Supreme Demon Warriors around her. So one of them must have had a change in status…’

The same was true for the Demon Lord; the information Seol-Hwi had was not entirely accurate.

Though there were doubts, Seol-Hwi still waited for her explanation to finish.

“Including your forces, we now have four Supreme Demon Warriors. So the balance of power is somewhat matched. How about that?”

“That’s fortunate.”

“But you know…”

Ah Ryeong became serious again.

“Actually, the number of Supreme Demon Warriors is important for balance, but they are not useful in the current situation.”

“What do you mean?”

“When Supreme Demon Warriors move, it means all-out war. We are not in that situation now.”

“Ah.”

That was true. The movement of Extreme Demon Masters was tantamount to declaring war.

So they would mostly hold their positions and not engage directly.

“So I think the important parts now are three categories. First, how many hidden masters there are. Second, how many Peak Demon Warriors capable of killing the Supreme Demon Warriors exist. Third, how efficiently high-level intelligence members—like the Hidden Troops—are used.”

A sharp light flashed in her eyes, like a blade shining in the darkness.

‘A war happening beneath the surface… Ah Ryeong, you have a much broader perspective than I thought.’

In the past, there was no time to listen to the disciples’ thoughts.

they just overcame crises and devoted everything to fighting the enemy before them.

When they gained strength, they focused on eliminating greater enemies—the system and Jang Dal.

So only now could Seol-Hwi hear their thoughts.

“Sajae also thought that way, then the Demon Lord…”

“He is already moving.”

“…!”

Ah Ryeong spoke with sharp eyes.

“I told you earlier? Peak Demon Warriors who can kill Supreme Demon Warriors. They must be hidden within the First Disciple’s forces.”

“Ah…”

“They are figures whose identities are unknown, making them more dangerous and lethal. Also, there are loyalists negotiating within the neutral Vice Demon Hall.”

Vice Demon Hall

An unknown neutral organization.

They were not like the General Halls. They officially do not intervene, but as a neutral space, they can justify supporting any disciple depending on the situation.

“Now that I’ve spoken, it’s your turn, sajae. What’s your plan?”

The topic naturally turned to him, asking what Seol-Hwi was thinking.

“I…”

Seol-Hwi looked at Ah Ryeong and calmly continued.

“I plan to persuade Yu-pae, the subordinate of the second sahyung, to completely overturn this game.”

“Ohho.”

Ah Ryeong showed interest as soon as she heard him and then resumed a listening posture, saying.

“Explain in detail.”

“For now, the strategic aspects you mentioned must take priority, but eventually, there will be an all-out war. When Supreme Demon Warriors are similar in number, the side with more Peak and Supreme warriors will win.”

“Exactly.”

“If we gain Yu-pae, we can quickly dismantle the Second Disciple’s organization and even engage in all-out war with the First Disciple.”

“Right. The problem is how to persuade him.”

“Yes.”

Seol-Hwi spoke as if he had been waiting.

“I will persuade him with the values I have lived by and pursued. Yu-pae values character and personality. He also loves the main cult. Using his aversion to war, I believe I can draw him to our side.”

At those words, Ah Ryeong nodded.

“Persuading Dam Cheon, an influential reclusive warriors, was also aimed at this, wasn’t it?”

Ah Ryeong immediately understood the meaning of his actions.

“Yes.”

“You’re smarter than you look? Hoho.”

She laughed as if amused.

Then, after a brief thought, she said to him.

“It’s a pretty good idea, but… it’s insufficient for now.”

“I know that. That’s why I wanted to ask you, Lord.”

Seol-Hwi looked at her and asked,

“Who do you think we should persuade to make Yu-pae move?”

“Hmm…”

Ah Ryeong was silent for a moment.

It seemed she had no idea how to persuade Yu-pae and needed time.

After that silence, her answer was this.

“Sajae, have you ever heard of the three cards the Demon Lord holds?”