CHAPTER 518: EPILOGUE EARTH DEMON (15)

When their leader was taken down, the enemies were deeply shaken.

Not only because there was no one left to give orders, but also because their morale plummeted after witnessing overwhelming martial prowess of his.

The faces of the remaining ones were filled with fear and confusion, and they clearly floundered without even daring to speak.

“Hey.”

Seol-Hwi raised his head and shouted toward the frozen enemies.

The enemies were unsettled by the scattered corpses, broken buildings, and debris around.

“Is there really a need to die a miserable death here?”

Seol-Hwi could have wiped them all out if he wanted, but he didn’t feel the necessity.

After all, he needed someone to carry the news of what happened here.

Having them return alive to report what happened was a more effective method.

And broadly speaking, these people were also on their side.

There was no need to create useless sacrifices.

“We retreat!”

“Retreat!”

“Retreat!”

Someone who looked high-ranking shouted, and they quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Only the faint sounds of footsteps and armor clashing were heard briefly before complete silence remained.

“My lord. Do you intend to let them go like this?”

At that moment, the captain of the guards, Yeo-woon, approached and bowed.

For him, it seemed a pity not to seize this opportunity.

“It’s more meaningful to let them live.”

“…?”

“There’s a reason. You all withdraw.”

Seol-Hwi spoke briefly and slung the fallen blind man over his shoulder.

The blind man’s body was lighter than expected, and his pulse was faint but steady.

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The Headquarters is a large pavilion-style building located at the northern center of the Demonic Cult.

Under the moonlight, the blue-tiled roof and red pillars formed a majestic shape resembling a writhing dragon.

Around it were three massive outer walls, each surrounded by stone walls and spires.

This was to prevent even members of the main cult from approaching recklessly.

Therefore, to reach the Headquarters, one had to pass through three mandatory checkpoints.

“Hmm.”

However, because of his status as a disciple of the Heavenly Demon, those who recognized him quietly stepped back.

The guards’ faces showed a mix of reverence and fear, and they bowed their heads without looking directly at him.

The status of being the Cult Leader’s disciple meant Seol-Hwi was not stopped anywhere except certain restricted areas, so Seol-Hwi passed their inspection easily. ꞦἁＮǒBÈș

Just as Seol-Hwi entered the Headquarters entrance, a middle-aged man spoke to him for the first time.

He had a neatly trimmed beard and sharp eyes.

“You are the Fourth Disciple, aren’t you? What brings you here?”

His voice was polite but firm.

It seemed he was not trying to stop him but to ask the reason for his visit.

“I’ve come to meet Elder Dok Yeo-woon.”

At his words, the middle-aged man’s gaze flickered slightly.

Dok Yeo-woon’s name surely carried weight even within the Headquarters.

“It’s late… he might be sleeping.”

“Try coughing once to see if he responds.”

“…I will.”

The middle-aged man quickly moved somewhere, and his footsteps faded down the corridor.

Seol-Hwi headed briefly to a place where chairs were set up.

The main place was not a residence for elders but a place for meetings and work.

Portraits of past elders hung on the walls, and the high ceiling was adorned with colored paintings of dragons and phoenixes.

“Ugh…”

The one Seol-Hwi had just put down on the floor reacted, groaning painfully as the blind man’s pale face twitched.

Then as if regaining consciousness, he moved his head around and soon sat up.

“Hey, you’re awake?”

When Seol-Hwi spoke, the blind man showed a startled expression.

Though his eyes were unseen, there was a slight tremor in his facial muscles.

“Uh, what happened…?”

“You were kidnapped. How do you feel?”

At his words, he stiffened momentarily, then his expression turned very embarrassed.

His lips trembled, and soon, as if resigned, he slumped his shoulders and spoke.

“I failed the mission given to me anyway. I have no regrets even if I die.”

“What do you mean kill? You clearly have a role to play.”

“Yes…?”

It was a short answer mixed with doubt and confusion.

He seemed confused again by the unexpected turn of events.

At that moment, the middle-aged man who had moved earlier appeared hurriedly and bowed.

“He says he will receive the disciple. Fortunately, he is not sleeping.”

At the middle-aged man’s words, Seol-Hwi turned to the blind man and said, observing his confused expression.

“Hey, come with me. There’s someone to meet.”

“…”

“I said, come along.”

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The place the middle-aged man led to was a typical house.

But looking closely, the pillars and walls bore special patterns, and the eaves had exquisite carvings.

Inside, a subtle scent of incense wood filled the air.

“Heh heh heh. Nice to meet you. I am Dok Yeo-woon.”

A maid-like woman guided them inside and opened the door, where an old man greeted them.

He was standing right at the door.

‘So this is him.’

Dok Yeo-woon, dressed in a neat gray robe, was past sixty but maintained a straight posture.

Behind him radiated a unique aura possessed only by those who had cultivated power for many years.

“I am Earth Demon.”

“I know. Though I saw you from afar at the Central Camp, I remember you clearly.”

“I see.”

“Please sit first. But who is this person…?”

Dok Yeo-woon’s gaze shifted to the blind man awkwardly standing beside him.

The blind man’s shoulders were stiff as if tense.

“Ah, this one is a subordinate of the First Disciple.”

“First Disciple?”

“Yes. He is the leader of the unit that ambushed me before coming here.”

“…Huh.”

Dok Yeo-woon showed a strange look.

Suddenly the subordinate of the First Disciple appeared, and Seol-Hwi brought him along with him.

It must have been a series of puzzles for him.

“Well, it seems there is a story behind this. Let’s sit and talk first.”

But he skillfully took the conversation and led them to seats.

Small bowls that seemed to hold tea were on the table.

They sat naturally, and Dok Yeo-woon immediately asked.

“By the way, what is the reason for coming here at such a late hour?”

He asked as he poured tea.

His movements were calm, but his eyes held suspicion.

Seol-Hwi was well aware of that.

“Ah. Well, the reason is simple. I’m here to ask about the whereabouts of the Phantom held by my second sahyung, the Demon Lord.”

“…What is this Phantom?”

When Dok Yeo-woon feigned ignorance, Seol-Hwi smiled gently and answered.

“You know, the assassins planted to eliminate the Supreme Demon Warrior under the Great Sahyung.”

“…Ah, is that so?”

Dok Yeo-woon rested his chin and showed a nonchalant reaction.

His fingers lightly tapped the table.

As rumored, he did not reveal his hand, responding ambiguously from the start.

“Let’s say such a thing exists. But why do you seek him, disciple?”

“To make him one of our people.”

“May I ask the reason?”

Dok Yeo-woon sipped tea and narrowed his eyes.

“Because persuading him is essential to stopping this war.”

“How so?”

“Once he is persuaded, persuading the next person becomes easier.”

“For example?”

“Someone like Yu-pae.”

“…!”

This time there was a definite reaction.

Dok Yeo-woon’s previously playful eyes stopped.

The name Yu-pae seemed to strike a nerve.

“Heh heh heh…”

He lowered his gaze as if pondering, then started laughing again.

His laughter echoed in the room, then he slowly looked up and spoke to him.

“Suddenly hearing your grand ambitions, disciple, is a bit surprising, but very well. I support that. But before that…”

He turned his gaze to the blind man.

“You said he is the subordinate of the First Disciple, so why did you bring him with you?”

Though it seemed a question, it was more like suspicion.

Expecting the conversation to deepen, he wanted to clarify the blind man’s presence.

As his gaze shifted between the blind man and him, Seol-Hwi answered gently.

“That is to show sincerity.”

“Sincerity?”

“Even though they tried to kill me, I chose not to kill them. It’s proof of my will. I intend to pursue reconciliation and assimilation rather than war, as planned.”

As Seol-Hwi finished, the blind man’s face twitched slightly, sensing that his fate would be decided in this conversation.

“And it is also a gift for you, elder.”

“A gift?”

At that, Dok Yeo-woon furrowed his brows and asked again.

Deep wrinkles formed and vanished between his eyebrows.

“He failed the mission given by the Great Sahyung to the secret group. Naturally, the Great Sahyung won’t acknowledge the ambush, so this one’s lifeline will be cut. If I accept him, it would be a betrayal of the lord he has followed.”

Seol-Hwi glanced at him and spoke.

The candlelight illuminated the blind man’s pale face, revealing his fear.

“Isn’t this an opportunity to easily gain a valuable talent?”

At his words, Dok Yeo-woon’s gaze briefly shifted to the blind man.

‘No matter how secretive the organization, Dok Yeo-woon is the elder of elders. He surely knows about their existence and the leader’s abilities.’

Seol-Hwi knew he could not refuse his gift.

Having a strong subordinate is what all Demonic Cult members desire.

Especially someone like Dok Yeo-woon who cherishes power.

“Heh, heh heh. Heh heh heh!”

His laughter was loud. Dok Yeo-woon brushed his long beard and laughed openly.

As his laughter filled the room, the lanterns on the walls flickered slightly.

However, this laughter was not long.

When his laughter subsided, heavy silence fell again.

“Disciple, you are indeed an interesting person as rumored.”

He smiled and looked at the ceiling as if pondering briefly.

The high ceiling was painted with a phoenix flying against clouds and mountains.

Dok Yeo-woon’s gaze lingered on the painting briefly before returning to him.

“Since childhood, I have involuntarily participated in countless power struggles, whether I wished to or not. There were times of passion and times I focused on preserving my body.”

He began speaking, reflecting on his life.

“And as time passed, I suddenly realized I had grown old. Since then, I only give advice to those I am connected with and no longer wish to engage directly in any fight.”

“…”

“If you ask about my inclination, I prioritize the grand ambitions you have set. I hope things conclude without major incidents.”

Seol-Hwi focused on his following words.

Because Seol-Hwi knew he was about to say what he truly wanted.

The lantern flickered slightly, casting shadows on his face.

“But I do not truly know what kind of person you are. So I cannot offer direct help. However, since you have shown this much sincerity, I will offer a small token in return.”

He looked at him and spoke.

His gaze sharpened suddenly, and his voice lowered.

“The Phantom is in Main Demon Hall. It is to kill the Supreme Demon warrior who tries to recruit the ones in the Main Demon Hall. So…”

Dok Yeo-woon continued with a smile.

“Try searching there diligently.”