novelraw Chapter 188 : Chapter 188
Chapter 188 : Chapter 188
Chapter 188. How Can One Embrace the World
“How could I live eternally?”
“If one knows the method, what is there that cannot be done?”
“Method…….”
“If I grant the teachings, that is enough.”
“Teachings……? Do you mean you can truly teach eternal life?”
The Sword Saint’s two eyes looked up at Dokgo Seong sitting on the throne.
“I believe I told you. There is nothing that cannot be done once the method is known.”
“Hoh…….”
“Choose.”
Dokgo Seong forced the Sword Saint to choose one of two options.
“Will you swear loyalty to me, become my kin, and enjoy eternal life? Or will you die in this place?”
“…….”
The Sword Saint could not answer easily.
It went without saying that if he fought, he would die without being able to do anything.
Although about forty years had passed, the Sword Saint still hadn't surpassed the thirty moves exchanged with Dokgo Seong back then.
But swearing loyalty was like putting a leash on himself and becoming a slave.
The loyalty spoken of by the First Heavenly Demon Dokgo Seong would surely not be just a simple oath made with a tongue.
His physical body as well as his soul would surely be mortgaged, and if he made a mistake, he might just become a puppet and be used.
If that happened, it might be better to die instead.
So for the Sword Saint, despite the sweet temptation of eternal life, it was true that it was hard to readily swear loyalty.
“Are you testing my patience?”
“Th, That is not so.”
“Choose quickly. Do not forget that even this is mercy bestowed upon you.”
“I, I shall do so.”
At Dokgo Seong’s urging, the Sword Saint’s head spun furiously.
At this moment.
The martial arts and composure he had polished all his life were useless.
Would he submit and be loyal, or would he die?
The Sword Saint had to agonize and conflict over only that.
He had run here first intending to make a connection with the new Emperor, but to think he had stuck his head into a tiger’s maw…….
“I ask for the last time. What choice will you make?”
“……I will do it.”
The Sword Saint bowed his head toward Dokgo Seong sitting on the throne.
In the end, his choice was thorough submission to Dokgo Seong.
Despite a whopping forty years having passed, he failed to overcome the fear imprinted on his brain.
Also, it would be a lie to say there wasn't a shred of expectation for eternal life.
Moreover, for someone like the Sword Saint, the reluctance to lose his life vainly like this was bound to be significant.
To die a violent death without leaving any achievements even after rising to the position of the Best Master of the Orthodox Faction made his life seem too wasted.
Even if it meant becoming a limb of the First Heavenly Demon, he didn't want to die like this.
Perhaps, who knows, the Heavenly Demon might bestow grace and teach him the secret of eternal life?
“Come and show respect.”
Dokgo Seong sitting on the throne looked down at the Sword Saint with an arrogant gaze.
“…….”
Instinctively realizing what he had to do, the Sword Saint crawled toward the throne on his knees.
Then, by kissing Dokgo Seong’s shoes, he showed the respect of a servant to a master.
“I greet…… the Liege.”
“Raise your head.”
“Gasp!”
The Sword Saint inadvertently raised his head, met Dokgo Seong’s eyes, and inhaled vainly.
His two eyes.
The deep purple pupils as if harboring the void captivated the Sword Saint’s heartstrings.
“Submitted one. Offer your spirit and flesh to me. If you do so, I will promise eternal life…….”
The Sword Saint, captivated by Dokgo Seong, couldn't offer any resistance and just blankly had his body and soul mortgaged.
Since he had already decided to swear loyalty, resistance was impossible.
***
“Oh my god.”
I clicked my tongue seeing that Dokgo Seong’s locations were Potala Palace and the Central Plains Imperial Palace.
Potala Palace.
A super-giant force ruling south of the Southern Tianshan Road as the Hegemon of the Western Regions.
As a sect of Buddhist lineage, its head, the Dalai Dharma Emperor, was an existence always mentioned alongside the Heavenly Demon as the Best Under Heaven since ancient times.
The Potala Palace and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had been enemies for hundreds of years, and that was still ongoing.
Wasn't the reason Eldest Young Master Cheon U-jin always away because of the power struggle with the Potala Palace?
Although its power was said to be not what it used to be due to civil war currently, the Potala Palace was a force that could never be ignored.
‘The Potala Palace’s advance also played a solid part in the Cult's decline after the Cult Leader’s death.’
I recalled the memories before regression and ruminated on the Potala Palace’s potential.
Since it was one of the forces that tore apart the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult after the Iron-Blooded Demonic God’s death…….
The problem was that it wasn't just the Potala Palace.
‘If it's the Imperial Family…… Damn it.’
I couldn't hide my astonishment seeing that Dokgo Seong’s location was the Imperial Family.
There are three forces under heaven that can threaten the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
First is the Central Plains Imperial Family, second is the Potala Palace, and third is the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.
But Dokgo Seong was located in two of those forces, the Central Plains Imperial Family and the Potala Palace.
That meant, perhaps Dokgo Seong might be controlling the Potala Palace and the Imperial Family.
“The situation is not very good.”
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God also confirmed Dokgo Seong’s location and made such an evaluation.
The Dokgo Seongs punished so far hadn't formed a force, so they were on the easier side to deal with.
Since it was enough to just kill Dokgo Seong alone…….
However, if he was commanding a huge force, the story was different.
“There was a report recently that the Emperor of the Central Plains Imperial Family changed.”
“Don't tell me.”
“The newly ascended Prince of Ming Ju Hyu was a completely unexpected figure, so the Bat Squad was watching the situation, but if his location is the Imperial Family…….”
“It seems like the worst situation.”
“Yes, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the most difficult composition for our Cult has formed.”
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God nodded as if agreeing with my words.
“We must send urgent messages.”
I said urgently.
“We must warn Shaolin, Wudang, Tang Clan, and Emei to distance themselves from relations with the Imperial Family. Otherwise, they might suffer.”
“That would be so.”
“Also…….”
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God didn't listen to my words further.
Instead, raising his hand slowly, he handed a large seal to me.
“Th, This is.”
I was startled.
What the Iron-Blooded Demonic God held out was what is called the Heavenly Demon Seal, one of the Cult Leader’s keepsakes along with the Nine-headed Dragon Robe.
Since the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s official documents must be stamped with this Heavenly Demon Seal, handing it over meant…….
“Receive it.”
“Master, this is…….”
I couldn't bring myself to receive the Heavenly Demon Seal.
Receiving the Heavenly Demon Seal from the Iron-Blooded Demonic God was practically the same as being delegated the Cult Leader’s authority.
Because if one had the Heavenly Demon Seal, one could not only manage all large and small affairs of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as the acting Cult Leader but also make decisions.
“I do not intend to appoint you as Young Cult Leader.”
Perhaps understanding my concern, the Iron-Blooded Demonic God opened his mouth.
“I just gave the Heavenly Demon Seal because only you can accomplish this task.”
“But…….”
“I have no leeway.”
“……!”
I flinched seeing the Iron-Blooded Demonic God’s hand become transparent as if disappearing and then clear again.
“Since even performing duties as Cult Leader is a burden, I gave it because there is no choice but for you to do it instead.”
“Ah…….”
“So do not feel burdened, and lead our Cult on my behalf for the time being. This is an order given as the Cult Leader, not a master, so Seventh Young Master Jin Cheon, obey the order.”
“Obey.”
I knelt on one knee and accepted the Iron-Blooded Demonic God’s order.
Because as it became difficult for the Iron-Blooded Demonic God to intervene in the Human World, I knew well myself that it was no exaggeration to say only I could perform the role of punishing Dokgo Seong practically.
***
I went straight to the Cult Leader’s Hall and summoned the Council of Elders.
No one stopped such a move of mine, nor could they stop it.
Since I received the Heavenly Demon Seal from the Cult Leader, Iron-Blooded Demonic God, I practically had full authority over the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult in my hands.
“……!”
The Elders couldn't hide their astonishment at the fact that the person who summoned them was none other than me.
Although it was a well-known fact that I was threatening the Eldest Young Master Cheon U-jin’s position, no one expected that I would come to represent the Iron-Blooded Demonic God this quickly.
“Everyone must be surprised.”
I opened my mouth.
“First, I clearly state that my daring to represent the Cult Leader is not due to the succession structure.”
“No, if not for the succession structure, how can the Seventh Young Master represent the Cult Leader?”
Eldest Young Master Cheon U-jin’s father.
Demonic Dao Heavenly Family Head and member of the Council of Elders, Cheon Bo-seong, asked in a tone as if he couldn't understand at all.
It was understandable, as for Cheon Bo-seong, it was like a bolt from the blue.
He had been doubting not that his son Cheon U-jin would become the Young Cult Leader, but seeing me manage the Cult's large and small affairs on behalf of the Iron-Blooded Demonic God, he couldn't help but be astonished.
Just as the saying goes that a rolling stone extracts a driven stone, Cheon Bo-seong’s feelings were exactly like that right now.
“It is understandable that Clan Head Cheon would be perplexed, but I cannot tell you the reason why I came to represent the Cult Leader this time. This is the Cult Leader’s order, so I ask for your understanding.”
“Are you saying that as words right now?”
Cheon Bo-seong jumped up and emitted demonic qi.
“C, Clan Head Cheon!”
“Look here!”
Startled Elders tried to stop Cheon Bo-seong, but that couldn't be easy.
“Seventh Young Master, give a reasonable reason that convinces me.”
Cheon Bo-seong pressured me.
“Otherwise…….”
“Clan Head Cheon.”
I showed a soft smile.
“Didn't I tell you. This is the Cult Leader’s will, and it has nothing to do with the succession structure. Even though I clearly told you, if Clan Head Cheon acts like this…….”
“Ha!”
Cheon Bo-seong snorted as if absurd.
“Force? Are you saying you dare to suppress me, the Clan Head of the Heavenly Family, just because the Seventh Young Master’s martial arts are a bit high? Fine, try if you want to try. Do you think this Cheon Bo-seong is such an easy person?”
“Phew.”
I caught my breath with a deep breath.
It was a sigh let out realizing that passing over smoothly was wrong.
In fact, it was nothing for me to suppress someone like Cheon Bo-seong.
I didn't even need to use martial arts.
If I used the Heavenly Demon Command right away, I could make Cheon Bo-seong kneel on his own.
For me, who rose to the realm of Heavenly Demon Divine Skill Demonic Emperor, Cheon Bo-seong wouldn't even be a match for three moves at best.
But I didn't want to do that.
Cheon Bo-seong was the Demonic Dao Heavenly Family Head and a member of the Council of Elders, but before that, he was the father of the Eldest Young Master Cheon U-jin.
I didn't want to humiliate my Eldest Senior Brother’s father, and hated pressing down with force even more.
‘I am one who intends to embrace the world. If I cannot even embrace a person of our Cult, how can I embrace the world.’
With that thought, I slowly approached the angry Cheon Bo-seong.
And held his hand tightly.
“Clan Head Cheon.”
“……!”
Cheon Bo-seong was startled by my touch.
He thought at least an argument would break out, but he never dreamed I would hold his hand so readily.
“I tell you again, but this matter has nothing to do with the succession structure. So please do not worry, and can't you follow the Cult Leader’s will?”
“K, Khem.”
“I only hope for Clan Head Cheon’s generous magnanimity.”
At my soft smile, Cheon Bo-seong couldn't say anything.
Just as the saying goes that one cannot spit on a smiling face, since I came out softly like this, getting angry would only make him look strange.