Chronicles of the Demon Faction - Chapter 877



Only Noblemtl

Side story 227. The Magical Scripture and the Magical Realm (2)

Baek So-dam’s face turned cold.

“What are you talking about?”

“Hey, aren’t you putting aside your shame and talking frankly? Let’s not pretend not to know each other even though we know each other.”

“Oh my, do I really have to mention that child’s name?”

Heo Seong-gwan smiled. It was the smile of a poisonous snake.

“That’s what Lee Cheon-sang said.”

Baek So-dam almost broke the teacup she was holding without realizing it.

“Don’t you like that guy? Like the case with the criminal law party earlier.”

“… … .”

“Surely you’re not really trying to say that you, as the head of the Hwanheewon, were trying to stay neutral? I was thinking of suppressing the head of the Criminal Law Party at some point, but that guy happened to be there… … Isn’t that kind of talk too cliche?”

It seemed impossible to read anything from Baek So-dam’s cold, frozen face. However, her heart was greatly shaken.

Heo Seong-gwan leisurely sipped his tea.

“Haven’t we had a similar conversation before? Of course, the topic was different.”

“I don’t remember.”

“You bastard, why am I saying this to push you? There are many others who secretly use their power to support talented people, other than you. Most of the Ten Demon Kings are doing so right now.”

“… … .”

“Furthermore, although this has not been confirmed, I have also heard that you are providing financial support to some group.”

Baek So-dam felt a chill run down her spine.

Heo Seong-gwan was now talking about the Jongmahoe.

Of course, he would not know what the Jongmahoe is pursuing. He would not know what kind of people are gathered there.

However, the problem is made worse by the fact that there is an organization that is not officially recognized by the new religion and that the Hwanheewonju, who should remain neutral, supports that organization. Heo Seong-gwan is currently threatening Baek So-dam by saying that he wants to make a deal.

And Baek So-dam, regardless of her personal feelings toward Heo Seong-gwan, thought that his dealing methods were not bad.

A method of subtly pressuring the opponent by biting their weakness. It was a method she had also used in many political battles.

“Well, there was a lot of talk, but here’s my proposal. The military will not touch Lee Cheon-sang for the next three years. Of course, if he gets caught up in this or that and his life is in danger, that’s a different story. I have no obligation to save him from bringing about his own death.”

“… … .”

“What do you think? Are you willing to take on this deal?”

Baek So-dam’s mouth opened wide.

A mouth that doesn’t open easily. She thought for a long time, and Heo Seong-gwan waited for her answer while sipping tea.

How much time has passed?

“There is a lot of work to be done at Hwanheewon. It is much more than the General Commander vaguely thinks.”

“I know, I know.”

“So, you should give me some time to think about it.”

Heo Seong-gwan’s eyes sparkled.

The fact that she insisted on asking for time to think about it is proof that she really treats Lee Cheon-sang specially.

‘Tsk tsk.’

Even as he clicked his tongue, Heo Seong-gwan felt a small sense of pleasure. It was a pleasure that came from properly understanding the opponent’s weakness.

“I wonder if I need time to think about it… … Good. My suggestion may have sounded a bit unexpected.”

Heo Seong-gwan drank all the remaining tea and sat back in his chair.

“How much should I give you?”

“Five days.”

“Are you that busy?”

“Or else I can’t accept that deal.”

Heo Seong-gwan smiled at her resolute attitude.

“That guy, he’s really amazing at making and breaking relationships.”

Heo Seong-gwan stood up from his seat coolly.

“Come to the military department in five days. If you don’t want to come, at least send me a letter.”

“Let’s do that.”

“Now that we’re done talking, I’ll be going now. There’s no need to see me off.”

Heo Seong-gwan leisurely left his office.

Baek So-dam, who was staring blankly at her teacup, suddenly threw the teacup down.

Jjaeng!

Shards of the broken teacup flew everywhere.

She took a deep breath. It didn’t calm her down, but at least she was able to protect the things in her office.

She slowly got up from her seat and looked out the window.

Heo Seong-gwan, who had been walking far away with his attendants, turned his head and looked up at Baek So-dam.

The two people’s eyes sparked in the air.

Unlike Baek So-dam, who looked down with indifferent eyes, Heo Seong-gwan smiled faintly and even waved his hand.

After a while, Heo Seong-gwan’s figure completely disappeared from sight.

“Fuck.”

Baek So-dam, who sat down on the chair, naturally placed her hand on her forehead.

The fever was raging as if I was possessed by a horn. Even the power of the extreme yin magic, the Frost Heavenly Magic, did not dissipate the fever.

‘I knew this moment would come.’

Even as she felt angry and confused, she couldn’t hide her bitter smile.

‘It was quite dangerous.’

I couldn’t help but admit that my actions had been too focused on one thing.

Even if the intention was based on loyalty to the new religion, it is true that they failed to maintain neutrality.

‘The General Staff knows everything. But even though they know everything, they are not sure, so they came to me.’

I knew it, but I had no choice but to suffer.

It wasn’t because Heo Seong-gwan was outstanding. It was his position and his power that made Baek So-dam bow his head.

She sighed and leaned back in the soft chair.

She could see the ceiling of her office. The ceiling was clean and well-maintained, just as she liked, neat and free of any gaps.

Baek So-dam closed her eyes.

‘It was really long.’

I had prepared myself for this moment. Thanks to that, I now have time to organize my thoughts.

Her agony continued into the night.

“Your Majesty.”

Yeo So-hong carefully opened the door and came in, looking at Baek So-dam.

“I’ll finish my work for today.”

“okay.”

“yes.”

It was when Yeo So-hong was about to leave the office.

“Sohong-ah.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Baek So-dam slowly got up from her chair and smiled.

Yeo So-hong felt her heart sink at the sight of that sorrowful smile.

“Master?”

“Are you ready?”

“… … ?!”

“Are you ready to become the next Wonju and lead Hwanheewon well?”

Yeo So-hong’s eyes shook greatly.

But she had many conversations like this with Baek So-dam. She prepared thoroughly and trained herself mentally.

‘It’s already like that?’

Yeo So-hong gritted her teeth.

I had prepared everything, but I hoped this moment would never come. But when I looked into my master’s eyes and voice, it seemed like the time had finally come.

At a time like this, I can’t show my ugly side in front of my teacher.

Yeo So-hong took a deep breath and spoke firmly.

“Ready.”

A feeling of longing appeared on Baek So-dam’s face.

Although her voice was full of power, Yeo So-hong’s eyes had already turned cloudy.

Both she and her disciple knew that their hearts were in tangle.

But neither she nor her disciple pretended not to know.

“I’m going to Jamiru. Get ready.”

* * *

Lee Cheon-sang, who had fainted, finally came to his senses a day later.

Returning to Jamiru’s abode, he entered into a twelve-hour meditation.

Yoo Sang-cheon wanted to talk to Lee Cheon-sang, but Seo Pil stopped him. He knew how important this moment was to Lee Cheon-sang.

When one day passed, then two days passed.

When the beautiful moon rose in the night sky, Lee Cheon-sang stopped flying.

‘Can something change this much?’

The lower abdomen has developed by leaps and bounds.

Not only did the size of the dantian increase, but the density of the true magic energy inside it increased tremendously. Accordingly, the middle dantian also developed steadily, and in particular, the upper dantian found its round shape.

Lee Cheon-sang realized that he had overcome the wall.

I realized that I had reached the very area where Seo-pil and Baek So-dam were walking.

‘It is an incredible power. It will require some level of training to properly handle this power.’

Also, Yi Cheon-sang realized that he had reached a realm that was almost infinite.

The realm of the super-climax was like a desert with no end in sight. It was entirely up to him to decide whether to make it a vibrant forest or an even more vast desert.

‘The steps don’t make sense.’

At the end of this realm is the realm of the Supreme Demon, the realm of creation as spoken of by the Pure Martial Arts community.

Lee Cheon-sang could understand why so many masters died without entering the realm of the ultimate demon.

In the realm of the zenith, there are countless stages lined up. Therefore, there is no point in dividing the stages. You just have to keep developing and moving forward endlessly. And yet, the realm where it is difficult to see the end is the ultimate realm.

Lee Cheon-sang felt a sense of loss. At the same time, he felt a sense of anticipation.

If he can completely conquer this desert, the path to the extreme will open up for him too.

‘It will be difficult. It will take a long time.’

With his unprecedented talent, he has reached this level faster than anyone else, but from here on out, he will not be much different from others. He needs time for pure training. He needs time to bury his martial arts in time.

In this way, Lee Cheon-sang naturally and with a fresh feeling accepted the realm he had achieved.

How much time has passed?

‘… … ?’

Lee Cheon-sang felt a familiar presence approaching the annex.

That sensation was also amazing. He had thought he was quite sensitive before, but now he could sense the presence of people much more clearly and vividly.

I realized once again that my body, my inner strength, and even my mind had all changed.

After changing his clothes, he immediately left the room.

“My lord.”

Seo-pil approached from afar.

And behind him were Baek So-dam and Yeo So-hong.

“The Lord of Hwanhee and the Lord of Sowon have come to see you.”

“I know.”

Seo-pil’s eyes sparkled. He realized that Lee Cheon-sang’s transformation was complete.

Instead of congratulating him, he bowed his head and left the room.

So, only three people were left in the small empty space in front of the annex.

Lee Cheon-sang bowed his head.

“Your Majesty.”

“Really… … .”

Baek So-dam, who was looking at Lee Cheon-sang with her mouth wide open, laughed brightly.

“You always amaze me every time I see you, but today you are even better. When on earth did you get to that level?”

“Two days… … No, I think it was three days ago. My memory is a bit hazy.”

“That’s amazing. That’s really amazing. You’ve only been learning martial arts for so long, and you’ve already mastered that realm… … That’s incredible.”

“But it will be difficult from now on.”

“Did you realize that too?”

“Yes.”

“This footnote, or rather, this horse’s yard, is as I thought. The area you and I have stepped into is comprised of countless stages. If we let our guard down, we could even end up regressing instead of progressing.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Baek So-dam, who had been quietly watching Lee Cheon-sang, smiled faintly.

“I was worrying for nothing. I’m sure you’ll figure it out yourself.”

“It wasn’t my strength alone. If it weren’t for the people who helped me, I would still be just a mere squirrel.”

“Did your personality change as your status increased? I didn’t know you could say such pretty things?”

“It’s true.”

Baek So-dam burst into laughter without realizing it.

Yeo So-hong, who had been dumbfounded by the great change in Lee Cheon-sang, was startled. This was because it was the first time she had seen her teacher smile like this.

“It’s a nice night. Would you like to have a drink with me today?”

“All right.”

“It’s nice to see you being so obedient. I wish you had been like that from the beginning.”

“Is that so?”

“I came here today to get some, can you buy it for me?”

“It will be interesting to see how much of it fits into a big eater’s stomach.”

Baek So-dam smiled and pointed to the top floor of Jamiru.

“song.”