Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon

Chapter 75: The Divine Shaped Flame (1)

Three shadows were cast upon the floor by the glow of an oil lamp. Two shadows were bowing towards the one in front of them. 

The one who spoke first was the owner of the shadow standing on the right, How was your meeting with the two?

Surprisingly, this man was Sang In-hyo. 

The man who stood beside Sang In-hyo also raised his head, allowing the lamp to reveal his face. Unexpectedly, it was the man known as Shadow, who worked under the Vice Leader.

This was a meeting of the closest subordinates of the Vice Leader and the Young Leader.

Even more surprising was the identity of the third shadow standing before them: an old man.

With both Sang In-hyo and Shadow staring at him in earnest, the old man turned his head back with a soft murmur.

The light revealed that his old man was actually Lee Shin-jung, the Demonic Teacher of Sun and Moon!

Hmm, the Demonic Teacher raised a wrinkled finger and scratched his face lightly. First, the Joo Kid has something very similar, but I cannot say for sure that its the real thing. Its similar, but incomplete and different. 

The expression of Shadow darkened as Sang In-hyos expression brightened. 

But that was not the end of the old mans words. 

However, the Young Leader isnt much different either. Compared to the Joo Kid, theres a higher chance that the Young Leader is closer to the real one. However, he doesnt know what he has yet.

This time, Sang In-hyo had also stiffened. 

According to the Demonic Teacher, neither candidate fit the bill. 

What do you plan to do? Shadow asked.

Lee Shin-jung raised his hand to stroke his beard. I should keep an eye on them for a bit longer. After all, we are the Unrecorded Demonic Group.

Both Shadow and Sang In-hyo bowed their heads in acceptance. 

The Unrecorded Demonic Group. 

A group that remained outside of official Cult records, yet continued to help the Cult. 

Except, that wasnt the only reason they were called the Unrecorded Demonic Group. 

Our true master is the heir of the Unrecorded Heavenly Demon, who will descend upon us one day, Lee Shin-jung slowly muttered.

When that time came, Lee Shin-jung would choose. Should he help the Young Leader or the Vice Leader

Or maybe it will be a completely different person 

Even as Lee Shin-jung recited this truth to himself, the night was getting deeper and deeper as other things happened in the Cult. 

Ugh.

A stab of pain rushed through Joo Moon-baeks chest and he patted his pockets, looking for a small piece of medicine. Finding it, he shoved it into his mouth without any hesitation. Once it was swallowed, the pain subsided. At the same time, his fingers, which had been trembling, also stilled. 

Phew.

Maybe it was because the pain was gone, but he let his hand fall from his chest with a relaxed expression. 

In his other hand, a grey flame rose from his fingertips. This was a Divine Shaped Flame, a result of cultivating the Divine Art of the Heavenly Demon. 

But it was a little different from the flame created by the Heavenly Demon. The genuine flame had a red color, similar to real fire. Although, of course, it was more of a blood red color. 

Compared to that, the flame in Joo Moon-baeks hand was grey. 

The Divine Flame of the Unrecorded Heavenly Demon

He looked at the flame burning across his fingertips. Not just its color, but the power intrinsically contained in the Divine Flame was reproduced. Naturally, as the Divine Flame of the Unrecorded Heavenly Demon, the art and look was different. 

But its incomplete. A grey Divine Flame isnt enough to prove that its the art of the Unrecorded Heavenly Demon. The Unrecorded Heavenly Demons Divine Flame possesses two characteristics One is its grey color, which is different from the conventional Divine Flame. And the other one, which is also its flaw is that possessing this Divine Flame disrupts the balance of the body. 

Hmm. 

Without medicine, Im barely able to even walk around with this inside me So this is the price I have to pay for forcefully using the power of the Heavenly Demon. If I simply abandon this Divine Shaped Flame, my body will go back to being normal. 

But I cannot do that. 

The Divine Art of the Heavenly Demon is the symbol of legitimacy for becoming the ruler of the Cult. Without this power, I can never become the leader. Ill have to bear with it using medicine. 

Joo Moon-baek sighed as he recalled the amount of medicine that he had left a mere ten pills. 

But even with the medicine, I can only present the Divine Flame for fifteen minutes. And thats why its considered incomplete If it wasnt for this problem, I wouldve proceeded with my plans more vigorously. 

Joo Moon-baek grit his teeth in frustration, but was interrupted by sounds from outside his door. What is it? he shouted, as he was accustomed to having visitors. 

You have a guest, sir.

As expected, he had a visitor. 

A guest? Joo Moon-baek tilted his head and looked out the window, where the moon was rising above the mountains. At this late in the night? Unknowingly, he clicked his tongue. Who is it?

The response was succinct, The Demonic Emperor of Oblivion is here.

That response surprised Joo Moon-baek. He has never visited me since the first time he came here and formally met me. And he decides to visit me now? He had no idea why this man would come looking for him at this time. I cant say I like this. Still, he only shook his head and said, Let him in.

As soon as he spoke, the door opened and someone walked in. 

It was a figure that appeared like a ghost. 

Of course, it was the Demonic Emperor of Oblivion, Hwan Dok. On his back was this sack of some sort, tied in a piece of black cloth. 

Its been a while. We didnt have much of a chance to communicate, did we?

The words of Joo Moon-baek were spoken like a taunt, but the other man spoke without a change in facial expression. I just needed time to get used to the Cult.

So I assume youre done adapting now.

Of course. For the first time, a smile appeared on the Demonic Emperor of Oblivions face. I wouldnt have been making something interesting like this before I made myself comfortable.

As he spoke, Hwan Dok set down whatever he was carrying on his back. With a thump, he also removed the cloth that covered it. 

What?!

It was a man with a medium-pale complexion. Immediately, Joo Moon-baeks attention was drawn in by the red pupils. 

Joo Moon-baek quickly reached out and grabbed the wrist of this man. 

He doesnt have a pulse, but I can feel a faint sense of liveliness in his body On top of that, theres a strong sense of vile qi. 

Joo Moon-baek, coming to this conclusion, took a step back. 

That thing is neither dead nor alive. It exists somewhere in between. Hwan Dok casually explained, A blood jiangshi [1].

So youve been spending your time making this?

Yes, but this was a test case, so I only used a second-rate demonic practitioner.

Hmm. A blood jiangshi made from a second-rate demonic practitioner

But now that hes a blood jiangshi, he can compete with a martial artist whos about to ascend to first-rate.

Joo Moon-baek tapped his chin with his finger. And why, pray tell, are you showing me this?

With a smile on his face, Hwan Dok responded, I know that youre not exactly in the best situation right now.

Hmm.

Joo Moon-baek agreed to this in his heart. What if the Demonic Teacher stopped being neutral and took the Young Leaders side? If that happened, it was clear that the demonic practitioners who took his side would immediately step down. No, not only would his subordinates abandon him, he would probably be removed from his position as Vice Leader by Woon-seong. 

Hwan Dok continued, Which is why I would like to make a deal. Give me ten peak-level martial artists. Ill make them into blood jiangshi and give them to you.

Ten peak-level martial artists?! Joo Moon-baek exclaimed. Youre talking about Great Demons and barely 300 of them exist within the Cult! And you want ten of them? You must be joking.

Im not, the Demonic Emperor of Oblivion said, shaking his head. Give me ten people, no, ten bodies of peak-level martial artists and Ill present you ten blood jiangshi, each as strong as a transcendence-level martial artist.

The Cult also possesses ways to create blood jiangshi. I know because Ive seen them before. However The methods are too cruel, making them forbidden by the rules of the Cult. Doing such things will only scar my reputation within the Cult

Joo Moon-baek was honestly feeling reluctant. Even the Cult of the Heavenly Demon felt that the creation of blood jiangshi was not acceptable and he was unwilling to harm his reputation. 

Hwan Dok smiled sympathetically, his eyes seeming like he wanted to entice his potential customer. I also wish you never have to use them, but were talking about it just in case things go in an unfavorable direction.

Just in case

You never know what might happen.

Transcendence-level. Ten blood jiangshi each as strong as a Demonic King should come in handy sometime. Hmm. 

The more Joo Moon-baek thought about it, the more Hwan Doks words were like sweet poison. He knew that this could be a horrible idea, but he couldnt help but reach out. 

You can just get rid of them after everything is over. Fabricating events as though they never happened. I believe you have the ability to make that happen, Vice Leader.

Joo Moon-baek was thinking about it again, and the Demonic Emperor of Oblivion didnt intend to rush him. 

After much thought, Joo Moon-baek said, Ill think about it.

At that, Hwan Dok turned around with a nod. Youre free to take your time. Its just a deal, after all. Ill leave this blood jiangshi here, so feel free to take a look at it.

As he left Joo Moon-baeks room, he coincidentally met the eyes of Shadow, who had been standing to the side.

At that moment, all Shadow saw was a stream of bright light. 

It was only for a short moment, one that Joo Moon-baek didnt seem to catch, but Hwan Doks eyes flashed with red light. This light soaked into the eyes of Shadow and soon disappeared.

After finishing what he wanted to do, Hwan Dok left with a smile on his face. He already knew what was going to happen. 

Its over. 

The Vice Leader is as much a worried man as he is a greedy one. Which makes him the easiest type to predict. 

Ten days later, the Demonic Emperor of Oblivion received something that was sent by Joo Moon-baek, just as he had expected. 

A gift from the Vice Leader?

Opening the gift, he saw the body of one of the Soul Splitting Reapers, a peak-level demonic practitioner. 

Hwan Dok smirked. 

I knew it.

.

Schssst!

An arrow flew past Woon-seongs head. At the same time, three more arrows flew towards his waist and shoulders. 

He casually ducked his head. 

Ding! The arrow aimed for his shoulders, it hit the poulders and bounced off. 

At the same time, he moved his legs and twisted his lower back and the arrow aimed at his waist missed him by the width of a piece of paper. 

As time had passed, Woon-seong was able to skillfully avoid the arrows flying at him from the First Gate. 

Ting!

Woon-seong must have deliberately touched some of the wires installed as arrows once more flew towards him. There were fifteen more than before now, so he would become a hedgehog if he did not avoid them. 

These arrows rapidly smashed into him. 

Shh. 

The Woon-seong that seemed to have been hit vanished as the real Woon-seong appeared about five paces away. The arrows that would have hit him crashed into the wall on the other side. 

That concluded the training for the First Gate. 

As the lights turned on, Woon-seong took a deep breath in. 

Phew.

Its been a month since I met the Demonic Teacher. Neither side was able to tip the balance and we are simply making small moves in the dark. There have been no major clashes. 

What the hell is Joo Moon-baek thinking?

Woon-seong shook his head as he exited the First Gate and walked ahead. Even then, he was still pondering the current situation. 

Did he really obtain the Divine Art of the Heavenly Demon, the very symbol of the legitimacy of the Heavenly Demon?

Woon-seong huffed out a breath. 

They say you should always prepare for the worst case scenario, but this is sounding like the worst of the worst

Woon-seong remembered the message that the Senior Strategist had conveyed to him a few days ago. 

The information that Im getting through Sang Gwan-chuk is somewhat odd. If Joo Moon-baeks so active about trying to become the leader, we must assume that he obtained something that proves his legitimacy. Whether its the Divine Art of the Heavenly Demon, or something else 

Besides, if Sang Gwan-chuks theory is correct, its a huge problem.

If my opponent is trying to prove his legitimacy with something, I also need to show my own legitimacy by presenting the Divine Shaped Flame!

Woon-seong sighed. Presenting the Divine Shaped Flame would be a step forward, but all it could do was prevent either side from gaining the advantage. 

Still In the end, if I want to prepare myself for the future scenarios, my only option at this point is to bring in the Divine Shaped Flame. 

The steps of the young man continued past the Second Gate. Unlike the First and the Third, the Second gateway was used for training the senses in the maze. Now that Chun Hwi had been poisoned, Woon-seong was unable to train there alone. 

Thus, Woon-seong headed straight for the Third Gate, the Polymorphic Combat Illusion. 

Whoo!

As Woon-seong stepped inside, the illusion was triggered. Reading into his mind and Chun Hwis memories, enemies were created and the landscape changed dramatically. 

Suddenly, Woon-seong was standing amongst a field of grass as an elderly man stood in front of him, brandishing a sword. 

The plum blossom pattern embroidered on the mans sleeve caught Woon-seongs attention. 

The Plum Blossom Sword Saint.

This was a man that Woon-seong remembered vividly!

You filthy hypocrite! 

In response to the young mans wrath, the White Night Spear shown with dazzling light. 

[1] A jiangshi is a type of reanimated corpse. Unlike a zombie, a jiangshi is created from a persons corpse and must be controlled.