Chapter 276: The Celestial Demon Church (2)

An elderly man with bulging muscles stood before them.

This was one of the two protectors who supported the Celestial Demon and the founder of the Black Heaven Demonic Emperor Art.

“It’s been a while, Master.”

Jinhyuk greeted him with a smile.

“Yes. You’ve had a tough journey. I was worried you might have weakened since our last meeting, but it seems my worries were unnecessary.”

The Black Emperor chuckled heartily.

Beside him were Baeksa and high-ranking members of the Dark Shadows sect, whom Jinhyuk had met in the Empire.

“Haha. To confirm whether my worries were unfounded, you even sent zombies. I almost ended up in Beomangsan instead of Ten Thousand Peaks. Why didn’t you just send Yin-Yang Zombies while you were at it and make me bite my tongue and die?”

“Well, you’re safe, aren’t you? Don’t complain too much. As my disciple, you should be able to handle at least this much with your eyes closed.”

“I haven’t learned that yet…”

“Hem! Hem!”

The Black Emperor cleared his throat awkwardly.

Embarrassed, he quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, I didn’t know you had guests other than Wolyoung. Is that person your companion?”

The Black Emperor’s gaze shifted to Alice.

Although her face was hidden by a mask, her essence could not be concealed.

A sharp and keen aura penetrated the mask.

But Alice wasn’t one to be easily subdued by the Black Emperor’s aura.

Zzzz!

Sparks flew as their conflicting energies canceled each other out.

In an instant, a small pebble on the ground turned to powder with a pop.

“Oh?”

A strange sound of admiration escaped the Black Emperor’s mouth.

A suffocating tension filled the air.

Alice tilted her head slightly, ready to draw her signature weapon at a moment’s notice.

Damn. These prideful ones are always a problem.

They start flipping tables at the slightest displeasure.

At that moment.

“…I see. It seems you’ve found quite a remarkable companion. Her skills are outstanding, and her aura is very similar to our sect’s. Hmm. Someone like her is certainly welcome within our sect. I grant my permission.”

“…What?”

“Hmm?”

Both Jinhyuk and Alice exclaimed simultaneously.

“Come on, let’s go. We need to hurry if we want to get there before sunset.”

Without waiting for a response, the Black Emperor took the lead.

“Hmmm hum hum.”

Alice, seemingly in a good mood, hummed a tune.

For some reason, the aggressive energy she had shown earlier had completely vanished.

“Why are you so emotional? Didn’t you dislike my master?”

“I did, but now I like him. Hehe.”

Alice skipped along lightly.

Was it because the vampire’s magical energy and the demonic energy of the sect were similar?

It’s impossible to understand what absolute beings think.

How long had they been walking?

When Jinhyuk had put a considerable distance between himself and the Black Emperor…

Baeksa approached the Black Emperor.

His face was filled with concern and worry.

“Do you really intend to take him as your disciple? He’s neither affiliated with our sect nor even a martial artist…”

Baeksa spoke cautiously.

“I know what you’re worried about. But don’t worry.”

“…But, Supreme Master. All three of our sect’s top masters have returned. Moreover, during the ten-year retreat, three new masters were added.”

“You mean those selected by the Left Protector.”

Including the Celestial Demon, the two Protectors, and the Simma Commander, ten masters had gathered today.

“Yes. It’s already a delicate situation, like walking on a blade’s edge. It’s best not to introduce new stimuli. Especially the Left Protector… He’s an unpredictable one.”

Although they all gathered under the Celestial Demon, the Left Protector was different.

Ambition.

Even if he didn’t openly show it, molten metal and hellfire boiled within him.

Baeksa was naturally anxious about giving such serpents a chance to seize a weakness.

It’s only natural.

The Demonic Sect is a group that thrives on killing and taking what belongs to others.

But…

“Baeksa.”

The Black Emperor’s expression remained unchanged.

“Yes, sir?”

“I said, it’s okay.”

He simply stated.

Decisions were made by him alone.

No one, other than the Celestial Demon, could command him.

And once he decided to take someone under his wing, he never abandoned them under any circumstances.

“True, our time together has been short. And as you said, his roots are not in the martial world. But even so, I’ve decided to accept him as my disciple.”

The reason is unknown.

It just felt like a familiar and long-lost bond.

“I trust my instincts.”

Beyond the flowing breeze, a faint smile appeared on the Black Emperor’s lips.

A smile he had never shown before.

“Yes, Master.”

Baeksa bowed his head.

＊＊＊

The main hall of the Celestial Demon Church.

The Heavenly Demon Hall.

Six men and women sat on either side of the empty high seat.

These were the top ten masters of the Celestial Demon Church.

“Even though the two Protectors and the Simma Commander are here, the Celestial Demon has not arrived yet. Since his retreat, he’s rarely been seen. I’m beginning to worry that something might be wrong.”

A decrepit-looking old man with a skeletal frame spoke.

Ranked 8th,

He was Dokgoryong, known as the Poison Lotus Hand.

He spoke more like he wished for the worst rather than expressing genuine concern.

“Oh my. An old man still coveting power? The Celestial Demon is fine, so don’t worry. I guarantee it.”

Sohohyang, the Illusionary Hand Maiden, smiled seductively.

Ranked 5th, her proficiency in the Illusionary Hand Arts made even the air around her sweet with her smile.

“Ha! Who are you calling a power-hungry fox?”

“Well, that’s just how it looked to me. If not, then never mind.”

Sohohyang laughed lightly.

“Honestly, meeting after such a long time and starting a war of nerves… It’s so petty.”

“Kehehe. We’re not exactly here to exchange pleasantries.”

“Indeed.”

Everyone added a word or two.

But just then…

Bang!

With a loud noise, the inner hall doors were shattered.

“Hahaha. I’m late, aren’t I? The Celestial Demon… hmm? He hasn’t arrived yet.”

It was the Black Emperor.

His unruly behavior was nothing new. Damaging property was also a common occurrence.

However…

Even his antics had limits.

Especially for someone in the position of the Right Protector…

“Black Emperor, no, Right Protector! Who are these people?”

Dokgoryong’s voice was sharp.

This was the Heavenly Demon Hall.

No one could enter without permission.

Yet here was an unfamiliar outsider.

“Speak softly. They can hear you. This is my disciple and… hmm, his betrothed.”

“Di… Disciple?”

“The Right Protector has taken a disciple?”

“Unbelievable…”

Gasps of disbelief came from all around.

Though the Black Emperor had quickly risen to the position of Right Protector with overwhelming force, he had never taken a disciple in all those years.

No one in the Celestial Demon Church had ever caught his eye.

“So… he can use the Black Heaven Demonic Emperor Art?”

“Yes, he can.”

The Black Heaven Demonic Emperor Art.

The Black Emperor’s unique martial art, which countless talents had tried and failed to learn.

At best, they could mimic the simplified version, the Black Heaven Art.

But mastering it?

If the Black Emperor hadn’t said it himself, no one would have believed it.

“I see. If the Right Protector takes interest, it’s understandable. May I ask what level he has reached?”

“He is at the 4th level. While not exact, I have seen him execute techniques at least equivalent to that level.”

“Not just using basic moves but reaching the 4th level?”

“At such a young age?”

“A… monster…”

All eyes turned to Jinhyuk.

Standing calmly amidst the suffocating pressure, he was clearly no ordinary person.

But the 4th level?

Even Yang Ho-myung, the leader of the Black Wind Society, took ten years to reach the 3rd level of the simplified Black Heaven Art.

“So you brought him to enroll in our sect?”

“No, I want him to have the same authority as myself.”

“The same authority as the Right Protector? Did I hear correctly?”

“If you heard correctly, why ask again?”

“You mean he will have free access to the sect without following our doctrines… In other words, he can act independently?”

“That’s exactly what I mean.”

The Black Emperor nodded.

“That’s outrageous!”

“Right Protector! Have you lost your mind?”

“Hahaha! The old man’s gone senile. Did his brain rot during the ten-year retreat?”

“Such special treatment is unwarranted just because he’s a promising talent. And all of this is based solely on the Right Protector’s words.”

“Hmm. I expected this reaction.”

The Black Emperor shrugged at Jinhyuk.

“Well, I anticipated it.”

“Then show them. Show why you deserve special treatment.”

And…

“Show why I decided to take you as my disciple from the moment we met.”

Everything.

“Yes, understood.”

Jinhyuk stepped forward.

＊＊＊

The top ten masters of the Celestial Demon Church.

Some were absent, but the ones present were enough to make anyone’s spine tingle.

Each had specialized in a unique martial art, and their combat experience was leagues above any martial artist Jinhyuk had faced before.

‘Impressive.’

Jinhyuk surveyed the masters before him.

From ranks 5 to 10.

Monsters, each and every one.

But he needn’t worry about them all attacking at once.

As dignified as they were, their pride wouldn’t let them act recklessly.

“If we personally engage the Right Protector’s disciple, it would look unseemly. We’ll have our disciples face him. Jasohui.”

“Yes, master.”

At Sohohyang’s call, a young girl stepped forward.

She had been waiting outside but entered the hall with Sohohyang’s permission.

Shing!

Her sword drew a dazzling arc of light.

Judging by the strong yin energy, she had also mastered the Illusionary Hand Arts.

But just then, Dokgoryong intervened.

“No, stay back. I’ll handle this myself.”

“Oh my. You’re taking a personal interest. What’s the occasion?”

“Do I need a reason to step in?”

“Hehe. Do as you please. Since you have a grudge against the Right Protector, I’ll let you handle it this time.”

Thud! Thud!

Dokgoryong struck the floor twice with his staff.

“Paekak!”

At the sharp call, a shadow appeared.

“You called?”

“Yes. Show him how severe our sect’s hierarchy is.”

“Hehe. Leave it to me.”

With a vile smile, Paekak approached Jinhyuk.

“I’ll enjoy handling a young junior. So, how do you feel about being here? You should have enjoyed the scenery before ending up bedridden.”

“The scenery was nice. Everything was perfect until an old man started acting like a tyrant.”

“What… what did you say? A tyrant?”

“And if you want to touch someone, don’t think about touching other people. How about you wash that dirty face of yours first? Training martial arts and increasing internal energy is fine, but at least wash your face, shouldn’t you?”

It was hard to tell if he was a beggar from the Beggars’ Sect or a master from the Celestial Demon Church.

Surviving on nothing but grain pills and swinging a sword… it’s no wonder.

“As a renowned figure, if you keep reeking like a sewer, even Yoosung, who’s walking a hundred miles away, will know where you’re hiding.”

He’s practically a walking advertisement.

“Do you even know what you’re saying?”

“Come on. You understand what I’m saying, right? I’m not as dull-witted as you.”

“You… you…!”

Unable to bear it, Paekak lunged at him.