Chapter 323: Demonic Faction Lord Competition (3)
Cheon Rain.
A master of the Extreme Demon Realm, not officially ranked in the Cult’s hierarchy.
He had been recommended by the Heavenly Thunder Corps to reinforce the Guardian Hall, which had been left weakened after the Left Guardian disappeared and the Right Guardian retired.
There was no doubt about his strength. However, there was one fatal flaw that made him inherently unfit to lead the Guardian Hall.
‘A thorough self-preservationist!’
Unlike the Left and Right Guardians, who had shown absolute loyalty to the Cult Leader and the Young Cult Leader, Cheon Rain held no particular loyalty toward Cheon Yura.
After all, he himself was one of the senior figures of the Cheon Clan, and his petty nature made it difficult to expect any real loyalty from him in the first place.
The real problem, however, was that Cheon Yura, who had absolute confidence in her own strength, did not seem to care much about personnel matters like this.
In the end, that negligence had to be paid for bitterly.
“Heuhuhuh! What an honor it is to meet the rising star of our Cult!”
Cheon Rain, who had come as a representative of the Cheon Clan, held out his hand to me with an overly hearty expression.
I politely accepted his hand.
“Congratulations on becoming a member of the Seven Elders, Lord Byeokma Jin-gun.”
“Hm? Heuhuhuh! You even know my title? You’re more courteous than I expected for someone so young!”
Cheon Rain, looking pleased, shook my hand firmly.
Even among the highest ranks of the Cult, it was rare for anyone to remember every title and position.
Let alone someone not even officially listed in the hierarchy.
“I have instructed the Chief Steward to prepare a banquet. Would you care to join me for a while?”
“A banquet? Heuhuhuh… Should I look forward to seeing how grand the banquet of the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan is?”
Normally, an envoy would complete their task and leave immediately, but Cheon Rain was different.
He was someone who pursued fame and wealth, and thoroughly enjoyed extravagance.
Especially since he had long been excluded from the official ranks, he greatly relished this kind of special treatment.
‘As expected, people never really change, whether in the past or now.’
In a serene garden, various rare liquors and delicacies had been prepared.
Not far away, dozens of dancers and musicians performed with elegance.
Handing him a bottle of wine, I spoke.
“It was prepared in haste, so it may be lacking in many ways. I ask for your generous understanding.”
Cheon Rain, appearing thoroughly satisfied with the surrounding hospitality, nodded.
“Heuhuhut! This is more than excellent. I didn’t expect to receive such treatment anywhere other than my own manor. Truly, the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan lives up to its reputation as the foremost among the Six Great Demonic Clans.”
I smiled pleasantly and replied.
“Our clan is not as rigid as the Blood Dragon Demonic Clan. We are always prepared to welcome honored guests.”
“The Blood Dragon Clan… hmm… yes, those people truly…”
Cheon Rain’s expression immediately soured.
It seemed he had visited the Blood Dragon Demonic Clan once before.
‘It’s obvious, really.’
The Blood Dragon Demonic Clan was infamous for its stubborn pride that did not bow even to the Cheon Clan.
In fact, unless it was someone like the Black Gold Sa Clan, there was no real reason to treat someone from the Cheon Clan, who was neither the Cult Leader nor the Young Cult Leader, with such extravagance.
Just the look on the Chief Steward’s face alone seemed to be asking, “Do we really have to go this far for someone like him?”
“Come now, have a drink.”
“Heuhuhuh, shall I?”
The drinks quickly began to flow back and forth.
After we both had drunk quite a bit, Cheon Rain finally spoke first.
“As you may already know, the ‘day’ that Lord Ilro has set is now just a week away.”
“Of course, I know. It concerns me, after all.”
The Demonic Faction Lord Competition.
Or as the public had started to call it lately—“The Hunt for Jin Yeomyung.”
At that moment, Cheon Rain suddenly put on a troubled expression.
“Hmmm! It pains me greatly to bring up such an unpleasant matter after receiving this fine hospitality.”
“Please, speak freely. I understand the Cheon Clan’s position.”
“Hrrm, if you insist…”
Cheon Rain cleared his throat slightly and asked,
“By any chance… have you considered stepping down from the position of Demonic Faction Lord?”
He threw out a completely absurd proposition.
I smiled faintly and asked in return,
“Has the Cheon Clan already chosen another candidate?”
“Hrmm! I won’t deny it.”
So the Cheon Clan had put forward a new candidate for the position of Demonic Faction Lord.
But who could possibly replace me?
“Could you tell me who it is?”
“Hrmm! My apologies. It’s top secret within our clan, so I cannot divulge that information.”
Despite saying that, there wasn’t the slightest hint of apology on Cheon Rain’s face.
“I understand.”
“So? Your answer?”
Tak!
I set my teacup down with a sharp sound and spoke.
“As you already know, I have worked tirelessly to claim this position.”
“Hrmm, yes, I know. Of course I do.”
“Naturally, even if it’s the great Cheon Clan making the recommendation, you must realize that I cannot step down so easily.”
Cheon Rain’s expression hardened.
“No matter that you are the heir of the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan, this is something you cannot possibly bear.”
“I am fully aware of that. And yes, if things continue like this, my future may not be so bright.”
“Do you really mean that, knowing the risk? Even Lord Ilro has expressed concern, saying the conditions presented to you might be too harsh for someone who is supposed to be the future of our Cult.”
“…Lord Ilro said that?”
“Indeed. It was Lord Ilro who sent me here. He told me to have a deep discussion with you about this matter.”
A deep discussion.
‘Ah, I see now.’
The Cheon Clan still underestimated my capabilities.
The fact that even Cheon Rain, one of the Seven Elders, spoke like this meant it was nearly impossible to believe otherwise unless information had been manipulated at an even higher level.
‘Ilro… and the Great Elder.’
If I had to name the culprits, it was undoubtedly those two.
What’s more, Lord Ilro surely knew Cheon Rain’s true nature.
Yet, he had sent this man to me.
There could be only one reason for that.
I filled Cheon Rain’s cup to the brim.
And then I filled my own cup as well, breaking the silence.
“Elder, are you truly satisfied with the position you hold now?”
Flinch!
A flicker of irritation appeared on Cheon Rain’s face.
“What are you implying?”
“I mean exactly what I said. By joining the Seven Elders, you’ve finally been formally included in the Cult’s official hierarchy. You could say you’ve finally come into the light, albeit a bit late.”
“…….”
Cheon Rain stopped drinking and narrowed his eyes at me.
I stared back at him without wiping the smile off my face.
“I have a proposal for the Third Elder.”
“A proposal? For me, you say?”
“The Cheon Clan’s Seven Elders’ Council is undoubtedly the highest decision-making body of the Cheon Clan.”
“…That’s right.”
“However, I dare say that council does not hold sway over the entire Cult.”
“What? Are you daring to belittle the Cheon Clan right now?!”
Rumble!
A massive wave of qi burst out from Cheon Rain’s entire body in an instant.
The dancers and musicians who were struck by the shockwave dropped their instruments in terror and began trembling all over.
‘Tsk!’
I waved my hand and instantly neutralized Cheon Rain’s aura.
“…Y-You!?”
Cheon Rain was visibly stunned.
To neutralize a wave of that magnitude, one had to at least be close to the Extreme Demon Realm.
And more than that, he wasn’t even at the beginning, but rather in the mid stages of the Extreme Demon Realm.
Which meant… that this so-called brat from the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan, sitting right before him, had also reached the Extreme Demon Realm.
“I have a proposal for the Third Elder.”
“…….”
“Wouldn’t you like to rise even higher than the Seven Elders’ Council of the Cheon Clan?”
“…What did you just say?!”
The man, who had been dumbfounded, flinched in shock at my words, his eyes widening.
“Higher… than the council?”
“You might already know this, but I currently hold considerable influence over the Six Great Demonic Clans as a whole. And… over Yura, who is about to ascend as the Cult Leader.”
“C-Cough!”
Cheon Rain cleared his throat awkwardly.
After all, wasn’t that the very reason the Cheon Clan had been trying to keep me in check?
And more than anything, calling the Young Cult Leader by her name ‘Yura’ so casually wasn’t something possible through mere political ties.
I refilled his empty cup and spoke again.
“If I formally ascend as the Demonic Faction Lord, I can elevate you to an even higher position than you are in now.”
Gulp.
His throat bobbed faintly.
I was certain that thirst wasn’t for the liquor.
Cheon Rain cautiously asked.
“A-Are you… perhaps… referring to the position of First Elder?”
I shook my head.
“No. Didn’t I just mention it? The Seven Elders’ Council may hold absolute influence within the Cheon Clan, but when it comes to influence over the Cult as a whole, there is a body far more powerful.”
Influence over the entire Cult.
Cheon Rain’s eyes widened as if they were about to tear open.
“D-Don’t tell me?!”
“The Elder Hall.”
I threw him a bait so great that he would never be able to refuse it.
“I can grant you the position of Great Elder, the one who presides over the Elder Hall and oversees all its decisions.”
“G-Great Elder?!”
Unconcealable greed began to surface on Cheon Rain’s face.
Of course.
After all, the true seat of power in the Cult was the Elder Hall.
Though its conduct seemed calm and lacking in ambition for power, in truth…
The current Great Elder, Cheon Yeongha, was practically the second most powerful person in the Heavenly Demon Cult in terms of influence.
Cheon Rain kept clearing his throat and avoided my gaze.
“C-Cough! T-That’s a bit premature, isn’t it? The Thousand-Handed Witch is still alive and well…”
I can see right through you, you greedy bastard.
“If I ask, I’m sure the Great Elder would gladly yield the position to you.”
Of course, I didn’t actually know if that would really happen.
“You’ve spent your whole life in the shadows, unable to enjoy the privileges others take for granted, haven’t you, Elder?”
I deliberately struck at his inferiority complex.
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“Since you’re about to step into the spotlight, wouldn’t it be better to stand beneath a much greater sun?”
“…….”
A much greater sun.
His expression began to grow increasingly dazed at those words.
“Of course, to ascend to the Great Elder’s position without drawing opposition, you’ll need to earn some merit.”
“Merit… you say?”
“It’s actually quite simple. Because…”
Rumble!
I released a tiny fraction of my aura, sending it toward Cheon Rain.
Just enough to reach the threshold of the Extreme Demon Realm. I controlled it with the utmost precision.
“H-Huh?!”
“There are hardly any people in the Cult who know the extent of my true abilities.”
Extreme Demon Realm.
Just showing him this much was more than enough to convince Cheon Rain.
“The competition for the position that the First Elder suggested is no great burden for me. In other words, knowing a card that no one else does presents a perfect opportunity to become a hero.”
“U-Ugh!”
“Turn your back on the Seven Elders’ Council and join hands with me. In return, I will give you the position of Great Elder. What do you say?”
“…….”
Cheon Rain stared at my outstretched hand, torn between desire and hesitation.
One week later.
“Are you sure about this, Young Master? Honestly, that Third Elder doesn’t seem like someone worth trusting…”
The Chief of Internal Affairs expressed his concerns to me.
I glanced at him with a curious look.
So you’ve got a good eye for people after all.
Well, that’s probably why Jin Gun-ak personally brought him in and placed him in that position.
“It’s fine. And you’re right—he’s not someone I intend to rely on for long.”
“If that’s the case… then I’m relieved.”
Trailing off, the Chief suddenly smiled in delight as he watched me.
“Ohh! You look absolutely splendid! If only you’d dress like this more often!”
I was surrounded by several attendants, all busy dressing me up.
Instead of the martial robe I usually wore, I had donned a luxurious black long robe unique to the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan.
My hair was pulled back and adorned with various ornaments, decorating my face.
Yes, I was now recreating the image of ‘Jin Yeomyung of the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan,’ which had briefly made an appearance during the Southern Martial Arts Tournament.
“…Not bad.”
For some reason, my younger brother Jin Yeowoon, who had come to watch me get dressed, muttered with a displeased look.
“Why are you here?”
With a sly grin, he answered my question.
“Figured I’d show up since you’re about to clash with the Cheon Clan.”
Technically, it wasn’t just the Cheon Clan but all the next-generation disciples of the Cult.
Still, he wasn’t exactly wrong.
“Since you’ve come this far, go ahead and crush them all and win her heart.”
“…You little brat.”
To think my little brother could say something that touching.
At that moment, the head maid, who had been applying light makeup to my face, stepped back and spoke politely.
“It’s done, Young Master.”
I nodded and rose from my seat.
“Alright. Time to get going?”
To the Cheon Clan.