Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon

Chapter 72: Aftermath

What a terrible poison. Looking at the progress, I assume he was poisoned a long time agoIve helped him regain consciousness, but I dont think it will hold out much longer.

The one speaking was the Head of the Medical Department, the Demonic Doctor of Life and Death. He was speaking to three others: the Senior Strategist, Woon-seong, and Chun A-young. 

Sang Gwan-chuks expression had horribly crumpled at the doctors words, as had Woon-seongs. 

Among them though, A-young looked the most distressed. She was unable to hide the trembling of her fingers. She clutched the fabric of her dress in an effort to hide it, but her entire body trembled. 

He should still be awake for a while longer. Would you like to see him?

Alright. 

At the doctors words, the Strategist nodded and opened the door to the room where the Leader was lying down. 

With a soft swoosh, the door opened. 

Inside, it was obvious that the man lying down was a hospital patient: strong wafts of medicinal fragrance flowed through the room. 

The Heavenly Demon lay upon the bed, a far cry from his usual appearance. 

It was a difficult scene to take in, as the Leader lay there like a tiger that had gotten its teeth knocked out. 

My Lord

The Strategist took a step inside, but A-young was faster. 

Father!

She didnt care that the doctor probably wouldnt approve of her rushing in like that, kneeling by the bed and grabbing his hands. A strong wave of heat spread through the palms of her hands how was a humans body running so hot?

What is this?

The heat almost rivaled that of a fire.

Chun Hwi smiled bitterly at his daughter. Youre here. 

His gaze then moved to the Strategist, who was standing a few feet away. Im sorry Strategist. I couldnt withstand the poison.

At Chun Hwis words, both Woon-seong and A-young turned to look at the Strategist. So Sang Gwan-chuk already knew about the poison.

Uncle Sang. Why why didnt you tell me? A-young cried. 

If Uncle had told me, I could have looked for a cure earlier! Why didnt you?!

I was finally getting a chance to get closer with my father Ever since I became the Divine Maiden, the best thing that happened was having a real talk with him! But why does this have to happen now?

Chun A-youngs tone was desperate and emotional. 

Sang Gwan-chuk didnt say anything. Given the situation, it was natural for him to be unable to easily explain. 

Dont fault him. I told him to do so.

Chun Hwis voice sounded much more powerful than before, but his breathing was still rough. Of course, the Strategist looked for a cure himself. However, this poison doesnt exist anywhere in this world.

Now, Woon-seong became more concerned. A poison that doesnt exist in this world? A completely new type of poison So its a poison that even the Leader, who achieved the realm of a semi-divine being, cant withstand?

At that, Chun A-young lowered her head. But!

Its okay.

Chun Hwi cut off her words once more. I wont die that easily. Its tough, but I can still withstand it. If I choose to, Im sure I can live a few more years like this. And Im sure the Senior Strategist will do something during that time.

Chun A-young could only stay silent. She felt like she needed to say something, but there was nothing for her to say. 

As soon as Chun A-young shut up, Chun Hwis gaze turned towards Woon-seong, who was standing to the side. There you are.

Yes, Leader

I told you to call me master.

Master.

At the words of Woon-seong, Chun Hwi nodded with difficulty. Thats right. Call me master.

Im sorry. Its no good for a master to show such weakness in front of his apprentice I shouldnt be lying down like this.

Chun Hwi said all of this with a bitter smile. But Woon-seong did not see the expression on the Heavenly Demons face.

His gaze was directed elsewhere he had begun to examine the Leaders body. 

I can see the signs of poison here and there. Theres dark circles under his eyes and red eruptions here and there. His eyes are also red, as though some capillaries have burst. Those red eruptions dont seem normal either. Theyre shaped like tiny handprints and there are purple dots in the middle of them. 

Wait, is this.?! 

Woon-seongs eyes trembled. 

Ive seen signs like these on my former masters body. Its the same poison that took away his health little by little and ended up with him getting killed by the hypocrites of the Orthodox sects. 

Why is that poison here?

Woon-seongs whole body trembled slightly, but he wasnt given time to think because the Heavenly Demon had moved to grab his hand. Feverish heat spread from his palms. 

My apprentice.

Woon-seong knelt at Chun Hwis side, turning his head towards the voice. Yes, Master. Im here.

Chun Hwi had closed his eyes because he was losing consciousness. The tremor in his voice was worse than before. 

Woon-seong remembered what the Divine Doctor had told them: I barely made him conscious right now, but I dont think it will hold out much longer. 

While Im on the bed, take care of the Cult and

Chun Hwis grip slowly slackened and his hand fell onto the bed. The sound of his breathing became rougher and rougher and the room became silent. 

The Leader had lost consciousness.

Woon-seong panicked and grabbed the Leaders wrist, feeling for a pulse. His pulse is still there! Thankfully, hes just unconscious.

In Woon-seongs ears, which had been by the Heavenly Demons mouth, rang Chun Hwis last words before unconsciousness. 

Please take care of A-young. Im sorry to leave such a burden on you.

Thats not like you, Master 

It wasnt a very optimistic thing to say. 

Its been three months already.

That long already?

The men speaking were from a delegation led by one of the Ten Demonic Masters, Blade Demon of Hell Mo In-ryang. 

At his signal, the group stopped to take a break. Subsequently, Mo In-ryang took a moment to look up at the clear sky. 

Three months. A lot has happened since then.

There were murmurs of agreement. 

The incident regarding the Heavenly Demon collapsing after coughing up blood during the succession ceremony of the Divine Maiden had been three months ago. 

After it had happened, it was predicted that there would be a huge uproar inside the Cult. 

Contrary to expectations, nothing much happened. 

The only difference was that the Vice Leader, Joo Moon-baek, and the Young Leader, Hyuk Woon-seong, started leading the Cult. 

Of course, thats what it looked like on the surface.

What the general public saw was just the tip of the iceberg. 

The very day Chun Hwi collapsed, Vice Leader Joo Moon-baek showed his hidden ambitions his ambition of wanting to kill the Leader and rule the Cult of the Heavenly Demon himself. 

However, the Young Leader and Sang Gwan-chuk werent just going to let him have that position. 

Thus, it was inevitable for a split to happen. 

Anyone who had any idea of the internal politics within the Cult would know of this fact. 

As time stretched on, the confrontation between the Vice Leader and the Young Leader would steadily meet its peak. 

Tsk.

Within three months, the upper echelon had split between the factions of the Vice Leader and the Young Leader. There was no place for neutrality, since two people could not become the Heavenly Demon. 

Most of the Ten Demonic Masters had already chosen a faction, ending with an almost equal split. 

I myself have chosen the Vice Leader, Mo In-ryang thought. Considering our old relations and the fact that he has always been friendly enough to me 

Of course, there were also those who had not set their minds upon one faction just yet, dragging out the conflict. 

Which is also why Im moving right now. 

Mo In-ryang could only click his tongue lightly. 

So he wants me to appease the Wind Demon Fist King Koo Jong-byuk. 

Under the orders of Joo Moon-baek, Mo In-ryang was moving to attract the Fist King to their side. Of course, he was only moving because it was the Vice Leader who had requested this, otherwise a Demonic Master like himself wouldnt have moved. 

That guy, huh I dont know him much besides that hes known to be a broad minded man. 

Mo In-ryang had brought his usual escort, but there was no relationship between them and the Fist King. Of course, it wouldnt be bad to get to know him now. 

I just hope he doesnt ask me to spar him out of nowhere. But considering his tendencies, Im afraid its likely to happen. If it does, depending on the situation, I guess Ill have to play along with him. If I want to satisfy him while not making myself look bad I dont know how much I could do, but it seems best for me to stay on level with him. 

Mo In-ryang turned his head to the side, where someone was carrying a huge bundle. Inside was a crate filled with goods sent on behalf of Joo Moon-baek. Under normal circumstances, anyone who cared about wealth or collecting goods would be swayed. 

I dont know about other people, but I doubt he will be interested in any of these goods. Still, I presume its better than nothing. 

Mo In-ryang could do nothing but think as he walked towards the Wind Demons tower. Shortly after, one of his subordinates spoke, I can see the Wind Demons tower.

Hmm.

Distantly, a couple people could be seen exiting the tower. 

Mo In-ryang sighed to himself. It looks like Im late

As the people got closer, his subordinates also recognized the two and began to get restless. Is that the Young Leader and his people?

The two who had come were indeed Hyuk Woon-seong and Great Demon Sang In-hyo, greeting the group with smug smiles. 

Youre a step behind, Blade Demon. 

Woon-seong was the one who spoke first.

Mo In-ryangs brows furrowed slightly, but his voice gave nothing away. What do you mean that Im late?

Do you really need me to spell it out for you? Or are you just pretending that you dont understand?

The atmosphere surrounding Woon-seong was casual before this Demonic Master. 

Mo In-ryangs thoughts were racing, as this was a complicated situation.

The Young Leader has changed. Both in competence and skill level. If hes this much hmm I can hardly say hes different from my level. He was barely a Demonic King when he first became the Young Leader, yet he has become on par with the Ten Demonic Masters I have no idea what the Leader has done to him. 

How much of Woon-seongs current level was due to training by the Heavenly Demon and how much of it was due to the young mans own talent? It was hard to say, but the latter was more important.

Meanwhile, Woon-seongs words had not stopped. Ill explain it for you then. The Fist King has decided to join forces with us.

Hmm.

At Woon-seongs words, the group behind Mo In-ryang grew uncomfortable. The Young Leaders gaze turned to the procession, staring at the crowd. The young man was no fool, he knew what the group was trying to do. 

Youre making a useless attempt. I assumed you already knew that the Wind Demon Fist King is not the type of person who would be moved by commodities

Who knows. They say that seeing is wanting and that gold can even buy a ghost.

Woon-seong snorted. Then give it a try. Well see if youre right or wrong.

As he finished, Woon-seong began to walk away. His actions did not seem to prevent the group from actually going inside, which made the crowd frown. 

Woon-seong left one last message as he left, Ill see you later then.

Since the Young Leader radiated his qi just now, Koo Jong-byuk in the Wind Demon Tower should also have an idea about what just happened. But he hasnt shown himself at all. Which means he has already made up his mind Damn it. I dont know how the Young Leader convinced Koo Jong-byuk, but its clear that hes not on our side. Meeting the Fist King now would just be a waste of both of our times. 

What should we do? One of Mo In-ryangs subordinates asked hesitantly. 

Lets head to the Flame King Tower.