The five largest organizations in the lower divisions of the Demonic Cult are called the ‘Five Pavilions.’
They are—Supre Pavilion, Wu Tian Pavilion, Flying Pavilion, Operations Pavilion, and the Western Pavilion.
These organizations report to the Crimson Demon Hall as their superior office, and mainly recruit talent from the Heavenly Fragrant Hall.
They are responsible for miscellaneous labor and nial tasks like cleaning, and sotis assist with major missions.
However, they were by no ans a force to be ignored.
First, their military strength was among the highest within the Demonic Cult, and they were staffed with young talents who could be called the sprouts of the future.
In particular, because of the atmosphere where murder and destruction weren’t considered major issues, many places requested their help.
Sotis, unexpectedly brilliant talents would be selected for promotion to higher units.
Therefore, anyone operating an organization tried to establish good relations with them.
Above all, what made the Five Pavilions fearso was the individual capabilities of their leaders.
Led by the Supre Pavilion Lord, they were all masters who had reached the Peak Demon Realm.
Their martial arts skills were certainly not inferior compared to anyone else in the entire Demonic Cult.
Moreover, from managing large organizations of over a thousand people, they had exceptional discernnt and insight, quick calculation skills, and strong ambitions for power.
For these Five Pavilions to support the End Demon was trendous pressure for the other disciples.
“This is my first ti seeing this place.”
The place where the Supre Pavilion Lord guided him was in front of a wide gate.
Located at the center of the Five Pavilions, this place was set up inside layered outer walls rather than in a garden.
“I suppose from the perspective of other Pavilion Lords, they couldn’t help but be conscious of the eyes around them.”
Seol-Hwi nodded at the Supre Pavilion Lord’s words and spoke.
“We must prepare for the worst case scenario, just in case.”
“That’s the standard they’re aiming for right now.”
Rather than defending his words, the Supre Pavilion Lord smirked.
‘What a straightforward personality.’
In the past, Seol-Hwi found this sly nature annoying, but now it was rather comforting.
There was no hesitation in revealing his true feelings.
“Surprisingly, they seem quite competent.”
After roughly assessing the skills of those hiding behind the wall, Seol-Hwi asked.
“Each Pavilion Lord has their own protectors and guards. They’re commonly referred to as Bi (Seek out)… It seems they’re all here.”
“So it seems.”
As the Supre Pavilion Lord said, each one was of the level of Heuk Bi, if not higher.
They boasted supre martial prowess befitting guardians who had long protected their domains.
Seol-Hwi briefly recalled his past battles with them when he beca the Heavenly Commander and wondered if he was just lucky back then.
‘Of course, they’re just fledglings to now.’
Still, it was informative.
Their formation alone revealed the intentions of the Pavilion Lords.
“Though unlikely, in the worst-case scenario, they might provoke an attack. If that happens…”
“Supre Pavilion Lord.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Sensing the discomfort in his voice, he suddenly widened his eyes and showed excessive respect.
He was indeed quick-witted.
“In life, there are tis to speak and tis to hold back.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“What do you think the current situation is?”
The Supre Pavilion Lord refrained from answering with a stern face.
As Seol-Hwi was about to offer advice, a thought crossed his mind.
‘Ah, perhaps I overstepped?’
No matter how exceptional his martial prowess was, to him, Seol-Hwi must still seem like a young man, and his tone probably sounded as if he had already unlocked all the secrets of the world. ⱤαƝȎꞖÈS
“Since it has co to this, why don’t you step back and observe the conversation?”
Seol-Hwi concluded the conversation with an assessnt, not advice, and walked toward them.
Crunch, crunch.
“The Earth Demon is arriving.”
As Seol-Hwi passed through the two outer gates, their figures finally ca into view.
‘This should be an interesting conversation.’
Seol-Hwi walked toward the round table where they stood.
The Supre Pavilion Lord maintained a respectful distance a few steps behind.
“Greetings, Earth Demon.”
The four pavilion lords greeted him in unison, as if rehearsed.
Aside from the Wu Tian Pavilion Lord, Seol-Hwi had never t the others face to face.
“It’s a pleasure to et you all. Since you all seem to know , may I ask for your introductions?”
“I’ll start.”
The rotund Wu Tian Pavilion Lord, Tang Cho-in, spoke first, followed by the others introducing themselves in turn.
“I am So Reuk, the Flying Pavilion Lord.”
A middle-aged man with a beard covering his face.
His black martial attire and the red belt tied around his waist suggested a preference for formality.
Though it didn’t matter much, the slight tremor of his beard when he spoke was a bit distracting.
“I am Ma Heuk, the Operations Pavilion Lord.”
A man with a neatly arranged face, draped in a black silk robe.
The red embroidery of the cult’s emblem on his sleeve indicated a fondness for such insignias among the pavilion lords.
His half-closed eyes were sowhat unsettling, yet when he spoke, he t one’s gaze directly, which was disconcerting in its own way.
“I am Ma Ryeong, the Western Pavilion Lord.”
He appeared to be the youngest in the group, yet still seed over fifty.
The black armor worn over his clothes looked rather peculiar.
‘A faint scar by the right eye. That was from the ti he competed for the position of the pavilion master.’
The faint scar on the right side of Western Pavilion Lord’s face caught his eye.
Wasn’t it said to be a remnant from when he vied for the position of pavilion master?
The conversation with instructor Man-dap now resurfaced in his mind.
As they talked, more mories seed to co back to life.
“You all know why this gathering was convened.”
After the introductions, Seol-Hwi spoke again.
From his many lives, Seol-Hwi learned that in such situations, there was no need to prolong words.
In a scenario where the balance of power was clear, it was better to take an offensive stance.
“I’ll get straight to the point. Lend your strength.”
Seol-Hwi threw out the words and watched their reactions. As expected, they were indifferent.
Even if not surprised, one would expect them to show so sign of contemplation at his words.
It seed they had coordinated to so extent before coming to this eting.
“May I speak first?”
The Flying Pavilion Lord, whose face was covered with a beard, stepped forward.
Seol-Hwi nodded.
“In my humble opinion, I don’t see the reason for such a proposal. If you consider our forces and troops, you should understand we have no reason to move.”
The Operations Pavilion Lord chid in.
“I think so too. Even if, as the Supre Pavilion Lord said, you have gained the martial power to overco Heavenly Killing Star, ultimately, this is a battle of forces. In such tis, isn’t it common sense to side with the overwhelming power?”
“Then may I ask one thing?”
While Seol-Hwi held the reins of the conversation, their words subtly disrupted the atmosphere.
Seol-Hwi couldn’t just sit back and listen.
“When you speak of power, do you an the quality and quantity of the forces you possess?”
At this, the Operations Pavilion Lord responded as if on cue.
“Certainly, that aspect is important, but what truly matters is the person who commands those forces. History proves this, doesn’t it? Many have relied solely on their armies and faced downfall.”
The Flying Pavilion Lord added.
“I agree. The Lord of a force… To be precise, we must consider the Lord’s judgnt, qualities, abilities, charisma, and achievents. Even soone like the legendary Commander of the Six ssengers couldn’t maintain control and eventually fell.”
“Hmm.”
Indeed, they spoke like true leaders.
Their argunts, grounded in the history and precedents of the cult, were impressive, rather than re flattery or opposition.
‘Though I must admit, I’m not well-versed in the history of the Six ssengers of Demonic Cult.’
Seol-Hwi turned his attention to one of the two leaders who hadn’t yet spoken.
“What about you, Western Pavilion Lord?”
“I…”
The Western Pavilion Lord paused in thought.
The scar near his eye appeared even more chilling under the light.
“In war, the first to fall are those with inferior quality and sheer numbers. Our forces are like that, aren’t they?”
Unlike the others, he was cold and spoke with the voice of one who faced reality.
“There is a saying that even if we die, we must go with dignity. It is especially true in our sect. If a war breaks out under the First Disciple, even if our division suffers great losses, the next generation could experience a great revival. But under you, Fourth Disciple, can we expect such a future?”
‘Look at this guy.’
Seol-Hwi was quietly surprised by the words of the Western Pavilion Lord.
Instead of discussing power and practicality like the others, he spoke of justification and the future.
‘Two sides speak of the ruler’s capability and power, while one speaks of justification… Interesting.’
Seol-Hwi turned his gaze to the last remaining Pavilion Lord, the Wu Tian Pavilion Lord.
“What do you think, Wu Tian Pavilion Lord?”
“Hmm…”
‘Look at this guy?’
Sothing was off about him.
With this level of discussion, he should have stated his position imdiately, yet he was pretending to be pondering.
Sure enough—
“I am contemplating with a sincere heart.”
“What are you contemplating?”
“I’m considering what benefits my decision might bring to you, Fourth Disciple. If we’re going to be caught in a fight between whales, shouldn’t we at least weigh the rewards…?”
“Ah! I understand what you’re saying.”
Seol-Hwi pretended to agree readily.
“So, you’re saying there’s nothing in it for you?”
“Hahaha! That’s not it. I’m rely pondering how our Fifth Pavilion should perceive this situation.”
“Is that so…”
Seol-Hwi nodded.
His pig-like face glistened with an oily sheen that was repulsive.
His mind was already made up.
“Then, how about I help you make that decision quickly?”
“Oh, how…?”
Swish.
As Seol-Hwi stood and extended his hand to the Supre Pavilion Lord, he imdiately handed him his sword.
“……!”
In an instant, the faces of all the pavilion masters were filled with wariness.
Especially the Wu Tian Pavilion Lord, who almost jumped up in shock.
“What is this…?”
But to Seol-Hwi’s eyes, his reaction was endlessly sluggish.
Swaaah.
As Seol-Hwi swung the sword, he hastily leaped back from his spot.
But what Seol-Hwi unleashed was not a re sword aura.
Moreover, it spread to such a wide range that it was impossible to avoid as it distanced.
Kuwaaaang!
The qi that flew like a sword aura brushed past the other pavilion lords and instantly transford into a fire demon.
And as it reached the Wu Tian Pavilion Lord, it turned into a massive fireball and exploded.
“Ah…”
The pavilion lords were collectively astonished. Even the Supre Pavilion Lord, who was observing, seed to be in shock.
It was only natural.
What Seol-Hwi had just displayed was the Fla Full Body Demonic Arts.
Moreover, it was the Fla Full Body Demonic Arts that had reached the realm of Peak Demon, a level he could never achieve in his lifeti.
Chuchuchuchuk!
At that mont, several figures leaped over the wall.
But they couldn’t rush in.
It seed they couldn’t even decide what to do as their lord had already turned to ashes and vanished.
Chuchuchuk.
Of course, even if they had rushed in, it would have been of no use.
Because there were other guards who had already descended in step.
“Pavilion Lord of the Flying Pavilion. You said that power is important to follow soone, but capability is necessary too, right?”
“……”
No answer was heard.
The audacity of openly killing the Wu Tian Pavilion Lord seed to have left them in significant shock.
“This is my first answer to you all. In such a critical mont, those who only pursue profit will be cut down rcilessly.”
The gazes of the pavilion lords began to gather one by one. From now on, it was truly important.
“Of course, the death of the Wu Tian Pavilion Lord might be sothing the First Disciple could take issue with. But if I were afraid of that and bowed my head, I wouldn’t have arranged this eting in the first place.”
At his words, the expressions of the pavilions lords subtly changed.
Eyes filled with a mix of fear, respect, and ambition.
Now was the mont to truly win them over.
Seol-Hwi read the turning point in their gazes.
“Perhaps this is one of the asures of my capabilities. Now, let provide you with a realistic answer.”
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