Chronicles of the Demon Faction

Episode 25. Leaving the Bamboo Forest (3)

“…The estimated cost of the upcoming Pasun Festival has been calculated to be approximately 57,000 nyang of gold.”

Daejeon, which was once filled with darkness, was brightly lit today.

To the left and right of the lofty Taesa, numerous demons stood politely. The magical energy they emitted was so great that even the air in Daejeon seemed hot.

However, no matter how great the demonic energy they exuded, it could not compare to the presence of the demon god sitting at the Taesa Temple.

Huge body. He rested his elbow on the armrest and rested his chin on his face, looking very drowsy. He was proudly holding a glass of alcohol in one hand, and a very beautiful woman was standing next to him holding a bottle of alcohol.

“….”

There was a strange silence.

Lee Cheon-sang raised his glass.

Gulp.

Slowly empty the glass, sip by sip.

Even though the top leaders of the Protestant Church are standing in front of him, even though key figures in the inner city are watching and those in charge of the outer city are listening, his attitude is that he has no hesitation whatsoever.

It was a feeling of great power and infinite freedom. Although it was necessary to do something in moderation for the sake of the authority of the elders, he did not show that at all.

And no one could criticize him like that.

At that time, a middle-aged man with a proud build who had been bending down to the left of the Taesa straightened his back.

“Compared to last year, expenses have increased by a whopping 12,000 nyang. Since the external strike force has gone on a mission, there will be a lot of vacancies, so it is surprising that the security guard has increased rather than decreased. Lord Hwanheewon, please explain the reason.”

Then the woman standing in the sixth position in the right row took a step forward and bowed her head.

It was a stunning beauty that matched her alluring figure. At first glance, she had a mature appearance, appearing to be around 30, but in reality, she was Hwanhee Wonju So Yeon-sim, whose actual age was closer to 50.

“The Lord of Hwanhee Won, the Little God, prays to the Holy Spirit. It has been confirmed that the four families led by the Demon Sword family will participate in the ancestral rites for this year’s Pasun Festival. “The Seven Families are a prestigious family that has protected our school for hundreds of years, so it is believed that this appropriate example is suitable to show the dignity and magnanimity of our school.”

Mudam nodded.

“The words of Hwanhee Wonju are at first glance valid. However, the majesty of our school has been proven by history, continues today, and will remain eternal even a thousand years from now. Additionally, if they participate in the ancestral rites, the heads of the families will receive Six Heavenly Heart Wine as a gift from the religious leader.”

“….”

“The majesty and magnanimity of our school are shown by the leader, and cannot be shown through money. Therefore, I order you to reduce the estimated expense amount and submit the payment documents again.”

“I clearly realized that my thoughts were short-lived. “I apologize for my shortcomings, and I promise to upload new payment documents before noon on the following day.”

So Yeonsim took a step back.

A person who spreads the Holy Word on behalf of the religious leader and makes decisions on the religious leaders’ behalf.

At first glance, the authority of the Great Protection Act seemed sky-high, but all the demons gathered here knew it. In the end, the Great Protection Act is nothing more than a puppet.

What the Daehobeop shaman says is what the religious leader says. It was a place where one could only say what the leader wanted, not because one was close to the leader.

So the demons were neither jealous nor envious of Mudam.

Although he has the trust of the religious leader, he is ultimately the person furthest from power.

Mudam turned to Lee Cheon-sang.

The sight of him slowly kneeling and bowing his head was filled with reverence.

“The above is the status of work progress by internal and external demonic beasts.”

Lee Cheon-sang turned the glass to the side.

Then the woman carefully filled his glass.

Lee Cheon-sang said as he accepted the glass.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

All the demons gathered in Daejeon knelt down.

“Dominion Seonggyo (君臨聖敎), immortality to the devil!”

The kneeling demons then bowed their heads.

“I receive the blessings of the Holy Spirit!”

It is a reverence for God that even the senator, who is the most powerful person in the Protestant religion, excluding the religious leader, proclaims with all his heart.

There are many powerful figures in the world, but there is probably no other person with this much power.

“Get up.”

Just like that.

All the demons arose. It was a quick but respectful move.

“….”

There was silence.

After emptying his glass once again, Lee Cheon-sang opened his mouth.

“First of all, it looks like it’s still closing.”

Mudam bowed his head.

“I haven’t come out of the Goma Three Halls yet.”

“is it.”

“Yes, leader.”

Lee Cheon-sang looked to the left.

His eyes turned to the young men and women lined up in front of the giant stone statue at the back of the left row.

“second.”

“Did you call me, leader?”

The young man standing closest to Taesa took a step forward.

The young man’s appearance was ordinary. Although he was quite tall, he had an overall impression that you would see anywhere.

But the young man had one characteristic that made him different from anyone else.

It was an extremely cold atmosphere, as if just blowing on it would cool the furnace.

“Are you going to start practicing again?”

Gwanpyeong (關評), a scholar of the Heavenly Demon Church, ruled.

“Martial arts is already incorporated into my life. “I think closing the building is meaningless until we face another period of change.”

It was a pretty bold statement. Considering the location, this could be considered rude.

But Lee Cheon-sang didn’t have a problem with him at all.

“Those who know where they stand need no teaching. Do as you will.”

“thank you.”

The faces of the demons gathered in Daejeon showed a look of surprise.

Lee Cheon-sang had never called his disciples to a public event like this. This is because although their status is high, they have no position.

I wondered why he even called his disciples for this reason, but aren’t the words he said to Duke Lee truly shocking?

I can’t believe someone who praises martial arts so harshly would say something like that. Considering Lee Cheon-sang’s usual words and actions, it was a great compliment.

“fourth.”

“Yes, leader.”

Master Hong Wei-wen took a step forward.

“It’s different from a few days ago. “It looks like he’s putting in a lot of enthusiasm.”

Hong Wei-wen lowered his head.

“thank you.”

“But it’s too late.”

“….”

“If you want to overwhelm everyone, throw yourself and throw again. And yet, what is difficult to obtain is enlightenment.”

“….”

“Go forward.”

“Yes, leader.”

Hong Wei-wen took a step back.

His expression was calm. I’m not pretending to be like that, I’m truly unmoved in my heart.

This is because it is no different from what Lee Cheon-sang usually says. I was a bit surprised when Lee Gong-ja received praise, but that was it. What he needed now was expansion of power rather than martial arts.

Lee Cheon-sang opened his mouth again.

“fifth.”

“Yes, master.”

A woman took a step forward.

It seemed like the whole place in Daejeon became brighter in an instant.

Lee Gongja’s cold atmosphere and indifference to everything that is slightly different are noticeable. However, her beauty was so outstanding that it seemed to overshadow even her indifference.

A beauty that is flashy yet not burdensome, friendly yet unapproachable. Plus a body trained for martial arts.

This woman, who brings to mind the words, ‘10 perfect beauty in all the beauty of the country’, was none other than Joo Seo-yoon, the daughter of the Five Princesses.

Lee Cheon-sang quietly looked at her. Likewise, Joo Seo-yoon looked straight ahead with an indifferent expression.

A moment of silence.

And everyone was surprised by Lee Cheon-sang’s words.

“It’s pretty good.”

The leaders’ eyes wavered.

Guan Ping’s eyes deepened and Hong Yuwen’s cheeks trembled. Until now, Lee Cheon-sang had never given such an evaluation to his disciple.

“Currently, there are limits to how martial arts can enhance your talent. After this meeting, follow Lord Protector. Let’s choose one of the Ten Great Magical Arts.”

Joo Hwayun bowed her head.

“The grace of the religious leader is invaluable.”

“Good work.”

She took a step back.

Even though she received rave reviews that no one else received, she did not even raise an eyebrow. It looked like a doll with no emotions at all.

hook.

The air in Daejeon became hot.

Lee Cheon-sang evaluates Oh Gong-nyeo beyond the scholars of merit and merit.

Evaluating students in public can be interpreted in quite a few different ways. This evaluation will be beneficial to some and detrimental to others.

Of course, the demon god did not care what happened to the worldly strife. All I could do was speak when I wanted, evaluate, and keep an eye on the board.

As if God were looking down on humans on earth.

“When will the sixth one return?”

“Because the Geogyeong family is participating in this festival, I said I would participate in the festival with the head of the family.”

“is it.”

“Yes, leader.”

Lee Cheon-sang saw a girl for the last time.

I guess I’m a little over ten years old now. There was a girl there who was so cute that I wanted to bite her.

But no matter who looked at it, it didn’t seem normal.

The face, which must have been bright originally, looked very gaunt. He had a pale complexion, dark spots under his eyes, and was quite thin, so his clothes were quite baggy.

It was Chae Yeo-min (彩麗珉), the Seven Princesses of the Heavenly Demon Church and the last disciple of Lee Cheon-sang.

“the youngest.”

“Yes, master.”

The voice that was trying hard to gain strength aroused sadness in the listener.

A look of puzzlement appeared on Guan Ping’s face, and Hong Yuwen’s eyes shone coldly. Joo Seo-yoon was the only one whose expression did not change at all.

“It seems like you were negligent in taking care of your body.”

One who sits on a throne in the sky and looks down on everything.

Even though he knew about Chae Yeo-min’s condition, Lee Cheon-sang pretended not to know.

“I’m sorry, leader.”

“This school does not pamper children just because they are young. “If you were toxic, you wouldn’t be in the situation you are in now.”

Kuuk.

Chae Yeo-min clenched her fists, which were covered by her sleeves.

I felt like I was going to cry out of sadness, but I held back. I don’t know much about the world yet, but I know that I shouldn’t show tears in this place.

“Make sure to work harder.”

“Yes, master.”

Lee Cheon-sang held out his glass to the side. Then the woman filled the glass. There were already three empty bottles next to the jade table.

Lee Cheon-sang said calmly.

“I didn’t teach you how to rest. “If you really want to win the next presidency, don’t be bound by limitations.”

In an instant, the air in Daejeon became cold.

The words “the next president” came out of Lee Cheon-sang’s mouth. As it was mentioned for the first time in an official setting, the tension it gave was extraordinary.

Guan Ping’s eyes became sharp, and Hong Wei-wen clenched his fists without realizing it. On the other hand, Joo Seo-yoon’s expression did not change, and Chae Yeo-min was busy taking a deep breath.

Lee Cheon-sang emptied all his liquor.

I don’t savor it slowly like I used to. I emptied it in one go and threw the glass away carelessly.

Jeeaaaeang!

The fancy drinking glass shattered into pieces. Everyone froze at the sudden action of the religious leader.

Lee Cheon-sang stood up.

He looked at the gate of Daejeon.

“Come in.”

At the same time, a sonorous voice rang out from outside the door.

“The Three Dukes, Xiliang, accept the call of the Holy Spirit!”

Kugugoogung!

A door that opens left and right with a heavy sound.

The dark red carpet that runs across the center of Daejeon showed off its original gorgeous color even more as the sunlight slowly shined through it.

And a young man appeared there.

Over a white military uniform with no blemishes, he wore a dark blue silk robe that looked neat and flashy. The golden thread flowing naturally beneath the red waistcoat and the hem of the long cloth fluttering in the wind looked infinitely free.

A look of admiration appeared on the faces of the demons looking at the young man.

The appearance of a young man properly dressed in clothing was truly like that of a young king from a kingdom of immortals. The blunt face and confident gait, just like Lee Cheon-sang’s, seemed noble in themselves.

The leaders of the Protestant church, who could not help but be amazed, soon showed expressions of disbelief. It was only now that I realized that that handsome-looking young man was the Three Confucius who had awakened from the evil spell.

Pussssss.

Translucent red smoke rose beneath his feet. The naturally blooming magic energy became the culmination of the atmosphere of a beautiful young man.

The quality of Magi must be so great that it creates such tension. It possesses so much magical power that it leaks out even without intention.

He is well over six feet tall, has clear facial features, and the dark and colorful magic that matches him is truly overwhelming.

Guan Ping opened his mouth wide. Hong Wei-wen’s eyes were bloodshot. Joo Seo-yoon, whose expression had not changed until now, also looked at the young man with a shaking gaze.

Jump and jump.

In Daejeon, which was filled with silence, only the sound of the young man’s footsteps echoed heavily. Even though everyone was focusing their attention on him, the young man did not even lift an eyebrow.

Eventually, the young man arrived at the steps in front of the temple and looked up at Lee Cheon-sang.

The eyes of the two people collided in midair.

This is quite a rude attitude toward a religious leader. But Lee Cheon-sang didn’t care, and the young man also had a relaxed expression.

After a while, the young man lowered his head.

“The Three Confucius, Seoliang, has an audience with the leader.”

Flash!

A faint demonic energy bloomed in Lee Cheon-sang’s eyes.

The expression on his face as he looked down at the young man was an admiration that no one had ever seen before.

“excellent.”

The demons were astonished.

Lee Cheon-sang continued.

“What was it like there? Was it a good place to get some fresh air?”

The young man, Xu Liang, raised his head.

It was a very strange expression, neither smiling nor crying.

“It was so refreshing that I wondered if this was even possible.”

Lee Cheon-sang nodded.

Seo-ryang, who was looking up at him, suddenly looked around.

All the demons were looking at themselves as if they were seeing something magical. There was not a single exception.

Seo-ryang’s face gradually became like a dented brass vessel. Even if he danced naked in the market, he would receive less attention than this.

That cult leader really has something to do to make people uncomfortable.

‘…Rotten!’

That’s how Seo-ryang came back.