Chapter 138: A Futile Dream
Sa Eumryeong left Phantom Sound Pavilion without the slightest hesitation in her steps.
Her robes rippled like waves beneath the moonlit night sky.
Following behind her were Yin Soul Demon Elder No Hyeonmyeong, Myriad Poison Demon Lord Gongya Dok, and the elite subordinates of Phantom Sound Pavilion.
And in the middle of that procession walked one man.
Mujin.
The young martial artist who, not long ago, had met Sa Eumryeong's gaze without flinching now followed quietly behind her with empty eyes.
Every time Sa Eumryeong glanced at him, a smile kept forming on her lips.
The Heavenly Demon's Kindred Spirit.
The name mentioned in Cult Leader Dokgo Jinak's final message.
The only person capable of moving the Heavenly Demon.
And now...
that very person had become a puppet who moved according to a single gesture from her hand.
Sa Eumryeong murmured inwardly.
It won't be long before the Divine Cult falls into my hands.
Now that the Heavenly Demon's Kindred Spirit belonged to her, Heavenly Demon Dokgo Jinak would soon move exactly as she wished.
Just imagining the new future awaiting her made Sa Eumryeong's heart beat faster with exhilaration.
Before long, Sa Eumryeong and her group finally reached their destination.
The Heavenly Demon Palace, where Dokgo Jinak was staying.
The main gates opened.
Someone stepped out from inside.
Yeom Yuhwa.
The Flame Attendant who guarded the Sacred Flame and served the Cult Leader at his side.
The moment she saw Sa Eumryeong, she bowed without hesitation.
“I greet Phantom Demon Musician.”
Sa Eumryeong looked down at her arrogantly.
“Thanks to you, everything became much easier.”
Yeom Yuhwa bowed even more deeply.
“You honor me. I merely acted for the safety of the Divine Cult.”
Sa Eumryeong's eyes moved toward Mujin.
“If not for you, the Heavenly Demon's Kindred Spirit might have ended up siding with Overlord Saber Ghost Demon.”
Yeom Yuhwa looked toward Mujin.
“That foolish Heavenly Demon's Kindred Spirit planned to buy time by meeting Phantom Demon Musician while secretly searching for a way to escape.”
Her voice remained calm.
“He intended to follow Overlord Saber Ghost Demon's advice.”
She drew a breath.
“But I knew how mistaken that decision was.”
“I believed standing with Phantom Demon Musician was the true path to protecting the Divine Cult.”
Sa Eumryeong quietly considered her words.
They sounded convincing enough on the surface.
But Yeom Yuhwa's true thoughts were probably different.
She had simply chosen survival.
Even if she fled outside the Divine Cult, nothing would remain for her.
Eventually, she would be discovered...
and killed.
She must have realized that much.
That's why she chose me instead of Overlord Saber Ghost Demon.
Sa Eumryeong nodded.
“When I become the new Heavenly Demon, I will not forget your efforts.”
Yeom Yuhwa lowered her head.
“Your words are far more than I deserve.”
Sa Eumryeong turned her gaze to the side.
“Where is the Cult Leader?”
“This way.”
Yeom Yuhwa immediately turned and guided them deeper into the Heavenly Demon Palace.
Sa Eumryeong followed with No Hyeonmyeong and Gongya Dok.
Mujin trailed behind with empty, mechanical steps.
The subordinates of Phantom Sound Pavilion spread throughout the inside and outside of the Heavenly Demon Palace.
A short while later...
the group reached the room at the deepest part of the palace.
Yeom Yuhwa opened the door and let them inside.
The first thing Sa Eumryeong saw was Dokgo Jinak lying on the bed.
She approached and stared down at his face for a long time.
“So... you really were telling the truth.”
She spoke almost to herself.
“The Cult Leader periodically loses consciousness.”
Yeom Yuhwa kept her head lowered.
“Yes. It has been one full day since the Cult Leader lost consciousness.”
“He will likely awaken again before long.”
No Hyeonmyeong licked his lips.
“Since things have already come this far, wouldn't it be better to dispose of the Cult Leader here and now?”
Gongya Dok nodded.
“He's right.”
His voice was dry.
“Even if he has become an idiot, the Heavenly Demon is still the Heavenly Demon.”
“As long as he's breathing, we never know what variable might arise.”
But Sa Eumryeong shook her head.
“Not yet.”
She looked at the two men.
“If we kill the Cult Leader with our own hands right now, we'll only give Overlord Saber Ghost Demon and the opposing faction an excuse to move against us.”
No Hyeonmyeong frowned.
“But—”
“There is no need to rush.”
Sa Eumryeong cut him off coldly.
She looked back at Dokgo Jinak lying helplessly on the bed.
“We know now, don't we?”
“The Cult Leader periodically falls asleep.”
Her lips curved.
“And during that time, he can do absolutely nothing.”
She turned back toward the others.
“If we wish...”
Her eyes gleamed.
“we can dispose of him whenever we please.”
Sa Eumryeong's gaze slowly shifted sideways.
Everyone else's eyes followed hers.
And where all their gazes landed...
Mujin stood alone.
His eyes remained completely empty, as if his soul had been removed.
At that sight, a strange thrill rose inside Sa Eumryeong.
A Heavenly Demon reduced to an idiot.
And the Heavenly Demon's Kindred Spirit capable of moving him.
The moment she gained control of the Kindred Spirit...
the Divine Cult had practically become hers already.
She would manipulate the Heavenly Demon and use him to purge every faction that opposed her.
And in the end—
...I'll erase every remaining remnant of the past as well.
Dokgo Jinak.
The Heavenly Demon's Kindred Spirit.
And the Sacred Flame.
Once all those outdated names had been erased...
the Divine Cult would rise again beneath a new banner.
Under the name of its new Heavenly Demon.
Sa Eumryeong.
...Of course, before that, I still need to finish my ‘deal’ with him.
She didn't speak the person's name aloud.
Every time that name surfaced in her thoughts, an instinctive chill ran through her.
But that unease was soon swallowed by a far greater desire.
If she could become the Heavenly Demon...
then one little deal was hardly beyond her ability to handle.
Then—
“Mm....”
Dokgo Jinak's lips moved faintly.
