Rebirth of the Thunder God

"Become my disciple."

"No. What kind of absurd thing is that? You know my identity and you're asking me to become your disciple..."

It wasn't even an ambiguous person from a small or medium-sized sect.

To ask a descendant of one of the Five Great Families, and at that, the Namgung family, the family of righteousness, to become a disciple of a Blood Cult member was a truly absurd proposal.

Hadn't Namgung Hui even been somewhat reluctant to become a lay disciple of the Hao Faction?

If the Hao Faction was like that, there was no need to even mention the Blood Cult.

Anyone who heard such a thing would ask if he was mad.

Not only Beak Seolhwa next to him.

Seomun Hye also had a very surprised expression.

"Master! What are you talking about? Weren't you only going to accept me as your disciple?"

"Hmm... I was lacking in explanation. The child of the Seomun family there is a formal disciple. And the child of the Namgung family here was referring to a disciple in name only. To be precise, it's because you're becoming a disciple with a disguised identity."

This time, Namgung Hui asked.

"What's the reason for going so far as to become a disciple?"

"Because it will be advantageous for the situation that will unfold in the future. At least, there will be no harm to you. Rather, it would be good to avoid a difficult situation."

Hearing that, it was true.

If he was a disciple of the Demonic Phantom, no matter how much of a direct descendant of the New Six Demonic Families he was, he wouldn't be able to be taken away recklessly.

The ones who had caused the accident were all men, and they couldn't hold Namgung Hui, who was disguised as a woman, responsible just because he was an outsider.

"Alright. Then I'll agree to become a temporary disciple."

"Even if it's not the nine bows ceremony. I hope you'll show some courtesy."

"I understand. Master."

"Not master, but teacher. For now, that would be right. Others won't pick on you for that. Still, even if it's just in name, it would be good to learn some tricks. The suspicious old men will surely test you."

For Namgung Hui, it was a good thing if he could learn a move from the Demonic Phantom.

Because he had no prejudice against demonic arts or evil arts.

'The Heavenly Demon Divine Art is literally a divine art. It's incomparable to demonic arts. Besides, at my level, I can filter out the unnecessary incantations embedded in demonic arts.'

And since there was also the content he had seen in the first Cult Leader's diary, he was aware of what parts to be careful of.

If so, the tricks that the Demonic Phantom taught him would be very useful if he learned them.

He could also apply illusions to formations.

And if he learned the principle of illusions, he could also devise countermeasures against them.

On the other hand, Namgung Hui was also slightly suspicious of the Demonic Phantom.

The conditions that the Demonic Phantom had presented now were extremely good proposals for Namgung Hui.

If there was a risk factor, it would be that he might become known as a disciple of the Demonic Phantom.

But there was no particular evidence for that, and he was currently just in a disguised identity.

Besides, since Namgung Hui could shamelessly insist with his Chichi Divine Art, it was as if there was no evidence.

Although Seomun Hye might confess, he wondered how much they would believe the words of her, who had become a disciple of the Demonic Phantom.

Anyway. Namgung Hui, who was very uneasy, asked the Demonic Phantom.

"What is the reason for being so favorable to me?"

"This may seem like a favor. But don't be mistaken. It's all planned under calculation. Who am I? I am the Demonic Phantom, one of the respectable Demonic Humans who has received the title of Demonic Physician of this generation."

As Namgung Hui glanced at Beak Seolhwa, she also nodded slightly as if it were okay.

Since she must have been observing the Blood Cult for the past few days, she must have heard something about the Demonic Phantom.

'Whatever it is. If I think it's really dangerous, I can just run away with the Wind God Steps.'

As long as the Demonic Phantom wanted Seong Sohui like that, and with the Demonic Physician there, it seemed unlikely that she would be in danger.

In the first place, his friendship with Seong Sohui was shallow, and the reason he wanted to protect her was because she was the next Sect Leader of the Divine Physician Sect and at the same time, she would become a military power of the orthodox faction.

Now that she could become the Saintess of the Blood Cult, he also felt a little uneasy.

Because in the end, there was a high probability that the Blood Cult would become an enemy.

'Unless the Young Cult Leader is replaced. It will be like that.'

Looking at the top ranks, except for the Vice Cult Leader, the rest were either neutral or radical.

The Young Cult Leader, his son, the Great Prince.

These two alone corresponded to the 1st and 3rd ranks.

It would be difficult for the Vice Cult Leader, who was ranked 2nd, to handle those two alone.

On top of that, if the next Young Cult Leader, who was currently in competition, was decided, that number would tilt even more to one side.

At that time, there was a high probability that the balance between the radical faction and the moderate faction would collapse.

'But if the Saintess appears, there will be a slight change. If the Radiant Left Emissary and the Radiant Right Emissary, who were neutral, join the moderate faction, it might even be a reversal.'

The radical faction had the Young Cult Leader, the Great Prince, and the next Young Cult Leader.

The moderate faction had the Vice Cult Leader, the Radiant Left Emissary, the Radiant Right Emissary, and even the Saintess.

In this way, the number of heads would be three to four.

Although there were also the Great Elder and the family heads of the Six Families, who were the next in rank, their right to speak was not stronger than those above.

The Blood Cult, since the era of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, was a place where the chain of command was strict.

In particular, the powerful authority of the Cult Leader, the Heavenly Demon, was something that even the Vice Cult Leader had no choice but to follow.

And the demonic heads below him could never express their dissatisfaction.

Because the Heavenly Demon was truly the demon god itself.

'His martial power was also not lacking to be called a demon god. It wouldn't be wrong to see it as a reign of terror.'

There was a sense of alienation, to the point where it could be seen as a completely different group from the time of the first Cult Leader.

This was probably the result of the side effects of the demonic arts and their being buried in revenge.

Namgung Hui was once again forced to ponder what revenge was.

"Then. Since we're on the topic, come in with the child of the Seomun family there. I'll teach you the general knowledge of illusions."

Namgung Hui looked at Beak Seolhwa, who would be left alone, and then continued.

"Are you saying to leave that friend alone?"

"She's not even a disciple, so I can't just teach her, can I?"

"Didn't you say it wasn't a big deal anyway?"

"Hmm... Alright. Since it's basic theory, it shouldn't matter if we listen together. The child over there, come in too."

Leaving Beak Seolhwa in the middle of the masters was really not something he wanted to do.

And to be surrounded by those dark men, for some reason, just seeing it was unpleasant.

Beak Seolhwa, who also didn't like those men very much, followed closely next to Namgung Hui and smiled a faint smile.

-I was also curious about illusions, so this is a good opportunity.

-Why don't you know about illusions? Didn't you hear anything from the Demonic Phantom in your past life?

-It's quite difficult to get close to such a sinister guy. The current Demonic Phantom in front of us is fine, but. That guy was a real pervert... No. Let's not talk about it.

Beak Seolhwa trembled as if she didn't even want to recall the previous Demonic Phantom.

If she had such a reaction to someone who was once an ally, he wondered how the orthodox faction members, who were enemies, must have felt.

That was why the Demonic Phantom had spread his notoriety far and wide.

'The one who faced the Demonic Phantom at that time was the previous Jegal family head. As expected, it would be better to ask the Jegal family about this part. After learning from the Demonic Phantom, of course.'

The Demonic Phantom led Namgung Hui's party to an empty, spacious room.

Although it didn't look this wide from the outside, once inside, it boasted a width that was reminiscent of a training ground.

"How much do you all know about illusions? You start talking."

As the Demonic Phantom pointed at Namgung Hui, he shook his head and answered.

"I don't know anything. I just know that it's somewhat different from a general formation."

"That alone is excellent. Because there are many cases where ordinary martial artists don't know the fact that formations and illusions are different. Then what about the friend next to you?"

Since Beak Seolhwa also didn't know much, she gave the same answer as Namgung Hui.

"I don't know either."

"Then. Now only my disciple is left. Child of the Seomun family. Do you know anything?"

"Of course. Master. Unlike them, this disciple knows something."

"Oho. Tell me what it is."

"Illusion is a magic that deceives the opponent's five senses and makes them fall into a delusion. Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, etc. It is a sublime martial art that can also deceive other senses."

The Demonic Phantom nodded with a look of being quite impressed.

"As expected of a clever child of the Seomun family, you are smart. It's not a perfect answer, but you're roughly right. Because you brought up the most important word, the five senses."

Seomun Hye snorted and raised her nose as if she were triumphant.

As if that sight was not to her liking, Beak Seolhwa turned her head to Namgung Hui and said.

"Who doesn't know that much. I just didn't say it because it was annoying."

Namgung Hui chuckled at Beak Seolhwa's words.

And the Demonic Phantom also smiled a faint smile and continued.

"Although there are many more parts that illusions affect besides the five senses, since there are many illusions that originate from the five senses, I will start explaining from here. Among the five senses, the sense that illusions use the most is sight. That's why they say not to make eye contact with an illusionist. Then shall I show you in person?"

As soon as the Demonic Phantom finished speaking, the surroundings suddenly became dark, and the light in the room slowly disappeared.

Namgung Hui quickly looked for Beak Seolhwa, but her figure was also engulfed in darkness and could not be seen.

Now Namgung Hui was left alone in the darkness.

But he was not flustered.

Because only his vision was blocked.

The warm warmth of Beak Seolhwa felt in his hand made him realize that she was still next to him.

'The slight calluses on her palm and the soft skin on the back of her hand are definitely Seolhwa's hand.'

But even that sense of touch felt like it was slowly disappearing.

The faint scent that lingered around Beak Seolhwa also disappeared.

He couldn't hear her breathing.

The bitter taste that lingered in his mouth was also gone.

Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch.

All of them were gone.

But there was still something left.

And that was ki.

Beak Seolhwa's ki was flowing nobly, so her presence was clearly felt.

Namgung Hui also exuded a ki wave to let each other know of their existence.

And so, as Namgung Hui and Beak Seolhwa still recognized each other, the darkness cleared in an instant, and they returned to their previous appearance.

"How was it? The feeling of your five senses disappearing. It must not have been very pleasant."

"Master. It was really amazing! I thought I was left alone in the world."

"Usually, when one first experiences an illusion, they fall into a demonic state due to the sense of loneliness of being left alone in the world. As expected of a wise child of the Seomun family, you overcame it well."

"Thank you! But you two over there. How long are you going to hold hands? Were you so scared by the illusion that you're still doing that?"

Only then did Namgung Hui and Beak Seolhwa let go of their clasped hands and come to their senses.

Namgung Hui was also amazed by the illusion he had experienced for the first time.

On the other hand, he couldn't help but be surprised by Seomun Hye's composure.

As she had said, he and Beak Seolhwa had held hands and confirmed each other's existence.

And with their outstanding ki sense, they could detect the ki waves even after their five senses were blocked.

But what about Seomun Hye?

Her level was not high enough to see through the surrounding ki.

And she didn't have a companion to hold her hand next to her.

'She must really have a talent for illusions. It seems the Demonic Phantom didn't just make her a disciple. Indeed, the people of the Seomun family had an outstanding aesthetic sense and were on the side of having outstanding insight.'

Nod, nod.

But the Seomun family was a family of the orthodox faction.

Namgung Hui could not dare to guess what kind of repercussions Seomun Hye's becoming a disciple of the Demonic Phantom would have.

In the Righteous-Demonic War, the people who had converted were mostly excommunicated disciples or close to criminals.

It wasn't like Seomun Hye had committed any particular sin, so he wondered if she really had to join the Blood Cult like this.

'Well, it's a relief if she's just happy. But in my opinion, it would be better for her to enter the Moon Maiden Palace...'

It was because there were people like Seomun Hye in the Moon Maiden Palace.

Since Seomun Hye didn't know this, she must have made such a decision.

As Namgung Hui averted his gaze from Seomun Hye, the Demonic Phantom briefly scanned Namgung Hui's body and then uttered a meaningful word.

"But child of the Namgung family. Why is another's magic remaining on your body?”

(End of Chapter)