Ch. 19
Chapter 19: Survival of the Fittest
"Seventh Child, Dan Woojin. What kind of achievement have you brought back?"
He demanded an achievement.
Dan Woojin pulled out the human skin mask he had prepared in advance.
"That is......"
Dan Cheonwoo and Sima Yi wore surprised expressions as Dan Woojin suddenly produced a human face skin.
"This is the human skin of the Young Lord of the Tang Clan, who visited the Kunlun Sect in Qinghai Province."
"...So there was a reason why Soso was poisoned."
"May I ask if you can view this as a great achievement?"
It was a great achievement.
The two acknowledged it, but a question remained.
"Why did you bring the human skin instead of the head?"
"I intend to infiltrate."
"Infiltrate?"
"Only the Cult Leader and the Strategist know that the Young Lord of the Tang Clan is dead."
Meaning the other candidates for Young Cult Leader did not know.
That human skin mask could become an enormous advantage later on.
"Tang Clan will eventually find out."
"So I plan to move before then."
"I heard you won over the Young Sect Leader of the Poison Demon Sect. Is there a connection?"
"Yes, that is correct."
He reported to the Cult Leader that everything had proceeded under a thorough plan.
"You are quite something."
He received the acknowledgment of the Heavenly Demon, Dan Cheonwoo.
"Thank you. By any chance, are there siblings who showed more outstanding achievements than me?"
"The announcement of the results for the first trial will be discussed later."
"Understood."
"You may return now."
"Yes, thank you."
Securing the human skin mask back inside his robe, Dan Woojin exited the Cult Leader’s Palace.
"What do you think, Strategist?"
"His temperament has completely changed."
"And what happened outside?"
"It seems he summoned the Fifth Young Master."
"Yuun? For what reason?"
"I believe he wanted to show him something."
"Show him?"
Sima Yi analyzed Dan Woojin's psychological state.
Considering how he had completely hidden his martial arts training until now and began to move in earnest as soon as the Young Cult Leader trial began.
"That he himself, the Seventh Young Master and the youngest, could become the Young Cult Leader."
"Are you saying he truly has his eye on the position of Young Cult Leader?"
"Yes."
Dan Cheonwoo wore an amused expression.
It was fascinating that the child he thought would never sit above the position of Young Cult Leader was the first to distinguish himself.
"We cannot conclude anything yet."
It was only the first trial.
It might have been that the timing was right for him to kill the Young Lord of the Tang Clan.
"What about Soso?"
"I heard the Seventh Young Master and the Young Sect Leader of the Poison Demon Sect stepped forward to treat her."
"He seems to be involved everywhere. What about Cheolwoo and Hyunwoo?"
"The Second Young Master did bring back several heads of Tang Clan warriors. The Eldest Young Master, conversely, entered secluded meditation."
"Secluded meditation?"
"It seems there was some change of heart after meeting the Seventh Young Master."
"Then it is confirmed."
"Yes, it seems the first place for this trial will be the Seventh Young Master."
"Announce it."
"Yes, Cult Leader."
At this moment, the one closest to the position of Young Cult Leader was none other than the Seventh Young Master, Dan Woojin.
* * *
"To think the one who received the highest score in the first Young Cult Leader candidate trial is the Seventh Young Master."
The ones most disturbed by the announcement from the Cult Leader’s Palace were the Seven Great Demon Sects that comprised the Heavenly Demon Cult.
"My, my. A completely unexpected person took first place."
"I thought it was strange since the Demonic Cave, but how on earth could the Seventh Young Master obtain the highest score?"
"I heard the Young Sect Leader of the Poison Demon Sect joined the Seventh Young Master. Is that why the Patriarch of the Poison Demon Sect is not seen?"
The Patriarchs of the six Demonic Sects, excluding the Poison Demon Sect Patriarch Sa Dokjeong, were gathered in one place.
"I did not invite him on purpose."
The expressions of the other Patriarchs hardened at the words of the Sword Demon Patriarch, Seo Moonjeok.
"You mean to keep him in check."
At the remark of the Sound Demon Patriarch, Gongson Yuhee, the Spear Demon Patriarch, Heon Woncheong, replied.
"The Poison Demon Sect is also one of the Seven Great Demon Sects. If this is a gathering for the sake of keeping them in check, I shall stand up."
"Calm down and listen. Was everyone here not communicating with one or two Young Cult Leader candidates?"
"......"
There was no answer.
It was true that they were establishing ties through various connections.
"Likely no one communicated with the Seventh Young Master. Except for the Poison Demon Sect, that is."
"I personally think it’s a situation where birds of the same feather flock together."
The Bow Demon Patriarch, Bu Sahyang, spoke.
"I would appreciate it if you watched your words. If not for the Young Sect Leader of the Poison Demon Sect, the Third Young Lady might have died."
"I wondered why you were speaking so favorably. Were you taking sides because you're glad they saved the Third Young Lady?"
The Saber Demon Patriarch, Ha Hoodam, sneered while looking at Heon Woncheong.
"Are you looking for a fight?"
As Heon Woncheong toyed with his spear,
"Oh my, are we having a match for the first time in a while?"
Gongson Yuhee licked her lips as if a spectacle had been created.
"I would like you to calm down."
The gaze of the Fist Demon Patriarch, Dam Dehyeok, reached everyone.
In an instant, the Spear Demon Patriarch and Saber Demon Patriarch clicked their tongues at the intimidation that felt as if it were pressing down on their shoulders.
Even among the Seven Great Demon Sects, there was a hierarchy.
It was according to the martial prowess of the Patriarchs.
The strongest Demonic Sects were the Fist Demon Sect and the Sword Demon Sect.
There was a reason why the Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master interacted with the Fist Demon Sect and the Sword Demon Sect.
"Thank you, Fist Demon Patriarch. Let us continue the talk now. As everyone knows, the trials given by the Cult Leader total seven. He gave the first one to the Seventh Young Master, but keep in mind that the second and third must absolutely not be given to the Seventh Young Master."
In short, what Seo Moonjeok was saying was simple.
Everyone was communicating with Young Cult Leader candidates and likely hoped their chosen candidate would become the Young Cult Leader.
This was so the Seven Great Demon Sects could survive safely in the next generation as well.
The Cult Leader’s authority was mighty, and it was certain that the Young Cult Leader who would master the Heavenly Demon Divine Art would become stronger than the Patriarchs here.
And in a short period of time, at that.
According to the laws of the Heavenly Demon Cult, if one considered themselves stronger than the Cult Leader, they were free to challenge the Cult Leader.
However, the price was gruesome, and none among the successive Patriarchs of the Seven Great Demon Sects had ever defeated the Cult Leader.
Naturally, the survival strategy of the Seven Great Demon Sects converged into a single point.
One person below, ten thousand people above.
Meaning since they could not be the first, they would be the second.
"Sword Demon Patriarch, do you know roughly what kind of trial the second one is?"
At Bu Sahyang's question,
"I don't know. Since they went all the way to Qinghai for the first trial, my only prediction is that the second trial might take place within the Cult or in the Hundred Thousand Mountains."
"I see."
As he watched the Patriarchs of the Seven Great Demon Sects leave their seats, Seo Moonjeok looked to his side.
"Why did you remain without leaving?"
It was because Dam Dehyeok had not yet risen from his seat.
"Because I have something left to ask."
"Ask."
"I want to ask if it is the Second Young Master or the Eldest Young Master."
The one currently interacting with the Young Sect Leader of the Sword Demon Sect was the Second Young Master.
Seo Moonjeok also knew that the Eldest Young Master had headed toward the Fist Demon Sect to avoid friction with the Second Young Master.
"What about you? Is it the Eldest Young Master?"
"It seems the bastard Kang Hyeok is getting along with the Eldest Young Master... but I don't yet feel like deciding clearly whom to push."
"It is the same for me. The stronger one will become the Young Cult Leader."
"But what if the Seventh Young Master becomes the Young Cult Leader?"
At Dam Dehyeok's question, Seo Moonjeok's eyes sparkled.
"That much must be prevented."
This was the conversation that took place in the inner depths of the Sword Demon Sect.
* * *
"My ears are itchy."
Currently, Dan Woojin was moving toward the Cult Leader’s Palace.
Three days had passed since the first trial ended.
The news that he had proudly taken first place in the first trial was delivered to everyone.
At first, they thought they had misheard, but upon hearing that the youngest had truly obtained the highest score in the trial, they wore bewildered expressions.
Because they could not believe the Seventh Young Master had won even the first trial, along with the Demonic Cave matter.
"I truly did not expect you to take first place."
It was the words of Dan Cheolwoo's confidant, Kang Muhyeok.
"I myself did not expect you to volunteer as my subordinate."
"I am merely upholding the Eldest Young Master's order."
Kang Muhyeok was of a personality that silently did what he had to do.
As such,
"Do you know this? I have begun to find you a bit scary, Seventh Young Master."
"Why?"
"Because you are truly making things you thought were in vain into reality."
He also knew how to express his own opinion.
'Only one person becomes the Young Cult Leader.'
Meaning there was a high probability of surviving alone in the end.
Kang Muhyeok judged that living together was an impossible task.
Indeed, no matter how much he thought about it, the only suitable person was the Eldest Young Master.
"What is your next plan, Seventh Young Master?"
"I intend to try becoming the Young Cult Leader."
Kang Muhyeok's expression hardened at Dan Woojin's words.
No matter how much he volunteered as the Seventh Young Master's servant by the Eldest Young Master's order, coveting the position of Young Cult Leader was a different matter.
"...I hope you do your best in the second trial as well."
Kang Muhyeok did not say that it would be difficult to become the Young Cult Leader as long as the Eldest Young Master was alive.
"It won't be a problem."
"Don’t you not even know what the second trial is yet?"
In truth, he knew.
The second trial given by the Cult Leader, Dan Cheonwoo, to the Young Cult Leader candidates was to receive acknowledgment from 'them' in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
When one becomes the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult, there is a unit that becomes the Young Cult Leader's hands and feet.
Only those who receive acknowledgment from them can become the Young Cult Leader.
"That may be so."
"I shall be your faithful servant until the Eldest Young Master emerges from secluded meditation. Therefore, I hope you definitely survive the second trial as well."
It was a statement that if he truly made up his mind to become the Young Cult Leader, he should not give up the trial out of consideration for his other siblings, but should do his best.
"...Yes, I shall do that."
While talking with Kang Muhyeok, they arrived at the Cult Leader’s Palace before they knew it.
Everyone from the Second Young Master down to the Sixth Young Lady was already seated in the palace.
The Patriarchs and Young Sect Leaders of the Seven Great Demon Sects were also watching the Young Cult Leader candidates from both sides.
"Everyone has arrived."
Dan Cheonwoo and Sima Yi were looking down at the candidates from the platform.
The reason everyone was gathered like this was because the Cult Leader had brought up the matter of issuing the second trial.
"In the first trial, the Seventh Young Master, Dan Woojin, showed great results. The youngest's achievement is surprising, and the others must also exert themselves."
Once again, Dan Cheonwoo commended Dan Woojin.
It was quite amusing to see everyone's gaze changing from moment to moment at Dan Cheonwoo's words.
"Now, I shall announce the second trial. You surely know which military unit of this Cult will take charge of guarding whichever one of you becomes the Young Cult Leader?"
"It is the Black Shadow Army!"
Someone shouted.
The moment the name of the Black Shadow Army came out,
Dan Woojin wore an expression that said what was bound to come had arrived.
"Yes, that Black Shadow Army has ascended the Hundred Thousand Mountains first. Go up the Hundred Thousand Mountains right now and find the Black Shadow Pills hidden by the Black Shadow Army. The Black Shadow Army will do its best to interfere with you finding the pills."
— Do we only need to find the Black Shadow Pills? Isn't that too easy?
Dan Woojin shook his head at the Demonic Sword's grumbling.
Some might say it was an easy trial, like the Demonic Sword.
However, one must not overlook the fact that words must be heard until the very end.
"However, the total quantity of Black Shadow Pills is six. Anyone who fails to bring a Black Shadow Pill in this trial will have their qualification as a Young Cult Leader candidate revoked."
This trial was a bloody battle within the survival of the fittest, where at least one dropout was guaranteed to occur.