Chapter 24 : Reward
Chapter 24: Reward
Swish—
Gu Won's hair was cut and scattered.
Dan Woojin did not cut Gu Won's neck.
The tip of the sword was aiming for Gu Won's neck, but it had only cut the hair and did not move any further.
“Is this enough?”
Dan Woojin said calmly.
Gu Won glared at him while gasping for breath.
“Why did you stop?”
“Because the Black Shadow Army will become my people.”
Dan Woojin withdrew the Demonic Sword and took out the wooden box containing the Black Shadow Pill from his bosom.
“I shall prove it with this. I passed. I hope you take good care of my sister's body.”
Having said so, Dan Woojin passed by Gu Won and walked out of the forest.
Gu Won stared at his back while gritting his teeth.
Because, in the end, he was unable to find out the Seventh Young Master's ulterior motive.
“Squad Leader.”
“Take care of the fallen members. I must go to report to the Captain.”
“Yes, understood.”
After confirming the fact that he was not being followed from behind, Dan Woojin exited the forest.
He was holding the Black Shadow Pill firmly in his hand.
‘Now I must return to the Main Cult.’
Dan Woojin began to run toward the Heavenly Demon Cult Headquarters while performing his movement technique.
The wind shook his black clothes, but his gaze was heading toward the Cult Leader's Palace without wavering.
The wide main hall of the Cult Leader's Palace at the Heavenly Demon Cult Headquarters was filled with a heavy silence.
The Cult Leader Dan Cheonwoo, sitting on the high jade throne, was casting his gaze downward.
Before him, the Young Cult Leader candidates were standing in line.
The Second Young Master Dan Hyunwoo, the Third Young Lady Dan Soso, the Fourth Young Master Dan Shinhyeok, and the Fifth Young Master Dan Yuun were holding their respective Black Shadow Pills in their hands.
Dan Woojin stood at the very end and met the Cult Leader's gaze.
A Black Shadow Pill was also held in his hand.
The Strategist Sima Yi stepped forward and spoke.
“My Lord, these are the results of the second test. Five Black Shadow Pills have been secured. The Second Young Master Dan Hyunwoo, the Third Young Lady Dan Soso, the Fourth Young Master Dan Shinhyeok, the Fifth Young Master Dan Yuun, and the Seventh Young Master Dan Woojin have passed the test.”
Dan Cheonwoo asked while narrowing his eyes.
“The ones eliminated are…….”
Sima Yi remained silent for a moment and then opened his mouth.
“The First Young Master Dan Cheolwoo and the Sixth Young Lady Dan Youngyoung. The two have failed the test.”
The inside of the main hall buzzed.
“The First Young Master was eliminated?”
“I cannot believe it.”
“To think such an anomaly occurred.”
The corners of Dan Hyunwoo's mouth rose slightly, and Dan Soso glanced at Dan Woojin with startled eyes.
Dan Woojin observed the Cult Leader's reaction without saying anything.
The Cult Leader Dan Cheonwoo opened his mouth.
“What do the Young Patriarchs of the Seven Great Demon Sects think of this?”
Seo Moonyul, the Young Patriarch of the Sword Demon Sect, said while gritting his teeth.
“To think the Sixth Young Lady was eliminated… to be honest, I could not believe it.”
Sa Hyeongseol, the Young Patriarch of the Poison Demon Sect, answered following him.
“Please judge by the results. The Seventh Young Master acquired the Black Shadow Pill. Since it is a result acquired through fair competition, I believe it is a natural result.”
Gongson Baekryeon, the Young Patriarch of the Sound Demon Sect, spoke up heatedly.
“Did you really have to go as far as killing the Sixth Young Lady?”
Dam Yeongwon, the Young Patriarch of the Fist Demon Sect, muttered while crossing his arms.
“We are before the Cult Leader. Everyone, maintain your dignity. This is a place we came to on behalf of the Patriarchs.”
Heonwon Geuk, the Young Patriarch of the Spear Demon Sect, peeked at the Third Young Lady's reaction and then let out a sigh.
“No matter who fell, have the Young Cult Leader candidates who acquired the Black Shadow Pills not successfully taken the test?”
The Young Patriarch of the Saber Demon Sect Ha Huun and the Young Patriarch of the Bow Demon Sect Bu Saryeong did not answer and merely observed the situation.
“……Yes.”
“Then I believe we should accept the results of the test.”
The sound of commotion was heard faintly inside the main hall.
Dan Cheonwoo raised his hand and silenced everyone.
“I shall no longer care about those who were eliminated. I shall bestow a reward upon you who have passed the second test. Let the Young Patriarchs of the Seven Great Demon Sects take the Young Cult Leader candidates and go outside.”
“Yes, Cult Leader!”
As they were led by the Young Patriarchs and went outside,
Whoosh!
Sa Dokjeong, the Patriarch of the Poison Demon Sect, was revealing his majesty.
“Sect Leader, why are you……”
“Everyone, consume the Black Shadow Pill you each obtained.”
“Was this… a spiritual pill?”
“That is right. The third test is to consume the Black Shadow Pill and survive.”
At Sa Dokjeong's words, Dan Woojin's expression hardened.
The words that consuming the Black Shadow Pill itself was the reward.
The important thing was the fact that surviving after eating the Black Shadow Pill was more difficult than one would think.
The Black Shadow Pill was the very first test one received in order to become a member of the Black Shadow Army.
Whether one could handle the Demonic Qi of the spiritual pill with their body.
That was what it tested.
‘I knew it, However,’
Now that he was actually about to eat the Black Shadow Pill again, his hand faltered.
Because that thing, it was disgusting.
Furthermore,
Whish.
“A mere spiritual pill like this, I can swallow it nonchalantly.”
Gulp.
The Second Young Master, Dan Hyunwoo, swallowed the spiritual pill first.
“Hmm, your spirit is quite something.”
“Keugh.”
Dan Hyunwoo quickly sat cross-legged and began to circulate his energy.
“If you take the Black Shadow Pill lightly, you will pay dearly.”
Just like Sa Dokjeong's words, before long, Dan Hyunwoo was dripping with cold sweat.
“What is inside it?”
The Third Young Lady, Dan Soso, asked.
“It is a spiritual pill made by blending the Cult Leader's Demonic Qi and spiritual herbs. If you cannot withstand the Cult Leader's Demonic Qi, you end up like that. If you withstand and acquire the Demonic Qi, you will be able to become twice as strong as you are now.”
The effect of the Black Shadow Pill was that those who could not use Enhanced Qi became able to handle it.
“Have the other guys given up?”
At Sa Dokjeong's question, everyone sat cross-legged.
Because they realized through seeing the Second Young Master's appearance that it was best to circulate energy as soon as they swallowed it.
The only one who did not sit down was Dan Woojin.
“Seventh Young Master, do you not plan to sit cross-legged?”
“Yes. Surely a separate first place will be determined for this test as well, right?”
“That is so, but……”
A situation where the Second Young Master was already sitting cross-legged and circulating his energy.
If, even after swallowing the Black Shadow Pill here, he did not sit and circulate his energy,
‘I can overtake the Second Young Master in this Black Shadow Pill consumption test.’
Regrettably, the Second Young Master took first place in the second test of acquiring the Black Shadow Pill.
It could not be helped.
‘Even in this test…….’
The Second Young Master had subtly targeted other Young Cult Leader candidates.
Dan Woojin also put the Black Shadow Pill in his mouth.
As soon as the bitter taste spread into his mouth,
Thump—
The Black Shadow Pill that passed down his throat erupted fire.
But was it because it was not his first experience?
Dan Woojin found it bearable.
Furthermore.
Zap—
The power based on the Soul Killing Art fired from his Dantian collided head-on with the Demonic Qi.
In order to clearly instill in the Demonic Qi that it was the Soul Killing Art that operated this body, the Soul Killing Art began a contest of strength with the Demonic Qi.
‘This is handled.’
As he confirmed the status of other Young Cult Leader candidates,
The Second Young Master seemed still struggling.
And the Third Young Lady also had a pained expression, as if the poisoning symptoms had not yet healed.
The Fourth Young Master and the Fifth Young Master…
‘They are faster than expected?’
Their expressions were quickly returning to normal.
He could not miss first place in this test either.
In order to become the Young Cult Leader through the remaining four tests in the future, he had to show overwhelming strength.
‘More than that.’
Surely even in this test, the Second Young Master would have pulled a trick in order to kill someone.
He had to check whom he pulled a trick on.
‘In the past, it was the Fourth Young Master.’
At that time, the Seventh Young Master would have been dead, the Sixth Young Lady would have been dead, and the Fifth Young Master would have been wandering between life and death.
But since everyone was fine now, it should be seen that the options had widened for Dan Hyunwoo.
Who was it.
Whom did he pull a trick on to kill?
— It seems you knew that Demonic Qi was contained, but perhaps you did not know that other impurities were mixed in?
At that moment, the voice of the Demonic Sword struck his mind.
‘Impurities?’
Wait.
From the Demonic Qi of the Black Shadow Pill that was playing a tug-of-war with the power of the Soul Killing Art,
Tststststs—
Strong toxicity was felt.
“Seventh Young Master?”
Dan Woojin quickly looked at the place where Dan Hyunwoo was.
Dan Woojin's face color was turning dark in an instant.
“Seventh Young Master, what is the matter?”
Smirk.
He saw the corner of Dan Hyunwoo's mouth rising.
Watching that sight, Dan Woojin also curled up the corner of his mouth.
Dan Hyunwoo would have been certain that Dan Woojin would die if it were this level of poison.
However,
— Ho? Your immunity to poison is no joke huh?
Dan Woojin instead took even all that toxicity into the embrace of the Soul Killing Art.
Wriggle, wriggle.
The power of the Soul Killing Art that arose from his Dantian even trembled as if it were delicious.
Dan Woojin's complexion was also returning quickly to its original state.
* * *
The crisis was overcome by listening to the opinions of the Young Patriarchs of the Seven Great Demon Sects.
The Heavenly Demon, Dan Cheonwoo, secretly sent a voice transmission to the Strategist.
— Strategist.
— Yes, Cult Leader.
The answer came immediately.
It meant the Strategist also knew what Dan Cheonwoo wanted to ask.
— Cheolwoo… what happened to him?
— The thing is… he evaporated.
— Evaporated?
— He has completely vanished from the Cult Headquarters. I had certainly confirmed the sight of him applying for the second test.
— And?
— At some point, he disappeared completely.
Even Sima Yi could not understand.
A person disappeared as if they had never existed from the start.
Sima Yi knew best that such a thing was impossible.
— I shall release people to investigate.
— Right, I believe the Strategist also knows well that Cheolwoo is not a guy who would vanish so hollowly.
Sima Yi nodded his head.
The First Young Master who disappeared overnight.
And the Sixth Young Lady who died at the hands of the Seventh Young Master.
In this situation, everyone was in a position of being suspected, However,
Among them.
‘The Seventh Young Master, Dan Woojin.’
Sima Yi's gaze was heading toward the Seventh Young Master.
Something began to change rapidly from the time the person who escaped the earliest from the Demonic Cave was the Seventh Young Master.
It seemed even the Cult Leader had not expected such a change.
Although he had expected someone would die out because competition broke out among the Young Cult Leader candidates.
Just as Sima Yi also had not imagined that the First Young Master would be included in that list.
‘Is he unable to move after eating the Black Shadow Pill?’
The moment he thought it was strange,
Sniff, sniff.
A signal came to Sima Yi's nose.
‘Poison Qi?’
Someone had played a trick on the Black Shadow Pill.
‘But how?’
Since it seemed a problem had occurred for now, he approached the Seventh Young Master and asked.
“Seventh Young Master, what is the matter?”
In an instant, the Seventh Young Master's face color, which had turned dark, returned to its original state again.
“Nothing happened.”
Sima Yi knew those words of Dan Woojin were a lie, but he decided to let it pass.
Seeing him, he saw the Patriarch of the Poison Demon Sect already narrowing his eyes behind.
The fact that poison unknown to the Poison Demon Sect was circulating within the Cult would be a disgrace to the Poison Demon Patriarch.
“If so, that is a relief.”
Sima Yi prepared the guide for the next test while looking at Dan Woojin with an eye of suspicion.
In the end, only the strongest person will survive.
It was so in the previous generation, and it was so in the generation before that.
And strangely, to Sima Yi's eyes,
The Seventh Young Master Dan Woojin who was the Cult Leader's illegitimate child who was known to be the weakest and not even properly learned in martial arts, kept appearing in his mind.