The small pavilion located in the center of the Demon Cult wasn’t a place just anyone could come and go as they pleased. Only the elders, heads of the families, and the highest ranking members of the Demon Cult were allowed to enter and exit.

As a result, the people who frequented that place often took on very important roles in deciding major issues for the Demon Cult.

Initially, they were a neutral group, but recently their role had weakened somewhat.

This was because about ten years ago, the Cult Leader Hyuk Muhyeol had suddenly begun living in seclusion, leaving private matters to the elders and his close aides while only involving himself in major issues, showing an indifferent attitude.

No one knew why he had begun living in seclusion. The members of the Demon Cult expressed bewilderment at his seclusion, but didn’t try to dissuade him either, as there had been some latent dissatisfaction with the Hyuk clan that had ruled the Demon Cult for a long time.

There were those who criticized the hereditary succession system, complaining that even those without ability were allowed to become Cult Leader, but ironically, the past Cult leaders had always been the strongest in the Demon Cult, and this tradition had continued to the present day.

“It’s been a long time, Vice Cult Leader.”

At the voice coming from behind him, Man Do slowly turned his body around. Confirming the person who had spoken to him, he raised an eyebrow as if surprised.

“Well, isn’t this Elder Lee Seonghak.”

Man Do greeted him warmly, opening his eyes wide as if he hadn’t expected it, but Lee Seonghak showed an awkward expression on his face.

This was because while Man Do reacted as if surprised by an unexpected person, Lee Seonghak himself knew of Man Do’s abilities.

With Man Do’s skills, he could easily identify someone from thirty meters away just by the sounds of their footsteps.

Excluding the Cult Leader Hyuk Muhyeol, Man Do was considered the next strongest person in the Demon Cult. Although he had more of a neutral inclination than a demonic cultivator’s temperament, in the Demon Cult where strength was everything, he was a figure worthy of respect.

“I went to your residence after hearing you had returned to the Demon Cult, but you weren’t there.”

“I was a bit busy meeting with the Cult Leader and the Young Cult Leader.”

At the mention of the Young Cult Leader, Lee Seonghak’s shoulders flinched slightly. It was such a subtle reaction that it would have been imperceptible at a glance, but it was crystal clear to Man Do’s eyes.

Man Do, who had been smiling broadly, narrowed his eyes at Lee Seonghak’s reaction. But he soon relaxed his expression and cheerfully spoke again.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you too.”

“Well, it has been ten years since you returned, so it’s understandable.”

“Haha, I suppose so. Being holed up in the mountains for so long, I even forgot that ten years had passed.”

“But you still look as youthful as ever.”

Lee Seonghak, who was rumored to have a violent temper, deferred only to a few people. One of them was Man Do.

Showing an uncharacteristically polite demeanor, Lee Seonghak tried his best to be respectful in front of Man Do.

‘…He has grown even stronger.’

Even in the past, Man Do was a man whose depth of power was impossible to fathom, but now Lee Seonghak couldn’t even sense his aura. It wasn’t just a matter of their difference in skill level.

Man Do and Hyuk Dojin both… Lee Seonghak broke out in a cold sweat, feeling that instead of growing old, these monsters were only becoming more monstrous.

While he himself had hit a wall and stagnated, Man Do and the even younger Hyuk Dojin had already surpassed his level by leaps and bounds.

Unlike Do Seokhwi of the Southern Manchuria Do clan or Joo Jonghak of the Blood Soaked Joo clan who led their own factions, Lee Seonghak didn’t belong to any clan. He felt his standing gradually diminishing.

It was only natural for him to feel anxious. Man Do let out a hearty laugh at his words and shook his head.

“It’s all an illusion. You should know that, Elder.”

“Just being able to maintain that illusion is impressive enough, it seems.”

“I just got lucky.”

Man Do gave a gentle smile as he stared intently at Lee Seonghak, then spoke.

“But what brings the Elder here? Do you have business with this old man?”

It was an odd sight to see a youthful-looking man addressing an elderly person so casually, but the age gap between the two was actually about twenty years.

Lee Seonghak shook his head with a pleasant smile.

“Nothing in particular. I just came to greet you upon hearing of the Vice Cult Leader’s return.”

“I see. Haha, to think there are still people who welcome an old man like me… Life hasn’t been in vain.”

“The Vice Cult Leader is a living history of the Demon Cult. It’s only natural to welcome you.”

“I suppose so.”

Man Do nodded and approached Lee Seonghak. Lee Seonghak straightened his back and faced him calmly.

For a moment, Lee Seonghak felt uneasy looking at Man Do’s face, which bore a faint resemblance to Hyuk Dojin.

That day, after being threatened by Hyuk Dojin, Lee Seonghak had many inner conflicts. He was an opportunist with great ambition, yearning to become stronger and overcome the seemingly insurmountable wall before him.

“May I ask a small favor of you, Vice Cult Leader, since it has been so long?”

“I just got back from a long journey. Let’s talk about favors later.”

However, Lee Seonghak lacked true talent and perseverance. So the path he chose was entirely different from dedicated cultivation.

“Then perhaps we could have a brief conversation?”

“A conversation?”

Man Do, who had been tilting his head, closed his mouth after seeing Lee Seonghak’s serious expression. The Lee Seonghak that Man Do knew would only take the initiative when he desired something. For him to address Man Do meant he clearly wanted something.

Man Do stroked his chin, pondering briefly before nodding his head.

As soon as he gave his permission, Lee Seonghak’s face brightened and he tried to guide Man Do to a different location, but Man Do stopped him. Looking at Lee Seonghak’s puzzled expression, Man Do spoke in a low voice.

“Let’s talk here. Who would dare to listen to a conversation between the two of us?”

“…”

Lee Seonghak turned his body as if to leave, but stopped at Man Do’s words. Turning back to face Man Do, he stared straight into his eyes.

“If it’s going to be a long conversation, we can talk later.”

At Man Do’s follow-up words, Lee Seonghak inwardly sighed and feigned a calm expression.

“No, Vice Cult Leader. It won’t take long.”

“Then speak.”

Man Do looked at Lee Seonghak with a serious face and raised his chin slightly. To Lee Seonghak, each of Man Do’s actions seemed to grate on his nerves, likely due to the uncanny resemblance to the Young Cult Leader’s face that made him uncomfortable.

Lee Seonghak exhaled and spoke.

“What does the Vice Cult Leader think of the woman who will become the Young Cult Leader’s wife?”

“Hm? What do you mean by that?”

Man Do tilted his head, and Lee Seonghak continued speaking.

“I mean, is a woman from the Righteous Sect qualified to lead the Demon Cult?”

Man Do stroked his chin as he stared intently at Lee Seonghak. Maintaining his silence as if prompting Lee Seonghak to continue, he opened his mouth again.

“As you know, the power and laws of the Demon Cult are based on strength, and even if she is to be the Young Cult Leader’s wife, she must have a certain level of skill to back it up. However, the woman from the Moyong clan who is to become the Young Cult Leader’s wife is merely a useless ragdoll without a shred of internal energy.”

“And?”

Man Do cleared his throat.

“So you’re saying that accepting Moyong Sowol is a disgrace to the Demon Cult?”

To be honest, what Lee Seonghak said was somewhat true, but he couldn’t put it so bluntly, so he beat around the bush with his phrasing.

“Not a disgrace, but a cause for concern. A woman who can’t even defeat an ordinary healthy young man on the street could potentially become the Young Cult Leader’s weakness, I fear.”

“Hmm…”

Man Do let out a low hum, deep in thought, and Lee Seonghak’s eyes lit up at his reaction.

On the surface, it might seem like Lee Seonghak was voicing genuine concerns for the future of the Demon Cult, but in truth, he was speaking for his own interests.

With the Cult Leader in seclusion, excluding the Young Cult Leader, the person with the most power was the Vice Cult Leader Man Do. If he could persuade Man Do, he could pressure Hyuk Dojin and simultaneously take a step closer to his goal.

Observing Man Do’s silence, Lee Seonghak quickly spoke again.

“As an elder of the Demon Cult, for the Young Cult Leader who will succeed the Cult Leader, having an unnecessary weakness is extremely dangerous…”

“You haven’t changed a bit, from the past until now, have you.”

“What?”

However, Lee Seonghak’s words couldn’t be completed. His eyes widened at Man Do’s interrupting voice.

Man Do was smiling faintly, but the atmosphere had changed from before. It felt sharper and more dangerous.

“…Vice Cult Leader?”

“Always thinking of the Demon Cult and being more loyal than anyone else… Truly admirable. A person like you is an inspiration to the Cult, every time I see you.”

But contrary to the sense of danger Lee Seonghak felt, Man Do’s words praised him. Trying to shake off his misgivings, Lee Seonghak forced a smile and spoke again.

“I’m merely doing my duty as a Cult member…”

“But you have too much ambition.”

Man Do’s legs, which had been firmly planted on the ground, shifted. As he took a single step, the surrounding air rippled.

“Not only is your ambition excessive, but you’re also oblivious. What a pity. If you had sincerely used that loyalty and intelligence for the sake of the Cult… But alas, the human heart doesn’t change so easily.”

“I don’t understand what you mean…”

Lee Seonghak quietly asked again. Man Do’s expression, which had been smiling calmly, hardened.

“Do I need to spell it out for you?”

The voice laced with internal energy reverberated through the air. Lee Seonghak felt his own dormant inner energy resonating with Man Do’s internal force, causing it to surge wildly.

The spiritual energy that should have been contained escaped his control, raging through his meridians like a rabid beast. He tried to forcibly suppress the uncontrolled inner force, but it was futile.

“Kughh…!”

In the end, Lee Seonghak severely injured himself as his inner ki thrashed about like a dog with rabies, and black blood gushed from his mouth. Bent over coughing up blood, Lee Seonghak panted heavily.

“Listen closely. I may not know the exact reason you brought up this topic with me, but your choice of target was unfortunately poor.”

Lee Seonghak struggled to lift his head at the voice dropping down from above. The face he looked up to see was Man Do’s, cold and hardened.

Staring down at the blood-spitting Lee Seonghak, Man Do’s chilling voice rang out.

“You tried to condemn my niece to death with your deceitful tongue, and now you’re trying to kill the Young Cult Leader’s wife.”

“That’s… a misunderstanding…”

“Do you not know why I returned here after ten years?”

Man Do’s hand moved slowly, lifting Lee Seonghak’s chin. Lee Seonghak felt his insides burning as he tightly clenched his lips and opened his eyes.

“If I had remained there at that time, I would have torn off your heads. I didn’t flee, let me be clear.”

Lee Seonghak’s ragged breathing suddenly stopped.

“So rid yourself of those vain thoughts and behave.”

Man Do’s hand dropped away. Looking down at the fallen Lee Seonghak, Man Do’s voice lowered.

“Before I tear out your wretched bones and throw them to the dogs as feed.”