Chapter 497 Final Chapter (4)

One month after the great war at the Ten Thousand Great Mountains that determined the fate of the Central Plains martial world,

Late at night, in the former Heaven and Earth Society’s grand meeting hall.

Two days before the inauguration ceremony, they were entering the final vote on an urgent proposal that had been raised.

The proposal started with something quite trivial.

However, it was unexpectedly decided unanimously.

The First Elder Ou Cheon-mu, sect leader of the Spiritual Sword Sanctuary, sitting in the highest seat, announced that the proposal had passed.

-Bang bang!

“Then, as all votes are in unanimous agreement, we shall proceed as proposed.”

“Ohohoho. Indeed.”

The Seventh Elder Hwan Ya-seon, acting as the meeting’s secretary, closed the finalized minutes.

Thus, the executives rose from their seats.

At that moment, someone sitting opposite approached the Seventh Elder Hwan Ya-seon.

It was the Fourth Elder Ho Tae-gang, sect leader of the Wave Destruction Clan.

“In all my years, I never thought we’d have a meeting, let alone a vote, on such a proposal.”

“I suppose it shows how sincere everyone is about this new organization. If it’s a name that will remain for hundreds, thousands of years to come, it’s only fitting.”

“Well, that’s true. But it seems you’ve had a change of heart too?”

“A change of heart?”

“Yes. Even though we decided to unify all martial houses and clans as branch clans, you didn’t need to change, but seeing that you changed your Shadow Clan to the Flying Ghost Clan, named after your unique martial art.”

At these words, Hwan Ya-seon made a subtle expression before answering.

“Although we were called ‘Shadow’ because we were in charge of spies and information, shouldn’t we now move forward as a martial house in this new organization?”

“Moving forward as a martial house… Is that ambition? Not bad.”

Much had changed in a short time.

Although it took the form of a religious organization, this new group pursued true martial arts without being bound by orthodox or unorthodox paths.

It had become the organization he truly desired.

All of this was thanks to their lord, the Heavenly Demon Cult Leader.

“But even though the vote was predetermined, why didn’t our lord attend the meeting hall?”

“Ah. There’s an unofficial martial arts competition.”

“An unofficial martial arts competition?”

The Fourth Elder Ho Tae-gang tilted his head in confusion.

***

In a sparsely populated plain not far from the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.

The entire area was devastated, and in the center of a huge crater lay a stunningly beautiful woman with blonde hair and nine tails, sprawled out and breathing heavily as if exhausted.

She was the Hundred-Faced King Golden Nine-Tailed Fox, one of the Six Demons.

The Golden Nine-Tailed Fox, breathing heavily, screamed as if frustrated.

“Aaaaargh! Why has that damned human become so strong?”

Just a few months ago, he was merely a novice, but now he had become a monster that she couldn’t handle even at full strength.

Someone approached her and looked down, saying,

“That’s the fourth time already. Give it a rest.”

That someone was Mok Gyeong-un, no, the Heavenly Demon.

He now fully called himself the Heavenly Demon, having abandoned the name Mok Gyeong-un.

The Golden Nine-Tailed Fox, unable to get up, shouted,

“Who says I’m doing this for anyone’s sake!”

The Heavenly Demon shook his head at her stubborn attitude.

Not long after the great war ended, she had come to him, insisting they were connected by fate and should spend their lives together.

Of course, the Heavenly Demon firmly refused.

Angered, she said that if she lost to him in a fight, she would follow his will, and that’s how it had come to this.

“Just give up. I’ve repaid the debt enough by entertaining you this much…”

“No! No! No! It’s far from enough. I won’t give up until I have you, so be prepared!”

“Be prepared…”

At her outcry, the Heavenly Demon chuckled and shrugged, then disappeared.

Looking at the faint afterimage of the Heavenly Demon, she grumbled.

“Jerk Heavenly Demon. Wicked Heavenly Demon. Bad Heavenly Demon.”

But still, she wanted him.

The more she saw him, the more she yearned for him.

***

As noon approached.

The sun moved towards the center of the sky, its rays warmly illuminating the earth.

As the inner city of the former Heaven and Earth Society opened, the square in front of the main building was so crowded with people that there was no room to step.

With people from the outer and inner cities, as well as invited guests from external groups like the Diviner groups including the Harmonious Immortal Pavilion, some from the Yoo clan, the Evil Alliance, and others, tens of thousands had gathered in the square.

“What’s with all these fires?”

“There’s fire everywhere?”

-Whoosh!

Although it was noon, braziers were placed throughout the square.

Because of this, it was hot enough to be stifling.

Not only were there braziers everywhere, but there was a noticeably large brazier on what looked like an altar platform.

The words “Holy Fire Stand” were engraved on the brazier.

“Is it not time yet?”

“When does the founding ceremony start?”

Everyone looked at the entrance of the main building, waiting for the founding ceremony to begin.

Then,

-Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sound of drums being beaten spread from the top of the inner city walls.

“It’s starting!”

“Ooooh!”

“Look over there!”

Warriors came out from the entrance of the main building in the inner city and spread out a long red silk cloth.

Soon, the executives who would hold key positions in the founding ceremony slowly walked out in two lines on either side.

First Elder of the Spiritual Sword Sanctuary, Ou Cheon-mu – Profound Realm

Second Elder of the Poison Demon Clan, Baek Sa-ha – Transformation Realm

Third Elder of the Sword Clan, Sword Demon Ji-oe – Transformation Realm

Fourth Elder of the Wave Destruction Clan, Ho Tae-gang – Transformation Realm

Fifth Elder of the Spirit Spear Clan, Gyu Jong-sin – Transformation Realm

Sixth Elder of the Crimson Flame Clan, Lee Ji-yeom – Transformation Realm

Seventh Elder of the Flying Ghost Clan, Hwan Ya-seon – Pinnacle-stage of Peak Realm

Eighth Elder of the Bright Blade Clan, Son Yun – Pinnacle-stage of Peak Realm

Ninth Elder of the Dream Illusion Sword Clan, Mong Mu-yak – Pinnacle-stage of Peak Realm

Tenth Elder of the Light Martial Path Clan, Seop Chun – Pinnacle-stage of Peak Realm

Eleventh Elder of the Demonic Fist Clan, Go Yeon-baek – Pinnacle-stage of Peak Realm

Twelfth Elder of the Dark Demonic Clan, Hang Yeoryang – Pinnacle-stage of Peak Realm

“It’s the Elders!”

“Waaaah!!!!”

A new official system had been announced two weeks before the founding ceremony, and this system was decided to strictly verify martial prowess to grant qualifications.

The Elders coming out now were the martial artists with the strongest martial might in the sect.

It was also the strongest force in history, incomparable to the former Heaven and Earth Society.

The sect leaders of each branch sect who would lead the new organization, the twelve Elders, walked out and took their places on either side of the red silk path, joining their hands and assuming a reverent posture.

The atmosphere was incredibly solemn, perhaps because they were all dressed in ceremonial robes.

Then,

-Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

-Bwooooooo!

After five drum beats and a long horn blast, someone finally appeared at the entrance of the main building.

A figure walking out majestically, wearing a black and red patterned dragon robe embroidered with golden dragons.

He was the One Demon Heavenly Demon, the world’s number one person and the current pinnacle of the martial world, who would be inaugurated as the first Cult Leader (Founder) at this founding ceremony.

Regardless of his appearance, everyone couldn’t help but bow their heads at his overwhelming dignity and atmosphere that dominated the crowd.

-Thud thud!

Following behind him,

Great Dharma guardian of the Harmonizing Demon Poison Sect, Guyang Sa-oh – Transformation Realm

Right Dharma guardian of the Wind supreme-ruler Glan, Ma Ra-hyeon – Transformation Realm

Left Dharma guardian of the Subduing Demon Clan, Ja Geum-jeong – Supreme Great Ability

Head of the Cult Leader’s personal guard unit, Jang Neung-ak (Guard Go Chan) – Spirit Servant

—walked forward in step.

Everyone watched in hushed silence at this solemnity.

He passed through the red silk path guarded on both sides by the Elders, the highest executives of the sect.

The Elders he had formed connections with over time bowed their heads and greeted him with smiles, and the Heavenly Demon responded with light nods.

‘Kuh! Indeed, my choice was right.’

Seop Chun, who had become an Elder at a young age, looked at the Heavenly Demon with a face full of emotion.

He had wanted to rise to the position of Dharma guardian to be by his side, but as his martial prowess wasn’t yet comparable to theirs, he postponed it to a later date.

If it couldn’t be achieved in his generation, he hoped that his descendants could stay by the Cult Leader’s side.

-Thud thud!

Upon reaching the altar platform, the Dharma guardians and the Head of the guard unit stopped there, and the Heavenly Demon walked up onto it.

Watching his back as he did so, Guard Go Chan, who had been able to possess Jang Neung-ak’s body again, couldn’t hide his satisfied face, his nose tingling with emotion.

“Sniff.”

Who would have thought this moment would come when he was just a vengeful spirit in the Heavenly Demon’s hands?

Now he was called the right-hand man of the world’s number one person in name and reality.

It could be called a human victory, from a mere low-level assassin.

At that moment, the drum sound was heard again from the top of the inner city wall, and simultaneously, the sound of horns echoed throughout the entire city.

-Boom! Boom! Boom!

-Bwooooooo!

Someone appeared at the door of the main building.

A stunningly beautiful woman walking out, wearing a beautiful ceremonial robe reminiscent of a pure white lotus.

She was Cheong-ryeong.

In her past life, she was Ryu So-wol, and in this life, Wi So-yeon, but now that her soul and spirit had become one and complete, she called herself Cheong-ryeong.

As she walked out solemnly, so beautiful, everyone let out exclamations in a daze.

“It’s the Divine Lady.”

“Truly a beauty under the moon.”

She slowly walked along the red silk path and climbed the stairs.

The Heavenly Demon, who had been waiting, looked at her with a gentle smile, and she stood close by his side.

The Holy Fire Priestess approached her, handed over a torch, and whispered quietly.

“Divine Lady, please prepare the sacred fire.”

-Tap!

Cheong-ryeong nodded and took the torch.

Then the Holy Fire Priestess shouted loudly.

“Great Dharma guardian, bring forth the spirit tablet.”

At her cry, the Great Dharma guardian Guyang Sa-oh personally carried a pedestal with a crown and a spirit tablet inscribed with “Heavenly Demon Decree” up to the front of the platform.

As the spirit tablet arrived, the Holy Fire Priestess lifted it and shouted.

“Now we will proceed with the founding ceremony and the Cult Leader’s inauguration ceremony.”

“Waaaaaaah!!!”

All who were watching cheered.

-Bwooooooo!

As the sound of horns echoed long, all who had been shouting became quiet again.

Then the Holy Fire Priestess stepped forward, raised the Heavenly Demon Decree, and said.

“For the founding ceremony, there is a sacred object, this Heavenly Demon Decree made by melting fragments of the sacred fire. Founder and First Generation Cult Leader Heavenly Demon, receive the Heavenly Demon Decree!”

The Heavenly Demon stepped forward and received it with one hand.

Then he climbed to the highest level of the altar platform, raised the Heavenly Demon Decree high, which would become the sacred object symbolizing the Cult Leader, and shouted to everyone.

“The First Generation Cult Leader Heavenly Demon proclaims. Here today, I declare the founding of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult that will create a myth for a thousand, ten thousand years!”

-Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Along with this, numerous flags rose on top of the inner city walls.

The square erupted as the majestic flags of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult fluttered.

And that excitement soon led to tremendous cheers.

-Waaaaaaaaaah!!!!!

Finally, a new martial arts organization was born.

Not stopping there, the First Elder Ou Cheon-mu, sect leader of the Spiritual Sword Sanctuary, raised both hands and shouted so that everyone could hear.

-Great Heavenly Demon Divine Cult! A thousand years! A thousand years! Ten thousand years!

Then everyone, including the other Elders, followed and chanted.

-Great Heavenly Demon Divine Cult! A thousand years! A thousand years! Ten thousand years!

The chant spread throughout the entire inner city.

-Great Heavenly Demon Divine Cult! A thousand years! A thousand years! Ten thousand years!!!!

Amidst everyone’s cries, the Holy Fire Priestess pointed to the brazier of the Holy Fire Stand, holding a torch, and said to Cheong-ryeong who was waiting.

“Light the fire.”

At this, she stepped forward and lit the Sacred Fire Stand’s brazier.

-Whoosh!

Then, strangely, unlike the red flames of the torch, blue flames rose from within.

“Ooooh!”

“The color of the flames?”

Everyone couldn’t hide their surprise at this sight.

How did such mysterious flames come about?

It was because the fragments of the sacred fire spirit left after making the Heavenly Demon Decree were used to make the Holy Fire Stand.

-Tap!

The Holy Fire Priestess knelt on both knees before the Heavenly Demon standing in front of the blue flames, crossed her arms on her chest, and recited.

“This body burns in the sacred fire, with no attachment to life or death. Eliminating evil for good and illuminating the light, joy and sorrow all remain as mere dust.”

As she began to recite the scripture, everyone in the square, including the Elders, followed, crossing their arms on their chests and chanting the scripture.

“This body burns in the sacred fire, with no attachment to life or death!!! Eliminating evil for good and illuminating the light, joy and sorrow all remain as mere dust!!!”

This was originally a scripture passed down from the Zoroastrian religion, or Persian religion.

Both the Persian religion and Zoroastrianism worshipped fire, and since the Heavenly Demon was the incarnation of that, this was adopted as the official scripture of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

“Pitiable are the mortals with many worries.”

“Pitiable are the mortals with many worries!!!”

The guests invited from outside had strange expressions at this ritual of reciting such scriptures.

From the content of the scripture alone, they felt it was not a demonic path but rather one that revered righteousness.

Through this, they could sense that this Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had a religious color.

Amidst this, Cheong-ryeong’s eyes sparkled.

‘Yes. That’s the figure I’ve been hoping for.’

The dignified back of the Heavenly Demon standing before the crowd that filled the square.

A grand master who embraces all.

It seems that dream has been fulfilled through him.

-Boom! Boom! Boom!

With the drum sounds, the Holy Fire Priestess, having finished reciting the scripture, stepped back, and it seemed the inauguration and founding ceremony were successfully concluding.

But then,

-Tap tap tap tap tap!

Suddenly, the Head of the guard unit Guard Go Chan jumped onto the platform, looked at the Heavenly Demon and Cheong-ryeong with a grin, and shouted loudly.

“Following the inauguration and founding ceremony, the grandest event will be the wedding ceremony of the Cult Leader and the Divine Lady!”

‘!?’

Cheong-ryeong had only known about the founding ceremony.

But at Go Chan’s shout, as she was about to be dumbfounded, female attendants appeared as if they had been waiting, carrying a beautiful bridal gown with red and gold patterns.

“Ah!”

It closely resembled the one she was supposed to wear in her past life.

[She was beautiful… So beautiful, like a single red peony.]

Cheong-ryeong’s eyes soon became moist.

To her, the Heavenly Demon gently extended his hand and said,

“Become my bride.”

A proposal in front of everyone.

At this moment she had longed for since her past life, Cheong-ryeong’s lips, which had been trembling, spread into a radiant smile.

***

That night.

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was bustling with festivities late into the night due to the grand events of the founding ceremony, the Cult Leader’s inauguration, and the wedding ceremony.

However, the main characters of these events, Cult Leader Heavenly Demon and Divine Lady Cheong-ryeong, were nowhere to be seen.

Where could they be?

On a mountain peak of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.

The full moon hung in the center of the black night sky covered with starlight.

Between pure white flowers softly glowing in the moonlight stood a beautiful man and woman.

As they strolled among the flowers, the Heavenly Demon asked Cheong-ryeong,

“Now that we’re married, you should call me husband, but why do you still call me Mortal?”

“I don’t know why?”

“Hm?”

“To me, you’ll always be Mortal.”

At her words, the Heavenly Demon chuckled and held her hand tightly, saying,

“Then I suppose I shouldn’t call you wife either. Cheong-ryeong.”

To this, Cheong-ryeong smiled sweetly and looked up at the Heavenly Demon.

Charmed by her lovable appearance, the Heavenly Demon gently embraced her back and slowly brought his lips closer.

Cheong-ryeong softly closed her eyes and raised herself on her tiptoes, and the two shared a deep kiss under the moonlight.

The bond that began on a mountain peak of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains thus bloomed into a shining flower there again after a hundred years.