To issue a test the moment they arrive—even a professor on the first day of class wouldn't be that harsh. No matter how I looked at him, he didn't seem like a man of good character. Then again, he was a member of the Demonic Cult, so that was to be expected. Hajin curled his lip.
Soon, the man called the Right Law Protector turned his gaze toward the line of martial artists.
"From the moment you pass the entrance exam, you will be cadets of the Demonic Path Academy. Your individual goals may differ, but the fact remains that you must pass the academy's trials. I hope you will become talents capable of shouldering the future of the Heavenly Demonic Cult."
With those words, the martial artists moved toward the training grounds one by one. As he waited for his turn, it wasn't long before it was Hajin's.
"It's your turn. Follow him."
Hajin followed the martial arts instructor in front of him without a word.
"Go in. You have one hour. By any means necessary, kill that Jiangshi."
With that, the instructor flipped an hourglass and stepped outside. Before him, a Jiangshi was bound and struggling. He pushed aside the thought of how surreal it was to see one in real life.
Fortunately, judging by its appearance and the aura it exuded, it didn't look particularly strong.
'They said the entrance exam requires the level of an average First-Rate martial artist, so there's no way a Jiangshi would be stronger than a First-Rate warrior.'
Hajin mentally gauged the Jiangshi's combat power. An opponent of this level could easily be dealt with using the Wind Cutter he had used before.
*Wooooong—!*
Mana began to condense at his fingertips. But before he could even cast the spell, a different thought crossed his mind.
'Wait. If I finish the test too quickly and leave, won't that draw even more attention?'
Before entering the Demonic Path Academy, Yang-jun’s words came to mind.
-You will attract significant attention with your outstanding skills, and you might even find yourself the focus of the upper sects or the elders.
Sadly, that was the situation Hajin wanted to avoid most.
'Right, there's no need to show off my full strength. It might be better to be as ordinary as possible—or perhaps even look a bit clumsy. My goal is to pass around the same time as the other participants.'
Hajin abandoned his plan to use Wind Cutter. Instead, he thought of a different spell. A spell that would slowly neutralize the opponent without dealing a direct, flashy blow.
'A drying spell. Let's go with that to slowly wither it away. It’ll kill time, and it won't look like some grand technique from the outside. I'll just look like a guy who fights in a somewhat strange way.'
An extra cultist who uses weird arts. That was just right.
With a faint smile on his lips, he reached out toward the Jiangshi. The waves of internal energy starting from his Dantian gathered at his fingertips, and the principles of magic condensed.
*Crackle, crackle—!*
The Jiangshi’s damp skin instantly lost its moisture and turned brittle. Soon, its entire body cracked like a dried-up tree branch, twisting into a grotesque shape before coming to a halt.
It didn't move again.
'Wait, why am I so strong?'
In that moment, Hajin recalled a fact he had forgotten. The drying spell deals even greater damage to inanimate objects. And a Jiangshi was, by nature, a corpse. Since it was already dead, it wasn't a living being.
'Damn it, why did it end so quickly?'
At least the marks left on the Jiangshi’s body didn't look too dangerous, so that was a relief. All he had to do was wait for a little more time to pass.
When the sand in the hourglass finally ran out, Hajin opened the door and stepped outside.
Afterward, Hajin became Cadet Number 400. It was the number assigned based on the order in which he passed the exam. This was a number that wouldn't stand out.
'Everything is going according to plan!'
Meanwhile, the martial arts instructors of the Heavenly Demonic Cult who entered to clear away the remains of the Jiangshi were met with a quite shocking sight.
The traces of the Jiangshi, which had been dried to a crisp. It was a mark that no warrior of the Heavenly Demonic Cult could fail to recognize.
"Isn't this the mark of the Star-Absorbing Great Law?"
"It certainly seems so."
"Come to think of it, didn't I hear a rumor that a disciple of the Ghost Soul Hand is in this batch? Perhaps they were taught by him?"
"What? Why are you telling me this now! Report this to the Right Law Protector immediately!"
* * *
The Sect Leader’s Hall of the Heavenly Demonic Cult.
The room was filled with a chilling frost. This might have been because the Right Law Protector, Xue Gui, a master of Ice Arts—a rarity in the martial world outside of the North Sea Ice Palace—was present.
"Sigh, there is so much work to do."
Spread out on the desk were scrolls containing the names, brief backgrounds, and martial arts training progress of the cadets who had passed the entrance exam.
These were the people who would become the vital strength of the next Heavenly Demonic Cult, and it was Xue Gui’s job to separate the jade from the stones.
To be precise, it wasn't really Xue Gui’s job. His title was Right Law Protector; it was normal for him to be in charge of guarding the Sect Leader.
Of course, as the Right Law Protector of the Heavenly Demonic Cult, Xue Gui had faithfully—or rather, too faithfully—performed his role as the Sect Leader's right-hand man.
To put it kindly, he was fiercely loyal; to put it bluntly, it was a series of overtime shifts that far exceeded the scope of a Law Protector's duties.
Regardless, Xue Gui examined the cadets' files with dark circles under his eyes, as if he were a member of a college entrance exam committee.
That was when it happened.
"How are this batch of recruits?"
"You have arrived, Sect Leader."
Without a moment's hesitation, Xue Gui knelt on one knee, cupped his fist in his other hand, and bowed his head deeply.
The person who appeared beside Xue Gui was Cheon Yu-baek, the sky of the Heavenly Demonic Cult and its Sect Leader. Simply put, he was like the CEO of Heavenly Demonic Cult Inc.
"They are not much different from the last batch. However, four of the top five sects have sent their successors."
"Is it the Sword Demon Sect, Poison Demon Sect, Fist Demon Sect, and Blade Demon Sect again?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"As expected."
The Mad Demon Sect never sent successors. The Mad Demon was a man who was unpredictable from the start.
"They are likely trying to succeed you as Sect Leader."
"That is always the case. As long as their aptitude is outstanding, it does not matter."
Xue Gui fell into thought as he watched Cheon Yu-baek, who wore a relaxed smile.
The Heavenly Demonic Cult was a place governed by the logic of the survival of the strongest. The weak are culled, and only the strong survive to enjoy everything. This was an unwritten rule that served as the backbone and foundation of the Heavenly Demonic Cult.
It had always been that way, but Xue Gui knew well that the current Sect Leader, Cheon Yu-baek, was someone who followed this principle of survival of the strongest even more thoroughly—almost to the point of blind faith.
'He shows no exceptions even to Lady Ha-rin. Perhaps that is only natural?'
Cheon Ha-rin, the only blood relative of Sect Leader Cheon Yu-baek and the apple of his eye. Even so, he did not provide her with a comfortable position within the Cult.
Cheon Yu-baek was a man who had publicly declared that even his own daughter, Cheon Ha-rin, must overcome the brutal competition at the Demonic Path Academy and prove her own worth to earn a rightful position. Consequently, Cheon Ha-rin had participated in this entrance exam.
'A truly cold-blooded man.'
Moreover, as far as Xue Gui knew, Cheon Ha-rin did not harbor any resentment toward her father's cold, impartial principles; instead, she accepted them as a matter of course and devoted herself to her training.
'I understand it, but they are truly a ruthless father and daughter.'
Xue Gui clicked his tongue inwardly. The cold-headedness of not granting even a shred of personal affection or special treatment to his own child.
That thoroughness, which could even be called heartless, must have been what made Cheon Yu-baek the leader who guides the Cult today. So, he understood.
"Xue Gui, in your view, is there anyone among them who looks like they will pass the final test?"
"Are you asking for the reality or the wish?"
"For now, the reality."
Cheon Yu-baek chuckled.
"One of the successors from the top four sects is most likely."
"You mean my daughter will struggle?"
"……Is that how it comes across?"
"I understand your meaning well. Words once spoken cannot be taken back. How sad Ha-rin will be if she hears this."
Contrary to his words, Cheon Yu-baek’s expression didn't change. He knew his daughter's skills better than anyone. And Cheon Yu-baek did not expect his daughter to win at the Demonic Path Academy.
'She still lacks much.'
What could he do about her lacking skill? But just as he had done, his daughter simply had to prove her own worth.
"Are there no other talents? What will you do if those so-called successors are all fakes?"
"If there is no talent among the successors pushed by the upper sects, wouldn't that be a crisis for the Cult?"
It was a cold-hearted statement. But Xue Gui could not deny the truth of it.
"If there really is no talent, couldn't a new raw gem appear among the next batch of the Demonic Path Academy?"
"How could that be? Tsk."
As Xue Gui clicked his tongue at Cheon Yu-baek’s words, he flipped through the documents.
At that moment, Xue Gui’s brow furrowed. Having watched Xue Gui for a long time, Cheon Yu-baek instinctively sensed that something had happened.
"Is something bothering you?"
"It is a bit strange."
Xue Gui did not usually throw around the word 'strange' lightly. If he said something was strange, it meant there was a high probability that it truly was.
"Tell me what it is. If it is a problem troubling my loyal Right Law Protector, I will draw my sword myself."
Xue Gui handed over the paper he was holding. Cheon Yu-baek’s gaze shifted to it. The name 'Hajin' was written there, along with the number '400' next to it.
"That doesn't seem like a number worth paying attention to?"
"That is not the problem."
Both of their gazes moved downward.
-Disciple of the Ghost Soul Hand, suspected user of the Star-Absorbing Great Law.
In an instant, Cheon Yu-baek’s eyebrows twitched. The Star-Absorbing Great Law—it was a martial art he could not possibly fail to recognize. It was a dangerous Demonic Art, and it was the martial art of the Ghost Soul Hand, who was once the greatest assassin of the Heavenly Demonic Cult.
"Oh? He always claimed he would never take on a disciple, yet it seems he has been training one out in the world."
"Yes, that appears to be the case. However, if he truly received training from him, wouldn't it be impossible for him to be number four hundred?"
"Then are you suggesting he is an impostor?"
"That is not it either. When the Law Enforcement Squad went to escort him, they reported that he was with him. According to the report, he cut down a First-Generation Disciple of the Kunlun Sect with a single strike."
A smile played on the corners of Cheon Yu-baek’s mouth.
"He certainly won't be a weakling."
"Yes. It seems he is hiding his strength for some reason."
"An interesting fellow. Enough to make me want to find out what he is thinking."
"If he bothers you, I shall look into it."
Seeing Xue Gui’s earnest expression, Cheon Yu-baek shook his head.
"No, I cannot let my personal feelings interfere with a fair competition. Do not lay a hand on him."
"As you command."
* * *
The number tag 'four hundred' received after passing the first stage of the Demonic Path Academy exam. Hajin was quite satisfied with this number.
Since they said there were five hundred who passed, a rank around four hundred could be considered perfectly ordinary and safe—one that would not draw any attention.
'They said to go to the training ground earlier, right? Well, are they going to hand something out?'
As he entered the training ground, the cadets who had arrived first caught his eye. Every one of them had a fierce, bandit-like appearance, with killing intent wafting off their bodies.
'As expected, the people of the Demonic Cult have a different aura from the start….'
Hajin clicked his tongue inwardly. To think he would have to undergo training alongside such ominous individuals; he felt a bit nervous. But soon, a different thought filled his mind.
'But with builds like that, they must eat an incredible amount, right? Perhaps they could become potential customers…?'
The innkeeper mindset activated immediately. The foundation of business is networking, after all. It is always good to maintain smooth relationships with everyone.
The reasons Hajin had become so genuinely determined to open an inn were complex.
There was the warmth and happy memories of the inn he had felt while living under Yoo Jin-bang, the passion to create and showcase new dishes using magic, and the will to carry on his legacy. He also had no desire to live a life of constant fighting, teetering between life and death as he had in his days as a hunter.
Just as Hajin was walking naturally into the training ground, lost in his own business plans, a massive figure—easily two heads taller than him—strode toward him from afar. It was a man he had never seen before.
"What is this? Do you just carry that sword around for show? I can't feel a shred of energy from you, so how did you pass the exam?"
"……?"
What is this bastard’s problem?
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