Chronicles of the Demonic Cult Conversion Chapter 56
Jin Yeong-in's anger was truly immense.
No matter that Jin Yeong-in had caused such an incident and defected to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, how could they attempt to even desecrate his master's grave?
The tales of the Azure Heaven Divine Warrior's chivalrous deeds during his lifetime were still vivid…….
“They, the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, have always been like that.”
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God seemed to deeply sympathize with Jin Yeong-in's anger.
“It's not that there isn't a single warrior of justice among their ranks, but the thoroughly corrupt have seized power, leaving no room for those who harbor righteousness to even breathe. The ones who could be called warriors of justice did not know how to spare themselves in the last turbulent era, so it would not be an exaggeration to say that the fall of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance was foreseen.”
“……”
“Looking back now, there is nothing new about it.”
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God had opposed the Righteous Heavenly Alliance for decades, since the First Righteous-Demonic War, so she seemed to have an insight into their ways of thinking and acting as if looking at the palm of her hand.
Indeed, if she hadn't, she would not have been able to give the order to retrieve the remains of the Azure Heaven Divine Warrior…….
“According to his disposition, a small burial mound would have been sufficient, but for those left behind, that is not the case.”
“……”
Jin Yeong-in thought that the bond between his master and the Iron-Blooded Demonic God might be more special than he had imagined.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have known what his master's disposition was like, or been able to say that a small burial mound would be enough.
“No matter how unjust it feels, it is the fault of the one who went first, how could it be my fault? The dead do not speak, and only the will of the living is valid.”
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God spoke a little mischievously, then handed Jin Yeong-in a liquor bottle that looked antique and expensive even at a glance.
“Your master never touched expensive liquor in his life. Do you know why?”
“He has told me before.”
Jin Yeong-in replied, reminiscing about a conversation with his master.
‘My disciple. Always drink the cheap stuff when it comes to liquor.’
‘Because of money? Well. It is true that your finances are rather tight, Master.’
‘You foolish boy!’
‘Ack! Why did you hit me!’
‘A martial artist should never even touch expensive liquor!’
‘What kind of sophistry is that? Isn't it better to drink something expensive and rare if you're going to drink anyway?’
‘Tsk, tsk. Do you think guys like us who live by the sword can spend our lives drinking expensive things like Hall of Noble Reverence or Maiden’s Red in grand taverns?’
‘I suppose not.’
‘Think about it. When you're being chased by an enemy, wandering through deep mountains and secluded valleys, or bumming a drink because you have no money, do you think the liquor you drink will be expensive?’
‘It would usually be cheap Hwaju, right? Or Baijiu?’
‘See. If your tongue gets used to expensive liquor, the cheap liquor you drink at times like that will taste bad. But if you only drink cheap liquor, you can enjoy a delicious drink anytime, anywhere.’
‘…….’
‘It's all the same once it goes down your throat anyway. Getting drunk is all that matters.’
Thinking back, it was a rather trivial stubbornness, but on second thought, it was a teaching that fully embodied his master's philosophy of life.
“He lived and died as a martial artist in this world, so that should be enough.”
“But……”
Jin Yeong-in couldn't bring himself to offer the liquor given by the Iron-Blooded Demonic God at his master's spirit tablet.
“Insisting on shabbiness is probably not the life of a martial artist.”
“Th-that's.”
“As I said before, it is the fault of your master who went first. If he feels it's unfair, he can just come back to life and protest, can't he?”
I didn't know what kind of bad taste this was, but the Iron-Blooded Demonic God seemed to want to offer the expensive liquor at his master's spirit tablet until the very end.
And through him, his disciple…….
“I will offer a glass.”
Yes, what did it matter whether it was expensive or cheap liquor?
As my master said, once it goes down the throat, getting drunk is all the same.
Trickle…….
The sharp and fragrant scent of alcohol spread throughout the shrine.
“Master, your unworthy disciple will offer you a glass.”
Jin Yeong-in poured the liquor from the Iron-Blooded Demonic God before his master's spirit tablet and lit an incense stick.
Then, he bowed reverently.
“Thank you for the Cult Leader's grace. Because of my incompetence, my master's remains were nearly met with great misfortune.”
“How could that be your fault for being incompetent? In a life-or-death situation, taking care of one's master's remains is something only a fool would do. The living come first; one does not take care of the dead first.”
“Cult Leader……”
“I will permit you entry, so you may visit and pay your respects to your master's spirit tablet whenever you think of him.”
“The Cult Leader's grace is as vast as the sea.”
Jin Yeong-in was truly grateful for the Iron-Blooded Demonic God's consideration.
If not for her, he would have committed an act of filial impiety that would have remained a lingering regret…….
***
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God took Jin Yeong-in to a pavilion and they talked.
“I will be direct. I intend to take you as my disciple.”
“Yes……?”
For a moment, Jin Yeong-in doubted his own ears, wondering if he had heard wrong.
“In all the world, there is no one but I who can impart teachings to a Heavenly Demon’s Physique. This is like fate.”
“Th-that's.”
Jin Yeong-in couldn't refute the Iron-Blooded Demonic God's words.
It was true; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that there was no one who could impart teachings to a Heavenly Demon’s Physique.
However, he had never considered taking anyone other than the Azure Heaven Divine Warrior as his master, so he was just a little bewildered.
“Refusal will not be permitted. Become my disciple.”
“C-Cult Leader.”
“There is no need for cumbersome formalities. Pour me a glass. With that, you and I shall be bound by the ties of master and disciple.”
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God raised her own cup.
Jin Yeong-in did not dare to make her wait.
Her hand holding the cup.
Jin Yeong-in was not so foolish as to embarrass the hand of the greatest master of all time, the greatest demon of all time.
Trickle, Jin Yeong-in carefully filled the cup with liquor.
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God downed the liquor Jin Yeong-in poured in one gulp, then handed the cup back to him.
“Take it. It is liquor from your master.”
“Yes, Your Holiness, the Cult Leader.”
Jin Yeong-in also downed the liquor poured by the Iron-Blooded Demonic God in one go.
That was the end of it.
The one to be the disciple poured a glass for the one to be the master, and the one to be the master poured a glass for the one to be the disciple.
With such a simple ceremony, Jin Yeong-in and the Iron-Blooded Demonic God were bound by the ties of master and disciple.
“Normally, it would have been right for me to kill you. However, after recalling the ties of the previous generation and hearing your tragic story, my thoughts have changed.”
“I do not understand what you mean.”
“It is because your body could become a vessel for the Heavenly Demon.”
“……!”
“As was the case before you returned to the past, the Heavenly Demon has not been completely annihilated. That evil, lonely soul is wandering all over the world even at this moment, and there are still groups who follow him and are plotting his revival. If you fall into their hands, the Heavenly Demon will gain a new body.”
“Ah!”
Only then did Jin Yeong-in realize why the Iron-Blooded Demonic God had said she should kill him.
Yes, for the Heavenly Demon, what better vessel could there be than Jin Yeong-in's body, which was a Heavenly Demon’s Physique?
“At first, I thought you were the reincarnation of the Heavenly Demon, but after hearing your story, I knew that was not the case. For that reason, I judged that it would be acceptable to take you as my disciple.”
“Yes, Your Holiness, the Cult Leader.”
“Also, you must always be vigilant. If you are consumed by the demon and become one with it, another demon will be born. If that happens, I will have no choice but to kill you.”
“I do not wish for that to happen either.”
Jin Yeong-in said emphatically.
Although he was born with the Heavenly Demon’s Physique, he did not want to become a demon who would not hesitate to perform human sacrifices.
He just wanted to take revenge on the Righteous Heavenly Alliance and then forge his own life…….
“If that happens, I will not resent you even if you kill me, Cult Leader.”
“Do you truly think so?”
“Yes. I swear to the heavens, there is not a shred of falsehood.”
“Do not swear to the heavens. Swear only to yourself. The heavens are you, and you are the heavens.”
“……!”
“For one who is my disciple, that name sounds weak. From now on, I will call you Cheon. Your name is Jin Cheon.”
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude.”
The master bestowed a new name upon the disciple, and the disciple received it with a glad heart.
“Disciple Jin Cheon, I greet you, Master.”
Jin Yeong-in, no, Jin Cheon, prostrated himself before his master.
***
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God did not just give Jin Cheon a new name.
Swish, the Iron-Blooded Demonic God took off the Dragon Robe she was wearing and draped it over Jin Cheon's shoulders.
“It is a fabric woven from Heavenly Silkworm Silk, with Hwasugil embroidered with the fur of a Heavenly Fox. It is called the Nine-headed Dragon Robe.”
Heavenly Silkworm Silk meant the thread of the spirit beast, the Heavenly Silkworm; Heavenly Fox meant the nine-tailed fox; and Hwasugil meant the nine-headed dragon king.
“The Nine-headed Dragon Robe has finally found its owner.”
As soon as the Iron-Blooded Demonic God's words fell, the Nine-headed Dragon Robe transformed to fit Jin Cheon's physique, becoming not a dragon robe but a martial uniform of a dark red color.
“Th-this is.”
Jin Cheon, wearing the Nine-headed Dragon Robe, didn't know what to do.
There were many divine weapons and strange artifacts in the world, but who would have thought that such clothing actually existed?
“The Nine-headed Dragon Robe is worthy of being called a Dharma Treasure, beyond a divine weapon or strange artifact. It will protect you from being consumed by the demon.”
“I am grateful, and again, I am filled with gratitude.”
Jin Cheon bowed his head to the Iron-Blooded Demonic God once more.
Not only did she accept him as a disciple, but she also readily gave him such a precious Dharma Treasure…….
“It seems too early for teachings today, so you may withdraw for now. I will call for you again in a few days.”
“Yes, Your Holiness, the Cult Leader.”
“By any chance, have you read the History of the Divine Cult?”
“Ah, I have not read it yet.”
Jin Cheon's face turned red.
The History of the Divine Cult was a kind of history book that recorded the history of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and it was one of the scriptures that all cultists had to read.
He meant to read it after defecting to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but he kept putting it off day after day, so he hadn't read a single line yet.
“You are just like his disciple.”
“I-I am ashamed.”
“I expect you to have read a little by the time I call for you again.”
“……Yes.”
Jin Cheon bowed his head low in shame.
***
“From now on, we will serve you.”
As he left the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons, a group of martial artists in blue uniforms was waiting for Jin Cheon.
The man leading the martial artists clasped his fist in greeting towards Jin Cheon.
He was also someone Jin Cheon knew well.
“I am Danmok Cheong, the Seventh Captain of the New Demon Squad.”
“Brother Dan?”
“Brother is too much. Please just call me Captain Dan. Seventh Young Master.”
“How is Brother Dan……?”
“As of today, I have been reassigned from the Bat Squad to the New Demon Squad, the Seventh Young Master's independent guard unit.”
“Ah?”
“I look forward to serving you, Seventh Young Master.”
Danmok Cheong grinned, then shouted to the martial artists following him.
“What are you all doing? Not greeting your liege.”
“We greet the Seventh Young Master.”
The martial artists of the New Demon Squad knelt on one knee in unison before Jin Cheon, showing the courtesy of a subject to their liege.
He was now no longer the defector Jin Yeong-in but Jin Cheon, the seventh disciple of the Cult Leader Iron-Blooded Demonic God, so he was being treated accordingly.
However, Jin Cheon found this moment very unfamiliar.
Had he ever imagined that such a day would come in his life?
As if reading Jin Cheon's expression, Danmok Cheong smiled and said.
“You will get used to the awkwardness gradually.”
“Ah, yes.”
“You must not use honorifics with me anymore. I am your subordinate, Young Master.”
“But……”
“Please, just call me Captain Dan.”
“V-very well. Captain Dan.”
“We will escort you home.”
“……Alright.”
Jin Cheon began to walk, escorted by the New Demon Squad.