Descent of the Demon Master

"Aigoo, my back..." Chang Min groaned in agony.

Li Xiaoyu blinked his eyes in dumbfoundedness. "Are you... alright, Elder Chang?"

"Urgh... I should've beaten that punk to a pulp...!"

What Li Xiaoyu could see was making it difficult for him to contain his flabbergast.

'To think there was someone who could do this to Elder Chang...!'

Even Li Xiaoyu had to concede that Chang Min's state didn't look good at all. In fact, it was wretched! Chang Min's previously well-combed hair was now a dusty mess, and dried blood could be seen on his burst lips. Not too long ago, Chang Min was a perfect example of a distinguished older gentleman, but now? He more or less resembled a tramp roughing it out on the street!

His clothes were ripped here and there, and his skin beneath the fabric was visibly bruised and swollen.

'It doesn't look like he won...?'

Did that mean Chang Min actually lost? Li Xiaoyu's eyes trembled imperceptively.

Yes, demonic cultivators were weak. However, Chang Min was no mere demonic cultivator. Other demonic cultivators had been growing progressively weaker after demonic cultivation methods were lost, but Chang Min had inherited his cultivation before that happened.

Due to the unfortunate quirk of transferring one's cultivation to someone else, it was impossible for Chang Min to teach his demonic cultivation method to a disciple. Other than that, one could say Chang Min was a complete demonic cultivator.

Indeed, that was who Chang Min was—a complete, full-on demonic cultivator. The only 'real' demonic cultivator left in the demon cult!

The solace Chang Min's existence gave to the demon cult's believers couldn't be described in mere words. Him standing firm and resolute all these years to provide a reliable waypoint had played a major part, but what ultimately gave hope to the demonic cultivators was that he proved how strong one could become by properly mastering demonic arts.

Chang Min was undoubtedly strong. Even if the demon cult's elders united and fought Chang Min, they still didn't have the guarantee of victory. That was how powerful Chang Min was. And no, the difference wasn't merely a slightly superior mastery of techniques or being able to punch faster.

Chang Min simply possessed strength that was in another realm altogether compared to other demonic cultivators. That was all.

But now, someone like that ended up in this state?

'Just how strong is that giant, then?!'

Obviously Li Xiaoyu knew Chang Min's opponent this time was a powerful expert.

That giant was... none other than Vator! If Li Xiaoyu failed to recognize someone like Vator, he might as well retire from being the demon cult's elder and go into seclusion somewhere! To survive in this hostile, unforgiving world, a demonic cultivator like him simply had no choice but to possess keen hearing and discerning eyes.

Vator was powerful. No doubt about that. After all, he was acknowledged for his pure physical strength by the harsh critics of the martial world, wasn't he? No one would be foolish enough to deny Vator's mightiness, in other words.

'However, to think he'd this strong...!'

Li Xiaoyu used to think about this every once in a while. Plenty of powerful experts existed under the heavens, but Li Xiaoyu was still convinced that Chang Min wouldn't lose to anyone if he decided to reveal himself to the world one day. If he was being honest with himself, though... Li Xiaoyu believed Chang Min could overwhelm them all.

Even if Chang Min's strength couldn't reach the level of the Three Kings, at least he should be strong enough to occupy a position just below the trio.

But now...

'Even if Elder Chang won, no one will see it as an overwhelming victory.'

Chang Min and Vator weren't trying to fight each other to death, so this result should be more like a draw than anything else.

The demon cult's top expert was equal in strength to Vator? This was bad news unless Vator was a lot stronger than the rumors suggested.

Chang Min grunted. "Stop making the face of an over-thinking villain and fetch me new clothes, you brat."

"O-of course, Elder Chang." Li Xiaoyu hurriedly rushed outside the room to bring new clothes.

Now left alone, Chang Min could only smile wryly.

'That giant was tougher than I thought.'

Especially Vator's physical body... Now that was beyond Chang Min's capabilities to overpower. Just a casual flick from Vator was enough to break Chang Min's bones, but Chang Min had to attack with all his might to even leave a scratch on Vator's skin. How unfair was that?

Although Chang Min was somewhat dissatisfied by the fact that a brat not even half his age had evenly fought against him, this situation didn't disappoint him. He was especially happy that the demon emperor had someone as strong as Vator as his subordinate. Such a thing would obviously enhance the demon emperor's prestige even further.

Li Xiaoyu hurriedly entered the room. "I've brought you a change of clothes."

"Mm...!" Chang Min-Ho accepted the clothes while standing up.

"Excuse me... Elder Chang?"

"What is it?"

"May I ask you about the result of the duel?"

"We couldn't finish it," said Chang Min in an unperturbed manner. "If we wish to find a victor, that man and I must put our lives on the line. However, doing that would be an act of disloyalty toward our liege. It was wiser to end the duel before someone got seriously hurt."

"But, uh... You seem seriously hurt already?"

"Well, what can I say? The blood rushed to my head in the end, and things got a bit out of control. That’s all."

The corners of Li Xiaoyu's lips quivered. Even though Chang Min was a gentle, benevolent man, he was still a demonic cultivator. And all demonic cultivators shared the trait of losing their reasoning once their blood rushed to their heads.

Chang Min fake-coughed, which sobered Li Xiaoyu up.

Li Xiaoyu carefully asked, "Is Vator really that strong? Strong enough that even you can't guarantee your victory against him?"

"Who said I can't win against him!"

"But... Elder Chang, you said your duel ended in a draw, didn't you?"

"No, I didn't say it was a draw. We simply didn't finish the duel! There is no way to win without killing Vator, after all! However, listen to me, Elder Li. What is demonic cultivation? Remember that there is no method to suppress your opponents without hurting them in demonic arts. If we had put our lives on the line and fought to the death... The result would've been pretty obvious, don't you think?"

"As expected of you!" Li Xiaoyu nodded in satisfaction. Of course Chang Min wouldn't lose to someone like Vator!

"It's just that..." Chang Min suddenly smirked deeply. "I can't guarantee my victory after a month. And in a year... I won't be able to win against him."

Li Xiaoyu's eyes opened wide. "W-why do you say that, Elder Chang?!"

"Isn't it obvious? Vator will use today's duel against me as his motivation to grow even stronger. And he's still young enough to keep improving his cultivation. However, I'm getting weaker and weaker by the day."

"Elder Chang..."

"No, Elder Li. It's impossible to go against heaven's will. You can't stop the flow of time."

"But what about your cultivation...!"

"One's cultivation is not omnipotent, Elder Li. Even if you've managed to accumulate a substantial amount of qi over the years in your dantian... It's all meaningless if you lack the stamina to use it. Don't forget that I've lived for a long time," said Chang Min before slowly shaking his head. "My role has always been to wait for our liege's descent. Now that my life's mission has been completed, don't be surprised if I pass on soon."

"Please don't say that, Elder Chang..." Li Xiaoyu's voice became more emotional. "Yes, our demon emperor has finally reached us. However, our liege is still a stranger to the rest of the demon cult. That is why you must stay with us."

"You make it sound like I'll kick the bucket tomorrow, you brat!"

Li Xiaoyu stammered awkwardly. "B-but you spoke as if you're returning to the Sacred Flame soon, so I thought..."

Chang Min tutted loudly. "Besides, what you said was incorrect. Our liege has no need to learn more about us. He simply tells us his will, and it's our job to obey and follow."

"..." Li Xiaoyu frowned slightly in silence. In times like this, he found it difficult to agree with Chang Min. Especially when Chang Min's trust and faith in the demon emperor was verging on fanaticism! Since Li Xiaoyu didn't hold unquestioning faith in the demon emperor, he couldn't get behind such a fanatical mindset. "Elder Chang...?"

"What is it?"

"Do we... only need to obey the demon emperor?"

"Hmm?" Chang Min narrowed his eyes. "What are you trying to say, Elder Li?"

"Throughout our lives, we've been taught to never question and obey the demon emperor. And we were also told that the return of the demon emperor would put everything back to their rightful place."

"Yes, that is so."

"However... In that case, why did our liege tell us to choose?"

"You idiot..." Chang Min scowled deeply. "Is our liege your father?"

"Pardon me?"

"Did you think our liege crossed the divide of hundreds of years to reach us just to wipe your butt?"

"I, I don't follow...?" Li Xiaoyu tilted his head in confusion.

However, that only angered Chang Min more. "After finally meeting the noble being you should trust and obey unreservedly, you start whining like a spoiled baby about how he's not doing what you wanted? And you call yourself an adult? Actually, the fault is mine. I chose to leave the cult and wait for my liege's arrival, so I shouldn't be shocked by this result. Although I do not regret my decision, I am getting angry, Elder Li."

Demonic qi began leaking out of Chang Min's figure like black smoke. That indicated how furious he was. The only thing Li Xiaoyu could do against that fury was lower his head in silence.

Chang Min growled menacingly. "Our liege does not exist for us. No, we exist for his sake! Our liege has been far too lenient toward us. Remember that the demon emperor is the rightful owner of the demon cult and our master! If he commands us to risk our lives to serve his will, we must not question him and obey! Yet, you fail to recognize how merciful he has been by allowing you to make a choice?"

"Elder Chang..." Li Xiaoyu sighed at length.

The rightful master? Maybe that was true. Maybe the demon emperor was indeed the rightful master of the demon cult. However, the ones currently propping up the demon cult were 'ordinary' people who cared little about the cult's history. What good were tales from ancient times to the people barely eking out a living every day?

If the demon emperor said he'd grant his followers untold wealth and fame, the responses from the cult believers would've been starkly different. However, what he said was... He'd make the believers stronger even if he must drag them through Hell.

'Such words could have ignited the passion in the hearts of martial artists.'

Unfortunately, they were living in the 21st century. Rather than things like honor and dreams, practical benefits and reality came first. Many demonic cultivators would rather earn one more coin to put food on the table instead of wasting time on utterly useless martial prowess. How were elders supposed to explain this situation to people like them?

"Elder Chang..." Li Xiaoyu sighed deeply again. "Of course I will obey our liege. I don't have long to live anyway, so what can I even do after leaving the cult? My last wish is to die as a demon cult believer. However... The young ones are different from us. How many of them would be willing to place their faith in empty promises with zero assurance and uproot their lives here to live in South Korea?"

"Hold your tongue, Elder Li!"

"Elder Chang... You must face the reality of our situation, sir. These youngsters didn't learn demonic arts because they wanted to. And they didn't join the cult willingly because they wanted to leave their names on the believers' register. No, they had to walk this path because their parents were cult believers, and no one else wanted to accept them. In short... You can't expect them to offer unconditional loyalty."

"Then, let them stay!"

"Elder Chang...!"

"You fool!" Chang Min shouted, his expression stiff and unyielding. "Yes, you are right. That's our reality. To revive the demon cult, we need to take as many people with us, so the sensible thing to do is to humor their whims. However, is that really for the sake of our cult?!"

"..."

"Despite calling yourselves cult believers, you don't believe in the demon emperor? Do you think gathering people only interested in chasing benefits with sweet promises is for the sake of the demon cult's future? Don't make me laugh! The demon emperor does not need dead weights like them. What he seeks are demonic cultivators who are prepared to obey him!"

Li Xiaoyu grew heated as well. "Tell me, Elder Chang! Is the demon emperor the demon cult itself?"

"Say what?"

"Answer me, Elder Chang. Are you prioritizing the demon emperor over everything else, including the demon cult?"

"That's right!" Chang Min replied forthrightly. "Do not forget why we cast aside the title of the Ming cult and willingly started calling ourselves the demon cult. A cult without power is nothing more than an illusion. If the demon emperor is the pillar of strength for the cult, then everything of the cult rightfully belongs to him!"

Li Xiaoyu's head faltered as he listened to those unyielding words.

'Elder Chang is... too unyielding.'

Then again, Chang Min must be like this. Others could talk about reality, but Chang Min simply must chase after ideals. That was the only way to offer some form of solace to the demonic cultivators mercilessly buffeted by the storm winds of life.

Unfortunately...

'Fish can't live in water that's too pristine, Elder Chang...'

Li Xiaoyu quietly closed his eyes. The demon cult boasting a history spanning over a millennium was about to face a massive upheaval.

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