Chapter 3 - Adaptation (3)

A tedious life it is.

Heavenly Demon Cheon So-so tilted her cup. The sloshing green liquid only amplified her boredom.

The life of an absolute ruler. Of course, even such a life has its changes. A significant one occurred recently.

But it wasn't a welcome change. Rather, it was quite displeasing. Truly, all pleasing changes are the same.

Those that pique interest.

Those that leave one wanting more.

The Heavenly Demon set the cup down without taking a sip. She leaned back in her chair and yawned leisurely.

As if retrieving a forgotten item from a cupboard, she casually spoke.

＂1st Demon.＂

＂Yes.＂

＂How fares this lady's puppy?＂

The black-clad figure materialized. As always, their posture was impeccably polite, overflowing with formality and decorum.

The Heavenly Demon found it somewhat irritating. They'd been together for years. She'd even shared her Martial Arts with them, a sign of exceptional trust.

While she might not trust others, 1st Demon was different. They weren't blood-related, but perhaps their bond was even deeper.

How regrettable. Truly regrettable. The Heavenly Demon picked up a sweet and nibbled at it.

＂Report.＂

＂As per the Cult Leader's will, I am instructing him in the Nine Heavenly Demon Arts (九天血魔功).＂

＂The Ancient Script?＂

＂He memorizes it fairly well, but he's dull. As expected, he's not particularly bright.＂

Well, his physique and Realm were nothing special either.

The only thing she valued was the obsession hidden within his honesty. An obsession with strength, accumulated from years of enduring weakness.

Karma in its purest form.

＂His *Sword*smanship?＂

＂I haven't even allowed him to hold one. He's not ready yet.＂

＂His body control?＂

＂Nothing remarkable.＂

＂Unorthodox Qi?＂

＂His improvisation is somewhat passable… but not particularly outstanding.＂

＂Could he be called a dullard?＂

＂He hardly deserves the title of talented.＂

1st Demon's assessment was relentlessly low. The Heavenly Demon chuckled.

Ah. Even when given unpleasant tasks, this one executes them flawlessly. Their reports are never tainted by personal bias.

So, that puppy, that Jeok Un, is even more pathetic than a dullard! A fool!

But that made it all the more amusing. The Heavenly Demon stopped chuckling. She leaned forward, looking up at the black-clad figure.

The face beneath the black hood remained hidden. The paper talisman clinging to it was the only visible expression. Yet, somehow… it showed.

＂1st Demon. You appreciate those with potential, don't you?＂

＂Those with potential are preferable to those without.＂

＂Indeed. That's you. One who prioritizes efficiency. How many have you nurtured?＂

＂There is the Blood Demon Corps. I also trained the Four Blood Gods.＂

＂Yes. Even the disciples under you number over a hundred.＂

＂Only the Four Blood Gods were truly nurtured… but the number is accurate.＂

＂I often peeked when you trained your disciples. How could I leave my cute and lovable 1st Demon to work alone?＂

＂…I am embarrassed.＂

＂However, my dear 1st Demon.＂

The Heavenly Demon raised both hands.

She stretched the corners of her mouth into a wide smile.

＂This is the first time I've seen you smile like that.＂

＂.......＂

1st Demon froze. Then, they coughed softly.

＂You are mistaken, Sect Leader.＂

＂Perhaps. Your expression may not be smiling, but your Qi is. Have you perhaps developed feelings for someone?＂

＂…Please retract your words.＂

Their displeasure was genuine. The Heavenly Demon shrugged.

＂Well, your standards are notoriously high. But the Thousand Veils changes one's appearance, doesn't it? Wasn't it the same for you? A Su Ryeon that made you more beautiful today than yesterday, and even more beautiful tomorrow?＂

＂.......＂

＂Ah, right. Forget it. You were always beautiful. Happy now? Honestly. Tsk. No sense of humor. At least pretend to be embarrassed. I recall that puppy wasn't so bad looking either.＂

＂.......＂

＂Look at you, refusing to answer again! I told you to break that habit!＂

＂My apologies for the late reply.＂

＂You might as well say you’re slow to draw your Sword in battle. The day Nan Seol is late for an appointment will come sooner than the day this lady dies.＂

No romantic interest, then.

The Heavenly Demon tapped the table lightly. That meant there was something about the puppy they admired as a Martial Artist.

What could it be? She could ask and find out immediately. But that wouldn't be fun.

The process of speculation itself is enjoyable. Precisely. The Heavenly Demon smiled.

＂Is this puppy more diligent than expected?＂

＂…That is correct.＂

＂Doesn't complain much?＂

＂That is also correct.＂

＂You’ve already accumulated two things you like. Then what could the remaining one be? This lady is truly curious… but I won't ask. Nothing's less fun than ruining the suspense when you're so close to the truth.＂

The Heavenly Demon pondered.

Behind her upturned lips, she quietly formulated her final deduction.

＂Is my puppy more patient than expected?＂

＂......＂

1st Demon's silence confirmed her guess. The Heavenly Demon giggled.

＂See? This lady told you it would be interesting if I brought him in!＂

＂Cult Leader. Forgive my impertinence, but may I speak?＂

＂Go ahead. This lady always listens to you. What do you want to say?＂

＂Did you not say the puppy, Jeok Un, has great patience?＂

＂Indeed. I just said it. Unless this lady has dementia, I wouldn't forget something like that.＂

＂Jeok Un, as you say, has great patience. No matter how much I push him, he doesn't utter a single complaint. Even when his hands bleed, he doesn't cry out.＂

＂Khehehe. Someone who's lived without should be able to do at least that much. That's how they keep their eyes on the heels of those running ahead, isn't it?＂

＂That is also correct, Cult Leader. However…＂

1st Demon tilted their head.

＂That puppy is not a tenacious one, Cult Leader.＂

＂Hmm? What do you mean?＂

＂The tenacious persevere to the end, no matter what. But the viper is different.＂

＂Then?＂

＂The viper sinks its own fangs into its flesh to reach its goal.＂

＂.......?＂

Surely not.

＂1st Demon.＂

＂Yes.＂

＂The Thousand Veils inflicts excruciating pain during the adaptation phase. You are aware of this, yes?＂

＂I have experienced it myself.＂

＂And in the Main Sect, only this lady and you possess the true Thousand Veils. The rest all committed suicide from the unbearable agony.＂

＂That is also correct.＂

＂If he's endured that much pain, there's a medicine I instructed you to give him. It forcibly bypasses the adaptation phase of the Thousand Veils. Even if it’s not compatible with his constitution, it grants a partial Thousand Veils.＂

＂Yes.＂

＂…You didn’t give it to him, did you?＂

＂I did not.＂

Crack.

The armrest the Heavenly Demon was leaning on shattered.

＂Why?＂

＂I deemed him unworthy.＂

＂…Hmm. Continue.＂

＂The value of that medicine is immeasurable. The ingredients alone number in the dozens. Each one is precious. Creating a single dose depletes a portion of the Divine Sect’s resources.＂

＂Go on.＂

＂I judged that Jeok Un did not possess the value to warrant such expenditure.＂

＂How strange.＂

The Heavenly Demon stroked the broken armrest.

＂Since when was it 1st Demon's role to decide such things, and not the Divine Sect’s leader?＂

＂It was my own decision.＂

＂Even with the medicine, the pain is agonizing. Without it, it’s twice as intense. Even a genius, let alone an ordinary person, couldn't bear it. 1st Demon.＂

＂Your words are true.＂

＂Death is the natural outcome. This lady told you to train my puppy, not kill him.＂

＂I apologize…＂

Thwack.

A shard of the armrest embedded itself in the wall. It grazed 1st Demon’s Mask, tearing it to shreds.

Blood trickled down 1st Demon's cheek. The Heavenly Demon withdrew her hand and spoke indifferently.

＂Strange. Jeok Un being alive means you eventually used the medicine. You ultimately followed my orders, didn’t you?＂

＂…I did not administer the medicine.＂

＂He's walking and swinging his arms just fine without the medicine? 1st Demon. The jokes are no longer amusing. It's a pain like thorns erupting from his veins, consuming his entire being. If he took a single step, this lady would applaud. Two steps? This lady would be genuinely impressed. Three steps? This lady would call him the most tenacious of the tenacious and click her tongue in amazement.＂

That's the level of pain it is.

That’s the agony of the process.

The Heavenly Demon stared at 1st Demon. She stood and forcefully ripped off their Mask.

Pink hair cascaded down. She gazed intently into eyes the same color as their hair.

There was no flicker of hesitation. No fear. Only seriousness filled their gaze.

It wasn't the look of someone lying. But even so, she couldn't readily believe it.

A Bum-in bearing the *Thousand Veils*…

Enduring that pain while training in Martial Arts?

＂Are you telling this lady you turned him into a Jiangshi?＂

＂Cult Leader.＂

She spoke.

＂He is not tenacious. He is a viper. And he is undoubtedly… training in Martial Arts all day long without taking that medicine.＂

＂…All day?＂

1st Demon, Nan Seol, sighed.

＂He is a Bum-in, but not truly a Bum-in. His Spirit and will are as strong as any genius. I’ve spoken with him briefly. He is twenty-four years old. As you said, Jeok Un was born into poverty and worked from a young age to support his family.＂

＂......＂

＂Twenty-four years. A man who has never rested a single day in his life. He's not a genius, but he is diligent. He's foolish, but steadfast.＂

＂High praise, 1st Demon.＂

＂It is merely an objective assessment, Cult Leader. Endurance. That is the word that defines his life. It is his guiding principle, and undoubtedly the path he will walk for the rest of his days.＂

1st Demon's expression softened momentarily.

＂He is a Bum-in. He has no talent in Martial Arts, nor is he particularly intelligent. He's not skilled in literature either. He's just an ordinary man, one you could find anywhere.＂

＂…Hmm.＂

＂But… if there's anything to commend him for…＂

1st Demon lowered their eyes.

＂He wields the Sword of endurance. It has become twisted after meeting the Thousand Veils. He hasn't fallen to his Heart Demon, but his true nature, long suppressed by circumstance, has been revealed. Now, he possesses the fangs of a viper. Even if his entire body bleeds, he will become a dog who sinks his teeth into his enemy's throat.＂

＂…Hmm.＂

Had she ever heard such a detailed assessment from her?

The Heavenly Demon paused to think. She turned and returned to her seat.

After careful consideration, she reached a single conclusion.

＂This lady's eye for talent is truly exceptional!＂

＂......＂

She ignored 1st Demon's frigid stare.

＂I’d like to see him… but it would spoil the fun to go now. I'll watch from afar later. But if 1st Demon's assessment is so high, perhaps I should move up the schedule a bit.＂

＂…What do you mean?＂

＂Did you find someone who resembles him?＂

＂I’ve placed him as a Gatekeeper.＂

＂Well done, 1st Demon. Then his Spy status can still be utilized… let’s see…＂

Ah.

Wasn't there a vacancy there?

＂Aren’t there quite a few open positions in the Blood Demon Corps?＂

＂…Cult Leader? That's no place for a novice in Martial Arts.＂

＂If he gets in, he’ll achieve greater heights faster. It's the perfect environment to master the Nine Heavenly Demon Arts.＂

＂Enemies aside, he'll be abandoned by his allies first. The Blood Demon Corps are not gentle. They are like demons tempered by countless battles. If a comrade becomes a burden, they will undoubtedly cut him down.＂

＂What use is a dog of this lady if he struggles against mere demons?＂

The Heavenly Demon snapped her fingers.

＂The Nine Heavenly Demon Arts practiced by the Blood Demon Corps was created by this lady. It will suit that Jeok Un fellow well. Seeing his comrades' high achievements will surely motivate him to train harder.＂

＂…Are you planning to let a puppy implanted with the Thousand Veils die at the hands of our own members, not the enemy?＂

＂Didn't you say endurance? If that puppy’s Sword is endurance, he will survive within the Blood Demon Corps.＂

The Heavenly Demon lifted her teacup. The tingling sensation on her tongue was now quite pleasant.

A delicacy. As expected, it’s the stories. The tales shared over tea are the true flavor.

＂Continuing to raise him like this is fine. But what will come of it? A pet raised in a gilded cage will never learn to use its claws.＂

＂......＂

＂Or have you grown so fond of him that you can't bear to throw him into danger, 1st Demon?＂

1st Demon sighed. They wiped the blood from their cheek.

＂Your Sword, Cult Leader, holds no ＇affection＇ for anyone.＂

＂Then throw him in. He's this lady's dog after all. Choosing how to handle him is this lady’s prerogative.＂

The Heavenly Demon emptied her teacup.

＂A dog should be raised like a dog. If you coddle it, it won't grow.＂