Episode 348

Jinmu, who had been watching Neung Seo-hyun and other Grotto-heaven Lord calm their anger, slowly opened his mouth.

“You’ve heard, right? That I plan to take the throne.”

“……”

A hint of surprise.

They had already heard, but hearing it directly was even more perilous.

“I’ll give you a chance.”

“…What chance are you talking about?”

“A chance to rise to the top of the Mountains of Heaven by my side.”

“……”

Neung Seo-hyun and the other Grotto-heaven Lords, who were tense at Jinmu’s words, showed a smirk on their faces.

“You’re spouting such madness.”

“What?”

“A naive brat like you thinks you can fight the Cult Leader?”

“……”

“Have you lost your mind just because you’ve got Sixth Grotto-heaven on your side? Or have you always been thoughtless?”

“……”

A middle-aged man with a distinctly defined face and a rather solid build.

“What’s your name?”

“What?”

“Your name, I mean.”

“This brat, do you even know who I am and yet you dare speak informally!”

The man squinted at Jinmu in anger.

Would I ask if I knew your name, you piglet squealing like your tail’s on fire?

And I’m speaking informally because I can. Who are you to talk about manners, when you haven’t lived even half my life?

“He is Na Kwan-su of Third Grotto-heaven.”

The response came from the person next to him.

Unlike Na Kwan-su, his voice was calm and composed.

When Jinmu turned his head, there was a man with a sharp impression like a sword, by his side.

“Let me introduce myself first. You might know Spectral Shadow Demon Hand Neung Seo-hyun, and I am First Grotto-heaven Lord, Geum Ma-young.”

“……”

“These friends are Fifth Grotto-heaven Lord Nwi Gong, and Eleventh Grotto-heaven Lord Seok Jung-ha.”

At his calm explanation, Jinmu nodded.

Fortunately, there’s at least one person here who understands.

Anyway, First Grotto-heaven, Third Grotto-heaven, Fourth Grotto-heaven, Fifth Grotto-heaven, and up to Eleventh Grotto-heaven.

A total of five places, excluding Eleventh Grotto-heaven and First Grotto-heaven, the owners of the northern regions have all gathered.

No, since I am the owner of Seventh Grotto-heaven and Sixth Grotto-heaven, does that mean the owners of seven out of the Twelve Grotto-heavens are gathered? Good. We’ve reached a majority.

“You said you would give us an opportunity.”

“That’s right.”

“I have a question.”

“…?”

“I understand that you intend to recruit us. You plan to use that force to challenge for the throne, right?”

“Recruit?”

Jinmu laughed with an amused expression upon hearing those words.

Well, one could think of it that way, but it was more because he found it bothersome to seek them out individually.

And Jinmu is not that foolish.

He waited until he could easily handle his opponent, knowing well his own martial prowess.

The Grotto-heaven Lords are all warriors above the Enhanced qi stage.

Considering the difference between Enhanced qi and Qi Manifestation, four is similar, five is slightly challenging, and from six onwards, one must risk their life.

Thus, he endured a slight challenge and waited until there were five of them, including Neung Seo-hyun.

“Continue.”

“It’s not easy to embrace people. You might be stronger than each of us individually. But to embrace us all, your capacity seems still small.”

“……”

Jinmu listened silently to Geum Ma-young’s words, maintaining his silence.

“You are still young. It’s a pity for someone like you, who has achieved such martial prowess at your age, to meet death driven by mere impulsiveness. The seat of power is not something to be taken lightly. So, go back. After you have developed the capacity for it…”

“Heh heh.”

As Jinmu, who had been quietly listening, suddenly let out a low laugh, Geum Ma-young frowned.

“Well, I thought I’d hear something from someone who seemed a bit sensible, but it’s just trivial talk about capacity?”

“…What?”

“You say the seat of power is not easy? Maybe for you. Since you’re satisfied with ruling one Grotto-heaven and settled there.”

“What did you say?”

“Am I wrong? Isn’t it because you lack the skills to even sit in the Mountains of Heaven, so you manage the Grotto-heaven instead?”

“You, you brat?”

“And, a great capacity? Embrace everyone?”

“……”

“What nonsense.”

Despite the sharpness in Geum Ma-young’s eyes, Jinmu continued speaking without concern.

“Since we’re on the topic, is it wrong to aspire to a higher position if your vessel is small?”

“……”

“Or should you just wait endlessly? Until your vessel grows larger?”

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Hey, do you know the size of your own vessel?”

“……”

“No one truly knows how big they are. It’s just how others describe them. That’s why people keep cramming things into themselves, whether it’s people or power. To appear larger.”

“……”

“Listen carefully. Being in a higher position has nothing to do with the size of the potential you have from the start. It’s about how skillfully you divide and fill it. If you’re lacking in ability, you put someone capable in that place, and if you notice a leak from one side, you break it and replace it with another vessel. That’s what someone in a higher position should do.”

At Jinmu’s words, Geum Ma-young’s face blushed softly.

“My vessel is small. I’m narrow-minded like a herring, unable to contain anyone, let alone control myself. That’s why I have a lot of anger. I can’t stand being pointed at from behind or being insulted. I lack understanding and greed? That’s unspeakable.”

“……”

“But so what? What’s the problem?”

“……”

“Does that mean I should give up on the idea of standing at the pinnacle of the Demonic Cult for that reason?”

“That, that is…”

At Jinmu’s sudden question, Geum Ma-young was at a loss for words.

“You don’t need to worry or understand. It’s just my thought. I got upset and said it because you were trying to set my limits with that vessel story.”

“……”

This guy?

Geum Ma-young’s face twisted more and more as he looked at Jinmu, who was smiling slyly.

“So, keep that talk to yourself.”

“……”

“Let me tell you in advance, I’m not here to persuade or recruit you.”

With playful words that couldn’t be taken seriously, Geum Ma-young’s patience reached its limit, and a blade-like aura mixed with Demonic qi seeped out from his entire body.

“Kid from Central Plains. Your tongue is quite impressive.”

“……”

“But you’ve made the wrong choice. Since you’ve walked into the trap yourself, you will die.”

When Geum Ma-young summoned a dense aura of menace with a threatening expression, the other Grotto-heaven Lords also competed by raising their own auras.

Ha, these bastards.

As soon as they lose in verbal sparring, they reveal their true colors.

With a smile, Jinmu stood up amidst the murderous intent that seemed to pierce his entire body.

“Do you really think so?”

Kukukung!

“…!”

Just a single move.

All he did was change from a sitting position to standing.

The Grotto-heaven Lords surrounding Jinmu felt as if their entire bodies were being crushed by an overwhelming pressure.

“Hmm….”

But they too were seasoned warriors.

Though Jinmu’s presence was enough to restrain their actions, they could not hide their astonished expressions, as they could clearly feel his power.

Was he not just slightly stronger than the Puppet?

How could it be that he suppresses all the Demonic qi emitted by the five Grotto-heaven Lords and fills the surroundings with his presence?

“Now, do you understand? I didn’t walk in here; I trapped you all within my domain. I was never worried about any joint attack.”

“……”

Geum Ma-young and the other Grotto-heaven Lords quickly exchanged glances.

It’s truly an impressive aura, but the pressure of one’s presence is different from actual combat.

Even if he is stronger than them, it’s impossible for him to defeat all five alone.

Moreover, considering his nature, they can’t expect to gain anything through negotiation.

He must be killed.

It was the moment when the Grotto-heaven Lords, having confirmed their common intent through their eyes, were about to take action.

Tap!

With the light sound of someone tapping the table, everyone’s gaze turned to one spot.

“As men should be.”

Neung Seo-hyun, who had been listening quietly, stood up from her seat.

“If you plan to resort to a petty joint attack, forget it.”

“Fourth Grotto-heaven Lord!”

“Shut up! Nwi Gong!”

Neung Seo-hyun fiercely shouted, silencing Nwi Gong.

“You’ve all been living comfortably in the Grotto-heavens; have you become so intoxicated by the comfort that you’ve forgotten the pride of the Demonic Cult!”

“……”

“This is Fourth Grotto-heaven, the land I’ve protected. He has challenged me to a ranking duel. How disgraceful it is for a proud Demonic Cult member to defeat an enemy using a joint attack!”

Standing straight, Neung Seo-hyun admonishes the Grotto-heaven lords.

Indeed, she judged people correctly.

She must have had an inkling that Jinmu was stronger than her.

However, she did not let her pride waver in front of her subordinates.

Called the Iron Lady, the title is not undeserved.

Neung Seo-hyun glared coldly at Jinmu, who was smiling.

“Prove that you can speak of opportunities. I too fear the Cult Leader, but if you are capable of leading me and Fourth Grotto-heaven, I will gladly join hands with you.”

“Hey! Fourth Grotto-heaven Lord!”

“I said shut up!”

“……”

“No matter what you say, I have already accepted the ranking battle requested by Mujin, the Sixth Grotto-heaven Lord.”

“……”

“If anyone interferes, I will kill that person first.”

With a fierce momentum, Neung Seo-hyun glared at the audience, silencing Geum Ma-young and the other Grotto-heaven Lords.

With her gone, the joint attack is as good as over.

But the remaining four are sufficient.

If the ranking battle with her concludes and it ends in his victory…

“Good. Very good.”

“……”

Jinmu nodded with a satisfied expression, looking around.

You bastards, hide your eyes and plot your schemes.

I know exactly what you’re thinking.

Anyway, that determines how you and Neung Seo-hyun will be treated.

Neung Seo-hyun accepted the opportunity, and you all… Just wait.

Jinmu stood up with a chuckle and stepped out of the tent.

“Come out, I’ll prove it to you.”

“……”

A little distance from the tent.

Neung Seo-hyun glared and stepped forward at the sight of Jinmu beckoning with a finger.

A well-trained appearance.

Neung Seo-hyun’s dignified figure, with both hands hanging down, was reflected clearly in Jinmu’s eyes.

A usable warrior.

But from Jinmu’s perspective, it was a foolish decision.

If it were Jinmu, he would have joined forces. Especially when the odds on the surface seemed low.

Pride? I don’t need that kind of thing. Winning is all that matters.

But this fight is not a life-or-death struggle; it’s about proving oneself.

A martial artist proving their strength to others.

Consideration, magnanimity… Those kinds of things.

They don’t suit me at all, but I’ll show you by crushing you with undeniable strength.

“I’m the kind of person who engraves the eternal truth of ‘the first strike wins’ into my bones, regardless of any differences in skill, you know?”

“……”

“But I’ll give you one more chance. Do your best with what you have.”

With hands behind his back, Jinmu stood there, and Neung Seo-hyun calmly steadied her breathing and heightened her tension.

He appeared leisurely and arrogant to a fault, but she saw clearly and felt it.

He is someone with that kind of power.

She didn’t know about the Mountains of Heaven or whatever, but at least he is an outstanding warrior who dares to talk about ranking matches with her.

Gender and age, whether young or old, do not matter at all.

They are just martial artists, and the task is simply to annihilate the enemy with full force.

“Fine. I’ll make full use of the opportunity you’ve given me!”

Pahat!

Neung Seo-hyun raised both hands and dashed forward without hesitation.

As if throwing away any formal stances, her hands, swirling from the start, unleashed an enormous Demonic qi like a storm.

In the instant her feet touched the ground, her dark eyes surged forward, appearing right in front of Jinmu’s wide-open eyes.

“…!”

Huh? What the heck is this?

Isn’t she the Spectral Shadow Demon Hand? Isn’t the Locking Seize Technique her main martial arts?

But what’s with this speed?

No, she should’ve at least given me a heads up.

This is way faster than I thought.