Failed Possession Chapter-70

## Ch-70.

—

Within the Divine Realm—more commonly called the Demon Subjugation Grounds—stand the Rudella Magic Tower and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

The law that reigns in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is simple:

**The strong rule.**

Thus, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult does not hide. At the very heart of the Divine Realm rises a massive crimson palace—the Scarlet Blood Palace, the cult’s headquarters.

Within the Scarlet Blood Palace lies the Hall of Divine Demon, where successive Cult Leaders have resided. Every leader inherited the name of Heavenly Demon and challenged the divine realm, seeking to earn the title of Divine Demon—yet in the cult’s entire history, not a single Divine Demon has ever been born.

The current Heavenly Demon, Wi Jin-hwa, is considered the most outstanding and powerful among all past leaders. The fervent believers proclaim that this Heavenly Demon will ascend to divinity and bring an end to the chaos of the era.

Bi-yeon is that Heavenly Demon’s sole disciple.

Clad in a red robe, Bi-yeon strode forward. She had only just returned from Evil Hamlet and entered the Scarlet Blood Palace, but she had no need to rest from travel fatigue.

Her priority was to report her journey to her master.

“…Tsk.”

A click of her tongue echoed from within her white mask. Bi-yeon was displeased enough to make such a sound.

Before she even arrived in the Divine Realm, the Orsia family had already released a formal statement regarding what happened in Evil Hamlet.

Naturally, the statement mentioned Bi-yeon. The newspapers that circulated it added their own speculations—about why she wore a mask, her age, her past before becoming a disciple.

The most common rumor claimed she was a Possessor.

The next most common claimed she was Heavenly Demon’s illegitimate daughter.

Either way, it was irritating. Regardless of truth or falsehood, people were talking freely without her saying a word.

“It seems the Sword Emperor intends to use the cult as a shield.”

Sword Shadow chuckled as he followed behind her.

“Indeed. From his perspective, there may not be much difference between the Chaos cult—who worship the Evil God and disrupt the world without fear of death—and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”

“Trying to fight poison with poison?”

Bi-yeon twisted her lips.

“Perhaps he simply doesn’t want his precious Sword Dragon to become a target of the Chaos cult.”

“Likely so. The Sword Emperor must be under no small amount of strain. Judging by the situation, Sword Dragon must have acted without the family’s permission.”

At the end of the corridor stood a blood-red door. Before it loomed a gigantic demon statue, guarding the entrance.

—Shrrrk.

The statue’s eyes moved and fixed upon Bi-yeon and Sword Shadow.

A toy gifted long ago by the Immortal Spirit. A golem infused with the fused souls of demonic heads created through magic. Its combat ability was mediocre—but its imposing appearance was reason enough for the Immortal Spirit to place it before the Hall of Divine Demon.

Whatever bond tied them together, the Immortal Spirit was Heavenly Demon’s oldest companion. Within the Divine Realm, only the Immortal Spirit and Bi-yeon could enter the Ascension Pavilion behind the Hall without prior permission.

—Kuuuuung.

As Bi-yeon and Sword Shadow approached, the tightly shut doors of the Hall began to open slowly.

Bi-yeon’s expression hardened slightly behind her mask as she stepped forward. Sword Shadow, already granted permission, followed without hesitation.

Beyond the open doors lay a familiar sight.

Yet the moment they passed through, both understood everything they had perceived was an illusion.

They now stood elsewhere entirely.

A tranquil sea without even the faintest ripple. A night sky illuminated by countless stars and a brilliant full moon. At the center of that world floated a pavilion suspended in the sky.

This was a separate dimension created by Heavenly Demon’s will.

The Ascension Pavilion.

Ordinarily, one would have to walk into the lake behind the Hall to enter—but Heavenly Demon had bypassed the process and summoned them directly.

The instant they entered, both knelt.

Unlike Bi-yeon, who bowed her head silently, Sword Shadow raised both arms and shouted:

“Heavenly Demon Ascends! Divine Demon Descends Again! Ten Thousand Gods Annihilated! Sole Sovereign Reigns!”

“Loud.”

The muttering voice came from the sky.

A woman floating among the countless stars descended slowly.

“I don’t like your grandiose doctrines, but what annoys me most is this ritual of kneeling and screaming every time you see Heavenly Demon. Isn’t shouting it every single time inefficient?”

The Tower Master of Rudella—Immortal Spirit Harein Rudella—wrapped in a large cloak like a blanket, snapped her book shut and looked down at them.

“What do you think, Young Cult Leader? You must hear that dozens of times a day.”

Bi-yeon did not respond.

Nor did Sword Shadow.

Being openly ignored was nothing new to the Immortal Spirit. She clicked her tongue and twirled a strand of gray hair.

“Why not just embroider it on your clothes? Or carry a flag? It’d be more efficient. Less noise, too.”

Grumbling, she drifted across the night sky like a cloud.

“Your thoughts, Heavenly Demon? I think it’s a splendid idea. Surely you’re not going to give some boring answer about tradition.”

Atop the pavilion roof, seated cross-legged beneath the full moon, Heavenly Demon opened his eyes.

—Kuuung.

The previously still sea trembled as a massive ripple spread outward.

“It is also a form of reverence.”

Heavenly Demon gazed down.

“The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult worships this Heavenly Demon, even though any believer may become Heavenly Demon. I do not particularly enjoy the reverence—but I am not so petty as to reject words spoken in devotion.”

His gaze fell upon Bi-yeon and Sword Shadow.

Both felt a chill.

The cult worshiped Heavenly Demon. To them, the leader was a being who would ascend through demonic power and become a Demon God—a human born to become divine.

Among all who trained in demonic arts to reach godhood, the strongest claimed the name Heavenly Demon.

Wi Jin-hwa had ruled as Heavenly Demon for forty years.

Heavenly Demon said anyone could become Heavenly Demon—but in truth, none could while he remained.

Such was his overwhelming presence.

“You carried out the task well.”

His gaze turned to Bi-yeon.

She trembled slightly—but did not bow in fear.

“I did not fulfill it in accordance with your will.”

“My will?”

“I could not defeat the Withered Old Crone—the bishop of the Evil God—alone.”

“I have heard the Sword Emperor’s statement. You fought alongside his grandson, Sword Dragon, and two youths called Thunder Cloud and Dark Flower.”

“Yes…”

This time, she lowered her head—not in fear, but in shame.

“I have no intention of reprimanding you.”

Heavenly Demon shifted, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at her.

“You must have guessed—I sent you to deliver my intent to the Chaos cult. Sending a letter to some hidden stronghold is difficult. Declaring open hostility myself would be laughable.”

“…”

“That Sword Dragon, Thunder Cloud, and Dark Flower were present was mere coincidence. Had you withdrawn, my command would not have been fulfilled. Or what—do you believe killing them first would have been correct?”

“I do not know what answer you desire.”

“The correct answer is yours to decide. I ordered you to kill the Old Crone—and you did. That is the end of it.”

A faint smile appeared on Heavenly Demon’s lips.

“So—what did you feel?”

“…?”

“In that place. In the world. I hoped your perspective would broaden. Yet your delayed answer suggests it remains narrow.”

“My apologies.”

She bowed again.

Heavenly Demon clicked his tongue.

“For my disciple, your head is rather light.”

“I bow only to you.”

“That is the problem. You bow too easily because I am your master. You are my disciple—the Young Cult Leader—closest to becoming the next Heavenly Demon. Reverence is virtuous—but one who inherits my path must conceal ambition beneath it.”

“I will strive to do so.”

Bi-yeon raised her head as she answered.

“The battle with the bishop was not easy.”

She continued.

“If I had been alone, I would have had to stake my life.”

“My Heavenly Demon Divine Art holds superiority over most magic. Had your attainment in it surpassed the limits of your current Rank, even if your opponent were a mage of higher Circle, you would not have been overwhelmed.”

“As you say, Master, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art did not fall behind the bishop’s magic. However, once divine power was added to her spells, she was not an easy opponent.”

“If you say she was not easy, does that mean you would not have lost—even if it were difficult?”

“Yes. Had I resolved myself to die, I believe I could have killed the bishop.”

Floating nearby as she listened, the Immortal Spirit tilted her head.

“So the Withered Old Crone never managed to use Withered Eternal Source in the end?”

“Yes.”

“How foolish. How pitiful. I had wondered what form my magic would take in bloom, yet she achieved nothing and faded into emptiness.”

Though she spoke with feigned sympathy, the Immortal Spirit giggled.

“If you have learned your limits, then this outing had meaning. What else did you feel?”

“I realized how vast the world is.”

“What made you think so?”

“Before seeing Sword Dragon with my own eyes, I thought he was nothing more than inflated rumor. That was my arrogance. He was strong enough to justify his name, his lineage, and his reputation.”

Heavenly Demon neither hurried her nor interrupted. He simply smiled faintly and waited.

“As for Dark Flower, she did not stand on the same battlefield as I against the bishop, so I did not witness much of her. But Thunder Cloud—I believe I saw him clearly. Forgive me for saying so, Master, but the strongest on that battlefield was Thunder Cloud.”

“Oh?”

Heavenly Demon’s eyes gleamed with interest. He descended slowly from the night sky and stood upon the surface of the sea.

“Are you saying that child called Thunder Cloud was stronger than you—who inherit my path?”

“Yes. I was immature. I was swayed by impatience and complacency, and I was the one who was caught in the bishop’s mutual-destruction spell. It was Thunder Cloud who saved me.”

“Interesting.”

He had expected to hear about Sword Dragon or the impressions left by the fight with the Old Crone. To think she would elevate an unknown named Thunder Cloud so highly.

“Sword Shadow.”

“Yes.”

Sword Shadow rose and approached respectfully.

He removed a necklace and held it toward the sky. The night shifted, revealing a different scene.

The battle with the Old Crone.

Though he had not participated, Sword Shadow had observed from above and recorded the fight through a magical device.

Kneeling before Heavenly Demon as the images played, Bi-yeon felt her face grow hot. Looking back, she had made too many mistakes that day. She could have fought better. Especially at the end—had she remained calm, she would never have been drawn into that suicidal exchange.

But Heavenly Demon was not watching to criticize her.

She knew that—and felt ashamed again.

It meant Heavenly Demon’s interest lay more with Thunder Cloud than with his own disciple.

‘He truly was that strong…’

Rather than envy him, she would acknowledge him as a rival.

If he was stronger, she would surpass him.

With that thought, the heat of shame cooled. She steadied herself and watched Thunder Cloud’s movements.

“…Hah.”

A sound escaped Heavenly Demon—whether of surprise or admiration, it was unclear—when Thunder Cloud’s foot split through the Old Crone’s magic.

A movement Bi-yeon herself had not fully grasped. Slipping through countless hands, using both legs, both arms, and his entire body in seamless unity—then the moment Sword Dragon’s blade of light swept the hands aside.

No—before that.

As Heavenly Demon focused on Thunder Cloud’s movements, a smile crept across his face.

“I see.”

Others might not recognize it—but Heavenly Demon knew what that “flame” was.

A martial art once practiced by a young junior disciple he had cherished. It had begun from the same root as the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, then split and diverged into opposing polarities.

‘Not identical… Lorellia. Do you wish to guide him down a different path?’

The Sacred Flame Divine Art.

A martial art that turns oneself into fire, burning away all demons and heavens to purify them.

Thunder Cloud had inherited its lineage.

‘Is that your answer?’

He remembered vividly the face of that young disciple, weeping tears of blood, eyes brimming with resentment, the day he first declared he would become Heavenly Demon.

That day, Wi Jin-hwa’s Sacred Flame Divine Art had transformed into the Heavenly Demon Divine Art and granted him the name Heavenly Demon.

The young disciple’s Sacred Flame Divine Art had become something entirely different—earning the title Calamity Saint.

“Indeed. Impressive.”

Heavenly Demon murmured with a smile.

He had chosen to dominate without burning—to rule through control. That was the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

But the Calamity Saint still remained within the flame.

Among the “ten thousand demons” she wished to burn, Heavenly Demon himself would naturally be included.

He knew well that her killing intent still endured.

He thought of that young disciple.

A Heavenly Demon Divine Cult training ground had already been established near the mountain by the Order Church’s sacred territory. As a result, the area was excluded from the War Church’s investigations, and their elites and Battle Saint were currently entangled in the Bernok conflict.

Perhaps because of that, Lorellia had remained in seclusion within the Order Church’s Penitence Chamber for over two years.

She could leave at any time. Even the Archbishop could not stop her if she chose to step out.

But she did not.

There was no enemy threatening the Order Church nearby, and her seclusion had shifted from punishment to cultivation.

‘Can one cross the wall while carrying delusion?’

Heavenly Demon smiled faintly.

—

—

 

Two years.

To Lorellia, it did not feel long.

Though called a Penitence Chamber, she was free. She could do as she pleased, and she could leave whenever she wished.

She chose not to.

In those two years, she had stepped outside only once—when Heavenly Demon himself had visited. A year ago, even the Archbishop had come to urge her to leave, but she refused.

The Order Church did not need her violence at present. The accursed Demonic Cult’s perimeter stood tall, and their pursuers could no longer approach.

And so she sat before the wall, dedicating herself to cultivation.

Though the Archbishop had said her punishment was sufficient, Lorellia remained faithful to atonement. Since entering the chamber, she had eaten nothing but fasting pills.

Hunger was no trial to her.

What tormented her was her own powerlessness.

‘Thunder Cloud…’

Opening her eyes as she gazed at the wall, a faint smile curved her lips. Though she had subsisted only on fasting pills for two years, her body had merely grown lean—not withered. Her realm was already such that she could sustain herself on qi alone.

‘I did not teach a martial art worthy of such a title.’

Recent news from outside stirred her heart.

‘5th Rank in two years…’

A pace unprecedented.

Excitement stirred within her—along with the urge to shatter her chains and burst free.

‘I should meet him and praise him.’

She had heard he defeated a bishop of the Evil God. She had feared—however unlikely—that Lee Su-hyeok might cross over to the Evil God’s side.

It had been a foolish worry.

‘No… perhaps I should scold him first?’

The detestable disciple of Heavenly Demon.

She had heard he fought alongside the Demonic Cult’s Young Cult Leader.

That was unforgivable. Had he faced her, he should have killed her immediately—yet he joined hands?

Lorellia steadied her wavering heart and closed her eyes.

‘Praise first, then scold… or scold first, then praise…’

Only the order differed.

She would do both.

There was no need to rush. Seeking him out would be dangerous—and foolish. If they walked the same path with the same purpose, they would meet naturally someday.

‘It is time I leave.’

In more than two years of facing the wall, she had gained a small insight. Beyond that, staring at stone would yield nothing more.

Her title was Calamity Saint.

She was the violence that represented the Order Church.

Most of her advancement in martial arts had been born from violence.

To move forward again, she would have to return to the battlefield.