The Elders' Council of the Heavenly Demon Cult…
Due to the existence of a special council for the Supreme Demons, the number of members was always nine.
However, two new members were added a few years ago.
All council members are warriors at the peak of the Sixth Star, touching the realm of Transformation.
Well... this is what is publicly known...
Elder Shen Yan-Gui: The new Elder of the Poison Clan and the newest member of the Council.
Elder Han Mu-Jin: Elder of the Fist Clan.
Elder Xue Kang-Ru: Elder of the Crimson Blood Clan.
Elder Yan Qi-Huan: Elder of the Flickering Blade Clan.
Elder Yi Xin-Mu: Elder of the Black Curtain Clan.
Elder Mu Kang-Lian: Elder of the Mu Clan.
Elder Lin Fu-Shin: Elder of the Lin Clan.
Elder Zhao Tian-Hu: Elder of the Zhao Clan.
Elder Moh Lu-Zhan: The Demonic Priest.
Elder Rao Ming-Yu: The youngest member of the council at fifty-one years old, and the most mysterious figure in the Demonic Cult.
The Twelfth Elder, who is a special case: Jin V*&@**#*
And the Leader of the Council is the Elder of the Bai Clan, who is...
Inside the Elders' Council
Han Mu-Jin: "Many things have truly changed. How did a foreigner become an Elder in the Cult?"
Zhao Tian-Hu: "Who would have believed that a twenty-year-old boy would become one of the Elders."
Lin Fu-Shin: "You certainly saw what he did that day; he rivals us in strength naturally, but with that thing... he is completely unnatural."
Yi Xin-Mu: "Leave his matter aside; we must focus on the Murim Alliance's situation now. It seems battles will occur very soon."
Moh Lu-Zhan: "The situation has become extremely strange."
Mu Kang-Lian: "It seems you have completely forgotten the internal affairs of the Cult."
Yan Qi-Huan: "We haven't forgotten anything; the situation is stable for now."
Xue Kang-Ru: "What shall we do if the North Sea Ice Palace allies with the Murim Alliance?"
They fell silent for a few moments, then turned their gaze toward the last seat.
Shen Yan-Gui: "Why do you not speak… Rao Ming-Yu?"
Ming-Yu looked at them, resting his cheek on his hand.
Ming-Yu: "Speak about what exactly? There is no point in intervening as long as the Council Chairman hasn't spoken."
"Well… perhaps you should ask him about the reason for his silence, isn't that right, Jong Bai-Ryun?"
The Council Chairman raised his eyes and finally looked at them.
Bai-Ryun: "There are other matters occupying my mind currently..."
Outside
Jin was walking toward the Council doors.
He was dressed in simple attire as usual, his hair flowing loosely; he had stopped caring for it some time ago.
He stood before the door for a few moments, then opened it quietly and entered.
Everyone looked at him; in their eyes was a form of rejection, except for Bai-Ryun, who was trying to understand him.
And Ming-Yu, who… was as if thinking of something else, did not look at the boy the same way the others did.
Jin: "May I sit?"
After a few moments, Jin sat down.
Bai-Ryun: "Welcome, Youngest Elder. You have truly set a historical precedent by being here."
Jin: "Thank you for the praise, Chairman. I hope my presence does not disturb you; I myself do not understand why this happened."
After a brief discussion with him.
Someone spoke: "So… will the first battles with the Alliance be soon?"
Another replied: "Yes… perhaps on the borders of the Western Province."
Jin interrupted them.
Jin: "Pardon me, but I want to ask: why is there a cold war with the Alliance in the first place?"
No one responded.
Ming-Yu looked as if the question pleased him.
Bai-Ryun spoke: "Young man, the citizens in the Alliance see the Demonic Cult as a group of savages, and the citizens in the Cult see the Alliance as oppressive people who want to destroy the Cult."
"Perhaps those who move the continent know the truth and have their reasons, but others, like the rest of the council members, will not be convinced that this is futile, no matter what you tell them."
Ming-Yu laughed out loud.
The anger of the other Elders flared, and a dialogue of rage and debate broke out.
As for Jin… he was looking at the Council Chairman; he knew, just like him, that the whole matter was futile and no one knew the truth. Meanwhile, he looked at Ming-Yu, who was extremely calm amidst all this, as if he didn't care—as if he knew the reality of the things around him.
Jin spoke telepathically to Ming-Yu: Why are you so calm like this?
Ming-Yu replied telepathically: Because this is merely nonsense.
Jin telepathically: Well… how can someone from the Murim, whose body composition prevents them from using magic… be a Great Mage?
Ming-Yu's eyes widened, and he replied: You! How did you know this?
Jin replied telepathically without his facial expression changing:
Never mind how. Your situation is the strangest in the Council: the youngest in age, mastering magic despite the people of Murim being unable to use it, your level changing suddenly ten years ago and jumping a mad leap in a matter of days. Your role is not like the other Elders in leading the Cult; rather, you are a hidden judge in the Council.
Ming-Yu's expression turned to anger.
Ming-Yu: Boy, to what extent have you searched into me? You had better stop this now.
The Council Chairman was looking specifically at the two of them; he already knew they were speaking via telepathy.
Jin telepathically: Leave that reaction aside. Tell me honestly… are you a Regressor?
Ming-Yu rose from his seat and struck the table violently, glaring at Jin.
The Council stopped their shouting and debates and looked at him.
Bai-Ryun watched with the same calmness, his stance unchanged.
And Jin… he simply wore a cunning smile.
End of Chapter