Black Cat received a call from Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon and moved to the mansion, pondering about her.
‘What on earth is she thinking?’
Although she resembled a crow, a symbol of ill omen, her aura was not cute like a crow’s but rather threatening enough to darken the sky at any moment.
Yet, at the same time, she also possessed the traits of an honest martial artist.
The martial arts Wi Seoryeon showcased during the match with Ho Cheon-an yesterday was truly the crystallization of her hard work and sweat.
Thus, Black Cat found it even more difficult to understand Wi Seoryeon.
She didn’t seem like someone who would show interest in sorcery that could emanate such ominous vibes; so why was she handling the Black Dragon Qi, a manifestation of wickedness?
“Miss Black Cat has arrived.”
“Let her in.”
Wi Seoryeon had prepared a tea set and was waiting for Black Cat.
“Come sit.”
Black Cat quietly took her seat. She was being polite, but her stance resembled that of a cat bristling with fur out of wariness.
However, Wi Seoryeon didn’t pay attention to Black Cat’s demeanor and turned her gaze to her subordinate.
“Proceed with the report.”
“Your Honor! Today, the guest spent time searching for the necessary secret texts in the upper level of the Heavenly Demon Library. The martial arts sought by the guest are…”
“Hmm. If you list all the martial arts, it would surely diminish the fun for a week later.”
“Understood!”
What kind of situation is this?
Black Cat was flustered by the unfolding situation before her.
“Are you surprised?”
“…A little.”
“I called you here to share the report together if there’s nothing special. I thought you would find it interesting too.”
Black Cat stared at Wi Seoryeon. Despite the pressure that made it hard to look directly, the absurdity of the current situation surpassed that.
It was natural for Wi Seoryeon to monitor Ho Cheon-an and receive reports.
Though he was a guest, he was also an outsider, and it wouldn’t do to let him roam freely around the Heavenly Demon Sect’s important facilities.
Still, it seemed unreasonable to receive the monitoring report together with Black Cat, a member of Ho Cheon-an’s entourage.
“To be honest, I don’t understand the intent.”
“Well, take it as a sign that I have nothing to hide. There are things I expect from you too.”
Things she expects.
Black Cat swallowed her dry saliva and gazed at Wi Seoryeon.
“Do you know why I allowed your company?”
Black Cat shook her head silently.
“There are various reasons for allowing your company. You might serve as a hostage, and having someone accompany Ho Cheon-an might relieve his worries. It won’t end in a day or two, so having someone who knows him well isn’t a bad idea.”
Black Cat’s expression turned confused at the surprisingly reasonable list of reasons.
Though it wasn’t bad that she was seriously considering Ho Cheon-an’s growth and life, the weight of that goodwill was daunting.
“There are many reasons, but if I had to pinpoint the decisive reason, it’s that you fit well with the Demon Sect.”
Hearing those words, Black Cat felt a strange sensation arise.
‘Have I… lived wrongly?’
Getting called suited for the Devil’s way by both Ho Cheon-an and Heavenly Demon!
Black Cat was engulfed in doubts about her life.
Unaware of Black Cat’s inner turmoil, Wi Seoryeon gazed at her whole figure and said,
“Even for another woman, you are indeed beautiful.”
Currently, Black Cat wasn’t wearing a veil, so her appearance was fully revealed.
Even though she hadn’t yet reached Hwa-gyeong and hadn’t thoroughly resolved the aspects of the Tai-yin, having become a peak stage, she had grown accustomed to suppressing her qi, and as the Nine Yin occupied a significant portion of her inner energy, her Tai-yin’s power had weakened relatively.
The power that captivated people just by looking at her had diminished quite a bit.
“You must have faced countless hardships because of that beauty.”
However, irrespective of her weakened qi, there was nothing to be done about those who were instantly captivated by her appearance.
“Your martial talent is outstanding, and your aura is exceptional. Besides, the martial arts you’ve mastered aren’t lacking compared to your realm. With a beauty enough to captivate many moths to a flame, the Demon Sect would be the perfect nest for you.”
“….”
Is this a compliment or an insult?
Contrary to Black Cat’s troubled thoughts, Wi Seoryeon continued speaking without restraint.
“I permit you to go out freely.”
“…Go out?”
“Yes. You may explore the Black Dragon Castle as a visitor of the Demon Sect. If you wish, you could accumulate merits to gain access to the Heavenly Demon Library. You are also allowed to apply for the Demon Sect martial artist exam and become a Demon Sect martial artist.”
Black Cat felt a sense of confidence in Wi Seoryeon’s attitude.
There was no need for a convoluted explanation.
Her absolute confidence that Black Cat would find the Demon Sect attractive merely by seeing and experiencing it was evident.
“Is drawing me into the Demon Sect the reason Heavenly Demon allowed my company?”
“Wouldn’t it be a good thing?”
Black Cat sensed another underlying purpose in Wi Seoryeon’s sly smile but couldn’t question it.
Wi Seoryeon turned her gaze to her subordinate, seemingly trying to subtly evade answering.
“Well then, shall we finish the report? What areas did Ho Cheon-an explore in the upper level?”
“Miscellaneous texts.”
“Oh? Miscellaneous texts, you say?”
“Yes. He moved as though he had a clear intention. He showed no interest in either the realms of deliverables or payables.”
Wi Seoryon chuckled and looked back at Black Cat at her subordinate’s report.
“Isn’t it truly interesting? Knowing there are ascension martial arts and divine skills in the lower and upper levels of the Heavenly Demon Library, he still rummages through the upper level.”
“…Seniors enjoy eccentric behaviors.”
“Eccentric behavior, huh… Yes. It truly is eccentric.”
Wi Seoryon felt her suspicion transform into conviction as she recalled the inquiries exchanged with Ho Cheon-an in Hwa-gyeong.
Ho Cheon-an’s actions were unfathomable from a common sense perspective.
Who could resist the allure of divine skills and ascension martial arts?
There were undoubtedly greater martial arts and smoother paths hidden in the lower and upper levels.
Anyone would think that way.
However, Ho Cheon-an chose to rummage through the upper level.
Conviction.
Wi Seoryeon felt a strong conviction in Ho Cheon-an’s choice.
Despite the multitude of ascension martial arts and divine skills in the lower and upper levels, he was certain that continually honing the martial arts he had learned would be the shortcut.
Something a common person could only describe as mad, leaving them unable to comprehend.
How many among the martial artists in the world could prioritize and realize their own path over the opportunity to see divine skills and ascension martial arts?
He valued the immediate step over the broader path.
‘Indeed, you are someone who can nurture yourself.’
Wi Seoryeon chuckled at the magical talent she saw in Ho Cheon-an.
“It’s a limited time of one week. You’ve made the right choice to utilize that time.”
After hearing Wi Seoryeon’s words, Black Cat interjected.
“I have a slightly different opinion.”
She outright countered the Heavenly Demon’s thoughts.
“….Oh?”
Black Cat looked at Wi Seoryeon and asked.
“Do you think Ho Cheon-an won’t enter the lower level and upper level during that week?”
“Yes.”
It was only a week. A week was barely enough time to discover martial arts with appropriate materials to supplement the martial arts he had learned, let alone to internalize them.
Realistically thinking, finding a martial arts text to enhance his skills within a week was tight.
“Then, would you care to make a bet?”
“Oh?”
Wi Seoryeon’s eyes lit up at Black Cat’s remark.
“Sounds fun. Do you have something in mind?”
“I will observe the duel between the senior and Heavenly Demon.”
Black Cat felt a sense of crisis in Wi Seoryeon’s stance.
She didn’t think Wi Seoryeon would easily let Ho Cheon-an go, but the intensity of the interest Wi Seoryeon showed toward Ho Cheon-an was alarming.
The thought that something unexpected could happen if she let her guard down flickered in Black Cat’s mind.
‘I need to watch closely.’
Thus, Black Cat proposed a gamble to Wi Seoryeon, seeking to insert herself into the duel time between Wi Seoryeon and Ho Cheon-an, where she couldn’t intervene otherwise.
“Oh?”
Wi Seoryon watched Black Cat as she timidly yet boldly looked at her with gleaming eyes.
‘Interesting.’
Wi Seoryon felt a deep intrigue at the sudden shift in Black Cat’s attitude.
Normally, this kind of wager wouldn’t require acceptance, but… this much should be fine as a pastime.
Wi Seoryeon decided to accept Black Cat’s proposal.
“There should also be conditions for losing. If I lose, you must grant me a favor.”
The subordinate present for the report involuntarily swallowed hard.
The request from Heavenly Demon.
What the request could be was utterly unknown, but the significance the words ‘Heavenly Demon’s request’ carried was heavy.
“Alright.”
However, Black Cat nodded without hesitation.
She believed in herself.
‘It’s fortunate you don’t know the senior yet.’
Black Cat let out a sigh of relief at the thought of Ho Cheon-an.
What kind of person is Ho Cheon-an?
He was a person who knew every opportunity in the world and delivered results beyond imagination.
Would someone like him be satisfied with merely supplementing his Enlightened Cloud Thunder Technique during the week?
‘Not a chance.’
The Ho Cheon-an Black Cat knew was someone who could rummage through the entire Heavenly Demon Library within the week and still have time left.
