The Nature of Possession – Chapter 38

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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The banquet grew increasingly lively, and the singing of tipsy Cult members drifted from every corner.

The head chef, perhaps overwhelmed with gratitude, kept bringing me mountains of meat dishes.

Unable to refuse his kindness, I sat there and ate everything he brought.

I was so full I could barely move.

As the meal came to an end, the Heavenly Demon introduced me to a few of her close associates.

“I’ve already introduced her, but this is Shadow Demon.”

Shadow Demon bowed to me again, and I tried my best not to look at her attire.

I focused on her face instead.

Her sharp bob and impassive expression made her look like a killing machine.

“This is Fist Demon.”

“Greetings, Young Cult Leader. I am Fist Demon.”

A handsome young man bowed deeply.

His cheerful, beaming smile was the complete opposite of Shadow Demon’s.

I had a feeling they didn’t get along.

He went on and on about how thrilled he was to finally meet the Young Cult Leader the Heavenly Demon had often spoken of.

It was a list of accomplishments I couldn’t relate to, so I just offered the occasional nod and “uh-huh.”

“Fist Demon… so you use your fists?”

I curiously asked, and he puffed out his chest, clearly honored by my interest.

“Indeed! A real man uses his fists! These fists have crushed the skulls of countless Righteous Sect bastards.”

He demonstrated a punch, the force of it sending a gust of wind that ruffled my hair.

“…”

As Fist Demon continued his dramatic display, practically breaking into a dance, I noticed Shadow Demon’s brow twitching in annoyance.

A secret only I seemed to have witnessed.

“And this is the Head Administrator. He manages all the Cult’s affairs.”

The Head Administrator was a different kind of handsome compared to Fist Demon.

If Fist Demon was a raging fire, the Head Administrator was a calm, still lake.

His eyes were constantly smiling.

What was that called again?

Ah, yes, he had half-closed eyes.

“Greetings. It is an honor to meet you, Young Cult Leader.”

His polite greeting prompted me to bow my head in return.

“If you have any questions about Cult life, ask the Head Administrator.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll excuse myself now. Head Administrator, once the ‘preparations’ are complete, escort the Young Cult Leader to the Heavenly Demon Palace.”

“As you command.”

With that, the Heavenly Demon stood up and left.

Apparently, for subordinates to truly enjoy themselves, their superiors needed to disappear.

I was left at the banquet, exchanging more drinks with the Cult members.

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“Young Cult Leader, it’s time for you to return to your quarters.”

Some time later, as I was trying to maintain my composure despite the alcohol, the Head Administrator approached me.

I stumbled to my feet and, after a round of farewells, exited the banquet hall.

The others seemed intent on continuing the party.

I distinctly heard Fist Demon raise his cup and shout, “Let’s drink till we drop!”

Shadow Demon said she no longer needed to be there since the Cult’s higher-ups had retired to their chambers, and then she vanished.

I followed the Head Administrator.

The place he was leading me to was strangely familiar.

“This is the Disciple’s Palace. This will be your residence, Young Cult Leader.”

The place where I first woke up.

“But I remember a coffin being here.”

The Head Administrator smiled at my casual tone.

“Originally, this palace was built by the Cult Leader to honor your spirit, but now that you have returned, there’s no need for a coffin.”

“But I don’t see anywhere to sleep.”

“You will be sleeping elsewhere tonight. I simply wanted to show you your future residence.”

“Where will I be sleeping then?”

“First, you must bathe. Please, follow me.”

The bathhouse within the Disciple’s Palace.

I looked around nervously, wondering if someone would come in to assist me, and the Head Administrator said apologetically,

“While the Cult Leader has attendants to assist her with bathing, as you are a man, she has forbidden any attendants from assisting you.”

Well, a woman attending me would be problematic, and a man attending me would be even more so.

Besides, having someone else bathe me was a huge psychological barrier for someone with a modern mindset.

I breathed a sigh of relief and washed myself thoroughly.

While traveling with Namgung So-yeon, and even during the journey back with the Heavenly Demon, I had washed myself in streams, but this was the first proper bath since arriving in this world.

I scrubbed myself until my skin squeaked, and the Head Administrator handed me various fragrant oils and powders.

I emerged from the bath smelling refreshingly clean.

“That was a nice bath.”

I stretched and spoke as I dressed, and the Head Administrator smiled.

“Now, allow me to escort you to your sleeping quarters.”

I followed him, a small lantern illuminating our path.

We passed guards who saluted respectfully.

-You’re working hard.

I offered a meaningless platitude, and they seemed deeply touched, replying loudly,

“Have a comfortable night, Young Cult Leader!”

Their rigid discipline seemed strangely familiar.

Judging by the direction we were heading, it seemed like we were going to the building opposite the Disciple’s Palace.

“What do you think?”

The Head Administrator matched his pace to mine and asked.

I tilted my head, not understanding his question, so he elaborated.

“Do you find it beautiful?”

The same question the Heavenly Demon had asked.

And I nodded.

“It is beautiful…the sunset I saw earlier with Master, and the buildings of the Black Heaven Cult nestled in the mountains.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

He chuckled.

Something about his demeanor felt familiar, so I asked his name.

“What is your name, Head Administrator?”

“My name? Now that you mention it, I’ve only been called Head Administrator since taking this position.”

“Did you also have a ‘Demon’ title?”

“Indeed. But that wasn’t my real name. Shadow Demon, Fist Demon, Sword Demon—these are all titles given within the Black Heaven Cult.”

He told me that before becoming the Head Administrator, he was known as Poison Demon.

Poison Demon? With that gentle face? It was a bit surprising.

I was curious about his real name and so, I asked again.

“It’s Jegal Hwi.”

He hesitated for a moment, then answered with a shrug.

“Jegal… as in…”

“Yes.”

The Jegal Clan was a prestigious family.

Why would someone from the Jegal Clan join the Demonic Cult?

“Young Cult Leader, this is a place where the abandoned gather.”

He spoke quietly, as if answering my unspoken question.

“Those who are looked down upon for being from branch families, those who have suffered from the power struggles of the Righteous Sects, those who are scorned for their poverty, those who are humiliated for lacking connections… Loners who have banded together to form the Black Heaven Cult.”

“…”

“We don’t actually have a god we worship. Black Heaven Cult is simply the name of our group.”

“The title ‘Heavenly Demon’ is the same. What kind of religious leader would call themselves a Heavenly Demon?”

Now that he mentioned it, it made sense.

I knew the term “Heavenly Demon” was used by outsiders.

But the Heavenly Demon herself used the title.

“The hypocritical world calls her a demon, so she embraces the title. That is our Cult Leader’s thinking. In truth, it is this hypocritical and filthy world that is demonic.”

‘The hypocritical world calls her a demon, so she embraces the title.’

Namgung So-yeon’s words, condemning the Demonic Cult as irredeemable, suddenly came to mind.

Could there be a misunderstanding?

I briefly considered the possibility.

The Head Administrator’s explanation left me feeling contemplative, and I didn’t press him further.

We arrived at what seemed to be the largest building in the Black Heaven Cult.

For some reason, only lanterns were lit, and there were no attendants.

The Head Administrator stopped, and I stopped with him.

“If you continue down this hallway, you will reach your sleeping quarters.”

He bowed, as if he couldn’t go any further, and then backed away.

I wondered if this was some unique custom of the Black Heaven Cult.

I scratched my head and continued down the hallway.

At the end of the hallway, I opened a sliding door.

A sweet, intoxicating scent wafted out.

“You’ve finally arrived. That took longer than I expected.”

The Heavenly Demon, dressed in a thin robe, was waiting for me.

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“What is the meaning of this?”

Was I supposed to sleep with her?

I looked around, searching for another exit, but the Heavenly Demon approached and placed her hand on my shoulder..

“You’ve come to the right place. Your chambers in the Disciple’s Palace aren’t ready yet. You’ll be sleeping with me tonight.”

“But Master, it’s not proper… for a man and a woman to share a bed.”

I tried to shrug off her hand, which was now gently caressing my shoulder, but it was like trying to escape a tight vine.

“Why not? If two people are connected, they can do it anywhere, indoors or out.”

“Does sharing a bed imply that?”

“Of course. Isn’t it obvious? Unless… you’ve been injured down there?”

“I’m perfectly fine!”

I snapped back, feeling a surge of indignation.

“Then what’s the problem?”

She looked at me as if I were being completely unreasonable.

“This kind of thing should happen after we get to know each other better.”

“Do we need to know each other any better?”

Rebuttal 1.

“You might know everything, but I don’t have my memories…”

“I remember everything.”

Rebuttal 2.

“How can a master and disciple engage in such intimacy?”

“Leave those stuffy rules to the Righteous Sects.”

Rebuttal 3.

Her face drew closer.

She wrapped her hand around my neck and pulled me towards her.

*Chuu.*

Our lips met.

The familiar sensation made my head spin.

What color must my face be right now? Probably the deep red of a ripe persimmon.

The Heavenly Demon lingered for a moment, savoring the kiss, a mischievous smile playing on her lips like a little devil.

She released my neck, her hand moving to my shoulder, and then her lips brushed against my ear.

Her other hand took mine.

She guided my hand, grazing it against her thigh, and then moved inside her.

“I am the one who makes the murim tremble in fear. I am the Heavenly Demon. No one in this world can surpass me.”

The sensation at my fingertips intensified.

I followed her guidance, my hand moving inwards.

Like exploring a deep ravine, my hand ventured deeper.

*Touch.*

At the end of that hot, silken skin, my hand reached something wet and slick.

“But down here, I’m weaker than a third-rate martial artist… tonight, I’ll give you the chance to conquer me.”

She whispered in my ear, her breath hot against my skin.

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[T/N: I was not prepared for this but lets fucking gooooo]

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