The Nature of Possession – Chapter 44

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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After breakfast with her disciple, the Heavenly Demon returned to the Heavenly Demon Palace with the Head Administrator, the Horse Demon, and the Shadow Demon to discuss their plans.

She sent In-ho back to his quarters.

– This is where you’ll be staying from now on. Make yourself comfortable.

That’s what she said, but the truth was, she didn’t want him present for their discussion about destroying the Central Plains.

The Heavenly Demon sat on her throne, a towering seat resembling an emperor’s, while the Head Administrator, Shadow Demon, and Horse Demon stood below.

“Any news from the Sword Demon?”

“We received a message yesterday that he had passed Hunan. He should be somewhere near the middle of Hubei by now.”

The Head Administrator reported, and Shadow Demon added,

“Knowing him, he might have already reached Anhui.”

“I see. Just like him.”

Second only to the Heavenly Demon in terms of raw power, the Sword Demon was one of the Black Heaven Cult’s greatest assets.

“We’ll join him in ten days. Horse Demon, you’re coming too this time.”

“Understood.”

The Horse Demon bowed slightly, and Shadow Demon asked,

“Cult Leader, won’t the Young Cult Leader be accompanying us?”

*Now that you mention it, I should introduce In-ho to the Sword Demon.*

The goal of this war was the destruction of the Martial Alliance.

No, the eradication of the entire murim.

To erase every trace of martial artists from the Central Plains.

Whether righteous, demonic, or independent.

To cripple the core of anyone with even a shred of internal energy. To eliminate those martial artists who wielded more power than the government.

That was the Heavenly Demon’s grand ambition.

The path to Anhui, where the Martial Alliance was located, would be fraught with peril.

This was a war with a tremendous cost.

Should she bring In-ho along?

For the first time in a long time, the Heavenly Demon hesitated.

‘I want him to witness the fall of the Martial Alliance.’

She was conflicted.

After all, this entire campaign was for him.

The burning Martial Alliance headquarters, its plaque reduced to ruins.

She wanted to hold him in her arms and say,

– I’ve avenged you. Aren’t you grateful?

She imagined kissing him against the backdrop of the burning building.

The thought filled her with a strange sense of joy.

‘But a personal vendetta is different from a war. I can’t predict what will happen on the battlefield.’

Even the unrivaled Heavenly Demon could be vulnerable if dozens of righteous masters attacked at once.

What if In-ho were to get hurt in the crossfire?

She wouldn’t be able to forgive herself.

“…I seem to have drifted off.”

She addressed her subordinates, who had been waiting patiently.

Having made up her mind, she declared,

“The Young Cult Leader will remain here with the Head Administrator. He’s not ready for the front lines yet.”

Her disciple still had much to learn.

“Shadow Demon, can you find any information on someone named Lee Mina?”

Shadow Demon blinked, surprised by the sudden question.

“Do you have any other information besides the name?”

“She’s probably around the Young Cult Leader’s age.”

The Heavenly Demon thought for a moment.

“It will be difficult, but I’ll try.”

“No, it’s fine. Forget I asked.”

Shadow Demon bowed, and the Heavenly Demon waved her hand dismissively.

“That’s all for today. You’re dismissed.”

The Head Administrator and Horse Demon bowed and left.

“Why are you still here?”

The Heavenly Demon asked Shadow Demon with a look of confusion on her face.

“With your permission, may I ask a question?”

“If you have to ask for permission, it’s probably best not to, but go ahead.”

“You seem… lenient with the Young Cult Leader.”

“And you find that objectionable?”

– Crackle

“How could I possibly question your decisions? I am devoted to both you and the Young Cult Leader.”

Shadow Demon prostrated herself as the Heavenly Demon’s aura filled the room, the air crackling with tension.

“Then why ask such a question? I almost mistook it for insubordination.”

The Heavenly Demon relaxed back in her throne, her expression softening.

“I was merely curious. Your recent behavior has been… unusual.”

Shadow Demon swallowed nervously.

“In what way?”

“You’re… waiting.”

“Waiting?”

“Yes. The Cult Leader I know takes what she wants and destroys what stands in her way. Without hesitation.”

Shadow Demon paused, gauging the Heavenly Demon’s reaction.

“But you’ve given the Young Cult Leader so many chances. You’ve tolerated his insolence, even though the old you would have had him executed.”

During their journey from Sichuan to Henan, Shadow Demon had been constantly on edge.

Having served the Heavenly Demon for so long, she prided herself on knowing her boundaries.

But the Young Cult Leader not only crossed those boundaries, he seemed to be playing hopscotch with them. She had been waiting for his inevitable demise.

She had been particularly shocked when he had dared to defy the Heavenly Demon to protect the head chef who had served the wrong dish.

That’s why she was curious.

What was so special about the Young Cult Leader that made the Heavenly Demon so merciful?

Why was she indulging him so much?

Even Shadow Demon, who had chosen to live in the shadows, couldn’t contain her curiosity.

She was sure the Head Administrator and Horse Demon felt the same.

“You worry too much about insignificant things. That’s your problem. You’re too serious.”

The Heavenly Demon chuckled, her eyes meeting Shadow Demon’s.

“Shadow Demon, do you remember how we first met?”

“Yes. Bandits killed my parents. You saved me.”

“I was merely punishing those bandits for disturbing my sleep. You followed me of your own accord.”

“Regardless, you saved me.”

“Anyway, what if, hypothetically, your dead parents came back to life? How would you feel?”

“…I would be happy.”

Shadow Demon considered the impossible scenario before answering.

“So would I. It’s been twelve years since I buried that foolish disciple of mine in my heart.”

“Four years burning away the demons within me. Eight years of longing for him.”

“And then, like a miracle, he reappeared. The dead returned to life. A gift from the heavens. Do you understand what that means to me?”

“I don’t.”

“I want to give him nothing but good things, show him nothing but beauty.”

“…”

“If I acted according to my nature, I might lose him again. I don’t want that.”

“I’m not a fool. I know my own obsessions. I know how the ‘Heavenly Demon’ who plunged the Central Plains into chaos was born.”

“That’s why I don’t want him to see that side of me. For now, I want to understand him, accept him.”

The Heavenly Demon smiled sadly, and Shadow Demon, still unconvinced, asked,

“I still don’t understand. If you don’t control him, he might run away. He might fall for someone else.”

“Hahahaha!”

The Heavenly Demon burst out laughing, her laughter echoing through the palace.

“Who in this world can defy me?” she declared.

“No matter who’s beside him, in the end, I’ll be the only one left. Is there another crazy bitch in this world who can surpass me?”

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