Although the Jin Mu-Won affair had thrown Heaven's Summit into turmoil, the organization decided to proceed with the selection of the Demon Hunters as scheduled. This decision was a calculated move to shift public attention away from Jin Mu-Won and back toward themselves.
To that end, Heaven's Summit announced the selection thod and mber count for the Demon Hunters, information that had been kept secret until now.
According to the announcent, the Demon Hunters would have fifty-six mbers. One commander would helm the organization, with five captains each leading a squad of ten.
Demon Hunters would be granted the authority to commandeer nearby sects' forces and conduct inspections within their assigned regions, and sects that received such a request were not allowed to refuse. Failure to comply without clear justification would result in severe sanctions from Heaven's Summit, or, in the worst-case scenario, expulsion from the alliance.
While expulsion might not significantly impact major powers like the Nine Great Sects, for small and dium-sized sects, severing ties with Heaven's Summit ant losing all support in the war against the Silent Night and almost certain destruction.
As depressing as it was, this was the reality in the current murim.
Conversely, if a martial artist from a small sect was chosen as a Demon Hunter, the sect could expect rapid growth. For this reason, the smaller sects did everything in their power to encourage their mbers to join the Demon Hunters.
Given that the Demon Hunters were responsible for the future and security of the Central Plains, powerful martial arts were an essential requirent. Ultimately, Heaven's Summit decided to select mbers through a grand martial arts tournant.
Originally, only those with recomndations from three or more renowned masters were eligible to apply. However, after the resolution of Jin Mu-Won's trial, the number of qualified applicants increased by several thousand, necessitating a change in the selection process.
Those without recomndations now had to participate in a separate preliminary round until their numbers were reduced to three hundred. They had to prove their martial prowess in a fierce competition with nearly ten-to-one odds. After that, the main tournant would begin, and they would be joined by martial artists who had received recomndations and skipped the preliminaries.
It was an unfair, rigged system. However, the participants who had barely managed to qualify did not dare complain, fearing that voicing any discontent might cost them the chance they had so precariously obtained.
Thus, the duel tournant to select the Demon Hunters began. Due to the large number of participants, a dozen additional stages were set up around the original one. Three observers were assigned to each stage, and duels proceeded simultaneously on all of them.
Heaven's Summit quickly grew heated with the fervor of the tournant. Just two days prior, the place had been in an uproar over Jin Mu-Won. Now, however, the people's attention had completely moved on.
On one stage, a young martial artist from the Great Peak Sect and a young female disciple from the Chaotic Flower Sect engaged in a fierce duel. They unleashed savage, lethal techniques on each other as if they were mortal enemies.
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The surrounding spectators cheered wildly, captivated by the young martial artists' struggle. The cheers grew even louder as more wounds appeared on the fighters' bodies.
Seomoon Hye-Ryung and Chae Hwa-Yeong stood to one side of the stage, watching the two fight.
Chae Hwa-Yeong shook her head at the raucous crowd. "It seems they've already forgotten what happened two days ago."
"People tend to deny shocking mories," Seomoon Hye-Ryung replied, her eyes cold as she watched the stage. "That doesn't an, however, that they've forgotten that day."
She knew that while the crowd seed to be enjoying the mont, the right trigger would make them fanatical about Jin Mu-Won once more.
Seomoon Hye-Ryung began walking through the throng of people, feeling the frenzied energy and heat on her skin.
Perhaps this is the kind of vibrant, living jianghu they desire so much.
A sudden chill ran down her spine. The Nine Skies of Heaven's Summit had planned the event to select the Demon Hunters. She and the Azure Dragon Society were rely riding the coattails of the grand picture her elders painted.
Did the Nine Skies foresee this outco? Is that why they chose to remain indifferent to Jin Mu-Won?
Although Seomoon prided herself on being a genius who could see through people's minds, she could not fathom her grandfather's, Seomoon Hwa's, thoughts. He had never shown her the grand painting he and the Nine Skies were creating.
Until now, Seomoon Hwa and the rest of the Nine Skies had focused on controlling the jianghu, guiding it with strict order and discipline. This had caused the atmosphere in the murim to stagnate considerably. Now, however, those sa people were breathing new life into it.
What on earth is their objective?
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The Nine Skies were the giants who supported this era. They maintained the peace, but they were also a great wall and a swamp of despair to those who desired a new age.
The sa was true for Seomoon Hye-Ryung. Although Seomoon Hwa was her grandfather, he lood over her like a massive cliff, preventing her from reaching the summit. One thing was clear, the era she desired would only co after she surpassed him.
I will make it happen. No one can stop .
Seomoon Hye-Ryung reaffird her resolve as she headed toward a small building behind the arena where the duel tournant was in full swing.
There, all the mbers of the Azure Dragon Society were gathered, including key figures such as Shim Won-Yi, Jwa Moon-Ho, and Hyun Gong-Hwi.
"Miss Seomoon."
"Everyone is here," Seomoon Hye-Ryung greeted before taking her seat.
Shim Won-Yi asked, "Is the atmosphere outside still the sa?"
"It's heated."
"As expected."
"This atmosphere will likely continue until the event is over."
Shim Won-Yi ground his teeth. "It has to. That's the only way to erase the mory of the other day."
If one were to choose the person whose pride was most wounded by Jin Mu-Won's rise to power, it would be him. Shim Won-Yi was accustod to being the center of attention, so for him, nothing was more humiliating than watching soone else take the spotlight.
"For now, put your thoughts of Master Jin aside," Seomoon Hye-Ryung advised.
"How?"
"Force yourself. That man is not important right now."
"Kkh!"
"An opportunity will surely co, and soon, I promise you."
"…Fine."
"Good." Seomoon Hye-Ryung nodded at Shim Won-Yi's reluctant reply. She knew he was holding back his dissatisfaction, but now was not the ti to indulge his grievances. "Although our attention has been sowhat divided because of Master Jin, the Demon Hunters event is incredibly important to us. The Commander and Captains of the Demon Hunters must belong to our Azure Dragon Society. Only then can we make their authority entirely our own."
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"Don't worry, I'll be the one to take the position of Commander," Hyun Gong-Hwi boasted loudly.
The others said nothing, but they felt the sa way. They weren't aiming to be re mbers of the Demon Hunters but at least captains. Of course, if one of them ascended to the position of Commander, they could rise to the top of the jianghu in an instant.
While they were all under the Azure Dragon Society umbrella, in reality, everyone in the room was a rival. Despite lagging behind Hyun Gong-Hwi in fa, they had no intention of easily giving up the fight for power.
Seomoon Hye-Ryung continued, "We are not the only ones aiming for positions of authority. The major prestigious sects and clans will also send out their elite but previously unknown martial artists."
"Even so, they are not worthy of being our opponents. Aren't you worrying too much?"
"As you saw in Master Jin's case, unexpected things often happen in the world. Complacency is forbidden."
"Hmph!"
"For that reason, I would like Young Master Shim to also participate in this event."
Shim Won-Yi imdiately scowled. "Are you telling to enter the sa tournant as them?"
Seomoon Hye-Ryung looked at him. The disdain on Shim Won-Yi's face was evident. He was a man who looked down even on Hyun Gong-Hwi, a fellow mber of the Seven Young Skies. Asking him to participate in a duel tournant alongside common martial artists was a blow to his pride.
Still, she insisted, "We have no choice. A variable has already occurred, and we cannot tolerate any more. To prevent that, our side must also mobilize a powerful card. Please, Young Master Shim."
"Grrgh! I suppose I have no choice," Shim Won-Yi grunted reluctantly.
"In any case, we had an unexpectedly large turnout of over three thousand participants. We don't know if soone like Master Jin will erge from that pool of talent. Therefore, all of you should go to the duel stages and scout out any potential competitors in advance."
"The people dueling now are insignificant beings who couldn't even get letters of recomndation from renowned masters. Do you really think soone who could pose a threat to us will erge from among them?"
"I told you, we must be fully prepared. Even if the possibility is one in ten thousand, we must anticipate it and prepare a counterasure," Seomoon Hye-Ryung argued firmly.
The martial artists of the Azure Dragon Society frowned at her assertiveness.
Seomoon Hye-Ryung secretly sighed. They are certainly the chosen ones. At least, among the young martial artists of their generation, few can match them. Because of that, however, they lack a sense of crisis.
Most mbers of the Azure Dragon Society were descendants of prestigious families. Building on the solid foundation established by their ancestors, they learned martial arts more quickly than others, attaining their current level of skill.
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However, having always cruised through life, they had beco arrogant. Since everything had always revolved around them, they lacked the ability to make objective observations and judgnts.
Seomoon Hye-Ryung had long found this regrettable , especially since Jin Mu-Won's ergence highlighted this flaw. Unfortunately, it was too late to restructure the Azure Dragon Society. She had no choice but to move forward with these mbers.
"All of you, please go outside."
"Hmph!"
The martial artists of the Azure Dragon Society left for the arena, leaving Seomoon Hye-Ryung and Chae Hwa-Yeong alone in the room.
"Unnie?"
"Let's go outside too."
"……" Chae Hwa-Yeong followed Seomoon Hye-Ryung quietly, sensing her unusual mood. From experience, she knew it was best to follow her silently at tis like this.
Seomoon Hye-Ryung and Chae Hwa-Yeong left the building.
After walking for a while, Seomoon suddenly stopped.
A familiar man ard with an ordinary-looking sword was approaching her from a distance. The man appeared to have noticed her as well, as he halted and glanced in her direction.
"Miss Seomoon?"
“Vice-Captain Seo, or should I say Head Inquisitor Seo?”
The man's face flushed slightly, as if taken aback by her hostile tone, but it was only for a mont. He soon replied calmly, "It seems you've figured everything out."
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"Hmph! Did you think I wouldn't catch on after you staged such a scene?"
"Hmph!" Seo Mu-Sang groaned, realizing that Seomoon Hye-Ryung had discovered his true identity.
I suppose it was unreasonable to think I could hide my identity forever.
He straightened his shoulders. Until now, he had kept a low profile because he had to hide information about Jin Mu-Won from her. Now that everything had been revealed, however, he could act freely.
"As expected of Miss Seomoon. You are correct. I am the Head Inquisitor of the Inquisition."
"I'm truly impressed that you've managed to deceive everyone for so long."
“You flatter .”
"But I will never forget that you deceived ," Seomoon Hye-Ryung whispered, her every syllable laced with icy venom.
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