Chapter 65: Then What Am I Supposed to Do?

“I’m thinking of entering closed-door training for a while.”

“……!”

“What do you all think.”

The reason Jin Cheon had brought out the trump card of closed-door training was that he felt it would be difficult to overcome the internal strife of the cult in his current state.

He needed to raise his martial arts level to a certain point before he could do anything, but struggling from the very beginning felt like living on borrowed time day by day.

He judged that if that was the case, it would be better to enter closed-door training, sever ties with the secular world, and have a period of time to focus solely on martial arts training.

“I am fine with it.”

Danmok Cheong was the first to speak.

“Ever since my days in the Bat Squad, I have thought that I needed time to focus solely on martial arts. However, I didn’t have the time for it, so I would like to take this opportunity to enter closed-door training with you, Young Master, and devote myself only to martial arts training.”

The other members of the New Demon Squad also shared Danmok Cheong’s opinion.

“I am fine with it too.”

“If it’s with you, Young Master, whether it’s closed-door training or wall-gazing training, it’s all good. I will follow you.”

“I will follow you too.”

Perhaps because being beaten by the martial artists of the Puppet So Clan yesterday had been so infuriating and regrettable, everyone was positive about the closed-door training.

In the first place, they were not in a position to refuse.

The guards of the Seventh Young Master, and their martial arts level has just barely surpassed the third-rate?

If they had any conscience, the right choice would be to enter closed-door training and raise their martial arts level, or if not, to quit and move to a lower-level martial organization that suited their level.

“Good.”

A smile appeared on Jin Cheon’s lips.

Seeing the determined expressions on his subordinates’ faces, it felt like getting stronger was only a matter of time.

“I will inform His Holiness soon that I will be entering closed-door training, so you all should be aware of that.”

“As you command.”

The decision was made.

‘She will allow it, won’t she?’

Jin Cheon thought that there was no way the Iron-Blooded Demonic God would not permit the closed-door training.

There would be no master in the world who would not permit their disciple to devote themselves to training to raise their martial arts level.

***

The rumor that the Seventh Young Master, Jin Cheon, had fought with the Fifth Young Master, So U-bin, spread in an instant, and there was no one in the cult who didn’t know about it.

There was a lot of talk back and forth.

Some said that the Fifth Young Master had severely disciplined the youngest, the Seventh Young Master, while others said that the Seventh Young Master had demonstrated outstanding skill by successfully landing a blow on the Fifth Young Master.

Regardless, Jin Cheon focused solely on his training.

“Your progress is faster than expected.”

The Iron-Blooded Demonic God, whether she knew of the rumors or not, seemed quite pleased with Jin Cheon, who readily accepted her teachings.

Indeed, there was no way that the Iron-Blooded Demonic God, who had reached the realm of the greatest master of all time, would be interested in such rumors.

“Cult Leader. May I say a word.”

“Permission granted.”

“May I enter closed-door training for a while?”

“Closed-door training, you say. Why did you think of that.”

“I want to focus only on martial arts for a while. My progress is slow, but the world’s troubles are many. For the time being, I want to hold my breath and build my strength.”

“Yes, that would be so. It is a time when you should be concentrating on the training of martial arts.”

The Iron-Blooded Demonic God nodded as if in understanding.

“Good. I permit the closed-door training.”

“Thank you.”

“I will give you an answer after careful consideration as to where you will train.”

“Pardon……?”

“Did you think that by entering closed-door training, you would not receive my teachings?”

“W-well, that’s.”

Jin Cheon was momentarily at a loss for words.

He had not thought that she would give him teachings even while he was conducting closed-door training in a remote place.

“Even if you enter closed-door training, I will continue to give you teachings.”

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude.”

“It is only natural.”

“I am your master, and you are my disciple, so is it not proper for me to teach you until there is nothing left to teach?”

From the Iron-Blooded Demonic God’s words, Jin Cheon thought that perhaps even for the greatest master of all time, the affection between master and disciple existed.

A few days later.

As Jin Cheon was having breakfast with Blood Qilin and Yeom Bi, some completely unexpected visitors arrived.

“W-what the.”

Blood Qilin was startled to see the people wearing the masks of Asuras.

“Why is the Asura Blood Sword Unit here……?”

Asura Blood Sword Unit.

The strongest and worst martial organization of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, consisting of a total of thirty members, and the direct royal guards of the Cult Leader, the Iron-Blooded Demonic God.

Each individual was a top-level master, and they were sword demons who were mad only for martial arts.

The masks worn by the members signified that they had completely erased their own identities and would live only as members of the Asura Blood Sword Unit, and their identities and true nature were said to be top-secret even within the cult.

“We greet the Seventh Young Master.”

The one wearing the most ornate mask.

A person who exuded an enormous amount of demonic qi at a glance approached and greeted him.

“I lead the Asura Blood Sword Unit. Please feel free to call me the Blood Sword Commander.”

“I am Jin Cheon.”

Jin Cheon was quite surprised by his enormous demonic qi.

A demonic qi comparable to that of the Great Guardian, Yi Gyu; it seemed he was not the commander of the Asura Blood Sword Unit for nothing.

“But, what brings you here……”

“We have been ordered to escort the Seventh Young Master’s party to the Sea of Trees.”

“The Sea of Trees…… Ah.”

He had heard of it.

The Sea of Trees.

One of the six great forbidden zones of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

It was said to be a vast forest, a dangerous place teeming with all kinds of spirit beasts and demonic beasts.

“You’re taking us to the Sea of Trees?”

“Yes, Sixth Young Master.”

“Why???”

Blood Qilin wore an expression of complete disbelief.

“I requested closed-door training from the Cult Leader the other day, could it be that the location for it is the Sea of Trees?”

“What?!”

At Jin Cheon’s question, Blood Qilin’s face contorted.

“Closed-door traaaaaining?!”

“Yes.”

“By whose permission?”

“By my own, of course, whose else would it be?”

“Then what am I supposed to do!”

“What do you mean, what are you supposed to do? You can just do your own thing, Senior Brother.”

“Fine, let’s say you’re going into closed-door training, giving you the benefit of the doubt! But you’re going to train in the Sea of Trees?”

“Is there a problem?”

Just then, Yeom Bi, who was nearby, threw in a word.

“Of course, there is. Because you won’t come back alive. That place is hell. Not as bad as the Demonic Ghost Cave, but still.”

“Indeed, that’s right.”

Blood Qilin nodded in agreement and said.

“What kind of place is the Sea of Trees exactly?”

“What kind of place? A place full of all kinds of demonic beasts, spirit beasts, and vengeful ghosts.”

“Hmm.”

“You don’t seem to get it. About a hundred people enter the Sea of Trees each year. To obtain the inner cores of spirit beasts and spiritual medicines. But how many of them do you think come back alive~?”

“……?”

“If you’re lucky, two or three. There have been many years when no one came back alive at all.”

“Is it that dangerous a place?”

“Yep.”

Blood Qilin nodded.

“Was it about three years ago? I went in out of curiosity.”

“How was it?”

“I was chased by a nine-tailed fox for ten days and barely made it out alive. When I think about that time…… ugh!”

Blood Qilin shuddered as if he didn’t even want to imagine it.

“Are you even serious right now……”

Jin Cheon frowned.

Although Blood Qilin was second to none in the world for his frivolous words and actions, a nine-tailed fox…….

“What’s with that look? You don’t believe me?”

“Would you believe it if you were me, Senior Brother?”

“But it’s true?”

“Yes, well. Let’s just say it is.”

“No, it’s really true! Why don’t you believe me!”

Regardless of what Blood Qilin said, Jin Cheon let it go in one ear and out the other, then turned back to the Blood Sword Commander.

“Is the location for the closed-door training the Sea of Trees?”

“We do not know the details either. For now, please prepare. We will be waiting.”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

Although it was somewhat sudden, since he had already made up his mind about the closed-door training, there was no reason to hesitate.

Jin Cheon hurriedly began to prepare to go to the Sea of Trees.

***

“T-the Sea of Trees, you say?”

“My goodness.”

“Why of all places there……”

Jin Cheon’s subordinates showed their displeasure upon hearing that they were going to the Sea of Trees.

They had been prepared to enter closed-door training, but they too had not expected the location to be the Sea of Trees.

“I’m also bewildered, but it is the Cult Leader’s will. If you’re really scared, you can back out. Those who want to back out, do it now.”

The members of the New Demon Squad were silent for a moment, but soon they steeled their resolve and showed their firm determination.

“No, sir, we will go.”

“What’s the big deal, is there any reason we can’t go to the Sea of Trees?”

“Wherever the Young Master goes, we will go.”

It seemed that their loyalty to Jin Cheon and their desire for martial arts were greater than their fear of the Sea of Trees.

“Have a safe trip. Don’t worry about this friend.”

“Yes, please take good care of A-rin.”

Jin Cheon decided to leave Baek A-rin in Yeom Bi’s care for a while.

It was not right to leave a woman alone in an empty house while the master was in closed-door training, and the friction he had with So U-bin before was still weighing on his mind.

“Can’t you not go?”

“I have to go.”

“Ah, whyyy.”

“Because I have to get stronger.”

“What’s so great about getting stronger in some martial arts.”

Blood Qilin pouted.

“If you’re really bored, you can come with us. You can take this opportunity to focus on your martial arts training.”

“I can’t go.”

“It doesn’t seem like you have anything particular to do?”

“I can’t go not because I’m busy, but because I’m scared of that nine-tailed fox.”

“……”

“I’m telling you, it’s true?!”

“Yes, yes. I’m sure it is.”

Jin Cheon once again let Blood Qilin’s words go in one ear and out the other, and immediately began to walk.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

At Jin Cheon’s farewell, Yeom Bi and Blood Qilin each said a word.

“Please take care and have a safe trip, Young Master.”

“Yes, come back stronger.”

“You have to come back quickly, okay? Because I’ll be bored! And be careful of the nine-tailed fox!”

With Baek A-rin, Yeom Bi, and Blood Qilin seeing him off, Jin Cheon headed for the Sea of Trees, one of the forbidden zones of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

A few hours later.

Jin Cheon’s party reached a hill overlooking a seemingly endless, truly vast forest.

On that hill, a young man with a handsome appearance was waiting. He was a young man who, at a glance, felt more like a scholar than a martial artist.

“We greet the Third Young Master.”

The Blood Sword Commander clasped his fist towards the young man, Wi Mu-rin.

“It has been a while, Blood Sword Commander.”

Wi Mu-rin smiled, greeted the Blood Sword Commander, and then turned to Jin Cheon.

“I am Wi Mu-rin. Your third senior brother.”

“I am Jin Cheon.”

“It would have been nice if we could have met in a proper setting, but we meet like this. It’s a shame for our first meeting, but it can’t be helped. Let’s get along well from now on.”

“Yes, I look forward to your guidance.”

Wi Mu-rin’s first impression was quite good, so Jin Cheon also responded with a smile.

“Alright, from now on, I will guide you.”

“May I know exactly where we are going?”

“The Black Bamboo Forest. It is the place where the First Heavenly Demon used to train in the past.”

“……!”

“It is the only place in the Sea of Trees where people can stay, so there is no reason it can’t be a place for closed-door training. Though I do wonder if there is a need to train in the Black Bamboo Forest when there are safe places available.”

Jin Cheon, not knowing how to respond, just listened silently.

He had decided on closed-door training to build his strength while avoiding the internal strife of the cult, but the location itself was far too dangerous.

It was truly a case of jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

“Even so, there must be a reason why His Holiness is sending you to the Sea of Trees, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

“I think so as well.”

“Let’s talk as we go. If the sun sets, we’ll all be in trouble.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

“Then, follow me.”

Soon, the party, led by Wi Mu-rin, began to walk together.

‘What is this?’

Jin Cheon, who had been following Wi Mu-rin without much thought, suddenly noticed something strange and frowned.

‘We’ve only walked a few steps, haven’t we?’

Strangely, although only a time equivalent to a few blinks of an eye had passed, the surrounding scenery had completely changed.

Just a moment ago, they had been looking down at the vast Sea of Trees from a high hill, but now they were in a forest covered with dense trees in all directions.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep