Chronicles of the Demonic Cult Conversion-Chapter 40 : Chapter 40

Chapter 40. Cute Fellows
Jin Yeong-in felt the sincerity in Dae-ho and Go-bong’s words.
‘Why?’
They had only been together for about two hours, but they acted as if they had shared a bond of loyalty for years.
‘Is it because of the Hungry Ghost Hell Formation?’
He thought that might be the case.
Even though it was an illusion, the experiences inside the Hungry Ghost Hell Formation would have been no different from reality.
The emotions felt during that brief moment were so intense that it wouldn't be unreasonable for a bond to form in a short period of time.
There was nothing as thick as the bond formed in a life-or-death situation…
‘These guys.’
Whatever the reason, Jin Yeong-in was proud of the Blood Wolves who were following him.
They could have been wary or distrustful of him for being a defector from the Orthodox Faction.
In the meantime, the situation was resolved, and the Blood Wolves who had insulted Jin Yeong-in knelt in a row.
“Big brother, what should we do?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to just kill them?”
Dae-ho and Go-bong asked.
“Well now. What should I do.”
Jin Yeong-in looked over the Blood Wolves who had insulted him and pondered.
‘They’ve been beaten to a pulp.’
Their appearance was a complete mess, to the point where not a single one had an unscathed face.
“Dae-ho.”
“Yes, big brother.”
“I heard that there’s no punishment for killing each other among the Blood Wolves?”
“That’s probably right.”
“Is that correct?”
Jin Yeong-in turned to the instructors who had been watching silently.
The instructors nodded silently in affirmation.
In the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, to cultivate the belligerence, fighting spirit, and competitiveness of the martial artists, they did not hold anyone responsible for bloodshed among the Blood Wolves.
Although it had become much more lenient compared to the past, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was still the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
It was an unchanging fact that it was a group where the law of the jungle and the survival of the fittest still applied.
It was a will to endure any loss of life that occurred during the training process in order to raise proper martial artists.
It wasn't for nothing that the instructors had been watching with their eyes wide open and doing nothing.
“They say it’s okay to kill them?”
“…!”
The faces of the Blood Wolves who had insulted Jin Yeong-in turned pale.
Now that they had been subdued, it would be a simple matter for Jin Yeong-in to kill them…
“Listen carefully. The thing I hate the most is being treated like an Orthodox Faction guy. I defected because I was disgusted by the behavior of those trashy people. I hate them more than you do, not less. So if you want to treat me like an Orthodox Faction guy or call me a spy, then do it with your life on the line. If you ever say that crap in front of me again, I’ll slit your throats myself.”
At the frosty warning, the Blood Wolves who had insulted Jin Yeong-in flinched.
“If you understand, then get lost. Before I kill you.”
Rumble!
As soon as Jin Yeong-in’s words fell, the kneeling Blood Wolves fled for their lives.
“Um, big brother. Is it okay to just let them go?”
Namgung Sin, who had gotten up at some point, approached Jin Yeong-in and asked.
“What if I don’t just let them go?”
“Without breaking a bone or crippling them somewhere.”
“This is enough.”
“That’s not how it works.”
“What is?”
“This might be presumptuous, but I’m saying this because you’re from the Orthodox Faction and might not know. In Our Cult…”
Jin Yeong-in smiled faintly, as if he knew why Namgung Sin was saying such things.
He had heard all about the discrimination the Namgung Clan had faced before being proudly recognized as a member of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“You’re saying I should make an example of them by crushing them completely? So they won’t dare to climb back up?”
“Yes.”
“If I kill every single one of those small fries, the blood on my hands will never dry. There will be others to make an example of, so I can show them properly then.”
“But…”
“Like them or not, we’re all one family. There’s no need to fight among ourselves. I didn’t come here to fight. I came here because I want to become a member of Our Cult.”
“…Big brother.”
Namgung Sin seemed to have been moved by Jin Yeong-in’s words and did not argue any further.
“You all worked hard. Get some rest. We don’t know what they’ll make us do next.”
Jin Yeong-in lay down in a corner of the hut and ordered the Blood Wolves.
“Yes! Big brother!”
The Blood Wolves answered with a loud voice.
* * *
The fight over spots was not something that only happened in the group led by Jin Yeong-in.
After that, large and small fights broke out, and in the process, seven groups were ultimately formed.
The seven Blood Wolves, including Jin Yeong-in, who were treated as big brothers, were given the position of Lead Blood Wolf by the instructors.
The instructors explained that the Lead Blood Wolf was a position that commanded the Blood Wolves who followed them, and that its responsibilities and duties were great.
As such, they were given some benefits, and it was said that it would be of great help in their future endeavors after completing the Blood Wolf Corps, so there was no reason for Jin Yeong-in to refuse.
“From now on, you will familiarize yourselves with the rules of the Blood Wolf Corps under the control of the Lead Blood Wolves. Now.”
“Ack!”
Perhaps because it was the first day, they didn't seem to be planning to make them do anything particularly difficult, so Jin Yeong-in ended the day’s schedule by familiarizing himself with the rules of the Blood Wolf Corps along with the Blood Wolves who followed him.
Dinner consisted of salted meat and grain-abstinence pills, and the amount itself was not small, so it was enough to fill their stomachs.
It was a bit of a hardship to eat such rough food after only eating the dishes made by the excellent cook Baek A-rin, but when he recalled his life in the Demonic Prison, this was nothing, so there were no complaints.
“Damn it! How are we supposed to eat this?”
“Just eat.”
“Yes, big brother.”
A few Blood Wolves grumbled, but at Jin Yeong-in’s single word, they clamped their mouths shut and chewed the salted meat and grain-abstinence pills without a word.
Since Jin Yeong-in, the Lead Blood Wolf, was leading by example, they couldn't express their dissatisfaction.
“It’s nice that there are no picky eaters here.”
An instructor looked over the group led by Jin Yeong-in and nodded in satisfaction.
“How is it, does it suit your taste?”
“Ack!”
“Right, you’ll have to get used to it. If you guys complete the Blood Wolf Corps, you’ll be eating such food for more than half of your lives.”
As the instructor disappeared after leaving that one remark, the Blood Wolves frowned.
“Doesn’t becoming a martial artist of Our Cult mean you get to eat good food all the time?”
“What on earth is he talking about?”
The Blood Wolves tilted their heads, as if they couldn't understand what the instructor had said at all.
This was because the martial artists of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult they had seen were always enjoying all kinds of delicacies at high-end inns and taverns.
But Jin Yeong-in understood why the instructor had said such a thing.
“The instructor is right.”
Jin Yeong-in opened his mouth.
“Because the main operational areas of Our Cult are the Northern and Southern Tianshan Roads.”
“What does that have to do with eating such rough food?”
“What’s on the Northern and Southern Tianshan Roads?”
“Hmm. There’s the Taklamakan Desert and the Gobi Desert, I guess.”
Dae-ho thought for a moment and then answered.
“In such an environment, do you think you can eat food made with fresh meat or vegetables? It would be almost impossible to keep the ingredients fresh, wouldn’t it?”
“Aha?”
“During an operation, food is nothing more or less than a means to preserve energy. Therefore, it’s only natural that things that are small in volume and can easily satisfy hunger so that they can be consumed conveniently are preferred.”
It was the same for the martial artists of the Central Plains.
Due to the nature of martial artists who travel and operate throughout the world, they often have to camp in deserted remote areas, and if they fight for several days, it is not easy to even have a meal.
It wasn't for nothing that martial artists carried around several grain-abstinence pills and used them frequently.
“Keuu! As expected of our big brother!”
“Thank you for the good words!”
The Blood Wolves, who had no experience in the martial world yet, slapped their foreheads in admiration at Jin Yeong-in’s words.
‘Cute fellows.’
Jin Yeong-in smiled to himself.
Since they were just about to enter the path of martial arts, it was only natural that there were a million things they didn't know.
He was reminded of the time he was being taught by his master, the Azure Heaven Divine Warrior, and a smile naturally formed on his face.
After the meal and a short break, a few instructors appeared and gathered the Blood Wolves.
“Stop. Everyone, attention.”
“Ack!”
“From now on, we will teach you the Breathing Technique of the Reverse Heaven Heart Art.”
At the instructor’s words, the eyes of the Blood Wolves shone brightly.
The Reverse Heaven Heart Art was a heart art that could be said to be the foundation of all demonic arts.
It was only natural that the eyes of the Blood Wolves would light up at the news that they would be taught it.
“Is there anyone who has already achieved the Small Heavenly Cycle of the Reverse Heaven Heart Art? If so, raise your hand.”
At the instructor’s words, a few Blood Wolves, including Jin Yeong-in, raised their hands.
“You haven’t been a defector from the Orthodox Faction for long, have you?”
The instructor tilted his head and asked Jin Yeong-in.
“That is correct.”
“And you’ve already achieved the Small Heavenly Cycle of the Reverse Heaven Heart Art?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
The instructor didn’t seem to believe Jin Yeong-in’s words.
“The effect of the Qi Dispersing Poison seems to be wearing off. Shall I prove it to you?”
“Let’s see you prove it.”
As soon as the instructor’s words fell, Jin Yeong-in drew up his demonic qi.
Seueueu!
Soon, a haze of demonic qi rose from Jin Yeong-in’s blue-tinged hand.
“…!”
Everyone who saw the sight was startled.
How long had it been since he defected, and he had already achieved the Small Heavenly Cycle of the Reverse Heaven Heart Art?
“C-cough. Your achievement is quite fast.”
“Thank you.”
“But don’t be too arrogant. No matter how fast your achievement was, the Reverse Heaven Heart Art is just the basics.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Good. From now on, you and the others over there will help your comrades learn the Breathing Technique and stand guard. Understood?”
“Ack!”
The instructors immediately began teaching the Blood Wolves the Breathing Technique of the Reverse Heaven Heart Art.
“From now on, you will practice the Breathing Technique for two hours every night. You are to accumulate the energy of heaven and earth in your dantian to create a single bit of true qi, so everyone, concentrate.”
“Ack!”
The Blood Wolves diligently followed the Breathing Technique of the Reverse Heaven Heart Art as the instructors had taught them.
“Huu, haa. Heup.”
That was also for a moment.
“Ugh.”
“Haak, haak.”
Groans and gasps for breath could be heard from here and there.
“Uh oh?”
“Uuuugh!”
A few Blood Wolves complained of dizziness.
Thud, thud.
There were even those who collapsed.
The instructors didn't show any particular reaction, as if they had expected this.
It was the same for Jin Yeong-in.
‘Right, I knew it.’
Jin Yeong-in knew all too well why the Blood Wolves were struggling.
‘They’re teaching something they shouldn’t be teaching in the first place, so of course they’re having a hard time from the start.’
It was a secret that only Jin Yeong-in, with his Heavenly Demon’s Physique, knew.
* * *
In fact, the Reverse Heaven Heart Art was difficult from the Breathing Technique itself.
First of all, the cycle of inhaling and exhaling was not constant, making breathing extremely unstable, and there were many times when one had to hold their breath and tense their abdomen to apply pressure to the dantian, and sometimes one had to exhale for a very long time.
Such a Breathing Technique of the Reverse Heaven Heart Art was very different from the breathing of a living creature, so it was not uncommon for those who were not used to it to complain of dizziness or, in severe cases, even faint.
‘The Reverse Heaven Heart Art is a heart art optimized for the Heavenly Demon’s Physique. It’s only natural that those who are not of the Heavenly Demon’s Physique would suffer.’
In Jin Yeong-in’s opinion, the Reverse Heaven Heart Art was not created for those who were not of the Heavenly Demon’s Physique to learn in the first place.
That view was the result of in-depth research, and since the researcher was Jin Yeong-in, who had the Heavenly Demon’s Physique, it was as good as verified.
Furthermore, the research did not end there.
Jin Yeong-in had created a new heart art by referring to the research results of the Reverse Heaven Heart Art and the heart arts of the Taoist school.
That heart art was designed to allow those who were not of the Heavenly Demon’s Physique to handle demonic qi more easily, so it was not only easy to learn but also had drastically reduced side effects.
At least for those who were not of the Heavenly Demon’s Physique, it was superior to the Reverse Heaven Heart Art, if not more so, and was not lacking in any way.
The name of that heart art was the Post-Heaven Extreme Demonic True Qi.