Chapter 1167 — Book 2: Chapter 364: Strongest Under the Heavens (2)
13 min read ·
“This place is similar to the Central Plains.”
“That’s the theme.”
“Hoooo?”
The Heavenly Demon responded as if he was interested and gently kicked off the ground.
– Human, did you see that just now? The Heavenly Demon just kicked off a leaf to jump up.
‘Yes. I saw it.
What a scary guy.’
“This world truly is vast. This is quite entertaining.”
However, it wasn’t that he was full of life.
He had his natural demeanor, which made him look tired but relaxed.
‘He’s similar to Cale-nim.’
Choi Han looked back and forth at Cale and the Heavenly Demon before nodding his head.
“The clothes are similar to the Central Plains as well.”
The Heavenly Demon looked down at his baggy clothes and smiled. He asked while still smiling.
“So then, is the Lan Kingdom similar to the Imperial Palace?”
Since this place was similar to the Central Plains, was the Lan Kingdom similar to the Imperial Palace?
Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-
Wind wrapped around Cale, Choi Han, the Heavenly Demon, and the children averaging ten-years-old as they headed down the hill.
“No. It is not similar to the Imperial Palace.”
“Then?”
“It is similar to the Demon Cult.”
Stop.
Heavenly Demon stopped walking.
The twig that he was standing on on one foot shook for a moment.
This meant that the Heavenly Demon was quite surprised.
Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-
Cale, who was using Raon's magic to quickly alight down the mountain with the wind on his back, stopped as well.
The Heavenly Demon and Cale made eye contact and The Heavenly Demon immediately started speaking.
“Similar to me?”
‘Wow.’
Cale was amazed for the first time in a long while.
Cale had clearly said the Demon Cult, but the Heavenly Demon accepted it as ‘him.’
‘He is saying that he is the Demon Cult.
As expected of the Heavenly Demon.’
“The Lan Kingdom's Queen Tamahi holds authority similar to the Heavenly Demon.”
"And?”
“Their system is similar to the Demon Cult and the people of the kingdom think similar to those in the Demon Cult.”
It could not be helped.
‘The Lan Kingdom's motif is wuxia.’
Similar to how the Eight Evils had different themes, there were many different concepts in New World.
Unlike other games which thought it was enough to have one theme throughout the entire game, all sorts of things existed in New World.
It was possible because a world that was large enough to gather all of these different themes and still have room for more was supporting it.
‘Although the Transparent © has not given a thorough explanation of the concept.’
Numerous clichés that we expected from wuxia existed throughout the Lan Kingdom.
Clothes, thought process, jobs, skills, etc.
‘That is why a lot of the users here are ones who want to enjoy that wuxia feel.’
Cale explained some more.
“The Lan Kingdom is the central force, but there are many factions that exist under them that are loyal to the royal family.”
“The Orthodox and Unorthodox factions?”
“They are similar, but it is not only two factions like that.”
“How many?”
“There are around five large alliances and many factions exist within those alliances as well.” They are similar to the Martial Arts World’s clans and gangs.”
“How entertaining.”
The Heavenly Demon slowly commented while looking amused.
“If I am to explain the Lan Kingdom's situation using concepts of my world-”
Cale was thinking the Heavenly Demon's smile looked a bit dangerous when he heard his voice.
“You are saying that all rule and order was newly created under the Demon.”
“……!”
“They all worship the Demon but they fight underneath it to expand their own power-”
“Mm.”
“It is truly entertaining.”
Even in the Demon Cult, underneath the unconditional loyalty toward the Heavenly Demon, there were many factions doing things for their own benefits.
“However, Hae-il.”
The Heavenly Demon continued to call Cale Hae-il.
“Based on what I have seen, this Lan Kingdom seems to have been made not for the Demon Cult but someone else.”
“Oh.”
Cale let out a short gasp of admiration before asking back.
“You noticed that?”
The Heavenly Demon shook his head in disbelief as if he was saying that he could not do anything about this mischievous side of the smiling Cale.
“The Blood Demon.”
Cale’s smile became even wider after hearing the name the Heavenly Demon mentioned.
“Did you call them the Blue Bloods? The arrangement for them seems to be this Lan Kingdom.”
“I thought that way too.”
Cale had learned about RPOG and its connection to the Hunters through the Blood Demon.
< Player ‘Bluey’ is currently ranked fourth! >
Her username was Bluey and she was ranked fourth.
“Human, you are saying that they created this Lan Kingdom to give to the Blood Demon later?”
“Probably.”
Cale wasn’t sure but that was his thought.
The Heavenly Demon looked confused at that moment.
"But something is odd.”
“What is it?”
Cale looked at him and the Heavenly Demon continued standing on the branch that looked like it could break and explained.
“Didn’t you say that there is a believer related to the God of Chaos in the palace?”
“Correct. The Prince Consort. The Queen's husband.”
Queen Tamahi. Her husband had communicated with Bishop Serisa and brought up the Holy Land. Cale had seen it all in Serisa's memories.
He had not told the group the details, but Cale definitely had to meet Tamahi's husband.
"That’s odd. That’s very odd.”
The Heavenly Demon laughed as if he could not believe it.
“That place is not the Demon Cult.”
He sounded confident.
“As long as I exist within the Demon Cult, there is no way that someone who belongs to another god could deceive me and remain within it.”
“Mm.”
Cale groaned.
‘Really-
This guy is not normal either.’
He was certain that the Heavenly Demon was a dangerous bastard.
It was even more surprising that the Emperor left this Heavenly Demon alone.
Well, fighting against the Demon Cult would do significant damages, so it was better to pretend that each other did not exist.
“The Queen of Lan cannot compare to the Demon Cult at all.”
The Heavenly Demon truly was prideful.
"What a half-baked place.”
He probably found the Emperor to not be much either.
It was fitting of the person who was like a god to the members of the Demon Cult.
‘He’s also a crazy bastard.’
Either way, there was a reason Cale had called the Heavenly Demon here.
The Heavenly Demon started to mention it as well.
“By the way, hearing about the Lan Kingdom makes me think you didn’t necessarily need me here.”
“Is that so?”
“In fact, some of them from the Orthodox faction might be a good fit. I feel like a strategist like Zhuge Mi Ryeo might be a better choice.”
“No.”
Cale shook his head.
“I need you.”
“Hooo.”
The Heavenly Demon could not hide his curiosity at Cale who was specifically saying he needed him.
To the Heavenly Demon, Kim Hae-il, Cale’s existence was special.
He was someone who was like a god but wanted to stay human.
“After this update, the Lan Kingdom will have an event.”
Cale shared some information with the Heavenly Demon.
“The game users believe that this event is for the ‘Great First Step.’”
Specifically, users who did not have their own factions but were high in ranking were all keeping their eyes on this event.
“In one week.”
Cale discussed the event that would become the greatest event in Lan Kingdom history.
“They are choosing a successor for the Lan Kingdom.”
“Ah.”
Choi Han gasped.
“Ha, hahahaha-”
The Heavenly Demon started laughing.
Pssss—
The leaves around them started shaking.
The internal ki within that laughter shook things around them without affecting Cale's group at all.
“It is truly, entertaining.
Truly, truly entertaining.”
The Heavenly Demon nodded his head a few times before asking Cale a question.
“You are telling me to go join that event?”
“Correct. I hope you end up as the one and only successor.”
“Then I should be able to see the Queen's husband as well.”
“Yeah.”
It was the easiest way to pull the Lan Kingdom to Cale’s side while allowing Cale access to the Queen's husband.
‘I can't fight against Queen Tamahi.’
In some ways, Cale might end up as her benefactor.
“It is difficult to approach the Queen's husband with regular methods. The Lan Palace, specifically the residence of the Queen and her husband, is the Lan Kingdom’s Holy Land. If someone other than the Queen’s bloodline or her soulmate gets close to it, it will definitely be noticed.”
And Queen Tamahi's husband was said to only stay in that Holy Land right now.
“Mm.”
The Heavenly Demon contemplated for a moment before speaking with an amused look on his face.
“Either way, it sounds fun.”
He then asked a question.
“Am I not a part of the evil disposition? I should be registered as a part of the Seventh Evil.”
“It doesn't matter.”
The event that was to take place in a week in the Lan Kingdom…
“The Strongest Under the Heavens Competition.”
This competition…
“They don't care about your association, identity, or even your age.”
“They look only at your strength.”
“Correct. The person who takes first place in the competition will become Tamahi's official successor and will rule the Lan Kingdom in the future.”
That was the reason all sorts of users were currently gathering at the Lan Kingdom.
To participate…
Or just to spectate…
The Eastern Empire, the Western Empire…
Although both Empires were rowdy with all sorts of issues, the talks about the Lan Kingdom were not loud at all.
“What an interesting competition.”
The Heavenly Demon nodded his head.
“Very well. I will attend.”
The Strongest Under the Heavens Competition.
The Heavenly Demon decided to participate.
He pointed at Cale.
“Then what about you?”
“I am your attendant.”
"Then that guy must be the guard.”
Cale was the attendant while Choi Han was the guard.
‘The Hunters are well aware of Choi Han and my powers.’
He was certain that some of the Hunters would participate or watch the competition.
That was why it would be better for them not to show themselves.
"But does the Lan Kingdom originally not have a successor?”
“They were said to have a successor but they officially announced this time that they don't.”
“Ah. The Blood Demon.”
“Yeah.”
The answer was simple.
The Lan Kingdom had a successor despite this person never publicly showing themselves.
However, they officially stated that they did not have an heir as they announced this Strongest Under the Heavens Competition.
Cale believed the reason was the Blood Demon.
She no longer existed.
"Should we start moving again, Cale-nim?”
Cale answered Choi Han’s question.
“Yeah. Today is the last day for registration. We need to go register.”
The group quickly started to head down the mountain again.
The Heavenly Demon was at the back of the group, leisurely matching their speed down.
He then mumbled.
“The Strongest Under the Heavens Competition-”
His voice was so quiet that it got buried in the wind.
“Even if you take first place, you will be under the Queen, so how can you truly call yourself the strongest-, if they are putting the strongest on the line, that person should become the top person.”
The Heavenly Demon's mumbling ended there.
However, his eyes remained odd.
“Hmm?”
Cale, who had no idea about any of this, suddenly felt a chill and touched the back of his head.
‘It should be nothing, right?
It should be okay to ignore this feeling, right?’
Cale peeked at the Heavenly Demon.
The Heavenly Demon was just smiling.
‘I have a bad feeling about it.’
That was why he had a bad feeling.
‘I need to make sure to stay right next to this bastard.’
He decided to stay by his side as his attendant, making sure to keep his eye on him to make sure he didn't cause any issues.
* * *
‘Your Majesty-”
Queen Tamahi stopped looking down at the pond and turned her head.
Her teacher and the current head of the Martial Arts Curriculum, Cha Run, was standing there.
She could see his now white hair and his wrinkled face.
“Please reconsider it, your Majesty.”
Her old vassal was kneeling down and looking at her.
Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-
There was a gust of wind.
“I am now sixty.”
Queen Tamahi calmly answered.
“I cannot push it back any longer.”
She turned her gaze.
The water in the pond was calm.
No matter what was underneath it, it was calm right now.
“This is the last card we have to no longer be dragged around by them.”
“Your Majesty-”
Cha Run's eyes became teary.
This was from feeling resentment and sorrow.
"Wanderers.”
Queen Tamahi mumbled in a low voice before looking at the carps in the pond and clearly stating her thoughts.
The Wanderers.
“We cannot let those who think themselves as gods take this land.”
“…You are right, your Majesty.”
The old vassal, despite being over eighty, his gaze was still firm as he stood back up.
“I'm certain that a path will open, your Majesty. This lowly one will put everything on the line to fulfill your wishes.”
“Very well. I will trust you.”
Tamahi was desperately hoping for it.
“…Martial arts.”
Power?
Authority?
It wasn’t anything like that.
Lan.
This land's true nature was just one thing.
She was hoping that someone who knew the way of martial arts would appear.
At that moment, the guard who was far away from the gazebo where Cha Run and the Queen were in, approached them.
“Your Majesty.”
The guard lowered his head and reported once she looked at him.
“Prince Consort Hin Pao has arrived.”
Tamahi's husband’s name was Hin Pao.
A small smile formed on Tamahi's face.
On the other hand, Cha Run's face turned into a scowl for a moment before becoming stoic again.
Prince Consort Hin Pao.
He was full of suspicion about this guy.
He heard a sound transmission in his ears at that moment.
– Smile.
Cha Run flinched and looked at Tamahi.
The one who sent that sound transmission was Tamahi, his one and only Queen.
‘Your Majesty-’
Cha Run was impatiently waiting for the moment this great Queen's broken wings will open again and held back his tears.
‘I'm certain that the wanderers would have registered for the competition as well.’
Cha Run clenched his fists.
‘I will definitely protect Lan, I will definitely protect this land even if it turns this old body into ashes.’
* * *
===================
< Holy shit! A ton of rankers have registered! >
I'm near the registration desk right now and a ton of rankers in the Top 100 have registered for the SHC (Strongest Under the Heavens Competition). Holy shit, what a jackpot.
– This is the most certain way to become a monarch. There’s no way anybody would miss it.
– Hey, hey! It is not just the rankers! Strong individuals from all over the continent have all come!
– Wow… Is it really okay for all of them to gather like this? If the wrong fight breaks out, it might turn into a war.
– I think it will be difficult for a user to get first place. I think one of the strong individuals from the continent will win.
– But still, they are saying that the top ranker will go through the Imperial Crown Prince crowning ceremony in the Eastern Empire! The Lan Kingdom has potential too!
===================
As the RPOG community focused on the big event to take place in a week…
Someone who was neither a strong figure on the continent nor a ranker was the last to register.
“Your name is Kim Hae-Yi?”
“That is correct.”
"A swordsman?”
“That is correct.”
The Heavenly Demon finished his registration.
‘You are Kim Hae-il.’
‘Yeah?’
‘Then I will choose Kim Hae-Yi as my name.’
‘What?’
‘I will personally choose not to be first but second.’ (TL: Il is Korean for 1, Yi is Korean for 2).
‘Crazy bastard.’
Cale watched the Heavenly Demon with a scowl.
—
Translator's Comments
Our boi is so obsessed with Cale. Cale #1, HD #2!
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