The gentle scent of tigerwood spread out into the office room like a whisper. Mok Dae-young moved the pot of tea onto the table and stared at the young man before him. Indeed, Demonic General. He could see the iron bracers that Woon-seong wore on his arms and legs, covered by baggy clothing. Definitely stronger than me. Mok Dae-young was convinced of his defeat. Although he was considered a Demonic General, his abilities were only enough for him to be the Kashgur branch manager. 

However, the young man named Hyuk Woon-seong seemed like he could do great things. Not only did he rank first in the Cave of Latent Demons, but his attitude was excellent.

For sure, he isn’t just some ordinary kid.

From there, Mok Dae-young stopped thinking. A man with that ability would someday become a central figure of the Cult, but that would be distant from him, who was out in the middle of nowhere. How long had it been since he left that all behind?

Mok Dae-young took two cups of moderately warmed tea and placed a cup in front of Woon-seong. The boy glanced at the cup in front of him. 

Baihao Yinzhen (‘White Hair Silver Needle’)

He hadn’t noticed it because of the smell of incense, but this was his master’s favorite tea too. Of course, the taste was slightly different from which his master boiled it. The master’s tea had a deeper bitterness and would often leave a bitter taste in his mouth. But the fragrance of the tea was enough to remind him of his master.

“So, what information do you need?”

Mok Dae-young’s question woke the boy up from his memories. “Oh…it’s about the ‘Five Evils’.”

“Ouch…That is a difficult task.”

Mok Dae-young’s expression became a bit awkward at these words. If he were in charge of this mission, he would have suffered a bit. In addition, from the standpoint of the branch office, these targets were difficult to deal with. 

Despite being only five, the members of the ‘Five Evils’ were all top class martial artists. In addition, the leader, the ‘Black Evil’ was a peak level martial artist who was able to use sword aura. Many people could use sword aura in practice, but few could put it to use in a practical situation. In that sense, only those who belonged to the upper echelon of the Demonic General class could fight him. Compared to Mok Dae-young, it was definitely one step above. 

Mok Dae-young looked at the young man before his eyes with a cautious expression. Could this young man deal with ‘Black Evil’? No, if it was just ‘Black Evil’ alone, the branch itself could deal with it. However, the opponent was not a single member, but all of the ‘Evils’: Black, Blue, Red, White, and Yellow. Honestly, it would be difficult for the 1st Latent Group to deal with them. Perhaps it was possible, but about ten people would have to die in the best case scenario. Nevertheless, this was a mission from the Cult. 

Mok Dae-young smiled bitterly. Is there any chance that the Cult is trying to weed out even more trainees?

“I need information because the mission is difficult.” Woon-seong’s eyes were deep, incomparably so. 

Mok Dae-young felt cold flames from within his gaze. Thoughtful, but determined to act, eyes that only those who had ambition and drive could have. The eyes of those who have faith to walk their own path, those who didn’t hesitate to devote themselves for what they decided to do. 

And Mok Dae-young had met people with those same eyes when he had been at the headquarters of the Cult, ten years ago. At that time, most of them had died due to their ambition. But some survived the difficulties, and became stronger than everyone else. The ‘Ten Demonic Masters’, they were ‘under one person, above all others’, the strongest in the Cult of the Heavenly Demon. 

And now the eyes of this boy were enough to remind Mok Dae-young of those days. 

So you’re a man of that caliber.

Whatever Woon-seong hid behind that gaze, if the boy succeeded in his mission, it would be good to keep an eye on such a young man. It would surely be a big windfall for the Cult. So Mok Dae-young made a decision. “Okay. I will give you the information.”

The order from the Cult was to destroy the ‘Five Evils’. The information collected about them could not be given away so easily, but Woon-seong had passed the unspoken test. 

Woon-seong, who had received the information, headed for the branch’s resting areas.

The branch had given generous lodging and care for the members of the 1st Latent Demon Squad. Thanks to this, the trainees were taking a rest they had never enjoyed before. The food brought by the maids was also organized. They had a chance to taste the Holy Communion before they headed out for a fight, but the atmosphere was different. Comfortable and cozy. Not only that, they could wash off the dirt and fatigue with warm water. 

Except, the situation was a bit uncomfortable. 

“Hmm.”

Looking at the feast on the table in front of them, all the members of the squad had awkward looks plastered upon their faces. 

At that time, Woon-seong arrived. “You’re all making some interesting faces there.”

Gwan Tae-ryang stared at him, as if scared. “This is…I think it’s too much.”

At his words, Woon-seong looked around. Not only were they in a state of distress, but everyone was looking uncomfortable. No matter how you give a meal, it’s useless if you cannot eat properly. He made a decision. “I’ll ask the servants to leave.”

“But…” The maid opened her mouth to speak, but shut her mouth just as fast.

“Just put down the food and get out. I will speak with the branch manager about it later.”

With that said, the maids bowed and left the room. After they went out, the members of the squad looked more relaxed. 

Woon-seong smiled and sat down next to Gwan Tae-ryang. “I’ve gathered information about the ‘Five Evils’.”

Was it because of the mention of their mission? The momentum of the squad seemed to have changed from when they looked relaxed. Now, their auras were sharp as a knife and their eyes were crackling with gunpowder. 

“I’ll talk after we eat.” 

However, Woon-seong raised his hand, restrained them, and lifted his spoon first. Looking at that, the squad members looked awkward again and lifted their own spoons. Soon, only the sound of cutlery could be heard. 

After the meal, the members gathered in one place. The purpose was to hear the intel brought by Woon-seong. He was sitting in front of them, with Gwan Tae-ryang sitting next to him. 

“As you all are aware, the group mission is about the ‘Five Evils’.”

Strictly speaking, they were a group of blood lamas. A group of five Tibetan blood lamas who were practicing asceticism in the Tibetan Potala Palace before fleeing after committing crimes.

“All of them are known to be top notched martial artists. For a better understanding, the youngest ‘Yellow Evil’ is said to be around the level of our Senior Instructor.” 

The Senior Instructor and ‘Yellow Evil’ were both considered to be first class martial artists. But if they had to fight, the one who won in the end would be their Senior Instructor. As there is a big difference between those at the top, there is also a difference among the first class.

Nevertheless, Woon-seong’s comparison meant that he was nervous. The skills of the trainees were first class. But except for him, there was no one who could win a one-on-one melee against a top class master. 

“Of course, Blue Evil, Red Evil, and White Evil aren’t much stronger than Yellow Evil.”

With that, the faces of the trainees relaxed once more. Four of them were on the same level, to be precise. 

Of the four Evils, they would have to fight against them using a wheel formation and clinging to the advantage of the majority. That was the initial plan, but Woon-seong also had another thought. 

“You deal with Blue Evil alone, Gwan Tae-ryang.”

Among them, only Gwan Tae-ryang could compete against the Senior Instructor. Seven times out of ten, the Senior Instructor would win. But according to his condition that day, the Senior Instructor could not guarantee victory either. Gwan Tae-ryang was a talented person and at least this would be a good fight for him, even if it only ended up as him stalling for time. In addition, like this, more trainees could face Yellow, White, and Red Evils. 

Gwan Tae-ryang bowed his head. That solved four of the Evils. 

But there was a bigger problem. 

“The problem is Black Evil.” 

Woon-seong had explained it to them, he was the strongest of the five and could use sword aura. Except for himself, it would be impossible for the others to hold on for more than a few moves. Even if they tried to push with numbers, they would only get beaten back. 

Only one man was able to deal with Black Evil in the 1st Latent Demon Squad. And that one man said, “Let me deal with Black Evil.” 

Woon-seong played with the bracers on his arm.