I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 523

The Heavenly Demon, Yoo So-wol, is a master who stepped into the Profound Realm at the blooming age of twenty.

Although she barely survived with Grylls’s help right before falling into Qi Deviation, that was merely because her physical body had not been properly forged.

Meaning she was more than qualified to reach the Profound Realm itself, proving her sheer genius.

Throughout history, across all eras and places, there were almost no cases of anyone reaching the Profound Realm at the young age of twenty.

As time passed, the average martial prowess of martial artists rose, but ascending to the Profound Realm was a completely different matter.

If calculus suddenly pops out right after someone just learned addition and subtraction, who could solve it? Martial arts were the exact same.

Just as there are geniuses who learn ten things upon being taught one, there are also geniuses who comprehend over a hundred beyond those ten.

Yoo So-wol was precisely such a case, the very individual who had left even the elders utterly astounded.

Effortlessly absorbing the elders’ teachings into her own was a given; she was a genius who had even mastered the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts.

Calling her a gift sent from heaven was by no means an exaggeration, and when it came to talent, she lost to no one.

’It looks like the kind of scroll that occasionally pops up out of ancient ruins.’

Thus, looking at the secret manual Grylls handed over, she felt a peculiar sensation.

The final legacy of the Blood Demon, Wi Ho-chang—a secret manual no different from a sacred relic of the now-disbanded Blood Cult.

Because acquiring books—and paper in general—was extremely difficult in the Forest of the Four Seasons, it was carved directly onto wood.

Known as Bamboo Slips, it took the form of writing carved onto bamboo or wooden pieces and bound together with thread.

Wi Ho-chang must have been quite dexterous with his hands, for bamboo aside, he seemed to have woven the vines together quite skillfully.

’It is not just a single piece, but multiple ones.’

Yoo So-wol glanced to the side. Grylls had not sent just one. As they stacked up one by one, at least ten scrolls had piled up.

It seemed inevitable, given that it was impossible to write everything onto narrow wooden slats.

’At least he managed to source some proper ink from somewhere.’

The Zhongyuan language was neatly recorded without a single sloppy stroke.

Thanks to that, reading it posed no difficulty, but there was just one troublesome point.

Namely, words that were hardly used anymore—that is, "dead language." The era in which Wi Ho-chang was active was roughly thirty years ago.

When even regional dialects differed, adding the temporal gap meant she had no choice but to research them.

In a case like this, entrusting it to the Demonic Brain or asking an elder about the vocabulary would be remarkably easy.

The Demonic Brain possessed such a vast array of knowledge that one could say he knew everything, and the elders belonged to a similar generation as Wi Ho-chang.

’Then they would inevitably harbor suspicions and ask why I am researching archaic words.’

Yoo So-wol knew very well how she was perceived in the Demonic Cult. The sky revered and served by all demonic cultists.

And a martial arts fanatic who cared for nothing but combat arts. She knew that the Demonic Brain, in particular, viewed her this way.

Ever since she entered the Profound Realm, all kinds of rumors had reached her ears.

Even setting her martial realm aside, Yoo So-wol had ears, so she passively absorbed the rumors.

Not that she felt offended or anything. After all, it was all completely true.

She simply could not forgive slander and conspiracy; rumors rooted in fact she accepted humbly.

’I had better look it up myself instead.’

Contrary to her appearance, Yoo So-wol was far from a bookworm.

Given the choice, she preferred abusing moderator privileges on the Gallery or shitposting.

But now was the time to look through books. Concealing every trace of her presence, Yoo So-wol headed to the library.

Since the palace where the Heavenly Demon resided was immense, it naturally possessed its own separate library.

Why not just ask on the Gallery?

’That is out of the question.’

This was a matter of pride. Furthermore, even a single word could be a crucial component.

Thus, Yoo So-wol parsed every single meaning of the archaic terms in the library.

Though she was distant from reading, as stressed time and again, she too was an peerless genius.

By merely skimming through, she was able to perfectly comprehend the dead vocabulary.

And through that, she realized a single truth.

’...Remarkable.’

The secret manual left by Wi Ho-chang could be of immense help to Grylls’s growth.

Furthermore, it would be extremely useful for editing the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts, a task she was currently agonizing over.

Perhaps it was only natural, given that it was written by the very figure who once dominated the Murim and ignited the Orthodox-Demonic War.

However, because its contents perfectly matched Grylls’s traits of "immense internal energy" and "Unity of Self and Object," it annoyed Yoo So-wol.

The reason it annoyed her was that even if she translated all of this and sent it to Grylls, there would be no issue whatsoever.

’However, if this continues, it will be remembered as Wi Ho-chang’s achievement, not mine.’This chapter was copied from novelping dot com without permission.

This exact point posed a massive dilemma for Yoo So-wol.

Handling someone else’s secret manual recklessly as if it were one’s own was an act no martial artist should commit.

Beyond disrespecting the person, it was akin to tearing their body into five pieces—an act commonly described as an outrage against heaven and earth.

’I am heaven itself.’

Yet Yoo So-wol was brazen. Since she herself was heaven, how could heaven be outraged?

Besides, Wi Ho-chang was recorded as one of the worst arch-demons in the history of Zhongyuan.

Could using the secret manual of such a demon for the right purpose really be considered wrong?

Rather, it could be seen as respecting him as a fellow martial artist and performing an act that benefited the world.

’I have seen it on the Gallery. "If there are no witnesses, it counts as an assassination."’

What Yoo So-wol was currently doing could be called self-justification. But that was not all.

If she were teaching someone other than Grylls, she would have readily disclosed it to them.

For she would not have cared in the slightest even if they held Wi Ho-chang in higher regard than Yoo So-wol.

’However, my benefactor is different. He is one whom I teach personally, and one who respects me.’

What if Grylls came to prefer Wi Ho-chang’s secret manual and achievements instead?

To Yoo So-wol, it went beyond feeling bitter; it felt as though a dagger were piercing her heart.

He was clearly her serendipitous encounter and benefactor, yet it felt as though he were being stolen by someone else.

If it was jealousy, then jealousy it was—a feeling entirely unfamiliar to Yoo So-wol.

Normally, she should have been on guard against such an emotion, but Yoo So-wol ignored it, knowing full well that all of this was because of Grylls.

She simply had no way of determining where this feeling of jealousy originated.

’That is not what matters.’

Yoo So-wol resolved never to reveal Wi Ho-chang’s secret manual.

Along with that, she decided to cherry-pick only the best parts and melt them into the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts.

It was a petty act if there ever was one, but Yoo So-wol did not care.

She could not bear to see Grylls favoring someone else’s secret techniques, not even if it killed her.

’Sword Matstar. That person was someone who trimmed the branches, not the roots.’

No matter how much she trimmed the branches, because the roots were the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts, Yoo So-wol had let it slide.

However, Wi Ho-chang’s manual touched upon the very roots. That was unacceptable.

[Wild Grylls: Still, I’m glad the secret manual was helpful. Could you return it to me later?]

[Heavenly Demon: I shall study it a bit more before returning it to thee.]

Would the day ever come when she actually returned it? Yoo So-wol thought to herself as she sent the message.

In her heart, she wanted to neatly incinerate it. But the last shred of her conscience pricked at her.

Indeed, the manual of a martial artist who had dominated an era possessed more than enough value to be researched.

Moreover, integrating it with the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts would require a considerable amount of time.

’Even if I do not burn it, I can simply give it to my benefactor when he comes outside.’

Thus, for the first time in her life, Yoo So-wol committed a "dirty act."

Accompanied by the thought—fully corrupted by the Gallery—that if there are no witnesses, it counts as an assassination.

’I should return to my room for research.’

She figured she might as well find a place to store them too. With that, Yoo So-wol exited the audience chamber and returned to her room.

-What should we do? The Heavenly Demon...

It happened on her way back. A voice reached Yoo So-wol’s ears.

This voice was one she had heard many times before. It belonged to one of the elders.

Normally, when holding such a conversation, erecting a soundproof barrier was standard procedure. They had likely set up a soundproof barrier even now.

However, because Yoo So-wol’s martial realm was so astonishingly high, it entered her ears with vivid clarity.

’Do they harbor discontent toward me?’

Yoo So-wol focused on the conversation while heading back to her room.

She had anticipated this ever since declaring that she would edit the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts, which served as their very root and foundation.

If they harbored discontent over this and hatched a conspiracy, she intended to punish them immediately.

No matter how much the elders had raised her like their own child, she was someone who clearly distinguished right from wrong.

-Is it not far too premature? She has not even accomplished the Great Cause yet.

-Elder Dae-ho, you too have witnessed the Sky’s martial arts firsthand. She has now reached a realm where she no longer walks a path, but carves one out herself.

What on earth were they talking about? Yoo So-wol maintained her focus on the conversation even after returning to her room.

From the looks of it, they did not seem to be plotting a conspiracy. Judging by their genuinely anxious tone, she could be certain.Find the original chapter at novelping(.)com.

-Even if it is premature, it is estimated that little time remains before the long-cherished wish of our Sacred Cult is fulfilled. You know this as well, do you not?

-I concede that.

-Then shouldn’t we start thinking about a successor soon?

A successor. Hearing those words, Yoo So-wol narrowed her eyes.

Could it be that once the long-cherished wish was fulfilled, they intended to oust her and seat a successor to their liking?

Although the Heavenly Demon Cult was a place where outcasts gathered, that did not mean it was devoid of darkness.

Where people gathered, desires ultimately coalesced. It was only natural for all kinds of machinations and schemes to run rampant.

’How foolish. How dare they try to...’

Just as she was scoffing at the elders’ foolish thoughts—

-Now, now. Is she not merely at the blooming age of twenty? What’s more, the Sky can still grow even further.

-Wouldn’t it ease the Sky’s burden to have a husband who can support her?

Yoo So-wol flinched at the word "husband" that had popped out of nowhere.

Because it was such an out-of-the-blue statement, she nearly lost her mental composure.

-Support her? What a joke. I only hope he wouldn’t drag her down instead. Elder, do you not know as well? The Sky is growing stronger by the day.

-I am well aware. Previously, the Demonic Brain mentioned that she cleanly sliced through the sky with a single motion. She must be even stronger now.

-Taking a husband under such circumstances would only be a hindrance. Besides, is there even a man who matches the Sky?

-If we search among the noble clans, there might be...

-See there? You could search not just Zhongyuan, but the entire world, and you would never find a martial artist comparable to the Sky.

It was a conversation that could be considered a conspiracy in its own right. After all, the matter of succession was indeed critical.

However, Yoo So-wol could not understand. The condition to become the Sky of the Heavenly Demon Cult—that is, the Heavenly Demon—was simple.

To be recognized by the previous Heavenly Demon as well as the elders. Yoo So-wol, who grew up without parents, was precisely such a case.

’And yet, a husband? Are they seriously expecting me to bear a child?’

She felt equal parts flustered and dumbfounded. If so, how was this any different from the imperial court that revered their Emperor?

Deciding a successor purely on bloodline grounds—it was something that shook the very foundations of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

She could not easily brush it off. Yoo So-wol focused even further.

-Furthermore, it is custom for the Sky herself to designate her successor, so why are you attempting to shake our foundations?

-Even the predecessor entered the Profound Realm only after turning sixty. And even then, he passed away not long after. Yet the Sky entered it at the blooming age of twenty.

-So what you mean to say, Elder, is that you worry she might undergo Ascension to Immortality at an early age?

-Precisely. Besides, would there even be anyone who catches the Sky’s eye? She likely considers most people beneath her.

A rather fierce debate ensued back and forth. Both men had a point.

Yoo So-wol had not anticipated that aspect either, so she found herself listening with growing seriousness.

-Therefore, there must be a child who inherits the Sky’s talent. The simplest way among them is to take a husband and bear a successor.

-That contradicts what was said earlier. There won’t be any man who catches the Sky’s eye.

-Which is precisely why we ought to start searching right now, should we not? What’s more, the Sky is meant to embrace the sun, the moon, and even the stars. Taking multiple men would pose no problem.

-I doubt she would be satisfied with that. It might be easier to find the Earth instead.

-Is there such a person?

-There is one person in the Forest of the Four Seasons.

There is one person in the Forest of the Four Seasons. Yoo So-wol instantly realized who that person was.

An existence harboring internal energy that surpassed the earth to resemble a vast ocean. One who had realized true Unity of Self and Object.

-If it is that person, even the Sky will be satisfied.

-Hmm. A fair point indeed. But we have no way of knowing when he will emerge, do we?

-That is true. It would be better to inquire about this matter directly with the Sky.

-Understood.

Was it Elder Dae-ho? Yoo So-wol etched into her memory the name of the elder who had put forth such a splendid opinion.

When holding a meeting in the future, it would be best to single him out and ask for his opinion.

"...."

Yoo So-wol turned her head. Sitting lonely in the direction she turned was a potted plant.

The plant Grylls had given her, a potted plant she was cherishly raising to this day.

"...Heh."

The corners of Yoo So-wol’s lips curled up softly.

Furthermore, though it was a miniscule change, the tip of her ear peeking through her hair turned slightly red.

’I simply need to wait.’

When it came to patience, she was confident she would yield to no one.