Yilu Lok goes near the office door just as he is about to knock, he hears the voice of a man from the courtyard of the office.
The courtyard is carefully tended and spread before the office—stone pathways bordered by trimmed pines and blossoming plum trees, the ground raked in neat patterns of gravel that reflected harmony and order. Guards in dark uniforms with a burning sun stood watch at discreet distances, their presence a silent reminder of the authority residing inside.
The man is Han Jiwon, secretary of the Yilu family head. He is tall and slender, with neatly tied black hair and thin eyes that always carry a calculating gleam. His expression rarely changes, giving him the aura of an unshakable strategist. The secretary of the family head was not merely a servant but the silent pillar behind the clan's order. He ensures that all the affairs of the family flow smoothly.
"Is something the matter secretary Han?"
Secretary Han says with his usual expression.
"It's a rare sight for you to visit the office of the family head."
"Today I have something to discuss with my father."
Secretary Han looks at Yilu Lok for some time and says.
"Something to discuss with the family head. But the family head is not in his office."
"Not in the office so where can I find him."
"Some time ago the head of the family completed today's work and went to train. If I am not wrong he might be in his private training ground."
Yilu Lok thinks for a second and tries to remember the way to Yilu Yan's private training ground.
"Thanks for the information secretary Han."
He cupped his fist at secretary Han and secretary Han did the same. Then he goes into his way towards the private training ground of Yilu Yan.
After walking for five minutes Yilu Lok finally reaches the training ground. As he gets close to it he feels immense heat burning his skin. When he reaches the door he is having difficulty breathing because of hot air but next second all the heat disappears as if it never existed.
Yilu Lok enters the training ground. The training ground is surrounded by high stone walls with an open roof from where one can see the sky. The floor has a wide expanse of polished stone, its surface bearing black burn marks as if scorched from intense heat.
In the middle of the training ground a man that looks as if in his twenties is standing with his eyes closed and in his hand there is a white sun like sphere giving off intense heat. Even from a distance Yilu Lok can feel the heat.
He is Yilu Yan one of the three Heavens of central plains and Head of the head of Yilu family and ruler of one of the three great powers of central plains.
He looks like an elegant man with long, flowing white hair that streams around him, giving a sense of divine presence. He is dressed in a loose, light-colored robe that emphasises a serene and graceful aura.
His expression is calm, with closed eyes, as if he is in deep thought, meditation, or channeling energy. Glowing white energy swirls gracefully around his hand and wrist, adding a mystical and powerful atmosphere. He fell like a white sun. The temperature around is unbearably hot just from his presence.
"So strong it feels like I am standing in front of the sun no wonder he is called one of the three heavens of murim."
Yilu Yan feels the presence of Yilu Lok and opens his eyes and with a warm smile walks toward Yilu Lok and says.
"How are you doing these days?"
Yilu Lok smiles back and replies.
"I am doing good. Did I interrupt your training?"
Yilu Yan snakes his head.
"No, I was about to end it, you just came at the right time."
"Oh.."
"Is there something you need that you came here at this time."
Yilu Lok has spent his entire day in the Yilu Archive. The sun has set long time ago and night has started to take over the day.
Yilu Lok hesitates for a second and says.
"From the past fifteen days I am reading about the history of entire central plains."
Yilu Yan listens to him carefully.
"I have read the entire history of the central plains but the part about the great war remains old Yuan said I have to get permission from the family head to read about it."
After listening to Yilu Lok Yilu Yan does not say anything for a few seconds.
"I can't give that to you yet."
Yilu Lok is surprised this is the first time Yilu Yan has denied his request. Yilu Lok's entire family cherishes him very much after he was unable to cultivate True Sun Mantra instead of criticising him. All of them supported him.
"You can't give it to me yet. Why?"
"There are some circumstances I can't say."
Yilu Lok ponders for a second then says.
"Then I have a request to make."
Yilu Lok smiles.
"What is it?"
"I want to learn demon arts from Heavenly Demon divine cult."
Yilu Yan's smile stiffens for a second and he says.
"You want to learn demon arts."
"Yes I feel that I will be able to become a martial artist with demonic arts."
Yilu Yan stays quiet so Yilu Lok adds.
"I don't have a solid proof but believe me."
"Haa."
After listening to Yolu Lok Yilu Yan exhales and says.
"Alright, it has been a long time since your mother, me and you have dinner together. Tonight all three of us will have dinner together and I will give you my answer there."
Yilu Lok smiles and says.
"Thank you father."
"Ha ha.. Now go and tell your mother."
Yilu Lok nods and goes to tell his mother about dinner.
In the training ground now Yilu Yan is standing alone, he takes a black jade tablet from his pocket. The tablet is the size of a fist and it has 'Yeon Mo' written on it with purple colour.
Yilu Yan injects his true qi into the black tablet and the 'Yeon Mo' written on it starts shining. Soon a vague image of a purple figure made of demonic qi appears over it.
"Yilu Yan, what a surprise! who would have thought you are the one who has contacted me. Is the world about to end?"
Yeon Mo says with a mocking expression but Yilu Yan only looks at him with an expressionless place. The face that was smiling in front of Yilu Lok is nowhere to be seen.
"I have a favour to ask from you."
"What?"
The mocking expression on the face of Yeon Mo disappeared and he looked at Yilu Yan with shock.
"You.."
Seeing Yilu Yan serious, Yeon Mo also became serious.
"You of all people want a favor from me."
"Yes."
"Tell me what do you want."
"Breaths!"
Yilu Yan takes a deep breath and says.
"I want you to teach my son Nine Calamity Demon Arts."
Hearing the name of Nine Calamity Demon Arts Yeon Mo becomes Solomon and with an anger filled voice he says.
"Have you lost your mind Yilu Yan. Do you know what you are asking?"
"I know… In exchange you can also send someone from the demon sect to become my disciple and I will teach him my True Sun Mantra."
All the anger vanishes from the face of Yeon Mo after all True Sun Mantra is something that rivals Nine Calamity Demon Arts. But what surprised Yeom Mo most is that the Yilu family despise demonic arts. But he is sending his own son to learn the greatest demon art and he is even willing to exchange True Sun Mantra for it.
Yeon Mo thinks for some time and says.
"I can't make a decision before looking at your son. So how about it my daughter is also the same age as your third son., So let's make an engagement between them."
Yilu Yan looks at Yeon Mo and says.
"The one who makes the decision will be my son. Tomorrow I will send my son to Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. They can take a look at each other and make the decision themselves."
"Alright I will be waiting for your son in Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
The figure of Yeon Mo disappeares and Yilu Yan looks at the night sky.
***
In the dinner hall Yilu Yan, Ya Bai Mudan and Yilu Lok are having dinner together.
Yilu Yan looks at his son and says with a smile.
"Son, I have decided my answer."
Yilu Lok nervously listens to Yilu Yan.
"I have already made arrangements tomorrow at noon you will depart for Heavenly Devon Divine Cult."
A smile appears on the face of Yilu Yan.
"What? Our Lok is going to the demon cult."
Ya Bai Mudan looks at both Yilu Yan and Yilu Lok as if the sky has fallen.
"Why? husband you know right what kind of place the demon cult is."
Before Yilu Yan can answer Yilu Lok says.
"Mother, it is my decision to go to the demon cult."
"But why?"
"Mother, I feel like I can practice demon arts."
Ya Bai Mudan looks at him with teary eyes and says.
"But.."
"Mother, I know what I am doing. I want to get stronger too. You also know fifteen days ago a trainee took his first step in his journey of martial arts. I want to do it too."
Ya Bai Mudan wants to say something but Yilu Lok gently places his hand on her and says.
"So mother let me go to the demon cult."
Looking at the resolve of her son Ya Bai Mudan finally agrees.
"Alright you can go but remember if you want to come back we are always here for you."
Yilu Lok smiles and nods.
"My dear I forgot to mention one more thing. We have decided to make an engagement between our childrens."
Both Yilu Lok and Ya Bai Mudan look at Yilu Yan with shocked eyes.
"Ah!.. father, I think you should have said the part about engagement first."
All three of them chatted happily and after dinner they went to their room to sleep.