[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method":3,"chapter-heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-340":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1633418,2099,"Chapter 340: This Is Above Our Paygrade","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-340",340,"\u003Cp>Baron Zathrek stood at the main gate of Grimveil City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive black doors behind him were fully open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rows of demons lined both sides of the road, standing stiff and silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the usual street noise was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zathrek kept his back straight, his hands folded calmly in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash drifted faintly from his body, but his breathing was steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Everything must be perfect,\" he muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Velkyr stood a step behind him, eyes lowered. His blurred form was unusually still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air suddenly grew heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several elite demons near the gate stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them nearly collapsed to a knee before catching himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zathrek felt it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...He’s here,\" he said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the road beyond the gate, a small procession approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the front were several demon slaves, their heads lowered, backs bent under pressure that did not come from weight alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between them floated a black metal box, carried by chains of glowing runes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slaves trembled as they moved. Sweat ran down their faces. Every step looked painful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zathrek’s eyes locked onto the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The box stopped several meters in front of the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The runes pulsed once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the lid slid open with a sharp metallic sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure increased instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several demons along the road dropped to one knee without realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tall figure stepped out calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Count Morveth Sealgrave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His posture was rigid and upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glowing runes carved into his body pulsed slowly, spreading suppression in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes swept across the gate, the walls, and the demons and finally settled on Zathrek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zathrek immediately lowered his head and dropped to one knee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome to Grimveil City,\" he said. \"Count Morveth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Velkyr and the other demons followed instantly, kneeling without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morveth looked at them in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze lingered on Zathrek for a moment longer than necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm,\" Morveth said. \"You prepared the city properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zathrek did not lift his head. \"We would not dare to be careless in your presence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morveth stepped forward. The stone beneath his feet faintly cracked with each step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good,\" he said. \"Carelessness breeds instability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped directly in front of Zathrek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is my residence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zathrek lifted his head slightly, careful not to meet Morveth’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It has already been prepared,\" he replied. \"The highest district. All others have been cleared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morveth nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As expected,\" he said. \"I will not tolerate interference.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zathrek answered immediately. \"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morveth glanced briefly at the kneeling demons along the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were empty, unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too many,\" he said flatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zathrek’s chest tightened. \"If you wish, we can reduce...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need,\" Morveth interrupted. \"I will not be here long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That single sentence sent a chill through the gathered demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morveth turned slightly, already losing interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lead the way,\" he said. \"After that, you will report everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then added without looking back,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do not omit details.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zathrek bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Morveth began walking into the city, the pressure slowly shifted with him, like a moving weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zathrek rose to his feet only after Morveth had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash clung to his shoulders more heavily now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Velkyr leaned in slightly. \"City Lord...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zathrek raised one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quiet,\" he said softly. \"From this moment on, we do not make mistakes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and followed after the Demon Count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, on the other side of the city...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion stood on the roof of a tall, empty building near the outer district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arms were crossed as he looked toward the main gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From here, he could clearly see the formation, the kneeling demons, and the heavy pressure rolling through the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So that’s him,\" Garion said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes followed the tall figure moving through the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Count Morveth,\" he muttered. \"So that’s what a Demon Count looks like.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted his weight slightly and tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way,\" he asked, \"what was Kravos’ rank again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atlas answered right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kravos was a Demon Baron.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[One rank below a Demon Count.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So only one level difference,\" he said. \"That doesn’t sound like much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atlas replied immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Please don’t misunderstand that, Host.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion glanced down slightly. \"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Even though it’s only one rank difference, the gap in strength is massive.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[A Demon Count can easily kill ten Demon Barons.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion’s brows lifted just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I see,\" he said. \"So at least ten times stronger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He watched Morveth continue walking, demons bowing out of his way without being ordered to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That makes things more interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atlas was silent for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Forget about recruiting for now.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If possible, kill that Count.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion turned his head sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He uncrossed his arms and looked forward again, frowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why forget about it?\" he asked. \"Isn’t my goal to build the God Gym in the demon world?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his fist slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I’m here, I should at least find one demon who can become a proper member.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So why are you telling me to forget it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atlas answered calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Because Count Morveth is a Seal Demon.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A Seal Demon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[All slaves under his jurisdiction are sealed by his power.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Their bodies, growth, and potential are locked.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion’s expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So even if I take that slave away,\" he said slowly, \"they won’t be able to train properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Correct.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion clicked his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"God damn it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared down at the city streets, watching the slaves move stiffly as they followed the Count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So if I want that slave,\" he said, \"I need to deal with the one who sealed them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atlas did not hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That’s right.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion let out a slow breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So I need to kill a Demon Count.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion was quiet for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight of the situation settled in, not as fear, but as calculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Damn,\" he muttered. \"This is going to be troublesome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He straightened, a faint smile forming at the corner of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if I don’t deal with him,\" Garion continued, \"nothing here will ever move forward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So be it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1020,"2026-06-06T11:12:18.542Z",1,"novelbin.me","404ec5e09d0db470b834bb3f8ed3cc51732b0d2467467690c461abbfcb98c911","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-341","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-339",613,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-cover.jpg"]