The next morning, Seojin led a team straight to Soho's quarters.
Just as Soho had feared, they planted a gold chest under his bed and immediately shouted:
"This is proof of bribery from the Blood Cult!"
At the same time, temple disciples—acting on Abbot Mingyuan's direct order—searched Hao's room.
They never believed Hao could do something like this, but an Abbot's command could not be questioned.
And there it was.
Another gold chest.
Placed there beforehand.
That evidence shattered the faith of everyone who supported Hao.
They didn't want to believe someone like Hao could betray them…
but they could not deny what they were seeing.
Seojin stood before the people and announced:
**"Because Soho and Hao were in that city, our Alliance Leader suspected something was wrong and sent a warning letter.
But Soho and Hao replied that everything was under control.
We trusted them — and because of their lies, tragedy struck.
They even injured themselves to appear innocent.
If not for the wisdom of the Ten Havens, these two would have deceived us all!"**
Those words spread through every tavern and street.
"Do you think it's true? Were those two working with the cult?"
"Of course! How else did they come back alive when thousands died?"
"I heard they found golden chests in both their rooms. It must be true!"
And slowly, the anger that was first aimed at the Murim Alliance
shifted completely onto Soho and Hao.
People cursed their names.
Some even boycotted the temple, furious that Hao came from there.
That evening, the protesting crowd gathered in front of the temple gates.
Then Abbot Mingyuan walked out — wearing only a simple robe, looking humble and sorrowful.
He raised his hands.
"I know you are angry at this temple… for what my child has done."
Someone shouted:
"You're calling him a child?!"
Mingyuan looked at him gently.
"Anyone who lives in this temple is my child."
And then—
He dropped to his knees.
He bowed deeply to the entire crowd.
"I know his sin cannot be forgiven.
But if your anger must fall somewhere… let it fall on me."
The crowd stared in shock.
A Haven-Realm expert bowing to common people?
Their respect for Mingyuan rose instantly.
And their hatred for Hao grew even stronger.
"How can someone so noble have such a disciple?"
""his master was killed ten years ago Maybe Hao even killed his master ten years ago. Who knows?"
"It all makes sense now…"
With just a few words, Mingyuan raised his reputation
and buried Hao's name in the mud.
As he returned to the temple,
no one noticed the cunning smile on his face.
By framing just Hao and Soho, the Alliance protected its own name.
And the people… believed it.
The same citizens who once respected and trusted the Murim Alliance
now poured all their anger onto two people — Hao and Soho.
Within half a day, the judgment was made.
The official statement declared:
– Guilty of crimes against humanity
– Guilty of deceiving their own organization
– Guilty of colluding with an inhuman cult that slaughtered thousands
No trial.
No investigation.
No mercy.
The Alliance announced the final verdict that same evening:
In three days, Soho and Hao would be executed in the Alliance Headquarters courtyard.
All citizens were invited to witness the execution—
a reminder to never deceive the Murim Alliance.
Rumors spread like wildfire.
Crowds gathered at night, talking about the two "traitors."
Some came out of anger.
Some came out of curiosity.
Some came to see whether justice truly existed.
Inside the Cell
Soho and Hao sat in the cold, dim dungeon cell.
Hao was curled up on the floor, exhausted from crying, his meridians sealed.
Soho sat calmly, legs crossed, as if none of this mattered.
Footsteps echoed.
The Alliance Leader appeared outside the cell.
He looked at Soho… then at Hao.
He frowned.
"Are you scared?"
Soho looked up and smiled.
"No. I'm not."
The Alliance Leader's face tightened.
Soho pointed at Hao.
"He wouldn't stop crying.
So I blocked his meridian to make him sleep."
The Alliance Leader raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't ask you to do that."
Soho shrugged.
"I thought you were curious why we're so calm even though we'll die in three days."
The Alliance Leader stepped closer.
"…I am curious. Why?"
Soho didn't even think.
He answered immediately:
"Because I always knew this day would come."
The Leader stiffened.
Soho continued:
"I know you hate me. I know you've been looking for a way to kill me.
And now you finally found one."
The Alliance Leader's heart skipped.
He had never shown any killing intent toward Soho.
His emotions were always controlled.
His face never revealed anything.
Yet this young man saw right through him.
How?
Soho smiled faintly.
"You're wondering how I know."
He leaned forward.
"It's simple.
Your eyes were full of hatred.
Just like someone else I once knew."
The Alliance Leader's composure cracked.
He prided himself on hiding everything—
his realm, his intent, his thoughts.
But Soho read him like an open book.
Soho slowly stood up.
"I have something to tell you too."
The Leader narrowed his eyes.
"What is it?"
Soho's voice dropped.
"The child you want… Ming.
He's alive."
The Alliance Leader froze.
His first thought:
"Did the Empire take him?"
But then Soho's next words hit him like a thunderbolt.
"He was in Red Line."
Red Line.
A place of no return.
A hell where no human comes back alive.
Soho smiled.
"And I can tell you this—
anyone who survives Red Line…
will drag all of you into hell."
The Leader dismissed him with a click of his tongue.
"Idiot. No one returns from Red Line."
He had expected Soho to beg for his life.
To cry.
To scream.
Instead, Soho had ruined the mood completely.
The Leader turned to leave, but paused.
"I came here to tell you one more thing."
He looked straight at Soho.
"Your entire squad will be executed with you."
Not a single muscle on Soho's face moved.
He simply nodded.
"They knew this would happen someday.
That's why I gave them a standing order—
if I ever ended up in prison,
their first priority was to escape."
The Alliance Leader smirked.
"Run? How far can they go?"
He turned away.
"One day, I'll catch them."
Then he left the cell.
As his footsteps faded, Soho whispered under his breath:
"Ming really came back…
You're all going to see hell."