Within the Black Serpent Sect, chaos filled the air.
Disciples ran in every direction.
Some gathered supplies.
Some prepared their weapons.
Others formed battle formations in the courtyard.
The entire sect was in motion.
Shen Kai stood quietly, watching everything unfold.
This is the first time… he thought to himself.
The first time our sect is marching to war.
The atmosphere was heavy.
After a moment, Shen Kai turned and walked toward a small inner chamber. He stopped in front of a wooden door and pushed it open.
Inside, a young boy sat cross-legged in meditation.
"Mori Jin," Shen Kai called calmly.
Hearing his master's voice, the boy slowly opened his eyes.
"Master… what has happened?"
Shen Kai looked back toward the courtyard before speaking.
"We are going to war," he said.
Mori Jin's expression sharpened.
"There is a possibility," Shen Kai continued, "that your father's killer will be there."
The room grew silent.
"If you wish to come, then come with me," Shen Kai said steadily. "But understand this—on a battlefield, life and death are not guaranteed. Think carefully."
Mori Jin stood up.
His eyes were resolute.
"Master," he said firmly, "in this world, I have no one."
"You were the one who accepted me as your disciple."
"How can I let the only important person in my life walk into war alone?"
Shen Kai looked at him for a long moment… then nodded with a faint smile.
Mori Jin clenched his fists, his teeth grinding.
"And if my father's killer is truly there…" he said coldly,
"Then he will die."
Before Shen Kai and Mori Jin could speak further—
A deep bell rang across the sect.
Dong… Dong… Dong…
A commanding voice echoed through the air.
"All disciples, gather at the main grounds!"
Shen Kai and Mori Jin stepped outside immediately. From every direction, members of the Black Serpent Sect rushed toward the central plaza.
The sect grounds were enormous. Even after two thousand disciples gathered, vast empty space still remained.
Silence gradually fell.
Then—
Sect Leader Mo Xuan stepped forward.
His robes flowed behind him as he walked. Elders stood on both sides. The entire sect bowed in respect.
But inside his mind, there was no pride.
I never wanted this war…
Even if we won, the price would be heavy.
Then he remembered the letter from the Alliance Leader.
The threat hidden within polite words.
"Mo Xuan.
I want every rebel hiding in Shanxi eliminated.
Do this before the Empire's general arrives.
This victory must belong to the Alliance — not the Empire.
And if you refuse…
I have heard your sect has been involved in certain illegal activities in Henan.
I would hate for such information to spread.
Choose wisely."
Mo Xuan's fingers tightened inside his sleeves.
It was not a request.
It was blackmail.
He dares threaten me…
His eyes flashed with anger.
Yet he knew the truth.
The Alliance Leader was stronger.
He had no choice.
Mo Xuan looked at the thousands of disciples before him.
These were the pillars of his sect.
He inhaled deeply and spoke.
"Today… we march to war."
His voice spread like a storm.
"In Shanxi, rebels hide like rats. Traitors who defy order."
"We will show them what happens to traitors."
His killing intent surged.
"Raise your blades!"
Thousands of weapons rose into the sky.
"For the Sect!" they roared in unison.
Their voices shook the air like thunder.
"For the Sect!"
"For the Sect!"
Then—
The gates opened.
Like a black tide, thousand of warriors began marching toward Shanxi.
Boots struck the ground in perfect rhythm.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The sound rolled across the land.
Birds scattered from the trees.
Animals fled from the road ahead.
War had begun.
Far in the distance, Ming walked steadily through the mountain path.
Wrath and Jinhai followed behind him at a rhythmic pace.
Suddenly—
Ming stopped.
He turned around, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned the empty horizon.
Wrath noticed immediately.
"My Lord… what is it?"
Ming looked at her for a moment before turning back forward.
"It's nothing," he said calmly. "Just a bad feeling."
Jinhai stepped closer.
"How long until we reach them?"
Ming closed his eyes briefly.
"I can feel my beast's location," he replied. "At this pace… one more day."
After saying that, their speed increased.
The wind began to whistle around them.
Deep within the mountains—
Gluttony stood holding a bird in his hand.
A small letter was tied to its leg.
He untied it and read quickly.
His expression darkened.
He turned to one of the rebels nearby.
"Did you see Pride?"
The man pointed in a direction.
"General, he went that way."
Gluttony frowned slightly.
"Don't call me General. We are rebels now."
Then he walked toward a rocky clearing.
There—
Pride sat alone, playing shogi against himself.
He moved a piece calmly without looking up.
"What brings you here?" Pride asked lazily. "You look troubled."
Gluttony stepped forward.
"I received news. The Black Serpent Sect is heading here."
Pride simply nodded.
Seeing his calm reaction, Gluttony continued.
"If the Empire also comes… we're all dead."
Pride placed another piece on the board.
"They're not coming."
Gluttony's patience snapped.
"How can you be so calm? My people will die if we do nothing!"
Pride sighed, clearly annoyed.
"That's why I dislike people who rely only on brute force and not their minds."
He finally looked up.
"When is our Lord returning?"
"Soon," Gluttony replied.
Pride leaned back slightly.
"Then listen carefully."
"The Emperor is not a fool. He has only eleven of his twelve generals available. His strongest general is still injured."
"With that situation, do you think he would waste forces to kill 'worthless rebels' like us?"
His tone was indifferent, but his eyes were sharp.
"No."
"He is focused on the Blood Cult."
Gluttony frowned.
"But the Emperor said he would send personal troops to eliminate us."
Pride smirked.
"He lied."
"He said that so the Alliance would act quickly and eliminate us before imperial soldiers arrived."
"Think about it. If the Emperor destroys the rebels without any help from the Alliance… it would stain the Alliance's reputation."
Silence filled the clearing.
Gluttony clenched his fists.
It frustrated him.
But Pride's predictions were always correct.
Almost as if he could see the future.
After a moment, Gluttony turned away.
"Even if the Empire isn't coming… the Black Serpent Sect is."
"We need to prepare."
Pride moved one final piece on the board.
"Check."