Chapter 497.1
Side Story 1 Part 1
Samadhi's True Flame (1)
At the bottom of a deep ravine.
Thick vegetation grew on the cliff above, and in the darkness where not even a ray of sunlight penetrated, footsteps echoed from somewhere.
-Thud! Thud!
The footsteps continued forward for a while before stopping somewhere.
About twenty jang away from where the footsteps stopped, there stood a building illuminated by torches.
The building had red cloth hanging on it, making it look like a shrine. Strangely, hundreds of tombstones were planted around it.
The tombstones were densely engraved with red letters, and the way they were arranged resembled a battle formation.
This alone seemed quite unusual, but around thirty diviners were guarding the shrine with utmost vigilance, forming hand seals.
At that moment, the door of the shrine opened and someone walked out.
It was a middle-aged diviner who emerged with a serious expression on his face, as if something had happened. He looked into the darkness outside the shrine with wary eyes.
Seeing his demeanor, the diviners maintaining their hand seals and guarding their positions looked at him curiously.
"Moon-level Diviner Yook. What's the matter?"
One of the diviners asked about the reason.
The middle-aged diviner called Moon-level Diviner Yook swallowed dryly and opened his mouth.
"Did no one else feel that chilling demonic energy just now?"
"Demonic energy?"
At this question, the diviners looked at each other and tilted their heads.
None of them had felt any tremendous demonic energy.
Seeing the diviners' reactions, Moon-level Diviner Yook wondered if he had overreacted.
But then,
-Drip!
Beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.
'What's this?'
It felt unusually hot.
The ravine was normally quite chilly since light barely reached it, so what was going on?
"Aren't you all feeling ho…?"
At that moment, Moon-level Diviner Yook's eyes widened. For good reason,
"Heh…"
"Huh…"
The diviners had suddenly become dazed, with unfocused eyes and drool dripping from their mouths.
Sensing something ominous, Moon-level Diviner Yook hurriedly tried to form a hand seal.
-Clack! Clack! Clack!
But at that very moment,
-Whoosh!
A sound like something spinning rapidly and causing friction was heard.
As he wondered what it could be, he saw two wheels blazing with crimson flames in his field of vision.
'D-damn it…'
-Whoosh!
Before he could even deploy his divination technique.
A wave of devastating flames spewed from the two fiercely spinning wheels, engulfing everything around and burning it all to ashes.
Soon, nothing remained around the shrine but scorched traces.
Footsteps continued in that place.
-Thud thud!
The footsteps stopped again somewhere, which was right in the middle of the burnt remains of the shrine.
In the center stood a large stone statue, but its form was too grotesque to be called human.
This was because it had the shape of an ox with one of its horns broken off.
-Swish!
In front of this grotesque statue, someone caressed it while muttering in a voice filled with killing intent.
"Father…
***
[This body burns in the flames of purification, with no attachment to life or death. Eliminating evil for the sake of good and illuminating the light, joy and sorrow all remain as mere dust. How pitiful are the worried sentient beings.]
A year had passed since the establishment of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
In this year, which could be considered long or short depending on one's perspective, the doctrine of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had spread throughout the Central Plains and was beginning to gradually influence not only martial artists but also civilians.
Despite its predecessor being considered an evil organization like the Heaven and Earth Society and being rejected by the country like the Fire Faith Order, the reason it could achieve this much was largely due to the influence of the Heavenly Demon, the cult's founder and first leader.
The Heavenly Demon, who had saved not only martial artists but all people from a great calamity, was revered as a hero despite treading the path of demons.
As a result, even righteous martial artists were joining the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult in increasing numbers day by day, out of reverence for him and to pursue pure martial arts.
'Thanks to that, I was able to enter so easily.'
A young man with a neat appearance clicked his tongue as he looked at the outer wall of the inner city of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
He was able to enter easily thanks to the cult's doctrine of accepting anyone regardless of status or background, as long as they left their previous affiliations behind.
'It's surprisingly anticlimactic how easy it was.'
The reason for the young man's reaction was simple.
His name was Dan Yak.
He was a member of Silent Strides[1], the spy unit of the Righteous Alliance, and had been deployed to check the expanding Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Just a year ago, the martial arts world had maintained a delicate balance between the three major forces: the Righteous Alliance, the Heaven and Earth Society, and the Four Evils Alliance. But now the situation had changed.
The Righteous Alliance had weakened as they were being checked by the imperial court due to their relationship completely breaking down over incidents like the beheading of envoys, including those from the Peng family of Hebei. On the other hand, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was enjoying unprecedented power.
'The Greatest Under Heaven… the Heavenly Demon.'
Inside that inner city was the Heavenly Demon, the leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, who could be considered the pinnacle of the current martial arts world.
He was said to be the undisputed greatest swordsman under heaven.
According to those who had participated in the legendary war between the righteous and unorthodox sects a year ago, his might was said to be enough to split heaven and earth. But Dan Yak had been undergoing training as a spy at that time and hadn't seen it himself.
Honestly, he thought that the Heavenly Demon must have tremendous sword skills to be spoken of in such terms.
However, he felt that "splitting heaven and earth" was too much of an exaggeration.
'…Well, I'll find out when I see it myself.'
Just how strong he really was.
The infiltration into the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was successful.
He had heard that they would receive training at a place called the Corpse Blood Valley, and be assigned positions based on their performance there.
The goal was to be placed in either the Cult Leader's Palace or the Elder Hall in the inner city.
Although he was a spy, his aim was to return in triumph by making definite achievements.
'As they're at the height of their power, they must be at their most arrogant now… If I seize this opportunity well, I should be able to make significant achievements…'
-Thud thud!
At that moment, he saw someone walking up to the platform.
Dan Yak's eyes lit up when he saw him.
He immediately recognized who it was, having memorized information about most of the important figures in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult before coming.
'The Seventh Elder of the Flying Ghost Clan, Hwan Ya-seon.'
He had heard that in the former Heaven and Earth Society, he was the leader of Shadow Clan, which handled spies and information.
But suddenly, Dan Yak felt something was strange.
According to his information, the one in charge of the Corpse Blood Valley was supposed to be Lee Ji-yeom, the Sixth Elder of the Crimson Flame Clan.
So why was the leader of the Flying Ghost Clan here…
"Hohoho. From now on, those whose names I call out should step to the left."
'!?'
"Ah ah, students, there's no need to be too surprised. It's nothing major, just a process of weeding out the rat bastards."
-Shing! Shing! Shing!
As soon as those words ended, the warriors of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult surrounding the plaza all drew their weapons at once.
Seeing their actions, Dan Yak's expression froze.
Although he had been trained to maintain his composure as much as possible, Hwan Ya-seon's gaze was directed precisely at him.
And his lips were forming the words,
'Yes, it's you.'
Dan Yak's face instantly turned pale.
Was it he who had been arrogant, not this place?
***
The Seventh Elder Hwan Ya-seon, who had rooted out the spies, shook his head as he left the outer city's trainee grounds and headed towards the inner city.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to weed out spies compared to the time of the Heaven and Earth Society.
Of course, they were still catching over 90% of them, but as the scale of the cult grew, it might become harder to manage.
'Perhaps we should pause expanding our forces for now.'
They hadn't been controlling admissions due to emphasizing the cult's doctrine, but it was becoming too much.
He would have to raise this issue at the next general meeting.
With that thought, the Seventh Elder Hwan Ya-seon entered the inner city and immediately headed towards the Cult Leader's Palace.
The reason for going to the Cult Leader's Palace was simple.
It was to check if He had returned.
'Where did He go this time?'
Since the Holy Maiden became pregnant, the Cult Leader had been away from the Cult Leader's Palace more often than staying there.
Because of this, reports would sometimes pile up, which was quite troublesome.
As Hwan Ya-seon entered the Cult Leader's Palace building with a bitter taste in his mouth, he saw someone walking out, leaning on a snake-headed staff.
It was the Grand Guardian, Guyang Sa-oh of the Eight Poison Snake Staff.
"Grand Guardian Guyang."
"Oh, if it isn't the Seventh Elder?"
-Swish!
The two lightly bowed to each other and clasped their hands in greeting.
After exchanging greetings, Hwan Ya-seon nodded towards the Cult Leader's Palace and said,
"It seems you weren't able to have an audience again."
"Hehehe. That's right. It feels like I spend fewer days closely assisting than befits my title of Grand Guardian."
"Hohoho. You should look at it positively. In a way, the current position of Guardian is almost honorary, so you might be more comfortable physically."
Guyang Sa-oh smiled at Hwan Ya-seon's words.
Who in the world could threaten the Cult Leader, who was called the Greatest Under Heaven?
It was true.
Suddenly, Grand Guardian Guyang Sa-oh's gaze turned to the scrolls in both of Hwan Ya-seon's hands.
As they expanded their influence and increased their scale, the workload was growing exponentially.
On the other hand, his duty was to assist the Cult Leader, so when the Cult Leader was away, he truly had nothing to do.
"I'm getting to the point where I feel guilty towards the Elders for being too comfortable."
"Ohoho. If that's the case, why don't you stay in the cult a bit longer to assist the Cult Leader?"
Grand Guardian Guyang Sa-oh gave no answer.
To this, Hwan Ya-seon spoke in a regretful tone.
"It seems your decision remains unchanged."
"I'm sorry. The Cult Leader has graciously cherished me, but how much longer can this old man live? I just want to return to the Western Regions' White Pagoda Mountain and spend my remaining years with my family."
Grand Guardian Guyang Sa-oh was waiting for the Cult Leader's approval for his retirement.
Of course, Hwan Ya-seon and several other Elders were urging him to stay a bit longer to maintain the cult's strength, but it seemed he had already made up his mind firmly.
"Since you put it that way, there's nothing we can do. But there are still 4 years left until the personnel appointment period. Have you thought about who will succeed you?"
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult conducts personnel appointments every 5 years.
It was planned to be based on a thorough verification of martial prowess through martial arts competitions and past achievements.
However, in cases where a position becomes vacant like this, it was decided that the predecessor would choose a successor, which would then be finalized through the Elder Council's meeting or the Cult Leader's approval.
"I was thinking of asking the Vice Guardian to succeed me."
"The Vice Guardian… Indeed, he is more than qualified."
Vice Guardian Ma Ra-hyeon.
In just one year, his abilities had greatly developed, and in terms of pure martial arts skills, he had already reached a level surpassing the Grand Guardian. Everyone assumed he would naturally become the Grand Guardian after 5 years.
"Come to think of it, the Vice Guardian probably doesn't know yet."
Vice Guardian Ma Ra-hyeon is currently away.
Officially, it was announced as a vacation, but in reality, he knew that the Vice Guardian had left to find his father's enemy, whom he learned about from the Holy Fire Priestess.
He said he would resolve it and return within three months, but a little over two months had passed.
He would return to the cult before long.
As Grand Guardian Guyang Sa-oh and Seventh Elder Hwan Ya-seon were engaged in casual conversation in front of the Cult Leader's Palace,
-Whoosh!
At that moment, crimson smoke gathered in front of them, forming a gateway.
Then someone leapt out from inside.
That someone was none other than Yeo Surin, the diviner from the Harmonious Immortal Pavilion.
"Diviner Yeo?"
As the two were puzzled by her sudden appearance, Yeo Surin asked them in an urgent tone.
"Where is the Cult Leader?"
"The Cult Leader is currently away. What urgent matter brings you here like this…"
"There's no time to explain. Right now! Right now! We need to find the Cult Leader!"
'!?'
What could have happened to make her act like this?
Through the gateway of crimson smoke she had ridden through, they could see numerous charred corpses strewn about.
Chapter 497.2
Side Story 1 Part 2
Samadhis's True Flame (2)
Just two moments ago.
The diviners from the Harmonious Immortal Pavilion who had gathered for a shift change were dumbfounded as they looked at the charred corpses.
What on earth had happened?
To find out, the senior brother tried to summon the souls from the corpses of his fellow disciples.
The senior brother's expression was grim as he formed hand seals after attaching talismans.
Then, from one of the blackened corpses, a soul slowly emerged.
The diviners recognized the soul that appeared in its living form.
[It's Senior Brother Gi-yun.]
[Senior Brother Gi-yun… How did this happen… Kugh.]
[Be quiet. The senior brother is still performing the divination technique.]
As the diviners, who had been clamoring at the appearance of their dead colleague, fell silent, the senior brother approached Gi-yun's soul and asked:
[There isn't much time to hold onto Gi-yun's soul. What exactly happened?]
But then,
-Hueeeee
'!?'
The senior brother frowned.
This was because Gi-yun's soul that had appeared was unable to speak properly, with a blank expression.
He looked as if he had lost his sense of self.
'What is this?'
The senior brother couldn't understand it.
Even if the dead couldn't become vengeful spirits, they would inevitably retain strong attachments from their life.
But Gi-yun's appearance showed not just a lack of attachment, but a complete absence of consciousness.
[Gi-yun!]
-Hueeeeeee.
[Gi-yun, pull yourself together. You need to tell us something so we can…]
-Hueeeeeee.
-Swish!
Eventually, Gi-yun's soul dissipated and vanished.
The senior brother was utterly baffled by this inexplicable and strange phenomenon.
Despite his long years of training as a diviner and encountering many souls, this was the first time he had experienced something like this.
If even a small trace of attachment from life remained, it would have said something, but it felt completely empty, like a newborn child.
At that moment, someone came running towards him.
It was Yeo Surin.
[Senior Brother.]
[How did the wooden talisman tracking technique go?]
To this question, Yeo Surin shook her head and replied.
[It's not working. The Wooden Talisman Tracking Technique, the Harmonious Immortal Spirit Trace Technique… None of the five tracking techniques I know are working. It seems…]
[They've completely erased all traces of their techniques.]
[It seems that way. This level of skill would be impossible without someone at least as powerful as our Master.]
Their master was Scarlet-Tailed Old Immortal, the Pavilion Master of the Harmonious Immortal Pavilion, one of the Six Divine Diviners known as the pinnacle of diviners.
Without a Divine Diviner-level practitioner with that kind of power, it would be impossible to erase the traces of techniques so cleanly.
Yeo Surin looked around with devastated eyes and spoke.
[Who could have done this? Could it be that Three-Eyes is still alive?]
[That's impossible… Didn't we all see it back then?]
Everyone had witnessed that being's annihilation.
Moreover, they had remained at the scene to search for any traces of Three-Eyes just in case, but it no longer existed in this world.
At that moment, Yeo Surin pointed towards where the shrine had been and shouted.
[Then who could have discovered this place, burned our fellow disciples, and taken away the statue of Great Strength King that was sealed with the Killing Stone?]
[It's not a matter of who right now. We must retrieve the statue immediately. Otherwise, another great calamity will befall the Central Plains.]
Among the Six Demons, which were called the Great Calamity among the Evil Spirits, Great Strength King was said to be the strongest in terms of raw power.
[…]
[I'll return to our pavilion to inform the Master and organize a tracking team. You go to the leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult immediately to report this and ask for help.]
[Yes!]
***
"What? The Cult Leader is away? Then where exactly is he?"
"Well, that's…"
Grand Guardian Guyang Sa-oh and Seventh Elder Hwan Ya-seon couldn't hide their embarrassment at Yeo Surin's question.
They didn't know where the Cult Leader was either.
He had a habit of disappearing without a trace, and even if they were watching him right in front of them, if he decided to move, no one could notice it.
Seeing their reaction, Yeo Surin sighed and asked,
"Where is Jang Neung-ak, I mean, the Great Commander of the Guards, Go Chan?"
Jang Neung-ak.
He was the second disciple of the deceased leader of the Heaven and Earth Society, but he had changed his name to Go Chan.
Only a handful of people knew the real reason for this, and one of them was the diviner Yeo Surin.
She knew that Go Chan was the Cult Leader's familiar.
That's why she was looking for Go Chan, who could communicate with him through their connection even from afar.
If she knew his location, she could instantly go to the Cult Leader using the magical tool given by her master.
But then,
"Well… This is quite unfortunate."
"What?"
"The Great Commander of the Guards, Go Chan, is also away at the moment."
"What?"
***
People wearing gray robes with crimson belts walked out of the outer city of the imperial palace.
They were Taoist priests of the Zhongnan Sect, affiliated with the Righteous Alliance.
The two elderly Taoist priests walking side by side at the front with their hands behind their backs were Geon Mun-ja, the a Grandmaster of the Zhongnan Sect, and his disciple Geon Hyeon-ja.
Behind them was a narrow-eyed young man dressed in the attire of an Embroidered Uniform Guard.
This young man's name was Jin Jong-hyeon, the son of a fifth-rank lecturer at the Imperial Academy and a lay disciple of the Zhongnan Sect.
Although he was a lay disciple, he was being personally taught martial arts by Geon Mun-ja due to his innate talent.
"It's difficult. So difficult."
As they moved away from the main gate of the outer city, Geon Mun-ja shook his head.
The reason for his reaction was simple.
It was because he had failed to achieve what he wanted.
The Righteous Alliance had originally been supporting Prince Gyeongjin, one of the four major power factions holding sway over the imperial court. However, the current situation was not favorable.
After the incident with the Peng family of Hebei and the assassination of the envoy sent to the Righteous Alliance, their relationship with the imperial court and government had soured. Despite efforts to mend this relationship on various fronts, it had not been easy.
Since Prince Gyeongjin, whom they originally served, had died in an unexpected accident, they had tried to support the second prince, Prince Jeong, by sending Jin Jong-hyeon to his side.
However, the situation worsened further when the ailing emperor passed away and the young crown prince ascended to the throne.
"Master, are you troubled because of what Prince Jeong said?"
"…It's problematic."
Prince Jeong had not given up yet.
He was gathering troops and wanted the Righteous Alliance to help with this.
However, Geon Mun-ja and other executives of the Righteous Alliance were not very keen on this idea.
What Prince Jeong was aiming for was, literally, treason.
'The chances are low.'
It might have been possible in the past, but now it was difficult.
The crown prince was the son of the Imperial Consort Seo, and behind them was the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Of course, when the crown prince ascended to the throne, she too had been secretly contacting the Righteous Alliance to try and break free from their influence, but this was nothing more than a precarious balancing act.
'The Heavenly Demon…'
Geon Mun-ja still couldn't forget the sight from the great war between the righteous and unorthodox sects.
A single sword strike that split heaven and earth.
With just that, he had proven his martial prowess, which could be said to be unparalleled not just in the current martial arts world, but throughout history.
Those who hadn't seen it considered this story an exaggeration, but the Heavenly Demon had become an indelible presence in the minds of all martial artists who participated in the war.
"Huu. Let's put this conversation aside for now. By the way, I heard that Joo Woonhyang, a disciple of the Kongtong Sect, became a new Six Offices Commander after just a year?"
"…Yes."
Jin Jong-hyeon's expression soured at Geon Mun-ja's words.
This was because he too had made every effort to become a Six Offices Commander, but had ultimately been outmatched in both skill and influence.
In just a year, using who knows what methods, that guy had even gained the backing of Minister Hang Yun-pa, who held the positions of Grand Preceptor among the Three Excellencies and Commander-in-Chief of the Central Government, reaching even greater heights.
The speed at which he was gaining power was frightening, and when he tried to probe his true intentions, something seemed off.
It didn't seem like he actually wanted power.
As if…
'No. That's too disrespectful.'
How could someone receiving an official salary even imagine such a thing?
This was nothing short of absurd.
At that moment, Geon Mun-ja patted his back as if to comfort him and said,
"There's no need to be hasty. If you steadfastly follow the path you want to take, you will surely reach your desired destination."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Anyway, since we've met after a long time, shouldn't we see your senior brothers and fellow disciples?"
"Yes."
"As it happens, I've heard of a restaurant called Hwayangjeong nearby, famous for its duck dishes. I've made a reservation, so let's relax and catch up."
"Understood."
****
Early evening at the Hwayangjeong restaurant.
A handsome man and a beautiful woman were enjoying their meal at the best spot in the restaurant with the finest view.
However, the waiters watching them were fidgeting nervously.
Then, a middle-aged man who seemed to be in a higher position among the staff walked briskly over, noticed this, and scolded them.
"Didn't I tell you not to accept any customers after the hour of You (5-7 PM)? How are those people eating there?"
"W-we don't know either, sir."
"What do you mean you don't know? Are you saying they snuck in?"
"We're not sure. They seem to have ordered and are eating, but no one remembers taking their order…"
This was the reason for their bewilderment.
No one had taken their order.
Yet, the kitchen had already prepared and sent out the food based on an order, and those customers were just starting their meal.
The middle-aged man thumped his chest in frustration at their response and then said,
"Go apologize immediately and offer to pack their food to go."
"We were about to do that, but…"
"Aish, how frustrating. I'll go myself. You all quickly prepare to receive the distinguished guests who have made a reservation."
"Y-yes, sir."
After sending the waiters away, the senior staff member approached the couple who were dining.
Unlike his attitude towards the waiters, he carefully put on a smiling face and began to speak.
"I apologize, customers. Today we—"
Thud
At that moment, a heavy pouch fell in front of him.
Wondering what this could be, he picked it up and found it filled with silver coins, easily numbering in the hundreds.
Seeing this, the middle-aged man unconsciously swallowed hard.
This amount was enough to rent out the entire place for about a week.
As he was momentarily at a loss for words due to the excessive amount of money, the young man who had given it to him spoke.
"My wife says she likes the smoked salt-grilled duck, so bring out more…"
At these words, the stunningly beautiful woman sitting next to him, gently caressing her slightly protruding belly, interjected.
"It's not me, but our little one in my belly who wants to eat it."
"Ah, right. It's our little one who wants it. Did you hear? Bring more salt-grilled duck."
"W-well…"
The middle-aged man was at a loss for words at this exchange.
He had been shocked into silence by the large sum of money, but they had already accepted a reservation fee from the Zhongnan Sect Taoists.
Although they were Taoists, they were essentially martial artists, and it was unpredictable what might happen if their mood was soured.
Just then,
Snap!
The young man snapped his fingers at him. Then,
"You want smoked salt-grilled duck? But didn't you say the Zhongnan Sect Taoists are coming soon? Is it okay to leave those customers there?"
'!?'
Suddenly, the head chef from the kitchen appeared in front of him.
As he was wondering what was going on, he realized he was standing in front of the kitchen.
It was enough to make ghosts wail in confusion.
As the middle-aged man, flustered by this situation, hurriedly tried to run back to the couple,
-Rumble!
At that moment, a group of Taoists wearing gray robes entered through the entrance.
The middle-aged man's expression hardened when he saw this.
'We're doomed.'
The situation he had been worried about had come to pass.
As he was struggling with how to explain this, he saw the Zhongnan Sect Taoists discover the dining couple and frown.
Chapter 497.3
Chapter 497.3 – Side Story 1 Part 3
Samadhi's True Flame (3)
The gray-robed Zhongnan Sect Taoists entered the Hwayangjeong, a restaurant specializing in duck dishes.
Befitting their status as members of a major sect, they walked in with dignity. However, they couldn't help but frown when they saw the couple sitting at the spot with the best view in the restaurant.
Sun-moon, the most senior disciple among the Taoist priests of the Sun lineage, asked with puzzlement:
"Didn't we make a reservation?"
To this, his direct disciple Sun-yeon replied:
"Yes. We made a reservation two days ago, anticipating important government-related discussions."
"Then who are those people?"
"…There seems to have been some mistake. I'll ask the restaurant staff first."
"Please do so."
"Yes."
Taoist Sun-yeon approached the middle-aged man who appeared to be the senior staff member of Hwayangjeong.
The middle-aged man was already flustered about having to ask the couple to leave, and now he was even more bewildered after taking an order he didn't remember receiving.
"Hello, sir."
"T-Taoist priest."
"I am the Taoist Sun-yeon who made the reservation two days ago."
"How could I forget?"
"At that time, I clearly said we would rent out the entire restaurant, but it seems you've seated other customers. May I ask what happened?"
"W-well, that's…"
The middle-aged man was at a loss for words.
He too was unsure how to answer this question.
Seeing his demeanor, Taoist Sun-yeon politely said:
"It seems there has been some misunderstanding. Could you please ask those customers to vacate their seats?"
A polite request, unlike the fear he had initially felt.
While feeling slightly relieved, the senior staff member couldn't let his guard down at all.
Regardless of whether they were from righteous or unorthodox sects, martial artists were known to resort to violence if things didn't go their way.
When that happened, the restaurant would always end up in ruins.
Especially since it had been over a year ago, but due to a conflict between the imperial court and martial artists, too many people had died inside the restaurant, forcing them to relocate to a new place.
"Please wait a moment."
Thinking that he should send them away somehow to avoid trouble, even though Taoists were unlikely to kill people, the senior staff member grabbed the money pouch and ran to the couple.
"Excuse me, customers."
"Is the food ready already?"
"Well… that's not it. Actually, we have customers who reserved the entire restaurant from the hour of You today, so we weren't supposed to accept any other customers. There seems to have been a misunderstanding…"
"My wife remembered coming here before and said she wanted to eat duck."
"Customer, I sincerely appreciate that, but…"
"We paid extra for a quiet meal. Is it not enough?"
"That's…"
The senior staff member, who had been stomping his feet in frustration, seemed to decide it was no use and revealed his true thoughts.
"Customer, the guests who reserved today are Taoist priests from a major sect. Have you heard of martial artists? They've rented out the entire restaurant, and if you don't vacate your seats, I don't know what kind of trouble might occur."
The senior staff member was practically begging.
At this, the young man who had been about to pick up a piece of duck meat with his chopsticks turned his gaze to glance at the Zhongnan Sect Taoists.
Although they hadn't shown it much yet, their expressions weren't very pleased.
"Trouble, you say…"
"Please, customer, I beg you. There's nothing good that can come from getting into a dispute with martial artists. Fortunately, these gentlemen are Taoist priests from a righteous sect, and they've asked me to request your understanding. We'll pack up all the prepared food for you, so please help us out, if not for me, then for the restaurant."
As the staff member pleaded, even clasping his hands together, the woman finally spoke up.
"Dear, it seems the staff member is in a difficult position. Let's just have them pack up the smoked salt-grilled duck that's coming out and go."
At her words, the young man, who had been giving a strange look, shrugged with a smile and nodded in agreement.
"Pack it up for us. We'll wait."
"Oh, thank you so much!"
The senior staff member was relieved that the issue was resolved without the customers being stubborn, as he had worried.
After calling over a waiter and instructing him to have the kitchen pack up the ordered food, the senior staff member hurriedly ran to the Zhongnan Sect Taoists and said:
"There was a slight misunderstanding, and we had seated some customers, but they'll be leaving soon, so don't worry. First, let me prepare other seats for you…"
"Sir…"
At that moment, Taoist Sun-yeon interrupted the senior staff member.
Then, nodding towards the couple who were still eating the dishes on the table while their food was being packed, he said:
"I asked you to request their understanding and have them vacate their seats immediately, but it seems they are continuing to eat. Is that not so?"
"Taoist priest, they will soon…"
"It seems I'll have to ask for their understanding myself. The elders of our sect will be arriving soon, and we don't have the luxury of waiting for them to finish packing their food."
"C-customer! It won't take long…"
The senior staff member tried to stop him hurriedly but soon had to close his mouth.
This was because the moment he made eye contact with Taoist Sun-yeon, he was intimidated by the unique aura of martial artists and became frightened.
Passing by the frozen senior staff member, Taoist Sun-yeon approached the couple dining at the spot with the best view.
'Huh.'
Seeing this, Sun-moon, the senior disciple of the Sun lineage, shook his head.
Although they were Taoists, their personalities were naturally diverse.
His disciple Sun-yeon had a gentle appearance but was quick-tempered and quite hot-blooded, always taking the lead in such situations.
'My disciple is going to pick on some innocent person again.'
No, there won't even be a need to pick on anyone.
With just a little pressure, they would naturally… Wait a moment.
'Ah!'
Sun-moon suddenly realized his mistake.
In the excitement of coming to Kaifeng, he had forgotten that this was the imperial capital.
Unlike usual, there might be many children of powerful families in Kaifeng, the imperial capital. If they tried to forcibly evict someone just because they had made a reservation, without checking anything, it could lead to quite a bit of trouble.
So Sun-moon hurriedly tried to call Sun-yeon back.
But at that moment,
-Swish!
Sun-yeon was already returning.
With a somewhat dazed look, he said to his senior disciple Sun-moon:
"On second thought, I think it's better to wait for a while."
'!?'
Sun-moon furrowed his brow.
He had been about to stop him, but he knew Sun-yeon's personality better than anyone.
It was highly unlikely for the hot-tempered Sun-yeon to voluntarily back down before being scolded.
Puzzled by this, Sun-moon, with a disbelieving heart,
Clap!
He clapped his hands strongly in front of Sun-yeon.
Then,
"Senior brother? Huh…?"
Life returned to Sun-yeon's eyes, and he stared blankly with a confused expression before saying:
"How did I come back in front of you, senior brother?"
"That's what I'd like to know. Didn't you just go to those customers and come right back?"
"Me? I haven't even spoken to them yet."
At these words from his disciple Sun-yeon, Sun-moon's eyes filled with wariness as he reached for the sword at his back and shouted:
"What kind of sorcery have you used?"
-Murmur murmur!
At his sudden outcry, the other Zhongnan Sect Taoists instinctively reached for their weapons.
Ready to draw their swords at any moment.
"Sorcery?"
"What are you talking about?"
-Shing!
As they looked on in confusion, Sun-moon widened his stance and partially drew his sword, shouting again:
"What have you done to my disciple? Speak up now!"
Sun-moon was well-versed in battles against unorthodox sect members.
Therefore, he thought this might be one of those unexpected sorceries that some of them used.
However, despite his shouting, the two people showed little reaction.
Instead, they were calmly eating their food and conversing.
"What a coincidence. On the day our little one wants to eat duck, we run into these Taoists."
"Indeed. It's not good for prenatal education."
"Can you make it less noisy?"
"There's nothing to be noisy about. This is where Cheong-ryeong and our child are eating. We should keep it quiet."
Their nonchalant attitude gave Sun-moon a strange feeling.
Clearly, in terms of his martial sense, they seemed to be just ordinary people.
He couldn't feel any energy from them at all, so how could they remain so calm?
Could they be masters who had completely concealed their inner energy?
Feeling wary, Sun-moon finally drew his sword and ordered the Zhongnan Sect Taoists:
"Draw your swords. Form a sword formation…"
Before he could finish his words,
"This is a place for my wife. If you quietly leave so we can eat, I'll let this pass."
The young man warned as he poured wine into a cup.
The Zhongnan Sect Taoists' expressions turned ugly, angered by his condescending tone, as if addressing inferiors.
The one who couldn't contain his anger the most was Sun-yeon, who had just fallen victim to that strange technique.
"You unorthodox sect scum, how dare you talk about letting us pass?"
Shing!
Sun-yeon drew his sword and lunged towards the young man.
He was about to unleash the opening move of the Zhongnan Sect's Thirteen Glorious Sword Techniques (十三榮劍法) to subdue him in one go.
But then,
Clack!
'!?'
At that moment, Sun-yeon's eyes widened in shock.
This was because the young man had caught the blade of his sword with chopsticks as he was about to execute his sword technique.
"W-what is this…"
"I told you not to disturb our meal."
-Clang!
As soon as those words were spoken, the blade held by the chopsticks snapped in two.
'Breaking a sword with wooden chopsticks?'
Stunned by this near-miraculous technique, Sun-yeon hurriedly tried to retreat using his footwork.
However, at that moment, one of the chopsticks from the table flew out on its own and struck an acupoint on the back of Sun-yeon's head.
Thud
"Kugh!"
Sun-yeon, his acupoint struck, collapsed to the floor, seemingly unconscious.
Thump
As he fell, the shocked Zhongnan Sect Taoists all tried to draw their swords at once.
But none of them could draw their swords.
It was as if the swords were stuck to their scabbards, refusing to come out.
"S-senior brother, the sword…"
"The sword won't come out."
"What do you mean the sword won't come out? What nonsense are you saying?"
"It's true."
None of the thirty or so Taoists could draw their swords.
Faced with this incredibly strange situation, Senior Sun-moon finally seemed to realize something was terribly wrong and didn't know what to do.
Just then, a voice was heard from the entrance behind him.
"What is all this commotion about?"
"Grandmaster Geon Mun-ja!"
The Zhongnan Sect Taoists' faces lit up at the appearance of Geon Mun-ja, their highest-ranking master and elder.
Moreover, Geon Hyeon-ja, a supreme expert no less formidable than him, and Jin Jong-hyeon, called the greatest genius among the Zhongnan Sect's lay disciples, had also arrived.
Sun-moon hurriedly tried to ask Geon Mun-ja for help.
"Grandmaster…"
Suddenly, Sun-moon was at a loss for words.
This was because Geon Mun-ja, known as the highest master of their sect, was looking at the young man instead of them, unable to hide his bewildered expression.
It was clearly close to fear.
Why is the Grandmaster reacting like this?
"…What on earth have you lot done?"
"Pardon?"
What's going on?
Then, shocking words flowed from Geon Mun-ja's mouth.
"…Do you want to erase Zhongnan from this world?"
"What? Grandmaster, what do you mean…"
Slap!
Before he could finish speaking,
Geon Mun-ja slapped Sun-moon so hard that his body staggered, then hurriedly knelt on one knee and clasped his hands in respect towards the young man who was pouring wine.
All the Zhongnan Sect Taoists of the Sun lineage were dumbfounded by this sight.
How could the Grandmaster be showing such behavior?
Then,
"Geon Mun-ja of Zhongnan pays his respects to the Heavenly Demon Cult Leader, the Greatest Under Heaven."
Chapter 497.4
Chapter 497.4 – Side Story 1 Part 4
Samadhi's True Flame (4)
Thud
Geon Mun-ja, the Grandmaster of the Zhongnan Sect, knelt on one knee and paid his respects.
It was something no one had expected.
It wasn't just anyone, but Geon Mun-ja, the Grandmaster symbolizing Zhongnan, who showed such respect by kneeling, not even in the Three Purities Hall.
The words that came out of his mouth were enough to shock everyone.
"Geon Mun-ja of Zhongnan pays his respects to the Heavenly Demon Cult Leader, the Greatest Under Heaven."
In an instant, silence fell over the Hwayangjeong restaurant.
They doubted their own ears for a moment.
What did the their Grandmaster just say?
The Heavenly Demon Cult Leader?
-Shiver!
A chill ran down their spines.
Is he talking about that being who is undisputedly called the sole pinnacle of the current martial arts world?
Geon Mun-ja swallowed dryly, his mouth parched, as he saw them frozen in shock at this unimaginable identity
A chill ran down their spines.
Is he talking about that being who is undisputedly called the sole pinnacle of the current martial arts world?
Geon Mun-ja swallowed dryly, his mouth parched, as he saw them frozen in shock at this unimaginable identity.
The strange sensation he felt outside just moments ago.
It felt as if the inside of the restaurant was being cut off from the outside.
This wasn't something that even a supreme master who had surpassed the barrier could do.
He had hurriedly entered, and he thought his heart would stop.
Geon Mun-ja had participated in the great war between the righteous and unorthodox sects a year ago, so he was one of those who had witnessed that tremendous might with his own eyes.
-Slash!
For the first time in his life, he saw heaven and earth split.
He thought that if there was a martial god descended to the mortal world, it would be him.
It wasn't just him; all the masters of the Righteous Alliance who participated in that war would have felt the same.
That's why they avoided confrontation with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and acknowledged him as the Greatest Under Heaven.
'Haa. These foolish ones.'
Given this, although he didn't know what had transpired earlier, Geon Mun-ja couldn't help but be bewildered by all of this.
Even though the Taoists of the Sun lineage were guarding the Zhongnan Sect's headquarters at the time, he never thought they wouldn't recognize the Heavenly Demon Cult Leader.
'How did they end up clashing with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's leader?'
In fact, it was even more incomprehensible that the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's leader was in the imperial capital without his subordinates to assist him.
Why would someone of his caliber come to the imperial capital in the first place?
At that moment, Sun-moon, who had been flustered after hearing his identity, spoke up.
"G-Grandmaster… The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's leader is so young…"
"Pay your respects to the Cult Leader immediately!"
Geon Mun-ja cut him off and urged.
"B-but he's from the demonic path…"
"Hush!"
Geon Mun-ja glared at him fiercely, as if exasperated.
The Taoists of the Sun lineage who hadn't directly witnessed the Heavenly Demon's might might not fully grasp the situation, but if that person decided to, everyone here would die without even realizing they were dead.
Regardless of right or wrong, they had messed with someone who should absolutely not be provoked.
Geon Mun-ja urged once more.
"Pay your respects!"
At his command, Geon Hyeon-ja, his disciple, and the other Taoists of the Sun lineage hurriedly knelt on one knee and paid their respects.
This included Sun-moon as well.
However, in this situation, there was one person who couldn't bring himself to kneel.
It was Jin Jong-hyeon, the Thousand-man Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Geon Mun-ja's disciple.
'Mok Gyeong-un?'
Jin Jong-hyeon was bewildered by this situation for a different reason.
He knew the Heavenly Demon.
This was because they had taken the Embroidered Uniform Guard test together at the Archery Department.
'Mok Gyeong-un is the Heavenly Demon?'
Having remained in the Embroidered Uniform Guard at the imperial palace, he wasn't well-informed about the rumors in the martial arts world.
However, even he knew that the system of the Six Heavens, which had been at the peak of the current martial arts world, had collapsed, and a true peerless master had emerged.
But he couldn't believe that this peerless master was Mok Gyeong-un.
'…This can't be.'
There were two people who had cracked his pride as a so-called genius.
They were Joo Woonhyang and Mok Gyeong-un.
However, both then and now, Jin Jong-hyeon still believed there wasn't much difference between them and himself.
But seeing even his master kneeling like this, his mind was in utter confusion.
At that moment, Geon Mun-ja spoke in a whisper.
"Jong-hyeon. Not now. Pay your respects."
Geon Mun-ja thought that his disciple, Jin Jong-hyeon, wasn't kneeling because of his pride as an official.
"Master… That person…"
"Jong-hyeon!"
Clench!
Jin Jong-hyeon, who had been clenching his fist, couldn't resist his master's insistence and was about to kneel on the floor.
He had his pride as a Thousand-man Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but he thought there must be a reason for even his master to show such a humiliating posture.
However, he suddenly remembered something.
'Wait a minute?'
Didn't Mok Gyeong-un die in an unfortunate accident while in the Embroidered Uniform Guard's medical ward after being injured by So Yerin, who was a Six Offices Commander at the time, during the Archery Department test?
Then why is he alive?
Come to think of it, the imperial palace had been turned upside down due to Prince Gyeongjin's death and the incident where a prisoner escaped from the underground golden prison.
Later, the test applicants who belonged to the Heaven and Earth Society all disappeared and were strongly suspected as the culprits, but the matter was eventually swept under the rug due to the Imperial Consort Seo's intervention.
'Now that I think about it, Prince Jeong has been constantly looking for a pretext to pressure the Imperial Consort Seo. If so, couldn't we use this to mobilize forces under the Southern Pacification Commissioner and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, claiming to protect Her and the imperial court, and subdue this guy?'
Southern Pacification Commissioner Gu Seong-baek.
His other title as the emperor's bodyguard was the Northern Sect Blade King, the highest martial artist in the imperial palace who had reached the Profound Realm.
Gu Seong-baek was still frustrated about letting the culprits escape during the underground golden prison breakout incident.
If played right, he might be willing to act.
'No matter how great a master he is, he can't withstand a combined attack from a peerless expert close to his level and the elite of the Embroidered Uniform Guard alone.'
As they say, a blessing in disguise.
This is perfect.
This could be an opportunity to suppress the Imperial Consort Seo's faction and gain Prince Jeong's trust.
-Snap!
"I'll kneel for now. But you'll soon regret coming to this imperial capital…"
Suddenly, Jin Jong-hyeon's expression hardened.
'What did I just do?'
Why am I saying out loud what I was thinking inside?
As he was bewildered, he saw Geon Mun-ja, the Grandmaster of the Zhongnan Sect, sigh and bow his head.
'Did he use some kind of sorcery?'
Realizing something was wrong, Jin Jong-hyeon's mind raced with a thousand thoughts in an instant.
However, knowing he couldn't take back the words he had uttered, he shouted:
"This just now was my personal… Kugh!"
Before he could finish his words.
Jin Jong-hyeon, feeling as if someone had gripped his throat, couldn't breathe properly.
'W-what is this?'
Then he heard a clear voice.
"For the sake of prenatal education, how long do you think it would take me to make everyone here draw their last breath without shedding blood?"
Kugh kugh…
Is this monster?
How could he block his airway just by moving his energy without even lifting a finger?
It was chilling to witness such an impossible feat.
Then the voice continued.
Kugh kugh…
He was reading all of his thoughts even though he hadn't spoken them.
But what followed was even more outrageous.
"If it interferes with my prenatal education pilgrimage, I might have to erase the imperial Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Zhongnan Sect from this world to avoid any hassle."
-Shiver!
At that moment, Jin Jong-hyeon felt not just his breath being blocked, but his mind growing dizzy from the tremendous pressure bearing down on him.
He had never felt such intimidation even when facing Southern Pacification Commissioner Gu Seong-baek.
Jin Jong-hyeon's face turned not just pale but was drenched in sweat.
If someone else had said it, it might have sounded like an empty threat, but with this current aura, it sounded like he really would do it.
No, it felt like he could actually do it.
It was no longer just humiliation or disgrace.
He sincerely felt that the situation he had brought about was nothing short of a disaster.
It was at that moment.
Shing!
Before his words could finish.
Geon Mun-ja drew his sword and immediately grabbed the tip with his other hand, bringing the blade to the back of his neck.
Then Geon Mun-ja spoke in a pleading voice:
"My disciple, in his ignorance, has committed a grave offense against the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's leader. This may not easily appease your anger, but I beg you to show a shred of mercy to Zhongnan and my disciple with this old man's life."
"M-master!"
"Grandmaster!"
"Master!"
All the Zhongnan Sect Taoists, including his disciple Geon Hyeon-ja, were at a loss seeing Grandmaster Geon Mun-ja's earnest gesture, which even disregarded shame.
Had there ever been such humiliation since the founding of the Zhongnan Sect?
It was enough to make them feel self-loathing.
However, they had no choice but to submit to the current situation.
Their opponent was the Greatest Under Heaven, a monster who could take their lives without even moving a finger.
Even if someone stepped forward now, no one could salvage the situation.
At that moment, the young man, no, the Heavenly Demon, smirked and then said nonchalantly:
"Be grateful that you can keep your lives thanks to your master's cool judgment and noble sacrifice."
'What?'
-Snap!
At that moment, with the sound of snapping fingers, all the Zhongnan Sect Taoists collapsed as if fainting on the spot.
-Thud! Thud! Thud!
This was no exception for anyone.
Even Geon Mun-ja, who could be considered the highest martial artist of the Zhongnan Sect, had been poised to commit suicide, but his eyes slowly closed and he collapsed.
The only ones who didn't collapse were the staff of Hwayangjeong.
They were so shocked by this sight that they couldn't close their mouths.
The Heavenly Demon calmly said to them:
"They'll wake up after a day, so leave them be. Today's reservation is canceled, so may we finish our meal and leave?"
At these words, the senior staff member of Hwayangjeong nodded frantically and replied:
"How could we refuse? We'll serve you to the utmost!"
The real customers they needed to be mindful of weren't the Zhongnan Sect Taoists.
As the staff, including the senior member, moved busily while being attentive, Cheong-ryeong caressed her protruding belly and spoke:
"Our little one should know that daddy is suppressing his old temper a lot for the baby in mommy's belly."
It was possible that just a year and a few months ago, not just one person, but everyone here might have lost their lives.
At Cheong-ryeong's words, the Heavenly Demon gave a gentle smile, shrugged lightly, and reached for the wine bottle.
-Flinch!
But as he was reaching for it, the Heavenly Demon paused and raised one eyebrow.
"What's wrong?"
As Cheong-ryeong asked curiously, the Heavenly Demon spoke in a subdued voice:
"…The connection with the demonic beast Alyu has been severed."
Chapter 497.5
Chapter 497.5 – Side Story 1 Part 5
Samadhi's True Flame (5)
A mountain with few plants and trees, Mount Soham.
This was Mount Soham[1], which was incredibly steep and treacherous.
On a desolate cliff of Mount Soham, an Imaemangyang, with a body that seemed to be a mix of dog and ox, horse hooves, and a horned head resembling a dragon, was suffering with its lower body charred black.
-Kiririri.
This Imaemangyang was Alyu, the familiar beast of the Heavenly Demon.
Why was this Imaemangyang, which would take dozens of skilled diviners to barely handle and even top martial artists would find challenging to face, gasping for breath in such a state?
It was because of the two wheels burning within the shadow in front of its eyes.
-Whooosh!
The wheels of flame spinning at high speed were extraordinary in their momentum.
The heat was so intense that even the surrounding cliffs were melting.
The reddened surroundings were truly a land of fire.
-Kiriri… Damn it… I heard it had disappeared… long ago.
Alyu looked at the wheels of flame as if in disbelief.
Although connected by a bond, it had barely gained freedom and returned to Mount Soham where it was born, only to face this situation after just a year. It was like a bolt from the blue.
The being before it… was truly comparable to the Six Demons.
It wanted to call for help from its master, the Heavenly Demon, but for some reason, it felt surrounded by something invisible on all sides, preventing its thoughts from being transmitted.
Then, a voice came from behind the wheels of flame.
-I'll ask once more. Where is the White-Faced King?
-Kiriri… I don't know… Haven't I said I don't know?
-Sigh.
A sigh was heard.
Along with it, the fiercely rotating wheels rolled forward, causing friction with the ground, and crushed Alyu's two lower legs.
-Whoosh! Crunch!
-Kiriririririk!
Alyu howled and writhed in such intense pain.
Where the wheels had passed, only black ashes remained, crushed and burned beyond recognition.
After the wheels returned to their original position, the voice was heard again.
-This is the last time. Where is it?
At this question, Alyu was bewildered even through its pain.
It was already upset about being suddenly attacked and put in this state, but why was this being looking for the White-Faced King from it?
If it were looking for its master, the Heavenly Demon, instead… Ah!
'Could it be?'
Alyu's eyes trembled as if it had just realized something. Come to think of it, it vaguely remembered hearing from its master that the Great Strength King[2] of the Six Demons had been sealed into stone.
'It's not just any stone.'
It must be a Killing Stone[3].
It had heard that the Fox Spirit Bead[4], the great spiritual demonic treasure of the White-Faced King, the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox, could create stones with strange and deadly poison crafted from demonic power.
'I see. So that's why.'
Now it clearly understood why this being was looking for the White-Faced King.
Even for a being said to be comparable to the Six Demons, only the White-Faced King, the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox, could break the seal of the Killing Stone.
It didn't know how this being, thought to have disappeared, had reappeared, but it made sense that it would try to break the seal on the Great Strength King.
This damn…
-Your loyalty is quite impressive.
-Kiriri. What?
-Did you think that bond wouldn't be visible to me?
'The bond? Can this be seen?'
Upon becoming a familiar, it was connected to the Heavenly Demon by a red bond.
No matter how strong one's demonic power, the bond was a spiritual connection that shouldn't be visible without special methods, but this seemed unusual.
However, this wasn't the problem.
-Kiriri… Wait, I think there's been a misunderstanding. I'm not connected to the White-Faced King.
-You're trying to deceive me.
-Kiriri. It's true. I serve a different being as my master, not the White-Faced King.
-A different being? You speak as if you're from a different race than us.
-Kiriri. That's exactly right.
-Whoosh!
As soon as those words were spoken, an even more intense heat poured out from the two wheels, melting not just the cliff but the ground as well, causing Alyu's body to sink as if into a swamp.
-I-it's true!
-Nonsense. In this world where the immortals disappeared thousands of years ago, you're saying some being other than our kind could bind you with a bond?
-Chiiiii!
As its body was being sucked into the ground that had turned like lava, Alyu hurriedly shouted.
-Human! It's a human!
-…Human?
At that moment, the surging heat suddenly subsided.
Along with it, between the two fiercely rotating wheels, a beautiful young boy with flowing red hair and a flame-shaped tattoo burning from his right forehead to his cheek appeared.
The beautiful boy spoke with an intrigued expression.
-You're saying that not a leader-class spirit king, but a mere human is connected to you?
-Kiriri… It's not a mere human.
-Not a mere human?
-If it were just a mere human, do you think I would serve them as my master? You've been away for so long… Kirik… You don't know how the world has changed.
-Huh?
-My master has even transcended those Six Demons.
Alyu deliberately provoked him.
It was to stimulate his pride and escape this situation.
The best option was to pit him against its master.
Considering his comparison to the Six Demons and his relationship with the Great Strength King, he wouldn't let this provocation slide…
-Hmm. Has another twisted being been born again?
What?
-I thought the natural order would no longer allow such beings, but I guess there are still variables in everything.
'This guy, instead of falling for the provocation, what is he saying…'
-Swish!
At that moment, the red-haired beautiful boy stretched out his hand towards the cliff that had been heated and was now cooling.
What is he trying to do?
-Crackle!
As Alyu wondered, the boy waved his hand, and large characters began to be engraved on the cliff face by demonic power.
Alyu's eyes widened as it saw the characters being engraved.
'This guy is now…'
Crunch! Swish!
The hand that had been engraving characters on the wall suddenly turned towards Alyu.
Then,
-You tried to be clever, but what should I do? You didn't move as I wanted. Well, thanks to you, I guess this will provide some light entertainment.
-Kirik… Do you think you can manipulate my master as you please?
-Well, we'll see if I forcibly break that bond connecting you, won't we?
-Whoosh!
Then, with a smile full of malice, flames poured out from the red-haired beautiful boy's hand.
***
Half a day later, Mount Soham.
Two figures gently descended from the air between the melted cliffs that still retained a strange heat.
They were the Heavenly Demon and his wife, Cheong-ryeong.
Cheong-ryeong frowned as she looked at the cliffs that had solidified in a melted form and spoke.
"This seems to be the right place."
They had flown directly to where the bond had been severed.
How much heat must have been applied for the surrounding air to still be so warm?
Noticing Cheong-ryeong's slightly flushed face as she fanned herself, the Heavenly Demon lightly waved his hand.
-Whoosh!
Cold air rose from his hand, completely cooling the remaining heat.
In the process, mist formed from the frost and heat, but that too disappeared completely with just one gesture from the Heavenly Demon.
"Thank you."
The Heavenly Demon smiled lightly at her thanks and then walked between the cliffs.
As he walked, he noticed some traces.
They were wheel-like marks left on the ground.
'Wheel marks?'
The wheel marks were quite large and mixed with blackened scorch marks. Despite the stone floor having melted, for traces to remain, it seemed considerable pressure had been applied.
'Not just one.'
And there were two wheels, not one.
As he was examining the traces on the ground,
"Dear…"
At Cheong-ryeong's call, the Heavenly Demon moved his steps to approach her side.
She was looking at the cliff face.
The Heavenly Demon's gaze turned cold as he saw it.
It was at that moment.
Words were engraved on the wall.
[It's still breathing. If you find the White-Faced King and bring him to the Lava Cave, I'll hand it over. The White-Faced King knows the location of the Lava Cave.]
"Dear, this seems…"
"Using barbarians to control barbarians."
It means using barbarians to control barbarians, implying using one enemy to control another.
Whoever it was, they were trying to use the Heavenly Demon by capturing the demonic beast Alyu.
However, their purpose was hard to guess.
Asking to bring the White-Faced King, whoever did this, their exact purpose couldn't be determined from just this.
"I don't know what their intention is, but this is clearly a trap."
"I know. But…"
The Heavenly Demon didn't finish his sentence.
If it were his past self, he might have ignored this.
He had been emotionless, and everything except himself was no different from chess pieces.
But now it's different.
Now he can feel emotions no less than ordinary humans.
Therefore, he couldn't just abandon his familiar, which he had used like a limb and was still breathing, to avoid the enemy's scheme, as if abandoning a rabbit after hunting or boiling a dog after hunting.
Although she loved this change in the Heavenly Demon, she felt a strange uneasiness.
"…Why are they asking to bring the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox? They've led us to have no choice but to find her somehow."
It was written that the White-Faced King, the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox, knew the location of the Lava Cave.
Whether this was true or not was unknown, but they had no choice but to find her, if only to verify it.
The problem was that she had disappeared a few months ago.
He didn't know why, but she had been annoyed by the constant attacks, so the Heavenly Demon had forgotten about her for a while.
It was at that moment.
-Master!
A familiar voice transmitted thoughts in his mind.
It was,
-Go Chan.
It was Go Chan, the Great Commander of the Guards, another familiar.
-What is it?
-May I ask where you are?
-Why?
-The diviner Miss Yeo Surin is looking for you.
-If it's not urgent, tell her to wait…
-Someone has killed the diviners and taken away the sealed Killing Stone statue of the Great Strength King.
'!'
***
A gate of crimson smoke appeared, and soon the diviner Yeo Surin emerged.
Behind her, Go Chan, the Great Commander of the Guards possessed by Jang Neung-ak, and a seductive woman with linked arms followed.
The woman was none other than Ha Chaerin, the current generation's Flying Killing Assassin and the leader of the Flying Killing Sect.
Seeing their linked arms, Cheong-ryeong looked at them curiously, and Go Chan scratched his head sheepishly and said with a grinning face:
"Haha… It just happened."
'!?'
Didn't she say she would torment him like a slave for life because he was the culprit who caused her death?