* * *
It was a grand metropolis where pavilions stretched endlessly, resembling a forest of tiled roofs.
The core figures of the Slaughter Sect's main branch, including Chivalrous Slayer, were scattered throughout Taiyuan.
They had mastered a martial art that allowed them to perceive the size and distribution of the surrounding crowds, as well as the field of vision of every passerby.
It was called Guardian's Forbidden Sense Path—one of the world's supreme techniques.
"Have those monsters all left? It was utter chaos just a few days ago."
"I don't know… Either way, it's best not to go out at night. They say the son and daughter of Merchant Jang near the well disappeared completely. Let's finish this delivery and hurry inside."
"Yeah, yeah. If we hold out, the military or someone from Desolate Fortress will come… before we see three full moons. That's how it's always been, according to my father."
"To be honest, I'd be worried even if they did come. Last time, I caught a glimpse of some monster leaping across three rooftops in one bound. The people of Desolate Fortress aren't invincible. These days, warriors are dying everywhere… A single treasured sword can't match a hundred steel blades."
"Who knows? Maybe Prince Nezha of Desolate Fortress will make an appearance. They say things were insane down in Pyongyang Prefecture. Zhuge Cheonsang, the Reincarnated Dragon, was killed."
"Hah! Lotus Nezha? You're wishing for the impossible. Most people would drop to their knees just seeing a white rank warrior…"
"Don't act like you wouldn't."
It was a conversation between two passersby pulling a cart filled with straw.
Even with dozens of assassins observing the trial, none among the crowd noticed them.
It was the result of the Slaughter Sect's specialized arts—tuned to regulate the presence of all nearby life—combined with their supremely refined stealth techniques.
On shadowed walls, at the rooftops' peaks, beside watchtower guards, even atop the high flagpoles of government offices.
They existed, yet they did not exist.
A group assembled on the rooftop of a grand estate belonging to a certain wealthy merchant was no exception.
Three elders, wrapped in black robes, and Chivalrous Slayer, wearing a black straw hat, stood tall.
Above them, a hemispherical Energy Barrier was deployed—a secret technique of the Slaughter Sect, completely transparent and utterly silent.
One of the elders, bearing a sword scar across his nose, suddenly spoke.
"The more I think about it, the more astounded I am."
"Master Orchid Sword, speak freely."
Kim Jon-hwi, the Chivalrous Slayer, spoke as he gazed toward the rooftop where Heon Wonchang was.
The elder's eyes carried an expression of satisfaction.
"The day when you ascend to the position of Sect Leader is not far off. You have gathered all the lost Branch Family Secret Arts… Even in the past, I believed you would be a hero who dismantles the divide between the main and branch bloodlines. It seems this old man's judgment was correct."
"It was not me, but Seon-hwi, who gathered them."
"But it was you who guided him, was it not? The Elder Council is truly impressed. Isn't that right?"
The elder glanced around, and the other two nodded in silent agreement before speaking in turn.
"After the Heavenly Demon Tomb Rebellion, had it not been for you, this sect would have crumbled into oblivion. The elders have long been in admiration."
"You have surpassed the direct lineage despite being of a branch family. Blood holds no absolute hierarchy; thus, all must acknowledge you."
"Indeed. That is precisely right."
The elder known as Orchid Sword nodded repeatedly.
Without sparing a single glance at Heon Wonchang's direction, his gaze remained solely on Chivalrous Slayer, filled with unrelenting satisfaction.
"With the combination of the secret arts retrieved by Kim Seon-hwi and those of the main sect, the Dark Blossom Severance Technique will be completed, and you will ascend as the official Slaughter Sect's leader. The moment you claim that mnemonic verse, you will be recognized as the sect leader."
The Dark Blossom Severance Technique was the Slaughter Sect's leader's signature martial art—personally created and bestowed by the Heavenly Demon during the founding of the Heavenly Demon Tomb.
It also served as the final mnemonic verse that lifted the seals imposed on the direct bloodline disciples upon completion.
Within the main branch of the Slaughter Sect, it was a symbol of authority, yet by ancient law, only a recognized successor could learn it.
For generations, the sect leader's duty was to keep only the final line of the mnemonic verse, while dispersing the rest among the branch families.
As the elders showered him with praise, Chivalrous Slayer let out a small chuckle.
"All of those verses were claimed by Seon-hwi, as per his direct bloodline status. Are the elders planning to demand them by force?"
Silence followed.
The three elders, including Orchid Sword, averted their gazes or kept their mouths shut.
They each harbored a clear intent within their wrinkled brows, yet none spoke it aloud.
Chivalrous Slayer's lips curved upward like the edge of a blade, a smile laced with menace.
"I would prefer that Seon-hwi does not violate the laws. Even though the sect was shattered after the previous leader's death, we have restored order, have we not?"
The rooftop fell silent. None of the three elders nodded.
"Sect leader. The elders of this sect have come to a realization through great tribulation. The concept of a 'direct bloodline' is as outdated as ancient martial arts. Especially when tainted blood is involved."
"Orchid Sword's words are correct. Sect leader, we have no need to beg Kim Seon-hwi. Whether through torture techniques like Muscle-Tearing and Bone-Dislocation, the activation of every trap formation in the main sect to capture a Hwangbo Clan brat, or even taking hold of a Desolate Shin Clan heir's leash… A great sect does not bow its head."
"The Radiant Demon Squad's leader will have gone to Myosan, lured by false letters, and in that time, Kim Seon-hwi will offer us the mnemonic verse of his own volition. If you intend to oppose the Elder Council's will, do so after you have taken the Sect Leader's Throne."
"..."
Chivalrous Slayer was long accustomed to the oppressive demands of the sect elders. He was also used to suppressing the killing intent that surged within him.
'These old fools.'
Even though they thought highly of him, they never wavered in their rigid views. To Chivalrous Slayer, they were the very embodiment of stubborn old relics.
The Heavenly Demon Tomb's gatekeeper sect had been passed down for over a hundred and twenty years in absolute isolation.
Its members, trained exclusively to slay intruders, adhered to traditions that left no room for common reason.
Slowly, Chivalrous Slayer parted his lips.
"We can discuss that later. For now, we have a more pressing matter."
"The Murong Clan, I presume?"
Orchid Sword looked at him as if admiring a promising grandchild. Chivalrous Slayer did not meet his gaze.
"Yes. You must have heard the rumors—their covert techniques have grown more formidable than ever. And the power of their Ten Thousand Star Sword Formation… Murong Mingjun, the Young Lord, has arrived with his uncle, the Grand Ritual Sword. I may have proposed Seon-hwi's trial, but we cannot afford to drag this out. Bamboo Sword, what in the world are you thinking, taking so long…?"
It was then.
Suddenly, Chivalrous Slayer's eyes widened.
He had turned his gaze back just after glancing at the elders upon hearing their talk of torture.
From the distant city gates, an unbelievable sight unfolded.
Fwaaaah!
An old woman shot down toward a young boy.
Chivalrous Slayer's Sight Arts moved at extreme speed. Not just the movement of his pupils but also the speed at which the images reflected on his retinas were transmitted to his brain.
In the blink of an eye, he recognized the face of the one targeted by Bamboo Sword Kim Yunsang and was utterly shocked.
'Are you insane?!'
Time slowed drastically for the assassin.
A dagger was drawn from the old woman's sleeve as she plunged downward. At the same time, Lotus Nezha turned his head, having just passed through the city gate with two companions.
For a brief moment, the sunlight outlining his jawline looked like a sword aura.
Ssshhh.
The black sleeve of Lotus Nezha lifted slightly. His movement pierced through the realm of an instant with terrifying ease. For that moment, it was as if he existed in an entirely different time stream.
He did not appear to channel a great deal of internal energy, nor did he generate even the slightest energy fluctuation, yet his body reacted with reflexes as fast as a lightning strike.
Chivalrous Slayer could feel it.
"...?"
The wrinkles at the corners of Bamboo Sword Kim Yunsang's eyes twitched as she descended at full speed.
But the old woman had no chance to turn back.
From the very beginning, Lotus Nezha's response had been utterly mystical.
The moment he turned his head, his outstretched hand seamlessly wrapped around his assailant's wrist—as if he had already calculated everything in advance.
It was as natural as if a master of Golden Flow Hand had been performing a prearranged demonstration, honed through an entire lifetime of training.
Wooooong—
An energy wave spread from Lotus Nezha's palm. Only at the very last moment, when he finally exerted force.
It was not overwhelmingly powerful. Rather, it was incredibly dense, exuding an almost sacred aura.
Had the Slaughter Sect's martial arts not removed all traces of demonic energy, just being caught by that grip would have meant the end.
In an instant, Chivalrous Slayer deduced Kim Yunsang's thoughts.
'There's still a chance.'
The old woman, caught midair by her wrist, moved her knee forward.
It was the Heaven's Protection Body Art—a secret technique of the Slaughter Sect.
A method that allowed a warrior to generate tremendous force with minimal movement, delivering their leg strength all the way to their grip.
It was the foundation of what many martial artists considered the ideal full-body energy discharge.
For a warrior of Bamboo Sword's caliber, even a fraction of a second would be enough to unleash an invisible sword strike through sheer force.
As her eyes sharpened for an instant—
Suddenly, a wave of fine dust exploded upward, disheveling her hair.
Lotus Nezha pulled her wrist.
The subtle movement in his grip sent shockwaves rippling around the old woman, enveloping her in a faint storm-like vortex.
At the same time, the invisible sword energy that Kim Yunsang had generated was shredded into countless strands, utterly dismantled.
It was a completely different realm of mastery.
For a brief moment, the old woman recalled the wisdom she had drilled into her disciples.
—Your insight is your lifeline.
"Huhh…!"
A long, strained exhale escaped Kim Yunsang's lips, almost like the dying groan of a final gasp.
Her body plummeted down in a massive arc, her forceful descent shaking the very ground.
BOOOOOM!
The earth trembled violently.
Blood splattered through the rising dust clouds, and the frozen perception of the assassins was shattered beyond recognition.
From among Lotus Nezha's companions, a woman carrying a greatsword on her back smirked slightly.
"Someone you know? With your status, you've got enough enemies to fill the world."
"No."
Jung Yeonshin, who had just smashed the old woman into the ground, slowly let go of his grip.
For a fleeting moment, his index finger brushed against the wrinkled wrist of the attacker.
He felt no pulse.
He had only redirected a fraction of the force he had received—yet it had resulted in instant death.
For a moment, Jung Yeonshin hesitated.
'Tch.'
His entire body throbbed with pain.
The full-body energy discharge he had executed on instinct had further aggravated his already wounded meridians and muscles.
But that was the only way to counteract an attack so thickly laced with killing intent.
It had been an attack born from decades of accumulated assassination techniques.
"How far did she come from? It was quite a distance, wasn't it?"
"Yes, she must have had an exceptional Protective Energy Technique."
Gun Yurin and Tian Po surveyed their surroundings.
The unnaturally silent street.
For some reason, even the city guards had not come rushing in.
Only scattered passersby, eyeing them warily, quickly distancing themselves.
It was a reaction that suggested they were all too familiar with this kind of violence.
Gun Yurin leaned slightly to one side.
"I'd heard rumors of chaos in Taiyuan. Some masked lunatics running around slashing people apart."
"Isn't that pretty common?"
Tian Po blinked and replied indifferently.
"Maybe. But Taiyuan was supposed to be a controlled region. Not that I should be the one saying that."
As the daughter of the Profound Martial Alliance's leader let out a wry chuckle—
Out of nowhere, a radiant streak of light surged over the wall, slicing through the air toward Jung Yeonshin's temple.
As if it had always been hanging on a single thread, the chilling sword light carved itself into the sky.
BOOM!
Perhaps to make its presence known, the sword strike sent Gun Yurin flying backward, far away from Jung Yeonshin.
At the same time, a semi-transparent shockwave rippled outward, forming concentric rings, and a rare, exquisite sword tumbled onto the ground at Jung Yeonshin's feet.
"Young Lady!"
Tian Po, alarmed, immediately rushed toward her.
Just then, from behind the wall, a calm voice, laced with an air of aristocratic arrogance, echoed forth.
"Just now, you failed to react, didn't you? Radiant Demon Squad's leader, that is."
"I must say, I too was deeply impressed by such a sublime mastery of Sight Arts."
"…I am far from my father."
Two figures stepped down from the wall.
Step, step.
His footwork was light. It was unmistakably the movement technique of someone trained by a prestigious clan.
His attire was no different.
His silk martial robe, without a single wrinkle, bore a rare light pink hue, looking as though it had been pressed meticulously before being worn. His spotless appearance left a strong impression.
The young man, who seemed to be of high status, wore a monkey mask with golden trim, symbolizing the Great Sage, Heaven's Equal, while the man at his side, who appeared to be his subordinate, wore a grotesque demon mask with a twisted expression. To those with weak martial arts, they might as well have been specters.
They were undoubtedly among the fiendish beasts that had disrupted the order of Taiyuan.
Despite the growing rumors, the military had yet to act, and the people could only murmur about how chaotic the times had become.
This meant the masked figures wielded tremendous power. Their identities had to remain concealed at all costs.
They were individuals whose true selves could never be exposed.
'Am I caught in a three-way conflict now? Because of the Heavenly Demon Tomb?'
Had the Radiant Demon Squad's leader's presence drawn a bowstring?
Countless presences had begun to stir around them. Even the clash of swords rang out from multiple directions.
The subordinates of the masked figure were closing in, forming a vast encirclement, their presence brushing against Jung Yeonshin's skin like a creeping sensation.
Boom! Boom!
The waves of energy that surged through the air were no less than what would be expected from the elite forces of a great martial clan.
It was an overwhelming Heaven-Spanning Net.
"Seeing you up close, I can tell now. Radiant Demon Squad's leader, you lack a Body-Protection Energy Field."
The one in the Great Sage mask spoke.
"They say you slaughtered the Reincarnated Dragon. A feat like that would not have gone unrewarded. But I can see everything. You didn't restrain your energy flow—you have no energy left to release."
From the eye slits of the mask, a dark blue light flickered faintly.
Jung Yeonshin could sense a deep, insidious aura.
It was remarkably similar to the demonic energy he had felt from Baek Miryeo and the Pure Demon Alliance's leader of Sichuan.
"You must have regretted it. If your father had arrived before you moved, things would be very different."
The masked figure continued in a slow, deliberate voice.
"You will die without ever knowing who I am. And when I extract the core of your divine power and have it refined by the short-legged artisans, I will obtain one of the rarest artifacts in the world.
"With the Heavenly Demon Armor and the Divine Power Jade, I will pierce through the North, through Xinjiang, through anywhere."
A faint chuckle laced his voice—cold, arrogant, brimming with self-satisfaction.
He possessed not only the sheer audacity to approach Lotus Nezha despite the risks but also the information and Sight Arts necessary to assess Jung Yeonshin's condition with pinpoint accuracy.
Moreover, his speed of arrival after sensing the brief clash had been extraordinarily swift.
As Jung Yeonshin silently gazed at the masked figure, his head tilted slightly.
For a brief moment, a white glimmer flickered in his eyes.
"Your way of speaking is strange."
"Hm?"
"When I saw you at the Murim Alliance, you carried yourself quite like a noble gentleman. But now, you look like someone who will be practicing Leg Martial Arts on a sickbed in the near future. At your age, do you feel no shame?"
"What?"
"You are the Young Lord of the Murong Clan. Conduct yourself accordingly, Murong Mingjun."
Jung Yeonshin spoke.
For a moment, the masked figure fell silent.
A stillness settled over the street.
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