Published at 26th of January 2026 9:28 am

Chapter 342

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Ghost Demon. At those words, Chun Uijin paused. It was a look that asked whether he'd misheard.

"Young master Bang... What did you just say?"

"I said I was going to meet the Ghost Demon."

"Excuse me?"

So he hadn't misheard after all. Chun Uijin's face filled with bewilderment. Did he really not mishear?

"... How can that be...?"

"There's a reason."

"The Ghost Demon is a dangerous being...! Why would you do such a thing? He's the one who ambushed you!"

One of the Eight Demonic Beings of the revived Demonic Cult and the one who assaulted me. Hearing that I would go out of my way to meet him, Chun Uijin said,

"Why do you always head toward danger?"

"It's not dangerous."

I cut off Chun Uijin's words. He tried to say something to me right away, but

"He's on my side."

"No matter how I think about it, it's dangerous... What?"

At my next words, Chun Uijin froze completely.

You rascal.

Yu Chun-gil seemed surprised by what I said as well. He hadn't expected me to say that, judging from his expression, but it didn't matter. It was something I had to tell Chun Uijin. For the sake of what I was planning, too.

"He's on your side?"

"Exactly. The Ghost Demon is on my side."

"... I don't understand."

"This incident was to root out the spies from Broken Heaven Palace and to observe their movements. And for that, I needed the help of the Mount Hua Sect, but..."

With a glance, I looked toward a certain place. It was the room where Sung Hun was, and Yu Yun was still busy eating her noodles.

She would be listening as well. Still, it didn't matter. With Yu Yun, it should be fine.

"There were spies in Mount Hua Sect as well. And that person was far higher-ranked than I'd expected."

Plum Blossom Division Leader. The fact that he betrayed Mount Hua in his attempt to become the new leader was a great shock within the current Mount Hua Sect.

"Proceeding with matters while monitoring them was extremely difficult. I needed a double agent for that."

"C-could it be...?"

Chun Uijin's eyes went wide as saucers.

Double agent. That I'd been using a double agent to watch the situation was already a well-known fact. It was necessary to explain my motives for my actions.

"That's right."

I nodded.

"The Ghost Demon is precisely my double agent."

"What!!"

Chun Uijin sprang to his feet.

"Oh, sorry."

Realizing he'd overreacted, he apologized. I shook my head in response.

"It's fine."

Chun Uijin cautiously sat back down and surveyed the surroundings, seemingly afraid someone else might be listening.

"You used one of the Eight Demonic Beings as a double agent...?"

"Yes."

"How could the Ghost Demon make such a choice? I heard demonic beings are those who have surrendered themselves entirely to the madness instilled by the Heavenly Demon..."

That was how martial artists in the Central Plains viewed members of the Demonic Cult.

People who could never abandon the Heavenly Demon as a religion.

Those who'd lay down their lives at a word from the Heavenly Demonthat's what demonic beings were.

It would naturally be puzzling to hear that one of them would betray the Demonic Cult to act as my spy.

"This is an era without the Heavenly Demon."

The Heavenly Demon is now gone.

Slain by Yu Chun-gil, and the very existence of the Demonic Cult itself was shaken.

"In such times, wouldn't it make sense that some demonic beings might start to think differently?"

"..."

At my words, Chun Uijin faltered. He couldn't exactly refute what I said. Besides, if one had become a double agent, there was no denying it.

"So, you're saying the Ghost Demon is truly siding with you...? What's his objective...?"

"His goal is to stop the current Heavenly Demon, known as the Young cult leader."

"What do you mean...? Are you saying a demonic being suddenly developed a sense of justice?"

"As if that would ever happen."

I gave a faint smile.

"You think such a thing exists among demonic beings?"

Well, perhaps it does exist. I am inclined to think so, yet seeing Chun Uijin's reaction, I couldn't say it aloud.

'To the people of the Central Plains, demonic beings inspire such contempt, I see.'

I confirmed their perception for myself. In the meantime, I glanced at Yu Yun. The rumor that she was the Heavenly Demon's daughter nagged at me.

"What the Ghost Demon desires is a true Demonic Cult."

"A true...?"

"It seems he thinks the current Young cult leader is not it. So, he wants to stop him and build a proper Demonic Cult."

"And to that end, he joined hands with you?"

"Yes. I also wanted to use him."

"Hearing this..."

Chun Uijin hesitated, then spoke.

"I still can't let go of the thought that he's a dangerous man. Just how did you come into contact with the Ghost Demon?"

It had been just a little under a year since I met Chun Uijin.

Was there time for me to rendezvous with the Ghost Demon during that span? To that question, I revealed my trump card.

"It was a setup my master prepared."

This brat?

"Ah...!?"

Whenever something unbelievable comes up, I use Yu Chun-gil. He was annoyed at my words, but Chun Uijin clapped his hands in sudden understanding.

"... The Sword Saint...!"

No, it's not. I said it's not.

"Yes. My master arranged it all."

You mad lad, how far do you plan to drag my name through the mud!

I ignored Yu Chun-gil's outrage.

"I don't know how I came to know the Ghost Demon either. One day he sought me out, and since my master had already informed me, it was easy to get in contact."

"... That can't be. Don't tell me... that's how you prevented what happened in Henan...!?"

"... That's... right."

Ah, so it comes out that way.

Nodding at Chun Uijin's shock, I left the rest for him to deduce.

"... As I thought. You've had everything planned, Young master Bang..."

"Countless things are going to happen across the Central Plains in the days ahead. Not just Broken Heaven Palace, but also matters concerning the Demonic Cult. So, young master Chun, I ask that you keep this a secret."

"... A secret?"

"Yes. The Ghost Demon is indeed dangerous, but for now, I need to use him."

"... Understood. Snce you say you have a great purpose, I will trust you. But..."

Chun Uijin said, trembling slightly with his blue eyes,

"I don't know if there's anything I can do for you in this situation."

The Ghost Demon, Broken Heaven Palace, the Demonic Cult.

And not just thosematters of overwhelming magnitude were entangled here. In the midst of all this, what could he possibly do? His uncertainty was evident.

I understood.

'I don't know myself.'

Even I wasn't sure of what I was doing. As time went on, catastrophes kept popping up and growing ever biggerit felt impossible to stop.

"No. Young master Chun, you will definitely be a help."

I didn't know. But for now, I had to try. There is no paradise where you've run off to.

To be honest, I wanted to run away, but things behind me kept pushing me forward.

The only option was to push straight ahead and break through.

"That's why I'm telling you the current plan as well."

"... To me?"

"Yes. I need you, young master Chun."

"..."

The resolve returned to Chun Uijin's gaze at my words.

"Understood. Whatever it may beif you need me, I'll gladly help."

"Thank you."

There was a glint in Chun Uijin's eyes at being able to help in such a grand matter. It was rather burdensome. Ignoring that, I addressed him.

"What I'm asking isn't that complicated."

"Yes?"

"When midnight comes tomorrow..."

I whispered the plan to him.

"Ah...?"

Chun Uijin's eyes filled with bewilderment. No doubt, it was something utterly unexpected.

***

A day passed, and night had fallen once again.

Even after time had passed, Mount Hua's lights were not turned on. Vigilance was more heightened than ever, and as the unsolved problems grew, the clamor only grew louder.

"Are you saying I should send this to the Alliance?"

I was discussing matters with the Small Moon Division Leader.

"Yeah. Just deliver it to the Sect Leader at the Shaanxi branch."

"You're sure it's all right not to deliver it yourself?"

"Yeah. Just make sure it's delivered to the Alliance so no one else will see."

"Understood."

The Small Moon Division Leader accepted the letter.

"I'll head there at once, then."

Being told this was an important letter, the Small Moon Division Leader immediately set off. With his speed, he'd arrive in Shaanxi in an instant to send the communication.

Once he had left

"He's gone. Has he really?"

I looked at Yu Chun-gil for confirmation.

Yes, he's gone.

"Good. Then let's head out."

The letter was just an excuse to keep the Small Moon Division Leader busy. A request to get out of his sight. Recently, he'd been following my words so well, it was feasible.

"All right then."

I loosened up right away. It was time to move. With the Small Moon Division Leader gone, I immediately left Mount Hua.

Whoosh!!

I leapt, my body light as a feather.

"Oh."

I marveled. So this is what it felt like to stand at the Transcendent realm. My body was unbelievably light.

'Is this the Transcendent realm?'

Even at peak, I'd felt oddly light, but this was another levellike a feather.

Your ki is finally starting to permeate your body completely. Mind your strength, now. I've seen more than a few people burn themselves out by acting foolishly.

Listening to Yu Chun-gil, I focused on the sensations in my body. I really was too light and needed to concentrate.

There's no one watching nearby, but be cautious nonetheless.

"Yes."

I nodded at Yu Chun-gil's words.

But what about youare you coming along again?

Yu Chun-gil spoke as he flew after me. He was talking to Sung Hun, who was following. At that, Sung Hun smiled faintly.

There's nothing left for me on Mount Hua. Lucky timing, huh?

What can you even do by coming?

At least I'd have a companion to talk to. Ha ha ha.

... Haaa.

Yu Chun-gil still didn't seem to like Sung Hun.

Sung Hun just gave him a gentle smile.

"Don't fight, you old men. It's distracting."

Mediating between the old men, I arrived at the forest.

This was the agreed-upon spot. I strolled quietly at midnight, checking my surroundings. I rolled my eyesfelt no presence at all.

A shadowy place in the night.

I stared at a large boulder in the middle of such a place.

'That's it.'

I felt it.

That spot. As I focused, something stirred inside me.

Slowly, I walked toward it. It just looked like another boulder, but there were things I could sense that weren't visible to the naked eye.

Ssssss.

'There's a lot of vital energy here.'

What could there be so much of in that rock?

I could instinctively tell something had been done to it.

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!!!!!

There was a tremor. The ground shook violently.

BOOOOM!!!

From the boulder, light shot up to the heavens.

What is this...?

Sung Hun was taken aback at the sight.

Another commotion begins.

Yu Chun-gil smacked his lips.

"Ah, what an eyesore."

I frowned as if I were used to all this.

It was the familiar light I had seen countless times in my past life.

The light of lingering thought.

The wailing of beings that could not dissipate, could not find salvation.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Bang Sung-Yung selling his master's name never gets old.

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