Published at 18th of March 2026 6:30 am

Chapter 414

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Chijik. Chijijik.

I heard a crackling noise in my ears. It sounded like the crumpling of a tightly squeezed piece of paperor perhaps like sparking electricity.

What was this sound? It was a distinctly unpleasant noise.

Chijijik.

The continuous noise finally forced me to open my eyes. My eyelids felt strangely heavy.

And when I opened them, I saw

I have one question for you.

Kwajik.

A man with long, flowing hair crushed something underfoot, bursting it.

'What's that?'

At first I wondered what he was stepping on, but to my shock, it was an evil spirit.

Dense, thick evil ki filled the surroundings.

And it wasn't just one.

The place was packed full of evil spirits.

In the midst of these ominous beings, two humansunnaturally alive compared to the reststood facing one another.

'What is this?'

In response to the man's question, the woman before him replied. My eyes widened.

'What the heck?'

She's ridiculously beautiful.

The moment I saw her, my mind briefly went blank.

Having grown up around sisters like the sharp-tongued one from the Murong family or the blunt one from Mount Huaboth rotten on the inside but decent on the outsideI thought nothing much could faze me.

Stunning looks wouldn't surprise me.

'This is insane.'

But her beauty was exceptional, even to me. She was an exotic with blue eyes and pure white hair.

You. What exactly is your goal?

The man asked the woman as he looked at her. I could only see his back, yet I could tell who he was. That was...

'Heavenly Demon.'

It was the Heavenly Demon. The aura that radiated from him was infinite, yet also suffocatingno doubt about it.

'It was called demonic ki.'

The energy the demonic beings wield was what it was called. To possess it so purely... this could only be the Heavenly Demon as I knew him.

Even the sword at his waist was a clue.

'... The Heavenly Demon Divine Sword.'

It was the sword, now refurbished, that currently hung at my own waist.

A goal, you say?

At the Heavenly Demon's question, the woman smiled. Despite the darkness and gloom of the space, her smile seemed to brighten everything for an instant.

I don't have one.

Ha.

At her answer, the Heavenly Demon let out a hollow laugh.

What an unconvincing excuse. Woman. Who are you trying to deceive here?

How could I possibly deceive the Sky of the Glorious Divine Cult? Rather...

As she spoke, the woman's smile faded.

If there's a deceiver here, isn't it you?

What did you say?

I'm saying, maybe you're the one who truly has a purpose here.

Such pathetic tricks. Maybe ripping out that tongue of yours will bring you to your senses?

But isn't it true? What will happen if he finds out the two of us are meeting like this?

...

The Heavenly Demon was momentarily at a loss for words. Seeing this, the woman laughed again.

We're similar, you know. You're aware of that, aren't you?

Spare me your disgusting words. They're rotting my ears.

Hahaha.

Apparently amused, the woman laughed again at the Heavenly Demon's insult. At that moment

Kiiiiii-!! Kiiiii--!!!

The evil spirits surrounding them began to stir violently. It seemed they were responding to her laughter. The man clicked his tongue.

Disgusting.

It's a little hurtful, hearing that from you.

Sarak.

The woman fluttered the fan she was holding. The evil spirits immediately stopped their reaction.

It was as though the spirits were responding to her actions.

'What is that?'

Since when do evil spirits listen so well? I'd never seen anything like it.

Who was this woman anyway?

And then

'This is...'

What kind of memory was this? Was this a memory of the Heavenly Demon?

While I wondered, simply watching

Your purpose doesn't matter.

The Heavenly Demon spoke, drawing his sword at the same time.

What matters is whether you pose a threat or not.

Haha.

The woman covered her mouth with her fan.

So, are you planning to cut my head off?

It wouldn't be that hard.

You're right.

Uuuunng.

Aura flowed from the woman's body. Feeling it, I rubbed my shoulder. The air seemed to chill.

You're fully capable of it. But do you really think you can?

Her expression was confident.

If you kill me now, everything will come to nothing.

Ha, what makes you so sure?

How could you not know?

Her blue eyes swept over the evil spirits.

How many eyes and ears do you think there are? Besides...

Without warning, her slender finger pointed behind the Heavenly Demon's back.

Shouldn't you deal with that first? At least for me

...

'That?'

I looked at the spot she was pointing to. Nothing was there

'No.'

I squinted. There was something. Something like a shimmering haze existed behind the Heavenly Demon. What was that? I tried to focus.

'I can't see it clearly.'

Whatever was concealing it was strange. Especially since even my eyes couldn't perceive it.

'Is it because it's a memory?'

Is that why it's blurry? But no, that didn't seem to be it. Something like this couldn't be blurred that way.

Which meant

'I can't see it at my level of suppression.'

It was likely because of the suppression I'd put on myself. That was what was stopping me from seeing it.

'Is it that high a being?'

I could normally see most things. If even I couldn't see it, it must be quite high in the hierarchy.

'... Tsk.'

I was curious. Should I release the suppression?

For some reason, I felt I had to see it. Thinking that, I was about to fiddle with the lock at my heart, when

That's enough.

"...!"

Someone covered my eyes.

Useless curiosity invites death. See only what you are meant to see

And with those words

Whoosh!

"...!"

My consciousness woke up.

"... Haa."

I exhaled, staring at the ceiling. I staggered and sat up.

'Damn.'

The last part must have been the Heavenly Demon. Did he intervene to stop me? If so, why show me in the first place? I couldn't understand. And then

'That woman just now.'

The woman in the memory. If I had to guess

'She's the Bow Ghost.'

No matter how I lookd, that seemed right.

An exotic from the Northern Sea, famed as the World's Greatest beauty.

Furthermore, seeing how the evil spirits reacted to her

'She's the Bow Ghost.'

The person in the Heavenly Demon's memory was, without doubt, the Bow Ghost.

'What's going on?'

What was their connection? Why was the Bow Ghost with the Heavenly Demon? When was that memory from?

It was the memory of a woman called both Heaven Beyond Heaven and hero, conversing alone with the Heavenly Demon.

It felt significant, somehow...

'Tsk.'

I didn't know. How could I? How was I supposed to know what happened in the past?

'Anyway.'

These people seemed to be tied up in all sorts of convoluted ways.

But more pressingly

"Where...?"

Where was this place? I tried to get up.

Creak!!

"---!!"

The pain struck as soon as I moved, making me groan.

"Urgh..."

What the hell was this? It hurt like hell. I couldn't even scream properly.

"Damn..."

Was this an aftereffect of the Moon Heaven? Well, it was my first time using it so long.

I suppose it's possible for it to rebound this much.

'... But this level of pain is too much.'

To hurt so much I couldn't even make a soundridiculous. I stayed hunched over, quietly whining when

"Heh."

Someone approached. Lifting my head, I saw Chun Hye-in. What was she doing here?

"... You're awake?"

"... As you can see."

"Are you okay?"

"How do I look?"

"Since you're talking, I suppose you're fine."

"... Is your eyesight poor, by any chance?"

What part of this looks fine? I was groaning and clutching my stomach, but Chun Hye-in walked over.

"Want some water?"

"... Do you have any?"

She picked up a bottle beside her and poured it into a cup. I accepted it and stared at her.

"What is it? Why are you staring?"

"... What's with you? Why are you being nice? It's kind of suspicious?"

"...."

At my words, a frown formed on Chun Hye-in's brow.

"Want me to splash it in your face?"

"Ahno, I'm feeling a little better now."

"Ha."

Chun Hye-in looked at me in disbelief.

"Unbelievable."

"So."

Ignoring her, I pressed on.

"What happened exactly?"

"...."

Was she annoyed I interrupted her? Her gaze became listless.

"What do you mean what happened?"

"The situation."

I wanted to know what happened after I collapsed. Chun Hye-in rested her chin on her hand.

"... It's been five days since the Blue Moon Festival ended."

"Five days?"

That much? I was startled by how much time had passed.

And my body still hurt like this?

"What about the Silver Moon Sword?"

What happened to him? Chun Hye-in replied.

"... That guy woke up a while back. But his wounds were pretty serious, so he needs long-term treatment, apparently."

"Really?"

So, he'd woken up. I nodded at her words.

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"I mean, how's your body?"

"... Huh?"

My body? Surprised by the question, I stared at her.

"... Why?"

"...?"

Chun Hye-in made a strange face.

"What do you mean, 'why'?"

"Well... you're asking about my condition. Are you planning to stab me when I show weakness...?"

"... Just how do you see me?"

"Not very favorably?"

"Do you want me to stab you right now? Wait there."

"It's a jokea joke."

She really looked like she was about to draw her sword, so I quickly stopped her. Was this crazy woman really planning to stab me?

"Ha."

Chun Hye-in let out a deep sigh. She looked thoroughly fed up.

"... What are we even doing?"

"Exactly. What is this?"

"Forget it... Talking to you just stresses me out."

"... Huh."

Why act like this after coming to see me? I was even more put out.

"Joking around like this means you're fine after all."

While speaking, Chun Hye-in stood up. Was she leaving now? I thought I could finally get some rest, but then

"If you're up, go to the Sect Leader's office."

"The Sect Leader's office?"

"Yes. The Sect Leader is looking for you. And..."

Chun Hye-in tilted her chin towards the door. I turned my head and noticed something.

"... The person over there has also been waiting anxiously for you to wake up."

"By 'that person'..."

Ah.

It was the Tyrant King. The old man was peeking in, watching me.

"... Of course."

Right, he had words with me too. Remembering this, I met his eyes.

Grin.

The Tyrant King smiled at me, as if his long wait was finally over.

"...."

Looking at his smile, I grabbed Chun Hye-in, who was about to leave.

"...!"

Suddenly seized by her wrist, Chun Hye-in flinched.

"Wh-Wh-What is it?"

"Stay a bit longer."

"Huh...?"

"Preferably, stay for quite a while."

"What are you...?"

Her eyes shook wildly, her face flushing with embarrassment.

"... What are you talking about?"

"It's just, if you go now, dealing with that old man will be a pain. Can't you stay for a bit?"

"...."

As soon as I explained, Chun Hye-in's face twisted in anger.

SMACK!!

"Urk!?"

Her fist landed on the crown of my head. I covered my head in pain.

"Godyou're hitting a patient?"

"You deserved worse."

Whoosh.

Chun Hye-in stormed out, leaving me dazed as I stared at her retreating back.

... What the hell?

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