Published at 29th of April 2026 8:49 am

Chapter 425

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

My feet froze at the sound I heard.

"Moon Hero...?"

The people moving with me called out, but just like my hardened legs, my expression refused to soften.

'Ah, damn it.'

I wished I had misheard. But that probably wasn't the case.

Uuuung.

My heart responded. Annoyingly, it was always spot-on.

『So my suspicions were true. It really was you.』

That ominous voice stabbed deep into my chest.

Where was that voice coming from?

I didn't bother to turn my head and look for it.

My spirit was already pointing the way. I had to actively try not to look in that direction.

『Kulkulkulkul.』

That revolting chuckle.

It was just like back then.

'Child. You have good eyes.'

'How about it? Want to become my disciple?'

Of all times, my luck was rotten then.

And, as always, it had to be when I wasn't controlling my spirit.

That was when I encountered that old man.

A human with eyes like mine—or rather, similar, as calling them the same would be a stretch.

One who could see what shouldn't be seen and feel what shouldn't be felt.

That withered old man was like that.

The difference was this:

'I try to avoid and survive.'

Whereas that old man, as if reveling in it, lived his life mingled with spirits.

'Ugh.'

Just imagining it made my skin crawl. I've been struggling to avoid living like that—so what could be so appealing about it?

『Child.』

The voice kept coming.

There was something off about it for a simple sound transmission.

『Child.』

'Just shut up, will you?'

No matter how much I ignored it, the voice only grew stronger.

『I know you can hear everything, yet you keep holding your head high. Kul kul, fitting, I suppose...』

Sssssss.

I felt something. My eyes narrowed. This old man was up to something stupid.

Kigigigik.

Something crawled up my skin, tickling as it went.

It was as if a long centipede were climbing my body.

'Ha.'

Annoying.

'Trying to curse me, are you?'

The sensation was revolting.

He was always like this, the sort I never wanted to tangle with.

'As if I'm not busy enough already.'

Even putting aside why he's in Henan, him pulling these cheap tricks made my blood boil.

Fed up, I tried to brush it off with a touch of strength.

『Disgusting creature.』

Uuuung.

Suddenly, alongside the Heavenly Demon's voice, the Divine Sword began to vibrate.

『How dare you—』

Fwoooooosh—!!!

"...!"

Energy burst from the Divine Sword. It wasn't my ki. It was a type of spiritual ki.

A sense of spiritual force erupted so distant that other warriors could not perceive it.

『Keuk—!』

Suddenly, a pained groan came from the old man.

'... Wow.'

Cold sweat trailed down my back. It looked like that spiritual ki had struck back.

'... At that level...'

He probably coughed up some blood. I couldn't sense him anymore.

Nor could I feel his gaze.

'Whew.'

I let out a sigh.

"Moon Hero."

Just then, a member of my squad spoke to me.

"Ah, sorry. I tensed up for a moment."

I replied with a smile, and the squad member nodded.

We moved on.

'What was that?'

My mind was a mess.

'Why?'

Why is the Death King here?

* * *

Ignoring the Death King's appearance, we moved on. We had a destination, so we had to press forward for now.

Before long, we reached the entrance.

"They say we'll arrive soon."

Receiving this information, I looked ahead.

Even without the squad member's words—

'... It's coming.'

Kugugugung.

Something was rumbling far in the distance.

From where my feet touched the ground, a thick force began to rise.

Something was approaching. Something—

'How vile.'

Something was coming on strong and nasty.

The closer it got, the stronger its presence.

I wasn't the only one who felt it. I could see everyone around me was already tense.

Not long after—

Thud. Thud. Thud.

A carriage appeared in the distance. A blood-red steed revealed itself.

'... That's a big one.'

How can a horse be that huge? And all muscle, too. It was such a powerful sight, I was at a loss for words.

The red stallion approached the Alliance's entrance, slowing as it drew near.

Hiiiiiiiing—!!!

Only when it reached us did it rear up and halt, neighing loudly.

Chak.

A sound to the side.

The leader of the Small Moon Division placed his hand on his sword hilt.

Following that—

Kiiik.

The carriage door opened and someone stepped out.

"This is—"

"......"

As the door opened, a revolting energy poured out.

I wanted to pinch my nose.

The one cloaked in that noxious aura was a young man—and a familiar face.

'That bastard.'

The guy I met at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

The one pretending to be a member of the Baek family bloodline to sneak into Henan.

'Baek Chun-il.'

That's what he went by then. And also—

'Young cult leader of the Demonic Cult.'

I had learned the truth then, that he was the Young cult leader of the Demonic Cult.

'... So we meet again.'

Never thought I'd see him here, of all places.

"Long time no see."

The Young cult leader looked at me with a bright smile, then reached out his hand.

"I hear you're called Moon Hero? It suits you, friend."

Should I take it or not?

After a short hesitation, I took his hand.

"You been well?"

Narrowing my eyes, I replied, "In my own way. Looks like you've been well too?"

"Oh? What makes you think that?"

"Your face. You look pretty pleased."

"Haha."

The Young cult leader laughed.

"Well, not exactly 'well.' Thanks to a certain someone."

"That 'someone' wouldn't be me, would it?"

"Ahaha."

He laughed even harder at my words. Then—

"You've still got sharp instincts, huh?"

He wiped the smile off his face and spoke in a cool voice.

Chak-!

There was a rough sound from the Small Moon Division leader's scabbard.

At the same time—

Chak.

The same from a warrior standing behind the Young cult leader.

Several were already standing there.

'Headcount—'

From what I could see, six. All wore masks.

'... Could these be—'

Are these the Eight Demonic Beings the Ghost Demon mentioned?

They sure seemed like it.

"Let go."

The leader of the Small Moon Division spoke to the Young cult leader, exuding force.

"Ah, so you're the famous leader of the Small Moon Division."

The Young cult leader relaxed his grip, looking at him.

"I was just playing around. No need to get so mad."

"......"

"If you react like that, some of our people may overreact a bit."

Kgegegek.

I felt a strong fighting spirit.

Especially from the masked one with the sword strapped to the waist.

'This one's...'

Strong.

Maybe I was more sensitive since reaching the supreme peak realm, but this one's fighting aura felt especially vivid.

'Just how strong are they?'

I couldn't quite gauge it. Which meant—

'... Does that mean I can't sense their true level?'

Maybe so.

"That's enough."

Then, the Young cult leader spoke quietly. The palpable hostility vanished in an instant.

"It seems our aura is a bit much for a place meant for peaceful talks."

At his words, one from behind dropped to their knees.

"I apologize."

'Hm?'

I was surprised.

Her voice was delicate.

A woman?

She was a bit short for a man, but since her body was covered, I hadn't noticed.

"I apologize again. My subordinate will be punished accordingly, so please let this go."

"......"

The Small Moon Division leader's brow furrowed. His words were all too obvious.

Seeing that, I spoke up as well.

"... Division leader, it's fine. I'm okay."

"......"

Chak.

The sword ready to be drawn was re-sheathed.

The tension finally seemed to ease.

"Well then. Please, lead the way."

The Young cult leader spoke, breaking the tension.

"... I'll begin the escort now."

An uneasy Alliance member began to guide us.

* * *

"... It really is the Demonic Cult."

"... Are those really demonic beings?"

"So all those rumors were true..."

As we escorted the Demonic Cult's people into the main Alliance compound, countless gazes poured in from every direction.

Everyone looked on, their eyes filled with fear.

"Why would the alliance leader do this...?"

"Has he truly lost his mind...?"

"This man...! He actually..."

Their muttering was laced with denial, but also with resistance.

No one seemed able to fully deny what they were seeing.

'Man, my face is burning.'

All those stares from every direction made me feel like my face was burning up.

Though probably not all the looks were aimed at me.

'Hmph.'

I glanced at the Young cult leader walking with us. He strolled calmly, wearing a faint smile.

'That energy...'

Still thick and heavy.

It was different from the Broken Heaven Palace crowd's, but just as unpleasant to feel.

Demonic Cultists.

'The revived Demonic Cult.'

The Heavenly Demon who started the Great Demon War died, but the Demonic Cult rose again.

Now, they were here for talks with the orthodox faction.

'... Will this really work?'

I heard that Divine Spear was doing this at the Heavenly Demon's request.

'But the Heavenly Demon himself doesn't remember this.'

Was it really okay to bring them to Henan and cause this ruckus?

'Just look at the people's reactions.'

An assembly had been called, so it was happening, but everyone in the Alliance hated it and the bystanders even more so.

Calling this meeting even with such widespread resistance...

'What are they planning?'

No matter how I looked at it, it didn't make sense.

Just then—

"Mind if I ask you something?"

"......"

The Young cult leader suddenly turned to me with a question.

"... What is it?"

"It's something I've been wondering for a while."

He glanced at me sidelong. I flinched. His black eyes were tinged with red.

'Heaven-Slaying Star.'

Red pupils.

Just like the Heavenly Demon's eyes.

While I was frozen under his gaze—

"Can you see things that aren't visible, too?"

"What...?"

My eyes narrowed.

Invisible things?

What was he talking about?

'This guy...'

Did he also have Spiritual Sight?

What was this?

'Doesn't feel like it, though.'

I didn't sense any spiritual force.

He didn't seem to have power in that direction.

But he's asking this?

"... What do you mean?"

I feigned ignorance.

At my reaction, the Young cult leader smirked.

"If not, that's fine. Just curious, that's all."

"... What—"

"Guess it was pointless."

With that, we entered the Alliance's main compound.

As soon as we did, someone appeared ahead.

"Oh, look who it is."

The Young cult leader reacted upon seeing him.

"The great leader of the orthodox Alliance himself, coming out to greet me."

Divine Spear.

The current Alliance leader and one of Heaven Beyond Heaven stood there.

Beside him, Heavenly Insight glared at the Young cult leader, lips set in a grim line.

The Young cult leader approached him.

The nearby warriors tensed at this, but—

Swoosh.

Divine Spear raised a hand to stop them.

"I shall give you the greeting I failed to last time."

The Young cult leader strode forward.

"I am the Young cult leader of the Demonic Cult."

His dark robe billowed.

"Successor of the previous Heavenly Demon, and the present sky of the Demonic Cult."

Uuuung.

The Demonic Cultists nearby stirred at those words.

And then—

『How ridiculous.』

Divine Sword clicked its tongue in utter disdain.

So fierce was its rejection, it was almost aggressive.

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