Published at 29th of April 2026 8:50 am

Chapter 428

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Saaaah—

It was as if a huge eye was hiding within the shadows.

The glossy eyeball quietly gazed in my direction, and I was forcing myself to maintain a calm demeanor, deliberately ignoring such an eye.

'Where did it latch on from?'

Just where did it start following me?

If I had to guess the timing, it was probably when I met the Death King.

That lingering sense of discomfort I'd had ever since. By the time I noticed, it was already too late.

'Unbelievable.'

I was late.

The fact that I failed to notice something like that had attached itself to me—it seriously bothered me.

'... Just how precise is this thing?'

To use such a spirit technique and yet go unnoticed by me?

'It's uncomfortable.'

Rather than feeling disgusted, I felt bothered.

As I sensed that particular metallic sensation—

『That disgusting woman has played her hand.』

Heavenly Demon revealed intense emotion, as if he knew the identity of that eye.

He seemed to know something. Yet—

『As long as that thing is there, you can't maintain it for long. Once that woman notices, it'll become troublesome.』

'... That woman—who are you talking about?'

『You've probably already guessed, so I won't bother explaining further. Settle it yourself.』

'Wait—'

Before I could finish speaking, the Heavenly Demon's presence vanished.

That old bastard really just disappeared.

'... Utterly shameless.'

If he's going to butt in, he should at least explain things properly.

These damned evil spirits always just say what they want and then vanish.

'... No, that's not it.'

I clicked my tongue inwardly and pondered.

The Heavenly Demon was right. Just like he said, I already knew.

'Probably.'

Someone who would attach such an eye to me, even after the encounter with the Death King.

'But it's not the Death King.'

It wouldn't be. That man is unpleasant and uncomfortable, but—

'At best—'

Even with his level of spiritual power, he couldn't put something like that on me.

At least, that was true for the Death King.

'Then.'

There was only one suspect left.

'... Someone rumored to be recently entangled with the Death King.'

And a woman harboring malice toward the Blue Moon Sect.

'Heaven's Greatest Beauty.'

Bow Ghost.

If I had to point to someone, it would be her.

'Tsk.'

Bow Ghost did something similar to Yu Yul, but to think she can use something like this.

If it really was Bow Ghost—

'Why in Henan?'

Why would she bother coming here and placing this on me?

'What should I do?'

I hesitated for a moment. I considered just acknowledging it and dispelling it.

'But given the Heavenly Demon's reaction...'

I concluded it wasn't something that needed to be solved immediately.

Therefore—

'The Demonic Cult bastards are a problem too.'

I decided to put this aside for now.

Just as I was thinking that and averting my eyes—

Saaak.

I felt the gaze from beyond that eye grow strangely intense.

* * *

Sssk. Srrrk.

Amidst the rustling sensation, an old man was groaning. Every movement radiated pain and distress.

"... Ugh."

Clearly wracked with pain, he remained hunched over, struggling.

"You're looking pretty pathetic."

"..."

In front of the old man sat a woman, legs crossed, gazing down at him.

Pure white hair, chillingly cold eyes to match.

There was an eerie aura in those eyes that seemed to alter the entire atmosphere.

"Are you alright?"

"... I'm... I'm alright."

"That's good. As you should be."

The woman didn't seem particularly concerned by the old man's struggling.

Despite her words, there wasn't the slightest hint of worry in her haughty, serene gaze.

Not even a sliver of concern.

"You know, you really shouldn't be this weak. Right?"

"... Yes. You're right."

The old man slowly straightened up. Though pain was still evident, he rose nonetheless—

For the sake of the woman who looked much younger than himself.

"Hmmm."

The woman stared intently at the old man.

"Interesting...?"

His state was... intriguing.

Someone like him shouldn't have been counterattacked so easily.

'Malice must have constricted his whole body.'

The woman waved her hand.

Fssh—!

The ki that had been constricting the old man's neck instantly dissipated.

"Keuk."

Only then did the old man gasp for breath, panting heavily.

"Was this that child's doing?"

"... I don't think so."

Said the old man, collecting his breath.

"That child may be exceptional, but he isn't capable of countering me in this manner."

"Are you sure?"

"... Yes."

"How cute. Being so certain in front of me."

"...!"

There was a subtle coldness in her words.

At that, the old man hurried to explain.

"It's fine. I was just jesting."

The woman, expressionless, calmly stated.

"The child can see it clearly, right?"

"... I'm certain."

"I see. Yet, for someone touted to have such sharp eyes..."

Why isn't he reacting at all to the trap I set?

Even when she gave little nudges, there was no response.

Is that possible?

Well, unless someone feels nothing at all.

'If he even perceives the slightest bit of it—'

He wouldn't respond like that.

Given what's condensed there, even the faintest brush should make him convulse and faint, yet he ignored it with ease?

'Impossible.'

The woman smiled. Is there really anyone capable of such a thing?

'Except for that hypocrite?'

The former Heaven of the Demonic Cult, who possessed those accursed eyes.

Other than that wretched man, there shouldn't be another like that.

Especially—

'Not the successor of that oh-so-great Yu Chun-gil.'

The Sword Saint, Yu Chun-gil.

The successor of the one she'd love to tear apart—there's no way someone like that would have such uncanny talent.

If he did, she would have noticed by now.

"If that's the case..."

If it isn't that child, then there must be another nearby capable of responding in turn.

'Is there someone around here like that?'

At least, there wasn't among the shrine maidens she'd planted.

Remembering this, the woman cocked her head slightly.

"Oh Hyeong."

"... Yes, master."

She addressed him by name.

"I'm curious about that child."

"... You mean the child of the Bang Family?"

"That's right. That insolent brat they call Moon Hero."

The woman smiled. As her eyes curved in a smile, it was as if the world brightened for a moment.

"Bring him to me quietly. Use whatever means necessary."

"..."

At her words, ohyung, the Death King, bowed his head low.

"... I will obey your command."

In the middle of the night, the Death King received the orders from this white-eyed woman.

"Then."

With a bow nearly touching the ground, the Death King vanished.

"Hmmm."

Left alone, the woman slowly moved her chin.

"Well then."

She looked behind her.

"Now, let's hear what you have to say."

Standing alone at the back was a youth with crimson eyes.

The Young cult leader of the Demonic Cult awaited the woman with a hardened expression.

* * *

'Sorry to make such a request.'

It was a ridiculous dream.

That was my immediate thought upon hearing those words.

Just hearing that line, I knew instinctively.

'Ah, this brings back memories.'

It was a dream I hadn't had in ages. Over a year, perhaps? Why was I dreaming it now?

I looked on with a sullen gaze.

'... Please, take care of my daughter.'

The young woman's frail voice was met with a reply from the younger me.

'Sorry, but I don't take requests like that.'

Blunt, impudent tone.

Clearly, anyone would think I was an ill-mannered brat.

But it didn't matter. It was only right to reject this request from the start.

Still—

'Did I have to be so cold?'

I wondered if I needed to be that curt.

'Is that so?'

Yet, even at my words, the woman only smiled.

Such a sorrowful smile.

As I looked at her, I furrowed my brow.

'She'll manage fine on her own. So don't worry and leave. Especially if it's for her own good.'

In my small arms was an even smaller child.

So much sadness, her eyes were swollen from crying as she slept.

'Thank you.'

Her hand, touching her daughter, trembled.

No matter how much she tried to reach what she could never touch, it would never bring her to her goal.

So I did it in her stead.

With clumsy hands, I brushed the girl's hair.

'... Thank you.'

The same gratitude, but with a different weight.

I watched as the woman slowly faded away.

'Sung-Yun.'

I listened as she softly called my name. Yet, this time I spoke first.

'I'll say it again—I can't grant your request.'

'It's not a request.'

'Then what is it?'

Even as she faded into the light, she left me with words.

You must—

The sentence cut short. With no conclusion, I opened my eyes.

"..."

As soon as I saw the ceiling, I sat up.

"... Ah, damn it."

Dreams like that always left a bad taste in my mouth.

On reflex, I reached for the glass of water on the table.

I planned to drink whatever was in the room when—

"Here you go."

"Ah, thank you."

Naturally, I took the cup and gulped it down.

Now I felt alive again, especially since the coolness refreshed me.

"Shall I bring you another?"

"Yes, please—"

I stopped mid-sentence and looked to my side.

"..."

"Good morning."

Next to me, in a familiar posture, was someone waiting for me.

It was Ghost Demon, dressed as a woman.

"... What are you doing here?"

Normally, I would have jumped out of my skin at the sight, but I didn't even flinch.

It just showed that I was beyond being surprised by something like this.

'What has my life become?'

Was it really normal to be so calm about something like this?

"..."

A lot of thoughts flashed through my mind, but I set them aside for the moment.

"Sorry to intrude so early in the morning."

Ghost Demon truly looked apologetic.

"I have something to discuss with you."

"... Alright."

I shook the lingering tiredness from my head.

Ghost Demon had come at this hour. That alone suggested something serious.

― Is it really alright for you to come here? Don't you have tasks to attend to?

I switched to telepathic transmission.

― It's fine. I made sure nothing will be amiss.

Ghost Demon, reading the room, switched to telepathic transmission as well.

As far as I knew, Ghost Demon was currently participating as a demonic being under the Young cult leader.

― Were those people the Eight Demonic Beings?

― Yes. Those are the Eight Demonic Beings currently under the Young cult leader.

-... Hmm.

Just as I suspected. The number matched, and the feeling fit as well.

'To have brought the Eight Demonic Beings into the Murim Alliance—'

The Eight Demonic Beings were the pinnacle force of the Demonic Cult, weren't they?

Even back when the Heavenly Demon was around, the Eight Demonic Beings were formidable—now to bring the entire group to the Murim Alliance?

'What are they planning?'

I couldn't guess the Young cult leader's true aim. Moreover—

-... How was the group filled out?

The Sword Demon had died by my hand.

More precisely, Yu Chun-gil, using my hand, killed the Sword Demon.

So there shouldn't be eight.

'But there were eight present.'

Including Ghost Demon, there were eight. Where did they find a replacement?

At this, Ghost Demon gave me a troubled smile.

― I haven't heard about that either.

― What?

Ghost Demon didn't know?

― Currently, even the Eight Demonic Beings do not know each other's identities. That was the Young cult leader's order.

-... That's—

What kind of madness is this?

The Eight Demonic Beings don't know each other's identities?

― On top of that—

Ghost Demon looked at me seriously.

― This is the main reason I've come to speak with you.

With that careful statement—

― The Young cult leader has made contact with the Bow Ghost of Heaven Beyond Heaven.

-...?

My brow furrowed. At the same time, the eyeball hiding in my shadow twitched ever so slightly.

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