Published at 29th of April 2026 8:51 am

Chapter 429

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I swallowed dryly at the telepathic transmission sent by the Ghost Demon.

'... Bow Ghost?'

The Bow Ghost appeared here? My eyes trembled at Ghost Demon's words.

'... Right. I had a feeling it might be something like that.'

I knew that the Death King was connected with the Bow Ghost, and having heard that the Death King was in Henan, I had at least considered the Bow Ghost as well.

'But suddenly, what's this about the Young cult leader and the Bow Ghost?'

What does it mean that the Young cult leader and the Bow Ghost met here?

Why is the story heading in that direction?

― When was this?

― Last night.

-... The meeting between the Bow Ghost and the Young cult leader, you mean?

― That's correct.

― Do you know the reason as well?

― I do not.

Tsk.

I clicked my tongue inwardly. He doesn't even know the reason?

Did the Young cult leader meet the Bow Ghost personally?

'What is this.'

The notion that the Bow Ghost and the Young cult leader met bothers me.

Especially—

'Those eyes are a problem, too.'

The eyes lurking in the shadows were also an issue.

My gaze narrowed.

I wondered if switching to a telepathic transmission made any difference.

'No matter what...'

It seemed as if I was being watched. Whether that was because of Yu Yul, or...

'Or, maybe it's because I'm the Sword Saint's successor.'

The Bow Ghost is paying attention to me.

And in that state, he met the Young cult leader. That part made me uneasy.

-... You don't know the reason the Young cult leader convened this meeting, either?

― I'm sorry.

Ghost Demon spoke in an awkward voice.

― I'm currently not in good standing with the Young cult leader.

― Not in good standing...?

A member of the Eight Demonic Beings, a strategist who had served with the previous Heavenly Demon.

Is the Ghost Demon saying he's on bad terms with the Young cult leader?

I'd heard as much, but I didn't think it would keep him out of the planning, too.

'They don't even know each other's identities, even among the Eight Demonic Beings?'

What kind of relationship is that?

'Ah, seriously.'

Something else to worry about. The thought made me frown.

'This is getting annoying.'

I hoped things might clear up, but... is there still something undiscussed with the sword forms?

'Around the transition from the sixth to the seventh.'

Even if it isn't that, while connecting the senses that link the swords—

I was feeling something uncomfortable within.

'When did I start noticing this? Around seven days and nights?'

During my daily training, I started to feel it.

For no particular reason.

Everything was as usual, but that was when it changed.

'I didn't particularly make progress in my cultivation or have an epiphany.'

Swish.

Chak.

I spun the sword once and pushed it into the scabbard.

Putting the Divine Sword away, I straightened my attire.

"That's enough."

There wasn't enough time to train any further. Just to this point. A

s I recalled that, I regulated my breathing.

'Come to think of it...'

There was the sword technique, but—

'What should I do with this sword?'

The problem of the Divine Sword also lingered.

'Can I really carry this around?'

The Divine Sword was originally in the possession of the Demonic Cult's Heavenly Demon.

I didn't know if I could walk around with it openly in front of the demonic beings.

'They seemed to be looking for this as well.'

I turned my head. The Young cult leader—his reaction was concerning me.

'Will he try to take it?'

I had to consider that possibility, too. If that happened, what should I do? Just as I was pondering this—

Step.

"...."

I sensed someone's presence and turned around. Yu Yun was standing there.

"You're here?"

"...."

Yu Yun nodded. It seemed she had also come to train.

But seeing me, she appeared to hesitate momentarily.

"Oh, go ahead. I'm finished."

It was just as I'd wrapped up my training.

I waved to show it was fine and moved aside.

'Ah, right.'

I looked at Yu Yun again.

A woman with the impression of innocence.

'She probably doesn't know on that side, does she?'

On the Young cult leader's side, they likely don't know Yu Yun is actually the Heavenly Demon's daughter.

'That's why he reacted that way.'

Unconcerned behavior. But what if—

'If he were to find out...'

What would happen then?

'He himself claimed to be the Heavenly Demon's blood, but...'

He wasn't the Heavenly Demon.

The real daughter was Yu Yun.

The Heavenly Demon had neither confirmed nor denied this, but the fact that Yu Yun could wield the Heavenly Demon's Divine Sword proved it.

So then—

'Can the Young cult leader use the True Divine Sword?'

That sudden thought crossed my mind. At that moment—

『No one without the qualification would be able to wield the sword.』

The Heavenly Demon answered for me. He asserted with certainty that the Young cult leader could not.

『Curious, are you?』

'No, not really.'

Even if I was, there was no way to test it.

'How would I manage to let him hold the sword anyway?'

I could wield it, but the Young cult leader couldn't. That alone could become a problem.

'So.'

It was my sound argument to prevent such a thing from ever happening in the first place.

"That reminds me. Hey."

"...?"

I called Yu Yun.

"I'm telling you in advance. Try not to attend the meeting if you can help it."

Yu Yun tilted her head. She hadn't attended yesterday, either. I'd persuaded her not to.

"The Blue Moon Sect has plenty of people attending. You being there alone as someone from Mount Hua might not work in your favor. I've already got permission from the alliance leader and the Strategist, so just take it easy if you can."

"...."

Yu Yun nodded cautiously.

Who knows whether she understood or not, but she didn't seem to mind.

'... Just, if possible...'

It would be for the best if she didn't show up.

I'd chosen to keep Yu Yun from becoming entangled with the Demonic Cult.

'Even if they don't know...'

You never know what could be discovered.

'Ghost Demon's group thinks I'm the blood relative.'

It was best that nothing about Yu Yun was revealed.

For her sake as well.

『You hope no one finds out, huh.』

The Heavenly Demon murmured quietly.

Even in front of his own daughter, his voice didn't change.

『Then, I have a good method.』

"..."

That felt ominous.

Very much so.

* * *

The meeting was scheduled for just past noon.

There was time to move around before that, as the schedule wasn't packed.

There wasn't much for me to do.

The demonic beings would be gathering at the spot assigned by the Alliance, and since there wasn't any need to face the orthodox faction members, I set out with my sword.

"..."

Swish.

I swung through a few sword forms.

The Seventh Sword—whenever I used it, I felt I was growing more accustomed to it.

The problem was—

'... Hmm.'

Up until I'd blended Yu Chun-gil's Great Moon technique into all the sword forms, everything had felt perfect.

'After that, though, things are unclear.'

The continuing sword path—it was certainly clean in execution, but—

'There's an odd sense of unease.'

For some reason, I felt uneasy.

I brushed off the enhanced energy gathered on the blackened blade.

My ki returned to normal, and I wiped away the sweat from my body.

'What is this feeling?'

What is this?

I acquired all the sword forms, yet something still felt off.

Even I couldn't figure out why.

'Is it a problem with the sword...?'

If it were a matter of technique, that wouldn't be the case.

Since this was a sword guided by Yu Chun-gil himself, I couldn't ask anyone else for advice.

'If I had to pick someone.'

There's the Sword Emperor, of course.

'But that old man is impossibly reclusive.'

I hadn't seen him since arriving at the Alliance's headquarters.

Apparently, after leaving his carriage, he vanished.

'Otherwise...'

It'd be best to ask Yu Chun-gil directly, but that wasn't possible, either.

* * *

Time passed.

When noon arrived, I changed into a fresh, neat outfit and headed out.

Maybe because of what happened yesterday, the atmosphere was much more tense.

Word of the clash with the Demonic Cult had gotten out.

That alone was enough to bring down the mood considerably.

"You're here."

"Yes."

Entering the same meeting hall as yesterday, I found Heavenly Insight there first.

"Where is the Alliance Leader?"

"He'll be here soon. Take a seat."

"Yes, sir."

I listened to Heavenly Insight and sat down. As I stared at the cup of tea in front of me—

"I'd like to tell you one thing."

"Pardon?"

I perked up my ears.

"Do not repeat what happened yesterday."

"..."

It was a warning. Heavenly Insight's eyes were grave.

"No matter your intention, it could have been dangerous."

"... I'm aware."

I reflected.

Thinking about it again, it was something I never should have done.

'If a real fight broke out over that, it could have escalated to open war.'

Of course, even if all the Eight Demonic Beings were present, with us inside the Alliance headquarters, there would be zero chance of the Young cult leader leaving alive as he did last time—

'But you never know.'

Wouldn't the Young cult leader know that?

The fact that he came anyway meant he must have a plan.

'A way to escape here unharmed.'

Otherwise, he wouldn't have confidently come to the headquarters proposing a meeting.

"I'm sorry. I'll be careful to avoid any interruptions in the negotiations."

"The negotiations aren't the problem."

"... Excuse me? Then what—"

"I mean, take care of yourself."

Heavenly Insight's serious gaze made me stop in spite of myself.

Was it concern?

Or a rational conclusion? I didn't think it was worry.

"There are plenty of people who can step forward without your help. Be cautious."

"... Understood."

Our brief conversation ended. I avoided Heavenly Insight's gaze.

I answered, but felt a bit strange inside.

As I was brooding over this—

"The alliance leader is entering."

Divine Spear arrived. Holding his hands behind his back, he seemed different from yesterday.

'... He's heavy.'

If his presence was normal yesterday, today the Divine Spear felt much weightier.

'His resolve has changed?'

Staring at him, I saw Divine Spear take his seat at the head table.

Sssss.

The very air around him felt stifling.

'Hmm...'

I got the sense I should watch my step.

Maybe he's upset about yesterday?

I did get carried away.

As I thought about it—

"The Young cult leader of the Demonic Cult has arrived—"

With the trembling voice of a warrior, the opposite door opened.

As before, the Young cult leader entered.

"Greetings."

Seeing him come in with a smile made my insides churn again.

Should've hit him one more time yesterday. Why

does he irritate me so much?

Must just not like the guy.

Narrowing my eyes, I watched him—

Step.

Several others followed.

Just like yesterday, the Eight Demonic Beings entered.

"...."

I froze.

As soon as I saw the Eight Demonic Beings—or to be precise, one among them—I did.

Bodies fully covered in black clothes and masks.

All of them possessed the same aura and presence, but—

'What is this?'

Something was different from yesterday.

The same number, same appearance, yet—

'What...'

Something was definitely different.

Among the eight, one in particular stood out.

'... No, not "stood out".'

That wasn't the right word. It felt entirely different.

What is that? How—

'How can someone be wrapped in such dense ki?'

The last member among the Eight Demonic Beings.

That one alone was different.

An overwhelming flood of ki was swirling around their body.

Furthermore—

Wooooooong.

'Look at that.'

The eye lurking in my shadow vibrated, resonating more intensely than ever.

TL's Corner:

The Bow Ghost is in disguise...

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