Published at 29th of April 2026 8:51 am

Chapter 431

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That demonic being was Bow Ghost.

Although I didn't know why Bow Ghost was wearing the skin of a demonic being, I was certain of that part.

- Child of the Blue Moon Sect.

The spirit words drifting into my ears now weren't the issue. More important was to go further and seize the essence.

'A fundamentally different energy from the Death King.'

I sensed something in her even deeper and more distant than what the Death King possessed.

Maybe the problem was that, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have even realized it—but I had unwittingly noticed.

Or...

'Perhaps the problem was simply myself.'

― I know you are listening.

― Or should I say...

My eyes flickered at the voice.

― I know that you are watching?

Geeeuuu...

The shadow moved. Did she know all along?

'Was it because the Heavenly Demon moved?'

The Heavenly Demon was checking both the Death King and Bow Ghost.

Still, it was ambiguous to say that was what triggered my realization.

'... No. This is something else.'

I knew it the moment I saw Bow Ghost.

'I just realized it.'

She's extraordinary.

Even wearing that strange mask, it was clear. The spiritual ki Bow Ghost gave off was unusual.

'Which means...'

At this point, there was no longer any need to be circumspect.

Ignoring the words drifting through the air, I reached out my hand.

Squelch.

I grabbed the floating eyeball in front of me.

I squeezed and crushed it.

Crunch—!!

The eyeball dispersed into mist.

Laughter brushed past my ear.

― Haha.

Bow Ghost let out a laugh, as if finding something very amusing. I frowned at the sight.

― What an intriguing matter.

There was excitement in her voice.

― That child he calls successor... To think he'd have such valuable eyes.

― So you're the one who removed what I'd attached to that child.

She mentioned Yu Yul.

It was true that I had removed what had emerged from his shadow.

It seemed Bow Ghost had only just realized this.

So, what should I do now?

There was no need to ponder long.

― Yes.

― Huh?

I answered.

In the same manner as before.

It had been a while since I'd done this, so I stammered slightly, but it wasn't particularly difficult.

― That was me.

I answered point-blank.

There was nothing left to hide.

In any case, if she had already noticed, it was over.

Besides, I no longer felt any need to conceal it.

― Are you Bow Ghost?

― Haha.

She laughed at my question.

― Should I say you're quick-witted... Or perhaps you've seen it. Most likely.

― Yes. I saw it. It's not like you intended to hide it in the first place, did you?

― That's correct.

If Bow Ghost had wanted to hide, she could have done so easily.

From what I saw, she had more than enough strength for that.

Yet she didn't.

'Because she had no desire to do so.'

She simply had no intention of hiding. In addition—

'To show me.'

She had wanted to show herself to me, undoubtedly.

― It's interesting. I'd really like to talk a bit longer.

― ...

― If you'd like to have a conversation now, we may do so. Do you want that?

Such threats... no, there was no other way to put it. She was suggesting we converse under these circumstances? Impossible.

― ... Let's do it later.

― A good choice. I'll visit you tonight.

― ...

A chilling statement. Of all times, she would visit at night...

"Tsk."

I narrowed my eyes. I gripped the sword at my waistband.

Wuuuuung.

The Divine Sword in my hands vibrated madly as I tried to calm it.

'What are you doing?'

It would be better if she appeared and spoke directly.

Why was she making these kinds of gestures?

'What I'm worried about is...'

Did Bow Ghost know the Heavenly Demon dwelled within this Divine Sword?

If she did, there was no telling how she might react.

Just then, as my thoughts swirled around Bow Ghost...

"My will is the same as his. I will offer what I can, and give what I should, so I only hope you'll accept the conditions."

The Young cult leader's discussion continued.

"An alliance, as the world desires. There's no need to maintain a warped peace any longer, is there?"

"Are you unaware it was you who created that distortion?"

"That's not it."

The Young cult leader denied it.

"It was the previous Heavenly Demon who created it."

"... Ha!"

At his words, Heavenly Insight snorted.

"Have you already forgotten the attack on Henan?"

"As I said, that was by the people of Broken Heaven Palace—"

The conversation stalled. Watching, I began to feel frustrated.

"Then, let's do this."

The Young cult leader smiled brightly.

"In the first place, isn't it proper for the current representative of the assembly to decide?"

"... Representative?"

"Yes. That's what this meeting is for, isn't it?"

The Young cult leader's gaze fell on me. Meeting his crimson gaze, my eyes narrowed automatically.

Representative?

Ah, come to think of it—

'That's right. It's me.'

I'd forgotten I was attending as the representative of the orthodox faction, perhaps because Heavenly Insight and Divine Spear were here as well.

"He hasn't said a word yet. Maybe it's time he spoke up."

"... I didn't think my words would be of much importance, though."

"They are important. After all, it's the voice of the Moon Hero."

Moon Hero, what nonsense. What use was such a weighty title?

Thinking that, I looked around, and for some reason, everyone was watching me.

What was with those stares?

"What? Are you really curious about my answer?"

Why are you staring like that?

My eyes felt like they were about to roll back.

"Is there something you wish to say?"

Heavenly Insight's words made me pause.

Oh, come on—so I had the right to speak now?

'At a time like this...'

I smacked my lips. What was I supposed to say?

'A meeting with the Demonic Cult.'

It was odd that they wanted such a thing, and also odd were the conditions they offered.

'I'm not sure how important it is...'

Judging by Divine Spear and Heavenly Insight's reactions, it was clearly a matter of great value.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be acting this way.

'Right, the only reason this meeting is still ongoing must be due to those terms.'

Conditions.

It must be those terms that kept this meeting in place.

'So...'

Does my answer decide whether to take this further or not?

'Unbelievable.'

How was I supposed to decide that? Even as the thought crossed my mind, I mulled it over.

Even Heavenly Insight, normally razor-sharp, couldn't give a clear answer.

And Divine Spear's reaction.

The Young cult leader's disconcerting confidence.

'He even said he'd come as a hostage, risking his neck.'

What was his intention?

A joint meeting between the Demonic Cult and the orthodox sects?

Did he truly want that?

No way.

'If that's the kind of person he was...'

He wouldn't be carrying such evil ki around. So, it was safe to assume his motive was a lie.

Then—

'What scheme is he up to?'

There was also the matter of the Heavenly Demon's corpse.

The Broken Heaven Palace, allegedly in cahoots, could very well be fanatics.

They took the Heavenly Demon's body?

'Whatever they're up to, it'd be disgusting.'

I didn't know what they would do with it, but I could tell at a glance that it was no ordinary matter.

So—

"... Well then."

In times like this, there's only one thing to say.

"Let's take just one more day to think. Honestly, I don't think an answer will come even if we keep talking now."

At my words, the Young cult leader's eyebrow flickered.

"It's not like you're about to start a sword fight right now, are you?"

"..."

A day.

The proposals had already been exchanged, so now it was time to make a decision.

At that, the Young cult leader shrugged.

"I don't mind."

"..."

Heavenly Insight seemed dissatisfied with my answer.

"Let's rise."

Divine Spear, acting as if agreeing with my decision, got up.

One more day.

I had bought some time.

* * *

Once the demonic beings had dispersed to their respective quarters, I headed to Heavenly Insight's office.

"What did you think?"

The moment I arrived, she asked. I gave an awkward smile.

"Well, it seemed strange."

Strange.

That was about right.

"I have no idea what their real intention is."

The Demonic Cult's motive seemed obscure, yet I couldn't see the truth beneath.

"Admitting them in the first place is the problem. There's no way the alliance leader wouldn't know that."

Heavenly Insight was thinking the same as I was.

But—

'It's just that his sense of rejection is much greater.'

He'd experienced the Great Demon War himself.

He was the hero who had witnessed and fought against the Heavenly Demon's carnage firsthand.

But a meeting with the Demonic Cult in this situation?

Out of the question.

"I have no idea what they're thinking."

"What about you, Strategist?"

My question made Heavenly Insight's gaze go cold.

"If he had voluntarily offered his own neck, it'd be right to cut off his head. Especially under such favorable circumstances."

"..."

He was right.

It was an ideal situation.

Their leader, the Young cult leader, was practically offering up his own head.

But—

"That's what makes it strange. There's no way they don't know that."

They had some way to survive even after offering themselves up in enemy territory.

That's how it looked to Heavenly Insight and me.

The only difference between us—

'Whether or not he knows about Bow Ghost.'

That must be it.

'Who knows how the Young cult leader might try to use Bow Ghost.'

To me, Bow Ghost was the biggest variable.

Who knows how far her presence would affect things?

'There's also the Death King.'

That old man wasn't much of a threat.

His martial power might be something, but his spiritual ki wasn't even worth examining.

'... It's something else.'

I thought of Bow Ghost.

'What is that?'

A more visceral sense of danger.

I rubbed my arm, discomforted by the spiritual ki she gave off.

It seemed more correct to call her a specter than a human.

"I said we'd wait one more day, but perhaps that won't mean much."

"... Even so, you said you would. The alliance leader ordered it, but the fact you did not refuse means it's also something you should consider, Strategist, doesn't it?"

"..."

Heavenly Insight silently agreed.

"Were the conditions that sweet?"

"I won't deny it. If what he says is true, it's quite an alluring offer."

"Even in this situation?"

"Yes."

Incredible.

It seemed the Young cult leader had a reason for such confidence.

Just then—

"What do you think?"

Heavenly Insight asked.

"... You mean whether to accept it or not?"

"Yes."

"To be honest, I don't really feel just how sweet those terms are..."

I hesitated. Could we really accept such a ticking time bomb?

Would accepting be a gain?

Thinking that—

"I think we'll accept, for now."

"Why?"

"Because it's better to keep an enemy where we can watch them than be anxious with them outside the gates. And besides...

I looked out the window.

"... If they're going to scheme whether inside or outside, wouldn't it be better to deal with it inside? I think we have the capability to handle it."

"..."

Heavenly Insight's eyes deepened at my answer.

Seeing that, I bowed my head.

"It's late, so I'll excuse myself first."

He waved his hand in dismissal instead of replying. I took it as a cue to leave.

* * *

I returned to my quarters. The night air was dark and chilly, the mood somber.

"..."

There were more things to ponder from my conversation with Heavenly Insight.

But I had no time for such thoughts.

"You've come."

Because a far greater issue was waiting for me.

On the porch in my quarters—someone sat atop it.

No, more accurately, it was right to say no one was there. Because, in truth, there was no one.

'... Hmm.'

I narrowed my eyes at the translucent woman.

A master of Heaven Beyond Heaven.

A wanderer from the Northern Sea—renowned as the Heaven's Greatest Beauty.

Bow Ghost, in her spiritual form, greeted me.

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