Published at 28th of May 2026 1:36 pm

Chapter 434

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After sending off Bow Ghost, not much came to mind. I was simply mulling over what lay ahead.

"How will they respond, I wonder."

The only thing on my mind was what Bow Ghost would do next.

Was the immediate conversation that important, though?

Not really.

'So, in the end...'

They must have come to ascertain whether I possessed Spiritual Sight.

Coming as an apparition—that was her mistake.

'No, actually, maybe not. It wasn't really a mistake.'

She couldn't have known.

She wouldn't have guessed she'd be treated this way for coming in spirit form.

Frankly, most shamans can't do this sort of thing. I'm just particularly unusual.

'... Are you some kind of monster?'

That was what Baek Captain said, letting out a dry laugh.

He admitted he'd never seen anyone play around with an apparition like I did.

Tap, tap.

I brushed off my hands. That didn't matter anymore.

'My heart is fine, at least.'

The loop was, thankfully, still securely fastened. However—

'... It's dangerously close.'

Had I used too much of what I'd avoided so far this year?

I could feel that the things I'd painstakingly set up had become rather thin and faint.

That would spell trouble.

"Tsk."

It looked like I'd have to reinforce things once more. For that—

'... I'll have to drop by the Family home.'

The Bang Family.

I'd have to pay them a visit.

If I waited any longer and the bindings were to loosen—

'Ugh.'

I didn't even want to imagine it.

Just then—

『Let me ask you one thing.』

The Heavenly Demon, who had been laughing to himself, wiped away his smile and posed a question.

He'd been giddy ever since I tricked Bow Ghost, but it seemed that excitement had finally passed.

『Do you still remember the divine tree you saw in the Demonic Cult?』

"I do remember."

Yu Chun-gil's notes.

He seemed to be referring to the divine tree that had been there.

But why bring that up?

I narrowed my eyes in puzzlement.

『Didn't you feel anything upon seeing it?』

"... Did I feel anything?"

『Yes. I'm asking if you sensed anything.』

"Ah."

For a moment, I didn't get what he was after.

Then, he must have meant that.

Without much hesitation, I replied,

"You mean what's contained within it?"

『...』

The Heavenly Demon didn't answer.

Wasn't that it?

Should I have been more specific?

"A spirit."

What the divine tree contained was a spirit.

No—more accurately...

"Obsession? Lingering regrets? Residual energy? I'm not sure what I should call it."

Something that used to be a deity.

That's what was imbued within.

The thing itself, called a divine tree, was originally an object suffused with an apparition.

It's rare, yes, but not so tremendously precious that it's shocking.

'Yet, for something like that—'

The spiritual ki imbued in the tree was unusually strong.

That was what the previous deity had left behind. Spiritual ki on the scale of a high-rank god, at that.

『Indeed, you have remarkable eyes.』

"Think nothing of it. Isn't this what you meant?"

『Correct.』

"Will seeing it be a problem?"

『No, it won't be a problem. Rather—』

His voice trembled.

『It's an excellent development.』

"......"

Why did I feel this suffocating pressure?

『Just as I thought......』

The Heavenly Demon murmured briefly, then fell silent.

"... Excuse me?"

Why stop talking halfway?

"Hello?"

I called out again, but there was no reply from the Heavenly Demon.

What was this?

I couldn't believe it.

With that, the night grew unusually quiet. Still feeling uneasy, I retired to my room.

I had to prepare for tomorrow, after all.

* * *

The last day of the gathering.

The same faces assembled as yesterday.

We had to make a final decision according to last night's choices.

"Have you made your decision?"

As soon as the discussion began, the Young cult leader addressed me.

I felt the gazes shift in my direction. Ah, are they really focusing on my words?

'They're not actually giving me the right to decide, are they?'

Surely not.

No matter how things are, that would be too much.

As I was thinking that—

"Speak."

Heavenly Insight hurried me for an answer.

Was this for real?

I hesitated a little but, thankfully, I had something in mind.

"... My thoughts are..."

I bought a little time with a brief silence, then continued.

"I think we can proceed with the discussion."

"What?"

Heavenly Insight sounded surprised, as if my answer diverged from his expectations.

But my answer didn't change.

"We can proceed with the discussion?"

"Yes. Well, why not?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly that. If the Demonic Cult truly wants peace, and if those are the conditions, I don't think it's entirely a bad thing."

"......"

"If what they've said is really what the Alliance needs, and if it helps dispel the mistrust and anxiety now running through much of the Alliance, wouldn't that be necessary?"

"If you put it that way, isn't it better to just strike the Demonic Cult?"

"No."

I shook my head firmly.

"In the end, another war won't erase anxieties. That's a different matter."

It hadn't been many years since the last war ended, and now war again?

What's more, the Demonic Cult had already breached Henan, showing that there was something wrong with the Alliance itself.

Trust in the Alliance had dropped sharply. And now, strike the Demonic Cult?

'It's not the worst option.'

It's a reasonable strategy.

I don't know the Demonic Cult's present strength, but it's a hundred times better than doing nothing.

However—

"If it can be avoided, that could also be a valid path."

"So you think avoidance is the answer?"

"It's less avoidance—more like another option."

It was a hollow remark, empty words like a puffed cracker, but that's how it seemed to me.

Of course—

'It isn't the answer, though.'

It wasn't the solution I wanted. It was simply a path I thought might be helpful.

"So, are you saying we should accept the gathering with the Demonic Cult?"

"Well, no. I'm just saying that's what I think."

Why do they act as if my word is absolute here? That puts me in an awkward spot.

"At the very least, if the Young cult leader stakes his life as guarantee—"

"You're saying that right to my face, calling it a guarantee."

"Not only would he be coming as a hostage, but if he even joins the rising stars' training institution, wouldn't that make for a solid reason?"

"A reason?"

"Yes."

Creak.

I tapped lightly on the table.

"If an incident occurs there, wouldn't that give us plenty of justification to take the Young cult leader's head?"

Screeeeech—!

My words changed the atmosphere.

The air turned heavy.

This was the ki I felt from the Eight Demonic Beings.

A murderous intent began to leak forth.

In response, the leader of the Small Moon Division and the martial artists nearby gripped their swords.

"Hahaha."

At that moment, the Young cult leader chuckled.

"... Even so, isn't it a bit much to say all that so openly with people right here?"

A red gleam slowly seeped into his eyes.

I didn't flinch.

I had Heaven Beyond Heaven at my back, after all.

"Is there any need to mince words when those are the terms you offered?"

"There's not. Refreshingly blunt. I like that."

"I'm helping you people. You should be grateful."

"Haha... Helping, are you?"

There was a subtle murderous intent in his gaze.

"The Sword Saint's successor, helping the former Heavenly Demon's bloodline?"

"So what?"

I grinned.

"Why should we fight to the death here and now?"

"Sadly, we can't, can we?"

The Young cult leader smiled slightly.

"It's a pity we can't spill blood in such a lovely setting."

"If you want, we can fight anytime, can't we?"

"Stop provoking me."

Energy flickered in the Young cult leader's eyes.

"I want that more than anyone else."

His killing intent felt entirely sincere, and faces all around tightened.

"Of course, only joking."

He instantly changed expressions to a bright smile.

It made me want to punch him straight away.

Joke?

What a joke indeed.

"Oh, and—if this goes through... considering the Demonic Cult is sending a rising star first, I hope the orthodox side sends a representative too."

The Young cult leader spoke.

Since he was agreeing to go first for the Demonic Cult, someone from the orthodox side should also visit for the sake of the agreement.

He gestured toward me.

"In that case, shouldn't it be Moon Hero who visits—"

"Nonsense—!"

Bang!!!

A skinny arm slammed onto the table.

Someone rose from behind the barely trembling dining table.

It was Heavenly Insight.

"How dare you...!"

'... Why's he so angry?'

I froze at Heavenly Insight's fury.

From a logical perspective, it made sense: since the Young cult leader made his move first, it wasn't unreasonable for me, his counterpart, to someday go to the Demonic Cult.

'Even if I hate it, what can I do?'

There's no grounds to run away now.

So seeing Heavenly Insight explode in anger like this left me thrown.

He's always so rational—I doubt he failed to anticipate this.

That can't be it.

"You call that a suggestion?"

"... How is it unreasonable?"

"Moon Hero is the very symbol of the orthodox faction. After all the damage your side caused, with the orthodox side only just starting to accept peace, and you bring up Moon Hero?"

"Hmm."

The Young cult leader looked troubled and glanced at me.

"Seems you are well loved."

"I'm actually the type to get a lot of affection."

As I tossed out the joke, Divine Spear finally stepped in.

"Sit down."

"... Alliance Leader!"

"I said, sit."

"......"

Heavenly Insight finally clenched his teeth and sat.

"We've heard all the terms for the accord. I'll discuss with the elders and see if we can move ahead."

"Are you saying you can't reach a decision now? We've spent three days here."

"It can't be done immediately. Young cult leader, I assume you were aware of this when you acted. If accepted, you won't be able to move freely in Henan from now on."

He was right.

The moment the terms were accepted, the Young cult leader would be unable to leave Henan.

It would be the same if the talks fell through.

From the moment he arrived in Henan, his movements were restricted.

The only difference was whether his head would stay attached to his shoulders.

"Even if we talk with the elders, things will probably go as you wished."

"I sincerely hope so."

The Young cult leader nodded at Divine Spear.

"Because that's what I truly want."

He looked at me as he spoke. Why was he suddenly looking my way? When his gaze began to bother me—

The discussion ended.

As the Young cult leader stood up, I glanced behind me. My eyes went to the Eight Demonic Beings.

'Bow Ghost isn't here?'

I couldn't sense Bow Ghost's presence as I did before.

That could only mean another switch had taken place.

'What is this?'

Was it because of launching the killing intent earlier?

For some reason, their absence struck me as odd.

Wooooooong—!!

"...!"

My head whipped around.

Sensing a strange energy, I turned—and there—

'What the—'

A death curse was being fired at Heavenly Insight. At that moment, my body moved on its own.

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