Published at 28th of May 2026 1:37 pm

Chapter 437

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I wanted to give Young cult leader a lesson.

No sooner had that thought crossed my mind than the Heavenly Demon spoke, sounding delighted.

『This seat happens to have a good idea.』

He said he had a good idea.

『What do you think? Do you want to hear it?』

His words were enticing, almost seductive. No matter how I looked at it, I had a bad feeling.

The only reason he'd speak like that was because someone specific came to mind.

'This...'

It sounded just like the way Yu Chun-gil talked when he was about to do something stupid.

Usually, when someone used that tone, it led to ridiculous results.

Still.

"... What is it?"

I figured I might as well hear him out. That thought crossed my mind.

『Kkeulkkeulkkeul.』

At my answer, the Heavenly Demon chuckled.

Then, at what he said next...

"... That's absurd. What are you even talking about?"

I responded in disbelief. It really was nonsense. The problem was—

"... How would I do it, then?"

Emotion overtook reason.

When I imagined it, I thought that if I succeeded, I really could teach him a lesson.

Still.

'If I fail, I'll end up the fool instead.'

The risk and reward were massive.

At my words, the Heavenly Demon laughed and said,

『That depends entirely on how you act. So, make your choice.』

He whispered, pressing me.

『Will you do it, or not?』

There were only two choices.

"..."

Perhaps my choice had been set from the very beginning.

* * *

Sssss.

The wind blew. In the dim space, crimson eyes flashed suddenly into being.

"I'm certain I asked Bow Ghost to handle this—"

Young cult leader.

He spoke to the old man before him, his gaze icy.

"Things seem to have taken a different turn."

"..."

The old man—Death King—frowned at his words.

"Death King. Isn't this a bit different from our agreement?"

"... There was some trouble. My master is unable to act at the moment, so I took care of things in her place."

"So Bow Ghost's situation has taken a bad turn, is that what you're saying?"

"That's correct."

"... Hmm."

The Young cult leader's head bobbed slightly.

Bow Ghost?

Was that mysterious woman's condition truly bad?

That's not how it had seemed.

Tap. Tap.

He drummed his index finger on the desk.

'I was thinking I might use her strength, but I guess things got a bit tangled.'

The Demonic Cult's archives.

The stories there about Bow Ghost—all written by the previous Heavenly Demon.

Among the Heaven Beyond Heaven records kept there.

'There were the most entries about Bow Ghost.'

The famed Northern Sea sharpshooter.

An archer whose arrows could strike from over a thousand li away.

There were more remarks about Bow Ghost than anyone, but the most astonishing was—

'Her greatest trait and power is not her archery at all.'

Bow Ghost wasn't truly strong because of her archery.

'It was called spirit arts, if I recall?'

The ability to manipulate spiritual ki and deal with unseen things—that was said to be her true power.

'A power most to be feared and avoided.'

That's what the Heavenly Demon wrote.

It just sounded like the kind of thing only wandering Taoists would mess with, but was it really so dangerous?

'There are reports that with that power, she shook the very foundation of the Demonic Cult.'

The Young cult leader tried to steady his breath as he recalled.

And since Bow Ghost bore a grudge against the orthodox factions and the Blue Moon Sect, it would have been convenient to make contact and borrow her strength.

'A rather disappointing result.'

Unless Bow Ghost moved in person.

Now her disciple, Death King, had been mobilized.

The goal had been to lay a trap for Heavenly Insight.

'Still, as long as it succeeded, does it really matter?'

It was difficult to determine whether this counted as success.

The fact that he could only judge based on Death King's words was bothersome.

'Revolting old man.'

That was the Young cult leader's opinion of Death King.

Despite the name, his prowess was not particularly exceptional.

'And yet, the reason he bears the title of one of the Five Kings Under Heaven must be...'

Jiangshi arts, was it?

He had once created jiangshi from corpses and joined wars, leaving that history behind.

Because of that filthy power, the orthodox factions had turned a blind eye to his crimes, since he had contributed during the wars.

'Vermin.'

Utterly self-contradictory and selfish bastards. To simply overlook his atrocities under the pretense of war contributions.

Truly,

'They're things that wouldn't be missed if wiped out.'

Lower than bugs.

That's how the Young cult leader viewed the men of the orthodox faction.

'If it were up to me—'

He'd kill them all on the spot.

Sssss.

He suppressed the murderous intent boiling inside.

If the Heaven-Slaying Star rampaged, things would get complicated.

'Not yet.'

Not yet.

He hadn't gotten everything he needed.

'And I still need to keep an eye on those Broken Heaven Palace bastards.'

Those bizarre ones he couldn't read.

They possessed strange power, so he'd joined hands to use them for now, but eventually, he'd have to sever ties.

'And I need to reel in Demonic Cult's top brass as well...'

Not the Eight Demonic Beings, but the monstrous elders from generations past.

He had to persuade those who yet lived in hiding—the true power of the Demonic Cult.

To that end,

'I must prove that I really am the true successor.'

Not just the crimson afterglow in his eyes, but signs that he had inherited much from the Heavenly Demon.

He needed to find that proof.

The divine relics.

'And the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, too.'

The most sublime divine arts once used by the previous Heavenly Demon.

The strength that had made all demonic beings kneel and torn the blue sky asunder.

He needed to find and acquire that, no matter what it took.

"Hoo."

Thinking thus, the Young cult leader sighed and looked at Death King.

Oddly, Death King's brow was slick with cold sweat.

"Are you unwell?"

"... This is what happens as one grows old."

"I hope your health improves. At least the task turned out all right, yes?"

"... Yes."

To ensure the mission, he'd lightly placed a restriction curse of the Demonic Cult on him.

Since Death King didn't resist, it must be in full effect on his body. He wouldn't be able to lie.

'No matter the method.'

According to the records, once the conditions were met, Heavenly Insight—that damned old man—would suffer the consequences before long.

"Thank you for your assistance, Death King."

The Young cult leader let out a trace of a smile.

"Please send my regards to Bow Ghost as well. As for what I promised, I'll deliver it at the appointed time. I must make a trip to Xinjiang. I trust you'll understand."

"..."

At those words, Death King rose. He offered no formal farewell, simply stepped back and left.

"... Ha."

At this, the Young cult leader's expression twisted.

"Annoying bastards."

He ran a hand over his face. Simply breathing the air of Henan made him want to vomit.

Locking eyes with the orthodox fools made him want to gouge out their eyeballs.

Especially.

'Those eyes of his.'

Those cold blue eyes that looked down on him.

Bang Sung-Yun, the Sword Saint's successor—he wanted to pluck those eyes out and crush them between his teeth.

"Haa—"

It was tough, holding it all in. The Young cult leader spoke, feeling the strain.

"... Yeoryeong."

"Yes, young heaven."

At his call, a demonic human kneeling at his side answered.

"What's Ghost Demon's status?"

"There's been no movement at his lodgings."

"Really?"

The Young cult leader's eyes turned bored.

So Ghost Demon wasn't making any moves.

That was irritating, too.

'I was sure he'd do something.'

The newly formed Eight Demonic Beings.

Among them were those active in the past, and new replacements as well.

Among them, Ghost Demon—the former strategist of the Heavenly Demon, in particular—had always looked at him disapprovingly.

He might pretend to hide it, but it was clear enough.

The Young cult leader knew Ghost Demon did not acknowledge him.

'How impudent.'

How dare he?

He wanted to win him over, thinking he'd be a great asset at his side.

'Does he know something?'

The wall around Ghost Demon was thick.

It was as if he was hiding some secret.

'If so...'

Then he'd have to be removed before long.

Whatever Ghost Demon's abilities, he was more dangerous at his side than apart.

"Yeoryeong."

"Yes, young heaven."

"If there's any strange movement, report it to me immediately."

"... At your command."

Hearing that, the Young cult leader looked up at the sky.

Kiiiiiiiiiiiiii—!

Kyaaaaah—!

Dark spheres visible to his crimson eyes—writhing and screaming as he watched.

'Still not used to it.'

Those grotesque things he'd seen ever since these eyes were implanted.

He couldn't touch or feel them, but seeing them was exhausting.

"... Hmm."

He opened and closed his eyes, then rose to his feet.

Night was falling.

He had to return to prepare for tomorrow.

Staying longer would only raise suspicion among the Alliance's watchers.

'There are so many eyes on me.'

As expected, there was no shortage of eyes the Alliance had placed.

Getting around them was a pain, though not impossible.

That was a small mercy.

Creak.

Hand on the door, he opened it.

As the demonic humans moved to follow the Young cult leader—

『Finally, you're here.』

"...!"

A voice rang out before him, and his entire body stiffened.

There was something—or someone—in front of him.

The demonic humans moved first at the sight.

"Who goes there?"

『Kkeulkkeulkkeul.』

A laugh answered the demand for identity. That was when—

Fwaaaaaah---!!!

"...!!"

The bodies of the demonic humans froze like stone.

The Young cult leader, too.

Before them stood a masked figure in dark robes.

Everyone held their breath at the aura he radiated.

'This is...'

Impossible.

Cold sweat trickled down the Young cult leader's temple.

He recognized the ki all too well.

"Demonic ki...?"

Demonic ki.

The ki every former Heavenly Demon and demonic human had used—the very power known as the source of demonic humans' strength.

That was what he felt radiating from this man.

"... Who are you?"

The Young cult leader's brow furrowed at that energy.

Anyone who could use Demonic ki belonged to the Demonic Cult.

In other words, he was a demonic human. Therefore—

"If you know who I am, then stand and greet me properly. If you're a demonic human of the cult, kneel and remove your mask."

No one outranked the Young cult leader within the Demonic Cult.

Knowing this, he spoke arrogantly to the intruder.

『Kneel?』

The figure's response dripped with scorn.

『Hahahaha.』

The laughter, even louder than a moment ago, filled the air.

『No one in this world can make this seat kneel. Much less—』

Sssssng.

A sword slid from its scabbard at the masked figure's waist.

The Young cult leader's eyes widened like saucers at the sight.

"That's...!"

『Especially not a usurper who sits in that seat undeservedly.』

"The Heavenly Demon Sword...?"

The cult's divine relic—the sword wielded by the previous Heavenly Demon—was in that figure's grasp.

At the same time—

『You dull-witted wretch.』

Red eyes glowed chillingly behind the white mask.

The proof of the Heaven-Slaying Star—one of the Heavenly Demon's marks.

『So, how does it feel to face what you've hidden from, when the truth stands before you?』

"... You. Just what are you?"

He possessed the sacred sword, and those red afterglow eyes—what on earth was this man?

Grinding his teeth, the Young cult leader demanded,

『You already know, don't you? This seat is—』

Not just a man in a mask, but—

『The heaven and entirety of the Demonic Cult.』

Borrowing Bang Sung-Yun's body.

『I am the Heavenly Demon.』

The real one judged the fake with truth.

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