The two prayers were different.

If my father’s prayer was like falling into an endless abyss—my body growing cold, my vital energy slowing, suffocated by terror—then the prayer of the Martial Alliance Leader Jin Paecheon was like a typhoon raging in a dark sea.

I stood firm against the leader’s prayer. The storm tossed me into the air, then sank me to the depths of the sea, but I did not lose consciousness.

Reflexively, my martial arts began to respond. When facing a formidable enemy, the Wind Spirit Guard would provoke me like this.

“Fight. Tear that prayer apart! Break through the typhoon!”

Suppressing the temptation of this supreme martial art, I endured the leader’s prayer to the very end. Just as the duel with my father at the tavern had greatly helped me, merely withstanding this prayer would be a valuable lesson.

As I held firm, the expression on the Martial Alliance Leader’s face showed a sense of “Look at this guy.”

At the same time, the pressure intensified. Now, lightning began striking the stormy sea. Giant whirlpools formed everywhere, drawing up the seawater. Truly, the leader’s prayer brought overwhelming terror.

So this was how tyrannical the Martial Alliance Leader was. I thought perhaps this was why my father dreamed of uniting the martial world. Such a powerful adversary could not fail to provoke him.

My endurance was reaching its limit. It was time either to fall or to flee.

At that moment, I saw again—

Two eyes.

Huge eyes staring at me.

A gigantic being was watching me. I realized it was the Celestial Demon Soul I had seen before in a painting.

I hadn’t even learned the Nine Fiery Demon Arts yet, so why did I keep seeing visions of the Celestial Demon Soul?

The enormous Celestial Demon Soul stood tall in the sea, blocking the blowing typhoon and looking down at me. Its gaze seemed to mock me, to long for me, to pity me, and yet to feel no emotion at all.

The vision of the Celestial Demon Soul gradually faded.

The Martial Alliance Leader’s prayer, which had surged like a killing wave, had already disappeared. The leader standing far away looked surprised that I had endured to the end.

I was barely standing. Had the Celestial Demon Soul not blocked it at the last moment, I would have lost consciousness and collapsed. Though the Celestial Demon Soul was also an illusion created by my willpower, it was so vivid it felt as if the real one had visited.

I repeated to the leader what I had said earlier.

“Only I can save your granddaughter.”

Now Jin Paecheon no longer reacted with blind anger. This was a statement from someone who had endured his prayer.

“What do you mean by that?”

Meeting the Martial Alliance Leader and revealing my identity—normally, I wouldn’t have chosen that path. But I ultimately did for the sake of the two weapons I possessed.

The first was trusting my experience. Both from before the regression and the experience accumulated after facing the Ma Jons. I trusted myself.

But if not for the second weapon, I would never have taken the reckless choice of meeting the Martial Alliance Leader relying only on experience.

My second weapon was his granddaughter, Jin Haryeong.

Since she was deeply involved in this matter, I was certain the Martial Alliance Leader would have no choice but to help me. Though I felt sorry for her, I planned to use her completely. After all, this was for her sake too; she would understand.

“Have you heard of the Cheonmyeonghoe?”

Jin Paecheon nodded. Recently, impersonators had been committing various atrocities pretending to be from the main sect, so naturally the Martial Alliance knew of this.

“I was ordered by my father to track them. I obtained information that they are plotting a conspiracy related to this So-ryong-jeon.”

“Source of information?”

“The Evil Song Sect Leader.”

Jin Paecheon was not surprised. Like the Cheonmyeonghoe, he must have heard about the recent death of the Evil Song Sect Leader. He just did not yet realize these two incidents were connected.

“I’ve heard the owner of the Evil Song Sect has changed.”

“That was revealed to protect his life, so it’s reliable. That’s why I sent my subordinates to participate in So-ryong-jeon and catch them.”

“If that’s true, you should have informed us.”

“There are circumstances that prevent that.”

“What circumstances?”

“Because taking down the Cheonmyeonghoe Leader is the succession test given to me.”

Jin Paecheon’s gaze grew cold and deep as he sent out another prayer. This prayer was different from the stormy sea before. It was a gentle prayer that wrapped around my body like a spring breeze, trying to read my emotional ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) changes and verify the truth of my words.

“Let Haryeong speak.”

“I am certain the Cheonmyeonghoe is targeting Jin Sojeo.”

“Why are you so certain?”

“I discovered information that the Cheonmyeonghoe is plotting a conspiracy related to So-ryong-jeon. But when I arrived, I saw Jin Sojeo had entered the tournament and was even a strong contender to win. A coincidence? Absolutely not. They will definitely target Jin Sojeo. No, they planned this knowing Jin Sojeo would participate.”

“Even so, if I handle it personally, why entrust my granddaughter’s affairs to you?”

“Because if anyone else intervenes now, Jin Sojeo will be in danger.”

The prayer that had gently embraced me instantly turned cold. The mention of the granddaughter’s danger exuded killing intent.

“The Cheonmyeonghoe is a far larger and more powerful organization than we thought. Perhaps some of the leadership in the main sect, Martial Alliance, or the Apostle Alliance are already under their sway. That is why we must communicate discreetly now.”

I told him that the Evil Song Sect Leader and Geukak Soma’s lieutenant had already been recruited by them. With such figures compromised, this was no trivial matter.

“If you investigate, you will find my words true. Fortunately, they do not yet know I am here tracking them. Trust me, and I will root them out.”

Jin Paecheon stared at me silently. Normally, he would have thought this a conspiracy of the main sect and refused to believe it. But because Jin Haryeong was involved, he could not easily dismiss it.

Right now, I am the only one who can save your granddaughter.

My persuasion, wielding the strongest weapon, continued.

“I think you have heard many things about me. I do not know what those were, but one thing is certain. I am trying to establish a new demonic path. At least, I do not scheme by using the enemy’s young granddaughter.”

The Celestial Demon Cult, Martial Alliance, and Apostle Alliance sent countless spies to each other. So they all knew basic information. They probably knew about some of my activities as the Hwangcheong Gak Leader.

“Do you know why I am determined to save your granddaughter?”

“Why?”

“Because she is the granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader, and I am a mere servant willing to marry just to protect her life. You have raised her very well.”

It was both sincere and flattery.

Jin Paecheon strode toward me.

In an instant, his sword was pointed at my neck.

“Go back and wait. I will give you an answer soon.”

“Yes, I will wait.”

I bowed politely and turned away.

His gaze burning into my back felt as if it could pierce me.

Suspicion about me was natural, but I hoped he would make a wise decision.

When I returned to the guesthouse, Seo Daeryong had already packed, ready to leave anytime.

“Ah! You’re back!”

“What’s all this?”

“What else? Packed to run if needed.”

“And me?”

“Don’t worry. I packed your things too.”

“No. Trouble means trouble for me, right?”

“Still, I can’t just let myself be caught.”

“…….”

“…….”

“Ah! You have no idea how much I’ve been waiting to hear your lame joke.”

“It wasn’t a joke. So, how was it? Did you meet the Martial Alliance Leader?”

“I thought I was going to die.”

“He’s strong, right?”

I nodded.

“Welcome back.”

Seo Daeryong began unpacking again. His face, now free of mischief, was full of relief.

Now I know him well enough. If I get into trouble, he’ll run immediately. He’s not the type to emotionally rush for revenge.

After reporting everything, only then will his revenge begin. Just as he memorized all the names of the demon soldiers to avenge his senior Hwangcheong Gak Leader, he might memorize every Martial Alliance warrior. Ten years, a hundred years, he will dream of revenge until death. That is Seo Daeryong.

“What about your true identity?”

“Now he knows who I am.”

“Then I understand too.”

“Exactly.”

“Then is it okay to win?”

“Can’t not?”

When he asked “Can I?” his expression was too serious.

“Now I have to, no matter what.”

“Why?”

“The Martial Alliance Leader knows about Cheonmyeonghoe. Would he want his granddaughter to win and become their target?”

“So I have to win to become their target instead.”

“Exactly.”

“Ah, who lives without grieving for the loss of their grandfather? Grandpa! Are you watching?”

I laughed at Seo Daeryong’s joke.

“Look on the bright side. This is the moment you get the Martial Alliance Leader’s support in your life.”

“Oh! That’s right. Now I have something to brag about at drinking parties. But is it okay to reveal everything to the Martial Alliance Leader?”

“You have to give up on doing anything while deceiving him. I will continue to treat him honestly. I’ll show him ninety-nine truths.”

“Then what’s the one lie?”

“Why do you think it’s a lie?”

“Huh?”

“Maybe it’s a truth I haven’t told you yet.”

“What truth?”

Looking out the window toward the Martial Alliance building, I said,

“You’ll find out later. Much later.”

The next dawn, I was awakened by the Celestial Demon Soul Martial Art.

When I left my room and went down to the first floor, someone was sitting alone in the closed guesthouse. Though he did not display any prayer, just his silhouette in the darkness radiated presence. Sitting with his back turned, making me tense just by his figure—he was none other than Martial Alliance Leader Jin Paecheon.

“Have you come?”

I sat opposite him. There was no sign of the Heavenly Dragon Small Guard nearby. But they were surely hidden nearby, guarding tightly like iron.

Jin Paecheon suddenly brought up my father.

“I met your father twice in my life.”

I listened silently.

“Every time I met him, he made me think I must try harder. He was the one who kept me from stopping.”

I thought I understood the leader’s heart. My father was someone who longed above all else to grow stronger.

“I had forgotten for a while, but yesterday you rekindled the dying ember of my heart.”

His strong impression meant he was impressed that I endured his prayer. If a young man like me was this strong, how much stronger would I be later? Such a sense of crisis must have arisen.

“Good. I will entrust this matter to you.”

He must have deliberated a lot before making this decision. Whom did he consult? Who was the person he trusted most?

“However, there is one condition.”

“Please tell me.”

“I want to know every step of the process. From now on, one of my men will be attached to you. That person will watch your every move.”

I sensed that someone was still hidden around us. He was as skilled in concealment as my father’s guard Hwi. Of course, I did not show that I noticed.

The Martial Alliance Leader entrusting me with this matter was not only because of possible traitors.

He also wanted to test me. As a potential next cult leader, he wanted to see what kind of person I was. In the end, both the demonic cult leader and the Martial Alliance Leader put me to the test.

“I have a condition too.”

“What is it?”

“I will handle the Cheonmyeonghoe Leader on our side. But I will do so as secretly as possible and then return.”

Jin Paecheon nodded and stood up.

“Just do what must be done.”

I understood his concern. He meant not to shake Jin Haryeong’s heart.

“My subordinate teases me, saying that fateful love always ends tragically. But nowadays young people don’t like tragedy. That goes not only for me but for your granddaughter as well.”

I understood why Jin Paecheon worried like this. Because his son and daughter-in-law met a tragic end, he hoped at least his granddaughter would not be caught in a tragedy caused by love.

“Sometimes tragedy may be closer than you think.”

“What do you mean?”

“The fact that your granddaughter said before so many people that she was dating me wasn’t just because she liked or cared for me.”

“You mean that person trying to kill me?”

“Jin Sojeo resembles the leader. He is someone who never tolerates injustice.”

“That’s why you worry even more.”

“Then find out who that is and how they pressure your granddaughter. That one investigation will improve your relationship with her more than a hundred worries.”

Jin Paecheon glared at me for a moment, then left after leaving that remark.

“Don’t worry unnecessarily, just do your job well.”

Watching the leader’s figure disappear in the distance, I went up to the second floor guest room. Before entering, I said into the air,

“Sleep well when you do. I’ll tell you when we go somewhere.”

The hidden person, despite my friendly talk, gave no response.