“Master Seong was an old man with white hair, yet his back was straight and his gaze intense.

Moreover, his neatly fitted black robe contrasted with his white hair, creating a peculiar aura.

He carried a large box, from beneath the white cloth covering it protruded various mysterious tools.

The first to greet him was Jeonha-gun.

“Long time no see.”

Jeonha-gun had known Master Seong since childhood. Within the Martial Alliance, Master Seong was indispensable in the study of demonic martial arts, universally recognized for his expertise. As someone researching the foremost enemy’s techniques, how could the Alliance not value him? Even in his old age he trained many disciples and remained energetically active.

“How have you been, Great Master Jinha? I’ve heard much of your exploits as Exterminator Great Master.”

Jeonha-gun then introduced Geom Mugeuk.

“This is the Little Pill Master of the Demonic Sect.”

Master Seong, surprised to see the Sect’s Little Pill Master here, stared at Geom Mugeuk with renewed curiosity.

“You look very different from what I imagined.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled and nodded.

“I have long heard of your reputation, Elder.”

“You two must dislike me.”

“How could that be? Especially today, with you here, we may finally clear our names.”

Master Seong’s eyes narrowed.

“We’ll see once I investigate.”

Juwol, who had accompanied Master Seong, spoke respectfully.

“As you know, this is a grave matter. Only you can uncover the truth of this incident.”

At that, Geom Mugeuk turned to Juwol.

“You hope the culprit is us?”

Juwol inwardly thought that might even be preferable—if someone other than the Demonic Sect committed such atrocity, it would be far more dreadful than blaming the Sect.

Again he bowed to Master Seong.

“Please, Master Seong.”

It was a plea to discern any sign of demonic martial arts.

“Whatever you wish, I will reveal only what is,” Master Seong replied calmly, and walked toward the body of the Daejeongmun Lord.

He opened his box, laid out his instruments, and began his examination in earnest.

He drew blood from the corpse, mixed it with potions, inspected each wound, and applied different medicines to flesh, bone, and organs. He did not stop there—he traced blood splatter patterns, examined marks on the walls, and even scattered powdered reagent across the floor to reveal footprints and deduce which footwork had been used. He left no method untried.

Unless an extraordinarily unique technique had been used, it was nearly impossible to identify the exact martial art by such means, given how many similar styles existed in these lands.

Watching silently for a while, Geom Mugeuk and Jeonha-gun strolled toward the window. Juwol remained behind, displeased at seeing the Great Master fraternize with the Demonic Sect’s Little Pill Master.

Outside, Martial Alliance warriors were moving the body into the courtyard. Jeonha-gun noticed that Geom Mugeuk’s expression mirrored his own—anger and sorrow in equal measure. He realized that, despite his suspicions, he had misjudged this man; Geom Mugeuk’s heart burned with the same righteous fury.

“Why did you go to Shaanxi?” Jeonha-gun asked.

Geom Mugeuk answered honestly.

“At our main hall’s Tongjeon Pavilion, I discovered the financiers backing those in Shaanxi. I went to cut off their funds.”

Jeonha-gun studied him.

“Did you succeed?”

“Chop—”

A faint smile flickered at Jeonha-gun’s lips and vanished.

“And do you think they’re also behind this incident?”

“Perhaps. Or perhaps not.”

Revenge for the Assassin King’s death? If so, this would mark their first overt strike after scheming in the shadows. Yet the Assassin King had fallen only recently—could they have prepared so meticulously so quickly?

Geom Mugeuk sent Jeonha-gun a private message.

― My father is here with me.

Jeonha-gun’s eyes widened at Geom Mugeuk’s reply.

― I don’t wish to deceive you.

― Where is he now?

― In the Sect’s private residence.

Geom Mugeuk met Jeonha-gun’s gaze.

― That is proof we did not commit this atrocity. Would I harm them with my father at my side?

Jeonha-gun believed him. He knew how deeply Geom Mugeuk respected the Grandmaster. No trickster would invoke his father and lie so brazenly.

“Thank you for telling me.”

“When we become Sect Leader and Alliance Lord, such trials may come again. Then, promise me you will speak plainly as I have now. No discord or misunderstanding can stand against our trust.”

They exchanged looks before turning their attention back to the courtyard. The body still lay awaiting examination.

Meanwhile, Master Seong’s scrutiny continued with relentless precision and passion. He did not wince at the stench of potent reagents, nor at prostrating himself to examine the pooling blood. He reenacted the battle using red thread, connecting wounds and splatters to reconstruct every movement.

At last, Master Seong finished.

All eyes turned to him, tense anticipation hanging in the air.

“I have identified the technique,” he announced evenly.

Jeonha-gun, Juwol, and even Geom Mugeuk watched him intently.

“The martial art that slew the Daejeongmun Lord was…”

Master Seong’s gaze fixed on Geom Mugeuk.

“A demonic technique.”

Jeonha-gun flinched, Juwol wore a knowing expression, but Geom Mugeuk remained composed. He had suspected that the Blood Fiend might employ demonic arts.

Juwol asked, voice trembling, “Have you determined which demonic art?”

To everyone’s astonishment, Master Seong nodded.

“It is the art of a Demon Sovereign.”

Surprise rippled through the three. The Demon Sovereign’s technique—Master Seong would surely never mistake it. Juwol’s tension spiked; if the Blood Fiend were a Sovereign, this was an entirely new level of threat.

“Who is this Sovereign?” Juwol’s voice quavered.

Master Seong pointed.

“Cheol Cheon-Doma.”

“!”

“The one who slaughtered Guest Hall and Daejeongmun. It was his Annihilation Demon Sword Technique.”

A heavy silence fell. If word reached all Jianghu that Blood-Heaven Bladesman had committed such massacre, war between the Martial Alliance and the Demon Sect would be inevitable.

Jeonha-gun looked at Geom Mugeuk, who silently studied Master Seong.

Convinced Master Seong spoke truth, Juwol bolted to the entrance and summoned his subordinates. Geom Mugeuk, however, ignored them.

His mind raced: Could Master Seong have been corrupted by the Demon Sect? Such absurdity—he had never encountered the Sovereigns in his previous life. Even if he covertly aided them, why reveal it now under his own name?

He was not a servant of those fiends.

That was why the revelation struck Geom Mugeuk with such shock.

Jeonha-gun sought confirmation.

“Are you certain it was Cheol Cheon-Doma’s art? This is too significant.”

Master Seong’s voice was unwavering.

“Absolutely. Even if the Grandmaster himself stood here, I would say the same. I stake my name on it.”

Jeonha-gun reeled. At first he had thought someone had hired a demonic master to frame the Sect. But Demon Sovereign-level art? Could anyone fabricate that?

If indeed Cheol Cheon-Doma did it… then what could they say to the Sect Leader?

Geom Mugeuk turned to Jeonha-gun.

“If evidence surfaces proving the Alliance Lord committed this crime, would you believe it?”

Jeonha-gun could not answer such a preposterous question.

“You wouldn’t. Nor do I. If Master Seong does not deceive, we must discover how they manufactured this outcome.”

Master Seong spoke with equal resolve.

“I do not lie. Whether you believe me matters little.”

Geom Mugeuk nodded silently.

“Indeed. Whoever it is, they keep tampering with things that must never be touched. They angered my father, and now me.”

At that moment, warriors of the Central City division stormed the main hall and hemmed in Geom Mugeuk. Believing this the culprit, even Exterminator Great Master’s men drew swords. Jeonha-gun, however, had no doubt of his friend.

“I must be going,” Geom Mugeuk said to Jeonha-gun.

Jeonha-gun saw no hint of conspiracy in his clear, deep gaze.

“We must expose the truth swiftly.”

“I trust you,” Jeonha-gun said.

As Geom Mugeuk turned to leave, Juwol barred his way. The warriors raised their inner {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} energy and aimed blades.

“Since demonic art was used, we must not let you go.”

They saw an opportunity to seize the Little Pill Master.

But Jeonha-gun spoke quietly.

“I cannot detain him alone. Please allow him passage.”

Those present were startled—how could Jeonha-gun and the Exterminators be unable to subdue one Little Pill Master? They assumed it was leniency born of friendship.

Juwol misunderstood Jeonha-gun’s motives.

“Think carefully, Great Master. This could unseat you.”

Jeonha-gun’s eyes were steely.

“Stand aside.”

At his command, the warriors lowered their swords and parted. Geom Mugeuk walked calmly through their ranks.

Jeonha-gun watched from the window as his friend crossed the courtyard and exited the building. He felt Juwol’s and the warriors’ resentment directed at his back. Few would understand the bond between the heir to the Alliance and a Demonic Sect’s Little Pill Master—especially when Master Seong, the most trusted authority on demonic arts, declared this atrocity the work of a Demon Sovereign. Rumors would spread swiftly.

“Friend, time is short.”

Back at the private residence, my father was practicing his qi in the courtyard. Lately he had devoted himself to heart-method training.

Holding my breath, I waited for him to finish. As he completed his breathing exercise, I saw the aura around him condense like a mirage in scorching heat.

It was the Celestial Demon Manifestation.

For an instant, I thought the qi-born manifestation was staring at me. Though always fearsome, I was glad to see it again.

But the Celestial Demon dissolved back into qi and was reabsorbed into my father’s body.

He slowly opened his eyes, depths darker than abyss.

“Did you see it?”

“Yes, I did.”

His gaze sharpened.

“The qi of the Nine Flames Martial Art appears only to those who have mastered it. When one reaches the Seventh Stage, the Celestial Demon’s form first becomes faintly visible. This means you have attained the Seventh Stage.”

My father looked astonished—my progress far exceeded even his swiftest pupils.

Considering when I began Nine Flames training, this was absurdly rapid. Of course, with his repeated lectures and my extra practice via the Celestial Breath Technique, my progress had been accelerated.

“All thanks to your guidance, Father.”

My achievement must have both delighted and provoked him. I yearned to achieve full fruition and summon my own Celestial Demon. I was eager to see how his and mine would differ.

“How did your mission go?”

“As you predicted, Father.”

Before contacting the Alliance Lord, my father insisted I verify the technique used against Daejeongmun. He feared he might have been struck by demonic art himself.

“What technique was it?”

He surely expected a known demonic art—something easily pinned on us. But the truth astonished even him.

“It was the art of Elder Doma.”

My father’s gaze turned cold. They had dared touch the Demonic Path and offend a Demon Sovereign—no wonder he burned with anger.

“I don’t know how they fabricated it, but since Master Seong—our foremost expert—revealed it, the Alliance will demand an explanation. Of course, Elder Doma is likely at our library teaching Daeryong, so there will be no real trouble.”

At that moment, escorted by a guard, someone entered the private residence. I was stunned.

Ser Daeryong, sword on his back, strode into the Anga.