The expression on the Wind Sky Sect leader’s face was full of regret.

From the situation, it was clear that the man in shackles had sent the transmission instructing to simply hand over the sacred item I had chosen.

‘At such a critical moment, that man intervened in the Wind Sky Sect leader’s decision?’

It was truly an unexpected turn of events.

“Do you know what you’ve chosen?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but I felt strongly drawn to it.”

What I had chosen was a small egg-shaped sphere made of iron.

Of course, I knew exactly what it was. It wasn’t a weapon, nor was it a gemstone. What mattered was what was inside the egg-like object.

The Wind Sky Sect leader took the sphere and touched the bottom. With a click, the egg opened.

In an instant, a strong and heavy medicinal scent wafted out. Inside was a red-colored elixir.

Blood God Pill.

It was an elixir renowned not only in the Wind Sky Sect but also outside, said to be the most powerful of all.

“The Blood God Pill. Have you heard of it?”

“Yes, I know it’s an extremely rare and precious elixir.”

“‘Precious’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

“Then why haven’t you consumed it?”

“It’s been saved for the future.”

“So, the future must have been me.”

The Wind Sky Sect leader likely never imagined that, out of all the sacred items, I would choose this one.

The leader looked back at the man in shackles. That’s when I noticed the man’s shoulders, which had been hunched, were slightly trembling. My improved vision through the divine ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) art allowed me to confirm it with my own eyes.

‘Sending transmissions, for sure.’

In other words, the Wind Sky Sect leader was definitely following the man’s orders. Or at least, consulting him.

‘Who exactly is this man?’

I felt a sense of curiosity about the man but pretended not to notice. For now, the Blood God Pill was the priority.

To give them time to think, I turned away and pretended to browse the other sacred items. I spotted a few others I would like to possess, but whether I could get them would depend on the Wind Sky Sect leader’s choice and actions.

After a while, the leader, having finished his discussion, made a decision that made him look at least ten years older.

“Fine. I’ll give you the Blood God Pill.”

“Thank you.”

The leader, still holding the pill, looked at me and asked.

“I can’t give it to you first. Tell me how you plan to remain in the sect.”

It seemed he couldn’t easily part with the Blood God Pill.

“The answer is simple.”

Before the leader could stop me, I took the Blood God Pill from his hand and put it in my mouth. The Wind Sky Sect leader’s eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting me to consume it right there.

“You! What are you doing?!”

Though he shouted, I immediately crossed my legs in a meditative posture.

“Please guard me while the pill dissolves.”

With my eyes closed, I began to let the effects of the Blood God Pill take hold. I couldn’t see the leader’s stunned expression as I focused on the pill.

Geom Muguk’s Qi control meditation continued for a full hour.

The Wind Sky Sect leader and the man in shackles were communicating through transmissions.

The leader, who had jumped up to kill me, was calmed by the man in shackles. It was also the man who insisted that all conversations be conducted via transmission to avoid disturbing the meditation.

―Hahahahaha.

―Damn! What the hell!

The man in shackles continued laughing through the transmission, while the Wind Sky Sect leader was seething in frustration.

―Damn it! Should I kill him right now?

―Kill him. Then we’ll have a full-on war with the Heavenly Demon Sect. I’d love to see you get torn apart by them.

―Damn! What is this nonsense?

The leader couldn’t believe that I had just consumed the pill in front of him.

―The method he’ll suggest must be some absurd one. That’s why you consumed it first, right?

―Kill him! Kill him and smash his head in one blow.

The Wind Sky Sect leader moved toward me, raising his hand high. But he couldn’t bring himself to strike.

―Ugh, damn it!

After lowering his hand, the leader slumped next to the medicinal bell. The man in shackles appeared to find it amusing.

―Damn it!

―I don’t think the leader will die from this.

―Why? Are you scared?

―No, this young man is far more clever than I thought.

―What makes you say that?

―The leader is sure he can’t kill him. He’s already figured out the leader’s weaknesses. A person like that will give us a proper answer.

―Do you have a guess?

―At first, I didn’t know, but after watching him take the Blood God Pill, I have a feeling I know what he’ll suggest.

―What is it?

―When he finishes meditating, you’ll hear it yourself.

―Tell me!

―The leader’s face is too obvious for me to say it out loud.

―When I was younger, I never lost a bet!

―There are no gamblers in front of the Wind Sky Sect’s heir who can show off their skills.

―Hmph!

The leader, at least, seemed to relax.

The man in shackles called the leader with a casual tone, as though speaking to a friend.

―Leader.

―Ugh, here we go again. Am I your friend?

―Just give it all up. It’s fine to give everything.

―Are you serious?

―Up until now, I’ve been judging based on the information we’ve received about this young man. But seeing him in person today, I realize that the information was underestimated.

―Can you see that with your eyes?

―I can.

―Why can’t I?

―Because you’re too greedy.

―Damn it! Fine, let’s say that’s the case. Let’s say my greed blocked my vision. So? If I give everything, what happens to me?

―You’ll be able to live in Central Plains. That was your dream, wasn’t it?

―Will you really let me live in the Central Plains?

―If I didn’t want that, would I be eating it all up like this?

―What if you break your promise? We’ll be begging for scraps, living like beggars.

―Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.

―What?

―I’ll drag this chain along and sell some medicine.

―...

The leader sighed.

―What if this young man loses and dies in the succession fight?

―When you invest your fate in someone, it’s always like that. You either get everything or lose everything.

―Are you trying to destroy me?

―Did you just figure that out?

The man in shackles smiled mysteriously. It was hard to tell whether he was serious or joking.

―Leader.

―Don’t speak so casually. It’s already past the fifth time today.

―I understand you.

―...

―You have to let go to gain. Neither you nor I are lucky enough to have it all without letting go. People like that are those like the young man sitting over there.

―Damn it.

At last, Geom Muguk finished his Qi control meditation.

When he opened his eyes, his expression was clear. His already bright eyes had become even deeper, making it difficult to estimate just how much energy he had accumulated.

But soon, his deep eyes became like those of an ordinary person. The Wind Sky Sect leader was startled by the change in his gaze.

‘How deep is his power?’

Geom Muguk hid nothing before him. It was as though he was saying, “Trust me, I’m strong enough for you to follow.”

Despite showing such strength, Geom Muguk was respectful. He bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you.”

“Such boldness! You steal my elixir and then meditate in front of me!”

“Steal? I received it as payment.”

“Payment? What do you mean?”

“I told you before taking the pill, didn’t I? That the way for you to stay here was for me to consume this.”

“What does that mean?”

“Come to the Yellow Spring Pavilion tomorrow and report it. That my elixir was stolen.”

“!”

“You can stay here until the elixir is recovered.”

Only then did the Wind Sky Sect leader realize Geom Muguk’s intention.

“But if we investigate, it may be revealed that no thief entered.”

“The investigation will be conducted at the Yellow Spring Pavilion, where I’m the head. Until you achieve your goal, I’ll drag the investigation out as slowly as possible.”

“Ah!”

The leader’s expression brightened.

The fact that a thief had entered the Heavenly Demon Sect gave him a valid reason to stay. Moreover, with Geom Muguk handling the investigation, there was no chance of it backfiring or causing unnecessary conflicts.

“We’ll decide on the return date together.”

“Ah! I see.”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Thank you again for the Blood God Pill.”

As Geom Muguk left, the Wind Sky Sect leader turned to the man in shackles.

“Did you know?”

“I knew the moment he took the Blood God Pill.”

The man in shackles’ attitude became respectful once again.

The Wind Sky Sect leader looked down at the empty shell that had once contained the Blood God Pill.

“But did he know this was the Blood God Pill?”

“Of course.”

“Did he?”

“Did you really think he picked it up because it looked pretty? You actually believed that?”

“No.”

But the Wind Sky Sect leader had, for a moment, believed that I couldn’t possibly know what I was choosing.

“How did he know?”

“A person of that caliber wouldn’t receive a gift from you without knowing.”

The leader nodded. Still, he felt thankful that the man in shackles was there, but at the same time, he resented him for setting all of this in motion.

“...Still, the Blood God Pill is too precious.”

Once again, the leader began to feel regret.

“I’ve said it a hundred times already. He didn’t give it to me to suggest a method.”

“If you give away everything like this and things don’t go well, it’s you who’ll die and me too.”

From beneath his tangled hair, the man smiled slyly.

“I promised I’d kill you. And I’ll do it.”

“Shut up!”

The leader looked at the empty container, and the man in shackles at the medicinal bell. They each sank into their own thoughts.

The next day, shocking news rocked the sect.

A thief had broken into the Wind Sky Sect leader’s quarters and stolen sacred items.

Everyone was talking about it. It was surprising that a thief had entered the leader’s chambers, but the big question on everyone’s minds was: which sacred item had been stolen? However, the stolen item remained a mystery.

Though the sect was in a commotion, the mood in the Heavenly Demon Sect was calm.

Sima Myeong, the Grand Strategist, had seen through the situation.

“It seems like the Wind Sky Sect leader is staging a scheme. According to the surveillance, no one entered his quarters, and to steal a sacred item, one would need at least Marzong-level strength. As far as I can tell, there is no one who could target the leader’s items with that kind of strength.”

Sima Myeong’s report was fully believed by Geom Woojin.

“Why would he stage a scheme?”

“He likely wants to stay longer in our sect. He’ll insist on not leaving until the item is recovered.”

“Why doesn’t he want to leave? Is it because of that incident?”

“Yes. It seems like he wants to settle the issue of Wind Sky Sect’s expansion into the Central Plains.”

“Did the second son get involved in this?”

“Yes. The Wind Sky Sect leader asked this young man to find a way for him to stay. The investigation will be done at the Yellow Spring Pavilion, so the leader will likely stay here for a while.”

“He’s quite a schemer.”

Geom Woojin smiled faintly.

“How are the relationships with the Marzongs?”

“Not great. After arriving, the first meeting with the Marzongs didn’t go well, and they haven’t met since. The only person he’s somewhat friendly with is Ma Bul.”

“What should we do about this?”

Sima Myeong answered calmly.

“For now, we should just observe and pretend not to notice.”

Geom Woojin thought for a moment, and Sima Myeong waited for him to make a decision.

Sima Myeong could guess the leader’s mind.

The reason the decision didn’t come immediately was because of Wind Sky Sect’s situation. Geom Woojin was uneasy about their expansion into the Central Plains. But the real reason for his hesitation was probably the young man’s involvement.

Finally, Geom Woojin made a decision.

“Let’s proceed as you suggested.”

“Yes.”

Sima Myeong bowed respectfully and was about to turn when he spoke to Geom Woojin.

“If the Wind Sky Sect leader and this young man join forces, Ma Bul won’t stay silent. He’ll probably start pulling the First Prince into the mix.”

Sima Myeong believed that even though the recent prominence of the young man had caused tension, the First Prince had held back because he was still confident he would be the successor. But if Geom Muguk joins forces with the Blood Heaven Butcher and the Wind Sky Sect leader, it will no longer be something they can simply watch.

Geom Woojin nodded silently, acknowledging the point.

As Sima Myeong slowly walked out of the blood-stained path, he wondered: What decision would the leader make? Would he allow the First Prince to join the battle? Would he try to stop the brothers’ conflict?

Everything depended on the will of the Heavenly Demon.