Cheongseon offered the Nine Prostrations Ceremony (구배지례) and formally became the disciple of the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect.

The news spread rapidly, and the entire sect, including Seo Hwanjin, began to stir.

Unexpectedly, there were more supporters than detractors, with many praising her decision as a wise choice.

Rather than taking the position of the Demon Lord while in a weak state just to uphold superficial honor, they believed it was far more sensible to learn properly from the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect and then take the position of the Demon Lord. As expected, the sect members cared more about practicality than honor.

Especially surprising was the support from Seo Hwanjin’s earsmiths, who had been expected to resist her the most.

This made the transfer of succession troublesome. The plan to worsen the public opinion by claiming that Cheongseon was receiving external help had backfired.

Now, the future successor’s fate was uncertain.

“What do you think?”

The Lord of the Wind Sky Sect was asking about Cheongseon.

“Doesn’t the sect master see her well? Trust your own judgment.”

“She seems to have more backbone than I thought.”

“I thought the same.”

“I think she’s worth nurturing.”

At first, the intention had not been to take her as a disciple. It was merely a pretext to remain in the central plains, but when he saw Cheongseon, he was drawn to her strange ambition.

“I guess I can’t help it. I’m drawn to bad women.”

“Be careful. I saw ambition in her that could even swallow up the master.”

“And that’s what I like.”

The Lord of the Wind # Nоvеlight # Sky Sect grinned, and the man in shackles faintly smiled.

“You seem to be in a good mood these days.”

“Me?”

“You don’t curse much anymore.”

More importantly, the request for him to open a new space using the Time and Space Exchange Art had not been asked for in days.

“If you’re bored, shall I curse for you?”

“Not at all! This is fine.”

But secretly, in the back of his mind, he missed the curses from the man in shackles.

“By the way, this sect master is quiet.”

It seemed the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect was still concerned about the Heavenly Demon Sect.

“It will stay that way.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because the young lord must have finished talking with his father.”

“Do you think he’s been paying attention to that?”

“He must have. Success and failure come down to the difference in thoroughness.”

“Why are you so favorable toward the young lord? You give him good reviews. Did you receive money?”

The man in shackles looked up at the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect.

“Does that bother you?”

“It does.”

“Then let’s go back to the outside world. If we go where the young lord isn’t, you won’t need to show him any favor, will you?”

The Lord of the Wind Sky Sect stared down with irritation and sighed. Although annoying, he couldn’t deny the truth of what had been said. After all, he was the one who had shackled the man in the first place and brought him here.

“I told you, didn’t I? The sect master is not someone blessed enough to have everything.”

“Damn. Stop with that talk! Why do you keep bringing up how unlucky I am?”

“I just say it because you keep turning down the wrong path.”

“You don’t even keep one word.”

It was then that one of the underlings came with new information.

“Our warriors in the outer region received cooks who made a feast for them.”

“Cooks? Which cooks?”

“They were sent by the young lord. They prepared a feast with the finest ingredients.”

The Lord of the Wind Sky Sect turned to the man in shackles and asked.

“Is this it? Is this the difference you spoke of in thoroughness?”

The man in shackles nodded.

“Remarkable at such a young age. I mentioned it, but I didn’t expect him to go this far. Maybe…”

“Maybe what?”

“The moment a truly extraordinary person is born in the demonic arts, or even in the martial world. We are witnessing that historical moment.”

Unlike the passionate man in shackles, the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect was unimpressed.

“He’s taking all my treasures at this historical moment.”

As if knowing this reason already, the man in shackles calmly comforted the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect.

“Try changing your perspective. The treasures you give away are being used for great purposes.”

“As I said before, I’m not the protagonist of that great purpose. I don’t want to be a tool in someone else’s success.”

“To become the protagonist, one must be diligent like the young lord. They must work hard like him.”

“But I’m working hard, too.”

“Are you working hard by asking me everything?”

The Lord of the Wind Sky Sect had no rebuttal. These days, he had left most of the work to the man in shackles.

Seeing the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect still troubled, the tone and expression of the man in shackles changed.

“Sect master.”

At this moment, the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect was relieved to hear the man speak informally. He was worried that one day, the man would stop speaking informally, and that worried him even more. He enjoyed his condescending tone.

“I know you’re making an effort.”

“What effort could I possibly be making? You’re right.”

“No. Controlling your greed and giving away the treasures is an effort. Collecting them, protecting them, even being greedy is an effort. I know it. Just like the effort someone makes when they escape the Ten Thousand Traps, your effort is just as hard.”

The Lord of the Wind Sky Sect’s heart stirred. He realized how comforting it was to have someone truly understand him.

However, he didn’t want to show any weakness to the man in shackles, so he forced himself to hide his emotions and grumbled.

“No! I don’t want to give away my treasures! Damn that young lord, I’ll tell him to get lost if he comes! Get lost, young lord! Cover your ears, it’ll be so loud!”

Just then, an underling spoke.

“The young lord has arrived.”

The Lord of the Wind Sky Sect shook his head in disbelief.

“That crazy young lord! He shows up right at this moment?”

The man in shackles laughed aloud for the first time in a while. He covered his ears and said politely.

“I’m ready now.”

“Well, well. Welcome, young lord.”

The Lord of the Wind Sky Sect greeted me with a pleasant expression.

On days when treasures were being given away, his hands would tremble, but today he seemed more at ease. Perhaps he had learned the truth that surrendering was easier?

A while later, an underling brought out the drinking table.

“Let’s have a drink together today.”

“Sounds good.”

“Let me have a drink.”

I took the drink.

“Now, drink up.”

We clinked our glasses and drank. Of course, I had poisoned wine in my mouth.

“Seeing you trust me makes me happy.”

I didn’t spit out the poisoned wine to avoid offending him.

At that moment.

“Are you drinking poisoned wine?”

I knew immediately. The man in shackles must have sent a signal, letting him know that I was drinking poisoned wine. He was no ordinary man.

“Yes, I am.”

I spat out the poisoned wine.

“My goodness! When did you drink it?”

“I drank it when the table was brought out.”

“Didn’t show at all.”

“I practiced a lot.”

“To have poisoned wine in the drink I gave you… That’s really too much.”

“I told you before, didn’t I? There’s no relationship between us yet. The word ‘relationship’ between you and me doesn’t exist in this world.”

“Even though you came today to take away my precious treasures, you say that?”

“In this chaotic situation, whether a relationship forms or not, it won’t depend on how many treasures you take.”

“You mean that right now, all we have between us is poisoned wine?”

“Rather than an ambiguous relationship that could change with the situation, a clear one where we give what we should and take what we should is better.”

“I can’t stand your words, just like some people.”

“Who?”

“No one.”

I guessed the person he was referring to was the man in shackles.

The Lord of the Wind Sky Sect stood up.

“Well, the taste of the drink is ruined now, so let’s pick a treasure. Go ahead, pick one.”

“Thank you.”

Before picking a treasure, I went to look at the 音雷鐘 (Eumnoejong).

“I’ll take another look at the Eumnoejong. It looks great every time I see it.”

The truth was, I wanted to get a closer look at the man in shackles.

I glanced at the man while looking at the Eumnoejong. He was sitting, his head lowered like a fossil.

‘Why does he help me?’

I liked that he didn’t send a signal to me. He was no ordinary man.

Would there ever come a day when I could have a conversation with him? How far would our destinies reach?

I turned back and walked toward where the treasures were kept.

I pretended to look around, but I had already decided what I would take.

“I’ll choose this one.”

The treasure I chose this time was a thickly wound bandage.

The Lord of the Wind Sky Sect’s expression hardened. His face silently cursed.

Damn it! How do you always take the valuable things?

“Do you know what that is?”

Of course, I knew very well.

“I don’t know. It just looked mysterious, wrapped in silk.”

“That’s…”

The Lord of the Wind Sky Sect took a deep breath, suppressing his rising anger, and explained.

“It’s called ‘Extreme-Grade Celestial Silk.’ It’s a treasure that even a sword won’t cut if struck with it. If you wrap it in several layers, it can even block the sword’s force and sharpness. It’s an ancient treasure. You can wrap it around your arm or leg for protection, or even around your heart. Not only that, it can protect you from cold and won’t burn in fire. There are only a handful of weapons in the martial world that can cut this Extreme-Grade Celestial Silk without using sword force or strength.”

My black sword, among other rare weapons, was one of those that could cut it.

“I didn’t realize how precious it was.”

“You didn’t realize, but why did you choose this one? Why this?”

“I’m sorry.”

The Lord of the Wind Sky Sect couldn’t hide his regret. He sighed several times before handing it over to me. His hand trembled.

“Please use it well.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I took it from him, feeling his reluctance. Even though it was an excessive reward for what I had done, I accepted it without hesitation because I had every intention of fulfilling his dream.

“I will never forget your kindness, sect master.”

Although I should have shown a grand gesture, the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect couldn’t hide his regret.

From over his shoulder, the man in shackles was watching me. Despite his reluctance, the sect master had given me the treasure willingly. It was thanks to the man in shackles that I had received it so smoothly.

The look I sent through my eyes was this:

Thank you. I won’t forget.

As if understanding, the man in shackles slowly bowed his head and returned to his fossil-like state.

Back in my quarters, I unwrapped the Extreme-Grade Celestial Silk.

I cut it with my black sword, making sure it was cut cleanly by infusing internal energy. It would cut cleanly even without any effort, but I took the care to do it with precision.

Before a celestial weapon like my father’s Heavenly Demon Sword or my black sword, it’s just silk, but to other weapons, it would be a monster.

I wrapped it three times around my left wrist.

As long as I wore this, I wouldn’t risk having my hand cut by an enemy’s attack. For now, wrapping it on my left wrist was enough. My right hand would be protected by the black sword. This was the beauty of focusing only on the necessary areas, much better than any talisman or protective item.

I wrapped the remaining Extreme-Grade Celestial Silk around the hilt of my black sword. I would use it when needed.

I only hoped I wouldn’t need to dive into some place with this wrapped around my body. Because there, hell would unfold. Or perhaps it was already hell itself.