Sa Gong Cheon, staring uneasily toward the cave entrance of the Red Refining Gate—At that moment, a shadow appeared in the distance.“Ah! Someone is coming out!”At his cry, everyone rose to their feet and fixed their eyes on the entrance.“It seems he is finally emerging.”“Since the Red Refining Gate is said to be under Martial Deity Heaven, it must have taken him a long time to put matters properly in hand.”“Indeed. With our lord’s power, he could have erased the Red Refining Gate in a single strike.”Before long, a group of figures came into view.Among «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» them was Yeon Woo Jin.Lee Hwa Un, Hwa Sogwang, and Yeo Hwarin rushed toward him like eager hounds.“My lord!”“My lord!”“My lord!”All three called to him with joy at once.“Did I keep you waiting long?”“Not at all! It seems matters inside were resolved well.”“Yes.”While Yeon Woo Jin reunited with the three, Sa Gong Cheon ran straight toward his father, Sa Se Hwang.“Father!”Seeing his son, Sa Se Hwang smiled and embraced him.“I’m relieved you are safe.”“I too am glad that you are unharmed, Father.”“Did I make you worry?”“How can you even ask that?”“Ha ha ha.”At hearing that his son had worried for him, Sa Se Hwang let out a hearty laugh.Then his gaze shifted toward Hwa Sogwang.Hwa Sogwang’s eyes met his.“You came to save me?”“Yes.”At that answer, Sa Se Hwang fell silent.After a brief hesitation, he forced the words out.“Thank you… my friend.”At the word friend, Hwa Sogwang grinned broadly.“Enough. Friends don’t need thanks.”“…I see now I’ve been far too burdened with feelings of inadequacy toward you all this time.”“Then let us live well together, even if it’s only from this day.”Sa Se Hwang looked at him and said,“Yes. From this day, I will compete with you openly and fairly.”“Oho. Sounds like you received something inside from our lord, didn’t you?”“Our lord?”“Yes. The one who saved you is my lord, Hwa Sogwang’s lord.”Sa Se Hwang turned his gaze to Yeon Woo Jin.And then, with a faint laugh, he said,“So it is. By chance, we have come to serve the same master.”“What? You too?”“Yes. I have chosen to serve him as well.”At his words, Hwa Sogwang let out a wide grin.“Wise choice. I welcome you as family.”Sa Se Hwang too smiled broadly.He found, in fact, that this was all for the best.Now they could be on the same side, competing fairly.Hwa Sogwang’s gaze then turned to another.Not only his, but also the gazes of Lee Hwa Un and Yeo Hwarin.Finding all eyes on him, the man gave an awkward smile and introduced himself.“You must be curious who I am. I am Ma Ryang, bearing the infamous name of Hell Darkness Emperor.”At his introduction, Lee Hwa Un nodded.“So you are the Hell Darkness Emperor. I thought as much, given the extraordinary aura I sensed. I am Lee Hwa Un, called the Green Forest Grand Emperor.”“So you are the Green Forest Grand Emperor. This junior greets you. To meet such a renowned figure is an honor beyond three lifetimes.”“My thanks.”When the greetings were done, Hwa Sogwang stepped forward.“I am Hwa Sogwang, called the Flame Emperor.”“To meet the Flame Emperor I have heard of only by reputation is an honor.”“And for me, it is an honor to meet the famed Hell Darkness Emperor face-to-face. Now that we are one household, let us work well together.”At that, Ma Ryang bowed his head.“I look forward to it.”“It is a relief to see you unharmed.”Since he already knew Yeo Hwarin, he spoke more casually with her.“I did not expect even the Sword Queen to be here.”“How could I not, when it is the lord’s path?”Seeing her loyalty no less fierce than his own, Ma Ryang smiled in satisfaction and nodded.When all the greetings were finished, everyone turned to Yeon Woo Jin.Their faces clearly asked what had happened inside.Reading their gazes, Yeon Woo Jin gave a faint smile.“Let’s move elsewhere to speak.”“Yes!” ****After hearing Yeon Woo Jin’s account, everyone’s expressions grew grave.That an existence had escaped even Yeon Woo Jin’s grasp—Though it was true he had used Ma Ryang as a hostage, still, it was astonishing.And when they heard that this being seemed to belong to the Demonic Race, their shock doubled.“Then the Demonic Cult has truly reemerged in the world?”At Lee Hwa Un’s question, Yeon Woo Jin nodded.“It seems so.”“For them to already begin moving…”“No. I don’t think it’s yet full activity. More like the stage of preparation, before they begin.”“If you have perceived so, then it must mean they will surface soon.”“It is certain they will. Which means our schedule must change.”“Schedule?”“There isn’t enough time to visit each remaining sect one by one. Now that we know the enemy has begun to move, it’s far too slow for me to travel and prepare them individually.”“What do you intend to do?”“I must go directly to the Martial Alliance and the Four Evils Alliance. We’ll gather the leaders of each sect in one place and handle it all at once.”“If you go to Mount Hua, where the New Dragon Tournament is being held, the leaders of both the Martial Alliance and the Four Evils Alliance will all attend. Why not take care of it there in one stroke?”“Is that so? Then that is indeed a fine idea. And while there, I can also watch the New Dragon Tournament. Two birds with one stone.”“Exactly.”“Good. Then let’s head to Mount Hua, where the New Dragon Tournament is to be held.” ****“What’s this pathetic sight…”Before Balho knelt a black-clad subordinate, missing one arm.“I failed to guard it. I beg forgiveness.”“Hmph. To wound you so… Who was the opponent?”“It was a man named Yeon Woo Jin.”“Yeon Woo Jin!”Balho shot to his feet.“Then Ma Ryang must have returned to him. Is that it?”“I detonated the Exploding Worm so he could not return.”“Is that so? Then he could not have gone back. Well done. If it cannot be mine, better that it be destroyed.”Balho glanced at the lost arm.“How strong was he?”“He was beyond human. Had your subordinate fought him… he would have fallen within a hundred exchanges.”“To that extent? Kuhuhu… Remarkable. No wonder Ma Ryang followed him so devotedly. You remember his face, don’t you?”Even as he spoke, the subordinate ripped off his mask.Yeon Woo Jin’s face appeared.“So that is what he looks like. Kuhuhu… I long to meet him.”Balho’s heart surged with desire.It felt as though this man might finally quench his thirst.But for now he could not leave his place. He could only wait.“Enough. He’s no foe you could ever face. Go and rest.”With a dismissive wave of his hand, the subordinate withdrew.Balho then summoned his adjutant.“Maa.”At the call of his name, a man stepped forth as though he had always been standing there.“You called, master.”“I wish to know how the other matters are progressing.”At this, Maa smiled faintly.“This is the first time you’ve asked such a thing.”“Is it? I suddenly wished to confirm. Report.”“Yes. First, concerning the Heavenly Demon Fortress. The construction is nearly eighty percent complete. It should be finished before year’s end.”At this, Balho smiled in satisfaction.“Good. And the Central Plains?”“We have given immense support to the Frontier Martial World (Saeoe Murim). They will move soon.”“Make them stir as much chaos as possible. You know well—when the human world falls into turmoil, the rift grows wider, and our power grows stronger.”“I know. That is why I have prepared plans upon plans.”“What else?”“The humans are holding an amusing event.”“Amusing?”“Yes. Have you heard of the New Dragon Tournament?”“The New Dragon Tournament? What is that?”“It is an event where humans flaunt their promising disciples. Those who fight and win there gain fame as final victor.”“Oh? And?”“We have sent our people into the tournament. I told them to run wild.”At this, Balho frowned.“And if our identity is exposed?”“It cannot be. In their memories, we do not exist.”“And what do we gain?”“Conflict between Martial Deity Heaven and the Martial Alliance.”“Martial Deity Heaven? That plan failed, didn’t it? Haven’t you heard that the scheme through Ma Ryang fell apart?”“I have. But do you think I set only that one in motion? I planted seeds all across the Central Plains.”At those words, Balho smirked.That was why he trusted him.“This is why I like you, Maa. Hahaha. So how will you spark conflict with Martial Deity Heaven?”“I taught our infiltrators martial arts from sects under Martial Deity Heaven. They will hide their identities, fight in the New Dragon Tournament, and kill the young talents of the Martial Alliance using those arts.”“Ohh.”“And if forced to speak at the end, they will say it was Martial Deity Heaven’s orders.”“Khahaha! Delightful. A shame I cannot go myself to watch.”“It is only a pity for me as well.”“Yes. But you have mountains of tasks. We must be thorough in preparing to welcome the Heavenly Demon.”“Indeed. Nearly all our resources have been committed to it.”“Maa, with you, I needn’t give detailed orders. You will handle it well.”“Thank you. I will prove worthy of your trust.”“Go now.”“Yes, my lord!”When Maa vanished, Balho slumped into his chair, summoning the image of Yeon Woo Jin’s face.As though vowing never to forget.“I want to meet you soon… Heh. It will be entertaining.” ****Martial Deity Heaven, Military Office.Sa Ma Cheon sat with a grave expression.And the reason was none other than Yeon Cheon Baek.“Haah… This is madness.”Clutching his head, he let out a sigh.“Please, just don’t cause trouble in the Central Plains.”For Yeon Cheon Baek had departed for the Central Plains, in pursuit of Yeon Woo Jin.After pinpointing Woo Jin’s location, he had suddenly declared he could no longer endure and simply left.Worse, in leaving, he had handed all authority of Martial Deity Heaven to Sa Ma Cheon.Not that this was much change—he had long managed its affairs anyway.But the thought of Yeon Cheon Baek wreaking havoc in the Central Plains was alarming.When he had asked in exasperation, “What if, in my anger, I simply seize Martial Deity Heaven for myself while you’re gone?” Yeon Cheon Baek had only shrugged and said he could take it if he liked.If it’s you, I could entrust it.At times, Yeon Cheon Baek gave him such unexpected moments of gratitude.And in that moment, Sa Ma Cheon had nodded without realizing it.For Yeon Cheon Baek had never once ordered him.He had only sought his counsel, trusted him, and left all in his hands.Because of that, Sa Ma Cheon had cherished Martial Deity Heaven as though it were his own, serving him loyally.Of course, there were also times, like now, when he acted in ways utterly without countermeasure.Letting out another sigh, Sa Ma Cheon rose.“Haah… Well, he’s restrained himself long enough, I suppose.”Day after day, he had sung only of Yeon Woo Jin.It was only natural his patience had reached its limit.“Still… It baffles me. He treasures him so fiercely, even though he isn’t truly of his blood.”For Sa Ma Cheon knew the truth—Yeon Woo Jin was not Yeon Cheon Baek’s true bloodline.

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