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Smoke rises in the dim woods.

Mixed in with the smoke was the acrid scent of burning flesh.

“Ah… Aaaaah! Kyaaaah!”

An unknown man cried out in agony. Flames clung to his body, consuming his flesh.

“Please… please!”

In desperation, he clutched at his throat, but the figure before him merely gazed back with the same blank expression.

Despite the emotionless face, his eyes glowed a fierce red like engulfing flames.

As the moonlight crept in, the ground previously hidden in shadows revealed itself, stained an unusually deep color.

It was soaked with blood.

“…Ugh… hic…”

The man, engulfed in flames, screamed with all his might, but gradually fell silent.

He had finally drawn his last breath.

“…”

Thud.

A young man observing all this finally let the man’s body go.

The lifeless figure crumpled to the ground, and the ghost-like flames clinging to him vanished.

“Huff….”

The one who watched covered his mouth with his hand. The leader of their group had perished.

Despite having passed middle age, he was said to have reached the peak of martial prowess.

Chaeju, who was acknowledged for his strength, had been quietly killed by someone who seemed barely past their youth….

‘What the hell… what is going on?’

The man with covered mouth couldn’t comprehend what had just occurred.

The corpses behind the slain leader were no different.

The first captive had been reduced to ash beyond recognition.

Others lay motionless with their necks broken.

The dead leader was no exception.

‘A monster… that’s clearly a monster.’

The man trembled as he slowly stepped back, but upon facing the wooden pillar blocking his escape, he felt frozen.

“Hah… hah….”

His mind was already crushed under the weight of deathly fear.

Is this how I’m going to die? Is this it?

Panic surged within him, accompanied by tears streaming down his face.

He couldn’t even run.

His legs were already shattered by the monster’s hand.

Crack.

The hunched monster stirred.

Flame Burst—! Flames still clung to the monster’s body.

All the man felt upon facing the fire was one sentiment.

‘This is brutal.’

It was far from the holiness and warm heat associated with fire techniques.

He felt nothing.

Which made it all the more terrifying.

How could fire hold nothing within it?

No, that wasn’t entirely true.

‘…Killing Intent.’

The flames were a mass of murderous intent.

Feeling nothing from that monster meant everything was contained within the fire it emitted.

Just how much killing intent must one possess to achieve such a thing?

‘Flame…? If it’s flame…’

At that moment, a rumor flickered through the man’s mind.

The most renowned figure known for their fire techniques currently in the Central Plains.

A young martial artist hailed as the hero leading this era.

The young man, who had thwarted the attack of Gu Daemadu and ruthlessly dealt with the demonic faction, was said to wield flames.

That title was none other than.

“So Yeomra….”

Crash—!

“…!”

Just as a surge of pain hit, the young man swiftly covered the man’s mouth with his hand.

He didn’t even notice it happen.

All five fingers twisted in unnatural directions.

“Ugh… mmm…!”

“If you spill that damned line again, I’ll rip off your entire arm next. Scream, and I’ll still do it. I’ll let go of your mouth in three seconds. You better stay quiet. Got it?”

The young man’s indifferent words made the man nod frantically.

There was no way to refuse.

The young man quietly released his grip.

The man stifled his cries, enduring the pain in silence.

Crimson-stained eyes regarded him from above.

Finally, kneeling on one knee to meet the man’s gaze.

“What’s your purpose?”

The question mirrored what had been asked by those who tortured him earlier.

In terror, the man began to speak.

“…You’ve… already… already heard.”

“Is that all?”

“Y-yes.”

The details had already been spilled by the first captured person.

They were ordered to follow the Tang Clan’s transport team and map out their route.

Even after hearing that, the young man… no.

‘So Yeomra….’

The man grit his teeth at the young man’s identity.

They said he had become crueler than anyone when dealing with demon faction members. That seemed to be true.

‘I thought he was just a kid, but…!’

The truth of the rumors was far more terrifying.

How could someone be so ruthless? He was too frightening to be considered a member of the Righteous Faction.

The tortures on display before him were enough to instill a fear strong enough to cause one to wet themselves.

It was a display of torturing while using fire techniques like no other.

Could this person really be the supposed future of the Righteous Faction?

As the man gazed at So Yeomra with trembling eyes, So Yeomra continued in a blank tone.

“Seven in total. Among them, one second-rate, five first-rate, and one peak-level martial artist.”

“…!”

The man internally gasped as if he understood the levels of their group.

Because it was true.

The leader had been a peak martial artist.

The remaining ones were first-rate, while he himself was a second-rate martial artist.

“That’s an exceptional level for mere bandits. Who are you guys?”

“…Huff… huff….”

“What’s your purpose? Huh?”

“I… I don’t know….”

Chiiiii—!

“Ugrhh…!”

He seized one twisted finger and burnt it with the flames.

As the agonizing pain consumed him, the man shivered uncontrollably.

After a while of torment, he repeated the question.

“Answer again.”

“I… I can’t… please… please….”

“Alright. Then I’ll ask something else. Is the name of your superior Tang Deok?”

“Hu…!?”

The moment Chaeju’s name left So Yeomra’s lips, the man’s body jolted.

‘How…?’

How did So Yeomra know the name of Chaeju?

In the Central Plains, the name was only known by a title.

Seeing the man’s reaction, So Yeomra’s lips curled into a wicked smile.

That sight sent a chill down the man’s spine.

How could a person smile so menacingly?

“Yes. That bastard’s tail is indeed correct.”

“…What…?”

“Why? You should be content being quiet, yet you crawled out to do something foolish.”

“…Are you, perhaps, acquainted with Chaeju?”

“Acquainted?”

So Yeomra replied with a smirk.

“We’re on casual terms. Casual enough to burst an eyeball, you see.”

“…”

Without a doubt, that was far from a good relationship.

The man’s plan to survive by leveraging connections crumbled to pieces.

He continued to bear the pain while turning his eyes away.

Confusion filled him.

He had the information he needed.

He knew that So Yeomra was also part of the Tang Clan’s transport team.

However, no matter how well-known an individual he was rumored to be.

He didn’t expect someone with such a presence to be as threatening as the Poison King or the Clan Leaders.

‘How….’

He recalled the orb that the leader had possessed.

The artifact said to erase the presence of its owner and surroundings.

Even skilled masters like the Poison King were rumored to be difficult to perceive unless you were reasonably close.

‘…How did this guy manage to figure it out?’

What was So Yeomra, who penetrated that sort of treasure without a care?

Could he be stronger than the Poison King?

That seemed impossible.

Even a supreme genius wouldn’t stand a chance.

Then it must mean there was another way?

“Your eyeballs are rolling around so much I can hear them.”

“…!”

Crack—!

“Ugh!?”

Another finger twisted painfully.

Since it was already a twisted finger to begin with, the pain was unbearable.

“W-Why?”

“Oh, I apologize; it’s a habit. I usually talk while breaking things. It’s hard to kill that habit.”

It was not a discussion that warranted a smile.

Claiming one has a habit of torturing others?

‘Is this guy really a member of the Righteous Faction?’

Questions brewed deeper in the man’s mind.

“The band of bandits is unusually strong; has it always been like this?”

“…”

“Oh, it’s not a question, so no need to answer.”

With So Yeomra’s words, the man’s back began to sweat.

His voice was higher-pitched, as if still in adolescence.

The atmosphere had softened compared to when they first met, yet the man sensed the underlying killing intent woven within that voice.

“Truth be told, I wasn’t that curious about what you’ve been saying. It’s all fairly predictable.”

He had intended to kill them all from the beginning.

So why…? Why engage in this method of torture?

“I needed to pick some humans. I was looking for someone timid and obedient.”

“…That’s…”

“Do you want to live?”

At So Yeomra’s question, the man clamped his mouth shut.

Do you want to live? Of course, he wanted to.

However, the very existence of So Yeomra, who posed the question, instilled a sense of dread.

“I won’t ask twice. Answer me.”

“I… I want to… live.”

Though fear gripped him, he could not afford to die without giving an answer.

Upon hearing his response, So Yeomra nodded, as if satisfied.

“Ah, this is a personal question. How many of those who told you that you should live have you saved?”

“…!”

“Silence is fortunate, then. That answer is sufficient. I guess it makes you feel better.”

He had never saved anyone, so it seemed he was about to end up dead.

Yet after making that statement, So Yeomra did not act further.

What was this? Was he going to leave it like this?

Just as relief washed over him, despair soon followed.

‘Is this what being alive is?’

His ankle was shattered and no longer able to walk.

One of his hands was completely wrecked.

He might not be able to use his feet anymore; it was impossible to heal with any healer.

Is this how life goes for him?

Just then, So Yeomra gripped the man’s neck.

What was this? Didn’t he say he would spare him…?

“I’ll be clear; endure this. I don’t know how to be gentle or kind like the Heavenly Demon.”

“The Heavenly Demon? What do you mean? Y-you said you’d spare me…!”

“I will spare you. I have to for us to work together.”

With those final words, the man could see.

So Yeomra’s previously crimson eyes shifted to a purple hue.

That color was particularly beautiful, drawing his gaze for a moment.

Even amidst such an overwhelming and terrifying situation.

As he stared, seemingly entranced by the eyes, So Yeomra spoke.

“What is your name?”

“Joolbok…that’s my name.”

“Joolbok, very well. Your task is singular. With your blunt steps, return to Tang Deok and deliver my words. That is your job.”

Confused, the man pondered the meaning of that moment.

Twist.

“…!”

He felt something boring into his lower dantian.

A slight energy began to creep in.

Goooooo—!

“Cough!!?”

It rapidly expanded until it enveloped his entire lower dantian.

But that wasn’t all.

The energy seized his lower dantian entirely, then immediately surged into Joolbok’s heart.

“Urrrgh… Kyaaaaa!”

The torturous agony was far from ordinary.

It surpassed any pain Joolbok had faced in his entire life.

So Yeomra seemed to be intending to torture him contrary to his promise of sparing him.

That’s what Joolbok believed.

If not, what other intention could this pain possibly serve?

‘I don’t want to die…’

His will to live surged within.

Joolbok wished to survive.

And that was.

The desire Gu Yangcheong so longed for.

Becoming a demon requires one to have some fervent desire.

Whether that purpose be revenge or a desperate wish to survive.

There should be at least one such fervent motivation.

Otherwise, no one could endure undergoing demonization.

Of course, if he were the Heavenly Demon from a previous life, he would have offered a greater option.

But Gu Yangcheong had no intention of doing that.

He could not afford to.

From Nangong Cheonjun onward, this was the second time.

With this alone, it became evident.

Making someone a demon without inflicting pain was impossible, as the Heavenly Demon had shown them an unimaginable level of control.

How the Heavenly Demon made such choices remains a mystery, but Gu Yangcheong had no intention of following suit.

‘These wretches deserve no compassion.’

Regardless of good or evil, he had no mercy for those who obstructed his path.

That was his conclusion.

The Green King was one of the most vicious demons from his previous life.

His subordinates were no different.

They had killed civilians and done barbarous deeds in the name of demons.

Given the man’s earlier reaction, he suspected he was no different than those bastards.

Gu Yangcheong held no particular grudge against that.

He, too, was once a demon and had taken countless lives during the war under its pretext.

This was merely a form of venting disguised as atonement; he felt no need to explain that.

Moments passed, and change emerged within the man known as Joolbok.

Outwardly, he appeared the same, but Gu Yangcheong could tell.

Demon energy clung firmly to his lower dantian and heart.

Joolbok had become a demon within Gu Yangcheong’s hands. Observing this, Gu Yangcheong furrowed his brow.

‘Seems he has narrowly held on at the second-rate level.’

Unless one reached a certain level, they would explode when unable to handle demon energy.

He had been keeping an eye on Joolbok’s will to survive and moderate level the whole time.

That was why he had chosen him from the start.

Once you reached first-rate to peak levels, the limits in controlling demon energy would arise.

At best, it would confine them or prevent betrayal.

The transformation realm was another story entirely.

In that regard, Joolbok was just right.

A perfect level for Gu Yangcheong to manipulate.

Noticing his body had changed, Joolbok gazed at Gu Yangcheong in shock.

He seemed to sense the difference within his body after becoming a demon.

His shattered legs moved.

They weren’t entirely healed.

The demon energy merely mended the shattered bones enough to keep him upright.

Seeing this, Gu Yangcheong stood up. His expression was flat, but internally, he was quite surprised.

‘Did such a thing truly work?’

He had known it to be possible with the Heavenly Demon’s energy.

But discovering that his own demon energy could also facilitate such an event was a revelation.

Was it only possible because Joolbok had a low level? Shouldn’t being at a lower rank make it impossible?

This would require more examination.

But for now, that was sufficient.

His current goal wasn’t to fix others’ bodies with demon energy.

Once on his feet, he addressed the man.

“You have only one task.”

Joolbok looked at Gu Yangcheong with trembling eyes.

In those eyes swirled fear and reverence.

It made no sense.

How could one gaze at a being who received demon energy like that?

At least, Gu Yangcheong thought he never looked like that when he faced the Heavenly Demon.

It did not matter; his interest lay only in the safety of himself and those around him.

Gu Yangcheong continued, meeting Joolbok’s gaze.

“Relay what I said to Tang Deok.”

That was his choice for this.

As he spoke, Joolbok listened with rapt attention.

Joolbok would convey that.

“Don’t try anything funny and just show up. You failure!”

Exact words delivered to Tang Deok.

Crack—!

With a heavy sound, the stone chair was crushed in the grasp of a massive fist.

Moreover, the atmosphere trembled around the one seated upon it.

A towering man with a deep green mane.

The leader of the bandits gathering at Gui Mun Mountain, Tang Deok, repeated the words he had just heard.

“That bloody mess had the gall to say that to me.”

“Y-yes, yes, Chaeju.”

Tang Deok’s gaze fell on the one speaking.

Joolbok, was it?

He was supposed to be a subordinate to that bastard who had reached the peak last year.

Thinking of that bastard inflamed Tang Deok’s brows.

He had sent someone just to catch a glimpse of the route that vermin was taking.

‘They all died and only this bastard returned alive?’

Hah—

What’s more, he supposedly lost the artifact sent along with him?

Tang Deok emitted a slightly bemused laugh.

Crunch.

Just after he let out a slight chuckle, Tang Deok picked up a spear larger than his massive stature.

“…Knowing my name and daring to provoke me.”

So Yeomra, that was it.

What an amusing lad.

Tang Deok chuckled at Joolbok.

As he smiled, the other bandits nearby recoiled in fear.

“Joolbok.”

“Y-yes, Chaeju.”

“All is well, but…”

He still had his doubts.

“Why did you make it back alive?”

“…Chaeju…?”

Joolbok’s eyes flickered at Tang Deok’s words.

“If your brothers did not achieve their mission, neither should you have. You little shit.”

“Chaeju…! Wa-!”

“But you’re back here, unashamed? Thick-skinned, aren’t you?”

Tang Deok growled as he lifted Joolbok by the neck.

Though Joolbok was not small, he seemed utterly tiny in comparison to the massive Tang Deok.

“You useless boy… I no longer have need of trash like you.”

“P-please spare me, Chaeju! I beg you… please!”

Joolbok desperately repeated his pleas as if he were losing his mind, yet Tang Deok showed no hesitation in squeezing tighter.

“Go pray to your brothers. You little bastard.”

Crack—!

With a gruesome sound, Joolbok met his end.

At that very moment.

Voom—!

“…Huh?”

A tremor ran through Joolbok’s lifeless body, clutched in Tang Deok’s fist.

Looking at the blankness in Joolbok’s eyes, he was certain he had died.

What on earth was happening?

“What’s happening…?”

Just as Tang Deok wondered, Bang—!

From Joolbok’s body erupted a torrential stream of blood, drenching Tang Deok.

“…”

In an instant, Tang Deok was splattered with blood. Others rushed to hand him cloths to wipe it down.

Tang Deok, however, merely brushed his face with his massive hand.

And he thought.

Joolbok, who had suddenly died, was now spurting blood.

He couldn’t figure out what was going on, but he understood one thing quite well.

This was a provocation from the one who sent Joolbok.

Kuh kuh….

Tang Deok laughed loudly, wiping the blood from his face.

Hahaha—!

After laughing loudly enough to shake the room, Tang Deok grinned wide and said.

“So Yeomra, was it?”

The lad who sent Joolbok to deliver a message. That bloody mess had the audacity to demand that he come personally.

While recalling that thought, Tang Deok took a step forward.

Resolutely refusing to wipe the blood away.

‘Normally, I’d have been a bit more cautious.’

But if they dared provoke him, there was no other choice.

Tang Deok chuckled darkly, whispering quietly.

“Get the weapons ready.”

With that cue, those on standby swiftly unleashed their martial energies.

Among them, the most pronounced presence belonged to Tang Deok himself.

*

While in the midst of lunch, I suddenly felt a disturbance and looked up.

“Ah.”

“What’s wrong?”

Wi Seol-Ah asked, tilting her head as she placed a side dish on my rice.

Seeing that, I gently shook my head and grabbed a handful of rice.

“It’s nothing.”

Upon my response, Nangong Bi-ah and Moyong Hi-ah exchanged uncertain glances.

I had no intention of explaining further.

Internally, I clicked my tongue a few times.

Tsk, tsk.

‘I intended to spare him as promised.’

The reason I reacted this way was simple.

I had realized that Joolbok, that bastard, had finally died.

This was due to the curse I had placed on him.

The penalty placed on Joolbok was not just to relay a message to Tang Deok.

Should he be killed by Tang Deok, it was designed to trigger.

To have his heart explode and spurt blood.

Seeing this, it confirmed that Joolbok had indeed been killed by Tang Deok’s hand.

I hadn’t killed him myself.

I merely knew that Tang Deok would kill his subordinate like this.

‘He must have been really angry.’

Recalling Tang Deok’s fiery temper, he must be absolutely furious.

‘The groundwork has all been laid.’

Even if Tang Deok, by any chance, didn’t come personally, he would still comply with the plan’s initiation point.

For now, it was merely a matter of waiting.

“Do you want some water?”

“Sure.”

As I enjoyed the water poured by Nangong Bi-ah, I surveyed my surroundings.

Although it appeared no different than the woods I had always known, things had changed significantly.

‘Now we’ve entered Sichuan’s territory.’

As summer approached on our journey, we had now reached our destination in Sichuan’s realm.

 

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