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I had a few things I wanted to confirm with the Gyecheon Sect Leader.

Firstly, can I use Demon Energy with a power similar to Pa Ma after ascending to greatness?

If my flames can now burn other foreign energies, what will happen to the Demon Energy within my body?

There was no significant issue in conducting that experiment.

I don’t know if I should be thankful, but the power I dubbed Pa Ma didn’t erase my Demon Energy. As always, it was not a problem to turn into a Demon.

The Demon Energy continued to thrive separately, and I used that to transform the Gyecheon Sect Leader into a Demon.

During that process, the Technique of the Flame Wheel showed no reaction at all.

A completely different energy. It felt as if it wasn’t being judged as an enemy.

Strange and alien, but that’s exactly how it was to describe it.

‘How fascinating.’

So, it cleanses what needs to be cleansed while leaving the rest alone.

I still hadn’t figured out the changed efficacy of the flames, so I didn’t know the specifics.

In any case, I could continue to use the Demon Energy.

Now that I had turned the Gyecheon Sect Leader into a Demon, I had to start asking him what I was curious about.

The first question was.

– What is Ilcheongyo?

What exactly is Ilcheongyo, and why is the Gyecheon Sect entangled with it?

In response to my question, the Gyecheon Sect Leader answered.

– …Ilcheongyo is… true justice.

– True justice?

– Yes. Ilcheongyo is… true justice amidst a decayed world. We… simply follow its meaning.

True justice. What a ridiculous notion.

Where is true justice in this world?

It’s a world filled with fools masquerading as righteousness.

– Explain in more detail. Why is Ilcheongyo truly justice?

– Because its roots are different. The current alliance… is fake.

– That’s not a detailed explanation. Speak properly.

I frowned while talking. This guy felt off.

‘His words keep getting shorter.’

It wasn’t just that he was speaking informally; if he became a Demon, he should have been compelled to obey me because of the Demon Energy.

It meant he was forced to observe some etiquette.

‘It didn’t really work.’

Despite being turned into a Demon, he wasn’t showing perfect obedience to me.

It felt like something was resisting, perhaps?

– Ilcheongyo… Il…cheongyo follows the will of that person…

Even now, in front of me, he refers to someone as ‘that person.’ It was proof that something was wrong.

With a calm gaze, I asked him.

– Who is that person?

– A deity. The god who will save this world…

– So, that deity created Ilcheongyo?

– …Uh…

He moves as if in pain mid-sentence.

– Answer me.

I asked again.

– Ugh… that person… didn’t involve themselves in matters like this… so we simply follow their will…

– By will, what do you mean?

– It’s the noble intent to restore this defiled world to its original state.

– Ah…

I was feeling a helluva lot of frustration. Am I asking the wrong questions?

If he answers like this, I can’t learn anything.

So I changed my approach.

– Is the ‘that person’ you refer to still alive?

– …That person can be judged by their life.

– Damn it. Have you met them directly in the last ten years? Just answer that.

– Yes.

Hearing the answer, I nodded. This is good.

I would squeeze out expected answers and confirm them with ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ This seemed the best approach.

I hated thinking, but it couldn’t be helped.

– So, did that person orchestrate this situation too?

The unknown corpse in the pond and the Inner Altar floating inside it too.

Looking at the state of things, it was clear that it couldn’t have been created by an ordinary human.

The very essence of this space was a problem.

‘There are definitely perceptual distortions, as well as soundproofing and something akin to a formation set up.’

There was more than one strange arrangement nearby.

I could tell the moment I laid my eyes on them.

‘This isn’t simply a formation.’

There were certainly odd elements that didn’t add up.

Despite not being an expert on formations, I couldn’t ignore this.

It was that bizarre.

So, when I asked him, the Gyecheon Sect Leader answered.

– …This is the blessing of that person…

I thought it was ridiculous nonsense. So, this unknown entity created this situation?

– Then, what about that corpse and the Inner Altar? What are their purposes?

That was a tricky thing to ask for a yes or no answer. I decided to draw information first.

Just as I was worried I’d get another cockamamie answer…

– That was left by that person to make a vessel.

– A vessel? What kind of vessel and how do you make it?

– That is…

Listening to his explanation, I frowned.

They plunge several outstanding individuals from the Gyecheon Sect into that pond. If they soak for at least two time points a day for five years, their bodies begin to change.

‘Can it really be that simple?’

It’s not some potion or anything. Or rather, should I say snake soup?

In any case.

‘Perhaps this is the reason why those from Gyecheon Sect had better complexions and realms than anticipated.’

The Gyecheon Sect Leader’s hair being black.

And why his realm had reached the Transformation Realm contrary to the information I had.

All thanks to that pond?

‘A pond that artificially increases one’s realm.’

Aside from the white corpse and the yellow water, nothing particularly stood out. If there were such incredible effects, then.

‘In my previous life, it was said that the opportunity was gained in Biwaegun.’

An idea surfaced.

It was said that the Gyecheon Sect Leader saw a tree with white leaves in his previous life.

That could have been the seedling buried underground.

‘What if…’

Just what if.

‘If the disappearance of Biwaegun created a warped future?’

What if something changed because I sought out Biwaegun first this time instead of my previous life?

‘That could very well be possible.’

Having experienced it several times, this was sufficient to warrant suspicion.

It was a known fact that the Gyecheon Sect Leader grew stronger due to his connection with the Biwaegun.

If he ends up in this situation despite having twisted that future…

‘It could be one of two options.’

Either they didn’t acquire the Biwaegun, or this was the result of events from his previous life.

‘Or, something went wrong with the Biwaegun and this situation was created to fix it.’

I could think of two potential scenarios. The commonality between these two was.

‘Regardless of which, some outsider led to this.’

It was not an event solely orchestrated by the Gyecheon Sect Leader; it meant there was someone behind it.

And that someone is.

‘The one he praises so highly, that person.’

As my eyes began to wander, the Gyecheon Sect Leader added.

– Once we finish purifying the vessels… we can finally hold the Wishful Pearl.

– The Wishful Pearl? You mean the Inner Altars?

– Comparing such Inner Altars to me… Tsk!

The Gyecheon Sect Leader clutched his head and stumbled.

He seemed to be in a bad condition. I needed to ask him everything quickly.

– Answer me.

– The Wishful Pearl… is the only way for a lowly human to become a great… being.

– A great being would be…

I frowned, recalling their appearances.

– Are you referring to dragons?

– …!

At my words, the Gyecheon Sect Leader’s eyes widened.

It seemed I was right.

They change their bodies in that water, and when the time comes, they consume the Wishful Pearl to fully bloom.

‘So that’s why he gave off a similar vibe to the King of Demons.’

A half-dragon. The reason he had a similar scent to the cursed demon who became a dragon.

More precisely.

‘It was stronger than the King of Demons.’

That’s how it felt.

Moreover.

‘The reason he hadn’t consumed the Inner Altar until now, and now suddenly did, means…’

It likely hadn’t been five years since the process began.

‘Five years ago, it would have been shortly after I raided Biwaegun.’

It was probably only a year or so since then. The timeframe was suspicious.

– As expected… You… guys…

I almost referred to him as ‘you,’ but changed my words. It felt like something was clashing inside me with the Demon Energy.

– Good. All good, but…

Leaving aside everything I mentioned earlier.

– Then, what the hell are you planning to do with this?

What was the Gyecheon Sect scheming under the name of Ilcheongyo? I needed to know that.

– …We… we…

– We.

– We will… establish new… justice according to that person’s will…

I quickly interpreted it.

– I’ll ask again.

I locked eyes with him and asked once more.

– You’re establishing new justice. Does that mean you’re going to eliminate the Martial Alliance and take their place?

– …Ugh…

The Gyecheon Sect Leader began to tremble.

– Speak.

– …Yes.

Hearing the answer, I clenched my teeth.

‘So their goal was rebellion after all.’

These guys had an absurdly negative perception of the alliance.

While being manipulated by something in the background, they were plotting this.

The reason could be termed as a rebellion or reform.

However, the problem is.

‘This event hadn’t existed in my previous life.’

If they were truly gathering forces and conspiring a war, something should have happened in my former life.

‘But nothing did.’

The only war that happened in my previous life was the Righteous-Demonic War. So it meant.

‘It either collapsed before it even began, or it erupted only after I died.’

That was the right viewpoint.

‘Not easy indeed.’

I confirmed the reasons and the objectives, but without clear results from my previous life, things were ambiguous.

‘Especially concerning that person. The one behind this.’

What on earth was he? Not only did he create this environment, but he also forced the transformation into a dragon.

There’s no way he could be human. If not.

‘Is he the Blood Demon?’

The thought crossed my mind. The Blood Demon—the one I was most wary of at present.

Isn’t this the place where he is up to no good?

Reflecting on that, I unconsciously said it out loud.

– The name is awful. How can you name it Ilcheongyo? What’s with that name, Ilcheongyo?

Why a thousand, specifically? It struck me as ridiculous, and I let it slip.

– Watch your words… That name was derived from the great… name of that person…

– What?

I burst out laughing at the Gyecheon Sect Leader’s statement.

– Derived from that name? What nonsense is that? Is a thousand even a name?

– Yes.

I squinted at the Gyecheon Sect Leader’s reaction.

I felt something cold.

Realizing that, I asked.

– That person’s name… is it Yeon Ilcheon?

– …

There was no answer. That was more alarming.

– Speak. Does that mean Yeon Ilcheon is still alive? Make yourself clear.

I grabbed him by the collar and asked again. At the same time, I brought up my Demon Energy. I had to get an answer somehow.

In that moment.

– …Yes….

The Gyecheon Sect Leader answered me.

– That person… Yeon Ilcheon is… alive…

With that last statement, the Gyecheon Sect Leader lost his mind.

And the atmosphere became frigid in an instant.

Yeon Ilcheon is alive.

That statement held various meanings for me.

The central figure who thwarted the Blood Calamity.

The unrivaled figure of the world, the supreme warrior Yeon Ilcheon.

He still leaves his name in history and played a significant role in forming the current Martial Alliance.

Moreover.

‘He’s a person who experienced the same event as I did.’

A returnee like me, someone who has returned through time. And.

‘He’s the one who views me as a calamity.’

The calamity that would engulf the world—he’d labeled me as that.

But.

‘Alive?’

Is he really alive? How can that be possible?

Ilcheongyo. I didn’t like the name from the start, but it was truly named after Yeon Ilcheon.

‘No wonder it felt strange.’

All that talk of roots and true justice must’ve been because of him.

Was he the one who had been associating with that name?

My head felt dizzy.

Had Yeon Ilcheon appeared and orchestrated all of this?

I couldn’t understand. Hundreds of years had passed. How could Yeon Ilcheon still be alive?

‘Did what Nei Cheon Ilgeum said imply something like this?’

When he borrowed Woo Hyeok’s body in the North Sea, he told me.

– Don’t trust Yeon Ilcheon.

I didn’t understand why the comrade I relied on would say such a thing then.

‘Could it be because of this?’

He might know something.

‘If that’s the case, I might really have to go.’

With the problems piling up, my destination has become clearer. Most of the incidents point in one direction.

‘Shin Gang…’

The place where the Heavenly Demon Sect existed in my last life.

It seemed I had to head there. My instincts tell me that.

No, even without instincts, it felt that way.

Whenever something strange occurs, everyone said it.

To return to Shin Gang quickly.

“Sigh…”

I let out a sigh and moved my body.

Fine. I understand I have to go, and regardless, I had to.

But first, I needed to resolve what lay before me.

Step by step.

After emerging from the underground and returning to the alliance, I headed to the residence of the Blue Dragon.

As I arrived at the location, countless people inside looked at me.

Feeling their gaze, I shouted.

[Listen up.]

Whoa—

The sound of my voice amplified, resonating around the area.

Has he awakened? I hope so, but it doesn’t really matter either way.

[This Great Lord is the Gyecheon Sect that the current Martial Alliance is monitoring. They have confirmed that they are colluding with the Demonic Sect, just as this main sect suspected.]

–!!

Everyone’s eyes widened at my words.

It was unexpected news that had fallen overnight.

That wasn’t all.

[Moreover.]

I gradually began to raise my Qi while continuing.

[With the Demonic Sect instigating a rebellion, the Gyecheon Sect Leader and a member of the Main Sect in Tai Shan.]

Crack! The gathered energy began to spread around my body.

[We have secured evidence that Il Cheonggeom of the Blue Dragon is involved.]

Sruung–!!

The members of the Star Dragon behind me raised their energy, preparing for combat.

[In the name of the Star Dragon, I will execute the criminal right here.]

I casually uttered as I stepped forward.

It was time for a clean-up before attending to the important matters.

 

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