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Nangong Jeohwi.

He was a peak-level martial artist and the current leader of the Nangong Clan.

Though not particularly strong in terms of martial prowess, he was a man who rose to the position of clan leader thanks to his exceptional political skills and intelligence, outmaneuvering his siblings.

Because of this, people often said he got lucky to become the clan leader or that he lacked the qualifications.

But in the end, since the elders and the former clan leader had chosen him,

there was no denying his position as the leader of the Nangong Clan.

‘……Blood Qi?’

The fact that Nangong Jeohwi’s body was wrapped in Blood Qi left me utterly baffled.

‘What’s going on?’

What on earth could have happened? Why was there a trace of Blood Qi in Nangong Jeohwi’s body?

I thought it might be a mistake, but…

‘No way.’

Having personally experienced the Blood Demon, I couldn’t mistake the energy in his body for anything else.

It was definitely Blood Qi.

‘Sigh.’

I sat down, deep in thought, then looked up at the ceiling. It was high. This wasn’t the cramped space of the horse carriage but a proper room.

“What are you thinking about so hard?”

Do-yun, who was unpacking his things next to me, asked.

“Nothing much. Just something on my mind.”

“Then I’ll head out for a bit.”

“Where are you going?”

“Gonna do some training.”

Do-yun said that and left.

I was currently staying in a residence inside the Nangong Clan.

Since I came in with the clan leader, there wasn’t much of an identity check.

But the problem was…

‘What’s really going on?’

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand why Nangong Jeohwi had Blood Qi in his body.

‘Was the Blood Demon already active?’

When exactly had the Blood Demon started its activities?

The fact that there was Blood Qi now meant it had been active for a while.

‘Hmm.’

Had it already reached out to the Nangong Clan? This was an unexpected situation.

‘How did Nangong Jeohwi meet his end?’

I tried to recall. He was someone I barely remembered. It couldn’t be helped.

‘He’s already dead and gone.’

Nangong Jeohwi was someone who had died during my active years.

And I didn’t know much about his death either. My own family didn’t know, so how could I know about another family’s affairs?

From what little I could remember…

‘The cause of death was a chronic illness.’

All I knew was that Nangong Jeohwi had died from a chronic illness.

But now…

‘That chronic illness…’

It seemed a bit suspicious.

‘Was it really a chronic illness?’

Death from a chronic illness wasn’t uncommon for martial artists. In fact, it was common among humans in general.

‘For a martial artist, death is…’

Whether it’s from old age, illness, or battle,

it’s usually one of those three. And among them, a chronic illness wasn’t particularly strange.

No matter how skilled or physically trained someone was,

they couldn’t escape illness.

‘In that sense, it’s not strange, but…’

Looking at it this way, it was still puzzling.

Was it because of the Blood Qi? I found myself focusing on the cause of death.

‘What is it?’

This nagging feeling? Nangong Jeohwi’s death. A chronic illness.

‘His realm wasn’t low either.’

He didn’t seem like someone who died young.

It hadn’t been long since then.

‘Aside from the Blood Qi, there’s nothing wrong with his body.’

I couldn’t see everything about his condition since I wasn’t Shin Yi, but still, nothing seemed off.

If that’s the case…

‘Could it be…’

That his death was related to the Blood Qi? And furthermore…

‘The fact that he became the clan leader…’

Could it be that his rise to the position was actually…

‘The Blood Demon’s doing?’

Could the Blood Demon have orchestrated something to make it happen?

This thought suddenly crossed my mind.

‘Hmm.’

I scratched my head.

‘This is getting ridiculous.’

I had no idea the Nangong Clan was already being targeted. Not knowing was one thing, but now that I knew, it was giving me a headache.

‘Ah, it’s not like I’m going to solve it anyway.’

It’s pointless to worry about it. Nothing’s going to change, and it’s just stressing me out for no reason.

“Ugh. Damn it.”

I was getting annoyed. It felt like I’d seen something I shouldn’t have.

Nangong Jeohwi, the Blood Demon, whatever—this isn’t the time to be worrying about that.

“Better to die than suffer.”

I got up and went outside. It was still a clear day. My father had told me to wait until he gave the order, but…

“Better than sitting still.”

It’s better to find out something. Who knows, I might learn something useful here.

Thinking that, I gathered my energy and…

*Snap.*

I flicked my finger, and an illusion of my body formed in the room.

I’d even covered the bed, so it should last for about an hour.

‘Alright, then.’

Time to move.

With that thought, I activated my stealth technique.

* * *

The interior of the Nangong Clan was vast. As one of the Four Great Clans, it was naturally expansive.

‘It feels even bigger than the last time I was here.’

Back when I came for the engagement ceremony.

The clan’s size seemed even larger than before.

It didn’t seem like they’d reduced the clan’s size due to declining influence.

‘Maybe it’s a management issue.’

Perhaps they’d scaled back due to the difficulty of managing such a large area.

‘Or maybe they reduced the Sword Team’s manpower.’

With the era of peace continuing, they might have downsized.

Well, that wasn’t important.

*Tap.*

I moved slowly, scanning my surroundings. There was only one destination in mind.

‘Where was it again?’

A place I’d been to once before.

I’d gone there with the clan leader’s permission back then, but the clan’s layout seemed different now, so it was taking a while to find.

‘Hmm.’

Where could it be?

As I searched around…

‘Ah.’

Found it.

In the distance, a small residence with four martial artists standing guard.

There was a place where people gathered.

‘Over there.’

Fortunately, it didn’t take as long as I thought it would.

*Thud.*

I landed lightly, careful not to draw attention, and then surveyed the building.

‘Looks the same as before.’

A place I had been to before. This was the Biwaegun of the Nangong Clan.

The exterior hadn’t changed much from what I remembered.

That part was fine, but…

‘How do I get in?’

My goal was inside, so I had to find a way in. What method should I use?

I pondered over it, but…

‘…No choice.’

There was only one way.

*Whoosh.*

I accelerated my body and shot forward.

*Thud-thud-thud!*

In an instant, I passed by four people. Shortly after, those who had been standing neatly collapsed.

I knocked them all out by hitting their chins.

After that, I used Void Manipulation to gather the unconscious bodies and stack them in a corner.

*Snap!*

I snapped my fingers again, using my power to create an illusion of their forms.

I made them stand quietly, then approached the door.

‘Time… about half an hour.’

At most, half an hour. Considering the shift change, that should be safe.

*Creak.*

I opened the door and stepped inside, glancing around.

The interior looked somewhat different from when I had last been here. The layout had changed.

‘Hmm.’

As I looked around, inspecting the area…

*Click.*

“…!”

I immediately sensed a presence and hid my body.

‘What’s this?’

There’s a presence inside?

‘Who is it?’

Who could have entered this place? As I wondered, hiding in the darkness…

“…I already said I wouldn’t do it. Why do you keep pestering me? It’s disgusting, really.”

A voice was heard.

“Why would I bother with such a hassle? I’m already getting enough side-eye from the clan. Why should I do it? Get someone else. My brother may have a temper, but he’s good at his job. Should I introduce you?”

The tone was slick, dripping with annoyance.

Hearing this, I narrowed my eyes.

‘This voice and tone.’

I had heard it before. Ah, could it be?

I moved slightly, trying to get a better look. The figure, previously obscured by bookshelves, finally came into view.

‘Ah.’

I widened my eyes. Just as I expected.

A white-haired young man was sitting in the center of Biwaegun, staring at something.

A sword hilt without a blade, hanging on the wall.

The sword that the Demon Sword Queen had used, and which Nangong Bi-ah now carried.

‘Thunder Fang.’

A treasure representing the Nangong Clan. The divine sword that Nangong Ming had used centuries ago.

‘If that’s the case…’

Then the person in front of me must be the one I suspected.

Just as I was about to approach for a clearer look…

“Huh? What?”

The young man suddenly turned around.

“…Someone’s here? Oh, old man, don’t be ridiculous.”

“…”

“Huh?”

Our eyes met. His face was visible.

It was him.

The young man was none other than Nangong Hyeong.

* * *

Meanwhile, in the Head House of the Nangong Clan…

“Thank you for coming.”

A conversation was taking place.

Nangong Jeohwi faced the young man in front of him, the most talked-about Late-Stage Talent in the Central Plains.

Shin Ryong, Gu Cheolun.

‘…Impressive.’

The youngest Deputy Lord of the Blue Dragon Clan.

He had suddenly appeared and was gaining attention, but I hadn’t expected him to be this remarkable.

‘This much…’

Nangong Jeohwi couldn’t help but marvel at Gu Cheolun.

‘I can’t see it.’

How much power does he possess? It wasn’t visible to the eye. This meant that the young man before him was either on par with him or…

‘Stronger.’

Even stronger.

Despite his own lack of talent in martial arts, to be compared to a Late-Stage Talent…

‘The Mount Shan Clan, was it?’

The Gu Clan of Mount Shan. He had heard of them. He had also been warned not to get involved with them, but…

‘To think such a figure would emerge from there.’

For such a genius to appear from a place that rarely made itself known… It was hard not to feel envy.

Nangong Jin wasn’t lacking, but faced with someone like this, even jealousy couldn’t help but arise.

“Not at all. I came under orders.”

“Regardless, you’ve come to assist our clan. For that, I am grateful.”

He pushed aside his thoughts. Envy was envy.

Now was the time for business.

“As mentioned in the letter, this concerns a matter of importance.”

“Yes.”

“Recently, there have been anomalies at the Demonic Gate in Anhui.”

“…”

Anomalies at the Demonic Gate.

Hearing this, Gu Cheolun’s eyebrows twitched.

“The time for the Great Demonic Gate is approaching, and this time it’s Anhui’s turn. The Nangong Clan must act.”

“Yes.”

The Great Demonic Gate.

So it’s Anhui’s turn.

Upon hearing this, Nangong Jeohwi spoke.

“I’ve heard that the state of the Great Demonic Gate is unusual.”

“In what way?”

“It’s different from its usual form. That is to say…”

He paused briefly before continuing.

“Red.”

“…!”

“The Demonic Gate is tinged with red.”

At these words, Gu Cheolun’s eyes narrowed.

 

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