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People possess a vast array of emotions.

Primarily referred to as the five desires and seven emotions (오욕칠정).

The five desires and seven emotions encompass the fundamental feelings of humanity, and it’s said that transcending these entirely leads to the state of liberation…

Honestly, I don’t know much about that.

I’ve never really cared about that aspect.

“What’s important here is…”

Whether it’s the desire for physical gratification or the craving for wealth.

Or perhaps the thirst for honor and fame.

All of it requires one to strive for survival to obtain it.

Thus, the most crucial desire must be the will to live.

The heart that yearns to sustain life.

The craving not to die.

Perhaps that’s the most significant desire for a human.

As I observed the middle-aged man kneeling, I pondered this.

The living proof of that was this middle-aged man himself.

Huangbo Yeolwi of the Tiger Fist Techniques.

A Transformation Realm Martial Artist who had ascended to the ranks of the famed masters.

As the leader of the Huangbo Clan, he didn’t particularly possess anything deficient or outstanding.

Just a clan master of a great house.

That’s the kind of stature he presented.

“Rumor has it that Wudang has made contact.”

Now, he had degenerated into a demon.

With caution, the master of Tiger Fist elaborated on my words.

“…That’s correct. A few months ago, an attempt was made to approach our clan.”

“And the reason is?”

“To request an invitation and an official letter from the clan leader congratulating us for the upcoming martial arts tournament.”

“An official letter from the clan leader….”

I nodded at the words of Huangbo Yeolwi.

“Even if we brush aside the request for attendance.”

This is a festival that the alliance is diligently preparing.

Naturally, inviting a noble house like the Huangbo Clan is to be expected.

“To request an official letter for congratulations implies….”

I stroked my chin while my eyes sparkled.

“Is it that the Master wants to solidify his position further?”

With his less than solid standing compared to previous clan leaders, one could assume this was an attempt to secure a firmer position.

If other great houses or noble clans sent congratulatory letters, it would signal their support for the Master.

“Such could have been the meaning for the request, but…”

What struck me as odd was:

“The fact that Wudang initiated contact directly.”

The fact that Wudang made the effort themselves indicates a significant notion.

Their members or even the followers of the Master didn’t make the move.

It was surprising that Wudang sought out a noble house out of nowhere to relay the alliance’s matters.

This should have stirred some unease within me.

“Are they trying to make their intention clear?”

Wudang participating in the alliance’s affairs.

This signifies that Wudang openly supports the Martial Alliance through their actions.

“I’d take this as a declaration of intent.”

That would mean that Cheon-an, the sect leader who claims to perceive the flow of time and humanity, has declared his support for the current Martial Alliance.

“Was there any other contact?”

“…None reported.”

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue at what I heard.

“This doesn’t differ much from what I heard last time.”

It was no different from the information I had received through Nahi. That was the problem.

“There’s clearly something more.”

The information coming from Shandong had already reached me through Nahi.

I thought there’d be some different information, yet there was none.

“For now, I understand.”

Hiding my disappointment, I saw Huangbo Yeolwi bow his head deeper.

I watched him closely.

He seemed much more stable now.

The martial artist of the great house was as sturdy as one would expect.

This stable demeanor also showed in the Qi he harbored within himself.

Since he ascended to the transformation realm as a martial artist, his internal conditions seemed quite sound.

However.

There was a subtle hint of instability that was barely perceptible.

I had to look closely to notice it.

After scanning Huangbo Yeolwi’s aura, I slightly nodded.

“Not bad.”

What was initially a state of anxiety was now in recovery and apparent stability.

“Your complexion looks good. You look well.”

“Thanks to the blessings from the Cult Leader…”

Upon hearing this, I squinted my eyes.

“It appears the Poison Heavenly Pill has been almost fully absorbed.”

Based on the augmentation of his Qi, it seemed to be true.

“After feeding him three doses, it’d be crazy if he didn’t recover.”

The Poison Heavenly Pill was equivalent to the Great Return Pill from Wudang in value.

I had fed him three doses.

It was necessary.

Huangbo Yeolwi’s body had been in ruins.

This was also the reason he had fallen into my hands.

The rumors of the Huangbo Clan leader not being in good health had caused him to avoid public appearances for years.

He had been laying low, but a year ago, he began to show himself again.

In stark contrast to the rumors about his health.

Thanks to that, the Huangbo Clan, which had been wavering, started firming up its foundations.

But if we’re being honest, the rumors were true.

Huangbo Yeolwi had indeed been nearing death at that time.

“That was due to the traits of the Huangbo Clan.”

Clan.

The flaw of the specialized martial arts that only the direct lineage could receive.

Due to the ruthless cultivation of external abilities and the use of ferocious martial arts, the combat style of the Huangbo clan consumed life force as they aged.

In the process, many suffered from external diseases that deteriorated their bodies.

Muscles deteriorated, and internal vessels were affected, leading to the end of life.

That was his vulnerability.

“A desire for life.”

“Fall.”

“Then I shall save you.”

That was the condition I laid out before Huangbo Yeolwi.

Gradually deteriorating, he consented far too easily.

With the regeneration ability obtained from becoming a demon.

Along with the Poison Heavenly Pill that would mend his damaged Qi.

There were further processes to undergo, but ultimately, the decisive reason Huangbo Yeolwi had turned into a demon was:

-I’ll ensure you a place among the Four Great Clans, just as you longed for.

I would elevate the Huangbo Clan to the status of the Four Great Clans.

That must have stirred something within him.

The primal desire to survive.

Alongside the sense of honor that came with being the clan leader.

I had dug into that, and far easier than I anticipated, Huangbo Yeolwi plunged into the depths of demonhood.

“Until then, the Huangbo Clan has remained in the back ranks.”

The clan was best suited for the Four Great Clans, yet it had always lagged behind great houses slightly.

This was clearly the legacy of past leaders of the Huangbo Clan.

To end such a legacy within his own generation.

Thus, he aspired to become the greatest leader of the Huangbo Clan in history.

That became Huangbo Yeolwi’s greatest desire.

While I returned his health, I’d assist him in executing that.

Huangbo Yeolwi merely clasped hands with me.

“Merely exploiting that gap.”

While the expenditures appeared substantial.

I had gained a valuable pawn, so it wasn’t such a significant cost.

“The Poison Heavenly Pill can just be created if needed.”

I already had the manufacturing method in hand.

Based on that, production had already begun.

Naturally, this was handled by the Tang Clan.

Very secretly, too.

“The Lesser Clan leader mentioned…. They seem to expect results by the end of this year, at the latest.”

It had been lost for centuries, so I didn’t expect to replicate it exactly like the original. But anything coming out would be good enough.

“What about the other request I placed?”

“The measures regarding the branch family have been dealt with as instructed.”

This referred to the branch family of the Huangbo Clan.

About Muk-Gwon.

“Though it’s not about direct lineage, I’ve reduced the absurdities he had been suffering till now…”

I had taken suitable measures so he could live more comfortably.

“Also…”

Huangbo Yeolwi’s expression brightened as he continued.

“I’ve prepared a gathering of the Elder Council to name the Second Prince as a Lesser Clan Leader.”

Referring to Huangbo Cheolwi.

“I once mentioned it.”

The First Prince, Huangbo Cheok was utter trash, and I planned to elevate Huangbo Cheolwi to clan leader.

Preparations for that were also in motion.

“Not bad. You did well.”

A slight smile graced my lips.

Not bad at all.

The plan seemed to progress smoothly.

So I spoke to Huangbo Yeolwi.

“Prepare the remaining things as well. The time will soon come.”

“…!”

“Isn’t it time to head out? For the Four Great Clans, I mean.”

The time would be after the martial arts tournament concludes.

Or,

“During the tournament.”

I’d arrange things according to the situation, but the fundamental timing would be then.

It was time to lay a solid foundation.

“…I’ll dedicate this insignificant life entirely to the Cult Leader.”

Huangbo Yeolwi bowed his head almost to the floor.

I watched him with a cool gaze.

Then, dedicate your life.

“That’s exactly why I utilize you.”

There were no issues with the plan.

The only unforeseen situation would be the involvement of Wudang.

“I need to make sure to convey this part clearly to Jiegal Hyeok.”

I had a brilliant strategist on this side, so I would place my trust there.

It’s uncertain if that fellow would act as I wished, though.

As I was organizing these thoughts in my mind.

“Yangcheon.”

I heard a voice calling me from the side.

It was Cheol Jiseon.

Shifting my gaze, he pulled something from his clothes and handed it to me.

“…This is a message from the strategist.”

“Hmm?”

Noticing Cheol Jiseon looked somewhat uncomfortable, I realized it was a letter from Jiegal Hyeok.

‘Looks like he’s still not okay with it.’

Both Shin Yi and Cheol Jiseon don’t seem to have very good feelings toward Jiegal Hyeok.

Since that odd behavior began as soon as they learned he was Shin Yi’s grandson, there had to be some latent issue there.

‘He’ll manage on his own.’

I didn’t want to interfere further.

I was too busy to have the luxury to care about that matter.

I opened the received letter instead.

Inside were a few lines written in brief, all concerning the information I had requested and orders conveyed.

-Checked the child of the Master of the Flying Dragon. Assigned as ordered.

Looks like they’ve found Beomdong’s daughter.

The orders were to maintain surveillance, so they must have deployed personnel for that.

In addition,

-Wudang has been noted for unusual activities.

‘Hmm?’

Something unusual was written.

-Identified to be covertly collecting treasures.

‘Collecting treasures?’

From Wudang?

If Jiegal Hyeok put it in writing, it was likely accurate. Was there even a reason for Wudang to collect treasures?

‘What are they planning?’

It felt concerning.

I could sense instinctually.

‘What kind of trickery are they up to?’

It was evident that Wudang was poised to undertake something shady.

‘Tsk, it’s quite unfortunate the King of Demons is absent.’

As it stood, sending someone to Wudang to gain intel would be the fastest option.

Considering my previous actions and the fact that the Master was in Hanam, their guards would likely be doubled compared to normal times.

The only one capable of infiltrating and obtaining information was undoubtedly the King of Demons.

‘Even though I told him to return, he’s not coming, so it seems he must be busy with something.’

What should I do?

After a brief deliberation, a light flickered in my eyes.

‘…I do have one option.’

A means to extract information from Wudang.

While it may not be as sure a bet as the King of Demons, I still had one method at hand.

I’d prepare this aspect in the near future.

‘And finally.’

Reading the last line on the letter caused me to stiffen for a moment.

“Ha. Look at this?”

A laugh escaped my lips.

It was impossible not to.

The final line of the letter from Jiegal Hyeok read:

-There’s a high possibility that the Sword King will attend the martial arts tournament “in person.” Pay close attention.

Information I had never expected, and

“Well, this just keeps getting more interesting, doesn’t it?”

It was another development that I was secretly hoping would not happen.

 

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