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The Destruction of the Seven Star Gate.

Ilma’s face hardened.

“This is a big deal. Following the destruction of the Seven Star Gate, Blood Sea Member Wolhyang is now missing…”

“Who exactly is Blood Sea Member Wolhyang?”

“She is the Second Seat of the Blood Sea. Considering sheer combat ability, she is not any weaker than the First Seat. She’s not someone who would just get beaten up and wander off. It’s not in her nature. Yet, if she’s gone missing, it must be a much bigger issue…”

Ilma started pacing around the room.

“The Seven Star Gate is a major sect for creating spirit elixirs in the Nachal Sect. The Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan they produce is one of the finest elixirs, no doubt with immense value. You could even call it a supreme elixir. The Nachal Sect possesses only a handful of these, and their usage can only be determined by the Nachal Sect Lord… So, the significance of the Seven Star Gate is considerable. It’s like poking a hornet’s nest, turning the entire Nachal Sect into an enemy.”

“…….”

“Eungmin is the area of Wolhyang’s activity. It’s also where the Seven Star Gate is located. It’s quite a wealthy region. But no matter how much I think about it, I can’t comprehend it. Did Wolhyang get taken by someone? That can’t be true…?”

Ilma continued to mumble to himself as he searched for answers to his own questions.

“This is one of the biggest incidents in recent times. There are even rumors that the manufacturing method of the Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan is circulating, so high-level cultivators from our sect will surely flock to Eungmin. The power of the Seven Star Gate itself is weak… If there’s any survivor left, it would be easy to snatch that away. And is that all? Other sects will certainly join in, claiming to help the Nachal Sect. It will be chaos. Ideally, the Master should step in to bring balance… but he likely won’t. He’ll see it as a good opportunity for testing.”

“A test, you say…?”

“The term of the current Master is nearing its end. The next Heavenly Demon will be decided among the sect leaders. Their qualities won’t be judged solely by martial prowess. Many factors will be considered. The term ‘Heavenly Demon’ refers to the strongest person within our sect as a whole. However, that strength doesn’t just refer to one’s individual power. This may have been the case in the past, but the current Master has set a different definition.”

Ilma sighed.

“The next Heavenly Demon will be one who not only has strong power but can also build the strongest faction. That’s why there’s been tension among the sect leaders. Whoever is selected this time won’t just be a powerful martial artist but a firm leader. A person capable of uniting the entire sect. Therefore… they will certainly pay close attention to how this incident is handled. It will be noisy within our sect.”

“…Is it alright for me to be listening to this?”

“What reason do you have to not listen? You are a member of the Pursuit Spirit Pavilion. Jeok-un. As my subordinate, there’s no reason you shouldn’t.”

“……!”

At those words, I blinked in surprise. After hearing it once, seeing the change in treatment right before my eyes felt quite strange.

I reached out subtly, knowing it was rude but my overwhelmed heart acted on its own.

I took Ilma’s hand gently.

“W-what are you doing?!”

“……”

“What’s this… h-huh…”

Ilma poked my cheek.

“You said you didn’t have tears, yet it seems like you’ve got something welling up. You foolish child.”

“…It’s sweat.”

“Sweat, my foot.”

Ilma chuckled, squeezing my hand once before letting go.

“For now, focus on your training. What you need to do remains unchanged. Continue as you have. Don’t forget to bring the secret arts and work on Blood Shadow Dual Flowers. From the fifth form of Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique, it is a martial art that deals with the use of strong energy, so mastering it will be quite difficult. If you find anything confusing, come to me. You don’t have to take care of tasks for a while.”

“Isn’t there too much work for you alone to handle?”

“It’s just another day, not like it’s my first. I managed just fine when you weren’t around. After all, there’s nothing for you to help with right now.”

“…I will improve until I reach my limits.”

“Just until you reach them. Rest is also part of training.”

I grabbed the Ear Sword.

Finding a reason to work harder, I gripped it tightly.

Ear Sword Bai Ya was acting up.

…

I increased my martial arts training, but it wasn’t that I couldn’t hear anything at all.

The situation seemed extremely serious. News was still swirling around Eungmin, and the identity of the last heir of the Seven Star Gate seemed to remain unknown.

As time passed, Ilma’s shadows grew heavier too.

“The Master has forbidden direct involvement. They said to give up on Blood Sea Member Wolhyang.”

Wolhyang.

Whoever she was, one thing was certain—she was someone treasured by Ilma. He even took the Blood Demon Corps out of operation to chase after her traces.

While involvement from the Blood Sea was forbade, the intervention of the Blood Demon Corps had been permitted by the Heavenly Demon. However, the level of the Blood Demon Corps wasn’t particularly high, so reliable results couldn’t be expected.

“If we couldn’t find a body, then Wolhyang is alive. She’s that type of woman.”

“Is she someone precious?”

“She participated in founding the Blood Sea. She’s an invaluable asset we cannot afford to lose.”

Though she was described as an asset, it sounded more familial.

As Ilma had mentioned, Eungmin was gradually descending into chaos. Various sects began to gather their forces, and many rogue demons also made appearances.

Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan. The name held great significance. Even three months after the incident, Eungmin remained in a chaotic state.

“Though the Nachal Sect has openly refused assistance, the influences of the Manma Sect and the Heuksajong have subtly been seeping into Eungmin. If the Nachal Sect points this out, the other two sects claim that their non-sect warriors cannot control themselves and are acting out.”

“But in reality, they must be giving orders from behind.”

“It isn’t common for a single sect within our organization to face ‘destruction’. This isn’t merely a problem for the Nachal Sect; it’s a whole sect matter, so the Nachal must be unable to completely seal off access. Currently, the scent of blood reaches new heights in Eungmin nearly every day. With rogue demons seeping in, it’s like returning to the founding times of our sect.”

“What you’re saying is…”

“Eungmin has become a place where only the ‘logic of power’ is valid. A region where the words of the strong hold weight. Those nostalgic for the past must be overjoyed. Coincidentally, the Blood Sea Member in charge of maintaining order has gone missing, leaving no one to stop the rampant individuals.”

The situation was chaotic. Therefore, I asked.

“Who’s doing this?”

“I don’t know. It could be the work of another sect. Or perhaps a third party has emerged. I cannot directly investigate. The Master has explicitly forbidden it, so neither I nor any other Blood Sea Member can enter Eungmin. If Wolhyang were safe, she could’ve quelled the chaos through her role overseeing the region… but with her gone…”

Ilma turned his head away.

“There’s no justification to intervene. We have no way to locate her, so waiting is our only option.”

“Should I go myself…”

“Currently, Eungmin is crawling with madmen. Even if your level of achievement is quite decent, that doesn’t mean it translates fully within our sect.”

She clasped her hands.

“Magic Techniques. They progress quickly, but the martial arts that always require a mental struggle allow for faster power accumulation if one renounces their humanity. Many exist within our sect. Such individuals are called demons. Insane fiends who focus solely on personal greed. They haven’t caused major incidents, but they’ve been left alone because their strength might prove useful later… Still, the majority are reckless maniacs. Without affiliation, they run rampant. Of course, they possess some reason, so they generally don’t cause disasters… but…”

I flicked my forehead.

“Currently, Eungmin is different. With the Blood Sea absent to contain the demons, it’s become lawless. The demons are unchecked. If they rampage, there’s no one to stop them.”

“……”

“I’m not downgrading your martial arts. However, facing demons who have forsaken their humanity presents many challenges. A simple gap in levels won’t guarantee victory in every battle. Strong energy can get overwhelmed by a blade. Many lose their lives without ever crossing swords. Hostages are everywhere, and they relentlessly target the weaknesses of their opponents. It’s not just a tale of swords clashing. Their world is one of slaughter. Those you’ve faced are those who have built their martial arts ‘systematically’ and mostly stand by a sense of honor. However, the martial arts of the demons are fundamentally different, so their swords hold no mercy.”

“…Then…”

“I won’t be sending you to Eungmin. It’s not your responsibility, so don’t worry about it.”

It was a somewhat cold statement. Nonetheless, I realized at the end that Ilma was thinking of me.

Demons.

I did not fully understand their cunning. What I knew was simply that those referred to as demons were driven by slaughter and would commit any acts for their personal greed.

So, I asked.

“What if… to defeat a demon with a magic technique of the same level, whom I’ve never faced before… how should I go about it?”

“At the same level? Hmm. Unless there’s a complete difference in levels… If you thoroughly master Blood Shadow Dual Flowers, the story might change. A martial art that deals with strong energy has different tiers. Anything below a certain standard will be crushed head-on.”

Ilma patted my shoulder.

“The Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique I’ve modified is far from a weak martial art. In fact, if you learn it fully… it’s a martial art that can bring out the essence of weights to the extreme. Don’t doubt it and press on, Jeok-un.”

It wasn’t that I was in doubt.

I was merely inquiring about the conditions.

I stepped away. Just like any other time, I stood in the underground training hall and focused on my breathing.

I recalled Ilma’s expression. Even while trying to act nonchalant, the end of his words was slightly trembling.

Wolhyang. I didn’t know exactly who she was, but it was clear she must be someone close enough to rattle Ilma.

The Blood Sea could not move.

The Blood Demon Corps could move but lacked the strength.

In the gap between the two, there was only me who could meet both conditions. However, Ilma thought I wasn’t ready to leave for Eungmin.

…Then I just need to grow.

If I have deficiencies, I only need to fill them.

I want to help the one who has helped me. I don’t want to see that person sad.

With that singular thought, my body moved.

If there’s a message I want to convey, it must be in martial matters.

That’s the best I can do.

…

“Master!”

Ilma rubbed his temples. Recently, he had accumulated many tasks to handle.

His sleeping hours dwindled as the nights stretched longer without rest.

Three months since the Seven Star Gate’s demise.

And now it’s been another three months.

Even after six months, the workload hadn’t decreased. In fact, it only increased.

…But.

It wasn’t only a lack of time that kept me from sleeping.

“Ilma. Let it go. Wolhyang isn’t exactly a well-behaved person, is she? Three months have passed, yet no news. This lack of news likely indicates death. Don’t dwell on the deceased. I’ll be utilizing this incident as a crucial challenge for the next Heavenly Demon. Your involvement would disrupt the balance.”

The burden of one who looks at an individual differs from that of one who sees the whole.

Knowing this, Ilma remained silent. To go against the Heavenly Demon’s words was beyond imagination.

…Yet sometimes, it would echo.

The warm voice drawing closer without reason.

Though others called him the Mad Dragon, he never acted differently toward himself. Just recalling his smiling face made my feet jittery.

For that Wolhyang to be dead.

That can’t be true. The Second Seat of the Blood Sea isn’t a light position. Even I went so far as to spare for her.

If no body was found, she couldn’t really be dead. Perhaps she was injured and had gone into hiding somewhere.

…But if that were the case… she should have revealed her name by now…

Is she really gone?

Wolhyang.

My mind was spinning. Still, there was nothing I could do.

Why must relationships be so complicated?

Ilma choked down bitter tea to keep himself awake. Even when he finished his work and lay down to sleep, he couldn’t close his eyes and got up again.

He wandered the estate. Letting the moonlight guide him, he walked aimlessly.

A warrior’s life is like a leaf resting upon a sword’s edge. You never know when it might snap, so waking up today doesn’t guarantee you’ll be alive tomorrow.

Ilma himself understood this fate. Yet, the reason he wished to hold on was…

It’s not a relationship that can be expressed merely in a single sentence.

“…….”

Sleep doesn’t come.

Will I truly be able to sleep tomorrow…?

—Woosh.

Ilma turned his head. Following the sound that broke through his fatigue, he moved his steps.

The underground training hall. In the thick of night, someone stood in that place where no one should be.

Following the flickering flame, a deep crimson blood aura filled the surroundings. The density of such a chilling energy made Ilma’s brow twitch.

It’s intense. Ridiculously so. This isn’t just regular blood aura.

…This is….

Blood mixed with actual life. As if testing one’s demons.

“…You.”

He looked up. Standing above in the underground training hall was a warrior.

He sheathed his sword. Countless droplets of blood adorned his face wherecomfort was usually found.

“What are you doing?”

“Ilma-nim.”

His tone was calm.

Even as the owner of the surrounding blood stains, he appeared unfazed.

“As you can see, I am honing my martial arts.”

 

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