Chapter 497: Things That Should Not Be Touched
Master Seong was an elderly man with white hair, but his back was straight, and his eyes were intense.
Moreover, the neatly worn black long robe contrasted with his white hair, creating a peculiar atmosphere.
He was carrying a large box, and various unknown tools were sticking out from beneath the white cloth that covered it.
The first person to greet him was Jin Hagun.
“It has been a while.”
Jin Hagun had known Master Seong since he was young. Master Seong was an indispensable figure within the Martial Alliance when it came to demonic arts, and everyone recognized his authority in the study of such arts.
From the perspective of the Martial Alliance, he was someone who studied the martial techniques of their strongest enemies—how could he not be valued? He had trained many disciples and remained highly active despite his old age.
“Have you been well, Lord Jin? I have heard much about your accomplishments as the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader.”
Jin Hagun introduced Geom Mugeuk to him.
“This is the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
Master Seong was surprised to see the Young Cult Leader of the demonic cult here. He examined Geom Mugeuk with renewed interest.
“You look quite different from what I imagined.”
Geom Mugeuk smiled and offered his greeting.
“I have long heard of your reputation, elder.”
“You people must dislike me.”
“How could that be? Even on a day like this, it is thanks to your presence that we may clear our names.”
Master Seong narrowed his eyes.
“We’ll know once I investigate.”
Joo Gweol, who had brought Master Seong, politely asked him.
“As you know, this is a grave matter. The truth of this case lies solely in your hands.”
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk spoke to Joo Gweol.
“Are you hoping we are the culprits?”
Joo Gweol found himself thinking that perhaps he was. If someone other than the demonic cult had committed such a brutal act, that would be an even more terrifying truth than if the culprit was from the cult.
Joo Gweol once again politely asked Master Seong.
“We leave it in your hands.”
It was a plea filled with hope that he would not overlook signs of demonic arts.
“No matter what you desire, I will only reveal the truth as it is.”
Master Seong walked over to the corpse of the Great Justice Warrior’s lord.
He opened the box, took out his tools, and began a full-scale investigation.
He collected blood from the corpse and mixed it with a liquid from a medicinal vial.
He closely examined the wounds, applying different medicines to the severed flesh, bones, and organs.
But he didn’t only examine the corpse. He investigated where the blood had splattered, and what traces had been left on the walls.
He sprinkled powdered reagents on the ground to reveal footprints and deduce which movement techniques had been used in the area. He conducted every investigation he could.
Unless a technique that left a particularly distinct trace had been used, it was difficult to precisely identify the martial art performed even with such methods. There were simply too many similar techniques within the martial world.
After observing for a while, Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun walked toward the window.
Joo Gweol didn’t follow them and instead watched from a distance. He was displeased by the sight of Jin Hagun mingling with the Young Cult Leader of the demonic cult under these circumstances.
Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun stood in silence, looking out the window. Martial artists of the Martial Alliance were moving corpses into the courtyard.
Jin Hagun noticed it. The look in Geom Mugeuk’s eyes as he watched was no different from his own. He, too, was filled with the same anger and sorrow.
Knowing the kind of person Geom Mugeuk was, Jin Hagun realized that his earlier suspicion might have been rooted in his own nature.
He was someone who never truly trusted others—or perhaps someone who didn’t know how to.
“Why did you go to Shaanxi?”
To Jin Hagun’s question, Geom Mugeuk replied frankly.
“Our Heavenly Communication Pavilion discovered the source of funding for the forces behind this in Shaanxi. I went to cut off that money flow.”
Jin Hagun looked at Geom Mugeuk.
“Did you cut it?”
“Snip.”
A faint smile formed at the corner of Jin Hagun’s lips before fading.
“Do you think those people are behind this incident?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
Revenge for the death of the King of Killing?
If so, then the ones who had been lurking in the shadows and scheming all this time were now launching their first direct strike.
But the King of Killing had died only recently—could they really be moving for revenge so quickly? This incident seemed thoroughly prepared. Could they have had the time to arrange all this in such a short period?
Geom Mugeuk sent a sound transmission to Jin Hagun.
—I'm here with Father.
Jin Hagun looked at Geom Mugeuk in shock.
—I didn’t want to deceive you, so I’m telling you.
—Where is he now?
—He’s at one of our cult’s safehouses.
Geom Mugeuk looked directly at Jin Hagun.
—That’s the proof. That we didn’t do this. Would I be doing such a thing while Father is with me?
Now Jin Hagun was certain. He knew how much Geom Mugeuk admired and respected the Heavenly Demon. No matter what tricks one might pull, Geom Mugeuk was not someone who would use his father’s name to deceive.
—Thank you for telling me.
—When we both become Cult Leader and Alliance Leader, we might face days like this again. When that happens, I hope you’ll do the same. Speak to me honestly, just like I am now. Then no schemes or misunderstandings will be able to divide us.
The two of them looked at each other, then turned back toward the courtyard. The corpses were still being moved.
Meanwhile, Master Seong’s investigation continued. His work was meticulous and driven by passion.
He didn’t even frown once despite the stench of the potent chemicals. He lay prone on the blood-stained floor, searching for something. Using red threads, he connected various points throughout the hall, attempting to reconstruct the battle that had occurred.
How much time had passed like that?
Finally, Master Seong completed his investigation.
Everyone gathered around him. With tense gazes focused on him, Master Seong spoke calmly.
“I’ve identified the martial art that was used.”
Not only Jin Hagun and Joo Gweol, but even Geom Mugeuk waited for his answer with anxious faces.
“The martial art that killed the Great Justice Warrior’s lord was…”
Master Seong turned his gaze to Geom Mugeuk.
“It was demonic arts.”
Jin Hagun flinched, and Joo Gweol wore an expression that said, “I knew it.”
But Geom Mugeuk remained composed.
This plot had truly been methodical. Although he had told Master Seong that the truth would clear their name, he had considered the possibility that the culprit may have used demonic arts to frame them.
Joo Gweol asked Master Seong,
“Were you able to determine exactly which demonic art it was?”
To their surprise, Master Seong nodded.
And then came the shocking revelation from his mouth.
“It was the Demon Supreme’s demonic art.”
All three who were listening were taken aback.
This time, it was Geom Mugeuk—who had been composed earlier—who was most shocked. He had never imagined that the Demon Supreme’s demonic art would surface.
Even Joo Gweol, who had confidently declared it was demonic arts, tensed the moment the Demon Supreme was mentioned. The culprit being the Demon Supreme? That was a problem of an entirely different magnitude.
“Who is it? Who is this Demon Supreme?”
To Joo Gweol’s trembling question, Master Seong pointed at one person.
“Blood Heaven Blade Demon.”
“!”
“The one who killed the Great Justice Warrior’s lord used his Heaven-Extinguishing Saber Form.”
A heavy silence fell over the place.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon had annihilated both the Famed Name Manor and the Great Justice Warrior’s group.
If this news spread throughout the martial world, not only would the Central Chongqing martial community be shaken, but the entire realm would erupt in chaos. Even a war between the Martial Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would not be an unreasonable consequence.
Jin Hagun looked at Geom Mugeuk. Geom Mugeuk silently stared at Master Seong.
Seeing his reaction as confirmation, Joo Gweol quickly dashed toward the entrance. He then called out to all his subordinates stationed outside. Geom Mugeuk paid him no attention.
Upon hearing Master Seong’s words, the first thought that came to Geom Mugeuk’s mind was this:
‘Could it be that Master Seong has also been recruited by Hwa Moogi?’
Because this result made absolutely no sense.
However, in his life before regression, Master Seong had never appeared in connection with the Twelve Zodiac Kings.
It was possible that he had aided them from the shadows, but that was unlikely. The Twelve Zodiac Kings only emerged after the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was sealed away, and during that time, Master Seong had become irrelevant.
Moreover, there was another reason.
If he had been recruited by them, he wouldn’t have presented such a result right in front of him, knowing full well it would immediately arouse suspicion.
They would have claimed it was a different martial art here, then gone to the Martial Alliance Leader and tried to sow discord, saying they couldn’t speak the truth in front of the Young Cult Leader.
‘This man isn’t one of their pawns.’
That was why this result had come as such a shocking surprise to Geom Mugeuk.
Jin Hagun sought confirmation from Master Seong once more.
“Are you absolutely certain it’s the martial art of Blood Heaven Blade Demon? As you know, this is a truly critical matter.”
To that, Master Seong replied firmly.
“I am certain.”
There wasn’t even the slightest hesitation in his voice. With a confident expression, he added weight to his assertion.
“Even if the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult were here instead of the Young Cult Leader, I would give the same answer. I say this with my name on the line.”
Jin Hagun felt confused by Master Seong’s conviction. When he had first heard it was demonic arts, he thought the perpetrator had simply employed a powerful demonic martial artist to carry out the act.
But the Demon Supreme’s martial art?
‘Could anyone forge the martial art of the Demon Supreme?’
He found it hard to believe.
‘If it really was the work of Blood Heaven Blade Demon?’
Jin Hagun looked at Geom Mugeuk.
What could he possibly say to Geom Mugeuk under these circumstances? He couldn’t say he believed in Master Seong’s discernment, nor could he say he believed Geom Mugeuk in front of Master Seong.
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk asked him,
“If evidence emerged that the Martial Alliance Leader was the one who committed this act, would you believe it?”
It was such an absurd hypothetical that Jin Hagun didn’t even answer.
“You wouldn’t believe it, right? That’s exactly how I feel now.”
Geom Mugeuk stared straight at Master Seong.
“If he didn’t falsify the result, then we need to find out how those bastards managed to create this outcome.”
Master Seong responded resolutely.
“I didn’t fabricate anything. Whether or not you believe me doesn’t matter.”
Geom Mugeuk silently nodded.
“It had to be this way. Whoever it is, they keep meddling with things that must never be touched. They’ve angered my father—and now, they’ve angered me.”
It also meant that whoever it was knew both his father and him all too well.
In the meantime, martial artists of the Chongqing Branch flooded into the Grand Hall, forming layers around Geom Mugeuk. The incident had triggered a reaction, and even members of the Demon-Slaying Brigade entered to observe the situation. Fortunately, Jin Hagun was not in danger.
Geom Mugeuk spoke to Jin Hagun.
“I’d best be going now.”
Jin Hagun searched Geom Mugeuk’s eyes, but found no hint of panic or exposure. His gaze was as clear and profound as ever.
“We’ll need to uncover the truth as quickly as possible.”
Jin Hagun trusted Geom Mugeuk. He didn’t trust the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, nor the demonic beings, nor Blood Heaven Blade Demon—but he trusted his friend.
“Indeed. Thank you.”
As Geom Mugeuk tried to leave the place, Joo Gweol blocked his path. The branch's martial artists drew up their inner strength and simultaneously aimed their swords at him.
“Now that it’s been confirmed that the martial art used by the culprit is demonic arts, we can’t just let him go.”
If this incident truly was the work of the demonic cult, he believed this was a golden opportunity to capture the Young Cult Leader.
Then Jin Hagun spoke to him.
“Even if you want to capture him, we can’t do it with just the people we have here. So let him go.”
It wasn’t only Joo Gweol who was surprised by those words. The martial artists of the Chongqing Branch present shared the same thought.
‘Even if we can’t, there’s Lord Jin and the Demon-Slaying Brigade. Are they saying they can’t catch this one Young Cult Leader?’
At that moment, Joo Gweol deeply misunderstood.
‘He’s letting him off because they’re friends. Lord Jin, this incident could cost you your place as successor.’
Jin Hagun looked at Joo Gweol and said,
“Step aside.”
Jin Hagun’s gaze was so resolute that Joo Gweol could no longer insist.
When Joo Gweol gave the order to his subordinates, only then did the branch martial artists sheathe their swords and clear a path.
Geom Mugeuk silently walked out between the martial artists of the Martial Alliance.
Jin Hagun stood by the window, watching as Geom Mugeuk passed through the courtyard and exited the building.
From the looks and presence of Joo Gweol and the branch martial artists behind him, Jin Hagun could feel the anger and unrest.
There weren’t many people who would understand a friendship between the likely successor of the Martial Alliance Leader and the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
What’s more, Master Seong was someone who was universally trusted when it came to demonic arts.
Considering how the situation was unfolding, this conclusion would also spread quickly.
‘Friend, time is running out.’
* * *
When he returned to the safehouse, his father was in the courtyard conducting breathing and energy circulation training.
Lately, his father had been devoting himself more than ever to cultivating his inner arts.
I held my breath and waited in silence until Father finished his training.
And the moment he completed his breathing technique, I saw it. The energy surrounding his body began to congeal like a mirage in searing heat.
That form was the Heavenly Demon Soul.
I felt an eerie illusion that the Heavenly Demon Soul, formed from qi, was staring straight at me.
Its appearance was terrifying as always, but seeing it again after so long, I felt a sense of welcome.
That feeling was brief. The Heavenly Demon Soul soon dissolved back into energy and was absorbed into Father’s body.
When Father slowly opened his eyes, his gaze was as deep as the abyss.
“You saw it?”
“Yes, I did.”
His gaze sharpened.
“The true qi of the Nine Calamities Demon Art can only be seen by one who has learned it—and only after reaching the Seventh Star realm does the form of the Celestial Demon Soul start to faintly appear. It means your cultivation has reached the Seventh Star.”
Father looked genuinely surprised that I had already reached the Seventh Star.
“That’s far faster than the pace of my own achievements.”
He must have also been told in the past that his accomplishments were among the fastest in history.
Considering the time I had spent learning the Nine Calamities Demon Art, it was an absurdly fast achievement.
But this accomplishment was only natural. In addition to Father’s repeated instruction, I had trained for much longer through the Heavenly Time Secret Art.
“It’s all thanks to your guidance, Father.”
Without a doubt, my rapid progress must have stirred something in him.
I wanted to reach true mastery as soon as possible and summon the Heavenly Demon Soul. I was far too curious—how would my Heavenly Demon Soul differ from Father’s?
“How did the matter go?”
“It was just as you predicted, Father.”
Before contacting the Martial Alliance Leader, Father had instructed me to first verify what kind of martial art had been used on the Great Justice Warrior’s lord. He had asked me to confirm it because he had considered the possibility that even he might have been the one targeted through demonic arts.
“What kind of demonic art was it?”
Father had clearly expected it to be a known technique. That way, they could definitely pin the blame on us.
And yet, even he couldn’t help but be shocked by the truth I delivered.
“It was the martial art of Elder Blood Heaven Blade Demon.”
Father’s gaze grew cold. They had touched the demonic path—and they had dared to invoke the Demon Supreme. His fury was only natural.
“I don’t know how they manipulated it, but since Master Seong—who is well-versed in our cult’s demonic arts—identified it, the Martial Alliance will demand an explanation. Of course, Elder Blood Heaven Blade Demon is likely sitting inside the cult library right now, teaching Daeryong from his books, so there won’t be any actual problem.”
Just then, someone entered the safehouse, guided by one of our cult’s martial artists.
I turned toward him in surprise—I truly hadn’t expected him to appear.
Seo Daeryong stepped into the safehouse, a great saber slung across his back.