The truth was simple. Originally, there were five demon kings, but for some reason, a sixth was added. The one who assumed this new position was none other than Eldest Senior Brother.
What the hell is going on? Did Eldest Senior Brother arrive in this world before me? Or is it actually not the "world I know" but rather "another world strikingly similar to mine?" How does this connect to the Forgotten Era? Did I really see Master earlier?
—So, you met Bai Luguang after all.
"After all?"
—I didn't see him. I was asleep until just a moment ago, Messenger.
"Then why say 'after all?'"
—I could sense it.
"I see."
The Martial God fell silent. He didn't fall asleep again but seemed lost in thought.
I also spent the remaining time in a complicated mood.
"This concludes the blessing ceremony."
With that, the ceremony ended, leaving more questions than answers.
***
After the blessing ceremony ended, only the final banquet remained. Tables were set up not only in the first-floor hall but also in the rose garden. As the last event, it was the grandest banquet of all.
Although the sun had set, the garden was aglow. It wasn't a naturally bright night—just an abundance of artificial lights. Perhaps due to the martial art I practiced, I disliked such illumination and chose to sit alone in a dimly lit corner.
I longed to retreat to my room to rest and reflect, but as one of the day's protagonists, attendance was mandatory for us hero disciples.
At least the food is delicious.
I was busily eating when I noticed a familiar figure approaching. It was my mother, flanked by Arjan and Kayan. At first glance, their presence reassured me.
"Luan, you are here!" she exclaimed. "Why are you in such a remote place? I've been looking for you for a long time."
Her tone was unusually emotional. My mother often spoke this way when she lost her composure, but tonight, she seemed genuinely excited.
"I like it because it is quiet," I replied. "More importantly, what is going on?"
"I came to congratulate you, of course!" she said, beaming.
"Congratulate me?"
"You received a blessing!" she declared.
I laughed at her shifting tone. "That's true."
"What a relief!"
"Even so, it is only one," I pointed out, shrugging.
"How many heroes have left their mark on history with just one blessing?" she countered, her eyes sparkling. "Sir Walter from my hometown, Hyde of the Swamp—the strongest ranger—and Sir Erich the Steelsword, one of the Imperial Knights' commanders..."
I listened, responded with nods, and waited for the excitement to subside.
Eventually, my mother calmed down, took a sip of water, and asked, "I am getting carried away. So, Luan, what kind of blessing did you receive?"
"I don't know," I admitted plainly.
"What?"
"I still don't know," I repeated, my tone steady.
I hadn't yet discerned the nature of my blessing. Typically, one was said to realize it immediately upon receiving it, but I felt nothing of the sort.
"That..." My mother hesitated, momentarily speechless. Then, reading my expression, she quickly added, "Well, this is my first time hearing of such a thing. Perhaps it's taking time to settle because the blessing is so profound."
"It's fine, Mother. After all, the blessing is just a bonus for me," I reassured her, offering a small smile.
"Really?"
"In any case, I plan to keep this fact hidden for the time being," I said firmly.
Hiding one's blessing wasn't unusual. Even the Iron-Blooded Lord, with twenty-one blessings, had fewer than ten publicly known.
Of course, some blessings couldn't be concealed, but choosing to hide them wasn't inherently wrong.
My mother sighed with relief. "Yes, that might be for the best."
Her expression suggested she would have proposed the idea herself if I hadn't spoken first.
"Luan, come here for a minute," she called.
"Why? Is there apple juice?" I asked.
Apple juice was my favorite drink.
"There are Great Masters gathered over there," she explained.
Great Masters?
I followed her gaze to a spot noticeably more crowded than the rest of the area.
"Eight out of ten Great Masters have attended. Since it is the last day, they must want to assess the hero disciples' level." My mother's voice was brimming with excitement. "Why don't you go and introduce yourself? You are a real hero now that you have been blessed."
"I'm fine," I replied.
"Why?" she pressed.
I hesitated, scrambling for a response, then quickly found an excuse. "The Swordmaster isn't here. I don't want anyone but him."
"Ah... You admire Sir Carzakh the most," she muttered.
Though my mother looked disappointed, she didn't press further. Instead, it seemed like she planned to go there alone.
I nodded at Kayan and Arjan, who bowed in unison. With them, no trouble would arise.
Left by myself, I strolled leisurely through the garden, occasionally sipping my drink.
It is time for reactions.
The blessing ceremony's official schedule concluded today.
Participants could choose to stay at the Badnikers' main house for further training on using their blessings or return home. The decision was entirely optional.
I'd heard the split between those who stayed and those who left was roughly even. This uncertainty made it the perfect time for any mastermind plotting against me to act. They wouldn't know whether I'd remain or depart.
At that moment, a hooded figure appeared briefly before disappearing.
What do we have here?
The sight struck me as suspicious, so I kept my eyes fixed on the garden.
Soon, the figure reappeared. This time, I noticed more details—specifically, the hair peeking out from under the deeply pulled hood.
"White hair... No, it's silver," I mumbled.
The uncommon hair color and the figure's build brought one person to mind—Seren Goodspring.
She said she wasn't feeling well and skipped the banquet.
I had heard that receiving multiple blessings at once often took a heavy toll, both physically and mentally.
Why is Seren here instead of resting in her room? I doubt she had a sudden change of heart or a miraculous recovery.
I looked again and noticed that Seren was concealing her presence as much as possible. She moved so stealthily that I would have missed her if I hadn't been staring straight ahead from the corner. Clearly, she hadn't expected anyone to be in such a remote location.
After watching for a moment, I saw her figure vanish into the darkness beyond the back garden.
Seren was among my suspects. Although I had no ill will toward her, it was clear that the Goodsprings were the Badnikers' eternal rivals. She was also the star of this banquet, having received more blessings than anyone else during the blessing ceremony.
There is no reason for her to go into the back garden.
Having stayed at the main house before, I was familiar with this place's general layout. I knew there were areas one should never enter.
I stood up from the seat and tipped the remaining ice from the glass into my mouth.
***
If one walked behind the Badnikers' back garden, they would find a large, shabby wall covered with rose vines. Beyond it lay an old, unused practice hall, now off-limits to everyone.
I had never been there myself. Yet, as I quietly followed Seren, she suddenly jumped over the wall.
Doubts crept in. What could possibly drive the third daughter of the prestigious Goodspring family to boldly climb over another family's fence?
I heard the soft thud of her landing, followed by footsteps fading into the distance. Then I climbed over the wall.
Before I knew it, the surroundings had become quiet, as if the lively commotion of the banquet had been a dream.
The ground beyond the wall was littered with crumbling fallen leaves and dead grass.
It is winter now.
Perhaps because entry was forbidden, the place had been left untended. Regardless, this was still my family's land.
Though puzzled, I tread carefully, but even my light steps made the fallen leaves rustle loudly. In any case, my tracking soon ended.
Seren stood motionless in the center of the dilapidated training ground and uttered coldly, "Come out."
At moments like this, it would be normal for my heart to sink, but it didn't. I was confident in my tracking skills, and Seren's attention remained fixed ahead.
As expected, a figure emerged before her. His face seemed familiar.
So it's that fella from yesterday—Hariba of the Garcia family.
There was something sinister about him, more so than before. The gloomy surroundings only amplified it.
"You came, Seren," Hariba said, his tone unreadable.
She remained silent.
Hariba suddenly slumped to the ground. "I'm sorry."
I watched, unsure of what he was doing.
"I'm really, really sorry..." he continued, his voice breaking.
What on earth?
Hariba, now crouched on the ground, burst into tears like a child. "But it is still alright, my Seren."
I was speechless, my confusion deepening.
"I will definitely kill Luan Badniker," he declared.