Chapter 482: Side Story 2 Baek Sang-ah’s Melancholy
The war had ended.
But that didn’t mean everything was truly over.
Though the Heavenly Timing that had stained the sky crimson had completely receded, demonic beasts were still rampant throughout the Central Plains, and the government’s control had utterly collapsed.
The situation had become so dire that even the Emperor had to abandon the capital and flee north.
In such extreme circumstances, even a slight misstep in recovery would cause the hard-won peace to crumble in an instant.
Three months had passed since the final battle at the Summit of Mount Tai.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Murim Alliance had announced to the entire Central Plains that the anomalous phenomenon had ended and officially declared their intent to aid in the Empire’s reconstruction.
Truthfully, under normal circumstances, forces—orthodox or unorthodox—would use such a chance to increase their influence through all sorts of scheming.
However, the Heavenly Timing itself had been such a global calamity that no group capable of threatening on the scale of a province had emerged yet.
Baek Sang-ah, upon her return to Luoyang, had become a hero celebrated throughout the Central Plains.
Tales she herself had never even heard before were circulating the streets of Luoyang, and all sorts of heroic and mythical deeds, altered to the point of unrecognizability, were being accepted as truth by martial artists and government soldiers alike.
The Supreme of Justice, the Sword Supreme of the Heavens.
With the death of Dao Zun Jin Ryeong, the era of the Three Sovereigns of the Central Plains, which had lasted for nearly half a century, had come to an end.
And now, the Central Plains had begun to refer to Baek Sang-ah and the newly emerged Heavenly Demon Lord Jin Yeomyung as the Twin Sovereigns of the New Era.
Of course, there was no way Baek Sang-ah would accept such an empty title.
She had tried to publicly declare that Jin Yeomyung had resolved everything and that she herself had done nothing.
But to her surprise, everyone around her blocked her from doing so.
Even Wisdom Talent, Seo Muwon, and Jegal Eun, who knew the full story.
“The Murim of the Central Plains needs hope right now.”
“Nonsense! Are you telling me to accept a hollow title based on fabrication?!”
Baek Sang-ah erupted in anger at Jegal Eun’s words.
But Jegal Eun calmly began to persuade her.
“This is something Young Master Jin… the Cult Leader also strongly agreed with.”
“…What?”
Baek Sang-ah cast a gaze full of deep distrust at Jegal Eun’s words.
It wasn’t as if she believed he was lying—something so easily uncovered—but accepting that Jin Yeomyung had ‘strongly agreed’ was difficult to stomach.
“As the Alliance Leader already knows, the balance of the Central Plains Murim is completely shattered.”
Currently, there were no officially recognized Supreme Realm experts among the unorthodox sects.
The orthodox sects fared only slightly better, but a closer look showed their situation was nearly the same.
At present, the only person in the Murim Alliance who could be called a Supreme Realm expert was Baek Sang-ah herself.
The Supreme Realm experts who had always stood reliably by Baek Sang-ah—such as Saber King Heon Yanghu and Plum Blossom White Sword Jo Gongmyeong—had all fallen in battle during the previous conflict with Cheon Yura.
Of course, considering the entire orthodox side, many Supreme Realm experts still remained.
Spear King Ak Biho, Blue Saber General Bae Ilsong, and Sword King Namgung San.
Along with the Poison King of Sichuan and the Southern Heaven Sword King.
However, there was a problem.
‘The Poison King and Blue Saber General hardly ever leave their territories.’
Given that their bases were located in remote regions like Sichuan and Haenam Island, it was unrealistic to expect them to leave and join the Murim Alliance.
‘And my grandfather and Spear King… in this situation, it’s hard to see them as allies.’
Southern Heaven Sword King Baek Dogyung and Spear King Ak Biho—though different in approach—were people who would do ‘anything’ for their families.
Rather than being helpful, they were the type who wouldn’t hesitate to stir up internal conflict within the Alliance just to suppress Baek Sang-ah’s influence.
Namgung San was the only remaining ally who could be considered a meaningful force… but even that wasn’t enough.
“With just that, we cannot stop the full force of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
“…You’re right.”
Baek Sang-ah nodded in agreement.
The power shown by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult during their campaign in the Central Plains had been terrifying.
More than ten Extreme Demon Realm experts. And one Transcendent Demon Realm master.
And the one leading them was none other than the Heavenly Demon.
“The Alliance’s leadership… sees the rise of a Demonic Era as virtually inevitable within their time. Honestly, I feel the same. Even if that person has no such intention.”
“……”
Baek Sang-ah closed her mouth at Jegal Eun’s self-deprecating remark.
“The current mood of the orthodox Murim is so unstable that even a slight push would cause it to collapse like a house of cards. That’s why…”
“You want to make me a hero to serve as a rallying point?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“And Young Master Jin allowed that?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he doesn’t want unnecessary division within the orthodox sects right now.”
Baek Sang-ah couldn’t understand the deeper meaning of those words.
Seeing that, Jegal Eun added,
“If the orthodox sects were to openly fracture, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult might start to speak out as well.”
“That’s true.”
Of course, no matter how loud those voices were, if Jin Yeomyung had the will, he could crush them instantly.
Because that’s the kind of being the Heavenly Demon was.
“But right now, he doesn’t even want such voices to arise.”
“……”
At that moment, a single conclusion settled in Baek Sang-ah’s complicated mind.
"Lady Cheon?"
Jegal Eun, as if afraid even that small whisper might leak out, slightly hunched her shoulders and gave a small nod.
"Yes, exactly."
As she said, Jin Yeomyung was currently trying to restore Cheon Yura to the position of Cult Leader.
It was an unprecedented event in history, and it was clear that many would not wish for his abdication.
‘He’s bound to face tremendous backlash.’
To be frank, there was no place for Cheon Yura in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as it stood now.
The structure centered around Jin Yeomyung was simply too solid and closely knit.
Still, regardless of the situation, if that plan was to proceed, it would be better to have no noise—both within and outside the cult.
Baek Sang-ah, having realized the entire truth, let out a deep sigh.
"...I don’t feel at ease."
"He also… said that upon hearing my plan. That you, Alliance Leader, wouldn’t view it favorably."
"……."
Suddenly, Baek Sang-ah missed So Cheon, who had vanished.
Just seeing him lazing around beside her would have brought her some comfort.
But just then—
"M-Master!"
Seo Muwon burst in through the door in a panic from outside.
"What’s the matter? Are there more troublemakers?"
The unorthodox sects, especially those hailing from the Evil Way, were still occasionally causing disturbances, as they had yet to come to their senses.
"That’s not it."
"Not it?"
Well, it wasn’t like Seo Muwon would react that way to just anything.
But his report was something even Baek Sang-ah hadn’t anticipated at all.
"T-The Southern Heaven Sword King has come to the Alliance."
Ten Thousand Great Mountain, Hidden Demon Peak.
The Hidden Shadow So Clan was, surprisingly, holding a fairly respectable position among the current Six Great Demonic Clans.
Since the House of Slaughter had sealed itself off, the So Clan had retained its strength without major losses.
Additionally, due to the poor compatibility of assassins with demonic beasts, they were more often dispatched as couriers or escorts for key figures rather than to fight.
Even so, the Hidden Shadow So Clan had still not managed to ascend higher.
That was because, despite the passage of time, it had yet to resolve two internal issues festering within the clan.
Main house of the Hidden Shadow So Clan.
One of the most secretive of all the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s hidden locations.
There, Murder Demon So Mun-yak and the elders of the clan were gathered, quietly holding a discussion.
"The revised training doctrine of the House of Slaughter will be implemented starting from the next class."
At someone’s words, a deep sigh of relief swept through the group.
"Ooh…"
"It took long enough. Too many mistakes were made along the way."
"But it was necessary to recover the true essence and purity of the assassin."
"Still, if the next generation offers the So Clan some hope, that’s fortunate indeed."
They were all elders with ordinary appearances. Their speech didn’t resemble that of assassins in the slightest.
But if one examined each of their aliases, it would be evident that they were all fearsome slayers who had once instilled terror even within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
They continued to raise various topics, engaging in quiet discussion.
"Is that truly the case?"
"Truly a shock among shocks. The Cult stands on the brink of a brilliant and steadfast future, and yet he seeks to dismantle it?"
Currently, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was experiencing serious turmoil over a single, quietly spreading rumor.
None other than the return of the former Cult Leader, Cheon Yura.
"The return of the former Cult Leader…"
"There have been a few instances in history where former leaders were reinstated. Though all of them rose through bloodshed."
"But never in history has someone bearing the authority of the Heavenly Demon willingly ceded it back to a predecessor."
"He was always a madman devoted solely to the former Cult Leader, so it makes some sense, but still…"
"Who knows what will happen to the Cheon Yura Faction now."
The elders all clicked their tongues.
It was clear—an immense chaos was about to descend.
Of course, whether chaos erupted or not, the Hidden Shadow So Clan rarely involved itself in internal cult affairs.
There was no need to intervene in this case either.
For now, they had a duty to resolve the final issue that remained within the clan.
"By the way, is Young Lord Byeok not here yet?"
At someone’s words, several elders shook their heads.
"Realistically… it’s a lost cause. That person practically named him the next Great Guardian."
"…This is insane."
"Then what about So Soryu?"
"As you all know, her temperament is beyond reproach, but she lacks talent."
So Soryu lacked the necessary aptitude in several areas to lead a great clan like the Hidden Shadow So Clan.
The real issue was that among the descendants of the clan, not one had the talent to surpass So Soryu.
That was the very reason the Murder Demon had gone to such lengths to recruit Gu Chil.
"Ugh… At this point, clashing with the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan would be suicidal…"
"We must consider it impossible."
Then, another elder raised a hand.
"In terms of raw talent, there is one candidate, is there not?"
"That one is out of the question."
"Are you trying to destroy the clan?"
"……."
Someone’s words sank without a trace.
Then it happened.
Thud!
Suddenly, from outside, came the sound of something collapsing.
It was the sound of the guards protecting this place all falling at once.
The expressions of the elders simultaneously turned cold.
An intruder.
Just as the elders recognized the presence and were about to emit killing intent—
"Stop."
One word from the Murder Demon halted their movements.
"A blood relative."
"……!"
"...A blood relative? Why?"
"No, more importantly—how?"
The veteran elders could not hide their astonishment.
This place was the innermost sanctum, the very heart of the Hidden Shadow So Clan.
Most blood relatives weren’t even allowed entry here.
Anyone who entered in violation of clan law, even if they were a direct descendant, would be sentenced to death immediately.
And the guards who carried out those executions were elite assassins selected from among the peak master level ranks of the Hidden Shadow So Clan.
And those assassins had all collapsed without resistance?
‘Who could it be?’
Even the Murder Demon himself might find such a feat impossible—yet a blood relative of the clan had done it?
Creeeak.
The door opened.
And from beyond, the languid voice of a young man rang out.
"Greetings, Clan Head."
The Murder Demon nodded toward the owner of the voice.
"It’s been a while, Cheon-a."
"Yes, it has been a while."
For some reason, a rare faint smile appeared on the face of the normally expressionless Murder Demon.
"S-So Cheon!"
"How did you get in here?!"
The elders who recognized So Cheon were unable to conceal their astonishment.
The Murder Demon asked,
"I heard you were still trailing after the Murim Alliance Leader. What brings you here?"
"Obviously, I have business."
"Business?"
Clap!
So Cheon clapped his hands in front of him and said to the Murder Demon,
"Sorry, but I’ll be taking the Clan Head seat now."