Chapter 450: Ah, this isn’t it.

The Murim Alliance possesses the Mind Child.

As So Geomseong spoke, the atmosphere shifted slightly, forcing me to think a great deal.

‘Why does the Murim Alliance have the Mind Child?’

Originally, the Mind Child should be possessed by the Sword Demon Empress at this time; it is her beloved weapon.

It’s a precious artifact that, brimming with lightning energy, exhibits even greater effects.

At times, it’s an item that easily doubles the Sword Demon Empress’s combat power.

‘And the Sword Demon Empress doesn’t have it right now?’

No, to be precise, it seems she had it, and then the Murim Alliance took it.

‘What happened…?’

This was something that, at the very least, wasn’t in my memories.

In my past life, the Sword Demon Empress possessed the Mind Child until the moment she died.

After that, the person who owned the Mind Child after it left the Sword Demon Empress’s hands was me.

It was an item I carried around as her memento after she died.

After meeting the Sword Demon Empress, I never once saw her leave the Mind Child behind.

‘Why now…?’

My eyes darted around quickly.

No matter how I looked at it, something was strange.

Judging by the situation, it seems like the Mind Child was taken quite some time ago.

Since entering this illusion, I hadn’t seen the Sword Demon Empress carrying the Mind Child, nor had I heard any mention of it, which means it must have been much earlier…

‘What is this.’

This seemed like something that, at the very least, hadn’t happened in the past life I knew.

Which means…?

‘This world is different from the one I knew…’

I had thought this world was an illusion created based on my memories, but if things completely different from my memories were unfolding.

‘What on earth is this place?’

I immediately revised my thoughts.

‘Something is different.’

The world Tang Jemun sent for the test seemed to have something more to it, unlike my expectations.

‘No.’

Was it even the world Tang Jemun sent in the first place?

I had to doubt even that.

‘If it’s not an illusion or a test… then what else could it be?’

I couldn’t grasp that far yet, but I knew I had to heighten the tension I was already feeling.

I had to remind myself that this was a different place than I expected.

My brow furrowed naturally.

It was overwhelming enough just thinking it was an illusion, but I felt entangled in something deeper and more irritating.

‘Seriously, whenever I get involved with these people, nothing is ever normal.’

Whenever I get involved with these so-called heroes of the past, it always ends up like this.

Not only does time stop, but the space itself shifts.

‘…Hoo.’

I tried to suppress the intensifying emotions and cool my head.

Now more than ever, I had to keep my wits about me.

I couldn’t forget my objective.

I must return to my original world intact.

I thought only of that.

“…To return the Mind Child.”

Hearing this, Maje repeated the words.

“Anyone would think you’re speaking as if it were yours from the start.”

“Because it’s not an incorrect statement.”

At So Geomseong’s words, Cheonjun, who was beside her, stepped forward.

“The Mind Child originally belonged to the Namgung family. It has merely returned to where it belongs.”

“Old hag, are you trying to play word games with me?”

Maje sneered.

If it originally belonged to the Namgung family, then it wasn’t a problem for the Sword Demon Empress to possess it.

Hearing that, Cheonjun looked at the Sword Demon Empress with faded blue eyes.

“That child abandoned the Namgung family name long ago. Can this statement truly be considered incorrect?”

“…”

The Sword Demon Empress offered no particular reply, merely gazing at Cheonjun with sharp eyes.

“If that child herself abandoned the Namgungs, then she is the last Namgung remaining in this land. The Mind Child has simply returned to where it belongs.”

“And yet, you intend to make a deal involving the Mind Child… Is that what you’re saying?”

“That is correct.”

At Cheonjun’s answer, Maje glanced behind him.

It was filled with warriors in white; each and every one of them was a master of considerable attainment.

In terms of numbers, it was a situation brimming with the Alliance’s full strength.

The number of our demonic cultivators wasn’t small either, and we could certainly start a war if we wanted.

However.

‘Victory is impossible.’

This was an objective assessment.

Victory in the current battle would be impossible.

If it were just Cheonjun, perhaps, but with the fully fit So Geomseong present, not tired or injured, fighting would be too much.

The reason they came to confront us despite knowing that.

Was partly because that damned bastard barged in simply because So Geomseong was here, but also to maintain the stance that demonic cultivators must not back down from the righteous sects.

To retreat simply because the righteous sects outnumber us and defeat is certain would, rather than anything else, undermine the position of the Heavenly Demon in the main sect.

As they are people who live obsessively for the sect leader’s standing more than their own lives. It couldn’t be allowed.

Knowing that, I suppose I’m stepping up like this too.

I could roughly grasp the flow of the conversation, but in my view, there was a major contradiction here.

The contradiction here is.

“So Geomseong.”

“Yes.”

“You seem to be greatly mistaken.”

At Maje’s words, So Geomseong’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

“Why do you think our main sect would make a deal with you riff-raff just for the Mind Child?”

Grrr.

The demonic cultivators’ fighting spirit intensified.

That was the contradiction I was thinking of.

I admit the Mind Child is quite important to the Sword Demon Empress, but overall, it wasn’t necessarily a crucial item for the entire Demonic Cult.

Even if the Sword Demon Empress is an important asset, making a deal with the righteous sects for it?

There wasn’t enough justification for that.

It would only provoke anger, if anything.

“It seems you still look down on us.”

“…Maje.”

As Maje gradually raised his flames and demonic energy, So Geomseong’s expression also began to contort.

Seeing that, Maje smirked.

“Given the effort you made to crawl all the way here, I’ll ask. What do you intend to do if I refuse the deal?”

“…”

At Maje’s words, So Geomseong bit her lip.

If the deal involving the Mind Child wasn’t accepted.

How would the Alliance react?

I could vaguely guess the answer by looking at her expression.

No, it would be stranger if I didn’t know.

Ignoring the Heavenly Demon’s warning, gathering such forces right before Sichuan, and then having Cheonjun, one of the Three Venerables, and So Geomseong, the hope of the Alliance, appear together?

‘This.’

It meant they were ready to wage all-out war if necessary.

Anyone who wasn’t an idiot couldn’t possibly fail to understand this.

In other words,

“Let me ask something else, So Geomseong.”

“…Yes.”

“Is this a deal, or is it blackmail?”

If they refused, it meant they would fight, so ultimately it was no different from blackmail.

“…”

So Geomseong, knowing that, could offer no response.

I could glimpse a hint of shame in her expression, while conversely, Maje’s face showed deep disillusionment.

“No matter how you package it with grand words and try to cover it up, in the end, you are no different from us. Do you truly not understand this yet?”

Unlike the calm way he spoke, the impact of his words erupted.

Because the warriors of the Alliance began to react fiercely to Maje’s words.

“How dare that disgusting traitor…!”

“What are you damned devils, corrupted to gain power, babbling about?!”

It was quite a sight, after a long time.

Seeing that, I felt not annoyance, but a strange, amusing nostalgia.

The righteous sects, pursuing peace outwardly while rotting from the roots within.

As the war unfolded, these secrets began to be revealed one by one. There was also an incident where many who became disillusioned with that defected to the Demonic Cult.

Are the righteous sects truly pure?

It’s a fact that everyone in the Central Plains knows by now.

They merely predicted that if the Heavenly Demon swept through the Central Plains and reigned supreme, everything would burn and disappear.

So for now, they just hoped the Murim Alliance would win the war.

Knowing that, their reactions seemed laughable to me.

They collapsed during the war, yet they barely maintain themselves because of the war.

What makes them think they’re so great to act like this?

I simply couldn’t understand.

Though I suppose it’s not my place to say, being a demonic cultivator myself.

Just as the warriors’ momentum began to grow rougher.

Kugwoooong-!

An immense pressure emanated from Cheonjun’s body, spreading outwards.

Just feeling it made the hairs on my entire body stand on end.

“Gah-!”

At Cheonjun’s voice, the noisy warriors of the Alliance fell silent all at once.

Clink.

Confirming that, a sound came from the Sword Demon Empress’s side.

While I wasn’t looking, the Sword Demon Empress had drawn her sword. If they had made more noise, she might have scattered sword energy.

Cheonjun probably noticed that, which is why he forcefully silenced them.

Maje, seemingly unconcerned by the situation, continued speaking.

“You bark loudly, but you offer no denial. That means you know it too.”

“…”

“Is the value of the righteous sects’ existence said to be righteousness and cooperation?”

Maje took a step towards So Geomseong.

At this, the warriors flinched and moved to protect So Geomseong, but she raised her hand to stop them.

“In your view, does that place still hold such things?”

So Geomseong’s golden eyes met Maje’s purple eyes.

“…Perhaps not. But.”

As if not backing down, So Geomseong also took a step towards Maje.

“If not, I will create it.”

“…”

“Because I drew my sword for that purpose.”

Her tone was resolute.

Seeing that, I felt a churning in my stomach.

‘Don’t lie.’

It was obvious she wanted to run away right now.

She drew her sword for that? That’s a lie too.

You never even wanted to draw a sword in the first place.

How could she utter such words?

Those behind her looked moved, seeing So Geomseong not backing down.

I wanted to rip those guys’ faces off.

“…You are still foolish, aren’t you.”

“Perhaps I am.”

“So, in the end, you intend to obtain what you desire by force. Is that what you’re saying?”

“…”

So Geomseong did not deny it.

Meaning Maje was correct.

‘What on earth does she want?’

Given her personality, it’s highly probable she wouldn’t have participated in something like this.

Why did she get involved in something so illogical?

The Murim Alliance’s intentions in sending her here were questionable, as was what they hoped to gain by doing so.

“I don’t know. What could you possibly want so badly to be causing this mess?”

The distance closed to mere inches.

Maje asked her.

Under that gaze, So Geomseong slightly averted her head.

‘Huh?’

She looked towards me.

…What? Why is she looking at me all of a sudden?

“I’m looking for one person.”

“A person?”

“Yes….”

That statement meant that the thing the Murim Alliance absolutely had to obtain, even if it meant breaking the warning and starting a war, was surprisingly, one person.

I wondered what that was supposed to mean.

So Geomseong suddenly raised her hand and pointed a finger towards me.

“Hm?”

Seeing that, I quickly looked around, wondering if someone else was there, but no matter how I looked, it seemed So Geomseong was pointing at me.

Only after confirming that did something chilling crawl up my spine.

‘Oh… Could this be…’

My eyes widened as I looked back at So Geomseong.

“That person. I want that person.”

“…!”

She said that while looking at me.

Just as I was about to express my utter shock at those astounding words.

Kugugugug-!

“Ugh!”

Startled by the terrifying energy felt from beside me, I had to dodge.

It was the densest and most intense killing intent I had felt since arriving here.

Kureung-!

As if reacting to the energy, dark clouds suddenly began to form in the clear sky.

From the dark clouds, I could feel intense lightning energy gathering.

Soon, not only the demonic cultivators but also the warriors of the Murim Alliance were thrown into disarray, changing their stances.

“You.”

The source of that unbelievable energy spoke towards So Geomseong.

The culprit was none other than the Sword Demon Empress.

Her white hair fluttered in the lightning energy, beginning to lift slightly into the air.

An unfathomable realization enveloped the drawn sword.

It was another epithet of the Sword Demon Empress.

It was a form befitting the Thunder Empress (雷后).

Looking as if she could charge out at any moment, she spoke to So Geomseong.

“Do you want to die?”

Her usual hesitant and quiet tone was gone, replaced by surprisingly clear and distinct pronunciation.