Chapter 876: Supreme Heavenly Demon.

After the Poison King and the warriors of the Tang family agreed to help the Murim Alliance.

The place I headed straight for was where Wi Seol-ah was.

“You’re here?”

As soon as I arrived at the location, Wi Seol-ah greeted me.

Looking at her, I asked.

“Are you okay?”

“Huh?”

“I meant, aren’t you tired.”

“Ah, yes, I’m fine.”

Wi Seol-ah had been here right since last night. Meaning she came without rest even after the battle ended.

‘…If it were up to me, I’d just let her rest…’

Considering Wi Seol-ah’s personality, I figured she wouldn’t just stand by if something happened, and it was obvious she’d join the fight within the branch, so I gave her a separate mission.

Fortunately, Wi Seol-ah was only tired and not seriously injured, so there were no health issues, but…

‘It bothers me.’

I felt sorry about it.

‘I sent Namgung Bi-ah away and made her work.’

Namgung Bi-ah had quite a few injuries, so I sent her to the infirmary. I heard her regeneration is so fast there’s no major problem. I was worried because I lacked confidence in her condition, but thankfully, it was okay.

“How’s your condition?”

“There haven’t been any major problems yet.”

“Really? Okay. You worked hard. You can go up first.”

“Young Master… Do you plan to come a little later, Chief?”

“I have to finish the investigation first.”

“In that case, I should too…”

“You go to that person.”

“…”

When I mentioned Namgung Bi-ah, Wi Seol-ah bit her lip. As expected, mentioning her seemed to be the best way.

“I’ll be there soon. Go on ahead. It won’t take long.”

“…Understood.”

“Just in case, you should get checked by a doctor too. Get some rest.”

“Yes…”

In the end, I used Namgung Bi-ah as an excuse and sent Wi Seol-ah away.

After that, I saw the incoming personnel. They were the ones brought for the investigation.

“What on earth is this place…”

“What kind of space is this?”

The personnel looked surprised by the sight they saw for the first time. Well, it’s natural for a normal person to be surprised.

‘As for me, well. It’s because I’ve seen too many strange things.’

Wouldn’t it be utterly shocking for someone who hasn’t seen it?

“Chief… What is this…”

A golden pond. A member looking at it asked me.

“We’ll have to investigate properly to know what it is, but… Just looking at it, it’s clearly not normal.”

I said it as if I knew nothing. If there’s one thing I can be sure of.

“For starters, I know that guy called the Heavenly Demon was plotting something strange.”

“…! Y-You mean this is also related to the Heavenly Demon?”

“Probably.”

It wouldn’t be unrelated. Because I was working hard to make it look that way.

“…What is the Heavenly Demon… No, what is the Demonic Cult dreaming of?”

“Can a human really create something like this…”

“Can they even be considered human in the first place?”

I could feel anxiety in their voices.

“How can taming and summoning demons be the act of humans…”

The scene I saw yesterday seems to have had a major impact. After all, when humans open demonic gates and spew out demons, how could they not be surprised?

And that was exactly the reaction I wanted.

“Quiet.”

“…!!”

At my words, the personnel flinched. Seeing that, I said.

“Focus on the mission right now.”

“Sorry…”

The personnel, having received the warning, resumed the investigation. Those from the Alliance were the same. They seemed to be trying to figure out the formations remaining in the space.

‘There’s no way they’d see something like that.’

There probably wouldn’t even be traces left. No, there might be traces, but could they really figure it out?

Even if they figure it out, there’s no problem. The important thing wasn’t that anyway.

“What is this pond…”

“Ah, there’s a demon’s corpse inside.”

The investigation continued.

“There’s a small tree on the floor right below… but it’s difficult to determine its connection right away.”

“Okay.”

The talking tree must surely be the one with white leaves that I saw. The problem is that it’s located right on the floor below.

‘Originally, it should have been much further down.’

To think it’s now just one floor below; it seems the anomaly disappeared as the formation was undone.

‘I did clean up all the strange stuff, though.’

I heighten my senses as much as possible, just in case anything remains. There probably isn’t. Because Amwang himself mentioned he finished everything.

‘I also disposed of the bodies.’

The corpses of the transformed humans who had shed their skin were all removed, leaving only ordinary bodies. With this, they wouldn’t be able to guess what kind of place this was at all.

Watching them, I proceeded with the investigation a bit further.

******************

The investigation concluded. Not completely, but the initial phase ended, yet the personnel’s expressions were still grim. Although much was discovered, they couldn’t figure out the purpose or the reason behind it all.

“Wasn’t there anything you could figure out?”

“…I’m sorry.”

To my question, the formation expert from the branch wore a bitter expression.

“We confirmed traces of something having unfolded, but the traces are too faint. To grasp it definitively… is beyond our capabilities.”

The words stating it was impossible with their own power. The man uttering those words seemed quite wounded in his pride.

“It seems… we’ll have to request support from the main headquarters.”

“That would take three months just for the travel… Hmm. Alright.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Are they sorry for not being helpful? Or are they simply terrified after hearing about what I did yesterday? In my view, it seems like both, but it wasn’t something that needed deep thought.

“Send an official dispatch to the main headquarters requesting support regarding formations, mixed with the report.”

“Understood.”

“Regarding related matters, tell Cheol, a member, when you return to the branch. That friend will probably prepare it.”

“Understood.”

“You and you, go outside and control the perimeter. Prevent ordinary people from entering.”

“What should we do about those who approach unnecessarily?”

“Reveal yourselves as the Murim Alliance, scare them off appropriately. If they still try to enter, it’s fine to kill them.”

“…Under…stood.”

I saw them hesitate for a moment at the word ‘kill’. It was as clear as day that anyone who tried to enter even after knowing the whole situation would be a dangerous individual. It was better to just eliminate such people beforehand.

“The secondary investigation will resume within three days…”

Taking in the surroundings, I continued speaking.

“We’ve confirmed what we needed to. Let’s get started.”

As I said that, stretching my shoulders slightly, the Seongryong members’ eyes lit up.

From now on.

“I’m going to clean up. Prepare yourselves.”

“Yes.”

It was time to go clean up the disgusting things.

******************

-Kuaaaak-!!

-S-Save me!!

Screams could be heard echoing everywhere. Amidst the chaotic atmosphere, flashes continued to burst forth. Countless continuous streams. Each time one connected, the scent of blood spread. As time passed, the bursting lights gradually decreased. And then, when it finally became quiet. Countless corpses lay scattered on the ground.

“We subdued three and eliminated all of them.”

I turned my gaze towards the report I heard.

“As for our side.”

“Two people sustained minor cuts. Everyone else survived.”

It was around the time the sun was setting. Only then was the cleanup roughly completed.

The Seongryong unit was moving to purge the Gyecheon Gate.

“They sure expanded unnecessarily.”

Why would a single sect establish so many branches? I could roughly guess the reason, but from the perspective of dealing with it, it was the most bothersome task in the world.

“What should we do about those who assessed the situation and fled?”

“Capture them. It’s fine to kill them too.”

“We will dispatch a pursuit team immediately.”

The member spoke and moved, but inwardly, I thought it was a pointless task.

‘Amwang is probably already moving anyway.’

He and his assassination squad must be catching and killing those who fled long ago. We handled two of the four branches we knew of. Amwang’s side will handle the rest. Finding their hiding places wasn’t that difficult. I let him do it because Amwang wanted to move first.

Did he manage to get any information? Honestly, I didn’t think there was more.

“We’re moving to the next location.”

“Yes!”

After the cleanup was finished, I immediately moved my feet. The branch members and personnel showed somewhat tired expressions. It seemed that way because they hadn’t rested all night and were doing various things. I felt sorry, but they had to go along with this until it was over. That was also why Amwang moved first.

And so, the moment I led the personnel to the next destination.

“…What is this…!!”

The personnel gasped as they looked inside. It wasn’t a very large space. It was a location quite far north from the branch. And inside that hidden space.

“Th-They’re all dead.”

Numerous people were already lying on the floor, their breaths ceased. A member hurried over to examine the corpses and blood.

“…Judging by the condition, it seems less than two days have passed.”

It seemed they hadn’t been dead for long.

“Who on earth did this…?”

It’s horrific. There were only mangled corpses, as if ravaged by beasts. As everyone covered their mouths at the horrific and brutal sight.

“L-Look over there!”

One person pointed at the wall and shouted. Something was flowing down the barely visible wall.

It was blood.

Fwoosh.

I immediately conjured fire with my hands to illuminate the surroundings. At that moment.

“Hieek!”

“Oh my…!!”

Those who checked the wall let out gasps of shock. On the not-so-high wall, several corpses were hanging near the top edge. Corpses fixed in place by swords embedded in them, bleeding. And.

Letters painted onto the wall with flowing blood could be seen.

“…All Demons Bow Down…?”

Reading the written words, everyone’s expression contorted. They must have instinctively understood the meaning of those words.

“Then, this too… is the work of the Heavenly Demon, the Demonic Cult?”

“…How did they get here?”

“They said the Gyecheon Gate was linked to the Demonic Cult. Why would he bother eliminating this place… Wait!”

The person speaking widened their eyes as if realizing something and said.

“Isn’t it possible they were trying to hide something?”

“Hide something?”

“Because they knew we had obtained information and started digging… they preemptively dealt with the Gyecheon Gate…”

“…Cut off the buds?”

“I think that might be it…”

“Even so, how could they…”

Create such a horrific scene. These were words they couldn’t bring themselves to say.

‘…Isn’t this excessive?’

Even I, who had requested it, found the sight a bit chilling.

‘Amwang must be really furious.’

This is a result clearly imbued with emotion. Amwang must have been the one who handled this. It was also a sight that showed just how enraged he was.

‘…Ilcheon Cult. And Yeon Il-cheon.’

Yeon Il-cheon is alive. And he’s trying to do something. That fact must have provoked Amwang, a descendant of the Yeon family.

‘…Should I… avoid messing with this for a while?’

Since there are many things I can do even without Amwang right now. It seemed right to keep my distance for now.

‘Anyway.’

This is this, and that is that. I looked around and opened my mouth.

“For now, proceed with the investigation. Maintain constant vigilance in case of unforeseen circumstances.”

“Understood.”

“The situation and process will be documented in detail and reported to the main headquarters. Record everything without omission.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Amidst the unease, the personnel began investigating the corpses and the surroundings. Around the time this process was being repeated. Slowly, the seeds planted by Cheol Ji-seon also began to stir.

******************

One day, as autumn began to fade, starting to get gradually colder. A certain rumor began circulating in the Central Plains. The rumor was about the Demonic Cult and the Heavenly Demon. That the Demonic Cult’s Sichuan branch was caught by the Seongryong unit while attempting to carry out a plan with the Gyecheon Gate, and that fortunately, they managed to stop the plan before it could proceed.

Furthermore.

The absurd information that the Heavenly Demon can open demonic gates and command demons… was released to the world. Regarding this, the Murim Alliance denied the information, stating it was unconfirmed. The Gaebang also denied it, saying it wasn’t their statement, but… For some reason, the rumors began to spread rapidly throughout the land.

The involvement of the Demonic Cult, unorthodox sects, and an executive of the Sichuan branch implied that enemies might even be within the Murim Alliance. Rumors even suggested that a Great Leader, called a pillar of the main headquarters, was also implicated. These were unfavorable rumors, especially at a time when trust in the Alliance was already waning.

Moreover, the situation where the Baekgeup demon reappeared after centuries. At such a time, with the added talk that the Heavenly Demon could freely wield demonic gates and demons, anxiety could only reach its peak. Thus, people increasingly began to ask, seeking hope amidst this anxiety.

Just how strong is this being called the Heavenly Demon? How would he compare to the Three Sovereigns who currently support the Central Plains? Even Cheonjun, one of the Three Sovereigns, couldn’t properly stop the Heavenly Demon, so does that mean the Heavenly Demon is on par with the Three Sovereigns? Or does it mean he is an even stronger existence?

If.

By any chance.

If the Heavenly Demon were a being stronger than the Three Sovereigns. And if such a being were opening demonic gates, wielding demons, and intending to cause war like the Blood Demon of the past, crushing peace. At a time when even the Murim Alliance cannot be trusted, would hope even exist?

No one could answer this question, and thus, words began to spread throughout the Central Plains. In a world where the Three Sovereigns maintained balance, but there was no Supreme Sovereign. Talk began to arise suggesting that the Heavenly Demon, regardless of good or evil, might be the true Supreme Sovereign.