Chapter 1106: Scorched World.

Namgung Jeohui.

His cultivation was that of a perfected peak martial artist, and he was the current head of the Namgung family.

While his martial prowess wasn’t particularly high, he possessed outstanding political acumen and intellect, allowing him to overcome his brothers and ascend to the position of family head.

Because of that, people in the world often said he became the family head due to luck, or that he lacked the necessary qualifications.

However, as he was ultimately the person chosen by the elders and the previous family head.

His status as the head of the Namgung family was undeniable.

‘…Blood energy.’

To think that blood energy was clinging to Namgung Jeohui’s body. It was utterly baffling to me.

‘What happened?’

What could possibly have happened? Why could I sense blood energy around Namgung Jeohui’s body?

I wondered if it might be a mistake.

‘Impossible.’

It wasn’t just some random person; it was me, someone who had personally experienced the Blood Demon.

There was no way I wouldn’t recognize the energy clinging to his body as blood energy.

It was definitely blood energy.

‘Sip.’

I sat and pondered deeply. Then, I looked up at the ceiling. It was high. This was a proper room, unlike the cramped space I felt in the carriage.

“What are you thinking about so hard?”

Doyun, who was unpacking nearby, asked.

“Nothing much. Just have a few things to think about.”

“Then I’m going out for a bit.”

“Where are you going?”

“Just going to train a little.”

Doyun said that and went outside.

I was currently staying in quarters located within the Namgung family compound.

Since I came in with the family head, my identity wasn’t particularly checked.

The problem was.

‘What in the world is it?’

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t comprehend the blood energy on Namgung Jeohui’s body.

‘Had it already started its activities?’

When exactly had the Blood Demon begun its activities?

The presence of blood energy now meant it had been active long ago.

‘Hmm.’

To think it had already reached out into the Namgung family? It was an unexpected situation.

‘How did the person named Namgung Jeohui meet his end?’

I tried to recall. He was someone I barely remembered. It couldn’t be helped.

‘He was already dead and gone.’

Namgung Jeohui had died during the time I was active.

I didn’t even know much about his death. If I barely knew about my own family, how could I possibly know about someone else’s?

If I tried to recall what little I did know.

‘The cause of death was illness.’

That was all – that Namgung Jeohui died from an illness.

But.

‘That illness… perhaps….’

Looking at it now, some doubts arose.

‘Was it really just an illness?’

Death from illness was common among martial artists. In fact, it was common among humans in general.

‘For a martial artist, death usually meant…’

Dying of old age, dying of illness, or dying in battle.

It was obvious it would be one of these three, and within that, illness wasn’t particularly strange.

No matter how exceptional one’s talent or how trained their body was.

They couldn’t escape illness.

‘In that sense, it wasn’t strange…’

But viewed this way, it was puzzling.

Was it because of the blood energy? I found myself focusing on the cause of death.

‘What is it?’

This unease? Namgung Jeohui’s cause of death. Illness.

‘His cultivation wasn’t low either.’

It didn’t seem like he died in his youth.

Considering the timeframe, it wasn’t that long ago.

‘Aside from the blood energy, I don’t see any other issues with his body.’

I couldn’t see his entire physical condition like a god could, but still, nothing seemed overtly wrong.

If that’s the case.

‘Perhaps…’

…his death was related to the blood energy? Furthermore.

‘The fact that he could become the family head…’

…that someone lacking in power could rise to the position of family head. Perhaps, in reality….’

‘…it was the Blood Demon’s scheme?’

Wasn’t it possible the Blood Demon orchestrated something to make it happen?

The thought suddenly crossed my mind.

‘Hmm.’

I scratched my head.

‘Seriously, this is just one thing after another.’

I never knew the Namgung family could be infiltrated this early. If I didn’t know, it wouldn’t bother me. But now that I know, it’s a headache.

‘Ah, but it’s not like I have to solve it anyway.’

It’s ridiculous to even care about it. Nothing will change no matter what. It just ends up bothering me for no reason.

“Ugh. Damn it.”

It became annoying. I just felt like I saw something I shouldn’t have.

Namgung Jeohui, the Blood Demon, or whatever else – this isn’t the time to be worrying about such things.

“Rather die than suffer.”

I got up and went outside. The day was still bright. Although my father told me to wait until ordered.

“Instead of just sitting around.”

It’s better to investigate something. I might be able to find something here too.

Thinking that, I gathered my energy.

Click.

I snapped my fingers, and a figure appeared in the room. It was an illusion of my own body, created with my divine power.

I even covered it with a blanket, so it should last for about two hours.

‘Well then.’

Shall I start moving?

Thinking that, I activated my stealth technique.

---

The interior of the Namgung family compound was vast. As it was considered the foremost among the Four Great Families, its grounds were naturally extensive.

‘It feels a bit wider than when I last came.’

Around the time I visited for the engagement ceremony.

The compound itself felt larger than back then.

It didn’t seem like they had reduced the size of the compound due to a decline in status.

‘Is it a management issue?’

Perhaps they reduced it for management purposes due to its sheer size.

‘Or maybe they reduced the manpower in the Sword Brigade.’

They might have scaled back due to the prolonged era of peace.

Well, that wasn’t particularly important.

Tak-!

I moved slowly, observing my surroundings. There was only one destination I intended to reach.

‘Where was it again?’

A place I had visited once before. I had headed there after receiving permission from the family head back then. However, the layout of the compound seemed different from what I remembered, so it was taking a little longer to find.

‘Hmm.’

Where could it possibly be?

As I searched here and there.

‘Ah.’

Found it.

In the distance, there was a relatively small building where four martial artists were gathered.

‘That’s the place.’

Fortunately, considering how long I thought it took, I hadn’t wasted too much time.

Tuk.

I landed lightly. Carefully ensuring no one noticed me, I examined the building.

‘The appearance hasn’t changed.’

It was the same place I had visited before. This was the Namgung family’s repository.

Its appearance hadn’t changed much from how I remembered it.

That part was fine, but.

‘So how do I get inside?’

Since my objective was inside, I had to get in somehow. What method should I use?

I pondered it.

‘…There’s no other way.’

There was only one method, anyway.

Swish.

I accelerated my body and flew forward.

Tuk-! Tututuk-!!

In an instant, I brushed past the four guards. Before long, the men standing upright collapsed one after another.

I knocked them out by hitting their jaws.

Afterwards, using a technique to lift them into the air, I gathered them in a corner.

Click-!

I snapped my fingers again, using my divine power. Immediately, figures resembling the guards were created.

Making them stand still, I approached the door.

‘The time… maybe about half a ‘bangak’. At most, half a ‘bangak’. Considering when the next guards would arrive, that should be safe.’

Kiiiiiik.

I opened the door and went inside. I looked around, taking in the surroundings.

The interior looked somewhat different from when I had visited before. The way things were organized, perhaps.

‘Hmm.’

As I looked around various places.

Tuduk.

“……!”

Sensing a presence, I immediately concealed myself.

‘What is it?’

There’s someone inside?

‘Who could it be?’

I wondered who had entered this place. Just as I hid myself in the darkness, puzzled.

“……Look, I told you I wouldn’t do it. Why do you keep pestering me? It’s disgusting, really.”

A voice could be heard.

“Why would I do something so bothersome? I’m already getting the cold shoulder from the family, and you want me to do that? Ask someone else. My brother might have a terrible temper, but he gets the job done. Should I introduce you?”

His sly tone was filled with annoyance.

Hearing that, I narrowed my eyes.

‘This voice and tone…’

The person who entered. Ah, no way.

I moved slightly, trying not to be noticed, to get a look at the person. An indistinct figure, previously hidden by bookshelves, became visible.

‘Ah.’

I confirmed it and widened my eyes. Just as I expected.

A white-haired young man was sitting slumped in the center of the repository, staring at something.

A sword hanging on the wall, possessing only a hilt with no blade.

It was the sword used by the Sword Demon Marquis, the one Namgung Bi-ah currently possessed.

‘Noea.’

A treasured artifact representing the Namgung family. It was a divine sword from centuries ago, said to have been used by Namgung Myung.

‘That means….’

Is the person in front of me the one I suspect?

Just as I was about to approach for a clearer confirmation.

“Huh? What?”

The young man suddenly turned around.

“……Who’s there? Hey, old man. There’s no way…”

“……”

“Huh?”

Our eyes met. I could see his face.

It was correct.

The young man’s identity was none other than Namgung Hyung.

---

Meanwhile, while events were unfolding in the repository.

“Thank you for coming.”

A conversation was ongoing in the Namgung family head’s office.

Namgung Jeohui was facing a young man, the most talked-about rising talent in the Central Plains.

He met the Azure Dragon.

‘……Impressive.’

The youngest deputy commander of the Azure Dragon Brigade.

I had been curious about how great a figure he was, given he suddenly appeared and garnered so much attention.

‘I didn’t expect this level.’

Namgung Jeohui repeatedly marveled as he looked at the Azure Dragon, Gu Cheol-un.

‘I can’t see it.’

What level of power did he possess? It wasn’t visible to the eye. This meant the young man before him was either on par with himself, or…

‘…stronger.’

It meant he was stronger.

Even if my martial arts talent was lacking, to be comparable to a rising talent like him.

‘I believe they called him from the Gu Clan of Shanxi.’

The Gu Clan of Shanxi. I knew the name. I had even heard advice to avoid entanglement with them if possible.

‘To think such a talent would emerge from a place like that.’

For a genius like this to appear from a place that rarely produced them, I couldn’t help but feel envious.

Namgung Jin wasn’t lacking either, but someone of this caliber could easily stir up envy.

“Not at all. I merely came upon receiving orders.”

“……Regardless. You came to assist the main family, so I am grateful.”

I dismissed my thoughts. Envy was envy.

Now was the time to work.

“So, as I mentioned in the letter you received, it concerns a certain matter.”

“Yes.”

“Recently, something unusual has occurred with the demonic gate in Anhui.”

“……”

An anomaly with the demonic gate.

Upon hearing that, Gu Cheol-un’s eyebrows twitched.

“The time for the Great Demonic Gate’s appearance is drawing near, and since it’s Anhui’s turn this time, the Namgung family must act.”

“Yes.”

The Great Demonic Gate.

So its turn was Anhui?

As soon as he heard this, Namgung Jeohui spoke.

“I heard the state of the Great Demonic Gate is unusual.”

“……In what way?”

“Unlike its usual form. That is to say….”

He paused for a moment before saying.

“Crimson.”

“……!”

“They said the demonic gate was stained crimson.”

At those words, Gu Cheol-un’s eyes narrowed.