Chapter 165: Fatal Relationship (2)

“You’ve done well, nanny.”

The moment I heard those words, my mind went cold.

‘Nanny, she said.’

That was a word that could never be spoken unless there was a deep, long-standing connection from the previous generation.

I pressed myself against the wall and focused entirely on their conversation.

Jeok Rua opened her mouth with a solemn tone, like a subordinate reporting to her liege.

“The cultivation of the Demon Fusion Troops is proceeding satisfactorily. About a hundred have been completed so far… but even that should be enough to initiate the grand plan.”

“I see. You’ve gone through much, nanny.”

I didn’t know exactly what the “Demon Fusion Troops” were, but it was clear they had something to do with the current state of the So Clan.

“And the matter with the young lady?”

Cheon Yujeong smiled.

“I’ve successfully won over three lower Elders.”

…What?

“As expected of the young lady!”

Jeok Rua looked as though she could leap with joy.

“Though they’re not from the Six Great Demonic Clans, each of them holds significant positions within the Cult. They’ll surely be of great help to the grand plan.”

‘Three Elders have turned to Cheon Yujeong?’

Alarmed, I strained my ears to find out who had been won over.

Unfortunately, she didn’t name them specifically.

Cheon Yujeong grumbled with a slightly annoyed tone.

“I left a bit of leeway with one of them, but Yama Blade flat-out rejected me without a second thought. That’s a bit disappointing.”

Jeok Rua nodded in agreement.

“The Hell Demonic Wanderers he leads are ranked fifth among the official Thirty-Four Demon Squads. It is indeed regrettable.”

All martial units officially affiliated with the Cult were collectively referred to as the Thirty-Four Demon Squads…

Among them, the top five were said to be in a completely different league, regardless of what they were compared to.

“It doesn’t matter. The preparations for the ‘Heaven-Defying Scheme’ are already in their final stages.”

‘Heaven-Defying Scheme?’

I flinched at the mention of such an ominous name.

“When do you plan to begin?”

“It doesn’t really require my command… The moment it starts, the grand plan will already be in motion. The Orthodox Faction has promised to give us a clear signal.”

‘Damn, she said it too quietly to hear properly.’

“The Orthodox Faction, huh. I don’t particularly like that.”

Cheon Yujeong frowned, clearly displeased about forming an alliance with the Orthodox Faction.

“Please bear with it for just a little longer, young lady. The Orthodox Faction is something we can simply use and discard.”

Jeok Rua comforted her.

I tried to collect my jumbled thoughts.

I had just unintentionally overheard an unprecedented act of treason being plotted.

No—more than that.

I thought I had done a good job blocking Cheon Yujeong’s movements, but it seemed I was wrong.

That realization hit me hard.

‘So that’s why she backed down so easily. She had shifted her target all along.’

Even lower Elders possessed immense power and authority.

‘Excluding Yama Blade, if it’s Gu Eumhyeoljo, Gwang Rahee, Baekmyeon Majang, and Hyeolluchang… All of them hold one of the seats within the Nine Demon Halls…’

With the seat of the Yin-Yang Fist Demon still vacant, if three of these had turned against Cheon Yura… then no matter how I looked at it, it was a critical blow to her.

“I don’t care about the Orthodox Faction. I’m sure you, nanny, have handled it well. But…”

Then, Cheon Yujeong’s voice leaked more dissatisfaction than before.

“Do we really have to kill that bastard?”

‘That bastard?’

At that moment, one corner of Jeok Rua’s mouth curled up in a sly smile.

“If you mean Jin Yeomyung of the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan, there’s no helping it, young lady.”

‘……!’

“He went as far as to oppose the Sword Demon for the sake of that. That boy’s heart is already far beyond the point of return.”

“…….”

Cheon Yujeong closed her mouth with a sulky expression, clearly unhappy with the statement.

“He’s just a fool with broken eyes who doesn’t even know who truly cherishes him. It’s time to let go of those feelings.”

‘That damn hag…’

You’re talking behind my back right in front of me?

“But if that guy were to come to me…”

“It would surely cause serious psychological damage to that. But even if we don’t aim for defection, simply killing him would be more than enough to shake that to its core.”

Despite everything that had been said, Cheon Yujeong still seemed hesitant.

“Now that he’s been absent for two whole days, this is the perfect opportunity to kill him without a doubt. If we do, the Hidden Shadow So Clan will undoubtedly be yours, young lady. Please trust my decision.”

Cheon Yujeong let out a soft sigh.

“He’s someone who even survived at the hands of the Sword Demon. What if he decides to flee?”

Almost like she had been waiting for that question, Jeok Rua smiled brightly.

“There’s no need to worry about that at all. We’ve received powerful support from the Illusion Clan.”

“Illusion Clan?”

“Grand Taoist Master Hwan Yul of the Illusion Clan has personally come, leading her subordinates.”

‘Grand Taoist Master?’

The Illusion Clan was shrouded in secrecy in many ways. Much about their internal ranks was still unknown.

Fortunately, Cheon Yujeong voiced the question I had.

“I’ve never heard that name before. But Great Grandmaster? What kind of rank is that?”

“She’s never once appeared in public, but she commands the previous generation of elders in the Illusion Clan. In terms of martial strength, she’s at the pinnacle of Extreme Demonic level. Even the clan head, the Illusion Demon himself, has trouble controlling him.”

‘…Someone like that came to hunt me?’

Goosebumps spread across my back the moment I heard that.

‘Shit, they really are going all out now.’

Contrary to what I had expected, there was never any room for negotiation with the So Clan to begin with.

‘Still, Hwan Yul… I’ve definitely heard that name somewhere before… but I can’t recall it at all.’

Most of the Illusion Clan’s upper ranks were not only difficult to meet but also had the strange trait of their presence becoming faint in your memory once they were gone.

‘Where did I hear it?’

I shook my head shortly after.

Now was not the time to dwell on such things.

“That’s unfortunate, but if that’s your decision, then so be it, nanny.”

Jeok Rua bowed her head.

“Yes. If the Heaven-Defying Scheme succeeds, he’ll have no choice but to name you as his successor. By then, Cheon Yura will no longer be among the living.”

“Indeed.”

“That day will also be the one where the unjust grudge of that person who died will finally be avenged.”

“…….”

Jeok Rua knelt in front of Cheon Yujeong and bowed deeply.

“Until then, please take care of your health, young lady.”

The conversation seemed to be drawing to a close.

‘Looks like there’s no more classified information to be gained. What a pity. It would’ve been great to at least learn what the Demonic Soul Soldier is, who the Elders attached to Cheon Yujeong are, or even what the Heaven-Defying Plan is… even one of those three.’

Unfortunately, even in this secretive meeting, both of them appeared careful with their words.

‘At this point, I’ll give up on the So Clan.’

Whether Murder Demon’s will was involved in this or not was something I couldn’t confirm.

Damn Murder Demon or not—reinforcements had even come from the Illusion Clan. If I stayed here, I was definitely going to die.

‘Whatever this Heaven-Defying Plan is, it’s definitely targeting Cheon Yura directly.’

I didn’t know how exactly they planned to target her, but they must have found at least one opening to exploit.

‘Once I get back, I’ll need to gather the power of the three clans to suppress the So Clan and the Illusion Clan.’

It was rebellion that became dangerous after it erupted. If caught during the planning stage, it was the easiest thing to crush.

‘I might be a Master-level martial artist, but I still need to return carefully without being caught.’

Just as I made up my mind and was about to issue a command to Myeong-oh—

‘Huh?’

In that moment—

Flash!

A sudden brilliant light burst from inside my robes…

Lighting up the previously dark surroundings in an instant.

‘Wh-What the hell is this!?’

While enduring the sudden flare of light, I quickly searched for its source.

‘Why is this thing—?!’

The source of the light was none other than the Divine Demon Physique Record Book I had been carrying lately.

Immediately, the attention of the two shifted to me.

“……Who’s there?”

Though the light from the record book only lasted a few seconds—

It was more than enough to expose my location to them.

‘Damn it.’

I sighed as I looked up at the sky.

***

‘Should I just run?’

After a moment’s consideration, I concluded that it was impossible.

‘Even if Myeong-oh knows the shortcuts in this area, she’s nowhere near the level of that woman from the House of Slaughter.’

A high-level Master fighting a light footwork battle in her own backyard?

Even if I fled now, I’d end up getting caught eventually.

‘In the end, even if it’s a long shot, my only option is to break through head-on.’

And the “breakthrough” I chose wasn’t anything grand.

It was bluffing!

“……Jin Yeomyung?!”

As I stepped out from the darkness, Cheon Yujeong looked quite surprised.

She immediately frowned, revealing her displeasure.

“Don’t tell me—you were eavesdropping on our conversation?”

“That’s not—”

“That’s not the case, Lady.”

‘Huh?’

I was taken aback by Jeok Rua’s abrupt and firm statement.

‘I mean, thanks for that, but… does she have some kind of ulterior motive?’

I soon figured out the source of her confidence.

Ziiiiing!

A strange vibration emanated from an artifact floating above Jeok Rua’s palm in the form of a vajra.

“This Silent Seal Vajra is an artifact of the Illusion Clan that not only blocks sound but also perfectly severs the flow of Qi. It protects secrets better than any sound barrier.”

I looked at the artifact with a dubious expression.

‘It sure didn’t sound like that… I heard them perfectly well.’

Of course, now wasn’t the time to raise unnecessary suspicion.

Instead, I put on a brazen face and spoke confidently.

“Lady Cheon Yujeong, may I ask why you’re in a place like this?”

“……That’s my question. Why were you sneaking around in such a secluded spot, listening in?”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping, but I did approach after spotting you, Lady.”

“…….”

Cheon Yujeong silently studied me.

Jeok Rua had vouched for me, but she was likely checking if I was lying.

“Let me ask again. Could it be that you’re acquainted with the House of Slaughter’s assassin?”

“And what if I am?”

“……!”

My eyes shifted to Jeok Rua, who wore a sneer on her face.

“I was once a bodyguard of the late Lady Cheonha-wol of the Cheon Clan. Now, I serve her daughter, Lady Cheon Yujeong.”

“What did you say?”

I was momentarily stunned.

She just… casually revealed such a high-level secret?

“I heard Lady Cheon Yujeong was from a branch family of the Cheon Clan.”

Jeok Rua’s sneer deepened.

“How brazen of you to pretend ignorance when you already learned the truth at Iron Steed Prison Cave.”

*Ssss…*

A chilling intent began to ooze from Jeok Rua.

It felt like a red shadow writhing, ready to devour me whole.

‘She’s gauging her angle.’

This was the woman who had declared her intention to kill me.

If she could end it here, it would be ideal for her.

However—

‘Still… it feels like she’s calculating whether she can capture me instead…’

It was a stark contrast from when she had boldly declared in front of Cheon Yujeong that she would kill me.

Regardless, I responded in kind by releasing pitch-black intent of my own.

“Magnificent.”

Cheon Yujeong murmured in admiration as she watched the clash of black and red energy.

It was a battle between masters, each trying to claim the space of the other—only visible to those who had reached a certain level.

After a while, once we had tested each other’s resolve—

Jeok Rua clicked her tongue and withdrew her killing intent.

“Go back. I’ll overlook your reckless intrusion.”

“I am deeply grateful for the assassin’s generous mercy.”

No matter how high her cultivation was, I wasn’t someone to be taken down easily.

She must’ve judged that killing me here would be too much of a hassle.

“If I may give you one piece of advice—go back and stay quiet.”

“…….”

I was just about to scoff at Jeok Rua’s ridiculous advice when—

“If you walk away from the House of Slaughter like this, you’ll never be able to see Byeok Cheon-un again.”

“What?”

The moment I heard those words—

A surge of uncontrollable rage erupted from deep within my chest.

And with it, the usually quiet “power” within me stirred.

“What… did you just say?”

“……!!”

Fwoooosh!

Not a formless aura of intent, but a tangible, black force erupted from me and surged straight toward Jeok Rua.

“Gah!”

“Ugh!”

I barked out coldly, in a voice so icy even I was startled.

“Say it again. Just who the hell do you think you’re using as a bargaining chip?”

“You… insolent brat…!”

Jeok Rua summoned a bloody demonic energy and began to release her power in earnest.

However—

At least in the moments I drew upon the strength of the Second Heavenly Demon, I wasn’t going to lose in sheer output, even against most Master-level martial artists.

“Wh-What is this?!”

As Jeok Rua gradually realized she was being overwhelmed, cold sweat began to bead on her forehead.

Ziiing!

“Mother. Myeong-ah. I think that’s far enough.”

A round taegeuk symbol appeared at the exact point where my energy clashed with Jeok Rua’s.

Ten-Thousand Forms Reversal of the Supreme Taiji

Fwoosh!

Our tightly clashing energies were swept away in an instant—redirected as if caught by an enormous wave!

Kwa-kwakwakwang!

Boom! Boom!

If someone from the Wudang Sect had witnessed this, they would have burst into tears at seeing the very essence of the Supreme Sword of Taiji.

“…You.”

The one who interrupted the clash between two Master-level experts head-on.

Caught completely off guard by the intrusion of someone I hadn’t expected at all, I found myself muttering the name blankly.

“So-cheon?”

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