“Quite a few of the old masters of the Mukse Society have died over the years. How did they die?”

“……”

“Most of them did nothing and died. That is what one calls a futile end.”

There was nothing to say to that.

“Let us look at the latter case. If, while still alive, they burn their final desire and become the central figures in the restoration of the Thousand-Year Demon Cult, the great work can be achieved. Under the name Hwa Munyeom, not Yucheong.”

“……Such empty nonsense.”

“Empty?”

Unhwi let out a faint, bitter laugh.

“Then let me ask. What has the Mukse Society accomplished? Hiding in the shadows—what have you done?”

Hwa Munyeom’s face twisted.

“I do not know who the Lord of the Mukse Society is, but I do think he is remarkably incompetent. Look at Cheonrim. At the very least, Yeon Songbaek put his name on the line and grew power while leading both the Ihwa Sword Heaven Sect and Cheonrim. Compared to the Mukse Society, is that not far more forthright?”

“You—”

“I hold you in high regard, senior. Truly, I do.”

Unhwi’s voice remained sincere.

“But seeing someone like you bind your own potential because of one man named Yucheong—I find it frustrating. If the restoration of the Thousand-Year Demon Cult is truly your wish, should you not walk that path by your own hand, without depending on anyone else? Do not look only a few steps ahead. Look beyond.”

That the vast majority of the martial world was hostile to the restoration of the Thousand-Year Demon Cult was nothing new.

But Unhwi was not.

He was not merely receptive—he was actively favorable.

That was why he joined hands with Hwa Munyeom.

The Mukse Society aided Unhwi from the shadows, Unhwi gained practical benefit and supported the restoration—the arrangement had not changed.

“Did you think everything would remain at a standstill?”

“……”

“I recall saying it before. I live to keep what is mine and take what I want. I am a collaborator of the Mukse Society, one who does what the Mukse Society cannot. Am I wrong?”

“……”

“Yet if you cannot even hold your center like this—how do you intend to establish order in the martial world later?”

Hwa Munyeom could not refute a single word. Every point was correct.

“And one more thing.”

Unhwi struck aside Hwa Munyeom’s hand.

“Remove it. A hand that cannot tear is useless.”

The atmosphere tightened.

Hwa Munyeom fell silent, and Unhwi also said nothing.

The Mukse Society was undoubtedly formidable and threatening.

If they revealed themselves in the Central Plains now, the resulting shock would be unimaginable.

The reason was simple:

They were all masters of past generations.

Heaven-and-Earth Stage martial artists were plentiful, and there were at least five at the level of Five Gods of Martial Ascension.

But for that very reason, there was one major flaw.

They did not have much time left.

No matter how those united under a great cause, living only in the shadows was not easy. The same held for Hwa Munyeom.

Though unspoken, there must have been much resentment among them.

A life spent simply waiting, doing nothing.

Therefore, the words Hwa Munyeom spoke next had been inevitable.

“……Let it be so.”

However—what followed was not what anyone expected.

“And one more thing—No-Name.”

At that title, Unhwi’s gaze twitched, and Hwa Munyeom’s eyes gleamed.

“You have been cultivating the secret manual you obtained from the Secret Realm of Yangryeong, have you not?”

***

He briefly thought.

Whether to speak truth or lie.

But there was no longer any reason to evade.

“If you mean the Demonic Blood Heavenly Firmament Art, then no, I am not cultivating it.”

“……So you do not deny it. That you are the one they call No-Name, who took the treasure of the Secret Realm.”

“I believe you are misunderstanding something.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“Since when has a Secret Realm ever had an owner?”

“……Hm.”

“I simply entered a Secret Realm that appeared in front of my own courtyard and took the treasure within. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Hwa Munyeom nodded, as if agreeing that the logic was correct.

And he seemed somewhat surprised now.

It did not feel like he was merely probing—he genuinely seemed surprised that Unhwi was No-Name.

“But how did you know?”

“A deduction.”

“I see.”

“Then I shall ask just one more thing.”

“I am listening.”

In a serious tone, Hwa Munyeom asked:

“Do you intend to become the Heavenly Demon?”

Unhwi tilted his head.

“Why is the conversation heading in that direction?”

“…….”

“Even if the Demonic Blood Heavenly Firmament Art is a manual that forges a Heavenly Demon, I studied martial arts suited to my body and mind, and I will continue to do so. And there will be no demonic arts among them.”

A faint, unreadable smile crossed Hwa Munyeom’s lips.

“Is that so… yes, I suppose so.”

He stroked his chin.

“Soon, I will prepare several rosters. Choose whom you wish to command from among them.”

“I will.”

Hwa Munyeom turned his back.

Strangely, his back looked a bit lighter—as though he had made a decision.

Only after he disappeared completely did Unhwi turn his head.

“Seo Hyo.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“I want a private audience with Chancellor An Wigwan of Un-guk. Can you arrange it?”

After a brief thought, Seo Hyo nodded.

“I will try to prepare it.”

“And for the time being, remain here in Aseon County.”

“You mean to keep watch.”

There was no need for further explanation.

“The rest of you, follow me.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the Dukgo Clan.”

Mae Widong had asked him to bring three of the Heavenly Seats of Ten, but Unhwi had no intention of bringing ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ three.

Among the Ten Heavenly Seats, there was one seated within the Dukgo Clan:

Dukgo Hyun.

He intended to bring only that man.

***

By the time they reached the front gate of the Dukgo Clan, the sun was already leaning toward the western mountains.

“Tell them that Seol Unhwi, the Heavenly Arbiter, has come seeking Dukgo Hyun, lord of the Dukgo Clan.”

The gatekeeper, startled by Unhwi’s presence, swallowed hard and ran inside. Before long, Dukgo Hyun himself appeared.

“I received your letter saying you would visit, but that was only two hours ago. What wind blows you here so swiftly, that the Heavenly Arbiter visits our humble house?”

“I wished to speak deeply with you, Master Dukgo.”

“Ho… I felt as much at the inauguration ceremony. You are indeed different in many ways from ordinary men.”

With that, Dukgo Hyun smiled gently.

“Please, come inside. The two gentlemen beside you as well.”

Dukgo Hyun resembled Mae Widong in one respect:

His courtesy bordered on excessive.

Soon, Dukgo Hyun led the way, and Unhwi followed.

Dukgo Hyun.

In this life, Unhwi had seen him only twice, but across his previous life as well, he had seen him more than twenty times.

There was reason for that.

Far in the future, Dukgo Hyun would take refuge in the Original Blood Cult.

As the Captain of the 12th Blood Cloud Division.

In any case, the two men sat in one of the Dukgo pavilions.

Dukgo Hyun personally poured the tea and spoke.

“I am curious what brings you.”

Unhwi took a sip and said:

“I have come for the Heavenly Alliance.”

“For the Heavenly Alliance…”

“I will not speak in circles. I wish for Master Dukgo to lend his strength to the Heavenly Alliance.”

Dukgo Hyun’s gaze shifted.

“Lend my strength… I do not understand what you mean.”

“It is simple. The Heavenly Alliance stands at a new turning point. But the number of those who can serve as its pillars is very small. If Master Dukgo—one who stands among the foremost of the Ten Heavenly Seats—were to serve as an Elder of the Heavenly Alliance, the Alliance would gain the strength to aim beyond the Heavenly Plains and toward supremacy over the Central Plains.”

“…That seems excessive praise. You flatter me too much.”

“Not at all.”

“Ho… If I take the Elder position, the Heavenly Alliance would contend for supremacy over the Central Plains… are you saying that is not overestimating me?”

Unhwi smiled faintly.

“The Ten Heavenly Seats is a term for eight masters who have reached Unity of Heaven and Man. And among those monsters of the Ten, I believe you alone, Master Dukgo, will ascend to the realm of Taihe-Mu-Sang.”

Dukgo Hyun’s eyes widened.

To be honest, it did not sound unpleasant.

He had been stuck at Unity of Heaven and Man for twenty years.

Even ascending to Divine Martial Manifestation would be difficult, let alone the realm above that—Peach Blossom Liberation was beyond dreaming.

And yet Unhwi was telling him he would reach Taihe-Mu-Sang, a realm beyond even that.

If he felt no emotion, that would be stranger.

But—

“Our Dukgo Clan has remained neutral for a long time. To lean toward one faction—”

“Neutral, you say?”

Unhwi’s smile deepened.

“Master Dukgo, do you truly believe that?”

“What do you mean?”

“The martial art you have been training recently—is it truly a hereditary art of the Dukgo Clan?”

Dukgo Hyun’s face stiffened.

“…I do not know what you mean.”

Unhwi lowered his voice.

“Blood-Spirit Heavenly Movement Art.”

Dukgo Hyun’s gaze sank. He did not show killing intent—but if he chose to, Unhwi would be gravely injured here.

Unhwi did not care.

“I do not know how you acquired a technique cultivated only by the Captains of the Blood Cloud Division of the Original Blood Cult. But you have reached considerable proficiency.”

Dukgo Hyun’s hand trembled faintly.

“I know no such art.”

“Then why did you treat Elder Yeong Unseong with such reverence at the inauguration ceremony?”

“He is a Grand Elder of the Original Blood Cult—”

Unhwi cut him off.

“It was admiration.”

“……”

“You long for the Original Blood Cult. Their martial arts, their doctrine of blood.”

Dukgo Hyun rose to his feet.

“Heavenly Arbiter, I am the head of the Dukgo Clan. The Dukgo Clan reveres the righteous path, not the Original Blood Cult. As clan head, I will hear no more of this nonsense. Please leave.”

“I am only speaking the truth.”

Unhwi also rose slowly.

“Master Dukgo, I do not condemn your choice. The Original Blood Cult is powerful, and their arts are exceptional. However—”

Unhwi stepped closer.

“What would happen if your longing were revealed? The reputation of the Dukgo Clan—and your seat among the Ten Heavenly Seats?”

“…Are you threatening me?”

“A proposal.”

Unhwi spoke clearly.

“Join the Heavenly Alliance. Then your secret will remain buried forever. More than that—I will ensure you walk the path you desire, openly and without shame.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep