Huangtian Palace.

Drip- Drip- Drip-

Pink liquid slowly dripped into the porcelain bowl.

A small candle was lit beneath the porcelain bowl.

The gathered elixir, as it heated up, gave off a sweet fragrance.

Just a slight whiff of the scent was enough to make one’s head spin.

‘The aphrodisiac effect extracted from the Samadhi Herb is quite potent.’

Yi-ryong, the leader of the Seven Great Immortals, opened the window to ventilate.

Then he circulated his True Qi to expel the aphrodisiac’s poison that had entered his body.

“Huuu…”

His skill was nothing ordinary.

It was to be expected, as Yi-ryong was an extraordinary Supreme Peak master. Most of the remaining members of the Seven Great Immortals were also masters beyond Peak.

Being both a sorcerer and a master of martial arts was not a common occurrence.

Even if you searched the entire Jianghu, only the Azure Forest or the Demon Cult could match it.

Indeed, Yi-ryong was a sorcerer of the Demon Cult.

A sorcerer of the True Demon Palace faction, no less.

It was the True Demon Palace Master who sent the Seven Great Immortals directly into Jianghu.

Though the burden weighed heavily on their shoulders, including Yi-ryong, the Seven Great Immortals carried their mission with a sense of duty.

‘For the Heavenly Demon who will return…’

The Demon Cult was largely divided into three factions.

The High Spirit Palace faction, which did not believe in the resurrection of the Heavenly Demon.

The Cult Leader faction, which believed in the resurrection but waited passively.

And the True Demon Palace faction, which believed in the resurrection and actively sought to aid it.

The Seven Great Immortals were the vanguard of that very True Demon Palace faction.

Warriors of the Heavenly Demon, who took on the grand mission and set out into the Central Plains.

Like the warriors of the Heavenly Demon’s White Wolves who once guarded the Heavenly Demon closely…

“Eldest Brother.”

“…Jeok-woong.”

As Jeok-woong entered Yi-ryong’s room, his thoughts were interrupted.

“Have you been preparing?”

“Yes, with this, we will be able to deal with the emperor even outside of Huangtian Palace.”

A light of emotion appeared on Jeok-woong’s face.

Yi-ryong was a man who lacked nothing as the eldest brother of the Seven Great Immortals.

He demonstrated a steely sense of responsibility and determination, leading all the Seven Great Immortals.

In the Demon Cult, which prided itself on the strength of its members, it was thanks to Yi-ryong’s efforts that the Seven Great Immortals were entrusted with such a grand mission.

“The brothers are waiting.”

“Let’s go.”

Yi-ryong checked the clock he had brought from the distant Western Regions.

It was so complex that most people didn’t even know how to tell the time with it.

‘There’s not much time left.’

Today, the Emperor summoned King Gye-yeong.

Since defying the Emperor’s command was not an option, King Gye-yeong would soon enter the palace, accompanied by his children, the Crown Prince and the Honorable County Princess.

In the room Yi-ryong entered, all members of the Seven Great Immortals were gathered.

Though not related by blood, they were bound by strong ties of duty.

This was the inner sanctuary of Huangtian Palace, specifically the deepest quarters of the Seven Great Immortals.

There were no eunuchs or court ladies.

Not even the Guardian would be watching.

Because of this, Yi-ryong spoke words he usually wouldn’t utter, “Soon, the era of the Demonic World will begin.”

Everyone looked at Yi-ryong’s face.

Their faces were filled with excitement, as if brimming with anticipation.

Yi-ryong looked at each of his brothers’ faces one by one.

Their reason for wanting to resurrect the Heavenly Demon was the hope that the resurrected Heavenly Demon would unify the Demon Cult and conquer the Central Plains.

Perhaps, in this era, such a notion might seem outdated.

Even within the Demon Cult, the term “Era of the Demonic World” was used like an old-fashioned, faded word.

But at least to these men, it was sincere.

“Heuk Seok-gye.”

Yi-ryong looked at Heuk Seok-gye’s face.

“Yes, Eldest Brother.”

“The Kunlun that abandoned you will fall.”

Heuk Seok-gye, who was once a disciple of the Kunlun Sect, fled to the Demon Cult after escaping from his sect, which had tried to kill him.

“Chu Yeong-ho.”

“Yes.”

“Those who disfigured your face will also pay for their crimes.”

Chu Yeong-ho, who was originally handsome, had an affair with the daughter of a Magistrate and was tortured by having hot water poured on his face.

With his face twisted in an ugly grimace, betrayed even by the lover he trusted, he joined the Demon Cult.

“Jeok-woong.”

“Yes!”

“You…”

Yi-ryong made eye contact with each one as he spoke.

This was a ritual.

A ritual to add fuel to the fire within their hearts.

They had always solidified their resolve in this way.

All of them were people who had been abandoned by the world, and instead of despairing, they sought revenge.

Yi-ryong was no different…

“Shaolin as well…”

When Yi-ryong brushed aside his bangs, a hideous scar was revealed.

It was the place where the imprint, a symbol of the Shaolin monks, had once been branded.

A mark left by burning with a branding iron, a sign of excommunication.

“…will burn once again.”

No one knew what hardships awaited until then.

Surely, one or two of the Seven Great Immortals were likely to die, and even if the Heavenly Demon was resurrected, the Seven Great Immortals may still be torn apart and killed by the Imperial Army.

Nevertheless, they reaffirmed their resolve.

“The Divine Demon descends–-”

When Yi-ryong led the chant, the rest of the Seven Great Immortals followed in a low voice.

“—To conquer the world!”

They could not raise their voices, so they murmured softly.

However, the day would come when they could shout it loudly, with the force of expelling all the air from their lungs.

“Let’s go. Soon, King Gye-yeong and his children will arrive.”

Yi-ryong took the lead.

They headed towards the Emperor’s bedchamber.

The Emperor, bloated with fat, hated walking even within the inner quarters of Huangtian Palace.

He was originally a lazy and cruel person, but the Seven Great Immortals had greatly contributed to his degradation to this extent.

The Emperor turned his head at the faint sound made by the Seven Great Immortals.

“Oh, Yi-ryong!”

“Your Imperial Majesty.”

The Emperor, who was almost lying down in a reclining position, struggled to lift himself up but gave up.

Yi-ryong and Wi Mi-hyeon approached the Emperor.

“Please be careful, Your Imperial Majesty. We are concerned for your well-being.”

“Hehe, I’m fine.”

A sickly sweet, fishy odor emanated from the foolish Emperor’s body.

It was only natural, as he bathed daily in scented oil and consumed aphrodisiacs regularly.

Yi-ryong pretended to support the Emperor while checking his physical condition.

It was unexpected that the Emperor was developing Demon’s Horn Disease.

However, after shaving the horn that was beginning to sprout and peeling off the scales on his nape, he looked fine on the surface.

The Emperor frowned and raised his flabby arm.

“When I woke up, my arm here was hurting.”

On that arm was a bandage Yi-ryong had wrapped himself.

“Haha, perhaps you have indulged too much in intercourse practice. I treated the wounds on your noble body.”

“Hm, yes, I did drink too much yesterday. Hehe.”

The wound on his arm was from when they drew blood.

Yi-ryong unconsciously glanced up at the ceiling.

The Guardian still did not appear.

The closest sword protecting the Emperor.

What the Seven Great Immortals were most wary of was the presence of the Guardian.

However, the Guardian was entirely different from what was expected. Even though some information had been obtained beforehand, it was still astonishing.

Yi-ryong lowered his gaze and looked to the side.

Then he sent a telepathic message.

-Lower your gaze, Wi Mi-hyeon.

Wi Mi-hyeon, who had unconsciously been looking up at the ceiling, hurriedly lowered her head.

The Guardian did not appear unless under special circumstances. Yi-ryong had only encountered them twice.

The first was when someone showed killing intent toward the Emperor or attempted an attack that could take his life. They appeared immediately.

Then, without question, they eliminated the attacker.

Their speed and ruthlessness were at a level that even Yi-ryong, a Supreme Peak master, found difficult to counter.

It was a condition of appearance faithful to their mission to protect the Emperor.

The amusing part was that as long as one did not try to kill the Emperor, it’s fine. Even when they cut the Emperor’s arm to draw blood, the Guardian remained still.

The second instance was when their location was discovered first.

If one stared at the place where they were hiding for too long or tried to locate them, the Guardian would appear.

Perhaps this was to fulfill their mission as the “blades in the darkness.”

However, unlike when attempting to harm the Emperor, they did not attack first.

If the opponent did not react, they soon disappeared again.

‘Surely, there must be several other conditions for the Guardian to intervene besides those two.’

The conditions to summon the Guardian.

If the Emperor commanded, the Guardian will also appear.

Moreover, if the Seven Great Immortals were to cross a certain line, they might no longer stand by and watch.

Everything needed to be completed before such an event occurred.

It was at that moment—

The Embroidered Uniform Guard, who normally could not enter the inner sanctuary, arrived.

“Your Imperial Majesty—King Gye-yeong has arrived.”

It was because an outside visitor had come.

“Let him in!”

Yi-ryong answered in place of the Emperor.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard’s officer looked displeased but dared not show it and left.

In the meantime, Yi-ryong sent a telepathic message to his brothers.

It was about what they should do regarding King Gye-yeong and his children.

And finally, King Gye-yeong arrived.

“Your Majesty! It is I, Yeong-sik!”

King Gye-yeong, seemingly forgetting his dignity, referred to himself by his childhood name. Surprisingly, he shouted cheers as soon as he appeared.

“It is so moving to see Your Imperial Majesty’s esteemed face after such a long time. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!”

When someone led the cheers of “Long live the Emperor,” everyone around had to follow suit.

The Seven Great Immortals also joined in, albeit reluctantly.

“Your Imperial—Majesty—!”

Then King Gye-yeong, though less so than the Emperor, ran over with his own large body.

As he ran with his arms wide open, the Emperor also stood up from his seat with a broad smile.

“Oh! Yeong-sik!”

“I missed you!”

What followed was an emotional embrace.

Touching the Emperor’s noble body was usually unthinkable, but these two were different.

King Gye-yeong expressed his joy with great enthusiasm.

The naive Emperor, though seemingly caught off guard, didn’t appear displeased.

“I have been diligently preparing a gift to present to Your Imperial Majesty for the upcoming Longevity Festival.”

“A gift? I look forward to Yeong-sik’s gift more than anyone’s. Did you bring it?”

“Haha, gifts are the joy of the Longevity Festival. Today, I have simply come in response to your summons.”

King Gye-yeong was smiling, but his eyes were calm.

Yi-ryong realized that this demeanor was also a pretense.

“Ah, right. I… I summoned you.”

The Emperor kept glancing at Yi-ryong.

It was the Seven Great Immortals who had advised him to summon King Gye-yeong.

“Ah, but that’s not the important thing. Your Imperial Majesty, these are my children. They’ve grown a lot, haven’t they?”

“Yes, indeed. They are lovely children.”

At King Gye-yeong’s gesture, the Crown Prince and the Honorable County Princess bowed to the Emperor.

The Emperor smiled and accepted their bows.

“I’ve wanted to see them, Yeong-sik’s children.”

“Hehehe, they are still lacking in many ways.”

“But… who is that young man?”

The Emperor’s gaze fell on Yi-gang, who was bowing beside the Honorable County Princess.

He had only summoned King Gye-yeong and his children to Huangtian Palace.

Yet Yi-gang had accompanied them without prior notice.

It was a moment where the Emperor could have felt displeasure, but King Gye-yeong timely broke into laughter.

“Hahaha! This is the Crown Prince’s teacher I’ve recently appointed for my children. He’s a rare, virtuous young man these days, so I always keep him close.”

“Haha, is that so?”

“Yes, indeed. Doesn’t he have a lively spirit?”

The atmosphere remained warm.

The Emperor’s eyes became half-closed as he looked at Yi-gang.

“Very…”

It was an open secret that not only beautiful women but also handsome men frequented Huangtian Palace.

“…handsome.”

At that moment, no one noticed that Yi-gang’s fist clenched with tension.

King Gye-yeong lightly suggested, “Shall I have him leave?”

“No, it’s fine. I actually summoned you because I wanted to talk with you.”

“Yes, what would you like to discuss…?”

“Come over here and sit with me.”

The Emperor pulled King Gye-yeong’s hand.

Yi-ryong intervened at the right moment.

“Your Majesty, what shall we do with the others?”

“Hmm, have them shown around.”

“It will be done.”

The Seven Great Immortals each attached themselves to Yi-gang’s group to escort them.

Yi-gang quickly assessed the situation.

‘Hmm…’

It was the moment when the group was about to be split up, Yi-gang immediately took action.

First, he sent a telepathic message to King Gye-yeong.

-Carefully observe the Emperor’s temples and the back of his neck. Also, check how the color of his nail beds has changed.

He needed to first understand how the Emperor’s Demon’s Horn Disease was progressing.

“Your Highnesses the Crown Prince and Honorable County Princess, please come this way.”

Two members of the Seven Great Immortals accompanied the Crown Prince and the Honorable County Princess.

Yi-gang sent a telepathic message to the Crown Prince.

-If you encounter any danger, call for me with Azure Dragon’s Demon-Breaking Roar at any time.

The Crown Prince and the Honorable County Princess knew nothing about the grand mission. However, the Crown Prince listened calmly without showing any reaction.

As for Yi-gang’s situation—

“My name is Yo Myung-sa.”

“I am Baek Yi-gang, the Crown Prince’s teacher.”

One of the Seven Great Immortals, known as Yo Myung-sa, was assigned to him.

Yo Myung-sa, as her name included the character for “snake,” exuded a mysterious, serpentine aura.

She recited a strange incantation and bowed her waist.

Yi-gang responded with a nickname.

「Priest.」

‘Yes.’

Even before Zhang Sanfeng could warn him, Yi-gang already sensed something unpleasant.

“I will guide you.”

It was at the moment when Yo Myung-sa lifted her head again.

Her long, slitted eyes glimmered with the light of sorcery.

Yi-gang immediately reached out and covered Yo Myung-sa’s eyes with his hand.

“…What are you—”

“There seems to be dust in your eyes.”

He spoke while still keeping his hand over Yo Myung-sa’s eyes.

“What?”

She, who had been frozen in surprise, quickly stepped back from Yi-gang and rubbed her eyes.

“I-I can handle it myself.”

The sorcery energy that had gathered in her eyes dissipated.

「Phew…」

‘Conceal your presence for a while.’

「I suppose I must.」

Zhang Sanfeng immediately concealed his presence.

What Yo Myung-sa was about to use was clearly the spell of the Insight Eye.

“P-please, follow me.”

She guided Yi-gang with a wary look in her eyes.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep