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Upon arriving in Luoyang on the Four Great Spirits, I found myself overwhelmed as I looked down from the skies.

“…!!”

A dark blue fog shrouded the area, so thick that I couldn’t see a hand in front of my face. Disturbingly, screams echoed throughout as strange monsters slithered about, while crimson orbs appeared in the distance, releasing eerie cries.

Not to mention, an unending, dense magical power rose from the entire city, enveloping the air.

It was the demon realm, swallowed by darkness!

Just like that, the blazing horrors typical of urban destruction were hinted at, but this was something far worse. Any normal person breathing in this city would surely lose their mind in a mere instant.

As I gulped my own spit in concern, Mangnyang, seated behind me, spoke.

“Baek Woong, we should pull back for a moment.”

“Pull back?”

Mangnyang nodded.

“It has become a known fact that the Sect Leader has formally contracted with the Old Ruler. If I were the Sect Leader, I would probably be conducting rituals in the Imperial Palace right now. Moreover, the defenses around the palace are bound to be more stringent than ever. However, we, who must strike at this impenetrable stronghold, are completely unprepared.”

I realized what Mangnyang was implying.

“Are you suggesting we come up with a strategy?”

“Exactly.”

Mangnyang spoke with a bit more urgency.

“The opponent is none other than the Sect Leader of the White Lotus. Even if we gather our utmost strength, it may not be enough. Let’s mobilize all the Thunder God experts and our available forces.”

“Hmm!”

“Let’s retreat and formulate our plans…”

Mangnyang’s words made perfect sense. The White Lotus Sect had the might to obliterate three Great Immortals, and if the Old Ruler’s magic was officially accepted, how much stronger would they become?

Just then, Zhuge Sa interrupted my thoughts.

[Hmph… Hyun has little experience with the Demon Path, so they’re naive. That judgment is flawed.]

[Zhuge Sa!]

Having been quiet until now, Zhuge Sa suddenly chimed in. They spoke in an agitated tone.

[The worst moment for the Sect Leader is right now. Do you think it’s a coincidence that the Leader activated Luoyang’s demonic rituals just in sync with the Offering Ceremony? If you come back well-prepared, it would greatly disadvantage them. Right now, they’re desperately hoping no one intervenes!]

[…]

[The Demon Sorcerer is at their weakest when performing an Offering Ceremony. If we’re to strike the Sect Leader, it has to be now. We have no choice but to go for it.]

I hesitated for a moment and then responded.

[You make a good point, but we have no strategy. Right now, we’re just on reconnaissance.]

What if we charge in unprepared and end up destroyed by the Leader?

Zhuge Sa snorted.

[Strategy? The current Leader can’t even fight normally, so what’s the point of planning?]

[Huh?!]

[I said it’s the weakest moment for the Demon Sorcerer! Even if the Leader is invincible, if the Sleeper of Enkai wants to perform the Grand Offering, they will have to personally supervise it. They wouldn’t trust any sorcerer from the White Lotus to do that. Therefore, the current Leader is undoubtedly in the weakest condition you’ve ever seen.]

[…!!]

Is this really true?!

“Mang…”

As I began to ask Mangnyang for advice, Zhuge Sa interrupted impatiently.

[Stop asking! Do you think the genius Mangnyang can give you the right answer in this bizarre situation without any experience? That would be a foolish act that puts all the weight on a strategist instead of thinking for yourself!]

[Ugh.]

[It’s true Mangnyang is smarter than you under normal circumstances. But in this situation, your past life experience gives you more clarity than Mangnyang.]

[But…]

Zhuge Sa growled more forcefully.

[I’ve told you before to use your head! This is that time. Accept opinions solely based on your judgment, or you won’t stand a chance.]

[…]

Reluctantly, I had to acknowledge that Zhuge Sa was right. Asking Mangnyang during such a crucial moment was logical, but I couldn’t keep relying on his wisdom forever. This significant decision had to come from my own will, and going through this moment of choice was indeed part of my growth.

‘Let’s think.’

I pondered deeply, weighing Mangnyang’s insights against Zhuge Sa’s and trying to objectively determine what was best. Finally, I spoke.

“Everyone.”

All eyes turned toward me. I clenched my jaw and declared.

“Let’s quickly bring the elite Thunder God warriors and launch an attack on the Imperial Palace as soon as possible!”

“Hmm!”

“We strike the Leader head-on, and we mustn’t hesitate.”

Everyone looked shocked. No wonder, as I was offering a counter-opinion to Mangnyang, the strategist. But strangely, Mangnyang didn’t seem surprised; he stared at me, then spoke.

“Baek Woong, is that Zhuge Sa’s suggestion?”

“Indeed.”

I firmly added, “But I truly believe it’s the right choice! I won’t let myself be swayed by Zhuge Sa.”

Mangnyang fell silent for a moment, then nodded vigorously.

“Then that’s settled. I will follow your words.”

“Thank you.”

As I reflected on my earlier thoughts, combining Zhuge Sa’s words with my experiences with the Sect Leader, I sensed that now was indeed a fatal time to strike. Normally, I would be inclined to follow Mangnyang, but this time I felt Zhuge Sa’s advice was more aligned with the situation.

With a fierce determination, I headed to Zhongnan Sect. There, I found the warriors of the Thunder God lineage – Jin So-cheong, Lee Kwang, and the Extreme Tiger, and explained the situation vaguely. Though they seemed a bit lost, Lee Kwang chuckled and responded.

“So, you’re saying we can kill the Sect Leader. Then I’m all in.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear.”

As they seemed to agree, I quickly placed them in the Wooden Armor and then turned to Lee Cheong-un.

“If we cooperate for a joint attack, won’t we end up stepping on each other’s toes?”

Lee Cheong-un crossed his arms, contemplating for a moment. Then he replied, “Since Sword Master Yeodong-bin is way above my level, I’ll have to adjust to him. I at least won’t be a burden.”

“That’s a relief.”

“But I can’t make any guarantees. We can’t accurately gauge the Leader’s full strength.”

“I understand.”

At that moment, Mangnyang spoke up.

“Baek Woong, take me quickly to General Hwang Yeon.”

“To General Hwang Yeon?”

“Whatever happens, it’ll be crucial to get a resolution quickly. I’ll be at Hwang Yeon’s side as his strategist. It’s vital to redirect his military forces toward the capital to stabilize the chaos in Luoyang after the impending destruction.”

“Understood.”

I took Mangnyang to Hwang Yeon, where I explained the situation. Hwang Yeon listened with a serious expression and then asked,

“Baek Woong, do you remember the principles of timing, geography, and human harmony in the Book of Sima?”

I felt caught off guard by his sudden question, but nodded.

“Yes. I’ve read it all.”

Once, General Hwang Yeon had gifted me the Book of Sima, and I learned it practically by heart over time, thanks to a foundation built from reading the Art of War.

“The ‘human harmony’ discussed in the Book of Sima speaks of benevolence. The genius strategist Sima Yang-jeo, who crafted the book, protected the State of Qi through his abilities and understood that the essence of war is slaughter while still hoping to govern with kindness. Do you know why?”

“Hmm… I’m not quite sure.”

Hwang Yeon gazed deeply into my eyes.

“Because ultimately, humans can only be governed through kindness. Even if there’s no justice in human hearts, they’re typically drawn to warmth. No matter how cruel humans may become, a fundamental empathy remains; this is what Sima Yang-jeo understood… He knew that the more one cruelly opposes kindness, the greater the backlash.”

“……?”

“I don’t know the Sect Leader well, but I believe there’s benevolence within them still. The more you treat the Leader as a monster, the more you’ll see that side. But if you can contain him with your own capacity, you might catch a glimpse of a different aspect.”

“Hmm…”

Sighing, I pondered Hwang Yeon’s words.

“I hope so.”

His thoughts reflected the General’s values and character and revealed why he had previously given me the Book of Sima. He likely believed I could become a great person, so he offered it as a means to cultivate my character. He belonged to the kind-hearted type.

Yet, could the current Sect Leader, who indiscriminately sacrifices millions of lives from Luoyang, still have humanity left? Given my prior exposure to the demon rituals, I couldn’t help but feel skeptical. Nevertheless, Hwang Yeon’s words were worth remembering, so I made a mental note of them.

“I will become Hwang Yeon’s strategist, leading the army while observing the situation in Luoyang. If anything changes, let me know.”

“Understood.”

I left Mangnyang behind in Liaodong City while taking the warriors of the Thunder God lineage and Cheon Woo-jin back to the front of Luoyang Castle. Cheon Woo-jin, arms crossed, spoke to me.

“Baek Woong, you have the coordinates of the Imperial Palace, so you could take the Four Great Spirits straight to the throne, but that would be unwise. Didn’t you already hear from your older brother?”

I nodded.

“Mangnyang suggested splitting our forces to tackle the Leader.”

“Exactly. Forcing too many numbers against the Leader would be pointless. The rest would likely die in vain. It’s smarter for you and Lee Cheong-un to confront the Leader while the others create a distraction in Luoyang.”

Jin So-cheong voiced his disappointment.

“That’s a shame. If only I could train for another year, I’d be going with you…”

“……”

I thought that wasn’t the case. I could tell that Jin So-cheong’s abilities were formidable, and he was no doubt at an absolute peak; he was just being modest. Lee Cheong-un had previously told me Jin So-cheong was the strongest among us. I recalled his words.

[Baek Woong. I hate to say it, but Jin So-cheong shouldn’t join us in taking down the Leader.]

[Why not?]

[With Jin So-cheong, I, and Yeodong-bin, we would easily be able to strike the Leader. But current Jin So-cheong is the future of the Thunder God lineage. If he dies, the lineage is finished. Please understand my personal stake in this.]

[But if we lose to the Leader, there will be no future.]

[I’ll take that burden. I’ll risk everything to stop the Leader.]

I could grasp what Lee Cheong-un was getting at.

Current Jin So-cheong was the most remarkable heir of the Thunder God lineage, refined with exceptional prowess. He was an unrivaled genius created through my Black Obsidian that preserved the styles of the Seven Great Techniques! Being a martial artist myself, I could sympathize with Lee Cheong-un’s thoughts. A Jin So-cheong five years down the line would surely become the supreme ruler of the Martial World, potentially rivaling the Master of the Twelve Joules.

Jin So-cheong swung his spear and shouted.

“Then let’s go!”

The three great warriors of the Thunder God lineage charged ahead toward Luoyang. A dense barrier of magical energy surrounded them, seemingly conjured by the Leader, but as Cheon Woo-jin waved his hand, a pathway opened up immediately. They began unleashing their potent energies, sparking chaos within the city.

Ka-boom!

Screeches of demon beasts being torn apart filled the air. Although they barely entered, the trio had already eliminated hundreds of these monsters. However, the fighting was escalating, and an unfathomable number of beasts surely roamed Luoyang.

After observing for a while, Cheon Woo-jin’s eyes lit up.

“The core of the barrier has shifted. Now’s the time!”

“Alright!”

I dashed towards the heart of the imperial palace alongside Cheon Woo-jin and Lee Cheong-un. Upon arrival, I was met with an astonishing sight.

Woahhh—

Hundreds, no, thousands, tens of thousands of souls floated in the air. These spirits had not died natural deaths; they brimmed with evil and bloodlust. A massive torrent of rage and resentment swirled, plunging the atmosphere into a pitch-black gloom.

In the midst, the area of the palace was completely transformed from what I once knew. What had once been a palace with ornate architecture now radiated a bizarre energy, characteristic of an otherworldly realm, and a colossal altar reached seven stories high where the palace had been.

Atop the altar stood a figure, unmistakably the Sect Leader. Wearing a mask, the Leader silently gazed our way while five figures stealthily emerged from below the altar. I clenched my teeth at the sight.

The Dharma Guardian!

Dokgo Jun of the Su Shin Sect, Han Baek-ryeong of the Fire Spirit Techniques, and three Elders of the Su Shin Sect!

Realizing all five were peerless masters with Heavenly Spirit Pills meant we faced an incredible force blocking our path. If the Leader was in a state of health and not weakened as we had hoped, this place could easily become our grave.

The Leader then spoke to me using the Six Harmonies Assembly.

[Baek Woong, Deputy Sect Leader. Come here. Aren’t you one of us?]

I glared at him fiercely and replied, “They must have slaughtered over tens of thousands of people in Luoyang, Sect Leader. What crimes did they commit?”

[How trivial…]

The Leader mumbled, then continued.

[On this altar, those more closely connected than those nameless humans are meeting their demise. Are you ignorant to this?]

“What…?”

[Baek Woong, as someone with spirit power, you should understand…]

At the Leader’s suspicious words, I activated the Palace Examination Technique and scrutinized the surrounding souls. Moments later, I felt a chill run down my spine.

“…!!”

This, this can’t be! I exclaimed in shock, “Sect Leader! You can’t mean it!”

In silence, the Leader erupted with an ominous bloodlust.

[This altar is where offerings are presented to the Old Ruler. The slaves captured from the slave market… all the slaves from the Wind Spirit sect were sacrificed. Everyone from the Imperial Clan and White Lotus Sect was offered up at once… the count is thirty thousand, ensuring the Sleeper of Enkai can summon Apostles without fail.]

“Aaaaargh!!”

I felt like I was losing my mind. It wasn’t just the symbolic nature of the offerings the Leader spoke of. My memories of this place surfaced with the images of the souls I possessed.

All those innocent people had been kneeling at the altar, each carved open to extract their hearts or guts, including infants and the elderly! Those who dared resist were obliterated, their brains scattered across the ground! Thirty thousand souls, for crying out loud!

This is inhumane!!

Furious, I shouted at the Leader, “Sect Leader, why?! Is it really necessary to gather Dharma techniques to this extent?! Do you truly think committing such atrocities in the name of saving humanity is justifiable?!”

[If thirty thousand can save billions… isn’t that a sacrifice worth making?]

The Leader had the audacity to respond as if it was common sense.

[Once the Sleeper of Enkai openly battles the Three Sovereigns and the war begins, the law of causality will be completely thrown into chaos. Only then will the whereabouts of the hidden Dharma techniques reveal themselves. The True Martial Home is right in front of us, Deputy Sect Leader Baek Woong.]

I realized further arguments would be pointless, so I bit my lip and summoned Yeodong-bin to bolster my strength.

“Do help me, Yeodong-bin!”

Roar!

The Overlay Technique descended upon me.

As Yeodong-bin hovered nearby, the Fire Dragon Sword emitted flames, roaring in fury. Summoned in wrath, the Great Immortal Yeodong-bin immediately positioned himself with the blade pointed toward the Leader.

[Sect Leader, you cannot save humanity through the Demon Path.]

The Leader chuckled mockingly at Yeodong-bin’s statement.

[So? Can your Celestial Realm save them?]

[…]

[Come. Sword Saint. And Sorcerer of the Thunder God lineage.]

Chaos surged forth from the Leader’s mask.

[Only the victor can discuss justice on this stage!]

Masters of the Absolute Realm focused their intent towards the Leader.

Simultaneously, the owners of the Heavenly Spirit Pill began to unleash their boundless internal power.

The assault on the Leader had officially begun.

 

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