After pledging allegiance to Woon-seong, Lee Shin-jung had taught him many things. 

One of those things was related to the man nicknamed ‘Shadow’. 

Just like how Sang In-hyo had been assigned to observe Woon-seong, the Unrecorded Demonic Group had assigned Shadow to observe Joo Moon-baek. 

The reason that Joo Moon-baek needed to be observed was because apparently he had been able to create an incomplete Divine Flame of the Unrecorded Heavenly Demon. 

Woon-seong smiled bitterly. 

The situation was just like Sang Gwan-chuk had predicted: Joo Moon-baek had somehow been learning the Divine Art of the Heavenly Demon. Even more surprising, it was the one made by the Unrecorded. 

If it had taken any longer for me to manifest the Divine Flame, I would’ve been the one in trouble.

Woon-seong’s expression soured just thinking about it. 

Meanwhile, Shadow was telling Lee Shin-jung urgent news. Seeing that his expression was stiff, something unusual must have happened. 

Listening to the story, Lee Shin-jung’s face also quickly hardened. Standing up, he shouted, “Young Leader! It looks like Joo Moon-baek has made a move.”

Just because a man had sheathed his sword didn’t mean he had forfeited the fight. Joo Moon-baek was still the Vice Leader, he was still a major opponent. With the Demonic Teacher of Sun and Moon joining Woon-seong, Joo Moon-baek was not left with many choices. 

He means that Joo Moon-baek has finally made a decision and started to execute it. It’s faster than I expected.

Woon-seong quickly rose and asked, “Where did they go?”

At that, Shadow answered, voice filled with concern. “To the Divine Maiden’s Palace.”

Woon-seong’s expression sank. So it looks like he went for the worst possible move. 

Joo Moon-baek’s plan couldn’t be any more obvious. 

In the Divine Maiden’s Palace, there was only the Divine Maiden. Chun A-young… She had to be the target. 

The two legitimacies required to rise as the Leader of the Cult of the Heavenly Demon: the Divine Art of the Heavenly Demon and the Chun bloodline. 

Since he already had the art, Joo Moon-baek must have judged that he needed to obtain the bloodline in order to become the Leader. 

Of course, since he would be trying to take the Divine Maiden and the daughter of the Leader with force — Chun A-young wouldn’t possibly give her body to such an old man — the public opinion on this matter would be in heavy opposition.

But the fact that he still decided to make such a move… 

Joo Moon-baek must be confident that he can cover up the incident. Of course, he’ll have to at least eliminate or convince everyone in my faction… 

That brought up another question.

Does this mean he has the power to face the Demonic Masters on my side? 

It was difficult to think that the current Joo Moon-baek had such a force. There were only two Demonic Masters left on his side, including himself. If he had the support of some other faction, he would’ve used them already. 

Joo Moon-baek, what are you thinking?

Woon-seong turned his eyes towards the Divine Maiden’s Palace in the distance. For Chun A-young’s safety, he had to reach her before Joo Moon-baek did. 

Woon-seong knew this fact, which was why he was headed over with only a small group of people. Others would be able to catch up later. 

Still, Joo Moon-baek had been the one to draw his blade first. 

No matter how fast he moved, Woon-seong’s group would likely arrive late. 

Since he made the preemptive move, Joo Moon-baek might already be near the Palace. 

Woon-seong stared at the rapidly approaching palace. 

But you won’t have an easy time getting past there, Vice Leader!

“Would you kindly let me pass?

Joo Moon-baek stood there, staring at the man in front of him with cold eyes. 

The other man had thick arms that rippled with muscle. The man had large hands too, balled into fists that looked like they could smash mountains. On both hands were gloves with the word ‘wind’ engraved upon the fabric. The man was hefty too, taking up space that might be given to seven.

From afar, he looked like a giant. Or maybe he was a tall oak, one that had not lost its vitality and remained relentlessly rooted in place. 

Or maybe a rock. 

A gigantic rock that could not be removed or eliminated with human power. 

In the entire Cult of the Heavenly Demon, there was only one man who could make Joo Moon-baek feel this way with his appearance alone. 

“I don’t understand why you say such disappointing words, Vice Leader.”

It was the ‘Fist Master of Demonic Wind’, who was known to easily throw a hundred punches within three breaths. The man better known known as the ‘Wind Demon Fist King’, Koo Jong-byuk. 

It was this man who blocked the way of Joo Moon-baek. For the past few days, Koo Jong-byuk had basically been living on the steps of the Divine Maiden’s Palace. 

Ever since Lee Shin-jung was brought into Woon-seong’s faction, the Demonic Teacher had visited the Fist King and tasked him with guarding the Divine Maiden’s Palace. 

I was dubious, the Fist King thought, but it seems like the Senior Strategist was right… So the Vice Leader did make such a choice. It’s a bitter situation, but as a man, I must keep my promise.

“Anyways, I’m sorry but I cannot let you pass here.”

Of course, Joo Moon-baek also understood the Fist King’s personality. 

“Don’t worry. I didn’t mean it… It looks like I don’t have a choice. I didn’t want to kill any of the Ten Demonic Masters if possible…”

“Not so fast. We’ll find out who will end up dead after we clash our powers.” 

Joo Moon-baek snapped his fingers and the Fist King suddenly realized the number of people gathered had increased. 

The Vice Leader shook his head. “When did I ever say I’ll kill you myself?”

At that moment!

Fwoo—!

Three black arcs were drawn through the air as swords slashed the ground where the Fist King had been standing a moment prior. 

“The Soul Splitting Reapers?”

Just like before, the men were clothed in the colors of the Soul Splitting King. This time though, their clothing was more like a hand-me-down than a subordinate’s uniform. Moreover, instead of those weird black masks, they were now wearing white face coverings.

“Hahaha! The Soul Splitting Reapers are indeed quite capable, but don’t tell me you believe they’re enough to defeat me!”

At the end of his words, the Fist King had to block several more sword attacks. A silent sword draw? That shouldn’t be something the Soul Splitting Reapers are capable of performing… 

“It looks like you’ve misunderstood, Fist King.”

“What do you mean?”

“When did I ever say that they’re the Soul Splitting Reapers?” sneered Joo Moon-baek. “They are blood jiangshi.”

“W-what? Blood jiangshi?”

Three of the now dead Reapers left in front of the Fist King. 

Boom, boom!

The iron fist of the Fist King slammed into the swords flying at him, causing the ex-Reapers to fly back. 

Additionally, a strong gale swept by, flinging the bodies further into the air. The blood jiangshi bled all over the place, but soon righted themselves like nothing had happened.

The ground trembled greatly as the Fist King prepared his next move. 

“Haaap!”

The Fist King had used his unique move called ‘Gale Strike of World Extinction’, wherein a single fist seemed to divide into fifteen, sweeping the opponent into a storm. 

Boom, boom, boom, boom—

However, the bodies of the jiangshi endured without flinching, like they were made of steel. Of course, their arms broke and legs shattered. It was hard to endure the attacks of a Ten Demonic Master, after all. 

Snap—

But after some time, the broken arms and legs seemed to become unbroken. Even snapped necks rotated back into place. 

Tsk. Even my ‘Gale Strike of World Extinction’ barely did anything. Dispersed qi attacks barely give them damage, and even if they do, they just force themselves back to normal because jiangshi don’t feel pain. I’ll need to face them with pin-point attacks!

Even an Absolute Realm master could not defeat these blood jiangshi in a single blow without concentrating his strength. 

It was the same for ‘Blade Demon of Hell’ Mo In-ryang. 

Hmm… He’s holding up pretty well, Mo In-ryang commented to himself. Considering he’s facing three blood jiangshi… On top of that, he’s still blocking the entrance to the Divine Maiden’s Palace. He’s barely moved from his position. 

Obviously, the group of people had not been able to enter the palace yet. 

When Joo Moon-baek and the rest tried to pass by, the Fist King would ignore the blood jiangshi and attack them in an almost suicidal manner. 

But he won’t last long. He’s a fierce fighter, but he still has his limits. His muscles of steel are being ripped apart, while his mountain-like presence is nowhere to be seen. 

Just as Mo In-ryang assumed, the Fist King was reaching his limits. The man’s clothing was now torn and ragged, with cuts and bruises littering his body. His left arm was particularly injured.

I would surely have lost against three blood jiangshi; his defeat was decided from the beginning. He won’t last any longer than a couple more minutes. He’ll be forced to move from his position soon. And without Koo Jong-byuk, there will be nothing to stop us from entering the Palace. 

Meanwhile, a blood jiangshi was torn into pieces by the Fist King. 

Seeing that, Joo Moon-baek thought to himself, What a shame. 

Now that one had been effectively destroyed, the Fist King only had to face two blood jiangshi. 

Koo Jong-byuk at his prime state would’ve easily dealt with two blood jiangshi… But at this stage, he was no match against two. 

Knowing that, the Fist King roared, “Joo Moon-baek, you bastard! How dare you create such cursed monsters!”

Though he had obviously heard this comment, Joo Moon-baek simply shook his head. “Such a damn shame.” 

The peak-level martial artists used as ingredients… And to properly create the blood jiangshi, I’ve spent a fortune on medicines and herbs… But if I can kill one of the Ten Demonic Masters in exchange with a blood jiangshi, that’s still a quite fair trade. 

No… If I end up obtaining the throne of the Leader, it is definitely a huge profit. 

That was how Joo Moon-baek felt, so he was  waiting for the sweetness after tasting the bitter. 

It was then that someone suddenly appeared at the entrance to the Palace. 

“What is going on?!”

Seeing them, Joo Moon-baek smiled brightly. She just spared me the trouble of going inside.

It was Chun A-young who appeared. 

“It’s been a while, Captain of the White Ape Unit. Or, shall I call you the Divine Maiden.”

Since she was originally his objective, Joo Moon-baek did not bother hiding his expression of delight.

“What the hell are you doing, Vice Leader?”

She maintains calm in such a situation. Is it the blood of the Heavenly Demon? Her strength as a Great Demon? Or because she’s the Divine Maiden chosen by the Divine Flame? Either way, conquering a disobedient woman isn’t bad either. Joo Moon-baek could only continue smiling, “I’m just here because there’s something I need from the Divine Maiden’s Palace.”

“Something you need?”

At that, Joo Moon-baek nodded. His eyes travelled up and down her body, from her head to her toes. 

A-young felt like ants were crawling over her body under this lecherous gaze. 

Joo Moon-baek answered, “I’ve come because I need you, Divine Maiden.”

Chun A-young shouted, “And what exactly do you mean by that?”

“I mean exactly what I said. I’ve come because I need your body. Or, should I say that I need the bloodline of the Heavenly Demon, to be exact.”

Though A-young  was living in the Divine Maiden’s Palace, it wasn’t as if she was living under a rock. Actually, she knew very well what was going on within the Cult. 

Moreover, she had no definite proof, but there was one person who had revealed his ambitions right after her father had been poisoned. If she thought about it, there was a good chance that said person had been the one to poison him in the first place. 

If that were true, Joo Moon-baek was her enemy. 

When that person said he wanted her body with such a dirty gaze, she became unbearably angry. 

“That’s why you’ve started such a fuss?!”

“Of course,” shrugged Joo Moon-baek, expressing no reluctance or remorse. 

At that time, the Fist King, who was still battling the blood jiangshi, cried out to her. “Go back inside, Divine Maiden. They’re blood jiangshi! They are highly dangerous!”

“Blood jiangshi!” That surprised A-young. I knew they weren’t some ordinary martial artists when I saw three of them pushing back one of the Ten Demonic Masters, but I never imagined them to be blood jiangshi! “Did you create those blood jiangshi, Vice Leader?”

“Yes. Since that brat of a young leader’s faction is stronger than mine, I was left with no choice. Please forgive me for having no choice but to take such measures.”

His tone of voice was very polite, but it was obviously mocking and sarcastic. 

“Bullshit! How dare you even call yourself a man!”

To the Fist King’s reproach, the Vice Leader only snorted. 

Unlike the Fist King, Chun A-young’s expression had actually calmed down from when she first heard that they were blood jiangshi. 

“I see. So that’s why you created such cursed monsters.”

Hmm. That’s not the reaction I expected…, Joo Moon-baek muttered. She must be aware of what situation she’s in. And yet she’s showing such a calm face? She’s up to something. But whatever it is, it shouldn’t be enough to stop the blood jiangshi… 

Joo Moon-baek believed in the blood jiangshi. 

In front of such a Vice Leader, A-young took out a small golden bell. 

It was the Bell of the Heavenly Demon, the symbol of the Divine Maiden which was also used to commune with the Divine Flame

Joo Moon-baek tilted his head in confusion. What is she planning to do with that piece of junk?

“If so, do you also know this, Vice Leader?” 

Joo Moon-baek shook his head, almost imperceptibly so. In response, A-young lifted the bell up before her.

“In the past, the one who suppressed the blood jiangshi within the Cult was the Divine Maiden of that time.”

Subsequently, the bell in her hand rang. 

Daeng—!