Invitation from the Four Heavenly Kings
"Hey, have you heard?"
"The Heavenly Demon Cult is on the move, right? I was shocked when I heard the attack on the Baekri Clan was their doing..."
"Have you heard the Murim Alliance's stance? It's absurd!"
"What did they say?"
"They told us not to spread unconfirmed rumors! This came from none other than the Sword Sovereign of the Hubei Alliance!"
The martial world began to stir because of the Heavenly Demon Cult's actions. This was no idle gossip from nobodies—it was a claim made by the Sword Sovereign himself. After nearly losing his own home, who would dare call it a lie?
The Hubei Alliance's position was clear. The Breaking Heaven Fist Sect and the Black Tiger Sword Sect had been affiliated with the Heavenly Demon Cult, and three of its branches—the Slaughter Demon Sect, the Illusion Demon Sect, and the Sword Demon Sect—had participated in the attack. The shock was especially great because the Breaking Heaven Fist Sect had included Neunghogun, one of the Ten Great Masters. The thought that one of the Ten Great Masters had sided with the Heavenly Demon Cult sent ripples of alarm through the martial world.
The Murim Alliance was more tense than ever. Yet the Alliance itself pushed back, insisting that the Heavenly Demon Cult's resurgence had not been confirmed and warning against unnecessarily alarming the people. Few took their words at face value; the Alliance's prestige had already fallen too far.
"If I were the Alliance Leader, I would have reconciled with the Hubei Alliance and prepared against the Heavenly Demon Cult."
"The upper ranks are already rotten through and through... It's a shame."
"Still, the fact that we can eat and drink in peace is thanks to the Sword Sovereign holding back the Cult's vanguard!"
"I heard the young master, Baekri Hyeong, played a major role in the fight as well..."
"It seems the next Divine Dragon has already been decided."
In the taverns, people praised the Baekri Clan for protecting the martial world. Meanwhile, far from that lively atmosphere, the Murim Alliance headquarters remained coldly silent.
"Alliance Leader. The Heavenly Demon Cult has risen. Do you truly intend to hide this fact?"
"There is no other choice. In a time when the martial world is already divided, how can we allow the Heavenly Demon Cult to interfere with our cause?"
"Alliance Leader, this is my final question. Can you not yield to the Baekri Clan?"
"What?!"
A heavy wave of internal energy burst from Namgung Yeong at Moyong Gwang's words. Yet the gazes directed at him held no displeasure—only pity. It was not the look of one person, but of every elder present.
"Alliance Leader. Do you understand why I called this my final question?"
"Moyong Clan Head! This is an official gathering. Watch your words!"
"I challenge the Alliance Leader's position. The price will be the Moyong Clan relinquishing everything it has built within the Murim Alliance."
"..! Moyong Gwang!! Are you truly challenging this seat right now?"
"Why would I not? The position of Alliance Leader does not belong to the Namgung Clan!"
Namgung Yeong slammed his fist onto the table at Moyong Gwang's declaration. But Moyong Gwang had no intention of tolerating the Alliance Leader's tyranny any longer. With the elders' consent already secured, it was time to drag down the relic that was Namgung Yeong.
"The Alliance rules state that to challenge the Alliance Leader's position, the challenger must stake something of value. I have wagered the very survival of the Moyong Clan. Once the elders give their approval, the decisive match for the Alliance Leader can begin immediately."
"..!"
"It is over, Namgung Yeong. Your reign as Alliance Leader ends here, today."
Namgung Yeong ground his teeth so hard that others might have found it unsightly. He had never expected someone he had never considered a threat to move against him like this. He had thought only the Shaolin Abbot or the Huashan Sect Leader might dare such a thing. Now, the decisive match was unavoidable.
"The duel will take place in the training ground at the center of the Alliance Leader's hall. It will be held at the hour of the Dog."
Namgung Yeong no longer cared for formalities. He said what he had to say and left the meeting room. Having climbed to this position through greed for power, he would not surrender it easily, no matter how precarious his standing had become. He departed with thoughts of repaying the humiliation.
Moyong Gwang watched Namgung Yeong's retreating figure and thought to himself that the mental disruption had succeeded. Now, he needed to demonstrate an overwhelming difference in martial prowess.
**********
"A message has arrived from the Four Heavenly Kings. They feel great responsibility for this incident and formally invite the Baekri Clan to their main citadel."
"...What?"
"What do you think, young master? Whether we go or not, I will follow your decision."
Baekri Hyeong had been summoned to the patriarch's hall without warning and received shocking news from Baekri Hyeok. The Four Heavenly Kings were inviting the Baekri Clan to their main citadel—an exceedingly rare invitation since the organization's founding. It was likely because the Breaking Heaven Fist Sect, one of the Four Great Heavenly Sects, and the Black Tiger Sword Sect of Hubei had threatened the Baekri Clan, and both had been affiliated with the Heavenly Demon Cult. This was their way of claiming innocence.
'It couldn't have come from the Lord of the Four Heavenly Kings himself... This must be that person's work.'
If the Lord of the Four Heavenly Kings was an untamed beast, then the strategist at his side was the only trainer capable of controlling him—Cheonnoe Seosuryeon, a woman regarded as the greatest strategist in the history of the Four Heavenly Kings.
'In the end, the Baekri Clan has earned the enmity of two of the Four Great Heavenly Sects—the Red Wolf Blood Sect and the Breaking Heaven Fist Sect. Logically, extending an invitation is the right move. Especially now that the Heavenly Demon Cult has resurfaced.'
No matter how little the Four Heavenly Kings cared for the opinions of the martial world, the Heavenly Demon Cult was a different matter. The orthodox and unorthodox factions were opposing ideologies within the same martial world, whereas the Heavenly Demon Cult sought to erase that world entirely and create a new one. It was akin to war with a foreign nation; this was no time for internal strife.
"I believe... it would be good to accept the invitation."
"Is that so? Understood."
Baekri Hyeok decided to follow Baekri Hyeong's judgment, just as he had said. Whether they went to the Four Heavenly Kings or not made no difference to him.
After the sudden decision regarding the Four Heavenly Kings was made, Baekri Hyeong left the patriarch's hall and spotted Namgung Suryeon sitting on the roof, gazing at the sky. Her vacant expression suggested something was wrong. Feeling he should say something, Baekri Hyeong climbed up to the roof.
"What are you doing up here?"
"Ah... I just can't sleep, and I can't even hold my sword."
"First time killing someone, isn't it?"
"..!"
"Everyone goes through that phase. The sensation of taking a life... never really becomes familiar."
Namgung Suryeon had left the Murim Alliance and the Namgung Clan to stay with the Baekri Clan. Thanks to that, she had helped repel the invaders during the recent incident—or rather, killed them.
"The stench of blood that comes with the screams doesn't end there. The unknown fluids spilling from a person's body... it's hard to endure the first time."
"Are you... completely unaffected?"
"My heart has already grown numb. If I must kill others to protect what is mine, I will do so without the slightest hesitation."
Nothing remained for a martial artist who had survived through fields of carnage. Only endless days of killing enemies and being killed in return. How overjoyed he had been when regression granted him the fortune of returning to the past. He had been reunited with his precious people, and now he could kill his enemies first to ensure he never lost them again.
"Things like this will happen again and again. If you find it too difficult, you should leave this world behind."
"..."
"Remember this. The moment you picked up a sword, you ceased to be an ordinary person. You entered a world where people kill and are killed."
"..!"
"If you came into this world with half-hearted resolve, it's not too late. You can put down your sword and walk away."
Baekri Hyeong offered Namgung Suryeon no gentle comfort. From here on, her own choices would determine her future. If he wrapped her in warm words now only for her to develop heart demons later, that would be far worse.
"Think it over carefully. Whether this path is right for you or not. Of course, even if you leave, you're welcome to stay with us if you wish."
"..."
"I'm going now."
Baekri Hyeong left Namgung Suryeon without further words. After speaking so firmly, he needed to leave her alone. Only then would she steel her resolve and stand on her own. He believed in her. She would not abandon the path of the sword over something so trivial.
"My dear little brother. You speak coldly, yet you treat her so warmly."
"Sister. Are you feeling well?"
"I've been fine for a long time, you brat. It's rather pitiful for an elder sister to be protected by her younger brother, don't you think?"
As Baekri Hyeong tried to return to his room, Baekri Hyang appeared and blocked his path. Why had she come at this hour? Just as Baekri Hyeong began to retrace his steps, he witnessed a shocking sight.