A Modern Man Who Got Transmigrated Into the Murim World

60 chapters

Now that he had shed the disguise of the “Man Geum Sang Dan Ju,” Gu Yeon Cheon’s day was as simple as could be.

He, with a bored expression, slurped his tea, as if it were too much trouble to even glance at the documents that had arrived from various places, and just tossed them all into one corner of the table.

“Hmm.”

The taste of the tea and the lightened daily routine weren’t bad at all.

The disguise called “Mankum Sangdanju” was an inconvenient appearance that I never liked from the beginning.

If I had my way, I would have liked to live quietly in a secluded countryside, teaching the secret teachings.

“But this time, I was disappointed.”

Among the few children who stood out, there was one who was like a phoenix among chickens.

Ye So-gang (여소강).

As a descendant of a fallen noble family, he showed an extreme obsession with his lineage.

The problem starts with openly revealing his desire to be the head of the household while facing the renowned strategist and tactician, So Geom-shin.

‘Is it that a child is just a child?’

The boy’s heart, determined to restore his father’s estate as soon as he was sent out into the world. It was nothing more than a typical childish act.

Moreover, the biggest problem was that he was immediately swept away by the small sword god’s eloquence, abandoning all negotiations and rushing over, which unsettled him.

Perhaps that’s why the hidden appearance of the leader of the Manggeum Merchant Guild was revealed.

Of course, it was surprising to him that the young swordsman knew the secret words of the Hidden One, but it was also clear that Ye So-gang’s response was inadequate.

‘We must kill him.’

The Lesser Sword God is someone who is inevitably intertwined with the First Sword God in some way.

However, he didn’t seem like someone who would inherit the legacy of the first secret.

It would be nothing more than having read a quote left by an invitation somewhere.

However, if the one who knew the secret words of the Hidden Sect was an ordinary villager, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but if it were the young swordsman renowned for his formidable intellect and strategy, it would be a different story.

It was evident that he would use the secret code in some way.

It undermines the authority of the underworld.

From the perspective of the non-public faction, it was an issue that could never be overlooked.

At that moment, a presence was heard outside.

-It’s a rational ghost.

Gu Yeon-cheon steadied his complicated emotions and straightened his expression.

“Take it.”

Perhaps a haughty demeanor like an emperor.

He is the secret power of the time, controlling the power of the Central Plains from the shadows, so it is only natural that he has this authority ingrained in him.

Cautiously entering the private office, the rational ghost prostrated and bowed its head.

“I have a matter to report to you in person.”

“Speak.”

Hammie cautiously lifted his head and made eye contact with the non-entity.

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“Chunseon has returned.”

“Chunseon?”

Chunseon’s temperament was better known to Gu Yeoncheon than to anyone else.

She could never return until she completed her mission.

“Are you saying you moved the Chwiseon Dog that easily?”

I couldn’t easily understand it.

The fact that the Open is conspiring with the Night Watch means they will be at odds with the Martial Arts Alliance for a long time.

Of course, I expected Chwiseonggae to strongly oppose it, but to persuade him so quickly?

“Is it because of the blood curse?”

That wouldn’t be it either.

No matter how much he was bound by blood ties, if it was a matter of the fate of a hundred thousand lives, he was a person who would throw away his life like a speck of dust.

With such questions filling his mind, Guyeoncheon turned his gaze back to Hanrigwi.

“Did that Chwiseon dog come along too?”

“There is more.”

“Hmm?”

It’s surprising enough that you captured Chwiseon-gye’s heart, but who else did you manage to charm?

“The master of the night market, Hong Ye, has also come.”

“What, what?”

This time, Gu Yeon-cheon couldn’t hold back his agitation and jumped up from his seat.

Not only did they move the opening, but they also co-opted the side meeting?

“That Hongye is going to take refuge in the Bi-gong?”

A woman who is beyond compare in her arrogance.

The name of Cheonha’s Yajeop was one that could never be ignored, even as a mere rumor.

“Would you like to meet?”

Gu Yeon-cheon, whose curiosity had been piqued to the fullest, nodded vigorously.

“Bring it in!” Hurry up!”

“Respect.”

After about half an hour, Hanri Gwi brought Chunseon and his party.

Indeed, the unmistakable Chwiseon dog entered with Chunseon, and a breathtakingly beautiful woman was also with them.

A woman so mysterious that she has never once revealed her age or appearance to the world.

Gu Yeon-cheon didn’t even glance at Chwi Seon-gae and was staring at Hong Ye with a gaze that burned like fire.

“Are you the one they call Hong Ye, the one who became famous overnight?”

A butterfly that reveals a thousand strategies in just one night.

Just by looking at the meaning of that nickname, one could easily guess Hongye’s fame.

“I have been receiving excessive praise from the heroes of the martial world.” I can’t even compare to the name of the Flying Dragon, so please refrain from saying that.

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Goo Yeon-cheon’s expression strangely hardened.

The content was clearly humble and self-deprecating, but the tone was too cunning.

A tone that gives a strange feeling, neither condescending nor overly formal.

Goo Yeon-cheon soon broke into a slight smile.

“Indeed, a wild woman.” What an impressive woman.

Hongye bows slightly with a light smile.

With a satisfied face, Gu Yeon-cheon, who had been receiving her courtesy, soon looked at Chun-seon with a face marred by doubt.

“What happened?”

Chunseon looked at the quxian dog.

“My lord has persuaded the wild boar.”

“Persuasion…?”

Did Chwisun-gae really convince Yajeop this quickly?

Above all, isn’t the relationship between openness and secrecy in the martial world comparable to the conflict between the Murim Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Cult?

Naturally, Gu Yeon-cheon couldn’t easily accept it.

His burning gaze turns back to Hongye.

What was felt in his intense gaze was clear suspicion.

“This secret lineage is breeding something called the Earth Camphor Blood Gu.” It’s a type of godo (蠱毒).

“…….”

Gu Yeon-cheon, gradually wearing an increasingly meaningful smile.

“Usually, they choose a male.” This guy never forgets the scent of a female he has once bonded with.

Soon, Gu Yeon-cheon revealed a ghostly aura on his face and took out a jade bottle from his bosom.

Soon, Gu Yeon-cheon shakes the jade bottle roughly.

“Ugh!”

Chunseon, collapsing in extreme pain, foaming at the mouth!

“As you can see, the pain the female feels is directly transmitted to the male as well.” There…

Poke-

When Gu Yeon-cheon opened the lid of the jade bottle and summoned his vital energy with his finger, Chun-seon, in shock, prostrated himself before him.

“Your Excellency!” Please, spare this humble servant, spare my life!

Goo Yeon-cheon puts away his past and gives a faint smile.

“When the female dies, the male also willingly follows suit.” While releasing the blood poison they carried their entire lives. Even the loyalty of a mere insect is so profound, yet how can humans deceive each other so thoroughly?

He asked his final question to Hongye, who was frozen in confusion.

“What do you think?” “Shouldn’t you, as a person, learn from the loyalty of such insects?”

Hongye was slightly pale and nervous, but she began to slowly recite the answer she had prepared.

“You have to learn.” However, I believe that insects have their own path, and humans have their own path.

Soon, Gu Yeon-cheon shows interest.

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“……the way of man?”

Hongye nodded gracefully, her face breaking into a bright smile.

Her gaze was directed at Chunsun, who was prostrating herself in a full-body bow.

“That’s honestly slavery, isn’t it?” Are you really satisfied with that appearance?

“Hmm…….”

“As someone who also pursues humanism, the loyalty forged through the ultimate punishment of death is so disheartening.” Can that really be called loyalty between people?

As if he had no choice but to acknowledge her reasoning, Gu Yeon-cheon nodded solemnly.

“I will admit it.” Honestly, it’s true that it’s not fun.

The one who was watching this, Chwi Seon-gae, or rather, Jo Hwi, was secretly grinding his teeth.

Controlling a person’s will through loneliness, they call it ‘fun.’ Crazy bastard.

“Then tell me what you think the way of a person is.” What on earth do you mean by that?

In an instant, Hongye’s face became even more radiant.

It was truly a dazzling smile.

“This Hongye.” I will become your wife.

“What, what?”

Gu Yeon-cheon, who is extremely surprised and has his eyes wide open.

“The great matters of human ethics.” “Since there is clearly a distinct way for humans, is there really any need to rely on insects?”

You want to marry yourself?

Gu Yeon-cheon could not easily accept this.

Who is Hong Ye?

He is the famous owner of the night book who holds the information of the world in one hand, and his talent is said to reach the heavens.

Her appearance, age, stage of activity, level of martial arts, and indeed everything about her was shrouded in mystery, and countless martial artists were struggling to build even a slight connection with her.

Did such a renowned beauty from the martial world first express her intention to marry me?

Naturally, it was impossible not to be suspicious of Gyeoncheon.

“It’s not easy to understand.”

He scans Hongye’s body up and down with a meaningful gaze.

His sticky gaze made her feel like she might vomit, but Hongye tried hard to appear calm and opened her mouth.

“What do you mean?”

“If it’s not a marriage that starts from feelings of affection, then it’s a political marriage… In fact, you wouldn’t gain much from it, would you?”

Hongye faintly smiled.

“You’re not looking down on me, are you?” From the moment I marry you, I will demand all the capabilities of the Secret Society from you. The fact that our underground faction receives full support from the underworld is more significant than you might think. Moreover, the most important thing is that our leaders don’t have to accept your bloodline, right?

“One crucial thing is missing from your words.”

“What is it?”

“Trust.”

The two eyes of Guyeoncheon, gradually becoming tinted with a cold light.

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“Can the marriage with you indeed offer enough trust to this secret (secret) to replace the blood bond?”

Hongye smiles faintly.

Her subsequent answer was so unexpected that Gu Yeon-cheon couldn’t help but freeze in shock for a moment.

“I will have a baby.” As soon as possible.”

“Huh?”

In an arranged marriage, having children is the ultimate fulfillment of a promise and a symbol of trust.

“Do you know that I already have two wives?”

“What’s the problem with that?”

Gu Yeon-cheon was looking at Hong Ye with a bewildered expression as he calmly asked.

So audacious.

Gu Yeon-cheon had no choice but to acknowledge that she was a woman capable of leading the world’s best intelligence organization, Yajeop.

“Impressive.” Indeed, impressive.

Goo Yeon-cheon was persistently staring at Hong Ye with eyes filled with strange emotions.

“Do you happen to know that this Guyeoncheon has been waiting for a long time for descendants?”

A smile spread across Hongye’s face.

“I haven’t figured it out for long.”

“Huh!”

Both his first and second wives were unable to conceive.

This was something that could be considered a hidden flaw of Gu Yeon-cheon, unknown to the outside world, and it was closely related to his obsession with Ye So-gang.

“Not only did you make me feel good, but you also promised me a favor…”

Gu Yeon-cheon let out a hearty laugh with bravado.

“Hehehe, great!” I promise too. If you continue the lineage, and if it’s a son! I will give you everything I have.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Eventually, several months passed.

Hongye’s belly began to swell like a lie.

It was from that time that a smile never left Gu Yeon-cheon’s face.

Please provide the text you would like to have translated.

“Wow, it really works well, huh?” Is there no way to mass-produce that?

Even in the midst of this, the merchant’s cunning was revealed by Choi Seon-gae, or rather, Jo Hwi, who kept nagging. Hong Ye frowned, her beautiful eyebrows knitting together.

“There is no way to mass-produce poison.” But do you know how painful it is to apply this?

Hongye received the mysterious medicine from Baek Hwa-rin after the blood transformation to pretend to be pregnant.was handed over.

Originally, it was a poison used by Baek Hwa-rin to enlarge her breasts.

“I’m going to bill everything.”

With a dissatisfied expression, Baek Hwa-rin kept pouting her lips, and Jo Hwi, with a pleased look, gently patted her head.

“Heh heh, of course, we should reward you.”

Bringing Baek Hwa-rin along to infiltrate the Bi-gong family was a brilliant decision.

It was also her who suggested the brilliant idea of marriage, and without her poison-free approach, deceiving Bi-gong Gu Yeon-cheon would have been impossible, something that couldn’t even have been dreamed of!

“So, how’s the situation?”

“It seems like he’s starting to fully trust me. He’s accepting the information about the woman without any doubt.”

“Ah!”

The fact that Gu Yeon-cheon was beginning to trust the fabricated information meant that it was almost time for Jo Hwi to act.

“Well, with her belly getting bigger by the day, how could he not believe it? Heh heh.”

Hong Ye’s body was unmistakably that of a pregnant woman.

For Gu Yeon-cheon, who had long been unable to have children, this must have felt like flying in the sky.

“Don’t get too excited. There are too many eyes watching. You’ll need to manage your expressions carefully.”

At Hong Ye’s serious words, Jo Hwi wiped the playful expression from his face and nodded solemnly.

This was Gu Yeon-cheon’s estate.

Surprisingly, his other disguised position was that of the Chief of Gansu Province, Master Zhi.

This branch estate, filled with government soldiers and officials, was essentially a dragon’s den.

“But… did you really not sleep with him? Did you really not sleep with him?”

At Baek Hwa-rin’s question, Hong Ye sighed softly and shook his head.

“I told you, we didn’t.”

“Why not? Why did you voluntarily create a point of suspicion? That really bothers me.”

“He was too drunk to remember.”

“It’s not that simple,” Baek Hwa-rin insisted.

Agreeing with her, Dark Demon nodded as well.

“No man, no matter how drunk, forgets bedding a woman.”

Jo Hwi chuckled.

“At first, sure, he might have been suspicious, but now that her belly is growing, what is he going to do? Let’s not get too nervous. By the way…”

Jo Hwi’s gaze turned serious as he looked at Hong Ye.

“Give him some misinformation.”

“Misinformation?”

“It’s time to start buying.”

“Buying what?”

A sinister smile spread across Jo Hwi’s face.

“Man Geum Sang Dan.”

“What? Man Geum Sang Dan?”

Dark Demon’s expression seemed to show that he didn’t quite understand.

“Although Bi-gong Ilmaek is dealing with Man Geum Sang Dan, wasn’t it your prediction that it would soon be revived under a different guise?”

“Right.”

Dark Demon furrowed his brow.

“Of course, Bi-gong Ilmaek wouldn’t just sell off Man Geum Sang Dan to others.”

“What’s so special about a good relationship between a couple?”

“What… what do you mean by that?”

Jo Hwi grinned.

“Reviving a new guild and absorbing all the affiliates of Man Geum Sang Dan isn’t easy, right? A new guild name would have its limitations.”

Hong Ye added her agreement.

“Exactly. The government might be able to handle it, but public opinion can’t be easily manipulated.”

A new guild could never represent the immense reputation of Man Geum Sang Dan.

It would be difficult for existing clients and the people of Chengdu to trust a new guild that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Perhaps the reason Bi-gong Ilmaek hadn’t rushed to finalize the reorganization of Man Geum Sang Dan was due to such concerns.

“But what if we take all the affiliates of Man Geum Sang Dan under the guise of the Ya Jeop?”

“Ah!”

“Of course, Ya Jeop isn’t a guild, but its reputation is just as strong as Man Geum Sang Dan’s. It could easily become a name that gives enough trust to the existing clients.”

Suddenly, Jo Hwi grinned.

“Plus, now you’re Bi-gong’s beloved wife, right? You’d be solving his problems.”

“Ha…”

Hong Ye, now less surprised than before, started to feel that Jo Hwi was truly terrifying.

It was clear that he intended to incorporate all the affiliates of Man Geum Sang Dan under Jo Ga Daesanghoe’s control.

“I’ll try to convince him. But what’s the misinformation you want me to feed him?”

“I’ll tell you later. There’s no point in spreading it too early.”

Just then, Jo Hwi sensed a strange wave in the air.

“Hmm?”

Jo Hwi’s face suddenly became tense with shock.

It was a familiar aura to him.

“Ma Sect?”

It was unmistakable.

The same demonic energy he had felt countless times when infiltrating the Heavenly Demon Sect!

But this power felt different.

It was energy nearly on par with his own cultivation of the Demon God’s Art, which is why he was so shocked.

A single person, revealing that intense demonic energy while visiting the estate, had a presence that could rival the famous Eight-Headed Dragon.

“You all stay inside.”

Suddenly, Jo Hwi, with a tense face, started to move toward the rear of the estate, and Dark Demon showed confusion.

“What’s going on?”

Jo Hwi’s serious expression faced the west.

“It seems like the Ma Sect is here.”

“The Ma Sect?”

The ones who hadn’t shown themselves for hundreds of years were now seeking out Bi-gong Ilmaek?

That could only mean one thing.

“Could it be they…!”

“Shh. Stay quiet.”

In an instant, Jo Hwi’s form slid out like a ghost, heading for the outside.

He hid his body under the eaves, and the intense demonic aura still hung over the estate.

Even a master of Absolute Void wouldn’t usually flaunt their presence like this.

The person exuded immense confidence.

Just by feeling out the energy, Jo Hwi could already understand a lot about their character.

‘Who is it?’

Jo Hwi, who understood the faith of the Ma Sect better than anyone, knew that if they truly believed him to be the Heavenly Demon, extending their activities beyond Xinjiang made no sense.

At that moment, numerous figures appeared in the sky above the estate.

In an instant, the figures in black, emanating a deadly killing intent, surrounded the one who was spreading demonic energy.

The Demon, Amcheonma, stood at the center of the manor, letting out a triumphant laugh.

“Hahaha! I am grateful for your warm hospitality!”

With a thunderous roar, the powerful declaration sent a shiver down Cho Hwi’s spine.

The man’s internal power was almost on par with his own—no, perhaps even superior!

As Cho Hwi carefully observed Amcheonma’s face, he finally recognized him. The ceremonial robes, richly embroidered with intricate patterns, along with the face he had seen at the demonic temple—it was unmistakable.

This was the Grand Priest he had once seen at the altar of the Demonic Cult!

Cho Hwi couldn’t believe it—Amcheonma’s martial skills were rivaling that of the highest-ranked warriors of the Eight Demonic Sages! Back then, Cho Hwi hadn’t known the true extent of his strength, but now, the power Amcheonma demonstrated was on par with, or perhaps greater than, the renowned swordmaster, Jahagen.

The highest-ranking warriors of the Eight Demonic Sages were still beyond Cho Hwi’s reach in terms of direct combat.

“Hmmm.”

Soon, Gu Yeoncheon appeared at the center of the manor, folding his hands behind his back as he spoke in a low voice.

“It is an honor to have the famously slow-moving Amcheonma visit this manor.”

Amcheonma smiled faintly before suddenly getting to the point.

“My sect will aim to take over Central Plains.”

Gu Yeoncheon chuckled heartily.

“Haha! I wish you success in your endeavors.”

Amcheonma’s smile faded as he continued.

“My sect does not seek your cooperation. Of course, if you side with the alliance, I will not stop you. However…”

His face twisted into a hideous grin, and an immense killing intent burst forth.

“Remember this: My sect is the strongest in history.”

“Hahaha!”

Gu Yeoncheon let out a hearty laugh before his expression hardened, and he glared at Amcheonma with sharp eyes.

“Are you truly the ‘Heavenly Demon’ recognized by your followers?”

“….”

“You are not the true Heavenly Demon, are you? You are only imitating it by attaching the ‘dark’ (暗) to your title.”

In that moment, the overwhelming demonic aura began to spread out, suffocating the space.

“You gain nothing by provoking me.”

As the killing intent emanated from Amcheonma, he suddenly narrowed his eyes.

“There’s a rat here.”

‘Has he noticed?’ Cho Hwi thought, stunned.

To be able to sense the concealed martial intent so precisely was beyond even Jahagen, who was known as the greatest in the world.

Amcheonma was indeed an absolute master of martial arts—if he were to conceal his intent, he could make it imperceptible even to the keenest of warriors.

Just as Cho Hwi was contemplating this, a faint sound of footsteps could be heard.

Thud, thud—

The light steps echoed, and the man who appeared was none other than the Vice Commander of the Heavenly Army, Dan Liung, the same person who had appeared earlier at the Cho Family’s Great Meeting.

He casually brushed aside the swirling demonic energy as he entered the hall, and Amcheonma looked at him with a curious expression.

“Oh? So you are not just a rat after all?”

What’s he saying? Cho Hwi thought, confused by the complete lack of awareness in Amcheonma’s statement.

Dan Liung, appearing nonchalant, approached Gu Yeoncheon and immediately bowed in respect.

“Sir…”

Before Gu Yeoncheon could even finish, Dan Liung waved his hand dismissively, signaling for him to not stand on ceremony. He then turned toward Amcheonma with an indifferent expression, as if the powerful demon was beneath his notice.

“Do you even exist?” Dan Liung asked.

Amcheonma’s curiosity was piqued, and he began reassessing Dan Liung.

“Are you a hidden power from the underground world?”

“…”

When there was no response, Amcheonma’s eyes glinted with a dark malice.

“But I am the representative of the Sacred Sect. If you wish to show me disrespect, at least state your rank.”

“I asked again.” Dan Liung said, his tone unbothered.

“I asked if you exist.”

“What kind of person are you?!”

With a casual flick of his hand, Dan Liung dispersed Amcheonma’s demonic energy again.

Amcheonma, filled with confusion, was unable to fathom what was happening.

Then, from behind him, a voice, calm and cold, reached his ears.

“Do you intend to flaunt your petty demonic powers here, before my seat?”

Amcheonma froze, unable to read the movements of his opponent. The sudden shift of energy made him feel paralyzed.

“I will ask again. Do you even exist?”

Filled with humiliation and a sense of defeat, Amcheonma tightly clenched his jaw. He didn’t even bother wiping away the blood trickling from his mouth as he finally spoke.

“I will make the Central Plains bow before the Sacred Sect.”

Dan Liung smiled faintly, his voice almost a whisper as he corrected him.

“The first place you should target is Jiangnan.”

“Jiangnan?” Amcheonma asked in confusion.

The Martial Alliance, the sworn enemy of the Demonic Cult, held sway over the northern part of the Central Plains.

Yet, Dan Liung was suggesting that they first target Jiangnan, the region dominated by the unorthodox factions?

Historically, when the Demonic Cult rose, the factions in Jiangnan would superficially claim neutrality, but secretly they often lent their support.

“Jiangnan…?”

“There is a strange faction disrupting the order of the Central Plains,” Dan Liung stated.

Upon hearing this, Amcheonma quickly realized the gravity of the situation.

“The Cho Family’s Great Meeting?”

The reason why he took the extreme step of killing the Divine Maiden was entirely due to the false Heavenly Demon from the Zhogadae Association.

At the time, he had been struggling with the pain in his heart after purging the high-ranking figures of the New Religion who had supported the Divine Maiden until the end.

The place he had decided to strike next was, indeed, the Zhogadae Association, which he had already set his mind on punishing.

However, even with the situation unfolding in front of him, and with his overwhelming dominance, the Dark Heavenly Demon did not immediately show a joyful expression.

“What is the price?”

“The price?”

At that moment, an intense radiance erupted from Dan Liung.

Tzzzzzz—

How could light emanate from a human body?

It was the divine radiance of the Primordial Celestial Lord!

The Buddha’s light of the Celestial Buddha!

Such phenomena were associated with the deified figures of Taoism or Buddhism, were they not?

But what was happening wasn’t just a grand aura or overwhelming energy.

It was a force of a kind that no mortal, with their physical body, could ever emanate.

It was the true divine status of the Six Celestial Gods, the six disciples of the Divine Seat, finally revealed in the martial world.

The immense radiance was so blinding that Dark Heavenly Demon couldn’t even keep his eyes open.

“What you are talking about is not a price but a request.”

A shudder ran through the Dark Heavenly Demon’s body.

His entire life, he had lived adored by the worshipers of his faith, but now, in the face of this overwhelming force, he couldn’t even feel anger or defeat.

This was beyond any measure.

The opponent was of an entirely different breed.

No human could unleash such divine energy.

At that moment, Dan Liung’s indifferent gaze landed precisely on the place where Zhao Hui was hiding.

“Who is it?”

As Zhao Hui trembled, a desperate voice rang in his mind.

– With your current strength, you cannot stop him! I, the Heavenly Envoy, shall descend!

And then, as Dan Liung reached out toward the eaves where Zhao Hui had been hiding:

“Quickly, as the law commands! Circle the clouds and act!”

Misty white vapor began to gather from all directions, forming clouds that enveloped the body of the Heavenly Envoy and lifted him into the air.

Dan Liung’s expression twisted in disbelief.

“No medium, no tool, and yet they wield such magical power?”

Among all the Taoist practitioners in the vast Middle Kingdom, there was only one group known for displaying such divine status.

“Celestial Immortals?”

Dan Liung couldn’t comprehend.

The Celestial Immortal Sect had been wiped out long ago, hadn’t it?

Furthermore, he was one of the people who had witnessed the destruction of that sect firsthand.

His expression grew colder as he stared into the void.

The clouds surrounding the Heavenly Envoy distorted, making it impossible to discern the figure’s true nature.

Such a transformation technique was rare even among the Celestial Immortal Sect disciples.

“Remarkable. I never thought that the Celestial Immortal Sect would still have influence in the Middle Kingdom.”

This was a serious issue.

It meant that the strategies that had been used to manage the Middle Kingdom up until now would need to be completely revised.

– The fiery heat consumes all!

The clouds surrounding the Heavenly Envoy turned into fire.

An unimaginable and immense amount of magical power was now converted into the power of flames and shot toward Dan Liung.

Dan Liung could not afford to dismiss this and extended his right hand.

Whoosh!

Flames and light collided, filling the sky.

In the cold night sky, where only the faintest moonlight had been shining, suddenly rays of light, like the sun, erupted.

A shockwave of incredible force shook the entire heavens.

The sound of thunder roared!

Boom!

The Dark Heavenly Demon, covered in his own blood as his skin was torn apart, could only tremble in horror.

The force of the shockwave was so intense that it had turned his skin inside out.

‘Where are such beings from…?’

He had often heard of the greatness of the Hidden Power, but those had all been stories passed down from the ancient high-ranking figures, and he hadn’t taken them to heart.

But after directly experiencing the unimaginable power of these beings, he could not help but inwardly call out to the Heavenly Demon.

‘Heavenly Demon!’

How could anyone stand against these beings without the legendary Heavenly Demon appearing?

‘But who exactly are they?’

The figure wrapped in blue flames looked almost like the legendary Flame Emperor from mythology.

Their incredible radiance was so overwhelming that it did not pale in comparison to the divine power of the Hidden Powers!

At that moment, after testing each other’s strength, the Heavenly Envoy and Dan Liung withdrew their hands and faced each other in the air.

Dan Liung’s cold face showed a rare expression of interest.

The medium of magical power was often a precious treasure or artifact.

However, the opponent didn’t even hold a simple spirit jewel.

Normally, magical power without an artifact would be half as powerful, but the fire they had unleashed was not below his own.

“Without any medium, you wield the fire’s magical power so effortlessly. It’s as if I’m looking at the Celestial Immortal Master from back then.”

The Heavenly Envoy finally realized the identity of the other party.

“Huoyingzi?”

“What…?”

For the first time, Dan Liung displayed a sign of surprise.

Huoyingzi was the name he had used before taking on the role of a divine servant to the Celestial Seat. It was a name that had been lost to time after centuries.

How could this person know it?

“The one who impersonated the deity, sacrificing the noble soul of the immortal to serve the false gods, still wandering in the mortal realm, unable to complete his mission?”

Huoyingzi—now known as Huoying Zunshen (Flame Soul Divine) as one of the Six Celestial Gods—looked at Dan Liung with more curiosity than anger.

“If you know my name, then only the former master of the Celestial Immortal Sect and his disciples would know. Are you, perhaps, one of the Celestial Immortal Sect’s remnants?”

The Heavenly Envoy did not confirm nor deny, only casting a fiery ring into the void.

“That’s impossible. The only one capable of wielding such immense power without any treasures is the Heavenly Sage (Cheonseonmunju), you are Tianyuzi.”

When the opponent finally seemed to recognize the truth, Tianyuzi did not bother to deny it.

“How could one who seeks the Dao still be bound by illusions of gods?”

The face of Hwiyeongjonsin became solemn.

“Have you ever directly seen the true form of the Divine Seat?”

“….”

A voice full of reverence echoed.

“He is the true, and only, sacred being.”

“Crazy talk!”

“He himself showed us the way to the Divine Seat.”

Wooooo—

With a low resonating sound, light spread across the heavens and earth.

The body of Hwiyeongjonsin blazed brighter.

“See. This is just a fragment of the divine power he shared. Do you think you can even handle a shard of it?”

The radiance emanating from him was like a blazing sun.

An absolute holiness that no mere human could block.

As the overwhelming light pressure descended on Tianyuzi, his spiritual energy began to drain away, as if the tide was retreating.

It was impossible to maintain his manifested form any longer!

Watching this, Jo Hwi cried out urgently.

– At this rate, Master will die! Withdraw from the manifestation immediately!

Reluctantly, Tianyuzi had no choice but to retract his form and return to the spirit realm.

Once Jo Hwi regained his body, he focused all his thoughts into creating a barrier, but even that could not block the pressure for even half a second.

“Ughhh!”

An unimaginable pain surged throughout his body.

If even a few more seconds passed, his flesh would certainly turn to ashes and scatter.

But at that moment…

Jo Hwi’s pupils locked onto something, as if a figure materialized.

It was a chaotic mix of points, lines, and shapes, weaving into a strange vision.

This was none other than the “unresolved” Jo Hwi had previously used, which had even made the three gods tremble.

Srrr…

Countless points overlapped into lines, and the lines transformed into shapes.

In that instant, Jo Hwi felt an intense pleasure, as if every part of his brain and potential were being unlocked at once.

Unresolved, and the martial sea!

Finally, Jo Hwi’s iron sword moved.

For humans, concepts inevitably exist.

Fire is hot, water flows, air drifts – these are all things humans can comprehend through experience, learning, and reason.

But now, the world that Jo Hwi saw through his two eyes was crumbling every concept, breaking apart everything he thought he knew.

At first, countless natural phenomena seemed to rearrange themselves like physical laws, but suddenly, everything distorted and began transforming into something from an entirely different dimension.

It was as if a different set of laws governed this new world.

The feeling was indescribable, and Jo Hwi instinctively realized that this was something beyond the realm of human experience.

In that moment, Jo Hwi entered a state of “selflessness” and slowly moved his iron sword.

Although it moved slowly enough that any common person could track it, Hwiyeongjonsin, the one facing him, was startled by the unnatural energy flowing through Jo Hwi’s sword.

“That, that is…!”

Slash.

It was a simple motion of drawing a line through the air.

But Hwiyeongjonsin couldn’t even comprehend the attack as a “cut.”

The attack destroyed the opponent’s “perception” and “concepts” as it approached.

Since he couldn’t perceive it, there was no way to respond.

Screech.

A long bloody line appeared from Hwiyeongjonsin’s neck to his chest.

Ssshhhh…

Half of his upper body, including his arm, slid off at a diagonal.

Yet, Hwiyeongjonsin did not feel any pain.

The blow from Jo Hwi was even more shocking.

The once majestic being, who had always appeared like a god, was now trembling in pure fear.

“Shinjo (神座)?”

Jo Hwi’s indifferent eyes stared at his hand, holding the sword.

The previous slash wasn’t “Void”, “Destruction”, or even “Unresolved.”

Had there been any monumental, transcendent power behind it, Jo Hwi would have understood, but it was just a power that felt… foreign.

“Is this the Divine Seat?”

“Mu…Mu Mujigyeong? Who exactly are you…?!”

“Huh?”

Wait a minute. What’s happening?

My body has disappeared.

Or rather, it felt like my body had merged with all existence in the world.

– This can’t be! This is neither the physical body nor the spirit body!

– Heh… To witness something that was only described in legendary scriptures…

I felt like the wind scattering coldly, yet at the same time, I was the moonlight that filled the sky.

As I extended my arm, the lush vitality of life surged up, and when I stepped forward, the intense energy of the earth followed.

But what if I twisted all these laws?

In that instant, a catastrophe emerged in Jo Hwi’s mind.

‘Impossible…’

An unimaginable, no, an unimaginable scene that should never even be imagined.

Could this truly be the power a mere human can unleash?

Beyond Unresolved, what Jo Hwi saw in that world was the divine realm.

As Jo Hwi was in this strange state of confusion, his body slowly began to regenerate.

His clothes, which had already turned to ash, had fallen away, and his once-transformed face returned to its original form.

The omnipotent power that had just been there quickly faded away, leaving only emptiness.

“You are…!”

The small sword god!

Hwiyeongjonsin could no longer utter a word.

Before all his power faded completely, Jo Hwi reached out his hand towards him.

Crack!

Hwiyeongjonsin’s body was instantly crushed and turned into a handful of blood that fell to the ground.

A thousand years of life as an immortal being.

The death of one who had reached the semi-god level due to his connection to the Divine Seat was so empty and tragic.

Then, Jo Hwi was overcome by an unbearable sleepiness.

It wasn’t exactly sleepiness, but more like a feeling of powerlessness, closer to death.

As if everything inside him had been drained away.

Finally, as his body began to fall, somewhere around him, the space twisted, and dazzling light erupted.

Whoosh!

A mysterious being appeared, breaking through the space, cloaked in darkness, in stark contrast to Hwiyeongjonsin.

This being caught the unconscious Jo Hwi in both hands and silently gazed at the distant sky.

“Heh…”

The despairing figure of Amcheonma (Dark Heaven Demon) gazed upwards, as if he were watching a scene from a myth.

Martial power?

Everything they revealed could not be explained by the system of martial arts.

A crushing sense of defeat, as if his entire body had been trampled.

It was only then that Amcheonma truly understood why the past powers of the Divine Sect had been waiting for the return of the Celestial Demon for so many years.

Unless the legendary Celestial Demon returned alive, it was impossible to truly dominate the Central Plains, which were infested with such monsters.

Even if, by some miracle, he conquered the Central Plains, what meaning would it have in a world where such beings were lurking in the shadows?

Ultimately, Amcheonma, trembling in fear, spat out a cold voice toward the contemporary martial artist, who was still prostrating himself on the ground.

“Forget what I just said.”

Despite clearly hearing his voice, Bi Gong, who was still unable to lift his head, could not respond.

Suddenly, Amcheonma felt an intense surge of madness, realizing that even Bi Gong, who controlled the Central Plains from the shadows, was nothing more than a subject under someone else’s domination.

“Hahaha! Truly! Truly the Central Plains! What a truly great place!”

Even the madness that had been suppressed for hundreds of years within the Divine Sect seemed to fade as he saw how many great beings lived in this place!

Eventually, Amcheonma, Heng Lianjiang, turned his steps back toward Xinjiang.

If the Celestial Demon did not return, he would have to become the true Celestial Demon himself.

—

Tap. Tap.

Awakening with an excruciating headache as if being crushed by a rock, Zho Hui heard the sound of droplets falling into the still air.

“Ugh…”

The air was oppressively hot, and the space around him was utterly dark, with no light to be seen.

A sense of foreboding gripped him, prompting him to heighten his awareness, but not a single breeze moved.

This stillness could only mean one thing.

“A cave?”

Indeed, faintly, Zho Hui could make out the long stalactites in his vision.

Even without looking directly, he realized that the ceiling of the place was covered entirely with stalactites.

“Are you awake?”

At that moment, Zho Hui was startled, raising his sword to his forehead.

His sharp eyes, glowing on either side of the sword, turned toward the source of the voice.

“Who is it?”

“Do not expend too much energy. You must not speak too much.”

“Who are you? And where am I…?!”

Zho Hui suddenly felt dizzy and almost collapsed.

His head throbbed—a clear sign of oxygen deprivation!

“You are in a thousand-zhang-deep underground space. A place hard for an ordinary human to withstand.”

Zho Hui froze at the mention of “a thousand-zhang.”

A thousand zhang? That was three kilometers deep!

Tss-tss-tss-tss!

Zho Hui gathered his energy.

“What is that?”

What he saw faintly were not the stalactites, but rather, quartz crystals!

Massive hexagonal quartz crystals filled the entire cave, dominating every inch of the space.

Even the place where he had been lying was on top of fallen quartz crystals.

This was a world beneath the earth, far beyond the reach of the current Central Plains civilization’s technology.

Zho Hui soon cast a beam of sword energy toward the place where the voice had come from.

Surprisingly, as soon as the sword energy hit, it was absorbed and vanished, plunging the space back into darkness.

In this strange and surreal sight, Zho Hui instinctively realized something.

His temperament was not that of a mere human.

“Your inner power is a part of your energy. Do you want to suffocate and die?”

“Did you come for vengeance?”

“Vengeance?”

The voice from the mysterious figure showed no emotion—no joy, sorrow, or anything resembling human feeling.

It sounded as if the being had completely forgotten human emotions.

“Why should I do that?”

Zho Hui made a strange expression.

“You’re at a similar level, aren’t you? Not a mortal, but a Sixth-Phase Immortal?”

“Sixth-Phase Immortal?”

The voice seemed to have no clue what Zho Hui was referring to.

“Are you a disciple of the Divine Throne?”

“Disciple?”

For the first time, a hint of human emotion appeared in the figure’s voice.

A faint smile sounded like a mocking laugh.

“Did someone really believe such a fool would exist?”

“What?”

As the figure let out a self-deprecating laugh, Zho Hui heard the same indifferent and awkward voice.

“If I were truly a disciple of the Divine Throne, would I have brought you all the way down here, into the depths of the earth where his sight cannot reach?”

“…”

He had been brought to this ignorant place because it was outside the Divine Throne’s sensory range?

But a cave a thousand zhang deep?!

“What he did to us was an experiment. An experiment to remove all uncertainties.”

“An experiment?”

“Through us, he eliminated every possible variable, and in the end, he became a complete being.”

The figure, who had been silent for a while, finally revealed an unbearable question.

“But… what are you?”

The voice of the being surrounded in darkness surprisingly trembled.

“Although you seemed incomplete, I clearly felt his absolute divine power coming from you. The pure divine power that shatters all laws and concepts! Tell me! How did you reach that place?”

“That place?”

“His seat!”

Well…

Could that really be called the power of the Divine Throne?

Certainly, thinking back to that moment, he had been filled with an overwhelming sense of omnipotence, but was that really the power of the Divine Throne?

If he had imagined the powers of a god, they would have been things like creation, time reversal, dimensional travel, and immortality—high-level abilities.

But the power he had wielded was merely the destruction of laws and concepts.

And that, too, was one-time use.

It was a power he couldn’t replicate at this moment.

“Well, could that really be the Divine Throne’s power?”

“Tell me. If you reveal the secret of reaching his seat, I will give you everything and fulfill your wish.”

“Before that, tell me who you are.”

In the darkness, the figure hesitated for a moment before revealing their identity.

For them, it was the first time in over a thousand years to say their own name.

“I am Gui Anzi.”

“Guiamza? Were you also an immortal?”

“The Dao has already been forgotten.”

Just as Guiamza muttered this, seemingly in self-mockery, at that moment, Cheonwooja took over Jo Hwi’s body without even asking for permission.

Guiamza immediately recognized the change in Jo Hwi’s temperament.

“What is this? The aura has changed? Who are you?”

Tears began to well up in Cheonwooja’s eyes.

“Master…”

Cheonwooja collapsed and began crying uncontrollably.

“Master… sniff…!”

Guiamza, however, was originally known by a different name: Dookamja.

A person who always preferred solitude over mingling with other Taoists, dedicating himself to personal cultivation.

His nature was as hard and unapproachable as a rock, making it difficult to approach him, but surprisingly, he had many disciples who followed him.

He was never stingy with his teachings, willing to share everything for the sake of his disciples.

Beneath his unyielding, iron-willed nature, there was great kindness and tenderness.

He was a typical Taoist, always in search of the Dao.

Had he not been so personally inclined, he could have perhaps become the greatest Taoist in the history of the Cheonseon Sect.

He was the only one who had surpassed the realms of Xuanxian and Zhenxian to reach the realm of Yongxian, a truly unique Taoist.

Because of his deep pursuit of the Dao, had heaven answered his quest, he might have even reached the transcendent level of Cheonseon, a realm often described as divine, and been the first in the sect’s history to do so.

At that time, Cheonwooja, who was only a Zhi Xian, greatly revered and admired Dookamja.

Although there were many outstanding Taoists within the Cheonseon Sect, Cheonwooja’s heart was devoted solely to Dookamja.

The pursuit of the Dao was the same despite the lofty realms they were in.

Dookamja was one who opposed the traditional teaching of “All things are impermanent” in the Cheongdo scriptures.

The teaching that all things in the universe are constantly changing and never remain the same, which was a central belief of the Taoist faith.

But Dookamja argued that, amidst this impermanence, the soul was inherently fixed in its nature and rank from the start.

This was a direct challenge to Taoist wisdom and caused much backlash within the sect.

His argument went against the fundamental Taoist principle that people should cultivate their souls and transcend into exalted beings.

Moreover, the examples he provided were deemed absurd and based on what seemed to be nothing more than delusions.

He claimed to have encountered an absolute deity in the depths of a visionary state during his meditation.

Faced with the overwhelming gap in status between himself and this deity, he fell into endless despair.

No matter how far he ascended through Taoist cultivation, he believed that he could never reach this unreachable divine being.

Afterward, he disappeared without a trace.

Some even claimed he had become corrupted and turned into a demon immortal (Mashen) but Cheonwooja never believed it.

Yet, this figure now, cloaked in black energy, looked unmistakably like a demon immortal.

However, the formidable, unyielding presence of Dookamja, who had once been as solid as a rock, was still unmistakably present within the aura.

Cheonwooja, with a tear-streaked face, stared intently at the black energy swirling in the darkness.

“Master, was the being you saw in that visionary realm the True Immortal?”

“You…”

There was only one person who could call him ‘Master’.

“U (宇)?”

There was only one person who could address him so casually as well.

“Is it truly you, Master…?”

So many years had passed that even the image of his face had faded from his memory.

“Please, retract your power and appear before me. What is this ominous aura? I wish to see you in person, Master.”

A desolate voice echoed from the darkness.

“This dark cloud cannot be retracted by my will.”

“The power cannot be retracted?”

Cheonwooja’s face contorted in confusion at this response that defied Taoist logic.

“That’s not power,” came the reply.

Not power?

To Cheonwooja’s eyes, the black energy swirling around him was clearly a form of dark Taoist power.

And the strength of it was so overwhelming that it seemed to absorb the very light around them.

Cheonwooja’s expression slowly turned to a dark, earthy hue as he realized the implication.

“Could it be that, Master…”

Guiamza’s voice sounded almost self-mocking.

“It was an experiment. To see what happens when humans pursue distorted principles… he used us to derive all the results. As a result, I… I lost the Yang in my world.”

Lost Yang?

What absurdity was this?

The principle of Tai Chi, the foundation of the universe, governs all beings universally.

The world is not separate, so how could the natural laws be distorted for only one person?

“I call this phenomenon a curse from the Zuo. The gods’ resentment toward those who sought to ascend by wrongful methods.”

“It doesn’t make sense…”

These were words that Cheonwooja could not accept based on the Taoist theories and teachings he knew.

“Why, then, does your soul reside within this body? Have you, too, become a demon immortal? The art of soul transfer is one of the most dangerous practices.”

The most dangerous form of dark Taoist sorcery was the manipulation of souls.

There had been entire factions, such as the heretical group Baegyo, that caused great turmoil with these soul-controlling techniques.

“This is not soul transfer.”

“Not soul transfer?”

Cheonwooja then began explaining in great detail, tracing the origins of the spirit jewels (Yeongok) to events involving Dharma and his three disciples.

“Such a powerful magical artifact…!” Guiamza exclaimed in shock, realizing the true evil of the idea.

To use human desires to corrupt them and bind the corrupted souls into a magical artifact, strengthening it? And that such an artifact was created by none other than the great ancestor of the Seonjong (Zen school), Dharma?

The very thought was monstrous.

Moreover, this evil artifact was used to convert the corrupted souls into power, ultimately completing the cycle of reincarnation, which was Dharma’s final act.

“How did Dharma reincarnate? Have you found the reincarnation?”

“I haven’t found him. But I suspect…”

“Suspect?”

Cheonwooja slowly began to open his eyes as he pieced everything together.

“Shinjo.”

“What, what did you say?”

“Even if an immortal ascends to the Tao and transcends mortality several times, they will never reach the realm of Daeseon. However, compared to a Shinjo, even Daeseon is vastly inferior.”

Cheonwooja chewed on his words, pondering deeply.

“Do you think it’s possible for a mere mortal to reach such a level in a single lifetime?”

Guiamza’s voice grew heavier in agreement.

“If such an achievement were possible, then countless deities would have been born across the universe. It is impossible.”

Cheonwooja slowly nodded.

“Could someone who has completed the calamity of reincarnation not unfold their plan in their next life? If they had already laid out their plans, then what if they recalled the knowledge from a previous life? Dharma, the first true sage of human civilization, could indeed ascend to divinity.”

“Indeed…”

Then, suddenly, Cheonwooja’s expression darkened.

“…But there’s another possibility.”

“Another possibility? Have you found another reincarnation?”

“The Shinjo reincarnation theory is merely a hypothesis. But there is a definite reincarnation.”

“Another reincarnation?”

The laws of the world had been broken so many times?

Cheonwooja’s next words stunned Guiamza.

“The reincarnation is none other than the current owner of this body.”

“What?!”

Such an unexpected statement that even Guiamza’s powerful energy caused the cave to shake.

“Just a moment ago, didn’t you say this person was one of the individuals chosen by Dharma’s three disciples? Wasn’t the merging of the three Yeongok based on that cause?”

Cheonwooja slowly shook his head.

“Dharma never taught his disciples how to turn human souls into power. Though they, too, created Yeongok through long cultivation and experiments, what they were able to achieve was only probability.”

“Probability?”

“The merging of countless souls into the Yeongok created a possibility that a reincarnation might occur, but that was just a chance, a hypothesis. But this person’s growth rate is beyond that.”

“Beyond the probability?”

“Not only that, but they also instantly awaken the divine relics left behind by the Shinjo. And not only that, but they reinterpret them and advance to an entirely new level. This speed of growth is beyond human limits.”

“Hmm…”

“What’s even more astonishing is this person’s eyes. Their ability to see the essence of things alone was enough to force the followers of the Shinjo to retreat.”

Guiamza, who had been silent for a long time, began to reveal his doubts.

“So, you mean… all of the beings in the spirit realm might be helping Dharma?”

“…”

As he heard such terrifying words, Jo Hwi, who had been watching, wanted to scream in frustration.

“I don’t give a damn about Dharma!”

He, who never even bought a single Dharma painting from the street vendors, was now being called the crazy Dharma himself!

It was then that Jo Hwi finally understood the attitude of Cheonwooja, who had been passive or uncooperative with him until now, unlike the other honored figures in the Spirit World who had been actively helping him.

He had been hiding such doubts and schemes in his heart all this time!

“Now, Master, please tell me as well.”

Cheonwooja, who had been holding back the questions brewing in his heart, could no longer contain himself.

“What is the Shinjo? What does he look like? What is his character like? Is he truly a god who transcends all human desires?”

Once again, Guiamza fell silent for a long time.

Meeting his disciple after so many years felt as though he were being asked to reveal a secret he had kept hidden his entire life, but strangely enough, he had little to say.

“If you are asking about his form, he can transform into anything. He can be a simple tree or a stone underfoot. I have never seen him take a human form. I treated him as water.”

“What?”

“It wasn’t some kind of shapeshifting technique. He was truly water itself. He spoke to me in pure spiritual sounds. To him, form has no meaning.”

Jo Hwi felt a chill run down his spine.

Does that mean the hot air in this cave could be Shinjo himself?

An existence that could be anywhere but nowhere at the same time.

“He likes water and light. Especially light. That’s probably why Huiyeong followed Shinjo so devotedly.”

Once again, Cheonwooja asked a question.

“Do the six true immortals not communicate with each other?”

“I had never even heard of the term ‘six true immortals’ before. As for communication? I’ve never met the other subjects.”

It was strange.

Among those who inherited Shinjo’s will, some called themselves test subjects, while others humbled themselves as disciples.

This meant Shinjo’s intentions lacked consistency.

“When was the last time you met him? Is he still projecting his will onto the human world?”

This was the most pressing question for Cheonwooja.

Could the organization Beongilmaek really be under Shinjo’s control?

What could a being so far beyond humanity possibly gain from meddling in such unproductive endeavors?

“I am his failed creation. He will try to destroy me at any time. I have never met him, and I cannot go around exposing myself. Also…”

Guiamza revealed a deep suspicion.

“To say that he is projecting his will onto this world… that’s excessive speculation. What does human wealth mean to him? Do you think human greed matters to him?”

“What? Then what about Shinjo’s followers…?”

Then came Guiamza’s sour voice.

“Those who have inherited his power would say otherwise. Especially Tongcheonju. You know better than anyone that he is the one who fits the bill.”

Cheonwooja’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Tongcheonju! That damned bastard from Tongcheonmun is still active?!”

“That man was the one with the strongest desires among the six test subjects. Moreover, he is the most skilled. He is the closest to the seat.”

“Huh…!”

“In fact, the reason I wander the underworld isn’t just because of Shinjo, but primarily because of him.”

“Why?”

“Because he is also obsessed with destroying me.”