CFZ

After the whirlwind of chaos, the atmosphere at the branch headquarters settled into an eerie stillness.
The ground was soaked with so much blood that its scent still lingered heavily in the air. The surviving martial artists were busy collecting the corpses, their faces tense and grim.

Above, the moonlight filtered through a haze of faint energy that hung in the air, a remnant of the intense battle that had taken place.
“Secure the captured and lock them in the cells. Gather the corpses and burn them,” a commanding voice ordered.
“Should we wait for authorization from the main branch?”

“This is the command of the Lord Commander himself. He’s declared that he’ll take full responsibility for any consequences. Follow his orders.”
“Understood.”
The Star Dragon Unit moved without hesitation. Even after such a battle, they remained composed and efficient.

“Their cultivation levels are on a completely different scale.”
“To think they’d be this strong…”
The external recruits, brought in from other clans and sects, were clearly at the peak of their abilities. Each of them seemed to be on par with a vice-captain, if not stronger.
These were seasoned martial artists who had spent years honing their skills elsewhere, leaving no doubt about their experience and competence.

However, the recruits from within the Martial Alliance were conspicuously absent.
The reason for this was clear.
“Why…!”

“What crime have we committed to deserve this?!”
Those being thrown into the cells were not just members of the Azure Dragon Unit but also those from the Martial Alliance who had been transferred to the Star Dragon Unit.
“Let me go! We’re your comrades!”

Despite their protests, the Star Dragon Unit showed no reaction, dragging them into the cells with unwavering resolve. Resistance was futile; the gap in skill was insurmountable.
Not everyone was being locked up. Only select individuals were detained, though it wasn’t clear what criteria were being used.
“What the hell is going on?”

“This doesn’t make any sense…”
The martial artists of the Azure Dragon Unit could only swallow their unease as they watched their comrades, accused of being criminals, either killed or thrown into cells.
Why were their allies being branded as sinners? Why were members of the Star Dragon Unit being targeted as well?

They couldn’t comprehend any of it.
Even those who were deemed innocent for now weren’t safe.
“Those remaining will be brought to the main branch for interrogation due to their connections with the accused. Be prepared.”

The announcement sent ripples of shock through the crowd.
“Damn it… why me…”
They had done nothing wrong. They had lived by the principles of righteousness and honor, yet here they were, treated like criminals. The martial artists of the Azure Dragon Unit bit their lips in frustration, their unease growing by the second.

The situation was bad enough, but there was an even deeper issue gnawing at their minds.
“Do you think… could it be true? Is our commander really involved with the Demonic Cult?”
“That’s ridiculous!”
One voice whispered the unthinkable, only for another to immediately reject the idea.

“Our commander would never! This must be a setup. The Star King clearly orchestrated this for his own gain.”
“Exactly. Even if they claim to have evidence, they haven’t shown it to us. It’s clearly a false accusation.”
Their words carried certainty, but their trembling voices betrayed their inner doubts.

“Our commander… he would never conspire with the Demonic Cult.”
“Right, not with them—or with any heretics.”
“He must be hiding, planning his next move. He’ll clear his name soon.”

They tried to convince themselves of their leader’s innocence, forcing down their unease.
Just as they were clinging to that fragile hope—
“He’s back!”

The shout drew everyone’s attention, and the martial artists turned their heads.
“…What…!”
“No… it can’t be!”

What they saw made them rise to their feet, their shackles rattling lightly. Though restricted, they weren’t completely immobilized, and they managed to move.
“Commander—!!”
They rushed forward, alarmed at the sight before them.

It was Ilcheon Sword, battered and bloodied, his once-pristine robes now covered in dust and gore. His swollen face was almost unrecognizable, and his vacant, unfocused eyes gave him a delirious appearance.
He was far from okay.
“Commander! Are you alright?!”

“These bastards… how dare they do this to him!”
“Stop.”
BOOM—!!!

The martial artists halted in their tracks as a sudden shockwave tore through the ground before them, leaving a deep gouge.
“If you cross that line, I’ll kill you.”
A cheerful voice froze them in place. They turned to see a blood-stained woman standing nearby, her spear casually resting on her shoulder. Her expression was as calm as if she hadn’t just issued a threat.

“If you cross the line, I’ll put a hole in your face.”
“We… we’re just trying to help our commander—”
“I’ll put a hole in you,” she repeated.

“…!!”
When one of them dared to step forward, the woman’s aura flared as she gripped her spear, exuding a murderous intent that left them paralyzed.
For the first time, the thought crossed their minds:

Could it be… was this woman the one who did this to the commander?
…No, that’s impossible…
They refused to believe it. Even with their commander injured, the idea of him losing to her seemed absurd.

“Lady Pi.”
The Star Dragon Unit, equally shocked, approached the woman cautiously.
“…Did you do this to the Azure Dragon Unit’s commander?”

“Hmm? Yep, that was me!”
She smiled brightly, her blood-soaked face making the expression all the more unnerving.
Her carefree demeanor left them at a loss. They could only stand back, watching as she laughed while they turned their focus to their fallen commander.

“Commander, please, wake up.”
“How much blood has he lost? We need to stop the bleeding—”
“Step back.”

Sching.
The sound of a blade being drawn silenced them.
The Star Dragon Unit had stepped in to block them.

“Lady Pi’s actions may have been extreme, but our intentions are the same. Do not approach the sinner carelessly.”
“Sinner?!”
One of the Azure Dragon Unit martial artists shouted, his face red with fury.

“You frame him and then call him a sinner?! The heavens will punish such lies!”
“What do you know to accuse him like this?!”
“Ugh, they’re so noisy. Can I kill them?”

Pi Yeon-yeon nonchalantly picked at her ear and raised her spear.
But before she could act, Seong Yul stepped in front of her.
“…Calm yourself.”

“Why? Why should I?”
Her confusion seemed genuine, and the dissonance in her attitude sent shivers down their spines.
“You’ve been told to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Restrain yourself.”

“…And who are you to tell me what to do?”
Her face darkened, and her aura flared violently.
“…”

Seong Yul’s expression hardened as the sudden tension thickened the air.
“Lady Pi, must we do this?”
“You… I’ve hated you from the start.”

Sigh.
Seong Yul’s already pale face grew even paler. His grip on his sword tightened, his intent sharp and clear.
The atmosphere shifted dramatically, and everyone braced for an inevitable clash.

“Both of you. Stop.”
The commanding voice cut through the tension, halting them in their tracks.
“…”

“…Ick…”
The tension between Seong Yul and Pi Yeon-yeon was abruptly shattered by a soft yet commanding voice. Both froze in place, their confrontational energy dissipating instantly.
The one who intervened was a small, green-haired woman, her stature far less imposing than the two she now addressed.

“Have you forgotten what you’re supposed to be doing right now?”
“…”
“A-ah, no, it’s just…”

“Don’t talk back.”
For once, Pi Yeon-yeon seemed to lose her nerve, avoiding eye contact as she fidgeted under the woman’s sharp gaze.
The green-haired woman, Tang So-yeol, glared coldly at the two before continuing.

“Focus on the mission. Petty disputes can wait. Do you understand?”
“…Yes, ma’am.”
“…Understood.”

The weight of Tang So-yeol’s presence silenced them. Even the Star Dragon Unit members turned away hurriedly, unwilling to draw her attention. The Azure Dragon Unit members, on the other hand, swallowed hard, their unease growing.
Despite her small frame, the pressure emanating from Tang So-yeol was suffocating—almost supernatural.
“Tsk…”

Clicking her tongue, Tang So-yeol turned her gaze to Pi Yeon-yeon.
“Where is the commander?”
Her voice, though [N O V E L I G H T] calm, carried a sharp edge. Pi Yeon-yeon, still flustered from the earlier scolding, stammered.

“H-he… uh… the commander said he found something… and went to check on it. He told us to stay here and wait…”
“Found something?”
“Y-yes.”

The awkward explanation was suspicious, but Tang So-yeol chose to let it slide for now. While she was concerned about Gu Yangcheon’s condition, her responsibilities took precedence.
“Stop the bleeding and proceed with the restraints,” she ordered, glancing at Ilcheon Sword.
Her words prompted the Star Dragon Unit members to approach the battered commander.

“Don’t… touch me!”
Ilcheon Sword, who had been lying still, suddenly opened his bloodshot eyes and roared. His voice carried enough energy to make the surrounding air tremble.
Sching—!

The atmosphere shifted instantly as everyone fell into a defensive stance, their vigilance heightened.
Even though Ilcheon Sword was gravely injured and on the verge of collapse, he was still a formidable warrior—one step away from the Ten Grand Masters. Underestimating him could be fatal.
“Commander!”

“Are you alright?!”
The Azure Dragon Unit members called out to him with hope, but their words only seemed to fuel his fury.
“Shut your filthy mouths, you trash—!”

“…What?”
The sudden venom in Ilcheon Sword’s words stunned everyone into silence.
“Don’t lay your dirty hands on me. Get away.”

His swollen eyes, now tinged with an eerie violet hue, swept over the group with disdain.
“Righteous sect scum… even ripping you apart won’t be enough to appease me… Kheh-heh-heh… Soon, the Master will destroy you all!”
His voice, drenched in madness, echoed through the area.

“Ah… ah…”
The expressions of the Azure Dragon Unit members twisted into horror.
In that moment, their worst fears were confirmed.

The man they had sworn loyalty to was not only guilty of colluding with heretics but had succumbed entirely to their influence.