I didn’t expect to form a connection with the Seongrak Tower.
The Seongrak Tower Lord was even willing to show favor toward Lee Taeseong, and Yoo Baek, the Tower Lord’s disciple, owed Taeseong a life debt.
In the process of repaying it, they had grown quite close.
‘No. Would Yoo Baek see me as an enemy now?’
But one cannot simply insert oneself into a master-disciple relationship.
I’ll have to explain things properly when we meet again so he doesn’t misunderstand.
After that, Lee Taeseong went to a secluded place and took out the Empty Shadow Hiding Technique manual he had just received.
It was old and worn, but it seemed to have been well preserved, as its condition was quite good.
Taeseong began reading it carefully.
It was a martial arts secret manual of the Transcendental Realm.
A grade rarely seen even in large sects, and the content was anything but ordinary.
‘This seems to be among the upper tier even within Transcendental Realm manuals.’
Even within the same grade, the level is divided.
If the Heavenly Fire Holy Law Art was clearly at the top of its grade, then the Empty Shadow Hiding Technique felt almost comparable.
A martial art on par with the Hybrid of the Flame Emperor, who had achieved Ascension.
Now that he had reached the Peak Realm and could understand the manual to some extent by reading it directly, he marveled over it several times.
Of course, he didn’t understand more than half of it… but that didn’t matter much.
Ding!
[Would you like to learn the Empty Shadow Hiding Technique (Legendary)?]
[64 Skill Points required]
As soon as he finished reading the entire manual, a message appeared!
“Learn it.”
He had saved up enough Skill Points, so there was nothing to hesitate about.
Ding!
[You have acquired a new skill.]
Skill: Empty Shadow Hiding Technique
Soon, a slight dizziness accompanied the knowledge of the Empty Shadow Hiding Technique flowing into his mind.
The privilege of a user.
Lee Taeseong took a moment to organize the newly acquired knowledge.
He had felt it while reading as well, but it was indeed an amazing martial art.
Taeseong immediately guided his mana as the Empty Shadow Hiding Technique instructed.
Then, he felt as if his body was dissolving into the air.
The principle of seeing an object is because light reflects off it, but the Empty Shadow Hiding Technique absorbed all incoming light like a black hole.
Furthermore, it also absorbed the biological reactions and presence emanating from his own body, making it seem as if nothing was there to others—a divine art.
Taeseong walked the main streets of Demenmark in that state.
‘Incredible?’
It was broad daylight, and there were quite a few people on the streets, but no one noticed Taeseong.
Even when he deliberately bumped into someone’s shoulder, the person merely tilted their head in confusion and failed to detect him.
Among them was even a Peak Level expert.
Someone he remembered seeing at the victory celebration banquet, yet that person didn’t even notice Taeseong passing right beside him.
Of course, it could be that they weren’t on high alert, and Taeseong hadn’t intentionally approached too closely, but it was still an impressive effect.
It was no wonder the Seongrak Tower took pride in their martial arts being the best.
Taeseong found the experience of people not noticing him quite amusing, so he continued wandering around excitedly.
He had been walking since early morning, before noon, and before he knew it, the sun had set and it was evening.
Maybe it was because he had consumed many elixirs due to his long-standing lack of mana.
Now that he had a decent amount of mana, he could maintain the stealth for a long time.
Whether because of that or because the stealth technique suited him well, he didn’t know.
Ding!
[Proficiency in Empty Shadow Hiding Technique has increased.]
[Skill level has increased.]
[Empty Shadow Hiding Technique (Lv.1) → Empty Shadow Hiding Technique (Lv.2)]
In less than a day, the proficiency had increased by one level.
Compared to other Hybrid skills or martial arts he had learned so far, this was an absurd growth rate!
With the increase of a single level, Taeseong’s stealth became even more subtle.
Perhaps if he approached the Peak Level expert he had seen earlier at this level, they might not even notice him.
Taeseong wandered around for a while longer.
He ended up traversing various parts of Demenmark unintentionally.
‘Hm?’
Then, he happened to see Luban.
The Vice Branch Manager of Mortu Nocturn, the one who had shot him a hostile glare during the last banquet.
Even Branch Manager Gederic had been smiling at that banquet, but Luban alone had a sour expression, which left an impression on Taeseong.
‘Where is he going?’
Luban was moving cautiously toward somewhere, checking his surroundings every few steps.
His obvious suspicion of being followed naturally made him seem suspicious, so Taeseong carefully followed behind him.
—
Luban, the Vice Branch Manager of Mortu Nocturn currently stationed in Demenmark.
His true identity was Blood Hand, a high-ranking member of the Nameless Blood Cult.
“One day, the time will come to turn the Alliance from within. Endure until then.”
That was the order he had received from the Cheonwang of the Nameless Blood Cult.
Luban had infiltrated Mortu Nocturn, waiting for that day to come.
And finally, that day had arrived.
“Set up the Golden Blood Explosion Formations all over Demenmark.”
The Nameless Blood Cult had suffered devastating losses at the hands of the Continental Allied Forces.
Unexpectedly, their trail had been discovered, and a sudden assault had annihilated one of their branches.
In its heyday centuries ago, it might have been different, but now, dreaming of revival in the shadows, this was a significant hemorrhage.
Of course, they couldn’t just take a hit and do nothing.
The Nameless Blood Cult planned to use Luban to inflict catastrophic damage on Demenmark.
‘By forcing the Allied Forces to retreat further south and weakening their surveillance in the northern lands, if successful, it will give the main cult some breathing room.’
Thus, Luban’s role was crucial.
As the Vice Branch Manager of Mortu Nocturn, he was currently part of the leadership of the Continental Allied Forces.
The entire city had surveillance posts at regular intervals to monitor for any subversive elements, but with Luban’s status, he wouldn’t be flagged by such checks.
‘Soon, the actual leaders of the major factions, who have been dragging their feet, will come up. But until then…’
Thanks to the recent victory, the major factions would finally start moving in earnest.
Not the branch managers currently present, but at least the elders of each organization.
Renowned Transcendent Experts would take over the command positions, and Luban would naturally fall to a lower tier.
‘I need to finish my work before that.’
So, Luban had been roaming the city since morning, setting up the Golden Blood Explosion Formations.
This was a special technique developed by the Nameless Blood Cult.
When the caster activated the formations, all the installed formations would explode simultaneously, devastating the surroundings.
The installation method was simple, but the power was outstanding.
Even if it was a secret art of the Nameless Blood Cult, achieving such effects naturally required expensive materials.
It was a significant expense for the Nameless Blood Cult as well.
‘No. It’s not an expense; it’s an investment to destroy Demenmark.’
And Luban, as the person responsible for this investment, had to complete this mission successfully.
Only then could the tilted scales between the Allied Forces and the Nameless Blood Cult be slightly restored.
In the shadow of a wall in a deserted alley.
Luban dug into the ground, inscribed the Golden Blood Explosion formula, and arranged the materials and mana in order.
After reciting a few incantations, he covered it back up with dirt, making it look seamless.
After checking his surroundings once more, Luban smiled faintly and departed for another location.
“……”
Not long after Luban disappeared, Lee Taeseong emerged from thin air.
He stared at the spot where Luban had just done something suspicious, a serious expression on his face.
“What is this?”
It seemed like some kind of magic or sorcery trick, but unfortunately, Taeseong didn’t have the expertise to identify it.
So it was also dangerous to examine it recklessly.
What if he tampered with it and something went wrong?
Moreover, it was the work of the Vice Branch Manager of a major faction like Mortu Nocturn.
All sorts of ominous thoughts crossed his mind.
Even though they were bound under the name of the Alliance, Mortu Nocturn might have ulterior motives, or they might actually be allied with the Nameless Blood Cult…
Either way, it wasn’t a problem Taeseong could judge easily.
After pondering for a while, Taeseong dissolved back into the air and disappeared somewhere.
—
“You’re saying this is the place?”
“Yes.”
A dark alley.
Taeseong appeared with another companion.
His solution after witnessing Luban’s suspicious actions was simple: call the Commander-in-Chief!
Now that the Seongrak Tower Lord had also arrived, there were two Transcendent Experts in the city, but until just yesterday morning, Samuel had been the only one.
Whatever problem arose, if Samuel stepped in, it could be resolved smoothly.
Of course, as the acting commander of the Allied Forces, he was extremely busy, but fortunately, Taeseong had accumulated enormous Contribution Points.
As the primary contributor to the recent war, Samuel had agreed without a second word when Taeseong asked him to come for a moment.
“Indeed… this is a Blood Cult technique.”
Samuel narrowed his eyes as he looked at the ground.
Beyond the traces of a dug and refilled pit, he could sense the energy of a suspicious technique.
A Transcendent Expert, even a martial artist, could read traces of magic and sorcery without difficulty.
Having dealt with a Blood Cult barrier formation not long ago, he immediately recognized the energy of the Blood Cult.
“You said the Vice Branch Manager of Mortu Nocturn installed this?”
“Yes. You may or may not believe me, but I saw it clearly.”
“I believe you. If I don’t trust someone like you, who would I trust?”
At that, Taeseong felt a silent relief.
Major factions like Mortu Nocturn usually sided with their own, not with an individual’s word.
‘So this is the importance of reputation.’
He felt like he was reaping the rewards of living an honest life.
“I don’t know what he was trying to do, but there might be more of these elsewhere. Should I look around while I’m at it?”
“No need for that. Cleaning up afterward would just put us on the defensive. Let’s go find him directly.”
“Excuse me?”
Samuel grabbed Taeseong’s arm and began walking briskly.
“If Mortu Nocturn has betrayed us and joined hands with the Nameless Blood Cult, they must pay the price. Come with me and confirm it.”
“Ah, no… do I have to go too? I don’t think I’ll be of much help.”
“You’re the one who discovered it, so don’t talk nonsense. Come on.”
“……”
Taeseong almost sighed involuntarily.
If the suspicion turned out to be true, would Mortu Nocturn just let him off?
Samuel was a Transcendent Expert, so they wouldn’t easily target him, but they’d certainly hold a grudge against Taeseong, who was an easier target.
Their relationship was already strained; this was like pouring oil on a blazing fire.
But Samuel looked resolute, so there was no backing out.
He had just gone through a life-and-death battle, and now he might experience something similar again.