Thirty years ago, the Great War of Justice and Demons remained a shameful chapter in the history of the Justice Faction.
At the time, the leader of the Demonic Sect who led that war was Tak Muhyo, the Flame World Heavenly Demon.
Tak Muhyo was not only a master of (Detachment from Demonic Qi), but he was also renowned for his exceptional mercenary tactics.
He inherited the position of Sect Leader at a young age and fully utilized his remarkable talents to completely subjugate the surrounding demonic families.
His control over the sect was so absolute that it was said to be the most complete dominance the Thousand-Year Demonic Sect had ever seen, with unwavering loyalty from his followers.
Leading these devoted followers, Tak Muhyo launched a surprise attack across Tianshan, advancing into the Middle Plains.
At the time, he was forty years old.
Countless sects of the Justice Faction, caught completely unprepared, were forced to kneel helplessly under the Demonic Sect’s boots.
In response, the remaining sects hastily formed the Martial Alliance to resist, but due to their initial defenselessness and being defeated one by one, they struggled to assert their strength.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Hidden Masters of Kangho rose up, but even their combined power was insufficient to stop the momentum of the Demonic Sect.
It seemed only a matter of time before the Justice Faction’s demise was sealed.
Within the Justice Faction, heated debates broke out day after day, divided between those who wished to surrender to preserve what little remained and those who insisted on fighting to the end to meet an honorable death.
However, an entirely unexpected event abruptly ended this fierce argument.
The sudden death of Tak Muhyo, the Sect Leader of the Demonic Sect.
Neither the cause nor the circumstances of his death were ever revealed, but rumors quickly spread and were soon confirmed as fact.
The Demonic Sect, which had occupied most of the Middle Plains, was forced to halt its advance just before the final strike.
Then came the ceasefire.
Tense moments stretched on endlessly, leaving time to slip away helplessly.
Finally, a piece of news arrived like a blessing from the heavens to the Justice Faction.
The Demonic Sect announced a full retreat.
The sudden and dramatic withdrawal sparked countless rumors about the reasons behind it, but none could be confirmed.
Among them, the story that the Demonic Sect’s leadership was torn apart by fratricidal strife over the vacant position left by Tak Muhyo was considered the most plausible.
In any case, the Demonic Sect vanished beyond Tianshan.
However, after the Great War of Justice and Demons ended, internal turmoil within the Justice Faction grew even worse.
At that time, the main forces of the Demonic Sect had crossed Tianshan, launching attacks that swept from west to east across the Middle Plains.
Because of their route, the Nine Great Sects suffered far greater damage than the Noble Families.
But as soon as the Demonic Sect retreated from the Middle Plains, the relatively less damaged Noble Families quickly mobilized their remaining forces to seize power.
Using their comparatively intact economic base and military strength even during the war, the Noble Families occupied key strongholds in the Middle Plains and claimed a central role in the Justice Faction.
On the other hand, the Nine Great Sects, devastated and weakened both militarily and financially at the front lines of the war, could only watch the Noble Families’ advances helplessly.
Even among allies, there was no compromise when it came to their own interests.
Ultimately, after fierce conflict, the Nine Great Sects gave up on reconciliation and chose to walk their separate paths.
Thus were born the Changcheon League, led by the Nine Great Sects, and the Cheonyeon Union, formed by the Noble Families.
At first, Changcheon League and Cheonyeon Union were like sworn enemies, but now they maintain a relationship of cautious distance without provoking one another.
Beyond Tianshan, in a valley stretching endlessly along the mountain ridge, stood dozens of magnificent buildings so grand it was hard to believe they were built by human hands.
Among them, inside the largest and most splendid hall—the Manma Hall—sat a middle-aged man and an elderly man facing each other.
“Ma Brain! Is Elder Council Head still opposed?”
“He is.”
“How stubborn. Isn’t it time to give up the obstinacy?”
“Elder Council Head fought on the front lines during the Great War of Justice and Demons thirty years ago. He always says the blood he shed then has never dried. Now, with his age, it seems he no longer wishes for the followers to shed blood again.”
“That may be so, but continuing to suppress those who desire war now lacks justification. Besides, I must also avenge my father.”
His father, Hyeok Mujo, was the commander of the Asura Division who fought on the front lines during the Great War of Justice and Demons thirty years ago.
He exchanged one of Emei Sect’s headmaster Yunjeong Sitae’s arms for his life.
“I will try once more to persuade them, using the justification of avenging the Sect Leader.”
Hyeok Segi quietly shook his head while looking at Ma Brain.
Then, with a resolute expression, he rose from his seat.
“Don’t. Whether I go now and get approval or not, I will bring back a conclusion.”
Se-gi stood before the door of a modest yet old and dignified building.
He tidied his clothes and slowly opened the door.
The first thing to catch his eyes was a small but neat and beautiful garden.
It was not particularly flashy, but the traces of much human care were evident everywhere.
In one corner of the garden, an elderly man, dressed plainly and engrossed in something, noticed him and raised his head.
The man was Yoo Ui-tae, Elder Council Head of the Elder Council and known as the Dream King.
He was also the uncle-in-law of the Demonic Sect Leader, Hyeok Se-gi.
Thirty years ago, after forming a sworn brotherhood with Segi’s father, he naturally became Segi’s uncle-in-law.
Moreover, he was the benefactor who raised Se-gi to Sect Leader despite his lack of any foundation.
“Uncle, have you been well?”
“Isn’t that you, Sect Leader? You must be busy. What brings you all the way to this humble place?”
“I have been away for a while. Please scold this nephew properly.”
“Hahaha, no nonsense. Since you’ve come, sit down and have some tea.”
He led Hyeok Segi into his modest room.
***
After a moment, a maid entered carrying fragrant tea.
The pleasant scent quickly spread throughout the small, simple room.
“So, I assume you did not come just because you missed this old man. What is it?”
The Sect Leader quietly met the Elder Council Head’s eyes.
Deep and calm eyes devoid of any emotion.
Looking into those eyes, he suddenly thought that perhaps his uncle-in-law had transcended the extreme demonic realm and was glimpsing the realm of (Detachment from Demonic Qi).
‘Why had he raised him to become the Sect Leader?’
This question, which had lingered for twenty-five years, stirred once again in his mind.
“Uncle, I heard you oppose the mobilization.”
“Is it because of that? I know many followers demand to go to war. But if a war breaks out, many lives will be spilled again. Watching such scenes now pains me deeply.”
“I understand your heart, uncle. But if we miss this chance, division will arise among the followers, which could lead to the worst-case scenario of bloodshed. We must prevent that, so please grant your approval.”
“Is the sect’s situation really that urgent?”
The Elder Council Head smiled and took a sip of tea.
His words were slow but firm.
“I still want to trust the followers. And though I should seek permission from an old man like myself, do you think the Sect Leader’s power is insufficient?”
“Nothing is more important to me than your approval, uncle.”
The Elder Council Head fell silent, indicating no more words.
The Sect Leader quietly bowed to him.
“I am sorry to have disturbed your pure mind, uncle. I shall take my leave.”
“You have been kind to stay. Go quickly now.”
“Yes, uncle.”
Bidding farewell, Hyeok Se-gi hurried toward Manma Hall.
There, Ma Brain Jin Byeok was still waiting for him.
Upon seeing Segi, he could no longer contain his curiosity and spoke immediately.
“What was the conclusion?”
“Ma Brain! Start preparing what we planned.”
“So you got approval?”
“No.”
For a moment, Ma Brain looked at the Sect Leader in surprise.
“But I suppose you won’t oppose even if I decide so.”
Ma Brain hesitated, unsure how to respond.
“Silence is consent.”
“Understood.”
“At dawn, summon all the Demonic followers. I will formally announce it there. I will boldly declare mobilization to those demonic family heads who have pressured me so much until now. This time, we will realize our dream along with our revenge from thirty years ago.”
A confident smile spread across Sect Leader Hyeok Segi’s face.
That was how powerful the Demonic Sect had become.
***
At the Pottery Workshop in Namchang, Jiangxi Province, Gangchan had spent three months experiencing a different world.
Watching the potter capturing the earth’s energy within the clay bowl was a sacred sight in itself.
If the energy was mishandled, the finished vessel could never fulfill its true purpose.
To ordinary eyes, the bowl looked perfectly fine, yet the potter shattered it without hesitation.
He could sense if the bowl had lost the earth’s energy or if that energy was distorted.
A bowl lacking energy could not hold the nourishing energy of food, nor could it transfer that energy to those who ate from it.
Gangchan sought clues to better control the Jieugiseong within his body.
He gave his final thanks to the head of the Pottery Workshop.
“Thank you for everything these past three months.”
“Who will carry these clays when you leave, young master Gangchan? I’m already worried.”
“Not at all. Take care.”
“Wherever you go, live well, but if you ever pass nearby, please visit.”
“Of course.”
Gangchan left the workshop and slowly walked along the main road.
Nearly three years into his journey across the Middle Plains, his traveling gear had become remarkably simple.
***
Walking along the road that stretched about a han’s length, Gangchan looked toward the forest on the left and whistled.
“Whiii~.”
“Hiiiiiing.”
From within the forest, a dark shadow appeared.
It was Mong, Gangchan’s friend.
Mong approached Gangchan and rubbed his face against Gangchan’s as if greeting him, nodding his head up and down.
Gangchan gently petted Mong’s face.
“You look healthier. Have you been secretly eating well without telling me?”
Mong stopped and stared quietly, denying it.
“Alright, you’ve worked hard too.”
“Hiiiiiing.”
The journey through Kangho had taught Gangchan many things.
In his childhood, engulfed in bloodshed, revenge was his sole purpose in life.
But coming into the world and interacting with many people, he naturally realized that there were many values in life beyond revenge.
He also began to seriously contemplate what life after revenge would be like.
He practiced Seungcheonmugukgiseong daily without fail, gradually growing more empathetic to his surroundings.
The natural development of Seungcheonmugukgiseong, which had stagnated due to the Jieugiseong’s nature, was a side effect of his journey through Kangho.
When he started, his Seungcheonmugukgiseong was at level six; now, nearly three years later, it had reached the cusp of level seven.
The three years spent with many people had raised his Jieugiseong to near level ten.
Only the final fragment was missing, preventing him from reaching greatness, but Gangchan chose not to rush.
Even if he never attained that realm, it did not matter.
His current ability was more than enough to exact revenge, and that was sufficient.
When the time came, he would take revenge without fear or hesitation.
However, after completing this journey and revenge, he planned to enter Guihon Village and never emerge again.
Therefore, this trip might very well be his last.
With that thought of finality, Gangchan wanted to savor this journey more slowly and deeply.
Along the straight main road, One Man, One Horse slowly traveled southeast.
In truth, traveling from Namchang to Hangju by boat along the Yangtze River was faster and more comfortable than following the main road.
But Gangchan deliberately chose not to take the river route, preferring to follow the road.
So he continued walking southeast along the main road, passing Yeo River and Yuksan, heading toward Hangju.