Ssswaaa—
Splash!
Ssswaaa—
Splash!
Just one step ago, it had looked like nothing but a cliff, but now there was a massive lake stretching before us.
Lake, they called it, but this size… it could just as well be called a sea. Especially with waves crashing like that.
“I never dreamed a place like this existed in the Second Demon realm.”
Tak Horak said with his usual joking tone. I didn’t show it on the outside, but I was thinking the same.
“It’s normally hidden by an illusion formation… All it said was ‘restricted area’, but I never imagined this was here.”
Saweol spoke with a faintly nostalgic look.
Understandable—she used to play with her brother in the hills of the Second Demon realm. Maybe this place was linked to those memories.
I gathered the qi of Heavenly Demon Divine Art into my eyes. My vision expanded, and far in the distance, I began to see a small dot.
‘That must be Island of Restless Souls.’
It looked strange at first glance.
Where we stood, the weather was clear and sunny.
But above that island alone, thick, dark clouds hovered ominously.
If this were a novel, it would probably say something like:
“Kim Dong-yun shivered with unease as he stared at the dark clouds looming above the island.”
“I can handle this.”
Even with the slightly unreliable Tak Horak, I had the dependable Saweol at my side, and thanks to Cheol Muguk, my main body’s power had been greatly enhanced.
After discussing with Skybreaker, we concluded I could withstand a fight against a Peak Realm master now.
Of course, that’s assuming we traded blows one-for-one in a straightforward, fair fight.
Anyway—
“It’s been a while.”
A burly, hairy middle-aged man approached us with both arms wide open in greeting.
I stared at him silently.
Well, since I still hadn’t suppressed the energy of Heavenly Demon Divine Art, it was more accurate to say I glared at him.
When our eyes met, the man let out an awkward laugh.
“It, it’s been a while. I’ve come to help with your entry to the island.”
It was Hwang Sogun, the captain of the induction ship from when I first entered the Cult.
“I’ve heard the rumors, Induction Captain.”
“Pardon? What do you mean…”
“In the Cult, we cut out tongues for careless words. Isn’t that so?”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“I heard you’ve been bragging about your connection with the Sado Household. I ask you now—do you truly have such a connection with me?”
As soon as I finished, Hwang Sogun dropped to his knees.
“I-I’m sorry! Please forgive me!”
“There won’t be a second chance.”
“Thank you! Thank you!”
He bowed so low he was practically groveling.
In the past, I would’ve needed all kinds of setups to get this kind of reaction.
Now, just a few words were enough. My standing in the Cult had clearly skyrocketed.
[Freak.]
“What now?”
[You usually avoid unnecessary conflict. Why squash Hwang Sogun like that?]
‘Because I need information.’
Maybe it was to deliberately reinforce the Sado Household’s supposed weakness within the Six Demon Families, but for whatever reason, we were scheduled to arrive last.
That meant the others were already on the island. I needed to know who they brought and what the situation was.
“Lead the way.”
“Yes, sir!”
Hwang Sogun waved his hand, and a small boat approached the shore.
It wasn’t as massive as the Induction Ship, but large enough to carry several dozen people.
“Please board.”
Together with Saweol and Tak Horak, I stepped onto the boat.
“I’ll take you comfortably to Island of Restless Souls. Despite being a lake, there’s a current you can ride. It should take about half an hour.”
Hwang Sogun spoke like a personal assistant glued to my side.
Sure enough, the boat moved swiftly, just like he said.
“I have questions.”
“Ask anything.”
“Which members did the other families bring?”
Maybe because I’d already put him in his place, he didn’t even try to act clever.
Instead of making demands with that usual sleazy smirk, he started spilling information like his life depended on it.
“The Nine Yin Gwak Clan sent—”
“No need for the Gwak or Cheol Clans. I’m curious about the Chu, Jin, and Hyuk Clans.”
“Understood! I’ll begin with the Sun and Moon Chu Clan.”
Chu Clan:
Clan Head Chu Taesu, Young Lord Chu Mokjin, Elder Guardian Chu Daeyeop
Shadow Blood Jin Clan:
Clan Head Jin Yeongryeong, Young Lord Jin Biyun, Great Elder of Blood Jin Giryeong
Red Dragon Hyuk Clan:
Clan Head Hyuk Mun, Young Lord Hyuk Gon, Red Dragon Elder Hyuk Song
My first thought hearing all those names?
“This is gonna be a mess.”
This was just like in novels when a huge cast of names got dumped at once. It was always confusing—who’s who again?
Names, it turns out, are harder to remember than you'd think.
The problem was that every single name Hwang Sogun gave carried serious weight.
They were all dangerous figures, not to be taken lightly.
Anyway—
[As expected, they’ve all brought heirs or direct bloodlines.]
‘Probably to prevent any leaks of information.’
[You’ll likely be kept in check.]
While the others brought direct descendants or Young Lords—people eligible to share secrets of the Six Families’ summit—I brought just subordinates.
Of course, from my perspective, they weren’t just subordinates.
But that’s how others would see it.
‘They're already keeping me in check. A bit more won’t change much. What matters is being safer.’
Skybreaker agreed with a short vibration.
Hwang Sogun, meanwhile, kept rattling on with useless comments like,
“All the Hyuk Clan members really do have that messy hair. Turns out it’s true.”
Still, I managed to catch one curious bit of intel—One of the Chu Clan’s Elder Guardians smelled strange. Something off.
While I mentally organized the information he gave, we finally arrived at Island of Restless Souls.
It wasn’t a very large island.
Based on Hwang Sogun’s description, it was about the size of Yeouido in Korea.
Which, while big in real life, was no more than someone’s backyard in the context of Return of the Murim’s world.
As we neared the island, a mist began to settle over the lake.
I glanced at Saweol, just in case—but while she looked slightly uncomfortable, she didn’t seem mentally disturbed like before.
A true Transcendent Peak expert really was on another level.
“We’ve arrived. Please disembark.”
I nodded and stepped off, lightly patting Hwang Sogun on the shoulder as I did.
Carrot-and-stick strategy.
Judging by his tearful, grateful expression, it worked beautifully.
A stone path extended from the dock.
“Follow this path, and you’ll reach the meeting hall. I’ll see you again in three days. Let’s go!”
Hwang Sogun got back on the boat and left.
I steadied my breath.
There’s a saying: “Dragon’s pond, tiger’s den.”
This was it.
Based on the names I’d heard earlier, there were at least six Transcendent Peak Realm warriors here.
Technically eight, if you included the Chu Clan’s spiritual arts.
To act like a master among them would not be easy.
But I had to do it.
I drew the energy of Heavenly Demon Divine Art into my chest.
The anxiety faded, replaced by calm determination.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Clan Head.”
We walked, and walked some more. Most would have used light movement techniques, but I couldn’t do that. Nor were horses or carriages prepared.
“This is going to earn me more ridicule…”
We walked for about two hours.
“That must be the meeting hall.”
A five-story pavilion stood alone ahead.
On the third-floor balcony, someone stood with arms crossed.
A young man, about my age.
[Look at that robe—plastered with red dragons from head to toe. No doubt, that’s one of the Hyuk Clan buffoons.]
A few dragon emblems? Sure. But this was overkill. Tiny dragons, medium dragons, massive dragons—his entire outfit was dragon-themed.
I sharpened my vision. He was glaring at me with a disgusted expression.
Clearly, he didn’t like what he was seeing.
Hyuk Gon, Young Lord of the Hyuk Clan. Ranked 107th in the Cult. Said to be early-stage Peak Realm.
Saweol’s voice echoed in my head.
‘Skybreaker, could I beat him? Or at least look like I have the upper hand?’
[Easily. Hyuk Clan guys are all hot-blooded and dumb. Just provoke him a little.]
“Perfect.”
A good idea struck me.
Rather than fumble in awkward silence and get overwhelmed, I’d flip the script.
No point trying to get along with the Hyuk Clan—their elitism guaranteed we’d never be friends.
[You really are a full-blown Cultist now.]
I stepped forward.
“This distance should do nicely.”
Hyuk Gon looked down.
There stood Sado Hwan, new Clan Head of the Sado Household.
“Insolent…”
***
Late as hell, and acting like he’s just out for a stroll.
Hyuk Gon didn’t even consider that it was the Cult that assigned the Sado Household the last arrival slot.
Strolling up leisurely?
He should’ve used qinggong and rushed.
“That guy’s a Transcendent Peak expert??”
Hyuk Gon knew Sado Hwan—they’d met at Sado Gwang’s birthday banquet.
Back then, Sado Hwan had been a joke. A puppet. Someone who couldn’t even control his body and obeyed every command like a clown.
Even now, just looking at his walk—
To a martial artist, walking wasn’t just about moving your legs.
Every step should contain the logic and flow of martial arts.
But Sado Hwan’s walk had none of that.
Couldn’t use qinggong or movement techniques?
That must be it.
And this guy was supposed to be a Transcendent Peak Realm expert?
Unbelievable. People don’t change that easily.
True masters were chosen—To reach the Transcendent Peak, you had to glimpse and understand even a fraction of the Great Red Dragon.
And if you weren’t balanced in body, mind, and spirit, even looking at it would drive you mad.
He was still training hard because of that very reason.
“Maybe I should test him.”
This wasn’t some playful Cult test. It was the arrogance of the Hyuk Clan, fueled by blood and pride.
“Late, and taking a stroll, huh?”
Hyuk Gon called out.
Sado Hwan, who had been walking calmly, raised his head.
Their eyes met, and Hyuk Gon was instantly enraged.
It was the gaze of someone looking at an inanimate object.
As if Hyuk Gon didn’t even register as a person.
Though he stood higher, it felt like Sado Hwan was looking down on him.
“You insolent—!”
Hyuk Gon’s robe flared.
Pazzzzt!
A red aura started to gather in his hands—when suddenly,
“Seventeen.”
Nothing.
Only a faint blue afterimage remained.
‘What the—’
Before the thought even finished—Something cold touched the back of his neck.
A sword.
Hyuk Gon shuddered.
He hadn’t even sensed the movement.
“Spatial Shift…”
“I was in need of a guide. How fortunate. Lead the way.”
Hyuk Gon, shivering with humiliation, began to move.
The chill at his neck remained. He didn’t even dare glance at the sword.
If he did, it might sever his neck in an instant.
He slowly turned, opening the door to the inner pavilion.
The third-floor door swung open, and everyone inside turned their eyes to Sado Hwan and Hyuk Gon.
“Gon!”
“…Huh.”
“Hahahaha!”
A wave of varied reactions burst forth.
As if relishing their surprise, Sado Hwan spoke softly.
“Apologies for the delay. I am Sado Hwan, Clan Head of the Sado Household.”
“All well and good, Sado Clan Head,”
Said Cheol Muguk, smiling faintly,
“But how about removing that fan from his neck? The boy’s about to cry.”