***
After the Unified Heaven Demon Cult collapsed, the demonic path had splintered into factions for nearly three hundred years. The one who unified it all was the Thunderclap Demon Emperor Gwan Hyo.
A man approached No Heaven Pavilion, Gwan Hyo's residence. With every step he took, the killing intent of the warriors guarding the pavilion poured down like sharpened blades. Yet the man's expression remained utterly relaxed, his strides as leisurely as if he were out for a casual walk.
The one growing tense was Lake Heaven Division Leader Yul Sarim, responsible for the pavilion's security.
"What should we do, Division Leader?"
Vice Division Leader Neung Cho asked, his face stiff with apprehension.
"No order to let him in. We block him, of course."
Yul Sarim spoke not so much as a reply but as a vow to himself.
"What's this about, Divine Demon Division Leader?"
Sima Geon halted his steps and responded indifferently.
"I've come to see the Cult Leader."
"Stand down. The order barring entry hasn't been lifted."
Sima Geon's eyes narrowed slightly, sending a chill rippling through the air around them.
"Hearing the same thing every day for a fortnight is starting to wear thin."
Yul Sarim felt a bad premonition at Sima Geon's icy retort. His gaze suddenly caught the sword hanging at Sima Geon's waist.
Yul Sarim's face hardened. His eyes trembled wildly, his lips quivering unwittingly with fear.
Within No Heaven Pavilion, the only ones permitted to carry weapons besides the Lake Heaven Division guards were the Divine Demon Division Leader, Sima Geon.
It was Sima Geon who had rendered great service in unifying the fractured demonic path and establishing the new Unified Heaven Demon Cult, elevating Gwan Hyo of the Divine Demon Family as its leader.
In gratitude, Gwan Hyo had granted Sima Geon the authority to be forgiven once—even for treason—and the right to enter No Heaven Pavilion armed with his sword, no matter the circumstances.
Yet Sima Geon had never once entered the pavilion with his sword drawn until now.
But things were different today.
The sword dangling loosely at his waist felt impossibly heavy.
It radiated a resolve not to back down this time.
Can I stop him?
Yul Sarim glanced around.
Exactly thirty Lake Heaven Division members encircled Sima Geon.
Handpicked from the finest late-stage experts in the Divine Demon Family, they were confident they could hold off any master in the world.
And then there's the Diamond Yaksha.
Yul Sarim's eyes shifted to the hulking figure lurking behind Sima Geon.
Divine Demon Division Vice Leader Diamond Yaksha Cheol U.
Though somewhat overshadowed by Sima Geon, the name Diamond Yaksha carried no small weight.
A steadfast ally to his friends, but to enemies, a terror greater than Yama himself. What made him all the more frightening now was that he answered solely to Sima Geon's commands.
Not even the Cult Leader's orders or authority would earn more than a scoff from Diamond Yaksha Cheol U.
"I must see the Cult Leader. Step aside."
Sima Geon's words rang like a final warning. Though every hair on Yul Sarim's body stood on end, he held his ground.
"No order to admit you. Please leave."
He tried to sound resolute, but the tremor in his voice betrayed his desperation.
"You intend to stop me?"
Yul Sarim couldn't answer easily.
The lives of his subordinates hung on his words.
Damn it all!
He was caught between a rock and a hard place. He desperately wanted to just let him pass. But without the Cult Leader's permission, he couldn't allow Sima Geon through.
"Forgive me. Guarding No Heaven Pavilion and the Cult Leader is the Lake Heaven Division's duty."
Yul Sarim drew his sword with a heavy resolve. At once, the surrounding Lake Heaven Division members unsheathed theirs in unison.
"Ha! Have you all lost your minds? Who the hell do you think you're drawing swords on?!"
As the Lake Heaven members bared their hostility toward Sima Geon, Cheol U—who'd been idly minding his own business as if it were none of his affair—roared coarsely and lumbered forward.
Several Lake Heaven members moved to intercept him.
"Don't!"
Yul Sarim shouted in alarm to hold them back, but Cheol U was far faster.
Swords aimed at him snapped like twigs under his casual swing. A light kick sent a Lake Heaven member flipping through the air before crashing down.
Not satisfied, Cheol U snorted hot breath and turned toward his next target.
"Enough."
Cheol U's feral killing intent froze at Sima Geon's curt command.
"I told you not to rampage."
At the quiet rebuke, Cheol U awkwardly scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly despite the bloodlust he'd exuded moments before.
"Those fools drew on you without knowing their place. Anyway, sorry about that, boss."
Yul Sarim and the Lake Heaven members watched Cheol U slink away like a scolded pup in the rain, gripped anew by fear.
The thought of facing a man who could rein in the rampaging Diamond Yaksha with a single word made their legs tremble.
"My patience ends here. If you block me, I'll cut you down."
Sima Geon stepped forward without hesitation. He hadn't drawn his sword yet, but the aura emanating from him alone stifled everyone's breath.
"B-block him!"
Cold sweat beaded on Yul Sarim's brow as he forced out the order. At his desperate cry, the Lake Heaven members—who had been faltering backward—renewed their killing intent toward Sima Geon.
"You idiots! Desperate to die, aren't you?"
Cheol U jeered.
"I've warned you."
With those cold words, the aura Sima Geon had already woven around them exploded outward. A gale erupted from him, rattling the tiles of No Heaven Pavilion.
Sima Geon's hand slowly reached for the sword at his waist.
W-we're dead.
That single thought dominated Yul Sarim's mind—and every Lake Heaven member's.
Sima Geon finally drew his sword.
"Grrraaah!"
As despair etched their faces and they braced to clash, a voice rang out from within No Heaven Pavilion.
"Stand down. Even you, Divine Demon Division Leader."
No sooner had the words faded than Yul Sarim bellowed like thunder.
"F-fall back!"
At his frantic shout, the Lake Heaven members scattered like the wind, no one waiting for the next.
Cheol U sneered at how they vanished in the blink of an eye.
"What a bunch of clowns."
"Wait here quietly. Don't do anything stupid."
Sima Geon, having sheathed his sword, strode toward No Heaven Pavilion.
Yul Sarim, drained in that short span, stepped aside.
"Glad I didn't have to cut down the Division Leader."
"You were lucky. But did you really think I'd do it?"
Yul Sarim asked with a hollow expression.
"Who knows? Would I have?"
Sima Geon chuckled softly as he brushed past him and entered No Heaven Pavilion.
Yul Sarim bit his lip, watching Sima Geon's retreating figure.
The Divine Demon Division Leader Sima Geon never drew his sword lightly. But once he did, blood was certain to flow. By his nature, he wouldn't hesitate against even longtime acquaintances.
He would've cut me down. No doubt.
Yul Sarim unwittingly stroked his neck with sweat-slicked hands.
"I greet the Cult Leader."
Entering No Heaven Pavilion, Sima Geon knelt and offered a formal bow.
Gwan Hyo sat at the center of a long table, flanked by his two sons, both wearing sour expressions.
"Sit comfortably."
Gwan Hyo gestured.
"I'm fine."
Sima Geon rose slowly and politely declined.
Gwan Hyo didn't press, pouring liquor into an empty cup before him instead.
As the amber liquid filled it to the brim, he gave a light wave.
The cup floated up and flew toward Sima Geon.
Sima Geon caught it effortlessly and downed the contents in one gulp.
"You don't even suspect poison?"
"No reason to."
Sima Geon set the cup on the table and bowed his head.
"I hoped you wouldn't come."
Gwan Hyo spoke with a bitter look, and Sima Geon picked up the liquor bottle.
"I had no choice. When we first met in Black Dragon Valley, you promised us freedom after ten years of service to the Divine Demon Family. Those ten years have long passed, and the condition you set three years ago has been fulfilled."
"A promise..."
Gwan Hyo murmured softly, lifting the cup Sima Geon had filled.
"Indeed. It's been five years since you left Black Dragon Valley and reentered the world. Including your time there, that's twelve years?"
"Twelve years and a fortnight."
His flat, icy tone made Gwan Pae—the eldest son, already displeased as he listened—glare murderously.
Sima Geon ignored Gwan Pae's obvious fury, fixing his gaze solely on Gwan Hyo.
"We've unified the scattered demonic path and revived the Unified Heaven Demon Cult, but it's not yet perfect."
"Three years ago, the condition you gave me wasn't full unification—it was dismantling the Ten Great Demon Powers who dominated the demonic path. And they all knelt before you."
Gwan Hyo gave a wry smile at Sima Geon's rebuttal.
"True... enough."
He lifted his cup again, staring intently at Sima Geon.
Among the children raised in Black Dragon Valley, he was the most outstanding. But not to this extent. In martial prowess alone, he was weaker than Cheol U.
His eyes deepened.
Yet three years ago, after destroying the Ghost Gate Family and returning... he changed. His aura shifted entirely from the bloodthirsty one he usually exuded, and his skills grew beyond imagination. What on earth happened in the Ghost Gate Family?
His reverie didn't last. Gwan Pae, who had been glaring coldly at Sima Geon, raised his voice.
"So you're leaving?"
"Yes."
Sima Geon replied without even glancing his way.
"And if it's not allowed?"
Feeling ignored, Gwan Pae's voice rose sharply.
Sima Geon offered no reply to Gwan Pae, merely gazing silently at Gwan Hyo as he tilted his cup.
Gwan Pae spoke again.
"Answer m—"
"I'll take that as permission and withdraw."
Sima Geon cut him off, bowing toward Gwan Hyo. At this, Gwan Pae shot to his feet.
"Insolent cur! How dare you..."
Gwan Pae's words trailed off.
Gwan Hyo silenced him with a stern glare and slowly spoke.
"This seat foresaw this day three years ago. I tried every means to keep you by my side. But nothing came to mind to change your heart."
"My apologies."
"Empty words."
Gwan Hyo chuckled, and the cup in his hand crumbled to dust.
"Go. You've served well. It may have been a cursed evil tie for you, but it was a blessed good tie for me. Your merits will never be forgotten."
Permission at last. Sima Geon, who had braced for the worst, suppressed his surging emotions, knelt, and bowed formally.
"Thank you, Cult Leader. Take care."
Gwan Hyo watched Sima Geon's back with eyes full of complex feelings.
"I'm out too. Take it easy."
Cheol U poked his head in from outside, gave a casual farewell, and slammed the door shut.