Hubei Province, Wuhan City — the fortress of the Murim Alliance.
The atmosphere in the main conference room of the headquarter building was unbearably heavy.
The members of the Murim Alliance were still dressed in mourning clothes, as they were in the midst of the funeral for the deceased leader, Musangdo Jeong Cheon.
No one had foreseen this turn of events.
Even though it was the current leader, Jeong Cheon, and his faction who pushed for this punitive campaign, the established ruling powers had also predicted a certain victory.
But that prediction was shattered.
> "The Greatest Demon in History… Ha!"
The second elder of the Murim Alliance, Ho Yang Jin-in of the Mount Hua Sect — known as the Plum Blossom Sword — muttered in disbelief.
The title had already spread far and wide across the entire martial world.
And that title carried immense weight.
> "This is impossible. He must've used some trickery."
Jong Oh Jin-in, the new leader of the Wudang Sect, clicked his tongue in disbelief.
Musangdo Jeong Cheon had been hailed, along with Baek Hyang-muk, the Sword Saint of Wuhanjie, as one of the greatest martial artists of the orthodox sects.
His defeat was still a shock to all.
> "Trickery? You're only saying that because you didn't witness that monstrous man yourself."
Pang Sa-yong, the sixth elder of the Alliance and head of the Pang family in Hebei, rebuked him.
Pang had gone to the front lines and fought the enemy directly.
Despite being a top-tier master, he couldn't last even a single exchange against the foe.
> "I don't mean to criticize Pang Ga-ju."
> "Hmph. Then how can you accuse him of trickery? You sit behind a desk all day, staring at papers. You know nothing of the battlefield."
> "Your words are excessive."
The elders who hadn't participated in the punitive expedition grew visibly uncomfortable.
Tensions had already been rising between the two factions due to differing opinions during the campaign.
Then Un Gwang-un, head of the Jinju Un Clan, spoke.
> "This is a deeply serious situation. Both I and Cho Dae-hyeop, the First Sword of Mount Heng, fought him, and I must say — his martial prowess is worthy of being called the best under the heavens."
> "Best under the heavens? That's ridiculous."
Jeong Yang Jin-in, leader of the Gongdong Sect, rejected the notion.
Even if the leader of the Blood Sect, the Blood Demon, was strong, calling him the best was unacceptable.
The morale of the orthodox sects, already shaken by defeat, would only plummet further with such recognition.
Cho Cheong-un, the First Sword of Mount Heng, sighed and spoke.
> "Whether we admit it or not no longer matters. As you all know, after their victory, the Blood Sect is now rapidly reclaiming the south of the Yangtze."
> "Hrmm…"
Indeed, as Cho Cheong-un pointed out, the Blood Sect was moving quickly.
The defeat led to the annihilation of five of the Murim Alliance's branches. Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Fujian had already fallen into Blood Sect control.
Most of the intelligence networks in these five provinces had gone dark.
This meant the Blood Sect had begun cleansing the orthodox forces from those provinces.
> "We still have nine branches standing."
To this, Ho Yang Jin-in countered, but Un Gwang-un shook his head.
> "We lost the war even with five branches and half the headquarters' strength. Can we really afford to feel secure just because nine branches remain?"
Even though the headquarters and the nine branches in Sichuan, Gansu, Anhui, Henan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, and Liaoning were still intact, the situation had changed drastically.
Now, the Blood Sect had what it needed to unite all the unorthodox sects.
> "And the movements of Musang Fortress are also concerning."
> "Hmm…"
The elders grew grim-faced.
Even though Musang Fortress had stepped back, this southern invasion proved a new reality.
They weren't just facing the Blood Sect or unorthodox forces — there was now a massive threat looming behind them in the north as well.
Then, Yeol Wangpaedo Jin Gyun, the Deputy Leader who had been silently watching, finally spoke.
> "I have already taken action regarding that. Please wait."
> "Taken action? What do you mean?"
> "I've sent the leader of the Maengho Unit to Musang Fortress."
> "The Maengho Unit's leader? Isn't that your grandson?"
Indeed, the leader of the Maengho Unit was Jin Yong, grandson of Jin Gyun.
Everyone was surprised to hear he'd been sent.
Instead, strategist Sama Jungcheon, who had returned four months earlier after being cleared of suspicion, answered.
> "As you all know, Mujung Pungshin Jin Seong-baek became the new lord of Musang Fortress."
> "What does that have to do with anything? The current rulers of Musang Fortress — Jin Seong-baek and Wang Cheo-il of Hae Wang Sect — are hardly friendly to our Alliance."
> "That's true. But the leader of the Maengho Unit is not in the same category."
> "What do you mean?"
Jeonghyang Satae of the Emei Sect asked.
Sama Jungcheon smiled gently and replied.
> "Jin Yong, the Maengho Unit's leader, is a disciple of Jin Seong-baek. Because of that connection, he went to negotiate and try to reforge an alliance."
> "Oh? Is that true?"
> "Now that you mention it, I think I heard that."
> "I've heard it too. That he and Yi Jeong-gyeom of the Blue Dragon Hall took the Pungyeong Eight-Faction Trial together."
Seeing their responses, Deputy Leader Jin Gyun smiled faintly.
At the time, he had been furious when his grandson did such a thing on his own, but now it seemed like a prophetic move — a divine stroke of luck.
Even if he was the Mujung Pungshin, would he truly slam the door in the face of his own disciple?
Even if the current rulers of Musang Fortress were not friendly to the Alliance, Sama Jungcheon was certain they'd unite to keep the Blood Sect in check.
Now, only one matter remained.
Yeol Wangpaedo Jin Gyun exchanged glances with Sama Jungcheon and nodded.
As if he had been waiting, Sama Jungcheon spoke.
> "I had planned to bring this up after the funeral, but with how urgent things are, I'll present it here."
> "A proposal?"
> "What do you mean?"
> "We cannot leave the Alliance without a leader forever. I believe all the elders here would agree."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Though a deputy existed, it was merely a supportive position.
Sama Jungcheon continued.
> "I propose that once the funeral of Leader Jeong Cheon is complete, the current Deputy Leader Jin Gyun officially be instated as the new leader."
> "Deputy Jin Gyun?"
Plum Blossom Sword Ho Yang Jin-in questioned with displeasure in his tone and face.
Jeong Yang Jin-in of the Gongdong Sect countered him.
> "Why do you oppose? In these times, who else but Jin Gyun Dae-hyeop could shoulder the burden?"
> "I also support this."
Jeonghyang Satae of the Emei Sect agreed.
These were elders who had supported Jin Gyun since the beginning.
Even the faction that had supported the late leader Jeong Cheon nodded, as they had no viable alternative.
At that moment, someone spoke.
> "I disagree."
It was the Grand Strategist Bang Deok-hyeon.
Next to the deputy, he was the most influential figure in the Alliance.
Jin Gyun's expression stiffened slightly.
> "So you think I'm not qualified?"
> "Of course not. You are fully qualified."
> "Then what opinion do you have that makes you oppose?"
The mood in the room turned heavier.
But Bang Deok-hyeon, unfazed, spoke.
> "The selection of the Alliance Leader must be fair and just."
As he began, Sama Jungcheon's eyes narrowed.
> 'As expected, he opposes…'
He had once considered Bang his teacher, but now harbored deep suspicions.
Though reinstated, he had yet to be exposed. But if Jin Gyun were elected leader, Sama intended to remove Bang naturally.
> 'He won't go down easily.'
He was the Grand Strategist, after all. Surely he would suspect something.
Sama Jungcheon spoke.
> "This is a situation with no alternatives. How can fairness be prioritized?"
> "And who says there are no alternatives?"
"With Alliance Leader Jeong Cheon and even Wudang's Head Elder Jin In absent, the only one who can face the Blood Demon now is none other than Vice Leader Jin Gyun."
Since this was a reality that no one could deny, the room fell into silence.
Among the Eight Grand Masters, only Jin Gyun had the martial prowess to contend with the Blood Demon.
Sama Jung-hyeon glanced sharply at Grand Commander Bang Deok-hyeon, as if daring him to refute it.
Bang Deok-hyeon smiled and said,
"To be called the greatest demon in history means the current Blood Demon has transcended human limits."
Jin Gyun's face hardened in response.
Even he hadn't expected the discussion to shift to martial prowess in this meeting—especially with the person in question right there.
Sama Jung-hyeon spoke with a sharp voice.
"Are you belittling Vice Leader Jin Gyun's skills?"
"Hahaha, why are you so touchy, Sama Strategist? Or is there a reason why it must be Jin Gyun and no one else?"
At those words, Sama Jung-hyeon clamped his mouth shut.
'Old fox.'
He believed that showing agitation now would mean falling into Bang Deok-hyeon's trap.
Grand Commander Bang Deok-hyeon was not someone to be taken lightly.
After a brief moment to calm himself, Sama Jung-hyeon asked,
"Then who do you propose should take the position of Alliance Leader and face the Blood Cult?"
Bang Deok-hyeon responded with a meaningful tone,
"There is someone."
Everyone looked puzzled.
Who could he possibly mean?
Bang Deok-hyeon continued,
"He hasn't been retired for that long. He was the righteous sect's greatest swordsman who personally took the head of the former Blood Demon during the Great War of Good and Evil two decades ago."
Everyone's expression stiffened at once.
Vice Leader Jin Gyun was no exception.
They immediately realized whom he was referring to.
Sama Jung-hyeon spoke in a trembling voice,
"You're not talking about the former Alliance Leader, are you?"
The former Alliance Leader.
Baek Hyang-muk, the Greatest Sword of Wudang.
Although his punishment had ended with stepping down in recognition of his past contributions, he had committed a grave offense—practicing the Blood Demon's martial art, Blood Heaven Grand Demonic Art (血天大羅功).
'What kind of scheme is this?'
Sama Jung-hyeon couldn't make sense of the situation.
It was none other than Grand Commander Bang Deok-hyeon who had led the impeachment against the former Alliance Leader.
And now he was advocating for the very person he had ousted to be reinstated.
Master Jin In of the Joint Sect interjected,
"The former Alliance Leader committed a grave crime and stepped down!"
Bang Deok-hyeon chuckled and replied,
"Indeed, he dabbled in the Blood Demon's martial arts."
Monk Jeong-hyang of Aipa spoke with disbelief,
"Amitabha... Weren't you the one who led his impeachment yourself? And now you bring him up again?"
"Didn't you ask for a stable alternative?"
"He practiced demonic martial arts! How can someone tainted by evil be reinstated as the leader, the very symbol of the righteous sects?"
Even Namgung Mujin, head of the neutral Namgung clan, stood up in opposition.
The meeting hall quickly turned into chaos.
That was how complex the issue of reinstating the former leader was.
'What is he planning? Even if the former leader returns, his position will be shaky.'
It had been Bang Deok-hyeon's impeachment that forced Baek Hyang-muk to resign.
But through their conversations, Sama Jung-hyeon had come to know: the former leader had also found Bang Deok-hyeon suspicious and had been investigating him.
Now, he had no idea what Bang's real intention was.
'I must oppose this. If I fall for his scheme—'
—Bang! Crack!
The table split in half.
The noisy room fell silent instantly.
The one who shattered the table was none other than Vice Leader Jin Gyun, the Ten Kings Saber.
All eyes turned to him.
Jin Gyun opened his mouth.
"Are you saying that only the former Alliance Leader—despite his grave crime—is capable of defeating the Blood Demon?"
His voice was so cold and furious that it radiated not only anger but also fighting spirit.
'Damn it.'
No one expected Jin Gyun to rise to the provocation.
Being one of the Eight Grand Masters, his pride in his martial skill was immense.
And Bang Deok-hyeon had dared to wound that pride in front of all the sects.
It would've been stranger if he hadn't gotten angry.
He looked ready to snap Bang's neck at any moment.
Yet Bang Deok-hyeon, unfazed, continued with a smile,
"He may have committed a grave crime, but the times are dire, aren't they?"
"Dire times?"
"If even the Vice Leader loses to the Blood Demon, the prestige of the Righteous Alliance will fall into complete ruin."
Everyone let out a small sigh of agreement.
The current Alliance Leader Jeong Cheon had already fallen to the Blood Demon, greatly shaking the Alliance's authority.
Bang Deok-hyeon was pressing on that point.
Ho Yang Jin In, who had once supported the former leader, now spoke reluctantly.
"Still, Grand Commander, there's not enough justification to reinstate him..."
"Then we make justification. For instance, we could say he foresaw the Blood Cult's revival and delved into their arts to understand them."
"..."
Bang Deok-hyeon's arguments left everyone speechless.
In truth, ever since the former leader's name was mentioned, many had already begun to waver.
Setting aside the crime, Baek Hyang-muk was the very figure who upheld the righteous era for over two decades.
Moreover, his martial prowess was undisputed.
Sama Jung-hyeon urgently sent a telepathic message to Jin Gyun.
[Vice Leader, this is a trap by the Grand Commander. You must not give in to his provocation...]
But before the message finished, Jin Gyun signaled with his hand to stop.
Then he spoke solemnly.
"Very well. Let us settle who can truly face the Blood Demon."
"Vice Leader!"
Despite Sama Jung-hyeon's cry, Jin Gyun continued unfazed.
"Let us summon the former Alliance Leader and hold an open contest. This time, we shall determine the leader through martial ability, not votes. No one would object to that, yes?"
As Jin Gyun finished speaking, a smirk crept across Bang Deok-hyeon's lips.
Sama Jung-hyeon sighed inwardly.
Everything was unfolding exactly as Bang had intended.
Jin Gyun, wounded in pride as a martial artist, would no longer listen to reason.
'I must consult the former leader himself.'
At this point, the only one who could remain rational was Baek Hyang-muk, the former leader.
Satisfied that everything was going his way, Bang Deok-hyeon spoke with admiration,
"What decisiveness! I praise your spirit, Jin Dae-hyeop. If you defeat the former leader and prove your strength, everyone will obey without question."
Just as it seemed the meeting was concluding—
A voice spoke up.
"If the qualification to be Alliance Leader is based on the ability to face the Blood Demon, then isn't there one more fitting candidate?"
"Elder Kwak?"
It was Kwak Hyeong-jik of Northern Eternal Fortress, a newly appointed elder during Jeong Cheon's leadership.
Though a recent appointee, he had remained low-key—making his sudden remark all the more surprising.
Even Bang Deok-hyeon looked puzzled.
"...Who are you referring to?"
Kwak Hyeong-jik replied,
"I believe there is no one more qualified."
With a frown, Jin Gyun asked,
"Who exactly do you mean?"
"Someone who once fought you, Vice Leader."
"Fought me?"
"He has also fought Nangwang Hyeok Cheon-man and even killed two of the Five Great Villains—Iron Demon Grandpa Cheol Su-ryeon and Ghost Fist Demon Jang Mun-ryang."
"!?"
Jin Gyun's eyes trembled.
He knew who it was.
In the current righteous world, only one person had such achievements.
"It can't be..."
"Is he talking about him?"
The room buzzed.
No one had considered him as an alternative.
He was too young and had been missing from public view recently.
Bang Deok-hyeon, who had been relaxed until now, shook his head.
"He's too young."
"Aren't we looking for someone who can defeat the Blood Demon?"
"...That may be, but..."
"He is the only person who has ever defeated the Blood Demon, the one called the Greatest Demon of All Time."
—Murmur, murmur!
The room stirred again.
Kwak Hyeong-jik stood and offered a martial salute.
"I nominate Little Sword Immortal So Yun-hwi as the next Alliance Leader."