"It's been a while… descendant of the Sword Immortal."
Through the lifted bamboo hat, two golden eyes shone beyond the black face cloth.
The way he called me "descendant of the Sword Immortal" so confidently—paired with those golden eyes—left me speechless for a moment.
Then, the man who had tried to seize Saryeon Sword spoke in surprise.
"This guy is the descendant of the Sword Immortal?"
"Even if the face is different, these eyes see clearly."
His golden gaze pierced through me like a hawk's eyes.
—What the hell is going on? How did he recognize you?
Sodam Sword's question made my mind race.
Even with the face partially hidden behind the cloth, lifting the hat exposed enough of my face to be seen.
There's only one person I know with golden irises like those.
But… the faintly visible face wasn't his.
—So… it's not that "Seobok" or whoever?
No. There's a high chance he's using Infi-Mask (Infi-myeon'gu).
Only Seobok achieved perfect immortality, and both of his eyes turned gold as a result.
He's probably using the mask to disguise himself.
—What if this so-called "Emperor Geumsang" also attained perfect immortality?
That would be the worst-case scenario… but it seems unlikely.
If he had attained perfect immortality, he wouldn't need to go after Saryeon Sword, and these people wouldn't treat him so casually.
Also, when I first met him, the Geumsang Emperor hadn't even undergone the Geumsang Body Alteration procedure.
So he wouldn't have been able to identify me through golden eyes.
The only person who saw me through golden eyes back then was Seobok, who worked under the Geumsang Emperor.
—Wait… then why is he working with these guys?
Only two possibilities.
One: his relationship with the Geumsang Emperor was restored, and now he serves him again.
—And the other?
Phantom Demon Poison (Hwanmadok).
—Phantom Demon Poison?
Seolbaek said that after the Blood Master died, they lacked enough Hwanmadok for their grand scheme.
When I heard that, the first thought that came to mind was that the Geumsang Emperor planned to brainwash martial artists using Hwanmadok.
The key question was: how effective is the poison on martial arts masters?
Usually, once someone reaches the pinnacle or transcendent level, most poisons can be neutralized through internal energy.
But if this Hwanmadok can brainwash even superhuman experts, then it's a terrifying variable.
'If it's Hwanmadok… that's even worse.'
I'd rather believe he willingly rejoined the Geumsang Emperor.
Looks like I need to probe him.
I stared at the man and spoke.
"Seobok."
The man with the golden eyes didn't even flinch.
Emotionally unshaken.
Instead, he calmly replied.
"So, you do recognize me. Descendant of the Sword Immortal."
"Because you're the only one to have truly attained perfect immortality—Seobok."
At that, the man suspected to be Seobok narrowed his eyes.
Was that a flicker of emotion?
Then I can't let this moment go.
"Last I heard, you defied the Geumsang Emperor and went into hiding. So why are you with them now?"
Before Seobok could respond, the man beside him stepped forward defensively, raising his sword.
"Don't waste your breath trying to provoke us, descendant of the Sword Immortal. Gunbang is a loyal servant of His Majesty. We won't fall for your tricks."
Gunbang—that's one of Seobok's people.
His response doesn't clear up the situation. I need to dig further.
"Seobok. You defied even Qin Shi Huang, and then the Geumsang Emperor. That means—deep down—you know this isn't right…"
Before I could even finish—
—Swoosh!
The man who raised his sword lunged at me with frightening speed.
Not bad, but he was no match for me.
With Saryeon Sword, I deflected his blade and snapped it.
—Clang!
"Huh!?"
I immediately aimed for the space between his eyebrows—
—Claaang!
But the man next to Seobok intercepted my sword like a bolt of lightning.
I added force to my rebounded sword and launched a feint, but he responded perfectly, blocking each attack with minimal movement.
—Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
'He blocked everything?'
I was genuinely surprised by his skill.
I've fought many masters, but never one whose swordsmanship was this precise.
Even his energy wasn't ordinary.
'Who is this guy?'
He didn't reveal any unique techniques. Unless I remove his bamboo hat, I won't know his identity.
"Damn it!"
The man who had nearly been struck backed off about five steps.
He must've realized he wasn't my match.
Then, the one who blocked my sword spoke in a modulated voice.
"If you really are the descendant of the Sword Immortal, you weren't fighting at full strength, were you?"
"Looks like the same goes for you."
He didn't answer.
He was deliberately keeping quiet.
Then I'll make him take off the hat.
Just as I was about to move—
"So it's confirmed."
Seobok—probably—spoke to me.
Confirmed what?
"I always wondered how you knew I had refused to follow His Majesty's will and fled from him."
"What are you talking about?"
"There are only a few who know about my escape."
Then, in a voice filled with meaning, he said:
"So'unhui."
'!?'
At those words, I couldn't help but be momentarily flustered.
Even if he pierced through my energy with his golden eyes, I had changed my face using Chehwa-Manbyeonsul, so I believed my identity hadn't yet been fully revealed.
My heart pounded.
Perhaps noticing that brief agitation, the man in the bamboo hat, who I presumed to be Seobok, scoffed and spoke.
"As expected. You were connected to So Un-hwi."
'Huh?'
What does that mean now?
Had he figured out my identity?
He continued speaking.
"Surprised? Caught red-handed?"
Feigning ignorance, I replied.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"It's no use pretending. From the moment you came to retrieve the Saryeon Sword, I was already sure you were related to the Little Sword Saint, So Un-hwi."
"Related to So Un-hwi, huh…"
I gripped the Saryeon Sword tighter.
Rather than talking, I figured it was better to subdue them first.
At that moment, the man presumed to be Seobok said,
"If a fight breaks out here, it won't benefit anyone."
"Is that so?"
I was just about to strike him down.
But the next words out of his mouth made me stop in my tracks.
"You wouldn't want the world to know that the Little Sword Saint, So Un-hwi, is the same person as the Blood Demon, would you?"
My mind became a tangled mess.
And then, I remembered something.
When I dealt with the freaks in the forbidden Bongnim Valley, Seobok had shown up dragging the iron sphere—and he had seen me in my Blood Demon form.
Back then, I had no way to counter him, but I never imagined that moment would return to bite me like this.
—This is bad. If this keeps up, I'll lose the position of Alliance Leader.
Exactly.
Now I understood why the plan had changed.
He must've planned to expose that I, the Little Sword Saint, am the same person as the Blood Demon.
—Right. Then he can easily reinstate the former Alliance Leader he's supporting.
Checkmate.
—We have to stop him from doing that!
Taking them down wouldn't prevent it.
If the plan had changed, it meant even the Golden Emperor was already aware of it.
Then he added,
"Judging by your reaction, your disciple doesn't know you're the Blood Demon, does he?"
I frowned at those words.
Now I clearly understood what they believed.
They didn't realize that I, So Un-hwi the Little Sword Saint, and the Blood Demon were the same person. They just assumed I was the disciple of that person.
Well, it's understandable. Given the known facts—that I grew up in the Soyang household—it's hard to imagine I could have traveled back over 300 years in time.
Then the man who had kept his distance from me said,
"Ha! I see. It all makes sense now. Hahahahaha!"
"..."
"Well, what a shame. If your identity as a disciple is exposed, the Blood Sect will disown him, and the righteous sects will hunt him down too."
He must think he has me completely cornered now.
That's why he was being so cocky.
He reached out his hand toward me.
"Hand over the Saryeon Sword, descendant of the Sword Saint."
"You think I will?"
At my response, he scoffed.
"You have too many weaknesses to refuse."
"Weaknesses?"
"You don't think we've planted people near those related to So Un-hwi? We can kill anyone—from the Soyang household to So Yeong-yeong—at any time. Ah, even if we don't, once your identity is revealed, the Martial Alliance and the Blood Sect will both come for you."
At that, my eyes grew sharp.
Seeing this, the man could hardly contain his excitement.
As if he had just pulled out a rotten tooth.
"You wouldn't want your disciple to suffer, would you? No, your whole sect would fall. They'll say the descendant of the Sword Saint used his disciple to control both the orthodox and unorthodox sects. What a scandal that would be."
"..."
These bastards really came prepared.
Then the bamboo-hat man who had blocked my sword stepped forward and said,
"That's enough."
"What?"
"There's a saying—'Even a cornered rat will bite the cat.' If the Sword Saint's descendant decides to vanish completely, do you think you'll find him?"
At his words, the mocking one shut his mouth.
Even he must have realized he had provoked me too far.
If someone their leader feared were to disappear entirely, they might have to bear that responsibility.
Perhaps considering this, he said to me,
"Very well. Let me make you an offer, descendant of the Sword Saint."
"An offer?"
"Yes. Accept it, and your disciple, his family, and everyone related will be spared. No one will ever learn of his true identity."
A tempting offer, no doubt.
I scoffed and asked,
"So, what's this offer?"
He grinned as he replied,
"Hand over the Saryeon Sword and the Blood Demon Sword your disciple possesses. Then make him swear loyalty to our lord."
"Hah?"
"You think he'd spare someone who won't pledge loyalty?"
He spoke as if doing me a favor.
As if I wouldn't see through the plan to take over both the Blood Sect and the orthodox world.
He kept going.
"You and your disciple are different. Our lord doesn't like leaving threats behind."
"So what do you expect me to do?"
"Right here, destroy your own dantian, sever the energy vessels in your arms and legs. Do that, and I'll personally ensure your life is spared."
He must've thought I'd accept.
He looked way too confident.
It was only possible because he believed he had me cornered.
Sodam Sword asked nervously,
—What now? You're totally trapped.
Yeah…
—Even if they don't know now, it's only a matter of time, right?
Most likely.
They've already analyzed my energy through golden eyes.
Whether I act as So Un-hwi or the Blood Demon, the man presumed to be Seobok would know for sure.
Now that my identity was exposed, I was completely cornered.
Letting out a long, hollow sigh, I said,
"Huu… This isn't an offer, it's a threat."
To which he responded with a laugh,
"Think what you like. I've got nothing to lose—but you, descendant of the Sword Saint, do."
"Nothing to lose, huh…"
I scoffed.
The bamboo-hat man sneered at me.
"You're not in a position to act so composed."
So I said one word.
"Hungsan."
'!?'
The man, who had been shaking with glee, froze at the name.
I didn't stop there.
"Joyang… Gichun… Seoseong… Namsong."
There's only one reason he shut his mouth after hearing those names.
Among those locations, one must be where the Golden Emperor is based.
Even if he keeps relocating to protect himself, I'm sure he's hiding in one of those places.
"You really think I wouldn't find him?"
Speechless for a moment, he finally replied,
"That changes nothing. We can always relocate. But can you handle your disciple becoming the enemy of the entire martial world once his identity is exposed?"
"Do it."
"…What?"
"If you want to expose me, go ahead."
He couldn't hide his confusion at my boldness.
And I didn't stop there.
I changed my face on the spot using Chehwa-Manbyeonsul.
"What!?"
The face I transformed into was none other than…
The Golden Emperor.
Though I was covered with a bamboo hat and black cloth, their eyes must've gone wide.
"H-How…?"
"Ah, I almost forgot. The eyes are different."
I covered and uncovered my eye like using a reverse illusion technique.
'!!!'
One of my eyes turned golden—identical to the Golden Emperor's.
They were all visibly shaken.
Smiling at them, I said,
"Let's see who becomes the martial world's enemy first."
"You… you're not saying…"
"If I have to, I'll slaughter every man, woman, and child in the Martial Alliance."