I returned to the scene of the explosion, where once there had been a mere child, now only unrecognizable flesh, bone fragments, and blood remained.
"This is insane..."
This is the Soul Seizing Technique.
A vile sorcery that implants demonic arts into a child's mind, causing them to gradually awaken as a demon as they grow.
As if that wasn't enough, it squeezes out the last of their innate energy, causing them to explode.
Even a skilled master would be caught off guard if they didn't know in advance.
- Elder, how do we control the Soul Seizing Demons?
- Heh heh.
Do you want to know?
The face of the demon who looked at me with a sneer.
I wanted to crush that face, but at the time, I could only hide my murderous intent behind a stoic expression.
- ...
Isn't it too dangerous if there's no way to control them? Demons with magic penetrating their bones don't distinguish between friend and foe.
- Don't worry.
The Supreme One governs all demons, so the Soul Seizing Demons will also kneel and worship before him.
The Supreme One the demon referred to was the leader of the Blood Demon Cult, the Blood Demon.
It probably meant that the Blood Demon had a way to subdue the Soul Seizing Demons.
- But the Supreme One can't always intervene.
If a war breaks out, frontline commanders will also need a way to control the demons...
- Your tongue is long today.
Why are you so curious? Are you planning to sell information to the Martial Alliance?
Meeting the gaze of the demon's eyes filled with madness, I lowered my head.
- Of course not.
- Heh heh.
Just a joke.
But don't shorten your life with unnecessary curiosity.
You should focus on completing the Four Great Evils.
- Yes.
- Now, pick out the children with strong bones from here.
I'll personally teach a few as an experiment.
- ...
That was one of the most horrific memories related to the demon in my past life.
I gritted my teeth, recalling the face of the child who cried out in pain before dying.
"Demon. Are you really alive? Or are the remnants of the Blood Cult continuing your legacy and doing this?"
The child was an evil person who deserved to die.
Even if he hadn't awakened the Soul Seizing Technique and turned into a demon, he would likely have become a demon who harmed countless innocents in the future.
But was it because he was inherently evil? Perhaps, but maybe it was because he was kidnapped as a normal child, had his brain cut open, and was implanted with demonic arts, turning him into a mess.
- Hee hee hee! Kill, I'll kill them all.
Those who looked down on me for being an orphan...
If he hadn't grown up as an orphan, he might have lived a very ordinary life.
"... It's meaningless to speculate now."
I erased as much of the corpse's traces as possible.
I gathered the torn clothes and burned them, removing any traces that could identify him.
By the time I finished all that work, dawn was already breaking.
The smell of blood was thick on the black clothes I wore.
"Whew... I should change clothes when I get back."
My mind was more exhausted than my body.
I turned and trudged towards the White Dragon Hall.
I could have used my lightness skill to get there quickly, but I deliberately walked slowly.
My mind was complicated, and I needed time to organize my thoughts.
'The one who handed the Blood Rain Demonic Art to Cheongcheon, the one who made Weiji Tian learn the fake Infinite Sword, the Blood Demon incident at the Xuan Yuan family, and now the Soul Seizing Technique...'
At this point, it would be foolish not to realize that the Blood Cult is preparing to bring a bloody storm to the martial world again.
They must have been gathering strength in secret for decades.
They probably already have considerable power.
"... This is driving me crazy."
I know more about the Blood Cult than anyone else.
Even more than the Martial Alliance, which is still searching for the remnants of the Blood Cult, and more than those who claim to be the successors of the Blood Cult.
That's why I recognized the demonic arts Cheongcheon learned at a glance, and I noticed Weiji Yeol's identity at the wandering market.
I was the only one who could recognize the Blood Cult's involvement in the Xuan Yuan family's blood incident and the Soul Seizing Technique.
'To perform the Soul Seizing Technique, you need enormous funds and many masters.
Where did they get all that?'
Funds and masters.
It's hard to obtain them separately, but obtaining both at the same time is several times more difficult.
In terms of orthodox forces, at least the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families would have the capacity...
At that moment, I recalled something the child had said.
- I don't know, I don't know! Blood Cult? I'm an orphan...
I learned martial arts at the orphanage, then at the Namgung family...
The Namgung family.
The head of the Five Great Families and always the first to be mentioned when talking about the world's best sword sect.
Their martial power is strong enough to rival the Nine Great Sects.
'Is it a coincidence that the child grew up in an orphanage near the Namgung family?'
It might be an excessive suspicion.
The Namgung family is too large a force to swallow up secretly.
But if, by any chance, my suspicion is even partially correct...
'I should visit that orphanage someday.'
It's difficult right now.
The entrance exam is still ahead, and if I suddenly take a leave and leave, people will find it strange.
For example, Namgung Sura.
'My martial arts are still lacking to investigate the Blood Cult.'
The most important thing is not to reveal my identity to them.
I'm not a chivalrous hero full of righteousness, and I have no intention of inviting unnecessary danger.
I just want to completely sever my ties with the Blood Cult in this life.
"Demon. If you're still alive..."
Unconsciously, I tightened my grip on my sword.
"This time, I'll end it for sure."
Fortunately, the cold air of dawn cooled my heated head.
"Whew..."
Gongsun Shu slowly opened his eyes after finishing his breathing exercises.
It was the crack of dawn.
No one at the White Dragon Hall had woken up yet.
"Elder, wouldn't it be better to sleep a little more?"
Except for himself and Heukyeong, that is.
"Heh heh. I can't sleep because I'm old. You're the one suffering because of me at this early hour."
"It's fine. It's not like it's the first or second time."
At her slightly complaining tone, Gongsun Shu smiled warmly.
In just a few days, Heukyeong had become much more open about expressing her feelings.
'This is thanks to Mr. Baek.'
He knew that Baek Suryong had met Heukyeong and given her advice on the day he forced her to take a break.
'He's truly a grateful man.'
He had said things that Gongsun Shu couldn't bring himself to say.
Gongsun Shu got up and said, "Today is an important day, so I should take a clean bath."
"I thought you might, so I've already prepared warm water."
"Heh heh. I'll be sad when you get married."
"What? Marriage all of a sudden..."
"Surely you weren't planning not to get married."
"... I've never even thought about it."
Gongsun Shu looked at her mischievously.
"Start looking from now on. You're not lacking in looks or ability. If you set your mind to it, good men will line up. Shall I arrange a match for you?"
"Just go take your bath!"
Slap!
Gongsun Shu, who was hit on the back, went into the bath.
While he was bathing, Heukyeong stood guard outside.
Gongsun Shu spoke to Heukyeong outside the door as he slowly washed his body.
"Time flies. It's already been a month since the promise."
"... Indeed."
Today, Gongsun Shu would take the entrance exam for the Blue Dragon Academy.
Initially, he thought it was an absurd challenge, but now he felt confident enough to try.
All thanks to the teachings of one man.
"Has Mr. Baek returned?"
"He went out last night and hasn't returned yet."
"Hmm. He's a fine man, but he has a sly side. What could he be doing out so late that he hasn't come back yet...?"
"... Shall I find out?"
"No need. Wouldn't it be an invasion of a grown man's privacy? Or... are you curious?"
"... What?"
"Oh ho?"
Gongsun Shu, who had experienced countless intrigues and schemes in the palace for over decades, couldn't miss the subtle change in Heukyeong's tone.
"Don't tell me..."
"No."
"Heh heh..."
"No."
"Heh heh heh heh!"
"I said no!"
It was fortunate that he was in the bath.
If he had been next to her, he would have been hit on the back several more times by Heukyeong.
"Sigh... Think what you want. You'll tease me no matter what I say."
"Heh heh heh. Youth. It's youth."
Gongsun Shu, who was laughing while washing his body, suddenly wore a bitter smile and said, "The secret letter has arrived."
"... Have you read it?"
"I have. Fortunately, I can take the exam before I leave."
"... I'll make preparations."
A little later, Gongsun Shu finished his bath and changed into clean clothes.
Today, he wore a pristine white martial robe instead of the usual gray training robe stained with dirt, and he tied a hero's band tightly around his forehead.
Finally, he strapped a sword to his waist and looked in the mirror, feeling quite satisfied with his appearance.
"Yawn... Grandpa, you're up early."
"Good morning..."
Around that time, Xuan Yuan Gang and Weiji Tian also woke up.
Both went to wash up without even wiping the sleep from their eyes.
Gongsun Shu went out to the porch alone and looked at the gate.
Shortly after, Baek Suryong, who had gone out at night, opened the gate and came in.
"Mr. Baek, you're just coming back?"
"... Elder, you're up early."
Gongsun Shu looked at Baek Suryong, who seemed particularly tired today.
The smell of blood wafted from him, but Gongsun Shu didn't acknowledge it.
"You don't look well. Do you have any worries?"
"... Is it that obvious?"
"Most people wouldn't notice."
But Gongsun Shu was not most people.
Though he hadn't mastered martial arts, his intuition and insight were second to none.
"If you have worries, feel free to talk."
"It's not something I can talk about with anyone."
Baek Suryong knew this too, so he didn't bother hiding it.
He just shrugged and smiled.
"If you don't want to talk, I won't press. But..."
Gongsun Shu walked over to Baek Suryong.
He found it both surprising and gratifying that this sly young man had serious worries.
It was finally an opportunity to repay the kindness he had received from this young man.
'Ten thousand taels is not even close.'
Gongsun Shu thought it was fortunate that such an opportunity came before he left the White Dragon Hall and said, "If it's your request, I'll grant it once, no matter what it is. This promise is valid until I die."
"What?"
"Elder!"
Baek Suryong blinked in surprise.
Heukyeong, who was listening beside him, was also startled but soon sighed deeply and shook her head.
"Um, Elder. What if I make a very difficult request?"
"There aren't many requests that would trouble me."
Gongsun Shu laughed heartily, patted Baek Suryong on the shoulder, and turned away.
He smiled at Xuan Yuan Gang and Weiji Tian, who were just coming out from washing up, and said, "Let's all have breakfast together. I'm so hungry from waking up at the crack of dawn that my stomach is sticking to my back. Heh heh heh!"
After the five of them had breakfast together, they all left the White Dragon Hall.
That was their last breakfast together.