To use Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance, one must first master an Extreme Yang-type martial art like Golden Tortoise Free-Wandering Technique. You have to raise your cultivation level from there, and then acquire an Extreme Yin martial art like Moonlight Cold Heart Technique.

Most people get stuck right there.

Because after training in an Extreme Yang-type art, they must then delve into a technique that is its direct opposite.

It’s nearly impossible.

Even if you do obtain both, the conflicting energies may scatter your cultivated internal energy—or worse, plunge you into Deviation of the Heart.

Let’s say you’re lucky, or stumble upon a fateful encounter, and manage to possess two opposing types of internal energy. Like the Cult Leader, you’ll then need time to balance them.

That includes Gwangmyeong Usa. He’s no exception.

Even after undergoing such an absurd and arduous process, you still need luck to grasp the technique itself.

So why was I able to do it?

It’s because I started over with martial arts training while already hosting the Heavenly Pearl inside me, constantly guarding against Deviation of the Heart. I had already mastered Golden Tortoise Free-Wandering Technique in my previous life. As for the newly added Moonlight Cold Heart Technique, I trained it delicately, using the Heavenly Pearl as the foundation to balance it against the former.

That’s why Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance isn’t something others should covet lightly.

In that sense, it really is nothing.

If you crave it, you’ll fall into madness.

And if your research hits a wall, you’ll have no choice but to come ask me.

I looked up at the sky and smirked.

“Right Guardian... did the world ever seem easy to you? May your path be lined with thorns.”

There was a trap in my explanation.

If the Blood Cult Leader wants to pursue Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance, he has to stop accumulating blood qi from now on. And he’s already cultivated it to quite a degree. He’ll have to find a martial art that lies on the opposite end. But that won’t be easy. In the end, even he must dream of harmony and follow the natural path if he wishes to wield this technique. Perhaps, as I said, his heir might be able to. But that part is beyond my design.

All I can do is entrust the future to the disciples...

Since the Lecher was still regulating his breathing, we waited quietly. What had just transpired had been so urgent that this peaceful silence felt like a relief.

Once I calmed my mind and stood up...

The Ghost Demon, Sword Demon, and Jecheon Alliance Leader were all looking at me.

The children and women had gathered a bit farther off, trying to settle their shaken hearts.

The Jecheon Alliance Leader met my eyes and said:

“Tongcheon Faction often provided us with information.”

“Did they?”

He nodded.

“To my knowledge, we’ve never once paid them for it. We took their reports as a given.”

“Spoken like a true alliance leader.”

He looked toward the children of the Tongcheon Faction. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

“...The Jecheon Alliance will protect and support them.”

It was a decision that showed considerable breadth of character.

With his arms crossed, the Jecheon Alliance Leader continued:

“But there are probably some children who don’t want to join us. We’ll look after them, ask their wishes, and depending on what they want, send them to you at Haomun or to Leader Im. Sending them to the Beggars’ Sect is out of the question. Lord Zaha, can you take that on?”

I looked at Juguk. He hadn’t become a leader for nothing.

“Let’s do that. Haomun and the Jecheon Alliance will support them together.”

I clapped my hands three times.

Clap, clap, clap.

Only after settling the most important matter did the Jecheon Alliance Leader turn to the Sword Demon.

“You’re the former Left Guardian now. Sword Demon, it’s good to see you.”

The eldest looked at him and nodded.

“Likewise, Alliance Leader.”

“I heard you drew with the Sword King in a duel. The rumors were so widespread even I heard them.”

We all knew the Sword Demon had won, but stayed silent.

The Jecheon Alliance Leader said:

“...Somehow, I don’t think now’s the right time for a duel. Just watching that maniac Right Guardian rampage was enough to shake even me. If nothing had happened, I would’ve liked to invite you for a match one day. If I beat you, even the Sword King would fall beneath me.”

Because he said it so lightly, the eldest actually laughed out loud for once.

“Well, since I drew with the Sword King, it wouldn’t be entirely wrong.”

The Jecheon Alliance Leader looked over at the Lecher, who was still sitting with his eyes closed.

“I heard he was the biggest troublemaker at Baek Eung-ji, but I’m surprised. When we all charged in together, he reacted second-fastest after you. His reflexes are even sharper than his light footwork.”

I looked at the Lecher’s pale face again.

“......”

When it comes to martial arts, he’s at the top—regardless of his temperament. I had activated both Zaha Divine Art and Dark Fragrance Drifting, and yet he followed just a half-beat behind to freeze the entire web. That means he pushed himself to the limit, exhausting every drop of internal energy.

The only difference is that I’m still sitting from exhaustion, and he’s so overextended that he had to enter breathing meditation.

Even though he’s a hopeless bastard who shits himself, he still shares the same heart as us—the desire to keep the children alive. I confirmed that today. It was a relief I brought that little shit into our group early.

No matter how I look at it, there’s too much in this world for one Crazy Demon to handle alone.

I looked over at the Jecheon Alliance Leader’s subordinates who still stood guarding us and asked:

“Can they sit down now?”

He glanced at them.

“...Rest.”

“Yes, sir.”

Nothing really changed. The men who had been standing simply sat with their backs facing us, maintaining the formation.

The Alliance Leader looked at the Ghost Demon.

“You’re even more impressive in person, Master of Six Harmonies.”

The Ghost Demon nodded.

“You’re not exactly unimpressive either, Alliance Leader.”

Juguk responded with a strange expression.

“When you crushed a few sects under the name Master of Six Harmonies, one of them was under review to join the Alliance by Vice Leader Gwon.”

The Ghost Demon’s eyes widened.

“Hm.”

Juguk continued:

“When I ordered a background check, I found that several members had already caused incidents. The massacre that happened afterward was a result of their revenge for the fall of Yukhap Sect. I told Gwon not to get involved—otherwise, you would’ve ended up fighting the Jecheon Alliance too. I never imagined I’d see you again, now associating with the Master of Haomun. And your skills seem even stronger than when we got the original reports.”

The Ghost Demon nodded.

“When I killed the leader of the Hongsan Society, that bastard told me I wouldn’t live long. Now I understand what he meant.”

Juguk nodded.

“Hongsan Society... I remember now. He wanted to join the Alliance, so Vice Leader Gwon must’ve been vetting him. Technically, he wasn’t yet affiliated with us. Died during the review—killed by you.”

I stepped into the conversation.

“Surviving in Jianghu isn’t easy. If you’d ordered Vice Leader Gwon to kill him out of anger back then, we probably wouldn’t have been traveling with Yukhap now.”

Juguk looked at the Ghost Demon and laughed.

“You never know. Maybe Yukhap would’ve gone into hiding, come back stronger like this, and surprised us all. From where I’m standing, Yukhap—you don’t seem any weaker than Vice Leader Gwon. You’ve become a powerhouse.”

Then Juguk suddenly turned his head and gave orders.

“Lord Mun, Lord Shin.”

Two men stood up, turned, and bowed slightly.

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

“Go track him. He’s headed northeast. Don’t engage if you find him. Your goal is to observe his movements and identify his route. Take your time, listen to what people are saying. As you know, he’s half-mad—and way out of your league. Judging by his last words, he likely won’t start another massacre right away. But we still need to keep tabs on him. Move out.”

“We obey.”

“Lord Oh.”

“Yes, sir.”

Another man stood.

“Temporarily secure the entire Tongcheon area. Spread word to nearby sects and Black Path bastards that the survivors of this place are under the protection of the Jecheon Alliance.”

“Yes.”

“When Lord Ju returns from the Beggars’ Sect, have him serve as temporary branch leader here. After some time, I’ll recommend a woman from the original Tongcheon residents to become the new faction head. Until then, make sure no one touches Tongcheon’s business or assets. The survivors should inherit it all. The Jecheon Alliance is no exception.”

“Understood.”

The formation around us loosened, and the troops began moving all at once. Then another order followed.

“Red Tiger.”

A young man turned to face Juguk.

“Yes, Master.”

“Compile Gwangmyeong Usa’s appearance and traits into a facial sketch. Distribute it to the Beggars’ Sect and Martial Alliance. Make it known that the Right Guardian is the Jecheon Alliance’s number-one public enemy. He might try to gather cultists, but the ones who fear me more should be properly threatened so they don’t join his lunacy.”

“Understood.”

“Document this massacre in detail and spread word that we propose a joint response against Blood Cult’s expansion, regardless of affiliation. You move out as well.”

Red Tiger offered a martial bow.

“Yes, I’ll be off.”

At times like this, you realize—Juguk is a proper Alliance Leader after all.

Just then, the Lecher exhaled deeply, still seated cross-legged, and opened his eyes.

“Hoo...”

We all watched his expression for a moment.

As soon as his eyes opened, he glanced around and asked:

“Anyone injured?”

The Sword Demon replied for us.

“No one.”

“Yes.”

Then the Lecher asked something strange.

“Did we lose him?”

The Sword Demon tilted his head and answered:

“Did you pass out? You should’ve seen him retreat.”

The Lecher blinked in surprise.

“Hmm... My previous peak output was when I used Moonlight Crescent Slash. But I tried pushing even harder this time, and the chill overwhelmed me. Looks like I blacked out on my feet. Am I the only one who’s cold right now?”

We all looked up at the bright sun. It felt warm enough to go shirtless.

I told him:

“You’re the only one.”

“Is that so? Well, I only endured thanks to the fish I ate. I almost froze to death. Dreamed of swimming fish.”

The Jecheon Alliance Leader blinked at me in confusion.

“...Was that a mental breakdown?”

“Just nonsense.”

“I see.”

Only after hearing the Lecher’s nonsense did I realize we needed rest. We hadn’t even fought the Right Guardian directly, but we’d still spent a tremendous amount of mental energy. Martial arts don’t just harm others—they can eat away at the self.

That includes Gwangmyeong Usa.

Every time I use Zaha Divine Art, it leaves me completely drained. Gwangmyeong Usa seemed to be using a demonic ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ technique that also ignored physical limits.

How could externalized blood qi form wings?

In that moment, he unleashed a burst of light footwork no one could match—but the recoil must’ve hit his body hard.

I glanced over at the Tongcheon children.

It made no sense to tell kids who’d just lost their families to become my disciples—or join the Jecheon Alliance.

Looking at their gaunt faces, I muttered:

“We need water. And food.”

To be honest, I had no idea what to do next. That’s when a woman moved about, tending to the children, comforting the other women as well.

Watching her alongside the Jecheon Alliance Leader...

A vague but certain feeling struck me—she would become the next head of Tongcheon Faction. While watching her in silence, I turned to find—

A bunch of useless bastards staring blankly like me.

These pathetic, fight-obsessed morons were so hungry they were rubbing their stomachs. Some looked like they wanted to drink, but the mood was too serious to ask. I cursed the lot of them: Sword Demon, Ghost Demon, Lecher, and the Jecheon Alliance Leader alike.

“Ugh, hopeless bastards who know nothing but fighting...”

Of course, I’m no exception either.

When I suddenly cursed, everyone just stared at me blankly. Eventually, I stood up first. I nudged the Lecher’s side with my foot and said:

“Let’s go eat. You need food to fight again. Come on, get up. Useless brothers, it’s time to stuff your faces. Come to think of it, we haven’t eaten once today.”

The Jecheon Alliance Leader turned to the Sword Demon and asked:

“Is that Deviation of the Heart?”

The Sword Demon shook his head.

“He’s always like that.”

Juguk nodded.