Blood Slaughter Ghost, Ak Jaryu.

He was the Master of the Salmak, and a Peak Realm master ranked among the Ten Martial Masters of the world.

The fact that the Master of Salmak was one of the Ten Masters was a great fear and obstacle for the martial world of the Central Plains.

The issue wasn’t just that few existed who could defeat a Peak Realm master—facing the Master of Salmak meant facing the entire Salmak itself, making it so no one dared provoke them easily.

His existence was Salmak itself.

He was the sharp blade threatening the Central Plains martial world—death incarnate.

Swish— Swish—

A masked figure running through the forest, faintly illuminated by dim light, suddenly came to a halt.

The five masked figures following him also stopped, immediately hiding themselves in the shadows.

Before long, a man emerged from the unlit thickets.

He wore a golden, intricately crafted mask, his body wrapped in dark internal energy.

“Who are you?”

Blood Slaughter Ghost, Ak Jaryu, asked the masked man, flicking his finger lightly.

The five hidden assassins melted back into the shadows, continuing toward their target, leaving only the two behind.

Seolhwa did not pursue them.

The one standing before her was a Peak Realm master.

There was no room for distraction.

The remaining assassins had to be left to the Orthodox Alliance’s Enforcement Unit and the warriors of the Namgoong Clan.

“I should be the one asking that.”

Seolhwa drew her sword.

Dark internal energy coiled around both her blade and her body.

Ak Jaryu's eyes gleamed strangely as he observed her carefully.

“So, you’re the Shadowless Demon Goddess.”

Shadowless Demon Goddess.

The renowned title of Seolhwa, Master of the Orthodox Alliance.

Though not long since the name spread, every martial artist of the Central Plains was already well aware of it.

“You know me?”

“No one who calls themselves a martial artist could be ignorant of you. I’ve been meaning to meet you.”

Ak Jaryu's demeanor was cordial.

He didn’t even appear to have any intention of drawing his weapon.

But Ak Jaryu was an assassin among assassins, famed for his deadly skill.

There was no telling when his attitude might abruptly change—lowering one’s guard was not an option.

“No need to be so wary. I’ve no intention of fighting you.”

“...”

“The name’s Ak Jaryu.”

“The Blood Slaughter Ghost, then.”

“To think you know me. What an honor.”

Ak Jaryu let out a sly laugh.

Though the Shadowless Demon Goddess’s reputation was rising by the day, could it compare to one of the Ten Masters, the Blood Slaughter Ghost?

As he said, anyone claiming to walk the martial path who didn’t know of Ak Jaryu couldn’t be taken seriously.

“Why did you want to meet me?”

“Well, all sorts of rumors surround you. You’re the Master of the Orthodox Alliance, uniting the Black Path factions, aren’t you?”

“...”

“Didn’t expect to run into you in a place like this, though.”

For a brief moment, a sharp gleam flashed across Ak Jaryu’s eyes.

Seolhwa, never letting down her guard, didn’t miss the subtle shift in his energy.

“I’m the one who should be curious. What business does the Master of Salmak have in such remote mountains?”

“Had some matters to attend to, you see.”

“You’re after the one sleeping here, aren’t you?”

Ak Jaryu’s brows lowered faintly.

“The one sleeping? What do you mean?”

Seolhwa shut her mouth.

There were unmistakable traces of the Blood Lord on the spirit beast.

The spirit beast had targeted Seop Mugwang. If Ak Jaryu was one of the Blood Lords, there’s no way he wouldn’t know of the beast's existence.

“Ah, you’re talking about the White Tiger.”

As expected, he nodded knowingly.

“Did the Shadowless Demon Goddess come for the Spirit Pill?”

Seolhwa nodded.

With that, the reason for the Orthodox Alliance’s presence here was explained.

“Hm...”

Ak Jaryu hummed, as if mulling something over.

“Let’s do this.”

“What?”

“I’ve no interest in some Spirit Pill. But I know where that spirit beast is.”

He continued, as if offering a favor.

“Wait here. I’ll personally hunt down the beast and bring it to you.”

“What do you want?”

“There’s someone who wishes to meet you.”

Someone who wishes to meet her?

“I’d like for you to have an audience with that person.”

That person.

Who could a master ranked among the Ten refer to as that person?

Could it be the Blood Demon?

Was Ak Jaryu one of the Blood Lords?

“Well? What do you say?”

“Since you’ve heard my purpose, you should tell me why Salmak is here.”

“Ah, right. Well, Salmak’s work is always the same, isn’t it? We’re hunting someone.”

“Who?”

“Goes by Blood King Venom. He assassinated a prince long ago and went into hiding. We've been commissioned to eliminate him.”

Ak Jaryu chuckled darkly, revealing his purpose without hesitation.

That much sincerity toward the Master of the Orthodox Alliance meant his favorable stance was genuine.

It was fortunate Ak Jaryu appeared to be amicable.

However, Seolhwa had to confirm if Ak Jaryu was one of the Blood Lords.

“And if I refuse?”

Dark smoke began to rise around Seolhwa.

“I don’t want a scene here. If Salmak starts killing people, word will spread. And someone is bound to take an interest in these events. Which means, the Orthodox Alliance's presence could be exposed.”

Ak Jaryu let out a sigh.

“Who’d take interest? This is just some backwater mountain.”

“They say, The walls have ears.”

It means even walls have ears, so one should always be cautious of what they say.

Even when thinking no one knows, rumors always find their way around.

“Especially in a place where people of the Namgoong Clan have hidden themselves. Caution never hurts.”

A faint, sharp smile twisted Ak Jaryu's lips.

“Seems you don’t intend to settle this with words?”

“If Salmak backs down, words will suffice.”

“Sorry, but I’ve no such intentions.”

Ak Jaryu chuckled. Before one realized, weapons had appeared in his hands.

Two crescent-shaped blades.

Perfect weapons for severing life in an instant.

‘Not the weapons of the Blood Lords.’

But just because the weapon was different didn’t mean he couldn’t be one. It was no basis to conclude Ak Jaryu wasn’t a Blood Lord.

Swsssss—

Around Ak Jaryu, crimson-black internal energy rippled violently.

The aura, laced with murderous intent, was so thick it choked the air.

“Not bad. This is a good chance to see if the Shadowless Demon Goddess’s reputation holds true.”

A wicked curve formed at Ak Jaryu’s lips.

The next instant, crimson-black energy and dense, dark aura collided, exploding violently.

For a moment, heaven and earth trembled.

****

Rumble—!!

The warriors of the Namgoong Clan and the village folk looked up at the sky with fearful eyes.

Morning had arrived—the sun rising over the horizon.

Four masked assassins stormed the village.

The orders given to them by the Blood Slaughter Ghost were clear.

Eradication.

Kill everyone, except Choryeon.

The surest way to erase the traces of Salmak's presence.

“Kyaaah!!”

“Urgh!”

Helpless villagers without martial arts fell beneath the assassins' blades, blood scattering.

Children wailed, but the assassins’ swords did not spare even them.

“Take cover!”

“This way!”

“Block them! Protect the people!”

The warriors of the Namgoong Clan rallied, gathering villagers around Choryeon’s home, forming a defense.

Those who were cut down had been the ones who ignored Namgoong's warnings and hadn't gathered.

Clang—! Clang! Clang!

The clash began in an instant.

All of the masked assassins were Peak Realm masters.

Only two among the Namgoong warriors were Peak Realm themselves.

The only advantage they had was numbers.

“Protect the Division Commander! Use your bodies if you must!”

“Urgh!”

The Namgoong warriors hurled themselves forward, desperately shielding their commander.

They bought time so that at ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) least the squad leader could fight evenly.

Villagers trembled in terror. Choryeon tended to them, but her gaze was fixed on the distant mountains.

Toward where Seop Mugwang and Seolhwa had gone.

****

Meanwhile, elsewhere along the mountain's base, another masked assassin was locked in fierce combat with dozens of masked figures.

‘What the hell are these guys?’

Slash—! Clang! Clangclangclang!

The assassin thought to himself.

He was on his way to capture Blood King Venom and slaughter the villagers as ordered by the Blood Slaughter Ghost.

Suddenly, dozens of other masked figures had blocked the path.

And they were all Peak Realm masters.

The assassin sent his subordinates toward the village and resolved to face these foes alone.

He was a master beyond Peak Realm. No matter their numbers, he believed he could swiftly subdue them.

Slash—! Clangclangclang! Clangclangclangclang!

The dozens of masked enemies attacked as if they were one body.

Formation Technique.

Group martial arts, drilled precisely for when lower-ranked cultivators must confront higher masters.

“Damn it!”

Slash—!

Cut one down, another filled their place instantly.

Dodging the blades striking from all directions left no room to breathe.

Clangclangclangclang!

Parrying endlessly, but the relentless assault never stopped for even a heartbeat.

Assassins excelled at stealth and killing—not mass combat like this.

Even seeking weaknesses in their Formation Technique was futile, as their ranks and patterns shifted constantly.

It was then—

Rumble—!!

The ground shook, the heavens resonating.

The entire mountain seemed to quake.

‘This won’t do.’

Dragging this out any longer would only make things worse. The masked assassin resolved to use his full strength, unleashing a sudden burst of internal energy.

Boom—!

The earth roared as part of the enemy's formation wavered.

Slash—!

The assassin didn’t miss the fleeting opening.

Pouring his attacks into the gap, he slipped through before they could reorganize.

Tap-tap—!

Escaping the formation, he sprinted straight for the village.

The Orthodox Alliance's Enforcement Unit pursued him in hot pursuit.