The mask was slowly removed, revealing the youthful face of a young woman.

Zhuge Myeong, who had been watching the scene absentmindedly, was struck with overwhelming shock.

“...A woman?”

No—what stunned him more wasn’t simply that she was a woman, but just how young she looked. Just how old was she to look that young?

Even in the face of Zhuge Myeong’s stunned reaction, Seolhwa calmly returned her voice to normal with internal energy manipulation and met his gaze.

“Does it matter that I’m a woman?”

A youthful voice, as expected.

Zhuge Myeong, lips parting as if to speak but unable to choose his words, belatedly asked in return.

“Then... your claim of being the Mistress of the Demonic Union—was that false?”

“It was not false.”

From {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Seolhwa’s arm, the Imugi slithered out and glided across the table toward Zhuge Myeong.

He flinched and pulled back the hand he had resting on the table.

A black snake with crimson eyes.

“You’re aware the Mistress of the Demonic Union raises a serpent, aren’t you? I doubt you've shut your eyes and ears to the world, even if you’ve been in seclusion.”

Zhuge Myeong stared at Seolhwa, his face visibly tense.

By now, a thick, black energy was wafting subtly from her body.

‘Black energy. A black serpent.’

And a black mask.

The man they called the very embodiment of darkness.

The symbol of the Shadowless Demon Deity.

‘That Shadowless Demon Deity... was a woman?’

And one so young?

“How could...”

“Are you shocked because I’m a woman, or because I’m young?”

“...Both.”

“I see.”

“Truly...”

“It’s true. Mistress of the Demonic Union. If you’d like, shall I show you the Demonic Union’s stronghold?”

“...That won’t be necessary.”

In truth, Zhuge Myeong had no choice but to believe, even if he didn’t want to.

‘This formation cannot be entered by anyone who does not possess Fire Realm cultivation.’

Which meant the woman before him was at least a master at the Fire Realm...

‘Could it be...!’

Was the rumor true—that the Mistress of the Demonic Union had reversed her aging through cultivation?

Was the legendary phenomenon of reverting age actually possible?

‘If so, then her appearance means nothing. I can’t judge her age by it.’

Yes. In the martial world, nothing is impossible.

The wise must remain composed no matter the situation.

“...I’ve behaved poorly. I did not mean to disrespect you for being a woman. Forgive my rudeness.”

“It’s fine. More importantly, let’s continue the conversation.”

Conversation?

“You said you’d follow me if I were a person of the Orthodox path.”

“...Did I say that?”

Was she trying to claim she was from the Orthodox just by taking off a mask?

The Mistress of the Demonic Union?

Thud—

Seolhwa drew something from her robe and placed it on the table.

It was the same identity plaque she had shown when revealing herself to the Hao Gate Master—Namgoong Seolhwa’s personal badge.

“Namgoong Clan’s eldest granddaughter, Namgoong Seolhwa. I greet the elder of the Zhuge Clan.”

Seolhwa offered a polite martial salute to Zhuge Myeong.

Not as the Mistress of the Demonic Union, but as Namgoong Seolhwa—greeting the elder of another noble clan.

Zhuge Myeong’s brow twisted, his thick eyebrows twitching.

What would change by simply staring?

Though he looked, he could not make sense of the situation.

No—perhaps it was more accurate to say he simply couldn’t accept it.

“The Zhuge Clan estate is protected by layers of mechanisms and formations to repel intruders. How do you think I arrived here without causing even a ripple of disturbance?”

Clatter—!

As her words continued, and as the reality began to take form in his mind, Zhuge Myeong abruptly rose from his seat.

Namgoong Seolhwa!

Earlier today, someone had visited from the Namgoong Clan.

Namgoong Seolhwa and her party.

The stated reason was to meet his niece, Hwi—but...

“...So your real goal was to meet me?”

“I’ve been looking for you.”

The Ten-Thousand-Mile Strategist.

Zhuge Myeong’s hand trembled faintly.

Namgoong Seolhwa is the Mistress of the Demonic Union. Namgoong Seolhwa is the Shadowless Demon Deity.

Which meant—she wasn’t some aged master who reversed their years through advanced techniques?

“H-how old are you?”

“I turned eighteen this year.”

Zhuge Myeong’s mouth fell open.

“Even Zhuge Liang only stepped onto the world stage in his early thirties!”

“I’ve heard he stood out long before reaching the age of twenty.”

Still—this was far beyond just standing out!

Eighteen and already at the Fire Realm—and the Mistress of the Demonic Union?

“Do you know? This formation—only those who’ve crossed the threshold into the Fire Realm can even see it!”

Those who haven't reached the Fire Realm couldn’t even perceive the formation, let alone pass through it.

“Ah...”

Seolhwa let out a soft sigh.

So that’s why there were no guards posted.

Those who’ve attained Fire Realm could survive stepping briefly into the poison mist without dying.

“But as Namgoong Seolhwa, I’ve only reached the Peak realm, so I must ask you to keep this to yourself.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Only Peak realm—as Namgoong Seolhwa?

Seolhwa suppressed the Imugi’s dark energy and released the Namgoong Clan’s energy instead—a red but pristine aura radiated gently from around her.

“!!”

Zhuge Myeong’s expression was seized by a fresh wave of shock.

He had neither heard of nor witnessed anything like this.

Two separate internal energies. One person harboring two entirely distinct forces!

[Only possible thanks to the great me.]

The serpent on the table hissed and writhed—but Zhuge Myeong, whose gaze was entirely locked on Seolhwa, neither heard nor saw it.

Just what is she...?

‘Is she even human?’

“Will you honor your promise now?”

Seolhwa asked Zhuge Myeong once again.

She had retrieved two treasures, passed the test, revealed the third piece, and was a legitimate bloodline of the Orthodox path bearing the Namgoong name.

All the conditions had been met. Now it was her turn to hear an answer.

Zhuge Myeong’s expression, which had been full of astonishment, slowly settled into calm.

“There’s something I must confirm first.”

“What is it?”

“How did someone bearing the Namgoong name come to establish the Demonic Union?”

Not all born into the Orthodox path necessarily uphold righteous ideals.

What Zhuge Myeong sought was not just someone with Orthodox lineage—but someone with a noble mind and steadfast spirit.

“I have no doubt I can hand you the world. If you have me, you will surely grasp it.”

Overflowing confidence.

Some might dismiss her words as arrogance born of excess pride—but at the very least, Seolhwa had seen it.

For the next twenty years, no one would rival the formation techniques of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Strategist.

‘Sadly, in my previous life, I never got to witness Zhuge Myeong’s full abilities as a tactician.’ 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

But considering the Zhuge Clan endured even after her death, she couldn’t help but acknowledge it.

‘Let me show him.’

If baring her conviction could win her such a talent, then that, too, was fate.

“As I said—Demonic Union does not walk a wicked path. Its purpose is to unite the scattered dark forces under a single cause.”

“What do you intend to do with the power of the dark path?”

“I aim to prepare for war.”

“!”

“You once said the nation is on the brink of disaster. I believe a wind is soon to come that will extinguish the flames.”

A brutal bloodstorm born of vengeance.

“In times of war, even bandits become righteous soldiers—and Imperial Guards become looters.”

It was so in the era of Zhuge Liang, and so it shall be again.

“If I establish the Demonic Union and consolidate scattered power, we may not be righteous troops—but at the very least, we can prevent the rise of Yellow Turban Rebels.”

At her words, Zhuge Myeong fell silent.

Many people acknowledge the possibility of future crisis in times of peace—but few take actual measures to prepare.

Because preparation requires surrendering present peace.

But this girl—Namgoong Seolhwa—was already doing it.

Not only building an alliance of dark forces, but establishing herself as the Mistress of the Demonic Union and spreading her name as the Shadowless Demon Deity.

“...”

Zhuge Myeong’s hand trembled.

He lifted the now-cool teacup and drained it in one swift motion.

Still, his pounding heart would not calm.

With a sharp clack, he set the cup down, circled the table, and stood before Seolhwa.

Zhuge Myeong offered a formal martial salute.

“As the keeper of the final piece of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Strategist formation, I—Zhuge Myeong of the Zhuge Clan—swear absolute loyalty to my lord.”

Absolute loyalty, likened to the devotion of a dog or a horse.

It was the very phrase Zhuge Liang once spoke when swearing his loyalty to Liu Bei.

How long he had waited to say those words.

How long he had waited for a sovereign worth offering such devotion.

Zhuge Myeong bowed deeply to Seolhwa.

She was only eighteen—still younger than his own niece—but Zhuge Myeong acknowledged her as his lord.

In turbulent times, what did age matter to a rising hero?

She had passed every trial he devised, her martial skill was unmatched, and she possessed insight and foresight few could rival.

How could he not acknowledge her?

“I shall devote this life—body and soul—to place the world in your hands.”

His chest swelled with emotion.

Zhuge Myeong swore to himself he would lay down his life for her, if need be.