Blaze.

It was a flame.

It rode through the forest and spread itself out.

The dark purple flame grew larger as it passed through the trees, expanding its reach to cover hundreds of trees.

In the center, enduring the intense heat, I controlled the flames.

Sss

With a short gesture of my hand, the flames surged ferociously.

The flames, writhing and extending in all directions, resembled a dragon.

Such flames that showed great strength surprisingly only stormed endlessly in one spot without damaging the surroundings.

Considering how dangerous it was using fire in a forest, a small catch could lead to a widespread fire. However, the flames, despite wrapping around the trees, left no trace.

I was manipulating my Qi, ensuring they didn't ignite the forest.

Because of that, I had to calm the Qi within me that stormed like a typhoon, and though it required significantly more energy, resulting in sweat, I couldn't afford to stop at this point.

I still had something left to do after all.

The Qi that completely filled my Middle Dantian flowed endlessly, shaping into a force that resembled a towering ocean tide.

Shhwaaa!

When the endless flames finally reached their peak, my Dantian throbbed with pain as it squeezed out the last of my insufficient Qi.

After enduring a bit more…

Kwak!

I clenched my fist.

Thud!

Then, the surrounding flames vanished in an instant, like fog.

“…Phew.”

Feeling the Qi within me settle, I let out a held-in sigh.

“It really is disgustingly difficult.”

Noticing that my entire body was soaked in sweat, I let out a deep sigh.

This was such a pain in the ass every time I did it. Why was it so difficult?

My physical training has progressed to the point where I don't get tired even after a whole day, but training my Qi is still as difficult as ever.

No matter how much I trained, it felt like there was no end to it.

It was just a simple process of shooting out Qi, but compressing and controlling it to prevent damage to the surroundings was incredibly challenging.

It would be similar to how overpowering an opponent while leaving them alive was harder than just straight up killing them.

Though of course, I had no choice but to continue since this training gradually increases the potential within me.

I guess it's still too difficult for me to access my Top Dantian.

While I flowed my Qi around along with flames, I felt my Qi move towards the entrance that led to the Top Dantian that was still closed.

It had been more than a year since I unlocked my Middle Dantian and got used to flowing my Qi inward.

This meant that it had been more than a year ever since I reached the Peak Realm.

However,

It's still too difficult for the Top Dantian.

I tried gaining access to it every time I trained, but the entrance to the Top Dantian remained firmly closed.

Though it makes sense.

It's only been three years since my regression.

Reaching the Peak Realm in such a short timespan was only possible due to a series of unbelievable miracles.

Opening the Top Dantian was on another level, though.

If I recklessly tried to open it, it would most likely lead to my blood vessels and heart exploding, killing me instantly.

…I should be glad that I made contact with it.

That's right. Me being able to completely fill my Middle Dantian and get close to Top Dantian was unbelievable to begin with.

While other people struggled to find the Top Dantian as they didn't know the right path to it, I knew the way but lacked the strength to open the door.

Meaning, as long as I have enough power, I can open it.

But even so, I wonder how long it will be until I reach the next level.

It was far.

It felt way too far.

The mountain I was climbing was high and its paths were rough.

The higher I climb, the more likely a slight misstep could lead to a deadly fall, and the path only becomes steeper.

…But even so, I must climb it.

Though I couldn't even see the peak of it.

No, was there even a peak to begin with?

That's not what's important anyways.

Whatever it was, I had to climb it.

While calming my erratic breath, I took out a seal from within my clothes.

It was a simply designed and orange-colored seal, yet it was far from a common antique considering its origin.

Hwangbo Clan's seal.

This seal was bestowed upon key figures within the Hwangbo Clan.

It was also something that Hwangbo Seon, after becoming a Demonic Human in my past life, carried with him.

It was strange how he carried this even after becoming a Demonic Human, but I didn't really comment much on it as I knew why he still had it with him.

And thanks to that, I was also able to find it.

I knew he had it with him.

I thought about the assassin I encountered last night.

He was a martial artist who had reached the Fusion Realm.

Even if Hwangbo was a noble clan, I doubted they would leave someone who had reached the Fusion Realm on such a mission.

However, judging by how he didn't seem to be much stronger, it is safe to assume that it hadn't been long since he reached the Fusion Realm.

He didn't have good control of his Qi and senses, and seemed to be in an unstable state overall due to not being used to being in a higher realm.

Which is why I even fought back to begin with.

But despite saying all of this, that bastard was undoubtedly a martial artist of the Fusion Realm, as his aura and the Qi I sensed from him were significantly different.

Compared to him, I was still stuck in the Peak Realm.

I reached the end of it, and it felt like I could reach the next level if I grinded a little more, but that still didn't change the fact that I was still Peak Realm.

Yet, the reason I was able to defeat a martial artist of the Fusion Realm was...

I'm glad it took hold of him without a problem.

It was because I injected Demonic Qi into him.

When I carefully opened my hand, a black aura rose from it slowly.

This was Demonic Qi that my Destructive Flame Arts hasn't cleansed yet, which I purposely planned by taking them out.

Last night.

When the bastard grabbed my arm, I injected Demonic Qi into him, which let me easily secure the victory over him.

Demonic Qi was critically severe to martial artists.

Not only did it slowly eat away the Qi inside one's body, but it also weakens the martial artist's body.

He asked me this.

-Is this… poison?

Demonic Qi was so severe that he even mistook it for poison.

But the problem wasn't the fact that he was affected by Demonic Qi.

…I can't believe it worked.

The fact that my Demonic Qi had an effect on a Fusion Realm martial artist, was the problem.

If it was a martial artist that became Demonic Human after being gifted Demonic Qi from the Heavenly Demon, they would be able to use such Qi, but it was impossible to destroy another martial artist's body by injecting Demonic Qi into them.

Only the Heavenly Demon had such a power.

For example, the Demonic Qi I injected into Namgung Clan's Lord in the process of shackling him was only so that I could confirm that he was properly shackled.

This meant that I couldn't do anything to his body with this.

Definitely, that had been the case not that long ago.

But something changed again.

If the first change was me gaining the ability to absorb other Qi to make it my own, the second change was being able to harm another's body through my Demonic Qi.

This all happened randomly without any plans.

It was just a sudden enlightenment that came to me when all I did was simply train normally.

Wasn't it ironic?

For this shitty thing to be my enlightenment when there were so many other options.

“What a joke, seriously.”

The fact that I was now able to fight against opponents at a higher level, could be seen as a good thing, but to me, it was only bothersome and made me feel reluctant.

Corrupting other's Qi and bringing them pain through injecting Demonic Qi almost seemed like…

The Heavenly Demon from back then.

That fact made me feel sick.

At this rate, it felt like someday, I too might become able to corrupt others into Demonic Humans.

****************

I returned to the camp after finishing training.

After washing off the sweat and changing my clothes, I stepped outside my tent to find a familiar face waiting for me.

“I greet the Young Master.”

It was Gu Jeolyub, dressed neatly.

My expression soured instantly upon seeing his face.

“…Young Master.”

“What?”

“Why do you always frown upon seeing my face?”

“I don't like how handsome you are.”

“Pardon?”

Was that a compliment or an insult?

Gu Jeolyub's dumb expression was asking me that.

“So, why have you come? Aren't you busy right now?”

“…I am, but I can't do anything about it since it was the Captain that ordered me to do this.”

Oh, Gu Jeolyub was the one on duty to train Bi Yeonsum by the way.

Since he brought him, he should be responsible for him.

It seemed like the Vice Captain wanted me to do it, but it's not suitable for someone at my rank.

“Sis? Why?”

“I think she's calling you because of yesterday's incident.”

“Tsk…”

I had reported being attacked during my night watch yesterday, and it seemed like that was the reason I was being summoned.

It was nice to be excused from my night watch due to the attack yesterday, but I still had some bothersome tasks to do.

“I'll go now.”

“Yes. I too will be leaving since I delivered her message.”

“Hey.”

“Hmm?”

“You didn't forget about us going together tomorrow, did you?”

Gu Jeolyub's shoulder flinched after hearing my words.

What is that reaction?

“Did you forget?”

“…I didn't for-…I meant I remember it.”

“What is that reaction then? Why are you so surprised?”

“I wasn't surprised…”

It was sad to see him deny, even though anyone would agree that he seemed surprised.

“…Alright, well it's good that you didn't forget.”

“Y-Yep.”

I had something to do in the center of the forest tomorrow.

I would have preferred to go alone, but after being told it was too dangerous to go by myself, I agreed to take Gu Jeolyub and Muyeon with me.

Muyeon told me he was glad that he was able to come with me, but I noticed Gu Jeolyub's expression rot away while complaining about why he had to go to such a dangerous place.

This fucker, he didn't do anything behind the scenes so he doesn't have to go, right?

I considered such a possibility, but I believed that he likely hadn't dared, since he knows that he'll get a bigger punishment when I return.

It would be scarier for him to be rolled around by me than going to the center of the forest.

“Anyway, make sure you prepare enough.”

“…Understood.”

His evasive gaze raised my suspicions, but I had other matters to attend to and decided to leave him to his own devices.

Surely, he'll manage on his own.

Leaving Gu Jeolyub behind, I made my way towards the Captain's tent.

It wasn't far, and I arrived quickly.

As I peeked into the tent, someone seized my cheek with a surprising force.

“Ow…!”

The grip was so strong that I couldn't help but groan.

“Brother…! Are you okay?”

“I'm not. It hurts a lot.”

“W-Where are you going…!”

“…I'm trying to tell you that the cheek Sister is holding onto hurts.”

Realizing her mistake, Gu Huibi released her grip and stepped back.

The pain lingered in my cheek even after she let go.

Seriously, how hard did she pinch?

When I rubbed the sore spot with my hand, Gu Huibi examined me from head to toe.

“Why are you staring so much?”

“Any injuries?”

“None. Surely you saw my report.”

To be more accurate, my body felt exhausted due to how I used up a ton of Demonic Qi, but it wasn't noticeable to others.

“But you should go to the medic room just in case…”

“You know how many days it would take for me to go to the medic room from here, yet you are saying that?”

Traveling to the medic rooms on the frontlines could take several days.

It was either that or I also had the choice to go to Murim Alliance's camp, but that was a pass on my part.

“It's nothing serious.”

“How can you say it was nothing when there was an assassination attempt? Besides, the Lord has ordered your return to the clan, so maybe now is a good time to…”

“Stop overreacting, I'm really fine.”

It was an ambush from a Fusion Realm martial artist, but I didn't reveal this fact.

Whatever it was, I really came out fine in the end and everything went well without any problems.

Gu Huibi frowned a little after hearing my response, but she continued to speak.

“…Do you know who was responsible for it?”

“Nope.”

I knew, but I pretended not to know for now.

Upon hearing my response, Gu Huibi bit her lip and sighed deeply.

“…Yeah, the most important thing is that you weren't injured. I'll report this to the clan directly through a letter.”

“You don't have to go that far…”

“It was an assassination attempt on a blood relative, so how could I take this lightly?”

Fair.

This wasn't something that could be overlooked easily.

But it's still a hassle if it becomes a big deal.

I wondered if they could find who was responsible for this even if they tried.

It was not easy to find things that happened in the frontlines, and it was almost certain that they wouldn't be able to trace it back.

“Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“…When are you thinking of returning to the clan?”

“What, are you going to send me?”

It seemed like she didn't want me to leave back then, but now she's trying to send me.

“No need to rush me since I have to go back anyway. You were the one telling me not to leave before.”

Since it was my father who told me to return, I couldn't stall for much longer, so I intended to return to the clan right after my business in the forest was concluded.

It's just that I have one last thing to do there.

Therefore, I didn't have the luxury to engage in pointless conversations with Gu Huibi like this.

“I'm fine, everything's fine, so just keep doing whatever you were doing.”

“…Brother.”

“Jeez, and don't make those eyes.”

Does she think that I'm some kid lost in the wild?

“I'm gonna leave now that I reported everything, alright?”

“Wait…!”

Gu Huibi attempted to stop me, but I swiftly left.

I initially planned to mention I'd be going somewhere, but I knew she'd hold me back with questions if I said so now, hence I just left.

“Though I am thankful that she's worried for me.”

I was thankful, but the feeling of someone worrying about me was still hard for me.

It wasn't worth it for people to worry about it considering all the troubles I have to endure.

Anyway,

After leaving behind Gu Huibi who probably couldn't do anything since she's stuck with the Vice Captain preventing her from leaving, I went to the frontlines.

Because there was someone I needed to meet—no, there now was someone I needed to meet.

****************

“…Why hasn't he returned yet?”

Inside the Hwangbo Clan's camp, Hwangbo Cheok muttered quietly.

It was because The Sixth Elder, who had left the previous night, had yet to return.

The Sixth Elder gladly accepted his request.

He was probably ecstatic about the rewards he would receive from Hwangbo Cheok more than anything.

Given that Hwangbo Cheok was struggling to secure the position of Young Lord, fulfilling his request could only be seen as an advantage.

I made the request while considering that, of course.

Hwangbo Cheok knew what the Sixth Elder was like and what he did during his prime, so he believed that he was a professional in this kind of field.

Especially since he had accompanied Hwangbo Cheok to the frontlines as a guardian, it seemed an opportune moment to ask for his help.

Perhaps, something went wrong?

It seemed unlikely that someone as skilled as the Sixth Elder would encounter problems, but the delay was becoming worrisome.

“Surely not… that's impossible.”

Hwangbo Cheok decided to dismiss these pointless worries, considering them far too irrational.

“Right now… I have to think about what I should do with the collateral line.”

Leaning back in his chair, he pondered over Hwangbo Seon, a member of the clan's collateral line..

A man of Hwangbo blood who was nothing but feeble and inept.

Despite that, he met a girl out of his league.

Tsk.

This thought still made him mad. Hwangbo Cheok began to feel frustrated when he thought about the girl that was with Hwangbo Seon, thinking that such a girl was perfect as his wife.

For her to choose a bastard like him.

Hwangbo Cheok wasn't fond of this fact, especially because he saw the humiliating side of Hwanbo Seon being rolled around by him.

…I should get rid of him too while I'm at it.

The timing felt right since Hwangbo Cheok already harbored disdain for him.

Poison should do the trick, and it would be fitting to feed his body to the demons afterward.

It wasn't good for the Lord to hear that Hwangbo Cheok killed a member of a collateral line, but after all, the Lord was already on his deathbed.

As soon as the Sixth Elder returns, I'll hear from him… then, I'll call that collateral bastard and the boys separately…

As Hwangbo Cheok was scheming how to eliminate Hwangbo Seon,

Sss

He smiled upon sensing someone's presence. It was likely the Sixth Elder returning.

It was most likely the Sixth Elder returning.

Currently, the Sixth Elder was the only one with permission to enter Hwangbo Cheok's tent undetected.

“You have returned. How did things go—Uffh…!”

Kwak!

In an instant, as Hwangbo Cheok turned, a hand flew at him, grasping his neck and lifting him effortlessly into the air.

The sight of Hwangbo Cheok's massive body being hoisted so easily was out of place.

“Ufgh… Kgh…”

Struggling to breathe under the intense pressure, Hwangbo Cheok managed to glance downward.

“We seem to be seeing each other quite often, don't we?”

A voice thick with mockery carried a heavy killing intent, sending shivers down Hwangbo Cheok's spine.

“I'm starting to feel a bit tired, what about you?”

Facing the red glare of his assailant, Hwangbo Cheok felt a dreadful sinking feeling..

The assailant's killing intent was so overpowering, it was astonishing for such a young prodigy to exhibit this much force.

…You… bastard… how…

Hwangbo Cheok's eyes trembled.

More than anger or fear, his gaze was filled with shock.

Instead of the Sixth Elder who was expected to return, it was Gu Yangcheon who stood before him.