The Murim Alliance possessed Thunder Fang.

In response to Little Sword Star’s slightly altered tone, I had to consider many things.

"Why does the Murim Alliance have Thunder Fang?"

Originally, Thunder Fang should be in Mageomhu’s possession at this point in time, as it was her cherished weapon, brimming with thunder energy that greatly amplified its effects.

Sometimes, it could easily double Mageomhu’s combat strength.

"And now, Mageomhu doesn’t have it?"

Or rather, it seems she had it, but the Murim Alliance took it away.

"What could have happened...?"

This wasn’t something in my memory.

In my previous life, Mageomhu had Thunder Fang until the moment she died, and after it left her hands, it fell to me.

It was a memento I kept after her death, a keepsake I’d never seen her without once I met her.

"So why now...?"

My eyes darted rapidly.

Something was off, unmistakably so.

It seemed like some time had passed since she lost Thunder Fang.

I hadn’t seen her carrying it since entering this illusion, nor had anyone mentioned it, which suggested it had happened far earlier.

"What’s going on?"

This was an event that had not occurred in the life I remembered.

Which means…?

"This world… isn’t the same one I knew..."

I thought this world was an illusion constructed from my memories, but if something completely different was happening…

"Just what is this place?"

I quickly revised my thinking.

"Something is different."

This world, which I thought was a trial sent by the Tang Sect, seemed to contain something else entirely.

"Or…"

Is this even a world the Tang Sect created?

That, too, I had to question.

"If it’s neither an illusion nor a test… what could it be?"

I hadn’t fully grasped it yet, but I knew I needed to raise my guard even further.

I had to keep in mind that this place was different from my expectations.

My brows knitted together.

Even thinking of it as just an illusion felt overwhelming, but now it seemed I was involved in something far deeper and more aggravating.

"Whenever I get entangled with these people, nothing is ever straightforward."

Any connection with these so-called heroes of the past always ended up like this. Time would freeze, or the entire space would shift.

“…Hah.”

I tried to keep my intensifying emotions at bay, striving to clear my mind.

This was a moment to stay calm.

I couldn’t forget my objective.

I needed to return to the world I came from, completely intact.

That was all I focused on.

“…Returning Thunder Fang, you say?”

The Demon Lord repeated the words he’d just heard.

"Anyone listening might think it belonged to you from the start."

“It’s not exactly wrong.”

At Little Sword Star’s words, Cheonjon took a step forward.

“Thunder Fang originally belonged to the Namgung family. It’s simply been returned to its rightful place.”

“Are you playing word games with me, old monster?” sneered the Demon Lord.

If it was indeed a Namgung possession, Mageomhu having it wasn’t a problem in itself.

Cheonjon’s cold blue eyes turned to Mageomhu.

“The child abandoned the name of Namgung long ago. Would you really say this is incorrect?”

Mageomhu gave no answer, simply glaring sharply at Cheonjon.

“If that child has abandoned Namgung, then you, Cheonjon, are the last Namgung in these lands. Thunder Fang has merely returned to where it belongs.”

“So, you’d stake Thunder Fang in this deal… is that what you’re saying?”

“That’s correct.”

The Demon Lord looked over Cheonjon’s shoulder.

Warriors clad in white stood behind him, each one highly skilled.

The Alliance’s forces were amassed. Although the number of demons was not small, and they could indeed wage war, there was one issue.

“They wouldn’t win.”

This was an objective assessment.

Victory was impossible in this fight.

If it were just Cheonjon, perhaps. But with an undamaged Little Sword Star, fighting would be pointless.

The reason they came to stand off, despite this knowledge, was partly because that damned fool charged in, thinking that Little Sword Star’s presence warranted it.

Demons couldn’t afford to show weakness before the righteous sects. While the righteous forces had the numbers and an assured victory, retreating would reflect poorly on the Cult of Heaven.

The fanatics here valued the Supreme Leader’s standing more than their own lives. Backing down was not an option.

I understood this, which is why I joined this standoff.

I could see the flow of the conversation, but there was one glaring inconsistency. The inconsistency was…

“Little Sword Star.”

“Yes.”

“You seem to be under a great misunderstanding.”

The Demon Lord’s words caused Little Sword Star’s eyebrow to twitch.

“Why do you think our sect would even consider trading with you mongrels for something as trivial as Thunder Fang?”

A rumble resounded as the demons’ aura intensified.

This was precisely the inconsistency I noticed.

While Thunder Fang was undoubtedly important to Mageomhu, it wasn’t essential to the entire Cult.

Even if Mageomhu was a valuable asset, trading with the righteous sects over her possession?

There simply wasn’t enough justification.

If anything, they’d be more inclined to provoke the sects.

“So, you still consider us beneath you.”

“…Demon Lord.”

As the Demon Lord’s flames and demonic energy rose, Little Sword Star’s expression twisted, causing the Demon Lord to smile.

“Considering the trouble you went through to crawl here, let me ask—what will you do if we reject the deal?”

Little Sword Star bit her lip at his words.

If they refused the Thunder Fang trade…

What would the Alliance do?

Watching her expression, I could roughly guess the answer.

It would be strange not to know by now.

Disregarding the Heavenly Demon’s warnings, they gathered this force at the edge of Sichuan and brought Cheonjon, one of the Three Lords, along with the Alliance’s hope, Little Sword Star?

“This means…”

They were prepared to wage a full-scale war if necessary.

Even a fool could see it.

Another way to phrase it would be:

“One more question, Little Sword Star.”

“Yes.”

“Is this a negotiation or a threat?”

If refusal would result in a fight, then it was no different from a threat.

Knowing this, Little Sword Star couldn’t answer.

In her expression, I could see a hint of shame, while the Demon Lord’s face showed a deep disdain.

“No matter how much you dress it up with grand words, in the end, you’re no different from us. Do you still fail to see that?”

Though his words were calm, they echoed powerfully.

The Alliance’s warriors responded fiercely to his words.

“A filthy traitor dares…!”

“What are these demonic scum who sold out for power babbling about?”

How long had it been since I’d seen such a sight?

I felt more amusement than irritation, even a faint nostalgia.

The righteous sects outwardly preached peace, yet their roots were rotting from within.

As the war raged, these secrets started coming to light, and many disillusioned members defected to the Cult.

Is the righteous sect truly pure?

All of Zhongyuan knew by now that it wasn’t.

People only hoped the Murim Alliance would win, not out of virtue but to avoid being ruled by the Heavenly Demon’s fiery dominance.

From my perspective, their reaction was nothing but laughable.

The ones who’d collapsed but barely clung on because of the war—

What gave them such confidence?

Even though I had become a demon, I couldn’t help but find it incomprehensible.

As the warriors’ spirit became more hostile—

Boom—!

Cheonjon exuded an overwhelming pressure that spread out, causing every hair on my body to stand on end.

“Enough—!”

At Cheonjon’s voice, the rowdy warriors of the Alliance instantly fell silent.

Clank.

From Mageomhu’s side came the sound of a blade being drawn.

Unnoticed until now, Mageomhu had her sword unsheathed. Had the noise continued, she might have scattered her sword aura.

Cheonjon must have forced the silence to prevent her from doing just that.

The Demon Lord, unfazed by the situation, continued speaking.

“You bark loudly but don’t deny it. Does that mean you’re aware as well?”

“…”

“You claim the value of the righteous sects lies in loyalty and integrity?”

The Demon Lord walked toward Little Sword Star.

The warriors flinched, moving to shield her, but Little Sword Star raised her hand to stop them.

“In your eyes, does anything like that still remain?”

Little Sword Star’s golden eyes met the Demon Lord’s purple gaze.

“…Perhaps not. However—”

In defiance, Little Sword Star took a step toward him.

“If it doesn’t exist, I will create it.”

“…”

“I wield this sword for that purpose.”

Her voice was resolute.

Hearing it, I felt a sinking in my gut.

“Don’t lie.”

It was obvious she’d want to run away right now.

For that? That was a lie.

She never wanted to wield a sword in the first place.

Why was she saying such things?

Behind her, others watched, seemingly moved by her defiance.

I wanted to tear their faces apart.

“You’re still as foolish as ever.”

“Perhaps so.”

“So, in the end, you’ll take what you want by force if necessary?”

“…”

Little Sword Star didn’t deny it.

It meant the Demon Lord’s words were correct.

“What does she want so badly?”

Given her nature, she’d likely want to avoid a situation like this. Why was she involved in something so absurd?

I was equally curious about the Alliance’s intentions in sending her and what they hoped to achieve.

“I don’t understand. What could be so important that you’re doing this?”

Closing in on her, the Demon Lord asked.

At his gaze, Little Sword Star looked away slightly.

Then she glanced in my direction.

“Huh?”

Why was she looking at me all of a sudden?

“I’m searching for a person.”

“A person?”

“Yes…”

Her words meant the Alliance was prepared to break the warning and start a war—all for one person.

I wondered what she meant, but then…

Little Sword Star suddenly raised her hand and pointed her finger at me.

“Huh?”

Looking around in confusion, I couldn’t see anyone else.

It seemed she was pointing at me.

Realizing this sent a chill up my spine.

“…Wait, is this…”

Eyes wide, I looked back at her.

“That person. I want that person.”

“…!”

As she looked at me and spoke, I felt stunned.

At the same time—

Boom—!

“Ugh!”

A terrifying energy emanated from nearby, and I quickly moved to dodge.

It was the most intense killing intent I’d felt since arriving here.

With a rumble, dark clouds suddenly gathered in the clear sky.

Thunderous energy began to coil within the clouds.

As both the demons and the Alliance’s warriors hastily shifted their stances—

“You.”

The owner of this unbelievable aura addressed Little Sword Star.

It was none other than Mageomhu.

Her white hair billowed in the thunderous aura, slowly lifting into the air.

Her sword was enveloped in an incomprehensible clarity.

It was a sight befitting her other title—

The Thunder Empress.

Looking as though she might charge at any moment, she spoke to Little Sword Star.

“Do you want to die?”

Gone was her usual slow, soft tone. Her pronunciation was unnervingly clear.