What a tiresome life this is.

Cheon So-so, the Heavenly Demon, tilted her cup, watching the green liquid ripple. The sight bored her to no end.

The life of an absolute ruler—it came with its share of changes, of course. Even recently, there had been a significant change.

But it wasn’t a welcome one. On the contrary, it was deeply displeasing. After all, desirable changes were those that sparked curiosity.

Something intriguing.

Something that made you want to see what came next.

Cheon So-so placed the untouched cup back on the table. Leaning into her chair, she yawned lazily.

Like pulling an old memory from a dusty cupboard, she casually voiced a thought.

"Ilma."

"Yes."

"What’s become of my little dog?"

A figure cloaked in black stepped forward. Her movements carried the air of propriety and formality that she always maintained.

Cheon So-so found that trait of hers slightly irksome. They’d spent years together, even sharing martial techniques, making theirs a unique bond.

Even if she didn’t trust others, Ilma was different. Not a bond of blood, but perhaps something even deeper.

What a pity. Truly, what a pity. Cheon So-so picked up a snack, chewing thoughtfully.

"Give me your report."

"As per your orders, I have been teaching him the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art."

"And how is he progressing?"

"He remembers the formulas, but he’s rather slow-witted. As expected, he isn’t particularly bright."

Well, his build was nothing special, and his cultivation level was likewise unremarkable.

The only thing she valued was his obsessive drive, concealed within his honest exterior. The strength born from enduring years of frustration.

A burden, truly.

"How is he with the sword?"

"I haven’t let him touch one yet. He’s not at that stage."

"How is his sense of physical control?"

"Nothing remarkable."

"Unorthodox techniques?"

"He’s adaptable enough, but hardly exceptional."

"Would you call him slow-witted?"

"Even calling him ‘witted’ feels generous."

Ilma’s evaluation was mercilessly low. Cheon So-so burst into laughter.

Ah, Ilma always carried out her duties with precision, even when assigned tasks she disliked. She wouldn’t allow personal bias to color her report.

So, this dog, Jeok Woon, was even worse than a dullard—a downright fool.

And yet, that made it all the more amusing. Cheon So-so’s laughter subsided as she leaned forward, studying Ilma.

Behind Ilma’s black hood, her face was obscured, revealing only the talisman-like strips of paper adhered to it. Yet, even so, something about her expression came through.

"Ilma, you prefer talent, don’t you?"

"Those with talent are preferable to those without."

"Of course. That’s so like you—focused on efficiency. How many have you trained under you?"

"There’s the Blood Demon Unit. I also personally raised the Four Blood Gods."

"Right. Over a hundred disciples under you."

"I only consider the Four Blood Gods properly trained, but yes, technically speaking."

"I’ve often watched you train your disciples. How could I resist seeing my adorable Ilma hard at work?"

"...That’s embarrassing."

"But you know, my dear Ilma..."

Cheon So-so raised both hands, pulling the corners of her lips into a wide grin.

"This is the first time I’ve seen you smile like that."

"......."

Ilma froze, then cleared her throat quietly.

"You must have been mistaken, Sect Leader."

"Really? Your face might not be smiling, but your aura certainly is. Could it be... you’ve fallen for him?"

"...Please refrain from such remarks."

Her tone carried genuine displeasure. Cheon So-so shrugged.

"Fair enough. You are rather selective, after all. But remember, the Heavenly Tribulation reshapes appearances. Weren’t you the same? Every day more beautiful than the last, your training itself refining you."

"......."

"Ah, yes, yes. You were always beautiful. Does that satisfy you? Tsk, no sense of humor. At least pretend to blush! If I recall, that mutt’s face wasn’t so unbearable before."

"......."

"Look at that! Refusing to answer again! No matter how many times I tell you to fix that attitude!"

"My apologies for the delay, Sect Leader."

"Oh, please. If you’re this slow to draw a sword in battle, the day I die will come before you miss a meeting."

No romantic interest, then.

Cheon So-so lightly tapped the table.

So, there must be something about Jeok Woon that appeals to her as a martial artist.

What could it be? Asking outright would yield an answer, but that would ruin the fun.

Speculation was enjoyable precisely because of the process. Cheon So-so smirked.

"Is he more diligent than expected?"

"...Yes."

"Not one to complain?"

"That, too, is true."

"That’s already two things you like. Now, what’s the third? I’m so curious... but I won’t ask. There’s no fun in spoiling the near-truth."

Cheon So-so pondered.

She added one last guess to her raised smile.

"Does my little mutt have more patience than you expected?"

"......"

Ilma stayed silent. Cheon So-so cackled, confident she had hit the mark.

"See? Didn’t I say he’d be interesting to bring in?"

"Sect Leader, may I speak freely, even if it breaches decorum?"

"Speak. I’ll always listen to you. What is it?"

"You recently said that Jeok Woon is remarkably patient, didn’t you?"

"I did. Just moments ago. Do you think I’ve gone senile enough to forget my own words?"

"You’re correct. He is exceptionally patient. No matter how much I push him, he doesn’t complain. Even when his hands bleed, he doesn’t utter a scream."

"Of course. A pauper like him must endure that much to even glimpse the heels of those ahead."

"That’s true as well, Sect Leader. However..."

Ilma tilted her head slightly.

"He is not a tenacious dog, Sect Leader."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"He is not a tenacious mutt—he’s a venomous snake."

What nonsense is this?

Cheon So-so leaned in, intrigued.

"A venomous snake, not a tenacious dog. What’s the difference?"

"The tenacious are those who persist until their task is done. A venomous snake, on the other hand..."

"And?"

"A venomous snake drives its fangs into its own flesh to complete its task."

"...?"

Surely not.

"Ilma."

"Yes."

"The Heavenly Tribulation brings unimaginable pain during the adaptation stage. You know this well, don’t you?"

"I experienced it myself."

"Aside from you and me, no one else in the sect has survived it. Everyone else ended their lives to escape the agony."

"That is true."

"And the medicine I instructed you to give him—the one designed to force adaptation through? It spares the body, allowing even those unsuited to gain a partial Heavenly Tribulation. Did you give it to him?"

"I did not."

Crack.

The armrest of Cheon So-so’s chair snapped under her grip.

"Why?"

"I judged him unworthy of its cost."

"...Go on."

"The medicine’s ingredients are rare and expensive. The resources required to produce it consume a portion of the sect’s wealth. I did not think Jeok Woon was worth such an investment."

"Curious. Since when has deciding such things become your role and not mine?"

"It was my independent decision."

"If he had taken the medicine, he would still have suffered immense pain. Without it, the agony would have been many times worse—a torment no genius could endure. He should have died."

"That’s correct."

"Yet he lives. Are you telling me you eventually gave him the medicine after all?"

"...I did not."

"Then you’re saying he’s walking, swinging his arms, and training without it? Ilma, I’ve had enough of your jokes. The pain alone would make it remarkable for him to take a single step, let alone swing a sword."

Cheon So-so stood, walked over to Ilma, and tore off her hood.

Her pink hair fell around her shoulders, framing a face full of resolve, unmarred by fear or hesitation.

This was not the expression of someone telling lies.

But still—could a mere human, surrounded by the Heavenly Tribulation, endure such suffering and train their martial arts?

"Are you reporting that you turned him into a walking corpse?"

"Sect Leader."

Ilma spoke clearly.

"He is not a tenacious mutt. He is a venomous snake. And I can assure you—he has been training all day without touching the medicine."

"...All day?"

Ilma—also known as Nansul—sighed.

"He is a commoner and yet not a commoner. His spirit and will surpass even that of the most talented. I’ve spoken with him briefly. He’s

twenty-four, born to a poor family, and has worked relentlessly since childhood to support them."

"......"

"For twenty-four years, he has never rested. He’s no genius, but he is diligent. No fool, but steadfast."

"A high evaluation, Ilma."

"Merely an objective assessment, Sect Leader. Patience is the word that defines his life. It will guide him for as long as he walks this path."

Ilma’s expression softened slightly.

"He is a commoner. He lacks talent in martial arts, intelligence, or scholarly pursuits. He is utterly ordinary."

"...Interesting."

"But if there is one thing that sets him apart..."

Ilma lowered her gaze.

"He wields the sword of patience. The Heavenly Tribulation has twisted it, not into madness, but into something dormant within—a venomous snake’s fangs. Even as he bleeds from every pore, he will sink those fangs into the neck of his enemy."

"...I see."

Ilma rarely gave such detailed evaluations.

Cheon So-so pondered for a moment, then returned to her seat.

The conclusion she reached was simple.

"As expected, my judgment is flawless!"

"......"

She paid no mind to Ilma’s tired expression.

"I’d like to see him for myself. But showing up now would ruin the fun. I’ll watch from a distance later. If your evaluation is so high, it might be time to adjust my plans."

"What do you mean?"

"Have you placed someone in his position as a gatekeeper?"

"Yes, Sect Leader. A lookalike has been stationed there."

"Well done. Then his spy identity remains intact. Let’s see..."

Ah.

There was that place, wasn’t there?

"The Blood Demon Unit has vacancies, doesn’t it?"

"...Yes? But Sect Leader, that is no place for someone just learning martial arts."

"If he enters, his progress will skyrocket. It’s the best place to master the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art."

"More likely, he’ll be abandoned by our allies before the enemy gets to him. The Blood Demon Unit consists of seasoned fiends hardened by countless battlefields. If they find him lacking, they’ll kill him without hesitation."

"If my dog struggles against mere fiends, what use is he to me?"

Cheon So-so snapped her fingers.

"The Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art is my creation. It suits Jeok Woon perfectly. Watching his comrades’ achievements will only spur him to train harder."

"You’re sending him into certain death without giving him the medicine?"

"If his sword is truly patience, he’ll survive even the Blood Demon Unit."

Cheon So-so lifted her tea. The sharp flavor danced on her tongue.

Ah, exquisite. The stories that accompanied tea were always the best seasoning.

"Raising him carefully is fine, but what’s the point? A child raised under the safety of skirts will never learn to use their claws."

"......"

"Or have you grown too attached to throw him into danger, Ilma?"

Ilma sighed, wiping the blood from her cheek.

"The Sect Leader’s sword holds no affection for anyone."

"Then throw him in. He’s my dog, after all. It’s my choice how to handle him."

Cheon So-so emptied her cup cleanly.

"A dog must be raised as a dog. If you coddle it, it won’t grow."