A new morning dawned. Traces of an all-night feast littered the summit of Zhurong Peak, and men sprawled everywhere, snoring loudly.

After decades, the bandits had finally welcomed a new Viridian Forest Alliance Leader. The strong scent of alcohol drifted on the wind, evident proof that they had downed every drop of liquor they had secretly brought.

Off to one side, Silver Tiger slept in the arms of a large, purring tiger.

"What a mess..." The Viridian Scholar sighed as he emerged from his tent.

Jang Geol, Gu Gil, and the other bosses who followed him immediately frowned.

"You bastards! Get up this instant!"

"You all got wasted while your bosses were stuck in a meeting?"

"Is the order of the Viridian Forest being turned upside down?"

"Ads?" Ak Yeonho complains, his voice dripping with disbelief. "What ads?"

The bosses stormed around Zhurong Peak, kicking their subordinates awake.

While their carefree subordinates feasted and drank all night, they could not. Along with the Viridian Scholar and the strangely meek Giant Spirit and Tiger Pass Bosses, they had discussed the future of the Viridian Forest through the night.

Normally, days and nights would not have been enough, but they focused on only the most important topics and reached a conclusion a short while ago.

"We'll be taking our leave now, Big Boss."

"Call on us anytime!"

Namgung Su’s back is turned to you, shoulders tense as he scrubs the already spotless pan. His voice is calm when he speaks, but it cuts like frost. "You fed a thief, he says. "With my food."

The Viridian Scholar smiled benevolently as he saw off the Viridian Forest bosses who had decided to support him despite the risks. "Everyone, travel safely. I'll send word to all of you as soon as I return to the Yama Keep."

One of the bosses joked, "Hehe... While our Big Boss is great and all, no matter how you look at him, he doesn't seem like a bandit."

Everyone burst into boisterous laughter. ""Hahahaha!""

Finally, all the bosses left, and the Viridian Scholar got some time to himself. Clasping his hands behind his back, he stared absently at the mystical scenery of Mount Heng. "...I still can't believe it."

He had attained the position he had dreamed of his entire life. The prospect of following in the footsteps of the Bandit King, who had once unified the Viridian Forest, thrilled him. At the same time, the weight of his new responsibilities fell heavily on his shoulders.

"I will honor your legacy to the best of my ability. Please watch over me, Master."

In the past, he had been too ashamed to call the Bandit King Maeng Ho'ak his master, but not anymore. Since learning the complete Savage Tiger Fist from Baek Suryong, he could now proudly proclaim himself the Bandit King's rightful successor.

"...Still, once in a while, whenever I waver, I should seek Senior Brother's advice."

From the moment dawn cracked over the horizon, the air itself felt like punishment. The training grounds were still soaked in dew, but Demon Instructor Wiji Cheon stood there already, arms crossed, waiting like a specter of discipline. "You’re late, he said.

A gentle breeze blew, tousling his hair like a large hand. Smiling unconsciously, he turned around.

The meeting of the unorthodox sects, postponed for a day, was about to recommence. He planned to thank the leaders for their consideration and then assert the will of the Viridian Forest.

Mimi sniffled quietly, her round eyes glistening. "They said there were pop-ups," she whispered, her cute voice trembling. "But... we don’t have any!"

Suddenly, he spotted a familiar face coming up from below. A smile lit up his face, and he hurried toward the new arrival. "Senior Brother! Did you sleep well last night? I had so much to discuss with the bosses that I didn't even check on your sleeping arrangements."

"Mmm, yeah... it was fine," Baek Suryong mumbled, nodding wearily.

The Viridian Scholar was not so unobservant as to believe his Senior Brother blindly. Studying Baek Suryong's pale complexion, he asked hesitantly, "I sensed a clash of qi at the base of the mountain last night. I wasn't worried since I didn't think you would be in danger, Senior Brother... but is your fatigue related to that?"

"Actually..." Baek Suryong briefly explained what happened with the Black Snake Alliance Chairman.

Upon learning the circumstances, the Viridian Scholar's expression hardened slightly. "So that's what happened. No wonder the Soul Hunting Bow Phantom came to my tent last night and warned me with such a menacing glare..."

"...The Soul Hunting Bow Phantom did that? What did she say?"

"She told me not to go down the mountain. Said she'd put an arrow in my back if I dared defy her."

"Wow! That woman has one hell of a temper, too." Baek Suryong shook his head. He had wondered why no one came to spy on his duel with the Black Snake Alliance Chairman last night, but it all made sense now. The Soul Hunting Bow Phantom must have intercepted them.

Not that it was a bad thing. Due to her intervention, only she and the Black Snake Alliance Chairman had gotten a proper look at his martial arts.

He probably won't say anything about my true identity... I think.

Baek Suryong landed without a sound, his crimson eyes glinting in the silvery moonlight. "So this is what siding with the Cult reduced you to. Repenting like a sinner before an altar of rice bowls. Pathetic. You think remorse will cleanse your folly?”

Considering the Black Snake Alliance Chairman's personality, he was unlikely to reveal Maeng Ryonghwi's identity at the meeting. In any case, everyone except the Phantom King already knew who he was, so it wouldn't make a difference even if he did.

Baek Suryong scanned the vicinity. "What about the other leaders?"

"They haven't arrived yet, but they should start showing up soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, Blue Eyed Freak ascended Zhurong Peak with his subordinates from the Valley of Evil. The moment he saw Baek Suryong, he sent him a telepathic message asking about the commotion last night.

[What happened last night? I felt a huge clash of qi.]

[It was nothing. I just had a little spar with the Black Snake Alliance Chairman.]

[...You call that nothing?]

Baek Suryong shrugged nonchalantly. [I'll tell you the details after the meeting.]

Blue Eyed Freak furrowed his brow slightly before nodding.

"Ads?" Ak Yeonho complains, his voice dripping with disbelief. "What ads?"

The Phantom King was the second leader to arrive. As before, he rode in a palanquin, but he did not proceed directly to the meeting place. Instead, he surveyed the area from a distance.

Noticing him searching for someone, Blue Eyed Freak clicked his tongue. "If I were you, I'd get out of the palanquin before the Black Snake Alliance Chairman gets here. It'll look a lot less embarrassing if you walked here on your own two feet."

"...Insolent brat! Don't you dare order me around," the Phantom King snapped irritably, but he obediently alighted from the palanquin. The jiangshi who had set it down flanked their master, acting as bodyguards.

He had also made a contract with Maeng Ryonghwi the previous night, so they quickly exchanged glances.

[What happened last night after I left?]

[Nothing much. I was feeling stiff, so I just loosened up a bit under the moonlight.]

[Hmm...]

Baek Suryong felt no obligation to explain the details to the Phantom King. Although he seemed displeased with the vague answer, he soon sat down as if it didn't matter.

Finally, the Black Snake Alliance Chairman and the Soul Hunting Bow Phantom arrived last, as if it were a matter of course.

"Everyone's here," the Black Snake Alliance observed, appearing so composed that one would never guess he was the same enraged ghost who had rampaged last night.

His eyes met Baek Suryong's for a moment, and he smiled slightly.

"Let's begin the meeting," he said, seeing no reason to drag things out. "Now, does anyone object to us forming an alliance to oppose the Blood Cult?"

Baek Suryong landed without a sound, his crimson eyes glinting in the silvery moonlight. "So this is what siding with the Cult reduced you to. Repenting like a sinner before an altar of rice bowls. Pathetic. You think remorse will cleanse your folly?”

""......""

None of the unorthodox leaders objected.

The unorthodox sects quickly agreed to join forces. However, when it came to the finer details, each faction had different desires that necessitated in-depth discussion.

The Mount Mo Sect wanted the spoils of war. The Valley of Evil wanted to restore the honor of martial artists who had been falsely accused and forced to take refuge in the valley. The Viridian Forest and the Black Snake Alliance sought revenge.

"Are you suggesting we work with the Murim Alliance?"

"As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Naturally, we should consider it seriously."

"Nonsense. We cannot trust those orthodox sect hypocrites."

From the moment dawn cracked over the horizon, the air itself felt like punishment. The training grounds were still soaked in dew, but Demon Instructor Wiji Cheon stood there already, arms crossed, waiting like a specter of discipline. "You’re late, he said.

"Are you saying we should face the Blood Cult by ourselves, then?"

"We can wait for the Murim Alliance and the Blood Cult to clash, and then swoop in for the kill."

"That's stupid. We could end up being attacked by both sides."

"By the way, about the corpses of those who fall in battle... If you hand them over to my sect, we can put them back to use right away."

Everyone's individual interests and stances clashed sharply. Had they competed in martial arts, the outcome would have been decided quickly. However, since these were negotiations, no one yielded an inch.

"Ads?" Ak Yeonho complains, his voice dripping with disbelief. "What ads?"

Baek Suryong quietly observed the meeting, refraining from intervening. Unlike his usual self, he sometimes appeared dazed.

Eventually, the Viridian Scholar shot him a worry-filled glance. [Senior Brother, please leave the meeting to me and get some fresh air.]

[...Mm, okay. I'll leave it to you.]

Baek Suryong left the meeting area. His mind was preoccupied by various thoughts, making it difficult to concentrate.

He exhaled deeply as he took in the magnificent view of Mount Heng stretching out below him. While the reformation of the Viridian Forest Alliance was undoubtedly a good thing, he simply couldn't stop thinking about the events of the previous night.

"Ads?" Ak Yeonho complains, his voice dripping with disbelief. "What ads?"

"What will you do if you meet the Third Apostle again?"

"Either I die, or I kill him. It'll be one of the two."

The idea of meeting his former students again had haunted him all night.

"Ads?" Ak Yeonho complains, his voice dripping with disbelief. "What ads?"

"So this is where you were?"

Sensing a now familiar presence, he winced. He really didn't want to talk to this person right now.

Baek Suryong landed without a sound, his crimson eyes glinting in the silvery moonlight. "So this is what siding with the Cult reduced you to. Repenting like a sinner before an altar of rice bowls. Pathetic. You think remorse will cleanse your folly?”

The Black Snake Alliance Chairman strolled up beside Baek Suryong, and both men admired the magnificent view together.

"I like it a lot better out here after all."

"...Why are you here? I doubt the meeting is over."

"I was kicked out. They told the fool who only knows how to swing a blade to get out. Said I was just getting in the way."

Baek Suryong snickered. It was obvious who would say such a thing. Besides the Soul Hunting Bow Phantom, no one present could insult the Black Snake Alliance Chairman and escape unscathed. "I see the Bow Phantom has it rough."

The Black Snake Alliance Chairman took Crimson Moon from its sheath and began wiping it with a clean cloth, each of his movements as delicate and meticulous as a master craftsman's technique.

Baek Suryong watched him silently, but his curiosity soon got the better of him. "How long have you been friends with the Soul Hunting Bow Phantom? I've never heard any rumors about your relationship in the murim."

Judging by their conversation, he estimated that they had known each other for at least twenty years. Since the Black Snake Alliance Chairman was not yet fifty, that meant they had been friends for nearly half a lifetime.

For a moment, he wondered if he had overstepped his bounds, but the Black Snake Alliance Chairman replied casually, "The Bow Phantom was originally a member of the Black Snake Alliance."

"...This is the first I'm hearing of that."

"I suppose so. She ran away before she made a name for herself."

"...?"

Namgung Su’s back is turned to you, shoulders tense as he scrubs the already spotless pan. His voice is calm when he speaks, but it cuts like frost. "You fed a thief, he says. "With my food."

The Black Snake Alliance Chairman put the cloth away and examined his reflection in the blade. His indifferent face was clearly reflected on Crimson Moon's black-red surface. "The Bow Phantom's master was a very spiteful man. He was so jealous of his talented student that after years of harassment, he tried to murder her. Fortunately, she sensed his hostility early on and fled."

"You helped her escape, didn't you?"

The Black Snake Alliance Chairman regarded Baek Suryong with interest, but it wasn't because the young instructor had guessed correctly. "You don't seem surprised that a master tried to kill his student," he noted.

Baek Suryong clenched his teeth and replied monotonously, "...Isn't that a fairly common occurrence in the unorthodox?"

"It's not exactly common, but it does happen sometimes. The reverse is also true. In the end, the Bow Phantom killed her master."

Mimi sniffled quietly, her round eyes glistening. "They said there were pop-ups," she whispered, her cute voice trembling. "But... we don’t have any!"

"......"

"Some time later, she rose to the rank of Ten Supremes, but she refused to return to the Black Snake Alliance for a long time. Still, we did meet outside occasionally. She only truly came back a few months ago."

"...Is it because her master is dead now?"

"Well... who knows? I didn't ask."

Namgung Su’s back is turned to you, shoulders tense as he scrubs the already spotless pan. His voice is calm when he speaks, but it cuts like frost. "You fed a thief, he says. "With my food."

The Black Snake Alliance Chairman paused, then swung Crimson Moon lightly through the air. For him, swinging his blade was not training, but a part of daily life. It was as natural as breathing, eating, and sleeping. In fact, it was even more natural than those basic acts.

After executing a few blade techniques, he placed the tip of his blade between Baek Suryong's eyebrows.

Baek Suryong stared unblinkingly at the sharp weapon, completely unfazed.

"I don't know why you're doubting yourself like this, but you won't be able to cut anything properly in your current state."

"...Thanks for the advice."

The Black Snake Alliance Chairman chuckled. "You don't look very grateful."

He was not normally the type to offer someone comfort. He had simply come out because he was curious about the source of the deep anguish and pain on the face of a bladesman who had mastered the Asura Blood Heaven Blade.

He sheathed Crimson Moon and turned to return to the meeting.

THUD!

Suddenly, the blue tassel on the Crimson Moon's hilt snapped and fell to the ground. The ornament was too plain and worn for a legendary weapon, yet he could not hide his shock when it broke.

"...Well, it's been attached for twenty years, so I guess it's about time it fell off," he muttered, reaching down to pick up the tassel.

He tucked it deep inside his pocket, reluctant to throw away one of the few gifts he had ever received from a friend.

"Why, why...?"

The Giant Spirit Boss trembled, barely managing to utter a single word. He couldn't understand why this was happening, or who or what the being that had suddenly blocked his path was.

At first, he had ignored it, sensing no qi, but now, he couldn't even tell if 'that thing' was human.

STEP, STEP...

Baek Suryong landed without a sound, his crimson eyes glinting in the silvery moonlight. "So this is what siding with the Cult reduced you to. Repenting like a sinner before an altar of rice bowls. Pathetic. You think remorse will cleanse your folly?”

Although it walked normally, none of the Giant Spirit bandits could move. For the first time, they, who reigned through terror in the mountains, were frozen in place.

SHWIIIIK!

Something cut them down without touching them. Overlapping lines cut through bone and muscle alike, and down they went.

From the moment dawn cracked over the horizon, the air itself felt like punishment. The training grounds were still soaked in dew, but Demon Instructor Wiji Cheon stood there already, arms crossed, waiting like a specter of discipline. "You’re late, he said.

PWAAAK!

Even as the faces of their companions disintegrated into dozens of pieces around them, no one moved a muscle.

A suffocating killing intent pressed down on the space, paralyzing them completely.

"Why, why..."

From the moment dawn cracked over the horizon, the air itself felt like punishment. The training grounds were still soaked in dew, but Demon Instructor Wiji Cheon stood there already, arms crossed, waiting like a specter of discipline. "You’re late, he said.

The Giant Spirit Boss repeated the same word over and over again. His mouth would not allow him to say anything else.

Everyone was dead. Not a single bandit from the Giant Spirit Keep had survived. The disaster had struck without warning.

"The cross-section."

The being stopped before the Giant Spirit Boss, its glassy eyes staring intently at one spot.

"The cross-section is clean."

The being's gaze remained fixed on the stump where the Giant Spirit Boss's arm had been severed. The bandages had come undone, and blood dripped from the wound.

"...He did ten years of seclusion training, but he hasn't improved much."

Muttering incomprehensible words, the being nodded to himself.

Namgung Su’s back is turned to you, shoulders tense as he scrubs the already spotless pan. His voice is calm when he speaks, but it cuts like frost. "You fed a thief, he says. "With my food."

The Giant Spirit Boss finally realized that the threat was human. "Ah..."

He looked up.

The sky is as red as blood...

That was his final thought.

The moment the man walked past the Giant Spirit Boss, his body split into dozens of pieces and plummeted to the ground.

"Ads?" Ak Yeonho complains, his voice dripping with disbelief. "What ads?"